ROTATING MECHANISM FOR RAPIDLY, LINEARLY OPERATING CIRCUIT INTERRUPTING DEVICES

摘要

ROTATING MECHANISM FOR RAPIDLY, LINEARLY OPERATING CIRCUIT INTERRUPTING DEVICES Disclosed is an auxiliary mechanism for rapidly imparting rotational energy to electrical switch components. An insulator connects an electrical switch component to an output shaft mounted for rotation in the mechanism housing. A lever arm assembly is mounted on the shaft and a link member is pivotably connected between the lever arm assembly and a first arm extending from a bellcrank member. The bellcrank member is mounted for rotation in the housing and has a second arm that is operably connected to one or more solenoids. Initially the link member and first arm are in an overcenter toggle position so that the insulator cannot be accidentally rotated. Energization of the solenoid causes rapid rotation of the insulator because the mechanical advantage of the system is such that maximum force is applied initially. Once the solenoid is de-energized, a spring connected between an extended end of the lever arm assembly and the end of the first arm returns the mechanism to its initial position with the first arm and link member in the overcenter toggle position thereby locking the output shaft and the insulator in the initial unoperated position.