Circuit breaker contact spring subassembly and method and apparatus for making and circuit breaker incorporating same
US5847629A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 3, 1997 |
| Grant date | Dec 8, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 3, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2009/188
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The helical contact compression springs of a circuit breaker are preassembled in a contact clip for easier assembly of the circuit breaker. The bottom wall of an elongated trough formed by the clip is pierced by holes forming cylindrical protrusions extending into the trough. The clip is placed over the springs supported in a row in a fixture. A die head presses on the spring clip to compress all the springs and then simultaneously insert punches into the holes in the clip to expand the protrusions and secure the springs to the clip. The fixture includes a slide mounted on guides for movement between a loading position and an operating position under the die head. A support block is pivoted on the slide to present one of two sets of spring recesses for circuit breakers having different current ratings with the slide in the loading position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.