Electricity: electrothermally or thermally actuated switches – Electrothermally actuated switches – With bimetallic elements
Patent
1987-09-15
1989-05-23
Broome, H.
Electricity: electrothermally or thermally actuated switches
Electrothermally actuated switches
With bimetallic elements
337 66, 337 56, 337 91, H01H 7116
Patent
active
048334391
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to electrical switches and circuit breakers, and more particularly, to a combination switch and circuit breaker.
BACKGROUND ART
Circuit breakers are used in a wide variety of electronic systems in which components must be protected from large currents such as those that accompany circuit malfunctions or external power surges. A circuit breaker is connected between the source of power and the components to be protected, and contains a component that trips when excessive current flows through it, opening the circuit through the circuit breaker and disconnecting the source of power from the components to be protected. Electronic systems frequently include on and off switches connected in series with the circuit breaker for turning on or off the electronic system. Frequently, separate switches and circuit breakers are used in electronic systems. Since two units are used, a relatively large amount of space is required to accommodate both units.
A combined switch and circuit breaker unit is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,528,538 to Andersen. This is a single unit and is adapted so that after interruption of the current flow by the circuit breaker, opening the switch circuit resets the circuit breaker. In Andersen, however, the switch and circuit breaker are electrically separate units and are not unitary. The Andersen device is not very compact since the switch and circuit breaker are electrically separate units. The Andersen device is also relatively expensive to manufacture since it is relatively complex, and comprises numerous parts.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is thus an object of the present invention to overcome the aforesaid defects of the prior art.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a unitary switch and circuit breaker.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a unitary switch and circuit breaker that reduces the number of components used to perform both the switching function and the circuit breaker function.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a unitary switch and circuit breaker in which the two functions are performed in a single unit.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a unitary switch and circuit breaker that is small in size and relatively compact.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a unitary switch and circuit breaker that indicates when the circuit breaker function has been actuated.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a unitary switch and circuit breaker in which the circuit breaker places the switch in the off position when the circuit breaker is actuated.
It is an even further object of the present invention to provide a unitary switch and circuit breaker in which placing the switch in the "on" condition simultaneously resets the circuit breaker function.
In accord with the present invention, a unitary switch and circuit breaker includes switch means having first and second contact means, the switch means actuable to assume a first condition in which the contact means are open and a second condition in which the contact means are closed, and breaker means integral with the switch means for actuating the contact means to interrupt current flow through the contact means in response to the current flow exceeding a predetermined level and for subsequently preventing the resumption of current flow through the contact means until reset.
As preferably embodied, one set of electrical contacts are operated by both the switch means and the breaker means.
The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof which is to be read in connection with accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a unitary switch and circuit breaker in accord with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view illustrating the c
REFERENCES:
patent: 3386061 (1968-05-01), Delafrange
patent: 4363016 (1982-12-01), Unger
patent: 4528538 (1985-07-01), Andersen
patent: 4630020 (1986-12-01), Yang
Bowden Wade R.
Levin Emma
Broome H.
Slater Electric Inc.
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