JP2024072986A - Switch operating mechanism, switch, and switch operating method - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a switch operating mechanism, a switch, and a switch operating method that can prevent the main contacts from being inadvertently opened when the switch is in the manually-on state and can hold the main contacts in the closed state. [Solution] The operating mechanism 30 is mainly composed of a drive mechanism 40, an output transmission mechanism 60, and a latch mechanism 70, and the latch mechanism 70 has a first latch portion 71 and a second latch portion 72. When an electromagnetic repulsive force acts on the main contacts while the switch 1 is in the manually-on state and the main contacts are closed, the engaging portion 721 of the second latch portion 72 engages with the engaged portion 711 of the first latch portion 71 at the main engagement position. Therefore, even if the electromagnetic repulsive force exceeds the biasing force of the energy storage spring 52, the main contacts are mechanically held by the latch mechanism 70, so that the main contacts can be prevented from being inadvertently opened. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a switch operating mechanism, a switch, and a switch operating method. More specifically, the present invention relates to a switch operating mechanism, a switch, and a switch operating method that can prevent the main contacts from being inadvertently opened when the switch is in a manually closed state and can maintain the closed state of the main contacts.

Typically, high-voltage power distribution lines drawn from substations are laid out in a network of numerous utility poles erected throughout a city to supply electricity to consumers. At the entrance to each utility pole, switches are installed at various points to mark the demarcation points of responsibility, or to separate work sections or fault sections from other sections of the distribution line. For example, in the event of an abnormality, or when inspecting or repairing electrical equipment, these switches are operated to temporarily cut off the flow of current.

A known type of switch of this type uses the electromagnetic repulsive force of an electromagnetic actuator to automatically control the opening and closing of the main contacts between a fixed contact and a movable contact (Patent Document 1). The electromagnetic actuator disclosed in Patent Document 1 is mainly composed of a yoke that forms a magnetic path, an armature that is arranged to move within the yoke, a permanent magnet for moving the armature or keeping it closed, a solenoid coil that increases and decreases the magnetic flux within the yoke, and an operating rod.

The operating rod is fitted with a spring that applies pressure to the fixed and movable contacts when the circuit is closed, and its end is connected to the movable shaft of the vacuum valve. In addition, a force is applied to the armature by an opening spring to maintain the open state when the movable contact of the vacuum valve is opened.

When the electromagnetic actuator opens and closes, the armature is attracted in the direction that narrows the gap when a magnetic flux is generated in the same direction as the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet due to excitation of the solenoid coil, together with the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet in the closed state. This pushes up the operating rod connected to the movable shaft of the vacuum valve together with the armature, resulting in the closed state. In the closed state, the solenoid coil is not excited, and the closed state is maintained only by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet.

On the other hand, in the open state, when a magnetic flux is generated in the opposite direction to the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet due to the excitation of the solenoid coil, the magnetic flux in the yoke decreases, and the armature moves in the open direction due to the action of the load in the open direction from the energy storage spring and the circuit-opening spring. As a result, the operating rod is pulled down together with the armature, and the circuit is opened.

JP 2002-270423 A

As mentioned above, normally, switches are automatically controlled to be closed and opened, but in the event of a power outage or when regular inspection of power distribution equipment is required, it is necessary to operate the manual handle to switch from the automatic operation enabled state to the manual ON state. When switching from the automatic operation enabled state to the manual ON state, the main contacts are kept closed by the biasing force of the energy storage spring in the operating mechanism, but if the electromagnetic repulsive force acting on the main contacts when a short-circuit current is passed exceeds the holding force of the energy storage spring, the main contacts will be opened, and a switch that does not have the ability to interrupt short-circuit currents may be destroyed.

To prevent such problems, it is possible to strengthen the force of the energy storage spring, for example. However, in automatic control of the switchgear, the closing and holding force of the main contacts must exceed the force of the energy storage spring, so the electromagnetic actuator must be made larger, which creates space or layout constraints within the switchgear and leads to higher equipment costs.

The present invention was devised in consideration of the above points, and aims to provide a switch operating mechanism, a switch, and a switch operating method that can prevent inadvertent opening of the main contacts when the switch is in the manually closed state and can maintain the closed state.

In order to achieve the above object, the operating mechanism of the switch of the present invention is a switch operating mechanism in which main contacts are formed by a fixed contact electrically connected to a fixed electrode and a movable contact electrically connected to a movable electrode arranged opposite to the fixed electrode, and the operating mechanism of the switch includes a manual handle that is rotated by manual operation, a spring that stores a driving force generated by the manual handle, a handle arm connected to one end of the spring and connected to a handle shaft that outputs the operating force of the manual handle, a toggle mechanism that has a toggle arm connected to the other end of the spring and outputs the release force of the spring, and a switch that transmits the release force of the spring. The output transmission mechanism has a rod that has one end connected to the movable contact and the other end connected to the main shaft, and is held movably in a direction that converts the rotational force of the main shaft into reciprocating motion to move the movable contact toward and away from the fixed contact; a first latch part that has an engaged part and is journaled on the main shaft; and a second latch part that is connected to the handle arm via a link and has an engaging part that can engage with the engaged part, and is movable between an engaging position where the engaging part can engage with the engaged part and a releasing position where the engaging part disengages from the engaged part in response to the operation of the manual handle.

Here, by providing the switch operating mechanism with a manual handle that can be rotated by manual operation, in a manually operated switch, the main contacts can be closed and opened by operating the manual handle. In an automatically operated switch, the manual handle is normally in an automatically operable state to automatically control the opening and closing operation of the main contacts, but during a power outage or regular inspection of the power distribution equipment, the manual handle can be operated to switch from the automatically operable state to a manually-on state and operate the opening and closing operation of the main contacts.

In addition, by providing a handle arm connected to the handle shaft that outputs the operating force of the manual handle, the position of the handle arm can be switched according to the operation of the manual handle, and as described below, a latch mechanism linked to the handle arm can be operated.

In addition, by having a spring that stores the driving force from the manual handle and a toggle mechanism that uses the release force of the spring to close the main contacts, the main contacts can be closed and opened at a constant speed regardless of the operating speed of the handle arm.

In addition, by providing an output transmission mechanism with a main shaft that transmits the release force of the energy storage spring, the operating force of the manual handle or the electromagnetic operating force of the electromagnetic actuator can be transmitted to the movable contact via the main shaft, allowing the main contact between the fixed contact and the movable contact to be opened and closed.

The output transmission mechanism further includes a rod, one end of which is connected to the movable contact and the other end of which is connected to the main shaft, and which is held so as to be movable in a direction in which the movable contact approaches and moves away from the fixed contact by converting the rotational force of the main shaft into a reciprocating motion. By converting the rotational motion of the main shaft into a reciprocating motion, the main contact between the fixed contact and the movable contact can be opened and closed.

In addition, the latch mechanism has a first latch part having an engaged part and supported on the main shaft, and a second latch part connected to the handle arm via a link and having an engaging part that can engage with the engaged part. The latch mechanism can move between an engaging position where the engaging part can engage with the engaged part and a releasing position where the engaging part disengages from the engaged part in response to the operation of the manual handle, so that the first latch part and the second latch part can be switched between engagement and disengagement in response to the operation of the manual handle.

By engaging the first latch portion with the second latch portion, the rotation of the main shaft is locked and the closed state of the fixed contact and movable contact is mechanically maintained, preventing the main contacts from being accidentally opened due to electromagnetic repulsion or the like, and maintaining the closed state of the main contacts. In addition, because the latch mechanism has a simple configuration consisting of an engaged portion and an engaging portion, it can be placed with ease even in a switch with layout restrictions.

The second latch portion is slidably connected to a long hole formed in the link, and when the engagement position or release position of the first latch portion and the second latch portion is switched by the second latch portion sliding along the long hole in accordance with the reciprocating motion of the link linked to the operation of the manual handle, the engagement position and release position of the first latch portion and the second latch portion can be switched by operating the manual handle.

In addition, if the switch can be switched between a manually-operated state and an automatically operable state by the manual handle, and the latch mechanism engages the engaging portion of the second latch portion with the engaged portion of the first latch portion when the manual handle is operated to the manually-operated state, and disengages the engaged portion of the first latch portion from the engaging portion of the second latch portion when the manual handle is operated to the automatically operable state, in an automatically operable switch, when the switch is switched from the automatically operable state to the manually-operated state, and an electromagnetic repulsive force acts on the main contacts while the main contacts are kept closed by the biasing force of the energy storage spring, even if this electromagnetic repulsive force exceeds the biasing force of the energy storage spring, the engagement of the latch mechanism can prevent the main contacts from being inadvertently opened.

In addition, if the switch can be switched between a manual ON state and a manual OFF state by the manual handle, and the latch mechanism engages the engaging portion of the second latch portion with the engaged portion of the first latch portion when the manual handle is operated to the manual ON state, and disengages the engaged portion of the first latch portion with the engaging portion of the second latch portion when the manual handle is operated to the manual OFF state, in a manually operated switch, the first latch portion and the second latch portion engage in synchronization with the closing of the main contacts by operating the manual handle. Then, when an electromagnetic repulsive force acts on the main contacts while the main contacts are kept closed by the biasing force of the energy storage spring, and even if this electromagnetic repulsive force exceeds the biasing force of the energy storage spring, the engagement of the latch mechanism can prevent the main contacts from being inadvertently opened.

In order to achieve the above object, the switch of the present invention is a switch having a fixed contact electrically connected to a fixed electrode, a movable contact which constitutes a main contact with the fixed contact and is electrically connected to a movable electrode arranged opposite the fixed electrode, a manual handle which is rotated by manual operation, a spring which stores the driving force generated by the manual handle, and an operation mechanism having an output transmission mechanism including a main shaft which transmits the discharging force of the spring to the movable contact, the operation mechanism having one end connected to the movable contact and the other end connected to the main shaft, and which transmits the rotational force of the main shaft to the movable contact. It is equipped with a rod that is held so as to be movable in a direction that converts the movable contact into a return motion and moves it toward and away from the fixed contact, a handle arm that is connected to a handle shaft that outputs the operating force of the manual handle, a first latch part that has an engaged part and is supported on the main shaft, and a second latch part that is connected to the handle arm via a link and has an engaging part that can engage with the engaged part, and a latch mechanism that can move between an engaging position where the engaging part can engage with the engaged part and a releasing position where the engaging part disengages from the engaged part in response to the operation of the manual handle.

With the above configuration, in an automatically operated switch, the opening and closing operation of the main contacts is automatically controlled in an automatically operable state under normal circumstances, but during a power outage or regular inspection of the power distribution equipment, it is possible to switch from the automatically operable state to a manual ON state by operating the manual handle. In addition, since the first latch portion and the second latch portion engage in conjunction with switching to the manual ON state, even if an electromagnetic repulsive force acts on the main contacts and exceeds the force of the energy storage spring while the main contacts are kept closed by the force of the energy storage spring, the latch mechanism engages to prevent the main contacts from being inadvertently opened.

In addition, in a manually operated switch, when the main contacts are closed by changing from the manual OFF state to the manual ON state, the first latch portion and the second latch portion engage in conjunction with the change to the manual ON state, so that even if an electromagnetic repulsive force acts on the main contacts and exceeds the biasing force of the energy storage spring while the main contacts are kept closed by the biasing force of the energy storage spring, the latch mechanism engages to prevent the main contacts from being inadvertently opened.

In order to achieve the above object, the method of operating a switch of the present invention comprises a fixed contact electrically connected to a fixed electrode and a movable contact electrically connected to a movable electrode arranged opposite the fixed electrode, and the method of operating a switch utilizes the release force of a spring to close the main contact, and includes the steps of: operating a manual handle to switch to a manual-on state in which the main contact is closed manually; connecting the movable contact to the main contact using the release force of the spring in conjunction with the operation of the manual handle; maintaining the main contact closed by the spring; and engaging an engaging portion and an engaged portion of a latch mechanism.

With the above configuration, when the manual handle is operated to switch to the manual ON state, the engaging portion of the latch mechanism engages with the engaged portion in conjunction with this. Therefore, even if an electromagnetic repulsive force acts on the main contacts while they are held closed by the biasing force of the energy storage spring, and the electromagnetic repulsive force exceeds the biasing force of the energy storage spring, the engagement of the latch mechanism prevents the main contacts from being inadvertently opened.

In addition, if there is a process of releasing the engagement state by the latch mechanism and opening the main contacts by switching the manual handle from a manual-on state to a manual-off state in which the main contacts are opened in conjunction with the operation of the manual handle, or to an automatic operable state in which the closing operation of the main contacts can be automatically controlled, in a manually operated switchgear, the main contacts whose engagement state by the latch mechanism has been released can be opened by operating it to the manual-off state. In addition, in an automatically operated switchgear, the main contacts after switching to the automatic operable state are released from the engagement state by the latch mechanism and are kept closed by automatic control of the electromagnetic actuator.

In addition, if the process of engaging the engaging portion and engaged portion of the latch mechanism includes a process of switching from a provisional engagement position in which a prescribed gap is formed between the engaging portion and engaged portion to a full engagement position in which the gap is closed when a prescribed electromagnetic repulsive force is generated in the main contact and the movable contactor moves to the open side, then the latch mechanism can be firmly engaged at the full engagement position only when the electromagnetic repulsive force acts, and the formation of the gap allows the latch mechanism to move smoothly from the disengaged position to the provisional engagement position.

The switch operating mechanism, switch, and switch operating method of the present invention can prevent the main contacts from being inadvertently opened when the switch is in the manually closed state, and can maintain the main contacts in the closed state.

1A and 1B are overall views of a switch according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an operation mechanism of a switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a relationship between a closing operation of a main contact and a latch mechanism in a manual-on state of a switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram showing a relationship between a closing operation of a main contact and a latch mechanism in an automatically operable state of a switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

Below, the switch operating mechanism, switch, and switch operating method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings to facilitate understanding of the present invention. In each drawing, for the sake of convenience, when the switch is installed, the direction from the bottom surface to the top surface is defined as the upward direction, the direction opposite to the upward direction is defined as the downward direction, and the axial direction represented by the upward and downward directions is defined as the vertical direction.

First, the overall configuration of a switch 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The switch 1 is a pole-mounted switch that is installed on a utility pole as a demarcation point at, for example, a customer's entrance, and various power devices 20 are housed in a metal case 10.

Here, the switch 1 does not necessarily have to be a pole-mounted switch. For example, as long as it can open and close the load current under normal conditions and can also input an abnormal current when the circuit is short-circuited, the switch may be used for any purpose.

A power supply bushing 21a having a power supply connection terminal 22 connected to a distribution line in a power distribution system is provided on one side of the case 10, and a load side bushing 21b having a load side connection terminal 23 connected to the distribution line is provided on the other side of the case 10 (hereinafter, the power supply bushing 21a and the load side bushing 21b are collectively referred to as "bushing 21"). A fixed contact 24 is connected and fixed to the power supply bushing 21a, and a movable contact 25 is provided on the load side bushing 21b.

Here, the bushings 21 shown in FIG. 1 are a set of three bushings 21, i.e., a total of six bushings 21 are shown, but the bushings 21 may be a set of one, two, or four or more bushings 21, or may be configured in two or more pairs.

The movable contactor 25 is supported on a rotating shaft so that it can be brought into contact with and separated from the fixed contactor 24. The state in which the movable contactor 25 is in contact with the fixed contactor 24 is the main contact (circuit) closed state, and the state in which the movable contactor 25 is separated from the fixed contactor 24 is the main contact (circuit) open state. The main contact between the fixed contactor 24 and the movable contactor 25 is closed and opened by the operation mechanism 30. The operation mechanism 30 is mainly composed of a drive mechanism 40 for generating a drive force (rotational force), an output transmission mechanism 60 for outputting the drive force generated by the drive mechanism 40, and a latch mechanism 70 for mechanically holding the movable contactor 25 in the closed state relative to the fixed contactor 24.

The drive mechanism 40 is composed of a first drive unit 41 and a second drive unit 42. As the first drive unit 41, a manual handle 411 attached to the front side of the case 10 of the switch 1 is connected to a handle shaft 412. The manual handle 411 can be switched between an "automatic" position (automatic operation possible state) where automatic control by the second drive unit 42 described below is possible, and a "manual on" position (manual on state) where manual operation is possible, by an operator holding it and rotating it to one side and the other side.

Here, the switch 1 does not necessarily have to be an automatically operated switch that can be switched between a manually closed state by the first drive unit 41 and an automatically operable state by the second drive unit 42. For example, the switch may be a manually operated switch that is composed only of the first drive unit 41 as the drive mechanism 40 and that performs the closing and opening operation of the main contact of the movable contactor 25 with respect to the fixed contactor 24 by operating the manual handle 411. For ease of explanation, the switch 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be explained based on an automatically operated switch.

The operating force of the manual handle 411 is transmitted to the movable contact 25 via the output transmission mechanism 60 as a release force by the toggle mechanism 50. Here, the toggle mechanism 50 has a well-known structure and is mainly composed of a handle arm 51 that outputs the operating force of the manual handle 411, a spring 52 that stores the driving force of the handle arm 51, and a toggle arm 53 that outputs the release force of the spring 52 to the output transmission mechanism 60.

The second drive unit 42 is a drive mechanism that automatically turns on and off the main contacts when the manual handle 411 is in the "automatic" position. The second drive unit 42 is equipped with a plunger 421 and a solenoid 422 that attracts the plunger 421, and is fixed to a predetermined position inside the case 10 by a fixing device.

When a closing command is input by an operation switch (not shown), the solenoid 422 is energized and the plunger 421 is attracted to the inside of the solenoid 422, rotating the connected toggle arm 53 and simultaneously charging the charging spring 52. The attraction action of the solenoid 422 and the release force of the charged charging spring 52 rotate the toggle arm 53, making it possible to close and open the main contacts.

In addition, the solenoid 422 in the embodiment of the present invention is a constantly excited solenoid that is constantly energized while a closing command is input, but it is also possible to use an instantaneously excited solenoid that is momentarily energized only when a closing command is input.

The output transmission mechanism 60 is a mechanism for transmitting the driving force from the first drive unit 41 and the second drive unit 42 to the movable contact 25, and is composed of a main shaft 61 that transmits the driving force as a rotational force, and a rod 62 that converts the rotational force of the main shaft into a reciprocating motion and transmits it to the movable contact 25.

The main shaft 61 is supported by a first latch portion 71 that constitutes a latch mechanism 70 described below, and one end of the first latch portion 71 is connected to the toggle arm 53 by a connecting bolt 63. The rod 62 is long, and one end is connected to the main shaft 61 via a connecting arm 64, and the other end is connected to the movable contact 25.

The driving force output by the driving mechanism 40 is transmitted from the toggle arm 53 via the connecting bolt 63 to the first latch portion 71, and the rotational force of the first latch portion 71 is transmitted to the main shaft 61. The rotational force transmitted to the main shaft 61 is converted to the reciprocating motion of the rod 62 via the connecting arm 64, and the reciprocating motion of the rod 62 drives the movable contact 25 in a direction toward and away from the fixed contact 24, enabling the main contact to be closed and opened.

The latch mechanism 70 is composed of a substantially V-shaped first latch portion 71 having an engaged portion 711, and a substantially V-shaped second latch portion 72 having an engaging portion 721 that engages with the engaged portion 711. As described above, the first latch portion 71 has an insertion hole (not indicated by a reference number) formed in the approximate middle portion, and the main shaft 61 is supported by the insertion hole. One end of the first latch portion 71 becomes the engaged portion 711 described above, and the other end different from the engaged portion 711 is connected to the connecting bolt 63.

Here, the first latch portion 71 and the second latch portion 72 do not necessarily have to be approximately V-shaped, and can be appropriately modified as long as the first latch portion 71 and the second latch portion 72 have a shape that allows them to engage with each other, such as approximately L-shaped or approximately I-shaped.

The second latch portion 72 has an engaging portion 721 formed at one end thereof that engages with the engaged portion 711, and the other end thereof is connected to the handle arm 51 via a link 73. A long hole is formed in the link 73 at the connection portion with the second latch portion 72, and the connection portion of the second latch portion 72 is connected so as to be able to slide freely a predetermined distance in accordance with the movement of the link 73.

Next, the relationship between the closing operation of the main contacts and the latch mechanism 70 will be explained based on Figures 3 and 4. The lower figures in Figures 3 and 4 are mainly views of the latch mechanism 70 and the output transmission mechanism 60 extracted from the upper figures. As mentioned above, the embodiment of the present invention will be explained assuming the operation of an automatically operated switch, but in the following explanation, for a manually operated switch, the "automatic" position will be read as "manual off".

<Manual input operation: Open state → Input state>
As shown in FIG. 3(a), when the manual handle 411 is in the “automatic” position and the solenoid 422 of the second drive unit 42 is in a non-energized state, the movable contact 25 is in a position separated from the fixed contact 24, and the main contact is in an open state.

When the manual handle 411 is rotated from this state from the "automatic" position to the "manual on" position (rotating clockwise as viewed from the page), the handle arm 51 and the energy storage spring 52 also rotate clockwise in conjunction with this, compressing the energy storage spring 52, and when the handle arm 51 and the energy storage spring 52 form a dead point in which they are in a straight line, the energy storage spring 52 is maximally compressed.

The manual handle 411 is further rotated clockwise, and the compressed spring 52 is released immediately after the spring 52 passes the dead point, causing the toggle arm 53 to perform a quick operation. At this time, the release force of the spring 52 rotates the toggle arm 53 counterclockwise, and the associated rotational force is transmitted to the movable contact 25 via the output transmission mechanism 60.

Then, the movable contact 25 rotates toward the fixed contact 24, and as shown in FIG. 3(b), the main contact is closed and the switch 1 is put into a closed state. This toggle mechanism 50 makes it possible to quickly operate the toggle arm 53 when the energy storage spring 52 passes the dead point, regardless of the operating speed of the manual handle 411, and to instantly close the movable contact 25 to the fixed contact 24.

In addition, due to the release force of the energy storage spring 52, the connecting bolt 63 connected to the toggle arm 53 pushes the first latch portion 71 downward, rotating the first latch portion 71 clockwise, and this rotational force is transmitted from the main shaft 61 through the connecting arm 64 and rod 62 to the movable contact 25, and the movable contact 25 is inserted into the fixed contact 24.

Meanwhile, the handle arm 51 rotates clockwise in conjunction with the quick action of the energy storage spring 52. Due to the rotational action of the handle arm 51, the second latch portion 72 connected to the handle arm 51 via the link 73 rotates clockwise while sliding along the long hole 731 of the link 73. At this time, the engaged portion 711 of the first latch portion 71, which is also rotating clockwise, engages with the engaging portion 721 of the second latch portion 72, and the latch mechanism 70 enters an engaged state (see the lower part of FIG. 3(b)).

The latch mechanism 70 is engaged in a provisional engagement position where a predetermined gap (clearance) is formed immediately after the switching operation using the manual handle 411. When electromagnetic repulsive force is generated in the main contact, the first latch portion 71 is configured to move in a direction that closes the gap and firmly engage in the formal engagement position. Therefore, even if an electromagnetic repulsive force acts on the main contact while it is held by the biasing force of the energy storage spring 52 and the electromagnetic repulsive force exceeds the biasing force of the energy storage spring 52, the engagement by the latch mechanism 70 can prevent the main contact from being inadvertently opened.

Here, the latch mechanism 70 does not necessarily have to be engaged in this engagement position when an electromagnetic repulsive force acts on the main contact. For example, it may be configured so that the engaging portion 721 of the second latch portion 72 is firmly fixed to the engaged portion 711 of the first latch portion 71 without any gaps in conjunction with the operation of the manual handle 411.

In addition, it is not necessary to configure the first latch portion 71 to move in a direction that closes the gap when electromagnetic repulsion occurs at the main contacts, and the second latch portion 72 may be configured to move in a direction that closes the gap.

<Manual release operation: ON state → OPEN state>
The main contacts can be opened manually by performing the reverse operation of the above-mentioned operation. That is, by rotating the manual handle 411 counterclockwise from the "manual on" position to the "automatic" position, the handle arm 51 also rotates counterclockwise. At this time, the handle arm 51 rotates counterclockwise and the toggle arm 53 rotates clockwise, causing the first latch portion 71 and the second latch portion 72 to rotate counterclockwise and disengage from each other. At this time, the rotational force of the first latch portion 71 is transmitted to the movable contactor 25 via the rod 62, and the movable contactor 25 moves in a direction away from the fixed contactor 24 (FIG. 3(c)).

<Automatic power-on operation: Open state → Power-on state>
In the automatically operated switch 1, the manual handle 411 is switched to the "automatic" position to operate the second drive unit 42 to make and release the main contacts. To make the main contacts in the automatically operable state, a current command is sent to the solenoid 422 in the state shown in Fig. 4(a) to rotate the toggle arm 53 counterclockwise by the attraction action of the plunger 421, and the energy storage spring 52 stores energy. At this time, the connecting bolt 63 pushes down the first latch unit 71, causing the main shaft 61 to rotate clockwise, and the associated rotational force drives the movable contact 25 relative to the fixed contact 24 through the rod 62, thereby realizing the closing state shown in Fig. 4(b).

<Automatic release operation: ON state → OPEN state>
4(b) in the automatic operation enabled state, when the main contacts are opened from the state shown in FIG. 4(b), a command to stop current is output to the solenoid 422, and the attractive force of the plunger 421 is lost, thereby realizing the opening of the main contacts by the reverse operation of the automatic closing operation described above. That is, the toggle arm 53 is rotated clockwise by the release force of the energy storage spring 52, and the first latch portion 71 and the main shaft 61 are also rotated counterclockwise accordingly. Then, the rod 62 connected to the main shaft 61 is pushed up, so that the movable contact 25 is driven in a direction away from the main contacts, and the main contacts are opened.

As described above, in an automatically operated switch, when the manual handle 411 is in the "automatic" position and in an automatically operable state, the latch mechanism 70 is always in a released state, and the mechanical holding force of the main contacts is eliminated, making it possible to make and open the main contacts by the second drive unit 42. By operating the manual handle 411 to the "manual ON" position to set the manual ON state, the latch mechanism 70 engages in the provisional engagement position, and is configured to engage in the full engagement position when an electromagnetic repulsive force acts on the main contacts, so that even if the electromagnetic repulsive force exceeds the biasing force of the energy storage spring 52, the mechanical holding force of the latch mechanism 70 can prevent the main contacts from being inadvertently opened.

As described above, the switch operating mechanism, switch, and switch operating method of the present invention are capable of preventing the inadvertent opening of the main contacts when the switch is in the manually closed state, and maintaining the closed state of the main contacts.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 switch 10 case 20 power supply device 21 bushing 21a power supply side bushing 21b load side bushing 22 power supply side connection terminal 23 load side connection terminal 24 fixed contact 25 movable contact 30 operation mechanism 40 drive mechanism 41 first drive unit 411 manual handle 412 handle shaft 42 second drive unit 421 plunger 422 solenoid 50 toggle mechanism 51 handle arm 52 energy storage spring 53 toggle arm 54 connecting plate 60 output transmission mechanism 61 main shaft 62 rod 63 connecting bolt 64 connecting arm 70 latch mechanism 71 first latch unit 711 engaged unit 72 second latch unit 721 engaging unit 73 link 731 long hole

Claims (8)

In a switch operating mechanism, main contacts are formed by a fixed contactor electrically connected to a fixed electrode and a movable contactor electrically connected to a movable electrode disposed opposite the fixed electrode,
A manual handle that is rotated by manual operation;
a toggle mechanism including a spring for storing a driving force generated by the manual handle, a handle arm connected to one end of the spring and linked to a handle shaft for outputting an operating force of the manual handle, and a toggle arm connected to the other end of the spring for outputting a releasing force generated by the spring;
an output transmission mechanism including a rod having a main shaft for transmitting the release force of the energy storage spring, one end of which is connected to the movable contact and the other end of which is connected to the main shaft, the rod being held movably in a direction in which the movable contact approaches and moves away from the fixed contact by converting the rotational force of the main shaft into a reciprocating motion;
a latch mechanism having a first latch portion having an engaged portion and journaled on the main shaft, and a second latch portion connected to the handle arm via a link and having an engaging portion formed thereon engageable with the engaging portion, the latch mechanism being movable between an engaging position where the engaging portion can engage with the engaged portion and a releasing position where the engaging portion disengages from the engaged portion in response to operation of the manual handle. The second latch portion is slidably connected to a slot formed in the link,
2. The switch operating mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the second latch portion slides along the long hole in accordance with the reciprocating motion of the link that is linked to the operation of the manual handle, thereby switching between an engaged position and a released position of the first latch portion and the second latch portion. The switch can be switched between a manual on state and an automatic operation possible state by the manual handle,
The latch mechanism includes:
When the manual handle is operated to a manual-on state, an engaging portion of the second latch portion engages with an engaged portion of the first latch portion,
3. The switch operating mechanism according to claim 1, wherein when the manual handle is operated to an automatic operation enabled state, the engaged state between the engaged portion of the first latch portion and the engaging portion of the second latch portion is released. The switch can be switched between a manual on state and a manual off state by the manual handle,
The latch mechanism includes:
When the manual handle is operated to a manual-on state, an engaging portion of the second latch portion engages with an engaged portion of the first latch portion,
3. The switch operating mechanism according to claim 1, wherein when the manual handle is operated to a manual off state, the engaged portion of the first latch portion and the engaging portion of the second latch portion are disengaged from each other. A fixed contact electrically connected to the fixed electrode;
a movable contactor which constitutes a main contact together with the fixed contactor and is electrically connected to a movable electrode disposed opposite the fixed electrode;
A switch having an operating mechanism including a manual handle that is rotated by manual operation, a spring that stores a driving force generated by the manual handle, and an output transmission mechanism including a main shaft that transmits a release force of the spring to the movable contact,
The operation mechanism includes:
a rod having one end connected to the movable contact and the other end connected to the main shaft, the rod being held movably in a direction in which the movable contact moves toward and away from the fixed contact by converting a rotational force of the main shaft into a reciprocating motion;
A handle arm connected to a handle shaft that outputs an operating force of the manual handle;
a latch mechanism having a first latch portion having an engaged portion and journaled on the main shaft, and a second latch portion connected to the handle arm via a link and having an engaging portion formed thereon that can engage with the engaged portion, the latch mechanism being movable between an engaging position where the engaging portion can engage with the engaged portion and a releasing position where the engaging portion disengages from the engaged portion in response to operation of the manual handle. A method for operating a switch in which a main contact is formed by a fixed contactor electrically connected to a fixed electrode and a movable contactor electrically connected to a movable electrode disposed opposite the fixed electrode, and the main contact is closed by utilizing a release force of an energy storage spring,
a step of operating a manual handle to switch to a manual ON state in which the main contacts are manually closed;
a step of closing the movable contact into the main contact by utilizing the release force of the energy storage spring in conjunction with the operation of the manual handle;
a step of holding the main contacts closed by the energy storage spring;
and a step of engaging an engaging portion and an engaged portion of the latch mechanism. 7. The method for operating a switch according to claim 6, further comprising the step of switching the manual handle from a manual-on state to a manual-off state in which the main contacts are opened in conjunction with the operation of the manual handle, or to an automatic operable state in which the closing operation of the main contacts can be automatically controlled, thereby releasing the engaged state by the latch mechanism and opening the main contacts. The step of engaging an engaging portion and an engaged portion of the latch mechanism includes:
8. The method for operating a switch according to claim 6 or claim 7, further comprising a step of switching engagement from a provisional engagement position in which a prescribed gap is formed between the engaging portion and the engaged portion to a full engagement position in which the gap is closed, when a prescribed electromagnetic repulsive force is generated in the main contacts and the movable contactor moves to the open side.

Images