Electronically controlled circuit breaker with integrated latch tripping

A circuit breaker for interrupting an electrical current in a branch circuit of an electrical distribution system, said circuit breaker comprising:

• a pair of breaker contacts for opening and closing an electrical power distribution circuit,
• a trip mechanism connected to at least one of said contacts for opening and closing said contacts, said trip mechanism including
• a releasably latchable trip lever movable between a latched position and a tripped position, said electrical current adapted to flow through said circuit breaker when said trip lever is in said latched position, said electrical current being interrupted when said trip lever is moved to said tripped position;
• and
• a latching mechanism moveable between an engaged position and a released position in response to receiving a trip signal, said latching mechanism being adapted to engage said trip lever in said latched position when in said engaged position, said trip lever being adapted to move from said latched position to said tripped position when said latching mechanism is moved to said released position;
• means for electronically generating a trip signal;
• and
• an actuator responsive to said trip signal for moving said latching mechanism between said engaged and released positions,
• wherein said latching mechanism includes a moveable plunger, a coil and a moveable latch plate having a seat end and a interlocking end, the plunger being adapted for movement relative to the coil in response to movement of said latching mechanism between said engaged and released positions, the coil creating a magnetic field when said latching mechanism is moved from said engaged position to said released position, the plunger having a first position in the coil when said latching mechanism is in said engaged position, the plunger being moved from said first position toward a second position further into the coil in response to creation of the magnetic field, the interlocking end of the movable latch plate interlocking with a distal end of the plunger, the seat end of the latch plate having a first leg and a second leg defining a L-shape, said first leg providing a smooth seat for said trip lever in said latched position, said second leg being perpendicular to said first leg, the seat end of the movable latch plate engaging the trip lever in said latched position when said latching mechanism is in said engaged position, said trip lever being adapted to slide off said smooth seat and move into said tripped position in response to the plunger being moved into the coil.

A circuit breaker for interrupting an electrical current in a branch circuit of an electrical distribution system, said circuit breaker comprising:

• a pair of breaker contacts for opening and closing an electrical power distribution circuit,
• a trip mechanism connected to at least one of said contacts for opening and closing said contacts, said trip mechanism including
• a releasably latchable trip lever movable between a latched position and a tripped position, said electrical current adapted to flow through said circuit breaker when said trip lever is in said latched position, said electrical current being interrupted when said trip lever is moved to said tripped position;
• and
• a latching mechanism moveable between an engaged position and a released position in response to receiving a trip signal, said latching mechanism being adapted to engage said trip lever in said latched position when in said engaged position, said trip lever being adapted to move from said latched position to said tripped position when said latching mechanism is moved to said released position;
• means for electronically generating a trip signal;
• and
• an actuator responsive to said trip signal for moving said latching mechanism between said engaged and released positions,
• wherein said latching mechanism includes a moveable plunger, a coil and a flexible latch plate having a seat end and a interlocking end, the plunger being adapted for movement relative to the coil in response to movement of said latching mechanism between said engaged and released positions, said coil creating a magnetic field when said latching mechanism is moved from said engaged position to said released position, the plunger having a first position in the coil when said latching mechanism is in said engaged position, the plunger being moved from said first position toward a second position further into the coil in response to creation of the magnetic field, said flexible latch plate having a relaxed position and a flexed position, said interlocking end of said latch plate interlocking with a distal end of the plunger, said seat end of said latch plate seating the trip lever in said latched position when said flexible latch plate is in said relaxed position, said trip lever being adapted to slide off said seat end of said latch plate in response to said flexible latch plate flexing into said flexed position when the plunger is moved into said coil.