Claims:1. An operating mechanism to provide an interlocking feature arrangement of rack in and rack out the circuit breaker, the operating mechanism comprising:
at least one metal component allowing or dis-allowing at least one handle to be inserted for rack in and/or rack out the circuit breaker.

2. A circuit breaker comprising at least one metal component 1 to restrict at least rod/handle to access rack out the circuit breaker when a mechanism is in switched ON condition.

3. The circuit breaker as claimed in claim 2, wherein when the circuit breaker is in switched OFF condition, the metal component 1 is rotated allowing rack out of the circuit breaker.

4. The circuit breaker as claimed in claim 3, wherein when the metal component 1 is inserted in OFF condition, the insertion of the rod/handle is prohibited and the circuit breaker is restricted to switch ON.

5. The circuit breaker as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2, wherein the metal component is directly connected with the latch to ensure the mechanism to get switch ON when handle is inserted.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present subject matter described herein, in general, relates to electrical protection devices, and more particularly relates to circuit breaker for operating contact system using mechanism.

BACKGROUND

[002] In the prior art it is generally known, a circuit breaker typically serves two basic purposes first as a switching device for switching On/Off during normal operating conditions for the purpose of operation and maintenance. And second as a protecting device for tripping or isolating by breaking the contacts interrupting the fault current during abnormal conditions such as short-circuit, overload and under voltage.

[003] Circuit breaker consists of one or more electric poles, whose number determined by the application as single pole circuit breaker, two-pole circuit breaker, three-pole circuit breaker and four-pole circuit breaker and so on. They are designed for use in switchboards, control panels, and combination starters in separate enclosures for effective single location distribution and control. Also these are housed inside an enclosure to provide safety to users operating the same.

[004] In the most common type of installation, an operating handle is mounted on the panel door has to be rotated to switch the circuit breaker ON and OFF. For high end operations wherein the electric supply needs to be reinstated in a very short span of time ranging in micro seconds, or while swapping ends between two supplies, a stored energy operating mechanism is mounted on the molded case circuit breaker (hereinafter referred as “MCCB”) and used to release energy required to close the contacts of the circuit breaker and reinstate the supply. The stored energy operating mechanism is one such device which is a combination of mechanisms for accumulating and storing mechanical energy, wherein the energy is used to close the primary contacts of the circuit breaker. The energy can be input to the mechanism manually or by means of a motor. The mechanism includes a series of linkages which function to utilize the energy to close the primary contacts. These linkages also function to maintain the closing force upon the primary contacts, while also functioning to allow rapid contact opening when desired.

[005] Use of electrical devices is well known for making, breaking and to provide safety in a typical electrical distribution system. These devices get mounted inside a board or panel board for added safety to the operator. Most often these devices are required to be operated either from outside or by opening the enclosure/ panel. In view of operator’s safety, remote operation is an alternative way to operate the switching devices. Usually to achieve this, an add-on accessory is mounted over the switching device, which may operate the device when called for.

[006] Also in today’s scenario response time for an electrical switching system to switchover from one desired source to the other is gaining importance. Thus with a view of lesser operational time and remote operation of a switching device, stored energy type of motor mechanism are used.

[007] In current scenario, inventions in the art uses portion of stored energy to close the circuit breaker. Thus, energy is wasted in overcoming resistance introduced by components used in charging systems. Further, if the charging system is manually operated, it can be interrupted or overrun when the charging system is engaged during manual operation of manual charging system. Yet in another scenario, some of inventions use two springs of different stiffness for charging and discharging mechanism in motor operating system for circuit breaker switching operation.

[008] Electrical operating mechanism (hereinafter referred as “EOM”), is mainly used to drive MCCB from a remote location through electrical input. EOM can be of two main types, motor operator and stored energy operator. In case of Motor operator, motor energy is used both ways of closing and opening the MCCB. In case of stored energy operator, the motor energy is used in the direction of ON-OFF movement, which means opening of MCCB, in which the spring assembled in the system is charged and allowed to store energy through various mechanical means. The stored energy is discharged, during the OFF-ON motion, which means closing of MCCB contacts.

[009] Stored energy operator has two modes of operation: Manual and Auto. Manual mode consists of a charging unit and the handle attached to it, so that cranking system provided onto the handle allows customer to drive the MCCB from ON-OFF and a manual OFF button allowing the unit to discharge the energized spring through various linkages mechanically connected. Auto mode consists of motor charging the spring and driving the unit from ON-OFF and input from remote location discharges the energized spring through mechanical linkages connected below.

[0010] Stored energy operator serves two basic purposes. As a switching device: On/Off during normal operating conditions for the purpose of operation and maintenance. As a protecting device: Tripping or Isolating by breaking the contacts interrupting the fault current during abnormal conditions such as short-circuit, overload and under voltage. Stored energy electrical operating mechanism (hereinafter referred as “SE-EOM”) is also supposed to meet the standard and Foot print requirements of basic breaker. MCCB being the governing element, with preset boundary conditions and constraints, SE-EOM has to perform primary, secondary and tertiary functions in a determined manner.

[0011] With domain driving towards compact and cost effective modules, volume allocated for constructing SE-EOM module was limited. The prior means of operating and achieving the intended function uses larger volume and has higher energy consumption. Prior means of stored energy operating system consists of tension spring for storing and discharging of energy, where the chances of failure in the region of hook are higher. To achieve various functions that needed to perform MCCB operations, require increase energy transmission, increased efficiency, and increased travel accommodation (ON-OFF linear travel).

[0012] Accordingly, there is a need for an integrated multi-gear electrical operating mechanism for molded case circuit breaker that overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

[0013] The above-described deficiencies of today's electrical operating mechanism for molded case circuit breaker are merely intended to provide an overview of some of the problems of conventional systems, and are not intended to be exhaustive. Other problems with conventional systems and corresponding benefits of the various non-limiting embodiments described herein may become further apparent upon review of the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] 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.

[0015] An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism when MCCB in racked out state and handle is inserted, at that time by any means pawl cannot be de-latched and MCCB will not be switched ON.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for obstructing the rotation of metal component by rack which will always ensure the MCCB is in switched ON condition.

[0017] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a metal component which will not allow the handle to get inserted, rather than plastic component.

[0018] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an interlock component directly attached with the latch, which will always ensure mechanism to get switch ON when handle is inserted.

[0019] Accordingly the present invention provides a way to avoid the use of different mechanism to not allow the access of racking out the MCCB in switched ON condition. The present invention makes the mechanism simple for achieving interlocking feature arrangement of rack in and rack out the MCCB with EOM configuration with add on safety feature. The present invention provides compact means of arrangement, well utilization of mechanical linkages. The present invention achieve the desired function is less number of components and with higher stability and higher strength.

[0020] 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

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:

[0021] Figure 1 shows perspective view of mechanism with base, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 shows a detail view (Back) of mechanism with base in discharged condition (MCCB in ON mode), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 shows detail view (front) of mechanism with base in discharged condition (MCCB in ON mode), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 shows Detail view (Back) of mechanism with Base in charged condition (MCCB in OFF mode), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5 shows Detail view (Back) of mechanism with Base in charged condition (MCCB in OFF mode), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 shows the draw-out component, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 7 shows the On interlock 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] Figure 8 shows the latch, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 9 shows the rack assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 10 shows the solenoid assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 11 shows the ON interlock 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 12 shows mechanism base, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 13 shows the mechanism side plate, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] 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

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] The present invention will now be discussed using various components having reference numerals as provided below:
100-full Mechanism
200-Mechanism base
1-Draw out component
2-Interlock1
3-Pawl
4-Rack assemblies
5-Solenoid
6-Interlock 2
7-Mechanism base
8-Side plate

[0043] The present invention provides an integrated multi-gear electrical operating mechanism (herein after ‘the operating mechanism’) for a molded case circuit breaker. The operating mechanism is adapted to operate the molded case circuit breaker to any one of ON and OFF positions.

[0044] MCCB switched ON condition: Both in manual and auto mode, when MCCB is in switched ON condition, metal component will be on default state. So to insert rack in handle, user has to rotate the metal component 1 which will be blocked by the rack. So in MCCB switched ON condition, ON interlock component will not be obstruction for latch 3 during delatching of spring.

[0045] MCCB switched OFF/RESET condition: When MCCB is in switched OFF/RESET condition, rack 4 component moves down. So there is no any obstruction for metal component to rotate. So in MCCB switched OFF condition, if user wants to rack in the MCCB, he can rotate the metal component 1 and insert the handle. When rod will be inserted, metal component blocked the interlock 2 6 component movement and will not allowed switching ON the mechanism. So when MCCB is in switched OFF/RESET condition and Rod/handle is inserted, at that instant by any means latch 3 will not delatch due to obstruction of metal component to interlock component.

[0046] Figure 1 shows perspective view of mechanism with base, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 2 shows a detail view (Back) of mechanism with base in discharged condition (MCCB in ON mode), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 3 shows detail view (front) of mechanism with base in discharged condition (MCCB in ON mode), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 4 shows Detail view (Back) of mechanism with Base in charged condition (MCCB in OFF mode), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 5 shows Detail view (Back) of mechanism with Base in charged condition (MCCB in OFF mode), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 6 shows the draw-out component, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in figure 6, when MCCB will be in switched ON condition, 1A will be covering the hole where handle should be inserted for racking out the MCCB. So if user has to access the hole for handle, he has to rotate 1A, but 1B will not allow 1A to rotate because of obstruction from rack. So racking out will not be possible in MCCB switched ON condition, and 1C will also not obstruct the movement of ON Interlock 2.

[0052] When MCCB will be in switched OFF/RESET condition and user want to rack out the MCCB, he can rotate 1A and 1B will also rotate due to absence of rack at that location. When handle is inserted, 1C will be covering the slot 7A, so 1C will not allow latch 3 to get pressed and ensure to avoid switching ON the MCCB.

[0053] Figure 7 shows the On interlock 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in figure 7, When MCCB will be in OFF/RESET condition, 2A will get pressed by the latch and 2A will not move down, due to covering of slot for ON interlock1 by 1C.

[0054] Figure 8 shows the latch, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Figure 9 shows the rack assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in figure 9, when MCCB will be in switched ON condition, 4A will not allow the rotation of 1B, and when MCCB will be in OFF/RESET condition, 4A will not obstruct the movement of 1B.

[0056] Figure 10 shows the solenoid assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Figure 11 shows the ON interlock 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in figure 11, when MCCB will be in switched ON condition, 6A movement will be blocked by 1C, and in MCCB switched OFF/RESET condition,6A can move up and down.

[0058] Figure 12 shows mechanism base, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in figure 12, When MCCB will be in switched ON condition. Slot 7A will not be covered by 1C.so ON interlock can move down. When MCBB will be in switched OF condition, slot 7A will get covered by 1C, so ON interlock can move down

[0059] Figure 13 shows the mechanism side plate, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Apart from what is disclosed above, the present invention also includes some additional technical advantages/benefits, some of them are mentioned below:
i. The present invention provides a way to avoid the use of different mechanism to not allow the access of Racking out the MCCB in switched ON condition.
ii. The present invention makes the assembly simpler.
iii. The present invention low cost and better reliability
iv. The present invention mechanism simple for achieving racking out the MCCB with all interlock features.

[0061] It may be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art that for the purpose of convenient and brief description, for a detailed working process of the foregoing system, devices, and unit, reference may be made to a corresponding process in the foregoing device/apparatus embodiments, and details are not described herein again.

[0062] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, apparatus, and device may be implemented in other manners. For example, a plurality of units or components or mechanisms may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not performed. In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections may be implemented through some interfaces. The indirect couplings or communication connections between the apparatuses or units may be implemented in electronic, mechanical, or other forms.

[0063] The various mechanisms described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and the parts displayed as mechanisms may or may not be physical units, may be located in one position, or may be distributed at various location of the device. Some or all of the units may be selected to achieve the objective of the solution of the embodiment according to actual needs.

[0064] In addition, the mechanisms in the embodiments of the present invention may be integrated into one processing unit, or each of the mechanisms may exist alone physically, or two or more mechanisms may be integrated into one mechanism.

[0065] Although a draw out interlock feature with circuit breaker and electrical operating mechanisms combination is disclosed, 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 draw out interlock feature with circuit breaker and electrical operating mechanisms combination.