Protection device with a sandwiched cantilever breaker mechanism

• US 7,173,799 B1
• Filed: 09/16/2004
• Issued: 02/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pass And Seymour Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Pass And Seymour Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Morgan, Kent, Weeks, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson; Stephen W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Benenson; Boris
• Application Number:
  US10/942,633
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: 361/42
• US Class Current: 361/42
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2071/044 Monitoring, detection or measuring systems to establish the end of life of the switching device, can also contain other on-line monitoring systems, e.g. for detecting mechanical failures
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 83/04 with testing means for indicating the ability of the switch or relay to function properly

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes a plurality of line terminals, a plurality of load terminals, and a set of receptacle load terminals. The device includes a fixed contact and a first cantilever member including a first contact disposed thereon. A second cantilever member is disposed between the fixed contact and the first cantilever. The second cantilever member includes a dual contact disposed thereon. The dual contact is disposed between the fixed contact and the first contact. An actuator is configured to move between a closed position and a tripped position. The actuator is configured to urge the first cantilever toward the second cantilever to close the fixed contact, the first contact, and the dual contact such that the plurality of line terminals, the plurality of load terminals, and the set of receptacle load terminals are electrically continuous in the closed position. The actuator is also configured to release the first cantilever from the second cantilever to open the fixed contact, the first contact, and the dual contact. The plurality of line terminals, the plurality of load terminals, and the set of receptacle load terminals are decoupled in the tripped position.

Claims

1. An electrical wiring device including a plurality of line terminals, a plurality of load terminals, and at least one set of receptacle load terminals, the wiring device comprising:

at least one fixed contact;

at least one first cantilever member including a first contact disposed thereon;

at least one second cantilever member disposed between the at least one fixed contact and the at least one first cantilever, the at least one second cantilever member including a dual contact disposed thereon, the dual contact being disposed between the at least one fixed contact and the at least one first contact; and

an actuator configured to move between a closed position and a tripped position, the actuator being configured to urge the at least one first cantilever toward the at least one second cantilever to close the fixed contact, the first contact, and the dual contact such that the plurality of line terminals, the plurality of load terminals, and the at least one set of receptacle load terminals are electrically continuous in the closed position, the actuator being configured to release the at least one first cantilever from the at least one second cantilever to open the fixed contact, the first contact, and the dual contact, the plurality of line terminals, the plurality of load terminals, and the at least one set of receptacle load terminals are decoupled in the tripped position.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one fixed contact includes a fixed hot contact and a neutral fixed contact, the at least one first cantilever member includes a hot first cantilever member and a neutral first cantilever member, and the at least one second cantilever member includes a hot second cantilever member and a neutral second cantilever member.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one fixed contact is coupled to the at least one receptacle load terminal.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the at least one first cantilever member is coupled to either the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the at least one second cantilever member is coupled to either the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one fixed contact is coupled to either the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the at least one first cantilever member is coupled to the at least one receptacle load terminal.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the at least one second cantilever member is coupled to the at least one receptacle load terminal.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one fixed contact, the at least one first contact, and the at least one dual contact are aligned in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the at least one first cantilever member and/or the at least one second cantilever member.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one dual contact includes at least one second contact juxtaposed to the at least one fixed contact and at least one third contact juxtaposed to the at least one first contact.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the at least one fixed contact, the at least one first contact, the at least one second contact, and the at least one third contact are aligned in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the at least one first cantilever member and/or the at least one second cantilever member.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the at least one second contact and the at least one third contact are staggered and not aligned in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the at least one first cantilever member and/or the at least one second cantilever member.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the at least one second contact and the at least one fixed contact are aligned in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the at least one first cantilever member and/or the at least one second cantilever member.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the at least one first contact and the at least one third contact are aligned in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the at least one first cantilever member and/or the at least one second cantilever member.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the least one first cantilever member and the least one second cantilever member are not self-biased toward either the closed position or the tripped position.

16. The device of claim 15, further comprising at least one break spring coupled to the least one first cantilever member and/or the least one second cantilever member, the at least one break spring applying a bias force toward the tripped position.

17. The device of claim 1, further comprising a weld breaker mechanism coupled to the at least one first cantilever member and/or the at least one second cantilever member, the weld breaker mechanism being configured to strike the at least one first cantilever member and/or the at least one second cantilever member in response to a tripping stimulus.

18. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one light emitting element disposed adjacent to the at least one first cantilever member and the at least one second cantilever member.

19. The device of claim 18, further comprising:

a cover assembly configured to enclose the device, the cover assembly including at least one lens element, the at least one lens element being configured to transmit light; and

at least one light pipe coupling the at least one light emitting element and the at least one lens element.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein the at least one light emitting element includes a trip indicator.

21. The device of claim 18, wherein the at least one light emitting element includes a pilot light.

22. The device of claim 18, wherein the at least one light emitting element includes a trip indicator and a pilot light.

23. The device of claim 1, further comprising a housing assembly including the at least one set of receptacle load terminals, the at least one set of receptacle load terminals being configured to receive plug contact blades inserted therein, the housing assembly also including the plurality of line terminals coupled to the at least one first cantilever and the plurality of load terminals coupled to the at least one second cantilever member.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the plurality of line terminals includes a hot line terminal coupled to a hot first cantilever member and a neutral line terminal coupled to a neutral first cantilever member.

25. The device of claim 23, wherein the plurality of load terminals includes a hot load terminal coupled to a hot second cantilever member and a neutral load terminal coupled to a neutral second cantilever member.

26. The device of claim 23, wherein the at least one receptacle load terminal includes a hot user-accessible receptacle contact coupled to a hot fixed contact and a neutral user accessible receptacle contact coupled to a neutral fixed contact.

27. The device of claim 1, further comprising a fault detection circuit coupled to the plurality of line terminals, the fault detection circuit being configured to detect at least one fault condition and provide a fault detect signal in response thereto.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein the at least one fault condition includes a ground fault, an arc fault, and/or a simulated test fault.

29. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of load terminals includes a hot load terminal coupled to a hot second cantilever member and a neutral load terminal coupled to a neutral second cantilever member.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein the hot load terminal and the hot second cantilever member form an integrated hot load terminal assembly.

31. The device of claim 30, wherein the integrated hot load terminal assembly is formed from one piece of conductive material.

32. The device of claim 30, wherein the integrated terminal assembly is formed by welding or riveting the hot second cantilever member to the hot load terminal.

33. The device of claim 29, wherein the neutral load terminal and the neutral second cantilever member form an integrated neutral load terminal assembly.

34. The device of claim 33, wherein the integrated neutral load terminal assembly is formed from one piece of conductive material.

35. The device of claim 34, wherein the integrated terminal assembly is formed by welding or riveting the neutral second cantilever member to the neutral load terminal.

36. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator further comprises a fault detection circuit coupled to the plurality of line terminals, the fault detection circuit being configured to detect at least one fault condition and provide a fault detect signal in response thereto.

37. The device of claim 36, wherein the actuator further comprises a solenoid coupled to the fault detection circuit.

38. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a reset portion configured to reestablish electrical continuity between the plurality of line terminals, the plurality of load terminals, and the at least one set of receptacle load terminals; and

a reset lockout portion having a spring biased reset member with mechanical barrier for interfering with a latch and a test switch portion to cause a test that clears the interference if successful in order to prevent reestablishing electrical continuity between the plurality of line terminals, the plurality of load terminals, and the at least one receptacle if the fault detection circuit and/or the actuator are non-operational, if an open neutral condition exists or if a miswiring condition exists.

39. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a reset portion configured to reestablish electrical continuity between the plurality of line terminals, the plurality of load terminals, and the at least one set of receptacle load terminals; and

a reset lockout portion having a spring biased reset member configured to interfere with the actuator, and a test switch portion to cause a device test that clears the interference to permit the actuator to move to the closed position if the device test is successful, to prevent the actuator from moving to the closed position if the device test is unsuccessful.

40. The device of claim 39, wherein the actuator includes a solenoid configured to clear the interference if the test is successful.

41. The device of claim 39 wherein the test is unsuccessful if the device is miswired and/or has reached an end of life condition.

42. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one set of receptacle load terminals includes a receptacle load terminal that is not decoupled from one of the plurality of load terminals in the tripped position.

43. The device of claim 42, wherein the receptacle load terminal and one of the plurality of load terminals are integrally connected.

44. The device of claim 1, the actuator including:

a reset portion, configured to reestablish electrical continuity between the plurality of line terminals, the plurality of load terminals, and the at least one receptacle; and

a reset lockout circuit portion to generate a signal that prevents reestablishment of electrical continuity when the device is miswired, and to not generate the signal to permit reestablishment of electrical continuity when the device has been properly wired.

45. The device of claim 44, wherein the reset lockout circuit includes a fusible link that transmits the signal, the fusible link being configured to clear when the device has been properly wired to terminate transmission of the signal.

46. The device of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary switch configured to be in a first position when the actuator is in the closed position and a second position when the actuator is in the open position.

47. The device of claim 46, wherein the actuator includes a solenoid.

48. The device of claim 47, wherein the auxiliary switch is in series with the AC power source and the solenoid.

49. The device of claim 48, further comprising a pilot indicator coupled in series with the auxiliary switch and configured to indicate whether the auxiliary switch is in the first position.

50. The device according to claim 48, further comprising a trip indicator coupled in parallel with the auxiliary switch and configured to indicate whether the auxiliary switch is in the second position.

51. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one first cantilever is oriented at an angle relative to the second at least one cantilever.

52. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a fault detection circuit coupled to the plurality of line terminals, the fault detection circuit being configured to detect at least one fault condition and provide a fault detect signal in response thereto;

a reset mechanism configured to reestablish electrical continuity between the plurality of line terminals, the plurality of load terminals, and the at least one receptacle;

a lockout mechanism coupled to the reset mechanism, the lockout mechanism being configured to disable the reset mechanism in a lockout state; and

a test circuit coupled to the fault detection circuit and the lockout mechanism, the test circuit being configured to provide a simulated fault signal to the fault detection circuit in response to a user stimulus, the test circuit being configured to drive the lockout mechanism from an unlocked state to the lockout state if the fault detection circuit fails to respond to the simulated fault signal within a predetermined period of time.

53. The device of claim 52, wherein the test circuit further comprises:

a test switch responsive to the user stimulus; and

a fault generation circuit coupled to the test switch, the fault generation circuit being configured to generate the simulated fault signal is response to the test switch being closed.

54. The device of claim 53, wherein the test circuit includes a fuse element configured that is opened to drive the lockout mechanism into the locked state.

55. The device of claim 54, wherein the fuse element includes a resistor coupled to the lockout mechanism by a connective material, the connective material being configured to fail after the predetermined period of time elapses.

56. The device of claim 55, wherein the connective material is solder.

57. The device of claim 55, wherein the connective material is an adhesive.

58. The device of claim 52, further comprising a lockout indicator coupled to the test circuit and configured to indicate an end-of-life condition.

59. The device of claim 58, wherein the lockout indicator is selected from a group that includes a visual indicator or an audible indicator.

60. An electrical wiring protection device comprising:

a housing assembly including a plurality of line terminals configured to be connected to an AC power source, a plurality of load terminals configured to be connected to a downstream load, and at least one receptacle load terminal configured to receive plug contact blades inserted therein;

a fault detection circuit coupled to the plurality of line terminals, the fault detection circuit being configured to detect at least one fault condition and provide a fault detect signal in response thereto;

at least one fixed contact coupled to the at least one receptacle load terminal;

at least one first cantilever member coupled to the plurality of line terminals, the at least one cantilever member including a first contact disposed thereon;

at least one second cantilever member disposed between the at least one fixed contact and the at least one first cantilever member, the at least one second cantilever being coupled to the plurality of load terminals, the at least one second cantilever member including a dual contact disposed thereon, the dual contact being disposed between the at least one fixed contact and the at least one first contact; and

an actuator configured to move from a closed position to a tripped position in response to the fault detect signal, the actuator being configured to urge the at least one first cantilever toward the at least one second cantilever to close the fixed contact, the first contact, and the dual contact such that the plurality of line terminals, the plurality of load terminals, and the at least one receptacle load terminal are electrically continuous in the closed position, the actuator being configured to release the at least one first cantilever from the at least one second cantilever to open the fixed contact, the first contact, and the dual contact such that the plurality of line terminals, the plurality of load terminals, and the at least one receptacle load terminal are decoupled in the tripped position.

61. The device of claim 60, further comprising:

a reset portion disposed at least partially within the housing assembly and configured to reestablish electrical continuity between the plurality of line terminals, the plurality of load terminals, and the at least one receptacle; and

a reset lockout portion having a spring biased reset member with protrusion for interfering with a lever latch and a test switch portion to cause a test that clears the interference if successful in order to prevent reestablishing electrical continuity between the plurality of line terminals, the plurality of load terminals, and the at least one receptacle if the fault detection circuit and/or the actuator are non-operational, if an open neutral condition exists or if a reverse wiring condition exists.

62. An electrical wiring device including a hot line terminal, a neutral line terminal, a hot load terminal, a neutral load terminal, at least one hot receptacle contact, and at least one neutral receptacle contact, the wiring device comprising:

a hot fixed contact coupled to the at least one hot receptacle contact;

a neutral fixed contact coupled to the at least one neutral receptacle contact;

a hot first cantilever member coupled to the hot line terminal and including a hot first contact disposed thereon;

a neutral first cantilever member coupled to the neutral line terminal and including a neutral first contact disposed thereon;

a hot second cantilever member disposed between the hot fixed contact and the hot first cantilever member, the hot second cantilever member including a hot dual contact disposed thereon, the hot dual contact being disposed between the hot fixed contact and the hot first contact;

a neutral second cantilever member disposed between the neutral fixed contact and the neutral first cantilever member, the neutral second cantilever member including a neutral dual contact disposed thereon, the neutral dual contact being disposed between the neutral fixed contact and the neutral first contact;

an actuator configured to move between a closed position and a tripped position, the actuator being configured to urge the hot first cantilever toward the hot second cantilever to close the hot fixed contact, the hot first contact, and the hot dual contact such that the hot line terminal, the hot load terminal, and the at least one hot receptacle contact are electrically continuous in the closed position, the actuator being configured to release the at least one first cantilever from the at least one second cantilever to open the hot fixed contact, the hot first contact, and the hot dual contact such that the hot line terminal, the hot load terminal, and the at least one hot receptacle are decoupled in the tripped position.

63. The device of claim 62, wherein the actuator is configured to urge the neutral first cantilever toward the neutral second cantilever to close the neutral fixed contact, the neutral first contact, and the neutral dual contact such that the neutral line terminal, the neutral load terminal, and the at least one neutral receptacle contact are electrically continuous in the closed position, the actuator being configured to release the at least one first cantilever from the at least one second cantilever to open the neutral fixed contact, the neutral first contact, and the neutral dual contact such that the neutral line terminal, the neutral load terminal, and the at least one neutral receptacle are decoupled in the tripped position.

64. The device of claim 63, wherein the actuator further comprises a fault detection circuit coupled to the hot line terminal and the neutral line terminal, the fault detection circuit being configured to detect at least one fault condition and provide a fault detect signal in response thereto.

65. The device of claim 64, wherein the actuator further comprises a solenoid coupled to the fault detection circuit.

66. The device of claim 65, further comprising:

a reset portion configured to reestablish electrical continuity between the hot line terminal, the hot load terminal, and the at least one hot receptacle contact; and

a reset lockout portion having a spring biased reset member with protrusion for interfering with a lever latch and a test switch portion to cause a test that clears the interference if successful in order to prevent reestablishing electrical continuity between the hot line terminal, the hot load terminal, and the at least one hot receptacle contact if the actuator is non-operational, if an open neutral condition exists or if a reverse wiring condition exists.

67. The device of claim 66, wherein the reset portion is configured to reestablish electrical continuity between the neutral line terminal, the neutral load terminal, and the at least one neutral receptacle contact, and the reset lockout portion is configured to prevent reestablishing electrical continuity between the neutral line terminal, the neutral load terminal, and the at least one neutral receptacle contact if the actuator is non-operational, if an open neutral condition exists or if a reverse wiring condition exists.