Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to locking arrangement provided in terminal covers of molded case circuit breaker (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] Molded case circuit breakers have terminals and provisions for wiring connectors at each end (Line/Load) of the circuit breaker.
[0004] A removable terminal cover/shield is provided so as to provide ease of access to the technician to the breaker terminals for assembling, tightening, or inspecting the electrical connections.
[0005] When the terminal cover/shield is reassembled, the shield/cover provides higher ingress protection enabling protection of solid objects from entry or falling into the unit, and also helps in preventing accidental contact with the live terminals from the front of the circuit breaker and prevents hot, ionized gases caused by short circuit interruption from exiting from the front of the circuit breaker.
[0006] In some cases terminal shield helps in avoiding gases striking grounded metal on the front of the equipment enclosure and causing an electrical ground fault.
[0007] In multi-pole circuit breakers, during short-circuit interruption typically, hot, ionized gases from short circuit interruption entering into the arc chamber of the circuit breaker has to tendency to flow out in all directions.
[0008] In few cases where sufficient boundary or exit path is not defined, the exhaust from the different poles of the breaker, which are at different electrical potentials may cross each other.
[0009] This crossing can result in a phase-to-phase arcing fault across the terminals of the circuit breaker.
[0010] Additionally, there exists a concern of phase-to-ground arcing leading to circuit breaker inoperable or causing damage to human or equipment.
[0011] The problem of phase-to-phase arcing in a circuit breaker is addressed by providing raised overlap with MCCB on termination side and guided arc exhaust design.
[0012] As the gases flow out, pressure on the terminal shields should be borne by the shield and should aid in dissipating the gases without creating external arcing.
[0013] Terminal shields are provided with screw fitments on the MCCB. These screw fitments are to be covered and access controlled to avoid mis-use and accidental or unauthorized removal during operation or maintenance.
[0014] Hence, there is a need for a simple, efficient and improved device that is assembled on the load and line side termination to provide enhanced ingress protection, avoid electric shock to users during service and maintenance and channelized gas exhaustion from the circuit breaker during a short-circuit interruption.

SUMMARY
[0015] This section is provided to introduce certain objects and aspects of the present invention in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify the key features or the scope of the claimed subject matter. In order to overcome at least a few problems associated with the known solutions as provided in the previous section, an object of the present disclosure is to provide improved terminal shield with locking arrangement which is modular and compatible across all terminal shield variants.
[0016] The invention intends to solve the problem of providing terminal shields with proper fitment for arc venting and locking the shield with access control. Fail safe flapper type locking to avoid misplacement of terminal shield locking.
[0017] The present invention relates to molded case circuit breakers and more particularly to a terminal cover/shield which is assembled on the load and line side termination to provide enhanced ingress protection, avoid electric shock to users during service and maintenance and channelized gas exhaustion from the circuit breaker during a short-circuit interruption.
[0018] According to the present invention, the flap is self-hinged in the Terminal shield as well as covering the screw even when tag-out is not present. Absence of mis-place of flap covers are avoided by making it quick snap self-retaining design.
[0019] 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 THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and constitute a part of this invention, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods and systems in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Some drawings may indicate the components using block diagrams and may not represent the internal circuitry of each component. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that invention of such drawings includes the invention of electrical components, electronic components or circuitry commonly used to implement such components.
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary a removable locking flaps (A) having self-pivot pin projections and sloped features, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary symmetric projections, sloped feature, and raised features of removable locking flaps (A), according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary removable terminal shield device (B) having locking projections, relieving slots, and matching slots, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary removable terminal shield device (B) having grooves matching the phase barrier and grooves marked to match the arc entry region, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0025] FIGs. 5-6 illustrates how component A is pivoted on to component B then swiveled to close the flap, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary the way terminal shield and locking flap is assembled on to MCCB, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0027] The foregoing shall be more apparent from the following more detailed description of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] Various example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which only some example embodiments are shown. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. The present invention, however, may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the example embodiments set forth herein.
[0029] Accordingly, while example embodiments of the invention are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit example embodiments of the present invention to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures.
[0030] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments of the present invention. As used herein, the term “and/or,” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0031] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected,” or “coupled,” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected,” or “directly coupled,” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between,” versus “directly between,” “adjacent,” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).
[0032] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the,” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the terms “and/or” and “at least one of” include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0033] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0034] Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, term such as “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein are interpreted accordingly.
[0035] Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, it should be understood that these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
[0036] The invention intends to solve the problem of providing terminal shields with proper fitment for arc venting and locking the shield with access control. Fail safe flapper type locking to avoid misplacement of terminal shield locking.
[0037] In order to overcome at least a few problems associated with the known solutions as provided in the previous section, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a terminal cover/shield which is assembled on the load and line side termination to provide enhanced ingress protection, avoid electric shock to users during service and maintenance and channelized gas exhaustion from the circuit breaker during a short-circuit interruption.
[0038] The present invention provides flap is self-hinged in the Terminal shield as well as covering the screw even when Tag-out is not present. Absence of mis-place of flap covers are avoided by making it quick snap self-retaining design.
[0039] The present invention will be explained in detail hereinbelow in conjunction with the drawings.
[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary a removable locking flaps (A) having self-pivot pin projections and sloped features, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary symmetric projections, sloped feature, and raised features of removable locking flaps (A), according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0041] As shown in FIGs. 1 and 2, Component marked as A – has self-pivot pin projections (1). These symmetric projections on flap ensures the locking component is self-hinged on the Terminal shield and retains during opening and closing.
[0042] Component A has symmetric projections (2) on rear side of locking flap, to ensure the component once swiveled and closed the snap fits are locked in terminal shield and retains its closed position during the entire life of operation until customer intends to opens the locking flap.
[0043] Component A has sloped feature (3) on both sides of flap to ensure wire lock smooth entry.
[0044] Component A has raised feature (4) to provide easy lifting access to customer when he intends to close or open the locking flap.
[0045] Component A has raised feature (5) to provide overlap along with terminal shield and sufficient locking to ensure required ingress protection is achieved when flap is used.
[0046] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary removable terminal shield device (B) having locking projections, relieving slots, and matching slots, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 3, Component marked as B has matching hole locations (7) for self-pivot entry features (1) of component A.
[0048] Component marked as B in figure 3, has locking projections (8) matching the slopes of (3) entry of component A, ensuring locking of terminal shield from unintended access.
[0049] Component marked as B in figure 3, has relieving slots (9) for screw fitment relief and access for finger entry (4) entry of component A.
[0050] Component marked as B in figure 3, has matching slots (10) for snap fit (2) entry of component A.
[0051] FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary removable terminal shield device (B) having grooves matching the phase barrier and grooves marked to match the arc entry region, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 4, grooves 11 matching the phase barrier are provided to ensure phase-phase and side by side mounting terminal link isolation. FIG. 4, has grooves marked as 12 indigenously designed to match the arc entry region and has different profiles matching the location of arc zone and manufacturing requirements.
[0053] FIGs. 5-6 illustrates how component A is pivoted on to component B then swiveled to close the flap, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. FIGs. 5-6 shows the way how component A is pivoted on to component B then swiveled to close the flap.
[0054] Terminal shield covers are ordered and used in pair of 2 for incoming and outgoing termination side. As shown in FIG. 7, terminal shields are assembled and tagged-out to avoid mis-use condition. FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary the way terminal shield and locking flap is assembled on to MCCB, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The locking is done and the same is indigenously adopted in lowest rating to highest rating MCCB.
[0055] Upon implementation of the present invention, arc venting in terminal shield is designed in such a way that molding direction is only through core and cavity and side cores are avoided, hence reducing cost of tooling.
[0056] Further, enhanced phase to phase separation is provided through provision for phase barrier insulation above terminal shields.
[0057] Also, flapper is provided with self-hinging option avoiding multiple components. The flapper gets retained due to this and avoid getting lost. Flapper along with shroud.
[0058] In an embodiment, a locking device for a molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) is disclosed. The device includes a removable terminal shield device (B) adapted to fit over at least one terminal cover of the MCCB, and one or more removable locking flaps (A).
[0059] The one or more removable locking flaps (A) are adapted to fit in one or more openings (7) provided on the removable terminal shield device (B) to form the locking device, such that, upon fitting, the one or more removable locking flaps (A) enable locking provision to prohibit access to at least one terminal cover.
[0060] The one or more removable locking flaps (A) are self-hinged in the removable terminal shield device (B) and covers screw fitments on the MCCB.
[0061] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more removable locking flaps (A) includes one or more self-pivot pin projections (1) provide on a first end, the one or more self-pivot pin projections (1) are adapted to fit in associated one or more matching holes provided on the removable terminal shield device (B), such that the one or more removable locking flaps (A) upon being fitted, retains, thorough the first end, onto the removable terminal shield device (B) during opening and closing of the one or more removable locking flaps (A) through its second end.
[0062] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more removable locking flaps (A) includes one or more slopped features (3) provided on edges of the one or more removable locking flaps (A) such that the one or more slopped features (3) are adapted to be inserted into one or more locking projections (8) provided on the removable terminal shield device (B), the one or more locking projections (8) matches with the one or more slopped features (3).
[0063] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more removable locking flaps (A) includes one or more slopped features (3) provided on edges of the one or more removable locking flaps (A) such that the one or more slopped features (3) are adapted to be inserted into one or more locking projections (8) provided on the removable terminal shield device (B), the one or more locking projections (8) matches with the one or more slopped features (3).
[0064] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more removable locking flaps (A) includes a raised feature (5) to provide an overlap along with the removable terminal shield device (B) and locking to obtain an ingress protection when one or more removable locking flaps (A) are in use.
[0065] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more removable locking flaps (A) include one or more symmetric projections (2) on a rear side of the one or more removable locking flaps (A), to ensure the locking device once swiveled and closed, snap-fits are locked in the removable terminal shield device (B) and retains a closed position during operation until a user intends to opens the one or more removable locking flaps (A).
[0066] In an exemplary embodiment, the removable terminal shield device (B) includes one or more relieving slots (9) for screw fitments on the MCCB, and access for a finger entry of a user through a finger entry (4) slot provide on the one or more removable locking flaps (A).
[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, the removable terminal shield device (B) includes matching slots (10) for engaging with a snap-fit entry (2) of the one or more removable locking flaps (A).
[0068] In an exemplary embodiment, the removable terminal shield device (B) includes one or more grooves (12) adapted to provide an arc venting in the removable terminal shield device (B), the one or more grooves (11) are molded such that a molding direction of the one or more grooves (11) is through a core and a cavity such that the molding on side cores is avoided.
[0069] In an exemplary embodiment, the removable terminal shield device (B) comprises a phase barrier insulation layer provided on an external side of the removable terminal shield device (B).
[0070] What are described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not to limit the present invention; any modification, equivalent replacement and improvement within the principle of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.
[0071] The example embodiment or each example embodiment should not be understood as a restriction of the invention. Rather, numerous variations and modifications are possible in the context of the present disclosure, in particular those variants and combinations which can be inferred by the person skilled in the art with regard to achieving the object for example by combination or modification of individual features or elements or method steps that are described in connection with the general or specific part of the description and are contained in the claims and/or the drawings, and, by way of combinable features, lead to a new subject matter or to new method steps or sequences of method steps, including insofar as they concern production, testing and operating methods.
[0072] References back that are used in dependent claims indicate the further embodiment of the subject matter of the main claim by way of the features of the respective dependent claim; they should not be understood as dispensing with obtaining independent protection of the subject matter for the combinations of features in the referred-back dependent claims. Furthermore, with regard to interpreting the claims, where a feature is concretized in more specific detail in a subordinate claim, it should be assumed that such a restriction is not present in the respective preceding claims.
[0073] Since the subject matter of the dependent claims in relation to the prior art on the priority date may form separate and independent inventions, the applicant reserves the right to make them the subject matter of independent claims or divisional declarations. They may furthermore also contain independent inventions which have a configuration that is independent of the subject matters of the preceding dependent claims.
[0074] Further, elements and/or features of different example embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure and appended claims.
[0075] Example embodiments being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the scope of the present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

, Claims:1. A locking device for a molded case circuit breaker (MCCB), the device comprising:
a removable terminal shield device (B) adapted to fit over at least one terminal cover of the MCCB, and one or more removable locking flaps (A), wherein:
the one or more removable locking flaps (A) are adapted to fit in one or more openings (7) provided on the removable terminal shield device (B) to form the locking device, such that, upon fitting, the one or more removable locking flaps (A) enable locking provision to prohibit access to at least one terminal cover; and
the one or more removable locking flaps (A) are self-hinged in the removable terminal shield device (B) and covers screw fitments on the MCCB.
2. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more removable locking flaps (A) includes one or more self-pivot pin projections (1) provide on a first end, the one or more self-pivot pin projections (1) are adapted to fit in associated one or more matching holes provided on the removable terminal shield device (B), such that the one or more removable locking flaps (A) upon being fitted, retains, thorough the first end, onto the removable terminal shield device (B) during opening and closing of the one or more removable locking flaps (A) through its second end.
3. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more removable locking flaps (A) includes one or more slopped features (3) provided on edges of the one or more removable locking flaps (A) such that the one or more slopped features (3) are adapted to be inserted into one or more locking projections (8) provided on the removable terminal shield device (B), the one or more locking projections (8) matches with the one or more slopped features (3).
4. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more removable locking flaps (A) includes at least one raised feature (4) to provide a lifting access to a finger of a user to close or open the one or more removable locking flaps (A).
5. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more removable locking flaps (A) includes a raised feature (5) to provide an overlap along with the removable terminal shield device (B) and locking to obtain an ingress protection when one or more removable locking flaps (A) are in use.
6. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more removable locking flaps (A) include one or more symmetric projections (2) on a rear side of the one or more removable locking flaps (A), to ensure the locking device once swivelled and closed, snap-fits are locked in the removable terminal shield device (B) and retains a closed position during operation until a user intends to opens the one or more removable locking flaps (A).
7. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the removable terminal shield device (B) includes one or more relieving slots (9) for screw fitments on the MCCB, and access for a finger entry of a user through a finger entry (4) slot provide on the one or more removable locking flaps (A).
8. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the removable terminal shield device (B) includes matching slots (10) for engaging with a snap-fit entry (2) of the one or more removable locking flaps (A).
9. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the removable terminal shield device (B) includes one or more grooves (12) adapted to provide an arc venting in the removable terminal shield device (B), the one or more grooves (11) are molded such that a molding direction of the one or more grooves (11) is through a core and a cavity such that the molding on side cores is avoided.
10. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the removable terminal shield device (B) comprises a phase barrier insulation layer provided on an external side of the removable terminal shield device (B).