CLIAMS:We Claim:

1. A safety shutter mechanism (200) for a switchboard module (150), the switchboard module (150) being sandwiched between a top tray and a bottom tray (160), the switchboard module (150) having at least two side plates (140) and a cam (120) configured on a lateral side thereof, the safety shutter mechanism (200) comprising of
a safety shutter (100) being capable of attaching to a bottom surface of the top tray using at least two hinges (10), a safety shutter (100) having
• a shutter plate (20) attached to the at least two hinges (10);
• a shutter follower (40) fixed on a left side of the shutter plate (20) to be coplanar with the cam (120), the shutter follower (40) having a cam pip (30) configured thereon;
• a spring plate lock (80) having a front hump (50) and a back hump (60) configured thereon for resting the shutter plate (20) in a gap therebetween, the spring plate lock (80) fixed on a bottom surface of the bottom tray (160) by a screw such that the humps (50, 60) project out on a top surface of the bottom tray (160) through holes configured thereon;
wherein, when the switchboard module (150) is inserted into the bottom tray (160), the spring plate lock (80) gets compressed, at the same time at least the two side plates (140) of the switchboard module (150) apply force on the shutter plate (20) for oscillating inward and when the module (150) is taken out from the bottom tray (160), the cam (120) touches with the shutter follower (40) at the cam pip (30) for creating a connection therebetween, then the cam (120) pulls the shutter follower (40) for regaining an idle position thereof, causing a release of the spring plate lock (80) to achieve a primary locking of the shutter (100) and facilitates locking using a pad lock.

2. The safety shutter mechanism (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front hump (50) is made large to accommodate a pad lock for more safety.

3. The safety shutter mechanism (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switchboard module (150) is a fractional width switchboard module, the fractional width switchboard module is selected from any of a half width switchboard module and a quarter width switchboard module.
,TagSPECI:Field of the invention:

The present invention generally relates to an electrical switchboard module and more particularly, to a safety shutter mechanism for the electrical switchboard module.

Background of the invention:

Safety shutters in switchboard modules are mainly used to protect any human interaction with live contacts. The safety shutters are available in different types. There are different mechanism exist each for full width switchboard modules and fractional width (half width and quarter width) switchboard modules to ensure safety. The main purpose of any safety shutter is to act as an obstacle for free movement of human hand or tools or wires towards the live contacts. The safety shutters are opened when the switchboard modules are moved in for contact engagements and closed when the switchboard modules are moved out of after disengagement from contacts. The safety shutters are in closed position until the switchboard modules are inserted and are not opened by ordinary hand, toll shake and like.

Existing safety shutter for a fractional switchboard module available in market only acts as hindrance. It does not function as an obstacle to foreign objects towards the live contacts. The arrangement of the safety shutter is not fully based on a movement of the fractional switchboard module. An opening of the shutter is only based on movement of the fractional switchboard module and a closing is based on springs and gravity. By this way, the retraction of the shutter failed, if the springs damaged or not capable to function properly. If the movement of the safety shutter depends on gravity, a stuck up force is huge than the gravity force. There is not any connection maintained between the switchboard module and the safety shutter to ensure full safety by making a shutter operation depending on the movement of the switchboard module.

When the safety shutter comes at its idle position, no lock facility has been provided to restrict further oscillation movement whenever the switchboard module is kept out. This way any particle gives equal force as the switchboard module to open the shutter for touching the live contacts. The pad locking facility is also not provided to make the shutter operation by only limited awareness personnel. In half width switchboard module, two quarter safety shutters are fixed near to each other. This arrangement gives a huge gap between the two shutter and the live contacts are easily accessed from the gap.

Thus, the major drawbacks of the existing safety shutters are as follows:
1. Any Ingress Protection (IPXX) ratings are not ensured.
2. There is no modularity between a safety shutter and a switchboard module that leads to fail proof method of achieving safety
3. There is not any provision for pad locking.
4. The shutter movement is only dependent on the spring motion.

Accordingly, there is a need of to a safety shutter mechanism for electrical switchboard modules that overcomes abovementioned drawbacks in the prior art for ensuring safety.

Objects of the invention:

An object of the present invention is to provide safety by creating modularity between a safety shutter and a switchboard module.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an Ingress Protection rating IP2X by using a primary lock with a spring plate locking mechanism.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a pad locking facility for achieving more safety.

Yet, another object of the present invention is to provide a safety shutter mechanism that is independent of spring and gravity movement.

Summary of the invention:

Accordingly, the present invention provides a safety shutter mechanism created between a safety shutter and a switchboard module for safety of the switchboard module. The switchboard module having two side plates is sandwiched between a top tray and a bottom tray. The safety shutter is attached to a bottom surface of the top tray using at least two hinges. The safety shutter includes a shutter plate, a shutter follower and a spring plate lock. The shutter plate is attached at the hinges. The shutter follower is fixed on a left side of the shutter plate. A cam pip is configured on the shutter follower. The spring plate lock includes a front hump and a back hump configured thereon for resting the shutter plate in a gap therebetween. The spring plate lock is fixed on a bottom surface of the bottom tray by a screw so that the humps project out on a top surface of the bottom tray through holes. A cam is configured on a lateral side of the switchboard module so that the cam is coplanar with the shutter follower.

When the switchboard module is inserted into the bottom tray, the spring plate lock gets compressed. At the same time, the side plates of the switchboard module apply force on the shutter plate causing an inward movement of the shutter plate. Once the switchboard module reaches at a final position, the shutter plate remains at the top of the switchboard module and sits on the side plates of the switchboard module.

When the switchboard module is removed from the bottom tray, the cam touches the shutter follower at the cam pip creating a connection therebetween. The cam pulls the shutter follower for regaining an idle position. At the same time, the spring plate lock gets released to achieve a primary locking of the safety shutter. A pad locking facility is provided on the front hump for enhancing safety. Thus, the safety shutter mechanism achieves IP2X rating to avoid any accidental injury to any unawareness personnel.

Brief description of the drawings:

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a safety shutter of a safety shutter mechanism for a switchboard module, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a switchboard module of the safety shutter mechanism, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 shows an isometric view of a spring plate lock of the safety shutter of figure 1;

Figure 4 illustrates an isometric view of a shutter follower of the safety shutter of figure 1;

Figure 5 shows an isometric view of an opening movement of the safety shutter of figure 1 and an inward movement of the switchboard module of figure 2;

Figure 6 illustrates a back view of contact between a cam and a cam pip of the shutter follower;

Figure 7 illustrates a front view of contact between the cam and the cam pip of the shutter follower; and

Figure 8 shows a side view of an idle position of the safety shutter of figure 1 and a released condition of the spring plate lock of figure 3.
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 a safety shutter mechanism created between a safety shutter and a switchboard module. The present invention also provides a spring less mechanism that reduces any possibility of short circuit faults. An opening and a closing of the safety shutter are based only on a movement of the switchboard module. The safety shutter mechanism provides a primary locking for avoiding accidental opening of the safety shutter and a pad locking facility for restricting any intentional movements of the safety shutter.

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 1-8, a safety shutter mechanism (200) (hereinafter referred as “the mechanism (200)”) for a switchboard module (150) (hereinafter referred as “the module (150)”) in accordance with the present invention is shown. The module (150) is sandwiched between a top tray (not shown) and a bottom tray (160). The bottom tray includes holes (not numbered) configured thereon. In an embodiment, the module (150) is a fractional width switchboard module including any of half width switchboard module and quarter width switchboard module. The module (150) comprises of at least two side plates (140) and a cam (120) configured thereon. Specifically, the cam (120) is configured on a lateral side of the module (150).

The safety shutter mechanism (200) comprises a safety shutter (100). The safety shutter (100) is attached with a bottom surface (not numbered) of the top tray using at least two hinges (10). The safety shutter (100) comprises of a shutter plate (20), a shutter follower (40) and a spring plate lock (80). The shutter plate (20) is fixed to the at least two hinges (10). The shutter follower (40) is fixed on a left side (not numbered) of the shutter plate (20) so that the shutter follower (40) is coplanar with the cam (120). The shutter follower (40) has a cam pip (30) configured thereon. In an embodiment, the total setup of the shutter (100) looks like hanged from a top.

The spring plate lock (80) includes a front hump (50) and a back hump (60) configured thereon for resting the shutter plate (20) in a gap between the humps (50, 60). The front hump (50) is a large in size to accommodate a pad lock (not shown) for enhancing safety. In an embodiment, the pad lock is of size up to 6mm. The back hump (60) acts as an obstacle for movement of the shutter plate (20). The spring plate lock (80) is fixed on a bottom surface (not numbered) of the bottom tray (160) by a screw (not shown) such that the humps (50, 60) project out on a top surface (not numbered) of the bottom tray (160) through holes (not numbered).

Referring to figures 1-8, in an operation, when the module (150) is inserted over the bottom tray (160) for contact engagement, an edge (not numbered) of the module (150) presses the spring plate lock (80) by compressing downward. The compression movement of the spring plate lock (80) releases a primary locking to allow free movement of the shutter plate (20).

Once the module (150) is pushed further, the side plates (140) of the module (150) hit the shutter plate (20) causing transfer of the total force applied on the module (150) to the shutter plate (20) for an inward movement of the shutter plate (20). The inward movement gives a free path for the module (150) to move in without any hindrance. During the inward movement of the module (150), no function is performed by the cam (120) and the shutter follower (40).

Once the module (150) reaches at a final position, the shutter plate (20) remains at the top of the module (150) and sits on the side plates (140) of the module (150). At the same time, the spring plate lock (80) is compressed by the module (150).

When the module (150) is removed from the bottom tray (160), the shutter follower (40) touches with the cam (120) at the cam pip (30) for creating a connection therebetween (refer figure 6). The cam (120) causes an outward movement of the shutter follower (40) as the module (150) removed from the bottom tray (160) (refer figure 7). This movement makes the shutter (100) to regain an idle position. At the idle position of the shutter (100), the shutter plate (20) rests between the humps (50, 60). The spring plate lock (80) gets released by further outward movement of the module (150) (refer figure 8).

Once the spring plate lock (80) is released, the shutter (100) gets locked by achieving a primary locking of the shutter (100). The primary locking develops an obstacle for any accidental opening of the shutter (100). Once the module (150) is fully taken out of the bottom tray (160), a locking is achieved by using a pad lock. The pad lock reduces an unauthorized movement of the shutter (100). Thus, the mechanism (200) achieves an Ingress Protection rating of IP2X by providing the primary locking and the pad locking to increase safety for the personnel. Also, as the movement of the shutter (100) depends on the movement of the module (150) only, the mechanism (200) ensures full safety during inserting and removing of the module (150).

Advantages of the invention:
1. The mechanism (200) provides the Ingress Protection rating of IP2X by using the primary locking and the pad locking of the shutter (100) to ensure more safety for the personnel.
2. The mechanism (200) creates modularity between the shutter (100) and the module (150) by providing the movement of the shutter (100) with respect to the movement of the module (150).
3. The mechanism (200) provides the cam (120) and the shutter follower (40) to ensure safety movement of the shutter (100) with respect to the movement of the module (150).
4. The mechanism (200) provides a spring free movement for achieving break free movements of the shutter (100).
5. The pad locking feature of the mechanism (200) ensures more safety by restricting the movement of the shutter (100) intentionally.

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.