Patent ID: 6388547
Filing Date: 2002-05-14
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A mechanism for controlling and tripping a separable contact structure within a circuit, said separable contact structure movable between a first and second position, said first position allowing current to flow through said circuit and said second position prohibiting current from flowing through said circuit, said mechanism comprising:a first support member; a drive member having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, said first portion pivotally attached to said first support member; a first spring having a first end and a second end, said first end pivotally secured to said drive member second portion and said second end disposed on a drive tube; a first upper link member having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion disposed on said drive tube; a first lower link member having a first portion arranged on said drive tube and a second portion interfacing said separable contact structure; a first release member having a first portion pivotally secured to said first support member, a second portion including said first upper link member pivotally secured thereon, a third portion, and a fourth portion; and a latch assembly having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion configured for coupling and decoupling said third portion of said first release member, said first portion further configured for interfacing said fourth portion of said release member, and said second portion configured for interfacing a displacement mechanism when said displacement mechanism is caused to move to a displaced position; wherein said mechanism is movable between a reset position, an off position, an on position, and a tripped position, said reset position including a reset force urging said drive member about said first portion such that said third portion of said drive member translates motion to said third portion of said release member, said third portion translates motion to said first portion of said latch assembly to the point where said first portion of said latch assembly is held apart from said fourth portion of said release member; said off position being achieved upon eliminating said reset force such that said first portion of said latch assembly is coupled to said fourth portion of said release member and said separable contact structure is in its second position; said on position being achieved upon application of a closing force so that force is transmitted through said drive member to said first spring, said first spring transmitting force via said drive tube to said first upper link member causing said first upper link to pivot on said second portion of said first release member, and said first portion of said first lower link member causing said separable contact structure to move from its second position to its first position via said second portion, said first spring being charged; and said tripped condition being achieved when said displacement mechanism is caused to move to a displaced position and interfaces said second portion of said latch assembly, said interface causing said first portion to decouple said third portion of said first release member, causing said first release member to pivot about said first portion of said first release member thereby causing upper link member to pivot on said second portion of said first release member, said motion of upper link transferring motion to said first lower link member and said first spring causing first spring to discharge and cause first lower link member to urge said separable contact structure from its first position to its second position.