DE9321529U1 - Remote controllable circuit breaker - Google Patents

Description

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg · ··; · II * "»' · Page

2 Description

6 Remote control circuit breaker

a The invention relates to a remotely controlled circuit breaker with the features

9 of the preamble of claim 1.

11 Such circuit breakers are used, for example, in the on-board electrical systems of land vehicles,

12 aircraft or ships. They are increasingly replacing conventional

13 On-board circuit breakers, where the power lines are routed from the power source to the &eegr; control panel in the cockpit and from there to the electrical consumer. is Remote-controlled circuit breakers, on the other hand, can be connected directly to the electrical supply.

16 consumers so that the power lines from the power source

&igr;? directly to the electrical consumer without the detour via the control panel

is. The circuit breaker is then switched on and off by

is an external remote switch located in the control panel. The external remote switch

2o ter is connected to the circuit breaker only by control lines.

22 Such an arrangement of remotely controlled circuit breakers reduces the cable

23 weight in on-board networks and therefore also reduces the costs for wiring.

24 The cabling itself is simplified and saves space. The structure of the

25 control panel is also simplified, as it only consists of the control device,

26 e.g. from the external remote switches.

28 The control device can also be a computer. With the help of the control

29 device, the circuit breaker can be switched on and off, the switching status of the contacts can be displayed and the tripping due to overcurrent can be indicated.

32 In a device known from US-A-3 706 100 (closest prior art)

33 remotely controlled circuit breaker is one on an external remote switch and on

34 control electronics acting on an electromagnetic switching drive are integrated.

35 The switching mechanism is coupled to a push rod that closes and interrupts the circuit. In the event of an overcurrent, a thermal release device is

37 effective bimetal of the circuit breaker is activated. This bimetal causes

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1 on the one hand an opening position of the push rod and on the other hand a

2 Operation of an auxiliary switch integrated in the circuit breaker housing. This

3 Auxiliary switch in turn leads via the control electronics to the switching off of the

4 remote switch. The disadvantage of the previously known circuit breaker is the loose and

5 therefore mechanically unstable coupling of the switching lock forming

6 Push rod with the drive levers permanently connected to the switching drive.

7 Due to the natural wear of these drive levers assigned to the switching drive, undefined switching positions arise over the course of the operating time

9 of the push rod, which endangers the operational safety of the circuit breaker

10. Due to the aforementioned mechanically unstable coupling between the

11 Switch lock and the switching drive also result in relatively long

12 Transition times when moving the push rod into its closed position.

13 When the bimetal is triggered, the circuit breaker reacts too slowly. In addition,

14 The long transition times can lead to arcing.

15 Irreparable mechanical damage to the push rod contacts is the

is a consequence. Furthermore, it is disadvantageous that the condition of the entire switching mechanism

17 of the circuit breaker always depends on the position of the bimetal. After

If the circuit breaker is triggered by a bimetal strip, a defined state

19 of the switching mechanism is only achieved when the bimetal has cooled down again and

20 is deactivated. In case of excessive wear of the bimetal during the

21 Operating time is a defined state of the switching mechanism no longer

22 can be achieved. In this case, the circuit breaker is not functional. Due to the

23 mechanically, electromechanically and electronically complex structure is the

24 previously known circuit breakers are particularly susceptible to failure.

26 Based on these disadvantages, the invention is based on the object

27 to design a remotely controlled circuit breaker in such a way that it can be

28 components in its structure and thus reduces its susceptibility to failure

29. This object is achieved by the combination of features of claim 1.

31 The switching drive is from DE-GM 1 927 273 and from H.Brungsberg,

32 Polarized magnets for switching devices, ETZ-A Volume 86 (1965), Issue 11 ,

33 p. 371 ff. known magnet system with all its advantages is used.

the control energy required for the switching drive is reduced and the switching

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&igr; sensitivity increased. This switching drive also meets the requirements

2 to the EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) in on-board networks. At the same time

3 it supports stable operating positions of the circuit breaker. This switching drive

4 ensures high holding, pushing and pulling forces with low control

5 energy consumption. This saves costs, while at the same time increasing the performance

6 capability of the circuit breaker is increased. This ensures reliable closing

7 and interrupting the circuit, a simple mechanical design is possible. &bgr; This has a positive effect on the dimensioning of the circuit breaker housing and 9 on the costs of the circuit breaker.

11 The auxiliary switch acts as a link between the control electronics and the

12 Switching drive on the one hand and the mechanics of the circuit breaker on the other hand and

13 uses the switching movement of the switching lock without additional components

14 Bimetal triggering of the circuit breaker to trigger the external remote switch is off. The remote switch in turn acts on the

the switching drive so that it is re-latched to the switching lock.

&igr;? This creates a defined, simple, automatic sequence

The circuit breaker has reached its off position.

20 The coupling of the switch lock with the control electronics enables a

21 Reduction of the components for triggering the various operating functions.

22 This is the prerequisite for a simple design of the circuit breaker. This

23 reduces its costs and increases its reliability.

25 Claims 2 and 3 support the orderly and automatic operation of

26 Circuit breaker operation sequence.

28 According to claim 4, the electrical signal of the additional switch for the

29 control electronics can be used to control certain functions of the

This means that the functional sequence from the switch position

31 of the switching drive. This also contributes to the orderly functioning

32 operation sequence of the circuit breaker. The switching position of the switching mechanism can

33 also in a simple manner by the electrical signal of the additional switch, e.g.

34 are displayed optically or acoustically.

36 The additional switch according to claim 5 causes, through its connection to the

37 Control electronics in a technically simple way the release for re-start

38 circuit breaker. The re-activation is therefore dependent on the

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&igr; Switch position of the switching drive, whereby the orderly

2 Functional sequence is still supported.

4 Claim 6 relates to a preferred embodiment of the switch lock. This

5 Design supports the simple construction of the circuit breaker.

7 The mechanical movements of the switch lock are linked to the switch position

8 of the auxiliary switch. Without additional components, the display of the

9 Operating position of the switch lock possible. Stable switching positions of the

10 Switch lock ensure reliable switching of the auxiliary switch and

11 This prevents malfunctions of the circuit breaker.

13 The auxiliary switch can also be used as a rotation limit stop

μgr;.

16 The bimetal is coupled with the switching position of the auxiliary switch and enables

&igr;? without additional components an indication of the bimetal release. In addition,

The unlatching during the bimetal release enables the switching off

19 of the circuit breaker is ensured.

22 A circuit breaker according to claim 8 is also applicable to other measurement quantities besides

23 overcurrent. The signal applied to the sensor replaces the signal

24 of the auxiliary switch when it switches over due to bimetal triggering and acts in

25 in the same way on the control electronics.

27 The structure of the control electronics according to claim 9 enables its convenient

28 and space-saving installation in the circuit breaker. The connecting cables to

29 Auxiliary switches, additional switches and switching drives are thus kept short. The control electronics can be easily replaced in the event of a defect.

31 This also reduces repair times for the circuit breaker.

33 A circuit breaker according to claim 10 takes into account external connection options

34 connections to the circuit breaker via its terminal block, e.g. for measuring purposes.

35 This allows for convenient checking of various functions of the

36 circuit breakers possible.

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&igr; Claims 11 and 12 relate to a simple possibility of changing the switching position

2 of the switch lock via a connection block that can be connected

3 pointing device to signal.

s According to claim 13, the remote switch can also be connected in a simple manner to the

6 control electronics can be connected. A defective remote switch can be replaced without any special

7 assembly effort. In addition, different types

a of remote switches without changing the circuit breaker design.

10 A single-pole circuit breaker according to claim 14 is easily achieved by

11 Use of such circuit breakers according to the number of

12 current phases also suitable as a multi-pole circuit breaker, e.g. for three-phase current.

13 Pre-assembly of the circuit breaker according to the number of phases &eegr; is not required. The structural design of the single-pole circuit breaker is

15 different numbers of phases remain unchanged. This means reduced manufacturing and logistics costs.

is Claim 15 relates to a further possibility of connecting several single-pole circuit breakers

must be coupled to a multi-pole circuit breaker. This allows the

20 final blocks can be saved except for one.

22 Claim 16 avoids electrical hazards, e.g. short circuits and

23 ensures safe operation of the single-pole as well as the multi-pole

24 pole circuit breaker.

26 Claim 17 relates to an advantageous measure for coupling several single-pole

27 circuit breaker to a multi-pole circuit breaker. In this multi-pole

28 circuit breakers, switching drives can be saved except for one and

29 reduce the cost of this circuit breaker.

31 Claim 18 relates to a preferred embodiment of the switch lock. This

32 embodiment supports the simple construction of the circuit breaker and a

33 effective power transmission of the rotary movements of the levers for the

34 switch positions of the switch lock. This ensures reliable opening and

35 Closing of the circuit is ensured.

37 The mechanical movements of the latching lever according to claim 20 are

38 is coupled with the switching position of the auxiliary switch. Without additional components,

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1 an indication of the operating position of the switch lock is possible. Stable

2 switching positions of the switch lock ensure reliable switching

3 of the auxiliary switch and thus avoid malfunctions of the circuit breaker. 4

5 Claim 21 enables, with a corresponding arrangement of locking

6 control lever and auxiliary switch allow switching with little effort.

7 For this purpose, the sliding and/or rotating movement of the latching lever

a. The auxiliary switch can also be used as a rotation limit stop

9 can be used.

11 Claim 22 facilitates the switching of the auxiliary switch by means of the latching

12 lever.

14 Claim 23 relates to a measure for opening the circuit in case of over-

15 current. The bimetal is coupled to the switching position of the auxiliary switch via the latching lever and enables a display without additional components.

17 of the bimetal release. In addition, the voltage applied during the bimetal release

18 unlatching ensures that the circuit breaker is switched off.

20 The shift rod attached to the shift drive according to claim 24 enables

21 during the switching process of the switching drive a good power transmission to

22 the switch lock of the circuit breaker.

24 Claim 25 relates to a measure for mechanical coupling between

25 Switch drive and switch lock.

27 Claim 26 enables a very effective power transmission between the

28 drive lever and the locking lever of the switching lock.

30 The geometric design of the drive lever according to claim 27 facilitates

31 switching the additional switch.

33 According to claim 28, a user is informed in a simple manner about

34 determines whether the circuit is open or closed. 35

se The components arranged in the circuit breaker according to claim 29 create the

37 Prerequisite for a low installation height of the circuit breaker. This requires

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• «

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg · ··; * . · ..**.·* Page

&igr; the circuit breaker only requires a small amount of space at the installation site. Furthermore, the 2 assembly of the individual components within the circuit breaker is made easier.

4 The subject matter of the invention is described in the drawings

5 examples are explained in more detail. They show:

7 Fig. 1 a schematic representation of the functional sequence of the protection

8 switches,

9 Fig. 2 a flow chart of the functional sequence of the circuit breaker,

10 Fig. 3 a block diagram showing the coupling of mechanics and

11 Control electronics of a single-pole circuit breaker,

12 Fig. 4 an exploded view of the electromagnetic switching drive,

13 Fig. 5 a sectional view of the electromagnetic switching drive in the

14 Final assembly state,

Fig. 6 is a plan view of an open, single-pole circuit breaker with

ie the drive lever in its on position and the contact lever

17 in its contact position,

Fig. 7 shows the top view of the opened, single-pole circuit breaker with the

Drive lever in its off position and the contact lever in its off position,

a top view of the opened, single-pole circuit breaker with the drive lever in its on position and the contact lever in its off position,

a perspective view of the contact lever and parts of the circuit,

a perspective view of the overcurrent monitoring device,

an exploded view of the overcurrent monitoring device shown in Fig. 10,

a rear view of parts of the overcurrent monitoring device according to Fig. 11,

an exploded view of the drive lever and the components required for the switching movements of the drive lever, a perspective view of the single-pole circuit breaker,

the perspective view of the single-pole circuit breaker with a view of the control electronics arranged in the circuit breaker,

37 Fig. 16 a perspective view of a three-pole circuit breaker,

19 Fig.8 20 21 22 Fig.9 23 24 Fig.10 25 26 Fig. 11 27 28 Fig. 12 29 30 Fig. 13 31 32 Fig. 14 33 Fig. 15 34 35

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1 Fig. 17 a block diagram showing the electrical coupling of three

2 single-pole circuit breakers to a three-pole circuit breaker. 3

4 Fig. 1 shows schematically the components contained in the circuit breaker 1 as well as

5 shows their mutual coupling. These modules are a

&bgr; control electronics 2, an electromagnetic switching drive 3, a switching lock 4,

7 a bimetal 5, an auxiliary switch 6 and an additional switch 7. The switching position

β of the auxiliary switch 6 is clearly determined by the switching position of the switch lock 4

9. The switching position of the additional switch 7 is determined by the switching position of the

10 switching drive 3 is clearly given. Depending on the opening or closing position of the

11 switch lock, the circuit within the circuit breaker 1 is interrupted

12 or closed. The switch lock 4 is either activated by bimetal

13 or by operating the switching drive 3.

15 In the event of a bimetal trigger, the auxiliary switch 6 sends a feedback signal to the

the control electronics 2 to also switch off an external remote switch 8. By means of

17 of the remote switch 8, a user can change the switching state of the circuit breaker 1

ie remotely controlled. The circuit breaker 1 is switched off after the bimetal triggering

19 Remote switch 8 indicates to the user that circuit breaker 1 is switched off.

20 In addition, the switched off remote switch 8 causes a feedback to the

21 Control electronics 2 to control the switching drive 3 by means of a current pulse

22. The user can switch the remote switch 8 on or off

23 change the switching position of the switching drive 3. The external signal changes the

24 changed switching position of the switching drive 3 changed via the switching lock 4

25 - provided that the switching drive 3 and the switching lock 4 are latched - the switching state of the 25 circuit breaker 1.

28 The functional sequence of the circuit breaker 1 is shown in more detail in Fig. 2.

29 Starting from a remote switch 8 activated by the user,

30, the control electronics 2 generates a current pulse to trigger the electromagnetic

31 Switching mechanism 3 to its closed position. The switching mechanism 3 and

32 the switch lock 4 are interlocked so that the switch lock 4

33 is moved into its closed position. This closes the circuit.

34 When the switch mechanism 4 is closed, the auxiliary switch 6 is in

35 Switch position I. During the switch-on position of the switching drive 3, the additional switch 7 is in switch position I. The circuit can now be switched on either by

37 Bimetal trigger or interrupted by the user via the remote switch 8

38 will be.

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2 When bimetal is triggered, the bimetal 5 acts on the switch lock 4 to

3 to unlatch the latter from the switching drive 3 and to move it into its open position

4. In the open position of the switch lock 4, the circuit is interrupted.

5 broke. The switch lock 4 switches the auxiliary switch 6. It is therefore in switch position II. During this process, the switch drive 3 7 is not operated, so that the additional switch 7 remains in switch position I. The new switch position of the auxiliary switch 6 causes the control electronics 2

9 a signal to switch off the remote switch 8. The switched off remote switch 8

10 in turn causes a current pulse in the control electronics 2 to now also

11 Switching mechanism 3 to be moved to its off position. After reaching its

12 Off position, the switching drive 3 is still in its

13 open position, is latched again. In its open position

14 switching position, the switching drive 3 switches the additional switch 7, so that

This is now in switch position II. The switch position of the switch lock 4

ie is unchanged, so that the auxiliary switch 6 remains in switching position II.

&igr;? The new combination of the switching positions of auxiliary switch 6 and additional

18 switch 7 allows the user to remotely control the circuit breaker 1.

19 switch 8 to be switched on again. With this automatic sequence, the

20 same initial position of the various modules for restarting

21 of the circuit breaker 1, as it is also reached after external switching off of the

22 Circuit breaker 1 is achieved by the user.

24 If the user switches off the circuit breaker 1 externally,

2s the remote switch 8 is switched off. The control electronics then generate

26 tronik 2 the already mentioned current pulse to release the switching drive 3 from its

27 closed position to its open position. Since switching mechanism 3 and

28 Switch lock 4 are interlocked, the switch lock 4 is moved into its

29 open position. The auxiliary switch 6 and the additional switch 7 are therefore each in switch position II. This previously mentioned combination of the

31 switching positions of auxiliary switch 6 and additional switch 7 gives the

32 Circuit breaker 1 for its reactivation by the user via the

33 external remote switch 8 free.

35 The block diagram in Fig. 3 shows the internal control electronics 2 of the

se single-pole circuit breaker 1 is explained. It is suitable for both direct current

37 (e.g. 28 volts) as well as alternating voltage (e.g. 115 volts). This is

by a voltage limiter 9 and an internal power supply 10

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1 is reached. The additional switch 7 is connected to the switch position of a

2 drive 3 connected drive lever 11 (Fig. 6). The auxiliary switch 6 is

3 with the switching position of a contact lever 12 via a latching lever

4. Auxiliary switch 6 and additional switch 7 are connected via signal lines to

5 inputs of a phase switch arranged within the control electronics 2

6 phase control 14. The outputs of the phase control

7 are connected to the remote switch 8 via an input 15 of the control electronics a marked "1". The input 15 is connected to a connecting cable

9 tung 16 (Fig. 15). The remote switch 8 is e.g. in the cockpit of a

10 aircraft arranged.

12 The "bistable switching coil" of the block diagram corresponds to the switching drive

13 The switching drive 3 receives its control energy via a pulse generator 17 and

14 of a transistor full bridge 18 connected downstream.

ie A status indicator 19 shows the respective switching position of the contact lever 12 as

&igr;? part of the switch lock 4. For this purpose, a microswitch serves as

The status indicator 19. It is located in the drawing plane from Fig. 6 to Fig. 8 behind the

19 Auxiliary switch 6 and is therefore not shown there. It is used as

20 the auxiliary switch 6 is switched by means of the latching lever 13. The sta-

21 tusmelder 19 is connected to three connecting cables 16 (Fig. 15). By means of the

22 connection sockets 20 of a connection block 21 is a display device on the

23 status indicators 19 can be connected. This allows, for example, optical or acoustic

24 indicates whether the circuit is open or closed.

26 The control electronics 2 reacts to an external switching signal (remote switch 8)

27 and an internal switching signal. The internal switching signal is generated by the bi-

28 metal 5 or triggered by a sensor. It is also a combination of

29 sensor and bimetal 5 are conceivable. The sensor is electrically connected in parallel to the auxiliary switch 6.

32 The remote switch 8 is switched on. The control electronics 2 receives

33 thereby an external switching signal at input 15. The external switching signal

34 generates via the pulse generator 17 and the transistor full bridge 18 an approximately

35 30 ms current pulse for the electromagnetic switching drive 3. The

36 Drive lever 11 is turned to its on position, the contact lever

37 reaches its contact position (Fig. 6). If the remote switch 8 is switched off,

38, the switching drive 3 receives an opposite, also about 30 ms

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&igr; continuous current pulse. Drive lever 11 and contact lever 12 are moved to their

2 switched off position (Fig. 7).

4 If the circuit breaker 1 is triggered by an overcurrent (Fig. 8), the

s Combination of the switching positions of auxiliary switch 6 and additional switch 7 via

6 the phase control 14 a current flow through the remote switch 8.

7 This current is approximately several times the rated current of the overcurrent

8 circuit breaker operating remote switch 8. The drive lever 11 is located at

9 Bimetal release still in its switched-on position (Fig. 8). The current flow through

10 the remote switch 8 causes it to be triggered. The circuit

11 within the remote switch is therefore interrupted. As a result, the

12 Input 15 of the control electronics 2 receives an electrical signal, whereby the

13 Switching drive 3 receives a current pulse via the pulse generator 17. The

14 Drive lever 11 is turned to its off position (Fig. 7) and switches the is additional switch 7. The new combination of the switching positions of auxiliary switch ie and additional switch 7 causes, via the phase control 14, that

&igr;? Pulse generator 17 no longer has a signal. As soon as the remote switch 8 is

18 is switched on, the switching drive 3 again receives a current pulse to

19 Transfer the drive lever 11 into its switched-on position (Fig. 6).

21 In Fig. 4, the electromagnetic switching drive 3 is shown in a disassembled

22 built state. The basic structure and functionality

23 of such a switching drive 3 is known from the aforementioned publications.

24 visibly.

25 The switching drive 3 essentially consists of a ring-shaped permanent

26 magnets 22, a hollow cylindrical armature 23, which supports the armature 23 in axial

27 direction 24 penetrating shift rod 25 and two housing halves.

28 To increase the magnetic force, high-quality permanent magnets 22 are used.

29 is used. For this purpose, the permanent magnet 22 consists, for example, of an alloy of cobalt and rare earths.

32 The two housing halves are the cylindrical pot base 26 and the flat

33 if cylindrical pot lids 27. The mutually facing ring-shaped

34 Front sides of the pot base 26 and the pot lid 27 are in the final assembly

35 locked together (Fig. 5). The circular outer surface 28 of the pot

36 cover 27 contains a central rod guide hole 29 and two

37 strand holes 30,31.

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&igr; The circular outer surface 28 is connected to the remaining area of the pot lid 27

2 is manufactured in one piece. This avoids air gaps to prevent the magnetic

3 to improve the force effect. The same applies to the pot base 26.

s In the area of the pot bottom 26, only the rod guide hole 29' is shown in Fig. 4.

βgr; can be seen. The shift rod 25 reaches through in the final assembly state of the

7 Switching drive 3 the rod guide holes 29 and 29'. In strand holes

a 30,31 of the pot lid 27 and in analogously designed and shown in Fig. 5.

9 identifiable strand holes 30',31' of the pot bottom 26 are

10 stranded wires 32,32',33,3S ¹ are guided by coils 34,34". The coil 34 is located in the

11 Pot lid 27, while the coil 34' lies in the pot bottom 26. To the coil 34

12 into the pot lid 27, the outer surface 28 in

13 Axial direction 24 opposite surface of the pot lid 27 completely

14 broken through. Insulation leaks in the area of the coils 34,34"

15 elements 35,35',36,36' additionally insulate the connecting wires 32,32',33,33'.

17 The armature 23 is fixed to the switching rod 25 by two fixing pins 37 (Fig. 5)

18. The fixing pins 37 engage positively in two on the shift rod

19 25 molded grooves 38 (Fig. 4) and into corresponding pin holes 39 of the

20 anchors 23.

21 In the end region of the switching rod 25 facing the pot lid 27, a

22 axial direction 24 extending adjustment slot 40 formed. Transverse to the axial direction

23 24 the adjustment slot 40 runs according to the diameter of the shift rod

24 25. By means of the adjustment slot 40, the shift rod 25 can be adjusted

25 can be easily rotated mechanically. Also for the transmission of a setting

26 torque is used for flattening 41.

27 The end region of the switching rod 25 facing the pot bottom 26 is designed as a

28 Rod thread 42 (Fig. 5) and connected to a coupling member 43

29. The coupling member 43, like the drive lever 11 (Fig. 6), contains a hole that is formed by a coupling groove 44 running in the depth direction (Fig. 13).

31 are penetrated by the drive shaft 45. The structure of the drive lever 11 and the

32 connected parts is explained in more detail below (Fig. 13).

34 A truncated cone 46 is integrally attached to the pot lid 27 facing inwards.

35. The truncated cone 46 tapers towards the opposite

36 lying pot bottom 26 and is centrally from the rod guide hole 29 in

37 axial direction 24. The armature 23 has on its front side facing the truncated cone 46 a conical outer portion adapted to the truncated cone 46.

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&igr; savings. The same applies to the truncated cone 46' of the pot base 26 and the

2 front side of the anchor 23 facing this.

4 The conical recesses and elevations enlarge the pole surfaces

5 between anchor 23 and pot lid 27 or pot bottom 26. This ensures

6 magnetic force increased.

7 Since the pot base 26 and the pot lid 27 are made of magnetic material,

8, the magnetic circuit within the switching drive 3 is closed and

9 is completely magnetically sealed to the outside. There is no leakage flux to the outside, whereby the switching drive 3 meets the requirements for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) when using the circuit breaker 1 in on-board networks.

13 The permanent magnet 22 is radially magnetized (Fig. 5) with the pot lid 27 to

14 facing south pole and the armature 23 facing north pole. The direction of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 22 corresponds to the direction of the arrow 47. The coils 34, 34' are connected in series. The coils through which current flows

17 len 34,34' also generate a magnetic field. Its direction corresponds to Fig.

te of the arrow direction 48. In Fig. 5, the two magnetic flux directions are in the area

19 of the anchor 23 resting against the truncated cone 46 is directed in the opposite direction.

20 Area of the truncated cone 46' these two magnetic flux directions are

21. The magnetic force in the area of the truncated cone 46" decreases

22 with the corresponding current direction in the coils 34,34', while in the

23 area of the truncated cone 46 decreases until the armature 23 in the axial direction 24 to

24 is moved towards the truncated cone 46'. With reverse flow direction in the

25 coils 34,34' the armature 23 is moved in the axial direction 24 in the opposite

26 direction moved.

28 The switching drive 3 is located in a housing base 49 (Fig. 6). It is

29 of its essential functional parts a symmetrical component with an axial

30 direction 24 extending axis of symmetry. The axial direction 24 (Fig. 6) runs parallel to a transverse direction 50 (Fig. 14).

33 The drive lever 11 extends essentially in a direction perpendicular to the depth

34 fen direction 44 and perpendicular to the transverse direction 50 arranged longitudinal direction

35 51. It is secured by means of a housing-fixed and in depth direction 44

36 Drive lever axis 52 is rotatably mounted. It should be noted that the rotary axes

37 of all levers of the switching mechanism running in depth direction 44 and thus

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&igr; are arranged perpendicular to the plane of movement of the levers. This is a prerequisite

2 setting for the small installation height of the circuit breaker 1.

3 The drive lever 11 is a two-armed lever, the arms of which extend in the transverse direction

4 are offset from each other. The arm of the

5 drive lever 11 forms its latching end 53. In the latching end

6 53 a locking plate 54 is fitted and secured to it. The locking

7 notching plate 54 engages the cutting edge of a cutting edge bearing in a form-

8 into a locking notch 55 of the locking lever 13. The

9 two-armed locking lever 13 is rotatable on a knee joint axis 56.

10. The latching lever 13 consists of a drive lever 11

11 facing latching arm 57 and a switching arm 58. The ends of both

12 Lever arms of the latching lever 13 are offset in the longitudinal direction 51.

13 are arranged against each other. The latching lever 13 extends essentially µ in the transverse direction 50. The knee joint axis 56 also passes through the holes

is two levers 59 and 60.

17 The two levers 59,60 form a knee lever with the knee joint in the area

ie the knee joint axis 56. The levers 59,60, the contact lever 12 and the

19 latching levers 13 form the switching lock 4.

21 The levers 59,60 are arranged approximately in the longitudinal direction 51. The knee joint

22 steering axle 56 opposite end of the lever 59 is fixed to a housing

23 lever axis 61. The end of the lever 59 in the area of the knee joint

24 steering axle 56 is conically extended in the longitudinal direction 51. It forms a

25 limiting nose 62. The limiting nose 62 extends into an area of the

26 lever 60 so that it is in contact with a

27 Surface of the lever 60 molded nose stop 63 interact

28 can. In Fig. 6, the nose stop 63 is rectangular.

29 Limiting lug 62 and lug stop 63 limit the mutual pivoting range of the levers 59,60.

32 The end of the lever 60 facing the contact lever 12 forms the contact

33 contact lever end 64 of the knee lever. Contact lever 12 and contact lever end 64 of the

34 knee levers are connected to each other via a pivot bearing 65. For this purpose

35, an axis passes through a hole in the contact lever end 64 and the con-

36 contact lever 12. The contact lever 12 extends essentially in the transverse direction

37 50. With respect to the pivot bearing 65, the contact lever 12 is a two-armed lever with a bearing end 66 facing the drive lever 11 and a

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&igr; the contact end 67 facing away from it. In the area of the bearing end 66, the

2 contact lever 12 has a longitudinal slot 68. It is secured by a housing-mounted

3 Contact lever bearing 69 penetrated. The longitudinal slot 68 allows a

4 Sliding mobility of the contact lever 12 during its pivoting.

5 With respect to the contact lever bearing 69, the contact lever 12 forms a one-armed β lever. The bearing end 66 and the contact end 67 are offset in the longitudinal direction 51

7 arranged against each other. In Fig. 6, the two connecting bolts 70,70'

8 facing surface of the contact lever 12 in the area of its contact end 67

9 parallel to the transverse direction 5. In the area of the bearing end 66, this surface is

10 is bevelled towards the drive lever 11. At this

11 bevelled surface is an approximately semicircular contact lever knob 71

12. Its convex side faces the connecting bolts 70,70'.

13 The convex side of the contact lever knob 71 is provided with a

14 contact pressure spring 72 connected to the pressure plate 73. The contact pressure spring is 72 is positively seated in a molded-on housing base 49,

the hollow cylindrical spring housing 74. The contact pressure spring 72 generates a

&igr;? Compressive force in longitudinal direction 51.

19 The pressure plate 73 is connected vertically, in the direction of the connecting bolts

20 70,70' conically extending cheek 75. The cheek 75 is connected to the

21 Pressure plate 73 in one piece and with an indicator lever 76 in a pivot point 77

22. The indicator lever 76 itself is mounted in a housing-fixed pin 78

23. The indicator lever 76 consists of two perpendicular

24 arms, the intersection of which corresponds to the center of the pin 78 2s. The longer of the two arms of the indicator lever 76 is approximately

26 longitudinal direction 51. It forms the display arm 79 with a flange

27 like extension at its free end. The flange-like extension is

28 circular arc and extends approximately in the transverse direction 50. It gives the

29 pointing arm 79 the shape of a hammer. The longitudinal 51 pointing

so front face of the flange-like extension forms a display surface 80. It is on

si the opening of the viewing window 119 formed on the housing bottom.

32 This provides an optical indication of the operating position of the contact lever 12

33 possible.

35 Referring to Fig. 9, further details of the contact lever 12 and its

its interaction with the circuit is explained.

37 The housing bottom end of the connecting bolt 70 is provided with a U-shaped

38 Current branch 81 positively locking and electrically contacting this current branch 81

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&igr; The current branch 81 is connected by the connecting bolt 70 to a

2 The inner wall of the circuit breaker 1 is attached. The two U-legs of the

3 current branch 81 are arranged parallel to the transverse direction 50. The two U-

4 legs are of different lengths. The shorter U-leg is in the area of its

5 Free end of a cylindrical bolt opening 82 for positive

β Connection with the connecting bolt 70 broken. On the longer U-leg

7 are on the surface facing the contact lever 12 a main contact 83

βgr; and a pre-run contact 84. Main contact 83 and pre-run contact 84 are

9 plate-like with a rectangular outline. In the area of the

10 Contact end 67 of the contact lever 12 are similar to the main contact 83 and

11 the pre-run contact 84 designed main contact 83' and a pre-run contact 84'

12. The main contact 83' is arranged on the side facing the current branch 81.

13 surface of the contact end 67. In the depth direction 44 the µ main contact 83' protrudes from the contact lever 12. The pre-run contact 84' is at the free end

is formed of a strip-like spring clip 85. The spring clip 85 is with its

The fastening end 86 is attached to the contact lever 12. For this purpose, the

&igr;? Fastening end 86 is provided with a rectangular pin opening 87. The

The pin opening 87 is penetrated by a rivet pin 88 (Fig. 6), whereby the

19 Connection between contact lever 12 and spring clip 85 is created. The

20 Fastening end 86 is opposite the remaining, transversely extending 50

21 Part of the spring clip 85 approximately in the longitudinal direction 51 towards the drive lever 11

22. The part of the spring clip 85 running approximately in the transverse direction 50 is

23 with the exception of its free end 89 carrying the lead contact 84' from a

24 slot. The contact lever 12 is located in this slot. The

25 Dimensions of the rectangular slot viewed in the longitudinal direction 51 are

26 slightly larger than the width of the contact lever 12 in depth direction

27 44 and the length of the contact lever 12 in the transverse direction 50.

29 The free end 89 is extended by a bracket extension 90. The bracket

30 extension 90 is bent by 180° in relation to the free end 89 in the direction of the si contact lever 12. On the side facing the pre-run contact 84

32 surface, the bracket extension 90 carries the pre-run contact 84'.

33 free ends 89 are joined vertically in the longitudinal direction 51 by two parallel spring

34 cheeks 91,91'. They are integrally formed on the spring clip 85. In cross-

35 direction 50 they extend over the free end 89 up to the area of the contact end 67 of the contact lever 12. The contact end 67 is

37 spring cheeks 91.91' flanked on both sides. Their installation height in the longitudinal direction 51

38 rises continuously from the contact end 67 along the transverse direction 50

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until it drops abruptly in the area of the bend between the free end 89 and the bracket extension 90.

4 Along the transverse direction 50, approximately in the middle of the contact lever 12, there is a

5 Bearing bore 92 for the pivot bearing 65 (Fig. 6). At the bearing end 66, both

e side, one end of a strand 93 is soldered or welded. The

7 Connection ends of the strand 93 for the contact lever 12 form the free ends of two

β U-leg. The U-base of the strand 93 is shown in Fig. 9 by the slide

9 extension 94 of a busbar 95. The concealed U-base of the

10 Strand 93 is also soldered to the rail extension 94 or

11. The rail extension 94 is a metal strip with a

12 View from longitudinal direction 51 rectangular rail slot 96. The

13 Rail slot 96 is penetrated by the drive lever 11. The drive lever 11

14 is molded from plastic to separate the circuit from the windings of the coil

15 len 34,34' to effectively insulate additionally. The rail extension 94 is

ie arranged parallel to the transverse direction 50. In a connection area to the parallel

&igr;? to the longitudinal direction 51 running busbar 95 is the rail extension

is 94 bent by 45° in the direction of the connecting bolt 70'. Busbar 95

19 and rail extension 94 are made in one piece from a metal strip.

20 However, the metal strip is in the depth direction 44 in the area of the busbar 95

21 is only about half as wide as in the area of the rail extension 94. The

22 The metal strip forming the busbar 95 has a

23 the housing cover 148 facing away from the surface a plurality of

24 Seen in the transverse direction 50, it has rectangular bulges or grooves.

26 If the main contacts 83,83' and the pre-contacts 84,84' are adjacent to each other,

27 the circuit is closed. For the components shown in Fig. 9 the

28 Current is fed into the current branch 81 via the connecting bolt 70 and

29 then flows through the main contacts 83,83' and the pre-contacts 84,84" into the spring clip 85 or into the contact lever 12. From the bearing end 66 of the

31 contact lever 12, the current flows via the wire 93 into the busbar 95.

33 In Fig. 9, the contact lever 12 is in an off position.

34 the spring clip 85 is pre-tensioned to the main contact 83'. If the

35 Contact lever 12 is brought into its contact position, the first contact points

36 contacts 84.84'. With a slight time delay, the

37 main contacts 83,83' on each other. In the contact position of the contact lever 12 se, the spring clip 85 is lifted off the main contact 83'. When current is flowing through

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&igr; its current branch 81 takes place in the area of the main contact 83 and the pre-

2 contact 84. The current division depends on the resistance

3 of the individual components. The larger part of the current flows through the

4 contact lever 12.

6 The pre-contacts 84,84' have good erosion properties and therefore a

7 higher contact resistance. The main contacts 83,83' have a low

β contact resistance, but are more susceptible to arc stress.

9 of the transfer of the contact lever 12 into its off position, first

10 the main contacts 83,83' are separated. The resulting arc is the

11 Total resistance is increased for a short time. With a slight delay,

12 the pre-run contacts 84,84' are separated from each other. The main arc is created

13 then between the contact area of the pre-run contacts 84,84'. The

14 The arc between the main contacts 83,83' is extinguished beforehand. The resulting arcs are cooled by quenching plates not shown in the figures, in order to shorten the extinguishing times.

is The further current flow can be explained based on the explanations in Fig. 9

19 using Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. The rail extension 94

20 and the busbar 95 flowing current branches off in a bimetal

21 5 and a shunt current path 97. In the

22 In the area of a support bracket 98, the two partial flows are added together again.

23 Support bracket 98 contains a cylindrical bolt opening 82' corresponding to the

24 Current branch 81 (Fig. 9). The bolt opening 82' serves for the positive and

25 electrically contacting connection with the connecting bolt 70' (Fig. 6).

27 Fig. 11 shows the structure of the individual parts of the overcurrent monitoring

2&bgr; ung device from Fig. 10 is explained. It is a bimetallic assembly

29 with a U-shaped bimetal 5. The two bimetal legs 99.99'

51 are arranged in the longitudinal direction. The U-base forms the end of the movement

31 100 of the bimetal 5 and extends in the depth direction 44. The end of the movement

32 100 is in its area 99.99' away from the bimetallic legs in the transverse direction

33 50 bent at 45°. This bent area runs in a parallel

34 Level to the area of the rail extension which is also bent at 45°

35 94. The width of the bimetal 5 in the depth direction 44 is slightly smaller than the corresponding extension of the rail extension 94. At the 45°

37 curved area of the movement end 100 closes a bimetallic projection

se 101. Viewed in the transverse direction 50, the bimetallic projection 101 is rectangular

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&igr; It is arranged in a plane parallel to the bimetallic legs 99.99'

2. The bimetallic projection 101 has a smaller

3 extension than the end of the movement 100 and is centered at the end of the

4 bent area of the movement end 100. In assembly

5 End position of the bimetal assembly are the free ends of the bimetal legs

6 99.99" towards the connecting bolt 70'. These free ends are approximately

7 square-shaped contact ends 102,102'. The contact ends 102,102' are bent in relation to the remaining area of the bimetallic legs 99,99' in the direction of the

9 Busbar 95 arranged offset. In final assembly position, the

10 Busbar 95 seen in transverse direction 50 the bimetallic leg 99.

11 The shunt current path 97 is also U-shaped. It is in a

12 bimetal 5 arranged in parallel plane. The U-base of the shunt

13 current path 97 extends beyond the two shunt legs 103,103' in depth

14 direction 44. Its extension in this direction is slightly larger than the

15 corresponding extension of the rail extension 94. The two side

16 End legs 103,103' and the adjoining leg ends

&igr;? 104,104' correspond in outline and arrangement approximately to the bimetallic legs

ie 99,99' and their contact ends 102,102'. The leg ends 104,104' are

is extended by contact pieces 105,105'. The leg end 104' is

20 of the contact piece 105' is extended approximately in the longitudinal direction 51. The contact piece

21 105' is bent away from the bimetal 5. In the transverse direction 50

22, the contact piece 105' is approximately square.

23 The leg end 104 has, in comparison to the associated shunt

24 Legs 103 in depth direction 44 a larger extension. This is followed by

25 is bent at a right angle and directed towards the busbar 95.

26 contact piece 105. Viewed in the depth direction 44, the outline of the contact

27 contact piece 105 is essentially rectangular. The contact piece 105 is in its

28 middle area of a rectangular contact opening 106 in depth direction

29 (Fig. 12). The surface of the busbar 95 facing away from the housing cover 148 in the final assembly position contains, as already shown in Fig. 9,

31, a number of grooves and bulges. In the rail

32 Extension 94 facing away from the busbar 95 is the deep

33 contact bulge 107 extending in the direction of the opening 44 is formed. Its

34 crack shape is adapted to the outline shape of the contact opening 106 in such a way that in

35 In the final assembly state, a positive connection is established between the busbar se and the contact piece 105.

3? The leg end 104 is in its position facing the leg end 104'

38 is penetrated by a screw hole 108 in the transverse direction 50. Its

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&igr; Outline shape corresponds approximately to that of a semicircle with its

2 104' facing concave side. The screw opening 108 enables the

3 Final assembly state an adjusting screw 109 with its insulating pin 110

4 Reach through the leg end 104 without contact and onto the contact end 102 of the

5 bimetal 5. The cylindrical insulating pin 110 is centrally located on the

6 Bimetal 5 facing the front side of the adjusting screw 109. The

7 The direction of action of the adjusting screw 109 corresponds to the transverse direction 50. The &bgr; adjusting screw 109 is mounted in a threaded hole 111. The

9 winch hole 111 breaks through a currentless branch 112 of the support bracket

10 in the transverse direction 50. In this direction, the branch 112 has the outline of a

11 rectangular plate. In the area of its shunt leg 103 assigned

12 turned corner edge and diagonally opposite corner edge is the branch

13 112 each recessed in a rectangular shape.

is In the depth direction 44, next to the currentless branch 112, a shunt

16 contact surface 113 is integrally formed on the support bracket 98. The outline shape

17 of the shunt contact surface 113 is, as seen in the transverse direction 50, essentially

18 chen rectangular. While the currentless branch 112 in the final assembly position

19 is arranged parallel to the leg end 104 of the shunt current path 97,

20, the shunt contact surface 113 is bent towards the busbar 95.

21 The shunt contact surface 113 and the opposite leg end 104'

22 also bent contact pieces 105' are arranged in parallel planes

23. At the free end of the shunt contact surface 113, a parallel to the

24 busbar 95 extending bimetallic contact surface 114 integrally formed. In

25 Seen in the transverse direction 50, the bimetallic contact surface 114 is square.

26 plate-like bimetallic contact surface 114 projects beyond the shunt contact surface

27 113 in depth direction 44 on the side facing away from branch 112.

28 The branch 112 and the shunt contact surface 113 are connected via a base piece

29 115 connected to each other. The base piece 115 is in the longitudinal direction 51

so rectangular. The base piece 115 is the part of the support bracket 98 to which the

31 Connection bolt 70' is electrically contacted in the final assembly position. For this

32 The purpose is to move the base piece 115 from the cylindrical bolt opening 82' into

33 Longitudinal direction 51 broken through.

35 In the final assembly position, the rail extension 94 is facing away from

The rail end 116 is welded to the contact end 102 of the bimetal 5. The

37 Contact recess 107 of the busbar 95 is positively connected to

se is electrically contacted with the contact piece 105 of the shunt current path 97.

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&igr; The contact end 102' of the bimetal 5 is connected to the bimetal contact surface 114

2 welded. The same applies to the contact piece 105' of the shunt current path

3 97 and the shunt contact surface 113. The mutually facing end faces

4 of the contact end 102 and the leg end 104 are separated by an air gap

5 separated from each other. For additional insulation, an insulating disc

β between these two front sides. Using the adjusting screw

7 109 the contact end 102 of the bimetal 5 is pressurized. The

e Bimetallic legs 99.99' can be adjusted by adjusting the adjusting screw 109

9 are clamped against each other. This adjusts the bimetal 5 and allows

10 a different trigger sensitivity can be set.

12 The current flowing according to the explanations in Fig. 9 is measured in the area of

13 rail end 116. A part flows through the bimetal 5 from the contact

14 end 102 to the contact end 102'. The other current part flows through the Ne-

15 shunt current path 97 from contact piece 105 to contact piece 105'. In the area of the shunt contact surface 113 of the support bracket 98, the

η both partial currents. The bimetal 5 is designed in such a way that the

ie end of movement 100 in case of overcurrent in the direction of the shunt current path

is 97. This corresponds to a deflection side 117 (Fig. 10). The

20 opposite direction along the transverse direction 50 corresponds to a

21 Back 118. The thermal deflection movement is controlled by a

22 metal legs 99 acting electrodynamic force supported. Busbar

23 and bimetallic leg 99 act like two parallel, oppositely directed current

24 conductors through which current flows. Such conductors collide due to the electrodynamic

25 force effect.

26 The shunt leg 103 and the bimetallic leg 99 act like two

27 parallel conductors through which current flows in the same direction. Such conductors are

28 due to the electrodynamic force effect. The electrodynamically caused

29 Deflection movement of the bimetal 5 supports its thermal

so deflection movement especially with very large overcurrents. This makes the

si The tripping sensitivity of the circuit breaker is increased and the tripping time

32 reduced.

34 The bimetal assembly shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 is designed for currents

35 above 50 A. Due to the parallel shunt

36 current path 97 a current division takes place, which leads to a cross-sectional reduction of the

37 bimetal 5. With the reduction in cross-section, the electrody-

38 The mechanical force effect can be better utilized.

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2 Fig. 6 to Fig. 8 show the operating positions of the circuit breaker 1

3. In Fig. 6 the contact lever 12 is in its contact position. The main con-

4 contacts 83,83' and the pre-run contacts 84,84' are facing each other

5 front sides together so that the circuit within the circuit breaker 1

6 is closed. The switch lock 4 is closed. The switch from the two levers

7 59 and 60 is in its extended position. The &bgr; limiting nose 62 and the nose stop 63 prevent the knee lever

9 is stretched beyond its extended position.

10 The contact lever 12 is guided on the contact lever bearing 69. The contact pressure spring

11 72 acts with its spring force in the longitudinal direction 51 by means of the pressure plate 73 on the

12 Contact lever knob 71 of the contact lever 12. This causes the contact lever is 12 to be rotated clockwise with the pivot bearing 65 as the axis of rotation.

14 At the same time, the contact lever end 64 of the knee lever presses the contact lever 12

is with the contact lever bearing 69 as the axis of rotation clockwise in the direction of

ie connecting bolts 70,70'. This will provide the main contacts 83,83' and the

17 pre-contacts 84,84' generate sufficient contact pressure. The position of the

18 indicator lever 76 depends on the position of the contact pressure spring 72. Both

19 components are connected to each other via the pivot point 77. When moving

20 of the contact pressure spring 72 in the longitudinal direction 51, the indicator arm 79 is rotated around the

21 pin 78 is rotated as a rotation axis. Depending on the position of the contact pressure spring 72 and

22 so that the contact lever 12 is in a viewing window 119 a certain

23 part of the display area 80 is visible. In the viewing window 119,

24 indicates whether the circuit is open or closed.

26 The drive lever 11 is in its switched-on position in Fig. 6. It is

27 is held in its closed position by the holding force of the switching drive 3. The

28 magnetic flux direction within the switching drive 3 is aligned such that

29 that the armature 23 rests with one end face on the truncated cone 46 of the pot cover 27 in such a way.

31 To improve the holding force of the switching drive 3, an additional rotary

32 spring 120 is provided. It is fixed to the housing and in the depth direction 44

33 extending bolt 121. One spring leg is attached to a cam 122

34 of the drive lever 11. The cam 122 is attached to the latching lever

35 13 opposite end of the drive lever 11. The second fixed leg is located on a housing-fixed and in the depth direction 44

37 extending housing pin 123. The force of the torsion spring 120 is the

The magnetic force of the switching drive 3 in the switched-on position of the drive lever 11

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1. During the transfer of the contact lever 12 into its

2 In the off position (Fig. 7) the magnetic force must be equal to the pressure of the torsion spring 120

In this case, however, the force required by the switch mechanism 4 is

4 low. In Fig. 6, the latching plate 54 lies in the latching notch 55.

5 This means that the drive lever 11 and the locking lever 13 are locked together. &bgr; This ensures a stable extended position of the knee lever and a

7 Reliable retention of the contact lever 12 in its contact position.

9 In Fig. 7, the drive lever 11 is in its off position.

10, the magnetic field of the coils 34,34' is reversed based on the conditions in Fig. 6n. The coils 34,34' receive a current pulse of about 30 ms.

12 The armature 23 then moves in the axial direction 24 onto the truncated cone 46'

13 of the pot bottom 26 and is only held in place by the force effect after the current pulse

14 of the permanent magnet 22 is held in its new switching position. The

is drive lever 11 is thereby connected to the drive lever axis 52 as the axis of rotation

16 is turned anti-clockwise and moved to its off position.

&igr;? A pressure arm 124 formed on the drive lever 11 pressurizes the

ia off position of the drive lever 11 the additional switch 7. During the

19 Transfer to its off position, the drive lever 11 remains with the

a Latching lever 13 latched. The knee lever is moved into its bent position.

21 Under the pressure of the contact pressure spring 72, the contact lever 12 is connected to the

22 Contact lever bearing 69 is rotated counterclockwise as a rotation axis and in

23 to its off position. Unlatching of drive lever 11 and

24 Latch lever 13 is not possible because the latch lever 13 is secured by means of a

25 torsion spring (not shown in the figures) around the knee joint axis 56 in

26 is rotated clockwise so that it engages the latching end 53 of the

27 drive lever 11. The torsion spring (not shown) is attached to the

28 knee joint axis 56. Furthermore, the locking lever 13 is located with its

29 the contact lever 12 facing surface on the nose stop 63 and with

the end of its switching arm 58 to the stationary auxiliary switch 6. A

31 Rotation of the locking lever 13 around the knee joint axis 56 against the

32 clockwise is therefore made even more difficult. The locking lever 13

33 remains reliably in its position parallel to the transverse direction 50. During the

34 In the off position of the drive lever 11, the end of the switching arm 58 facing the auxiliary switch 3s 6 pressurizes a switch button 125 of the auxiliary switch

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&igr; Fig. 8 shows the mechanical conditions of the circuit breaker 1 according to Bime-

2 tripping. The bimetal 5 penetrates with its bimetal projection 101 a

3 parallel to the transverse direction 50 housing-mounted slide 126 in the area of its

4 a drive end. The drive end opposite in the transverse direction 50

5 of the slide 126 is penetrated by a drive arm 127 of an angle lever 128.

6. The angle lever 128 essentially consists of the drive arm 127

7 and a perpendicularly arranged and approximately transversely extending 50

8 release arm 129. The angle lever 128 is provided with a circular

9 Extension of the release arm 117 in the area of the intersection points of both

10 arms 115,117 are mounted so that they can rotate around an angle lever axis 130. The angle lever

11 128 is rotated clockwise by a spring (not shown). The

12 Slider 126 is thereby moved by the drive arm 127 in the direction of auxiliary switch 6

13 moved.

is The drive arm 127 and the bimetal projection 101 of the bimetal 5 are each

ie in recesses of the slide 126. The bimetallic projection 101 has within

&igr;? of the associated recess of the slide 126 depending on the adjustment point and

the ambient temperature. In order to avoid accidentally moving the slider 126

19 due to changing ambient temperatures, the drive arm can

20 127 of the angle lever 128 e.g. consist of a compensation bimetal.

22 Based on the functional positions of the mechanism of circuit breaker 1 in

23 Fig. 6, the bimetallic projection 101 is moved in the direction of the Ne-

24 of the closing current path 97. The slide 126 is moved into the same

25 direction. This causes the angle lever 128 to be moved by the angle lever

26 belachse 130 is rotated counterclockwise. The release arm 129 of the

27 angle lever 128 strikes the surface of the switching

28 arms 58 and applies pressure to the latching lever 13 in this area.

29 The locking lever 13 is rotated around the knee joint axis 56 against the

so turned clockwise. Latch plate 54 and latch notch 55 are

31 disengaged, which leads to a release of drive lever 11 and

32 latching lever 13. The drive lever 11 remains in its

33 switching position. Due to the unlatching, the latching lever 13 in Fig. 8

34 performs the same movement towards the switch button 125 as when transferring the

35 drive lever 11 from its on position (Fig. 6) to its off position as (Fig. 7).

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1 The transfer of the contact lever 12 into its off position during

2 Release by the bimetal 5 after unlatching the drive lever 11

3 and latching lever 13 corresponds to the explanations in Fig. 7.

5 Instead of the bimetal 5, sensors can also be used to measure the

&bgr; Circuit breaker 1 from its on position to its off position

7. The sensor is electrically connected in parallel to the auxiliary switch 6 and triggers

&bgr; activates the switching function when the specified values are exceeded or not reached.

9 Such sensors can be, for example, temperature sensors, pressure gauges,

10 accelerometers, tachometers or Hall sensors.

12 Fig. 13 shows the connection point between the switch lock 4 and

13 the electromagnetic switching drive 3. The drive lever 11

14 facing end of the switching rod 25 is provided with the rod thread 42. is The rod thread 42 engages in an internal thread 131 of the coupling member ie. The internal thread 131 breaks through a base plate 132 centrally in the longitudinal direction 5. The base plate 132 is square when viewed in the transverse direction 50. In

In the final assembly state, the base plate 132 is perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the

ig shift rod 25. The base plate 132 is part of the

20 coupling member 43. On the two longitudinally extending 51

21 outer edges of the base plate 132 is each perpendicular to the base plate 132 and

22 in the transverse direction 50 extending portion of the coupling member 43 is formed. This

23 parts are conical in shape in the direction of the drive lever 11 and in the area

24 of the cone tip is rounded off to a semicircular shape. These parts are in

25 Depth direction 44 each penetrated by a coupling bore 133,133'.

27 In the final assembly state, the areas of the coupling link flank the

28 coupling holes 133,133' the drive lever 11. In this area the

29 Drive lever 11 is provided with a coupling axis opening 134. The coupling

30 bores 133,133' and the coupling axis opening 134 are in the

31 day end state penetrated by the coupling axis 40. The diameter of the

32 coupling holes 133,133' is smaller than that of the coupling axis

33 Opening 134. This difference allows tolerances that may arise during the

34 Operation of the circuit breaker 1 set, balanced. The axis 40 penetrates

35 in the final assembly state also two intermediate lever holes 135,135' of an intermediate lever 136. The intermediate lever holes 135,135' break through

37 corresponding flanking parts 137,137'.

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&igr; The flanking parts 137,137' arranged parallel to each other are components

2 of the intermediate lever 136. They are conical in the longitudinal direction 51 with

3 approximately semicircular, facing the cam 122 of the drive lever 11

4 Cone tip. In the final assembled state, the flanking parts 137,137' flank the areas of the coupling holes 133,133' of the

6 coupling member 43. The flanking part 137 is also provided with a bearing

7 bore 138. The corresponding bore in the flanking part 137' is not shown in Fig. 13. An intermediate lever axis 139 passes through the mounting

9 final state the bearing bore 138 of the flanking part 137 and the

10 corresponding hole of the flanking part 137' and an intermediate lever

11 bearing 140. The intermediate lever bearing 140 breaks through the drive lever 11 and is

12 adapted to the outline of the intermediate lever axis 139. The flanking parts

13 137,137' touch the drive lever 11 on the outside in the area of its intermediate

14 lever bearing 140. The intermediate lever 136 is thereby in the assembly

15 is mounted on the drive lever 11 in its final state. The flanking parts 137,137' are connected by a base part 141 arranged perpendicular to them. The

17 Base part 141 is square shaped in the transverse direction 50 with a central

18 Leg hole 142. Viewed in the longitudinal direction 51, the base part 141 is U-shaped

19 with the free ends of the U-legs pointing towards the drive lever 11. The U-

20 Legs of the base part 141 partially form the connection points between

21 base part 141 and flanking parts 137,137'.

23 In the middle area of the drive lever 11 there is a recess in the transverse direction 50.

24 equalizing spring 143. In the final assembly state, it pressurizes the

25 Drive lever 11 facing surface of the base part 141. The compensating spring 143

26 is adjusted so that the armature 23 with its truncated cones 46,46'

27 facing end surfaces can rest directly against them.

28 Faults occurring at the beginning or during operation of circuit breaker 1

29 tolerances between the switch lock 4 and the switch drive 3 can be compensated by the switch rod 25. For this purpose, for example, a

31 screwdriver into the adjustment slot 34 of the shift rod 25.

32 Shift rod 25, coupling link 43, intermediate lever 136, compensating spring 143,

33 Torsion spring 120 and drive lever 11 interact in such a way that the play

34 between drive lever 11 and latching lever 13 is compensated in order to ensure a safe locking and unlatching of these two components.

36 In addition, by turning the switching rod 25, the air gap between the

37 anchor 23 and the truncated cone 46 or the truncated cone 46" constantly small-

38 to achieve a constant magnetic force.

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Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg · **: * I 1^* *)··..· Page 34

2 The leg of the torsion spring 120 resting on the housing pin 123

3 passes through the compensating spring 143 and the leg

4 hole 142 (Fig. 6).

6 The cam 122 limits the longitudinal extension of the drive lever 11 at its

7 the end facing away from the latch lever 13 (Fig. 6). The cam 122 has a circular outline in the depth direction 44 with a semi-circular

9 extension at part of the circumference. At the outermost longitudinal extent of the

10 drive lever 11, the cam 122 deviates from the circular outline

11 is flattened approximately in the transverse direction 50. The cam 122 is flattened in the depth direction 108 by

12 of a bore. The cams 108 of several drive levers 11 can

13 a common axis should be introduced so that a mechanical coupling

14 of several circuit breakers 1. The cam 122 is wider in the depth direction 44 than the adjacent area of the drive lever 11.

17 The surface of this area of the drive lever 11 facing the shift rod 25 is recessed in the longitudinal direction 51. Seen in the transverse direction 50

19, this recess 144 is U-shaped. The drive lever 11 is thereby

20 Switch rod 25 is not hindered during its rotation.

21 recess 144 provided area of the drive lever 11 encloses in

22 Depth direction 44 widened area. In this area the extension

23 equalizing spring 143 is inserted. The drive lever 11 is connected by means of a lever axle

24 bore 145 on the housing-fixed drive lever axis 52. In this

25 area is the installation height of the drive lever 11 in the transverse direction 50 compared to

26 the cam-side end of the drive lever 11. In the area of the

27 lever axis bore 145, the pressure arm 124 is integrally formed. It is

28 its end facing the drive lever 11 in the depth direction 44

29 and bends vertically towards its free end, approximately

running in the longitudinal direction 51. The free end of the pressure arm 124 is in

31 transverse direction 50 is widened compared to the remaining area of the pressure arm 110.

32 The surface of the free end of the pressure arm facing the additional switch 7

33 124 is approximately semicircular with the convex side facing the additional switch 7

34 rounded down.

36 In the area of the lever axis bore 145, the transverse bore 50

37 reduced installation height of the arm of the

38 drive lever 11. This arm is opposite the pressure arm 124 carrying

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Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg: '*'. ' I · '.','*,.' Page 35

1 Outer surface of the drive lever 11 is offset in the depth direction 44. In

2 In this direction, its width is about half the length of the

3 Lever axis hole 145. In the hole facing the latch lever 13

4 The front side of the drive lever 11 is a longitudinally extending lever 51

5 belnut 146 formed. The groove width in depth direction 44 is adapted to the corresponding

6 Width of the latching lever 13 in the area of its latching notch 55

7. Immediately next to the lever groove 146, the drive lever 11 is in

&bgr; transverse direction 50 is penetrated by a lever bore 147. In the lever bore

9 147, for example, a screw can be used to fix the locking plate 54 with

10 to the drive lever 11 (Fig. 6).

12 In Fig. 14 it can be seen that the circuit breaker housing is made of the housing

13 housing shell acting as the housing base 49 and another housing shell acting as the housing cover U 148. In the area of its

is narrow sides are the housing base 49 and the housing cover 148 with a

The mounting plate 149 is parallel to the narrow sides.

&igr;? Mounting plate 149 protrudes the narrow side of both housing shells in

is transverse direction 50. In this protruding area the mounting plate contains

ig 149 a mounting hole 150. The extension of the mounting plate 149

20 is limited in the transverse direction 50 by a fastening plate edge 151. The

21 Fixing plate edge 151 is arranged in depth direction 44. Its

22 The extension extends approximately to half the extent of the

23 circuit breaker 1 in depth direction 44. This is followed by an area of

24 Mounting plate 149 with lower installation height in transverse direction 50. The

25 height of the mounting plate 149 decreases continuously in depth direction 44 until

26 it corresponds to the installation height of the circuit breaker 1 in the transverse direction 50. With

27 Except for the protruding area, the extension of the

28 Mounting plate 149 in depth direction 44 of the extension of the

29 Circuit breaker 1 in depth direction 44.

31 The housing cover 148 contains a parallel to the through the transverse direction 50 and

32 the longitudinal direction 51 spanned plane arranged cover plate 152. It

33 has a roughly square outline. It is characterized by not shown here

34 fasteners can be removed from the housing cover 148. This

35 fasteners engage in four plates arranged on the cover plate 152.

36 drillings 153.

37 The cover plate 152 covers the control electronics 2 se mounted in the circuit breaker 1. The control electronics 2 are connected to the

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Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg : ··; * I &iacgr; * ... Page ^fi

&igr; connection block 21. The connection block 21 is attached to the fastening

2 supply plate 149 is arranged on the narrow side of the housing cover 148 facing away from the supply plate 149.

3 In the longitudinal direction 51, the connection block 21 projects beyond the housing cover 148. The

4 Terminal block 21 has a rectangular outline and contains on its

5 surface ten connection sockets 20. The two in depth direction 44 next to

6 mutually arranged connection sockets 20 are each electrically parallel

7. The connection sockets 20 are used for measuring or

8 pointing devices connected. Several circuit breakers 1 can also

9 can be connected in parallel.

11 The connection block 21 is inserted in a recess in the housing cover 148.

12. The cover plate 152 is in the area of the connection block 21 in longitudinal

13 direction 51 to completely cover the recess.

14 The viewing window 119 is arranged on the narrow side of the housing cover 148 that carries the connection block 21. The rectangular viewing window 119 is used to

16 whether the circuit is closed or open. An output

17 The narrow side of the housing cover 148 in the area of the viewing window 119 is also provided by an extension of the cover plate 152 in the longitudinal direction

19 51 covered.

20 The cylindrical connecting bolts 70,70' extending in the longitudinal direction 51

21 penetrate the circuit breaker housing in the area of its mounting plate

22 149 facing away from the narrow side. Both connecting bolts 70,70' run approximately

23 of the division plane between the housing base 49 and the housing cover 148.

24 Both connecting bolts 70,70' are connected via power lines to an electrical

25 consumers are connected. The connection bolts 70,70' are separated from each other by

26 is electrically shielded by a partition wall 154 formed on the housing base 49.

27 The partition wall 154 is T-shaped in the longitudinal direction 51. The T-

28 Crossbar is arranged in the transverse direction 50 and corresponds to the extension of the

29 of the housing base 49 in this direction. The T-shaped crosspiece forms an extension of the housing base 49 in the longitudinal direction 51, whereby the T-shaped crosspiece is opposite

31 is offset from the housing base 49 in the depth direction 44. The

32 The transverse dimension 50 of the circuit breaker housing is determined by the

33 T-crosspiece vertically protruding T-vertical leg divided into two halves. The

34 Vertical leg forms a plane arranged vertically on the circuit breaker housing. Its extension in the depth direction 44 is slightly larger than the

corresponding expansion of the housing base 49.

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Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg · *"·· * : &Idigr; * *** » · Page 37

1 In Fig. 15, the single-pole circuit breaker 1 can be seen, but with the

2 Cover plate 152. In the inner area which can be closed by the cover plate 152,

3 a printed circuit board 155 is fitted. It is parallel to the

4 transverse direction 50 and the longitudinal direction 51 spanned plane. On

5 of the circuit board 155 contains the entire control electronics 2. Part of the

6 Control electronics 2 is a hybrid circuit 156. On the circuit board are

7 also the connections for the additional switch 7 and the auxiliary switch 6. Five

&bgr; Connecting cables 16 connect the control electronics 2 with the connection sockets

9 20 of the connection block 21. Two in depth direction 44 next to each other

10 arranged connection sockets 20 are connected in parallel. This enables a

11 Electrical coupling of several circuit breakers 1 possible.

12 The coupling of several circuit breakers 1 can also be achieved by direct connection

13 connections of the circuit boards 155. For this purpose, the housing base μ 49 and the housing cover 148 are provided with openings (not shown) so that the is conductor tracks on the circuit boards relating to the same electrical signal

ie 155 several circuit breakers 1 connected electrically in parallel via connecting wires

17 can be.

ie Except for a single connection block 21 for the connection of e.g. the external

19 remote switch 8, the other connection blocks 21 are superfluous in this case.

21 Four housing cover holes 157 are provided in the housing cover 148, which

22 correspond with the plate holes 153 of the cover plate 152.

23 On the front side of the housing base 49 facing the housing cover 148

24 is in the area of the electromagnetic switching drive 3 a groove-like ju-

25 bull opening 158 is formed. Through the adjustment opening 158, for example, a

26 Insert a screwdriver into the adjustment slot 34 of the shift rod 25 to

27 Adjust the drive lever 11 and the armature 23.

29 Fig. 16 shows the structure of a three-pole circuit breaker. It is made of

three single-pole circuit breakers 1. All single-pole

31 circuit breakers 1 are identical in construction. The single-pole circuit breakers 1 are electrically

32 or mechanically coupled together.

33 The cams 122 of the drive levers 11 can be connected by a common coupling

34 lung rod. In this case, with sufficient

35 Power transmission of the drive lever 11 the electromagnetic switching

36 drives 17 of the two outer circuit breakers 1 are omitted. The cams 122 of the

37 Drive lever 11 through-going coupling rod provides a mechanical

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Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg; **l ' &idigr;&idigr; ..·*·.* ^Page

&igr; Coupling of all circuit breakers 1. The triggering of a circuit breaker 1

2 causes the other circuit breakers 1 to trip simultaneously.

3 The inputs and outputs of several single-pole circuit breakers 1 can be connected in parallel via the connection blocks 21. With this electrical coupling

5 causes the tripping of a single-pole circuit breaker 1 by the

6 Control electronics 2 also triggers all other single-pole circuit breakers 1.

β Fig. 17 shows schematically the electrical coupling of three single-pole protective

9 switch 1 to a three-pole or three-phase circuit breaker.

10 The terminals marked "A1" and "A2" correspond to the terminal bolts

11 70,70'. The power cable or the electrical

12 consumers connected.

13 In the electrical coupling, a parallel input 159 marked "1a" is electrically connected to the input 15 of the other two circuit breakers 1.

is connected. From Fig. 3 it can be seen that input 15 and parallel input 159

ie connected in parallel. An output 160 marked "2" is also

&igr;? connected in parallel to a parallel output 161 marked "2a" (Fig. 3). The

The output 160 is connected to a connecting line 16 (Fig. 15). It is

is also connected to ground.

20 For the parallel connection of the parallel output 161 of a circuit breaker 1 and

21 of the outputs 160 of the other circuit breakers 1, the same applies

22 regarding parallel input 159 and inputs 15. Due to the electrical

23 coupling, it is sufficient to use a single external remote switch 8 and a

24 single status indicator 19. The electrical signals on the

25 Input 15 of a circuit breaker 1 are also connected in parallel

26 to all other circuit breakers 1.

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Claims (1)

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg ; "I' . · ..··.·* Page &igr; 98178-9/28 3 17 November 1998 &bgr; Claims &bgr; 1. By means of an external remote switch (8) via a control electronics (2) 9 controllable circuit breaker (1), ββ -with an electromagnetic controlled by the control electronics (2) 11 Switching drive (3,11) which switches the circuit via a switch between opening and 12 Closed position movable switch lock (4,12,13) switches and 13 - with an auxiliary switch (6) activated by bimetal triggering in the event of overcurrent for µ switching off the remote switch (8) via the control electronics (2) is characterized by ie - that the switching drive (3,11) for switching the circuit with the 17 Switch lock (4,12,13) is latched, is - that the switch lock (4,12,13) is released by bimetal triggering from the switch drive 19 (3,11) is unlatched and opened, thereby interrupting the circuit and 20 - that the auxiliary switch (6) activated by bimetal release is connected to the 21 Control electronics automatically re-latch the switching drive (3,11) 22 with the opened switch lock (4,12,13). 24 2. Switch according to claim 1, 2s characterized by 26 that the switching off of the remote switch (8) causes the transfer of the switching drive 27 (3,11) into its off position. 29 3. Switch according to claim 2, so characterized by 31 that the transfer of the switching element after a bimetallic release 32 drive (3,11) into its off position and re-engage it with the 33 Switch lock (4,12,13) is activated. (G:\WW6\FORM9.DOC) last saved: June 10, 1998 Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg : "I* I^ _# · _# * ]*··..· Page &igr; 4. Switch according to one of claims 1 to 3, 2 characterized by 3 a switch position signalling device (3,11) 4 Additional switches (7). 6 5. Switch according to claim 4, 7 characterized by &bgr; that the additional switch (7) by signaling the off position of the 9 switching drive (3,11) enables its re-activation. 11 6. Switch according to one of claims 1 to 5, 12 characterized by &eegr; that the opened and thereby interrupting the circuit 14 Switch lock (4,12,13) switches the auxiliary switch (6). ie 7. Switch according to one of claims 1 to 6, &igr;? characterized by is that the switching drive (3,11) in the off position 19 Additional switch (7) is actuated. 21 8. Switch according to one of the preceding claims, 22 characterized by 23 a sensor electrically connected in parallel to the auxiliary switch (6) for releasing 24 tripping of the circuit breaker (1). 26 9. Switch according to one of the preceding claims, 27 characterized by 28 that the control electronics (2) essentially consist of a hybrid circuit (156) 29 exists. 31 10. Switch according to one of the preceding claims, 32 characterized by 33 that the control electronics (2) are connected via connecting cables (16) to a 34 terminal block (21) attached to the housing. (G:\WW6\FORM9.DOC) last saved: June 10, 1998 Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg ; ··; * ! &idigr;_# * ..··.." Page 1 11. Switch according to claim 10, 2 characterized by 3 that connecting cables (16) connect the connection block (21) with a status indicator 4 (19) connect. 6 12. Switch according to claim 11, 7 characterized by &bgr; that the status indicator (19) is a microswitch and together with the 9 Auxiliary switch (6) is switched by the switch lock (4,12,13). 11 13. Switch according to one of the preceding claims, 12 characterized by 13 - that the connection block (21) contains connection sockets (20) connected to the connection lines (16) and is - that via the connection sockets (20) ie - the remote switch (8) to an input (15) and to an output 17 gear (160) of the control electronics (2) and 18 - an external display device to the status indicator (19) 19 can be connected. 21 14. Switch according to claim 13, 22 characterized by 23 that the signals associated with the input (15) and the output (160) 24 connection sockets (20) each with the same connection sockets (20) at least 25 of another single-pole circuit breaker (1) are electrically connected in order to 26 together form a multi-pole circuit breaker. 28 15. Switch according to claim 13 or 14, 29 characterized by so that the input (15) and the output (160) on a control 31 electronics (2) carrying circuit board (155) associated contact points 32 several single-pole circuit breakers (1) directly via the switch housing 33 crossing connecting lines are electrically connected. 35 16. Switch according to one of the preceding claims, se characterized by 37 that a partition wall (154) is provided on the switch housing between two 38 Switch housing and as connection ends of the circuit (G:\WW6\FORM9.DOC) last saved: June 10, 1998 Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg · *··; · J I * *"··..· Page 1 effective connecting bolt (70,70') for their mutual electrical isolation 2 shielding is arranged and with lateral extensions also the connection 3 closing adjacent, especially to a multi-pole circuit breaker 4 coupled circuit breakers (1) electrically isolated from each other. e 17. Switch according to one of the preceding claims, 7 characterized by &bgr; that at least one single-pole circuit breaker (1) has a switching drive (3) 9, which is mechanically coupled via a common axis 10 acts on the switch locks (4) of all single-pole circuit breakers (1). 12 18. Switch according to one of the preceding claims, 13 characterized by µ - a pivotable contact lever (12) switching the circuit and is a pivoting movement of the contact lever (12), a The knee lever (59,60) forming part of the switch lock (4), whose &igr;? one knee lever end on the switch housing and the other the knee lever end (64) is hinged to the contact lever (12) and ig - a hinged to the knee joint (56) of the knee lever (59,60) 20 Latching lever (13) which can be latched to the switching drive (3) and 21 the knee joint (56) between which the closing of the circuit 22 causing stretching and interrupting the circuit 23 causing a bending position of the knee lever (59,60). 25 19. Switch according to claim 18, 26 characterized by 27 - that the contact lever (12) and the contact lever (12) hinged 28 Knee lever end (64) pressurized by a contact pressure spring (72) 29 are and so that the latch lever (13) against the contact spring pressure 31 is movable. 33 20. Switch according to claim 18 or 19, (G.\WW6\FORM9.DOC) last saved: 10 June 1998 Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg 5"J ⁰ J &iacgr; * *|· ·..· Page t &igr; characterized by 2 that the latching lever (13) when the circuit is interrupted 3 auxiliary switches (6) are actuated. s 21. Switch according to one of claims 18 to 20, 6 characterized by 7 that the latching lever (13) is two-armed and with its switching arm (58) opposite the &bgr; latching arm (57) the 9 Auxiliary switch (6) is activated. 11 22. Switch according to claim 21, 12 characterized by 13 that the end of the switching arm (58) is designed as a stop piece. is 23. Switch according to one of the preceding claims, ie characterized by &igr;? that the bimetal (5) in case of overcurrent the latching lever (13) to its The pivoting around the knee joint axis (56) is applied and thereby the 19 Latching arm (57) unlatched from switching drive (3). 21 24. Switch according to one of the preceding claims, 22 characterized by 23 an electromagnetic switching drive (3) with a switching rod (25), 24 which can be latched to the latching arm (57) 25 Drive lever (11) is hinged and is located between the switch-on and 26 Switch-off position of the switching drive (3) in an axial direction (24) 27 is movable. 29 25. Switch according to claim 24, so characterized by 31 that the drive lever (11) is a switch housing rotatable about a parallel 32 Drive lever axis (52) mounted on the knee joint axis (56) 33 two-armed pivot lever, (G:\WW6\FORM9.DOC) last saved: June 10, 1998 Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg * **" * I &idigr; * "*"..· Page Q &igr; - at the drive end of which the switching rod (25) is hinged and 2 - whose opposite end as a latching end (53) with the 3 Latching arm (57) can be latched. s 26. Switch according to claim 25, 6 characterized by 7 that the latched drive lever (11) rests with its latching end (53) in a latching notch (55) 9 of the latching arm (57) in the manner of the cutting edge of a cutting edge bearing. 11 27. Switch according to one of the preceding claims, 12 characterized by 13 that the drive lever (11) is in the off position 14 Switch drive (3) with a transverse to the drive lever axis (52) laterally from the 15 lever arms protruding boom (124) the additional switch (7) ie circuit-wise actuated: is 28. Switch according to one of the preceding claims, 19 characterized by 20 that the switching position of the switch lock (4) is determined by a 21 arranged viewing window (119) is displayed, the viewing plane of which is 22 The housing interior is covered by an indicator lever (76) which 23 on the switch housing can be rotated between two 24 Contact pressure spring (72) dependent rotational positions. 26 29. Switch according to one of the preceding claims, 27 characterized by 28 - that switching rod (25), latching lever (13) and contact lever (12) 29 are arranged approximately parallel to each other, so that - the drive lever (11) and the knee lever are in the pivoting direction of the si contact lever (12) and approximately at right angles to the parallel parts 32 and (G:\WW6\FORM9.DOC) last saved: June 10, 1998 Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg · ··; * I ! * ^# *5 · _&phgr;0 · Page - that the plane spanned by the aforementioned parts is their plane of movement. (G:\WW6\FORM9.DOC) last saved: June 10, 1998