Latch for an electrical device
US6801111B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 21, 2002 |
| Grant date | Oct 5, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 21, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H3/62
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electrical device, such as a circuit breaker, for interrupting the flow of current, which includes a stationary contact, a blade having a movable contact, a releasably latchable trip lever, a bimetal, and a magnetic armature. The movable contact is movable into and out of engagement with the stationary contact. The trip lever is releasable from a latched position for movement to a tripped position to cause separation of the stationary and movable contacts. The bimetal causes the release of the trip lever from the latched position by having the armature drawn a predetermined distance in response to a predetermined short circuit current. The trip lever is held in the latched positioned by a hardened latch having a minimal surface area, which is positioned near an opening located in the armature. When the predetermined short circuit current flows through the bimetal, the trip lever moves to the tripped position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.