Patent Publication Number: US-2022238291-A1

Title: Industrial cut-off switch for visual identification of power system cut-off status

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0011901, filed on Jan. 27, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to a switch. 
     In general, a circuit breaker serves to cut off supply of electric current. An operator uses a circuit breaker to cut off the electric current supplied to machines for safe inspection or repair thereof. 
     A conventional circuit breaker is turned on/off with a button switch to cut off the supply of external power. Due to the small size as well as the structural characteristics of the button switch, it is not clearly revealed that the button switch is pressed. Hence, it may be difficult for an operator to recognize the on/off state of the circuit breaker when the operator checks machines away from the circuit breaker. 
     In addition, the operator may be easily exposed to the risk of electric shock by touching bus bars or contact with electric wires in the process of operating the button switch exposed to the outside. 
     Accordingly, the inventor of the present invention has devised and completed the invention after long research and by trial and error in order to solve these issues. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a switch capable of recognizing whether power is cut off with the naked eye easily from the outside. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a switch that can be safely operated without the risk of electric shock in the process of cutting off power. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of an industrial cut-off switch for visual identification of power system cut-off status, which includes an enclosure having an accommodation space therein, a handle disposed on an outer surface of the enclosure and having a gripping part extending in one direction, and a switch unit disposed inside the enclosure, and connected to the handle operated to adjust an on/off state of the switch unit, wherein the handle is connected to the enclosure so as to be rotatable about a point attached to the outer surface of the enclosure, and turns the switch unit on and off at a predetermined position of rotation so as to enable a user to recognize the on/off state of the switch unit. 
     The switch unit may include a first connector extending outward from one surface thereof to be electrically connected to an external power source, and a second connector extending outward from the other surface thereof to be electrically connected to a power supply unit. The switch unit may control whether energization between the external power source and the power supply unit is performed between the first connector and the second connector by operating the handle. The handle may include a shaft coupled to the switch unit through the enclosure and extending in one direction, and the shaft may transmit rotational energy of the handle to the switch unit to adjust the on/off state of the switch unit. 
     The enclosure may include a main body, which is open at one surface thereof, and having the accommodation space therein, and a door hinged to one side of the main body so as to be openable and closable on the open surface of the main body. The main body may include a step on the other side thereof, the step extending inward from one surface of the main body that abuts the closed door and being bent toward the door at least once. 
     The industrial cut-off switch may include a bus bar connected to each of the connectors of the switch unit, and an insulation plate disposed in front of the connector to prevent an electric shock accident from the bus bar and the connector, thereby preventing contact with the connector and the bus bar. The enclosure may include a roof, which extends horizontally from the top thereof, is bent at least once, and then extends obliquely downward. 
     The industrial cut-off switch may include an electric shock prevention unit connected to an external power source and configured to control supply of external power by opening and closing the door. The electric shock prevention unit may maintain the supply of external power while the door is closed, and the electric shock prevention unit may cut off the supply of external power while the door is open. 
     The industrial cut-off switch may include a protruding member disposed on an inner surface of the door, and a fixing member disposed on an inner surface of the main body to face the protruding member while the door is closed. The electric shock prevention unit may include a body fixedly fitted to the fixing member, a pair of energization bars disposed on one side of the body and extending in one direction, and a push bar disposed on the other side of the body and inserted thereinto by external pressure so as to supply external power. The electric shock prevention unit may pressurize the push bar of the fixing member in the process of closing the door to supply external power, and the electric shock prevention unit may release the pressure on the push bar in the process of opening the door to cut off external power. 
     The industrial cut-off switch may include a safety locking device to adjust opening and closing of the door with magnetism. The safety locking device may include a pair of receptacles disposed on respective outer peripheral surfaces of the door and the main body, a pinion embedded in the receptacle disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body, a pair of magnetic parts embedded in the respective receptacles, a magnetic blocking part disposed on one side of the pinion and embedded in the associated receptacle, and a rack embedded in the associated receptacle so as to engage with the pinion. The rack may include a stick, which is in the form of a protrusion and extends to be exposed through a cutout rail formed in the main-body-side receptacle. The magnetic blocking part may be disposed on the side of the pinion in the radial vicinity of the pinion. The magnetic part embedded in the main-body-side receptacle may be located within the radius of the pinion so as not to collide with the rotating magnetic blocking part. The magnetic blocking part may be disposed between the pair of magnetic parts while rotating by rotation of the pinion along with left and right movement of the rack, thereby blocking the magnetic force of the magnetic parts to open the door. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view illustrating a first embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view illustrating the first embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view illustrating an internal configuration in the first embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view illustrating the internal configuration in the first embodiment according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are views illustrating a modified example of section A of  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 6  is a view illustrating a second embodiment according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In certain embodiments, a detailed description of functions well known in the art may be omitted to avoid obscuring appreciation of the invention by those skilled in the art. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a front view illustrating a first embodiment  1000  according to the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a side view illustrating the first embodiment  1000  according to the present invention. As can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first embodiment  1000  according to the present invention includes an enclosure  1100 , a handle  1200 , and a switch unit  1300 . 
     The enclosure  1100  includes an accommodation space capable of accommodating instruments, devices, or the like therein. The enclosure  1100  may have various shapes. In the first embodiment  1000 , the enclosure  1100  is in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped and includes the switch unit  1300 , bus bars  1510 , or the like, which will be described later, in the accommodation space therein. 
     The handle  1200  serves to control the switch unit  1300 , and is disposed on the outer surface of the enclosure  1100 . The handle  1200  has a shape extending in one direction so that it can be easily gripped by a user&#39;s hand. The handle  1200  is connected to the enclosure  1100  so as to be rotatable about a point attached to the outer surface of the enclosure  1100 . The handle  1200  turns the switch unit  1300  on and off at a predetermined position of rotation, thereby enabling a user to easily recognize whether the switch unit  1300  is turned on or off. In addition, the user may check the on/off state of the switch unit  1300  by checking the inside of the enclosure  1100  through a window  1124  of a door  1120 , which will be described later, at a close distance. 
     The switch unit  1300  is disposed inside the enclosure  1100  and is connected to the handle  1200 , which is disposed on the outer surface of the housing  1100  and is operated to adjust the on/off state of an external power supply by manipulating the handle  1200 . 
       FIG. 3  is a front view illustrating an internal configuration in the first embodiment  1000  according to the present invention. As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the switch unit  1300  includes a first connector  1310  and a second connector  1320 , which are electrically connected to the bus bars  1510 . 
     The first connector  1310  extends upward from the upper surface of the switch unit  1300 , and the second connector  1320  extends downward from the lower surface of the switch unit  1300 . The first connector  1310  is electrically connected to an external power source, and the second connector  1320  is electrically connected to a power supply unit. That is, the switch unit  1300  is positioned between a line electrically connected to the external power source and a line electrically connected to the power supply unit. The switch unit  1300  activates or deactivates energization between the external power source and the power supply unit by operating the handle  1200 . Although the first and second connectors  1310  and  1320  are described as being connected to specific targets in the first embodiment  1000 , the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. The first connector  1310  may be electrically connected to the power supply unit, and the second connector  1320  may be electrically connected to the external power source. 
     The handle  1200  includes a shaft  1220 , which is coupled to the switch unit  1300  through the enclosure  1100  and extends in one direction. The shaft  1220  transmits the rotational energy of the handle  1200  to the switch unit  1300  to adjust the on/off state of the switch unit  1300 . 
     In the first embodiment  1000  according to the present invention, the enclosure  1100  may completely block the inflow of foreign substances through a unique sealing structure. The enclosure  1100  includes a main body  1110 , which is open at one surface thereof and has the accommodation space therein. The main body  1110  may be fixed to a wall surface through a bracket  1130  coupled to one surface thereof. The enclosure  1100  includes the door  1120  hinged to one side of the main body  1110  so as to be openable and closable on the open surface of the main body  1110 . The enclosure  1100  may seal the accommodation space thereof using the door  1120 . 
     Compared with one side of the main body  1110  on which the door  1120  is disposed, the main body  1110  includes a step  1112  on the other side thereof. As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the step  1112  extends inward from one surface of the main body  1110  that abuts the closed door  1120 . The step  1112  is bent toward the door  1120  at least once. In the first embodiment  1000 , the step  1112  is bent toward the door  1120 , and is further bent obliquely at the end thereof to secondarily prevent the inflow of foreign substances. 
     The first embodiment  1000  includes the bus bars  1510  connected to the connectors  1310  and  1320  of the switch unit  1300 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the first embodiment  1000  includes an insulation plate  1520  disposed in front of the connectors  1310  and  1320  to prevent an electric shock accident from the bus bars  1510  and the connectors  1310  and  1320 . The insulation plate  1520  prevents a user from coming into contact with the connectors  1310  and  1320  and the bus bars  1510  to prevent an electric shock accident. The insulation plate  1520  may be made of a material that is a poor conductor of electricity, and may be, for example, an acrylic plate. The first embodiment  1000  includes a terminal block  1530  that may constitute a circuit through connection with different wires, and an earth bar  1540  serving as a ground. 
     The enclosure  1100  includes a roof  1114  to prevent the inflow of materials falling from above. As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the roof  1114  extends horizontally from the top of the enclosure  1100 , is bent at least once, and then extends obliquely downward. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view illustrating the internal configuration in the first embodiment according to the present invention. As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , the bus bar  1510  connected to the first connector  1310  extends downward in a C-shape. The bus bar  1510  connected to the second connector  1320  extends downward. Since the bus bars  1510  have ends connected to cables and concentrated in the lower portion of the enclosure  1100 , it is convenient to connect the bus bars  1510  to the cable coming into the enclosure  1100  from the outside, together with easy management thereof. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  are views illustrating a modified example of section A of  FIG. 2 . In  FIG. 5A , illustrates that the door  1120  is closed, and  FIG. 5B  illustrates that the door  1120  is opened. As can be seen in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the present invention may include an electric shock prevention unit  1600 , which is connected to the external power source and controls the supply of external power by opening and closing the door  1120 . The external power source is connected to the electric shock prevention unit  1600  before connection to the switch unit  1300 . Since the electric shock prevention unit  1600  cuts off external power when the door  1120  is opened, the switch unit  1300  is deenergized while the door  1120  is open. 
     Specifically, the electric shock prevention unit  1600  includes a body  1610 , an energization bar  1620 , and a push bar  1630 . The body  1610  is fixedly fitted to a fixing member  1116  disposed on the inner surface of the main body  1110 . The fixing member  1116  is disposed to face a protruding member  1122  disposed on the inner surface of the door  1120  while the door  1120  is closed. The energization bar  1620  is disposed on one side of the body  1610  and extends in one direction. The energization bar  1620  consists of a pair of energization bars, each electrically connected to the external power source. The push bar  1630  is disposed on the other side of the body  1610  and is inserted into the body  1610  by external pressure, so as to supply external power. That is, the electric shock prevention unit  1600  pressurizes the push bar  1630  of the fixing member  1116  in the process of closing the door  1120  to supply external power as illustrated in  FIG. 5A , whereas it releases the pressure on the push bar  1630  in the process of opening the door  1120  to cut off external power. Accordingly, the user can open the door  1120  to safely inspect the inside of the enclosure  1100 . 
     [Safety Locking Device] 
       FIG. 6  is a view illustrating a second embodiment  2000  according to the present invention. As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , the second embodiment  2000  includes a safety locking device  2700  to adjust the opening and closing of the door with magnetism. The safety locking device  2700  is a device that safely and conveniently opens and closes the door. The safety locking device  2700  includes a pair of receptacles  2710 , a pinion  2750 , a pair of magnetic parts  2730 , a magnetic blocking part  2740 , and a rack  2760 . 
     The pair of receptacles  2710  is disposed on the outer peripheral surfaces of each of the door and the main body, respectively. The toothed pinion  2750  is embedded in the main-body-side receptacle  2710  disposed on the main body. The rack  2760  having teeth on one surface thereof is disposed beneath the pinion  2750 . As the rack  2760  moves from side to side, the pinion  2750  is able to rotate. The rack  2760  includes a stick  2762  for left and right movement by user&#39;s operation. The stick  2762  is in the form of a protrusion and extends to be exposed through a cutout rail  2720  formed in the main-body-side receptacle  2710 . 
     The pair of magnetic parts  2730  is provided in the pair of receptacles  2710 , respectively, The magnetic parts  2730  generate a magnetic force, and each may be, for example, a magnet. The pair of magnetic parts  2730  is attached to each other by magnetic attraction, so that the pair of receptacles  2710  is attached to each other. Accordingly, the door remains closed, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     The user may block the magnetic force between the pair of magnetic parts  2730  by rotating the magnetic blocking part  2740  in order to open the door. The magnetic blocking part  2740  is disposed on one side of the pinion  2750  in the state in which it is embedded in the associated receptacle  2710 . The magnetic blocking part  2740  is disposed on the side of the pinion  2750  in the radial vicinity of the pinion  2750 . In response, the magnetic part  2730  embedded in the main-body-side receptacle  2710  is located within the radius of the pinion  2750  so as not to collide with the rotating magnetic blocking part  2740 . Accordingly, the magnetic blocking part  2740  is disposed between the pair of magnetic parts  2730  while rotating by rotation of the pinion  2750  along with the left and right movement of the rack  2760 , thereby blocking the magnetic force of the magnetic parts  2730  to open the door. 
     As is apparent from the above description, the present invention provides the switch capable of easily checking whether external power is cut off with the naked eye even from a distance. 
     In addition, the present invention provides the switch that enables safe operation without an electric shock accident in the process of cutting off power. 
     It is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in different forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the present invention should be construed not as restrictive but merely as illustrative in all respects. It is contemplated that any and all such embodiments are included in the present invention as may fall within the literal or equivalent scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.