CIRCUIT BREAKER

Abstract

A circuit breaker, in particular of a power breaker, having a busbar which is mounted so as to be movable between a closed position and an open position. The busbar, a trip device and a hand lever are coupled by means of the mechanism in such a way that, when the hand lever is moved from the first position into the second position, the busbar is moved from the open position into the closed position. Upon tripping of the trip device, the busbar is moved from the closed position into the open position, and the hand lever is moved from the second position into the first position if it is not blocked. When the hand lever is moved from the second position into the first position, the busbar is moved from the closed position into the open position regardless of whether the busbar is blocked in the closed position.

Claims

1. A circuit breaker of a power breaker, the circuit breaker comprising: a busbar which is mounted so as to be movable between a closed position and an open position; a trip device; a hand lever movable between a first position and a second position; and an operating mechanism via which the busbar, the trip device and the hand lever are coupled in such a way that: when the hand lever is moved from the first position into the second position, the busbar is moved from the open position into the closed position, when the trip device triggers, the busbar is moved from the closed position into the open position and the hand lever is moved from the second position into the first position if it is not blocked, and when the hand lever is moved from the second position into the first position, the busbar is moved from the closed position into the open position regardless of whether the busbar is blocked in the closed position.

2. The circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein the operating mechanism comprises a slider mounted so as to be movable in a transverse direction and connected to the busbar.

3. The circuit breaker according to claim 2, wherein the slider is spring-loaded.

4. The circuit breaker according to claim 2, wherein the hand lever is mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation, wherein the operating mechanism has a torsion spring via which the hand lever is spring-loaded into the first position.

5. The circuit breaker according to claim 4, wherein a first coupling element is rotatably mounted on the hand lever eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation, which coupling element is guided in a first link of the slider, which has a section extending in the transverse direction.

6. The circuit breaker according to claim 5, wherein a second coupling element is rotatably mounted on the hand lever eccentrically to the axis of rotation and is guided in a second link of a rocker arm which is rotatably mounted on the slider.

7. The circuit breaker according to claim 6, wherein the operating mechanism has a rotatably mounted first locking lever which is actuated by the trip device, and wherein the first locking lever has an eccentrically arranged support point for the trip device.

8. The circuit breaker according to claim 5, wherein the first slider is L-shaped, wherein a third coupling element is rotatably mounted on the first coupling element, which is guided in a third link of a second locking lever, which is rotatably mounted and actuated by the trip device.

9. The circuit breaker according to claim 2, wherein the busbar is arranged along a longitudinal direction which is substantially perpendicular to the transverse direction.

10. The circuit breaker according to claim 9, further comprising a further busbar arranged along the longitudinal direction, wherein in the closed position the busbar mechanically rests against the further busbar, and wherein in the open position the busbar is mechanically separated from the further busbar.

11. The circuit breaker according to claim 10, wherein, the further busbar carries a first contact and a second contact spaced longitudinally therefrom and has a first power connection, and wherein the busbar carries a first mating contact and a second contact spaced longitudinally therefrom and has a second power connection, wherein the busbar partially overlaps with the further busbar along the longitudinal direction, and wherein the contacts and the mating contacts are arranged longitudinally between the two terminal strips in the overlapping area.

12. The circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein the trip device has a bimetal strip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

[0059] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an industrial plant with a circuit breaker,

[0060] FIGS. 2 and 3 show in each case a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the circuit breaker, which has a hand lever and a busbar,

[0061] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the circuit breaker in an open position,

[0062] FIG. 5 shows, according to FIG. 4, the circuit breaker in the closed state,

[0063] FIG. 6 shows, according to FIG. 4, the circuit breaker in the open state, with the hand lever blocked,

[0064] FIG. 7 shows, according to FIG. 4, the circuit breaker in the closed state, with a blocked busbar,

[0065] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the circuit breaker,

[0066] FIG. 9 shows a side view of the circuit breaker in an open state,

[0067] FIG. 10 shows according to FIG. 9, the circuit breaker in a closed state,

[0068] FIG. 11 shows according to FIG. 9, the circuit breaker in the open state, with the hand lever blocked,

[0069] FIG. 12 shows according to FIG. 9, the circuit breaker in the closed state, with a blocked busbar, and

[0070] FIG. 13 shows a further embodiment of the busbar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0071] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an industrial plant 2, which has a power supply 4 and an actuator 6 operated by it. The power supply 4 provides an alternating voltage at 50 Hz or 60 Hz. The electrical voltage is in particular 277 V or 480V. The actuator 6 comprises, for example, an electric motor or a press and is electrically coupled to the power supply 4 by means of a line 8, so that power is supplied to the actuator 6 via the line 8.

[0072] Furthermore, the industrial plant 2 comprises a power breaker 10, which in one embodiment is a part of the line 8 and is arranged in a control cabinet which is not shown in detail. In an alternative embodiment, the power breaker 10 is arranged on the power supply 4 or on the actuator 6. The power breaker 10 has a circuit breaker 12 and a fuse 14 connected in series therewith. The circuit breaker 12 has a separating function, and the electrical series connection is introduced into one of the wires of the line 8.

[0073] In this example, the rated current of the power breaker 10 is 60 A, and if the rated current is exceeded by more than a certain limit value, for example 1.1 times the rated current, the electrical current is interrupted by means of the circuit breaker 12. In other words, in this case the circuit breaker 12 is tripped and thus opened, i.e., set to the electrically non-conductive state. The fuse 14, on the other hand, which in this example is designed as a glass tube fuse, does not blow in this case. It only blows when the power exceeds a factor of five of the rated current, i.e., 300 A or more, wherein the release time is shorter than the release time of the circuit breaker 12. In this case, the electrical current is interrupted by the fuse 14, while the circuit breaker 12 continues to be in the electrically conductive state. Due to such an interconnection of the circuit breaker 12 and the fuse 14, if the electrical current exceeds the rated current by comparatively little, the power breaker 10 is essentially ready for operation without delay by resetting the circuit breaker 12. Also, replacement of the component is not required, which reduces operating costs. However, if the overcurrent is comparatively large, i.e., in particular greater than 300 A, damage is possible during switching by means of the mechanically equipped circuit breaker 12. In this case, an arc occurs which can damage the components of the circuit breaker 12. Since the circuit breaker 12 is not tripped, it is not damaged and the power breaker 10 is ready for use again after replacing the fuse 14.

[0074] FIGS. 2 and 3 each show a partial perspective view of a first embodiment of the circuit breaker 12. The circuit breaker 12 has a trip device 16, which comprises a bimetal strip 18. The bimetal strip 18 is strip-shaped and is firmly connected at one of its ends to a first terminal strip 20 and is thus electrically contacted with the latter. This end is rigidly attached to a housing of the circuit breaker 12, which is not shown in detail, wherein the housing is made of an electrically non-conductive plastic. The first terminal strip 20 is made of an electrically conductive material, namely a copper alloy or pure copper, and is also strip-shaped, one of the ends being attached to the bimetal strip 18. The remaining end of the first terminal strip 20 forms one of the terminals of the circuit breaker 12, which is connected in particular to the fuse 14. In one embodiment, this end of the first terminal strip 20 protrudes from the housing, which is not shown in detail.

[0075] The remaining end of the bimetal strip 18 is freely movable with respect to the housing of the circuit breaker 12, which is not shown in detail. This end lies eccentrically on a first locking lever 22 of a mechanism 24, which is mounted rotatably about a bearing axis 26 on the housing, which is not shown in detail. Furthermore, the first locking lever 22 has a support point 28 which is also arranged eccentrically and is located on the side opposite the bimetal strip 18 with respect to the bearing axis 36. The support point 28 is formed by means of a rod-shaped section of the first locking lever 22, which is integrally formed of a plastic, running parallel to the bearing axis 26. When the bimetal strip 18 is bent, the first locking lever 22 is partially rotated about the bearing axis 26, so that the support point 28 is also rotated about the bearing axis 26. Thus, the first locking lever 22 is actuated by means of the trip device 16.

[0076] Further, an elastically deformable stranded wire 30 is connected to the freely movable end of the bimetal strip 18 by welding or soldering. Thus, the stranded wire 30 is electrically contacted by the bimetal strip 18. The remaining end of the stranded wire 30 is attached to a busbar 32 and electrically contacted by it. The busbar 32 runs in a longitudinal direction 34 and is stamped from a copper sheet and provided with a silver coating. The contact point of the stranded wire 30 with the busbar 32, which is offset furthest out in the longitudinal direction 34, forms a second power connection 35. A first mating contact 36 and a second mating contact 38 are located at the two ends of the busbar 32 in the longitudinal direction 34. The two mating contacts 36, 38 are thus spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction 34. The two mating contacts 36, 38 are arranged on one of the sides of the busbar 32 and are made of a silver nickel and electrically contacted with the busbar 32.

[0077] The mating contacts 36, 38 point in a transverse direction 40, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 34, to a further busbar 42, which is arranged along the longitudinal direction 34. The first mating contact 36 is located in the transverse direction 40 above a first contact 44, and the second mating contact 38 is located in the transverse direction 40 above a second contact 46, each of which carries the further busbar 42 and point towards the busbar 32. Thus, the two contacts 44, 46 are likewise spaced apart relative to each other in the longitudinal direction 34. The two contacts 44, 46 are made of the same material as the mating contacts 36, 38, i.e., a silver nickel, and the further busbar 42 is stamped from a copper sheet and also provided with a silver coating. The further busbar 42 runs perpendicular to the busbar 32 and perpendicular to the transverse direction 90. In contrast, the busbar 32 runs parallel to the longitudinal direction 34 and parallel to the transverse direction 40.

[0078] The further busbar 42 has a first power connection 48, wherein contacts 44, 46 and mating contacts 36, 38 extend in the longitudinal direction 34 between the first power connection 48 and the second power connection 35 in an overlapping area 50 in which the busbar 32 overlaps with the further busbar 42. The first power connection 48 is arranged outside the overlapping area 50. A second terminal strip 52 is connected to the first power connection 48 and is electrically contacted. The second terminal strip 52 also protrudes from the housing of the circuit breaker 12, which is not shown in detail, and is used to connect to the line 8.

[0079] The circuit breaker 12 further comprises two springs 54, which are helical springs, and which extend in the transverse direction 40. The springs 54 are arranged between a bottom of the housing, not shown in detail, and the further busbar 42 and are supported thereon. In this case, it is possible to move the further busbar 42 in the transverse direction 40 against the springs 54, wherein the springs 54 are tensioned.

[0080] The mechanism 24 further comprises a slider 56 mounted longitudinally displaceably in the transverse direction 40, which is arranged in the transverse direction 40, and at which ends the busbar 32 is attached in the transverse direction 40. In this way, the busbar 32 is also mounted for movement in the transverse direction 40. The slider 56 has a transverse extension 58 by means of which a spring, not shown in detail, is guided, and mounted thereon. The spring is further supported on a housing not shown in detail. By means of the spring, a spring loading of the slider 56 follows, wherein the direction of movement in the transverse direction 40 is directed away from the further busbar 42.

[0081] The slider 56 has a first link 60 formed as an elongated hole running in the transverse direction 40. The first link 60 is thus formed by means of a section 62 extending in the transverse direction 40. A first coupling element 64 is guided in the first link 60, which is made of a steel wire to form a U-shaped clamp, wherein one of the parallel legs is arranged in the first link 60. The leg extending transversely thereto runs parallel to the transverse direction 40, and the other of the legs extending in parallel is rotatably mounted on a hand lever 66, one free end of which also protrudes from the first housing. The hand lever 66 is rotatably mounted about a rotational axis 68. The connection of the first coupling element 64 is eccentric to the axis of rotation 68 and thus spaced therefrom, wherein the rotatable bearing of the coupling element 64 is parallel to the axis of rotation 68. In summary, the hand lever 66 is rotatable about the axis of rotation 68 and can consequently assume a first position 70, which is shown in the figures. In other words, the hand lever 66 can be brought into the first position 70. Here, the hand lever 66 has a receptacle 72 within which a torsion spring, not shown in more detail, is arranged by means of which the lever 66 is spring-loaded into the first position 70. In other words, when no further forces are acting on the hand lever 66, the latter is brought into the first position 70 by means of the torsion spring. When moving out of the first position 70, on the other hand, the torsion spring, which is arranged concentrically to the axis of rotation 68, is tensioned.

[0082] A second coupling element 74 is also rotatably mounted on the hand lever 66, wherein the bearing axis runs parallel to the axis of rotation 68. The second coupling element 74 is again U-shaped and designed as a clamp and made of a steel wire. One of the mutually parallel legs is connected to the hand lever 66, wherein the distance to the axis of rotation 68 is greater than the distance of the first coupling element 64 to the axis of rotation 68. The remaining parallel leg of the second coupling element 74 is guided in a second link 76 of a rocker arm 78, which is rotatably mounted on the slider 56. Here, the connection of the rocker arm 78 is located at the end of the slider 56 opposite the busbar 32 in the transverse direction 40. The second link 76 is spaced apart from the point of attachment on the slider 56 and extends in a substantially straight line. In addition, the rocker arm 78 is rotatable about an axis that is parallel to the axis of rotation 68.

[0083] FIG. 4 shows a section of the circuit breaker 12 in a side view. Here, the circuit breaker 12 is in an electrically non-conductive state. In other words, the first terminal strip 20 and the second terminal strip 52 are galvanically isolated from each other. This is the case when the busbar 32 is in an open position 80, where the busbar 32 is spaced apart from the further busbar 42 by means of the mechanism 24, so that the contacts 44, 46 and the mating contacts 36, 38 are not mechanically in contact with each other. In this case, the hand lever 66 is in the first position 70.

[0084] When the hand lever 66 is pivoted about the axis of rotation 68 into a second position 82, the second coupling element 74 is moved in the second link 76 until it reaches the end of the second link 76. With a further application of force, the second coupling element 74 cannot be moved in the transverse direction with respect to the second slider 76, and the rocker arm 78 is pivoted with respect to the slider 56 until the end of the rocker arm 78 rests against the support point 28 of the first locking lever 22. Until then, there is no movement of the slider 56 in the transverse direction due to the spring supported on the extension 58. However, when the rocker arm 78 abuts the support point 28, the former cannot be pivoted further, and the support point 28 forms a bearing point for the rocker arm 78, which is thus pivoted about the support point 28. As a result, the slider 56 is moved in the transverse direction 40 until the mating contacts 36, 38 bear mechanically directly against the contacts 44, 46 carried by the further busbar 42. With a further movement of the hand lever 66, the springs 54 are compressed so that the two busbars 32, 42 are in frictional contact with each other. The slider 56 and therefore also the hand lever 66 are moved until the second coupling element 74 runs essentially in the transverse direction 40. A further movement of the hand lever 66 is then prevented by a stop, not shown in detail, and the hand lever 66 is in the second position 82. Thus, the hand lever is movable between the first and second positions 70, 82. In this case, the mechanism 24 is in an unstable equilibrium due to the spring engaging the extension 58, and the busbar 32 is in a closed position 84.

[0085] During the movement of the hand lever 66 from the first position 70 into the second position 82, the first coupling element 64 slides along unhindered in the first link 60. For better clarity, the slider 56 is shown semi-transparent in the figures.

[0086] When the bus bar 32 is in the closed position 84, an electrical current flow is possible from the first busbar 20 via the bimetal strip 18, the stranded wire and the busbar 32 and the mating contacts 36, 38, via the contacts 44, 46 to the further busbar 42 and from there, to the second terminal strip 52. As a result, the circuit breaker 12 is in the electrically conductive state.

[0087] Due to the arrangement of the mating contacts 36, 38 as well as of the contacts 44, 46, a direction of the electrical current in the busbar 32 as well as in the further busbar 42 is directed parallel to each other at least in the overlapping area 50, which is why a rectified magnetic field is induced there. Due to the magnetic field induced in this way, the two busbars 32, 42 are pressed towards each other in the transverse direction 40 so that there is relatively secure electrical contact. To reinforce this effect, the busbar 32 is bulged out in the overlapping area 50 between the two mating contacts 36, 38 towards the further busbar 42, wherein the two busbars 32, 42 are not mechanically in direct contact with each other in this area.

[0088] When the hand lever 66 is moved from the second position 82 into the first position 70, the sequence of movements is reversed so that, by means of actuation of the hand lever 66, the busbar 32 is brought into the open position 80. The movement is supported by the spring acting on the extension 58 and by the torsion spring.

[0089] If a comparatively large electrical current is passed through the bimetal strip 18, leading to warming, the freely movable end of the bimetal strip 18 is bent so that the first locking lever 22 is rotated. In consequence, the support point 28 is no longer held by the rocker arm 78. The latter is pivoted further with respect to the slider 56. In this case, the second link 76 is also pivoted and thus the second coupling element 74 is moved. As a result, the unstable equilibrium is canceled and the slider 56 is moved in the transverse direction 40 by means of the spring acting on the extension 58, so that the busbars 32 are moved away from the further busbar 42. As a result, the contacts 44, 46 are spaced from the mating contacts 36, 38 so that the current is interrupted. Due to the mechanical coupling by means of the second coupling element 74, the hand lever 66 is also brought into the first position 70, so that the circuit breaker 12 is again in the state shown in FIG. 4, where the bimetal strip 18 is still bent, for example. After cooling, however, it is again in the position shown in FIG. 4. Furthermore, the rotary movement of the hand lever 66 is supported by means of the torsion spring, not shown in detail.

[0090] However, if the hand lever 66 is blocked in the first position 70, and the bimetal strip 18 is bent due to excessive current flow, the first locking lever 22 is again moved so that the support point 28 does not further support the rocker arm 78. Thus, further pivoting of the rocker arm 78 with respect to the slider 56 is possible while moving the second coupling element 74 in the second link 76. Thus, the unstable equilibrium is canceled and the slider 56 can be moved in the transverse direction 40 by means of the spring acting on the extension 58, so that the busbar 32 is brought into the open position 80. In this case, the electrical current between the two terminal strips 20, 52 is also interrupted.

[0091] If the busbar 32 is blocked in the closed position 84, as shown in FIG. 7, and if the rocker arm 78 is not in contact with the support point 28, for example due to a manual movement of the hand lever 66 from the second position 82 into the first position 70, or if the trip device 16 has triggered, movement of the hand lever 66 into the first position 70 is not possible. In this case, the first coupling element 64 is moved to the stop in the first link 64, and the abutment prevents further movement of the hand lever 66. When force is applied to the hand lever 66 in the direction of the first position 70, this force is applied to the slider 56 and consequently to the busbar 32. This makes it possible, by means of a manual operation of the hand lever 66, to release the busbar 32 from the further busbar 42 and to break a possible fusion of the contacts 44, 46 with the mating contacts 36, 38.

[0092] In summary, the mechanism 24 couples the busbar 32, the trip device 16 and the hand lever 66. When moving the hand lever 66 from the first position 70 into the second position 82, the busbar 32 is brought from the open position 80 into the closed position 82. When the trip device 16 has triggered, the busbar 32 is moved from the closed position 84 into the open position 80. In this case, the hand lever 66 is moved from the second position 82 into the first position 70 if the hand lever 66 is not blocked. Otherwise, at least the busbar 32 is moved accordingly. When moving the hand lever 66 from the second position 82 into the first position 70, the busbar 32 is moved from the closed position 84 into the open position 80. This is done regardless of whether the busbar 32 is blocked in the closed position 84. In this case, the blockage of the busbar 32 is released by means of the force manually applied to the hand lever 66.

[0093] FIG. 8 shows a perspective section of a second variant of the circuit breaker 12, wherein the two terminal strips 20, 52, the busbar 32 with the two mating contacts 36, 38 and the stranded wires 30 have not changed. The further busbar 42 and the contacts 44, 46 and the springs 54 have also not changed. Further, the function and the arrangement of the individual components to each other have not changed. The slider 56 is again present, which has the first link 60 with the section 62 extending in the transverse direction 40, in which the first coupling element 64 is guided. However, here the first link 60 also comprises a further section 86, which extends in the longitudinal direction 34, as shown in FIGS. 9-12, in which the circuit breaker 12 is shown in a side view. Thus, the first link 60 is L-shaped. Here, the further section 86 is offset in the transverse direction 40, with respect to the section 60, from the busbar 32 toward the hand lever 66.

[0094] The first coupling element 64 is in turn eccentrically and rotatably attached to the hand lever 66, which is rotatably mounted about the axis of rotation 68. The second coupling element 74 and the rocker arm 78 are omitted, and the mechanism 24 includes a third coupling element 88 rotatably mounted to the first coupling element 64. In this case, the connection of the third coupling element 88 to its free end and to the first coupling element 64 is located between the two ends of the latter, i.e., in the leg of the L-shaped first coupling element 64 extending in the transverse direction. The remaining end of the third coupling element 88 is guided in a third link 90 of a second locking lever 92, which is rotatably mounted on the housing in the same manner as the first locking lever 22. In other words, the first locking lever 22 is replaced by the second locking lever 92. The second locking lever 92 is actuated by means of the bimetal strip 18 of the trip device 16. As long as the trip device 16 does not trigger, i.e., as long as the bimetal strip 18 runs in the transverse direction 40, the third link 19 is essentially aligned in the longitudinal direction 34.

[0095] If the hand lever 66 is in the first position 70 shown in FIG. 9, the first coupling element 86 is engaged in the further section 86 of the first link 60, and the busbars 32 are in the open position 80.

[0096] When the hand lever 66 is rotated into the second position 82 shown in FIG. 10, the first coupling element 64 is partially moved in the transverse direction 40 towards the further busbar 42. This movement acts via the first link 60 on the slider 56, which is thus moved in the transverse direction 40 towards the further busbar 42. The arrangement of the first link 60 with respect to the hand lever 66 and its direction of movement is such that the first coupling element 64 is not moved to the section 62 extending in the transverse direction 40 due to the acting direction of force. When the first coupling element 64 is arranged substantially in the transverse direction 40, the contacts 44, 46 rests against the respective mating contacts 36, 38, and the busbar 32 is in the closed position 84, as shown in FIG. 10. Here, too, an unstable equilibrium is realized. In summary, in the closed position 84, the busbar 32 is mechanically in contact with the further busbar 42.

[0097] When the hand lever 66 is manually moved from the second position 82 into the first position 70, the counter-rotating motion sequence is performed. If the trip device 16 triggers, i.e., if the free end of the bimetal strip 18 is moved, the second locking lever 92 is moved and, as a result, also the third locking lever 92. By means of this, a force is thus exerted on the first coupling element 64 in the longitudinal direction 34, so that the unstable equilibrium is canceled. In this case, the unstable equilibrium is canceled even with a comparatively small movement of the third coupling element 88, so that the first coupling element 64 continues to be located in the further section 86. Because of the removal of the equilibrium, the slider 56 is moved away from the further busbar 42 in the transverse direction 40 into the open position 80, which is shown in FIG. 9, due to the spring, which is not shown in detail. In the open position 80, the busbar 32 is mechanically separated from the further busbar 42. Also, via the first coupling element 64, the spring force acting on the slider 56 also acts on the hand lever 66, which thus rotates to the first position 70. The rotary movement is also supported by the torsion spring.

[0098] If the hand lever 66 is blocked in the second position 82, as shown in FIG. 11, and if the trip device 16 triggers, i.e., the free end of the bimetal strip 18 is moved, the first coupling element 64 is moved by the third coupling element 88 further into the section 62 of the first link 62 extending in the transverse direction 40. As a result, a movement of the slider 56 in the transverse direction away from the further busbar 42 is possible. Therefore, the slider 56 is moved in the transverse direction 40 by means of the spring and the busbar 32 is spaced from the further busbar 42 and thus brought into the open position 80.

[0099] If the busbar 32 is held in the closed position 84 due to fusion of the contacts 44, 46 with the mating contacts 36, 38 and is thus blocked, the first coupling element 64 continues to engage in the first link 60, namely at the stop of the first link 60 in the transverse direction, which is located the furthest from the further busbar 42. When the hand lever 66 is rotated, the first coupling element 64 is partially moved away from the further busbar 42 in the transverse direction 40, so that a force directed away from the further busbar 42 is applied to the slider 56. Consequently, the possible fusion is broken and thus, the busbar 32 is brought from the closed position 84 into the open position 80 when the busbars 32 are blocked in the closed position 84. In this case, the blockage is removed by means of the force actuation.

[0100] FIG. 13 schematically illustrates another variation of the circuit breaker 12 in a simplified form. The slider 56 and the busbar 32 connected thereto are again shown with the first mating contact 36 and the second mating contact 38, which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction 34. Also present is the further busbar 42 carrying the first contact 44, which is structurally the same as in the previous embodiments. However, the further busbar 42 is offset in the longitudinal direction 34 so that the overlapping area 50 is reduced. Furthermore, an additional busbar 94 is provided which carries the second contact 46. The further busbar 42 and the additional busbar 94 are galvanically isolated from each other, and the stranded wire 30 is soldered to the additional busbar 94, which in turn is electrically connected to the bimetal strip 18. In the open position 80 shown in FIG. 13, the mating contacts 36, 38 are spaced apart from the contacts 44, 46. When the closed position 84 is assumed, the first mating contact 36 is brought against the first contact 44 and the second mating contact 38 is brought against the second contact 46, so that the further busbar 42 and the additional busbar 94 are bridged by the busbar 32. In this case, current conduction is possible. The further busbar 42 and the use of the additional busbar 94 are modified in variations, not described in detail here, of the embodiments of the circuit breaker 12 shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 12.

[0101] The invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments. Rather, other variations of the invention can also be derived therefrom by the person skilled in the art without departing from the subject matter of the invention. In particular, all individual features described in connection with the individual embodiments can also be combined with one another in other ways without departing from the subject matter of the invention.

[0102] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.