Apparatus for remotely operating handle of circuit breaker

Abstract

An apparatus for remotely operating a handle of a circuit breaker which includes a handle, a first plate, to which the handle is rotatably connected, allowing the handle to be attached to a distributing board, a second plate allowing the first plate to be attached to the distributing board, a first link transferring a rotary motion of the handle, as a linear motion, and a second link rotated according to the linear motion of the first link to provide rotational force enabling the circuit breaker to be switched on or off, includes a handle operating member connected to the second link, having an elastic member to provide elastic force to the second link, while being rotated cooperatively according to rotation of the second link, to fixedly support an ON or OFF position of the handle.

Claims

1. An apparatus for remotely operating a handle of a circuit breaker, the apparatus comprising: a handle; a first plate, to which the handle is rotatably connected, allowing the handle to be attached to a distributing board; a second plate allowing the first plate to be attached to the distributing board; a first link transferring a rotary motion of the handle, as a linear motion; a second link rotated according to the linear motion of the first link to provide rotational force enabling the circuit breaker to be switched on or off; and a handle operating member connected to the second link, having an elastic member to provide elastic force to the second link, while being rotated cooperatively according to rotation of the second link, to fixedly support an ON or OFF position of the handle, wherein the handle operating member includes a body part into which the elastic member is inserted; a rotary member connected to one side of the body part such that the body part movable according to rotation of the second link, and rotatably connected to the second plate; and a fixing member having one side connected to the body part and the other side to which the second link is rotatably connected, to thus receive elastic force through the elastic member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotary member includes a bottom plate having an insertion hole into which the body part is movably inserted, and a side plate bent and extending from the bottom plate so as to be rotatably connected to the second plate.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a stoppage plate is formed above the second link, a hole is formed in the stoppage plate, and the fixing member includes a through plate having a through hole into which the body part is inserted, side support plates bent to extend from both ends of the through plate and having a fastening hole allowing a fastening member to penetrate therethrough, and a space part formed between the side support plates and allowing the stoppage plate to be inserted therein, and in a state in which the stoppage plate is inserted into the space part, the fastening member penetrates through the hole and the space part, whereby the second link is rotatably connected to the fixing member.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the handle is moved to the ON position, the handle operating member is upwardly rotated at a predetermined angle according to rotation of the second link to provide an elastic force to the fixing member through the elastic member to provide a rotational force to the second link, and when the handle is moved to the OFF position, the handle operating member is downwardly rotated at a predetermined angle according to rotation of the second link to provide an elastic fore to the fixing member through the elastic member to provide a rotational force to the second link.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein when the handle is moved to the ON position, the second link receives rotational force to be rotated in a clockwise direction through the elastic member, and when the handle is moved to the OFF position, the second link receives rotational force to be rotated in a counterclockwise direction through the elastic member.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein a fixing protrusion is formed on an outer surface of each of the side support plates to fixedly support the fastening member.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a ring member is provided on one side of the body part and positioned between the bottom plate and the body part to prevent release of the body part.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein a screw is formed on an inner side of the through hole and on an outer circumferential surface of the other side of the body part, and a length of the body part is adjusted as the body part is screw-coupled to the through hole.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

(2) In the drawings:

(3) FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating a state in which a handle is provided in a circuit breaker.

(4) FIG. 2 is a view schematically illustrating a state in which a handle of a circuit breaker is in an OFF state.

(5) FIG. 3 is a view schematically illustrating a state in which a handle of a circuit breaker is in an ON state.

(6) FIG. 4 is a view schematically illustrating a state in which a spring is installed when a handle operating unit of a circuit breaker is in an OFF state.

(7) FIG. 5 is a view schematically illustrating a state in which a spring is installed when a handle operating unit of a circuit breaker is in an ON state.

(8) FIG. 6 is a view schematically illustrating a state in which a handle operating member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided in a circuit breaker.

(9) FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a handle operating member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(10) FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a second link according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(11) FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating a state in which a handle operating member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is connected to a second link.

(12) FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a handle operating member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is connected to a second link.

(13) FIG. 11 is a view schematically illustrating a state in which a handle operating member in an ON state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided within a circuit breaker.

(14) FIG. 12 is a view schematically illustrating a state in which a handle operating member in an OFF state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided within a circuit breaker.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(15) Description will now be given in detail of the exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of brief description with reference to the drawings, the same or equivalent components will be provided with the same reference numbers, and description thereof will not be repeated.

(16) An apparatus for remotely operating a handle of a circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

(17) FIG. 6 is a view schematically illustrating a state in which a handle operating member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided in a circuit breaker, FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a handle operating member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a second link according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating a state in which a handle operating member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is connected to a second link.

(18) FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a handle operating member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is connected to a second link, FIG. 11 is a view schematically illustrating a state in which a handle operating member in an ON state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided within a circuit breaker, and FIG. 12 is a view schematically illustrating a state in which a handle operating member in an OFF state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided within a circuit breaker.

(19) As illustrated in FIG. 6, a circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a handle 100 rotated to an ON or OFF position according to a user manipulation, a first plate 110, to which the handle 100 is rotatably connected, allowing the handle 100 to be attached to a distributing board, a second plate 120 allowing the first plate 110 to be attached to the distributing board, a first link 130 transferring a rotary motion of the handle 100 as a linear motion, a second link 140 rotated according to the linear motion of the first link 130 to provide rotational force enabling the circuit breaker to be switched on or off, a shaft 150 attached to the second plate 120 on the basis of a rotational shaft of the second link 140, a fastening member 160 connecting the first link 130 and the second link 140, and an apparatus for remotely operating a handle for fixing a movement position of the handle 100.

(20) Here, the apparatus for remotely operating a handle includes a handle operating member 200. One side of the handle operating member 200 is connected to the second link 140, and an elastic member 240 such as a spring is provided. The handle operating member 200 is rotated according to rotation of the second link 140 to provide elastic force to the second link 140 through the elastic member 240 to fixedly support an ON or OFF position of the handle 100.

(21) As illustrated in FIG. 7, the handle operating member 200 includes a body part 210, a rotary member 220, and a fixing member 230.

(22) The body part 210 has a cylindrical shape, and the elastic member 240 such as a spring, or the like, providing elastic force is inserted into the body part 210.

(23) The rotary member 220 is connected to one side of the body part 210 such that the body part 210 is movable, and rotatably connected to the second plate 120 and rotated cooperatively within a distributing board according to rotation of the handle 100.

(24) Here, the rotary member 220 includes a bottom plate 221 having an insertion hole 221a to which one side of the body part 210 is movably inserted, and a side plate 223 bent and extending from the bottom plate 221 so as to be rotatably connected to the second plate 220. The rotary member 220 is connected to the body part 210 through the bottom plate 221 and rotatably connected to the second plate 120 through the side plate 223.

(25) One side of the fixing member 230 is connected to the body part 210, and the second link 140 is rotatably connected to the other side of the fixing member 230, so that the fixing member 230 moves together with the body part 210, upon receiving elastic force through the elastic member 240, to rotate the second link 140 at a predetermined angle.

(26) Here, the fixing member 230 includes a through plate 231 having a through hole (not shown) to which the body part 210 is inserted, side support plates 233 bent to extend from both ends of the through plate 231 and having a fastening hole 239 allowing a fastening member 250 (please refer to FIG. 10) to penetrate therethrough, and a space part 235 formed between the side support plates 233 and allowing the second link 140 to be inserted therein.

(27) As illustrated in FIG. 8, a stoppage plate 141 is formed above the second link 140, and a hole 141a is formed in the stoppage plate 141.

(28) Thus, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, in a state in which the stoppage plate 141 is inserted into the space part 235, as the fastening member 250 penetrates through the hole 141a, the fastening hole 239, and the space part 235 formed at the side support plates 233, the second link 140 is rotatably connected to the fixing member 230, and upon receiving elastic force in a direction of the second link 140 through the elastic member 240 such as a spring provided in the body part 210, the body part 210 and the fixing member 230 are moved toward the second link 140 to push the second link 140 such that the second link 140 receives rotational force in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

(29) Here, a fixing protrusion 237 fixedly supporting the fastening member 250 is formed on an outer surface of the side support plate 233, and the fixing member 230 and the second link 140 are firmly connected by the fastening member 250 through the fixing protrusion 237.

(30) Also, a ring member 260 is provided at one side of the body part 210 and positioned between the body part 210 and the bottom plate 221 to prevent the body part 210 from being released.

(31) A screw is formed at an inner side of the through hole and on an outer circumferential surface of the other side of the body part 210 such that the body part 210 is fastened to the through hole through screw coupling, whereby a length of the body part 210 between the bottom plate 221 and the fixing member 230 is adjusted to adjust an elastic force of the elastic member 240.

(32) Hereinafter, a process of operating the apparatus for remotely operating a handle of the circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(33) First, as illustrated in FIG. 11, when the handle 100 moves to an ON position according to user manipulation, the first link 130 makes a linear motion cooperatively according to the movement of the handle to be moved downwardly, and as the first link 130 is moved downwardly, the second link 140 connected to the first link 130 is also rotated in a clockwise direction cooperatively according to the linear motion of the first link 130.

(34) Here, when the handle 100 is moved to the ON position, the elastic member 240 of the handle operating member 200 pushes the fixing member 230 and the fixing member 230 is moved together with the body part 210 to provide an elastic force in a D1 direction, thereby providing rotational force enabling the second link 140 to be rotated in the clockwise direction.

(35) Thus, the first link 130 connected to the second link 140 receives a force downwardly (D2) due to the rotational force exerted on the second link 140 to be rotated in the clockwise direction, whereby the handle 100 may be stably and firmly maintained in the ON position without being moved.

(36) Thereafter, when the user rotates the handle 100 to an OFF position, the first link 130 is moved upwardly according to the rotation of the handle 100 and the second link 140 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction accordingly.

(37) Here, a length of the handle operating member 200 is adjusted as the fixing member 230 and the body part 210 connected to the fixing member 230 are moved through the insertion hole 221a formed on the bottom plate 221 according to the rotation of the second link 140, and when the handle 100 is in the OFF position, the fixing member 230 pushes the second link 140 though elastic force of the elastic member 240 to provide an elastic force in a D3 direction to provide rotational force enabling the second link to be rotated in a counterclockwise direction.

(38) When the second link 140 receives the rotational force exerted on the second link 140 to be rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the first link 130 connected to the second link 140 receives force (D4) upwardly, and thus, the handle 100 is maintained in the OFF position, without being moved.

(39) In the present disclosure described above, when the handle 100 is moved to the position of the ON or OFF state, an elastic force is provided to the second link 140 through the handle operating member 200 such that the handle 100 receives rotational force in the same direction as the movement direction of the handle 100, whereby the handle 100 may be stably maintained in the ON or OFF position without being moved.

(40) Also, since the handle 100 receives rotational force in the same direction as the rotation direction of the handle 100 through the handle operating member 200, the handle 100 may be smoothly moved.

(41) When the handle operating member 200 is installed in the circuit breaker, the handle operating member 200 may be installed in an assembled state, thus enhancing convenience of assembling.

(42) The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be considered as limiting the present disclosure. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments.

(43) As the present features may be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be considered broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.