CURRENT LIMITING CIRCUIT BREAKER OPERATING MECHANISM INCLUDING LATCHING SYSTEM

摘要

A circuit breaker includes a stationary contact, a moveable contact, and a blade having the moveable contact attached thereto, the blade being rotatable about a pivot between an OPEN position and an CLOSED position. The moveable contact engages the stationary contact when the blade in the CLOSED position and the circuit breaker is in the ON position. An operating mechanism moves the blade between the OPEN position and the CLOSED position. The operating mechanism includes a frame and a latching system. The latching system includes a cradle having a projection and pivotally coupled to the frame, wherein the cradle is linked to the blade to move the blade to the OPEN position. The latching system also includes a latch pivotally coupled to the frame. The latch has a main latch surface and a latch engagement protuberance. The main latch surface provides for overlapping engagement of the cradle projection when the circuit breaker is in the ON and NON-TRIPPED position. The latch engagement protuberance is biased into an engaged position with the cradle projection when the circuit breaker is in the ON and NON-TRIPPED position and the latch engagement protuberance controls degree of engagement between the main latch surface and the cradle projection. A spring biases the main latch surface in overlapping engagement of the cradle projection.