Patent Grant
9899177
Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. ยง 119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0187794, filed on Dec. 28, 2015, the contents of which are all hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
1. Field of the Invention
This specification relates to a delay time generation apparatus for an air circuit breaker, and more particularly, a delay time generation apparatus for an air circuit breaker capable of improving reliability for a generation of a delay time in the air circuit breaker.
2. Background of the Invention
In general, a circuit breaker refers to an apparatus that opens and closes a load in a power system, a distribution system or an electric circuit and cuts off a current when an accident such as grounding or short-circuit occurs.
Some of such circuit breakers are provided with a relay executing a so-called making current release (MCR) function of setting a current value, detecting an introduced current and instantaneously blocking an introduction of a heavy current over the set current value, so as to prevent the introduction of the heavy current into a load side.
In order for the relay to execute the MCR function, a case of opening the circuit breaker for blocking a fault current (i.e., separating a fixed contactor and a movable contactor from each other) in a closed state of the circuit breaker should be distinguished from a case of blocking a fault current upon closing the circuit breaker (i.e., contacting the movable contactor contact with the fixed contactor) on a circuit which is already open due to an occurrence of a fault.
To distinguish the two cases, a delay time generation apparatus for a circuit breaker is used for outputting a contact signal (or conductive signal) with a predetermine delay time after the movable contactor is brought into contact with the fixed contactor.
Meanwhile,
As illustrated in
The delay plate 30 includes a rotation shaft 31, a first arm 33 extending from the rotation shaft 31 toward the main shaft 10 and contactable with the lever 12, and a second arm 35 extending from the rotation shaft 31 toward the switch 20 and rotated simultaneously with the first arm 33 to be contactable with the switch 20.
In this instance, the second arm 35 is connected with a spring 37 that supplies an elastic force in a direction that the second arm 35 comes in contact with the switch 20.
Also, the second arm 35 is provided with a mass body 39 causing a predetermined delay time due to inertia upon a rotation of the main shaft 10 in a closing direction.
With the configuration, in a broke state of the circuit breaker, when the main shaft 10 is rotated in the closing direction, the delay plate 30 is rotated toward the switch 20 in a clockwise direction by the elastic force of the spring 37. In this instance, a predetermined delay time is generated during the rotation of the delay plate 30 due to the inertia of the mass body 39. The delay time is generated in response to the delay plate 30 being brought into contact with the switch 20 after the fixed contactor and the movable contactor are brought into contact with each other due to the rotation of the main shaft 10.
However, the related art delay time generation apparatus uses a large mass body, the apparatus increases in size which makes it difficult to install the generation apparatus in a narrow space.
Also, the generation of the delay time using the mass body brings about lowered accuracy of the delay time and difficulty in ensuring a sufficient delay time.
Therefore, to obviate those problems and other drawbacks of the related art, an aspect of the detailed description is to provide a delay time generation apparatus for an air circuit breaker, capable of improving reliability for a generation of a delay time of the air circuit breaker.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of this specification, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a delay time generation apparatus for an air circuit breaker, for outputting a conductive signal through a switch with a preset delay time when a movable contactor is brought into contact with a fixed contactor, the apparatus including a pin portion moved downward when the movable contactor is brought into contact with the fixed contactor, a main shaft rotated in response to a movement of the movable contactor to a contact position or a trip position, a first rotating unit located to be closely adhered on the main shaft, the first rotating unit being released from the adhered state on the main shaft and rotated in a clockwise direction through the pin portion when the movable contactor is moved to the contact position, and rotated in a counterclockwise direction through the main shaft when the movable contactor is moved to the trip position, and a second rotating unit located below the first rotating unit, the second rotating unit being rotated in response to the rotation of the first rotating unit to be brought into contact with or separated from the switch such that the conductive signal is output.
Also, the apparatus may further include a spring member having one side connected to the second rotating unit, to apply an elastic force to the second rotating unit to be rotated in the clockwise direction such that the second rotating unit and the switch are separated from each other, when the movable contactor is located at the trip position. Here, a connected portion between the spring member and the second rotating unit may be changed in response to the rotation of the second rotating unit when the movable contactor is moved to the contact position, and thus the spring member applies the elastic force to the second rotating unit to be rotated in the counterclockwise direction such that the second rotating unit is brought into contact with the switch.
The first rotating unit may include a body portion having connection arms extending from both sides thereof in a bent manner to be connected to an inside of the air circuit breaker, a holder located between the connection arms and pushed down by the pin portion when the movable contactor is moved to the contact position, a rotation adjusting plate extending from a lower end of a side surface of the body portion toward the second rotating unit, wherein the rotating adjusting plate pushes the second rotating unit, in response to the rotation of the body portion, such that the second rotating unit is brought into contact with the switch, when the movable contactor is moved to the contact position, and wherein the rotation adjusting plate rotates the second rotating unit, in response to the rotation of the body portion, such that the second rotating unit is separated from the switch, when the movable contactor is moved to the trip position, and a stopping portion extending from a lower end of the body portion toward the main shaft, and brought into contact with the main shaft to rotate the body portion when the movable contactor is moved to the trip position.
The stopping portion may include an extending plate extending from the lower end of the body portion toward the main shaft, and an adhering plate extending downwardly from a front end of the extending plate in a bent manner, and brought into contact with the main shaft in response to the rotation of the main shaft.
The holder may be provided with protrusion protruding upwardly from an upper end thereof and preventing shaking of the pin portion upon being closely adhered on the pin portion.
The second rotating unit may include a first rotating plate located below the first rotating unit, and rotated by the rotation adjusting plate to be brought into contact with the switch when the movable contactor is moved to the contact position, and a second rotating plate extending from one side of the first rotating plate toward the first rotating unit, and rotated by the rotation adjusting plate such that the first rotating plate is separated from the switch when the movable contactor is moved to the trip position.
The main shaft may be provided with a protruding portion protruding toward the first rotating unit, the protruding portion pushing the stopping portion to rotate the first rotating unit, such that the second rotating unit is rotated in response to the rotation of the first rotating unit to be separated from the switch when the movable contactor is moved to the trip position.
The second rotating plate may be inwardly bent by a predetermined angle.
The first rotating plate may be provided with a connecting plate disposed on one side thereof and having an insertion hole in which one side of the spring member is inserted.
The first rotating plate may be provided with a hinge portion disposed on another side thereof and connected to an inside of the air circuit breaker.
The pin portion may be provided with a pressing plate disposed on a lower end thereof to press the first rotating unit in response to a movement of the pin portion.
A delay time generation apparatus for an air circuit breaker according to the present invention can provide an effect of ensuring a delay time as long as possible even in a narrow space upon outputting a signal related to a conductive state, by virtue of interaction of a main shaft, a pin portion, a first rotating unit, a second rotating unit and a spring member.
Also, a simplified structure of the apparatus may result in a reduction of a fabrication time, a simplification of fabricating processes and a reduction of fabricating costs.
The spring member may apply an elastic force in the same direction as a rotating direction of the second rotating unit. This may prevent the second rotating unit from being re-rotated in an opposite direction to the rotating direction due to a collision against another component of the air circuit breaker.
Further scope of applicability of the present application will become more apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.
In the drawings:
Description will now be given of a delay time generation apparatus for an air circuit breaker in detail according to one embodiment disclosed herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Also,
As illustrated in
In this instance, the delay time generation apparatus includes a pin portion 130, a main shaft 160, a first rotating unit 140 and a second rotating unit 150.
The pin portion 130 is moved down in response to an operation of an actuator 180 to push down the first rotating unit 140 and rotate the first rotating unit 140 when the movable contactor 120 and the fixed contactor 110 are in a contact state.
In this instance, as illustrated in
The main shaft 160 is rotatably connected with the movable contactor 120 through a connection link 121. When the movable contactor 120 is moved to a contact position (or conductive position) or a trip position, the main shaft 160 is rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, to be spaced apart from or closely adhered on the first rotating unit 140.
The first rotating unit 140 is located adjacent to the main shaft 160. When the movable contactor 120 is moved to the contact position, the close adhesion of the first rotating unit 140 on the main shaft 160 is released and the first rotating unit 140 is rotated in the clockwise direction through the pin portion 130. On the other hand, when the movable contactor 120 is moved to the trip position, the first rotating unit 140 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction through the main shaft 160.
The second rotating unit 150 is located below the first rotating unit 140. The second rotating unit 150 is rotated, in response to the rotation of the first rotating unit 140, to be brought into contact with or separated from the switch 190. Accordingly, a conductive signal is output with a predetermined delay time.
In this instance, the delay time generation apparatus may further be provided with a spring member 170. The spring member 170 has one side connected to the second rotating unit 150. Accordingly, when the movable contactor 150 is moved to the trip position, the spring member 170 applies an elastic force to the second rotating unit 150 such that the second rotating unit 150 is rotated in the clockwise direction to be separated from the switch 190. On the other hand, when the movable contactor 120 is moved to the contact position, a connected position between the spring member 170 and the second rotating unit 150 is changed in response to the rotation of the second rotating unit 150. Accordingly, the spring member 170 applies the elastic force to the second rotating unit 150 to be rotated in the counterclockwise direction, such that the second rotating unit 150 is brought into contact with the switch 190.
Meanwhile, as illustrated in
The body portion 141 is provided on both sides thereof with connection arms 141a each with a through hole 141a-1. The connection arms 141a extend from the both sides of the body portion 141 in a bent manner to be connected to an inside of the air circuit breaker 100.
The holder 143 is located between the connection arms 141a. When the movable contactor 120 is moved to the contact position, the holder 143 receives a force downwardly applied through the pin portion 130.
In this instance, a protrusion 143a protrudes upwardly from an upper end of the holder 143, so as to prevent shaking of the pin portion 130 when being closely adhered on the pin portion 130.
The rotation adjusting plate 145 extends from a lower end of a side surface of the body portion 141 toward the second rotating unit 150. When the movable contactor 120 is moved to the trip position, the rotation adjusting plate 145 rotates the second rotating unit 150 in the clockwise direction, in response to the rotation of the body portion 141, such that the second rotating unit 150 is separated from the switch 190. On the other hand, when the movable contactor 120 is moved to the contact position, the rotation adjusting plate 145 rotates the second rotating unit 150 in the counterclockwise direction, in response to the rotation of the body portion 141, such that the second rotating unit 150 is brought into contact with the switch 190.
The stopping portion 147 extends from a lower end of the body portion 141 toward the main shaft 160. When the movable contactor 120 is moved to the trip position, the stopping portion 147 is brought into contact with the main shaft 160, such that the body portion 141 is rotated.
In this instance, the stopping portion 147 is provided with an extending plate 147a and an adhering plate 147b.
The extending plate 147a extends from the lower end of the body portion 141 toward the main shaft 160.
The adhering plate 147b extends downwardly from a front end of the extending plate 147a in a bent manner. Accordingly, the adhering plate 147b is brought into contact with the main shaft 160, in response to the rotation of the main shaft 160, thereby rotating the first rotating unit 140.
Meanwhile, as illustrated in
The first rotating plate 151 is located below the first rotating unit 140. When the movable contactor 120 is moved to the contact position, the first rotating plate 151 is rotated by the rotation adjusting plate 145 to be brought into contact with the switch 190.
The second rotating plate 153 extends from one side of the first rotating plate 151 toward the first rotating unit 140. When the movable contactor 120 is moved to the trip position, the second rotating plate 153 is rotated by the rotation adjusting plate 145 such that the first rotating plate 151 is separated from the switch 190.
In this instance, the second rotating plate 153 is curved inwardly. Accordingly, when the movable contactor 120 is moved to the contact position and thus the first rotating plate 151 is in the contact state with the switch 190, the second rotating plate 153 is located above the rotation adjusting plate 145 in a covering manner.
Therefore, when the first rotating unit 140 is rotated in response to the movement of the movable contactor 120 to the trip position, the second rotation plate 153 is rotated by the rotation adjusting plate 145 such that the first rotating plate 151 is separated from the switch 190.
In addition, a connecting plate 151a with an insertion hole 151a-1 in which one side of the spring member 170 is inserted is further provided on one side of the first rotating plate 151, and a hinge portion 151b connected to the inside of the air circuit breaker 100 is further provided on another side of the first rotating plate 151.
Therefore, the spring member 170 is connected to the connecting plate 151a through the insertion hole 151a-1 to supply an elastic force to the first rotating plate 151, and the first rotating plate 151 is rotated by being connected into the air circuit breaker 100 through a coupling hole 151b-1 formed through the hinge portion 151b.
Meanwhile, the main shaft 160 is provided with a protruding portion 161 protruding toward the first rotating unit 140. When the movable contactor 120 is moved to the trip position, the protruding portion 161 pushes the stopping portion 147 to rotate the first rotating unit 140, and the second rotating unit 150 is rotated in response to the rotation of the first rotating unit 140, so as to be separated from the switch 190.
Hereinafter, an operation of the delay time generation apparatus for the air circuit breaker according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First, as illustrated in
In this instance, as illustrated in
Also, as illustrated in
Also, when the first rotating unit 140 is rotated in the clockwise direction, the rotation adjusting plate 145 provided on the first rotating unit 140 pushes the first rotating plate 151 of the second rotating unit 150 located below the rotation adjusting plate 145, such that the second rotating unit 150 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction. Accordingly, the first rotating plate 151 is brought into contact with the switch 190.
In this instance, the spring member 170 located below the second rotating unit 150 and connected to the first rotating plate 151 applies an elastic force to the second rotating unit 150 in the clockwise direction when the movable contactor 120 is in a trip state. However, when the movable contactor 120 is moved to the contact position, a connected portion between the spring member 170 and the first rotating plate 151 is moved from a portion P1 to portions P2 and P3 in a sequential manner, in response to the rotation of the second rotating unit 150. Accordingly, when the first rotating plate 151 is finally brought into contact with the switch 190, the spring member 170 applies the elastic force to the second rotating unit 150 to be rotated in the counterclockwise direction, thereby maintaining the contact state between the first rotating plate 151 and the switch 190.
Also, a load of the spring member 170 may be adjusted in the range of 1.5 kgf to 2.5 kgf, to ensure a delay time as long as possible within a narrow space.
Through such processes, after a preset time is delayed in the contact state between the movable contactor 120 and the fixed contactor 110, the conductive signal is output through the switch 190.
Meanwhile, when the movable contactor 120 is moved from the contact position to the trip position, the main shaft 160 connected to the movable contactor 120 through the connection link 121 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction. Accordingly, the protruding portion 161 formed on the main shaft 160 pushes the stopping portion 147 provided on the first rotating unit 140 and thereby the first rotating unit 140 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction.
Also, the rotation adjusting plate 145 provided on the first rotating unit 140 is then brought into contact with the second rotating plate 153 provided on the second rotating unit 150 and thus the second rotating unit 150 is rotated in the clockwise direction, thereby separating the first rotating plate 151 from the switch 90.
In this instance, while the first rotating plate 151 and the switch 190 are in the contact state, the contact state is maintained by virtue of the elastic force applied by the spring member 170 to rotate the first rotating plate 151 in the counterclockwise direction. On the other hand, when the first rotating plate 151 is separated from the switch 190 in response to the movement of the movable contactor 120 to the trip position, the connected portion between the first rotating plate 151 and the spring member 170 is moved from the portion P3 to the portion P1. Accordingly, the separate state between the first rotating plate 151 and the switch 190 is maintained by the elastic force finally applied by the spring member 170 to rotate the first rotating plate 151 in the clockwise direction.
The delay time generation apparatus for the air circuit breaker according to the present invention having the configuration can ensure a delay time as long as possible even within a narrow space upon outputting a signal related to a conductive state, by virtue of interaction of the main shaft 160, the pin portion 130, the first rotating unit 140, the second rotating unit 150 and the spring member 170.
Also, a simplified structure of the apparatus may result in a reduction of a fabrication time, a simplification of fabricating processes and a reduction of fabricating costs.
The spring member 170 may apply the elastic force in the same direction as the rotating direction of the second rotating unit 150. This may prevent the second rotating unit 150 from being re-rotated in an opposite direction to the rotating direction due to a collision against another component of the air circuit breaker.
It should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.
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| 20170186580 A1 | Jun 2017 | US |
