AU2008202132B2 - Operating device for moving two parts into contact or out of contact and electrical apparatus comprising one such device - Google Patents

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

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Publication number
AU2008202132B2
AU2008202132B2 AU2008202132A AU2008202132A AU2008202132B2 AU 2008202132 B2 AU2008202132 B2 AU 2008202132B2 AU 2008202132 A AU2008202132 A AU 2008202132A AU 2008202132 A AU2008202132 A AU 2008202132A AU 2008202132 B2 AU2008202132 B2 AU 2008202132B2
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AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
spring
contact
operating
parts
shaft
Prior art date
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Ceased
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AU2008202132A
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AU2008202132A1 (en
Inventor
Denis Perrin
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Schneider Electric Industries SAS
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Schneider Electric Industries SAS
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Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/22Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism
    • H01H3/30Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism using spring motor
    • H01H3/3047Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism using spring motor adapted for operation of a three-position switch, e.g. on-off-earth
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00Contacts
    • H01H1/50Means for increasing contact pressure, preventing vibration of contacts, holding contacts together after engagement, or biasing contacts to the open position
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H5/00Snap-action arrangements, i.e. in which during a single opening operation or a single closing operation energy is first stored and then released to produce or assist the contact movement
    • H01H5/04Energy stored by deformation of elastic members
    • H01H5/06Energy stored by deformation of elastic members by compression or extension of coil springs

Landscapes

  • Driving Mechanisms And Operating Circuits Of Arc-Extinguishing High-Tension Switches (AREA)
  • Mechanisms For Operating Contacts (AREA)

Description

Pool 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 OPERATING DEVICE FOR MOVING TWO PARTS INTO CONTACT OR OUT OF CONTACT AND ELECTRICAL APPARATUS COMPRISING ONE SUCH DEVICE. 5 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, comprising an operating shaft 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 two parts and a second position corresponding to a position called separated 10 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 15 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 20 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 25 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. 30 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.
2 In a mechanism of this type, the force of the drive spring decreases according to its travel. 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 5 goo dimensional mastery and therefore tuning adjustments. In at dition, 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 sprir g has been compressed. 10 Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to ex plain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material formed part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevmt art in Australia on or before the priority date of the claims herein. 15 The present invention relates to an operating device for moving two parts into contact and out cf 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 cont ct pressure. In accordance with the present invention there is provided an operating device for moving 20 two parts into contact or out of contact, at least one of these parts being movable with respect to the other, including an operating shaft connected in articulated manner with respect to a frame, said shaft being able to be driven in rotation between a first position corre ponding to a contact position of the two parts and a second position corresponding to a osition called separated position of the two parts, a compression spring able to be 25 com essed 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 abovd-mentioned separated position, said spring co-operating via one of its ends, called the fi st end, with the operating shaft and via its other end, called the second end, with a 30 mova>le part, wherein the device includes transmission means to transmit the force exerted on the operating shaft 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 3 respectively by the two ends of the spring, the resultant of the two forces corresponding to thes: two forces ensuring strong securing between the above-mentioned two parts. Ace rding to a particular embodiment of the invention, the transmission means comprises 5 a dr ve 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 preferred 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 10 artic elated 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 mov ble part. Acc rding to another preferred feature, the distance separating the articulation axis of the 15 operating shaft on the frame on the one hand, and the articulation axis of the rod on the 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. 20 Accrding to another preferred feature, the operating shaft, rod and spring are dimensioned such that the evolution of the leverages 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 contact. 25 According to another preferred feature, the device can take three stable positions, i.e. a closed equilibrium position in which the parts are in contact and the spring is in partially decompressed position, an open equilibrium position in which the parts are separated and the s ring is in a totally compressed position, and a dead point passage position in which 30 the p arts are separated and the three articulation axes respectively of the rod on the opera ing 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 4 is su h that no torque is applied to the operating shaft, and a position beyond which the sprin - starts driving and moves the operating shaft and movable contact. According to another preferred feature, the operating shaft comprises a stop designed to 5 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. There is also provided an electrical protection apparatus comprising a stationary contact and a movable contact, the movable contact being controlled by an operating device 10 comp rising the above-mentioned features taken alone or in combination. Acco ding to a preferred feature of the electrical protection apparatus, the movable conta t is an earthing contact. 15 Acco ding to a preferred feature, it is an earthing switch presenting a making capacity. 'Com >rises/comprising' when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or additi n of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof 20 Advantages and features of the invention will become more clearly apparent from the follow ing detailed description which refers to the accompanying drawings given for example purposes only and in which: 25 -Figur:: 1 is a partial side view of an operating device of an electric apparatus according to the invention in an open position of the contacts, -Figur: 2 is an identical view to the previous figure, the device being in an unstable equilibrium position, 30 -Figur: 3 is an identical view to the previous ones, the device being in a closed equili rium position, 4a -Figu-e 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 5 -Figu e 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 figt res I to 4, an operating device 0 of the contacts of an earthing switch according to the in ention comprises an operating shaft I connected in articulated manner along an 10 axis X to a frame 2. This operating shaft 1 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 (Z) to a co pression 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 15 contact 6 and on the other hand to a guide rod 7 also connected in articulated manner to the 5 frame. The stationary contact 5 is rigidly connected to the frame to withstand the holding forces in closed position of the two contacts 5,6. This 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 5 position, drive rod 3 is blocked up against an opening stop 8 securedly fixed to operating shaft 1. The second stable equilibrium position is the closed position represented in figure 3. In this position, the movable contact mobile is blocked up against the stop formed by the stationary contact. 10 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 I 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 15 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 20 according to the evolution of leverages Dl', D2' (figure 4). 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 I 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 DI and D2. 25 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 30 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 6 (figure 3). This is achieved by decompression of the spring, which acts via its two opposite ends 4a,4b exerting two forces respectively Fl acting on movable contact 6 and on the operating shaft, and F2 acting on operating shaft I and retransmitted to the movable contact by rod 3. 5 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 I rotate until it moves beyond the dead point position illustrated in figure 2. In this position, the spring is in a 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 10 into contact with the rod as illustrated in figure 1. Analysis of the closed equilibrium position of figure 3 shows that the device on the one hand applies force F1 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 I and drive rod 3. The resultant R of the forces applied to the movable contact is therefore approximately 15 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 D1' 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 20 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, 25 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. 30 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.
7 This absence of variation of force according to the travel guarantees the same force level whatever the erosion, caulking, creeping, loss of travel, etc.. .of the contacts. 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. 5 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 travel (e.g.: end to end contacts), or for all contacts requiring an over-travel to compensate 10 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 (e.g.: flanging), or a clamping force keeping several parts together. 15 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 20 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. 25 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 (11)

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, including an operating shaft connected in articulated manner with respect to a frame, said shaft being able 5 to be driven in rotation between a first position corresponding to a contact position of the two parts and a second position corresponding to a position called separated 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 10 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 a movable part, wherein the device includes transmission means to transmit the force exerted on the operating shaft by the first end of the spring when 15 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.
2. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission means 20 include 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 the second end.
3. The operating device according to claim 2, wherein the operating shaft includes two ends arranges on each side of its articulation axis X on the frame, that the 25 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.
4. The operating device according to claim 3, wherein the distance separating the articulation axis X of the operating shaft on the frame on the one hand, and the 30 articulation axis Y of the rod on the operating shaft on the other hand corresponds 9 substantially to the distance separating the articulation axis X of the shaft on the frame and the articulation axis of the first end of the spring on said operating shaft.
5. The operating device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the operating shaft, rod and spring are dimensioned such that the evolution of the leverages Dl' 5 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, wherein the device can take three stable positions, i.e. a closed equilibrium position in which the parts are 10 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 15 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, wherein the operating 20 shaft includes 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.
8. An electrical protection apparatus including a stationary contact and a movable contact, the movable contact being controlled by an operating device according to 25 my one of the foregoing claims.
9. The electrical protection apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the movable :ontact is an earthing contact. 10
10. The electrical protection apparatus according to claim 9, wherein it is an earthing switch presenting a making capacity,
11. An operating device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 5 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SAS WATERMARK PATENT & TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS P30259A J00
AU2008202132A 2007-05-15 2008-05-14 Operating device for moving two parts into contact or out of contact and electrical apparatus comprising one such device Ceased AU2008202132B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0703471A FR2916300B1 (en) 2007-05-15 2007-05-15 DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE CONTACT OR NON-CONTACT OF TWO PARTS AND AN ELECTRIC APPARATUS COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE
FR0703471 2007-05-15

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
AU2008202132A1 AU2008202132A1 (en) 2008-12-04
AU2008202132B2 true AU2008202132B2 (en) 2011-06-09

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AU2008202132A Ceased AU2008202132B2 (en) 2007-05-15 2008-05-14 Operating device for moving two parts into contact or out of contact and electrical apparatus comprising one such device

Country Status (7)

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EP (1) EP1993115B1 (en)
CN (1) CN101308734B (en)
AU (1) AU2008202132B2 (en)
BR (1) BRPI0801341B1 (en)
ES (1) ES2396742T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2916300B1 (en)
RU (1) RU2453943C2 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102010033042A1 (en) * 2010-08-02 2012-02-02 Abb Technology Ag Drive for a circuit breaker with C O switching capacity
WO2020200951A1 (en) * 2019-03-29 2020-10-08 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Spring system for a drive system comprising a coupling, spring system comprising a coupling, drive system comprising a coupling and a spring system and switchgear comprising such a drive system

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1160928B (en) * 1959-11-24 1964-01-09 Erwin Wagner Switching device for electrical switches
EP0058585A1 (en) * 1981-02-13 1982-08-25 Merlin Gerin Operating mechanism for electrical switching apparatuses with three separate positions
EP0277851A1 (en) * 1987-01-21 1988-08-10 Merlin Gerin Control mechanism with a latching device for a three-position circuit breaker

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2291512C1 (en) * 2005-07-11 2007-01-10 Открытое акционерное общество "Энергомашкорпорация" Spring-type operating mechanism for high-voltage switching apparatus

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1160928B (en) * 1959-11-24 1964-01-09 Erwin Wagner Switching device for electrical switches
EP0058585A1 (en) * 1981-02-13 1982-08-25 Merlin Gerin Operating mechanism for electrical switching apparatuses with three separate positions
EP0277851A1 (en) * 1987-01-21 1988-08-10 Merlin Gerin Control mechanism with a latching device for a three-position circuit breaker

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2008202132A1 (en) 2008-12-04
FR2916300B1 (en) 2009-07-10
RU2453943C2 (en) 2012-06-20
FR2916300A1 (en) 2008-11-21
EP1993115A1 (en) 2008-11-19
CN101308734B (en) 2012-04-18
RU2008119136A (en) 2009-11-20
BRPI0801341A2 (en) 2009-03-31
CN101308734A (en) 2008-11-19
ES2396742T3 (en) 2013-02-25
EP1993115B1 (en) 2012-12-12
BRPI0801341B1 (en) 2018-10-30

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