Support assembly for a micro-switch of a switching device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9799468-B2
Application number	US-201514791957-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 6, 2015
Priority date	Jan 3, 2013
Publication date	Oct 24, 2017
Grant date	Oct 24, 2017

Abstract

A support-assembly suitable for a micro-switch of a switching device, including bracket-support-means suitable for being connected, in a stationary position, to a frame portion of the switching-device, coupling-protrusion-component shaped for being provided at an end of an operating-shaft of the micro-switch and for movably engaging with the bracket-support-component. The coupling-protrusion-component and the bracket-support-component being configured for enabling a rotation of the operating-shaft around a rotation-axis and for preventing a movement of the operating-shaft transversely to the rotation-axis.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A support-assembly suitable for a micro-switch of a switching device comprising:
bracket support means suitable for connection, in a stationary position, to a frame portion of said switching-device;
coupling protrusion means shaped for positioning at an end of an operating-shaft of said micro-switch and for movably engaging with said bracket support means; and
said coupling protrusion means and said bracket support means are configured to enable rotation of said operating-shaft around a rotation-axis and to prevent movement of said operating-shaft transversely to said rotation-axis;
wherein said bracket support means includes a first bracket-element and a second bracket-element adapted for engaging with a first coupling-portion and with a second coupling-portion of said coupling protrusion means respectively.

2. The support-assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said bracket support means are adapted to enable pivotal-movement of said coupling protrusion means around said rotation-axis and to prevent movement of said coupling protrusion means parallel to said rotation-axis.

3. The support-assembly according to claim 2 , wherein said coupling protrusion means are positioned on a connecting-portion of a lever for driving said operating-shaft.

4. The support-assembly according to claim 3 , wherein said first coupling-portion and said second coupling-portion are provided at opposite sides on said connecting-portion of said lever, and are configured for pivotally coupling with a first seat-opening and with a second seat-opening, respectively, which are positioned on said first bracket-element and on said second bracket-element.

5. The support-assembly according to claim 4 , wherein each of said first seat-opening and said second seat-opening include a through-opening having a respective diameter which is less than a width-dimension of said connecting-portion, said width-dimension being measured transversely to said rotation-axis in an assembled configuration.

6. The support-assembly according to claim 5 , wherein said first coupling-portion and said second coupling-portion are integral with said connecting-portion, protrude with a cylindrical shape, and have each an external diameter which is less than said width-dimension.

7. The support-assembly according to claim 6 , wherein a fitting-opening is obtained on said connecting-portion for coupling with said end of said operating-shaft.

8. The support-assembly according to claim 6 , wherein said lever together with said coupling protrusion means are integral with said operating-shaft to define a single-piece-element suitable for being assembled to said micro-switch.

9. The support-assembly according to claim 8 , wherein said first bracket-element includes a bent-shaped-plate element including a base-portion suitable for being applied to said frame portion.

10. The support-assembly according to claim 9 , wherein a second bracket-element includes:
a fixing-portion adapted for being fixed on a first bracket-element; and
a stop-protrusion configured for limiting a rotation movement of said lever.

11. The support-assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said coupling protrusion means are positioned on a connecting-portion of a lever for driving said operating-shaft.

12. The support-assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said first coupling-portion and said second coupling-portion are provided at opposite sides on a connecting-portion of a lever, and are configured for pivotally coupling with a first seat-opening and with a second seat-opening, respectively, which are positioned on said first bracket-element and on said second bracket-element.

13. The support-assembly according to claim 12 , wherein each of said first seat-opening and said second seat-opening include a through-opening having a respective diameter which is less than a width-dimension of said connecting-portion, said width-dimension being measured transversely to said rotation-axis in an assembled configuration.

14. The support-assembly according to claim 12 , wherein said first coupling-portion and said second coupling-portion are integral with said connecting-portion, protrude with a cylindrical shape, and have each an external diameter which is less than said width-dimension.

15. The support-assembly according to claim 12 , wherein a fitting-opening is obtained on said connecting-portion for coupling with said end of said operating-shaft.

16. The support-assembly according to claim 1 , wherein a lever together with said coupling protrusion means are integral with said operating-shaft to define a single-piece-element suitable for being assembled to said micro-switch.

17. The support-assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said first bracket-element includes a bent-shaped-plate element including a base-portion suitable for being applied to said frame portion.

18. The support-assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said second bracket-element includes:
a fixing-portion adapted for being fixed on said first bracket-element; and
a stop-protrusion configured for limiting a rotation movement of a lever.

19. A kit comprising:
a support-assembly suitable for a micro-switch of a switching device comprising:
bracket support means suitable for connection, in a stationary position, to a frame portion of said switching-device;
coupling protrusion means shaped for positioning at an end of an operating-shaft of said micro-switch and for movably engaging with said bracket support means; and
said coupling protrusion means and said bracket support means are configured to enable rotation of said operating-shaft around a rotation-axis and to prevent movement of said operating-shaft transversely to said rotation-axis; and

a lever provided with said coupling protrusion means, suitable for being connected to the operating-shaft of a rotative micro-switch.

20. A switchgear apparatus comprising a switching device comprising a micro-switch comprising a support assembly, the support assembly comprising:
bracket support means suitable for connection, in a stationary position, to a frame portion of said switching-device;
coupling protrusion means shaped for positioning at an end of an operating-shaft of said micro-switch and for movably engaging with said bracket support means; and
said coupling protrusion means and said bracket support means are configured to enable rotation of said operating-shaft around a rotation-axis and to prevent movement of said operating-shaft transversely to said rotation-axis; and
wherein said switching device includes a circuit breaker, and said micro-switch is a rotative micro-switch with an auxiliary contact function.

Assignees

• Abb Technology Ag
• Abb Schweiz Ag

Inventors

• Magoni Stefano
• Farina Andrea

Classifications

• H01H71/465

  Self-contained, easily replaceable microswitches · CPC title

• H01H19/60

  Angularly-movable actuating part carrying no contacts · CPC title

• H01H9/0066 Primary

  Auxiliary contact devices (for arc transfer H01H9/38; for electromagnetic relays H01H50/541) · CPC title

• H01H71/025

  Constructional details of housings or casings not concerning the mounting or assembly of the different internal parts · CPC title

• H01H19/08 Primary

  Bases; Stationary contacts mounted thereon · CPC title