A FLIP TYPE DEVICE FOR CAPACITOR SWITCHING
This invention relates to a quick action flip type device for connecting and disconnecting auxiliary contacts in switch power capacitors. It is particularly applicable to electro magnetic contactors which are used in switching power capacitors for power factor control in distribution system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electromagnetic contactors are widely used for switching power capacitors. It is known that the contactors are to be fitted with resistors, which get connected in series with the capacitors, through auxiliary contacts of the contactors, for a brief duration before the main contactors of the contact close. By this means the initial inrush current of the capacitor is limited, in order to avoid damage to the contactor contacts, and to avoid disturbance in the supply voltage, and to extend the life of the capacitor. It is also known that in some of the contactors fitted with resistors, the auxiliary contacts are disconnected by means of disengagement of permanent magnets, towards the end of the closing motion of the contactor; thereby disconnecting the resistors when the closing motion is completed, and preventing the auxiliary contacts and the resistors from being required to break the capacitor load current during switching off.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

One of the objects of the invention is to disconnect the auxiliary contacts towards the end of the closing stroke of the contactor, without the use of permanent magnets thereby reducing the cost of production and making the manufacturing process simpler and enhance durability. Relative motion between the carriers of the main and auxiliary contacts is utilized for achieving the object. A device provided with flip type assembly and spring means connect the main and auxiliary contact carriers which forces the auxiliary contact carrier to flip to the open position when the main carrier is nearing the end of its closing operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a flip type device for connecting and disconnecting contacts for switching power capacitors which comprises a add on carrier for flip assembly consisting of a flipper connected to a spring retainer and flip spring in association with a snap guide means, a plurality of bridge contact members, retained by contact spring means and main contact members for establishing connection with terminals to make and break the circuit, said device capable of being mounted on the contactor and is engaged to move coaxially therewith.

DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

The device according to this invention consists of Add on Housing, Add on carrier (2) and Flip assembly (3, 8, 9, 10) means comprising of a flipper (4) connected to a spring retainer (3) with pin (10) and a flip spring means (8) in association with a snap guide means (9). Plurality of bridge contact members (6) are assembled in flipper (4) with contact spring (5). Flip assembly is assembled in Add on carrier and retained by snap guide (9) and flip spring (8). Main contact members (7) equivalent in number are located in Add on housing and provided with a cover means (1). This device is capable of being mounted centrally on the existing contactor such that the Add on housing, Add on carrier (2) and flip assembly are in alignment with the main contactor.

Figs. 1-4 described in detail hereinafter illustrate various positions of the device in operation.

Fig 01: Shows the device of the present invention in OFF condition

• Add on Carrier (2) is in the rest position.

• Flip assembly (3, 8,9,10) remains in downward direction.

• Flipper (4) rests over the inner surface of Add on carrier (2).

• Contact Spring (5) experiences the assembly load only.

• No Contacts between Bridge (6) and Main contacts (7).

Fig 02: Shows the device of the present invention in contact condition

• Add on Carrier (2) moves down till the contacts are made.

• Flip assembly (3, 8, 9,10) remains in downward direction.

• Flipper (4) rests over the inner surface of Add on carrier (2) and when spring load becomes P2 the Flipper becomes straight as the Add on carrier still moves downward and flips to the top.

• Contact Spring (5) experience the assembly PI loads and stats to exert pressure on the Add on carrier (2) and experience P2 load.

• Contacts start between Bridge (6) and Main contacts (7).

Fig 03: Shows the device of the present invention in ON condition

• Add on Carrier (2) remains in the maximum stroke of the contactor.

• Flip assembly (3, 8, 9, 10) remains flicked in up direction.

• Flipper (4) rests on the flipping profile surface of Cover (1)

• Contact Spring (5) experiences the assembly load only.

• No Contacts between Bridge (6) and Main contacts (7).

Fig 04: Shows the device of the present invention in Reset condition

• Add on Carrier (2) moves up till the maximum stroke of the contactor.

• Flip assembly (3, 8, 9, 10) remains flipped in down direction.

• Flipper (4) rests over the inner surface of Add on carrier (2) after the flipping.

• Contact Spring (5) experiences the assembly load only.

• No Contacts between Bridge (6) and Main contacts (7).

Fig. 05: Shows an exploded view of the device of the present invention

Fig. 06: shows a device of the present invention, which is assembled on container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The capacitor duty add-on block consists of Add on housing and Add on carrier in which the critical parts are assembled.

The flipper (4) is connected to a spring retainer (3) 2- nos. with pin (10) and the Bridge contacts (6) 3- nos. are assembled in flipper (4) in its position retained by contact spring (5).

Then the flip spring (8) 2- nos. in association with snap guide (9) 2- nos. is assembled in spring retainer (3).

The flip assembly (3, 8, 9, 10) with Bridge contacts are assembled inside the Add on carrier (2) as shown in Fig. 1. Then the total carrier is assembled in the Add on housing.

The Main contact (7) 6- nos. are mounted in the Add on housing as shown in Fig. 1. Then the Add on housing is closed with a multifunctional cover (1).

The capacitor duty Add on block is mounted on the contactor so that the carriers are engaged to move co-axially. The poles of Add on block and contactor are connected by resistors as shown in Fig. 6.

EXEMPLARY WORKING OF THE SYSTEM

In OFF condition the Flipper butt over the Add on carrier profile and the flip assembly is positioned downwards as shown in Fig. 1, when the contactor coil is energized the contact carrier moves and pulls the Add on carrier down.
When the Add on carrier moves down with the flipper, the bridge contacts close the circuit and then the main contacts of the contactor closes. As the carriers still moving downwards the flipper stays in same position and the flip assembly is straightened and when it crosses the straight line the carrier trips to the upper direction and hence the current flow between the main contacts are braked and capacitor duty is achieved.

When the contactor coil de energized, the contactor carrier moves up and tends to move the Add on carrier and the flipper is tripped by the profile provided in the cover and it retains to home position.

WE CLAIM:

1. A flip type device for connecting and disconnecting contacts for switching power capacitors comprising a Add on carrier (2) for flip assembly consisting of a flipper (4) connected to a spring retainer (3) and a flip spring (8) in association with a snap guide (9), plurality of bridge contact members (6) retained by contact spring (5) and main contact members (7) for establishing connection with the terminals of a capacitor to make or break the circuit, said device capable of being mounted on the contactor and is engaged to move coaxially therewith.

2. The flip type device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said Add on carrier (2) is with cover (1) means.

3. The flip type device as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein a pin (10) is provided to connect the spring retainer (3) the flipper (4).

4. A flip type device substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to Fig. 1-4 of the accompanying drawings.