CN100385593C - GFCI receptacle having blocking means - Google Patents
GFCI receptacle having blocking means Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CN100385593C CN100385593C CNB2004800066484A CN200480006648A CN100385593C CN 100385593 C CN100385593 C CN 100385593C CN B2004800066484 A CNB2004800066484 A CN B2004800066484A CN 200480006648 A CN200480006648 A CN 200480006648A CN 100385593 C CN100385593 C CN 100385593C
- Authority
- CN
- China
- Prior art keywords
- conductive path
- circuit interruption
- reset button
- load
- gfci
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 title abstract description 9
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 37
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000000994 depressogenic effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 4
- 230000002950 deficient Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 18
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 11
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 9
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000003112 inhibitor Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000007257 malfunction Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 210000005069 ears Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 238000009429 electrical wiring Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005284 excitation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001815 facial effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- GOLXNESZZPUPJE-UHFFFAOYSA-N spiromesifen Chemical compound CC1=CC(C)=CC(C)=C1C(C(O1)=O)=C(OC(=O)CC(C)(C)C)C11CCCC1 GOLXNESZZPUPJE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000005856 abnormality Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000008429 bread Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000881 depressing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002265 prevention Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001052 transient effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Abstract
Located within a GFCI device having receptacle openings in its face is a movable contact bearing arm held in either a closed or open position by a latching member connected to a spring loaded reset button. The reset button assumes a first depressed position when the GFCI is in a conducting state, and a second extended position when the GFCI is in a non conducting state. A blocking member located within the body of the GFCI is adapted to be moved to a first position to blocks at least one opening of each receptacle, or to a second position to allow the prongs of a plug to enter the receptacle openings. When the GFCI is in the conducting state, the reset button is in its first position and holds the blocking member in its first position to permit the prongs of a plug to be inserted into the receptacle openings. When the GFCI is in a non-conducting state or is defective, the reset button and the blocking member are in their second positions and the prongs of a plug are prevented from entering the receptacle.
Description
The cross reference of related application
It is the priority of 60/444573 U.S. Provisional Patent Application that the application requires the application number of on February 3rd, 2003 application according to 35 U.S.C.119 (e).
Technical field
The present invention relates generally to the circuit interruption device and the system that can reset again, relate in particular to the socket of ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection with plug occluding device.
Background technology
Many electrical wiring devices have the line side that can link to each other with power supply, can and the load-side that links to each other of one or several load and at least one conductive path between line side and load-side.On the electrical connection of wire connecting can be positioned at the line side and load-side is connected conductively with the electric wire that electric energy is provided or with one or several load.The industry of electrical wiring device has shown the ever-increasing demand to circuit interruption device or system, and these devices or system are designed to interrupt for example power supply of housed device, consumer products and branch circuit of various loads.Particularly, electrical code requires the circuit in Household bathroom and kitchen to be equipped with ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).Present available GFCI device is for example at publicly owned United States Patent (USP) 4595894 (' 894) in the device described tripping mechanism that electricity consumption is started mechanically be breaking at electrical connection between line side and the load-side.This device can reset after tripping again for example detecting earth fault.In the device that in the patent of ' 894, discloses, be used to cause that the tripping mechanism of the mechanical cutting of circuit (conductive path between circuit and load-side) comprises solenoid (or breaking coil).The use test button is tested tripping mechanism and is provided for the circuit of detection failure.Provide reset button to be used to reset at electrical connection between circuit and the load-side.
But, such situation can take place, wherein abnormality for example is struck by lightning and may be not only caused the electric surge on device and the tripping operation of device, and causes being used to causing that the tripping mechanism of the electric cut-out of circuit lost efficacy.This may take place under the ignorant situation of user.In this case, the user unwitting facing to the GFCI that has tripped may press reset button, and this causes that again the device of the tripping mechanism with inefficacy resets and do not have available earth fault protection.
In addition, a kind of neutral state of open circuit, it is stipulated in UnderwritersLaboratories (UL) Standard PAG 943A, may exist in the electric wire to this GFCI device power supply.If on circuit (to the load) side of GFCI device, on center line, there is a kind of neutral state of open circuit, then such situation may take place, wherein produce one to the phase line (or live wire) of GFCI device power supply by device load-side and the people to the current path on ground.Under the situation of the neutral state that has open circuit, even the GFCI device that has tripped also can be reset when keeping the neutral state of open circuit.
The United States Patent (USP) of owning together 6040967, be included in this at full content, the reducible circuit interruption device of one class has been described, if if the neutral state of open circuit can not be operated or exist to the part of circuit interruption wherein, just it can lock the part that resets of this device.Remove for example being connected outside the connecting screw of circuit and load-side, the circuit interruption device generally has the come-at-able load-side of user and connects, for example the socket of GFCI protection.The socket that the come-at-able load-side of user connects can be used for connecting equipment such as bread baker to the power supply that is provided by the line side.The load-side connection generally is electrically connected with socket is in the same place.As mentioned above, these devices link to each other with outside lead, make line conductor be connected with the line side and link to each other, and load side wires is connected with load-side and links to each other.But, such situation may take place, wherein the circuit interruption device is connected on the outer lead improperly, makes load wire be connected with the line side and links to each other, and line conductor is connected with load and links to each other.This is called as the reversal connection line.This wiring is popular in new structure, and wherein as yet not to the power supply of dwelling house branch line, the electrician is difficult to distinguish between line side conductor and load-side conductor.The circuit interruption device by the situation of reversal connection line under, can may be not protected near the user that load connects, even keep error protection that load-side is connected.
But comprise reverse-connection protection and the selectable tripping operation part and/or the reset circuit interrupting device of reset locking part of comprising independently; GFCI device for example; at United States Patent (USP) 6246558 (' 558) in disclosed; this patent is transferred to the assignee identical with the present invention, and its full content is included in this as a reference.Patent ' 558 utilize the bridging part that is positioned at GFCI, are used for when GFCI is in tripped condition, if linked to each other with load-side improperly to the line of GFCI, isolate the conductor of plug coupling part and arrive the conductor of load.The tripping operation part is independent of the circuit interruption of the electric continuity of one or several conductive path that is used for interrupting device and partly operates.The ifs circuit interrupt unit is not exercisable, if perhaps there is the neutral state of open circuit, reset locking partly stops the conductive path of disconnection to rebulid electric continuity.
Though when GFCI is in tripped condition; open circuit also utilizes bridge-type to connect to provide the electric insulation blocking between dividing of load conductor and socket connection part; safety for the user; need a kind of occluding device that is with or without bridge-type connection and reset locking device; when it is in malfunction as GFCI, can stop plug to insert in the socket of GFCI.
Summary of the invention
In one embodiment, circuit interruption device for example GFCI comprises mutually and neutral conductive path, and they are set in the housing between circuit and the load-side at least in part.Described phase conductive path terminate in can with first being connected of being electrically connected of power supply, the 3rd connection that can connect and can conduct electricity to the come-at-able load of at least one user by socket second of at least one load conduction.Similarly, described neutral conductive path terminate in can be with first being connected of being electrically connected of power supply, can provide neutral second the 3rd connection that connects and neutral connection can be provided the come-at-able load of at least one user by socket that connects at least one load.Described first and second connections can be screw terminal.
Described GFCI also comprises the circuit interruption part, and it is set in the described housing, and is arranged in one or two of when predetermined condition the takes place phase between line side and load-side and neutral conductive path and causes that electricity interrupts.Be arranged in the conductive path of open circuit and rebulid electric continuity by depressing the part that resets that the spring-loaded reset button that is at least partially disposed in the housing starts.Described reset button is in first or the second place of being determined by the conduction state of GFCI.When GFCI was in conducting state, reset button was in the position that all is depressed basically in the housing of GFCI, and this position is called as primary importance.When GFCI was in nonconducting state, reset button was outwards protruded the end face of the housing that surpasses GFCI, and this position is called as the second place.
GFCI can also comprise the reset locking device, and the ifs circuit interrupt unit is operation correctly not, and described reset locking device then stops in phase conductive path or neutral conductive path or rebulid electric continuity in two conductive paths.When reset button is in its second place, it is pressed, cause that then at least a portion of phase conductive path contacts at least one reset contact.When realizing contact between phase conductive path and at least one reset contact, circuit interruption partly is activated, so that forbid the reset locking part and rebulid electric continuity in described phase and neutral conductive path.
GFCI also comprises the tripping operation part that is independent of the circuit interruption part and operates.Tripping operation part is at least partially disposed in the housing, and be arranged to the operation that is independent of the circuit interruption part cause with/or neutral conductive path in the electricity interruption.The trip portion branch comprises trip actuator, button for example, and it can insert from the outside of housing, also comprise trip arm, and it preferably is positioned at housing, and extends from described trip actuator.Trip arm be arranged to when trip actuator is activated help to be implemented in/or neutral conductive path in the machinery disconnection of electric continuity.
Be provided with the movable contact load bearing arm in having the GFCI device of socket, it is held with a fixed contact by means of latch member and is in closure or open position, and described latch member links to each other with described spring-loaded reset button.Reset button is in the primary importance or the second place, by the conduction state decision of GFCI.When GFCI was in conducting state, reset button all was pressed in the housing of GFCI down basically.When GFCI was in not on-state, reset button was outwards protruded the upper surface of the housing that surpasses GFCI.Thereby, the position of the movable contact load bearing arm decision reset button by the latch member effect.The intrinsic socket breaking member that is positioned at GFCI is partly located by reset button, make when reset button is depressed, can freely insert the pin of plug in the opening of socket, perhaps when reset button protrude to surpass housing surperficial, at least one opening of blocking-up socket was so that stop plug to enter the opening of socket.Thereby when GFCI was in conducting state, reset button was pressed down in the GFCI housing, and breaking member is positioned at primary importance, allowed the pin of plug to insert in the opening of socket.When GFCI was in nonconducting state, reset button was outwards protruded from the housing of GFCI, made breaking member be positioned at the second place, and at least one opening of blocking-up socket is so that stop the pin of plug to enter socket.GFCI generally has two groups of independent contacts that are positioned at inside, is called as bridging contact, and wherein one group is used to connect load and power supply, and second group is used to connect come-at-able load of user and power supply.Described bridging contact is used to be provided at the conductor of load and to the isolation between the conductor of the contact of GFCI socket when GFCI is in malfunction.Here among the GFCI of Pi Luing, breaking member can stop the pin of plug to enter socket when GFCI is in malfunction, therefore, in some environment, may not need bridging contact.
Description of drawings
The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and similar element is given similar label in the accompanying drawing, wherein:
Fig. 1 is the perspective view that the ground fault circuit of prior art interrupts the embodiment of (GFCI) device, is represented by dotted lines the breaking member that the present invention discloses;
Fig. 2 is the end view of the part of GFCI device shown in Figure 1, and a part is a sectional view, is illustrated in the GFCI device under the conducting state;
Fig. 3 is the figure that takes apart of inner member of GFCI device of the prior art of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is the partial section of the part of conductive path shown in Figure 3;
Fig. 5 is the schematic diagram of circuit of the GFCI device of Fig. 1;
Fig. 6 is the schematic diagram that does not have the GFCI device of Fig. 1 that bridge-type connects;
Fig. 7 is the end view according to breaking member in the GFCI device of principle of the present invention;
Fig. 8 is the perspective view of the part of GFCI device shown in Figure 1, and a part is a sectional view, is illustrated in the breaking member of blocking position;
Fig. 9 is the perspective view of the part of GFCI device shown in Figure 1, and a part is a sectional view, is illustrated in the breaking member of non-blocking position, and
Figure 10 and Figure 11 are end views, the position of reset button and breaking member when expression is in blocking-up and non-blocking position when breaking member.
Embodiment
The application imagines various types of circuit interruption devices, and they can be breaking at least one conductive path of the line side and the load-side both sides of device.Described conductive path is generally in the line side that connects power supply with connect between the load-side of one or several load separately.But described reset circuit interrupting device comprises ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI), immerse testing circuit interrupter (IDCI), electrical leakage circuit interruption device (ALCI), and equipment leakage circuit interrupter (ELCI), they have the socket that is used to receive plug.
For the purposes of the present invention; structure in the accompanying drawings and that use in the described circuit interruption device below or mechanism are included in the socket of GFCI protection; this socket can receive at least one plug, and is applicable to and is installed in the single set of connections box that for example uses in the dwelling house wiring system.But, but can be included in the various reset circuit interrupting devices according to the application's mechanism.
Circuit and load phase (or power) connector, circuit and load neutral connector and the plug receiver socket that is used to provide the come-at-able load of user to be connected with neutrality mutually are provided described GFCI socket.These connectors can be electric fasteners for example, are used for connection or fixed outer conductor to the circuit interruption device.The example of this connector can comprise connecting screw, lug plate, terminal and external receptacle jockey.
In an embodiment, the GFCI socket has circuit interruption part, the part that resets, and also has reset locking and bridging contact if desired, and itself and a breaking member combine and be used for stoping the pin of plug to enter socket under fault or the nonconducting state when GFCI is in.The described circuit interruption and the part that resets are used electromechanical compo to cut off (opening) and are connected (closure) at the circuit of device and one or several conductive path between the load-side.But, also can use for example solid-state switch and support circuit to come the open and close conductive path of electric component.
In general, circuit interruption partly is used for automatically being breaking at the electric continuity (disconnecting conductive path) of one or several conductive path between circuit and the load-side when detecting fault.Use the conductive path of the closed described disconnection of reset button.When detecting fault, to be used for stoping the pin of plug to enter the operation of breaking member of opening of socket and location be by the position of reset button and interrupt determining with the part that resets.At least one the position of a moveable arm decision reset button of supporting contact between line side and load-side of working by latch member.Reset button is used to forbid reset locking, and the conductive path that closure is opened also resets to its open position to breaking member, thereby makes plug can insert socket.Reset button and reset locking part and circuit interruption part joint operation, make when having the neutral state of opening a way and installing by the reversal connection line, when the circuit interruption part can not be operated, can not rebulid electric continuity, thus and the pin insertion socket of at least one opening prevention plug of breaking member continuation blocking-up socket.
The structure of the breaking member of above-mentioned at least one opening that is used for selectively blocking socket can be included in any reducible circuit interruption device, but for convenience of explanation, this explanation is carried out at the GFCI socket.
Fig. 1,2 and 3 expression GFCI devices for example disclose in the United States Patent (USP) of owning together 6246558, and the full content of this patent is included in this as a reference, and some parts wherein is included in this and is used to provide of the present invention the fully understanding that discloses here.Referring to Fig. 1, GFCI socket 10 has housing 12, and it is made of central body 14, and face or cap 16 and rear portion 18 removably are fixed on the central body.Facial 16 have entry port 20 and 21, are used to be received in convex plug common of standard type of electric light or equipment line apparatus end or the pin with polarity, and the ground pin receives opening 22, are used to hold three pin plug.Socket also comprises installs guard shield 24, is used for socket is fixed to terminal box.
Referring to Fig. 2, comprise contact point arm 50 at the circuit conductive path that device 34 and load be connected between the device 36 that is connected, it can move between stressed position and off-position, be installed in the contact 52 on the movable contact arm 50, be fixed to load and be connected on 36 or be connected and 36 form the contact point arm 54 of an integral body, and be installed in the fixed contact 56 on the contact point arm 54 with load.For present embodiment, the come-at-able load of user is connected and comprises arrangements of terminal 58 (see figure 3)s, and it has two splicing ears 60, and it can engage with the pin that inserts convex plug therebetween.Circuit be connected 34 and the conductive path of the come-at-able load of user between being connected comprise contact point arm 50, be installed in the moving contact 62 on the contact point arm 50, be fixed on the arrangements of terminal 58 or and form the contact point arm 64 of one, and be installed in the fixed contact 66 on the contact point arm 64 with arrangements of terminal 58.These conductive paths are concentrated to be called the phase conductive path.
With above-mentioned similar, conductive path between property connector 38 and the load neutral connector 40 comprises contact point arm 70 in the line, it can move between stressed position and off-position, be installed in the moving contact 72 on the contact point arm 70, be fixed to load neutral and connect the contact point arm 74 that is connected an integral body of 40 formation on 40 or with load neutral, and be installed in the fixed contact 76 on the contact point arm 74.For present embodiment, the come-at-able load neutral of user connects and comprises arrangements of terminal 78, and it has two splicing ears 80, and it can engage with the pin that inserts convex plug therebetween.Conductive path between the come-at-able load neutral connector of property connector 38 and user comprises contact point arm 70 in the line, be fixed on the arrangements of terminal 78 or and arrangements of terminal 78 form the contact point arm 84 of one, and be installed in the fixed contact 86 on the contact point arm 84.These conductive paths are called neutral conductive path by the concentrated area.
Continuation is referring to Fig. 2, and circuit interruption partly has circuit interruption device and electronic circuit that can detection failure (for example current imbalance on live wire and neutral conductor).In the embodiment of GFCI socket, circuit interruption device comprises coil device 90, the excitation of line of response coil apparatus and currentless plunger 92, and link to each other with plunger 92 hang iron 94.Hang iron 94 and have a pair of hook 96 and 98, they and movable latches 100 interact, and are used for set and the electric continuity of one or several conductive path that resets.Coil device 90 responds the detection of earth faults and is energized, and described Earth Fault Detection is for example undertaken by testing circuit shown in Figure 5, and it comprises the differential transformer that is used to detect current imbalance.
The reset portion branch comprises movable latches 100, latch finger 102 that reset button 30 links to each other with reset button 30 and the momentary reset contacts of often opening 104 and 106, when being in trip position, when pressing reset button, the temporary transient start-up circuit interrupt unit in these contacts.Latch finger 102 is used to engage a side R of each contact point arm 50,70, and makes contact point arm 50,70 move to stressed position to returning, and contacts with contact 56,66 respectively in this contact, position 52,62, and contact 72,82 contacts with contact 76,86 respectively.This moment, GFCI was in its conducting state, and reset button is in primary importance, i.e. the upper surface flush of the upper surface fundamental sum GFCI of button.As seen from Figure 2, the bottom surface of latch finger and movable member 50 engages and has limited moving upward of reset button, makes the upper surface flush of its fundamental sum GFCI.
In Fig. 2 and embodiment shown in Figure 3, reset locking partly comprises latch finger 102, and it engages the L side of moveable arm 50,70 after the device tripping operation, makes and hinders moveable arm 50,70 in order to avoid motion.By means of the motion that hinders moveable arm 50,70, contact 52 and 56, contact 62 and 66, contact 72 with 76 and contact 82 and 86 be prevented from contacting.Perhaps, have only one in moveable arm 50 or 70 to be blocked, make their contacts separately be prevented from contact.In addition, latch finger 102 stops the contact contact as movable inhibitor.Perhaps, moveable arm 50 and 70 biasing naturally can be used for static inhibitor, are used to stop the contact contact.As mentioned above, after being in nonconducting state, latch finger 102 is positioned at the top at the top of movable member 50 installing tripping operation, and engage movable member 50.Thereby latch member 100 is freely, so that move to the position of its top, so that reset button is navigated to the second place, promptly protrude outside the upper surface of GFCI at the top of reset button.
Thereby, when device is in conducting state, the top of reset button basically with the device upper surface flush.When device was in nonconducting state, the top of reset button was in a new position, promptly above the upper surface that installs.
Referring to Fig. 2, shown GFCI socket is in it position is set, and this moment, movable contact arm 50 was in stress, makes the fixed contact 56 of moving contact 52 and contact point arm 54 be in the electricity joint.If the testing circuit of GFCI socket detects earth fault, just coil device 90 is energized, plunger 92 is sucked in the coil device 90, hang iron 94 and move upward.When hanging iron and move upward, hang the preceding hook 98 bump latch member 100 of iron, it is centered on by the top sides of finger piece 110 rotate with being connected in the counterclockwise direction of forming of inner surface 114 along 112.The motion of latch member 100 makes the R side of far-end 116 of latch finger 102 and movable contact arm 50 be disengaged, thereby allows contact point arm 50 to return its state before stressed, opens contact 52 and 56.
After tripping operation, coil device 90 is de-energized, and spring 93 makes plunger 92 return its original extended position, hangs iron 94 and moves to its home position, thereby discharge latch member 100.At this moment, latch member 100 is in latched position, forbids that in this position latch finger 102 moving contact 52 and fixed contact 56 engage.Two or latch finger 102 can be used as movable inhibitor and are used to stop these contacts contacts.Perhaps, moveable arm 50 can be used as static inhibitor and is used to stop these contacts to contact with 70 biasing naturally.
For the GFCI socket that resets makes that contact 52 is closed with 56 and rebulids continuity in the conductive path mutually, reset button 30 is depressed sufficiently, with the bias force that overcomes spring 120 and latch member 100 is moved in the direction of arrow A.Press reset button 30 and make and continue the L side of latch finger 102 contact movable contact arm 50 to press 30 of reset button and force latch member to overcome the stress that applies by arm 50, make reset contact 104 and reset contact 106 closures on arm 50.The closure of described reset contact for example by means of simulated failure, has started the operation of circuit interruption device, make plunger 92 move up and hang iron 94, bump latch member 100, it causes latch finger 102 rotations, latch member 100 continues motion in the direction of arrow A simultaneously.As a result, latch finger 102 is lifted on the R of the far-end of movable contact arm side, on the L side of the far-end 116 of movable contact arm 50.Now contact point arm 50 returns the position that it does not stress, and opens contact 52 and 56 and contact 62 and 66, thus the startup of termination circuit interrupt unit, so as to making coil device 90 outages.
After the operation of circuit interruption device was activated, coil device 90 was de-energized, and the position of its original extension is returned in plunger 92, hung iron 94 and discharged latch member 100, and latch finger 102 is in reset position.The release of reset button causes that latch member 100 and movable contact arm 50 move in the direction of arrow B, up to the contact 52 and contact 56 electricity engage, as shown in Figure 2.
Fig. 7 is the partial side view of socket, and expression breaking member 300 is with respect to reset button 30 and each the relation of receptacle openings 20 in two sockets of the face of GFCI.Fig. 8 is the perspective view of GFCI, and part is a sectional view, represents the relation of breaking member with respect to reset button and receptacle openings in detail.
Referring to Fig. 8, breaking member 300 is between the housing 12 and cover 16 of socket, and selectively operated, be used for when GFCI is in its nonconducting state, the facial interior plug of blocking-up socket 16 receives opening 20, when the GFCI device is in its conducting state, allow the pin of plug to insert described opening.
As shown in Figure 8, the breaking member 300 of U-shaped is positioned at the below of the lid 16 of socket, and is supporting two ends 306, and each end has an end 308 of downward extension, is applicable in the otch 310 in guard shield 312 is installed slidably and rotationally to be engaged.The groove 314 that is positioned at the breaking member center is set up and finger piece 316 co-operations, and finger piece 316 protrudes from the sidepiece of reset button 30.Breaking member can be made by for example nonconducting plastics of insulating material.Contact point arm 54 is positioned at the below of breaking member.The end 308 of breaking member 300 is connected in the otch 310 of guard shield slidably, and the permission installing component is that position B is to the right that position A laterally slides from a left side along guard shield.When breaking member when left is position B, the finger piece on the reset button 316 be positioned at breaking member above, and be not arranged in groove, if reset button is pressed, just then finger piece 316 applies downward power on breaking member.When breaking member be in right-hand when being position A, be arranged at the finger piece on the reset button 30 breaking member groove 314 above, if reset button is pressed, it will enter groove 314.If reset button 30 is pressed when position A moves from position B at breaking member, then finger piece 316 will slide and fall into groove 314 along the pre-portion of installing component.Breaking member is removed slidably with outside guard shield 312 is connected, and can also be connected with guard shield rotationally.More particularly, if reset button 30 is pressed when being position A right-hand when breaking member, then finger piece 316 will contact the upper surface of breaking member and force the power of the unshowned spring of its end that centers on breaking member 308 resistances and contact point arm 54 and rotating.When breaking member rotated, it forced contact point arm 54 downward and closing contacts 56,52, to begin test period.Obviously, if reset button is pressed when breaking member is in position A, then finger piece 316 will enter in the groove 314, and test period will not be activated.When breaking member was in position A, receptacle openings was not blocked the parts blocking-up, and plug can insert wherein.When breaking member was in position B, receptacle openings was blocked the parts blocking-up, and plug can not insert wherein.
In when operation, when breaking member blocking-up wiring wrong or defective unit on receptacle openings the time, at first realize locking.When the GFCI device was in its lock-out state, breaking member was in position A.Referring to Fig. 8, when reset button was pressed, finger piece on the reset button 316 was interfered the upper surface of breaking members, made it center on end 308 and rotated and move down contact point arm 54 and start test period.If the GFCI wiring is wrong or break down, then breaking member will can laterally not moved, and GFCI will remain on its lock-out state.
But, if GFCI is by wiring correctly and can operating fully, then when reset button is pressed and begins test period owing to the closure of Test Switchboard 320, coil device 90 will be operated and cause breaking member from position B to position A along transverse movement.See Fig. 9, the excitation of coil device 90 makes that hanging iron makes breaking member 300 move to position A from position B.When breaking member moved to position A, groove 314 moved below finger piece 316, and breaking member upwards rotates.Continuing to push reset button downwards makes latch finger 102 (see figure 2)s can be positioned at the below and the end of contact arm 50.In case discharge and thereby reset button when moving upward, the end of latch finger 102 engaging arms 50,70, this causes that contact 56,52 is closed and to the contact power supply in downstream.At this moment, reset button is in its upper/lower positions.See Figure 10.This makes breaking member remain on position A, and receptacle openings is not blocked.Should be noted that this moment, breaking member forced the motion to position B by a unshowned spring, but but be prevented from motion by the finger piece 316 that is arranged in groove 314.
If GFCI tripping operation when the blade of plug is in socket, then move and releasing slots 314 in reset button position on to it, and breaking member will be forced and moved to position B by spring.But, breaking member will not exclusively be blocked receptacle openings, this be because plug blade also in socket.See Figure 11.This local closed position of breaking member causes the interference between the finger piece of breaking member and reset button.See Figure 11.If press reset button this moment, and the circuit among the GFCI is exercisable, then coil device will be energized, and GFCI will become exercisable after discharging reset button.But, if the GFCI defectiveness, coil device then is not energized, and GFCI will not connect the load on the power supply.
Though the element that uses during circuit interruption and device reset operation is an electromechanical compo in nature as mentioned above, but the application it is also contemplated that the use electric component, for example solid-state switch and support circuit, and the element that can connect and cut off other type of the electric continuity in the conductive path.
Though show, described and pointed out essential characteristic of the present invention, should be appreciated that those skilled in the art do not break away from design of the present invention and can make the various omissions of the form of described device and operating aspect thereof and details and substitute and change.
Claims (11)
1. circuit interruption device comprises:
A housing;
Phase conductive path and neutral conductive path are at least partially disposed in the described housing and between line side and load-side separately,
Described phase conductive path has the terminal end points, comprise can with first being connected of being electrically connected of power supply, the 3rd connection that can connect and can conduct electricity to the come-at-able load of at least one user second of at least one load conduction,
Described neutral conductive path has the terminal end points, and comprising can be with first being connected of being electrically connected of power supply, can provide neutral second the 3rd connection that connects and neutral connection can be provided the come-at-able load of described at least one user that connects to described at least one load;
Described phase conductive path and described neutral conductive path comprise fixed contact and contact arm movably separately, have the contact on the described movably contact arm and be applicable to contact with described fixed contact and throw off;
The circuit interruption part, it is set in the described housing, is applicable to described each moveable arm and described fixed contact are thrown off, so that cause that electricity interrupts in the described phase between described line side and load-side and the neutral conductive path when predetermined condition takes place;
The part that resets, it is set in the described housing at least in part, and is arranged in described phase and neutral conductive path and rebulids electric continuity;
Wherein said reset portion branch comprises:
A reset button is applicable to when the circuit interruption device is in conducting or nonconducting state to be the primary importance or the second place with respect to described housing; And
At least one reset contact, it can contact at least a portion of described phase conductive path, causing described predetermined condition, and
A reset locking part, comprise occluding device, described occluding device links to each other with described reset button and reset portion branch, be used for when circuit interruption partly is in nonconducting state, block the described the 3rd of described phase conductive path and connect and linking to each other one of at least during the described the 3rd of described neutral conductive path is connected with the come-at-able load of user;
If wherein described circuit interruption partly is exercisable, just described circuit interruption part is activated forbidding described reset locking part, and help in described phase and neutral conductive path, to rebulid electric continuity, and
If wherein described circuit interruption partly can not be operated,, make to stop in described phase and neutral conductive path, to rebulid electric continuity just described reset locking part keeps being enabled.
2. circuit interruption device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said occluding device is applicable to and is in primary importance when described circuit interruption device conducting, and when described circuit interruption device is non-conduction, be in the second place, and when described occluding device is in primary importance, the described the 3rd of described phase conductive path connects and one of at least is allowed to link to each other with the come-at-able load of user during the described the 3rd of described neutral conductive path is connected, when described occluding device was in the second place, the described the 3rd of described phase conductive path connected and one of at least is prevented from linking to each other with the come-at-able load of user during the described the 3rd of described neutral conductive path is connected.
3. circuit interruption device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said reset button be applicable to and be in primary importance when described circuit interruption device conducting, is in the second place when described not conducting of circuit interruption device, and
Wherein occluding device is connected to the described part that resets to move to described primary importance by the described part that resets, and remains on described primary importance by reset button when it is in primary importance.
4. circuit interruption device as claimed in claim 3, wherein described occluding device is forced to and moves to its second place when described reset button is moved to its second place.
5. circuit interruption device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said occluding device is forced to its second place by a spring.
6. circuit interruption device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said occluding device is made by insulating material.
7. circuit interruption device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said reset button are supporting a finger piece bossing, and it is applicable to and engages described occluding device and occluding device is remained on its primary importance when reset button is in its primary importance.
8. circuit interruption device as claimed in claim 7, wherein when described predetermined condition takes place, reset button is applicable to and moves to its second place, so that finger piece projection and occluding device be disengaged, and the finger piece projection is placed on the top of occluding device.
9. circuit interruption device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said finger piece projection works by described occluding device, is applicable to when being pressed and starts a test loop when reset button and occluding device are in its second place.
10. circuit interruption device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said occluding device are applicable to and stop reset button to move to its primary importance when occluding device is in its second place.
11. circuit interruption device as claimed in claim 3 is if the wherein described part that resets can not be operated then described occluding device can not move to its primary importance from its second place.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US44457303P | 2003-02-03 | 2003-02-03 | |
| US60/444,573 | 2003-02-03 | ||
| US10/757,743 | 2004-01-15 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN1759460A CN1759460A (en) | 2006-04-12 |
| CN100385593C true CN100385593C (en) | 2008-04-30 |
Family
ID=36704042
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNB2004800066484A Expired - Fee Related CN100385593C (en) | 2003-02-03 | 2004-01-30 | GFCI receptacle having blocking means |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CN (1) | CN100385593C (en) |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5694280A (en) * | 1995-01-12 | 1997-12-02 | Pacific Sources, Inc. | Resettable latch mechanism |
| CN1214154A (en) * | 1995-12-29 | 1999-04-14 | 塔瓦制造有限公司 | Ground fault circuit interrupter |
| US5933063A (en) * | 1997-07-21 | 1999-08-03 | Rototech Electrical Components, Inc. | Ground fault circuit interrupter |
-
2004
- 2004-01-30 CN CNB2004800066484A patent/CN100385593C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5694280A (en) * | 1995-01-12 | 1997-12-02 | Pacific Sources, Inc. | Resettable latch mechanism |
| CN1214154A (en) * | 1995-12-29 | 1999-04-14 | 塔瓦制造有限公司 | Ground fault circuit interrupter |
| US5933063A (en) * | 1997-07-21 | 1999-08-03 | Rototech Electrical Components, Inc. | Ground fault circuit interrupter |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CN1759460A (en) | 2006-04-12 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA2515054C (en) | Gfci receptacle having blocking means | |
| CN100407354C (en) | GFCI of surface perforating device with bridge contact and automatic blocking protective socket used at the time of trip | |
| CN100338711C (en) | Gfci receptacle having blocking means | |
| US7049911B2 (en) | Circuit interrupting device and system utilizing electromechanical reset | |
| US7558034B2 (en) | Bi-directional ground fault circuit interrupter | |
| US6828886B2 (en) | Reset lockout mechanism and independent trip mechanism for center latch circuit interrupting device | |
| US7031125B2 (en) | Reset lockout for sliding latch GFCI | |
| US6437953B2 (en) | Circuit interrupting device with reverse wiring protection | |
| US7944331B2 (en) | Circuit interrupting device with reverse wiring protection | |
| CA2563190C (en) | Circuit interrupting device with a single test-reset button | |
| CA2515035C (en) | Circuit interrupting device and system utilizing bridge contact mechanism and reset lockout | |
| US20020072272A1 (en) | Modular GFCI receptacle | |
| MXPA06009952A (en) | Electrical wiring devices with a protective shutter. | |
| WO2004066327A2 (en) | Gfci receptacle having plug blocking means | |
| CA2512182C (en) | Circuit interrupting device with single throw, double mode button for test-reset function | |
| WO2004070901A2 (en) | Circuit interrupting device with lock out and reversible wiring | |
| CN100385593C (en) | GFCI receptacle having blocking means | |
| CN100521428C (en) | Circuit interrupting device with lock out and reversible wiring | |
| CN100533899C (en) | GFCI receptacle having plug blocking means |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| C06 | Publication | ||
| PB01 | Publication | ||
| C10 | Entry into substantive examination | ||
| SE01 | Entry into force of request for substantive examination | ||
| REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: HK Ref legal event code: DE Ref document number: 1089288 Country of ref document: HK |
|
| C14 | Grant of patent or utility model | ||
| GR01 | Patent grant | ||
| REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: HK Ref legal event code: WD Ref document number: 1089288 Country of ref document: HK |
|
| CF01 | Termination of patent right due to non-payment of annual fee | ||
| CF01 | Termination of patent right due to non-payment of annual fee |
Granted publication date: 20080430 |