DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to motor starters. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a dual rivet type motor starter.

BACKGROUND

A motor starter is an electronic device used to start and stop an electrical circuit by controlling electricity transmission through the motor starter. Conventionally, the motor starter is utilized in all electronic devices which include a motor. The motor starter, in general, primarily includes a combination of a motor circuit contactor with an overload relay. The motor circuit contactor is an electromechanical element whose mechanical contact during a start state enables transmitting electricity from a voltage source to start the motor. Further, in a stop or deactivated state of the electromechanical element, the contactor disconnects the electricity transmission from the voltage source to stop the motor. The overload relay is operable to protect the motor from damage due to overcurrent or overheating conditions by tripping the electromechanical element to disconnect the electricity transmission.

The conventional motor starter includes two pairs of rivets in the motor circuit contactor for initiating the electricity transmission for starting the motor. Figure 1A illustrates a perspective view of a motor starter 100, in accordance with an existing art. Figure 1A depicts the motor starter 100 including the two pairs of rivets 102a and 102b. Each pair (102a or 102b) of the two pairs of rivets 102a, and 102b are arranged in a vertical position, such that, the rivets in each pair are adapted to be in contact to form a closed circuit for transmission of the electricity during the start state. Further, during the stop state, the rivets in each pair 102a, and 102b are arranged to be positioned equidistantly away from each other to disconnect the electricity transmission.

Figure 1B illustrates an exemplary arrangement of the two pairs of rivets in the motor starter, in accordance with an existing art. Figure 1B represents the exemplary arrangement of the two pairs of rivets 102a and 102b as depicted in Figure 1A. Each pair of the two pair of rivets 102a and 102b is adapted to be either in a connected state or in a disconnected state. In the connected state, the rivets in each pair connect with each other to form the closed circuit connection. On contrary, in the disconnected state, the rivets in each pair of the rivets are positioned equidistantly away from each other. However, these two pairs of rivets 102a and 102b in the traditional motor starter 100 may tend to fail if either one of the two pairs of rivets 102a and 102b does not connect with the other rivet. Further, the two pairs of rivets 102a and 102b require substantial cost to manufacture the motor starter.

Further, the conventional tripping mechanism in the motor starter 100 utilizes a complex mechanism to automatically disconnect the electrical circuit at the time of overcurrent or overheating conditions.

Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned problems, there is a need to provide an improved motor starter that can eliminate one or more of the above-mentioned problems associated with the existing motor starter 100.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a dual rivet type motor starter is disclosed. The dual rivet type motor starter may include an inner rocker arm, a fixed terminal, and a moving contact bridge. The inner rocker arm may be adapted to move in an alternating upward and downward direction about a rocker hinge like a movement of a seesaw. The moving contact bridge may be arranged to be operated in a complementary seesaw movement with respect to the seesaw movement of the inner rocker arm. The moving contact bridge may include a first rivet coupled to an extreme portion of the moving contact bridge. The first rivet may be adapted to be moved up and down along with the movement of the moving contact bridge. The fixed terminal may include a second rivet. The second rivet may be positioned to be in contact with the first rivet when the moving contact bridge portion coupled with the first rivet shifts towards into a downward position. When the first rivet is in contact with the second rivet, the dual rivet type motor starter may complete a circuit for electricity transmission. Alternatively, when the moving contact bridge portion coupled with the first rivet shifts into an upward position, the first rivet may not be in contact with the second contact, and therefore, the electricity transmission may get disconnected. Further, the fixed terminal may be attached to a groove terminal. The dual rivet type motor starter may also include a tripper element and a slider element to automatically trip the circuit connection at the time of overcurrent or overheating conditions to disconnect the circuit connection.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1A illustrates a perspective view of a motor starter, in accordance with an existing art;

Figure 1B illustrates an exemplary arrangement of the two pairs of rivets in the motor starter, in accordance with an existing art;

Figure 2A illustrates a perspective view of dual rivet type motor starter, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figure 2B illustrates a detailed view of various components of the dual rivet type motor starter, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.” Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no embodiments or one embodiment or several embodiments or to all embodiments. Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” is defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”

The terminology and structure employed herein are for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and do not limit, restrict, or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.

More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and must NOT be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with the limiting language “MUST comprise” or “NEEDS TO include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either way, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element does NOT preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as “there NEEDS to be one or more . . .” or “one or more element is REQUIRED.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skills in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfill the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or variants thereof do NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should NOT be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 2A illustrates a perspective view of a dual rivet type motor starter 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The dual rivet type motor starter 200 may be employed with a motor to start and stop the motor safely. The dual rivet type motor starter 200 may be configured to switch ON and OFF the motor connected with the dual rivet type motor starter 200. The dual rivet type motor starter 200 also protects the motor from impact of overcurrent or overheating conditions.

In an embodiment, the dual rivet type motor starter 200 may include, but is not limited to, an inner rocker arm 202, a pair of switches 222, 224, a slider element 216, a tripper element 214, details of which have been provided in the subsequent paragraphs.

In an embodiment, the pair of switches 222, 224 may include a first switch 222 and a second switch 224 to actuate to operate the motor in one of an ON state and an OFF state. Further, the inner rocker arm 202 may be coupled with the pair of switches 222, 224. The inner rocker arm 202 may operate based on the actuation status of the one of the pair of switches 222, 224. Further, the inner rocker arm 202 may operate in an alternating upward and downward movement like a seesaw. Furthermore, the inner rocker arm 202 may operate on a moving contact bridge 206 as per the actuation status of the one of the pair of switches 222, 224. For instance, when one of the first switch 222 and the second switch 224 is actuated, then the inner rocker arm 202 operates to either establish a connection to switch ON the motor or breaks the connection to switch OFF the motor. In an embodiment, the inner rocker arm 202 may be in contact with the pair of switches 222, 224 separated through a plate 226. The plate 226 protects a user from direct contact with the inner rocker arm 202, thus ensuring safety of the user.

In an embodiment, the dual rivet type motor starter 200 may include a housing 228 to house the inner rocker arm 202, the tripper element 214, and the slider element 216.

Figure 2B illustrates a detailed view of various components of the dual rivet type motor starter 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The dual rivet type motor starter 200 may include, but not limited to, the inner rocker arm 202, a fixed terminal 204, and the moving contact bridge 206. The inner rocker arm 202 may be disposed on a rocker hinge 220 to facilitate a seesaw like movement of the inner rocker arm 202. The inner rocker arm 202 is adapted to move in an alternating upward and downward direction about the rocker hinge like a movement of a seesaw. The inner rocker arm 202 may include a plunger 218 protruding downward relative to the inner rocker arm 202. The plunger 218 may be adapted to be in contact with a middle portion of the moving contact bridge 206. The plunger 218 may be coupled with a first spring. The moving contact bridge 206 may be supported by a bar. The bar is movably supported on a groove terminal 212 fixedly coupled with the fixed terminal 204. The moving contact bridge 206 may include a first rivet 208 coupled to an end portion of the moving contact bridge 206. The first rivet 208 may be adapted to be moved up and down along with the movement of the moving contact bridge 206. The fixed terminal 204 may include a second rivet 210. The seesaw movement in an upward and downward direction of the moving contact bridge 206 may facilitate the first rivet 208 to be either in contact with the second rivet 210 or not in contact with the second rivet 210. Therefore, when the first rivet 208 is in contact with the second rivet 210, the dual rivet type motor starter may complete a circuit for electricity transmission. Alternatively, when the first rivet 208 may not be in contact with the second contact 210, the electricity transmission may get disconnected.

In an embodiment, the dual rivet type motor starter 200 may include the tripper element 214 and the slider element 216. The tripper element 214 may also be alternatively known as an actuator. The tripper element 214 and the slider element 216 may be coupled with a second spring and a third spring, respectively. The tripper element 214 may be adapted with the slider element 216 such that the tripper element 214 may be automatically moved in an upward direction in case of any overcurrent or overheating conditions. The upward movement of the tripper element 214 may facilitate the movement of the inner rocker arm 202, which consequently facilitates the movement of the moving contact bridge 206 in opposite direction to disconnect the contact between the first rivet 208 and the second rivet 210. Therefore, the electricity transmission gets disconnected while the first rivet 208 and the second rivet 210 are not in contact with each other.

Referring now to the technical advantages and effectiveness of the dual rivet type motor starter 200 disclosed herein over the conventional and existing state of the art. The dual rivet type motor starter 200 may include only two rivets instead of the four rivets utilized in conventional motor starters. Thus, the dual rivet type motor starter 200 according to the present disclosure significantly reduces the cost of manufacturing. Further, the dual rivet type motor starter 200 according to the present disclosure is easy to manufacture. Furthermore, the dual rivet type motor starter 200 housing only includes an input terminal and an output terminal for connecting with the external apparatus. Thus, the dual rivet type motor starter 200 is IP20 (ingress protection) standard protected.

While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.
,CLAIMS:1. An actuating mechanism for a motor starter (200), the actuating mechanism comprising:
one or more switches (222, 224) adapted to trigger one of an ON condition and an OFF condition of the motor starter (200);
an inner rocker arm (202) comprising a plunger (218) extending from a head portion coupled to the one or more switches (222, 224), the inner rocker arm (202) adapted to alternate between an upward motion and a downward motion upon actuation of the one or more switches (222, 224);
a moving contact bridge (206) supported on a groove terminal (212), a first end of the moving contact bridge (206) comprising a first rivet (208) and a middle portion of the moving contact bridge (206) adapted to be movably coupled to the plunger (218) of the inner rocker arm (202);
a fixed terminal (204) coupled to the groove terminal (212) and comprising a second rivet (210),
wherein upon triggering the ON condition of the motor starter (200), the first rivet (208) is adapted to make contact with the second rivet (210), and
wherein upon triggering the OFF condition of the motor starter (200), the first rivet (208) is adapted to break contact with the second rivet (210).

2. The actuating mechanism of claim 1, wherein the inner rocker arm (202) is pivotably coupled to a rocker hinge (220) to alternate between the upward motion and the downward motion upon actuation of the one or more switches (222, 224).

3. The actuating mechanism of claim 2, wherein the alternating upward motion and the downward motion of the inner rocker arm (202) generates a corresponding downward motion and a corresponding upward motion respectively of the moving contact bridge (206).

4. The actuating mechanism of claim 1, wherein the inner rocker arm (202), the moving contact bridge (206), the groove terminal (212), the first rivet (208), the fixed terminal (204), and the second rivet (210) are enclosed within a housing (228).

5. The actuating mechanism of claim 4, wherein the housing (228) is covered by a plate (226).

6. The actuating mechanism of claim 5, wherein the plate (226) is adapted to separate the one or more switches (222, 224) from the inner rocker arm (202), the moving contact bridge (206), the groove terminal (212), the first rivet (208), the fixed terminal (204), and the second rivet (210) enclosed within the housing (228).

7. The actuating mechanism of claim 5, wherein the motor starter (200) is a dual rivet type motor starter.

8. A motor starter (200), comprising:
one or more switches (222, 224) adapted to trigger one of an ON condition and an OFF condition of the motor starter (200);
a plate (226) adapted to support the one or more switches (222, 224) and separate the one or more switches (222, 224) from components of an actuating mechanism enclosed within a housing (228);
the housing (228) comprising:
an inner rocker arm (202) comprising a plunger (218) extending from a head portion coupled to the one or more switches (222, 224), the inner rocker arm (202) adapted to alternate between an upward motion and a downward motion upon actuation of the one or more switches (222, 224);
a moving contact bridge (206) supported on a groove terminal (212), a first end of the moving contact bridge (206) comprising a first rivet (208) and a middle portion of the moving contact bridge (206) adapted to be movably coupled to the plunger (218) of the inner rocker arm (202);
a fixed terminal (204) coupled to the groove terminal (212) and comprising a second rivet (210),
wherein upon triggering the ON condition of the motor starter (200), the first rivet (208) is adapted to make contact with the second rivet (210), and
wherein upon triggering the OFF condition of the motor starter (200), the first rivet (208) is adapted to break contact with the second rivet (210).