Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/CA1220248A/en
Timestamp: 2020-07-07 17:09:31
Document Index: 247729290

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 22', 'art 70', 'arts 40', 'art 4', 'art 62', 'art 70']

CA1220248A - Miniature circuit breaker with improved insulation level - Google Patents
CA1220248A
CA1220248A CA000470329A CA470329A CA1220248A CA 1220248 A CA1220248 A CA 1220248A CA 000470329 A CA000470329 A CA 000470329A CA 470329 A CA470329 A CA 470329A CA 1220248 A CA1220248 A CA 1220248A
CA000470329A
Gilbert Mora
1983-12-26 Priority to FR8320899 priority Critical
1983-12-26 Priority to FR8320899A priority patent/FR2557354B1/en
1984-12-17 Application filed by Merlin Gerin SA filed Critical Merlin Gerin SA
1987-04-07 Publication of CA1220248A publication Critical patent/CA1220248A/en
2002-12-17 First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=9295635&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=CA1220248(A) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
238000005192 partition Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 36
230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 22
238000005755 formation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 22
238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 4
H01H9/346—Details concerning the arc formation chamber
H01H9/302—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts wherein arc-extinguishing gas is evolved from stationary parts
Abstract.-MINIATURE CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH IMPROVED INSULATION LEVEL.
The separation partition (44) of the arc formation chamber (38) from the mechanism of a miniature circuit breaker is formed so as to follow at least on a part of its length some equipotential lines generated between the separated contacts (20, 22) of the circuit breaker. This particular shape of the partition (44) permits to increase the insulating level of the appliance after a fault elimination.
Refer to Fig. 1.
MINIATURE CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH IMPROVED INSULATION LEVEL.
Background of the invention The invention relates to a minia-ture electric circuit breaker with insulating moulded casing having an arc formation chamber, a pair of coopera-ting fixed and movable contacts disposed in the arc formation chamber and generating inside the arc formation chamber an electrical field in the separation zone of the contacts in open position, an arc extinction chamber communicating wi-th the arc formation cham-ber, a mechanism for moving the contacts be-tween an engaged and disengaged condition, a chamber for the mechanism housing, separated from the arc forma-tion chamber by an intermediate insulating partition having a rectangular slot and two ribs for laterally delimitating this slot, and a carrier support-ing the movable contact and crossing the slot for cooperating with the mechanism, the carrier being longitudinally movable within said rectangular slot and laterally encompassed by the ribs.
When a short-circuit is cut off, the arc which develops in the arcing chamber releases much heat and damages the casing parts located close to its passage. Furthermore the arc roots pull some metallic particles out of the contacts and the arcing horns. The degradation products, composed mainly by carbon, me-tals and oxydes form preferentially a deposit on the ribs and in -the angles, wherever the gaseous flow which sweeps them along is deviated by an obs-tacle.
In particular they form a deposi-t on the intermedia-te partition between -the arc formation chamber and the chamber containing the mechanism. In all the known realiza-tions this par-tition with slot extends between the casing parts near the fixed contact and the casing parts near the moving contact a-t the shortest. This arrangement has the disadvantage to create a preferential creepage path between the fixed contact and the .~.
~?(.
- 2 -moving contact which degrades the insulation level of -the appliance.
Summary of the invention An object of the present invention ls to improve the insulation level of the miniature electric cir-cuit breaker and it is characterized in that the ribs extend at least over a part of their length parallely to the equi-potential lines of the electrical field generated in the separation zone of the contacts in open position, so that these rib parts are submitted to a zero potential gradient and prevent any current creepage along said partition ribs.
An advantage of the circuit breaker of the present invention is that any current creepage along the ribs of the parti-tion is prevented even if these are polluted by deposits likely to alter the dielectric strength.
The partition can he continuous, the ribs being then advantageously connected on both ends by round parts to the casing walls which delimit the formation chamber to limit the communication opening at the most and thereby the gas volume likely to escape from the formation chamber toward the mechanism chamber. In that case the partition has preferably an S shape, the central part of which is parallel to the equipo-tential lines and the ends of which are connected to insulating parts near of the Eixed contact and near of the moving contact respectively.
If the required sealing is less important, it is possible to provide discontinui-ties in -the partition and more especially in the end parts crossing the equipotential lines. These discontinuities increase the insulation level between the contacts, but to -the prejudice of the sealing.
The partition can be secured to or come from moulding with the shells forming the insula-ting moulded casing.
This partition can also be integral with or be secured to insulating plates disposed on both sides of the formation chamber.
The gain upon the insulation level in the open position of the contacts can reach 50 % and depends among other -things of the thickness of the partition. The partition according to the invention can be applied to all kinds of circuit breakers or intexrup-ters.
Brief description of the drawings O-ther advantages and -technical data of the present invention will more clearly appear from the following non restrictive description of a preferred embodiment thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Fig l is a schematic view of a pole of a circuit breaker according to the inven-tion, the side wall being supposed removed;
- Fig. 2 is a section viewed along -the line II-II in Fig. l;
- Fig. 3 is a paxtial view of Fig. l, on an enlarged scale, showing the moving contact in open position;
- Fig. 4 which is disposed on the same sheet of formal drawings as Figure 2 is a view similar to the one of Fig. 3, showing the equipotential lines and a shape variant of the partition according to the invention.
Description of the preferred embodiment On Fig. l the pole of a miniature elec-tric circuit breaker comprises a casing 10 made of a moulded insulating material having a handle 14 to operate -the circui-t breaker on the Eront side 12, and on the -two narrow lateral faces the connecting -terminals 16, 1~. Inside -the casing 10 is housed a fixed contac-t 22 which cooperates with a moving con-tact 20 mounted in rotation on an axis 24. Furthermore the casing 10 comprises a thermal release 26 and an electromagnetic - 3a -release 28 likely to induce an automa-tic opening of the contacts 20, 22 in case of overload or short-circuit. In the lower part of the casing 10 is disposed an arcing chamber 30 formed by a pile-up of plate-sheets 32 extending parallel to the rear 34 of -the casing 10. Fixing clamps 36 locked with the rear 34 are likely to cooperate with a support symmetrical DIN rail according to well known manner from the specialists.
At the entrance of the arcing chamber is disposed an arc formation chamber 38 containing the fixed contact 22 and the moving contact 20. The arc formation chamber 38 freely communica-tes with the arcing chamber 30, the opposite side being delimited by an insulating wall 40 along which extends an arcing horn 42 connecting the fixed contact 22 -to the end of the plate-sheet 32 buil-t onto the rear 34. A partition designated by the general mark 44 extends between the arc formation chamber 38 and the chamber disposed in the upper part of the 7 /
,,~, A~,~.
cas;ng 10. The partition 44 shows a slot 48 -for -the passage of the support arm 46 of the moving contact 20 to permit a free clear~nce of the latter from the closed position repre-sented in Fig. 1 to the open position represented in Fig. 3.
The partition 44 limi-ts the gas leaks generated by the arc in the formation chamber 38 toward the mechanism so 3S -to blow the arc from the formation chamber 38 toward the arcing chamber 30 where it goes out. Referring to Fig. 2, it is seen that the slot 48 of the partition 44 is laterally delimited by a pair of ribs 50, 52 encircling the contact arm 46 with weak play~ In the example represented in Fig. 2, the ribs 50, 52 come from moulding with the two constitu-ting shells of the moulded casing 10. The arc formation chamber 38 is sideways delimited by a pair of pla-tes 54, 56 advantageously made of gas-emanating material, which confines with the casing 10 passages of gases recirculation promoting the arc shift to-ward the arcing chamber 30. The maanetic release 28 comprises a yoke 58, a part of which forms the end plate-sheet of the arcing chamber 30 and a metallic rod 60 cooperating with the arm of the moving contact 46 -to pull out the latter toward the opening position. Such a circuit breaker is well known of the specialists and it is unnecessary t~ describe its com~
position or its operation more in detail.
In open position o-f the circuit breaker, shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the voltage is applied between the contacts 20, 22, the arcing horn 42 being at the potential of the fixed contact 22, whereas the yoke 58 and the drawer rod 60 are at the po-tential of the moving contact 20, 46. The equipotential lines 68 between these conducting parts 22, 42; Z0, 46, 58, 60 are drawn on Fig. 4. Near the fixed contact 22 is disposed an insulating wall 40 belonging to the casing 10, an insulating wall 62 of the casing 10 extending at the rear of the moving contact 20, 46 in open position. According to the present invention the partition 44 with slo-t 48 extends at least on a part 70 of its length parallel -to the equipotential lines 68. In the realization mode according -to Fig. 3, the bean-shaped parti-tion 44 is separated from the insulating parts 40, 62 by discontinuities 64, 66 disposed in the partition zone crossing the equipotential lines. In the example repre-sented on Fig. 4 the partition 44 continuously extends be-tween the insulating part 4û next to the fixed contact 22 and the insulating part 62 next to the moving contact 20 having a general S-sha~e. It is advisable to note that the round shape of the end parts of the slot partition 44, con-necting the central part 70, parallel to the equipotential lines, to the walls 40, bZ of the casing 10 avoids any acute angle likely to alter the dielectric strengthu According to Fig. 4, the continuous partition 44 ensures a better sealing but an insulation level below the one of the partition with discontinuities 64, 66, shown in Fig. 3. It is clear that the partition 44 can be of a different shape, the main point being to comprise a part parallel or slightly parallel to the equi-potential lines. This part parallel to the equipotential lines is advantageously at the level of the opening 48, but it couLd be at the level of the full parts connecting the casing 10 walls.
In the example represented on the figures~ the partition 44 comes from moulding with the casing 10, but it is clea- that it can be formed by inlaid work supported either by metallic parts such as the horn 42 and the yoke 58, or by insulating parts such as plates 54, 56. The partition 44 and more espe-cially the ribs 50, 52 can however belong to the plates 54, 56, the sealing of the in-terface between the plates and the lateral walls 10 being able to be ensured by a recess of fit-ting on a well known manner. The nature of the material and the thickness of -the partition 44 are determined versus the required insulation level. It should be noted that the parti-cular shape according to the invention of the partition 44 permits to increase the insulation capacity of any arcing appliance whatever its voltage or the type of appliance may be. The present invention has permitted to increase the insu-lation level by an especially simple modification which has not modified the manufacture cost o-f the appliance.
1. A miniature electric circuit breaker with insulating moulded casing having an arc formation chamber, a pair of cooperating fixed and movable contacts disposed in said arc formation chamber and generating inside said arc formation chamber an electrical field in the separation zone of said contacts in open position, an arc extinction chamber commu-nicating with the arc formation chamber, a mechanism for moving said contacts between an engaged and disengaged condi-tion, a chamber for the mechanism housing, separated from the arc formation chamber by an intermediate insulating par-tition having a rectangular slot and two ribs for laterally delimitating said slot, a carrier supporting the movable con-tact and crossing said slot for cooperating with said mecha-nism, said carrier being longitudinally movable within said rectangular slot and laterally encompassed by said ribs, said ribs extending at least over a part of their length parallely to the equipotential lines of said electrical field, so that said rib parts are submitted to a zero potential gradient and prevent any current creepage along said partition ribs.
2. A miniature electric circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein said casing comprises two insulating walls deli-miting the arc formation chamber on the side of the fixed contact and on the side of the movable contact in open posi-tion, said partition extending between said two walls and being connected to said walls.
3. A miniature electric circuit breaker according to claim 2, having a S-shaped partition wall the central part of this wall extending parallely to the equipotential lines and the two round end parts fitting together on said two walls.
4. A miniature electric circuit breaker according to claim 3, wherein said casing comprises two coupled half shells, said partition coming from moulding with said shells, one of said ribs being integral with one of said shells and the other of said ribs being integral with the other of said shells.
CA000470329A 1983-12-26 1984-12-17 Miniature circuit breaker with improved insulation level Expired CA1220248A (en)
FR8320899 1983-12-26
FR8320899A FR2557354B1 (en) 1983-12-26 1983-12-26 Miniature circuit breaker with improved dielectric hold
CA1220248A true CA1220248A (en) 1987-04-07
ID=9295635
CA000470329A Expired CA1220248A (en) 1983-12-26 1984-12-17 Miniature circuit breaker with improved insulation level
US (1) US4604507A (en)
EP (1) EP0148058B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH0782798B2 (en)
AT (1) AT41718T (en)
AU (1) AU566392B2 (en)
CA (1) CA1220248A (en)
DE (1) DE3477442D1 (en)
ES (1) ES8604003A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2557354B1 (en)
HK (1) HK93693A (en)
ZA (1) ZA8409842B (en)
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1984-12-05 EP EP84402497A patent/EP0148058B1/en not_active Expired
1984-12-05 AT AT84402497T patent/AT41718T/en not_active IP Right Cessation
1984-12-05 DE DE8484402497A patent/DE3477442D1/en not_active Expired
1984-12-11 US US06/680,465 patent/US4604507A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
1984-12-17 CA CA000470329A patent/CA1220248A/en not_active Expired
1984-12-18 ES ES538790A patent/ES8604003A1/en not_active Expired
1984-12-18 ZA ZA849842A patent/ZA8409842B/en unknown
1984-12-22 JP JP59271670A patent/JPH0782798B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
1984-12-24 AU AU37168/84A patent/AU566392B2/en not_active Ceased
1993-09-09 HK HK936/93A patent/HK93693A/en unknown
EP0148058A3 (en) 1985-08-14
CA1220248A1 (en)
JPH0782798B2 (en) 1995-09-06
EP0148058B1 (en) 1989-03-22
FR2557354A1 (en) 1985-06-28
ZA8409842B (en) 1985-08-28
ES538790A0 (en) 1986-01-16
US4604507A (en) 1986-08-05
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JPS60227332A (en) 1985-11-12
FR2557354B1 (en) 1986-09-05
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AU566392B2 (en) 1987-10-15
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