Title of Invention

A SWITCH MECHANISM

Abstract In order to make it possible to arrange a switch mechanism with a hydraulic damping element (7) in two different mounting positions on a switch, it is necessary for the hydraulic damping element (7) to have its full operating capability in both mounting positions. In order to ensure the same operating capability in a first, for example vertical, mounting position and in a second, for example horizontal, mounting position, the damping element (7) is arranged in a position in which it is deflected by 45° from the vertical.
Full Text -2-
Description Switch mechanism
The invention relates to a switch mechanism with a pivotably mounted, gravity-opposing hydraulic damping element for damping a switching movement.
A switch mechanism of this type is known ,for example from the brochure "SFb circuit breaker HPL" of the Asea company, June 1986. In it, a switch mechanism is schematically represented on page B05-A:23. The switch mechanism represented is a stored-energy spring mechanism. The necessary operating energy is provided by the relaxation of previously stressed spring assemblies. The operating energy is transmitted via a gear mechanism, which has gear wheels, shafts and levers.
To damp the high forces abruptly occurring in a switching operation, damping elements which absorb excess energy when an end position of the gear mechanism is reached are provided- In the case of the switch mechanism represented, two damping elements are provided; one damping element for the switching-on movement and one damping element for the switching-off movement. The damping element for the switching-on movement is designed as a hydraulic- damping element and has a cylinder in which a piston moves within a hydraulic fluid. Hydraulic damping elements of this type have a gas volume above the hydraulic fluid. It must be ensured that the piston is always completely bathed in the hydraulic fluid, in order always to ensure a consistent damping characteristic.

-3-
Switches of different structural designs require attachment of the respective switch mechanisms at different positions in different assembly positions. On account of the alignment of the damping elements, it is not readily possible for the switch mechanism to be assembled on the switch in different positions. To ensure that the piston of the damping element in the cylinder is always completely surrounded by the hydraulic fluid, different switch mechanisms must be designed for a vertical assembly, position and a horizontal assembly position.
The present invention is based on the obj ect of designing a switch mechanism of the type stated at the beginning in such a way that a consistent functional capability of the hydraulic damping element is ensured in different assembly positions.
The object is achieved according to the invention in the case of a switch mechanism of the type stated at the beginning by the damping element being arranged in a position in which it is deflected by 45° from the vertical and is able to swing slightly about this angular position.
In the case of such an arrangement of the damping element, it is ensured that the piston is always immersed completely in the hydraulic fluid and consequently preserves its damping characteristic. Independently of a vertical or horizontal assembly position of the switch mechanism on the switch, the position of the damping element is maintained. Consequently, the switch mechanism can be used universally. The slight swinging about the angular position of 4 5° makes it possible for movements which proceed on a circular path to be effectively

- 4 -
damped. Such an arrangement allows a low-cost, reliable hydraulic damping element to be used - in the switch mechanism.
The invention is shown in the accompanying drawing and described in more detail below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment. In the drawing: figure 1 shows the schematic construction of a switch
mechanism in a first assembly position, figure 2 shows the schematic construction of the
switch mechanism in a second assembly
position:
Figure 1 shows a housing 1 of a stored-energy spring mechanism 2. The stored-energy spring mechanism 2 has a spring 3 for providing the operating energy. The spring 3 can be stressed by an electric motor (not represented). The spring 3 acts on a gear mechanism 4, which is indicated' in the figure by dashed lines. This gear mechanism 4 transmits the energy prqvided by the spring 3 to a drive rod 5, which drives the switching poles 6 of an electrical switching device. A damping element 7 , is provided for damping the abruptly occurring switching movements. The damping element 7 is swung out from the vertical by an angle of 45° and has a cylinder 8 which is filled with hydraulic fluid 9 and in which a piston 10 moves. The damping element 7 is arranged pivotably on the housing 1. The piston 10 is designed in such a way that, in the event of great relative speeds of the piston 10 and cylinder 8, it moves only with high resistance within the hydraulic fluid 9. To accomplish this movement characteristic, the piston 10 has overflow channels. The piston 10 is fastened to a piston rod 11 and is guided by the latter. The piston rod 11 has an elongate hole 12, by means of

5
which it is in operative connection with a pivotable lever 13. The pivotable lever 13 is arranged on a shaft 14 of the gear mechanism 4. The lever 13 transmits the rotational movement of the shaft 14, which is moved when there is a switching-on operation. In this case, the rotational movement of the shaft 14 and the movement of the drive rod 5 are coordinated in such a way that, shortly before reaching the end position, the damping effect of the damping element 7 commences and the switching-on movement is damped. Depending on the design of the mechanism, it may be possible that damping is required for the switching-on movement and for the switching-off movement. In this case, a separate damping element is to be provided for each of the movements, both being deflected in a similar way from the vertical, in order even then to ensure universal use of the switch mechanism both in a horizontal position and in a vertical position.
In order then to transfer the switch mechanism from the vertical assembly position into the horizontal assembly position {vertical and horizontal assembly positions relate to the position of the drive rod 5) , it is necessary to pivot the switch mechanism through 90° about a pivot axis lying parallel to the shaft 14. The horizontal assembly position is represented in figure 2. In this assembly position too, the damping element 7 has a deflection of 45° from the vertical. Consequently, full functional capability of the damping element 7 is ensured in two assembly positions that are perpendicular to each other.

-6-
We Claim:
Switch mechanism with a pivotably mounted, gravity-opposing hydraulic damping element (7) for damping a 5 switching movement, characterized in that the damping element (7) is arranged in a position in 'which it is deflected by 45° from the vertical and is able to swing slightly about this angular position.
In order to make it possible to arrange a switch mechanism with a hydraulic damping element (7) in two different mounting positions on a switch, it is necessary for the hydraulic damping element (7) to have its full operating capability in both mounting positions. In order to ensure the same operating capability in a first, for example vertical, mounting position and in a second, for example horizontal, mounting position, the damping element (7) is arranged in a position in which it is deflected by 45° from the vertical.

Documents:

in-pct-2002-00954-kol abstract.pdf

in-pct-2002-00954-kol claims.pdf

in-pct-2002-00954-kol correspondence.pdf

in-pct-2002-00954-kol description(complete).pdf

in-pct-2002-00954-kol drawings.pdf

in-pct-2002-00954-kol form-1.pdf

in-pct-2002-00954-kol form-18.pdf

in-pct-2002-00954-kol form-2.pdf

in-pct-2002-00954-kol form-3.pdf

in-pct-2002-00954-kol form-5.pdf

in-pct-2002-00954-kol g.p.a.pdf

in-pct-2002-00954-kol letters patent.pdf

in-pct-2002-00954-kol priority document.pdf

in-pct-2002-00954-kol reply f.e.r.pdf


Patent Number 203336
Indian Patent Application Number IN/PCT/2002/00954/KOL
PG Journal Number 10/2007
Publication Date 09-Mar-2007
Grant Date 09-Mar-2007
Date of Filing 23-Jul-2002
Name of Patentee SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Applicant Address GERMANY WITTLESBACHERPLATZ 2, 80333 MUNCHEN
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 LOEBNER FRIEDRICH DANCKELMANNSTRASE 19, 14059 BERLIN
2 lLUTZKE GUNNAR WEDDIGENWEG 12, 12205 BERLIN
PCT International Classification Number F 16 F 9/54
PCT International Application Number PCT/DE01/03877
PCT International Filing date 2001-10-04
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 10061 164.8 2000-11-30 Germany