CN103456572B - Circuit-breaker and the method making circuit breaker trip - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a circuit breaker and a method of tripping a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a trip assembly having a first trip member and a second trip member, and is constructed and arranged to act on the first trip member and the second trip member to selectively open an electrical circuit upon receipt of a mechanical trip signal input And provide a trip mechanism for mechanical trip signal output. The trip mechanism includes a hammer having a first end defining an axis of rotation, a second end configured and arranged to act on one of the first trigger member and the second trigger member and spaced from each of the first end and the second end Open middle part. The spring member comprises an end section arranged to act on the intermediate portion. The spring member is constructed and arranged to apply a force against the intermediate portion to actuate the hammer about the axis of rotation to cause disengagement of the second end from one of the first trigger member and the second trigger member.

Description

Circuit breaker and method of tripping circuit breaker

technical field

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to the field of circuit breakers, and more particularly, to circuit breaker trip mechanisms.

Background technique

Circuit breakers are configured to interrupt the flow of electrical current in the event of an electrical anomaly, typically an overcurrent condition. Interruption of current flow provides protection to electricity consumers and associated conductors and electrical loads. In general, many circuit breakers take the form of residual current circuit breakers (RCCBs). The residual current circuit breaker opens the circuit when an imbalance is detected between the current flowing between the line and the neutral conductor. In many cases, residual current circuit breakers may include both overcurrent protection and leakage protection. More specifically, in addition to sensing an overload current condition, a residual current circuit breaker may also be configured with a ground leakage detection circuit that will interrupt power if current is sensed into a ground leakage.

A circuit breaker may also include an internal mechanism to receive and/or transmit a mechanical trip force to/from another associated circuit breaker. More specifically, in a grouped circuit breaker arrangement or an arrangement of multiple connected circuit breakers for the protection of multiple phases of a polyphase system, caused by an electrical fault detected on one circuit breaker The trip signal is mechanically transmitted to adjacent circuit breakers. In this way, all circuit breakers connected to the multi-phase system are tripped even if an electrical anomaly is found in only one phase.

Contents of the invention

According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a circuit breaker includes a trigger assembly having a first trigger component and a second trigger component, and is constructed and arranged to act on one of the first trigger component and the second trigger component to act upon receiving A trip mechanism that selectively disconnects an electrical circuit when a mechanical trip signal is input and provides a mechanical trip signal output. The trip mechanism includes a hammer having a first end defining an axis of rotation, a second end configured and arranged to act on one of the first trigger member and the second trigger member and spaced from each of the first end and the second end Open middle part. The spring member comprises an end section arranged to act on the middle part of the hammer. The spring member is constructed and arranged to apply a force against the intermediate portion to actuate the hammer about the axis of rotation to cause the second end to disengage from one of the first trigger member and the second trigger member and break the electrical circuit.

According to another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, a circuit breaker includes a trip assembly having a first trip member and a second trip member, and a first trip mechanism operatively connected to the first trip member and the second trip member. The first trip mechanism is constructed and arranged to act on one of the first trigger member and the second trigger member to break the electrical circuit. The second trip mechanism is constructed and arranged to act on one of the first trigger member and the second trigger member to break the electrical circuit upon receipt of the mechanical trip signal input and to provide a mechanical trip signal output. The second trip mechanism includes a hammer having a first end defining an axis of rotation, a second end configured and arranged to act on one of the first trigger member and the second trigger member, and a contact between the first end and the second end. Each spaced intermediate portion. The spring member comprises an end section arranged to act on the middle part of the hammer. The spring member is constructed and arranged to apply a force against the intermediate portion to actuate the hammer about the axis of rotation to cause the second end to disengage from one of the first trigger member and the second trigger member and break the electrical circuit.

According to yet another aspect of the exemplary embodiments, a method of tripping an electrical circuit breaker includes releasing a hammer having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion from a connected position, pivoting the hammer about an axis of rotation defined at the first end. Rotating, applying a spring force to an intermediate portion of the hammer spaced from the axis of rotation, and displacing the second end of the hammer from one of the first trigger member and the second trigger member disconnects the electrical circuit.

A circuit breaker comprising:

a trigger assembly having a first trigger component and a second trigger component; and

A trip mechanism constructed and arranged to act on a first trigger member and a second trigger member to selectively break an electrical circuit upon receipt of a mechanical trip signal input and to provide a mechanical trip signal output, the trip mechanism comprising a hammer and a spring The hammer has a first end defining an axis of rotation, a second end configured and arranged to act on one of the first trigger member and the second trigger member, and a middle spaced apart from each of the first end and the second end. part, the spring member comprises an end section arranged to act on an intermediate portion of the hammer, the spring member being constructed and arranged to apply a force to the intermediate portion to urge the hammer about the axis of rotation to cause the second end to interact with the first trigger member and the second trigger One of the components is disengaged.

Preferably, the circuit breaker further includes a trip member operatively connected to the trip mechanism, the trip member constructed and arranged to act on the hammer.

Preferably, the circuit breaker further includes a manually operated switch operatively connected to the trip member, the manually operated switch constructed and arranged to provide manual operation of the trip mechanism.

Preferably, the circuit breaker further includes an external trip element operatively connected to the hammer, the external trip element constructed and arranged to provide a mechanical trip signal output.

Preferably, the circuit breaker further includes a shaft element operatively connected to the external trip element, the shaft element being constructed and arranged to transmit the mechanical trip signal output to another circuit breaker.

Preferably, the mechanical trip signal output provided by the trip mechanism comprises a generally square waveform generated by the spring member.

A circuit breaker comprising:

a trigger assembly having a first trigger component and a second trigger component;

a first trip mechanism operatively connected to the first trip member and the second trip member, the first trip mechanism constructed and arranged to operate the trip assembly to selectively open the first contact and the second contact; and

A second trip mechanism constructed and arranged to operate the trigger assembly upon receipt of a mechanical trip signal input and to provide a mechanical trip signal output, the second trip mechanism includes a hammer and a spring member, the hammer having a first end defining an axis of rotation, configured and arranged to act on a second end of one of the first and second trigger members and an intermediate portion spaced apart from each of the first and second ends, the spring member comprising an intermediate portion arranged to act on the hammer The end section of the spring member is constructed and arranged to apply a force against the intermediate portion to actuate the hammer about the axis of rotation to cause the second end to disengage from one of the first trigger member and the second trigger member.

Preferably, the circuit breaker further includes a trip member operatively connected to each of the first trip mechanism and the second trip mechanism, the trip member constructed and arranged to act on the hammer.

Preferably, the first trip mechanism includes a relay having an actuator and a trip bar pivotally mounted between the actuator and the trip member.

Preferably, the circuit breaker further includes a manually operated switch operatively connected to the trip member, the manually operated switch constructed and arranged to provide manual operation of one of the first trip mechanism and the second trip mechanism.

Preferably, the circuit breaker further includes a flag release operatively connected to a trip flag, the trip flag providing a visual indication of the trip status of the first trip mechanism and the second trip mechanism.

Preferably, the circuit breaker further includes an external trip element operatively connected to the hammer, the external trip element constructed and arranged to provide a mechanical trip signal output.

Preferably, the circuit breaker further includes a shaft element operatively connected to the external trip element, the shaft element being constructed and arranged to transmit the mechanical trip signal output to another circuit breaker.

Preferably, the mechanical trip signal output comprises a substantially square waveform generated by the spring member.

A method of tripping a circuit breaker, the method comprising:

releasing a hammer having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion from the connected position;

pivoting the hammer about an axis of rotation defined at the first end;

applying a spring force to a middle portion of the hammer spaced from the axis of rotation; and

Displacing the second end of the hammer from one of the first trigger member and the second trigger member disconnects the electrical circuit.

Preferably, the method further comprises: providing a mechanical trip signal output from the hammer.

Preferably, the method further comprises: transmitting the mechanical trip signal output to another circuit breaker.

Preferably, releasing the hammer includes receiving a mechanical trip signal input from another circuit breaker at the hammer.

Preferably, releasing the hammer includes receiving a trip signal from a relay in the circuit breaker.

Preferably, releasing the hammer includes receiving an opening command from a manually operated switch of the circuit breaker.

These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the appended claims. According to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the above and other features and advantages of the present invention will be clear, in the accompanying drawings:

1 is a left side perspective view of a circuit breaker including a trip mechanism, shown in a connected state, according to an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 2 is a right side perspective view of the circuit breaker of Fig. 1 shown in an open state;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the circuit breaker of Figure 1;

4 is a detail view showing the cross-sectional view in FIG. 1 of the first trip mechanism according to the exemplary embodiment shown in the trip position;

5 is a detail view showing the cross-sectional view in FIG. 1 of the first trip mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment shown in the trip position;

FIG. 6 is a detail view showing the cross-sectional view in FIG. 1 of a second trip mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment shown in a non-tripped position;

FIG. 7 is a graph showing mechanical forces generated by a second trip mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a circuit breaker according to an exemplary embodiment.

The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.

detailed description

A circuit breaker according to an exemplary embodiment is generally shown at 2 in FIGS. 1-3 . The circuit breaker 2 includes a housing 4 having a first side wall 6 and a second side wall 7 bounded by a first end wall 9 and a second end wall 10 and a face 12 are joined to form an interior 14. Face 12 includes an extended region 16 that supports a manually operated switch 20 and houses various trip mechanism components as will be discussed more fully below. As will be discussed more fully below, manually-operated switch 20 pivots about an axis of rotation 22 between three positions: a connected position, a disconnected position, and a tripped position.

The circuit breaker 2 includes a first opening 25 disposed on the first side wall 6 , and a second opening 28 disposed on the second side wall 7 . The shaft member 26 passes through the first opening 25 and the second opening 28 . Shaft member 26 is configured to receive and/or transmit a mechanical trip signal to and/or back to an adjacent circuit breaker (not shown). Circuit breaker 2 is also shown to include a first connector member 32 configured to connect to a load conductor (not shown), and a second connector member 34 configured to connect to a line conductor (not shown). In this regard, it should be understood that the first connector part 32 may alternatively be connected to the line conductor and the second connector part 34 may alternatively be connected to the load conductor. In addition to the above, the circuit breaker 2 includes an earth leakage test element 37 shown in the form of a resistor. The ground leakage test element 37 simulates a ground leakage to provide a test signal to the tripped circuit breaker 2 when the test button 38 is actuated.

Regardless of configuration, the first connector part 32 and the second connector part 34 are electrically coupled to a trigger assembly 39 having a first trigger part 40 and a second trigger part 42 . Trigger member 40 and trigger member 42 are configured to act on electrical contacts (not shown) arranged within housing 4 . Electrical contacts (not shown) are selectively connected/disconnected to transfer electrical current between an electrical source (not shown) and an electrical load (also not shown). As will become more readily apparent hereinafter, the first trigger member 40 and the second trigger member 42 are operatively connected to a first trip mechanism 45 and a second trip mechanism 47 . The first trip mechanism 45 selectively acts on the first tripping member 40 and the second tripping member 42 based on a sensed electrical anomaly, such as an overcurrent condition, a ground leakage and/or an arc fault condition. The second trip mechanism 47 selectively acts on the first trip member 40 and the second trip member 42 based on a mechanical trip signal received from an adjacent circuit breaker. The second trip mechanism 47 also generates a mechanical trip signal that is transmitted to the adjacent circuit breaker. In this regard, it should be understood that the word "acting on" includes releasing a biasing force from one, the other, or both of the trigger members 40 and 42. force).

The first trip mechanism 45 will now be described with reference to FIG. 4 . As shown, the first trip mechanism 45 includes a relay 60 having an actuator 61 . Actuator 61 is selectively extended by relay 60 upon receipt of an electrical trip signal from a sensor (not separately labeled) indicating an electrical anomaly. As noted above, electrical anomalies may include overcurrent conditions, ground leakage conditions, and/or arc fault conditions. The actuator 61 acts on a relay trip lever 64 which in turn acts on a trip member 68 . As will be described more fully below, the trip member 68 is configured to act on the first trip member 40 and the second trip member 42 to move the manually operated switch to the tripped position as shown. The relay trip lever 64 also acts on a trip flag release 71 to release a trip flag 73 to provide a visual indication of the trip status.

The relay trip bar 64 includes a first end section 77 defining an axis of rotation 79 . The first end section 77 extends to a second end section 82 having a contact pad 83 that receives input from the actuator 61 . The relay trip bar 64 also includes a first actuator member 85 and a second actuator member 87 . The first actuator part 85 contacts and operates the trip part 68 and the second actuator part 87 acts on the trip flag release 71 . More specifically, upon sensing an electrical anomaly, actuator 61 extends from relay 60 and causes relay trip lever 64 to pivot about axis of rotation 79 . As will be described in more detail below, when the relay trip lever 64 pivots, the first actuator member 85 acts on the trip member 68 to displace the first trigger member 40 and the second trigger member 42 . The second actuator part 87 acts on the trip flag release 71 to release the trip flag 73 . Trip flag release 71 includes a first end portion 91 that extends to a second end portion 92 through an intermediate portion 93 that defines an axis of rotation 94 . The second end 92 includes a release member 96 that releases the trip flag 73 to expose the visual indicator 104 .

In further accordance with the exemplary embodiment, trip member 68 includes a central portion 108 that includes a central portion 110 . The trip component 68 also includes a first actuation element 112 and a second actuation element 113 . The first actuation element 112 is configured to receive an input from the first actuator member 85 to pivot the trip member 68 about the central portion 110 . The second actuator element 113 includes a pin element 114 configured to actuate the second trip mechanism 47 . Trip member 68 is also operatively coupled to manual operation switch 20 via lever member 116 . Lever member 116 includes a first end (not shown) coupled to trip member 68 and a second end 117 coupled to manually operated switch 20 at a position offset from rotational axis 22 .

With this arrangement, the trip member 68 links together the inputs received from the manually operated switch 20 , the first trip mechanism 45 and the second trip mechanism 47 to selectively act on the first trip member 40 and the second trip member 42 . More specifically, the trip member 68 is operated by the manually operated switch 20 and based on the input received from the first trip mechanism 45 and the second trip mechanism 47 causes the first trigger member 40 and the second trigger member 42 to selectively shift.

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 5 and 6 to describe a second trip mechanism 47 according to an exemplary embodiment. The second trip mechanism 47 includes a hammer 130 operatively connected to the trip member 68 . The hammer 130 includes a first end 134 that extends through an intermediate section 136 to a second end 135 . The first end 134 defines an axis of rotation 139 for the hammer 130 . The second end portion 135 includes a pin member 141 configured to act on the second trigger member 42 . More specifically, the pin member 141 moves the second trigger member 42 relative to the first trigger member 40 . Intermediate portion 136 includes an actuator portion 145 having an opening 147 that receives pin element 114 . The actuator portion 145 also includes a contact feature 149 .

The contact feature 149 is engaged by a spring member or main spring 153 . The main spring 153 includes a first end section 155 that extends to a second end section 156 through an intermediate section 158 . The first end section 155 is fixed relative to the housing 4 . The second end section 156 is cantilevered from the post 160 to create a biasing force. The biasing force causes the second end section 156 to act against the contact feature 149 to urge the pin member 141 against the second trigger member 42 . The second trip mechanism 47 is also shown to include an outer trip element 166 ( FIG. 3 ) operatively coupled to the hammer 130 . A second external trip element (not shown) is also mounted to the opposite side of the hammer 130 . External trip element 166 includes a first end 170 that extends to a second end 171 . The first end 170 includes an axis of rotation (not separately labeled) that coincides with the axis of rotation 139 of the hammer 130 and the second end 171 includes a shaft receiving member 180 configured to receive the shaft member 26 . With this arrangement, rotation of hammer 130 is mechanically coupled to outer trip element 166 and to a second outer trip element (not shown). As detailed more fully below, the mechanical trip signal input received at shaft member 26 acts on external trip element 166 . The external trip element 166 in turn acts on the hammer 130 , which moves the first trigger member 40 and the second trigger member 42 . Likewise, the movement of the hammer 130 caused by the sensed overcurrent condition will generate a force or mechanical energy that provides the mechanical action shown in FIG. 7 at the external trip element 166 and a second external trip element (not shown). Trip signal output 182 . Mechanical trip signal output 182 is transmitted via shaft member 26 to an adjacent circuit breaker (also not shown).

According to an exemplary embodiment, upon sensing an electrical anomaly, as described above and shown in block 300 of FIG. an actuating element 112 . The trip member 68 pivots, causing the pin element 114 to act on the actuating portion 145 of the hammer 130 . Furthermore, as shown in box 304 , the central portion 110 crosses an imaginary line extending between the pin member 114 and the second end 117 of the lever member 116 , thereby allowing the main spring 156 to displace the hammer 130 about the axis of rotation 139 . In block 306, rotation of the pilot 130 disengages/releases the pin member 141 from the second trigger member 42 to disconnect the first and second contacts (not shown), which will disconnect the associated electrical circuitry (also not shown). In block 308, the mainspring 156 generates the mechanical trip signal output 182, which displaces the manually operated switch to the trip position. More specifically, the main spring 156 provides a biasing force against the hammer 130 spaced from the axis of rotation 139, as a result, the mechanical trip signal output 182 forms a generally square waveform. Mechanical trip signal output 182 is also communicated to external trip element 166 to mechanically trip an adjacent circuit breaker (not shown), as shown in block 310 . Similarly, a mechanical trip signal received at the external trip element 166 is transmitted to the hammer 130 acting on the pin element 114 . The pin member 114 rotates the trip member 68 causing the central portion 110 to pass through the imaginary line extending between the pin member 114 and the second end 117 of the lever member 116 to allow the main spring 156 to urge the hammer 130 upward thereby releasing the second contact 42.

In either case, the mechanical trip signal 182 generated by the main spring 156 has an extended pause that passes through the manually operated switch 20 to balance the on/off trip force and on/off actuation. A circuit breaker requires a certain amount of force to trip, as shown at 400 in FIG. 7 . In contrast, the prior art arrangement produces a sharply degraded mechanical trip signal 410 due to the spring force provided at the axis of rotation of the pilot. A sharply degraded signal 410 loses energy rapidly. Therefore, prior art arrangements generally cannot dislodge contacts that may become stuck together. Exemplary embodiments provide a trip signal with an extended pause configured to more fully capture the force required to trip the circuit breaker. In addition to balancing the on/off trip force with the on/off actuation force, the extended dwell provides increased time and energy to the delivery or mechanical trip force, which helps to disconnect mechanisms that may become stuck together.

While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not yet described but which are consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (20)

1. A circuit breaker comprising: a trigger assembly having a first trigger component and a second trigger component; and a trip mechanism constructed and arranged to act on said first and second trigger members to break an electrical circuit upon receipt of a mechanical trip signal input and to provide a mechanical trip signal output, said trip mechanism comprising a hammer and a spring member, the hammer having a first end defining an axis of rotation, a second end constructed and arranged to act on one of the first trigger member and the second trigger member, and a spring member with the first end and a respective spaced intermediate portion of the second end, the spring member comprising an end section arranged to act on the intermediate portion of the hammer, the spring member being constructed and arranged to act against the intermediate portion Applying a force to actuate the hammer about the axis of rotation causes disengagement of the second end from one of the first trigger member and the second trigger member. 2. The circuit breaker of claim 1, further comprising a trip member operatively connected to the trip mechanism, the trip member constructed and arranged to act on the hammer. 3. The circuit breaker of claim 2, further comprising a manually operated switch operatively connected to the trip member, the manually operated switch constructed and arranged to provide the manual operation of the trip mechanism described above. 4. The circuit breaker of claim 1, further comprising an external trip element operatively connected to the hammer, the external trip element constructed and arranged to provide the mechanical trip signal output. 5. The circuit breaker of claim 4, further comprising a shaft element operatively connected to the external trip element, the shaft element constructed and arranged to trip the mechanical trip The signal output is routed to another circuit breaker. 6. The circuit breaker of claim 4, wherein said mechanical trip signal output provided by said trip mechanism comprises a square waveform generated by said spring member. 7. A circuit breaker comprising: a trigger assembly having a first trigger component and a second trigger component; a first trip mechanism operatively connected to the first trip member and the second trip member, the first trip mechanism constructed and arranged to operate the trip assembly to open the first contact and the second contact pieces; and A second trip mechanism constructed and arranged to operate the trigger assembly upon receipt of a mechanical trip signal input and to provide a mechanical trip signal output, the second trip mechanism comprising a hammer and a spring member, the hammer having a defined axis of rotation a first end, a second end constructed and arranged to act on one of said first trigger member and said second trigger member, and a spaced apart from each of said first end and said second end an intermediate portion, the spring member comprising an end section arranged to act on the intermediate portion of the hammer, the spring member being constructed and arranged to exert a force on the intermediate portion to urge the A hammer is used to cause disengagement of the second end from one of the first trigger member and the second trigger member. 8. The circuit breaker of claim 7, further comprising a trip member operatively connected to each of said first trip mechanism and said second trip mechanism, said A trip member is constructed and arranged to act on the hammer. 9. The circuit breaker of claim 8, wherein said first trip mechanism comprises a relay having an actuator and a trip member pivotally mounted between said actuator and said trip member. pole. 10. The circuit breaker of claim 8, further comprising a manually operated switch operatively connected to the trip member, the manually operated switch constructed and arranged to provide the manual operation of one of said first trip mechanism and said second trip mechanism. 11. The circuit breaker of claim 7, further comprising a flag release operatively connected to a trip flag, said trip flag providing said first trip mechanism and said second trip flag. Two visual indications of the trip status of the trip mechanism. 12. The circuit breaker of claim 7, further comprising an external trip element operatively connected to said hammer, said external trip element constructed and arranged to provide said mechanical trip signal output. 13. The circuit breaker of claim 12, further comprising a shaft element operatively connected to the external trip element, the shaft element constructed and arranged to trip the mechanical trip The signal output is routed to another circuit breaker. 14. The circuit breaker of claim 7, wherein said mechanical trip signal output comprises a square waveform generated by said spring member. 15. A method of tripping an electrical circuit breaker, the method comprising: releasing a hammer having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion from the connected position; pivoting the hammer about an axis of rotation defined at the first end; applying a spring force to the intermediate portion of the hammer spaced from the axis of rotation; and Displacing the second end of the hammer from one of the first trigger member and the second trigger member opens an electrical circuit. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing a mechanical trip signal output from the hammer. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: transmitting the mechanical trip signal output to another circuit breaker. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein releasing the hammer includes receiving a mechanical trip signal input at the hammer from another circuit breaker. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein releasing the hammer includes receiving a trip signal from a relay in the circuit breaker. 20. The method of claim 15, wherein releasing the hammer includes receiving an open command from a manually operated switch of the circuit breaker.