AU2008202132A1

AU2008202132A1 - Operating device for moving two parts into contact or out of contact and electrical apparatus comprising one such device

Info

Publication number: AU2008202132A1
Application number: AU2008202132A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Denis Perrin
Original assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
Current assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
Priority date: 2007-05-15
Filing date: 2008-05-14
Publication date: 2008-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 2028-05-14
Also published as: EP1993115A1; ES2396742T3; BRPI0801341B1; FR2916300B1; CN101308734A; CN101308734B; FR2916300A1; BRPI0801341A2; RU2008119136A; RU2453943C2; EP1993115B1; AU2008202132B2

Description

P01l Section 29 Regulation 3.2(2)

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Application Number: Lodged: Invention Title: Operating device for moving two parts into contact or out of contact and electrical apparatus comprising one such device The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: P111ABAU/1207 00 8 OPERATING DEVICE FOR MOVING TWO PARTS INTO CONTACT OR OUT OF CONTACT AND ELECTRICAL APPARATUS COMPRISING ONE SUCH tDEVICE.

The present invention relates to an operating device for moving two parts into contact or out of contact, at least one of these parts being movable with respect to the other, Cc comprising an operating shaft connected in articulated manner with respect to a frame, said C shaft being able to be driven in rotation between a first position corresponding to a contact C position of the two parts and a second position corresponding to a position called separated 00 position of the two parts, a compression spring able to be compressed by said shaft and to act on the movable part when decompressing in such a way as to bring said movable part into a contact position with the stationary part, and means for separating the two parts able to move the above-mentioned two parts to the above-mentioned separated position, said spring co-operating via one of its ends, called the first end, with the operating shaft and via its other end, called the second end, with the movable part.

An operating device of the above-mentioned kind is known as described in the document FR 2 609 839, this device performing control of disconnecting or earthing. This device comprises an operating shaft mounted rotating with respect to a frame and connected in articulated manner to one of the ends of a spring system the opposite end whereof is connected in articulated manner to an output shaft connected in articulated manner to said frame and commanding movement of the movable part.

In this device, earthing is performed by rotation of the operating shaft resulting in compression of the spring until a dead point is passed. Under the action of the spring, the operating shaft continues its rotation through a few degrees releasing a latching roller by means of a connecting rod. When the roller has thus been released, the output shaft rotates due to the action of the spring and causes disconnecting of the contacts. During this rotation of the output shaft, the latter drives the latching roller until it comes into contact on a stop.

Earthing disconnection is performed by reverse rotation inverse of the operating shaft. The connecting rod then drives the roller, which in turn drives the output shaft.

00 In a mechanism of this type, the force of the drive spring decreases according to its travel.

N To obtain a large force when the contacts are closed, either a very powerful spring has to be fitted or a rod system approaching a dead point be used, a system which requires a good dimensional mastery and therefore tuning adjustments.

In addition, during the compression phase of the spring, the output shaft has to be kept in position by means of a latching system in the form of a roller and be released once the (,i spring has been compressed.

C' The present invention relates to an operating device for moving two parts into contact and 00 out of contact with one another which is of simple design, enabling the two parts to be brought into contact with a speed independent from the operator and ensuring a large contact pressure.

For this purpose, the object of the present invention is to provide an operating device for moving two parts into contact and out of contact of the above-mentioned kind, this device being characterized in that it comprises transmission means to transmit the force exerted by the first end of the spring when decompression of the latter takes place to the movable part, so that said movable part receives two forces exerted respectively by the two ends of the spring, the resultant of the two forces corresponding to these two forces ensuring strong securing between the above-mentioned two parts.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, these transmission means comprise a drive rod connected in articulated manner to the operating shaft via one of its ends, called first end, and connected to the movable part via its opposite end, called second end.

According to a particular feature of the invention, the operating shaft comprises two ends arranged on each side of its articulation axis on the frame, the spring is connected in articulated manner via its end called first end to one of the ends called second end of the operating shaft, and is connected in articulated manner via its end called second end to the movable part.

00 O According to another particular feature, the distance separating the articulation axis of the N, operating shaft on the frame on the one hand, and the articulation axis of the rod on the C operating shaft on the other hand corresponds substantially to the distance separating the articulation axis of the shaft on the frame and the articulation axis of the first end of the spring on said operating shaft.

Cc According to another feature, the operating shaft, rod and spring are dimensioned such that i the evolution of the leverages when the stationary and movable parts are brought into i contact is able to compensate the reduction of the force of the spring when stretching of the 00 latter takes place, so that a constant force is applied to the movable contact.

According to another feature, the above-mentioned device can take three stable positions, i.e. a closed equilibrium position in which the parts are in contact and the spring is in a partially decompressed position, an open equilibrium position in which the parts are separated and the spring is in a totally compressed position, and a dead point passage position in which the parts are separated and the three articulation axes respectively of the rod on the operating shaft, of the spring on the operating shaft, and of the spring on the movable contact, are aligned, in which position the direction of the forces transmitted by the spring is such that no torque is applied to the operating shaft, and a position beyond which the spring starts driving and moves the operating shaft and movable contact.

According to another feature, the operating shaft comprises a stop designed to operate in conjunction with the rod to limit the rotational travel of the operating shaft beyond the dead point passage position, after an opening operation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an electrical protection apparatus comprising a stationary contact and a movable contact, the movable contact being controlled by an operating device comprising the above-mentioned features taken alone or in combination.

According to a particular feature of the invention, the movable contact is an earthing contact.

00 According to a particular feature, it is an earthing switch presenting a making capacity.

But other advantages and features of the invention will become more clearly apparent from the following detailed description which refers to the accompanying drawings given for example purposes only and in which: (Ni NI -Figure 1 is a partial side view of an operating device of an electric apparatus according to NI the invention in an open position of the contacts, 00 -Figure 2 is an identical view to the previous figure, the device being in an unstable equilibrium position, -Figure 3 is an identical view to the previous ones, the device being in a closed equilibrium position, -Figure 4 is an identical view to the previous ones, the device being in an intermediate position between the above-mentioned unstable equilibrium position of figure 2 and the closed equilibrium position of figure 3, and -Figure 5 is a graphic representation illustrating the driving force E in DaN exerted by the spring on the movable contact versus the travel C of the movable contact in mm.

In figures 1 to 4, an operating device O of the contacts of an earthing switch according to the invention comprises an operating shaft 1 connected in articulated manner along an axis X to a frame 2. This operating shaft is also connected in articulated manner (on Y) via one la of its ends to one 3a of the ends of a drive rod 3, and via its opposite end lb to a compression spring 4. This drive rod 3 and the compression spring 4 are connected to one another in articulated manner via their other end 3b,4b, to a connecting axis U, this connecting axis U being connected in articulated manner on the one hand to a movable contact 6 and on the other hand to a guide rod 7 also connected in articulated manner to the 00 O frame. The stationary contact 5 is rigidly connected to the frame to withstand the holding N forces in closed position of the two contacts 5,6.

CThis device has two stable equilibrium positions and an unstable equilibrium position. The first stable equilibrium position is the open position represented in figure 1. In this position, drive rod 3 is blocked up against an opening stop 8 securedly fixed to operating shaft 1.

SThe second stable equilibrium position is the closed position represented in figure 3. In this N position, the movable contact mobile is blocked up against the stop formed by the (Ni stationary contact.

00 The unstable equilibrium position represented in figure 2 is the position in which the three articulation axes, respectively articulation axis Y of rod 3 on shaft 1, articulation axis Z of shaft 1 on spring 4 and articulation axis U of rod 3 on movable contact 6, are aligned. In this position, called dead mort passage position, the direction of the forces transmitted by the spring is such that no torque is applied to the operating shaft. The assembly can therefore swivel either to the open position or to the closed position.

During these two swivelling phases, the mechanism operates in autonomous manner due to the action of the compression spring as will be explained in the following.

During this autonomous operation of the mechanism, the operating shaft is subjected to a torque exerted by two forces, which forces vary according to the length of the spring and according to the evolution of leverages DI', D2' (figure The first force, called FI, is exerted directly by bottom end 4b of spring 4 and is retransmitted to operating shaft 1 by means of drive rod 3. The second force, called F2, is the result of the force transmitted to operating shaft 1 by top end 4a of spring 4. This second force F2 is retransmitted in the direction of F3 to movable contact 6 by means of the two leverages D1 and D2.

When the system leaves the dead point passage position, this torque exerted on the operating shaft tends to make the latter rotate either counterclockwise to reach the closed position or clockwise to reach the open position.

To perform closing of the contacts from the open position illustrated in figure 1, an external action therefore has to be performed to drive the operating shaft in counterclockwise rotation until the dead point passage line is passed, a position illustrated in figure 2. Once this alignment has been passed, spring 4 starts its driving action and drives shaft 1 in rotation still in the same direction until closing of the contacts is achieved 00 O (figure This is achieved by decompression of the spring, which acts via its two opposite ends 4a,4b exerting two forces respectively F1 acting on movable contact 6 and on the operating shaft, and F2 acting on operating shaft 1 and retransmitted to the movable contact by rod 3.

Inversely, to perform opening of the contacts from the closed position illustrated in figure 3, an external action has to be performed to make operating shaft 1 rotate until it moves Cc beyond the dead point position illustrated in figure 2. In this position, the spring is in a C maximum compression state. Once this position has been passed, the spring starts driving and by its decompression drives the operating shaft in rotation until opening stop 8 comes 00 into contact with the rod as illustrated in figure 1.

N'q Analysis of the closed equilibrium position of figure 3 shows that the device on the one hand applies force Fl of the bottom end of spring 4 directly to movable contact 6 and on the other hand transmits force F2 to movable contact 6 via operating shaft 1 and drive rod 3. The resultant R of the forces applied to the movable contact is therefore approximately twice the force supplied by first end 4a of spring 4.

Furthermore, the value of this force resultant R varies very little whatever the position of stationary contact 5 during the last two thirds of the travel as illustrated in figure 5. The variation of leverages D and D2' does in fact compensate the reduction of the force of the spring when the latter is stretched. The more forces Fl and F2 decrease, the more force F3 increases.

An operating device whereby the movable contact can be moved to a position against the stationary contact with a speed independent from the operator has therefore been achieved by means of the invention. At the end of movement, on account of the compression spring, this device ensures a high contact pressure to enable current to flow. The system is kept in the open position by the drive rod being brought into contact against a part forming a stop of the operating shaft under the action of the compression spring.

Using the force of both ends of the spring means that a spring of lower force (approximately half the contact force to be obtained) is able to be used.

As the evolution of the leverages when closing of the contacts takes place compensates the reduction of the force of the spring over the last two third of the travel, this results in a force retransmitted to the contacts remaining constant over a large travel.

00 0 This absence of variation of force according to the travel guarantees the same force level N whatever the erosion, caulking, creeping, loss of travel, etc...of the contacts.

e This absence of variation of force according to the travel therefore does away with the necessity for a contact pressing device or a coming-into-contact position adjustment device.

This device enables the number of parts to be minimized, makes for maximum compactness of the assembly, and results in lower production costs.

This principle is well suited for driving contacts when large forces are necessary at end of C, travel end to end contacts), or for all contacts requiring an over-travel to compensate

OO

00 wear, caulking, etc...

It is applicable to all electrical functions without breaking capacity, in particular of disconnector type.

This principle can be used to simply apply a holding force flanging), or a clamping force keeping several parts together.

It is also well suited for all earthing switch functions with breaking capacity.

For other applications, it can be coupled with a shaft in order to transform the linear output movement into a rotational movement. A cam system can also be associated with it to adapt the forces transmitted to particular requirements.

It can also be used, if the operating shaft and drive rod are not securedly joined to one another, for all switch functions, or even for circuit breakers with fitting of latching for tripping.

The invention is naturally not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated which have been given for example purposes only.

On the contrary, the invention extends to encompass all the technical equivalents of the means described and combinations thereof if the latter are achieved according to the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. An operating device for moving two parts into contact or out of contact, at least one of these parts being movable with respect to the other, comprising an operating shaft Cc connected in articulated manner with respect to a frame, said shaft being able to be driven in rotation between a first position corresponding to a contact position of the CI two parts and a second position corresponding to a position called separated position 00 0 10 of the two parts, a compression spring able to be compressed by said shaft and to act on the movable part when decompressing in such a way as to bring said movable part into a contact position with the stationary part, and means for separating the two parts able to move the above-mentioned two parts to the above-mentioned separated position, said spring co-operating via one of its ends, called the first end, with the operating shaft and via its other end, called the second end, with the movable part, characterized in that it comprises transmission means to transmit the force exerted on the operating shaft by the first end (4a) of the spring when decompression of the latter takes place to the movable part so that said movable part receives two forces exerted respectively by the two ends (4a,4b) of the spring the resultant of the two forces F1,F2 corresponding to these two forces ensuring strong securing between the above-mentioned two parts

2. The operating device according to claim 1, characterized in that these transmission means comprise a drive rod connected in articulated manner to the operating shaft via one (3a) of its ends, called first end, and connected to the movable part via its opposite end called second end.

3. The operating device according to claim 2, characterized in that the operating shaft comprises two ends (la,lb) arranged on each side of its articulation axis X on the frame, that the spring is connected in articulated manner via its end called first end (4a) to one of the ends (Ib) called second end of the operating shaft, and is 00 O connected in articulated manner via its end called second end (4b) to the movable N part

4. The operating device according to claim 3, characterized in that the distance separating the articulation axis X of the operating shaft on the frame on the one hand, and the articulation axis Y of the rod on the operating shaft on the Cc other hand corresponds substantially to the distance separating the articulation axis X N, of the shaft on the frame and the articulation axis of the first end (4a) of the 00 spring on said operating shaft 00 The operating device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the operating shaft rod and spring are dimensioned such that the evolution of the leverages Dl' and D2' when the stationary and movable parts are brought into contact is able to compensate the reduction of the force of the spring when stretching of the latter takes place, so that a constant force is applied to the movable part

6. The operating device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the above-mentioned device can take three stable positions, i.e. a closed equilibrium position in which the parts are in contact and the spring is in a partially decompressed position, an open equilibrium position in which the parts are separated and the spring is in a totally compressed position, and a dead point passage position in which the parts are separated and the three articulation axes respectively the articulation axis Y of the rod on the operating shaft the articulation axis Z of the spring on the operating shaft and the articulation axis U of the spring on the movable part are aligned, in which position the direction of the forces transmitted by the spring is such that no torque is applied to the operating shaft and a position beyond which the spring starts driving and moves the operating shaft and movable part

7. The operating device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the operating shaft comprises a stop designed to operate in conjunction with the 00 O rod to limit the rotational travel of the operating shaft beyond the dead point C passage position, after an opening operation.

8. An electrical protection apparatus comprising a stationary contact and a movable contact the movable contact being controlled by an operating device D according to any one of the foregoing claims. (N C 9. The electrical protection apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the C movable contact is an earthing contact. 00 CI 10. The electrical protection apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that it is an earthing switch presenting a making capacity.