Patent ID: 12224143

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

We further describe the embodiments of the plug-in circuit breaker according to the present invention as follows in combination with the examples shown inFIGS.1-25. The plug-in circuit breaker of the present invention is not limited to the description of the following embodiments.

As shown inFIG.1, the circuit breaker of the present invention, especially a plug-in circuit breaker, comprises the circuit breaker housing1, the button mechanism2arranged inside the circuit breaker housing1, an operating mechanism connected with the button mechanism2, the movable contact60connected with the operating mechanism, the static contact61co-operated with the movable contact60, and the button mechanism2being operated to enable the circuit breaker to switch on/switch off by means of the operating mechanism, which enables the movable contact60and the static contact61to be connected/disconnected.

Of course, following an actual need, as shown inFIG.1, the circuit breaker of the present invention may further comprises the short-circuit protection mechanism7, an overload protection mechanism and the arc-extinguishing system8all arranged inside the circuit breaker housing1. The short-circuit protection mechanism7and the overload protection mechanism actuate the operating mechanism to enable the circuit breaker to trip off when short-circuit and overload faults occur in the circuit breaker, respectively, so as to basically function as a circuit protector. The arc-extinguishing system8is used to extinguish the arc generated at the disconnection of the movable contact60and the static contact61, helping to improve the disconnection performance of the circuit breaker and improve the safety of electricity consumption.

As shown inFIGS.1-3, the circuit breaker housing1includes the switch-on button hole110and the switch-off button hole111all arranged thereon. The button mechanism2includes the switch-on button20and the switch-off button21slidably arranged inside the circuit breaker housing1, respectively. The switch-on button20includes a switch-on button operating end arranged at one end thereof and slidably arranged in the switch-on button hole110. The switch-off button21includes a switch-off button operating end arranged at one end thereof and slidably arranged in the switch-off button hole111. While the switch-on button operating end/switch-off button operating end is being pressed toward the inside of the circuit breaker housing1to enable the circuit breaker to switch on/switch off, correspondingly said switch-off button operating end/switch-on button operating end moves toward the outside of the circuit breaker housing1.

Further, as shown inFIGS.1-2, the operating mechanism includes a bar linkage, and the transmission member4and a lever mechanism all pivotally arranged inside the circuit breaker housing1. The bar linkage includes the switch-on connecting rod30, the switch-off connecting rod31and the transmission connecting rod32. The reverse end of the switch-on button20is drivingly connected to the transmission member4through the switch-on connecting rod30, and the reverse end of the switch-off button21is drivingly connected to the transmission member4through the switch-off connecting rod31. The transmission member4is drivingly connected with the lever mechanism through the transmission connecting rod32, and the lever mechanism is connected with the movable contact60of the circuit breaker. When the switch-on button20is pressed to enable the circuit breaker to switch on, the switch-on button20actuates the transmission member4to rotate in a first direction through the switch-on connecting rod30, meanwhile, the rotation of the transmission member4drives the switch-off button21to move toward the outside of the circuit breaker housing1through the switch-off connecting rod31. When the switch-off button21is pressed to enable the circuit breaker to switch off, the switch-off button21actuates the transmission member4to rotate in a second direction through the switch-off connecting rod31, meanwhile, the rotation of the transmission member4drives the switch-on button20to move toward the outside of the circuit breaker housing1through the switch-on connecting rod30, so the first direction and the second direction are opposite to each other. Among them, the transmission member4similarly functions as a handle of a traditional small-sized circuit breaker, and the switch-on button20and the switch-off button21interact with the transmission member4through the connecting rods. The lever mechanism may adopt the existing solutions such as a four-bar linkage or a multi-bar linkage.

The present invention has an improvement in that the button mechanism2includes the switch-on button20and the switch-off button21, which can be respectively pressed by users to actuate the circuit breaker to switch on/switch off, and the switch-on button20moves in the direction opposite to the movement of the switch-off button21, that is, while the switch-on button20/switch-off button21is being pressed toward the inside of the circuit breaker housing1to enable the circuit breaker to switch on/switch off, the corresponding switch-on button20/switch-off button21will move toward the outside of the circuit breaker housing1, in other words, users can distinguish the states stood by the circuit breaker (switch-on or switch-off state) by observing the states of the switch-on button20and the switch-off button21. Firstly, compared with the existing circuit breaker adopting a mechanism which is pressed and pulled to enable the circuit breaker to switch on/switch off, the circuit breaker of the present invention enables the circuit breaker to switch on/switch off by pressing the button, thereby preventing the circuit breaker from being mistakenly pulled out. Secondly, the states of the circuit breaker can be judged by observing the states of the switch-on button20and the switch-off button21, without necessity to set up a switch-on indicating apparatus and a switch-off indicating apparatus, respectively, simplifying the structure of the circuit breaker and saving the internal space of the circuit breaker, as well as helping to follow the trend of the miniaturization of the circuit breaker.

Preferably, as shown inFIGS.10-24, the circuit breaker of the present invention further includes a locking mechanism and an unlocking mechanism arranged inside the circuit breaker housing1. As shown inFIGS.10-18, the locking mechanism includes the first locking member1awith one end protruding outside the circuit breaker housing1, the locking member opening17arranged on the circuit breaker housing1for co-operation with the locking mechanism, and an assembling limiting hole arranged on the assembling position housing of the circuit breaker housing. When the circuit breaker is assembled to the designated position, the locking member opening17of the plug-in circuit breaker corresponds to the assembling limiting hole, and when the plug-in circuit breaker is not assembled to the designated position, the locking member opening17of the plug-in circuit breaker is misaligned with the assembling limiting hole, enabling the assembling position housing to screen the locking member opening17, as it pertains to the prior art in the art, details for it are not described herein again.

The present invention has another improvement in the structure for locking and co-operating. When the circuit breaker is in the switch-off state, one end of the first locking member1aextends from the locking member opening17and protrudes outside the circuit breaker housing1, and the first locking member1acan retract into the inside of the circuit breaker housing1under the function of an external force for retraction, and the first locking member1ais co-operated with the switch-on button20and/or the switch-off button21in a position-limit way, locking the switch-on button20and/or the switch-off button21to enable the circuit breaker not to switch on. When the circuit breaker is in the switch-on state, one end of the first locking member1aprotrudes outside the circuit breaker housing1, and the first locking member1acan not retract into the inside of the circuit breaker housing1at a position limited by the switch-on button20and/or the switch-off button21. When the first locking member1aprotrudes outside the circuit breaker housing1, the first locking member1adoes not lock the switch-on button20and/or the switch-off button21, then the switch-on button20and/or the switch-off button21can normally perform switch on and switch off operations.

Preferably, as shown inFIGS.10-17, before the circuit breaker is installed to the assembling position of the circuit breaker, if the circuit breaker is in the switch-on state, one end of the first locking member1aprotrudes outside the circuit breaker housing1and can not retract into the inside of the circuit breaker housing1because the limitation by the switch-on button20and/or the switch-off button21, so that the circuit breaker cannot be inserted and installed into the assembling position of the circuit breaker in the switch-on state.

While the circuit breaker is being installed to the assembling position of the circuit breaker, the assembling position housing of the circuit breaker applies a external force for retraction on the first locking member1aduring the assembling process, squeezes the first locking member1ato enable it move toward the inside of the circuit breaker housing1and retract into the inside of the circuit breaker housing1, and enables the first locking member1ato be co-operated with the switch-on button20and/or the switch-off button21in a position-limit way, locking the switch-on button20and/or the switch-off button21, so as to prevent the circuit breaker from switching onswitching on, and enable the circuit breaker not to switch on during the assembling process and improve safety.

After the circuit breaker has been assembled to the designated position, the locking member opening17corresponds to the assembling limiting hole, and the assembling position housing does not apply an external force for retraction on the first locking member1a, so that the first locking member1aprotrudes outside the circuit breaker housing1again, unlocks the button mechanism2and co-operating the first locking member1awith the assembling position housing in a position-limit way to enable the circuit breaker to normally switch on and switch off through the switch-on button20and/or the switch-off button21, and prevent the circuit breaker from being pulled out from its assembling position at will, so as to ensure that the circuit breaker won't fall out from the assembling position of the circuit breaker due to the vibration during transportation.

After the circuit breaker has been assembled to the designated position, when the circuit breaker is in the switch-on state, the switch-on button20and/or the switch-off button21prevent the first locking member1afrom moving toward the inside of the circuit breaker housing1, so that the circuit breaker cannot be pulled out from the assembling position of the circuit breaker in the switch-on state.

Further, as shown inFIGS.10-13and18, when the circuit breaker is in the switch-off state, operating the unlocking mechanism enables the first locking member1ato move toward the inside of the circuit breaker housing1, and retract into the inside of the circuit breaker housing1, releasing the position-limiting co-operation of the first locking member1awith the assembling position housing and making its co-operation with the button mechanism2.

Of the locking mechanism of the circuit breaker of the present invention, the first locking member1alocks the switch-on button20and/or the switch-off button21by means of its co-operation with the switch-on button20and/or the switch-off button21at installation to the assembling position of the circuit breaker, avoiding the circuit breaker from switching onswitching on due to the user's misoperation/accidental touch during the installation process of the circuit breaker, and ensuring user's personal safety. Moreover, when the circuit breaker is in the switch-on state, the switch-on button20and/or the switch-off button21prevent the first locking member from moving toward the inside of the circuit breaker housing, that is, once the circuit breaker switches on, it cannot be installed to its assembling position, or pulled out from its assembling position at will, so as to ensure it to be installed to its assembling position in the switch-off state, or to be pulled out of its assembling position, thereby ensuring the personal safety of users.

It should be pointed out that the “locking/unlocking the button mechanism2” refers to making position-limiting co-operation/releasing position-limiting co-operation with the button mechanism2through the first locking member1ato prevent/allow the switch-on button20and/or the switch-off button21from moving/to move in the designated direction (ie a switch-on direction or a switch-off direction).

After the circuit breaker has been assembled to the assembling position of the circuit breaker and into the designated position, the first locking member1ais co-operated with the assembling position housing of the circuit breaker in a position-limit way. The unlocking mechanism includes an independent pulling member2adrivingly co-operated with the first locking member1a. When the circuit breaker is in the switch-off state, pulling the pulling member2aenables the first locking member1ato move towards the inside of the circuit breaker housing1, and retract into the inside of the circuit breaker housing1, so as to release the position-limiting co-operation of the first locking member1awith the assembling position housing, so that the circuit breaker can be pulled out of the assembling position housing of the circuit breaker. Further, as shown inFIGS.10-13, the unlocking mechanism further includes a linkage member3a, of which one end is drivingly co-operated with the first locking member1a, and the other end is drivingly co-operated with the pulling member2a. Pulling the pulling member2aenables the linkage member3ato rotate, and the linkage member3adrives the first locking member1ato move towards the inside of the circuit breaker housing1, retract into the inside of the circuit breaker housing1and release its position-limiting co-operation with the assembling position housing. Compared with the existing circuit breaker which releases the position-limiting co-operation with the assembling position housing by pulling the button, the present invention has yet another improvement in that the circuit breaker is independently provided with the pulling member2aof the unlocking mechanism, instead of unlocking the first locking member through the button mechanism, thereby avoiding the circuit breaker from being mistakenly pulled out by the pulling button. Moreover, in the unlocking mechanism of the present invention, the pulling member2ais drivingly co-operated with the first locking member1athrough the linkage member3a, thereby improving the fault tolerance of the unlocking mechanism, lowering requirements for the structural accuracy of the pulling member2a, the linkage member3aand the first locking member1aand helping to reduce production difficulty and improve production efficiency.

Preferably, as shown inFIGS.21-24, the locking mechanism includes the second locking member1bpivotally arranged on the circuit breaker housing1, and the second locking member1bincludes the second locking end13b. Pressing the switch-on button20to actuate the operating mechanism enables the circuit breaker to switch on, and simultaneously enables the switch-off button21to move toward the outside of the circuit breaker housing1, and the switch-on button20and/or the switch-off button21actuate the second locking member1bto rotate, so that the second locking end13bprotrudes outside the circuit breaker housing1, and the second locking member1bis limited at a position by the switch-on button20and/or the switch-off button21and cannot retract into the inside of the circuit breaker housing1. Pressing the switch-off button21to actuate the operating mechanism enables the circuit breaker to switch off, and simultaneously enables the switch-on button20to move toward the outside of the circuit breaker housing1, and the switch-on button20and/or the switch-off button21actuate the second locking member1bto rotate reversely, so that the second locking end13bretracts inside the circuit breaker housing1.

Further, as shown inFIGS.22and24, when the circuit breaker switches on, the switch-off button21actuates the second locking member1bto rotate, so that the second locking end13bprotrudes outside the circuit breaker housing1; when the circuit breaker switches off, the switch-on button20actuates the second locking member1bto rotate, so that the second locking end13bretracts into the inside of the circuit breaker housing1. Of course, when the circuit breaker switches on, the switch-on button20may actuate the second locking end13bto protrude outside the circuit breaker housing1; and when the circuit breaker switches off, the switch-off button21may actuate the second locking end13bto retract into the inside of the circuit breaker housing1. In the circuit breaker of the present invention, the locking mechanism further includes the second locking member1b, and the second locking end13bof the second locking member1bprotrudes from the outside of the circuit breaker housing1when the circuit breaker switches on, thereby preventing the circuit breaker from being installed to the assembling position of the circuit breaker in the switch-on state, or being pulled out of the assembling position of the circuit breaker in the switch-on state, and ensuring the electrical safety and personal safety of users.

It should be noted that the first locking member1aand the second locking member1bof the locking mechanism of the present invention function in some same ways as well as different ways, so they can coexist with each other to improve the electrical safety of the circuit breaker, of course, there may be only the first locking member1aor the second locking member1bprovided in the locking mechanism. In the case that the first locking member1aand the second locking member1bare both provided in the locking mechanism, when the circuit breaker switches on outside the assembling position of the circuit breaker, the first locking member1aand the second locking member1bboth protrude from the circuit breaker housing, so as to enable the circuit breaker not to be installed into the assembling position of the circuit breaker; when the circuit breaker is installed to the assembling position of the circuit breaker, but not to the designated position, the assembling position housing presses the first locking member1aback into the circuit breaker housing, preventing the switch-on button from switching onswitching on; after the circuit breaker has been installed to the assembling position of the circuit breaker and to the designated position and it has switched on, the first locking member1aand the second locking member1bboth protrude from the circuit breaker housing, and cannot be unlocked, the circuit breaker cannot be pulled out from the assembling position of the circuit breaker; after the circuit breaker has been installed to the assembling position of the circuit breaker and it has broken contact, the second locking member1bretracts into the circuit breaker housing, and the first locking member1astill protrudes from the circuit breaker housing to prevent the circuit breaker from separating from the assembling position of the circuit breaker under shakes during transportation, etc.; after the circuit breaker has been installed to the assembling position of the circuit breaker and it has broken contact, pulling the pulling member2aoutwards enables the first locking member1ato be pulled back into the circuit breaker housing to unlock, next continuously pulling the first locking member1aenables the circuit breaker to be pulled out of the cabinet.

Preferably, as shown inFIGS.19,20and25, an embodiment of the circuit breaker housing1is provided.

The circuit breaker housing1is integrally formed into a hexahedral structure, including the front side wall1001and the rear side wall1002arranged oppositely, the wire-outlet holes112, the button holes110-111and the pulling member operating hole113arranged on the front side wall1001, and the wire-inlet holes14arranged on the rear side wall1002. The wire-outlet holes112, the button holes110-111and the pulling member operating hole113of the circuit breaker housing1are centrally arranged on the front side wall1001, more easing operation for users, and the wire-inlet holes14are arranged on the rear side wall1002opposite to the front side wall1001, helping to increase the creepage distance between the wire-inlet end and the wire-outlet end, and improve the insulation performance of the circuit breaker. Further, as shown inFIG.25, the button holes110-111include the switch-on button hole110and the switch-off button hole111arranged side by side. As for the above structure, it is easy to separately set up the switch-on button and the switch-off button of the circuit breaker, thereby enabling the circuit breaker to switch on/switch off through different structures. Compared with the existing circuit breaker enabling a circuit breaker to switch on/switch off by pressing/pulling a button, the structure avoids the circuit breaker from being pulled out with an excessive force when the circuit breaker switches off by pulling the button.

We shall further describe the circuit breaker of the present invention with reference to the figures and examples as follows.

As shown inFIGS.1-3, the circuit breaker of the present invention is a plug-in circuit breaker, comprising the circuit breaker housing1, the button mechanism2arranged inside the circuit breaker housing1, an operating mechanism connected with the button mechanism2, the movable contact60connected with the operating mechanism, the static contact61co-operated with the movable contact60, and the button mechanism2being operated to enable the circuit breaker to switch on/switch off by means of the operating mechanism, which enables the movable contact60and the static contact61to be connected/disconnected. Of course, following an actual need, as shown inFIG.1, the circuit breaker of the present invention may further comprises the short-circuit protection mechanism7, an overload protection mechanism and the arc-extinguishing system8all arranged inside the circuit breaker housing1. The short-circuit protection mechanism7and the overload protection mechanism actuate the operating mechanism to enable the circuit breaker to trip off when short-circuit and overload faults occur in the circuit breaker, respectively, so as to basically function as a circuit protector. The arc-extinguishing system8is used to extinguish the arc generated at the disconnection of the movable contact60and the static contact61, helping to improve the disconnection performance of the circuit breaker and improve the safety of electricity consumption. Further, the short-circuit protection mechanism7and the overload protection mechanism are an electromagnetic release and a dual metal piece drivingly co-operated with the operating mechanism, respectively. The arc-extinguishing system8is an arc-extinguishing chamber arranged on one side of the movable contact and the static contact61, and involves side walls of the arc-extinguishing chamber and a plurality of arc-extinguishing sheets arranged between the side walls of the arc-extinguishing chamber.

Preferably, as shown inFIGS.1-9, an embodiment of the operating mechanism is provided.

As shown inFIGS.1-2, the circuit breaker housing1includes the switch-on button hole110and the switch-off button hole111all arranged thereon. The button mechanism2includes the switch-on button20and the switch-off button21slidably arranged inside the circuit breaker housing1, respectively. The switch-on button20includes a switch-on button operating end arranged at one end thereof and slidably arranged in the switch-on button hole110. The switch-off button21includes a switch-off button operating end arranged at one end thereof and slidably arranged in the switch-off button hole111. While the switch-on button operating end/switch-off button operating end is being pressed toward the inside of the circuit breaker housing1to enable the circuit breaker to switch on/switch off, the switch-off button operating end/switch-on button operating end moves toward the outside of the circuit breaker housing1.

Further, as shown inFIGS.1-2, the operating mechanism includes a bar linkage, and the transmission member4and a lever mechanism all pivotally arranged inside the circuit breaker housing1. The bar linkage includes the switch-on connecting rod30, the switch-off connecting rod31and the transmission connecting rod32. The reverse end of the switch-on button20is drivingly connected to the transmission member4through the switch-on connecting rod30, and the reverse end of the switch-off button21is drivingly connected to the transmission member4through the switch-off connecting rod31. The transmission member4is drivingly connected with the lever mechanism through the transmission connecting rod32, and the lever mechanism is connected with the movable contact60of the circuit breaker. When the switch-on button20is pressed toward the inside of the circuit breaker housing1to enable the circuit breaker to switch on, the switch-on button20actuates the transmission member4to rotate in a first direction through the switch-on connecting rod30, meanwhile, the rotation of the transmission member4drives the switch-off button21to move toward the outside of the circuit breaker housing1through the switch-off connecting rod31. When the switch-off button21is pressed toward the inside of the circuit breaker housing1to enable the circuit breaker to switch off, the switch-off button21actuates the transmission member4to rotate in a second direction through the switch-off connecting rod31, meanwhile, the rotation of the transmission member4drives the switch-on button20to move toward the outside of the circuit breaker housing1through the switch-on connecting rod30, so the first direction and the second direction are opposite to each other.

Further, as shown inFIGS.1-2, the lever mechanism includes the jump buckle50, the lock catch51and the rotating plate52. The rotating plate52is pivotally arranged on the circuit breaker housing1, the jumper buckle50and the lock catch51are locked with each other and pivotally arranged on the rotating plate52, respectively. The rotating plate52is connected with the movable contact60, and the transmission member4is drivingly connected with the jumper buckle50through the transmission connecting rod32. The transmission member4rotates in the first direction and drives the lever mechanism to rotate in the first direction in their entirety through the transmission connecting rod32, and the lever mechanism drives the movable contact60to sway, as so to enable the circuit breaker to switch on. The transmission member4rotates in the second direction, and drives the jump buckle50to rotate in the second direction through the transmission connecting rod32, so that the jump buckle50and the lock catch51are released from each other, so as to enable the circuit breaker to switch off. When a short-circuit or overload fault occurs in the circuit breaker, the short-circuit protection mechanism7or the overload protection mechanism actuates the lock catch51to release the lock catch51from the jump buckle50, so as to enable the circuit breaker to trip off and achieve self-protection. Further, the movable contact60is connected with the rotating plate52through an elastic member to enable the movable contact60to operate beyond a stroke. Of course, other solutions may also be adopted for the lever mechanism, all within the protection scope of the present invention. Preferably, as shown inFIG.6, an embodiment of the transmission member4is provided.

As shown inFIG.6, the transmission member4includes the transmission member axle hole400, the first connection hole40, the second connection hole41and the third connection hole42. The first connection hole41, the second connection hole41and the third connection hole42are positioned at three vertices of a triangle thereon, respectively. The transmission member axle hole400is arranged in the middle of the transmission member4. The first connection hole40and the third connection hole42are arranged on one side of the transmission member axle hole400, and the second connection hole41is arranged on the other side of the transmission member axle hole400. The transmission member4is pivotally arranged on the circuit breaker housing1through its transmission member axle hole400, and the transmission member4is connected to the switch-on connecting rod30, the switch-off connecting rod31and the transmission connecting rod32by means of the first connection hole40, the second connection hole41and the third connection hole42, respectively.

Specifically, in the directions shown inFIG.1, the upper, lower, left, and right sides ofFIG.1correspond to the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the circuit breaker, respectively, and the side ofFIG.1facing the reader corresponds to the front side of the circuit breaker. The switch-on button hole110and the switch-off button hole111are arranged on the upper side wall of the circuit breaker housing1. The upper end of the switch-on button20is the switch-on button operating end slidably arranged inside the switch-on button hole110, and the upper end of the switch-off button21is the switch-off button operating end slidably arranged inside the switch-off button hole111. The lower end of the switch-on button20is drivingly connected to the first connection hole40at the right end of the transmission member4through the switch-on connecting rod30, the lower end of the switch-off button21is drivingly connected to the second connection hole41at the left end of the transmission member4through the switch-off connecting rod31, the third connection hole42at the right end of the transmission member4is drivingly connected to the jump buckle50through the transmission connecting rod32, and the transmission member4is pivotally arranged on the transmission member-installing shaft104on the circuit breaker housing1through the transmission member axle hole400therein. The switch-on button20is pressed downwards, thus it drives the transmission member4to rotate clockwise (the first direction) through the switch-on connecting rod30, meanwhile, the transmission member4drives the movable contact60to sway clockwise to switch on with the static contact61by means of the transmission connecting rod31, the jump buckle50and the lock catch51co-operated with each other, and the rotating plate52, thus the circuit breaker enters the switch-on state. The switch-off button21is pressed downwards, thus it drives the transmission member4to rotate counterclockwise (the second direction) through the switch-off connecting rod31, meanwhile, the transmission member4drives the jump buckle50to sway counterclockwise through the transmission connecting rod31, and release its locking co-operation with the lock catch51, thus the rotating plate52drives the movable contact60to sway counterclockwise and switches off with the static contact61, and the circuit breaker enters the switch-off state.

Preferably, the switch-on button operating end and the switch-off button operating end are provided with a first indicator and a second indicator for indicating the switch-on and switch-off states, respectively, and the first indicator and the second indicator both include a color mark and/or a symbol mark. The first indicator is used to indicate the switch-on state, and correspondingly the second indicator is used to indicate the switch-off state; or the first indicator is used to indicate the switch-off state, thus the second indicator is used to indicate the switch-on state. Further, the switch-on button operating end is different from the switch-off button operating end in the color mark and the symbol mark. For example, the color mark and the symbol mark of the switch-on button operating end may be red/SWITCH-OFF symbol (O), respectively; the color mark and the symbol mark of the switch-off button operating end may be green/SWITCH-ON symbol (I), respectively. When the circuit breaker switches on, the switch-on button operating end enters the switch-on button hole110, and the switch-off button operating end is highlighted on the switch-off button hole111, so it can be judged that the circuit breaker is in the switch-on state according to the green mark and/or the SWITCH-ON symbol (I). On the contrary, when the circuit breaker switches off, the switch-off button operating end enters the switch-off button hole111, and the switch-on button operating end is highlighted on the switch-on button hole110, so it can be judged that the circuit breaker is in the switch-off state according to the red mark and/or the SWITCH-OFF symbol (O). The first indicator and the second indicator on the switch-on button operating end and the switch-off button operating end help users to observe and judge the state of the circuit breaker more intuitively, so it is beneficial to improve users' electrical safety.

Preferably, as shown inFIGS.3-5and7-9, the switch-on button20and the switch-off button21of the circuit breaker of the present invention both have a long-strip shape in their entirety, which are parallelly arranged and slidably and linearly installed inside the circuit breaker housing1, which includes a first track mechanism and a second track mechanism used to respectively define the movement paths of the switch-on button20and the switch-off button21.

As shown inFIGS.3-5, the first embodiment of the first track mechanism and the second track mechanism is provided.

As shown inFIGS.3-5, the first track mechanism includes the switch-on button track protrusion201arranged on the switch-on20and the switch-on button track groove101arranged on the circuit breaker housing, and the switch-on button track protrusion20is slidably arranged in the switch-on button track groove101. The second track mechanism includes a switch-off button track groove arranged on the circuit breaker housing1, and the switch-off button21is slidably arranged in the switch-off button track groove. Further, as shown inFIG.3, the circuit breaker housing1includes the first rib105, on both sides of which the switch-on button track groove101and the switch-off button track groove are respectively positioned. The switch-on button track groove101is formed by means of encirclement between the first rib105and a side wall of the circuit breaker housing1opposite to the first rib105. The circuit breaker housing1further includes the second rib102opposite to the first rib105, and the switch-off button track groove is formed by means of encirclement between the first rib105and the second rib102.

Preferably, as shown inFIG.4, the switch-on button20includes the switch-on button operating portion202and the switch-on button transmission portion203. Of the switch-on button operating portion202, one end is the switch-on button operating end, and the other end is connected to the switch-on button transmission portion203in overlap, the other end of the switch-on button transmission portion203is provided with the switch-on button connecting hole204and the switch-on button track protrusion201. The switch-on button connecting hole204is connected with one end of the switch-on connecting rod30of the operating mechanism. The switch-on button track protrusion201and the switch-on button operating portion202are positioned at the same side of the switch-on button transmission portion203. Specifically, in the directions shown inFIG.4, of the switch-on button operating portion202, the left end is the switch-on button operating end, and the right end is connected to the switch-on button transmission portion203in overlap, the right end of the switch-on button transmission portion203is provided with the switch-on button connecting hole204and the switch-on button track protrusion201. The switch-on button track protrusion201and the switch-on button operating portion202are positioned at the lower side of the switch-on button transmission portion203. Of course, the other end of the switch-on button operating portion202can also be horizontally connected with the switch-on button transmission portion203, and positioned at the same plane, instead of overlap.

Preferably, as shown inFIG.5, the switch-off button21includes the switch-off button operating portion212and the switch-off button transmission portion213. Of the switch-off button operating portion212, one end is the switch-off button operating end, and the other end is connected to one end of the switch-off button transmission portion213, the other end of which is provided with the switch-off button connecting hole214, which is connected with one end of the switch-off connecting rod31of the operating mechanism. Specifically, in the directions shown inFIG.5, the switch-off button21has a long-strip shape in its entirety. Of the switch-off button operating portion212, the left end is the switch-off button operating end, and the right end is connected to one end of the switch-off button transmission portion213, the right end of which is provided with the switch-off button connecting hole214. The switch-off button connecting hole214is positioned at the lower side of the switch-off button transmission portion213.

Specifically, as shown inFIG.3, the first rib105is arranged on the circuit breaker housing1, and forms the switch-on button track groove101by means of encirclement with the left side wall of the circuit breaker housing1. The second rib102is arranged on the right side of the first rib105, and forms the switch-off button track groove by means of encirclement with the latter. The switch-on button operating end is slidably arranged in the switch-on button hole110, meanwhile the switch-on button track protrusion201is slidably arranged in the switch-on button track groove101to define the movement path of the switch-on button20. The switch-off button operating end is slidably arranged in the switch-off button hole111, meanwhile, the switch-off button transmission portion213is slidably arranged between the first rib105and the second rib102to define the movement path of the switch-off button21.

As shown inFIGS.7-9, the second embodiment of the first track mechanism and the second track mechanism is provided.

As shown inFIGS.7-9, the first track mechanism includes the switch-on button track protrusion201arranged on the switch-on20and the switch-on button track groove101arranged on the circuit breaker housing, and the switch-on button track protrusion201is slidably arranged in the switch-on button track groove101. The second track mechanism includes the switch-off button track bar205arranged on the switch-on button20and in the length direction of the switch-on button20, and the switch-off button track groove2150arranged on the switch-off button21, and the switch-off button track groove2150is slidably co-operated with the switch-off button track bar205.

Preferably, as shown inFIG.8, The switch-on button20includes the switch-on button operating portion202, the switch-on button transmission portion203and the switch-off button track bar205. Of the switch-on button operating portion202, one end is the switch-on button operating end, and the other end is connected to the switch-on button transmission portion203in overlap, the other end of the switch-on button transmission portion203is provided with the switch-on button connecting hole204and the switch-on button track protrusion201. The switch-off button track bar205is arranged on one side of the switch-on button transmission portion203, and the switch-off button track bar205and the switch-on button operating portion202are positioned on the same side of the switch-on button transmission portion203. The switch-on button connecting hole is connected to one end of the switch-on connecting rod30of the operating mechanism. Specifically, in the directions shown inFIG.8, of the switch-on button operating portion202, the upper end is the switch-on button operating end, and the lower end is connected to the upper end of the switch-on button transmission portion203in overlap, the lower end of the switch-on button transmission portion203is provided with the switch-on button connecting hole204and the switch-on button track protrusion201. The switch-off button track bar205is arranged between the switch-on button connecting hole204and the switch-on button operating portion202, connected with the latter, respectively, and positioned on the right side of the switch-on button transmission portion203. The switch-on button track protrusion201is arranged on the left side of the switch-on button transmission portion203. Further, in the directions shown inFIG.8, the switch-on button bottom foot206is arranged on the left side of the upper end of the switch-on button transmission portion203.

Preferably, as shown inFIG.9, the switch-off button21includes the switch-off button operating portion212, the switch-off button transmission portion213, the switch-off button track portion215and the switch-off button connecting hole214. Of the switch-off button operating portion212, one end is the switch-off button operating end, and the other end is connected to one end of the switch-off button transmission portion213, the other end of which is provided with the switch-off button connecting hole214. The switch-off button track portion215is arranged on one side of the switch-off button transmission portion213, and the switch-off button track groove2150is arranged on the side of the switch-off button track portion215facing the switch-on button transmission portion203. Specifically, in the directions shown inFIG.9, of the switch-off button operating portion212, the left end is the switch-off button operating end, and the right end is connected to the left end of the switch-off button transmission portion213, the right end of which is provided with the switch-off button connecting hole214. The switch-off button track portion215is arranged on the rear side of the right end of the switch-off button transmission portion213, and the switch-off button track groove2150is arranged on the lower side of the switch-off button track portion215.

Specifically, as shown inFIG.7, the first track mechanism includes the third rib1010arranged on the circuit breaker housing1, and the switch-on button track groove101is arranged in the middle of the third rib1010in the length direction of the latter. As shown inFIG.8, the switch-on button20further includes the switch-on button bottom foot206, which is arranged at one end of the switch-on button transmission portion203connected to the switch-on button operating portion202, and which is positioned together with the switch-on button operating portion202at both ends of the switch-on button transmission portion203, respectively. The switch-off button track bar205is positioned between the switch-on button operating portion202and the switch-on button connecting hole204, and connected to the latter two, respectively. The switch-on button operating end is slidably arranged in the switch-on button hole110, and the switch-on button bottom foot206is slidably co-operated with the third rib1010. The switch-on button track protrusion201is slidably arranged in the switch-on button track groove101to limit the movement path of the switch-on button20. The switch-off button operating end is slidably arranged in the switch-off button hole111, and the switch-off button track portion215is placed on one side of the switch-on button operating portion203. The switch-off button track groove2150is slidably co-operated with the switch-off button track bar205to limit the movement path of the switch-off button.

Preferably, as shown inFIGS.10-24, the circuit breaker of the present invention further includes the locking mechanism arranged inside the circuit breaker housing1, and one of the improvements of the present invention lies in the locking design of the locking mechanism.

As shown inFIGS.10-17, the locking mechanism includes the first locking member1awith one end protruding outside the circuit breaker housing1, which includes the locking member opening17co-operated with the first locking member1a, one end of which extends to the outside of the circuit breaker housing1through the locking member opening17. When the circuit breaker is in the switch-off state, the first locking member1acan retract into the inside of the circuit breaker housing1under the function of an external force for retraction. For example, while the circuit breaker is being installed to the assembling position of the circuit breaker, the assembling position housing of the circuit breaker squeezes the first locking member1ato enable it move toward the inside of the circuit breaker housing1(assembling position housing applies an external force for retraction on the first locking member1a) during the assembling process, and enables the first locking member1ato be co-operated with the switch-on button20and/or the switch-off button21in a position-limit way, locking the switch-on button20and/or the switch-off button21, so as to prevent the circuit breaker from switching onswitching on. After the circuit breaker has been assembled to the designated position, the locking member opening17corresponds to the assembling limiting hole of the assembling position housing, so the first locking member1aprotrudes outside the circuit breaker housing1from the locking member opening17again and releases its position-limiting co-operation with the switch-on button20and/or the switch-off button21. Unlocking the button mechanism2and co-operating the first locking member1awith the assembling limiting hole of the assembling position housing in a position-limit way enable the circuit breaker to normally switch on and switch off through the switch-on button20and/or the switch-off button21, and prevent the circuit breaker from being pulled out from its assembling position at will.

Further, as shown inFIGS.14-17, the switch-on button20and/or the switch-off button21includes the button limiting groove216in the position-limiting co-operation with the first locking member1a, and the first locking member1aincludes the first locking member limiting protrusion14afitted with the button limiting groove216. When the circuit breaker is in the switch-on state, the button limiting groove216is misaligned with the first locking member limiting protrusion14a, and the switch-on button20and/or the switch-off button21prevent the first locking member1afrom moving toward the inside of the circuit breaker housing1. When the circuit breaker is in the switch-off state, the button limiting groove216is arranged opposite to the first locking member limiting protrusion14a, and the first locking member1acan move toward the inside of the circuit breaker housing1, enabling the first locking member limiting protrusion14ato slide into the button limiting groove216.

Preferably, as shown inFIGS.10-15, the switch-on button20and the switch-off button21are parallelly arranged and slidably and linearly installed inside the circuit breaker housing1. The first locking member1ais movably and linearly installed inside the housing6, and the movement directions of the switch-on button20and the switch-off button21are perpendicular to the movement direction of the first locking member1a. Further, as shown inFIGS.10-15, the locking mechanism further includes the first resetting spring5aarranged between the circuit breaker housing1and the first locking member1a, and the first resetting spring5aapplies a force on the first locking member1a, so as to enable one end of the first locking member1ato protrude outside the circuit breaker housing1without interference from other external forces. When the circuit breaker is in the switch-off state, the first locking member1acan retract into the circuit breaker housing1under the function of an external force for retraction.

Specifically, as shown inFIGS.14and15, the switch-on button20and the switch-off button21can move left and right, as well as in the direction opposite to each other, synchronously, and the first locking member1acan move up and down. As shown inFIG.14, the circuit breaker is in the switch-on state, the button limiting groove216of the switch-off button21is misaligned with first locking member limiting protrusion14aof the first locking member1a, so that the first locking member1acannot move down. As shown inFIG.15, the circuit breaker is in the switch-off state, the button limiting groove216of the switch-off button21is arranged opposite to the first locking member limiting protrusion14aof the first locking member1a, so that the first locking member1acan move down, enabling the first locking member limiting protrusion14ato slide into the button limiting groove, thereby limiting the left and right movements of the switch-on button20and the switch-off button21. It should be pointed out that the button limiting groove216may also be arranged on the switch-on button20, only in the case that the button limiting groove216is misaligned with the first locking member limiting protrusion14ain the switch-on state of circuit breaker and the button limiting groove216is arranged opposite to the first locking member limiting protrusion14ain the switch-off state of circuit breaker.

Further, as shown inFIGS.14-15, the switch-on button20and the switch-off button21are parallelly arranged, and the switch-on button20and the first locking member1aboth are positioned above the switch-off button21, that is, the switch-on button20and the first locking member1aare both positioned between the switch-off button21and the locking member opening17. The first locking member1ais positioned at one side of the switch-on button20, and the switch-off button21includes the button limiting groove216co-operated with the first locking member1aat a limited position. The first locking member1aincludes the first locking member limiting protrusion14afitted with the button limiting groove216, and the switch-on button20is provided with the switch-on button avoiding groove206used to leave off the first locking member limiting protrusion14aof the first locking member1a. When one end of the first locking member1aprotrudes outside the circuit breaker housing1, the first locking member limiting protrusion14ais positioned in the switch-on button avoiding groove206, the width of which in the movement direction of the switch-on button20is much larger than the width of the first locking member limiting protrusion14a, so the switch-on button20will not come into contact with the first locking member limiting protrusion14aduring its switch-on and switch-off movement, enabling the switch-on button20and the switch-off button21to move, so as to drive the circuit breaker to switch on and switch off. When the circuit breaker is in the switch-on state, the button limiting groove216is misaligned with the first locking member limiting protrusion14a, and the first locking member limiting protrusion14ais positioned in the switch-on button avoiding groove206, so the switch-off button21prevents the first locking member1afrom moving toward the inside of the circuit breaker housing1. When the circuit breaker is in the switch-off state, the button limiting groove216is arranged opposite to the first locking member limiting protrusion14a, so the first locking member1acan move toward the inside of the circuit breaker housing1under an external force of retraction, enabling the first locking member limiting protrusion14ato slide into the button limiting groove216.

In this preferred example, the switch-on button20and the first locking member1aare arranged on the same plane, and both positioned above the switch-off button21, so this solution makes the structure more compact. The switch-on button20is provided with the switch-on button avoiding groove206used to avoid the first locking member limiting protrusion14aof the first locking member1a, enabling the movement of the switch-on button20not to be interfered during its switch-on or switch-off operation. Moreover, the first locking member1acan also abut against the switch-off button21, shortening the distance that the first locking member1aneeds to move for the unlocking and locking co-operation. The first locking member limiting protrusion14acorresponds to the button limiting groove216of the switch-off button21during switch-off operation, so the first locking member1acan retract into the circuit breaker housing1. The first locking member limiting protrusion14ais misaligned with the button limiting groove216of the switch-off button21during switch-on operation, and the first locking member limiting protrusion14ais limited by the switch-off button21in a position-limit way, so that the first locking member1acannot be pressed into the circuit breaker housing1, neither pulled out of the assembling position of the circuit breaker in the switch-on state.

Preferably, as shown inFIGS.10-13and18, the circuit breaker of the present invention further includes an unlocking mechanism drivingly connected to the first locking member1a. When the circuit breaker is in the switch-off state, operating the unlocking mechanism enables the first locking member1ato move toward the inside of the circuit breaker housing1, and retract into the inside of the circuit breaker housing1, releasing its position-limiting co-operation with the assembling position housing and making its position-limiting co-operation with the button mechanism2. When the circuit breaker is in the switch-on state, the switch-on button20and/or the switch-off button21prevents the first locking member1afrom moving toward the inside of the circuit breaker housing1, ensuring that the first locking member1acannot be unlocked when the circuit breaker is in switch-on state, ensuring electrical safty.

Further, as shown inFIGS.10-13, the unlocking mechanism includes the independent pulling member2adrivingly co-operated with the first locking member1a. When the circuit breaker is in the switch-off state, pulling the pulling member2aenables the first locking member1ato move towards the inside of the circuit breaker housing1, so as to release the position-limiting co-operation of the first locking member1awith the assembling position housing. Further, as shown inFIGS.10-13, the unlocking mechanism further includes the linkage member3aand the lever support4aarranged on the circuit breaker housing1. Of the linkage member3a, one end is drivingly connected with the first locking member1a, the other end is drivingly co-operated with the pulling member2a, and the middle part is contacting co-operated with the lever support4a. Pulling the pulling member2aenables the linkage member3ato rotate around the lever support4a, and the linkage member3adrives the first locking member1ato move towards the inside of the circuit breaker housing1and release its position-limiting co-operation with the assembling position housing. As another example, the unlocking mechanism may not be provided with the lever support4a, but the linkage member3amay be rotationally installed inside the circuit breaker housing1through the couple between the waist-shaped hole arranged on the linkage member3aand the linkage member shaft fixed on the circuit breaker housing1. Of the linkage member3a, one end is co-operated with the first locking member1a, and the other end is co-operated with the pulling member2a. Pulling the pulling member2aenables the linkage member3ato rotate, and the other end of the linkage member3ato act on the first locking member1a, so that the first locking member1aretracts into the circuit breaker housing1.

Compared with the existing circuit breaker which releases the position-limiting co-operation with the assembling position housing, the present invention has yet another improvement in that the circuit breaker is independently provided with the pulling member2aof the unlocking mechanism, instead of unlocking the first locking member through the button mechanism, thereby avoiding the circuit breaker from being mistakenly pulled out by pulling the button. It should be pointed out that the independent pulling member2aof the present invention is not only applicable to the solution of the switch-on button20and the switch-off button21of the present invention, but also can be used in the case that one button achieves the switch-on and switch-off operation.

It should be pointed out that, as an alternative embodiment, the first locking member1amay not be provided with the first locking member limiting protrusion14a, then regardless of whether the circuit breaker is in switches on or switches off state, the pulling member2acan drive the first locking member1ato move toward the inside of the circuit breaker housing1.

Preferably, as shown inFIG.17, the first embodiment of the first locking member1ais provided.

As shown inFIG.17, the first locking member1aincludes the first locking member main body10a, the first locking member sheltering protrusion11a, the first locking member limiting protrusion14aand the locking member's spring limiting structure15a. The first locking member sheltering protrusion11aand the first locking member limiting protrusion14aare respectively arranged on both sides of the first locking member main body10a. The locking member's spring limiting structure15ais arranged on the side of the first locking member main body10afar away from the locking member opening17. Of the first locking member main body10a, one end protrudes outside the circuit breaker housing1through the locking member opening17arranged on the circuit breaker housing1, and the other end is connected to the first resetting spring5athrough the locking member's spring limiting structure15a. Of the first resetting spring5a, one end is co-operated with the locking member limiting structure15ain a position-limit way, and the other end is co-operated with the circuit breaker housing1in a position-limit way. The first locking member sheltering protrusion11ais co-operated with the circuit breaker housing1in a position-limit way to prevent the first locking member sheltering protrusion11afrom separating itself from the locking member opening17. Further, as shown inFIG.17, the first locking member1afurther includes the first locking member activated portion130aconnected with the linkage member3aof the unlocking mechanism. The first locking member connecting hole13ais arranged in the middle of the first locking member activated portion130a, into which one end of the linkage member3ais inserted. The first locking member activated portion130ais arranged on one side of the first locking member main body10aand between the first locking member main body10aand the lever support4a. Further, as shown inFIG.17, the locking member's spring limiting structure15ais a spring limiting groove.

Preferably, as shown inFIG.16, the second embodiment of the first locking member1ais provided.

As shown inFIG.16, the first locking member1aof this example is different from that of the first embodiment in that no first locking member activated portion130aprotrudes, instead of that one end of the first locking member main body10aprotrudes outside the circuit breaker housing1, and one side of the other end is provided with the first locking member connecting hole13aas the first locking member activated portion130a. Further, as shown inFIG.17, the locking member's spring limiting structure15is a spring limiting protrusion. Obviously, the first locking member1acan also be configured to be other similar structures as required.

Preferably, as shown inFIGS.10,11A,11B, and18, multiple embodiments of the pulling member2aare provided.

The pulling member2aincludes the pulling member operating portion20a, the pulling member's first transition portion21aand the pulling member driving portion24a. The pulling member operating portion20ais vertically connected with the pulling member's first transition portion21a, and the pulling member driving portion24ais obliquely connected to the pulling member's first transition portion21a. The pulling member operating portion20aconstitutes an operating portion that eases pulling by hands or tools. The pulling member's first transition portion21ais parallel to the movement direction of the pulling member2a, constituting a sliding support, and the pulling member driving portion24ais inclined, so as to actuate the linkage member3ato drive the first locking member1ato retract into the inside of the circuit breaker housing1. In an embodiment, the pulling member2aonly includes the pulling member operating portion20a, the pulling member's first transition portion21aand the pulling member driving portion24a. Thus, the pulling member2aconstitutes an approximate Z-shaped structure or a U-shaped structure. The Z-shaped structure occupies a relatively large space, but the U-shaped structure has relatively poor stability of the sliding fit with the locking mechanism.

Further, in a preferred embodiment, as shown inFIG.11A, the pulling member2aalso includes the pulling member's second transition portion22aconnected between the pulling member's first transition part21aand the pulling member driving portion24a. The pulling member's second transition portion22ais parallel to the pulling member operating portion20aand perpendicular to the pulling member's first transition part21a. The pulling member's second transition portion22aand the pulling member operating portion20aare both positioned at one side of the pulling member's first transition part21ato form a U-shape. The space occupied by the pulling member2acan be reduced by bending, and the pulling member's second transition portion22acan be used to pull the circuit breaker out and limit the position of the pulling member2a. The pulling member driving portion24aextends in the direction far away from the pulling member operating portion20aand inclined and bent near one side of the pulling member's first transition part21a.

Further, in a preferred embodiment, as shown inFIG.11B, the pulling member2aalso includes: the pulling member's third transition portion23aconnected between the pulling member's second transition part22aand the pulling member driving portion24a, parallel to the pulling member's first transition part21a, and used to balance the sliding of the pulling member2aand adjust the position of the pulling member driving portion24a; or/and the pulling member2afurther includes a pulling member maintaining portion25aconnected to the pulling member driving portion24aand parallel to the pulling member's first transition portion21a. The inclined pulling member driving portion24agradually actuates the linkage member3ato drive the first locking member1ato retract into the circuit breaker housing1, thus the pulling member maintaining portion25aenables the first locking member1ato remain at the retraction position by means of the linkage member3a.

As shown inFIG.18, a preferred embodiment of the pulling member2ais provided. The pulling member2aincludes the pulling member operating portion20a, the pulling member's first transition portion21a, the pulling member's second transition portion22a, the pulling member's third transition part23a, the pulling member driving portion24aand the pulling member maintaining portion25a, which are sequentially connected. The pulling member operating portion20ais parallel to the pulling member's second transition portion22a. The pulling member's first transition portion21aand the pulling member's third transition part23aare parallel to the pulling member maintaining portion25a, and perpendicular to the pulling member operating portion20a. The pulling member driving portion24ais inclined, and has the end crookedly connected with the pulling member's third transition part23aas the first end of the driving portion, and the end crookedly connected with the pulling member maintaining portion25aas the second end of the driving portion. The first end of the driving portion is far away from the first locking member1arelative to the second end of the driving portion. Further, the pulling member2ais integrally formed by stamping and bending a metal material.

Preferably, as shown inFIGS.10-13, the circuit breaker housing1further includes the pulling member limiting rib6aarranged between the pulling member operating portion20aand the pulling member's second transition portion22a. After pulling the pulling member2ahas driven the first locking member1ato retract into the circuit breaker housing1and release its position-limiting co-operation with the assembling position housing, continuously pulling the pulling member2aenables it to be co-operated with the pulling member limiting rib6ain a position-limit way, thus pull out the circuit breaker from the assembling position of the circuit breaker.

Specifically, as shown inFIGS.10,11A and11B, of the first locking member1a, the right end protrudes outside the circuit breaker housing1, and the left end is connected with the right end of the linkage member3aand with the circuit breaker housing1through the first resetting spring5a. Of the linkage member3a, the middle part is contacting co-operated with the lever support4aarranged above the first locking member1a, and the left end is drivingly co-operated with the pulling member driving portion24a. The upper end and the lower end of the pulling member driving portion24aare the first end of the driving portion and the second end of the driving portion, respectively. When the circuit breaker is in the switch-off state, the pulling member2ais being pulled upwards until the pulling member driving portion24atouches the left end of the linkage member3a(as shown inFIG.12). As shown inFIG.13, continuing to pull the pulling member2aenables the linkage member3ato rotate clockwise around the lever support4a, then the right end of the linkage member3adrives the first locking member1ato move to the left, and the right end of the first locking member1ato completely retract into the circuit breaker housing1and to be co-operated with the button mechanism2in a position-limit way, so as to release the first locking member1afrom its position-limiting co-operation with the assembling position housing, and enable the pulling member maintaining portion25ato be co-operated with the left end of the linkage member3ain a position-limit way, so that the first locking member1ais kept inside the circuit breaker housing1.

Preferably, as shown inFIG.11A, the pulling member2ais made of metal magnetic material. The unlocking mechanism also includes the pulling member maintaining magnet arranged in the circuit breaker housing1and co-operated with the pulling member operating portion20a. The pulling member maintaining magnet is installed in the groove105on the circuit breaker housing1, and magnetically co-operated with the pulling member operating portion20a. The pulling member maintaining magnet can reliably hold the pulling member operating portion20inside the circuit breaker housing, keep the appearance of the circuit breaker clean and tidy at unnecessariness of operating the pulling member2a, and avoid the pulling member2afrom undesiredly protruding from the circuit breaker housing, and causing misoperation or damage to the pulling member2a. Further, when the pulling member2ais operated to be pulled out to the designated position, the pulling member's second transition portion22acan also keep its magnetical co-operation with the pulling member maintaining magnet, so that the pulling member can be kept at the pulled-out position outside the circuit breaker housing1.

It should be pointed out that the “magnetic co-operation” refers to the pulling member operating portion20abeing absorbed by the pulling member maintaining magnet. The content as said before as “the pulling member2ais made of metallic magnetic material” means that the pulling member operating portion20acan be magnetically absorbed by the pulling member maintaining magnet, but it does not have to be a magnet.

Preferably, as shown inFIGS.1,19,20and25, the circuit breaker housing1further includes the wire-outlet hole112and the pulling member operating hole113. The wire-outlet hole112, the pulling member operating hole113, the switch-on button hole110and the switch-off button hole111are positioned on the same side wall of the circuit breaker housing1. The circuit breaker housing1also includes the pulling member′ dig slot16. The pulling member operating portion20aof the pulling member2ais arranged inside the pulling member operating hole113, enabling the pulling member2anot to protrude out of the circuit breaker housing1during no pulling out. The pulling member′ dig slot16communicates with the pulling member operating hole113, and the pulling operation is performed by means of the pulling member′ dig slot16.

Further, as a preferred solution, the pulling member′ dig slot16is arranged between the wire-outlet hole112and the pulling member operating hole113and sheltered by a outlet wire, and the two ends of the pulling member′ dig slot16communicates with the wire-outlet hole112and the pulling member operating hole113, respectively. Thus, only after the outlet wire is removed, the pulling member operating portion20acan be dug out from the pulling member operating hole113at the pulling member′ dig slot16. Alternatively, as another preferred solution, the pulling member′ dig slot16is arranged between the switch-off button hole111and the pulling member operating hole113. Thus, when the circuit breaker is in the switch-on state, the switch-off button21shelters the pulling member′ dig slot16; when the circuit breaker is in the switch-off state, only if the switch-off button21moves toward the inside of the circuit breaker housing1and leaves off the pulling member′ dig slot16, the pulling member operating portion20acan be dug out from the pulling member operating hole113at the pulling member′ dig slot16. When the outlet wire is removed, the pulling member can be pulled out only if the circuit breaker is in the switch-off state. The arrangement of the above structure ensures that only when the circuit breaker is in the switch-off state, the unlocking mechanism can unlock the position-limiting cooperation between the first locking member1aand the assembling position housing, avoiding the pulling member2afrom being damaged and the circuit breaker from being pulled out with electricity during pulling the pulling member2ain the switch-on state and ensuring the electrical safety for users.

Preferably, as shown inFIG.11B, in another embodiment of the pulling member, the pulling member2afurther includes the pulling member's spring limiting portion26a. The pulling member's spring limiting portion26aand the pulling member operating portion20aare parallel to each other and positioned at both ends of the pulling member2a, respectively. The unlocking mechanism further includes the pulling member resetting spring7aarranged between the pulling member's spring limiting portion26aand the pulling member limiting rib6a. The pulling member resetting spring7acan reliably keep the pulling member operating portion20aof the pulling member2ainside the circuit breaker housing. The pulling member's spring limiting portion26ais crookedly connected to the pulling member maintaining portion25a, or directly crookedly connected to the pulling member driving portion24a.

Further, as shown inFIGS.10-13, the pulling member2ais stacked with the switch-on button20and the switch-off button21in the thickness direction of the circuit breaker to save space. The movement direction of the pulling member2ais parallel to the movement direction of the switch-on button20and the switch-off button21, and perpendicular to the movement direction of the first locking member1a, which moves in the width direction of the circuit breaker. The first transition portion21aof the pulling member2aabuts against the side wall on which the locking member opening17arranged of the circuit breaker housing1and moves along the side wall, and the first transition portion21ais limited to slide between the pulling member limiting rib6aand the lever support4ain the movement direction, and restricted by one end of the pulling member limiting rib6aand the circuit breaker housing1in the direction perpendicular to the movement direction. The first transition portion21aand the first locking member1aare arranged on both sides of the lever support4a, respectively, and the linkage member3ais positioned between the first locking member1aand the lever support4a. The pulling member2a, the linkage member3aand the first locking member1aare all arranged on the switch-on button20and the switch-off button21in overlap in the thickness direction of the circuit breaker and positioned above the switch-on button20and the switch-off button21. The first locking member limiting protrusion14aof the first locking member1aprotrudes and extends into the switch-on button avoiding groove206of the switch-on button20.

Preferably, the linkage member3ais a Z or U-shaped pulling rod, one end of which is inserted on the first locking member1a, and the other end of which extends in the sliding direction of the pulling member driving portion24aof the pulling member2a. The linkage member3adrives the first locking member1ato retract into the circuit breaker housing1by means of the lever support4aas a rotational support. Its installation structure is quite simple, and the lever support4asimultaneously performs the function of restricting the first locking member1aand supporting the linkage member3a.

Preferably, as shown inFIGS.21-24, the locking mechanism further includes the second locking member1b.

As shown inFIGS.21-24, the second locking member1bis pivotally arranged on the circuit breaker housing1, including the second locking end13b. When the circuit breaker switches on, the switch-on button20or the switch-off button21drives the second locking member1bto rotate (rotate in the second direction), enabling the second locking end13bto protrude outside the circuit breaker housing1. When the circuit breaker switches off, the switch-on button20or the switch-off button21drives the second locking member1bto rotate (rotate in the first direction), enabling the second locking end13bto retract into the circuit breaker housing1.

Further, as a solution shown inFIGS.22-24, the switch-on button20includes the switch-on button driving part207drivingly co-operated with the second locking member1b, and the switch-off button21includes the switch-off button driving portion217drivingly co-operated with the second locking member1b. As shown inFIG.24, when the circuit breaker switches on, the switch-off button21driving the second locking member1bto rotate through the switch-off button driving portion217enables the second locking end13bto protrude outside the circuit breaker housing1, and the switch-off button driving portion217withstanding the second locking end13benables the second locking end13bnot to retract into the circuit breaker housing1. As shown inFIG.22, when the circuit breaker switches off, the switch-on button20driving the second locking member1bto rotate through the switch-on button driving portion207enables the second locking end13bto retract into the circuit breaker housing1, and the switch-on button driving portion207restricting the second locking end13benables the second locking end13bto be kept inside the circuit breaker housing1. Specifically, in the directions shown inFIG.24, when the circuit breaker switches on, the switch-off button21drives the second locking member1bto rotate counterclockwise (rotate in the second direction), so that the second locking end13bprotrudes outside the circuit breaker housing1; as shown inFIG.22, when the circuit breaker switches off, the switch-on button20drives the second locking member1bto rotate clockwise (rotate in the first direction), so that the second locking end13bretracts into the circuit breaker housing1.

Preferably, as shown inFIGS.22-24, the second locking member1bincludes the second locking member mounting portion10bpivotally connected to the circuit breaker housing1, the locking member's first activated portion11bdrivingly co-operated with the switch-off button21, the locking member's second activated portion12bdrivingly co-operated with the switch-on button20and the second locking end13b. When the circuit breaker switches on, the switch-off button21driving the second locking member1bto rotate through the locking member's first activated portion11benables the second locking end13bto protrude outside the circuit breaker housing1; when the circuit breaker switches off, the switch-on button20driving the second locking member1bto rotate through the locking member's second activated portion12benables the second locking end13bto retract into the circuit breaker housing1. In this example, the first activated portion11band the second locking end13bare two cooperating ends; in another example, the second locking end13band the second locking end13bmay also be the one cooperating end. Further, as shown inFIGS.22and24, the locking member's first activated portion11bincludes the locking member's first activated protrusion110bprotruding toward one side of the switch-off button21, and the locking member's second activated portion12bincludes the locking member's second activated protrusion120bprotruding toward one side of the switch-on button20. The locking member's first activated protrusion110band the locking member's second activated protrusion120bare positioned at the same side of the second locking member1b. When the circuit breaker switches on, one side of the switch-off button driving portion217driving the second locking member1bto rotate through the locking member's first activated protrusion110benables the second locking end13bto protrude outside the circuit breaker housing1; when the circuit breaker switches off, one side of the switch-on button driving portion207driving the second locking member1bto rotate through the locking member's second activated protrusion120benables the second locking end13bto retract into the circuit breaker housing1.

Further, as shown inFIGS.22-24, the switch-on button driving portion207includes the switch-on button driving bevel2070drivingly co-operated with the locking member's second activated protrusion120b, and the switch-off button driving portion217includes the switch-off button driving bevel21700drivingly co-operated with the locking member's first activated protrusion110b. The tilt direction of the switch-on button driving bevel2070is opposite to that of the switch-off button driving bevel21700. The locking member's first activated protrusion110band the locking member's second activated protrusion120bare positioned between the switch-off button driving bevel21700and the switch-on button driving bevel2070.

When pressing the switch-on button20enables the circuit breaker to switch on, the switch-on button driving bevel2070moves toward the inside of the circuit breaker housing1along with the switch-on button20to leave off the second locking member1b, meanwhile, the switch-off button driving bevel21700moves toward the outside of the circuit breaker housing1along with the switch-off button21. The switch-off button driving bevel21700driving the second locking member1bto rotate through the locking member's first activated protrusion110benables the second locking end13bto protrude outside the circuit breaker housing1, and the switch-off button driving bevel21700withstanding the locking member's first activated protrusion110benables the second locking member1bnot to retract into the circuit breaker housing1.

When pressing the switch-off button21enables the circuit breaker to switch off, the switch-off button driving bevel21700moves toward the inside of the circuit breaker housing1along with the switch-off button21to leave off the second locking member1b, meanwhile, the switch-on button driving bevel2070moves toward the outside of the circuit breaker housing1along with the switch-on button20. The switch-on button driving bevel2070pressing down the locking member's second activated protrusion120benables the second locking end13bto retract into the circuit breaker housing1, and the switch-on button driving bevel2070restricting the second locking member1benables the latter to be kept inside the circuit breaker housing1. Further, as shown inFIGS.22and23, the switch-on button driving bevel2070is formed by the switch-on button driving protrusion arranged on the switch-on button20. The switch-off button driving bevel21700is formed by the switch-off button driving protrusion groove arranged on the switch-off button21. When the circuit breaker is in the switch-off state, the switch-on button driving bevel2070and the switch-off button driving bevel21700form a funnel-shaped structure.

Preferably, as shown inFIGS.22-24, the switch-off button driving portion217includes the switch-off button driving portion's first step2170arranged on one side of the switch-off button21, and the switch-off button driving portion's second step2171arranged on one side of the switch-off button driving portion's first step2170far away from the switch-off button21. The switch-off button driving portion's first step2170is shaped as a triangular structure in its entirety, and the switch-off button driving portion's second step2171is arranged at a vertex angle of the triangular structure close to the switch-on button20.

Further, as shown inFIGS.22and24, the second locking member11bis shaped as an approximately H-shaped structure, and the second locking member mounting portion10band the locking member's first activated portion11bare positioned at one end of the second locking member1b, forming one transverse bar of the H-shaped structure, and the locking member's second activated portion12band the second locking end13bare positioned at the other end of the second locking member1b, forming the other transverse bar of the H-shaped structure.

Further, as shown inFIGS.3and21-24, the second locking member1bis stacked with the switch-on button20and the switch-off button21in the thickness direction of the circuit breaker to save space. In the thickness direction of the circuit breaker, the second locking member1bis positioned above the switch-on button20and the switch-off button21, and the pulling member2ais positioned above the second locking member1b. The first locking member1ais positioned above the second locking end13bof the second locking member1b, and one end of the first locking member1aand the second locking end13bshare a large locking member opening17, of course, also may share two independent locking member openings. In the movement direction of the switch-on button20and the switch-off button21, the first locking member1ais closer to the inside of the circuit breaker housing1than the second locking member1b.

As shown inFIG.25, an embodiment of the circuit breaker housing1is provided.

As shown inFIG.25, the circuit breaker housing1is shaped as a hexahedral structure in its entirety, including the front side wall1001and the rear side wall1002arranged oppositely, the wire-outlet hole112, the button holes110-111and the pulling member operating hole113arranged on the front side wall1001, and the wire-inlet hole14arranged on the rear side wall1002.

Preferably, as shown inFIG.25, the button holes110-111include the switch-on button hole110and the switch-off button hole111arranged side by side. Further, the switch-on button operating end of the switch-on button20and the switch-off button operating end of the switch-off button21are slidingly arranged in the switch-on button hole110and the switch-off button hole111, respectively, and do not protrude out of the front side wall1001of the circuit breaker housing1all along, thereby avoiding the circuit breaker from switching onswitching on/switching off switching off due to users' accidental touch on the switch-on button operating end and the switch-off button operating end, and ensuring the stability and safety of the user's electricity consumption.

Preferably, as shown inFIG.25, the button holes110-111and the pulling member operating hole113are arranged at one end of the front side wall1001, a wire-outlet hole112is arranged at the other end of the front side wall1001, as the first wire-outlet hole, and the other wire-outlet hole112is arranged between the first wire-outlet hole and the button holes110-111, as the second wire-outlet hole. The button holes110-111and the second wire-outlet hole are positioned on the same side of the pulling member operating hole113. Further, as shown inFIG.19, the circuit breaker housing1further includes the pulling member′ dig slot16arranged on the front side wall1001. The pulling member′ dig slot16is arranged between the second wire-outlet hole and the pulling member operating hole113, and its two ends communicate with the latter two, respectively. The outlet wire inserted in the second wire-outlet hole shelters the pulling member′ dig slot16. Alternatively, as shown inFIG.20, the pulling member′ dig slot16is arranged between the switch-off button hole111and the pulling member operating hole113. When the circuit breaker is in the switch-off state, the switch-off button21of the circuit breaker shelters the pulling member′ dig slot16.

Preferably, as shown inFIG.25, the circuit breaker housing1further includes the wire-removing holes1120arranged on the front side wall1001and the communication hole15arranged on the rear side wall1002. The wire-removing holes1120is matched with the wire-outlet hole112one-to-one, and the communication hole15is positioned between the two wire-inlet holes14.

Preferably, as shown inFIG.25, the circuit breaker housing1further includes the third side wall1003and the fourth side wall1004arranged oppositely, and the fifth side wall1005and the sixth side wall1006arranged oppositely. The third side wall1003, the fourth side wall1004, the fifth side wall1005and the sixth side wall1006are all positioned between the front side wall1001and the rear side wall1002. Further, as shown inFIG.25, one end of the third side wall1003close to the front side wall1001is provided with the locking member opening17.

We have made further detailed description of the present invention mentioned above in combination with specific preferred embodiments, but it is not deemed that the specific embodiments of the present invention is only limited to these descriptions. A person skilled in the art can also, without departing from the concept of the present invention, make several simple deductions or substitutions, which all be deemed to fall within the protection scope of the present invention.