KR100499895B1 - Ground fault circuit interrupter - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the present invention, the reset button is not pressed when the wiring of the input side and the output side is changed so that the reset button is not pressed so that the consumer (constructor) can easily recognize the incorrect wiring. It is related with an outlet type earth leakage breaker. The outlet-type leakage circuit breaker according to the present invention includes an input conductor connected to a power source and having a movable contact; An output conductor having a fixed contact in contact with the moving contact; A reset assembly in which a push / release operation is performed such that the movable contact of the input conductor and the fixed contact of the output conductor are contacted / separated; And a press preventing part that blocks the pressing operation of the reset assembly until power is connected to the input conductor.

Description

Receptacle type circuit breaker {GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER}

The present invention relates to an outlet having an earth leakage circuit breaker, and more specifically, to prevent the reset button from being pressed during a mis-wire connection by changing the wiring on the input side and the output side, The present invention relates to an outlet type circuit breaker that allows a consumer (constructor) to easily recognize a misconnection.

In general, an earth leakage breaker is a device used to prevent an electric shock accident and a fire caused by a short circuit.

Such an earth leakage circuit breaker includes an earth leakage circuit breaker installed in a home distribution panel and a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) installed directly in an outlet installed on a wall.

However, in general, an outlet having an earth leakage breaker does not have a proper method (test button operation also works properly) to check the state of the miswiring when the consumer (constructor) has incorrectly wired the wiring due to the carelessness of the consumer. For example, even if a short circuit occurs in an outlet and an electrical appliance connected to an earth leakage breaker, there is a problem that it may not detect and cause damage to life and property.

The present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, the object is that the reset button does not operate when the consumer incorrectly wired, so that the consumer can easily determine the incorrect wiring to prevent the problem caused by miss wire To provide a new type of earth leakage breaker.

According to a feature of the present invention for achieving the above object, the outlet-type leakage circuit breaker is connected to a power source and having a moving contact (input conductor); An output conductor having a fixed contact in contact with the moving contact; A reset assembly in which a push / release operation is performed such that the movable contact of the input conductor and the fixed contact of the output conductor are contacted / separated; And a press preventing part that blocks the pressing operation of the reset assembly until power is connected to the input conductor.

In an embodiment, the reset assembly may include: a detector configured to detect a short circuit of power supplied from the input conductor; And a driving unit configured to perform a releasing operation on the reset assembly such that the moving contact point and the fixed contact point are spaced apart when the ground fault detection unit detects a short circuit. The drive unit is electrically operated solenoid; A flanger movable by the magnetic force of the solenoid and to which the latch arm is connected; It includes a spring for providing an elastic force to the flanger.

In the present invention, the reset assembly comprises: a reset button having a pin; A guide block having a guide hole into which the pin of the reset button is inserted; A latch arm having one end connected to the drive unit and the other end connected to the guide block, and having a hole in which the pin is lifted and lifted through the guide hole; And a spring coupled to the reset button, the spring providing an elastic force for lifting the guide block and the latch arm when the reset button is locked in the hole of the latch arm.

In the present invention, the push prevention unit and the push button having a pin that is locked at one end of the flanger after moving the flanger so that the pin of the reset button is not locked to the hole of the latch arm; It includes a spring for returning to the initial position when the locking of the push button is released.

In the present invention, the outlet type circuit breaker further includes a release unit for releasing the blocking operation of the press preventing part to enable a pressing operation of the reset assembly when a power source is connected to the input conductor.

In the present invention, the release unit includes a switch that provides a current for operating the drive unit when a current is applied through the input conductor. This switch is connected only when the push button is locked (pressed). The release unit may include a first contact point and a second contact point electrically connected to the first and second terminals of the input conductor, respectively; And a terminal washer that is moved together with the push button and connects the first contact and the second contact when the push button is locked.

According to another aspect of the invention, the outlet-type leakage circuit breaker is connected to a power source and having a moving contact (input conductor); An output conductor having a fixed contact in contact with the moving contact; A reset assembly configured to perform a push / release operation such that the movable contact of the input conductor and the fixed contact of the output conductor are contacted / separated; And means for controlling the operation of the reset assembly depending on whether or not a power source is connected to the input conductor.

In the present invention, the control means, by pressing the push button, the push button assembly to block the pressing operation of the reset assembly until power is connected to the input conductor; And an operation unit for unlocking the push button when a power source is connected to the input conductor. The operation unit, the driving unit electrically operated; And a switch for providing the power to the drive unit when the power is connected from the input conductor. This switch is on when the push button is pressed.

In the present invention, the driving unit releases the pressing operation of the reset assembly so that the moving contact and the fixed contact is spaced apart when a short circuit occurs. The drive unit includes an electrically operated solenoid; A flanger for unlocking the reset assembly or unlocking the push button by moving by the magnetic force of the solenoid; It includes a spring for providing an elastic force to the flanger.

In the present invention, the reset assembly includes a reset button; A latch arm connected to the flanger and to which the reset button is locked; And a spring coupled to the reset button, the spring providing an elastic force to the latch arm when the reset button is locked to the latch arm.

In the present invention, the push button assembly includes a spring for returning to the initial position when the locking of the push button is released; One end of the push button is exposed to the outside to be pressed by the user.

According to another feature of the invention there is provided a method of operating a receptacle type circuit breaker comprising the steps of blocking the pressing of the reset assembly; Connecting a power source to the input conductor; Canceling the blocking operation when a power source is connected to the input conductor; Performing a push operation to contact the movable contact of the input conductor and the fixed contact of the output conductor; Detecting whether the power supplied from the input conductor is short-circuited; And performing a releasing operation on the reset assembly such that the contacts are spaced apart when a short circuit is detected.

In the present invention, the pressing operation blocking step includes moving the latch arm such that the reset button of the reset assembly is not locked to the latch arm.

In the present invention, the movement of the latch arm, pressing the push button of the push prevention unit; Moving the flanger connected to the latch arm in one direction by a pressing operation of the push button; And at the same time as the movement of the flanger is finished, the push button is locked to the flanger.

In the present invention, when the push button is locked to the flanger, the first and second contacts connected to the input conductor are connected by terminal washers.

In the present invention, the depressurizing step includes providing a current to the solenoid; And moving the flanger back and forth by the operation of the solenoid, thereby releasing the locking of the push button. The current provided to the solenoid is provided through the connection of the terminal washer.

In the present invention, when the user presses the reset button, the spring is compressed and at the same time the reset button is locked to the latch arm; Lifting up the latch arm and the guide block to which the latch arm is connected by an elastic force of the spring; As the guide block is lifted, the movable contact disposed on the guide block is in contact with the fixed contact.

For example, the embodiments of the present invention may be modified in various forms, and the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the embodiments described below. These examples are provided to more fully explain the present invention to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the shape of the elements in the drawings and the like are exaggerated to emphasize a clearer description.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. In addition, in the drawings, the same reference numerals are denoted together for components that perform the same function.

1 and 2 are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view of the outlet having a circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2, the outlet type circuit breaker of the present invention is a case assembly 110, an input conductor 124, an output conductor 120, a reset assembly 130, a ground fault detecting unit 150, and control And means 180.

The control means 180 is for controlling the operation of the reset assembly 130 according to whether or not a source of electricity is connected to the input conductor 124, the description of the control means will be described in detail later Let's explain.

The case assembly 110 includes a bottom cover 112a, a middle base 112b, and a top cover 112c. The circuit board 114 is assembled to the bottom cover 112a, and the middle base 112b is assembled to the circuit board 114. The middle base 112b is assembled with an output conductor 120 and a mounting strap 118 for fixing the case assembly 110 to an outlet box (a box buried in a wall).

The input conductor 124 has moving contacts 126. The output conductor 120 has fixed contacts 122 in contact with the moving contact 126. The input conductor 124 is assembled with the circuit board 114 on the bottom cover 112a, and the output conductor 120 is assembled to the middle base 112b.

2 and 3, the reset assembly 130 includes a reset button 132, a guide block 134, a latch arm 136, and a first spring 138.

The reset button 132 is composed of a button 132a and a guide pin 132b. The button 132a is exposed through the opening 113 of the top cover 112c, and the guide pin 132b of the guide block 134 through the through hole 118a of the mounting strap 118. It is inserted into the guide hole 134a. The guide pin 132b has an end on which a hook 132c is formed.

The guide block 134 is placed on the pedestal 115 protruding from the bottom surface of the bottom cover 112a. A movement contact 126 of the input conductor 124 is positioned at both wing portions 134c of the guide block 134, and the movement contact 126 is configured such that the guide block 134 has a first spring 138. When lifted by the elastic force of the, it is in contact with the fixed contact 122. 7 shows a state in which the fixed contact 122 and the moving contact 126 are in contact.

The latch arm 136 has a hooked front end 136a and a rear end 136b having a hole 137 formed therein. The guide pin 132b, which is elevated by the guide hole 134a, is locked in the hole 137 (see FIG. 7). The front end 136a of the latch arm 136 is connected to the flanger 174, and the rear end 136b is inserted into the guide block 134.

The latch arm 136 may move back and forth with the flanger 174. The first spring 138 is inserted into the guide pin 132b of the reset button. The first spring 138 provides an elastic force in the upward direction when the reset button 132 is locked.

On the other hand, the ground fault detecting unit 150 detects whether or not the current leakage, the circuit configuration is disclosed in detail in FIG. For example, the ground fault detecting unit 150 detects a leakage current only in a reset state (pressed state) in which the reset button 132 is pressed. The leakage detection unit 150 detects a leakage current by the image current transformer ZCT and applies the detected signal to a circuit of a circuit board. The circuit is compared and judged to generate an output current in a direction in which the solenoid 172 of the driver is magnetized.

The driver 170 cuts off the current flow between the input conductor 124 and the output conductor 120 when the leakage current is detected by the ground fault detecting unit 150. The driving unit 170 includes a solenoid 172, a flanger 174, and a second spring 176. The solenoid 172 is magnetized when a current is supplied. The flanger 174 moves in the front-rear direction by the magnetic force of the solenoid 172. The flanger 174 is installed to be movable in the front-rear direction along the guide hole 172a of the solenoid 172. The flanger 174 has an inclined surface 174a which is in contact with the hook 184a of the pushbutton 184 and a hooking jaw in which the hook 184a of the pushbutton 184 moved on the inclined surface 174a is caught and fixed. (174b). 4 shows a state in which the hook 184a of the push button is fixed (locked) to the locking step 174b. The second spring is fitted to this flanger 174.

For example, when the driving unit 170 receives an output current from the ground fault detecting unit 150, the solenoid 172 is magnetized and the flanger 174 is moved back and forth. Accordingly, the latch arm 136 is moved back and forth by the forward and backward movement of the flanger 174, and the reset button 132 is unlocked in the locked state of the hole 137 of the latch arm 136. do. When the reset button 132 is released, the moving contact 126 is separated from the fixed contact 122.

The control means 180, which is the most important component of the present invention, includes a press protection unit 182 and a switch 192 which is a means for releasing the operation of the press protection unit. Until the power is connected to the input conductor 124, the push prevention unit 182 is to block the pressing operation of the reset button 132 of the reset assembly 130. When the power supply is connected to the input conductor 124, the release manipulation unit 190 releases the blocking operation of the push prevention unit 182 to enable the pressing operation of the reset button 132.

The pressing preventing part 182 is composed of a push button 184 which is installed to be movable up and down, a third spring 185 fitted to the push button 184 and a cylindrical body 186 installed therein. They are installed on the circuit board 114 to be positioned below the flanger 174. As also shown in Figure 3, the push button 184 is one end is located in the through hole 111 of the bottom cover 112a, it is preferable not to protrude from the bottom surface of the bottom cover 112a so as not to be pressed arbitrarily. Do.

The push button 184 of the push prevention unit 182 has a hook 184a that is locked at one end of the locking projection 174b of the flanger 174. When the push button 184 is pressed, the push button 184 moves the flanger 174 in the direction of arrow a as shown in FIG. The latch arm 136 is also moved by the movement of the flanger 174, where the latch arm locks the guide pin 132b of the reset button 132 to the hole 137 of the latch arm 136. Is moved to a location that does not.

The switch 192 has a close relationship with the push prevention unit 182.

The switch 192 is to provide a current for operating the solenoid 172 when power is connected to the input conductor 124. The switch 192 includes a first contact 194a, a second contact 194b, and a terminal washer 196. The first contact point and the second contact point are electrically connected to the first and second terminals of the input conductor 124, respectively. The terminal washer 196 is up / down together with the push button 184 and connects the first contact 194a and the second contact 194b when the push button 184 is locked. And FIG. 8).

As shown in FIG. 4, the switch 192 connects the first contact 194a and the second contact 194b only when the push button 184 is locked (pressed). As such, when the earth leakage breaker of the present invention is correctly connected to the input conductor 124, current is supplied to the solenoid 172 through the switch 192, and the push button 184 is operated by an operation of a driving unit. Is unlocked.

Figure 4 is a view showing the initial state of the outlet-type earth leakage breaker.

Referring to FIG. 4, the product according to the present invention is in a state where the push button 184 is pushed up and caught by the locking step 174b of the flanger 174.

In this initial state, when power is supplied to the output conductor (load side), a path through which the introduced current flows is not formed as shown in the circuit diagram, and it is in a state in which it cannot play a mechanical or electronic role because it is not electrically connected. At this time, even if the reset button 132 is driven, the latch arm cannot be contacted (see FIG. 5).

When power is applied to the input side conductor 124 (power side), the current flowing in the "HOT" phase flows through the solenoid 172 and the switch 192 since the current flows toward the smallest resistance as shown in the circuit diagram. .

The solenoid 172 is driven through the switch 192 to pull the flanger 174 back and forth, and the switch is turned off while the push button 184 is lowered by the third spring 185. The latch arm 136 connected to the flanger 174 is positioned forward by the second spring 176 (FIG. 6).

When the reset button 132 is pressed in the state as shown in FIG. 6, the guide pin 132b slides into the hole 137 of the latch arm 136, and the guide pin 132b is raised to hook the guide pin 132c. ) Is caught by the latch arm 136. The guide block 134 into which the latch arm 136 is inserted is lifted upward by the force of the first spring 138, and the movable contact 126 spans the wing 134c of the guide block 134. ) Is also lifted together and connected to the fixed contact 122 (see FIG. 7).

The outlet type earth leakage breaker 100 configured as described above is installed and operated in the following order. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 and 9.

First, make sure that the push button is pressed before installing the product in the wall outlet box. If the push button is not pressed, the push button is pressed to block the push operation of the reset assembly.

Pressing the push button 184 moves the flanger 174 to the right. The second spring 176 is compressed and the latch arm 136, which has been connected to the flanger 174, is also moved to the right. In addition, the hook 184a of the push button 184 climbs up the inclined surface 174a of the flanger 174 and is fixed to the locking jaw 174b. Meanwhile, the third spring 185 is compressed and the terminal washer 196 is pushed upward, while the terminal washer 196 is in contact with the first contact point 194a and the second contact point 194b and the switch ( 192 is turned on (see FIG. 4).

In the state in which the push button 184 is pressed as shown in FIG. 5, even when the reset button 132 is pressed, the hook 132c of the guide pin 132b is not caught by the hole 137 of the latch arm 136. Is restored to its original state by

If the user accidentally connects the power supply line 10 to the output conductor 120, the locking of the push button 184 is maintained. Therefore, since the reset button is not driven, the user can easily determine the miswire.

In contrast, when the user connects the power supply side line 10 to the input conductor 124, the locking of the push button 184 is automatically released. That is, the solenoid 172 is operated by the switch 192 of the release operation unit 190, the hook 184a of the push button 184 is released from the locking step 174b of the flanger 174, and the push button ( 184 is unlocked (see FIG. 6).

As shown in FIG. 7, when the reset button 132 is pressed, the movable contact 126 of the input conductor 124 and the fixed contact 122 of the output conductor 120 are contacted.

The hook 132c of the reset button 132 is locked to the latch arm 136, and the latch arm 136 and the guide block 134 to which the latch arm 136 is connected are lifted by the spring 138. Raised In addition, as the movable contact 126 located on the wing 134c of the guide block 134 is lifted together, the movable contact 126 is in contact with the fixed contact 122.

In this state in which the installation is completed, if a leakage current is generated, the detection unit 150 determines the comparison and generates an output current for magnetizing the solenoid 172.

The flanger 174 is moved back and forth by the magnetization of the solenoid 172, the latch arm 136 is also moved together, releasing the reset button 132 locked by the latch arm 136. At this moment, the reset button 132 is raised by the restoring force of the spring 138, the moving contact 126 is separated from the fixed contact by its elastic restoring force to block the leakage current.

In the above, the configuration and operation of the outlet-type earth leakage breaker according to the present invention is shown in accordance with the above description and drawings, but this is just described, for example, various changes and modifications can be made within the scope without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Of course.

According to the present invention as described above, when the consumer (user or installer) is incorrectly wired, the reset button is not driven, so that the consumer can easily determine the wrong wiring to prevent the problem caused by miss wire.

1 is an external perspective view of an outlet type circuit breaker according to the present invention;

2 is an exploded perspective view of an outlet type circuit breaker according to the present invention;

3 is a view for explaining the main components of the outlet-type circuit breaker according to the present invention;

4 and 5 are views showing a state in which the push button is pressed in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a state in which a push button is released in FIG. 5; FIG.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a state in which a reset button is pressed in FIG. 6; FIG.

8 is a circuit diagram of an outlet type circuit breaker according to the present invention;

9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

110: case assembly

120: output conductor

124: input conductor

130: reset assembly

132: reset button

150: earth leakage detector

170: drive unit

172: solenoid

180: control means

182: pressing prevention part

192: switch

Claims (30)

In an earth leakage circuit breaker: An input conductor connected to a power source and having a movable contact; An output conductor having a fixed contact in contact with the moving contact; A reset assembly in which a push / release operation is performed such that the movable contact of the input conductor and the fixed contact of the output conductor are contacted / separated; And And an anti-leakage unit for preventing a pressing operation of the reset assembly until power is connected to the input conductor. The method of claim 1, The reset assembly, A detector configured to detect a short circuit of power provided from the input conductor; And a driving unit configured to perform a releasing operation on the reset assembly such that the moving contact point and the fixed contact point are separated from each other when the ground fault detection unit detects a ground fault. The method of claim 2, The driving unit, An electrically operated solenoid; A flanger movable by the magnetic force of the solenoid and to which the latch arm is connected; Outlet-type leakage breaker comprising a spring for providing an elastic force to the flanger. The method of claim 3, wherein The reset assembly, A reset button having a pin; A guide block having a guide hole into which the pin of the reset button is inserted; A latch arm having one end connected to the drive unit and the other end connected to the guide block, and having a hole in which the pin is lifted and lifted through the guide hole; And And a spring coupled to the reset button, the spring providing a resilient force to lift the guide block and the latch arm when the reset button is locked in a hole in the latch arm. The method of claim 4, wherein The moving contact of the input conductor is located above the guide block, The movable contact is an outlet type circuit breaker, characterized in that when the guide block is lifted by the spring, the fixed contact. The method of claim 4, wherein The pressing prevention part A push button having a pin locked at one end of the flanger after moving the flanger so that the pin of the reset button is not locked to the hole of the latch arm; And a spring for returning to an initial position when the locking of the push button is released. The method of claim 6, The locking of the push button is an outlet type circuit breaker, characterized in that the release of the flanger by forward and backward movement by the magnetic force of the solenoid. The method of claim 6, The push button is an outlet type circuit breaker, characterized in that one end is exposed to the outside. The method of claim 6, The flanger has an inclined surface which is in contact with the pin end of the push button, and a locking jaw to which the end of the pin moved on the inclined surface is caught and fixed.  The push button is a socket-type leakage breaker that includes a hook that is fixed to the locking step to move the flanger in one direction while being in contact with the inclined surface when the button is pressed. The method of claim 1, The outlet type earth leakage breaker, And a release unit for releasing a blocking operation of the press preventing unit to enable a pressing operation of the reset assembly when a power source is connected to the input conductor. The method of claim 10, The release unit, And a switch providing a current to operate the driving unit when a current is applied through the input conductor. The method of claim 11, And the switch is connected only when the push button is locked (pressed). The method of claim 10, The input conductor has a first terminal and a second terminal, The release unit, First and second contacts electrically connected to the first and second terminals of the input conductor, respectively; And a terminal washer which is moved together with the push button and connects the first contact point and the second contact point when the push button is locked. The method of claim 13, A printed circuit board mounted with a sensing unit configured to detect a short circuit of power supplied from the input conductor; The first contact point and the second contact point outlet type circuit breaker, characterized in that installed on the printed circuit board. In an earth leakage circuit breaker: An input conductor connected to a power source and having a movable contact; An output conductor having a fixed contact in contact with the moving contact; A reset assembly configured to perform a push / release operation such that the movable contact of the input conductor and the fixed contact of the output conductor are contacted / separated; And And means for controlling the operation of the reset assembly depending on whether power is connected to the input conductor. The method of claim 15 The control means, A push button assembly that presses a push button to block the push operation of the reset assembly until power is connected to the input conductor; And a control unit for unlocking the push button when a power source is connected to an input conductor. The method of claim 16, The operation unit, An electrically operated drive unit; And a switch for providing the power to the driving unit when the power is connected from the input conductor. The method of claim 16, And the switch is turned on when the push button is pressed. The method of claim 16, The driving unit is an outlet type circuit breaker, characterized in that for releasing the pressing operation of the reset assembly so that the movable contact and the fixed contact is spaced apart. The method of claim 16 or 19, The driving unit An electrically operated solenoid; A flanger for unlocking the reset assembly or unlocking the push button by moving by the magnetic force of the solenoid; Outlet-type leakage breaker comprising a spring for providing an elastic force to the flanger. The method of claim 20 The flanger has an inclined surface in contact with the push button; A locking jaw to which an end of the push button moved on the inclined surface is fixed; And the push button includes a hook that is in contact with the inclined surface and is fixed to the locking jaw. The method of claim 21 The reset assembly, A reset button; A latch arm connected to the flanger and to which the reset button is locked; And And a spring coupled to the reset button, the spring providing an elastic force to the latch arm when the reset button is locked to the latch arm. The method of claim 16 The push button assembly includes a spring for returning to the initial position when the push button is unlocked; One end of the push button is an outlet type circuit breaker, characterized in that exposed to the outside to be pressed by the user. In the method of operating the outlet type circuit breaker: Interrupting the pressing operation of the reset assembly; Connecting a power source to the input conductor; Canceling the blocking operation when a power source is connected to the input conductor; Performing a push operation to contact the movable contact of the input conductor and the fixed contact of the output conductor; Detecting whether the power supplied from the input conductor is short-circuited; And And performing a releasing operation on the reset assembly such that the contact points are spaced apart when a short circuit is detected. The method of claim 24, The pressing operation blocking step, Moving the latch arm such that the reset button of the reset assembly is not locked to the latch arm. The method of claim 25, The latch arm moves, Pressing a push button of the push prevention unit; Moving the flanger connected to the latch arm in one direction by a pressing operation of the push button; And And the push button is locked to the flanger as soon as the movement of the flanger is finished. The method of claim 26, And when the push button is locked to the flanger, connecting the first and second contacts connected to the input conductor by a terminal washer. The method of claim 24, The pressing release step Providing a current to the solenoid; And the locking of the push button is released by moving the flanger back and forth by the operation of the solenoid. The method of claim 28, And the current provided to the solenoid is provided through the connection of the terminal washer. The method of claim 26, The pressing operation step, When the user presses the reset button, the spring is compressed and the reset button is locked to the latch arm; Lifting the latch arm and the guide block connected to the latch arm by an elastic force of the spring; The lifting of the guide block, the operation method of the outlet type circuit breaker, characterized in that it comprises the step of contacting the fixed contact with the movable contact disposed on the guide block.