Patent Publication Number: US-2023154696-A1

Title: Power device for continuously detecting entrance and exit positions

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a power device for continuously detecting extended and retracted positions of a circuit breaker body, and more specifically to a power device for continuously detecting accurate extended and retracted positions of a circuit breaker body moving in a cradle. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     In general, a power device refers to any device that may receive and transmit power and convert the power. 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view showing a conventional power device. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , the conventional power device includes a cradle terminal  110  connected to a power line connected to an external power source or a load. Further, the power device includes a cradle  100  fixed to a switchboard, a circuit breaker body  200  mechanically and electrically connected to or disconnected from the terminal  110  of the cradle  100 , and a girder  300  and a truck  400  to bring the circuit breaker body  200  to a contact or disconnection position in which the body is mechanically and electrically connected to or disconnected from the terminal  110  of the cradle  100 . 
     In this regard, the contact position means a position in which the circuit breaker body  200  approaches the cradle terminal  110  at the maximum level and electrically contacts the terminal  110 . 
     Further, the disconnection position means a position in which the circuit breaker body  200  is spaced from the cradle terminal  110  by the maximum spacing and thus is electrically disconnected from the cradle terminal  110 . 
     Further, a test position means a position corresponding to a process in which the body is being displaced from the contact position to the disconnection position or from the disconnection position to the contact position. 
     Further,  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3    are perspective views showing the girder  300  and the truck  400  according to the disconnection position and the contact position in  FIG.  1   , respectively. 
     Further, (a), (b), and (c) of  FIG.  4    are cross-sectional views of the girder  300  and the truck  400  according to disconnection, test, and contact positions in the conventional power device, respectively. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2  to  4   , in the conventional power device, the girder  300  includes a pair of handle bars  310  formed on a front face thereof, support ribs  320  respectively formed at both opposing sides thereof, and a spindle  330  having one end rotatably coupled to a center of the front face thereof, and a switch actuation bar  340  formed on one side of the spindle  330 . 
     Further, the truck  400  includes a plurality of wheels  410  formed at each of both opposing sides thereof and a plurality of micro switches  420  actuated by the switch actuation bar  340 . As the spindle  330  rotates, a spacing between the truck  400  and the girder  300  is adjusted as shown in  FIGS.  2  and  3   . 
     That is, as the spindle  330  rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, the spacing between the truck  400  and the cradle terminal  110  is adjusted. 
     Further, the switch actuation bar  340  includes an elongate groove  341  formed to correspond to a movement range of the truck  400 , a rear end inclined portion  342  formed at one end of the groove  341 , and a top planar portion  343  constituting a top face except for the groove  341  and the rear end inclined portion  342 . 
     Further, the micro switch  420  includes first to third micro switches  421 ,  422 , and  423 . 
     In more detail, the first micro switch  421  includes a first contact lever  421   a  formed on a bottom thereof so as to contact the switch actuation bar  340 , and is closest to the girder  300 . 
     Further, the second micro switch  422  includes a second contact lever  422   a  formed on a bottom thereof so as to contact the switch actuation bar  340 , and is adjacent to a rear end of the first micro switch  421 . 
     Further, the third micro switch  423  includes a third contact lever  423   a  formed on a bottom thereof so as to contact the switch actuation bar  340 , and is adjacent to a rear end of the truck  400 . 
     A method for detecting a relative position between the terminal  110  of the cradle  100  and the circuit breaker body  200  using the truck  300  in this conventional power device is as follows. 
     Referring to (a) of  FIG.  4   , the spacing between the truck  400  and the girder  300  becomes minimum at the disconnection position of the conventional power device. 
     Accordingly, the distance between the circuit breaker body  200  and the cradle terminal  110  becomes maximum. 
     Further, the first contact lever  421   a  is in contact with the top planar portion  343 , while each of the second contact lever  422   a  and the third contact lever  423   a  is in contact with the groove  341 . 
     Further, referring to (b) of  FIG.  4   , at the test position of the conventional power device, as the spacing between the girder  300  and the truck  400  increases, each of the first contact lever  421   a  and the second contact lever  422   a  comes into contact with the groove  341 . 
     Further, the third contact lever  423   a  passes by the rear end inclined portion  342  and then comes into contact with the top planar portion  343 . 
     Further, referring to (c) of  FIG.  4   , at the contact position of the conventional power device, the spacing between the truck  400  and the girder  300  becomes maximum. 
     Accordingly, the circuit breaker body  200  is in contact with and thus electrically connected to the cradle terminal  110 . 
     At this time, the first contact lever  421   a  comes into contact with the groove  341 , and the second contact lever  422   a  passes by the rear end inclined portion  342  and comes into contact with the top planar portion  343 . 
     As described above, in the prior art, the spacing the truck  400  and the girder  300  is adjusted in a state in which the switch actuation bar  340  is coupled to the girder  300 . Thus, the position of the circuit breaker body  200  is detected based on whether the plurality of micro switches  420  fixedly installed on the truck  400  are in contact with the switch actuation bar  340 . 
     Accordingly, in the prior art, the position of the circuit breaker body  200  may be detected at each of the disconnection, test, and contact positions of the power device. However, a varying distance between the circuit breaker body  200  and the cradle terminal  110  cannot be detected. 
     That is, according to the prior art, there is a problem that the position of the circuit breaker body  200  cannot be continuously detected. 
     Further, in the prior art, as physical contact between the micro switch  420  and the switch actuation bar  340  is continuously made in order to detect the position of the circuit breaker body  200 , deformation to or damage to a coupling portion between the micro switch  420  and the truck  400  may frequently occur. 
     Accordingly, in the related art, the position of the circuit breaker body  200  cannot be accurately detected due to frequent occurrence of the deformation of or the damage to the coupling portion between the micro switch  420  and the truck  400 . 
     DISCLOSURE 
     Technical Purposes 
     A purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a power device for continuously detecting accurate extended and retracted positions of a circuit breaker body over an entirety of a movement range. 
     Purposes according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned purpose. Other purposes and advantages according to the present disclosure that are not mentioned may be understood based on following descriptions, and may be more clearly understood based on embodiments according to the present disclosure. 
     Further, it will be easily understood that the purposes and advantages according to the present disclosure may be realized using means shown in the claims and combinations thereof. 
     Technical Solutions 
     In order to achieve the purpose, the present disclosure provides a power device for continuously detecting extended and retracted positions of a circuit breaker body, the device comprising: a cradle having a cradle terminal formed on a rear face thereof; a circuit breaker mechanically and electrically connected to or disconnected from the cradle terminal; and position detecting means mounted inside the circuit breaker so as to detect the position of the circuit breaker body in real time. 
     More specifically, the position detecting means may include: a position bar including at least one position detected area portion corresponding to a movement range of the circuit breaker body, wherein the position bar has one end coupled to a girder fixedly installed on a front face of the cradle, and the other end as a free end facing a rear side of the cradle; and a sensor module installed inside a truck, wherein the circuit breaker body is loaded on the truck, and the position bar is inserted into the truck, wherein the truck is configured to reciprocate from the girder to the cradle terminal and inside the cradle, wherein the sensor module includes at least one sensor facing the position detected area portion. 
     Further, the position detected area portion may include at least one: at least one position sticker having a shade varying in a longitudinal direction of the position bar; at least one position inclined portion inclined downwardly or upwardly in the longitudinal direction of the position bar; or a plurality of groups of position protrusions arranged in the longitudinal direction of the position bar, wherein each group is composed of position protrusions arranged in a width direction of the bar, wherein numbers or formation positions of the position protrusions in the different groups are different from each other. 
     Further, the at least one sensor may include at least one of a non-contact type sensor or a contact type sensor, or includes a non-contact type sensor and a contact type sensor and thus includes at least two sensors. 
     Further, a position sun gear may be formed on and along one side face of the position bar, wherein the truck may receive therein a rotary gear rotating while being in engagement with the position sun gear, wherein the device may further comprise a sensor for sensing a number of rotations or a rotation angle of the rotary gear and for determining the position of the circuit breaker based on the sensed number or angle. 
     Further, the truck may receive therein at least one position bar guide adjacent to or in contact with each of both opposing sides of the position bar, wherein the position bar guide may include a position bar cleaner constructed to remove dust or foreign substances deposited on the position detected area portion. 
     Technical Effects 
     According to the present disclosure, the device may linearly detect the position of the circuit breaker over the entirety of the movement range such that the accurate position of the circuit breaker may be detected in real time. 
     Further, according to the present disclosure, the physical contact between the components in order to detect the position of the circuit breaker may be minimized, thereby improving durability of the power device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view showing a conventional power device. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view showing a girder and a truck according to a disconnection position in the conventional power device. 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view showing the girder and the truck according to a contact position in the conventional power device. 
         FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view showing the girder and the truck according to each of the disconnection, test, and contact positions in the conventional power device. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view showing a power device for continuously detecting extended and retracted positions of a circuit breaker body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view showing a girder and a truck according to a disconnection position in the power device for continuously detecting the extended and retracted positions of the circuit breaker body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view showing a girder and a truck according to a contact position in the power device for continuously detecting the extended and retracted positions of the circuit breaker body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view showing each of a top face and a bottom face of a sensor module in the power device for continuously detecting the extended and retracted positions of the circuit breaker body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view showing a position bar in the power device for continuously detecting the extended and retracted positions of the circuit breaker body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view showing a position bar in the power device for continuously detecting the position of the circuit breaker body in extending and retracting motions according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view showing a girder and a truck according to a test position in the power device for continuously detecting the extended and retracted positions of the circuit breaker body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  12    is a perspective view showing a girder and a truck according to the test position in the power device for continuously detecting the extended and retracted positions of the circuit breaker body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS 
     The above objects, features and advantages will be described in detail later with reference to the accompanying drawings. Accordingly, a person with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs will be able to easily implement the technical idea of the present disclosure. In describing the present disclosure, when it is determined that a detailed description of a known component related to the present disclosure may unnecessarily obscure gist the present disclosure, the detailed description is omitted. Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar elements. 
     In addition, it will also be understood that when a first element or layer is referred to as being present “on” or “beneath” a second element or layer, the first element may be disposed directly on or beneath the second element or may be disposed indirectly on or beneath the second element with a third element or layer being disposed between the first and second elements or layers. 
     It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “connected to”, or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers may be present. 
     As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
     It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, and “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, operations, elements, components, and/or portions thereof. 
     As used herein, the term “A and/or B” includes any and all combinations of one or more of A and B unless otherwise specified. When referring to “C to D”, this means C inclusive to D inclusive unless otherwise specified. 
     Hereinafter, a power device for continuously detecting extended and retracted positions of a circuit breaker body according to some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. 
     The same reference numerals are allocated to the same components of the power device for continuously detecting the extended and retracted positions of the circuit breaker body according to the present disclosure as those of the conventional power device. 
       FIG.  5    is a perspective view showing the power device for continuously detecting the extended and retracted positions of the circuit breaker body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Further,  FIGS.  6  and  7    show perspective views of a girder and a truck according to a disconnection position and a contact position, respectively, in the power device for continuously detecting the extended and retracted positions of the circuit breaker body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5    to  FIG.  7   , the power device for continuously detecting the extended and retracted positions of the circuit breaker body according to the present disclosure includes the cradle  100  having the cradle terminal  110  connected to a power line connected to an external power source or a load, and fixed to a switchboard, the circuit breaker body  200  that is mechanically and electrically connected to or disconnected from the terminal  110  of the cradle  100 , and position detecting means mounted inside the cradle so as to continuously detect a position of the circuit breaker body  200 . 
     More specifically, the power device for continuously detecting the extended and retracted positions of the circuit breaker body according to the present disclosure includes the girder  300  and the truck  400  as a transport device that moves the circuit breaker body  200  to a disconnection or contact position. 
     More preferably, the circuit breaker body  200  is fixedly mounted to the truck  400 . Accordingly, as the truck  400  moves, a spacing between the circuit breaker body  200  and the cradle terminal  110  is adjusted. 
     In accordance with the present disclosure, the circuit breaker includes the circuit breaker body,  200  the girder  300  and the truck  400 . 
     Further, the disconnection position means a position in which the circuit breaker body  200  is spaced from the cradle terminal  110  by the maximum spacing and thus is electrically disconnected from the cradle terminal  110 . 
     That is, the disconnection position means a state in which the spacing between the girder  300  and the truck  400  is minimized as shown in  FIG.  6   . 
     Further, the contact position means a position in which the circuit breaker body  200  approaches the cradle terminal  110  at the maximum level and electrically contacts the terminal  110 . 
     That is, the contact position means a state in which the spacing between the girder  300  and the truck  400  is maximized as shown in  FIG.  7   . 
     Further, a test position means a state in which the spacing between the girder  300  and the truck  400  is adjusted in a process in which the body is being displaced from the contact position to the disconnection position or from the disconnection position to the contact position. 
     The girder  300  includes a pair of handle bars  310  formed on a front face thereof, support ribs  320  respectively formed at both opposing sides thereof, and a spindle  330  having one end rotatably coupled to a center of the front face thereof, and a position bar  350  formed on one side of the spindle  330 . 
     More specifically, the handle bar  310  may refer to a part gripped by an operator when the girder  300  and the truck  400  are mounted to or disconnected from the cradle  100  and be formed in various shapes. 
     Further, the girder  300  is fixed to the cradle  100  while each of the support ribs  320  is inserted into and fixed to each of both opposing sides of the cradle  100 . 
     Further, the spindle  330  is coupled to the truck  400  such that one end of the spindle is coupled to a central portion of the girder  300  and the other end thereof faces the cradle terminal  110 . 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the spindle  300  rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, the spacing between the girder  300  and the truck  400  is adjusted. 
     Further, the position bar  350  includes a position detected area portion  351  corresponding to a moving range of the truck  400 . 
     Further, the position bar extends in a parallel manner to the spindle  330 . One end of the position bar  350  is coupled to the girder  300 , and the other end thereof is formed as a free end. 
     In one example, the truck  400  includes a plurality of wheels  410  formed on each of both opposing sides thereof, and a sensor module  430  installed so as to correspond to the position bar  350 . 
       FIG.  8    is perspective views showing a top face and a bottom face, respectively, of a sensor module in a power device for continuously detecting the position of a circuit breaker body in extending and retracting motions thereof according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , the sensor module  430  includes a sensor supporter  431  fixedly installed on the truck  400 , and a non-contact type sensor  432  coupled to the sensor supporter  431  so as to face the position detected area portion  351 . 
     In this case, the non-contact type sensor  432  may be embodied as each of various sensors capable of detecting a shade of or a distance to the position detected area portion  351  while non-contacting the position detected area portion  351 . 
     More preferably, the non-contact type sensor  432  may be embodied as an optical sensor and may be configured to detect a shade of, a distance to, a shape of, etc. of a predetermined area in the position detected area portion  351 . 
     Accordingly, in the power device for continuously detecting the extended and retracted positions of the circuit breaker body according to the present disclosure, the non-contact type sensor  432  senses a moving distance of the position detected area portion  351  even in the test position corresponding to the process in which the circuit breaker body  200  moves from the contact position to the disconnection position or moves from the disconnection position to the contact position. Thus, in the test position, the position of the circuit breaker body  200  may be detected. 
     Further, when the non-contact type sensor  432  is an optical sensor, the supporter  431  may include a non-contact type sensor receiving rib  433  protruding downward from an outer peripheral face of the non-contact type sensor  432  in order to minimize a detection error caused by a shade caused by other parts. 
     Accordingly, the power device for continuously detecting the extended and retracted positions of the circuit breaker body according to the present disclosure may linearly sense and detect the position of the circuit breaker over the entirety of the movement range thereof, such that the accurate position of the circuit breaker body  200  may be detected in real time. 
     Further, the power device for continuously detecting the extended and retracted positions of the circuit breaker body according to the present disclosure may detect the accurate position of the circuit breaker body  200  using one sensor module  430 , compared to the conventional power device, thereby reducing a cost for manufacturing the power device. 
     Further, in the power device for continuously detecting the extended and retracted positions of the circuit breaker body according to the present disclosure, the physical contact between the components in order to detect the position of the circuit breaker body  200  may be minimized, thereby improving the durability of the power device. 
     In one example, the sensor module  430  may further include a contact type sensor  434  that is in contact with the position bar  350  via an FPCB (Flexible Printed Circuit Board) or an elastic member. 
     More specifically, the contact type sensor  434  may be configured to contact the position detected area portion  351 , to detect a shape of the position detected area portion  351  and derive the position of the circuit breaker body  200 . 
     Accordingly, in the power device for continuously detecting the extended and retracted positions of the circuit breaker body according to the present disclosure, both the non-contact type sensor  432  and the contact type sensor  434  simultaneously detect the position detected area portion  351  moving in an axial direction of the spindle  330  while the spacing between the girder  300  and the truck  400  is adjusted. Thus, the position of the breaker body  200  may be detected more accurately. 
     Further, the power device for continuously detecting the extended and retracted positions of the circuit breaker body according to the present disclosure may further include a monitoring unit (not shown). When the positions of the circuit breaker body  200  respectively detected by the plurality of sensors are different from each other, the monitoring unit may generate a notification alarm, etc. 
     Each of  FIG.  9    and  FIG.  10    is perspective view of a position bar in the power device for continuously detecting the extended and retracted positions of the circuit breaker body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Various embodiments of the position bar  350  in the power device for continuously detecting the extended and retracted positions of the circuit breaker body according to the present disclosure are described as follows with reference to  FIG.  9    and  FIG.  10   . 
     The position detected area portion  351  may extend along the movement range of the truck  400  as described above. More preferably, the position detected area portion  351  may be composed of position stickers  351   a  having different shades and disposed at different positions, such as gradation stickers. 
     Further, in order to prevent the position sticker  351   a  from protruding from a top face of the position bar  350  due to its thickness, the position detected area portion  351  may have a groove defined therein whose a depth is equal to or larger than the thickness of the position sticker  351   a . 
     Further, the position sticker  351   a  may be formed as a gradation tape configured so that a portion thereof adjacent to the girder  300  is darker while a portion adjacent to the cradle terminal  110  is brighter as shown in (a) of  FIG.  9   . 
     Alternatively, the position sticker  351   a  may be formed as a gradation tape configured so that a portion thereof adjacent to the girder  300  is brighter while a portion adjacent to the cradle terminal  110  is darker. 
     In one example, an area of the position sticker  351   a  may be divided into two areas arranged along a width direction of the position bar  350  as shown in (b) of  FIG.  9   . In one area of the two areas, a portion thereof adjacent to the girder  300  is darker while a portion adjacent to the cradle terminal  110  is brighter. In the other area of the two areas, a portion thereof adjacent to the girder  300  is brighter while a portion adjacent to the cradle terminal  110  is darker. 
     In this regard, it is preferable that two sensors are installed to respectively face the two areas of the position stickers  351   a . 
     Further, the position sticker  351   a  may be formed as a gradation tape having an area size varying along the longitudinal direction of the position bar  350 . For example, the gradation tape may have a triangle shape, as shown in each of (c) and (d) of  FIG.  9   . 
     In one example, the position detected area portion  351  may be formed as a position inclined portion  351   b  as shown in (a) of  FIG.  10   . 
     More specifically, the position inclined portion  351   b  is formed such that a distance between a top face of the position inclined portion  351   b  and the sensor module  430  varies as the position bar  350  extends in the axial direction of the spindle  330 . 
     Accordingly, the position inclined portion  351   b  may be formed to protrude upwardly beyond the top face of the position bar  350  except for the position detected area portion  351  as shown in (a) of  FIG.  10   . Alternatively, the position inclined portion  351   b  may be formed to be recessed downwardly beyond the top face of the position bar  350  except for the position detected area portion  351 . 
     Further, a gradation tape may be attached to a top face of the position inclined portion  351   b  as shown in (b) of  FIG.  10   . 
     In one example, the position detected area portion  351  may include a plurality of position protrusions  351   c  arranged and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined spacing as shown in (c) of  FIG.  10   . 
     More preferably, a plurality of groups of the position protrusions  351   c  are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the position bar  350 , wherein each group is composed of the position protrusions  351   c  arranged in the width direction of the bar  350 . In this regard, the numbers or formation positions of the position protrusions  351   c  in the different groups of the position protrusions  351   c  may be different from each other. 
     Further, the position detected area portion  351  may be formed as a gradation tape on which the position protrusions  351   c  are formed. 
     Further, the position detected area portion  351  may be embodied as a combination of the position sticker  351   a , the position inclined portion  351   b , and the position protrusions  351   c . 
     In one example, the position bar  350  may have a position sun gear  352  formed on one side face of the position detected area portion  351 . 
       FIG.  11    is a perspective view showing a girder and a truck according to the test position in the power device for continuously detecting the extended and retracted positions of the circuit breaker body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to (d) of  FIG.  10    and  FIG.  11   , in the power device for continuously detecting the extended and retracted positions of the circuit breaker body according to the present disclosure, the truck  400  may have a rotary gear  450  which may be engaged with the position sun gear  352  so as to rotate. 
     Further, a sensor capable of detecting the number of rotations and a rotation angle of the rotary gear  450  and thus detecting the position of the circuit breaker body  200  based on the detected number and angle may be further installed in the truck  400 . 
     Further, the power device for continuously detecting the extended and retracted positions of the circuit breaker body according to the present disclosure may further include a sensor which may detect the number of rotations and a rotation angle of the wheel  410  and detect the position of the circuit breaker body  200  based on the detected number and angle. 
       FIG.  12    is a perspective view showing a girder and a truck according to the test position in a power device for continuously detecting the extended and retracted positions of the circuit breaker body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG.  12   , in the power device for continuously detecting the extended and retracted positions of the circuit breaker body according to the present disclosure, the truck  400  may include a plurality of position bar guides  440  formed to be adjacent to or in contact with both opposing sides of the position bar  350 . 
     Further, the position bar guide  440  may include a position bar cleaner  441  formed to remove dust or foreign substances deposited on the top face of the position bar  350 . 
     The position bar cleaner  441  may be formed in a form of a brush. While the cleaner is in contact with the top face of the position detected area portion  351 , the position bar  350  moves, such that the dust or foreign matter deposited on the position detected area portion  351  may be removed by the position bar cleaner  441 , thereby minimizing a detection error of the sensor module  430  due to the dust or foreign matter. 
     The present disclosure has been described above with reference to the illustrated drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and drawings disclosed in the present specification. It is obvious that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea of the present disclosure. In addition, although effects according to the configurations of the present disclosure are not explicitly described while describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, the predictable effects from the configurations should also be appreciated.