ROTARY DISCONNECTOR WITH PADLOCKABLE ACTUATION KNOB

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotary disconnector with lockable actuation knob.

[0002] Industrial electrical breakers are known which include a rotating switch with a rotatable actuation knob within a base and are provided with closure systems to prevent their unauthorized or accidental operation.

[0003] A simple system for facilitating the locking of the disconnector is to provide openings in a portion of the rotary breaker and in the base, where these openings can be aligned when the breaker is set to a selected position, usually the "OFF" position. In this manner, the shackle of a padlock can be passed through these aligned openings and can be locked with a key so as to prevent the rotation of the rotating switch with respect to the base.

[0004] A problem with the locking method described above is that the openings for the shackle of the padlock can constitute an accumulation point for dust, dirt and moisture which can enter the breaker.

[0005] Enclosed disconnectors are known which are actuated by means of a rotating knob and are provided with systems for applying one or more padlocks, in which the shackle of the padlock does not have to enter holes provided in the base.

[0006] A disconnector manufactured by the SCAME company is known in which three holes for a corresponding number of padlocks are provided directly in the knob and on the cut-out plate

[0007] Another type of disconnector, manufactured by the SOCOMEC company, is provided with a knob in which a movable member with holes for three padlocks is pivoted. The member can rotate to allow access to the holes for the insertion of one or more padlocks.

[0008] A disconnector manufactured by the ABB company has a movable member hinged to a knob, the movable member is provided with holes for three padlocks. The movable can rotate and can cause the holes to be accessible for the insertion of one or more padlocks.

[0009] US2015221459 discloses disconnect operating handles for circuit breakers configured with a rotary handle attached to an inwardly oriented shaft that connects to a gear assembly that translates rotational input to linear input. The disconnect operating handles include pivoting lockout levers that can automatically "pop" out to expose the lockout space for a padlock when a user touches the lever in an appropriate location.

[0010] The aim of the present invention is to provide an improved rotary disconnector with a lockable actuation knob, that constitutes an advantageous alternative with respect to the prior art lockable disconnectors or breakers.

[0011] Within the scope of this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a rotary disconnector that has an improved aesthetic appearance.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide a rotary disconnector to which it is possible to apply one or more padlocks simultaneously with a quick and easy operation.

[0013] This aim, these objects and others which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a rotary disconnector with lockable actuation knob, comprising a casing provided with a cover in which a seat for an actuation knob is formed; said knob actuating a bar which actuates members of the disconnector; said knob rotating between at least two operating positions: an open position and a closed position; said open position corresponding to an open position of the contacts of the disconnector, in which there is no flow of current, said closed position corresponding to a closed position of the contacts of the disconnector, in which there is flow of current between the contacts; a padlock seat member being associated to said knob and accommodating the shackle of one or more padlocks; said padlock seat member translating with respect to said knob between two operating positions: a released position, in which said padlock seat member is retracted into said knob and allows the rotation thereof between the open and closed positions, and a locked position, in which the padlock seat member is partially extracted from said knob and locks said knob in one of the open or closed positions; by inserting a shackle of one or more padlocks in said padlock seat member said padlock seat member is prevented from retracting into said knob, which is locked in one of said open or closed positions; said disconnector being characterized in that said padlock seat member has a slot which is extended diagonally and radially, with respect to the rotary motion of the knob, and engages at least one fixed member, which is integral with said knob, said padlock seat member moving radially and vertically.

[0014] Further characteristics and advantages will become better apparent from the description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a partially sectional perspective view of the rotary disconnector according to the present invention, shown in the open position (O) with a padlock applied;

Figure 2 is a view, similar to the preceding one, showing the disconnector in the closed position (I);

Figure 3 is a top view of the disconnector without the actuation knob;

Figure 4 is a partially sectional perspective view of the rotary disconnector, shown in the open position (O) without a padlock;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the rotary disconnector, shown in the open position (O) without a padlock.

[0015] With reference to the cited figures, the rotary disconnector according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, includes a casing 2 provided with a cover 3; a recess 4 is formed in the cover 3 for an actuation knob 5.

[0016] The knob 5 actuates a bar 6 which actuates the members of the disconnector, which are not visible in the figures. The knob 5 rotates between at least two operating positions: an open position, visible in Figure 1, and a closed position, visible in Figure 2.

[0017] The open position corresponds to an open position of the contacts of the disconnector, in which there is no flow of current, and is termed position "O".

[0018] The closed position corresponds to a closed position of the contacts of the disconnector, in which there is flow of current between the contacts, and is termed position "I".

[0019] According to the present invention, the disconnector includes a padlock seat member 7 which is coupled to the knob 5 and can accommodate the shackle 8 of one or more padlocks 9.

[0020] The padlock seat member 7 translates with respect to the knob 5 between two operating positions: a released position, in which the padlock seat member 7 is retracted into the knob 5 and allows its rotation between the positions O and I, and a locked position, in which the padlock seat member 7 is partially extracted from the knob and locks it in one of the positions O or I.

[0021] By inserting the shackle 8 of one or more padlocks 9 in the padlock seat member 7, the padlock seat member 7 is prevented from retracting into the knob 5, which is therefore locked in one of the positions O or I.

[0022] The locked position of the padlock seat member 7 is visible in Figures 1 and 2.

[0023] The padlock seat member 7 has a tab 71 which can engage one of two seats 10 and 11 which are formed in the recess 4 of the cover 3 and correspond respectively to the positions O and I of the knob 5.

[0024] The padlock seat member 7 is also provided with a slot 72 which is extended diagonally and radially, with respect to the direction of motion of the knob 5, and engages at least one fixed member 51, which is integral with the knob 5, so that the padlock seat member 7 can move radially and vertically.

[0025] The padlock seat member 7 has a number of holes 73, in the specific case three, which can accommodate the shackle 8 of one or more padlocks 9.

[0026] The operation of the rotary disconnector according to the present invention is as follows.

[0027] In position O, by gripping the two side walls of the member 7 and pulling gently, the member 7 translates, by means of the slot 72 engaged by the fixed member 51 of the knob 5, exiting from the knob 5 and allowing access to the three holes 73 in which it is possible to insert up to three padlocks 9.

[0028] The member 7, in this locked position, has the tab 71 engaged in the seat 10, which is U-shaped, of the cover 3, locking the rotation of the knob 5 and therefore of the disconnector.

[0029] The same situation is repeated with the knob 5 in position I, where the tab 71 engages the seat 11 of the cover 3.

[0030] If the disconnector is used for an emergency actuation, locking of the knob is possible only in position O and locking of the knob in position I is not provided.

[0031] In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, providing a rotary disconnector having a translatable component with holes for up to three padlocks.

[0032] The translatable member is assembled in the knob itself and allows to lock the rotation of the knob, and therefore of the disconnector, in the two positions I (ON) or O (OFF).

[0033] An advantage of the present invention is constituted by the improved aesthetic appearance of the product, because the holes of the padlock member remain hidden from view when the locking system is not used.

[0034] A further advantage is constituted by the fact that the holes for the padlocks are all aligned on the same plane.

[0035] The materials used, as well as the dimensions, may of course be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

Claims

1. A rotary disconnector (1) with lockable actuation knob (5), comprising a casing (2) provided with a cover (3) in which a seat for the actuation knob is formed; said knob actuating a bar (6) which actuates members of the disconnector; said knob rotating between at least two operating positions: an open position and a closed position; said open position corresponding to an open position of the contacts of the disconnector, in which there is no flow of current, said closed position corresponding to a closed position of the contacts of the disconnector, in which there is flow of current between the contacts; a padlock seat member (7) being associated to said knob and accommodating the shackle (8) of one or more padlocks (9); said padlock seat member translating with respect to said knob between two operating positions: a released position, in which said padlock seat member is retracted into said knob and allows the rotation thereof between the open and closed positions, and a locked position, in which the padlock seat member is partially extracted from said knob and locks said knob in one of the open or closed positions; by inserting a shackle of one or more padlocks in said padlock seat member said padlock seat member is prevented from retracting into said knob, which is locked in one of said open or closed positions; said disconnector being characterized in that said padlock seat member (7) has a slot (72) which is extended diagonally and radially, with respect to the rotary motion of the knob, and engages at least one fixed member (51), which is integral with said knob, so that said padlock seat member can move radially and axially with respect to the rotation axis of the actuation knob (5).

2. The disconnector according to claim 1, characterized in that said padlock seat member (7) has a tab (71) that is configured to engage one of two seats (10, 11) formed in said cover which correspond respectively to said open and closed positions of said knob.

3. The disconnector according to claim 1, characterized in that said padlock seat member (7) is provided with a number of holes (73) that can accommodate one or more shackles of respective padlocks.

4. The disconnector according to claim 3, characterized in that said holes are aligned on a single plane.

5. The disconnector according to claim 1, characterized in that in said released position said padlock seat member is completely retracted inside said knob.

6. The disconnector according to claim 1, characterized in that in said released position, in which said padlock seat member is retracted in said knob, said holes are hidden from view.

Ansprüche

1. Ein Drehtrennschalter (1) mit verriegelbarem Betätigungsknopf (5), der ein Gehäuse (2) umfasst, das mit einem Deckel (3) versehen ist, in welchem ein Sitz für den Betätigungsknopf geformt ist; wobei der Knopf einen Stab (6) antreibt, der Glieder des Trennschalters antreibt; wobei der Knopf sich zwischen zwei Arbeitspositionen, einer offenen Position und einer geschlossenen Position, dreht; wobei die offene Position einer offenen Position der Kontakte des Trennschalters entspricht, in welcher kein Stromfluss stattfindet, wobei die geschlossene Position einer geschlossenen Position der Kontakte des Trennschalters entspricht, in welcher ein Stromfluss zwischen den Kontakten stattfindet; wobei ein Hängeschloss-Sitzglied (7) mit dem Knopf verbunden ist und den Bügel (8) eines oder mehrerer Hängeschlösser (9) aufnimmt; wobei das Hängeschloss-Sitzglied sich im Verhältnis zu dem Knopf zwischen zwei Arbeitspositionen bewegt: einer offenen Position, in welcher das Hängeschloss-Sitzglied in den Knopf eingezogen ist und seine Drehung zwischen der offenen und der geschlossenen Position ermöglicht, und einer verriegelten Position, in welcher das Hängeschloss-Sitzglied teilweise aus dem Knopf herausgezogen ist und ihn entweder in der offenen oder in der geschlossenen Position blockiert; durch Einführen eines Bügels eines oder mehrerer Hängeschlösser in das Hängeschloss-Sitzglied wird das Hängeschloss-Sitzglied daran gehindert, sich in den Knopf zurückzuziehen, der entweder in der offenen oder in der geschlossenen Position blockiert ist; wobei der Trennschalter dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass das Hängeschloss-Sitzglied (7) einen Schlitz (72) hat, der sich diagonal und radial im Verhältnis zur Drehbewegung des Knopfs erstreckt und mindestens ein festes Glied (51) hält, das integral mit dem Knopf ist, so dass das Hängeschloss-Sitzglied sich radial und axial zur Drehachse des Betätigungsknopfs (5) bewegen kann.

2. Der Trennschalter gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Hängeschloss-Sitzglied (7) eine Lasche (71) hat, die ausgebildet ist, um in einen der zwei Sitze (10, 11) einzugreifen, die in dem Deckel geformt sind und die der offenen beziehungsweise der geschlossenen Position des Knopfs entsprechen.

3. Der Trennschalter gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Hängeschloss-Sitzglied (7) mit einer Reihe von Löchern (73) versehen ist, die einen oder mehrere Bügel entsprechender Hängeschlösser aufnehmen können.

4. Der Trennschalter gemäß Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Löcher auf einer einzigen Ebene ausgerichtet sind.

5. Der Trennschalter gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass in der offenen Position das Hängeschloss-Sitzglied vollständig in den Knopf eingezogen ist.

6. Der Trennschalter gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass in der offenen Position, in welcher das Hängeschloss-Sitzglied in den Knopf eingezogen ist, die Löcher nicht sichtbar sind.

Revendications

1. Déconnecteur rotatif (1) comportant un bouton d'actionnement cadenassable (5), comprenant un boîtier (2) pourvu d'un capot (3) et dans lequel un siège destiné au bouton d'actionnement est formé; ledit bouton actionnant une barre (6) qui actionne des éléments du déconnecteur; ledit bouton tournant entre au moins deux positions opérationnelles: une position ouverte et une position fermée; ladite position ouverte correspondant à une position ouverte des contacts du déconnecteur, dans laquelle il n'y a pas de flux de courant, ladite position fermée correspondant à une position fermée des contacts du déconnecteur, dans laquelle il y a un flux de courant entre les contacts; un élément siège à cadenas (7) étant associé audit bouton et abritant la manille (8) d'un ou plusieurs cadenas (9); ledit élément siège à cadenas alternant par rapport audit bouton entre deux positions opérationnelles: une position relâchée dans laquelle ledit élément siège à cadenas est rétracté dans ledit bouton et permet sa rotation entre les positions ouverte et fermée, et une position verrouillée, dans laquelle l'élément siège à cadenas est partiellement extrait dudit bouton et verrouille ledit bouton dans l'une des positions ouverte ou fermée; en insérant une manille d'un ou plusieurs cadenas dans ledit élément siège à cadenas, ledit élément siège à cadenas étant empêché de se rétracter dans ledit bouton qui est verrouillé dans l'une desdites positions ouverte ou fermée; ledit déconnecteur étant caractérisé en ce que ledit élément siège à cadenas (7) comporte une fente (72) qui s'étend diagonalement et radialement par rapport au mouvement rotatif du bouton, et s'engage dans au moins un élément fixe (51) qui fait partie intégrante dudit bouton, de sorte que ledit élément siège à cadenas peut se déplacer radialement et axialement par rapport à l'axe de rotation du bouton d'actionnement (5).

2. Déconnecteur selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit élément siège à cadenas (7) comporte une languette (71) qui est conçue pour s'engager dans l'un de deux sièges (10, 11) formés dans ledit capot et qui correspondent respectivement auxdites positions ouverte et fermée dudit bouton.

3. Déconnecteur selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit élément siège à cadenas (7) est pourvu d'un certain nombre de trous (73) qui peuvent abriter une ou plusieurs manilles de cadenas respectifs.

4. Déconnecteur selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que lesdits trous sont alignés sur un seul plan.

5. Déconnecteur selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que, dans ladite position relâchée, ledit élément siège à cadenas est complètement rétracté à l'intérieur dudit bouton.

6. Déconnecteur selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que, dans ladite position relâchée dans laquelle ledit élément siège à cadenas est rétracté dans ledit bouton, lesdits trous sont invisibles.

Drawing