Patent Grant
9852866
The present invention relates to panel devices, such as breaker panels and control panels, incorporating an interlocking mechanism that provides protection against electric shock from any live part in conjunction with ON/OFF movement of a molded case circuit breaker knob.
A device is known as a conventional breaker panel, in which protective covers of molded case circuit breakers (hereinafter referred to as breakers) are attached to an inner door in the housing side, the inner door is locked by a tool-operating knob but can be opened by releasing the tool-operating knob, and when the inner door is opened, all of the protective covers of the breakers are brought into an open state regardless of the ON/OFF state of the breakers. Moreover, a control center has been known which is configured in such a way that breakers are provided with a handle for interlocking linked with a safety door, the safety door is prohibited from opening when the breakers are in the ON state, but when in the OFF state, the safety door can be opened with the internal interlock released (see Patent document 1, for example).
Patent document 1: Japanese laid-open Patent Publication No. S61-236312 (see pp. 2-3, FIGS. 1-4)
In a device using conventional technology as described above, the door in the housing side can be opened regardless of the ON/OFF state of the breakers, if the lock of the tool-operating knob is released; therefore, there has been a danger that live parts of the breakers in the ON state can be touched in maintenance. Moreover, the interlocking mechanism of the conventional control center as described above is configured in such a way that the door cannot be opened when the breakers are in the ON state, but can be opened with the internal interlock released when the breakers are in the OFF state; therefore, the handle for interlocking is necessary for each breaker, and some extra parts for constituting the interlock are required in the housing door side, thereby causing a problem in that the number of parts increases and its configuration also becomes complicated.
The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing problem, and aims at providing a panel device that has a simple configuration and in addition can avoid such a danger as its live parts being mistakenly touched, thereby enabling maintenance to be carried out in safe.
A panel device according to the present invention comprises a protective cover that has an insertion hole for an ON/OFF knob of a molded case circuit breaker and is formed to cover an exposed live part of the molded case circuit breaker and provided with an engaging part at a predetermined portion thereof; a cover support member that openably and closably supports this protective cover; and a cover locking member that engages with the engaging part when the protective cover is closed, so as to restrict turning of the protective cover; wherein either one of the protective cover and the cover support member is movably provided in conjunction with movement of the ON/OFF knob, and the engaging part and the cover locking member are engaged with each other or released from each other by the movement of the any one of those.
According to the present invention, since the interlock of the protective cover provided for each molded case circuit breaker can be released one by one; therefore, the danger of mistakenly touching live parts of other breakers can be avoided, so that maintenance can be carried out in safe. In addition, any one of the protective cover, the cover support member and the cover locking member is movably provided in conjunction with the movement of the ON/OFF knob, and the engaging part and the cover locking member can be engaged with each other or released from each other by the movement of the any one of those, so that the configuration of the device becomes simple and the number of parts can be decreased.
Additionally, the paired breakers 2 arranged right and left are disposed in this example point-symmetrically to each other in such a way that one of the breakers becomes ON when its ON/OFF knob 21 is moved inward (toward the other breaker of the breakers 2 arranged right and left) and becomes OFF when the ON/OFF knob 21 is moved outward of the breaker panel 1. Additionally, for the sake of convenience, when the paired breakers 2 are arranged right and left so that ON/OFF directions of the ON/OFF knob 21 become the right and left directions, a direction toward the other breaker viewed from any one of the breakers is referred to as the “inward” direction and the opposite direction of that is referred to as the “outward” direction in this document.
Additionally, the insertion hole 3c is shaped in a rectangular elongated in the moving directions of the ON/OFF knob 21 (right and left directions here). Taking the left-hand side breaker of the breakers 2 in the figure, for example, the insertion hole is formed in such a way that when the ON/OFF knob 21 is brought into the ON state (turned on) after the protective cover 3 is slid to the inner end portion (in the right direction) and closed, the right end portion of the insertion hole nearly touches the right lateral face of the ON/OFF knob 21. Thereby, the protective cover 3 is restricted not to slide outward (in the left direction) when the ON/OFF knob 21 is in the ON state. Additionally, the insertion hole 3c is formed to have a length in the right and left directions in such a way that the left end portion thereof touches the left lateral face of the ON/OFF knob 21 even when the ON/OFF knob 21 is brought down in the OFF direction from the foregoing state, thereby prohibiting the protective cover 3 from moving outward.
The cover support member 4 made of a sheet metal is fixed to the housing 11 together with the breakers 2, and screw holes 4a for supporting the protective cover 3 and arc-shaped grooves 4b centering at these screw holes 4a are provided vertically symmetrically in upper and lower bent sections protruding frontward as shown in
As shown in
Additionally, in order to distinguish two sems screws numbered with 92 from each other for the sake of convenience in explaining operation, the screw that serves as the turning central axis when the protective cover 3 is opened/closed is referred to as the “sems screw 92O” and the screw that circles around the sems screw 92O together with the protective cover 3 is referred to as the “sems screw 92a” in this Embodiment 1. Since configurations other than the above-described interlocking mechanism are the same as those of the conventional device, their explanation will be omitted.
Next, the operation of Embodiment 1 configured as described above will be explained. First, when the breakers 2 are in the ON state, the spacer 91 fixed at the round holes 3b part of the protective cover 3 lies at the position A shown in
The ON/OFF knob 21 is brought down inward when the breakers 2 are in the ON state, the inner side end portion (right end portion in
Next, when the breakers 2 are brought into the OFF state, the ON/OFF knob 21 is brought down outward as shown in
When the end portion in the outer side of the protective cover 3 is pulled frontward (front side), the protective cover 3 turns around the sems screw 92O that has moved to the position in the inner side of the elongated holes 3a, and the spacer 91 inserted through the round holes 3b of the protective cover 3 moves to the position C along the arc-shaped grooves 4b of the cover support member 4, thereby enabling the protective cover 3 to open. The spacer 91 and the sems screw 92a at the round holes 3b part of the protective cover 3 stop at the position C that is the end portion of the grooves 4b, whereby the opening angle of the protective cover 3 is restricted, and also the sems screw 92O part inserted through the elongated holes 3a of the protective cover 3 serves as a fulcrum; therefore, when the protective cover 3 is in the open state, the protective cover 3 becomes unable to move inward, so as to avoid interfering with its neighboring protective cover.
If the breakers 2 are mistakenly turned on when the protective cover 3 is in the open state and then the protective cover is intended to be closed in that state, the ON/OFF knob 21 hits the back of the protective cover 3 and the cover cannot be closed. Furthermore, if the protective cover 3 is intended to be closed with the cover slid inward, the engaging parts 31 provided at the upper and lower portions in the back side of the protective cover 3 hit the cover locking member 5; the protective cover 3 is structurally made unable to be closed even in either case. Moreover, by providing the protective cover 3 with the monitoring window 32, change in color and the like of terminals of the internal live part can be inspected in safe from the outside.
In Embodiment 1 as described above, the elongated holes 3a are made in the protective cover 3 so as to provide the cover slidably with respect to the cover support member 4, and also the insertion hole 3c of the protective cover 3 interferes with the ON/OFF knob 21 when the breakers 2 are in the ON position, thereby making the protective cover 3 unable to slide. Furthermore, the engaging parts 31, which are protrusions formed at the upper and lower portions in the back side of the protective cover 3, are fitted into the locking parts 51 of the cover locking member 5, thereby making the protective cover 3 unable to open.
By doing in this way, opening/closing conditions of the protective cover 3 can be set, without providing the breaker 2 with a handle for interlocking, using only ON/OFF movement of the ON/OFF knob 21; the protective cover 3 cannot be opened when the breakers are in the ON state, but can be opened only when the breakers in the OFF state. Since the interlocking mechanism for the protective cover 3 provided on each of the breakers 2 can be released breaker by breaker, there is no danger such as mistakenly touching live parts of other breakers during maintenance, so that maintenance can be carried out in safe. Moreover, every member necessary for the above can be easily formed by, for example, metal pressing and the configuration can be simplified, so that the number of parts can be decreased. Furthermore, the breakers can use regular standardized parts, so that an effect of providing breakers at low cost can be also produced.
As shown in
The ON/OFF knob 21 of the breakers 2 is inserted through the rectangular hole 4c of the cover support member 4A, and the elongated holes 4d made at the two locations are fixed as shown in
In Embodiment 2 as configured above, the ON/OFF knob is brought down inward when the breakers 2 are in the ON state, and at the same time, the cover support member 4A and the protective cover 3A also slide inward. In this state, the engaging parts 31, which are tongue-shaped protrusions provided at the upper and lower portions in the back side of the protective cover 3A, are fitted into the locking parts 51 of the cover locking member 5, thereby making the protective cover 3A unable to open. When the breakers 2 are brought into the OFF state, the ON/OFF knob is brought down outward, and the cover support member 4A and the protective cover 3A also slide outward at the same time. When these slide outward, the engaging parts 31 provided at the upper and lower portions in the back side of the protective cover 3A are released from the locking parts 51 of the cover locking member 5, thereby enabling the protective cover 3A to open by pulling it frontward.
If the breakers 2 are mistakenly turned on when the protective cover 3A is in the open state and then the protective cover 3A is intended to be closed in this state, the ON/OFF knob 21 is brought down inward, and at the same time, both of the cover support member 4A and the protective cover 3A come into a state of sliding inward. Even if the protective cover 3A is intended to be closed in this state, the engaging parts 31 provided at the upper and lower portions in the back side of the protective cover 3A hit an upper end portion of the cover locking member 5, thereby making the protective cover 3A unable to close. Additionally, the same as Embodiment 1, change in color and the like of internal terminals can be inspected in safe, without opening the protective cover 3A, from the outside through the monitoring window 32 provided in this protective cover 3A.
According to Embodiment 2 as described above, opening/closing conditions of the protective cover 3 can be set, without providing a handle for interlocking on the breakers 2, by only the ON/OFF movement of the ON/OFF knob 21; the protective cover 3A cannot be opened when the breakers 2 are in the ON state, but can be opened only when the breakers 2 in the OFF state. Since the interlocking mechanism for the protective cover 3A provided on each of the breakers 2 can be released breaker by breaker, there is no danger such as mistakenly touching live parts of other breakers during maintenance, so that maintenance can be carried out in safe. Moreover, the configuration of the device becomes simple, the number of parts can be decreased, and the breakers 2 can use regular standardized parts, which will also produce an effect capable of providing breakers at low cost.
In
In assembling, the spacer 91 and the washer 94 are placed at first on a fixing part of the breakers 2 as shown in
An internally-threaded screw hole 4a (not shown) is made in the cover support member 4B1 attached to both sides of the breakers, and the cover support member 4B2 attached to the central part is provided with a round hole 4e. (Additionally, none of round hole, spacer, washer, nut, etc are not given reference numerals in the drawings in this paragraph.) In both sides of the protective cover 3B, the spacer 91 is inserted through the round holes 3d made in the protective cover 3B, and the sems screw 92 is inserted through the spacer 91 and screwed to the screw hole 4a of the cover support member 4B1. In the central side of the protective cover 3B, the spacer 91 is inserted through the round holes 3d in the central side of the right-hand side and the left-hand side protective cover 3B and the round hole 4e of the cover support member 4B2 at the same time so as to fix these using the sems screw 92, the washer 94 and the nut 96. By doing in this way, the right-hand side and the left-hand side protective cover 3B become able to open from the upper side toward the lower side.
In Embodiment 3 as configured above, the ON/OFF knob is brought down inward when the breakers 2 are in the ON state, and accordingly the cover locking member 5B also slides inward at the same time. In this state, the locking parts 51T provided at the two locations in the upper side of the cover locking member 5B are fitted into the engaging parts 31B provided at the two locations in the upper side of the protective cover 3B, thereby making the protective cover 3B unable to open (see
When the breakers 2 are brought into the OFF state, the ON/OFF knob 21 of the breakers 2 is brought down outward, and accordingly the cover locking member 5B slides outward at the same time. When the cover locking member 5B slides outward, the locking parts 51T provided at the two locations in the upper side of the cover locking member 5B are released from the engaging parts 31B provided at the two locations in the upper side of the protective cover 3B, thereby making the protective covers 3B able to open.
If the breakers 2 are mistakenly turned on when the protective cover 3B is in the open state and then the protective cover 3B is intended to be closed in this state, the ON/OFF knob 21 is brought down inward by the turn-on operation, and accordingly the cover locking member 5B is also brought into a state of sliding inward. Therefore, if the protective cover 3B is intended to be closed in this state, the locking parts 51T provided at the two locations in the upper side of the cover locking member 5B are brought into a state of not engaging with the engaging parts 31B provided at the two locations in the upper side of the protective cover 3B, thereby making the protective cover 3B unable to close. In addition, change in color and the like of internal terminals can be inspected in safe, without opening the protective cover 3B, from the outside through the monitoring window 32.
According to Embodiment 3 as described above, opening/closing conditions of the protective cover 3 can be set, without providing a handle for interlocking on the breakers 2, by only the ON/OFF movement of the ON/OFF knob 21; the protective cover 3B cannot be opened when the breakers 2 are in the ON state, but can be opened only when the breakers 2 are in the OFF state. Since the interlocking mechanism for the protective cover 3B provided on each of the breakers 2 can be released breaker by breaker, there is no danger such as mistakenly touching live parts of other breakers during maintenance, so that maintenance can be carried out in safe. Moreover, the configuration of the device becomes simple, the number of parts can be decreased, and the breakers 2 can use regular standardized parts, thereby also producing an effect of providing breakers at low cost.
As shown in
Then, the engaging part 31C erected on the protective cover 3C is fitted into the locking part 51S of the cover locking member 5C as shown in
In Embodiment 4 as configured above, when the breakers 2 are in the ON state, the ON/OFF knob 21 is brought down inward, and the protective cover 3C is also in a state of having moved inward, the turning central axis of the protective cover 3C lies at the position E in the inner side of the elongated holes 4d, and as a result, the engaging part 31C of the protective cover 3C comes to the position A. At this moment, the inner side end portion of the insertion hole 3c of the protective cover 3C touches the ON/OFF knob 21, so that the protective cover 3C is in a state of being unable to slide outward. If the protective cover 3 is intended to be opened frontward in this state, the engaging part 31C of the protective cover 3C interferes with a face D of the locking part 51S of the cover locking member 5C, in the turning central axis side of the straight section 51a, thereby making the protective cover 3C unable to open. In this example, the straight section 51a of the locking part 51S serves as a practical locking part.
When the breakers 2 are brought into the OFF state, the ON/OFF knob 21 is brought down outward, thereby making the protective cover 3C ready to slide outward. Then, when the protective cover 3C is manually slid outward, the position of the turning central axis of the protective cover 3C comes to the position F in the outer side of the elongated holes 4d of the cover support member 4C, and the engaging part 31C of the protective cover 3C comes to the position B. If the protective cover 3C is opened frontward in this state, the sems screw 92, which is the turning central axis of the protective cover 3C, serves as a fulcrum, the engaging part 31C moves from the position B to the position C along the arc section 51b of the locking part 51S, thereby making the protective cover 3C able to open. Then, the engaging part 31C of the protective cover 3C stops at the position C, whereby the opening angle of the protective cover 3C can be restricted. Even if the protective cover 3C is pulled inward when in the open state, the engaging part 31C at the position C is restrained by the locking part 51S of the cover locking member 5C, and the protective cover 3C cannot move inward; therefore, the protective cover 3C can be prevented from interfering with that of the neighboring breaker of the breakers 2 arranged side by side.
If the breakers 2 are mistakenly turned on when the protective cover 3C is in the open state and then the protective cover 3C is intended to be closed in this state, the ON/OFF knob 21 hits the back of the protective cover 3C, and as a result, the cover is brought into a state of being unable to completely close. The engaging part 31C of the protective cover 3C stops on the arc section of the locking part 51S of the cover locking member 5C; therefore, the engaging part 31C cannot move to the position B, and the protective cover 3C cannot slide inward, thereby making the protective cover 3C unable to close.
According to Embodiment 4 as described above, the same effects as those of Embodiments 1 to 3 can be produced, such as the protective cover 3C cannot be opened when the breakers 2 are in the ON state, but can be opened only when the breakers 2 are in the OFF state.
Additionally, the engaging part 31C of the protective cover 3C is made of an engaging pin, and the locking part 51S of the cover locking member 5C is made of a slit guide groove formed of the straight section and the arc section continuously connecting to the straight section; however, it is also possible to provide a guide groove in the protective cover 3C side and configure the locking part 51S of the cover locking member 5C using a locking pin.
The interlocking mechanism is basically the same as that of Embodiment 3; a cover locking member 5D is provided with in its front section the rectangular hole 5a that engages with the ON/OFF knob 21, at two locations thereof the elongated holes 5b that slidably support the cover locking member 5D with respect to the breakers 2, and furthermore at two locations thereof the locking parts 51T made of the tongue-shaped protrusions projecting upward. With ON/OFF directions of the ON/OFF knob 21 reversed with respect to those in Embodiment 3, the direction of grooves of the engaging parts 31D, which are L-shaped notches and provided at two locations to receive and engage with the locking parts 51T, is reversed as shown in
In Embodiment 5 as configured above, the locking parts 51T provided at the two locations of the cover locking member 5D that moves, when the breakers 2 are in the ON state, in conjunction with the ON/OFF knob 21 of the breakers 2 are fitted into the engaging parts 31D provided at the two locations of the protective cover 3D, thereby making the protective cover 3D unable to open, so that the same effects as those in Embodiments 1 to 3 can be produced.
A cover locking member 5E is provided with in its front section the rectangular hole 5a that engages with the ON/OFF knob 21, at two locations thereof the elongated holes 5b for sliding, and upper and lower portions thereof the locking parts 51T, which are tongue-shaped protrusions. A protective cover 3E is provided with in upper and lower sections thereof engaging parts 31E, which are L-shaped notches, and the round holes 3d for turning (not shown in the figure), and in the front section thereof the insertion hole 3c for the ON/OFF knob 21 merely to pass therethrough. First, a cover support member 4E is placed on each inner side fixing hole of the fixing holes 22 of the breakers 2 (shown in
The large washer 94L, which is larger than the washer 94, is place on each outer side fixing hole of the fixing holes 22 of the breakers 2, and on which are stacked up the cylindrical spacer 91 and the washer 94. Furthermore, another spacer 91 is placed on that and this spacer is inserted through the other hole of the elongated holes 5b of the cover locking member 5E. After the insertion, the washer 94 is placed and these are collectively fastened by the sems screw 92. By doing in this way, the cover locking member 5E becomes able to slide right and left in conjunction with ON/OFF movement of the ON/OFF knob 21. Next, as shown in
In Embodiment 6 as configured above, the ON/OFF knob is brought down outward when the breakers 2 are in the ON state, and the cover locking member 5E also slides outward accordingly. When the cover locking member 5E slides outward, the locking parts 51T in the upper and lower portions of the cover locking member 5E are fitted into the upper and lower engaging parts 31E of the protective cover 3E, thereby making the protective cover unable to open. When the breakers 2 are brought into the OFF state, the ON/OFF knob 21 is brought down inward, and the cover locking member 55 slides inward accordingly. When the cover locking member 5E slides inward, the locking parts 51T in the upper and lower portions of the cover locking member 5E are released from the upper and lower engaging parts 31E of the protective cover 3E, thereby enabling the protective cover to open. Then, when the protective cover 3E is pulled frontward, the protective cover 3E opens.
If the breakers 2 are mistakenly turned on when the protective cover 3E is in the open state and then the protective cover 3E is intended to be closed in this state, the ON/OFF knob 21 is brought down outward when the breakers 2 are in the ON state, and accordingly the cover locking member 5E comes into the state of sliding outward at the same time. If the protective cover 3E is intended to be closed in this state, the locking parts 51T provided at the two locations in the upper and lower portions of the cover locking member 5E are brought into a state of not engaging with the engaging parts 31E provided at the two locations in the upper and lower sections of the protective cover 3E, thereby making the protective cover 3E unable to close.
According to Embodiment 6 as described above, opening/closing conditions of the protective cover 3 can be set by only the movement of the ON/OFF knob 21; the protective cover 3E cannot be opened when the breakers 2 are in the ON state, but can be opened only when the breakers 2 are in the OFF state. Since the interlocking mechanism for the protective cover 3E provided on each of the breakers 2 can be released breaker by breaker, maintenance can be carried out in safe, the configuration of the device becomes simple, the number of parts can be decreased, and regular standardized parts can be used for the breakers 2, so that the same effects as those of Embodiment 1, such as providing breakers at low cost, can be produced.
The cover locking member 5F is provided with in the front section thereof the rectangular hole 5a that engages with the ON/OFF knob 21, at two locations thereof the elongated holes 5b for sliding, and in the right and left portions thereof the tongue-shaped locking parts 51T that are fitted into the engaging parts 31F of the protective cover 3F. On the other hand, the protective cover 3F is provided with in the front section thereof the insertion hole 3c through which the ON/OFF knob merely passes, and in the right and left sections thereof the engaging parts 31F into which the locking parts 51T of the cover locking member 5F are fitted and the round holes 3d (not shown) for the protective cover 3F to turn. In addition, the round holes 4e (not shown) for turnably fixing the protective cover 3F are made in right and left sections of a cover support member 4F. Additionally, configurations, such as the monitoring window, are the same as those of other embodiments.
In assembling, the large washer 94L is placed at first on each of the fixing holes 22 of the breakers 2 (shown in
In Embodiment 7 as configured above, the ON/OFF knob is brought down downward when the breakers are in the ON state, and the cover locking member 5E also slides downward accordingly. When the cover locking member 5F slides downward, the locking parts 51T provided in the right and left sides of the cover locking member 5F are fitted into the engaging parts 31F provided in the right and left sides of the protective cover 3F, thereby making the protective cover 3F unable to open. When the breakers 2 are brought into the OFF state, the ON/OFF knob 21 is brought down upward, and the cover locking member 5F also slides upward accordingly. When the cover locking member 5F slides upward, the locking parts 51T of the cover locking member 5F are released from the engaging parts 31F of the protective cover 3F, and the protective cover 3F thereby becomes able to open. When the protective cover is pulled frontward, the protective cover 3F opens.
If the breakers 2 are mistakenly turned on when the protective cover 3F is in the open state and then the protective cover 3F is intended to be closed in this state, the ON/OFF knob 21 is brought down downward when the breakers 2 are in the ON state, and accordingly the cover locking member 5F comes into the state of sliding downward at the same time. If the protective cover 3F is intended to be closed in this state, the locking parts 51T provided at the two locations in the right and left sides of the cover locking member 5F are brought into a state of not engaging with the engaging parts 31F provided at the two locations in the right and left sections of the protective cover 3F, thereby making the protective cover 3F unable to close.
According to Embodiment 7 as described above, opening/closing conditions of the protective cover 3F can be set by only the ON/OFF movement of the ON/OFF knob 21; the protective cover 3F cannot be opened when the breakers 2 are in the ON state, but can be opened only when the breakers 2 are in the OFF state. Since the interlocking mechanism for the protective cover 3F provided on each of the breakers 2 can be released breaker by breaker, maintenance can be carried out in safe, the configuration of the device becomes simple, the number of parts can be decreased, and regular standardized parts can be used for the breakers 2, thereby producing the same effects as those in Embodiment 1, such as enabling the provided breakers to be provided at low cost.
In the front section of the cover locking member 5G are provided the rectangular hole 5a that engages with the ON/OFF knob 21 and the elongated holes 5b that slidably support the cover locking member 5G at two locations, and in the upper side thereof is provided the locking part 51T that is fitted into the engaging part 31G of the protective cover 3G. In the protective cover 3G are provided in the front section thereof the insertion hole 3c through which the ON/OFF knob merely passes, in the upper side thereof the engaging part 31G into which the locking part 51T of the cover locking member 5G is fitted, and in right and left sections thereof round holes 3d (not shown) for the protective cover 3G to turn. The round holes 4e (not shown) for fixing the protective cover 3G are provided in right and left sections of a cover support member 4G.
Additionally, structures enabling the cover locking member 5G to slide up and down with respect to the breakers 2 in conjunction with ON/OFF movement of the ON/OFF knob 21 and the protective cover 3G to turn from the upper side toward the lower side of the breakers 2 are the same as those in Embodiment 7, so their explanation will be omitted. Additionally, the difference other than the above between Embodiments 8 and 7 is whether the locking parts 51T project in the right and left directions or the locking part 51T projects in the upward direction, and whether the engaging part 31G is formed of an L-shaped notch or of a slit hole in a bent section formed in the back side of the upper end face of the protective cover 3G.
In Embodiment 8 as configured above, the ON/OFF knob is brought down upward when the breakers 2 are in the ON state, and the cover locking member 5G also slides upward accordingly. When the cover locking member 5G slides upward, the locking part 51T provided in the upper side of the cover locking member 5G is fitted into the engaging part 31G provided in the upper side of the protective cover 3G, thereby making the protective cover 3G unable to open. When the breakers 2 are brought into the OFF state, the ON/OFF knob 21 is brought down downward, and the cover locking member 5G also slides downward accordingly. When the cover locking member 5G slides downward, the locking part 51T of the cover locking member 5G is released from the engaging part 31G of the protective cover 3G, thereby making the protective cover 3G ready to open. Then, when the protective cover 3E is pulled frontward, the protective cover 3G opens.
If the breakers 2 are mistakenly turned on when the protective cover 3G is in the open state and then the protective cover 3G is intended to be closed in this state, the ON/OFF knob 21 is brought down upward when the breakers 2 are in the ON state, and accordingly the cover locking member 5G slides upward at the same time. If the protective cover 3G is intended to be closed in this state, the bent section in which the engaging part 31G of the protective cover 3G is provided interferes with the locking part 51T of the cover locking member 5G that has slid upward, thereby making the protective cover 3G unable to close.
According to Embodiment 8 as described above, opening/closing conditions of the protective cover 3 can be set by only the ON/OFF movement of the ON/OFF knob 21; the protective cover 3G cannot be opened when the breakers 2 are in the ON state, but can be opened only when the breakers 2 are in the OFF state. Since the interlocking mechanism for the protective cover 3G provided on each of the breakers 2 can be released breaker by breaker, maintenance can be carried out in safe, the configuration of the device becomes simple, the number of parts can be decreased, and regular standardized parts can be used for the breakers 2, thereby producing the same effects as those in Embodiment 1, such as providing breakers at low cost.
As described above, in each embodiment exemplifying a panel device related to the present invention, the interlocking mechanism for the protective cover 3 is configured in such a way that any one of the protective cover 3, the cover support member 4 and the cover locking member 5 is slidably provided, in conjunction with the movement of the ON/OFF knob 21, in parallel to the moving directions of the ON/OFF knob 21, and in each of the foregoing cases, the engaging parts 31 of the protective cover 3 are locked by the cover locking member 5 when the ON/OFF knob 21 is in the turned-on position, thereby making the cover unable to open. In this connection, the device is configured as follows: the protective covers 3 and 3C are made to slide in Embodiments 1 and 4, respectively, the cover support member 4B is made to slide in Embodiment 2, and the cover locking members 5B and 5D to 5G are made to slide in Embodiment 3 and Embodiments 5 to 8, respectively. The interlocking mechanism for the protective cover is provided for each breaker in all of the above cases, whereby danger of touching live parts of other breakers can be avoided, so that maintenance can be carried out in safe. Moreover, not only the configuration of the device becomes simple and the number of parts can be decreased, but also a remarkable effect of coping with various breaker layouts can be produced.
Additionally, it is possible without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention for those skilled in the art to freely combine part of or the whole of each embodiment, or amend or delete each embodiment as needed. For example, it goes without saying that the type and the shape of screws, such as the sems screw 92 and the screw 97, materials for these screws, and how to fix these screws can be altered as needed. Explanations have been made on cases of the panel device being a breaker panel; however, the device will be preferably applied to panels such as control panels. Moreover, the breakers 2 are not necessarily arranged in a pair, and in addition, it goes without saying that the breakers can be operated independently of each other even when they are paired and arranged right and left. Furthermore, alterations, such as interchanging the shape of the engaging parts 31 (31B to 31F) with that of the locking parts 51 (51T, 51S), will be possible.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-176203 | Aug 2013 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2014/064408 | 5/30/2014 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2015/029528 | 3/5/2015 | WO | A |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3171920 | Klein | Mar 1965 | A |
| 6423913 | Gupta | Jul 2002 | B1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 47-4427 | Sep 1972 | JP |
| 51-08662 | Mar 1976 | JP |
| 51-38651 | Mar 1976 | JP |
| 52-163741 | Dec 1977 | JP |
| 61-236312 | Oct 1986 | JP |
| 07-050127 | Feb 1995 | JP |
| Entry |
|---|
| Office Action (Notification of Reasons for Refusal) dated Sep. 13, 2016, by the Japanese Patent Office in corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-534032, and an English Translation of the Office Action. (10 pages). |
| International Search Report (PCT/ISA/210) dated Aug. 26, 2014, by the Japanese Patent Office as the International Searching Authority for International Application No. PCT/JP2014/064408. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 10, 2017 issued by the Canadian Patent Office in corresponding Canadian Patent Application No. 2,922,450 (4 pages). |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20160189902 A1 | Jun 2016 | US |
