Claims:1. A test position assembly in a switch disconnector, wherein said test position assembly mechanically mounted on a mechanism assembly of said switch disconnector and comprising:
a test housing having a rack assembly;
an auxiliary contact assembly;
a vertical coupler rotatably coupled with a vertical gear of said mechanism assembly;
an actuator means arranged with said vertical coupler and operably coupled with said auxiliary contact assembly, wherein said actuator includes a profile to enable switching ON of said auxiliary contact assembly when said switch disconnector reaches ON and/or test position, and enables said mechanism assembly to get stopped at OFF and test position of said switch disconnector due to actuation of said rack assembly so as to switch OFF said auxiliary contact assembly.

2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rack assembly having a ball catch arrangement comprising at least one ball means, a rack, and a rack spring means.

3. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said ball means is held in one or more groves of said test housing due to said rack spring force, so as to engage said rack assembly to test housing.

4. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switch disconnector operated between ON, OFF, Test position, by rotation of an operating handle coupled with said mechanism assembly.

5. The assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein during ON to OFF or OFF to ON operation, said switch disconnector is operated by clockwise and anti-clockwise rotation of said operating handle, respectively.
6. The assembly as claimed in claims 5, wherein for said test position, said switch disconnector operated by further rotation of said operating handle in the clockwise direction from said OFF position.

7. The assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein said rack assembly is held in said test position by displacing said ball means from one groove to another and subsequently compressing at least one test spring means.

8. The assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein said vertical gear operable through a shaft means and said operating handle, which in turn operates said vertical coupler.

9. The assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein said vertical coupler operates to drive said actuator means.

10. A method of operation of a test position assembly in a switch disconnector as claimed in claims 1-9, wherein said method comprising:
rotating at least one operating handle during ON-OFF or OFF-ON or test operation of a switch disconnector;
actuation, by means of a mechanism vertical gear through a shaft means and said operating handle, a mechanism assembly due to mechanism spring means;
enabling rotation of a vertical coupler by said actuation of said mechanism vertical gear;
operating, by said rotation of said vertical coupler, an actuator means having a profile;
wherein during said OFF-ON operation of said switch disconnector, said actuator means operates to enable actuation of an auxiliary contact assembly due to said profile;
wherein during said ON-OFF operation of said switch disconnector, said actuator means hits a rack assembly to stop its movement due to a ball catch arrangement provided on said rack assembly, thereby turning OFF said auxiliary contact assembly;
wherein, during test operation of said switch disconnector, said actuator means moves said rack assembly to a test position due to a ball catch arrangement, enabling compression of a test spring means, and thereby actuating said auxiliary contact assembly is enabled to turn ON without switching ON main contacts.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present subject matter described herein, in general, relates to circuit breaker and switch disconnectors, and more particularly relates to a test position assembly in a switch disconnector along with an ON and OFF(O) position that ensures that the mechanism gets actuated to test position without actuating the contact system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Switch Disconnectors are used for performing making and breaking operations under normal operating conditions and abnormal operating conditions viz. overload conditions. They also provide isolation for downstream devices during maintenance activities.

[003] However, the conventional setup is not reliable because after installation in case, the operator/user wants to check the functionality of auxiliary contacts, they need to turn ON the switch disconnector thereby turning the system live.

[004] CN203456327U discloses a different type of mechanism construction of a drive mechanism of switching device. The prior art relates to the drive mechanism of the switching device comprises a drive shaft, a slide member and an elastic drive assembly. The drive shaft is circumferentially provided with a first drive part and a second drive part. The slide member has a first limiting part, a second limiting part and a transmission part. The elastic drive assembly can be connected with the slide member, and can generate an elastic recovery force which acts on the slide member and prevents the slide member from moving. If the drive shaft is at a cutoff position, the first drive part is connected with the first limiting part and the second drive part is connected with the transmission part. If the drive shaft is at a test position, the first drive is connected with the first limiting part and the second limiting part. If the drive shaft rotates from the cutoff position or the test position towards the test position or the cutoff position, the first drive can overcome the elastic recovery force of the elastic drive assembly and push the first limiting part to drive the slide member to move in the slide direction.

[005] However, the inventors of the present invention have felt a need to verify the working of auxiliary contact system without actually turning the switch ON, so as to reduce risk and increases reliability of the contact system. This is achieved by providing a unique feature of test position assembly in the switch disconnector which can provide a test position in a switch disconnector along with an ON and OFF (O) position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[006] The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the present invention. It is not intended to identify the key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concept of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description of the invention presented later.

[007] An object of the present invention is to provide a test position assembly that ensures that the mechanism gets actuated without actuating the contact system. This feature ensures that we are able to verify the proper functioning of the auxiliary contacts without actuating the contact system.

[008] Another object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement comprising of a test position assembly which can be mounted on the mechanism assembly of the switch disconnector to actuate the auxiliary contact assembly during ON and test position of the switch disconnector.

[009] Accordingly to one aspect, the present invention provides a test position assembly in a switch disconnector, wherein said test position assembly mechanically mounted on a mechanism assembly of said switch disconnector and comprising:
a test housing having a rack assembly;
an auxiliary contact assembly;
a vertical coupler rotatably coupled with a vertical gear of said mechanism assembly;
an actuator means arranged with said vertical coupler and operably coupled with said auxiliary contact assembly, wherein said actuator includes a profile to enable switching ON of said auxiliary contact assembly when said switch disconnector reaches ON and/or test position, and enables said mechanism assembly to get stopped at OFF and test position of said switch disconnector due to actuation of said rack assembly so as to switch OFF said auxiliary contact assembly.

[0010] In second aspect, the present invention provides a method of operation of a test position assembly in a switch disconnector, wherein said method comprising:
• rotating at least one operating handle during ON-OFF or OFF-ON or test operation of a switch disconnector;
• actuation, by means of a mechanism vertical gear through a shaft means and said operating handle, a mechanism assembly due to mechanism spring means;
• enabling rotation of a vertical coupler by said actuation of said mechanism vertical gear;
• operating, by said rotation of said vertical coupler, an actuator means having a profile; wherein during said OFF-ON operation of said switch disconnector, said actuator means operates to enable actuation of an auxiliary contact assembly due to said profile;
wherein during said ON-OFF operation of said switch disconnector, said actuator means hits a rack assembly to stop its movement due to a ball catch arrangement provided on said rack assembly, thereby turning OFF said auxiliary contact assembly;
wherein, during test operation of said switch disconnector, said actuator means moves said rack assembly to a test position due to a ball catch arrangement, enabling compression of a test spring means, and thereby actuating said auxiliary contact assembly is enabled to turn ON without switching ON main contacts.

[0011] Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0012] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013] Figure 1 illustrates the (a) side view, (b) top view and (c) general view, of test position assembly, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 illustrates mounting of the test position assembly, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the test position assembly, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 4 shows the motion of the (a) mechanism assembly (front and top view), (b) contact system assembly, and (c) test position assembly along with the rack assembly, in OFF (O) condition, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 5 shows the motion of the (a) mechanism assembly (front and top view), (b) contact system assembly, and (c) test position assembly along with the rack assembly, in ON (I) condition, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 6 shows the motion of the (a) mechanism assembly (front and top view), (b) contact system assembly, and (c) test position assembly along with rack assembly, in test condition, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 7 shows the (a) test housing, (b) exploded view of rack assembly, (c) motion of rack assembly in test housing, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 8 shows the general view of the (a) actuator, (b) vertical coupler, and (c) vertical coupler and actuator arrangement, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and may have not been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figure may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0022] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.

[0023] Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0024] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0025] It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0026] By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

[0027] Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments.

[0028] It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

[0029] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. Further functioning of the switch has been discussed below to describe the way the switch operates. However, such description should not be considered as any limitation of scope of the present unit. The structure thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all the details may furthermore be replaced with elements having technical equivalence. In practice the materials and dimensions may be any according to the requirements, which will still be comprised within its true spirit.

[0030] The present invention relate to a setup for providing a test position assembly in a Switch Disconnectors with an ON (I) and OFF (O) position. The said test position ensures that the mechanism gets actuated without actuating the contact system. This feature ensures the proper functioning of the auxiliary contacts without actuating the contact systems. This setup is reliable because after installation in case the operator/user wants to check the functionality of auxiliary contacts, he doesn’t need to turn ON the switch disconnector thereby turning the system live. This will reduce the risks involved.

[0031] In one implementation, the present invention provides a means of verifying the working of auxiliary system without actually turning the switch ON which in turn reduces risk and increases reliability which is achieved by providing a unique feature of test position in the switch disconnector which can be provided as an accessory to the customer. The details of the function of the test position is as shown in the below mentioned table :

Switch Position Main Contacts Aux contacts
O(OFF(O)) Not Actuated Not Actuated
I(On) Actuated Actuated
T(Test) Not Actuated Actuated

[0032] In one implementation, the technical features/components of the present invention w.r.t to the figures 1-8 along with their reference numerals are mentioned below:
1. Test Housing
2. Test cover
3. Auxiliary contact assembly
4. Vertical coupler
5. Actuator
6. Rack assembly
7. Rack
8. Ball
9. Test assembly spring.
10. Rack assembly spring.
11. Auxiliary contact body
12. Auxiliary contact head
13. Handle
14. Pole assembly
15. Mechanism assembly
16. M4 screw
17. M4 nut
18. Shaft
19. Moving contact
20. Terminal
21. Contact system housing
22. Contact system assembly
23. Test position assembly
24. Switch disconnector
25. Label
26. Mechanism vertical gear
27. Mechanism spring
28. Horizontal gear

[0033] Figure 1 illustrates the (a) side view, (b) top view and (c) general view, of test position assembly (23), according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 2 illustrates mounting of the test position assembly (23) on the switch disconnector (24), according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the test position assembly, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 4 shows the motion of the (a) mechanism assembly (front and top view), (b) contact system assembly, and (c) test position assembly along with the rack assembly, in OFF (O) condition, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 5 shows the motion of the (a) mechanism assembly (front and top view), (b) contact system assembly, and (c) test position assembly along with the rack assembly, in ON (I) condition, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 6 shows the motion of the (a) mechanism assembly (front and top view), (b) contact system assembly, and (c) test position assembly along with rack assembly, in test condition, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 7 shows the (a) test housing (1), (b) exploded view of rack assembly (6), (c) motion of rack assembly in test housing, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 8 shows the general view of the (a) actuator (5), (b) vertical coupler (4), and (c) vertical coupler (4) and actuator (5) arrangement, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment, the vertical coupler (4) and an actuator means (5) are arranged together to actuate turn ON an auxiliary contact assembly when a switch disconnector reaches ON and/or test position and turn OFF said auxiliary contact assembly at OFF and test position of said switch disconnector.

[0041] The present embodiment consists of a test position assembly (23) which can be mechanically mounted on the mechanism assembly (15) of the switch disconnector (24) using M4 screw (16) and M4 nuts(17) .The test position assembly (23) consist of a vertical coupler (4) which gets coupled with the vertical gear (25) of the mechanism assembly (15) on mounting. An actuator (5) can be present on the vertical coupler (4) which actuates the rack assembly (6) present in the test position assembly (23). The actuator (5) due to its unique constructional profile ensures that the auxiliary contact assembly (3) is also actuated during ON and Test position of the switch disconnector.

[0042] In the embodiment, the rack assembly (6) is provided with the ball catch arrangement that ensure that the mechanism assembly gets stopped at OFF (O) and test position. This rack assembly (6) moves over the ball catching profile (grooves) provided in the test housing (1) (as shown in figures 3 and 7(a)). This arrangement of test position assembly can be mechanically mounted as shown in figure 2.

[0043] In one embodiment, consider the switch in OFF (O) condition. During this condition, both the main contacts (moving contacts (19) and terminals ((20)) and the auxiliary contact assembly (3) will be in OFF (O) condition (as shown in figure 4). The OFF (O) to ON (I) operation, as shown in figure 5, will a 90-degree operation of the operating handle (13) in anti-clockwise direction. When the handle (13) will be actuated from OFF(O) to ON(I) position, the mechanism vertical gear (26) of the mechanism assembly (15) which can be coupled with the handle (13) through the shaft (18) starts moving and moves the horizontal gear (28). This horizontal gear (28) movement compresses the mechanism spring (27) till the dead center position (45-degree rotation) after which the mechanism assembly (15) operates due to the stored energy of the mechanism spring (27). During this motion, the mechanism vertical gear (26) makes the vertical coupler (4) of the test position assembly (23) move along with it. Once the switch disconnector (24) reaches ON (I) position, the auxiliary contact assembly (3) present in the test position assembly (23) get actuated due to the profile of the actuator (5). The auxiliary contact assembly (3) comprises of the contact body (11) and the contact head (12). The auxiliary contact assembly (3) gets actuated when the contact head moves down by a distance. This will be achieved by the constructional profile of the actuator (5). Hence during ON (I) condition both the main contacts, terminals (20) and moving contacts (19), and the auxiliary contact assembly will be turned ON (I).

[0044] In second embodiment, referring to figure 4, during ON(I) to OFF(O) operation the switch disconnector (24) will be operated using a handle (13) in clockwise direction by 90-degree. Post 45-degree operation, the mechanism assembly (15) operates due to the stored energy of the mechanism spring (27). The vertical coupler (4) which is in turn connected with the vertical gear (25) of the mechanism assembly also rotates by 90-degree. This causes actuator (5) coupled with vertical coupler (4) to operate as well. On reaching the OFF (O) condition the actuator (5) will hit the rack assembly (6) which stops its movement due to the ball catch arrangement (as shown in figure 7) present between the rack assembly (6) and the test housing (1). At this point, both the main contacts (terminals (20) and moving contacts (19)) and the auxiliary contact assembly (3) will be in OFF (O) condition.

[0045] In third embodiment, referring to figures 6 and 7, for bringing the switch disconnector (24) to Test position (T), the operator/user needs to operate the switch disconnector (24) further by 35-degree in the clockwise direction. During this operation, the mechanism vertical gear (26) will be free to operate. The mechanism vertical gear (26) will be operated through shaft (18) means and handles (13). It will be coupled with the vertical coupler (4) which in turn drives the actuator (5). The actuator (5) hits against the rack assembly (6). The rack assembly (6) will have a ball catch arrangement (as shown in figure 7) which includes a ball means (8), rack means (7) and rack spring (10). The ball (8) will be held in the groves of the test housing due to the rack spring (10) force. When mechanism assembly (15) will move in clockwise direction after OFF(O) position, then the actuator (5) moves the rack assembly (6) and the ball (8) comes out of groove 1 and moves onto groove 2 in the test housing (1) on 35-degree operation. This also compresses the test spring (9).

[0046] In third embodiment, the test spring (9) will be in a compressed state at 35-degree position and will not be able to release its energy due to the higher spring force of the rack spring (10) acting against the ball (8). This doesn’t let the rack assembly (6) to come out of groove 2 in test position (T) unless the switch disconnector (24) will be rotated towards the OFF (O) by external means. During this position, the main contacts (terminals (20) and moving contacts (19)) are not actuated whereas the auxiliary contact assembly (3) will be actuated due to the profile of the actuator (5). Further, on rotating from test position to OFF (O) position, the rack assembly(6) gets disengaged from groove 2 and coupled with the external force and the test spring (9) force pushes the rack assembly (6) to groove 1.

[0047] Some of the non-limited advantages of the present invention, are as follows:
• The unique arrange of test position assembly can be easily mounted/installed on the mechanism assembly with screws and nuts.
• The test position assembly of the present invention can be used as an accessory.
• The test position has a provision to provide auxiliary contacts in assembly itself.
• The test position assembly mounted on the mechanism assembly of the switch disconnector ensures proper functioning the auxiliary contacts without turning the switch ON.

[0048] Although a test position assembly mounted on the mechanism assembly of the switch disconnectors have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the embodiments disclosed in the above section are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods or devices described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as examples of implementations of the test position assembly and motion of test position assembly, mechanism assembly and contact system assembly in OFF condition, ON condition and Test condition.