Cutoff structure for circuit breaker

Details Cutoff structure for circuit breaker Cutoff structure for circuit breaker

1994-12-20

1997-06-03

Donovan, Lincoln

Electricity: magnetically operated switches, magnets, and electr

Electromagnetically actuated switches

Multiple contact type

335202, H01H 6702

Patent

active

056358865

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a cutoff structure with contact bridge for circuit breaker comprising, in a box and for each pole, a mobile contact bridge associated with fixed contacts and a contact pressure spring, the bridge being pushed against the spring by a push button which is secured to a mechanism for opening and closing the contacts.
Such structures are well known and, in combination with arc extinguishing assemblies, have as function to open the contacts of the respective poles in response to a command that is voluntary or subsequent to an electrical fault communicated to the opening-closing mechanism. Experience has shown that it is desirable to confer, upon such a contact-holder structure, additional functions facilitating the assembly and/or functioning of the circuit breaker.
In particular, the object of the invention is to transfer, to the structure with contact bridge, functions such as push button guidance and/or arc confinement functions, usually devolving upon the circuit breaker box.
According to the invention, the push button of the contact bridge is guided in a fixed cage mounted in the circuit breaker box. The push button guidance function is therefore transferred to the cutoff structure. When the fixed cage has a stop for the contact bridge in the direction corresponding to the springing back of the spring, the cutoff structure can be constructed as a telescopic sub-assembly fitting easily into the circuit breaker box.
The push button preferably comprises at least one port dimensioned to allow introduction of the contact bridge and an angular clearance of the bridge in relation to the push button, the clearance being thus made possible though the push button is guided for translation in the fixed cage.
In a preferred embodiment, the fixed cage comprises insulating lateral wings and a corresponding extension of its base wall for constituting cutoff prechambers that can be embraced by the ends of fins of arc extinguishing structures.
The invention will now be explained by a description of a non-limiting example, in reference to the following figures:
FIG. 1 represents an exploded perspective of a circuit breaker mounting base equipped with cutoff structures according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is an elevation of a first embodiment of the cutoff structure;
FIG. 3 is an elevation of a second embodiment of the cutoff structure, with partial representation of neighbouring elements of the circuit breaker box;
FIG. 4 is a side view according to arrow F of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a top view, with partial illustration of neighbouring elements.
The circuit breaker illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a box in insulating material 10 of which are represented only the mounting base part and, in this box, several polar current paths each equipped with a cutoff structure S with separable contacts. In this way, each polar path comprises two fixed contacts 11, 12 disposed on fixed contact parts 13, 14 connected to terminals that are not indicated. It further comprises two mobile contacts 15, 16 respectively associated with the fixed contacts 11, 12 and disposed on an electrically conductive and mobile bridge 17 to constitute a double-cutoff polar switch. Of the elements of the box cooperating with the cutoff structure, a base wall 18 and partitions 19 between the poles can be noted.
The mobile contact bridge 17 is acted upon by a mechanism (not represented) for opening and closing the contacts, by means of a push button 20 guided according to the invention in a fixed cage 21. The cage 21 is in an insulating material and comprises a base wall 22, side walls 23 perpendicular to the partitions 19 between the poles, and fitted with windows 24 and blank side walls 25 parallel to the partitions 19. The base wall 22 of the cage is positioned on the mounting base 18 of the box 10.
FIG. 2 illustrates further details of a first embodiment of the cutoff structure S. It should be noted that the windows 24 of the side walls 23 of the fixed cage are dimensioned to enable displacement of the contact bridge, notably under the effect

REFERENCES:
patent: 3436497 (1969-04-01), Mading
patent: 5233321 (1993-08-01), Blanchard et al.

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