FORM 2
The Patents Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
TERMINATION MODULE FOR CIRCUIT
BREAKERS
APPLICANT: LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED
L&T House, Ballard Estate, P.O. Box No. 278,
Mumbai, 400 001, Maharashtra
INDIA.
PREAMBLE OF THE DESCRIPTION:
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED

A) TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention generally relates to electrical circuit breaker and particularly to a multi-directional termination module. The invention more particularly relates to a multi-directional termination arrangement that has reduced the number of joints and the accessories.
B) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A circuit breaker is an automatically-operated electrical switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from a damage caused by an overload or a short circuit. The circuit breakers are adapted to detect a fault condition and by interrupting continuity to immecfiatety discontinue an efectricaf flow. Unlike a fuse, which operates once and then has to be replaced, a circuit breaker can be reset manually or automatically to resume a normal operation. Circuit breakers are made in varying sizes, from small devices that protect an individual household appliance up to large switchgear designed to protect the high voltage circuits feeding an entire city.
[0003] Conventionally, various connection accessories are used to
terminate the line and load terminals with the circuit breaker terminals. Accessories such as rear connectors, angled terminal extensions, twisted terminal extensions. L-shaped terminal extensions, stepped terminal extensions are used for the termination purpose which eventually lead to an increase in the number of accessories involved in the line and load termination.
[0004] The circuit breaker terminals are connected to the line and load
terminals via links, lugs or bare cables. At the user end, the outgoing or load lines may be vertical, horizontal or in angled orientation. Further to engage the load terminals with the circuit breaker terminals, conventionally, various

nection accessories are used. This result in increase in the number of accessories used to cater termination in various orientations. Also, the increase in accessories leads to an increase in the number of joints, which causes a temperature rise at the termination point.
[0005] Further the various connection accessories are connected with circuit breaker terminals by means of screws/rod shaped connectors and nuts. For tightening the screws, the nut is either held by hand or screwed to the housing as in some designs. This makes the task of termination time-consuming and tedious. Also, the screw receiving member/ the nut has the tendency to fall off from its position, when the circuit breaker is mounted vertically on the panel boards.
[0006] Hence there is a need for a mechanism which provides for
maximum termination with minimal components. There is also a need to provide a mechanism with a maximum flexibility to accommodate a termination in different orientations. There also exits a need to provide a termination arrangement which reduces the assembly time.
[0007] The above mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein and which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.
C) OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a
termination module arrangement for a circuit breaker with maximum termination varieties at a user end using a minimum number of components.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a termination module arrangement with a flexibility to attain different termination orientations.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
termination module arrangement for a circuit breaker with modularity and flexibility in assembling the terminals in the circuit breaker.
[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a termination module arrangement with a reduced number of joints to provide for the termination of the load and line terminals.
[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a termination module arrangement with a reduced number of accessories to provide for the termination of the load and line terminals.
[0013] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
termination module arrangement which does not increase the temperature at the joints.
[0014] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention
will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
D) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The above mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and
problems are addressed herein and which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

[0016] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a multi-directional termination module in the circuit breakers. The termination module of the present invention provides the flexibility to attain a multidirectional termination at different orientations with the help of flexible contact elements.
[0017] The termination module for the circuit breakers comprises of a
terminal module housing, a nut plate, a nut plate holder to integrate the nut plate, a slot to receive the nut plate holder, a plurality of guide rails on an internal wall housing, a knockout for rear terminals, a snap fit joint to align with at least one circuit breaker pole, a plurality of flexible contact elements and at least one circuit breaker terminal. The plurality of flexible contact elements connects the circuit breaker terminal at the circuit breaker poles which enables the circuit breaker terminals to be positioned at different orientations.
[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a link is provided to connect the circuit breaker terminal with the cable and a nut plate is provided which includes a hole with an internal threading.
[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the nut
plate is adapted to hold a screw that engages the circuit breaker terminals with the links. The nut plate is press fit into the slot of nut plate in the nut plate holder to hold the nut plate firmly.
[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the terminal module is provided with a plurality of flexible contact elements. The flexible contact elements is adapted to orient the circuit breaker terminal in various directions such as in a horizontal position for a front extended type termination, in an angled position for an angled type termination, in a

rear vertical position for a rear vertical type termination and in a rear front position for a rear front type termination.
E) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those
skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:
[0022] FIG.l illustrates an isometric view of the termination module for a multidirectional termination in the circuit breaker according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG.2 illustrates an isometric view of the nut-plate and the nut plate holder according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG.3 illustrates an isometric view of the circuit breaker terminal along with a plurality of flexible contact elements according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FtG.4 illustrates an isometric view of the nut-piate holder and a
three pole circuit breaker assembled with a front extended terminal module assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of the nut-plate holder and a
three pole circuit breaker assembled with the angled type terminal module according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG.6 illustrates an isometric view of the nut-plate holder and a
three pole circuit breaker assembled with the rear vertical type termination

module according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG.7 illustrates an isometric view of the nut-plate holder and a three pole circuit breaker assembled with the tear front type termination module according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] Although the specific features of the present invention are shown in some drawings and not in others. This is done for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the present invention.
F) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] In the following detailed description, a reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0031] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a
termination module in the circuit breaker that provides the flexibility to attain a multidirectional termination at different orientations with the help of the flexible contact elements. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the termination module comprises of a terminal module, a guide rails, a nut plate holder slot, knockout for rear terminals, a snap fit joint so as to align itself with the circuit breaker poles, a nut plate holder, a nut plate and a flexible contact elements connecting the circuit breaker terminal and

the pole of the circuit breaker. The links which connect the cables connecting the circuit breaker is screw fitted to the nut plate. The nut plate is further insefted into the nut plate holder and connected to the pole of the circuit breaker "inroxigVi a plurality of fiex'ible contact elements.
[0032] The nut plate holder is then slidably moved over the guide rails etched on the inner walls of the termination module so that the nut plate holder has to fit into the termination module. Further the various orientations of the terminations are achieved by placing the nut plate holder at the various positions with the terminal module.
[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of the termination module
with the nut plate 107 and nut plate holder 106 for the multidirectional termination in the circuit breaker according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 1, the termination module arrangement comprises of a terminal module 101, a plurality of guide rails 102, a nut plate holder slot 103, knockout 104 for rear terminals, a snap fit 105 joint so as to align itself with the circuit breaker poles 303. a nut plate holder 106, a nut plate and a plurality of flexible contact elements 301 connecting the circuit breaker terminal 302 and the circuit breaker poles 303. The phiarality of gaide rails, 102 is, etched over the inner walls, of the. termination module to guide and orient the nut plate holder 106 in multi directions depending on the orientation and the position of the load terminals. The nut plate holder 106 is press fit into the nut plate holder slot 103 given in the termination module so has to hold the nut plate 107 firmly. The terminal module 101 further provides a knockout 104 for the rear terminals so that the terminals can be fit into the nut plate 107 from the rear. The termination module is also provided with the snap fit 105 joints so as to align itself with the circuit breaker poles 303 before tightening the screws which reduced the overall assembly time of the terminals 302 with the termination module. Further the nut plate 107 is used to hold the screw

which is used to engage the circuit breaker terminals 302 with the links 402 through the hole which has an internal threading.
[0034] FIG.2 illustrates the isometric view of the nut plate 107 and the nut plate holder 106 according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 2, the links 402 are connected to the nut plate 107 with the help of a screw. The nut plate 107 is then slidably moved and fit into the nut plate holder 106 which is further press fit into the nut plate holder slot 103 so has to hold the nut plate 107 firmly.
[0035] FIG.3 illustrates the isometric view of the circuit breaker
terminal 302 along with flexible contact elements 301 according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 3, the plurality of flexible contact elements 301 are connected between the circuit breaker terminal 302 and the circuit breaker pole 303. The circuit breaker terminal 302 is provided the flexibility to attain the different orientations with the help of flexible contact elements 301.
[0036] FIG.4 illustrates the isometric view of the nut plate holder and a three pole circuit breaker 401 assembled with front extended terminal module 101 assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 4, the links 402 that connect the cables is connected to the circuit breaker 401 by screwing the links 402 over the circuit breaker terminal 302 point and nut plate holder 106. Once the links 402 are affixed, the flexible contact elements 301 enable the circuit breaker 401 to be positioned horizontally for a front extended type termination.
[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates the isometric view of the nut plate holder and a
three pole circuit breaker 401 assembled with the angled type terminal module 101 according to one embodiment of the present invention. With

respect to FIG. 5, the Jinks 402 that connect the cables is connected to the circuit breaker 401 by screwing the links 402 over the circuit breaker terminal point and nut plate holder 106. The circuit breaker terminal 302 is placed over the nut piate holder 106 and is connected to the pole of the circuit breaker 401 through a plurality of flexible contact elements 301. The nut plate holder 106 further is slidably moved inside the terminal module 101 over the guide rails 102 so as to fit in an angled position. Hence the links 402 are connected to the circuit breaker terminal 302 in an angled position intended for an angled type termination.
[0038] FIG.6 illustrates the isometric view of the nut plate holder and a three pole circuit breaker 401 assembled with the rear vertical type termination module according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 6. the links 402 that connect the cables is connected to the circuit breaker 401 by screwing the links 402 over the circuit breaker terminal point and nut plate holder 106. The circuit breaker terminal 302 is placed over the nut plate holder 106 and is connected to the pole of the circuit breaker 401 through the plurality of flexible contact elements 301. Further the nut plate holder 106 is positioned in a vertical direction at the rear portion of the terminal module 101 thereby intended for a rear vertical type termination.
[0039] FIG.7 illustrates the isometric view of the nut plate holder and a
three pole circuit breaker 401 assembled with the rear front type termination module according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 7, the links 402 that connect the cables is connected to the circuit breaker 401 by screwing the links 402 over the circuit breaker terminal point and nut plate holder 106. The circuit breaker terminal 302 is placed over the nut plate holder 106 and is connected to the pole of the circuit breaker 401 through the plurality of flexible contact elements 301. Further the nut plate holder 106 is positioned in the rear front portion of the terminal module 101

thereby allowing the links 402 to be fastened at the rear front. Hence this arrangement helps the circuit breaker terminals 302 to be positioned in the rear front intended for the rear front type termination.
G) ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0040] Thus the various embodiments of the present invention provide
a termination module in the circuit breaker that provides the flexibility to attain a multidirectional termination at different orientations with the help of the flexible contact elements. The embodiment disclosed herein includes modular and flexible termination assembly that supports a multi directional termination at different orientations. The termination module is provided with snap fit joints so as to align itself with the circuit breaker poles before tightening the screws. This reduces the alignment time for a termination module onto the circuit breaker.
[0041] The present design uses a unique termination module as a
substitute for the conventional connection accessories thus, catering to maximum termination varieties at the user end with minimum components. It also reduces the cost of moulding and tooling process involved.
[0042] There is a tendency for the nut to fall off from its position,
when the circuit breaker is being mounted vertically. The present embodiment includes a slot provision for a nut in the housing. The slot is designed such that there is a free movement of the nut during the tightening of the screw so that the load is not transferred to the housing. This prevents the tendency for the nut to fall off from its position when the circuit breaker is being mounted vertically.

[0043] Although the invention is described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.
[0044] It is also to be understood that the following claims are
intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the present invention described herein and all the statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of language might be said to fall there between.

CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1 A termination module for circuit breakers comprising:
a terminal module housing;
a nut plate;
a nut plate holder to integrate the nut plate:
a slot to receive the nut plate-holder;
a plurality of guide rails on an internal wall housing;
a knockout for rear terminals;
a snap fit joint to align with at least one circuit breaker pole;
a plurality of flexible contact element; and
a circuit breaker terminal;
wherein the plurality of flexible contact elements connects a circuit breaker
terminal to the at least one circuit breaker pole thereby enabling the circuit
breaker terminal to be positioned at different orientations for providing a
multiple termination varieties with a minimum number of components at an
user end.
2. The termination module for circuit breakers according to claim 1, wherein a link is provided to connect the circuit breaker terminal with the cable,
3. The termination module for circuit breakers according to claim 1, wherein the nut plate includes a hole with an internal threading.
4. The hole in the nut plate according to claim 3, wherein the hole is adapted to hold a screw that engages the circuit breaker terminals with the links.
5. The termination module for circuit breakers according to claim 1, wherein the nut plate is press fit into the slot to hold the nut plate firmly.
6. The termination module for circuit breakers according to claim 1. the plurality of guide rails is adapted to guide and orient the nut plate holder in the multi-directions.
7. The termination module for circuit breakers according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of flexible contact element is adapted to orient the circuit breaker terminal in a horizontal position for a front extended type termination.

8. The termination module for circuit breakers according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of flexible contact element is adapted to orient the circuit breaker terminal in an angled position for an angled type termination.
9. The termination module for circuit breakers according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of flexible contact eleement is adapted to orient the circuit breaker terminal in a rear vertical position for a rear vertical type termination.
10. The termination module for circuit breakers according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of flexible contact elements is adapted to orient the circuit breaker terminal in a rear front position for the rear front type termination.