Circuit breaker having an unlocking mechanism and methods of operating same

摘要

Embodiments provide an electronic circuit breaker. The electronic circuit breaker has a moveable contact arm having a moveable main electrical contact, and a lockout mechanism operable to contact the moveable contact arm and block motion of thereof, the lockout mechanism having a lockout latch with one or more pivot joints, a moveable stop on, and an offset engagement portion, the moveable stop adapted to contact the moveable contact arm, and an unlock actuator providing an unlock force at the engagement portion causing lockout latch pivoting and release of the moveable contact arm. Also disclosed are secondary electrical contacts configured to engage each other in the ON configuration, with a leaf spring operably supporting a moveable one of the secondary contacts, the leaf spring configured to be flexed to close the secondary contacts. A method of operating the electronic circuit breaker is provided, as are other aspects.

主权项

1. An electronic circuit breaker, comprising:
a moveable contact arm having a moveable main electrical contact; a housing; and a lockout mechanism operable to cause contact with the moveable contact arm and block motion of the moveable main electrical contact, the lockout mechanism including
a lockout latch having one or more pivot joints operatively pivotal on the housing about a pivot axis on a first end, a moveable stop on a second end, and an engagement portion offset from the pivot axis, the moveable stop configured and adapted to contact the moveable contact arm, andan actuator operative to provide an unlock force at the engagement portion causing pivoting of the lockout latch about the housing at the pivot axis and release of the moveable contact arm from the moveable stop.