Circuit breaker linking system for movable contact

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11031191-B2
Application number	US-201916706924-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 9, 2019
Priority date	Dec 14, 2018
Publication date	Jun 8, 2021
Grant date	Jun 8, 2021

Abstract

A device for switching an electric current with separable electrical contacts includes a switching mechanism including: a switching shaft that is coupled to a mobile electrical contact; a trip hook that is pivotably mounted on a fixed support of the mechanism; a linking system coupling the switching shaft to the trip hook. The linking system includes a first pair of connecting rods that are pivotably mounted on the trip hook and a second pair of connecting rods that are mounted so as to pivot with a crank of the switching shaft. The first connecting rods are connected to the second connecting rods with a single axis of articulation which forms a pivot link between the first connecting rods and the second connecting rods.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A device for switching an electric current, comprising:
separable fixed and mobile electrical contacts, and
a mechanism configured to switch the contacts between a closed state and an open state, the mechanism including:
a switching shaft that is coupled to a mobile electrical contact;
a trip hook that is pivotably mounted on a fixed support of the mechanism; and
a linking system coupling the switching shaft to the trip hook; wherein

the linking system includes a first pair of connecting rods and a second pair of connecting rods, the first connecting rods being pivotably mounted on the trip hook, the second connecting rods being mounted so as to pivot with a crank of the switching shaft,
the first connecting rods are connected to the second connecting rods with a single axis of articulation which forms a pivot link between the first connecting rods and the second connecting rods,
each of the first connecting rods is mounted on a first area of the axis of articulation having a first diameter, and
each of the second connecting rods is mounted on a second area of the axis of articulation having a second diameter, which is different from the first diameter.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein
the axis of articulation is mounted in the linking system so as to have a radial play of less than or equal to 0.1 mm for the first connecting rods and the second connecting rods.

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein
the axis of articulation is made of a steel alloy with chromium and molybdenum.

4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein
the axis of articulation is formed by a one-piece part.

5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein
each of the second connecting rods has a shape bent in an arc.

6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein
each of the ends of the axis of articulation includes a head, each head including an overwidth funning a retaining portion for preventing separation of the first connecting rods and the second connecting rods from one another.

7. The device according to claim 6 , wherein
a height of each head is less than or equal to 5 mm.

8. The device according to claim 6 , wherein
the greatest width of each head is between 9 mm and 10 mm.

9. The device according to claim 6 , wherein
a height of each head is between 2 mm and 3 mm.

10. The device according to claim 6 , wherein
the greatest width of each head is between 9.6 mm and 9.8 mm.

11. The device according to claim 6 , wherein
the axis of articulation includes a peripheral groove formed at a base of each head.

12. The device according to claim 11 , wherein
a depth of the peripheral groove is between 0.2 mm and 0.6 mm.

13. The device according to claim 11 , wherein
a depth of the peripheral groove is equal to 0.4 mm.

Assignees

• Schneider Electric Ind Sas

Inventors

• Pinero Eric
• Jacolin Brice
• Toumi Anais
• Reviron Daniel

Classifications

• H01H3/54

  Mechanisms for coupling or uncoupling operating parts, driving mechanisms, or contacts · CPC title

• H01H3/32 Primary

  Driving mechanisms, i.e. for transmitting driving force to the contacts (snap-action arrangements H01H5/00; introducing a predetermined time delay H01H7/00) · CPC title

• H01H3/161

  for actuation by moving a closing member, e.g. door, cover or lid (the switch controlling enclosed equipment H01H9/226; switches operated by a removable member, wherein one single insertion movement of a key comprises an unlocking stroke and a switch actuating stroke, e.g. security switch for safety guards H01H27/002) · CPC title

• H01H3/3052

  Linear spring motors · CPC title

• H01H71/525

  comprising a toggle between cradle and contact arm and mechanism spring acting between handle and toggle knee · CPC title