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Title:
CIRCUIT BREAKER SLIDER
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2013/010560
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The invention relates to a circuit breaker (200) and at least one circuit breaker slider (100) mounted to the circuit breaker (200) for sliding the circuit breaker (200) on a sliding rail (202, 502) of a circuit breaker compartment (204). The at least one circuit breaker slider (100) comprises a base component (102) with a slot (104) for receiving a portion (208) of the circuit breaker (200) to support the circuit breaker (200). At least one attachment region (109, 111) of the at least one circuit breaker slider (100) is provided for attaching the at least one circuit breaker slider (100) to the circuit breaker (200) at at least one corresponding attachment region (209, 211) of the circuit breaker (200).

Inventors:
REUBER CHRISTIAN (DE)
Application Number:
PCT/EP2011/003623
Publication Date:
January 24, 2013
Filing Date:
July 20, 2011
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
ABB TECHNOLOGY AG (CH)
REUBER CHRISTIAN (DE)
International Classes:
H02B11/12
Foreign References:
DE1465889A11969-05-08
US4743715A1988-05-10
EP0227586A11987-07-01
DE9314517U11995-01-26
GB2015256A1979-09-05
JP2000134731A2000-05-12
JP2010136534A2010-06-17
US20090000925A12009-01-01
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
SCHMIDT, Karl Michael (Oberhausener Strasse 33, Ratingen, DE)
Download PDF:
Claims:
Claims

1. Circuit breaker (200) and at least one circuit breaker slider (100) mounted to the circuit breaker (200) for sliding the circuit breaker (200) on a sliding rail (202, 502) of a circuit breaker compartment (204), the at least one circuit breaker slider (100) comprising:

a base component (102) for receiving a portion (208) of the circuit breaker (200) to support the circuit breaker (200);

at least one attachment region (109, 111 ) for attaching the at least one circuit breaker slider (100) to the circuit breaker (200) at at least one

corresponding attachment region (209, 211) of the circuit breaker (200).

2. The circuit breaker (200) and at least one circuit breaker slider (100) according to claim 1 ,

wherein the base component (102) has the form of a U-shaped bar (106) with a first limb (108) and a second limb (112);

wherein a slot (104) is arranged between a first inner side (1 10) of the first limb (108) and a second inner side (114) of the second limb (112).

3. The circuit breaker (200) and at least one circuit breaker slider (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one attachment region (109, 111 ) comprises:

at least one lock-in device (120, 121 , 122, 123);

wherein the at least one lock-in device (120, 121 , 122, 123) corresponds to at least one corresponding lock-in device (220, 221 , 222, 223) at the at least one corresponding attachment region (209, 211) of the circuit breaker (200) to lock the circuit breaker (200) at a locking position (404) to the at least one circuit breaker slider (100).

4. The circuit breaker (200) and at least one circuit breaker slider (100) according to claim 3, wherein the at least one lock-in device (120, 121 , 122, 123) comprises a first hook pair (120, 121) with a first snap-in hook (120) and a second snap-in hook (121 );

wherein the at least one corresponding lock-in device (220, 221 , 222, 223) comprises a first slit pair (220, 221 ) with a first slit (220) and a second slit (221 ); wherein the first snap-in hook (120) is adapted to snap in the first slit (220) and the second snap-in hook (121 ) is adapted to snap in the second slit (221 ) resulting in a snap joint between the at least one circuit breaker slider (100) and the circuit breaker (200) to attach the at least one circuit breaker slider (100) to the circuit breaker (200) when the at least one circuit breaker slider (100) is mounted to the circuit breaker (200).

5. The circuit breaker (200) and at least one circuit slider (100) according to claim 4, wherein the first slit (200) and the second slit (221 ) are physically the same slit, which can be a corresponding cutout in the wall (208) of the circuit breaker (200).

6. The circuit breaker (200) and at least one circuit breaker slider (100) according to claim 4 or 5,

wherein the first snap-in hook (120) comprises:

a first bevelled face (130) chamfered in a first direction (134) towards the slot (104) at a first acute angle (138) with respect to a vertical slot direction (107) such that the circuit breaker (200) is guidable along the first bevelled face (130) towards the slot (104) in the vertical slot direction (107) when the at least one circuit breaker slider (100) is mounted to the circuit breaker (200); and wherein the second snap-in hook (121 ) comprises:

a second bevelled face (131 ) chamfered in a second direction (135) towards the slot (104) at a second acute angle (139) with respect to a vertical slot direction (107) such that the circuit breaker (200) is guidable along the second bevelled face (131 ) towards the slot (104) in the vertical slot direction (107) when the at least one circuit breaker slider (100) is mounted to the circuit breaker (200).

7. The circuit breaker (200) and at least one circuit breaker slider (100) according to anyone of claims 3 to 6,

wherein the at least one lock-in device (120, 121 , 122, 123) comprises a second hook pair (122, 123) with a third snap-in hook (122) and a fourth snap-in hook (123);

wherein the at least one corresponding lock-in device (220, 221 , 222, 223) comprises a second slit pair (222, 223) with a third slit (222) and a fourth slit (223);

wherein the third snap-in hook (122) is adapted to snap in the third slit (222) and the fourth snap-in hook (123) is adapted to snap in the fourth slit (223) resulting in a snap joint between the at least one circuit breaker slider (100) and the circuit breaker (200) to attach the at least one circuit breaker slider (100) to the circuit breaker (200) when the at least one circuit breaker slider (100) is mounted to the circuit breaker (200).

8. The circuit breaker (200) and at least one circuit breaker slider (100) according to claim 7, wherein the third slit (222) and the fourth slit (223) are physically the same slit, which can be corresponding cutout in the wall (208) of the circuit breaker (200).

9. The circuit breaker (200) and at least one circuit breaker slider ( 00) according to claim 7 or 8,

wherein the third snap-in hook (122) comprises:

a third bevelled face (132) chamfered in a third direction (136) towards the slot (104) at a third acute angle (140) with respect to a vertical slot direction (107) such that the circuit breaker (200) is guidable along the third bevelled face (132) towards the slot (104) in the vertical slot direction (107) when the at least one circuit breaker slider (100) is mounted to the circuit breaker (200); and wherein the fourth snap-in hook (123) comprises:

a fourth bevelled face (133) chamfered in a fourth direction (137) towards the slot (104) at a fourth acute angle (141 ) with respect to a vertical slot direction (107) such that the circuit breaker (200) is guidable along the fourth bevelled face (133) towards the slot (104) in the vertical slot direction (107) when the at least one circuit breaker slider (100) is mounted to the circuit breaker (200).

The circuit breaker (200) and at least one circuit breaker slider (100) according to anyone of the preceding claims, the at least one circuit breaker slider (100) further comprising:

at least one key joint (300);

wherein the at least one key joint (300) is adapted to fit to a at least one corresponding slot joint (400) of the circuit breaker (200) forming at least one joint (410) between the circuit breaker (200) and the at least one circuit breaker slider (100), which joint (410) is adapted to transfer forces occurring during a sliding of the circuit breaker (200) from the at least one circuit breaker slider (100) to the circuit breaker (200).

The circuit breaker (200) and at least one circuit breaker slider (100) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one circuit breaker slider (100) comprises a plastic material corresponding to a material of the sliding rail (202, 502) such that an optimized friction is provided to enable a sliding of the at least one circuit breaker slider (100) in the sliding rail (202, 502) of the circuit breaker compartment (204).

Circuit breaker slider (100) for sliding a circuit breaker (200) on a sliding rail (202) of a circuit breaker compartment (204), the circuit breaker slider (100) comprising:

a base component (102) with a slot (104) for receiving a portion (208) of the circuit breaker (200);

at least one snap-in device (120, 121 , 122, 123) arranged at a side wall (110, 114) of the slot or at an at least one limb (124, 125, 126, 127) protruding from a slot top edge face (148, 152) in a vertical slot direction (107) away from a slot base (109) of the slot (104);

wherein the at least one snap-in device (120, 121 , 122, 123) is adapted to attach the circuit breaker slider (100) to the circuit breaker (200) in a snap-fit manner.

13. The circuit breaker slider (100) of claim 12, wherein the at least one snap-in device (120, 121 , 122, 123) comprises:

a bevelled face (130, 131 , 132, 133) chamfered in a direction (134, 135, 136, 137) towards the slot (104) at an acute angle (138, 139, 140, 141 ) with respect to a vertical slot direction (107) such that the circuit breaker (200) is guidable along the bevelled face (130, 131 , 132, 133) towards the slot (104) in the vertical slot direction (107) when the circuit breaker slider (100) is mounted to the circuit breaker (200).

14. Circuit breaker compartment (204) comprising:

at least one sliding rail (202, 502);

a circuit breaker (200) and at least one circuit breaker slider (100) according to anyone of claims 1 to 9;

wherein the at least one sliding rail (202, 502) is adapted to slidably engage with the at least one circuit breaker slider (100) such that the at least one circuit breaker slider (100) is enabled to support the circuit breaker (200) and to longitudinally guide the circuit breaker (200) in a longitudinal sliding rail direction (504) when the at least one circuit breaker slider (100) slides with the circuit breaker (200) on the at least one sliding rail (202, 502).

Description:
Circuit breaker slider

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a circuit breaker and a at least one circuit breaker slider mounted to the circuit breaker for moving the circuit breaker in a circuit breaker compartment. In particular, the present invention relates to a circuit breaker and at least one circuit breaker slider mounted to the circuit breaker for sliding the circuit breaker on a sliding rail of a circuit breaker compartment, to a circuit breaker slider for sliding the circuit breaker on a sliding rail of the circuit breaker compartment, and to a circuit breaker compartment comprising at least one sliding rail and a circuit breaker and at least one circuit breaker slider mounted to the circuit breaker. Technical background of the invention

For moving a medium voltage circuit breaker in a medium voltage switch gear panel, for example to realize a disconnector function or to remove the circuit breaker for maintenance, the circuit breaker may be equipped with wheels that run within steel rails inside the circuit breaker compartment of the switch gear panel.

JP 2010-136534 A describes a draw arrangement of a drawer type circuit breaker with a wheel guide for guiding the movement of the draw type circuit breaker and a locking means for locking a shutter drive lever with the wheel guide. The draw type circuit breaker contacts/separates to a main circuit disconnection part, wherein shutters for opening/closing a tubular part of the main circuit disconnection part are provided. Links are connected to the shutters, and a shutter drive lever which is connected to the links is engaged with the circuit breaker for rotation. US 2009/0000925 A1 depicts a switch gear cabinet having a plurality of cells for holding circuit breakers. A substructure mounted in each cell includes a rear end wall, a bottom frame and a pair of side arms. The rear end wall includes an enlarged opening through which steps may extend which are connected to a bus bar system within the switch gear cabinet. The bottom frame includes a pair of spaced apart side structures, wherein a mounting track is movably mounted to each side structure using rollers. Each mounting track is adapted to receive a circuit breaker and is movable between an extended position, wherein a substantial portion of the mounting track is disposed forward of a front end of the respective side structures and a retracted position, wherein the entire mounting track is disposed rearward of the front end of the respective side structure.

Summary of the invention

It may be seen as an object of the present invention to provide an improved, flexible and efficient moving of a circuit breaker.

This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims 1 , 10, and 12. Exemplary embodiments are evident from the dependent claims and the following description.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a circuit breaker and at least one circuit breaker slider mounted to the circuit breaker for sliding the circuit breaker on a sliding rail of a circuit breaker compartment is provided. The at least one circuit breaker slider comprises a base component with a slot for receiving a portion of the circuit breaker to support the circuit breaker. The at least one circuit breaker slider has at least one attachment region for attaching the at least one circuit breaker slider to the circuit breaker at at least one corresponding attachment region of the circuit breaker.

In other words, a slider or a plurality of sliders is attached to the circuit breaker to slidably move the circuit breaker on the slider(s) in a rail of a circuit breaker

compartment. It may not be necessary to use wheels assembled to the circuit breaker to move the circuit breaker in steel rails of the circuit breaker compartment. As wheels are relative expensive, regarding material and assembly costs, such a circuit breaker and at least one circuit breaker slider mounted to the circuit breaker for sliding the circuit breaker on a sliding rail of a circuit breaker compartment may provide for an improved, efficient and flexible assembly and moving of a circuit breaker in a circuit breaker compartment. The slider may be a sliding piece.

For optimizing the at least one circuit breaker sliders concerning cost efficiency the at least one circuit breaker slider(s) may be inject-moulded with thermoplastic material.

According to another aspect of the invention the circuit breaker slider(s) may be installed under the circuit breaker with one handgrip, and by moving the at least one circuit breaker slider in one installation direction, respectively.

According to another aspect of the invention the slot corresponds to the circuit breaker such that a fit engagement is provided between the circuit breaker and the at least one circuit breaker slider to support the circuit breaker.

According to another aspect of the invention, the circuit breaker may be a medium voltage circuit breaker and the circuit breaker compartment may be a circuit breaker compartment of a medium voltage switch gear panel or a circuit breaker compartment of a cabinet or a control cabinet.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the base component has the form of a U-shaped bar with a first limb and a second limb. The slot is arranged between a first inner side of the first limb and a second inner side of the second limb.

The attachment region may be arranged at the first inner side or at the second inner side.

The thickness of a wall of the circuit breaker may correspond with a width of the slot.

Such a at least one circuit breaker slider with a base component with a form of a U- shaped bar may be efficiently manufactured and may be easily attached to the circuit breaker compartment by one movement of the at least one circuit breaker slider in one direction to engage the circuit breaker.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the at least one attachment region of the at least one circuit breaker slider comprises at least one lock-in device corresponding to at least one corresponding lock-in device at the at least one corresponding attachment region of the circuit breaker to lock a circuit breaker at a locking position to the at least one circuit breaker slider.

By such a locking of the at least one circuit breaker slider to the circuit breaker the forces of the circuit breaker during a movement of the circuit breaker may be transferred to the at least one circuit breaker slider such that an optimized movement of the at least one circuit breaker slider within a sliding rail of the circuit breaker compartment may be provided wherein the circuit breaker is fixedly attached to the at least one circuit breaker slider omitting a displacement of the at least one circuit breaker slider with respect to the circuit breaker.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the at least one lock-in device is selected from the group comprising a snap-in device, a clamping device, and a clamping screw.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the at least one lock-in device comprises a first hook pair with a first snap-in hook and a second snap-in hook and the at least one corresponding lock-in device comprises a first slit pair with a first slit and a second slit. The first snap-in hook is adapted to snap in the first slit and the second snap-in hook is adapted to snap in the second slit resulting in a snap joint between the at least one circuit breaker slider to attach the at least one circuit breaker slider to the circuit breaker when the at least one circuit breaker slider is mounted to the circuit breaker.

Such a snap-in connection between the at least one circuit breaker slider and the circuit breaker may enable a simple and effective time saving attachment and lock-in of the at least one circuit breaker slider to the circuit breaker. According to another aspect of the invention, the circuit breaker may be held in place at a lock-in position of the first and second snap-in hooks and the first and second slits.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first snap-in hook comprises a first bevelled face chamfered in a first direction towards the slot at a first acute angle with respect to a vertical slot direction such that the circuit breaker is guidable along the first bevelled face towards the slot in a vertical slot direction when the at least one circuit breaker slider is mounted to the circuit breaker. The second snap-in hook comprises a second bevelled face chamfered in a second direction towards the slot at a second acute angle with respect to a vertical slot direction such that the circuit breaker is guidable along the second bevelled face towards the slot in the vertical slot direction when the at least one circuit breaker slider is mounted to the circuit breaker.

By providing such snap-in hooks with bevelled faces the attachment or lock-in of the at least one circuit breaker slider to the circuit breaker may be simplified and enable an accurate attachment and lock-in of the at least one circuit breaker slider to the circuit breaker.

According to another aspect of the invention, a first snap-in hook edge of the first bevelled face is adapted to snap in the first slit of the circuit breaker at a lock-in position when the at least one circuit breaker slider is mounted to the circuit breaker. According to another aspect of the invention, a second snap-in hook edge of the second bevelled face is adapted to snap in the second slit of the circuit breaker at a lock-in position when the at least one circuit breaker slider is mounted to the circuit breaker.

According to another aspect of the invention, the first snap-in hook comprises a first hook limb arranged at a first slot top edge face of the base component and a second snap-in hook comprises a second hook limb arranged at a second slot top edge face. The circuit breaker is engageable with the at least one circuit breaker slider from a vertical slot direction such that during an engagement motion the first snap-in hook is movable in a first direction from the slot perpendicular to the vertical slot direction and the second snap-in hook is movable in a second direction from the slot perpendicular to the vertical slot direction and opposite to the first direction, and such that at an engagement end position the first and second snap-in hooks are adapted to snap into the first and second slits locking the at least one circuit breaker slider to the circuit breaker at a lock-in position of the circuit breaker with respect to the at least one circuit breaker slider.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the at least one lock-in device comprises a second hook pair with a third snap-in hook and a fourth snap-in hook, and the at least one corresponding lock-in device comprises a second slit pair with a third slit and a fourth slit. The third snap-in hook is adapted to snap in the third slit and the fourth snap-in hook is adapted to snap in the fourth slit resulting in a snap joint between the at least one circuit breaker slider and the circuit breaker to attach the at least one circuit breaker slider to the circuit breaker when the at least one circuit breaker slider is mounted to the circuit breaker.

Such a snap-in connection between the at least one circuit breaker slider and the circuit breaker may enable a simple and effective time saving attachment and lock-in of the at least one circuit breaker slider to the circuit breaker.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the third snap-in hook comprises a third bevelled face chamfered in a third direction towards the slot at a third acute angle with respect to a vertical slot direction such that the circuit breaker is guidable along the third bevelled face towards the slot in the vertical slot direction when the at least one circuit breaker slider is mounted to the circuit breaker. The fourth snap-in hook comprises a fourth bevelled face chamfered in a fourth direction towards the slot at a fourth acute angle with respect to a vertical slot direction such that the circuit breaker is guidable along the fourth bevelled face towards the slot at a vertical slot direction when the at least one circuit breaker slider is mounted to the circuit breaker.

By providing such snap-in hooks with bevelled faces the attachment or lock-in of the at least one circuit breaker slider to the circuit breaker may be simplified and enable an accurate attachment and lock-in of the at least one circuit breaker slider to the circuit breaker. According to another aspect of the invention, a third snap-in hook edge of the third bevelled face is adapted to snap in the third slit of the circuit breaker at a lock-in position when the at least one circuit breaker slider is mounted to the circuit breaker.

According to another aspect of the invention, a fourth snap-in hook edge of the fourth bevelled face is adapted to snap in the fourth slit of the circuit breaker at a lock-in position when the at least one circuit breaker slider is mounted to the circuit breaker.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the third snap-in hook comprises a third hook limb arranged at a first slot top edge face of the base component and the fourth snap-in hook comprises a fourth hook limb arranged at a second slot top edge face. The circuit breaker is engageable with the at least one circuit breaker slider from a vertical slot direction such that during an engagement motion the third snap-in hook is movable in a first direction from the slot perpendicular to the vertical slot direction, and the fourth snap-in hook is movable in a second direction from the slot perpendicular to the vertical slot direction and opposite to the first direction, and such that at an engagement end position the third and fourth snap-in hooks are adapted to snap into the second and third slits locking the at least one circuit breaker slider to the circuit breaker at a lock-in position of the circuit breaker with respect to the at least one circuit breaker slider.

According to another aspect of the invention, the limbs and/or the snap-in hooks or the at least one lock-in device may be bendable in the first direction and in the second direction to enable that a snap joint may be realized between the at least one circuit breaker slider and the circuit breaker by moving a portion of the circuit breaker in the slot of the at least one circuit breaker slider in a vertical slot direction.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first, second, third, and fourth acute angles are selected from the group comprising an angle region of greater than 0° to 5°, greater than 5° to 20°, greater than 20° to 30°, greater than 30° to 45°, and greater than 45° to less than 90°. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the at least one circuit breaker slider further comprises at least one key joint, which is adapted to fit to at least one corresponding slot joint of the circuit breaker forming at least one joint between the circuit breaker and the at least one circuit breaker slider. The at least one joint is adapted to transfer forces occurring during a sliding of the circuit breaker from the at least one circuit breaker slider to the circuit breaker.

According to another aspect of the invention, the at least one key joint may be a protrusion, for example with a beam-like shape, protruding from a slot bottom side parallel to a slot vertical direction, and the at least one slot joint may be a

corresponding recess, for example with a beam-like shape. The protrusion may be positioned at a middle position of the slot base with respect to a longitudinal slot direction.

By providing such a key and slot joint, the forces that occur during a sliding of the circuit breaker in a sliding rail of a circuit breaker compartment may advantageously transferred directly from the at least one circuit breaker slider to a portion of the circuit breaker such as a circuit breaker wall without stressing the snap-in hooks or the at least one lock-in device of the at least one circuit breaker slider.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the at least one circuit breaker slider comprises a plastic material corresponding to a material of the sliding rail such that an optimized friction is provided to enable a sliding of the at least one circuit breaker slider in the sliding rail of the circuit breaker compartment. The plastic material may be a thermoplastic material.

By providing an at least one circuit breaker slider with a material such as a plastic material corresponding to a material of the sliding rail a low friction between the at least one circuit breaker slider and the sliding rail(s) may be realized enabling an efficient moving of the circuit breaker with the thereto mounted at least one circuit breaker in the sliding rail(s) of a circuit breaker compartment. Materials with both a high durability and good friction characteristics such as hard plastic materials may be chosen for the at least one circuit breaker slider and the sliding rail(s). According to another aspect of the invention, earthing of the circuit breaker may be provided by a plug-contact that is located at the circuit breaker, for example at the rear wall of the circuit breaker, and that is self-inserting into a corresponding opposite part of a connector that is located in the circuit breaker compartment or in a switch gear panel comprising the circuit breaker compartment.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a circuit breaker slider for sliding a circuit breaker on a sliding rail of a circuit breaker compartment is provided, comprising a base component with a slot for receiving a portion of the circuit breaker, and at least one snap-in device arranged at a sidewall of the slot or at an at least one limb protruding from a slot top edge face in a vertical slot direction away from a slot base of the slot. The at least one snap-in device is adapted to attach the at least one circuit breaker slider to the circuit breaker in a snap-fit manner. Such a circuit breaker slider may be efficiently manufactured and easily mounted to the circuit breaker, for example by one hand grip, such that the circuit breaker slider is fixedly attached to the circuit breaker or a portion of the circuit breaker enabling a movement of the circuit breaker with the circuit breaker slider in a sliding rail of a circuit breaker compartment, wherein forces occurring during sliding may directly be transferred from the circuit breaker slider to the circuit breaker or the portion of the circuit breaker omitting a displacement of the circuit breaker slider with respect to the circuit breaker.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the at least one snap-in device of the circuit breaker slider comprises a bevelled face chamfered in a direction towards the slot at an acute angle with respect to vertical slot direction such that the circuit breaker is guidable along the bevelled face towards the slot in the vertical slot direction when the circuit breaker slider is mounted to the circuit breaker. By providing such snap-in devices with bevelled faces the attachment or lock-in of the at least one circuit breaker slider to the circuit breaker may be both simple and accurate. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a circuit breaker compartment is provided, comprising at least one sliding rail as well as a circuit breaker and at least one circuit breaker slider according to anyone of the exemplary embodiments and aspects mentioned above and in the following. The at least one sliding rail is adapted to slidably engage with the at least one circuit breaker slider such that the at least one circuit breaker slider is enabled to support the circuit breaker and to longitudinally guide the circuit breaker in a longitudinal sliding rail direction when the at least one circuit breaker slider slides with the circuit breaker on the at least one sliding rail.

According to another aspect of the invention, the sliding rail is an L-shaped rail, and the at least one circuit breaker slider may support the weight of the circuit breaker and may at the same time provide for a lateral guidance.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

Brief description of the drawings

Below, the most preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a at least one circuit breaker slider for sliding a circuit breaker on a sliding rail of a circuit breaker compartment according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a circuit breaker compartment with a circuit breaker and a at least one circuit breaker slider of Fig. 1 to be mounted to the circuit breaker for sliding the circuit breaker on a sliding rail of the circuit breaker compartment according to another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of the at least one circuit breaker slider of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of the circuit breaker of Fig. 2

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a circuit breaker and circuit breaker sliders

mounted to the circuit breaker for sliding the circuit breaker on a sliding rail of a circuit breaker compartment and two sliding rails according to another embodiment of the invention.

All drawings are schematic and not to scale.

Detailed description of the drawings

Fig. 1 shows a circuit breaker slider 100 for sliding a circuit breaker 200 on a sliding rail of a circuit breaker compartment with a base component 102 with a slot 104 for receiving a portion of the circuit breaker and with at least one snap-in device 120, 121 , 22, 123 arranged at at least one limb 124, 125, 126, 127 protruding from a slot top edge face 148, 152 in a vertical slot direction 107 away from a slot base 109 of the slot 104. The at least one snap-in device 120, 121 , 122, 123 is adapted to attach the circuit breaker slider 100 to a circuit breaker in a snap-fit manner.

The snap-in devices 120, 121 , 122, 123 comprise bevelled faces 130, 131 , 132, 133 chamfered in directions 134, 135, 136, 137 towards the slot 104 at an acute angle 138, 139, 140, 141 with respect to the vertical slot direction 107 such that a circuit breaker may be guidable along the bevelled faces 130, 131 , 132, 133 towards the slot 104 in the vertical slot direction 107 when the circuit breaker slider 100 is mounted to a circuit breaker.

The base component 102 has the form of a U-shaped bar 106 with a first limb 108 and a second limb 112, wherein the slot 104 is arranged between a first inner side 110 of the first limb 108 and a second inner side 114 of the second limb 112.

The attachment region 109, 111 may be arranged at the first inner side 10 or at the second inner side 114 (not shown in Fig. 2). One lock-in device 120, 121 comprises a first hook pair 120, 121 with a first snap-in hook 120 and a second snap-in hook 121. The first snap-in hook 120 is adapted to snap in a first slit of a circuit breaker and the second snap-in hook 121 is adapted to snap in a second slit of the circuit breaker resulting in a snap joint between the circuit breaker slider 100 and the circuit breaker to attach the circuit breaker slider 100 to the circuit breaker when the circuit breaker slider 100 is mounted to the circuit breaker. This first snap-in hook 120 comprises a first bevelled face 130 chamfered in a first direction 134 towards the slot 104 at a first acute angle 138 with respect to a vertical slot direction 107 such that the circuit breaker may be guidable along the first bevelled face 130 towards the slot 104 in the vertical slot direction 107 when the circuit breaker slider 100 is mounted to the circuit breaker.

The second snap-in hook 121 comprises a second bevelled face 131 chamfered in a second direction 135 towards the slot 104 at a second acute angle 139 with respect to a vertical slot direction 107 such that the circuit breaker is guidable along the second bevelled face 131 towards the slot 104 in the vertical slot direction 107 when the circuit breaker slider 100 is mounted to the circuit breaker.

A first snap-in hook edge 142 of the first bevelled face 130 is adapted to snap in a first slit of the circuit breaker at a lock-in position when the circuit breaker slider 100 is mounted to the circuit breaker.

A second snap-in hook edge 143 of the second bevelled face 131 is adapted to snap in a second slit or in said first slit of the circuit breaker at a lock-in position when the circuit breaker slider 100 is mounted to the circuit breaker.

The first snap-in hook 120 comprises the first hook limb 124 arranged at a first slot top edge face 148 of the base component 102 and a second snap-in hook 121 comprises a second hook limb 125 arranged at a second slot top edge face 152.

The circuit breaker is engageable with the circuit breaker slider 100 from a vertical slot direction 07 such that during an engagement motion the first snap-in hook 120 is movable in a first direction 160 from the slot 104 perpendicular to the vertical slot direction 107 and a second snap-in hook 121 is movable in a second direction 161 from the slot 104 perpendicular to the vertical slot direction 107 and opposite to the first direction 160. At an engagement end position the first and second snap-in hooks 120, 121 are adapted to snap into first slit or into the first and second slits of the circuit breaker locking the circuit breaker slider 100 to the circuit breaker at a lock-in position of the circuit breaker with respect to the circuit breaker slider 100.

Another lock-in device 122, 123 of the circuit breaker slider 100 comprises a second hook pair 122, 23 with a third snap-in hook 122 and a fourth snap-in hook 123. The third snap-in hook 122 is adapted to snap in a third slit of the circuit breaker and the fourth snap-in hook 123 is adapted to snap in a fourth slit of the circuit breaker resulting in a snap joint between the circuit breaker slider 100 and the circuit breaker to attach the circuit breaker slider 100 to the circuit breaker when the circuit breaker slider 100 is mounted to the circuit breaker. Said third slit and fourth slit can as well be physically the same slit.

The third snap-in hook 122 comprises a third bevelled face 132 chamfered in a third direction 136 towards the slot 104 at a third acute angle 140 with respect to a vertical slot direction 107 such that the circuit breaker is guidable along the third bevelled face 132 towards the slot 104 in the vertical slot direction 107 when the circuit breaker slider 100 is mounted to the circuit breaker.

The fourth snap-in hook 123 comprises a fourth bevelled face 133 chamfered in a fourth direction 137 towards the slot 104 at a fourth acute angle 141 with respect to a vertical slot direction 107 such that the circuit breaker is guidable along the fourth bevelled face 133 towards the slot 104 in the vertical slot direction 107 when the circuit breaker slider 100 is mounted to the circuit breaker.

A third snap-in hook edge 144 of the third bevelled face 132 is adapted to snap in a third slit of the circuit breaker at a lock-in position when the circuit breaker slider 100 is mounted to the circuit breaker. A fourth snap-in hook edge 145 of the fourth bevelled face 133 is adapted to snap in a fourth slit of the circuit breaker at a lock-in position when the circuit breaker slider 00 is mounted to the circuit breaker.

Said third slit and said fourth slit can as well be physically the same slit.

The third snap-in hook 122 comprises a third hook limb 126 arranged at a first slot top edge face 148 of the base component 102 and the fourth snap-in hook 123 comprises a fourth hook limb 127 arranged at a second slot top edge face 152.

A circuit breaker is engageable with the at least one circuit breaker slider 100 from a vertical slot direction 07 such that during an engagement motion the third snap-in hook 122 is movable in a first direction 160 from the slot 104 perpendicular to the vertical slot direction 107, and the fourth snap-in hook 123 is movable in a second direction 161 from the slot 104 perpendicular to the vertical slot direction and opposite to the first direction 160. At an engagement end position the third and fourth snap-in hooks 122, 123 are adapted to snap into third and fourth slits of the circuit breaker locking the circuit breaker slider 100 to the circuit breaker at a lock-in position of the circuit breaker with respect to the circuit breaker slider 100.

The limbs 124, 125, 126, 127 and/or the snap-in hooks 120, 121 , 122, 123 or the at least one lock-in device 120, 121 , 122, 123 may be bendable in the first direction 160 and in the second direction 61 to enable a snap joint.

The first, second, third, and fourth acute angles 138, 139, 140, 141 are selected from the group comprising an angle region of greater than 0° to 5°, greater than 5° to 20°, greater than 20° to 30°, greater than 30° to 45°, and greater than 45° to less than 90°.

The slot 104 has a slot width 105 which corresponds to a wall thickness of a portion of a circuit breaker to which the at least one circuit breaker slider 100 is to be mounted. Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the circuit breaker slider 100 of Fig. 1 with the first snap-in hook 120 and the second snap-in hook 121 and the first bevelled face with the first acute angle 138 as well as the second bevelled face with the second acute angle 139. The first snap-in hook 120 comprises the first hook limb 124 arranged at the first slot top edge face of the base component 102 and the second snap-in hook 121 comprises the second hook limb 125 arranged at the second slot top edge face. The base

v

component 102 of the at least one circuit breaker slider 100 is arranged on a sliding rail 202 of a circuit breaker compartment 204. The sliding rail 202 extends along a longitudinal slot direction 1111 , and a longitudinal sliding rail direction 504,

respectively.

A cross sectional view of a part of a circuit breaker 200 is shown in Fig. 2. The circuit breaker slider 100 may be mounted to the circuit breaker 200 and is adapted to slide the circuit breaker 200 on the sliding rail 202 of the circuit breaker compartment 204. The base component 102 with the slot 104 is adapted to receive a portion 208 or a wall

208 of the circuit breaker 200 to support the circuit breaker 200. At least one

corresponding lock-in device 220, 221 in form of a first slit pair 220, 221 with a first slit 220 and a second slit 221 is provided at at least one corresponding attachment region

209 of the circuit breaker 200 to lock the circuit breaker 200 at a locking position to the circuit breaker slider 100. The thickness 206 of the wall 208 or the portion 208 of the circuit breaker 200 corresponds with the width 105 (see Fig. 1 ) of the slot 104.

Said slit pair 220, 221 can as well be physically the same slit, which would then be a cutout through the entire thickness 206 of the wall 208.

Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of the at least one circuit breaker slider 100 of Fig. 1 with the second snap-in hook 121 comprising the second snap-in hook edge 143 of the second bevelled face, and with the fourth snap-in hook 123 comprising the fourth snap-in hook edge 145 of the fourth bevelled face. The circuit breaker slider 100 comprises one key joint 300 adapted to fit to a corresponding slot joint 400 of the circuit breaker 200 forming at least one joint 410 (see Fig. 4) between the circuit breaker 200 and the circuit breaker slider 100. The joint 410 is adapted to transfer forces occurring during a sliding of the circuit breaker 200 from the circuit breaker slider 100 to the circuit breaker (see Figs. 3 and 4).

The key joint 300 may be a protrusion with a beam-like shape protruding from a slot bottom side 109 parallel to a slot vertical direction 107 and the slot joint 400 may be a corresponding recess with a beam-like shape. The protrusion may be positioned at a middle position of the slot base 109 with respect to a longitudinal slot direction 1111. Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of the circuit breaker 200 of Fig. 2 with two corresponding attachment regions 209, 211 for attaching the circuit breaker slider of Fig. 3 at an attachment region to the circuit breaker 200. Corresponding lock-in devices 221 , 220; 223, 222 are arranged at the corresponding attachment regions 209; 2 1 of the circuit breaker 200 to lock the circuit breaker at a locking position to the circuit breaker slider shown in Fig. 3. A key joint 300 of the circuit breaker slider is adapted to fit to a corresponding slot joint 400 of the circuit breaker 200 to form a joint 410 between the circuit breaker 200 and the circuit breaker slider to transfer forces occurring during sliding of the circuit breaker 200 from the circuit breaker slider to the circuit breaker 200 without stressing the snap-in hooks of the circuit breaker slider.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a circuit breaker 200 and four circuit breaker sliders 00 mounted to the circuit breaker 200 for sliding the circuit breaker 200 on two sliding rails 502 of a circuit breaker compartment. The sliding rails 502 are adapted to slidably engage with the circuit breaker sliders 100 such that the circuit breaker sliders 100 are enabled to support the circuit breaker 200 and longitudinally guide the circuit breaker 200 in a longitudinal sliding rail direction 504 when the four circuit breaker sliders 100 slide with the circuit breaker 200 on the sliding rails 502 as shown in Fig. 5.

The sliding rails 502 may be L-shaped rails as depicted in Fig. 5 such that the circuit breaker sliders 100 may support the weight of the circuit breaker 200 and may at the same time provide for a lateral guidance while sliding in the longitudinal sliding rail direction 504. The circuit breaker sliders 100 are attached to the circuit breaker 200 at a lock-in position 404.

The sliders 100 may be clipped into the corresponding slits in the sidewall of the circuit breaker 200, wherein the circuit breaker sliders 100 may be used for the left and the right side of the circuit breaker 200. A similar design of the circuit breaker slider(s) 100 may easily be found for circuit breaker housings with a flat bottom where the sliding function for the circuit breaker may be provided by the circuit breaker slider(s) 100. The at least one circuit breaker slider 100 shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and 5 may comprise a plastic material corresponding to a material of the sliding rail 202, 502 shown in Figs. 2 and 5 such that an optimized friction is provided to enable a sliding of the at least one circuit breaker slider 100 in the sliding rail 202, 502 of the circuit breaker compartment 204, wherein the plastic material may be a thermoplastic material and/or a relatively hard plastic material.

Earthing of the at least one circuit breaker slider 100 may be provided by a plug- contact that may be located at the rear wall of the circuit breaker 200 and that is self- inserting into a corresponding opposite part of a connector that is located in the circuit breaker compartment 204.

The circuit breaker 100 depicted in Figs. 1 , 2, 3, and 5 may be a medium voltage circuit breaker and the circuit breaker compartment 204 depicted in Fig. 2 may be a circuit breaker compartment of a medium voltage switch gear panel or a circuit breaker compartment of a cabinet or a control cabinet.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed

embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and practicing the claimed invention, from study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word

"comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference symbols in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.