CN1778026A - Circuit interrupting device with lock out and reversible wiring - Google Patents
Circuit interrupting device with lock out and reversible wiring Download PDFInfo
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- CN1778026A CN1778026A CN 200480006645 CN200480006645A CN1778026A CN 1778026 A CN1778026 A CN 1778026A CN 200480006645 CN200480006645 CN 200480006645 CN 200480006645 A CN200480006645 A CN 200480006645A CN 1778026 A CN1778026 A CN 1778026A
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Abstract
The present invention provides a resettable circuit interrupting device such as a GFCI that is immune to the problem of reverse wiring and, therefore, has load-line terminals that can be interchangeably connected to either at least one load or to a power source. Regardless of how the load-line terminals are connected, the resettable circuit interrupting device operates properly and retains leakage current fault protection. The circuit interrupting device includes an interrupting portion disposed within the device configured to cause electrical discontinuity in either the phase and/or neutral conductive paths between the line side and the load side upon the occurrence of a leakage condition. A reset portion disposed at least partially within the device is configured to initially establish or, after the detection of a leakage current fault, reestablish electrical continuity between the load and the line. The device comprises two differential transformers, one to detect leakage current when the load is connected to the load terminals, and the second coupled to detect leakage current when the load is connected to the line terminals. Separate reactifiers coupled to the differential transformers operate to power a solenoid to disconnect the line from the load upon the detection of leakage current in the load path.
Description
The cross reference of related application
The application is according to 35U.S.C.119 (e), and requiring in the application numbers that on February 3rd, 2003 submitted to is the priority of 60/444,549 U.S. Provisional Patent Application.
Technical background
1. technical field
But the present invention refers to gang's reset circuit interrupting device and system, comprising: ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI), immersion testing circuit circuit breaker (IDCI), electrical leakage circuit breaker (ALCI), equipment residual current circuit breaker (ELCI), circuit-breaker, contactor, latching relay and solenoid mechanism.More particularly, the present invention refer to comprise can disconnecting apparatus the line side and the circuit interruption device of the circuit interruption part of the conductive path of load-side.
2. background technology
Many electrical wiring devices have at least one conductive path between the line side that can be connected to power supply, the load-side that can be connected to one or more loads and circuit and the load-side.Be in line side and load-side connecting portion with the lead that electric power is provided or with electrical connection section to the lead of one or more loads conduction.The industry of electrical wiring device witness to the demand of circuit breaker or system growth, this device or system are designed to interrupt to the various loads electric power that provides of household electrical appliance, life electric product and branch road for example.Especially, for example, electrical code requires Household bathroom and kitchen to be equipped with ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).The device of describing in for example public all United States Patent (USP)s 4,595,894 of current obtainable GFCI device makes electricity consumption start tripping mechanism to come the mechanically electrical connection between the striping trackside and load-side.After their tripping operations, this device for example can reset by detection of ground faults.In the device of being discussed in ' 894 patents, the tripping mechanism that is used to circuit (being the conductive path between circuit and the load-side) machinery is disconnected comprises solenoid (perhaps breaking coil).The circuit that testing button is used to test tripping mechanism and is used for detection failure, reset button is used to make the electrical connection between circuit and the load-side to reset.
Yet, following situation can appear, promptly for example cause taking place unusual situation by thunderbolt, and this not only can cause the surge of tripping operation place of device and device, but also it is invalid to be used in the tripping mechanism of open circuit mechanically.This may take place under the unwitting situation of user.In this case, in the face of the GFCI that tripped, unwitting user can press reset button, and this can make device with inoperative tripping mechanism reset under the situation of effective earth fault protection not having conversely again.
In addition, for electric wire, can there be the state that disconnects (Open neutral condition) as defined center line among Underwriters Laboratories (UL) the standard P AG 943A to this GFCI unit feeding electric power.If the state that center line disconnects appears in the center line in circuit (relative with the load) side of GFCI device, understand the following situation that occurs, promptly the current path of Sheng Chenging arrives ground from load-side and the people who passes through device to the phase line (perhaps live wire) of GFCI unit feeding electric power.If the state that center line disconnects, the electric current GFCI device that has so tripped can reset, although center line still keeps the state that disconnects.
The patent application serial numbers of submitting in this 24 days August in 1998 that all are incorporated herein by reference is 09/138, common all applications of 955 can not be operated or the reset circuit interrupting device of the part that resets that the center line off-state can locking device when existing in the circuit interruption part but described gang.The patent application serial numbers of submitting in this 24 days September in 1998 that all is incorporated herein by reference is 09/175, common all applications of 228 can not be operated or the center line off-state can locking device when existing reset part and can not rely on the operation of circuit interruption part and disconnect the reset circuit interrupting device of conductive path but described in circuit interruption part.
Except circuit and load-side connecting portion, more aforesaid circuit interruption devices also have the palp load-side connecting portion of user.The spendable load-side connecting portion of user comprises one or more tie points, and wherein the user can externally be connected to the electric power of supplying with from the line side.The spendable load-side connecting portion of load-side connecting portion and user is electrically connected usually.The example of sort circuit interrupting device is the GFCI socket, and wherein circuit is that the spendable load-side connecting portion of pinching screw and user is that plug is connected (i.e. three pins or two pin male tabs) with the load-side connecting portion.As noted, this device is connected to outer lead so that line conductor is connected to the line side connecting portion and load side wires is connected to the load-side connecting portion.Yet, following situation can take place, thereby promptly the circuit interruption device is connected to improperly that the outer lead load wire is connected to the line side connecting portion and line conductor is connected to the load connecting portion.This is called as reverse wiring.The ifs circuit interrupting device is a reverse wiring, and the error protection of the spendable load connecting portion of user will be eliminated, even kept the error protection of load-side connecting portion.In addition, because eliminated error protection, so the spendable plug of load wiring end or user can have power supply, this makes the user think that the device operation is correct, and in fact really not so.Therefore, when circuit interruption device reverse wiring, need detection failure.And need anti-locking apparatus reverse wiring.
Summary of the invention
But the present invention relates to gang's reset circuit interrupting device; wherein each circuit interruption device all has at least two pairs and is used for the terminals that the line side is connected with load-side; no matter and where dock line end and be connected to load or circuit and connect, each this device can both be kept error protection.Therefore but reset circuit interrupting device of the present invention can not be subjected to the influence of the problem of reverse wiring, because terminals are connected to one or more loads or power source to replacing with handing over.In first wiring configuration, the first butt joint line end can be connected to load and the second butt joint line end can be connected to circuit (being power supply).Perhaps, in second wiring configuration, first pair can be connected to circuit and second pair and can be connected to load.No matter use the sort of wiring configuration, but error protection can suitably be operated and keep to reset circuit interrupting device of the present invention.
In one embodiment, the circuit interruption device comprises phase line that places enclosure at least in part and the neutral conductive path between the shell and the one the second butt joint line ends.Phase conductive path stops at the phase terminal place and neutral conductive path stops at the neutral terminal place.One of preferred phase terminal (for example from the first butt joint line end) is connected to power supply and another can be connected to one or more loads to phase terminal (for example from the second butt joint line end).
The circuit interruption device also comprises the circuit interruption part that places enclosure, this circuit interruption partly is configured to when one predetermined state occurs, just makes one of phase line between described line side and the described load-side and neutral conductive path or both electricity all discontinuous.The part that resets places enclosure at least in part, and is configured to can rebuild electric continuity in the conductive path that disconnects.
Preferred phase conductive path comprises a plurality of switching devices between described circuit and the load-side, thereby thereby these a plurality of switching devices can disconnect the electric discontinuous and closed reconstruction electric continuity that makes in the phase conductive path.Neutral conductive path also comprises a plurality of switching devices between described circuit and the load-side, thereby thereby these a plurality of switching devices can disconnect the electric continuity in the electric discontinuous and closed reconstruction neutral conductive path that makes in the neutral conductive path.In this configuration, circuit interruption partly makes a plurality of switching devices (having the contact) of phase line and neutral conductive path disconnect, and the part that resets makes a plurality of switching devices (having the contact) closure of phase line and neutral conductive path.
An embodiment who is used for the circuit interruption part uses electro-mechanical circuit interrupter to make the electric discontinuous of phase line and neutral conductive path, thus and the appearance of testing circuit detection predetermined state.For example, electro-mechanical circuit interrupter comprises coil groups, is attached to the moving core of coil groups and is attached to obstacle unshakable in one's determination.Moving core produces response so that the excitation coil group, and movement conversion unshakable in one's determination becomes the motion of described obstacle.The motion of obstacle makes electric discontinuous in phase line and/or the neutral conductive path.
The circuit interruption device also can comprise the reset lockout part, and this reset lockout partly prevents phase line or neutral conductive path or the reconstruction of the electric continuity among both, unless the circuit interruption part can suitably be operated.Be that the anti-locking apparatus of reset lockout resets, unless the circuit interruption part can suitably be operated.Comprise among the embodiment of reset lockout part at the circuit interruption device, the part that resets can be configured to make at least one reset contact to be electrically connected to the testing circuit of circuit interruption part, and depressing of reset button makes at least a portion phase conductive path contact at least one reset contact.When forming contact between phase conductive path and at least one reset contact, thereby the electric continuity in the reset lockout partial invalidity of start-up circuit interrupt unit and phase line and the neutral conductive path can be rebuild.
The circuit interruption device also can comprise the tripping operation part of independent circuits interrupt unit operation.Tripping operation part places enclosure at least in part and is configured to not rely on the operation of circuit interruption part and makes the electric discontinuous of phase line and/or neutral conductive path.In one embodiment, the trip portion branch comprises from the preferred portion and extended by trip actuator in the enclosure of the spendable trip actuator of housing exterior and trip arm.The trip arm preferred disposition becomes to be convenient to the electric continuity in machinery disconnection phase line and/or the neutral conductive path, if trip actuator starts.Preferred trip actuator is a button.Yet, also can comprise the actuator that other is known.
Description of drawings
Describe the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings at this, similar elements has provided identical reference character among the figure, wherein:
Fig. 1 is the perspective view according to an embodiment of ground fault circuit interrupter of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is partly cut-away's lateral elevational view of the part of the device of GFCI shown in Fig. 1, has shown the GFCI in desired location or circuit formation position;
Fig. 3 is the exploded view of the inner body of circuit interruption device among Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is the plane graph that is arranged in the conductive path part of Fig. 1 GFCI device inside;
Fig. 5 is the partial sectional view of the part of conductive path as shown in Figure 4;
Fig. 6 is the partial sectional view of the part of conductive path as shown in Figure 4;
Fig. 7 is and the similar lateral elevational view of Fig. 2 to have shown the GFCI device in circuit disconnection or interruption position;
Fig. 8 is and the similar lateral elevational view of Fig. 2 to have shown the part of the GFCI device in the reset operation process;
Fig. 9-the 11st, the diagram of the operation of an embodiment of the part that resets of the present invention, wherein shown latch member, this latch member is used for forming reset part and the circuit interruption operational contact partly that is electrically connected and makes electrical connection section between circuit and load connecting portion.
Figure 12 is used for the circuit of detection of ground faults and allows arbitrary butt joint line end to be connected to the schematic diagram of the circuit on load or the power supply;
Figure 13 is the perspective view according to the optional embodiment of ground fault circuit interrupter of the present invention;
Figure 14 is partly cut-away's lateral elevational view of the part of the device of GFCI shown in Figure 13, has shown the GFCI device in desired location or circuit formation position;
Figure 15 is and the similar lateral elevational view of Figure 14, has shown the GFCI device in circuit open position;
Figure 16 is and the similar lateral elevational view of Figure 14 to have shown the part of the GFCI device in the reset operation process;
Figure 17 is the exploded view of the inner body of GFCI device among Figure 13;
Figure 18 is used for detecting the earth fault of GFCI device of Figure 13 and the schematic diagram of the circuit that makes it to reset;
Figure 19 is partly cut-away's lateral elevational view of part of the part of the optional embodiment of the device of GFCI shown in Figure 13, has shown at desired location or circuit to form this device in the position;
Figure 20 is and the similar lateral elevational view of Figure 19, has shown the device in circuit open position; And
Figure 21 is the block diagram according to circuit interruption of the present invention system.
Embodiment
The invention provides dissimilar circuit interruption devices, these circuit interruption devices can disconnecting apparatus first side and at least one conductive path of second side.First side can be connected on load or the power supply and second side too.In other words, no matter which terminals power supply and at least one load are connected on, circuit interruption device of the present invention can both suitably be operated.Therefore this at least two butt joints line end is reversible, because each terminals can receive at least one load or power supply.Conductive path is usually in the line side that is connected to supply capability be connected between the load-side of one or more loads separately.As noted, but the various devices in this gang of reset circuit interrupting device comprise: ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI), immerse testing circuit circuit breaker (IDCI), electrical leakage circuit breaker (ALCI) and equipment residual current circuit breaker (ELCI).
For the purposes of the present invention, show in the accompanying drawing and hereinafter described being provided in structure that the circuit interruption device uses or mechanism is suitable for being installed in the single set of connections box that uses in the residential electricity wiring system for example in the GFCI device.Yet, but can be included in according to mechanism of the present invention in any of various devices of this gang of reset circuit interrupting device.
GFCI device described here has two butt joint line ends (a pair of be used for circuit connects and another connects being used at least one load) at least.At least one load connects the permission external conductor or electrical equipment is connected on the GFCI device.For example, these connections can be to be fastened or connected on the circuit interruption device external conductor and the electric fastener of conduction.The example of this connection comprises that pinching screw (binding Screw), lug (lug), terminals (terminal) are connected (external plug connection) with external plug.
In one embodiment, the GFCI device has the circuit interruption part, part and reset lockout reset.This embodiment is shown in Fig. 1-12.Configuration as shown in figure 11 and Electromechanically operated according to the United States Patent (USP) 6,437 that is hereby incorporated by, the mode described in 953 is operated.In another embodiment, similar among GFCI device and Fig. 1-12 is except omitting reset lockout.Therefore, in this embodiment, the GFCI device has circuit interruption part and the part that resets, be similar to Fig. 1-12 li described.In another embodiment, the GFCI device has the circuit interruption part, part and the reset lockout and the part that independently trips reset.This embodiment is shown in Figure 13-20.
The circuit interruption described here and the preferred use of the part electromechanical components that resets disconnect the one or more conductive paths between (opening) and formation (closure) device circuit and the load-side.Yet electronic component for example solid state switches (solid state switch) and auxiliary circuit (supporting circuitry) also can be used for disconnecting and closed conductive path.
Usually, circuit interruption partly is used for when one detects the fault that is described as earth fault in the present embodiment, with regard to the electric continuity in the one or more conductive paths between automatic disconnection line side and the load-side (promptly disconnecting conductive path).The part that resets is used to the closed conductive path that disconnects.
In comprising the embodiment of reset lockout, the part that resets also is used to make reset lockout invalid except the conductive path that closure disconnects.In this structure, the electric continuity in the conductive path that circuit interruption partly can not be operated or the center line disconnection disconnects when existing and/or when installing reverse wiring resets and the operation of reset lockout part cooperate with the operation of circuit interruption part, so that can't reset.
In the embodiment that comprises the independent trip part, the electric continuity in one or more conductive paths can disconnect independently with the operation of circuit interruption part.Therefore, the ifs circuit interrupt unit can not correctly be operated, and device still can trip.
Above-mentioned feature can be included in any reducible circuit interruption device, but in order to simplify, and refers to the GFCI device in this explanation.
Referring now to Fig. 1,, GFCI device 10 has the shell 12 that comprises the main body 14 that is in central authorities relatively, and wherein face or lid part 16 and rear portion 18 removably are fixed on this center main 14.Facial 16 have the routine that is used to receive usually the male tab that the end in lamp or electrical equipment cable group (not shown) has or polarity pin arrival end 20 and 21 and ground connection-pin-receiver hole 22 so that hold three pin plug.The GFCI device also comprises and is used for device is fastened to fixed band 24 on the terminal box.
Be electrically connected to existing domestic circuit and form via pinching screw 34 and 36, wherein, for example, screw 34 is that input (or circuit) phase line connects, and screw 36 is that output (or load) phase line connects.Yet, screw 34 can be the output phase line connect and screw 34 to be input phase line or circuit connect.Screw 34 and 36 is right half of terminals.Therefore, two other pinching screws 38 and 40 (referring to Fig. 3) are positioned at an other side of device 10.These other pinching screws provide circuit to be connected with load neutral respectively.United States Patent (USP) 4,595 provides the more detailed description of GFCI device in 894, and wherein this patent all is incorporated herein by reference at this.Should also be pointed out that pinching screw 34,36,38 and 40 is the examples that can be used to provide the binding post type of electrical connection.The example of the binding post of other type comprises holding screw (set screw), pressure clamp (pressure clamp), pressing plate (pressure plate), the formula that is pressed into connects (push-intype connection), exit (pigtail) and quick brace (quick-connect tab).
Referring to Fig. 2-6, the conductive path between line phase connecting portion 34 and the load phase connecting portion 36 is included between the stressed and not stressed position contact arm 50 that moves, be fixed to movable contact 52 on the contact arm 50, be fixed to or integrally be formed into the contact arm 54 in the load phase connecting portion 36 and be fixed to fixed contact 56 on the contact arm 54.The spendable load phase connecting portion of user that is used for this embodiment comprises terminal assemblies 58, and this terminal assemblies has two joint terminals 60 can connecting with the male tab pin that inserts wherein.Conductive path between the spendable load phase connecting portion of line phase connecting portion 34 and user comprises contact arm 50, be fixed to movable contact 62 on the contact arm 50, be fixed to or be formed integral to the contact arm 64 in the terminal assemblies 58 and be fixed to fixed contact 66 on the contact arm 64.These conductive paths jointly are called phase conductive path.
Similarly, the conductive path between line midline connecting portion 38 and the load neutral connecting portion 40 is included between the stressed and not stressed position contact arm 70 that moves, is fixed to movable contact 72 on the contact arm 70, is fixed to or is formed integral to the contact arm 74 on the load neutral connecting portion 40 and is fixed to fixed contact 76 on the contact arm 74.The spendable load neutral connecting portion of user that is used for this embodiment comprises the terminal assemblies 78 with two joint terminals 80 can connecting insertion male tab pin wherein.Conductive path between the spendable load neutral connecting portion of line midline connecting portion 38 and user comprises contact arm 70, be fixed to movable contact 82 on the contact arm 70, be fixed to or be formed integral to the contact arm 84 in the terminal assemblies 78 and be fixed to fixed contact 86 on the contact arm 84.These conductive paths jointly are called neutral conductive path.
Referring to Fig. 2, circuit interruption partly have can detection failure unsettled circuit-breaker of electric current and the electronic circuit on live wire and/or the center line conductor for example.At a preferred embodiment that is used for the GFCI device, circuit-breaker comprises the excitation and the unexcited iron core 92 of coil groups 90, response coil groups and is connected to obstacle 94 on unshakable in one's determination 92.Obstacle 94 has a pair of and mobile latch member 100 interactional clamp 96 and 98 of stopping, wherein this latch member 100 is used for setting and the electric continuity of one or more conductive paths that reset.Coil groups 90 response for example as shown in figure 12 the earth fault that testing circuit detected and start.
Referring to Figure 12, shown to be used for circuit interruption Device Testing circuit of the present invention.When terminals A or terminals B are connected on load or the power supply, the testing circuit detection of ground faults.The transformer that the circuit interruption device of Figure 12 is configured to make differential transformer DT or DT ' can be used as the leakage current that detects load is operated.And differential transformer DT and DT ' are connected respectively on the full wave bridge rectifier.Reset button has reset arm (preferably being formed by insulation or non-conducting material), and this reset arm has four and places respectively with locking and scrape four bars (WF, XF, YF and ZF) that brush arm W, X, Y and Z engage.Scraping brush arm is that wherein each scrapes the part that brush arm can be in two position mechanical lockings, and promptly scraping brush arm W can be electrically connected with contact W1 or W2; Scraping brush arm X can be electrically connected with contact X1 or X2; Scraping brush arm Y can be electrically connected with contact Y1 or Y2; Scraping brush arm Z can be electrically connected with contact Z1 or Z2.Shown in structure in, all have four so-called 4 dpdt double-pole double-throw (DPDT)s of breech lock (4PDT) breech locks of scraping brush arm and two contacts for each arm.Breech lock uses spring 2 to setover (direction shown in the arrow D) left and uses spring 1 to upper offset (direction shown in the arrow C).Therefore be connected to reset button on the reset arm equally to upper offset.Scrape brush arm W, X, Y and Z and be presented at open position on the corresponding contacts that is not electrically connected to them.When (along the direction shown in the arrow C ') when depressing reset button, what bar WF, XF, YF and ZF pressed them scrapes brush arm W, X, Y and Z accordingly, makes to scrape brush arm and form with contact W2, X2, Y2 and Z2 respectively and be electrically connected.Therefore use top commutation device (D3, D4, D5 and D6) and resistor R 4 to generate circuit, wherein electric current flows to the negative pole of top current transformer through R4 from the positive pole of top commutation device in resistor R 4.Detect electric current by differential transformer DT ' by R4, thereby this causes IC-1 to drive Q1 and makes R1 and C1 ground connection starting relay K1, and thereby this makes non-conductive reset arm jump to right-hand (direction shown in the arrow D ') again disconnects the circuit that comprises R4 and top commutation device.Spring 2 rebounds reset arm along the direction shown in the arrow D, each that this moment, each bar was in them scraped the brush arm below, because reset button still is depressed.When reset button discharges, each bar is owing to the bias voltage (along the direction shown in the arrow C) that spring 1 is provided is pushed to and scraped brush arm, make and scrape brush arm and contact W1 and be electrically connected, scrape brush arm X and contact X1 and be electrically connected, scrape brush arm Y and be electrically connected and scrape brush arm Z with contact Y1 and be electrically connected, thus terminals A and B are connected on the testing circuit with contact Z1.If now load is connected on the terminals B, any leakage current that load causes can detect and be connected to terminals A on the circuit by differential transformer DT and will use bottom rectifying device (D3 ', D4 ', D5 ' and D6 ') that the electric power of the auxiliary circuit of IC-1 and testing circuit is provided.Perhaps, if load is connected on the terminals A, any leakage current that load causes can use top commutation device (D3, D4, D5 and D6) that the electric power of the auxiliary component of IC-1 and testing circuit is provided by the terminals B that differential transformer DT ' detects and is connected on the circuit.For the socket of the spendable terminals of user (three holes in household outlet or two hole concave shaped sockets usually) is connected in the load that the user provides, and the leakage current of load is detected by differential transformer and by top description field application relay.Auxiliary component comprises diode D1, D2 and D2 ', resistance R 1, R2, R3 and R3 ', capacitor C1-C7, C8 and C8 ' and C9.Q1 can be implemented by transistor and/or SCR (scr).Though do not show, MOV (metal oxide variable resistor) each circuit wiring of cross-over connection usually brings in the impact that the protection testing circuit is not subjected to relatively large electric power.In particular detection circuit of the present invention, will use two MOV; Another cross-over connection link of cross-over connection terminals A B.
Refer back to Fig. 2, the reset portion branch comprises reset button 30, is connected to the mobile latch member 100 of reset button 30, latch finger 102 and reset contact 104 and 106, when wherein when being in trip position, depressing reset button, the interim start-up circuit interrupt unit of reset contact.Preferably, reset contact 104 and 106 normalities disconnect instantaneous contacts.Latch finger 102 is used to connect the R side of each contact arm 50,70 and arm 50,70 is retracted tension position, and at this tension position, contact 52,62 contacts contact 56,66 respectively and contact 72,82 contacts contact 76,86 respectively.
In this embodiment, mobile latch member 102 is that each part (be circuit interruption, reset and the reset lockout part) is shared, and it impels formation, disconnection or the locking of the electric continuity of one or more conductive paths.Yet interrupting device also comprises between each part or does not have the embodiment of public organizations or member between some specific part in a circuit according to the invention.In addition, the present invention also can use and have circuit interruption, resets and the circuit interruption device of reset lockout part impels formation, disconnection or the locking of one of phase conductive path or neutral conductive path or both electric continuities.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 and 3, reset lockout partly comprises latch finger 102, hinders moving of transfer arm 50,70 thereby this latch finger engages the L side of transfer arm 50,70 after the device tripping operation.By hindering the motion of transfer arm 50,70, can stop contact 52 and 56, contact 62 and 66, contact 72 and 76 and contact 82 and 86 contact.Perhaps, thus only can hinder transfer arm 50 or 70 one of stop their corresponding contacts to come in contact.In addition, in this embodiment, latch finger 102 is served as the active mortifier that prevents the contact contact.Perhaps, transfer arm 50 can be as preventing the passive mortifier that the contact contacts with 70.
Referring now to Fig. 2 and 7-11,, shown the circuit interruption that is in the various operational phases and the machine components of the part that resets.For this part explanation, the operation to phase conductive path only is described, if but wish to disconnect and closed two kinds of conductive paths, the operation of neutral conductive path and phase conductive path is similar so.In Fig. 2, the demonstration of GFCI device is in desired location, connects with fixed contact 56 electricity of contact arm 54 thereby movable contact arm 50 is in tensioning situation movable contact 52.If GFCI Device Testing electric circuit inspection is to earth fault, obstacle 94 moves up in the coil groups 90 thereby coil groups 90 is attracted to regard to excitation and with iron core 92.When obstacle moves up, the clamp 98 slam latch members 100 of banger front make junction surface that it generates around the top 112 of finger piece 110 and inner surface 114 in the counterclockwise direction C (seeing Fig. 7) pivot.The motion of latch member 100 disconnects the latch finger 102 and the connection of the R side of the far-end 116 of movable contact arm 50, and allows contact arm 50 to turn back to its break contact 52 and 56 prestressed state, referring to Fig. 7.
After tripping operation, thereby coil groups 90 is removed excitation springs 93 and is turned back to its initial extended position and the initial position of the obstacle 94 latch member 100 that moves on to it with unshakable in one's determination 92.At this moment, latch member 100 is in blocking, and wherein latch finger 102 suppresses current collector 52 and fixed contact 56 connections, referring to Figure 10.As noted, one or both latch finger 102 are served as the active mortifier that prevents the contact contact.Perhaps, transfer arm 50 can be as preventing the passive mortifier that the contact contacts with 70.
For the GFCI device is resetted so as contact 52 and 56 closed and rebuild electric continuity in the phase conductive path just depress reset button 30 fully and overcome the biasing force of back-moving spring 120 and move latch member 100, referring to Fig. 8 along the arrow A direction.When reset button 30 was depressed, the continuing to depress of the L side of the movable contact arm 50 of latch finger 102 contact and reset button 30 forced latch member to overcome the active force that arm 50 applies and makes reset contact 104 closed reduction contacts 106 on the arm 50.By for example simulated failure, the closed reduction contact has started the operation of circuit-breaker, and like this, iron core 92 moves up obstacle 94 and clashes into the latch member 100 that latch finger 102 is pivoted, and latch member 100 continues to move along the arrow A direction simultaneously.Therefore, latch finger 102 is raised above the L side of the far-end 116 of movable contact arm 50 and on the R side of the far-end of movable contact arm, referring to Fig. 7 and 11.Contact arm 50 turns back to its not stressed position, break contact 52 and 56 and contact 62 and 66, so the activation of termination circuit interrupt unit, thus make coil groups 90 remove excitation.
After the operation of start-up circuit circuit breaker, coil groups 90 unexcited feasible unshakable in one's determination 92 turns back to its initial extended position, and obstacle 94 latch members 100 are so that latch finger 102 is in reset position, referring to Fig. 9.The release of reset button makes latch member 100 and movable contact arm 50 move along arrow B direction (referring to Fig. 9), till contact 52 and contact 56 electricity connections, referring to Fig. 2.
As noted above, the disconnection of the electric continuity in the neutral conductive path and closure if desired, so above-mentioned explanation for phase conductive path also is applicable to neutral conductive path.
In optional embodiment, the circuit interruption device also can comprise can be independent of that circuit interruption is partly operated so that just in case the circuit interruption part tripping operation part that device still can trip can not operate the time.Preferred partially manual startup of tripping operation and use machine components disconnect one or more conductive paths.Yet, tripping operation part can user's electric circuit and/or electromechanical components disconnect phase line or neutral conductive path or two kinds of paths.
For purpose of the present invention, the structure of embodiment or mechanism also are installed in the GFCI device in the single set of connections box that is suitable for being installed in family hereto.Yet, but can be included in according to mechanism of the present invention in any of various devices of this gang of reset circuit interrupting device.
Referring now to Figure 13,, similar according to the GFCI device of describing among the GFCI device 200 of this embodiment and Fig. 1-12.Similar with Fig. 1, GFCI device 200 has the shell 12 that comprises the main body 14 that is in central authorities relatively, and wherein face or lid part 16 and rear portion 18 preferably removably are fixed on this center main 14.
As among the top embodiment, be connected to existing domestic circuit and form via pinching screw 34 and 36, wherein, for example, screw 34 is input (or circuit) phase line connecting portions, screw 36 is output (or load) phase line connecting portions.Should be understood that two other pinching screws 38 and 40 (referring to Fig. 3) are positioned at an other side of device 200.These other pinching screws provide circuit and load neutral connecting portion respectively.United States Patent (USP) 4,595 provides the more detailed description of GFCI device in 894, and wherein this patent all is incorporated herein by reference at this.
Referring to Fig. 4-6,14 and 17, conductive path in this embodiment is substantially with above-mentioned identical.Line phase connect 34 and load phase connect conductive path between 36 be included between the stressed and not stressed position contact arm 50 movably, be mounted to contact arm 50 current collector 52, be fixed to or be formed integral to load phase and connect contact arm 54 on 36 and the fixed contact 56 (referring to Fig. 4,5 and 17) that is mounted to contact arm 54.The spendable load phase connecting portion of user that is used for this embodiment comprises the terminal assemblies 58 with two binding ends 60 can connecting insertion male tab pin wherein.Conductive path between the spendable load phase connecting portion of line phase connecting portion 34 and user comprises contact arm 50, be installed to movable contact 62 on the contact arm 50, be fixed to or be formed integral to the contact arm 64 in the terminal assemblies 58 and be installed to fixed contact 66 on the contact arm 64.These conductive paths jointly are called phase conductive path.
Similarly, the conductive path between line midline connecting portion 38 and the load neutral connecting portion 40 is included between the stressed and not stressed position contact arm 70 movably, is installed to movable contact 72 on the contact arm 70, is fixed to or is formed integral to the contact arm 74 on the load neutral connecting portion 40 and is installed to fixed contact 76 (referring to Fig. 4,6 and 17) on the contact arm 74.The spendable load neutral connecting portion of user that is used for this embodiment comprises the terminal assemblies 78 with two binding ends 80 can connecting insertion male tab pin wherein.Conductive path between the spendable load neutral connecting portion of line midline connecting portion 38 and user comprises contact arm 70, be installed to movable contact 82 on the contact arm 70, be fixed to or be formed integral to the contact arm 84 in the terminal assemblies 78 and be installed to fixed contact 86 on the contact arm 84.These conductive paths jointly are called neutral conductive path.
In Figure 14, the machine components that during circuit interruption and reset operation, use have according to this embodiment of the invention also been shown.Though these parts that are presented among these figure are dynamo-electric in nature, the present invention also provides and has used semi-conductor type circuit interruption and reset device and other can form and disconnect the mechanism of electric continuity.
Circuit interruption device according to this embodiment is installed to the independent trip portion branch in the circuit interruption device of Fig. 1-12.Therefore, circuit interruption, reset and the explanation of reset lockout part has just been omitted.
Referring to Figure 14-16, example embodiment according to tripping operation part of the present invention comprises trip actuator 202, be preferably the button that between desired location and trip position, moves, wherein allow contact 52 to contact with 56 closures or formation at desired location, referring to Figure 14, and, contact 52 and 56 is disconnected at trip position, referring to Figure 15.Spring 204 normalities make trip actuator 202 setover to desired location.The tripping operation part also comprises the trip arm 206 of stretching out from trip actuator 202, and when trip position moved, the surface 208 of trip arm 206 moved to mobile latch member 100 and contacts with convenient trip button.When trip actuator 202 was in set condition, the surface 208 of trip arm 202 can contact with movable latch member 100 or be approaching with it, referring to Figure 14.
In operation, one depresses trip actuator 202, and trip actuator just pivots (referring to Figure 15) around the some T of pivotal arm 210, and wherein this pivotal arm 210 is from extending so that the surface 208 of trip arm 206 can contact mobile latch member 100 with 24.When trip actuator 202 when trip position moves, trip arm 206 also enters in finger piece 110 motion paths with reset button 30 associating, therefore hinders finger piece 102 further along arrow A direction move (referring to Figure 15).By hindering the motion of finger piece 110, trip arm 206 starts when having suppressed the startup of reset operation and therefore having suppressed tripping operation and reset operation.Further the depressing of trip actuator 202 make mobile latch member 100 around a T along arrow C direction pivot (seeing Figure 15).The pivoting action of latch member 100 makes the latch finger 102 of lock arm 100 move and disengage with movable contact arm 50, disconnects so that arm 50 turns back to its not stress and conductive path.Resetting of device realizes as mentioned above.The example embodiment that is used for detection failure and makes the circuit that conductive path resets as shown in figure 18.
As noted above, the disconnection of the electric continuity in the neutral conductive path and closure if desired, so above-mentioned explanation for phase conductive path also is applicable to neutral conductive path.
Another embodiment of tripping operation part is described with reference to Figure 19 and 20.In this embodiment, the trip portion branch is included in the trip actuator 202 that moves between desired location and the trip position, wherein allows contact 52 to contact with 56 closures or formation at desired location, referring to Figure 19, and, contact 52 and 56 is disconnected at trip position, referring to Figure 20.Spring 220 makes trip actuator 202 setover to desired location usually.The tripping operation part also comprises from trip actuator 202 stretches out so that the far-end of trip arm 226 is in the mobile trip arm 224 that contacts with mobile latch member 100.As noted above, in this embodiment, mobile latch member 100 by tripping operation, circuit interruption, reset and reset lockout part shared, and be used for formation, disconnection or the locking of the electrical connection of phase line and/or neutral conductive path.
In this embodiment, mobile latch member 100 comprises ramp portion 100a, and when trip actuator 202 was mobile between desired location and trip position, ramp portion 100a promoted the disconnection and the closure of electric contact 52 and 56 respectively.In order to illustrate, when trip actuator 202 is in desired location, the upside of the far-end 226 contact ramp portion 100a of trip arm 224.When trip actuator 202 was depressed, the far-end 226 of trip arm 224 moved along the slope and makes latch member 60 around a P latch finger 102 of latch member 100 be moved with movable contact arm 50 and disengages so that arm 50 turns back to its not stress and conductive path disconnection.Resetting of device realizes as mentioned above.
Interrupting device can be used for the using electricity system shown in the example block diagram of Figure 21 in a circuit according to the invention.System 240 comprises for example power supply of family expenses of power supply 242, and at least one the circuit interruption device that is electrically connected to power supply is circuit interruption device 10 or 200 and be connected to one or more loads 244 of circuit interruption device for example.An example as this system; the electric power of supplying with single group family expenses terminal box can be connected to the GFCI device; this GFCI device has the protection of above-mentioned reverse wired fault, independently one of tripping operation or reset lockout feature, and perhaps the combination in any of these features can be combined in the circuit interruption device.The household electrical appliance that inject this GFCI device then become the load of load or system.
As noted, though the part that uses during the reset operation at circuit interruption and device is dynamo-electric in nature, the present invention also provides and has used for example part of solid switch and auxiliary circuit and other type of the electronic component that can or form and disconnect the electric continuity in the conductive path.
Though show, described and pointed out essential characteristic of the present invention, but be to be understood that, under the premise of without departing from the spirit of the present invention, those skilled in the art can to describe and various omissions, displacement and change are carried out in the form of device shown and details and its operation.
Claims (14)
1. the circuit interruption device has the first butt joint line end and the second butt joint line end that are used for connecting between load circuit and circuit, and this circuit interruption device comprises:
Testing circuit, it is coupled to the first and second butt joint line ends, and wherein when pair of terminals was coupled to load circuit, another butt joint line end can be coupled to circuit.
2. device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that testing circuit comprises first and second differential transformers at least, and each all coupling be unified into the leakage current that detects in the load circuit.
3. device as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that the first differential transformer coupling is unified into the leakage current in the load circuit that detects the coupling connection first butt joint line end.
4. device as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, the second differential transformer coupling is unified into the leakage current in the load circuit that detects the coupling connection second butt joint line end.
5. device as claimed in claim 2, it is characterized in that when load circuit is coupled to the first butt joint line end, the first differential transformer coupling is unified into the detection leakage current, and when load circuit was coupled to the second butt joint line end, the second differential transformer coupling was unified into the detection leakage current.
6. device as claimed in claim 5 is characterized in that first and second differential transformers are coupled at least one rectifier through four blade double-throw breech lock.
7. device as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that first differential transformer is coupled to first rectifier through first and second bars of four blade double-throw breech lock, and second differential transformer is coupled to second rectifier through third and fourth bar of four blade double-throw breech lock.
8. device as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that first rectifier is a full-wave rectifier.
9. device as claimed in claim 8 is characterized in that second rectifier is a full-wave rectifier.
10. device as claimed in claim 9, it is characterized in that four blade double-throw breech lock has at least four and scrapes brush arm, each is scraped brush arm and all contacts with in two contacts first when being in primary importance, and when being in the second place each scrape brush arm all with two contacts in second contact.
11. device as claimed in claim 10 also comprises: reset button, when depressing, it will four be scraped the second place that brush arm moves to them at least and contacts with their second contact.
12. device as claimed in claim 11 also comprises a spring, its coupling is unified into the spring that forces reset button to move up.
13. device as claimed in claim 11 also comprises solenoid, thereby detect leakage current when first or second differential transformer and disconnect the connection open-circuit line scraped between brush arm and their contact and during the electrical connection between the load circuit, this solenoid is started by one of rectifier.
14. device as claimed in claim 11 also comprises second spring, it is coupled to the knob that resets, and when pressing reset button, forces four blade double-throw breech lock to make the load circuit coupling join described circuit.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US44454903P | 2003-02-03 | 2003-02-03 | |
| US60/444,549 | 2003-02-03 | ||
| US10/761,295 | 2004-01-22 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN1778026A true CN1778026A (en) | 2006-05-24 |
| CN100521428C CN100521428C (en) | 2009-07-29 |
Family
ID=36766702
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNB2004800066450A Expired - Fee Related CN100521428C (en) | 2003-02-03 | 2004-02-02 | Circuit interrupting device with lock out and reversible wiring |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CN (1) | CN100521428C (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7907371B2 (en) | 1998-08-24 | 2011-03-15 | Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc. | Circuit interrupting device with reset lockout and reverse wiring protection and method of manufacture |
| CN110729158A (en) * | 2018-10-20 | 2020-01-24 | 陈泽 | Hybrid arc ground fault circuit interrupter |
| CN114144953A (en) * | 2019-06-13 | 2022-03-04 | 原子动力公司 | Solid state circuit breaker with galvanic isolation |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5541800A (en) * | 1995-03-22 | 1996-07-30 | Hubbell Incorporated | Reverse wiring indicator for GFCI receptacles |
| WO1997024790A1 (en) * | 1995-12-29 | 1997-07-10 | Tower Manufacturing Corporation | Ground fault circuit interrupter |
-
2004
- 2004-02-02 CN CNB2004800066450A patent/CN100521428C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7907371B2 (en) | 1998-08-24 | 2011-03-15 | Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc. | Circuit interrupting device with reset lockout and reverse wiring protection and method of manufacture |
| US8054595B2 (en) | 1998-08-24 | 2011-11-08 | Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Circuit interrupting device with reset lockout |
| US8130480B2 (en) | 1998-08-24 | 2012-03-06 | Leviton Manufactuing Co., Inc. | Circuit interrupting device with reset lockout |
| CN110729158A (en) * | 2018-10-20 | 2020-01-24 | 陈泽 | Hybrid arc ground fault circuit interrupter |
| CN110729158B (en) * | 2018-10-20 | 2022-02-25 | 陈泽 | Hybrid arc ground fault circuit interrupter |
| CN114144953A (en) * | 2019-06-13 | 2022-03-04 | 原子动力公司 | Solid state circuit breaker with galvanic isolation |
| CN114144953B (en) * | 2019-06-13 | 2024-03-05 | 原子动力公司 | Solid state circuit breaker with galvanic isolation |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CN100521428C (en) | 2009-07-29 |
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