Thermal-mechanical flexible overload sensor

摘要

An overload relay is provided for electrical equipment, such as a motor. The overload relay includes a set of electrical contacts, a trip mechanism and a single-arm, a set of monolithic compliant mechanism actuators. The trip mechanism has a normal position and a tripped position. The normal position allows electrical connection between the electrical contacts, and the tripped position interrupts electrical connection between the electrical contacts in response to detection of a high current condition. The single-arm actuator is formed of an electrically conductive material, and includes a compliant hinge and a single bar connected to the hinge. The single bar is electrically coupled to the line contact or the load contact. Under the high current condition, one of first and second ends of the single bar deflects relative to the compliant hinge to cause the trip mechanism to move into the tripped position.

主权项

1. An overload relay for electrical equipment, the overload relay comprising:
a set of electrical contacts; a trip mechanism having a normal position and a tripped position, the normal position allowing electrical connection between the set of electrical contacts, the tripped position interrupting electrical connection between the set of electrical contacts in response to detection of a high current condition in order to interrupt power to the electrical equipment; and a single-arm, monolithic compliant mechanism actuator formed of an electrically conductive material, the actuator including:
a mounting support,a compliant hinge comprising a flexure member, anda single bar connected to the compliant hinge with the flexure member connected between the mounting support and the single bar, the single bar having a first end and an opposing second end, the single bar being electrically coupled to a line side or a load side, the single bar having one of the first and second ends deflectable relative to the compliant hinge under the high current condition to cause the trip mechanism to move to the tripped position, wherein the single bar is a hot bar that extends along a single axis.