Movement mechanism for a ground fault circuit interrupter with automatic pressure balance compensation

Abstract

A magnetic movement mechanism usable in a ground fault circuit interrupter, comprising: (i) a first permanent magnet, (ii) a second permanent magnet positioned apart from the first permanent magnet, (iii) a soft magnet positioned between the two permanent magnets, (iv) a balance frame positioned between the two ends of the soft magnet, (v) a first coil and (vi) a second coil, wherein the first coil and the second coil are arranged such that when a current passes through the first coil, a first magnetic force is generated to cause the soft magnet and the balance frame to move towards the first permanent magnet in a first direction, and when a current passes through the second coil, a second magnetic force is generated to cause the soft magnet and the balance frame to move towards the second permanent magnet in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and benefits of the present invention will be apparent from a detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein similar elements are referred to with similar reference numbers, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a partially assembled ground fault circuit interrupter with a magnetic movement mechanism having automatic pressure balance compensation, when contact points and the stationary contact points are not contacted, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a magnetic movement mechanism having automatic pressure balance compensation from different angles, according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a side view of the magnetic movement mechanism having automatic pressure balance compensation, and FIG. 2B is front view of the magnetic movement mechanism having automatic pressure balance compensation;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a partially assembled ground fault circuit interrupter with a magnetic movement mechanism having automatic pressure balance compensation, when contact points and stationary contact points are fully contacted, according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a partially assembled ground fault circuit interrupter with a magnetic movement mechanism having automatic pressure balance compensation, when contact points and the stationary contact points are not contacted, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A magnetic movement mechanism usable in a ground fault circuit interrupter, comprising: a. a first permanent magnet;b. a second permanent magnet positioned apart from the first permanent magnet;c. a soft magnet with a first end, an opposite, second end, and a body portion defined therebetween, wherein the soft magnet is positioned between the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet such that the first end of the soft magnet is proximate to the first permanent magnet, and the second end of the soft magnet is proximate to the second permanent magnet, respectively;d. a balance frame positioned between the first end and the second end of the soft magnet, wherein the balance frame defines an opening configured to receive the body portion therein so that the balance frame and the soft magnet are movable together;e. a first coil wound around the first end of the soft magnet; andf. a second coil wound around the second end of the soft magnet,

2. The magnetic movement mechanism of claim 1, wherein the balance frame further comprises a first arm portion extending away radially from the body portion of the soft magnet, and an opposite, second arm portion extending away radially from the body portion of the soft magnet, respectively.

3. The magnetic movement mechanism of claim 2, wherein each of the first arm portion and the second arm portion comprises: a. a body portion having a first surface, an opposite, second surface, at least one first side surface, and an opposite, second side surface, wherein the first side surface and the second side surface connect the first surface and the second surface, respectively, and wherein the second surface is configured to have a curvature and a corresponding axis;b. at least one first position limiting member protruding from the first side surface and away from the second surface;c. at least one opposite, second position limiting member protruding from the second side surface and away from the second surface; andd. a center position limiting member protruding away from the second surface.

4. The magnetic movement mechanism of claim 3, wherein the balance frame further comprises a first movable contact mountable on the second surface of the first arm portion, and a second movable contact mountable on the second surface of the second arm portion of the balance frame, respectively, and wherein the first movable contact defines an opening corresponding to the center position limiting member of the first arm portion and is configured such that the when the first movable contact is mounted on the second surface of the first arm portion, the center position limiting member removably engages the first movable contact through the opening and the first movable contact is positioned between the at least one first position limiting member and the at least one opposite, second position limiting member of the first arm portion and at least movable corresponding to the curvature and relative to the axis of the second surface of the first arm portion, and the second movable contact defines an opening corresponding to the center position limiting member of the second arm portion and is configured such that the when the second movable contact is mounted on the second surface of the second arm portion, the center position limiting member removably engages the second movable contact through the opening and the second movable contact is positioned between the at least one first position limiting member and the at least one opposite, second position limiting member of the second arm portion and at least movable corresponding to the curvature and relative to the axis of the second surface of the second arm portion, respectively.

5. The magnetic movement mechanism of claim 4, wherein each of the first movable contact and the second movable contact is electrically conductive and has a first end, an opposite, second end, and a body portion defined therebetween.

6. The magnetic movement mechanism of claim 5, wherein the first movable contact further comprises a first contact point positioned at the first end, and a second contact point and a third contact point positioned at the second end, wherein the second contact point and the third contact point are spaced apart from each other.

7. The magnetic movement mechanism of claim 6, wherein the second movable contact further comprises a fourth contact point positioned at the first end, and a fifth contact point positioned at the second end.

8. The magnetic movement mechanism of claim 7, further comprises a first stationary contact point, a second stationary contact point, and a third stationary contact point positioned in proximity of and contactable with the first contact point, the second contact point and the third contact point of the first movable contact, respectively, and a fourth stationary contact point, and a fifth contact point positioned in proximity of and contactable with the fourth contact point and the fifth contact point of the second movable contact, respectively, wherein the first stationary contact point, the second stationary contact point, the third stationary contact point, the fourth stationary contact point and the fifth stationary contact point are configured such that when a current passes through the first coil, the first magnetic force causes the balance frame to move towards the first permanent magnet and thereby electrically disconnect the first contact point, the second contact point, the third contact point, the fourth contact point and the fifth contact point from the first stationary contact point, the second stationary contact point, the third stationary contact point, the fourth stationary contact point and the fifth stationary contact point, respectively, and when a current passes through the second coil, the second magnetic force causes the balance frame to move towards the second permanent magnet and thereby electrically connect the first contact point, the second contact point, the third contact point, the fourth contact point and the fifth contact point to the first stationary contact point, the second stationary contact point, the third stationary contact point, the fourth stationary contact point and the fifth stationary contact point, respectively.

9. The magnetic movement mechanism of claim 8, wherein when a current passes through the first coil, the first magnetic force causes the balance frame to move towards the first permanent magnet and thereby electrically disconnect the first contact point, the second contact point, the third contact point, the fourth contact point and the fifth contact point from the first stationary contact point, the second stationary contact point, the third stationary contact point, the fourth stationary contact point and the fifth stationary contact point, respectively, and when a current passes through the second coil, the second magnetic force causes the balance frame to move towards the second permanent magnet and thereby electrically connect the first contact point, the second contact point, the third contact point, the fourth contact point and the fifth contact point to the first stationary contact point, the second stationary contact point, the third stationary contact point, the fourth stationary contact point and the fifth stationary contact point, respectively.

10. The magnetic movement mechanism of claim 9, wherein the relative motion is a rotation around a first axis that is perpendicular to the axis of one of the second surface of the first arm portion and of the second surface of the second arm portion.

11. The magnetic movement mechanism of claim 10, wherein the relative motion is a rotation around a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis and the axis of one of the second surface of the first arm portion and of the second surface of the second arm portion, respectively.

12. The magnetic movement mechanism of claim 8, further comprises a first fixed contact member electrically coupled to the first stationary contact point that is electrically contactable with the first contact point of the first movable contact, and a second fixed contact member electrically coupled to the fourth stationary contact point that is electrically contactable with the fourth contact point of the second movable contact, wherein the first stationary contact point is electrically connectable to the phase wire of a source of electricity, and the fourth stationary contact point is electrically connectable to the neutral wire of the source of electricity, respectively.

13. A ground fault circuit interrupter with automatic pressure balance compensation, comprising: a. a line phase terminal, a line neutral terminal and a line ground terminal, wherein the line phase terminal, the line neutral terminal and the line ground terminal are connectable to a source of electricity;b. a load phase terminal, a load neutral terminal and a load ground terminal, wherein the load phase terminal, the load neutral terminal and the load ground terminal are connectable to at least one user accessible load; andc. a magnetic movement mechanism, wherein the magnetic movement mechanism has: i. a first permanent magnet;ii. a second permanent magnet positioned apart from the first permanent magnet;iii. a soft magnet with a first end, an opposite, second end, and a body portion defined therebetween, wherein the soft magnet is positioned between the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet such that the first end of the soft magnet is proximate to the first permanent magnet, and the second end of the soft magnet is proximate to the second permanent magnet, respectively;iv. a balance frame positioned between the first end and the second end of the soft magnet, wherein the balance frame defines an opening configured to receive the body portion therein so that the balance frame and the soft magnet are movable together;v. a first coil wound around the first end of the soft magnet; andvi. a second coil wound around the second end of the soft magnet, wherein the first coil and the second coil are arranged such that when a current passes through the first coil, a first magnetic force is generated to cause the soft magnet and the balance frame to move towards the first permanent magnet in a first direction, and when a current passes through the second coil, a second magnetic force is generated to cause the soft magnet and the balance frame to move towards the second permanent magnet in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.

14. The ground fault circuit interrupter of claim 13, wherein the balance frame further comprises a first arm portion extending away radially from the body portion of the soft magnet, and an opposite, second arm portion extending away radially from the body portion of the soft magnet, respectively.

15. The ground fault circuit interrupter of claim 14, wherein each of the first arm portion and the second arm portion comprises: a. a body portion having a first surface, an opposite, second surface, at least one first side surface, and an opposite, second side surface, wherein the first side surface and the second side surface connect the first surface and the second surface, respectively, and wherein the second surface is configured to have a curvature and a corresponding axis;b. at least one first position limiting member protruding from the first side surface and away from the second surface;c. at least one opposite, second position limiting member protruding from the second side surface and away from the second surface; andd. a center position limiting member protruding away from the second surface.

16. The ground fault circuit interrupter of claim 15, wherein the balance frame further comprises a first movable contact mountable on the second surface of the first arm portion, and a second movable contact mountable on the second surface of the second arm portion of the balance frame, respectively, and wherein the first movable contact defines an opening corresponding to the center position limiting member of the first arm portion and is configured such that the when the first movable contact is mounted on the second surface of the first arm portion, the center position limiting member removably engages the first movable contact through the opening and the first movable contact is positioned between the at least one first position limiting member and the at least one opposite, second position limiting member of the first arm portion and at least movable corresponding to the curvature and relative to the axis of the second surface of the first arm portion, and the second movable contact defines an opening corresponding to the center position limiting member of the second arm portion and is configured such that the when the second movable contact is mounted on the second surface of the second arm portion, the center position limiting member removably engages the second movable contact through the opening and the second movable contact is positioned between the at least one first position limiting member and the at least one opposite, second position limiting member of the second arm portion and at least movable corresponding to the curvature and relative to the axis of the second surface of the second arm portion, respectively.

17. The ground fault circuit interrupter of claim 16, wherein each of the first movable contact and the second movable contact is electrically conductive and has a first end, an opposite, second end, and a body portion defined therebetween.

18. The ground fault circuit interrupter of claim 17, wherein the first movable contact further comprises a first contact point positioned at the first end, and a second contact point and a third contact point positioned at the second end, wherein the second contact point and the third contact point are spaced apart from each other.

19. The ground fault circuit interrupter of claim 18, wherein the second movable contact further comprises a fourth contact point positioned at the first end, and a fifth contact point positioned at the second end.

20. The ground fault circuit interrupter of claim 19, further comprises a first stationary contact point, a second stationary contact point, and a third stationary contact point positioned in proximity of and contactable with the first contact point, the second contact point and the third contact point of the first movable contact, respectively, and a fourth stationary contact point, and a fifth contact point positioned in proximity of and contactable with the fourth contact point and the fifth contact point of the second movable contact, respectively, wherein the first stationary contact point, the second stationary contact point, the third stationary contact point, the fourth stationary contact point and the fifth stationary contact point are configured such that when a current passes through the first coil, the first magnetic force causes the balance frame to move towards the first permanent magnet and thereby electrically disconnect the first contact point, the second contact point, the third contact point, the fourth contact point and the fifth contact point from the first stationary contact point, the second stationary contact point, the third stationary contact point, the fourth stationary contact point and the fifth stationary contact point, respectively, and when a current passes through the second coil, the second magnetic force causes the balance frame to move towards the second permanent magnet and thereby electrically connect the first contact point, the second contact point, the third contact point, the fourth contact point and the fifth contact point to the first stationary contact point, the second stationary contact point, the third stationary contact point, the fourth stationary contact point and the fifth stationary contact point, respectively.

21. The ground fault circuit interrupter of claim 20, further comprises a first fixed contact member electrically coupled to the first stationary contact point that is electrically contactable with the first contact point of the first movable contact, and a second fixed contact member electrically coupled to the fourth stationary contact point that is electrically contactable with the fourth contact point of the second movable contact, wherein the line phase terminal is connected to the first stationary contact point, the line neutral terminal is connected to the fourth stationary contact point, the load phase terminal is connected to the second stationary contact point, and the load neutral terminal is connected to the fifth stationary contact point, respectively.

22. The ground fault circuit interrupter of claim 21, wherein when a current passes through the first coil, the first magnetic force causes the balance frame to move towards the first permanent magnet and thereby electrically disconnect the first contact point, the second contact point, the third contact point, the fourth contact point and the fifth contact point from the first stationary contact point, the second stationary contact point, the third stationary contact point, the fourth stationary contact point and the fifth stationary contact point, respectively, such that the source of electricity is disconnected from the at least one user accessible load, and when a current passes through the second coil, the second magnetic force causes the balance frame to move towards the second permanent magnet and thereby electrically connect the first contact point, the second contact point, the third contact point, the fourth contact point and the fifth contact point to the first stationary contact point, the second stationary contact point, the third stationary contact point, the fourth stationary contact point and the fifth stationary contact point, respectively, such that the source of electricity is connected from the at least one user accessible load.

23. The ground fault circuit interrupter of claim 22, wherein the relative motion is a rotation around a first axis that is perpendicular to the axis of one of the second surface of the first arm portion and of the second surface of the second arm portion.

24. The ground fault circuit interrupter of claim 23, wherein the relative motion is a rotation around a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis and the axis of one of the second surface of the first arm portion and of the second surface of the second arm portion, respectively.