CLIAMS:1. An push to trip button assembly used in circuit breakers comprising:
an interface lever configured to be exposed to a user;
a cantilever floating arm configured to rest on a pip of main cover such that pip of a front cover rests on the cantilever floating arm in a manner that disallows the cantilever floating arm movement across Z-axis, and wherein the assembly is housed inside the front cover and the main cover; and
a push button actuator configured to move only in Z-axis such that when the interface lever is pressed, the cantilever floating arm acts as a floating cantilever spring by moving across X-Y axis, and when the interface lever is released, the cantilever floating arm returns back to its initial position.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said interface lever of said button assembly is housed vertically in the main cover.
3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said assembly comprises a click-fit arrangement to ensure that the assembly does not come out of the main cover that the assembly is housed in by restricting vertical movement of the button assembly.
4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein when the interface lever is pressed, trip plate is actuated by cam arrangement and rotating member of the trip plate has a cam profile and rotates with cam profile of push button actuator.
5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein when the interface lever is released, trip plate is actuated by cam arrangement and rotating member of the trip plate has a cam profile and rotates with cam profile of push button actuator.
,TagSPECI:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of circuit breakers. In particular, the present disclosure relates to mechanisms for tripping circuit breakers for purposes of maintenance and checks whenever needed.

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] A push-to-trip button is commonly employed in combination with a trip bar of a molded-case circuit breaker to provide a means for testing the trip mechanism of the circuit breaker without having to subject the circuit breaker to an actual fault. Most switchgear manufacturers provide for manual tripping function. This is usually done by pushing a button exposed to the user, wherein linear motion created while pushing is transmitted to a tripping member inside the mechanism via various linkages. The industry is rife with a variety of linkages to convert the motion, wherein conventional Moulded Case Circuit Breakers (referred here after as MCCB or breaker) have provisions for a 'push to trip' button (referred hereafter as PTT) that has a basic function to trip the circuit breaker in any other condition. PTT is generally a push button on top of circuit breaker, which can easily be accessible and operable by user. MCCB has three stable states, an ON state where the contacts are closed and mechanism is latched, OFF state where the contacts are open and the mechanism is latched, and a trip state where the contacts are open and the mechanism is de-latched.
[0004] Few of the existing push-to-trip buttons are provided such that they are accessible to and can be pushed by user. On pressing such buttons, a crank rotates and contacts a pivoted trip plate, wherein the direction of rotation of the trip-plate defines the tripping action. A spring is part of such an assembly to get push button back to its designed position after tripping. Such architectures therefore require additional components for trip action and to get push button back.
[0005] Certain other circuit breakers have a latched stored-energy mechanism that is releasable to effect tripping through push-to-trip button by means of a component that is specially located to orient with a trip bar latch. The trip button is biased to non trip position of the trip bar by means of a spring. Such mechanisms also involve multiple components to operate the trip plate. In some other existing configurations, the button is accessible to the user and involves an externally operable handle for operating a circuit breaker, wherein the trip button mechanism includes a button support, a button, and a spring, and wherein the spring can apply an elastic force to the trip button to retain in its initial intended position. The assembly is from bottom by trapping the spring in between button and button support.
[0006] There is therefore a need in the art for a push-to-trip button configuration/structure/architecture that does not have any additional component for trip action and to get push button back.
[0007] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
[0008] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[0009] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0010] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0011] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0012] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a push-to-trip button that does not have any additional component for trip action and to get push button back. Both the functions can be integrated and done by the button component itself.
[0013] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a push-to-trip button that does not require an additional spring to bring back the button to its designated position after tripping.
[0014] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a push-to-trip button that is designed such that its one cantilever arm acts as a spring in assembly.
[0015] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a push-to-trip button that eases the assembly with main chassis cover.
[0016] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a push-to-trip button that eases the manufacture of circuit breaker, makes assembly stable, and demonstrates better ergonomic considerations.

SUMMARY
[0017] The present disclosure relates to the field of protection devices, particularly to a circuit breaker having a mechanism to enable tripping of the breaker manually for purposes of maintenance and checks whenever needed. The present disclosure further relates to a trip button that is accessible to a user, and which can be pushed. A cantilever arm has been configured on the push button to act as a spring, wherein once the user pushes the button, cam profile on the push button pushes and rotates the trip-plate such that rotation of the trip-plate in the intended direction defines the tripping action and therefore trips the breaker. After the user releases the button, due to the cantilever action and its unique floating arm design, the proposed trip button come to its starting position (initial position).
[0018] According to one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a push to trip button assembly used in circuit breakers comprising an interface lever configured to be exposed to a user; a cantilever floating arm configured to rest on a pip of main cover such that pip of a front cover rests on the cantilever floating arm in a manner that disallows the cantilever floating arm movement across Z-axis (axis parallel to the direction of pushing the push-to-trip button by the user), and wherein the assembly is housed inside the front cover and the main cover; and a push button actuator configured to move only in Z-axis such that when the interface lever is pressed, the cantilever floating arm acts as a floating cantilever spring by moving across X-Y axis (enabling the push button actuator to push and rotate the trip-plate such that rotation of the trip-plate in the intended direction defines the tripping action and therefore trips the circuit breaker), and when the interface lever is released, the cantilever floating arm returns back to its initial position (due to the cantilever action and unique floating design of the arm).
[0019] According to one embodiment, the interface lever of the button assembly can be housed vertically in the main cover. According to another embodiment, the button assembly comprises a click-fit arrangement to ensure that the assembly does not come out of the main cover that the assembly is housed in by restricting vertical movement of the button assembly. In an exemplary implementation, when the interface lever is pressed, the trip plate is actuated by cam arrangement, and rotating member of the trip plate has a cam profile and rotates with cam profile of the push button actuator. Similarly, when the interface lever is released, the trip plate is actuated by cam arrangement and rotating member of the trip plate has a cam profile and rotates with cam profile of the push button actuator.
[0020] Aspects of the present disclosure therefore provide a means to actuate the tripping action of a circuit breaker by pushing a button in minimum space and eliminate the requirement of a spring for ease of assembly and easy construction. The proposed button assembly construction is therefore a complete new way of achieving the tripping operation by means of cantilever floating arm, which acts a spring itself.
[0021] 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
[0022] 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.
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of a main cover assembly with a push button in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary cut section representation of main cover assembly with a push button in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary representation of the main cover assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary representation of a push button component in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary representation of a push button component in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary representation of a front cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary representation of a breaker cut section showing a cam joint in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary representation of a trip plate in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] 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 spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0032] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0033] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
[0034] The present disclosure relates to the field of protection devices, particularly to a circuit breaker having a mechanism to enable tripping of the breaker manually for purposes of maintenance and checks whenever needed. The present disclosure further relates to a trip button that is accessible to a user, and which can be pushed. A cantilever arm has been configured on the push button to act as a spring, wherein once the user pushes the button, cam profile on the push button pushes and rotates the trip-plate such that rotation of the trip-plate in the intended direction defines the tripping action and therefore trips the breaker. After the user releases the button, due to the cantilever action and its unique floating arm design, the proposed trip button come to its starting position (initial position).
[0035] With reference to FIGs. 1-8, present disclosure relates to a push to trip button assembly 100 used in circuit breakers comprising an interface lever 102 configured to be exposed to a user; a cantilever floating arm 104 configured to rest on a pip 204 of main cover 200 such that pip 304 of a front cover 300 rests on the cantilever floating arm 104 in a manner that disallows the cantilever floating arm 104 any movement across the Z-axis, and wherein the assembly 100 is housed inside the front cover 300 and the main cover 200; and a push button actuator 106 configured to move only in Z-axis such that when the interface lever 102 is pressed, the cantilever floating arm 104 acts as a floating cantilever spring by moving across X-Y axis (enabling the push button actuator 106 to push and rotate the trip-plate 400 such that rotation of the trip-plate 400 in the intended direction defines the tripping action and therefore trips the circuit breaker), and when the interface lever 102 is released, the cantilever floating arm 104 returns back to its initial position (due to the cantilever action and unique floating design of the arm 104).
[0036] According to one embodiment, the interface lever 102 of the button assembly can be housed vertically in the main cover 200. According to another embodiment, the button assembly 100 comprises a click-fit arrangement 108 to ensure that the assembly 100 does not come out of the main cover 200 that the assembly 100 is housed in by restricting vertical movement of the button assembly 100. In an exemplary implementation, when the interface lever 102 is pressed, the trip plate 400 is actuated by cam arrangement, and rotating member 402 of the trip plate 400 has a cam profile and rotates with cam profile of the push button actuator 106. Similarly, when the interface lever 102 is released, the trip plate 400 is actuated by cam arrangement and rotating member 402 of the trip plate 400 has a cam profile and rotates with cam profile of the push button actuator 104.
[0037] Aspects of the present disclosure therefore provide means to actuate the tripping action of a circuit breaker by pushing a trip button 100 in minimum space and eliminate the requirement of a spring for ease of assembly and easy construction. The proposed button assembly construction 100 is therefore a complete new way of achieving the tripping operation by means of cantilever floating arm such as 104, which acts a spring itself.
[0038] In an exemplary implementation, interface lever 102 can be exposed to the user as it is housed in a prismatic cavity 202 and 302 present in the main cover 200 and front cover 300 respectively. The interface lever 102 can be vertically located in the main cover cavity 202 as shown in Fig. 1-2. The click fit arrangement 108 (in push button) ensures that the push button does not come out of the main cover 200 by restricting push button’s vertical movement and keeps it in its intended position (initial position). The cantilever arm 104 rests on the main cover pip 204, and pip 304 on the front cover 300 sits on the arm 104. Both these pips 204 & 304 do not make the push button arm 104 to move in Z-axis (i.e. in or out of breaker) but the push button actuator 106 can move freely in Z-Axis. Thus, the arrangement gives initial tension in push button 100 to keep it in its intended position. The arm 104 is free to move in X-Y plane. When the push button 100 is pressed, the push button arm 104 acts as a floating cantilever spring without being restricted in X-Y plane above main cover pip 204. When push button 100 is left from pressing, then due to the flexural energy stored in the arm 104 (spring energy) because of the displacement due to pressing makes the push button 100 comes back to initial position.
[0039] In an aspect, movement of the push button actuator 106 is restricted by the walls provided on the main cover for reliability and to have better guidance of the push button to move only in Z-axis. In conventional cantilever design, one arm is firmly fixed and other one is moving. When load is applied on moving arm, high stresses will be generated in the cantilever arm and making it to fail (breaking or not returning to initial position). But in this design, the cantilever arm 104 is not firmly fixed and is floating in X-Y plane. When load is applied on moving arm 104, the cantilever arm 104 will float accordingly in X-Y plane so as not to generate high stresses in any arm.
[0040] In an aspect, motion of the interface lever 102 in the downward direction actuates the trip-plate 400 by cam arrangement. The rotating member of the trip-plate 400 having cam profile 402 rotates with the cam profile 106 on the push button 100. Also the return motion is governed by the floating cantilever arm 104.
[0041] Thus, linear motion of the interface lever 102 is converted to a revolute motion of the rotating member trip-plate 400, which is placed pivotally in the mechanism assembly. The contact leads to a rotation of the trip plate 400 in an intended direction, thus causing the breaker mechanism to trip.
[0042] The present trip button construction therefore enables ease of assembly as there is no extra component and spring required. The construction also gives a provisional for a pivot axis in the main cover 200 along with enabling cam based tripping actuation. Furthermore, the present construction provides a single component push button, which is more reliable, has ease of manufacturing, and is cost effective.
[0043] According to another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a single component push to trip assembly used in circuit breakers having a front cover 300, a main cover 200, a pivot axis presented on the inner surface of both the covers 200/300, a step present above the main cover 200 to stop its vertical movement, a pip 204 present on the main cover to give initial tension on the push button 100, a pip 304 present on the front cover 300 to give initial tension on the push button 100, and a free cantilever arm 104 on the push button. In another embodiment, axis of the main cover 300 and the front cover 200 are parallel to the push button 100. According to another embodiment, main cover 200, front cover 300, and push button 100 axis are same as per design. In another embodiment, the cantilever arm 102 on the push button 100 is not fixed in its position. In yet another embodiment, pips 204/304 present on the both the main cover 200 and the front cover 300 keep the push button 100 in its desired location by providing initial tension on to the push button arm 103. According to another embodiment, slot 202 on the main cover wall is parallel to the push button axis. Furthermore, cantilever arm 104 on the push button 100 acts as a spring to bring it back to its designed initial position. In yet another embodiment, cam profiles on both the push button 100 as well as the trip-plate 400 rotate and trip the circuit breaker. In yet another aspect, push to trip assembly of the present disclosure is used circuit breakers as above, wherein the step on the front cover 300 guides the slider linearly downwards.
[0044] 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
[0045] The present disclosure provides a push-to-trip button that does not have any additional component for trip action and to get push button back. Both the functions can be integrated and done by the push-to-trip button component itself.
[0046] The present disclosure provides a push-to-trip button that does not require an additional spring to bring back the button to its designated position after tripping.
[0047] The present disclosure provides a push-to-trip button that is designed such that its one cantilever arm acts as a spring in assembly.
[0048] The present disclosure provides a push-to-trip button that eases the assembly with main chassis cover.
[0049] The present disclosure provides a push-to-trip button that eases the manufacture of circuit breaker, makes assembly stable, and demonstrates better ergonomic considerations.