Claims:We Claim:

1. An operating mechanism for a counter assembly (100) of a circuit breaker (200), the counter assembly (100) having a housing, a counter shaft attached with the housing and a display showing counter reading, the counter assembly (100) being mounted on a mounting bracket (130), the counter assembly (100) in operable communication with an indicator assembly (120), the indicator assembly (120) being mounted on the mounting bracket (130) using an indicator mounting pin (110) and a first circlip, the operating mechanism comprising:
a lever (20) operably connected with the counter shaft for actuating the counter assembly (100), wherein the counter assembly (100) is accessible from a front fascia (160) of the circuit breaker (200);
a spring (40) operably connected with the lever (20);
a guiding pin (80) being in operable connection with the lever (20) through the spring (40); and
a connecting link (60) having a first end operably connected with the guiding pin (80) and a second end operably connected with a main shaft (150) of a main mechanism of the circuit breaker (200),
wherein, when the circuit breaker (200) is closed, energy is transferred to cause rotation of the main shaft (150) in an anti-clockwise direction so as to close main contact, the rotation of the main shaft (150) pushes the connecting link (60) to an outer side that rotates the indicator assembly (120) along an axis of the indicator mounting pin (110) towards an upper side to show ‘ON’ position of the circuit breaker (200) and the spring (40) releases the energy to reach to free length, the lever (20) restores original position and becomes ready for next operation and when the circuit breaker (200) is opened, the main shaft (150) is de-latched and rotated in a clock-wise direction to move the connecting link (60) to an inner side, then the indicator assembly (120) rotates towards a lower side and shows ‘OFF’ position of the circuit breaker (200), that in turn, rotates the guiding pin (80) and then the lever (20) rotates in a clock-wise direction to increase the counter reading.
2. The operating mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end of the connecting link (60) is operably connected with the guiding pin (80) using a second circlip and the second end of the connecting link (60) is operably connected with the main shaft (150) using a third circlip (70).

3. The operating mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket (130) is mounted on a main mechanism plate (140) of the circuit breaker (200).
, Description:OPERATING MECHANISM FOR COUNTER ASSEMBLY OF CIRCUIT BREAKER

Field of the invention:

The invention relates generally to counter operation, and more particularly, to a mechanism for actuation/operating a counter assembly used in circuit breakers and other mechanical devices.

Background of the invention:

A circuit breaker is mainly used to distribute electric power and protect circuits and power supply equipments from overload, short circuit, single-phase ground hazards (leakage) and other failures. Operating mechanism of conventional circuit breaker includes closing and opening of the circuit breaker. It is essential to record number of times the circuit breaker operates in order to ensure proper and timely working of the circuit breaker. Thus, it is critical for the circuit breaker to have a reliable counter assembly for counting the number of times the circuit breaker operates.

Position of the counter assembly is not standardized in prior art circuit breakers. The position of the counter assembly varies from frame to frame. Main operating mechanism of the circuit breaker is mounted on one side of the circuit breaker and the counter assembly is mounted on other side of the circuit breaker. Based on rating of the circuit breaker, location of the counter assembly varies. Also, the counter assembly being mounting on a top side of the circuit breaker becomes inaccessible from the front of the panel. For accessing the counter assembly, panel door of the circuit breaker needs to be open, that is not recommended, when the circuit breaker is in service position i.e. in ’ON’ condition.

Accordingly, there is a need of an arrangement and operating mechanism for a counter assembly that overcomes above mentioned drawbacks in the prior art.

Objects of the invention:

An object of the present invention is to ensure proper operation of a counter assembly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a front accessible counter assembly for a circuit breaker.

Yet, another object of the present invention is to standardize location of the counter assembly for an entire range of the circuit breaker.

Summary of the invention:

Accordingly, the present invention provides an operating mechanism for a counter assembly of a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker consists of a main mechanism, a contact assembly and the counter assembly located therein. The main mechanism of the circuit breaker includes a main shaft for closing and opening operations of the contact assembly during make and break conditions. The counter assembly is accessible from a front fascia of the circuit breaker. The counter assembly includes a housing, a counter shaft attached with the housing and a display showing counter reading. The counter assembly is mounted on a mounting bracket, wherein the mounting bracket is mounted on a main mechanism plate of the circuit breaker. The counter assembly is in operable communication with an indicator assembly. The indicator assembly is mounted on the mounting bracket using an indicator mounting pin and a first circlip.

The operating mechanism for the counter assembly comprises a lever, a spring, a guiding pin and a connecting link. The lever is operably connected with the counter shaft for actuating the counter assembly. The spring is operably connected with the lever. The guiding pin is in operable connection with the lever through the spring. The connecting link is used to transfer movements of the main mechanism to the lever to operate the counter assembly. The connecting link includes two ends. A first end is operably connected with the guiding pin using a second circlip and a second end is operably connected with the main shaft using a third circlip.

When the circuit breaker is closed, energy is transferred to cause rotation of the main shaft. The main shaft rotates in an anti-clockwise direction to close main contact. The rotation of the main shaft pushes the connecting link to an outer side that, in turn, rotates the indicator assembly along an axis of the indicator mounting pin. The indicator assembly rotates towards an upper side to show ‘ON’ position of the circuit breaker. The spring releases the energy to reach to free length. The lever restores original position and becomes ready for next operation. When the circuit breaker is opened, the main shaft is de-latched and rotated in a clock wise direction to move the connecting link to an inner side. Then the indicator assembly rotates towards a lower side and shows ‘OFF’ position of the circuit breaker. The rotation of the indicator assembly causes the rotation of the guiding pin and then the lever rotates in clockwise direction to increase the counter reading.

Brief description of the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a front view of a circuit breaker, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a counter assembly, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 shows an arrangement of the counter assembly in the circuit breaker, in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 4 illustrates various parts of the counter assembly and the circuit breaker, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 5 shows an operating mechanism of the counter assembly when the circuit breaker is in ‘ON’ (closed) condition, in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 6 shows the operating mechanism of the counter assembly when the circuit breaker is in ‘OFF’ (open) condition, in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments:

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiments.

The present invention provides an operating mechanism for a counter assembly of a circuit breaker. The operating mechanism for the counter assembly is linked with a main shaft of a main mechanism of the circuit breaker. A lever of the counter assembly is operated based on the rotation of the main shaft. The present invention ensures proper operation of the counter assembly. The present invention also standardizes location of the counter assembly for an entire range of the circuit breakers.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description.

Referring to figures 1 to 6, an operating mechanism for a counter assembly (100) of a circuit breaker (200) in accordance with the present invention is shown. The circuit breaker (200) consists of a main mechanism (not shown), a contact assembly (not shown) and the counter assembly (100) located therein. A front panel (not numbered) of the circuit breaker (200) includes a front fascia (160) mounted thereon. The front fascia (160) includes an OFF button (152) and an ON button (154) mounted thereon to carry out manual operation of closing and opening of the contact assembly of the circuit breaker (200). A first opening (cut-out) (156) is provided on the front fascia (160) to display counter reading of the counter assembly (100). A second opening (cut-out) (158) is provided on the front fascia (160) to display ON-OFF indication of the circuit breaker (200) using an indicator assembly (120) thereof.

The indicator assembly (120) is mounted on a mounting bracket (130) using an indicator mounting pin (110) and a first circlip (not shown). The mounting bracket (130) is mounted on a main mechanism plate (140) of the circuit breaker (200). The indicator assembly (120) is pivoted along an axis of the indicator mounting pin (110).

The main mechanism of the circuit breaker (200) includes a main shaft (150) for closing and opening operations of the contact assembly during make and break conditions. When closing command is given to the main mechanism, the main mechanism transfers energy to the main shaft (150). The main shaft (150) rotates in an anti-clockwise direction to close the contact assembly. When opening command is given to the main mechanism, the main shaft (150) is de-latched and rotates in a clock wise direction to open the contact assembly. Based on the position of the main shaft (150), the indicator assembly (120) rotates along the axis of the indicator mounting pin (110) to indicate ON or OFF position of the circuit breaker (200).

The counter assembly (100) consists of a housing (not numbered), a counter shaft (not numbered) attached with the housing and a display (not numbered) showing the counter reading. In an embodiment, the counter assembly (100) can be used for any mechanical devices to count number of operation of the devices. The counter assembly (100) is mounted on area of the front fascia (160) of the circuit breaker (200) to ensure accessibility from the front panel of the circuit breaker (200). Also, a location of the counter assembly (100) is standardized, irrespective of rating and size of the circuit breaker (200). The counter assembly (100) is mounted on the mounting bracket (130). The counter assembly (100) is in operable communication with the indicator assembly (120).

An operating mechanism (not numbered) of the counter assembly (100) comprises of a lever (20), a spring (40), a guiding pin (80) and a connecting link (60). The operating mechanism of the counter assembly (100) is operably connected with the main mechanism of the circuit breaker (200).

The lever (20) is operably connected with the counter shaft for actuating the counter assembly (100). With the clock-wise rotation of the main shaft, the counter assembly actuates. The spring (40) is operably connected with the lever (20). The guiding pin (80) is in operable connection with the lever (20) through the spring (40). The connecting link (60) is used to transfer movements of the main mechanism to the lever (20) to operate the counter assembly (100). The connecting link (60) includes two ends. A first end (not numbered) of the connecting link (60) is operably connected with the guiding pin (80) through a second circlip (not shown). A second end (not numbered) is operably connected with the main shaft (150) through a third circlip (70). However, the first circlip and the second circlip are of similar kind as that of the third circlip (70). The connecting link (60) and guiding pin (80) are used to transfer rotational movements of the main mechanism to linear movements. The spring (40) accommodates addition travel of the connecting link (60).

In the embodiment, the operating mechanism of the counter assembly (100) is assembled, when the circuit breaker is in ‘ON’ condition. The movements of the lever (20) should be lower than travel of the connecting link (60). The spring (40) is used to accommodate additional travel of the connecting link (60) in order to prevent damages to counter gears (not shown) due to excessive force. The spring (40) is designed in such a way that at first the lever (20) should operate with the movements of the connecting link (60). After full rotation of the lever (20), the spring (40) is expanded to accommodate additional travel of the connecting link (60). The connecting link (60) and guiding pin (80) are mounted in such a way that the rotational movement of the main shaft (150) is converted to linear movements.

Referring to figure 5, the operating mechanism of the counter assembly (100) when the circuit breaker (200) is in ‘ON’ (closed) condition is shown. When closing command is given to the main mechanism, the main mechanism transfers energy to the main shaft (150) that rotates in anti-clockwise direction to close the main contact. Due to the rotation of the main shaft (150), the main shaft (150) pushes the connecting link (60) to an outer side. With the movements of the connecting link (60), the indicator assembly (120) is rotated along the axis of indicator mounting pin (110). The indicator assembly (120) is moved towards an upper side and shows ‘ON’ position of the circuit breaker (200). When the indicator assembly (120) moves towards the upper side, the spring (40) releases energy and reaches to free length of the spring (40). The lever (20) restores an original position. The spring force and free-length is designed in such way that, at ON condition of the circuit breaker (200), the lever (20) resets and becomes ready for next operation.

Referring to figure 6, the operating mechanism of the counter assembly (100) when the circuit breaker (200) is in ‘OFF’ (open) condition is shown. When opening command is given to the main mechanism, the main shaft (150) is de-latched and a moving contact (not shown) is disconnected from a fixed contact (not shown). The main shaft (150) rotates in clock wise direction. Due to the rotation of the main shaft (150), the connecting link (60) is pulled to an inner side. With the movements of the connecting link (60), the indicator assembly (120) rotates along the axis of the indicator mounting pin (110). The indicator assembly (120) is moved towards a lower side and shows ‘OFF’ position of the circuit breaker (200). Due to the movements of the connecting link (60) and the indicator assembly (120), the distance between the lever (20) and the guiding pin (80) is increased. The lever (20) rotates in a clockwise direction from the original position thereof. After a complete rotation of the lever (20), the spring (40) gets extended to cover the addition distance. An extension force of the spring (40) is higher than operational force of the lever (20). This ensures that during the opening of the circuit breaker (200), first the lever (20) should rotate followed by the extension of the spring (40). As the lever (20) rotates in clock-wise direction, the counter reading is increased.

Advantages of the invention:

1. Proper operation of the counter assembly (100) is ensured, as the operating mechanism of the counter assembly (100) is linked with the main mechanism of the circuit breaker (200).
2. The operating mechanism of the counter assembly (100) also prevents damages of the counter gears (plastic gears) of the counter assembly (100) due to additional travel of the main mechanism.
3. The location of the counter assembly (100) is also standardized and accessible from the front of the circuit breaker

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.