DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to motor starters. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a tripping mechanism in a motor starter.

BACKGROUND

Generally, a motor starter is defined as an electrical device used to start and stop a motor safely. The motor starter works like a switch. However, the motor is susceptible to circuit overloads, short circuit, 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.

However, the conventional tripping mechanism of the motor starter has a limitation in that the tripping mechanism as disclosed requires multiple components, which leads to a complex mechanism. This leads to increased time for dismantling the tripping mechanism in case of repair. Further, the requirement of multiple components also results in the increased cost of the motor starter.

Therefore, it is essential to design the motor starter having a simple tripping mechanism while ensuring a minimum number of components.

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

The present disclosure aims to provide a motor starter having a simple tripping mechanism while ensuring a minimum number of components.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a tripping mechanism for a motor starter is disclosed. The tripping mechanism includes a slider element and an actuator. The actuator is coupled to the slider element such that a movement of the actuator is locked by the slider element. The slider element is adapted to slide laterally towards the actuator, based on heat generated within the motor starter exceeding the threshold heat level. The slider element slides such that the actuator moves in an axial direction to change an actuating state of a rocker arm of the motor starter, to trip the motor starter.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a motor starter is disclosed., The motor starter includes a pair of switches, a rocker arm, a tripping mechanism. The tripping mechanism includes a slider element and an actuator. The actuator is coupled to the slider element such that a movement of the actuator is locked by the slider element. The slider element is adapted to slide laterally towards the actuator, based on heat generated within the motor starter exceeding the threshold heat level. The slider element slides such that the actuator moves in an axial direction to change the actuating state of a rocker arm of the motor starter, to trip the motor starter.

The present disclosure ensures a simple configuration of the tripping mechanism having the actuator. The actuator ensures the tripping mechanism and also ensures that the actuator comes down to its original position, when the motor starter cools down, after manual intervention. The configuration as disclosed in the present disclosure ensures a simple structure with a reduced number of components, thus being a cost-effective solution.

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 with 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 an assembled view of a motor starter with a housing, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 1B illustrates an assembled view of the motor starter, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of the motor starter, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 illustrates a top view of a tripping mechanism of the motor starter, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of the motor starter in a tripped state, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figure 5 illustrates an assembled view of the motor starter in the tripped state , 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, a plurality of 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 invention belongs. The system 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 a plurality of features or elements, unless otherwise stated. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of the plurality 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 “plurality of features” or “plurality of elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “plurality of” 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 plurality of...” or “plurality of 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 plurality 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, plurality of particular features and/or elements described in connection with plurality of 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 plurality of 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.

For the sake of clarity, the first digit of a reference numeral of each component of the present disclosure is indicative of the Figure number, in which the corresponding component is shown. For example, reference numerals starting with digit “1” are shown at least in Figure 1. Similarly, reference numerals starting with digit “2” are shown at least in Figure 2.

Figure 1A illustrates an assembled view of a motor starter 100 with a housing 110, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1B illustrates an assembled view of the motor starter 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of the motor starter 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 illustrates a top view of a tripping mechanism 214 of the motor starter 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of the motor starter 100 in a tripped state, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 illustrates an assembled view of the motor starter 100 in the tripped state, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The motor starter 100 may be employed in a motor to start and stop the motor safely. The motor starter works similar to a relay, where the motor starter 100 switches ON and OFF the motor. The motor starter 100 also protects the motor from the impact of over current.

In an embodiment, the motor starter 100 may include, but is not limited to, a rocker arm 108, a pair of switches 102, 104, a slider element 118, and the tripping mechanism 214, details of which have been provided in the subsequent paragraphs.

In an embodiment, the pair of switches 102, 104 may include a first switch 102 and a second switch 104 adapted to actuate to operate the motor in one of an ON state and an OFF state. Further, the rocker arm 108 may be coupled with the pair of switches 102, 104. The rocker arm 108 actuates along with the pair of switches 102, 104 to operate the motor. Further, the rocker arm 108 may operate on a contact bridge 114 as per the actuation status of one of the pair of switches 102, 104. For instance, when either one of the first switch 102 or the second switch 104 is actuated, then the rocker arm 108 operates to either establish a connection to switch ON the motor or break the connection to switch OFF the motor. In an embodiment, the rocker arm 108 may be in contact with the pair of switches 102, 104 separated through a plate 106. The plate 106 protects a user from direct contact with the rocker arm 108, thus ensuring the safety of the user.

In an embodiment, the motor starter 100 may include the housing 110 to receive the rocker arm 108, the slider element 118, an actuator 116, and a spark cap 112. The spark cap 112 may be adapted to suppress a spark generated during operation of the motor starter 100. Further, in some scenarios, the continuous operation of the motor may lead to flow/generation of the overcurrent which generates excessive heat in the motor which may damage the motor. Additionally, short circuit, a power surge in the motor starter 100 also generates heat which may damage the motor and the motor starter 100. Therefore, the provision of the tripping mechanism 214 in the motor starter 100 eliminates such problems.

The constructional and functional features of the tripping mechanism 214 are explained in subsequent paragraphs with reference to Figures 2 to 5.

In an embodiment, the tripping mechanism 214 may form a contact with the rocker arm 108. The tripping mechanism 214 may include, but is not limited to, a bimetallic strip 208, a terminal 212, the slider element 118, and the actuator 116. In an embodiment, the terminal 212 and the bimetallic strip 208 may be connected with each other through various attachment means, for example, a braided wire 210. In an embodiment, the bimetallic strip 208 may be made up of two metals. In an embodiment, the bimetallic strip 208 may be calibrated with a calibrating screw 302 to deform above a threshold heat level generated inside the motor.

Further, in an embodiment, the slider element 118 may be attached with the bimetallic strip 208 through various attachment means, for example, a ceramic plate 306. The slider element 118 may include a pair of springs 206, where the pair of springs 206 may be disposed in an expanded state. Further, the actuator 116 may be coupled with the slider element 118. Typically, the slider element 118 may include an opening 304 to receive the actuator 116. Further, the actuator 116 may be also in contact with the rocker arm 108. In an embodiment, the actuator 116 may be embodied in a cylindrical shape without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The actuator 116 includes a spring 401, where the spring 401 remains in the compressed form, as a movement of the actuator 116 is locked by the slider element 118. Typically, the slider element 118 may include a plurality of cut-out profiles 304a, 304b in the opening 304. The plurality of cut-out profiles 304a, 304b may be formed in such a manner that the actuator 116, once received in the opening 304, gets locked resulting in restriction of the further movement of the actuator 116. Thus, the spring 401 inside the actuator 116 remains in the compressed state.

Further, in an embodiment, the slider element 118 slides laterally towards the actuator 116, based on a heat generated within the motor starter 100 exceeding a threshold heat level. The slider element 118 slides such that the actuator 116 moves in an axial direction to change an actuating state of the rocker arm 108 of the motor starter 100, to trip the motor starter 100. The detailed operation of the slider element 118 and the actuator 116 is explained in the subsequent paragraphs.

Initially, one of the pair of switches 102, 104 actuates to operate the motor in the ON state through the rocker arm 108. Further, the heat exceeding the threshold heat level may be generated inside the motor starter 100 due to various reasons, for example, the generation of overcurrent. The terminal 212 experiences the heat generated in the motor starter 100. Further, once the terminal 212 experiences the heat, the terminal 212 transfers the heat to the bimetallic strip 208 through various means, for example, the braided wire 210. The bimetallic strip 208 may be adapted to deform and shifts towards the slider element 118 to actuate the pair of springs 206 in a compressed state from the expanded state. Particularly, as the bimetallic strip 208 shifts towards the slider element 118, the pair of springs 206 of the slider element 118 changes from the expanded state to the compressed state. The pair of springs 206, in the compressed state, generate biasing spring force which actuates the slider element 118 to slide laterally towards the actuator 116. When the slider element 118 slides laterally towards the actuator 116, the plurality of cut-out profiles 304a, 304b shifts laterally. The shifting of the plurality of cut-out profiles 304a, 304b, laterally, provides clearance to the actuator 116 in the opening 304 for the axial movement of the actuator 116. This clearance results in an expansion of the spring 401 of the actuator 116. This expansion of the spring 401 provides a degree of freedom of the movement of the actuator 116 in the axial direction. Simultaneously, the slider element 118 maintains a clearance with surrounding components and does not shift in the axial direction along with the actuator 116. Further, the actuator 116 while moving in the axial direction changes the actuating state of the rocker arm 108. Thus, this configuration also changes the actuating status of the one of the pair of switches 102, 104, to trip the motor starter 100, which results in changing the operating status of the motor from the ON state to the OFF state. This configuration results in the tripping of the motor starter 100 with the tripping mechanism 214 which protects the motor from damage due to excessive heat or overflow of the current.

Further, once the motor starter 100 cools down, then the motor may be operated in the ON state by manually pressing one of the pair of switches 102, 104. When one of the pair of switches 102, 104 actuates, the rocker arm 108 operates to press the actuator 116 downwardly. Further, the actuator 116 is received in the opening 304 of the slider element 118. The slider element 118 shifts in the opposite direction and further locks the actuator 116 again.

As would be gathered, the present disclosure ensures a simple configuration of the motor starter 100 which ensures a simple configuration of the tripping mechanism 214 having the actuator 116. The actuator 116 ensures the tripping of the motor and also ensures that the actuator 116 retains its original position, when the motor starter 100 cools down. The configuration as disclosed in the present disclosure ensures a simple structure with a reduced number of components, thus being a cost-effective solution.

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 tripping mechanism (214) for a motor starter (100), the tripping mechanism (214) comprising:
a slider element (118);
an actuator (116) coupled with the slider element (118) such that a movement of the actuator (116) locked by the slider element (118), wherein:
the slider element (118) is adapted to slide laterally towards the actuator (116), based on heat generated within the motor starter (100) exceeding a threshold heat level such that the actuator (116) moves in an axial direction to change an actuating state of a rocker arm (108) of the motor starter (100), to trip the motor starter (100).

2. The tripping mechanism (214) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a bimetallic strip (208) connected to the slider element (118) through a ceramic plate (306) and connected to a terminal (212) through a braided wire (210).

3. The tripping mechanism (214) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the terminal (212) is adapted to transfer the heat generated within the motor starter (100) to the bimetallic strip (208).

4. The tripping mechanism (214) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the slider element (118) includes a pair of springs (206) disposed in an expanded state.

5. The tripping mechanism (214) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the bimetallic strip (208) is adapted to deform and shift towards the slider element (118) to actuate the pair of springs (206) in a compressed state from the expanded state.

6. The tripping mechanism (214) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the slider element (118) comprises an opening (304) having a plurality of cut-out profiles (304a, 304b) adapted to receive and lock the actuator (116).

7. The tripping mechanism (214) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the actuator (116) comprises a spring (401), where the spring (401) is in a compressed state when the movement of the actuator (116) is locked by the slider element (118).

8. The tripping mechanism (214) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the biasing force of the pair of springs (206) in the compressed state actuates the slider element (118) to slide laterally towards the actuator (116) such that the plurality of cut-out profiles (304a, 304b) shifts laterally and provides clearance in the opening (304) for the axial movement of the actuator (116) to change the actuating state of the rocker arm (108), to trip the motor starter (100).

9. A motor starter (100), comprising:
a pair of switches (102, 104) adapted to operate a motor;
a rocker arm (108) coupled with the pair of switches (102, 104) to actuate along with the pair of switches (102, 104) to operate the motor;
a tripping mechanism (214) forms a contact with the rocker arm (108), the tripping mechanism (214) comprising:
a slider element (118); and
an actuator (116) coupled with the slider element (118) such that a movement of the actuator (116) locked by the slider element (118),
wherein:
the slider element (118) is adapted to slide laterally towards the actuator (116), based on heat generated within the motor starter (100) exceeding a threshold heat level such that the actuator (116) moves in an axial direction to change an actuating state of the rocker arm (108), to trip the motor starter (100).