Movable contact driving device and switching apparatus

A movable contact driving device, comprising:

• a contact carrier configured to carry a movable contact;
• an electromagnetic actuator comprising:
• a coil;
• a movable core movable along a longitudinal axis in a state in which the coil is energized;
• and a push rod engaged with the movable core and driven by the movable core to move along the longitudinal axis;
• and
• a driving member disposed along the longitudinal axis between the push rod and the contact carrier and configured to be driven by the push rod to move the contact carrier along the longitudinal axis,
• wherein the driving member is configured to, when the push rod moves to a first predetermined position along the longitudinal axis, rotate relative to the push rod in a first direction such that the driving member engages a fixed portion of the electromagnetic actuator to lock the contact carrier in a position corresponding to a closed position of the movable contact;
• and, when the push rod moves to a second predetermined position along the longitudinal axis, rotate relative to the push rod in a second direction opposite the first direction such that the driving member is unlocked from the fixed portion of the electromagnetic actuator to allow the contact carrier to move to a position corresponding to an open position of the movable contact.