DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to switch units. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a housing member for a switch unit adapted to start and stop an operation of a motor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, a switch unit such as a motor starter is electrically coupled with a motor to start and stop a motor safely. However, the motor is susceptible to circuit overloads, short circuits, low resistance, etc., which impacts the working of the motor. In this regard, the motor starter has a tripping mechanism to protect the motor from potential harm that may be caused due to the circuit overload, short circuit etc. The tripping mechanism includes a housing adapted to accommodate one or more components such as a tripper, and a bimetallic strip of the tripping mechanism.

However, in the existing housing, the components such as the tripper and the bimetallic strip may be positioned via a plurality of fasteners. The positioning of the tripper and the bimetallic strip in the existing housing, consumes a lot of time and effort as the existing housing does not have provision to support and hold such components without implementation of fasteners. This increases the number of steps associated with the assembly of the motor starter. Further, the implementation of fasteners increases the number of components of the motor starter which increases the overall cost associated with the assembling of the motor starter.

Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned problems, it is desirable to provide a housing member for a switch unit that eliminates one or more of the above-mentioned problems associated with the existing art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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 and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

The present disclosure relates to a housing member for a switch unit. The housing member may include a base, a side wall, and a plurality of predefined slots. The side wall extends from the base in an orthogonal orientation. The side wall may be adapted to at least cover a bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly of the switch unit. The plurality of predefined slots may be formed on the base. The plurality of predefined slots may be adapted to secure the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly and guide a movement of the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly relative to the base, during a tripping of a motor.

Further, the present disclosure relates to a switch unit for a motor of a vehicle. The switch unit may include a bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly and a housing member adapted to support the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly. The bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly may be adapted to switch OFF the motor, based on heat generated within the switch unit exceeding a threshold heat level. The housing member may include a base, a side wall, and a plurality of predefined slots. The side wall extends from the base in an orthogonal orientation. The side wall may be adapted to at least cover a bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly of the switch unit. The plurality of predefined slots may be formed on the base. The plurality of predefined slots may be adapted to secure the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly and guide a movement of the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly relative to the base, during a tripping of a motor.

The housing member of the present disclosure provides a provision to secure the components of the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly without the implementation of any fasteners, as the housing member includes the plurality of predefined slots adapted to receive and secure the components of the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly. This reduces the overall time and effort associated with the assembly of the switch unit, which further minimizes the overall cost of the switch unit. Further, the implementation of the housing member eliminates the usage of the fasteners for securing the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly and reduces the overall number of components of the switch unit. Therefore, the switch unit is cost-effective and easy to assemble.

To further clarify 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 with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

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 1 illustrates an assembled view of a switch unit showing the internal components of the switch unit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates a top view of a housing member of the switch unit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the housing member, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of the housing member, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figure 5 illustrates a side view of the housing member, according to 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. 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 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.

For example, the term “some” as used herein may be understood as “none” or “one” or “more than one” or “all.” Therefore, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would fall under the definition of “some.” It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and therefore, should not be construed to limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in any way.

For example, any terms used herein such as, “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and similar grammatical variants 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. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated, for example, by using the limiting language including, but not limited to, “must comprise” or “needs to include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, 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 do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more…” or “one or more elements 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 a person ordinarily skilled 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 of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms including, 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 other 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 in the context of more than one embodiment, or 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 necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

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

Figure 1 illustrates an assembled view of a switch unit 100 showing the internal components of the switch unit 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 1, the switch unit 100 may be employed in a motor of a vehicle to start and stop the motor safely. In an embodiment, the switch unit 100 may be embodied as a motor starter, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Herein, the switch unit 100 works similarly to a relay, as the switch unit 100 switches ON and OFF the motor. The switch unit 100 may also include provisions to protect the motor from the impact of the current surge. Depending on the rating and size of the motor, the switch unit 100 may be available in a variety of ratings and sizes.

In an embodiment, the switch unit 100 may include, but is not limited to, a rocker arm 126, a pair of switches 128, a housing member 101, and a bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly 102. The pair of switches 128 may include a first switch and a second switch adapted to actuate to operate the motor in one of an ON state and an OFF state, respectively. Further, the rocker arm 126 may be coupled with the pair of switches 128. The rocker arm 126 actuates along with the pair of switches 128 to operate the motor.

Depending on the actuation of the first switch or the second switch, the rocker arm 126 may operate to either establish a connection to switch ON the motor or break the connection to switch OFF the motor. Further, the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly 102 may be adapted to switch OFF the motor, based on heat generated within the switch unit 100 exceeding a threshold heat level, due to the current surge.

In an embodiment, the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly 102 may include an actuator 104, a sliding element 108, a bi-metallic strip 106, and a calibrating screw 122. During the actuation of the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly 102, the bimetallic strip 106 bends due to the transferred heat and moves towards the actuator 104 when the heat is generated due to the current surge and exceeds the threshold heat level In such a scenario, the actuator 104 slides in a upward direction and pushes the rocker arm 126 upwards to break the connection with the moving contact. The calibrating screw 122 succours the bimetallic strip 106 to switch OFF after a predetermined load value is attained. The bimetallic strip 106 jostles the sliding element 108 which in turn releases the actuator 104, which in return flips the rocker arm 126. This further, flips the moving contact, due to which the contact breaks and the motor starter trips.

The bimetallic strip 106 may be calibrated using the calibrating screw 122 to deform above a threshold heat level generated inside the motor. The actuator 104 may be supported in the sliding element 108. In an embodiment, the bimetallic strip 106 may be made up of two metals. The housing member 101 may be adapted to accommodate the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly 102 without the implementation of fasteners. Thus, the housing member 101 provides a provision for easy installation of the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly 102 without using fasteners or adhesives. Constructional and functional details of the housing member 101 are explained in the subsequent paragraphs with reference to Figures 2 to 5.

Figure 2 illustrates a top view of a housing member 101 of the switch unit 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the housing member 101, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of the housing member 101, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 illustrates a side view of the housing member 101, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figures 1 to 5, the housing member 101 may be constructed to support the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly 102. The housing member 200 also provides a certain amount of constraints to enable a smooth operation of the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly 102. In an embodiment, the housing member 101 may be formed of a polymeric material, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In another embodiment, the housing member 101 may be formed of a metallic material, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, the housing member 101 may include a base 110, a side wall 112, and a plurality of predefined slots 116, 118. The side wall 112 extends from the base 110 in an orthogonal orientation. The side wall 112 may be adapted to at least cover a bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly 102 of the switch unit 100. The side wall 112 defines a hole adapted to accommodate the calibrating screw 122 adapted to facilitate the movement of the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly 102.

The base 110 may include a first face and a second face opposite to the first face. Herein, the plurality of predefined slots 116, 118 may be formed on the first face of the base 110. The second face may be adapted to be positioned on a platform to mount the switch unit 100.

The plurality of predefined slots 116, 118 may be formed on the base 110. The plurality of predefined slots 116, 118 may be adapted to secure the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly 102 and guide a movement of the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly 102 relative to the base 110, during a tripping of a motor. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of predefined slots 116, 118 may include a first predefined slot 116 and a second predefined slot 118. In another embodiment, the plurality of predefined slots 116, 118 may include more than two predefined slots.

The first predefined slot 116 may be adapted to secure the actuator 104 and guide a sliding movement of the actuator 104. The first predefined slot 116 may have a shape corresponding to a shape of the actuator 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 104 may have a cylindrical shape and a plurality of ribs 124 formed on a periphery of the actuator 104. Herein, the first predefined slot 116 has a cylindrical shape and defines a plurality of grooves 120 formed on a periphery of the first predefined slot 116.

The plurality of grooves 120 may be circumferentially spaced around the first predefined slot 116. Each of the plurality of grooves 120 may be adapted to receive the each of plurality of ribs 124 of the actuator 104, such that the sliding movement of the actuator 104 may be guided within the first predefined slot 116. Further, the second predefined slot 118 may be formed adjacent to the first predefined slot 116 and adapted to secure the bi-metallic strip 106. Herein. the first predefined slot 116 may secure the actuator 104 without using the fasteners or adhesives.

The second predefined slot 118 may have a shape corresponding to a shape of the bi-metallic strip 106. In an embodiment, the second predefined slot 118 may facilitate the movement of the bi-metallic strip 106 during the tripping of the motor. Further, the second predefined slot 118 may secure or hold the bi-metallic strip 106 without using fasteners.

The housing member 101 of the present disclosure, provides a provision to secure the components of the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly 102 without the implementation of any fasteners, as the housing member 101 includes the plurality of predefined slots 116, 118 adapted to receive and secure the components of the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly 102. This reduces the overall time and effort associated with the assembly of the switch unit 100, which further minimizes the overall cost of the switch unit 100.

Further, the implementation of the housing member 101 eliminates the usage of the fasteners for securing the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly 102 and reduces the overall number of components of the switch unit 100. Therefore, the switch unit 100 is cost-effective and easy to assemble.

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. A housing member (101) for a switch unit (100), comprising:
a base (110);
a side wall (112) extending from the base (110) in an orthogonal orientation and adapted to at least partially cover a bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly (102) of the switch unit (100); and
a plurality of predefined slots (116, 118) formed on the base (110) and adapted to secure the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly (102) and guide a movement of the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly (102) relative to the base (110), during a tripping of a motor.

2. The housing member (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly (102) comprises an actuator (104) supported in a sliding element (108) and a bi-metallic strip (106) connected with a calibrating screw (122) and the sliding element (108) through a ceramic plate; and
the side wall (112) defines a hole adapted to accommodate the calibrating screw (122) connected to the bi-metallic strip (106).

3. The housing member (101) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plurality of predefined slots (116, 118) comprises:
a first predefined slot (116) adapted to secure the actuator (104) and guide a sliding movement of the actuator (104); and
a second predefined slot (118) formed adjacent to the first predefined slot (116) and adapted to secure the bi-metallic strip (106).

4. The housing member (101) as claimed in claim 3, wherein:
the first predefined slot (116) has a shape corresponding to a shape of the actuator (104); and
the second predefined slot (118) has a shape corresponding to a shape of the bi-metallic strip (106).

5. The housing member (101) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first predefined slot (116) has a cylindrical shape and comprises:
a plurality of grooves (120) formed on a periphery of the first predefined slot (116) and adapted to receive a plurality of ribs (124) formed on a periphery of the actuator (104).

6. The housing member (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base (110) comprises:
a first face, wherein the plurality of predefined slots (116, 118) is formed on the first face of the base (110); and
a second face opposite to the first face, adapted to be positioned on a platform to mount the switch unit (100).

7. A switch unit (100) for a motor of a vehicle, comprising:
a bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly (102) adapted to switch OFF the motor, based on heat generated within the switch unit (100) exceeding a threshold heat level; and
a housing member (101) adapted to support the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly (102), the housing member (101) comprising:
a base (110);
a side wall (112) extending from the base (110) in an orthogonal orientation and adapted to at least cover a bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly (102) of the switch unit (100); and
a plurality of predefined slots (116, 118) formed on the base (110) and adapted to secure the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly (102) and guide a movement of the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly (102) relative to the base (110), during a tripping of a motor.

8. The switch unit (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein:
the bi-metallic circuit breaker assembly (102) comprises:
an actuator (104) supported in a sliding element (108); and
a bi-metallic strip (106) connected with the sliding element (108) through a ceramic plate; and
the side wall (112) defines a hole adapted to accommodate the calibrating screw (122) connected to the bi-metallic strip (106).

9. The switch unit (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the plurality of predefined slots (116, 118) comprises:
a first predefined slot (116) adapted to secure the actuator (104) and guide a sliding movement of the actuator (104); and
a second predefined slot (118) formed adjacent to the first predefined slot (116) and adapted to secure the bi-metallic strip (106).

10. The switch unit (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein:
the first predefined slot (116) has a shape corresponding to a shape of the actuator (104); and
the second predefined slot (118) has a shape corresponding to a shape of the bi-metallic strip (106).