Patent ID: 6486758
Filing Date: 2002-11-26
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A shock-resistant solenoid assembly for selectively engaging a trip plunger of a trip unit of a circuit breaker and for resisting inappropriate engagement of the trip plunger in response to a shock load, the shock-resistant solenoid assembly comprising:a trip solenoid having a core movable along a tripping path between a retracted position and an extended position, in which the core in the extended position is engageable with the trip plunger; an inertia lock having an inertia member operatively connected with a latch, the latch being disposed on a mount and being actuatable by the inertia member in response to the shock load to engage the core to restrain movement of the core to the extended position; wherein said mount is substantially immovable with respect to the trip unit; wherein said latch is movable between a rest position and an activated position, the latch in the activated position engaging the core, the latch being biased to the rest position by a first biasing device; wherein said latch is pivotably mounted on the mount; and wherein said latch is pivotable about a pivot point, and wherein said inertia member and the latch together have a center of gravity that is spaced from the core, the pivot point being disposed between the center of gravity and the core.