The present disclosure relates to the field of motor operators for
MCCB and more particularly the present disclosure relates to a linkage mechanism for the motor operator for indication of state of MCCB.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in
understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the
information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed
invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Use of circuit breakers is well known for making, breaking and to
provide safety in a typical electrical distribution system. In view of operators' safety, remote operation is an alternative way to operate the circuit breakers. Usually, to achieve the remote operation of the circuit breakers, an add-on accessory such as motor operator is mounted over the circuit breakers, which operates the circuit breakers when called for. Hence, molded case circuit breakers (MCCBs) are frequently used in combination with motor driven mechanism, termed as motor operators. Motor operators work on the philosophy of transmitting the power through motor to the gearing system, to the drive system which can either be rack and pinion arrangement which converts the rotary motion to reciprocating and drives the MCCB knob. Also, motor operators are equipped with provisions either crank handle or supplementary handle to operate the MCCBs manually. Thus, motor operators can be operated manually as well as electrically to switch ON (close), switch OFF (open), RESET and TRIP the MCCBs.
[0004] However, for motor operators, the MCCB status input is sought
from actuation of any embodied mechanism associated with drive shaft of the MCCBs. However, mechanical linkages used for translating the MCCB state actuation to flag indication have certain limitations which must be addressed to ensure true and foolproof indication on motor operator front facia. Common limitations include, variation in the flag indication band due to difference in

MCCB to MCCB actuation, partial indication due to clearances and loss of
actuation, stressed mechanical linkages due to over travel of MCCB contact
mechanism etc.
[0005] There is, therefore, a need of an improved linkage mechanism
between the motor operator and the MCCB which is free from above discussed
problems.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0006] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one
embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0007] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a linkage
mechanism for a motor operator, which is accurate with no partial or improper
indications.
[0008] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a linkage
mechanism for a motor operator, which is has no load on the indicator in case of
extra travel of the actuator.
[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a linkage
mechanism for a motor operator, which is simple and easy to use.
[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a linkage
mechanism for a motor operator, which is cost effective.
SUMMARY
[0011] The present disclosure relates to the field of motor operators for
MCCB and more particularly the present disclosure relates to a linkage
mechanism for the motor operator for indication of state of MCCB.
[0012] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a linkage
mechanism in a motor operator for indicating state of a moulded case circuit breaker (MCCB). The linkage mechanism includes a latch having a first end and a second end. The first end of the latch is coupled with an actuator configured with the MCCB, and the second end is operatively configured with an indicator, pivotally attached with the motor operator, of the motor operator. A first linear

movement of the actuator in a first direction, corresponding to a state change of the MCCB, facilitates a same amount of linear movement of the latch in the first direction. The second end is operatively configured with the indicator through an elastic member being configured to convert the linear movement of the latch into a pivotal movement, for a pre-define amount, of the indicator for indicating status of the MCCB.
[0013] In an aspect, the elastic member may comprise a torsion spring.
[0014] In an aspect, the torsion spring may be arranged in groves provided
on the indicator and the latch, wherein the torsion spring's ends are loosely held in the grooves.
[0015] In an aspect, the indicator may comprise a locking arm, under an
indication arm, with one or more cuts on the outer surface of the locking arm, and the one or more cuts are configured to allow the pivotal movement of the indicator for the pre-defined amount.
[0016] In an aspect, after the pivotal movement of the indicator for the
pre-defined amount is achieved, the one or more cuts may get engaged with a
corresponding profile to limit any further pivotal movement of the indicator, and
any further second movement of the latch may facilitate compression of the
torsions spring only due to loosely held ends, in the grooves, of the torsion spring.
[0017] In an aspect, the latch may be retracted back to an initial position
through a second elastic member.
[0018] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive
subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the

principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which
thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure.
[0020] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the
same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be
distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that
distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is
used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar
components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second
reference label.
[0021] FIG. 1A-B illustrates exemplary representation of motor operator
installed over MCCB, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 2A illustrates exemplary representation of linkage mechanism
in the motor operator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 2B illustrates exemplary representation of indicator of the
motor operator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the
disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0025] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth
in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.

[0026] The present disclosure relates to the field of motor operators for
MCCB and more particularly the present disclosure relates to a linkage
mechanism for the motor operator for indication of state of MCCB.
[0027] The present disclosure elaborates upon a linkage mechanism in a
motor operator for indicating state of a moulded case circuit breaker (MCCB).
The linkage mechanism includes a latch having a first end and a second end. The
first end of the latch is coupled with an actuator configured with the MCCB, and
the second end is operatively configured with an indicator, pivotally attached with
the motor operator, of the motor operator. A first linear movement of the actuator
in a first direction, corresponding to a state change of the MCCB, facilitates a
same amount of linear movement of the latch in the first direction. The second
end is operatively configured with the indicator through an elastic member being
configured to convert the linear movement of the latch into a pivotal movement,
for a pre-define amount, of the indicator for indicating status of the MCCB.
[0028] In an embodiment, the elastic member can comprise a torsion
spring.
[0029] In an embodiment, the torsion spring can be arranged in groves
provided on the indicator and the latch, wherein the torsion spring's ends are loosely held in the grooves.
[0030] In an embodiment, the indicator can comprise a locking arm, under
an indication arm, with one or more cuts on the outer surface of the locking arm, and the one or more cuts are configured to allow the pivotal movement of the indicator for the pre-defined amount.
[0031] In an embodiment, after the pivotal movement of the indicator for
the pre-defined amount is achieved, the one or more cuts can get engaged with a
corresponding profile to limit any further pivotal movement of the indicator, and
any further second movement of the latch can facilitate compression of the
torsions spring only due to loosely held ends, in the grooves, of the torsion spring.
[0032] In an embodiment, the latch can be retracted back to an initial
position through a second elastic member.

[0033] FIG. 1A-B illustrates exemplary representation of motor operator
installed over MCCB, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0034] FIG. 2A illustrates exemplary representation of linkage mechanism
in the motor operator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0035] FIG. 2B illustrates exemplary representation of indicator of the
motor operator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0036] As illustrated, a linkage mechanism 102 in a motor operator 100
for indicating state of a moulded case circuit breaker (MCCB) 200 can include a latch 102 having a first end 102-1 and a second end 102-2. The first end 102-1 of the latch can be coupled with an actuator 104 configured with the MCCB 200. The actuator 202 can be coupled with driving shaft 204 of the MCCB 200 such that a rotational movement of the driveshaft 204 can facilitate a first linear movement of the actuator 202. The second end 102-2 can be operatively configured with an indicator 106 of the motor operator 100. The indicator 106 can be pivotally attached with the motor operator 100. The indicator 106 can include one or more visual indication on an outer surface of an indicator arm 106-1, and the one or more visual indications can be seen through a window 104 on outer surface of the motor operator housing 208.
[0037] In an embodiment, the first linear movement of the actuator 202 in
a first direction, corresponding to a state change of the MCCB 200, can facilitate a same amount of linear movement of the latch 102 in the first direction. The first direction can be referred to as an upward direction. The second end 102-2 can be operatively configured with the indicator 106 through an elastic member 108 being configured to convert the linear movement of the latch 102 into a pivotal movement, for a pre-define amount, of the indicator 106 for indicating status of the MCCB. The pre-defined pivotal movement can be between 15-20 degrees. The elastic member 108 can include a torsion spring having two ends. The torsion spring 108 can be arranged in groves 110-1, 110-2 that can be provided on the indicator 106 and the latch 102, and the torsion spring's ends can be loosely held

in spring holders having grooves such that the torsion spring's ends are free to rotate or slide inside the grooves.
[0038] In an embodiment, the indicator 106 can include a locking arm
106-2with one or more cuts 106-3 on an outer surface of the locking arm 106-2. The locking arm 106-2 can be disposed under the indication arm 106-1, and the one or more cuts 106-3 can be configured to allow the pivotal movement of the indicator 106 for the pre-defined amount. After the pivotal movement of the indicator 106 for the pre-defined amount is achieved, the one or more cuts 106-3 can get engaged with a corresponding profile to limit any further pivotal movement of the indicator 106. The corresponding profile can be part of a fixed frame on which the whole linkage mechanism can be mounted. Any further second movement of the latch 102 and the first movement of the actuator 202 after the pre-defined pivotal movement of the indicator 106 can facilitate compression of the torsion spring 108 only due to loosely held ends of the torsion spring in the grooves. The latch 102 can be retracted back to an initial position through a second elastic member 112.
[0039] In an embodiment, the motor operator 100 can include a gearing
mechanism 114 that can be coupled with a prime mover, usually a motor 116, which can drive the gearing mechanism to generate a required operating torque/force to operate the MCCB 200. The rotary motion of gears of the gearing mechanism 114 can then converted into reciprocating motion either by rack and pinion arrangement or slotted crank lever arrangement. The reciprocating rack or cam then drives a MCCB knob which further rotates the drive shaft 204 to either switch 'ON/Close' or switch 'OFF/Open' (also referred as state of the MCCB) the circuit breaker contacts.
[0040] In an embodiment, a through pin 206 can be inserted across the
driveshaft 204, which rotates in-sync with the drive shaft 204. The rotation of this through pin 206 can be taken as an input to reciprocate the actuator 202. Whenever, the MCCB is switched ON either in standalone state or through motor operator, the drive shaft 204 can rotate in anticlockwise direction, and through pin 206 can lift the actuator 202 in upward direction (first direction). Whenever the

MCCB is switched OFF or TRIPPED, the drive shaft 204 can rotate in clockwise direction, thus through pin 206 moving downwards causing the actuator 202 to fall back to its original position.
[0041] In an embodiment, the reciprocating motion of actuator 202 in
MCCB is used as an input by the latch 102 to translate it into rotary motion of the indicator 106 via the elastic member 108. The motion of latch 102 can be guided by a set of guide screws 118 which offer smooth sliding with minimum surface contact for latch 102. The torsion spring 108 can be housed in the spring holder 120 which is assembled with the latch 102 using heat stacking. The spring holder 102 can enable the torsion spring 108 to rotate in-sync with the reciprocation of the latch 102 as well as relatively with it. The torsion spring 108 can in-turn rotate the indicator 106 in anticlockwise direction, thereby, changing the indication status to'ON'.
[0042] Moreover, in interpreting the specification, all terms should be
interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ....and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
[0043] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the
invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0044] The proposed invention provides a linkage mechanism for a motor
operator, which is accurate with no partial or improper indications.
[0045] The proposed invention provides a linkage mechanism for a motor
operator, which is has no load on the indicator in case of extra travel of the
actuator.
[0046] The proposed invention provides a linkage mechanism for a motor
operator, which is simple and easy to use.
[0047] The proposed invention provides a linkage mechanism for a motor
operator, which is cost effective.

We Claim:

1. A linkage mechanism in a motor operator for indicating state of a moulded
case circuit breaker (MCCB), the linkage mechanism comprising:
a latch having a first end and a second end, the first end of the latch is coupled with an actuator configured with the MCCB, and the second end is operatively configured with an indicator, pivotally attached with the motor operator, of the motor operator, wherein
a first linear movement of the actuator in a first direction, corresponding to a state change of the MCCB, facilitates a same amount of linear movement of the latch in the first direction, and
the second end is operatively configured with the indicator through an elastic member being configured to convert the linear movement of the latch into a pivotal movement, for a pre-define amount, of the indicator for indicating status of the MCCB.
2. The linkage mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastic member comprises a torsion spring.
3. The linkage mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein the torsion spring is arranged in groves provided on the indicator and the latch, wherein the torsion spring's ends are loosely held in the grooves.
4. The linkage mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises a locking arm, under an indication arm, with one or more cuts on the outer surface of the locking arm, and the one or more cuts are configured to allow the pivotal movement of the indicator for the pre-defined amount.
5. The linkage mechanism as claimed in claim 4, wherein after the pivotal movement of the indicator for the pre-defined amount is achieved, the one or more cuts gets engaged with a corresponding profile to limit any further pivotal movement of the indicator, and any further second movement of the latch facilitates compression of the torsions spring only due to loosely held ends, in the grooves, of the torsion spring.

6. The linkage mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the latch is retracted back to an initial position through a second elastic member.