U.S. patent application number 09/725417 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-30 for interface for auxiliaries used with plug-in base.
Invention is credited to Kashyap, Pavan Ramachandra Vitthal, Krishnamurthy, ShachiDevi Tumkur, Namitha, Chandrappa, Narayanan, Janakiraman, Phaneendra, Tirumani Govinda Setty., Rane, Mahesh Jaywant, Shantaraju, Chandrakumar.
Application Number | 20020064021 09/725417 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26886395 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020064021 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rane, Mahesh Jaywant ; et
al. |
May 30, 2002 |
INTERFACE FOR AUXILIARIES USED WITH PLUG-IN BASE
Abstract
An interface for a plug-in circuit breaker for carrying
auxiliary components is disclosed. The interface includes a
substrate having a base surface secured to the circuit breaker and
a mounting surface. A plurality of auxiliary contact blocks, each
carrying eight auxiliary contacts, can be mounted on the mounting
surface. A plurality of rating plugs, for avoiding insertion of a
wrong breaker into a plug-in base, may further be mounted on the
mounting surface. The interface may further include a plurality of
tunnel-shaped passageways for routing auxiliary circuit wires and
preventing their interference with moving parts of the breaker.
Inventors: |
Rane, Mahesh Jaywant;
(Bangalore, IN) ; Narayanan, Janakiraman; (Hosur,
IN) ; Phaneendra, Tirumani Govinda Setty.;
(Bangalore, IN) ; Krishnamurthy, ShachiDevi Tumkur;
(Bangalore, IN) ; Kashyap, Pavan Ramachandra Vitthal;
(Bangalore, IN) ; Namitha, Chandrappa; (Bangalore,
IN) ; Shantaraju, Chandrakumar; (Bangalore,
IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Philmore H. Colburn II
Cantor Colburn LLP
55 Griffin Road South
Bloomfield
CT
06002
US
|
Family ID: |
26886395 |
Appl. No.: |
09/725417 |
Filed: |
November 29, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60190748 |
Mar 20, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/673 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01H 2071/086 20130101;
H01H 71/7409 20130101; H01H 2300/042 20130101; H01H 71/0228
20130101; H01H 71/465 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/673 |
International
Class: |
H02B 001/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An auxiliary component interface for a circuit breaker, the
interface comprising: a substrate having a base surface adapted for
attachment to a base of a circuit breaker, a mounting surface
adapted for mounting auxiliary components, and an external
periphery; a plurality of substrate screw apertures within the
substrate adapted for accepting screws; and, an auxiliary contact
block mounted to the mounting surface of the substrate, the
auxiliary contact block adapted to carry eight auxiliary contacts
and having an auxiliary contact block screw aperture for aligning
with a substrate screw aperture.
2. The interface of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of
auxiliary contact blocks mounted to the mounting surface of the
substrate.
3. The interface of claim 1 wherein the substrate includes a slot
and the interface further comprises a passageway protruding from
the mounting surface of the substrate, the passageway adapted to
route auxiliary circuit wires through the slot.
4. The interface of claim 3 wherein the passageway is a
tunnel-shaped protrusion.
5. The interface of claim 3 wherein the passageway has a generally
U-shaped cross-section.
6. The interface of claim 3 further comprising a plurality of
passageways protruding from the mounting surface of the
substrate.
7. The interface of claim 1 further comprising a device for rating
error prevention mounted to the mounting surface of the
substrate.
8. The interface of claim 7 further comprising a plurality of
devices for rating error prevention mounted to the mounting surface
of the substrate.
9. The interface of claim 7 wherein the device includes a device
screw aperture aligned with a substrate screw aperture.
10. The interface of claim 7 further comprising a passageway
protruding from the mounting surface of the substrate, the
passageway adapted to route auxiliary circuit wires.
11. The interface of claim 1 further comprising an opening within
the external periphery, the opening having larger dimensions than
each substrate screw aperture, the opening adapted to allow the
passage of a safety trip interlock assembly extending from a
circuit breaker.
12. The interface of claim 1 wherein the substrate has a generally
rectangular periphery with a right side, a left side, a first side,
and a second side, the first side having a rectangular extension
for supporting a portion of an auxiliary contact block, the first
side and the second side of the substrate adapted to be placed
adjacent a load side or line side of the circuit breaker.
13. The interface of claim 12 wherein the substrate includes three
passageways adjacent the first side of the substrate for routing
auxiliary circuit wires, the passageways having access portals
facing the first side and the second side of the substrate.
14. The interface of claim 13 further comprising a first auxiliary
contact block mounted adjacent the second side and the left side of
the substrate, a second auxiliary contact block mounted adjacent
the right side of the substrate and between a pair of passageways,
and a third auxiliary contact block mounted adjacent the first side
and the right side of the substrate and on the rectangular
extension.
15. The interface of claim 14 further comprising a pair of devices
for rating error prevention mounted adjacent the second side of the
substrate.
16. The interface of claim 15 further comprising a rectangular
shaped opening within the external periphery of the substrate, the
opening positioned between the first auxiliary contact block and
the second auxiliary contact block.
17. A plug-in circuit breaker comprising: a base; a plurality of
contacts on a line end and a plurality of contacts on a load end of
the circuit breaker, the contacts extending from the base and
adapted to engage with a set of stationary contacts when the
circuit breaker is in a plugged-in position, an auxiliary component
interface positioned between the line end and load end of the
circuit breaker, the interface comprising a substrate having a base
surface secured to the base of the circuit breaker and a mounting
surface adapted for mounting auxiliary components.
18. The plug-in circuit breaker of claim 17 further comprising an
auxiliary contact block mounted to the mounting surface of the
substrate of the interface.
19. The plug-in circuit breaker of claim 18 further comprising a
passageway protruding from the mounting surface of the substrate of
the interface, the passageway adapted to route auxiliary circuit
wires.
20. The plug-in circuit breaker of claim 19 further comprising a
device for rating error prevention mounted to the mounting surface
of the substrate of the interface.
21. The plug-in circuit breaker of claim 20 wherein the device and
the auxiliary contact block are screwed to the substrate.
22. The plug-in circuit breaker of claim 17 further comprising a
plurality of passageways protruding from the mounting surface of
the substrate, each passageway having access portals facing the
line and the load ends of the circuit breaker.
23. The plug-in circuit breaker of claim 17 further comprising an
opening in the substrate, the circuit breaker comprising a safety
trip interlock assembly passing through the opening.
24. The plug-in circuit breaker of claim 17 further comprising
three auxiliary contact blocks secured to the mounting surface of
the substrate, each auxiliary contact block carrying eight
auxiliary contacts.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon, and claims the benefit of,
United States Provisional Patent Application No. 60/190,748 filed
on Mar. 20, 2000, which is herein incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to circuit breakers, and more
particularly relates to the mounting of auxiliary components upon a
breaker base.
[0003] Auxiliaries, such as secondary contact disconnect, rating
error prevention, and locator for safety trip, are mounted directly
on a breaker base. The mounting surface space in compact breakers
is extremely limited. This imposes restriction on the number of
auxiliary components that can be mounted and used with the
breakers. Their fitment is often very difficult and unreliable. The
routing of auxiliary circuit wires is critical as it might
interfere with the moving parts.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an auxiliary
component interface for a circuit breaker is disclosed including a
substrate having a base surface adapted for attachment to a base of
a circuit breaker, a mounting surface adapted for mounting
auxiliary components, and an external periphery. A plurality of
substrate screw apertures are located within the substrate for
accepting screws. An auxiliary contact block may be mounted to the
mounting surface of the substrate. The auxiliary contact block is
adapted to carry eight auxiliary contacts and has an auxiliary
contact block screw aperture for aligning with a substrate screw
aperture. Other features of the interface include passageways for
auxiliary circuit wire routing and rating plugs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the intermediate
component assembly of the present invention; and,
[0006] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the intermediate
component assembly of FIG. 1 mounted on a breaker base.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] As shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate component assembly or
auxiliary component interface 10 of the present invention comprises
a generally flat platform or substrate 12. The substrate 12 may be
provided with screw holes 14 to securely attach the interface 10 to
a circuit breaker 80. The substrate 12 may include additional screw
holes or apertures for aligning with screw holes on auxiliary
components thereby securing the auxiliary components to the
substrate 12 with screws or other fasteners, and for additionally
securing the interface 10 to a circuit breaker. The substrate 12
includes a base surface (not shown) that is in abutting relation
with a base 86 of a circuit breaker 80 when installed, and a
mounting surface 16 for mounting auxiliary components as will be
described. The intermediate component assembly is preferably a
plastic molded component, although materials, preferably insulating
materials are within the scope of this invention.
[0008] The substrate 12 preferably comprises a generally
rectangular external periphery 18 including a right side 20 and a
left side 22 (depending on the view of the substrate 12), which
correspond to sides of the circuit breaker which connect the load
side to the line side of the breaker. Also, as shown, these sides
20, 22 correspond to shorter sides of the generally rectangular
periphery 18. The external periphery 18 may further include a first
side 24 and a second side 26. The first and second sides 24, 26
correspond to load and line sides of the circuit breaker, which may
be interchangeable. The first side 24 may further include an
extension 28, which may itself be generally rectangularly shaped.
The extension 28 may support a portion of an auxiliary contact
block 30, as will be further described.
[0009] The substrate 12 may include an opening 32 for receiving
protruding breaker components, such as a safety trip interlock
assembly 90 shown in FIG. 2. The opening 32 as shown is larger than
a screw aperture 14 for allowing such breaker components to pass.
Although the opening 32 is shown as having a rectangular periphery,
other peripheries are within the scope of the invention.
[0010] As further shown in FIG. 1, the substrate 12 may include
protruding bridge-shaped features or passageways, shown
collectively at 34, (having a tunnel-shaped appearance such as a
generally upside-down U-shaped cross-section) which are adapted in
size to accept and guide auxiliary wire routing. Each passageway
34, as shown, is adjacent the first side 24 of the substrate 12.
These passageways 34 protrude from the mounting surface 16 and each
include a first wall 36, a second wall 38, and a connecting wall
40. The first and second walls 36, 38 are preferably generally
parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to the mounting
surface 16. As shown, the first and second walls 36 and 38 are
generally parallel to the right and left sides 20, 22 of the
periphery 18 of the substrate 12 such that access portals 42, 44
face the first and second sides 24, 26 of the interface 10. The
connecting walls 40 connecting the first walls 36 to the second
walls 38 may be flat or curved. Portions 46 of the substrate 12 may
be absent below each passageway 34 for ease of manufacture of the
component. As shown, a first passageway 50, is shown nearer the
left side 22, a third passageway 52 is shown nearer the right side
20, and a second passageway 54 is shown positioned between the
first and third passageways 50, 52.
[0011] A very large number of up to 24 auxiliary contacts may be
provided on the interface 10 as shown, although more or less
auxiliary contacts may be utilized depending on the size of the
breaker and as needed. Three auxiliary contact blocks, shown
collectively as 60, each carrying eight auxiliary contacts, are
shown fitted to the substrate 12. Numbers 1-8 on each contact block
60 indicate where contacts may be fitted. Screws 62 pass through
the auxiliary contact blocks 60 and the substrate 12 to attach both
to the circuit breaker base. A first auxiliary contact block 64 may
be mounted adjacent the second side 26 and the left side 22 of the
substrate 12. A second auxiliary contact block 66 may be mounted
adjacent the right side 20 of the substrate 12 and between the
second 54 and third 52 passageways. A third auxiliary contact block
30 may be mounted adjacent the right side 20 and first side 24 of
the substrate 12 and upon the extension 28. The third auxiliary
contact block 30 may be directly adjacent the second auxiliary
contact block 66. With three passageways 34 and three contact
blocks 60, the wires (not shown) leading to each contact block may
pass through its own passageway 34. That is, for example, wires
leading to auxiliary contact block 64 may be routed through
passageway 50, wires leading to auxiliary contact block 66 may be
routed through passageway 52, and wires leading to auxiliary
contact block 30 may be routed through passageway 54.
[0012] Additional screw holes 14 may be provided in the substrate
12 for attaching rating plugs 70 as shown in FIG. 1. As with the
auxiliary contact blocks 60, screws 62 may be used to secure the
rating plugs 70 to both the substrate 12 as well as to the breaker
base 86. Rating plugs 70 are generally provided to avoid insertion
of a wrong breaker in a plug-in base. It is within the scope of
this invention to provide up to eight rating plugs 70, although
again, the number will depend on the allotted space and circuit
breaker size and so more or less rating plugs 70 are also within
the scope of this invention.
[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, a circuit breaker 80, to which the
interface 10 of the present invention is mounted, is shown. The top
(not shown) of the circuit breaker 80 may include an operating
handle. The bottom or base 86 includes a surface for attaching the
interface 10. Although the interface 10 of the present invention
could be utilized with any suitable circuit breaker, the circuit
breaker 80 shown is provided with a withdrawable contact
arrangement (also referred to as a plug-in arrangement), as fully
described in co-pending application GEN-0163 (75IN-110), filed
concurrently, incorporated herein by reference. The contact
arrangement comprises a fixed portion--notably a molded base
provided with stationary contact assembly (not shown), and a
movable part 82 (attached to the breaker 80 as shown), comprising a
movable contact 84. The movable contacts 84 of the breaker 80
engage the stationary contacts when the circuit breaker 80 is in
the plugged-in position. The breaker 80 can be moved between the
plugged-in and the withdrawn positions. Along with the main
contacts 84, the auxiliary circuit provided on auxiliary contact
blocks 60 also gets automatically connected or disconnected, when
the breaker 80 is plugged-in or withdrawn.
[0014] Thus, the introduction of an interface 10 provides
additional surface to mount more auxiliary components, and makes
their mounting easy and reliable. The interface 10 mounted on the
base 86 of molded case circuit breaker 80 provides a surface 16 to
which auxiliary contact blocks 60 and devices 70 for rating error
prevention are mounted. Proper wire routing features 34 are also
provided on the interface 10 to prevent the auxiliary circuit wires
from interfering with the moving part coming out through opening
32. The wire routing also ensures that the wires do not get trapped
between the circuit breaker and components mounted on the circuit
breaker and the plug in base and components mounted on the plug-in
base while the circuit breaker is being inserted into the plug in
base. The use of the interfacing component 10 provides ease of
location of the above mentioned components on the breaker base 86
and all the corresponding features required for mounting, and wire
routing are provided on it which simplifies the breaker base 86, as
well as facilitates the assembly of the components.
[0015] While the invention has been described with reference to a
preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *