CLIAMS:1. A connector assembly for connecting a fixed cabinet and a moving switching module conductor, in a circuit breaker comprising:
a fixed cabinet comprising
a space (1);
at least one hole (2, 4); and
at least one slot (3); and
a moving switching module conductor comprising
a base (5) having a surface (12, 13) and at least one slot (6); and
at least one limb (8) having a surface (7), wherein the at least one limb (8) is fixed in the at least one slot (6); and
at least one conductor strip (17);
a supporting structure (14);
a leaf spring (15); and
a thin strip (16) to separate the at least one conductor strip (17).

2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the conductor is mounted on the fixed cabinet by inserting a nut plate in the space (1).

3. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one hole (2, 4) is provided on the rear flat surface.

4. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one limb (8) is fixed in the at least one slot (6) using a metal joining process, which is selected from a group comprising of a bolting process, a riveting process, a brazing process, a shouldering process, an adhesive joining or a combinations thereof.

5. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one conductor strip (17) acts as a conductor path.

6. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connector assembly is mounted on the at least one limb (8).

7. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the supporting structure (14) fits inside the at least one slot (3).

8. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one limb (8) is connected with the at least one conductor strip (17).

9. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one limb (8) is further extended as an entry profile (9) to fit inside the at least one conductor strip (17).
,TagSPECI:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present subject matter described herein, in general relates to a circuit breaker and more particularly, to an assembly consisting of fixed terminal, moving conductor and an electrical connection between them in an air-circuit breaker.

BACKGROUND

A switching apparatus known as circuit breaker is used to carry, make and break the circuit current in power distribution systems. This breaker consists of three sections a moving switching apparatus, a fixed cabinet, and the connector between the apparatus and the cabinet.

In a switching modular device like an Air circuit breaker, the switching module can have a translational motion in or out of the fixed body as per required application. For the connection between the moving module conductor and the fixed conductor of cradle, an interfacing connector is used. This connector is an assembly consisting of multiple conductor strips and is mounted on the limbs of the fixed conductor present in fixed cabinet. The conductor on the moving switching module has limbs on it which electrically comes in contact with the fixed conductor after getting engaged in the connector assembly.

The fixed conductor in the fixed cabinet is presently manufactured by an extrusion process. It has a very typical profile which is achieved through precise and complex machining which requires specialization. Hence, heavy cost is incurred in the whole process.

The conductor on the moving switching module is also manufactured by an extrusion process. In extrusion process, there is less transformation of the raw material to the end product as compared to a process like bending. A lot of scarp material is created due to complex extrusion process. Hence this process also turns out to be costly.

The connector assembly between the fixed conductor and moving conductor has a specific assembly which tends to fail differ from the required performance during short circuit and rated current applications. The assembly is mounted on the fixed conductor inside the typical curved profile present on the limbs available in the assembly. The limb of the moving conductor encloses the mounted connector conductors in a way that each conductor strips in it have a freedom to move in between the limbs. The contact pressure of the connector conductor on the limbs of moving conductor is maintained with the help of compressed spring.

Two conductors share a spring in the connector assembly such that the spring load is theoretically divided on the fingers equally. But while in the operating condition the spring exerts unequal load on them. This results in unequal contact pressure on the moving conductor. As the connector assembly is enclosed between the conductor limbs, when current is passed through the circuit the adjacent parallel conductors tend to attract each other due to the electromagnetic attractive forces. Hence, during the rated electrical operating condition as well as short circuit conditions the unequal contact pressure and the electromagnetic attractive forces gives rise to chattering of conductors which in turn results in sparking between the connector assembly conductors and the switching module conductor.

The above mentioned problems and difficulties, there exists a need to provide for a modification in the design so as to make the working of the circuit breakers more efficient.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to an assembly consisting of fixed terminal, moving conductor and an electrical connection between them in an air-circuit breaker. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the subject matter.

In one implementation, a connector assembly may replace expensive extrusion process used for manufacturing of fixed and moving terminal by ordinary process. This will reduce the processing cost of the assembly.

In one implementation, the connector assembly will increase product reliability. Contact pressure will automatically increase with increase in fault current.

In one implementation, the connector assembly will not require precise and “critical to quality dimensions” for fix and moving conductor.

In one implementation, the connector assembly uses a leaf spring connector assembly which avoids non-uniform spring load on the conductor fingers.

In one implementation, a connector assembly for connecting a fixed cabinet and a moving switching module conductor is disclosed. The connector assembly comprises of a fixed cabinet, a moving switching module conductor, at least one conductor strip, a supporting structure, a leaf spring, and a thin strip. The fixed cabinet conductor further comprises of a space, at least one hole, and at least one slot. The moving switching module conductor further comprises of a base having a surface and at least one slot. The thin strip may be used to separate at least one conductor strip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer like features and components.

Figure 1 illustrates a conductor of fixed cabinet is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure 2 illustrates a space in fixed cabinet is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure 3 illustrates at least one hole on the conductor of fixed cabinet and combination of 2 bended conductor sheets which are joined together to form an assembly is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure 4 illustrates a fixed cabinet assembly is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure 5 illustrates a moving switching module conductor base and the slots are shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure 6 illustrates a conductor limb is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure 7 illustrates a surface on the base is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure 8 illustrates a moving switching module conductor is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure 9 illustrates a connector assembly is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure 10 illustrates a top view of the connector assembly is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure 11 illustrates field application of connector assembly consisting of conductor mount on the fixed cabinet, conductor strip and moving module conductor is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure 12 illustrates a top view of the conductor mount on the fixed cabinet along with conductor strips and moving module conductor is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail.

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. 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 and spirit of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

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.

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

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.

Accordingly, present invention is an assembly consisting of fixed terminal, moving conductor and an electrical connection between them in an air-circuit breaker.

Construction of the connector assembly of the present invention is explained with reference to the accompanying figures.

List of components:
1. a space (1)
2. at least one hole (2, 4)
3. at least one slot (3)
4. a base (5)
5. at least one slot (6)
6. a surface (7)
7. at least one limb (8)
8. an entry profile (9)
9. a surface (12,13)
10. a supporting structure (14)
11. a leaf spring (15)
12. a thin strip (16)
13. at least one conductor strip (17)

In one implementation, a connector assembly for connecting a fixed cabinet conductor and a moving switching module conductor is disclosed. The connector assembly comprises of a fixed cabinet, a moving switching module conductor, at least one conductor strip (17), a supporting structure (14), a leaf spring (15), and a thin strip (16). The fixed cabinet conductor further comprises of a space (1), at least one hole (2, 4), and at least one slot (3). The moving switching module conductor further comprises of a base (5) having a surface (12, 13) and at least one slot (6). The thin strip (16) may be used to separate the at least one conductor strip (17). The at least one conductor strip (17) may act as a conductor path in the assembly.

In one implementation, the conductor is mounted on the fixed cabinet by inserting a nut plate in the space (1). Further, the at least one hole (2, 4) is provided on the rear flat surface and the connector assembly is mounted on the at least one limb (8). The supporting structure (14) is adapted to fit inside the at least one slot (3).

The at least one limb (8) is fixed in the at least one slot (6) using a metal joining process, which is selected from a group comprising of a bolting process, a riveting process, a brazing process, a shouldering process, an adhesive joining or a combinations thereof.

In one implementation, the at least one limb (8) is further extended as an entry profile (9) to fit inside the at least one conductor strip (17). Further, the at least one limb (8) is connected with the at least one conductor strip (17).

In one implementation, figure 1 shows the conductor of fixed cabinet. This conductor is a combination of 2 bended conductor sheets as shown in figure 2, which are joined together to form an assembly. The conductor sheet is bent to give the specific shape as shown in figure 2. The bended sheets are joined together by metal joining process at holes provided (4), which is selected from a group comprising of a bolting process, a riveting process, a brazing process, a shouldering process, an adhesive joining or a combinations thereof. This conductor is mounted on the fixed cabinet by inserting a nut plate in the space (1) provided as shown on figure 11. The nut-plate is supported and fixed on the fixed cabinet which gives strength to this assembly. The connector module is mounted on the limb in between the slots (3) provided, as shown in figure 1]. The holes (2) are provided on the rear flat surface for termination of busbars as per the customer requirement.

The moving switching module's conductor consists of two components: the base (5) and the two limbs (8). The base contains slots (6) in which the limbs (8) are fixed. The limbs are fixed in the slots of the base with the help of brazing process. The slots (6) where limbs are brazed are shown in the figure 5. The surface (12) of the base and the surface (7) of the limb are brazed. After brazing, the final switching module conductor is shown in figure8. The base part (5) of the breaker terminal is made out from a long bar with required slot and then it is cut into pieces as per the required size. Thus the scrap created is almost zero. The limb(8) is also made by the similar process in which first the required size is cut from a long sheet and then the next operation is done for the entry profile (9), thus reducing the scrap created.

The figure 9 depicts the connector assembly having a role in connection between the conductors of fixed cabinet, as shown in figure 1 and moving switching module, as shown in figure 8. This assembly comprises of plurality of conductor strips (17) which together behave as a conductor path. These conductor strips are housed inside a supporting structure (14) which keeps the strips in their position and supports them. A thin strip (16) is used to isolate the parallel conductor strips and keep them in a specific position. This thin strip rests inside the slots provided on the supporting structure. A Leaf Spring (15) rests on the conductor strips and is in tensed condition in the initial assembly. This connector assembly is mounted on the limbs of the stationary conductors (3) of fixed cabinet. The supporting structure (14) of this assembly gets fit inside the slots provided on the cabinet conductors. Limbs on the switching module (8, 9) gets engaged inside the parallel conductor strips inside the connector assembly. After this engagement the leaf spring gets flexed more and it exerts a pressure on the conductor strips which helps in maintaining contact pressure on the module conductor limbs as shown in figure 6.

Referring now to figure 1 illustrates a conductor of fixed cabinet is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Referring now to figure 2 illustrates a space in fixed cabinet is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Referring now to figure 3 illustrates at least one hole on the conductor of fixed cabinet and combination of 2 bended conductor sheets which are joined together to form an assembly is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Referring now to figure 4 illustrates a fixed cabinet assembly is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Referring now to figure 5 illustrates a moving switching module conductor base and the slots are shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Referring now to figure 6 illustrates a conductor limb is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Referring now to figure 7 illustrates a surface on the base is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Referring now to figure 8 illustrates a moving switching module conductor is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Referring now to figure 9 illustrates a connector assembly is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Referring now to figure 10 illustrates a top view of the connector assembly is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Referring now to figure 11 illustrates a field application of connector assembly consisting of conductor mount on the fixed cabinet, conductor strip and moving module conductor is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Referring now to figure 12 illustrates a top view of the conductor mount on the fixed cabinet along with conductor strips and moving module conductor is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Exemplary embodiments discussed above may provide certain advantages. Though not required to practice aspects of the disclosure, these advantages may include those provided by the following features:

One feature of the invention is that, it the moving conductor is manufactured by a simple cutting and machining process with attaching the limbs to the base with a brazing process. This process is cheaper than the one used before. Minimal scrap is generated in this process of manufacturing of the moving conductor.

Another feature of the invention is that, the fixed conductor is manufactured by riveting two conductor plates manufactured by bending process. Hence, no need of any special process/tools/vendors for component manufacturing is required and thus the manufacturing cost is reduced considerably.

Another feature of the invention is that, the best possible option of fixed conductor to keep the pitch of the holes at termination at customer's end at 36 mm without threading the fixed conductor is achieved, which is the requirement for almost all customers.

Another feature of the invention is that, in the current path arrangement, conductor strips of connector assembly will make contact at opposite surface of conductor. During fault condition, the excess current will increase attraction between conductor strips which will increase thus increasing contact pressure.

Yet another feature of the invention is that, the circular profile is provided on the connector assembly conductor strips which can absorb swiveling of the assembly, created due to extreme tolerance of parts and assembly, during switching module and fixed cabinet mating.

Still another feature of the invention is that, the connector assembly gets fixed inside the slots provided on the fixed cabinet conductor. The punch on the supporting structure of connector assembly hampers the movement during the racking out of the moving conductor.

Although implementations for a connector assembly for connecting a fixed cabinet and a moving switching module conductor have been described in language specific to structural features and/or the methods, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as examples of, a connector assembly for connecting a fixed cabinet and a moving switching module conductor.

It is intended that the disclosure and examples above be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of disclosed embodiments being indicated by the following claims.