Contactor assembly for distribution board

A contactor assembly is connected to a bus-bar of a main circuit-breaker. The assembly includes a housing including an opening defined therein; a contactor passing through the opening, wherein the contractor includes contacting portions projecting forwardly of the opening and coupled portions projecting rearwardly of the opening; a presser passing through the opening, wherein the presser is interposed between the contactor and the housing, wherein the presser is supported on the housing and presses the contacting portions and the coupled portions; and a connector coupled to the coupled portions of the contactor and electrically connected to the contactor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Application No. 10-2018-0144531 filed on Nov. 21, 2018, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a contactor assembly connecting a branching circuit-breaker and a main circuit-breaker with each other in a distribution board.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, a distribution board receives power from a main line and distributes the power according to a purpose. The distribution board includes a main circuit-breaker connected to the main line. The main circuit-breaker is connected to multiple branching circuit-breakers to distribute power through each branching circuit-breaker.

Therefore, the distribution board has a structure in which the plurality of branching circuit breakers are electrically connected to the main circuit breaker. In this connection, the electrical connection between the main circuit-breaker and each branching circuit-breaker is made via a general coated power wire. This coated power wire based connection may be useful when the main circuit-breaker and branching circuit-breakers are fixed and when a power interruption does not occur except for maintenance or repair purposes.

However, for most of the distribution boards used in industrial sites, the main circuit-breaker and branching circuit-breakers should be replaced or removed for various reasons, for example, for changing of power capacity of a branch wire.

Nowadays, a bus-bar is disposed in the main circuit-breaker. A contactor may allow each branching circuit-breaker to be easily coupled to or detached from the bus-bar.

The contactor used in the conventional distribution board has two branched ends. The bus-bar is fitted with the two branched ends of the contactor. When an operator moves the contactor or bus-bar in one direction, the contractor and bus-bar are separated from each other.

However, the bifurcated tongs type contactor has a disadvantage in that durability deteriorates due to fatigue accumulation in the contactor due to repeated coupling and disconnection.

Further, the branching circuit-breaker with a large rated current has to secure a wide area where the contactor is in contact with the bus-bar. However, in order to increase the contact area between the contactor and the bus-bar, the contactor must also be large in volume.

Therefore, a method for solving such problems is required.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is devised to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. The present disclosure is to provide a contactor assembly which may be easily connected to the bus-bar of the main circuit-breaker and has a small volume while having high durability.

Purposes of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned purpose. Other purposes and advantages of the present disclosure as not mentioned above may be understood from following descriptions and more clearly understood from embodiments of the present disclosure. Further, it will be readily appreciated that the purposes and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized by features and combinations thereof as disclosed in the claims.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a contactor assembly connected to a bus-bar of a main circuit-breaker, the assembly including: a housing including an opening defined therein; a contactor passing through the opening and coupled to the housing, wherein the contractor includes contacting portions projecting forwardly of the opening and coupled portions projecting rearwardly of the opening; a presser passing through the opening and coupled to the housing, wherein the presser is interposed between the contactor and the housing, wherein the presser is supported on the housing and presses the contacting portions and the coupled portions; and a connector coupled to the coupled portions of the contactor and electrically connected to the contactor.

In one implementation of the contactor assembly, the contactor includes first and second contacting branches, wherein the first and second contacting branches have middle portions received in the opening and being in contact with each other, wherein front ends of the first and second contacting branches in front of the opening are spaced from each other by a predefined spacing, while rear ends of the first and second contacting branches in rear of the opening are spaced from each other by a predefined spacing.

In one implementation of the contactor assembly, the first and second contacting branches includes the coupled portions respectively, wherein at least a portion of the connector is fitted into a space between the coupled portions.

In one implementation of the contactor assembly, the connector includes protrusion protruding outwardly therefrom and having a circular cross section, wherein the protrusion is fitted into a space between the coupled portions, wherein the contactor rotates around the protrusion.

In one implementation of the contactor assembly, the first and second contacting branches includes the contacting portions respectively, wherein an end of the bus-bar is fitted into a space between the contacting portions.

In one implementation of the contactor assembly, the presser includes: a first pressing piece sandwiched between the first contacting branch and the housing; and a second pressing piece sandwiched between the second contacting branch and the housing.

In one implementation of the contactor assembly, the housing includes both side guards defining both side boundaries of the opening respectively, wherein the connector is connected to the coupled portions while the coupled portions and a least a portion of the connector are received between the both side guards.

In one implementation of the contactor assembly, each of the both side guards includes a spacer protruding toward a center of the opening, wherein each of both sides of the contactor contacts each spacer such that each of both sides of the contactor is spaced apart by a predetermined gap from each side guard.

In one implementation of the contactor assembly, each of the both side guards is a plate-like member having a plane to perpendicular to an imaginary plane defined by the opening, and the both side guards defines both sides of the openings respectively.

Effects of the present disclosure are as follows but are not limited thereto.

The contactor assembly according to the present disclosure has an effect of being easily combined with and separated from the bus-bar of the main circuit-breaker. Further, the durability of the contactor is reliable due to a lowered fatigue of the contactor even after repeated coupling and detachment. The contactor assembly according to the present disclosure has the advantage that the assembly may be realized in a relatively small volume at the same rated current.

In addition to the effects as described above, specific effects of the present disclosure are described together with specific details for carrying out the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

Hereinafter, contactor assemblies according to some embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described.

FIG. 1shows a state in which a contactor assembly according to an embodiment according to the present disclosure is coupled to a distribution board.FIG. 2shows a state in which a contactor assembly is coupled to a bus-bar according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the contactor assembly30according to the present disclosure electrically connects a main circuit-breaker10connected to a main line to a number of branching circuit-breakers20.

Specifically, the contactor assembly30according to the present disclosure is coupled with a bus-bar12provided in the main circuit-breaker10while being electrically connected to the branching circuit-breakers20. The bus-bar12in the main circuit-breaker10may be electrically connected to the number of branching circuit-breakers20.

FIG. 3is a perspective view of a contactor assembly according to an embodiment according to the present disclosure.FIG. 4is a front view of a contactor assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Then,FIG. 5is a perspective view of a housing of the contactor assembly according to an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 3toFIG. 5, the contactor assembly30according to the present disclosure includes a housing100, a contactor200, a presser300and a connector400.

The housing100includes an opening110defined therein. The contactor200is coupled to the housing100through the opening110. The contactor200includes contacting portions212and222projecting forwardly of the opening110and coupled portions216and226projecting backwardly of the opening110.

The presser300is coupled to the housing100through the opening110. The presser300may be fitted into between the contactor200and the housing100. The presser300is supported in the housing100to pressurize the contacting portions212and222and the coupled portions216and226of the contactor200.

The connector400is coupled to the coupled portions216and226of the contactor200and is electrically connected to the contactor200. Eventually, the connector400electrically connect the branching circuit-breaker20to the contactor200.

Further, the connector400may include a terminal-connecting portion420. A connecting terminal22may be coupled to the terminal-connecting portion420. The connector400may be electrically connected to the branching circuit-breaker20via the connecting terminal22.

The connection of the terminal-connecting portion420and the connecting terminal22may be realized such that male and female threads formed in the terminal-connecting portion420and the connecting terminal22are engaged with each other and a bolt through the terminal-connecting portion420may be fixed to the connecting terminal22.

A following description describes each of the components in detail with reference toFIG. 4andFIG. 5.

As shown inFIG. 5, the housing100includes the opening110formed by cutting a plate's center into a rectangle shape. Upper and lower boundaries of the opening110may be defined by upper and lower front guards120. Both side guards130define both side boundaries of the opening110.

Specifically, the upper and lower front guards120may be embodied as frames positioned at the top and bottom of the opening110in the housing100respectively. The both side guards130may be embodied as frames positioned at the both sides of the opening110in the housing100respectively.

The both side guards130of the housing100may be formed by folding both sides of the integrally formed housing100in the same direction. Each side guard130has a plane perpendicular to a plane of the opening110.

Each side guard130includes a spacer132protruding from an inner side thereof facing the opening110toward the opening110.

FIG. 6is a plan view of a contactor assembly according to one embodiment according to the present disclosure.

As shown inFIG. 6, the both spacers132may be in contact with both sides of the contactor200respectively in a state where the contactor200and the presser300to be described later penetrate the opening110and is coupled to the housing100. Therefore, the contactor200may be spaced apart from each side guard130by a distance d by which each spacer132protrudes from each side guard130. This configuration minimizes an area where both sides of the contactor200come into contact with both side guards130respectively to prevent constraint of an up and down movement of the contactor200that may occur if the contactor200interferes with both side guards130.

FIG. 7shows a state in which a contactor and a presser are coupled to a housing of a contactor assembly according to an embodiment according to the present disclosure

As shown inFIG. 7, the contactor200may include a first contacting branch210and a second contacting branch220.

The first contacting branch210and the second contacting branch220may have the same shape and may be coupled to the opening110of the housing100while facing away each other vertically. The first contacting branch210and the second contacting branch220are coupled to the housing100while passing through the opening110of the housing100.

The first contacting branch210and the second contacting branch220have a first support portion214and a second support portion224at middle ends thereof, respectively. The first support portion214and the second support portion224come into contact with each other at a position while being fitted into the opening110.

A folded direction of each side guard130of the housing100relative to the opening110is defined as a rear direction. An opposite direction thereof is defined as a front direction.

In the first contacting branch210and the second contacting branch22, the first support portion214and the second support portion224come into contact with each other at a position while being fitted into the opening110.

First, the first contacting branch210includes a first contacting portion212extending from the first support portion214forwardly of the opening110. The first contacting branch210includes a first coupled portion216extending from the first support portion214rearwardly of the opening110.

Further, the second contacting branch220includes a second contacting portion222extending from the second support portion224forwardly of the opening110. The second contacting branch220includes a second coupled portion226extending from the second support portion224rearwardly of the opening110.

In this connection, the first contacting portion212and the second contacting portion222extending forwardly of the opening110are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined gap.

Distal ends of the first contacting portion212and second contacting portion222are curved in a direction away from each other such that the bus-bar12may be easily inserted into a space defined between the distal ends of the first contacting portion212and the second contacting portion222.

The first coupled portion216and the second coupled portion226extending rearwardly of the opening110are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined gap. A protrusion410of the connector400may be accommodated in a space defined between the first coupled portion216and the second coupled branches226spaced apart from each other.

The presser300includes a first pressing piece310and a second pressing piece320.

The first pressing piece310is fitted into between the first contacting branch210and a first front guard120of the housing100. The first pressing piece310extends in an elongate manner forwardly and backwardly of the opening110. A middle portion of the first pressing piece310is supported by the first front guard120. Front and rear ends of the first pressing piece310extending forwardly and rearwardly of the opening110may press the first contacting portion212and the first coupled portion216of the first contacting branch210toward the second contacting branch220respectively.

The second pressing piece320is fitted into between the second contacting branch220and a second front guard120of the housing100. The second pressing piece320extends in an elongate manner forwardly and backwardly of the opening110. The second pressing piece320has a middle portion supported by the second front guard120. Front and rear ends extending forwardly and rearwardly of the opening110may press the second contacting portion222and second coupled portion226of the second contacting branch220toward the first contacting branch210respectively.

Accordingly, the first contacting branch210and the second contacting branch220may have an elastic force to press the contacting portions212and222and the coupled portions216and226toward the bus-bar12and the protrusion410respectively such that the contacting portions212and222and the coupled portions216and226contact the bus-bar12and the protrusion410respectively. However, stronger clamping forces between the contacting portions212and222and the bus bar12and stronger clamping forces between the coupled portions216and226and the protrusion may be obtained using the first pressing piece310and second pressing piece320.

Each of the first pressing piece310and the second pressing piece320may be embodied as a leaf spring having a predetermined length and a shape of each of the first contacting branch210and the second contacting branch220.

The connector400may be formed of an electrically conductive conductor. The connector400may have one end electrically connected to the branching circuit-breaker20.

The protrusion410may have a circular cross section in one embodiment according to the present disclosure. Then, as described above, the protrusion may be accommodated in a space between the first coupled portion216and the second coupled portion226of the first contacting branch210and the second contacting branch220respectively forming the contactor200and may be coupled to the contactor200.

The protrusion410of the connector400has a circular section. Accordingly, the first coupled portion216and the second coupled portion226accommodating the protrusion410therebetween may rotate about the protrusion410as a central axis.

Specifically, in the state in which the contactor200and the presser300are coupled to the housing100, the housing100, the contactor200, and the presser300may rotate around the protrusion410of the connector400.

In this way, the contractor200may move by a predetermined distance in the vertical direction with respect to the protrusion410even when the bus bar12coupled to the contactor200is not positioned at a correct vertical level. This makes the combination between the contactor200and bus-bar12to be smoother.

The connector400may act as the conductor which electrically connects the branching circuit-breaker20and the contactor200to each other.

For the contactor assembly30according to the present disclosure as described above, the contactor200may approach and may be coupled to the bus-bar12of the main circuit-breaker10, and then the contractor220may move far away from the bus bar12to be separated therefrom. Therefore, in order that only some of a plurality of branching circuit-breakers20coupled with the main circuit-breaker10needs to be removed therefrom or combined thereto, the operator needs not brake the main circuit-breaker10.

Further, the contactor200according to the present disclosure is securely coupled to the bus bar and the protrusion by the presser300. Using the elastic force of the presser300may allow the contractor200to retain the bus-bar12and the connector400. This improves the durability of the contactor200.

Further, since the housing100to which the contactor200is coupled includes the both side guards130formed by folding a plate at a right angle at both sides of the opening110, the contactor assembly30according to the present disclosure has a small volume.

The interference between the housing and the contactor200which may occur due to the small volume of the housing100may be prevented using the spacer132formed on each side guard130of the housing100.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the drawings exemplified above, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and drawings disclosed in the present disclosure. It is obvious that various modifications may be made by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea according to the present disclosure. In addition, although effects from configurations according to the present disclosure have not been described explicitly while the above-described embodiment according to the present disclosure has been described, it is obvious that predictable effects from the configurations should be further recognized.