Circuit breaker switching mechanism

An upper link for use in a switching mechanism of a circuit breaker, comprising:

• a first end adapted for connecting to a trip lever;
• a second end adapted for connecting to a lower link;
• a first slidably-engaging surface adapted for driving an initial motion of the upper link when a tripping condition occurs;
• a second slidably-engaging surface adapted to continue driving the upper link after the first slidably-engaging surface has partially driven the upper link and until the switching mechanism is in a TRIPPED position;
• a clearance surface located between the first slidably-engaging surface and the second slidably-engaging surface;
• and
• a front surface located near the first end adapted for holding the upper link stopped in the TRIPPED position.

A frame for use in a switching mechanism of a circuit breaker, comprising:

• a support structure;
• and
• a guide structure integrated to form a single component with the support structure, the guide structure comprising
• an angled surface adapted for holding the switching mechanism in an ON position of the circuit breaker and for driving an initial motion of an upper link when a tripping condition occurs,
• a ramp surface adapted to continue driving the upper link after the angled portion has partially driven the upper link and until the switching mechanism is in a TRIPPED position, and
• a resting surface adapted for holding the upper link stopped in the TRIPPED position.

A method for switching a mechanism from an ON position to a TRIPPED position, the method comprising:

• providing a frame guide having a guiding area;
• connecting a trip lever to the frame guide;
• providing a blade carrier assembly,
• connecting a lower link to the blade carrier assembly,
• connecting an upper link to the lower link and to the trip lever;
• causing the release of the trip lever between the ON position and the TRIPPED position;
• and
• keeping at least one point of the upper link in continuous contact with the guiding area at all times while the switching mechanism is in the ON position, while the switching mechanism is in the TRIPPED position, and while the switching mechanism is between the ON position and the TRIPPED position.