EP0506066B1 - Motor drive for electric switching devices, in particular power circuit-breakers - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a motor drive for electrical switching devices, which is intended in particular for circuit breakers, according to the preamble of claim 1.

In such known devices there is usually only one common drive for the switch-on movement and for the switch-off movement, so that it is difficult to clearly separate the measures associated with the switch-on movement and the switch-off movement and the individual functional sequences for the switch-on movement and for the Design the switch-off movement in such a way that it functions correctly in such a way that incorrect switching and the complications associated therewith are reliably avoided.

Thus, in a known motor drive for electrical switching devices (DE-OS 30 14 826) on the support plate of the motor drive, a drive slide driven by a motor gear unit is longitudinally displaceable on the support plate of the motor drive performed, which overlaps the rocker arm of an associated switch or switch lock with a window-like opening. Both the switch-on movement and the switch-off movement take place through a crank drive that is slowly driven by the engine, which engages with a crank pin between the legs of a U-shaped leaf spring connected to the drive slide, and in each case by a rotation of approximately 180 °, the drive slide both in the switch-on direction and also moved back and forth in the switch-off direction of the rocker arm. The leaf spring also serves as a means for the elastic transmission of the driving force from the crank mechanism to the drive slide.

From EP 0 224 433 B1 a drive device for a low-voltage circuit breaker with a ratchet wheel has also become known, which is used for the sudden switching on of contact arrangements which can be actuated by the drive device with the interposition of a switch lock via a switching shaft. For this purpose, an energy store designed as a compression spring or a tension spring is tensioned by a ratchet wheel that is to be transported step by step. Here it is necessary to provide a high force for tensioning the energy store. In order to be able to switch on the circuit breaker at a desired moment, it is also necessary to keep the energy stored in the compression or tension spring available, which is done by a blocking lever in connection with a latching device, which prevents further rotation of the ratchet wheel of the drive device as soon as this has exceeded its dead center position with regard to the force applied by the tension spring. In this drive device, too, there is only a single energy store for switching the associated circuit breaker on and off.

This is also the case with a further known spring switch mechanism for a circuit breaker (EP 0 216 949 B1), in which an engagement spring is tensioned via a ratchet wheel drive, the spring force of which serves to close and trigger the circuit breaker.

The invention has for its object to provide a generic motor drive for electrical switching devices and in particular for circuit breakers so that the functional sequences required for the switch-on and switch-off movement can be precisely matched to the associated requirements and also from the control devices required for this in one precisely controlled sequence with mutual interlocking of the individual functional steps, especially with regard to the necessary safety measures, can be controlled and controlled properly.

This object is achieved in a motor drive according to the preamble of claim 1 according to the invention in that for the switch-on movement and for the switch-off movement of the rocker arm, separate linkage arrangements, consisting of a switch-on linkage and a switch-off linkage, are provided, which are preloaded by an associated spring force accumulator After each switch-off operation for a subsequent switch-on and switch-off of the rocker arm by commissioning the drive motor together and in the switching intervals by latches to be operated separately for each linkage arrangement in the ready position for a subsequent switch-on or switch-off.

The circuit breaker is switched by releasing stored spring energy. The drive has two spring energy stores, namely a switch-on memory for switching from OFF to ON, and a separate switch-off memory for switching from ON to OFF and from TRIPPED to OFF. The spring force accumulators can only be released in the order "switch-on memory - then switch-off memory". The release can be done remotely using an electromagnet and on site using a button. The spring energy accumulators are tensioned automatically with a motor or, if de-energized, by hand. In both embodiments, the tensioning of both spring energy stores takes place when the voltage is applied when the released switch-off store switches the switch off. The order of tensioning corresponds to that of releasing. During the tensioning process, there can be no incorrect operation, which could lead to an early release of the spring force accumulator. This ensures that a switch-off can always take place after switching on. The state of the spring force accumulator is displayed on the front of the motor drive. The display signals "both spring energy accumulators tensioned" or "both spring energy accumulators released", the latter state being automatically canceled by the subsequent electromotive clamping.

The invention has the advantage that separate energy stores are provided for the on and off function. At the beginning of each switching cycle, an electric motor tensions two linkage assemblies provided with spring-loaded energy stores, of which the switch-on linkage is initially unlocked via a mechanical or electrical signal during a subsequent switch-on process, so that the preloaded tension spring serving as spring-loaded storage device pulls the rocker arm of the associated circuit breaker from the OFF position moved to the ON position. The circuit breaker can then be moved from the ON position to the OFF position again by means of a mechanical or electrical signal by unlocking the already pre-tensioned opening linkage and the rocker arm of the circuit breaker via a switching arm moved to the OFF position. The invention enables the individual switching operations to take place significantly faster, and since the individual levers and energy accumulators can be designed more functionally for both the switch-on linkage and the switch-off linkage, greater functional reliability is also guaranteed. The current position of the toggle switch on the switching device can also be displayed in a simple manner by means of a further lever mechanism.

Another advantage is the feature of claim 2, by means of which the spring force accumulators are released in a particularly simple manner in the sequence “switch-on accumulator” then “switch-off accumulator”.

A particularly space-saving design also results if the axes of rotation for the two linkage arrangements are each arranged on opposite sides of the movement path of the rocker arm, while the available spring force can be measured very precisely by using helical tension springs. The features of claims 5, 6 and 7 suddenly trigger the locking of both the switch-on linkage and the switch-off linkage, while the features of claims 8 to 15 provide a functional and safe interaction of the linkage arrangements provided for the switch-on process and for the switch-off process the rocker arm of the associated circuit breaker is reached.

Due to the features of claims 16 to 21, a particularly safe functioning of such a switch is further achieved using suitable control devices.

Fig. 1

einen an einen Leistungsschalter angebauten Motorantrieb in einer ersten Ausführungsform in der AUS-Stellung in perspektivischer Ansicht,

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht der wesentlichen Teile eines solchen Motorantriebes bei abgenommenem Gehäuse,

Fig. 3

einen horizontalen Schnitt durch den Motorantrieb gemäß Schnittlinie III - III von Fig. 2,

Fig. 4

eine Teildarstellung der Verriegelung des Einschaltgestänges eines solchen Motorantriebes beim Lösen der Verriegelung,

Fig. 5

einen senkrechten Längsschnitt durch den Zangenöffnungsmechanismus des Motorantriebs gemäß Schnittlinie V - V von Fig. 3,

Fig. 6

eine teilweise geschnittene Draufsicht auf den Zangenöffnungsmechanismus gemäß Schnttlinie VI - VI von Fig. 5,

Fig. 7

einen Fig. 3 entsprechenden horizontalen Schnitt durch den Motorantrieb bei der Bewegung des Einschaltgestänges in die EIN-Stellung des damit verbundenen Schaltgerätes oder Schaltschlosses,

Fig. 8

einen Fig. 5 entsprechenden Längsschnitt durch den Zangenöffnungsmechanismus bei Erreichen der Einschaltstellung gemäß Schnittlinie VIII - VIII von Fig. 7,

Fig. 9

eine teilweise geschnittene Draufsicht auf den Zangenöffnungsmechanismus gemäß Schnittlinie IX - IX von Fig. 8,

Fig. 10

einen horizontalen Schnitt durch den Motorantrieb gemäß Schnittlinie III - III von Fig. 2 beim Erreichen der Ausschaltstellung des Schaltgerätes oder Schaltschlosses,

Fig. 11

einen weiteren horizontalen Schnitt durch die Steuerungseinrichtung für den Motorantrieb gemäß Schnittlinie XI - XI von Fig. 2 mit vorgespannten Federkraftspeichern für die Einschaltbewegung und die Ausschaltbewegung entsprechend der Darstellung von Fig. 3,

Fig. 12

eine Teildarstellung der in Fig. 11 gezeigten Steuerungseinrichtung beim Lösen der Verriegelung des Einschaltgestänges zu Beginn eines Einschaltvorganges entsprechend der Teildarstellung von Fig. 4 und

Fig. 13

eine gegenüber der Ausführungsform von Fig. 2 bis 10 abgewandelte weitere Ausführungsform eines derartigen Motorantriebes zu Beginn und während eines Einschaltvorganges.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown schematically in the drawing. Show it

Fig. 1

a motor drive mounted on a circuit breaker in a first embodiment in the OFF position in a perspective view,

Fig. 2

a side view of the essential parts of such a motor drive with the housing removed,

Fig. 3

2 shows a horizontal section through the motor drive according to section line III - III of FIG. 2,

Fig. 4

a partial representation of the locking of the switch-on linkage of such a motor drive when releasing the locking,

Fig. 5

3 shows a vertical longitudinal section through the tong opening mechanism of the motor drive according to section line V - V of FIG. 3,

Fig. 6

FIG. 5 shows a partially sectioned top view of the pliers opening mechanism according to section line VI-VI of FIG. 5,

Fig. 7

3 corresponding horizontal section through the motor drive during the movement of the switch-on linkage into the ON position of the switching device or switch lock connected thereto,

Fig. 8

5 corresponding longitudinal section through the tong opening mechanism when reaching the switch-on position according to section line VIII - VIII of FIG. 7,

Fig. 9

FIG. 8 shows a partially sectioned top view of the tong opening mechanism according to section line IX - IX of FIG. 8,

Fig. 10

a horizontal section through the motor drive according to section line III - III of Fig. 2 when the switchgear or switch lock is in the off position,

Fig. 11

3 a further horizontal section through the control device for the motor drive according to section line XI-XI from FIG. 2 with prestressed spring energy stores for the switch-on movement and the switch-off movement according to the representation of FIG. 3,

Fig. 12

a partial view of the control device shown in Fig. 11 when releasing the locking of the switch-on linkage at the beginning of a switch-on process according to the partial view of Fig. 4 and

Fig. 13

a compared to the embodiment of FIGS. 2 to 10 modified another embodiment of such a motor drive at the beginning and during a switch-on process.

The motor drive is mounted on a circuit breaker 2 with a rocker arm 3, a drive slider 4 being provided for the transmission of the drive force to the rocker arm 3, which on the frame of the motor drive 1, as explained in more detail below, parallel to the base plate 5 in the plane between the on and off position in the direction of movement 6 of the rocker arm 3 is guided to be longitudinally displaceable. In Fig. 1 to 6 and 10 as well as in Fig. 13 is the rocker arm 3 in the OFF switch position, while it is shown in FIG. 7 shortly before reaching and in FIGS. 8 and 9 in the ON switch position after release by switch-on tongs 7 and 8 connected to the drive slide 4.

For the switch-on movement and for the switch-off movement of the rocker arm 3, as is shown in FIGS. 3, 7, 10 and 13, separate linkage arrangements, a switch-on linkage 11 and a switch-off linkage 12, preloaded by an associated spring force accumulator 9, 10, are provided After each switch-off operation for a subsequent switching on and off of the rocker arm 3 by starting up the drive motor designed as a motor-gear unit 13 (FIG. 2), the drive motor is jointly preloaded and in the switching intervals by latches 14 to be actuated separately for each linkage arrangement 11, 12 , 15 are kept in the standby position for a subsequent switch-on or switch-off.

Each linkage arrangement 11, 12 consists of a clamping arm 16, 18 and a switching arm 17, 19, which is firmly connected to it, each pivotably arranged about axes of rotation 20, 21 arranged perpendicular to the plane of the drive slide 4 and through one between them by a base plate 5 of the Motor drive 1 vertical axis of rotation revolving crank arm 22 (FIG. 2) after each switch-off process are brought into the ready position for a new switching sequence. The crank arm 22 is driven in a known manner by the motor-transmission unit 13 via an electric motor via a multi-stage gear transmission with ratchet wheel ratchet.

The axes of rotation 20, 21 for the two linkage arrangements 11, 12 are each arranged on opposite sides of the movement path of the rocker arm 3, and the spring force stores 9, 10 of the two linkage arrangements 11, 12 are helical tension springs, which each engage at the free ends 16a, 18a of the associated clamping arms 16, 18 next to the latches 14, 15. The tensioning arm 16, 18 of each of the two linkage arrangements 11, 12 is held at its free end 16a, 18a by a latching arm 23, 24 which can be pivoted in the same plane, each latching arm 23, 24 having a latching roller 25, 26 with which it spring-loaded engages in a locking recess 27, 28 at the free end 16a, 18a of the associated clamping arm 16, 18 (FIGS. 3, 4 and 13).

Each latching arm 23, 24 can be released from its latching position by a release hook 31, 32 (FIGS. 3, 4, 7, 10 and 13) which engages on it and can be pivoted by means of a releasing magnet 29, 30 (FIG. 11), and the switching arm 17 of the switch-on linkage 11 is connected in an articulated manner to the drive slide 4 via a pin 33 which engages in an elongated hole 34 arranged transversely to the direction of movement 6 of the rocker arm 3.

3, 6 and 9, on the base plate 5 of the device between a guide bar 35 and a guide bracket 36 in the direction of movement 6 of the rocker arm 3, are longitudinally displaceable, two mutually opposite mirror pliers 7, 8 about perpendicular axes of rotation 37, 38 pivotally mounted parallel to the base plate 5, which grips the rocker arm 3 with opposing gripping hooks 39, 40 for taking in the switch-on direction from both sides, and on the rocker arm 3 itself or on one of the rocker arms Adapters are mutually opposite engagement recesses 41, 42 for engaging lugs 43, 44 protruding from the gripping hooks 39, 40, which secure the engagement pliers against lateral slipping off of the rocker arm 3 during the switch-on movement. The closing pliers 7, 8 are held together elastically deflectable by a tension spring 45 and have at their engagement ends wedge-shaped or funnel-shaped bevels 46, 47 with which they are laterally deflected and guided along during the gripping movement on the rocker arm 3 until the gripping position is reached. The switch-on tongs 7, 8 are designed with two arms and, at their rear ends projecting beyond the axes of rotation 37, 38 on the drive slide 4, have pliers locking lugs 48, 49 for deflecting the switch-on tongs 7, 8 by means of locking plates 50, 51 arranged laterally therefrom (FIGS. 5, 6 , 8 and 9) shortly before reaching the switch-on position of the rocker arm 3 of FIGS. 8 and 9.

On the back of the drive slide 4 opposite the switch-on pliers 7, 8, an opening mechanism 53 for the switch-on pliers 7, 8 is provided in front of an end stop 52 with a clamping plate 54, which protrudes from the drive slide 4 in the switch-on direction of the rocker arm 3 and is guided under the end stop 52 and an elongated hole 55 for engaging a central pivot pin 56 of a toggle assembly. The toggle lever arrangement consists of two opposite toggle plate 54 toggle levers 57, 58 which are held together by a tension spring 59 and are guided at their outer ends with upstanding pins 60, 61 in opposing elongated holes 62, 63 on the base plate 5 such that they are in the starting position of the switch-on pliers 7, 8 for a switch-on process (FIGS. 5 and 6) in a position stretched over the dead center of the toggle lever arrangement and when the switch-on position (FIGS. 8 and 9) is reached by the end stop of the one on the clamping plate 54 5 and 6 under the action of the tension spring 59 holding the two toggle levers 57, 58 together in such a way that the by the toggle levers 57, 58 end protruding pins 60, 61 press the rear ends of the switch-on pliers 7, 8 between them and open the switch-on pliers 7, 8 and, with the release of the rocker arm 3, simultaneously pivot apart from the engagement lugs 43, 44 on both sides (FIGS. 8 and 9) .

For a safe functioning of the motor drive 1, it is particularly important that the motor drive 1 can only be actuated from the OFF position in FIG. 3 in the switch-on direction of the rocker arm 3 when both spring energy stores 9, 10 are tensioned. On the housing of the motor drive 1, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 11 and 12, there is an ON button 64 and an OFF button 65 with their actuating legs 66, 67 (FIGS. 2, 11 and 12) in parallel next to one another and arranged to be deflectable about a common axis of rotation 68 (FIG. 2) in the same actuation direction. In addition, in the direction of actuation of the two buttons 64, 65 in front of their actuating legs 66, 67, a locking slide 69 (Fig. 11) transverse to the buttons (64, 65) against the action of an angled, pivotable control plate 70 attacking tension spring 71, the 11 in the locked position of FIG. 11 with a tab 72 and blocked against actuation.

The ON button 64 is operatively connected to a pivotable control lever 73 (FIG. 12), which is deflected laterally against the action of the spring when the ON button 64 is actuated, and an actuating plunger 74 of a micro-auxiliary switch 75 which bears on the side and releases the power supply to it Electric motor of the motor drive 1 interrupts. In addition, an armature 76 of the first unlatching magnet 29 for the switch-on linkage 11 is connected to a unlatching slide 77 which is longitudinally displaceable in the actuating direction of the ON button 64 and which has a lateral actuating lug 78 for one of them Locking slide 69 has upstanding tab 79, which releases the locking slide 69 when the unlatching slide 77 is displaced from its locked position in FIG. 11, in which it engages behind the OFF button 65 with the tab 72 projecting from it.

As is further shown in FIG. 11, the blocking slide 69 has a control opening 80 with two abutment surfaces 81, 82 which are offset in steps in relation to one another transversely to its direction of displacement, by means of which it is position-oriented on a link pin 84 in each of its two positions under the action of a tension spring 83 is present.

In addition, a two-armed unlatching lever 85 is provided, which interacts with the armature 86 of the second unlatching magnet 30 for the switch-off linkage 12, the unlatching lever 85 being mounted on the frame of the motor drive 1 so as to be pivotable parallel to the switch-on and switch-off rods 11, 12 and the actuating arm 67 of the OFF button 65 encloses with a window-like frame 87 at its free lever end. A control cam 88 is provided on the side of the frame 87, which cooperates with a locking bolt 89 which is mounted so that it can be pivoted back and forth between the ON button 64 and the OFF button 65 such that it is in the OFF position of the rocker arm 3 of the Switching device or switch lock on a lateral control cam 90 (FIGS. 11 and 12) abuts on the unlatching slide 77, from which it is pivoted when the ON button 64 is actuated against the control cam 88 on the unlatching lever 85 and thus blocks the OFF button 65 as long as the ON button 64 remains pressed.

In the modified further exemplary embodiment of such a motor drive 1 shown in FIG. 13, only the switch-on linkage 11 with latch 14 and switch-on pliers 7, 8 is shown, namely in full solid lines in FIG 3 ready for a switch-on process and in dash-dotted lines in an intermediate position with the switch-on pliers 7 to the left of the rocker arm 3 just before and with the switch-on pliers 8 to the right of the rocker arm 3 after reaching the switch-on position of the rocker arm 3 according to FIGS. 8 and 9 with open switch-on pliers 7, 8, the switching arm 17 of the switch-on linkage 11 abutting the end stop 52. Here, too, the switch-on tongs 7, 8 are designed with two arms, but at their rear ends projecting beyond the axes of rotation 37, 38 on the drive slide 4, they have opposite opposite bevels 91, 92, while the switch-on tongs 7, 8 open when the switch-on position is reached of the rocker arm 3 on both sides of the movement path of the switch-in tongs 7, 8 opening rollers 93, 94 project from the base plate 5, which are arranged at a smaller distance than the outer bevels 91, 92 on the switch-on tongs 7, 8 such that they are shortly before reaching the switch-on position of the key switch act in the sense of an opening movement on the rear tong ends entering between the opening rollers 93, 94. In this embodiment, the switching arm 17 of the switch-in linkage 11 is articulated to the drive slide 4 via a pin 33, which engages in an elongated hole 34 arranged transversely to the direction of movement of the rocker arm 3, so that this tong opening mechanism with the two opening rollers 93, 94 in the same Way can also be used in the motor drive according to the first embodiment.

In both embodiments of the motor drive 1 shown, the ON and OFF switching, when both spring force accumulators 9, 10 are tensioned, is possible on site by actuating the ON button and OFF button 64, 65.

If both spring force stores 9, 10 are tensioned and the circuit breaker 2 is in the OFF position, only the spring force store 9 can be triggered for the ON switching. The OFF button 65 is blocked by the tab 72 of the locking slide 69.

• 1) Der Steuerhebel 73 wird durch die Betätigung des EIN-Tasters 64 in Richtung des Pfeiles 95 von Fig. 12 seitlich ausgelenkt bzw. umgesteuert und gibt den Betätigungsstößel 74 des Mikro-Hilfsschalters 75 frei, der die Stromzufuhr zu dem Motorantrieb 1 unterbricht.
• 2) Die Verklinkung 14 des Federkraftspeichers 9 für die EIN-Schaltung wird durch das Öffnen des Mikro-Hilfsschalters 75 und das Anziehen des Ankers 76 über den Entklinkungsschieber 77 aufgehoben. Der Leistungsschalter 2 wird durch das Einschaltgestänge 11 eingeschaltet.
• 3) Der Entklinkungsschieber 77 wird durch den Anker 76 in Fig. 11 nach rechts bewegt, wirkt auf die Lasche 79 am Sperrschieber 69 und löst die Arretierung in der Steueröffnung 80. Der Sperrschieber 69 kann jetzt durch die anliegende Kraft der Zugfeder 83 einen bestimmten Weg bis zum Erreichen der Widerlagerfläche 82 zur Freigabe des AUS-Tasters 65 durch die Lasche 72 zurücklegen.
• 4) Der Sperriegel 89 wird von der Steuerkurve 90 des Entklinkungsschiebers 77 von der Stellung in Fig. 11 in die Stellung von Fig. 12 nach links geschwenkt. Solange der EIN-Taster 64 gedrückt bleibt, wird der AUS-Taster 65 durch den Sperriegel 89 blockiert und kann nicht betätigt werden.
• 5) Wird der EIN-Taster 64 losgelassen, so geht er selbsttätig in die Grundstellung von Fig. 2 zurück. Die Blokkierung des AUS-Tasters 65 durch den in der Entriegelungsstellung befindlichen Sperrschieber 69 und die elektrische Verriegelung des Antriebes sind nicht mehr wirksam. Der Antrieb ist jetzt bereit, eine Ausschaltung auszuführen.

The following processes occur when the ON button 64 is pressed:

• 1) The control lever 73 is laterally deflected or reversed by the actuation of the ON button 64 in the direction of the arrow 95 of FIG. 12 and releases the actuating plunger 74 of the micro auxiliary switch 75, which interrupts the power supply to the motor drive 1.
• 2) The latching 14 of the spring force accumulator 9 for the ON circuit is released by opening the micro auxiliary switch 75 and tightening the armature 76 via the unlatching slide 77. The circuit breaker 2 is switched on by the switch-on linkage 11.
• 3) The unlatching slide 77 is moved to the right by the armature 76 in FIG. 11, acts on the tab 79 on the locking slide 69 and releases the locking in the control opening 80. The locking slide 69 can now move a certain way due to the force of the tension spring 83 until the abutment surface 82 is reached to release the OFF button 65 through the tab 72.
• 4) The locking bolt 89 is pivoted to the left by the cam 90 of the unlatching slide 77 from the position in FIG. 11 to the position in FIG. 12. As long as the ON button 64 remains pressed, the OFF button 65 is blocked by the locking bolt 89 and cannot be actuated.
• 5) If the ON button 64 is released, it automatically returns to the basic position in FIG. 2. The blocking of the OFF button 65 by the locking slide 69 in the unlocking position and the electrical locking of the drive are no longer effective. The drive is now ready to switch off.

• 1) Elektrische Verriegelung über den Steuerhebel 73 und den Mikro-Hilfsschalter 75 wie bei der Betätigung des EIN-Tasters 64.
• 2) Die Verklinkung 15 des Federkraftspeichers 10 für die AUS-Schaltung wird über den Entklinkungshebel 85 ausgelöst. Der Leistungsschalter 2 wird vom Motorantrieb 1 ausgeschaltet.
• 3) Der Sperriegel 89 wird von der Steuerkurve 88 des Entklinkungshebels 85 von der Stellung in Fig. 12 in die Stellung von Fig. 11 nach rechts verschwenkt. Solange der AUS-Taster 65 gedrückt bleibt, wird der EIN-Taster 64 vom Sperriegel 89 blockiert.

The following processes take place when the OFF button 65 is pressed:

• 1) Electrical locking via the control lever 73 and the micro auxiliary switch 75 as when the ON button 64 is actuated.
• 2) The latch 15 of the spring force accumulator 10 for the OFF switching is triggered via the unlatching lever 85. The circuit breaker 2 is switched off by the motor drive 1.
• 3) The locking bolt 89 is pivoted to the right by the control curve 88 of the unlatching lever 85 from the position in FIG. 12 to the position in FIG. 11. As long as the OFF button 65 remains pressed, the ON button 64 is blocked by the locking bolt 89.

If the OFF button 65 is released, it automatically returns to its basic position and all interlocks are released. When the OFF button 65 was released, the micro auxiliary switch 75 was actuated by the spring-loaded control lever 73 and the circuit of the drive was closed. If voltage is now present, the motor of the drive will start automatically and the two spring force accumulators 9, 10 will tension.

During the entire tensioning process, the locking slide 69 is held in a position in which the ON button 64 and the OFF button are actuated by the control plate 70, which is under spring tension and has a tongue which interacts with a tab 96 projecting from the locking slide 69 65 is prevented. Only when the locking process has ended is the ON button 64 released.

The drive can then be switched in the order described.

Claims (21)

1. Motor drive for electrical switching devices and in particular for power switches operated by means of a rocking lever (3) comprising a driving slide (4) which transmits the driving force between motor and rocking lever (3) and which is guided in a way that allows its longitudinal displacement on the frame of the motor drive in parallel with regard to base plate 5 on the plane between the switch-on and switch-off positions located in the direction of movement (6) of rocking lever (3) wherein separated rod systems prestressed by a related elastic energy storage device (9, 10) and comprising a switch-on rod system (11) and a switch-off rod system (12) are provided for each of the switch-on movement and switch-off movement of rocking lever (3) and are prestressed in common by starting the driving motor after every switch-off operation before a subsequent switching-on and switching-off of rocking lever (3) and are kept in a ready position allowing subsequent switching-on or switching-off by means of latching devices (14, 15) to be operated separately for every rod system (11, 12) during the switching intervals.
2. Motor drive as claimed in claim 1 wherein every rod system (11, 12) consists of a tension arm (16, 17) and a switching arm (17, 19) connected to the latter in a fixed way, these arms being pivoted each in counterrotation around rotational axes (20, 21) arranged vertically to the plane of driving slide (4) and being brought into ready position for a new switching cycle by means of a crank arm (22) revolving between them around a rotational axis vertical to the base plate (5) of motor drive (1) one after the other after every switch-off operation.
3. Motor drive as claimed in claims 1 and 2 wherein the rotational axes (20, 21) for both rod systems (11, 12) are located each on opposite sides of the path followed by the movement of rocking lever (3).
4. Motor drive as claimed in any claim 1 through 3 wherein the elastic energy storage devices (9, 10) of the two rod systems (11, 12) are helical extension springs which are applied to the free ends (16a, 18a) of the related tension arms (16, 18) on the side of their latching devices (14, 15).
5. Motor drive as claimed in any claim 1 through 4 wherein the tension arm (16, 18) of each of the two rod systems (11, 12) is kept in ready position by means of a latching arm (23, 24) swivelling on the same plane at the free end (16a, 18a) of tension arm (16, 18).
6. Motor drive as claimed in any claim 1 through 5 wherein every latching arm (23, 24) presents a latching roll (25, 26) by means of which it engages into a latching recess (27, 28) located at the free end (16a, 18a) of the related tension arm (16, 18) and blocks it under the effect of spring tension
7. Motor drive as claimed in any claim 1 through 6 wherein every latching arm (23, 24) can be released from its latching position by means of a release hook (31, 32) which is applied to this latching arm and which can be swivelled by means of a latch opening magnet (29, 30).
8. Motor drive as claimed in any claim 1 through 7 wherein the switching arm (17) of the switch-on rod system (11) is hinged to driving slide (4) via a pin (33) which engages into a slot (34) located across the direction of movement (6) of rocking lever (3).
9. Motor drive as claimed in any claim 1 through 8 wherein two switch-on tongs (7, 8), which oppose each other in a laterally reversed way, are pivoted on the driving slide (4) in parallel with regard to the base plate (5) of motor drive (1) and around rotational axes (37, 38) vertical to the switch-on tongs and encompass the rocking lever (3) like tongs with grab hooks (39, 4) directed towards one another from both sides and allowing the lever to be carried along in the switch-on direction.
10. Motor drive as claimed in any claim 1 through 9 wherein the rocking lever (3) itself or an adapter put on the rocking lever has opposing contact cavities (41, 42) which are arranged in parallel with regard to one another and which are provided for contact tappets (43, 44) projecting from grab hooks (39, 40).
11. Motor drive as claimed in any claim 1 through 10 wherein the switch-on tongs (7, 8) are kept together by an extension spring (45) allowing their elastic deviation.
12. Motor drive as claimed in any claim 1 through 11 wherein the switch-on tongs (7, 8) present sloping edges (46, 47) which diverge in a wedge- or funnel-shaped way at their contact ends and which deviate them to the side and guide them until they reach the contact position on the rocking lever (3) during the grab movement.
13. Motor drive as claimed in any claim 1 through 12 wherein switch-on tongs (7, 8) have two arms and present retention tappets for the tongs (48, 49) at their rear ends extending beyond the rotational axes (37, 38) on driving slide (4), these tappets allowing the deviation of the switch-on tongs (7, 8) by means of the retaining sheets (50, 51) which are arranged on their sides shortly before they reach the switch-on position of rocking lever (3).
14. Motor drive as claimed in any claim 1 through 13 wherein an opening mechanism (53) for switch-on tongs (7, 8) is provided on the rear side of driving slide (4) located opposite with regard to the switch-on tongs (7, 8) and includes a tension sheet (54), which protrudes from driving slide (4) in the switch-on direction of rocking lever (3) and presents a slot (55) allowing the engagement of a central pivot pin (56) of an articulated lever mechanism, the articulated lever mechanism consisting of two articulated levers (57, 58) which are directed towards the side opposite of tension sheet (54), kept together by an extension spring (59) and guided at their external ends by means of rising pins (60, 61) in slots (62, 63) directed towards one another on base plate (5) in such a way that they are in a position extended over the dead centre of the articulated lever mechanism in the starting position of the switch-on tongs (7, 8) for a switch-on operation and buckle when they reach the switch-on position stopping at the limit on the end side of slot (55) provided in tension sheet (54) and thus going beyond the dead centre position under the action of the extension spring (59) which keeps the two articulated levers (57, 58) together in such a way that the pins (60, 61) rising on the end sides of rocking levers (57, 58) press the rear ends of the switch-on tongs (7, 8), situated between them, against one another and open the switch-on tongs (7, 8) and swivel apart to both sides simultaneously.
15. Motor drive as claimed in any claim 1 through 12 wherein switch-on tongs (7, 8) are designed with two arms and present external sloping edges (91, 92) which oppose each other in a laterally reversed way at their rear edges extending beyond the rotational axes (37, 38) on driving slide (4) and wherein opening rolls (93, 94) are arranged allowing the opening of switch-on tongs (7, 8) in the switch-on position of rocking lever (3) on both sides of the path of the movement of switch-on tongs (7, 8) at a smaller distance than the external sloping edges (91, 92) on switch-on tongs (7, 8) in such a way that they act upon the rear ends of the tongs entering between the opening rolls (93, 94) in the sens of an opening movement a short time before reaching the switch-on position of the switch latch.
16. Motor drive as claimed in any claim 1 through 15 wherein motor drive (1) can only be actuated from the OFF position in the switch-on direction of rocking lever (3) when both elastic energy storage devices (9, 10) are charged.
17. Motor drive as claimed in claim 16 wherein an ON key button (64) and an OFF key button (65) are arranged together with their operating branches (66, 67) in parallel with regard to one another and pivoted around a common rotational axis (68) allowing their deviation in the same direction of operation and wherein a stopper (69) which extends behind OFF key button (65) by means of a bracket (72) and blocks the latter against operation in the blocking position can be displaced against spring action in the operating direction of the two key buttons (64, 65), in front of their operating branches (66, 67) and in a tranverse direction with regard to key buttons (64, 65).
18. Motor drive as claimed in claim 16 or 17 wherein ON key button (64) cooperates with a pivoted control lever (73) which is deviated laterally when ON key button (64) is operated and releases an actuating tappet (74) adjacent to it and belonging to an auxiliary microswitch (75) which cuts the power supply to the electric motor of motor drive (1).
19. Motor drive as claimed in any claim 16 through 18 wherein a latch opening slide (77) which can be displaced longitudinally in the operating direction of ON key button (64) is related to the armature (76) of the latch opening magnet (29) for the switch-on rod system (11) and presents a lateral actuating cam (78) for a bracket which projects from the stopper and which releases the stopper (69) during the displacement of the latch opening slide (77) from its blocking position in which it extends behind OFF key button (65) by means of bracket (72) projecting from it.
20. Motor drive as claimed in any claim 16 through 19 wherein the stopper (69) presents a control opening (80) with two buttress surfaces (81, 82) which are offset with regard to one another in the form of steps across the direction of its displacement and in which the stopper rests on a crank pin (84) submitted to the action of a spring (83) in an oriented way in both of its two positions.
21. Motor drive as claimed in any claim 16 through 20 wherein a latch opening lever (85) cooperates with the armature (86) of latch opening magnet (30) for switch-off rod system (12), pivots in parallel with regard to the switch-on and switch-out rod systems (11, 12) on the support of motor drive (1) and encompasses the operating branch (67) of the OFF key button (65) by means of a window-like frame (87) at its free lever end and wherein a radial cam (88) is provided on the side of frame (87) and cooperates with retaining catch (89) which pivots back and forth between ON key button (64) and OFF key button (65) in such a way that it rests on a lateral radial cam (90) which is situated on the latch opening slide (77) in the OFF position of the rocking lever (3) of the switching device or switch latch and which swings it against radial cam (88) located on the latch opening lever (85) when the ON key button (64) is actuated and thus blocks the OFF key button (65) as long as ON key button (64) remains pressed.

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