A trip-actuation unit of an actuator assembly of a molded case circuit breaker (MCCB)
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/IN2026/050293
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2025-02-21
- Filing Date
- 2026-02-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-27
Smart Images
Figure IN2026050293_27082026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] A TRIP-ACTUATION UNIT OF AN ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY OF A MOLDED CASE CIRCUIT BREAKER (MCCB)
[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] The present invention relates to the field of circuit breakers, particularly to a Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB). The present invention, in particular, relates to a trip-actuation unit of an actuator assembly of the MCCB.
[0004] BACKGROUND
[0005] This section is intended to provide information relating to the field of the invention and thus, any approach or functionality described below should not be assumed to be qualified as a prior art merely by its inclusion in this section.
[0006] A Circuit Breaker is an electro-mechanical switching device capable of making, carrying and breaking a flow of current in an electrical circuit. The circuit breaker is also known as an overcurrent protective device. Under normal circuit conditions, the circuit breaker closes the electrical circuit to allow the flow of current therethrough, and breaks the flow of current or the electrical circuit under specified abnormal circuit conditions. Accordingly, it is said that the circuit breaker is an equipment which can open or close the circuit, under all conditions viz. no load, full load and fault conditions. Low voltage circuit breakers are commonly known to be deployed for low voltage applications, for example 1000 Volt or lower.
[0007] Various examples of low voltage circuit breakers are known, for example, a Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB), a Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB), a Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB), an Air Circuit Breaker (ACB), and the like. Notably, the MCB is used in applications of current rating under 125 Amperes and short circuit current interruption rating of under 10KA, while the MCCB is used in applications of current rating up to 1600 amperes and interrupting short circuit current in a range of lOkA -150kA. Accordingly, it is submitted that the MCCB is used for relatively high current rating applications than the MCB.
[0008] The MCCB is commonly a multipolar circuit breaker, which protects the electrical network / circuit and equipment from overloading and / or short-circuiting. Specifically, the MCCB is capable of operating amongst an ON position, an OFF position, and a TRIP position.
[0009] Conventionally, the MCCB includes at least a base assembly, a mid-cover assembly, a fascia plate assembly, at least one pole assembly, a trip assembly and an actuator assembly. In one embodiment, the MCCB comprises three (3) pole assemblies. In such embodiments, the base assembly, the mid-cover assembly, and the fascia plate assembly in combination with each other, form a housing to house and support the three pole assemblies therein.
[0010] Further, the actuator assembly is mounted on at least one of the three (3) pole assemblies, while the TRIP assembly is mounted on at least one of the three (3) pole assemblies, such that the three (3) pole assemblies are connected together and operated together amongst the ON position, the OFF position, and the TRIP position. Notably, each of the three (3) pole assemblies comprises a pair of electrical contact units i.e., a stationary contact unit and a rotary contact unit, wherein the rotary contact unit rotatably engages and disengages with the stationary contact unit. Particularly, the actuator assembly includes a fork that can be manually adjusted, to adjust the three (3) pole assemblies together amongst the ON position, the OFF position and the TRIP position. More particularly, the actuator assembly is capable of breaking electrical contact between the stationary contact unit and the rotary contact unit of the three (3) pole assemblies, to interrupt the flow of current therethrough to the conductors connected to the load side, in response to normal / fault conditions.
[0011] Conventionally, a solenoid mechanism known as a shunt trip mechanism is employed in the MCCB as an accessory to remotely trip the MCCB. The shunt trip mechanism can be activated by a wide range of safety or control features but is typically used for remote tripping by the application of a control supply voltage. A trip signal is produced by an electromagnetic coil in the shunt trip mechanism and is translated to the actuator assembly, in order to trip the MCCB. Also, when the MCCB is reset for normal operation, the shunt trip mechanism also has to be reset to its original state to be ready for activation in order to again remotely trip the MCCB whenever required. The shunt trip mechanism is known to be attached onto the mid-cover assembly of the MCCB. However, due to space constraints, the vertical axes of both the shunt trip mechanism and the actuator assembly do not coincide. To overcome such a drawback, a typical solution is to provide a complex sub-assembly, with large number of components in the actuator assembly to allow translation of an output from the shunt trip mechanism to the actuator assembly and vice-versa. However, in such a complex arrangement, even if a single component fails, then the shunt trip mechanism would fail to trip the MCCB efficiently.
[0012] Accordingly in light of the aforementioned drawbacks and several other limitations inherent in the existing art, there exists a well-felt need to provide a mechanism to comprise fewer components to conform with the space constraints of the MCCB, and further is simple, reliable, cost-efficient, improved and robust mechanism to translate the trip signal from the shunt trip mechanism to the actuator assembly, which the present disclosure aims to address.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] This section is intended to introduce certain aspects of the disclosed system in a simplified form and is not intended to identify the key advantages or features of the present disclosure.
[0014] The present disclosure relates to a trip-actuation unit of an actuator assembly of a Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) that comprises a trip-accessory and a mid-cover assembly. The actuator assembly comprises a trip-bar that adjusts the MCCB between the ON position and the TRIP position. The trip-actuation unit is adapted to translate an actuation from the trip-accessory to the trip-bar for adjustment of the MCCB from the ON position to the TRIP position. The trip-actuation unit comprises an actuator-link pivotally mounted on the mid-cover assembly, and is adapted to engage with the trip-accessory, such that the actuator-link is adjusted between a first pivot position and a second pivot position, corresponding to a deactivated position and an actuated position of the trip-accessory. The trip-actuation unit further comprises a slider-member resiliently and slidably mounted on the mid-cover assembly. The slider-member defines a link-engagement cavity that receives a portion of the actuator-link, and a trip-bar engagement portion positioned facing the trip-bar of the actuator assembly. The slider-member is adapted to be slid between a first slid position and a second slid position, wherein, in the deactivated position of the trip-accessory, the actuator-link is normally maintained in the first pivot position, to normally maintain the slidermember in the first slid position, and thus maintaining a gap between the trip-bar engagement portion of the slider-member and the trip-bar. In the actuated position of the trip-accessory, the actuator-link is pivotally adjusted to the second pivot position, to cause adjustment of the slidermember to the second slid position, to thereby cause engagement of the trip-bar engagement portion of the slider-member with the trip-bar, causing the MCCB to be adjusted from the ON position to the TRIP position.
[0015] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the mid-cover assembly of the MCCB comprises a plurality of extension portions, a spring protrusion, and a trip-accessory housing cavity, such that the trip-accessory housing cavity is adapted to house the trip-accessory.
[0016] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the actuator assembly further comprises a fork such that the fork comprises a fork protrusion.
[0017] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the actuator-link of the trip-actuation unit comprises a first extension portion, a second extension portion, and a cylindrical link portion, such that the first extension portion extends upwards from an end of the cylindrical link portion, and the second extension portion extends downwards from a center of the cylindrical link portion.According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the first extension portion of the actuatorlink is adapted to engage with at least a portion of the slider-member, while the second extension portion is adapted to engage with at least a portion of the trip-accessory.
[0018] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the actuator-link is pivotally installed within the trip-accessory housing cavity of the mid-cover assembly.
[0019] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the slider-member is a flat-plate like structure adapted to be resiliently adjusted in a limited and / or guided translatory motion, between the actuator assembly and the mid-cover assembly, such that the slider-member enables manipulation of the MCCB between the ON position and TRIP position.
[0020] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the slider-member further comprises a flange, a guiding slot, and a spring engagement extension portion.
[0021] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the link-engagement cavity is adapted to receive the first extension portion of the actuator-link therethrough, the trip-bar engagement portion is adapted to engage with the trip-bar of the actuator assembly, the flange is adapted to engage with the fork protrusion, the guiding slot is adapted to engage with one of the plurality of extensions of the mid-cover assembly, such that the guiding slot guides the slider-member therein, and limits a translatory travel thereof, and the spring engagement extension portion enables attachment of a resilient member, enabling extending as well as retracting resilient movement of the slider-member.
[0022] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the first extension portion of the actuatorlink engages with the link-engagement cavity of the slider-member, to cause a retracting resilient movement of the slider-member relative to the mid-cover assembly, upon actuation of the tripaccessory.
[0023] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, one end of the resilient member is attached to the spring engagement extension portion of the slider-member, while other end is attached to the spring protrusion of the mid-cover assembly, such that the resilient member is employed to keep tension on the slider-member, to eliminate slack in the trip-actuation unit. According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the resilient member is a compression spring.
[0024] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the trip-bar engagement portion of the slider-member, is engaged with the trip-bar of the actuator assembly, such that during retractingresilient movement of the slider-member caused upon actuation of the trip-accessory, manipulates the MCCB to the TRIP position.
[0025] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, upon manipulation of the fork from the TRIP position to the RESET position, the first extension portion of the actuator-link engages with the link-engagement cavity of the slider-member, and the flange engages with the fork protrusion, to cause a backward pivotal movement of the actuator-link, thereby resetting the trip-accessory.
[0026] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0027] In order to explain the technical solution in the embodiments of the present application more clearly, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the application. For those skilled in art, without any creative work, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.
[0028] Figure la illustrates an assembled perspective view of a Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB), in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0029] Figure lb illustrates an assembled perspective view of the MCCB, depicting a trip-accessory installed thereon, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0030] Figure 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the MCCB of Figure la, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0031] Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view depicting a relative arrangement between a mid-cover assembly and the trip-accessory of the MCCB attached thereon, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0032] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a relative arrangement between three (3) pole assemblies and an actuator assembly of the MCCB of Figure la, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0033] Figure 5a illustrates an exploded view of the relative arrangement between the three (3) pole assemblies and the actuator assembly of the MCCB, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0034] Figure 5b illustrates a perspective view of the MCCB depicting a biasing spring member, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0035] Figure 5c illustrates a side view of the MCCB depicting the biasing spring member of Figure 5a, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the actuator assembly of the MCCB, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0036] Figure 7 illustrates a side view of the actuator assembly of Figure 6, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0037] Figure 8 illustrates an assembled perspective view of various components of the actuator assembly of Figure 6, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0038] Figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of a relative arrangement between a trip arm member and a resetting pin of the actuator assembly, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0039] Figure 10 illustrates a perspective view of the arrangement Figure 9, depicting the resetting pin in a fixed state, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0040] Figure 11 illustrates a front view of the trip-bar of the actuator assembly of Figure 6, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0041] Figure 12 illustrates an exploded view of the MCCB depicting a relative arrangement between a slider-member and an actuator-link of the trip-actuation unit and the trip-accessory in the midcover assembly of the MCCB, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0042] Figure 13 illustrates a side view of a portion of the mid-cover assembly supporting thereon the slider-member, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0043] Figure 14 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the mid-cover assembly supporting thereon the slider-member and the actuator-link, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0044] Figure 15a illustrates a front view of the slider-member, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0045] Figure 15b illustrates a rear view of the slider-member, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0046] Figure 16a illustrates a perspective view of the mid-cover assembly supporting thereon the slidermember and the actuator-link, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0047] Figure 16b illustrates another perspective view of the mid-cover assembly depicting relative arrangement between the actuator-link and the mid-cover assembly, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0048] Figure 17 illustrates a perspective of a relative arrangement between the actuator-link and the tripaccessory, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.Figure 18a illustrates a front view of the actuator-link, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0049] Figure 18b illustrates a rear view of the actuator-link, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0050] Figure 19 illustrates a perspective view of an arrangement of the actuator assembly (in an ON position) and the trip-actuation unit of the MCCB, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0051] Figure 20 illustrates a perspective view of an arrangement of the actuator assembly (in a TRIP position) and the trip -actuation unit of the MCCB, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0052] Figure 21 illustrates a perspective view of an arrangement of the actuator assembly (in a RESET position) and the trip -actuation unit of the MCCB, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0053] DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0054] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, that the embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or might address only one of the problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might not be fully addressed by any of the features described herein. Exemplified embodiments of the present invention are described below, as illustrated in various drawings in which, like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings.
[0055] A circuit breaker is an electro-mechanical switching device capable of making, carrying and breaking a flow of current in an electrical circuit. The circuit breaker is also known as an overcurrent protective device. Under normal circuit conditions, the circuit breaker closes the electrical circuit for allowing the flow of current therethrough, and breaks the flow of current or the electrical circuit under specified abnormal circuit conditions. Accordingly, it is said that the circuit breaker is an equipment which can open or close the electrical circuit, under all conditions viz. no load, full load and fault conditions. The circuit breaker of the present invention is a Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB)
[0100] ,Figure la illustrates an assembled perspective view of the MCCB
[0100] , in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Figure lb illustrates an assembled perspective view of the MCCB
[0100] , depicting a trip-accessory
[0156] installed thereon, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Figure 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the MCCB
[0100] of Figure la, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view depicting a relative arrangement between a mid-cover assembly
[0106] and the trip-accessory
[0156] of the MCCB
[0100] attached thereon, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a relative arrangement between three (3) pole assemblies
[0102] and an actuator assembly
[0112] of the MCCB
[0100] of Figure la, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Figure 5a illustrates an exploded view of the relative arrangement between the three (3) pole assemblies
[0102] and the actuator assembly
[0112] of the MCCB
[0100] , in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Figure 5b illustrates a perspective view of the MCCB
[0100] depicting a biasing spring member
[0136] , in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Figure 5c illustrates a side view of the MCCB
[0100] depicting the biasing spring member
[0136] of Figure 5a, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Figures 1 - 5c are to be viewed in conjunction with each other, in order to better understand the concepts of the present disclosure. For ease in reference and understanding of a reader, the structure and arrangement of the MCCB
[0100] is elucidated hereunder, in light of the aforementioned accompanying drawings.
[0056] The MCCB
[0100] is a low-voltage and high-current circuit breaker, employed to protect electrical networks / circuits from overload or short-circuit conditions. The MCCB
[0100] is positioned between at least one load phase on a load side and at least one line phase on a line side for providing protection during overload or short-circuit conditions. The MCCB
[0100] operates amongst each of an ON position, an OFF position, and a TRIP position, wherein the MCCB
[0100] is manually adjusted between the ON position and the OFF position, whereas the MCCB
[0100] is automatically adjusted to the TRIP position due to overloading or short-circuiting at the line side or the load side of the MCCB
[0100] , In the ‘ON’ position, the MCCB
[0100] allows a flow of current therethrough, whereas, in each of the ‘OFF’ position and the ‘TRIP’ position, the MCCB
[0100] restricts the flow of current therethrough.
[0057] Commonly, the MCCB
[0100] is a multipolar circuit breaker. Although, in the present disclosure the MCCB
[0100] is described as a three-pole circuit breaker, it may be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the MCCB
[0100] may also be a single-pole circuit breaker, a four-pole circuit breaker, or a circuit breaker with any number of poles. The MCCB
[0100] includes the three (3) pole assemblies
[0102] , a base assembly
[0104] , a mid-cover assembly
[0106] , a fascia plate assembly
[0108] , the actuator assembly
[0112] , a TRIP assembly (not shown), a hinge cover assembly
[0110] , and the trip-accessory
[0156] ,
[0058] Referring to figures 1 - 5c, each of the three (3) pole assemblies
[0102] are independent units capable of protecting the electrical networks / circuits from over-load or short-circuit conditions. In particular, each of the three (3) pole assemblies
[0102] transmits electric current from one of the line phases to one of the load phases, while providing protection from overcurrent or short-circuit fault conditions. Each of the three (3) pole assemblies
[0102] operate in each of the ‘ON’ position, the ‘OFF’ position, and the ‘TRIP’ position. Notably, the three (3) pole assemblies
[0102] are connected with one or more components of the actuator assembly
[0112] , to adjust each of the three pole assemblies
[0102] together between the ‘ON’ position, the ‘OFF’ position, and the ‘TRIP’ position. The structure and arrangement of the base assembly
[0104] will be elucidated hereinafter. The base assembly
[0104] is a lower structure that provides a mounting base and support structure for holding and supporting each of the three pole assemblies
[0102] therein. In particular, the base assembly
[0104] defines pole holding cavities to mount and support each of the three (3) pole assemblies
[0102] therein. The structure and arrangement of the mid-cover assembly
[0106] will be described hereinafter.
[0059] Referring to figures 2, 3, and 12-14, the mid-cover assembly
[0106] is an upper structure that is engaged with the base assembly
[0104] , to at least partially cover the three pole assemblies
[0102] and protect the same from external environment. The mid-cover assembly
[0106] is adapted to fixedly attached thereon various accessories of the MCCB
[0100] , such as but not limited to, the trip-accessory
[0156] such as a shunt trip mechanism, undervoltage trip mechanism, auxiliary & trip / alarm contact switch, a flux shifter device, a push-to-trip (PTT) assembly, and the like thereon. The mid-cover assembly
[0106] is usually fittingly engaged with the base assembly
[0104] , Although, the mid-cover assembly
[0106] is described to be attached to the base assembly
[0104] by way of a fit attachment means, it may be obvious to a person skilled in the art that any other known attachment means may also be envisioned. The mid-cover assembly
[0106] comprises a plurality of extension portions [106a] extending perpendicularly from a base thereof, a spring protrusion [106b], and a trip-accessory housing cavity [106c], Each of the plurality of extension portions [106a] are substantially “L” shaped members, adapted to hold and guide a slider-member
[0202] of a trip-actuation unit
[0120] , The spring protrusion [106b] is adapted to receive an end of a resilient member, and the trip-accessory housing cavity [106c] is adapted to house the trip-accessory. The fascia plate assembly
[0108] is adapted to be fittingly mounted on the mid-cover assembly
[0106] , to cover the mid-cover assembly
[0106] and various accessories housed thereon andsupported therein. The fascia plate assembly
[0108] defines portions to depict electrical parameters related to MCCB
[0100] , The fascia plate assembly
[0108] also comprises a fascia-plate cavity [108a] and at least two pairs of grooves [108b], The fascia plate-cavity [108a] is a through hole, preferably a rectangular through hole that allows a portion of a fork
[0124] of the actuator assembly to pass therethrough. The structure and arrangement of the hinge cover assembly
[0110] will be described hereinafter in detail.
[0060] The hinge cover assembly
[0110] comprises a first hinge cover plate [110a] and a second hinge cover plate [110b] adapted to be mounted on a top edge and a bottom edge of the fascia plate assembly
[0108] respectively. In particular, the first hinge cover plate [110a] defines a first pair of snap attachment sections adapted to engage with one of the at least two pairs of grooves [108b] defined proximal to the top edge of the fascia plate assembly
[0108] , While the second hinge cover plate [110b] defines a second pair of snap attachment sections adapted to engage with the other of the at least two pair of grooves [108b] defined proximal to the bottom edge of the fascia plate assembly
[0108] , Further, each of the first and second hinge cover plates [110a] define a male attachment portion which is adapted to engage with the mid-cover assembly
[0106] , to lock thereto by means of a snap-fit attachment. The structure and arrangement of the actuator assembly
[0112] will be described hereinafter.
[0061] Referring to figures 6 to 11, the actuator assembly
[0112] is a multi-part component mounted on one of the pole assemblies
[0102] of the MCCB
[0100] , The actuator assembly
[0112] connects the three (3) pole assemblies
[0102] together, such that the three (3) pole assemblies
[0102] are manually adjusted together amongst the ON position, the OFF position, and the TRIP position, by means of the actuator assembly
[0112] , The actuator assembly
[0112] includes a fork
[0124] that may be manually adjusted to adjust the three pole assemblies
[0102] together amongst the ON position, the OFF position, and the TRIP position. In particular, the fork
[0124] of the actuator assembly
[0112] may be manually manipulated, to adjust the three pole assemblies
[0102] together from the ON position to the OFF position and vice versa. Moreover, one or more of the three (3) pole assemblies
[0102] may be adjusted to the TRIP position, during overload or short-circuit fault conditions. Additionally, the TRIP assembly is mounted on one of the three (3) pole assemblies or on all pole assemblies such that the TRIP assembly triggers the actuator assembly
[0112] to adjust the three (3) pole assemblies
[0102] together to the TRIP position. Further, the manually adjustable fork
[0124] of the actuator assembly
[0112] may be manipulated to reset the three (3) pole assemblies
[0102] together from the TRIP position to the OFF position.
[0062] The actuator assembly
[0112] comprises a linkage mechanism, a trip arm member
[0116] , one or more side plates
[0122] , a trip-bar
[0118] , a resetting pin
[0134] , a rivet arrangement, a biasing springmember
[0136] , and the trip-actuation unit
[0120] , The rivet arrangement facilitates relative attachment of the one or more side plates
[0122] and also facilitates attachment and / or mounting of other components of the actuator assembly
[0112] thereon. A general arrangement of the aforementioned components of the actuator assembly
[0112] is elucidated hereunder, for ease in reference and understanding of the reader.
[0063] The linkage mechanism is deployed in the actuator assembly
[0112] to indicate the real-time position of a rotary contact unit (not shown) relative to a stationary contact unit (not shown), and prevent the MCCB
[0100] from being manipulated to the OFF position thereof. The linkage mechanism comprises the fork
[0124] and other linkages which are not relevant to the present disclosure and are therefore not reiterated herein. Those skilled in the art may envision such other components and conveniently work and / or enable the present invention by means of the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0064] Referring to figures 5a to 7, and 21 it is reiterated that the fork
[0124] is adapted to be pivotally adjusted to manipulate the MCCB
[0100] amongst the ON position, the OFF position, and the RESET position. In particular, the fork
[0124] defines a flat surface portion [124e], a lever portion [ 124f] extending laterally therefrom, a pair of extruded plate profiles, namely, a first extruded plate profile [124g] and a second extruded plate profile [124h] extending laterally from the flat surface portion [124e] thereof, and a fork protrusion [124b] extending laterally from either or both of the first and second extruded plate profiles [124g, 124h], Further, the fork defines a pivot cut-out portion [124a], and a stopper cut-out portion (not shown), wherein both the pivot-cut-out portion [124a] and the stopper cut-out portion are defined on either or both of the first and second extruded plate profiles [124g, 124h] . The pivot cut-out portion [124a] enables pivoting motion of the fork
[0124] , The stopper cut-out portion is adapted to limit a travel of the fork
[0124] , Notably, the first and second extruded plate profiles [124g, 124h] are adapted to engage with the resetting pin
[0134] , to manipulate the MCCB
[0100] amongst the ON position, the OFF position, the TRIP position, and the RESET position.
[0065] Referring to figures 8 to 10, in assembly, the trip arm member
[0116] is pivotally mounted between the one or more side plates
[0122] , by means of a trip arm rivet [116a], while the linkage mechanism is positioned over the one or more side plates
[0122] , such that the linkage mechanism is at least partially in connection with the one or more side plates
[0122] as well as the trip arm member
[0116] , Moreover, the trip-bar
[0118] is also mounted between the one or more side plates
[0122] , proximal to one end of the one or more side plates
[0122] , Furthermore, the resetting pin
[0134] is mounted between the one or more side plates
[0122] , such that the resetting pin
[0134] is at least partially in connection with the trip arm member
[0116] , the one or more side plates
[0122] , and the trip-bar
[0118] , The resetting pin
[0134] comprises a collar [134a] at one end thereof, such that the collar [134a] enables locking of the resetting pin
[0134] to the one or more side plates
[0122] , thereby detachably locking the trip arm member
[0116] to the one or more side plates
[0122] , Advantageously, the resetting pin
[0134] requires no additional bracket or accessory to lock or fixedly attach the resetting pin
[0134] to the one or more side plates
[0122] ,
[0066] Referring to figures 7, 19 to 21, the one or more side plates
[0122] are adapted to be connected on either side of various components of the actuator assembly
[0112] , Each of the one or more side plates
[0122] comprises a fork rivet [122a] adapted to pivotally support the fork
[0124] thereon. Further, the one or more side plates
[0122] comprise a fork stopper rivet (not shown) is adapted to limit movement of the fork
[0124] , and the trip arm rivet [116a] adapted to rigidly support the trip arm member
[0116] thereof. In particular, the fork rivet [122a] receives the pivot cut-out portion [124a] of the fork
[0124] , such that the fork
[0124] is pivotally mounted thereon. Further, the stopper cut-out portion of the fork
[0124] is adapted to engage with the fork stopper rivet of the one or more side plates
[0122] , such that the manipulation of the fork
[0124] is restricted beyond the fork stopper rivet. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more side plates
[0122] include two (2) side plates. Referring to figure 11, the trip-bar
[0118] defines a left-side portion [118a], a right-side portion [118b] and a top-side portion [118c], Each of the left and right-side portions [118a, 118b] comprise a vertical cavity
[0140] , such that the vertical cavity
[0140] comprises a protrusion [140a] at one end and a base portion [140b] at other end. The protrusion [140a] and the base portion [140b] are adapted to attach a resilient member such as but not limited to a compression spring
[0144] , as depicted in figure 7. The resilient member is adapted to engage with the one or more side plates
[0122] , preventing nuisance de-latching of the trip-bar
[0118] from a latch bracket
[0148] , Further, the top-side portion [118c] defines a cavity
[0142] wherein another resilient member as depicted in figures 6 & 8, such as but not limited to an extension spring
[0146] engages at one end with the cavity
[0142] and to the other end engages with a cut-out portion [134b] of the resetting pin
[0134] , Thus, further aiding in preventing nuisance de-latching of the trip-bar
[0118] , The latch bracket
[0148] is attached to the one or more side plates
[0122] by means of a latch bracket rivet [148a], In an assembly of the linkage mechanism, at least one component is connected to the trip arm member
[0116] , while another is connected to the drive shaft engaging with each of the three (3) pole assemblies
[0102] of the MCCB
[0100] , Further, as seen from figures 5b and 5c, the biasing spring member
[0136] at one end is engaged with one of the one or more side plates
[0122] , and the other end is connected to the fork
[0124] , to cumulatively form the linkage mechanism of the actuator assembly
[0112] ,The biasing spring member
[0136] is employed in the actuator assembly
[0112] of the MCCB
[0100] , in order to increase a torque acting thereon during tripping operation of the MCCB
[0100] , The MCCB
[0100] also employs one or more of the trip-accessories
[0156] that are secured within the mid-cover assembly
[0106] , One such trip-accessory
[0156] is the shunt trip mechanism, which is adapted to be fixedly attached within the trip-accessory housing cavity [106c] defined in the mid-cover assembly
[0106] of the MCCB
[0100] ,
[0067] The pole assembly
[0102] includes a casing unit
[0154] , the stationary contact unit, the rotary contact unit, and an arc chute unit (not shown). Notably, the casing unit
[0154] of each of the plurality of pole assemblies
[0102] comprised in the MCCB
[0100] is such that the plurality of pole assemblies
[0102] are arranged with each other, in a modular manner. More particularly, a number of the plurality of pole assemblies
[0102] , in combination, define a number of electrical connection poles of the MCCB
[0100] , such that one or more of the plurality of pole assemblies
[0102] can be removed and / or deployed, in order to vary the number of electrical connection poles of the MCCB
[0100] , The stationary contact unit is an electric contact plate structure that may be positioned within a defined portion in the casing unit
[0154] , The stationary contact unit is provided to connect to electrical wires from the line side. In particular, in complete assembly of the MCCB
[0100] , the electrical wires from the line side are usually connected to the stationary contact unit.
[0068] The rotary contact unit is a moving structure that engages / di sengages with the stationary contact unit, to allow / restrict the flow of electric current therethrough. The rotary contact unit is rotatably positioned within a defined portion in the casing unit
[0154] and is provided to connect to electrical wires from the load side. In particular, in complete assembly of the MCCB
[0100] , the electrical wires from the line side are usually connected to the stationary contact unit. Further, the rotary contact unit is rotatably adjusted while being positioned within the casing unit
[0154] , to make or release a contact relative to the stationary contact unit, in order to allow or restrict the flow of electric current therebetween, respectively. Notably, the rotary contact unit ‘makes’ a contact relative to the stationary contact unit to allow the flow of electric current (the ‘ON’ position), the rotary contact unit ‘releases’ the contact relative to the stationary contact unit, to restrict the flow of electric current (the ‘OFF’ position). Additionally, the rotary contact unit is adjusted without complete rotation, to release a contact relative to the stationary contact unit, to restrict the flow of electric current (the ‘TRIP’ position).
[0069] The arc chute unit is positioned within a defined portion of the casing unit
[0154] and comprises of an arc chute holder member (not shown) and an arc chute member (not shown). The arc chute holder member and the arc chute member are arranged together, to effectively quench an arcgenerated in the event of a short circuit and vent out gases, generated by the arc, through a vent channel. The arc is generated due to engagement / disengagement of the rotary contact unit relative to the stationary contact unit, and the gases generated upon arc generation are effectively vented through the vent channel, thus quenching the arc. Various details of the trip actuation unit
[0120] of the actuator assembly
[0112] will be explained hereunder.
[0070] The concepts of the present disclosure will be explained by means of the shunt trip mechanism as the trip-accessory
[0156] , that is operable between an actuated position and a deactivated position. The shunt trip mechanism is a solenoid-based tripping mechanism operable between the actuated position and the deactivated position employed in the MCCB
[0100] as an accessory to remotely trip the MCCB
[0100] , The shunt trip mechanism can be activated by a wide range of safety or control features but is typically used for remote tripping by application of a control supply voltage. The shunt trip mechanism is adapted to be operable between an actuated position and a deactivated position. A trip signal is produced by an electromagnetic coil in the shunt trip mechanism. Consequently, it serves as an internal accessory for the MCCB
[0100] , Those skilled in the art may appreciate that the same may also be extended to an undervoltage trip mechanism, a flux shifter device, and the like. The details of the same are omitted herein for the sake of brevity.
[0071] Referring to figures 12 to 21, the trip-actuation unit
[0120] comprises the slider-member
[0202] and an actuator-link
[0204] , Both the slider-member
[0202] and the actuator-link
[0204] are installed within the mid-cover assembly
[0106] , and work in conjunction with the fork
[0124] , to impart a pivotal movement to the trip-bar
[0118] , thereby facilitating the MCCB
[0100] to be adjusted from the ON position to the TRIP position. Thus, the trip-actuation unit
[0120] is adapted to translate an actuation from the trip-accessory
[0156] to the trip-bar
[0118] for adjustment of the MCCB
[0100] from the ON position to the TRIP position. Furthermore, the specific arrangement of the tripactuation unit
[0120] is such that upon manipulation of the fork
[0124] from the TRIP position to the RESET position, the trip-actuation unit
[0120] also functions as a resetting unit for the purpose of resetting the shunt trip mechanism.
[0072] The actuator-link
[0204] is pivotally installed within the tripping accessory housing cavity [106c] of the mid-cover assembly
[0106] , without affecting the installation of the shunt trip mechanism therein, and is adapted to engage with the trip-accessory, particularly the shunt trip mechanism. The actuator-link
[0204] is adapted to be adjusted between a first pivot position and a second pivot position corresponding to the deactivated position and the actuated position of the shunt trip mechanism. The actuator-link
[0204] is adapted to transmit force from the shunt trip mechanism to the slider-member
[0202] , to enable the slider-member
[0202] to cause tripping of the MCCB
[0100] , Referring to figures 13 to 18b, the actuator-link
[0204] comprises a cylindrical link portion [204c]that is adapted be to rotatably attached to walls defined by the tripping accessory housing cavity [106c], The actuator-link
[0204] comprises a first extension portion [204a] extending upwards from an end of the cylindrical link portion [106c], and a second extension portion [204b] extending downwards from a center of the cylindrical link portion [204c], Notably, the first extension portion [204a] is adapted to engage with at least a portion of the slider-member
[0202] , while the second extension portion [204b] is adapted to engage with at least a portion of the shunt release mechanism.
[0073] Referring to figures 13 to 15b, the slider-member
[0202] is a flat plate-like structure, which is resiliently and slidably mounted on the mid-cover assembly
[0106] , such that the slider-member
[0202] is adapted to be slid between a first slid position and a second slid position. The slidermember
[0202] is adapted to be resiliently adjusted in a limited and / or guided translatory motion, between the actuator assembly
[0112] and the mid-cover assembly
[0106] , By virtue of the limited and / or guided translatory and resilient motion, the slider-member
[0202] is employed for two purposes, namely, tripping of the MCCB
[0100] , and resetting of the shunt trip mechanism. The slider-member
[0202] comprises a link-engagement cavity [202a] adapted to receive the first extension portion [204a] of the actuator-link
[0204] therethrough. Notably, upon actuation of the shunt release mechanism, the first extension portion [204a] of the actuator-link
[0204] engages with the slider-member
[0202] , via the link-engagement cavity [202a], to cause a retracting resilient movement of the slider-member
[0202] relative to the mid-cover assembly
[0106] , Further, the slidermember
[0202] comprises a trip-bar engagement portion [202b], which is positioned facing the tripbar
[0118] of the actuator assembly
[0112] , The trip-bar engagement portion [202b] is adapted to engage with the trip-bar
[0118] during the retracting resilient movement thereof to adjust the MCCB
[0100] to the TRIP position, when caused upon actuation of the shunt trip mechanism, thereby adjusting the MCCB
[0100] from the ON position to the TRIP position.
[0074] In the deactivated position of the shunt trip mechanism, the actuator-link
[0204] is normally maintained in the first pivot position, to normally maintain the slider-member
[0202] in the first slid position, thus maintaining a gap between the trip-bar engagement portion [202b] of the slidermember
[0202] and the trip-bar
[0118] , In the actuated position of the shunt trip mechanism, the actuator-link
[0204] is pivotally adjusted to the second pivot position, to cause manipulation of the slider-member
[0202] to the second slid position, to thereby cause engagement of the trip-bar engagement portion [202b] of the slider-member
[0202] with the trip-bar
[0118] , causing the MCCB
[0100] to be adjusted from the ON position to the TRIP position.
[0075] Further, the slider-member
[0202] comprises a flange [202c], a guiding slot [202d] and a spring engagement extension portion [202e], The guiding slot [202d] is adapted to engage with one ofthe plurality of extensions [106a] of the mid-cover assembly
[0106] , thereby guiding the slidermember
[0202] therein, and limiting a translatory travel thereof. The spring extension portion [202e] enables attachment of a resilient member, which enables the extending as well as retracting resilient movement of the slider-member
[0202] , The resilient member described herein is a compression spring
[0152] , wherein one end of the compression spring
[0152] is attached to the spring extension portion [202e] of the slider-member
[0202] , while the other end is attached to a spring protrusion [106b] of the mid-cover assembly
[0106] , The compression spring
[0152] is employed to keep tension on the slider-member
[0202] , to thereby eliminate slack, if any, in the trip actuation unit
[0120] ,
[0076] Furthermore, the flange [202c] of the slider-member
[0202] is adapted to engage with the fork protrusion [124b] of the fork
[0124] , upon manipulation of the fork
[0124] from the TRIP position to the RESET position. Notably, such an engagement facilitates an extending resilient movement of the slider-member
[0202] relative to the mid-cover assembly
[0106] , which causes the first extension portion [204a] of the actuator-link
[0204] to engage with the slider-member
[0202] , via the link-engagement cavity [202a], to cause a backward pivotal movement of the actuator-link
[0204] , and retracting resilient movement of the slider-member
[0202] relative to the mid-cover assembly
[0106] , thereby also causing resetting of the shunt trip mechanism. In other words, by virtue of the arrangement of the flange [202c] of the slider-member
[0202] relative to the fork protrusion [124b] of the fork
[0124] , the fork
[0124] resets both the actuator assembly
[0112] as well as the shunt release mechanism. Further, the compression spring
[0152] releases the potential energy stored therein, thereby pushing the slider-member
[0202] at the spring extension portion [202e] away from the spring protrusion [106b] of the mid-cover assembly
[0106] , Advantageously, the slider-member
[0202] itself serves the purpose of resetting the shunt release mechanism, without necessitating a need for an additional resetting arrangement for the same, thus ensuring the compactness of the MCCB
[0100] ,
[0077] Various advantages of the presently disclosed trip-actuation unit
[0120] of actuator assembly
[0112] are disclosed. Firstly, the trip-actuation unit
[0120] comprises fewer components compared to a conventional MCCB, thereby improving overall reliability and robustness of the MCCB
[0100] , Secondly, the overall dimensions of the MCCB
[0100] can be reduced, thereby making the MCCB
[0100] compact. Thirdly, the manufacturing cost of the MCCB
[0100] is greatly reduced due to the reduction in the number of components in the actuator assembly
[0112] ,
[0078] However, it may be understood that the above listed advantages are merely illustrative and not exhaustive. Those skilled in the art may contemplate additional advantages not described herein above, in light of the concepts of the present disclosure.While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described hereinabove, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations, and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.
[0079] LIST OF COMPONENTS
[0080] 100 - Molded case circuit breaker (MCCB)
[0081] 102 - Pole assembly
[0082] 104 - Base assembly
[0083] 106 - Mid-cover assembly
[0084] 106a - Extension portion
[0085] 106b - Spring protrusion
[0086] 106c - trip-accessory housing cavity
[0087] 108 - Fascia-plate assembly
[0088] 108a - Fascia-plate cavity
[0089] 108b - Two pairs of grooves
[0090] 110 - Hinge cover assembly
[0091] 110a - First hinge cover plate
[0092] 110b - Second hinge cover plate
[0093] 112 - Actuator assembly
[0094] 116 - Trip arm member
[0095] 116a - Trip arm rivet
[0096] 118 - Trip-bar
[0097] 118a - Left-side portion
[0098] 118b - Right-side portion
[0099] 118c - Top-side portion120 - Trip actuation unit
[0100] 122 - One or more side plates 122a - Fork rivet
[0101] 124 - Fork
[0102] 124a - Pivot cut-out portion
[0103] 124b - Fork protrusion
[0104] 124e - Flat surface portion
[0105] 124f - Lever portion
[0106] 124g - First extruded plate profile 124h - Second extruded plate profile 134 - Resetting pin
[0107] 134a - Collar
[0108] 134b - Cut-out portion
[0109] 136 - Biasing spring member
[0110] 140 - Vertical cavity
[0111] 140a - Extension portion
[0112] 140b - Base portion
[0113] 142 - Cavity
[0114] 144 - Compression spring
[0115] 146 - Extension spring
[0116] 148 - Latch bracket
[0117] 148a - Latch bracket rivet
[0118] 152 - Compression spring
[0119] 154 - Casing unit
[0120] 156 - Trip-accessory202 - Slider-member
[0121] 202a - Link-engagement cavity
[0122] 202b - Trip-bar engagement portion 202c - Flange
[0123] 202d - Guiding slot
[0124] 202e - Spring engagement extension portion 204 - Actuator-link
[0125] 204a - First extension portion
[0126] 204b - Second extension portion
[0127] 204c - Cylindrical link portion
Claims
We Claim:
1. A trip-actuation unit [120] of an actuator assembly [112] of a Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) [100] that comprises a trip-accessory [156] and a mid-cover assembly [106], the actuator assembly [112] comprising a trip-bar [118] that adjusts the MCCB [100] between the ON position and the TRIP position, the trip-actuation unit [120] adapted to translate an actuation from the trip-accessory [156] to the trip-bar [118] for adjustment of the MCCB [100] from the ON position to the TRIP position, the trip-actuation unit [120] comprising:an actuator-link [204] pivotally mounted on the mid-cover assembly [106], and adapted to engage with the trip-accessory [156], such that the actuator-link [204] is adjusted between a first pivot position and a second pivot position, corresponding to a deactivated position and an actuated position of the trip-accessory [156]; and a slider-member [202] resiliently and slidably mounted on the mid-cover assembly [106], the slider-member [202] defining a link-engagement cavity [202a] that receives a portion of the actuator-link [204], and a trip-bar engagement portion [202b] positioned facing the trip-bar [118] of the actuator assembly [112], the slider-member [202] adapted to be slid between a first slid position and a second slid position, wherein, o in the deactivated position of the trip-accessory [156], the actuator-link [204] is normally maintained in the first pivot position, to normally maintain the slidermember [202] in the first slid position, and thus maintaining a gap between the trip-bar engagement portion [202b] of the slider-member [202] and the trip-bar [118], ando in the actuated position of the trip-accessory [156], the actuator-link [204] is pivotally adjusted to the second pivot position, to cause adjustment of the slidermember [202] to the second slid position, to thereby cause engagement of the trip-bar engagement portion [202b] of the slider-member [202] with the tripbar [118], causing the MCCB [100] to be adjusted from the ON position to the TRIP position.
2. The trip-actuation unit [120] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mid-cover assembly [106] of the MCCB [100] comprises a plurality of extension portions [106a], a spring protrusion [106b], and a trip-accessory housing cavity [106c], such that the trip-accessory housing cavity [106c] is adapted to house the trip-accessory [156],3. The trip-actuation unit [120] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator assembly [112] further comprising a fork [124] such that the fork [124] comprises a fork protrusion [124b],4. The trip-actuation unit [120] as claimed in claims 1 to 3, wherein the actuator-link [204] comprises a first extension portion [204a], a second extension portion [204b], and a cylindrical link portion [204c], such that the first extension portion [204a] extends upwards from an end of the cylindrical link portion [204c], and the second extension portion [204b] extends downwards from a center of the cylindrical link portion [204c],5. The trip-actuation unit [120] as claimed in claims 1 and 4, wherein the first extension portion [204a] is adapted to engage with at least a portion of the slider-member [202], while the second extension portion [204b] is adapted to engage with at least a portion of the tripaccessory [156],6. The trip-actuation unit [120] as claimed in claims 1 to 5, wherein the actuator-link [204] is pivotally installed within the trip-accessory housing cavity [106c] of the mid-cover assembly [106],7. The trip-actuation unit [120] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slider-member [202] is a flat-plate like structure adapted to be resiliently adjusted in a limited and / or guided translatory motion, between the actuator assembly [112] and the mid-cover assembly [106], such that the slider-member [202] enables manipulation of the MCCB [100] between the ON position and TRIP position.
8. The trip-actuation unit [120] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slider-member [202] further comprises a flange [202c], a guiding slot [202d], and a spring engagement extension portion [202e],9. The trip-actuation unit [120] as claimed in claims 1 to 8, wherein the link-engagement cavity [202a] is adapted to receive the first extension portion [204a] of the actuator-link [204] therethrough, the trip-bar engagement portion [202b] is adapted to engage with the trip-bar [118] of the actuator assembly [112], the flange [202c] is adapted to engage with the fork protrusion [124b], the guiding slot [202d] is adapted to engage with one of the plurality of extensions [106a] of the mid-cover assembly [106], such that the guiding slot [202d] guides the slider-member [202] therein, and limits a translatory travel thereof, andthe spring engagement extension portion [202e] enables attachment of a resilient member, enabling extending as well as retracting resilient movement of the slider-member [202],10. The trip-actuation unit [120] as claimed in claims 1 to 9, wherein the first extension portion [204a] of the actuator-link [204] engages with the link-engagement cavity [202a] of the slider-member [202], to cause a retracting resilient movement of the slider-member [202] relative to the mid-cover assembly [106], upon actuation of the trip-accessory [156],11. The trip-actuation unit [120] as claimed in claims 1 to 10, wherein one end of the resilient member is attached to the spring engagement extension portion [202e] of the slidermember [202], while other end is attached to a spring protrusion [106b] of the mid-cover assembly [106], such that the resilient member is employed to keep tension on the slidermember [202], to eliminate slack in the trip-actuation unit [120],12. The trip-actuation unit [120] as claimed in claims 1 to 11, wherein the resilient member is a compression spring [152],13. The trip-actuation unit [120] as claimed in claims 1 to 12, wherein the trip-bar engagement portion [202b] of the slider-member [202], is engaged with the trip-bar [ 118] of the actuator assembly [112], such that during retracting resilient movement of the slider-member [202] caused upon actuation of the trip-accessory [156], manipulates the MCCB [100] to the TRIP position.
14. The trip-actuation unit [120] as claimed in claims 1 to 13, wherein upon manipulation of the fork [124] from the TRIP position to the RESET position, the first extension portion [204a] of the actuator-link [204] engages with the link-engagement cavity [202a] of the slider-member [202], and the flange [202c] engages with the fork protrusion [124b], to cause a backward pivotal movement of the actuator-link [204], thereby resetting the tripaccessory [156],