AU2012314168B2

AU2012314168B2 - Anti-gaping device designed for a zone joining two portions of adjacent shells of a housing of a modular electrical apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2012314168B2
Application number: AU2012314168A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Christian Benoit; Claude Houde
Original assignee: Hager Electro SAS
Current assignee: Hager Electro SAS
Priority date: 2011-09-29
Filing date: 2012-09-27
Publication date: 2015-12-17
Anticipated expiration: 2032-09-27
Also published as: EP2575156B1; CN103975408A; AU2012314168A1; WO2013045851A1; CN103975408B; AU2012314168A8; EP2575156A1

Abstract

Anti-gaping device designed for a zone for joining two adjacent portions of shell (3a, 4a; 3b, 4b; 3c, 4c) of a housing of a modular electrical apparatus (1) of the circuit breaker or isolator type, said portions of shell (3a, 4a; 3b, 4b; 3c, 4c) forming when they are edge to edge a face (6a, 6b, 6c) of plane appearance of said housing comprising at least one window (7a, 7b, 7c) affording access to a connection device (5a, 5b, 5c) for the connection of at least one external conductor (8a, 8b, 8c) with a view to its clamping against a conducting terminal (1 1 ) linked to a functional block of the apparatus (1 ). This device is characterized in that said terminal (1 1 ) comprises a span stretching parallel to and in the vicinity of said face (6a, 6b, 6c) for connection and comprising at least one recess for receiving at least one lug (17) protruding from each portion of shell (3a, 4a; 3b, 4b; 3c, 4c) to the interior of the housing, each lug (17) being inserted into a recess so that in the inserted position, the surfaces of the lugs (17) and of the recess or recesses in contact position the portions of shell (3a, 4a; 3b, 4b; 3c, 4c) edge to edge so as to constitute the face (6a, 6b, 6c) of plane appearance and oppose their separation.

Description

1 Anti-gaping device designed for a zone joining two portions of adjacent shells of a housing of a modular electrical apparatus The present invention relates to an anti-gaping device designed for a 5 zone joining two portions of adjacent shells of a housing of an electrical apparatus, for example modular, of the circuit breaker, switch or ground fault circuit interrupter type, etc. It also relates to a modular apparatus that is provided with such a device. 10 These two shells form a shell-lid type architecture forming the housing of such an apparatus. The two shells are generally assembled by riveting and/or heading, involving weld points at different locations distributed over the largest surface of the shells. 15 Apparatus concerned by this invention have at least one device for connecting to a line that they protect, accessible via portions of said shells that, when they are edge to edge, form a planar connecting surface of the housing of the module. This surface in practice has at least one window providing access to a connecting device for connecting at least one external 20 conductor so that it can be clamped against a conductive terminal connected to a functional block of the apparatus that performs the function for which it is provided. This may be a simple connection providing a single window for 25 inserting a wire, for example, or a dual connection with two windows that are formed in the same connecting surface of the module, thereby allowing a dual connection for a direct power supply and bridging, for example. The window(s) is (are) generally centered in the width of the 30 connecting surface of the module and is (are) therefore at least partially located in the junction zone between the two adjacent shell portions. 9ARA rQ i Hr 2 The connecting device frequently consists of a terminal cage provided with a tightening screw accessible on the front face of the product. Tightening this screw using a screwdriver, from such a front face that is generally perpendicular to the connecting surface, causes a tightening torque 5 within the terminal cage. The latter then tends to deform and exert pressure on at least one of the two adjacent shell portions, thereby causing them to be separated, which in practice is called "gaping". This gaping is primarily visible in the connecting surface, given that the stresses due to the torsion torque exerted during tightening are strongest in the vicinity of that surface. 10 Such gaping is obviously not desirable, both esthetically and in terms of safety. When such an apparatus is powered on, its inside must be protected from any potential introductions of foreign entities, such as splashes, etc., that could for example cause short circuits, or more generally 15 faults on the line. The housing therefore acts as an electrically insulating protective cover of the apparatus, and the appearance of gaping alters that function, not to mention the risk of fragilization that ensues. The present invention therefore seeks to prevent any gaping in the 20 junction zone between the two adjacent shell portions of a module of a housing, irrespective of the tightening torque applied at the connecting device. The space being relatively reduced within the housing, it is physically 25 impossible, in that precise location, to house closing means of the rivet/snap type that would prevent such gaping on the connecting surface. One solution involving permanent fastening by welding or gluing the edges of said surface is also not possible, in particular for industrialization reasons. 30 Advantageously, the anti-gaping device according to the invention does not introduce any additional parts into the housing, and the assembly of the latter remains simple, quick and easy. 2468069 1.docx 3 In accordance with the present invention, therefore, there is provided an anti-gaping device designed for a zone joining two adjacent shell portions of a housing of a modular electrical apparatus of the circuit breaker or switch 5 type, said shell portions, when they are edge to edge, forming a planar surface of said housing including at least one window providing access to a connecting device for connecting at least one external conductor so that it can be clamped against a conductive terminal connected to a functional block of the apparatus, wherein in that the conductive terminal includes a 10 segment developing parallel to and in the vicinity of the connecting surface and including at least one receptacle for receiving at least one lug protruding from each shell portion toward the inside of the housing, each lug being inserted in a receptacle such that, in the inserted position, the surfaces of the lugs and the receptacle(s) that are in contact, position the shell portions 15 edge to edge to form the planar surface and oppose their separation. In accordance with the invention there is also provided a modular apparatus of the circuit breaker or switch type provided with an anti-gaping device according to the preceding paragraph. 20 This makes it possible to ensure joining of the edges in a localized manner at the connecting device of the housing, in addition to the overall closing done by welding or riveting at different places of the latter. 25 In other words, this is an adjustment to the position of the shell portions relative to the conductive terminal, the latter additionally acting as local fastening means between the two shell portions. According to one possible configuration, each shell portion includes a 30 lug, the two lugs of the two shell portions cooperating with a same orifice of the conductive terminal. 2468069_1.docx 4 According to one functional hypothesis, each lug includes a semi cylindrical surface oriented toward the edge of the orifice of the conductive terminal, the orifice being circular. 5 The lugs and the orifice may assume various other forms. Advantageously, when the two shells are assembled, the shape of the set of two lugs alongside one another hugs the shape of the orifice of the conductive terminal and adjusts thereto. 10 According to the invention, the conductive terminal may be in the shape of a U, the base of which is parallel to the connecting surface, one leg of the U forming the connection with the functional block and the other leg including a guide orifice for guiding the screw of the connecting device. 15 The terminal is made from metal, of the copper type, and is relatively thick and rigid, therefore deforming/moving little or not at all during clamping of the conductor. Furthermore, it provides an excellent spatial reference, since it is ideally placed inside the apparatus, and more specifically centered between the two shell portions forming the housing and in the vicinity of the 20 zone at risk for gaping. Furthermore, its connection to the functional block gives it stability within the apparatus. The terminal in a way is therefore the anchoring point of the anti-gaping device. Still more specifically, the lugs are located in the vicinity of the rims or 25 edges of the two shell portions and are symmetrical relative to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the housing. The lugs are preferably molded in a single piece with the shell portions to which they belong. 30 The invention will now be described in more detail, in reference to the appended figures, in which: 2468069 1.docx 5 - Figure 1 shows the gaping phenomenon on an apparatus; - Figure 2 is an exploded view of a module provided with an anti gaping device according to one possible configuration of the invention; - Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the anti-gaping device 5 according to figure 2, in an exploded view; - Figure 4 illustrates the assembly of the anti-gaping device according to the configurations of figures 2 and 3; - Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the anti-gaping device assembled according to the same configuration as for the previous figures. 10 Figure 1 illustrates a tri-modular electrical apparatus (1). Each module (2a, 2b, 2c) includes two adjacent shell portions (3a, 4a; 3b, 4b; 3c, 4c) assembled by clipping and welding, and forming a housing. 15 In the case of the apparatus shown in figure 1, each module (2a, 2b, 2c) includes a connecting device (5a, 5b, 5c) visible from a connecting surface (6a, 6b, 6c). The latter is made up of two adjacent shell portions (3a, 4a; 3b, 4b; 3c, 4c) and has a connecting window (7a, 7b, 7c) providing access to the connecting device (5a, 5b, 5c). The latter consists of a 20 traditional terminal cage and screw. A power conductor (8a, 8b, 8c) can be inserted in this window (7a, 7b, 7c) and then penetrates inside the cage. The connection is done by tightening a screw (9a, 9b, 9c) from the front face of the product 25 perpendicular and adjacent to the connecting surface (6a, 6b, 6c), so as to press the conductor (8a, 8b, 8c) against a conductive terminal connected to a central functional block of the apparatus (not shown in figures) that performs its function. 30 This clamping causes a tightening torque that can in turn cause gaping (1 Oa, 1 Ob, 1 Oc) between the two shell portions forming the connecting surface (6a, 6b, 6c) if, as shown in figure 1, due to the stresses then exerted 2468069 1.docx 6 by the cage, which may deform the shell portions (3a, 4a; 3b, 4b; 3c, 4c). Figure 2 shows an exploded view of one of the modules (2), with the two shells (3, 4) and the conductive terminal (11), the surface of the first 5 plane being that opposite the connecting surface (6), the module (2) having been rotated 1800. The conductive terminal (11) is in the shape of a U: - the base (12) of the U is parallel to the connecting surface (6a, 10 6b, 6c) and includes a circular central orifice (15); - the upper leg (13) of the U includes a guide orifice (16) for guiding the screw (9) of the connecting device; - the lower leg (14) of the U, which is longer than the upper leg (13), forms the connection with the functional block of the apparatus (1). 15 This terminal (11) is better visible in figure 3, and is surrounded by two shell portions (3, 4) forming the connecting surface (6). A lug (17) protrudes past each of these two shell portions (3, 4) 20 toward the inside of the housing. These lugs (17) are situated in the vicinity of the edges (18) of the two shell portions and are symmetrical relative to a longitudinal plane of symmetry of the housing. These two lugs (17) are capable of being inserted inside the orifice (15) of the base (12) of the U forming the conductive terminal (11), as shown in figure 4, when the shells 25 (3, 4) are brought together to form the housing of the module (2). According to the configuration shown in these figures, the lugs (17) have a complex shape, i.e., a beveled volume made up of: - a first, semi-cylindrical surface (19) oriented toward the edge of the orifice (15) of the conductive terminal (11); 30 - a second, planar surface (20) connecting the first surface (19) to the edge (18) of the shell; - an upper surface (21) and a lower surface (22), both cone 2468069 1.docx 6a shaped. The first surface (19) of the lug (17) thus hugs a portion of the circular shape of the orifice (15). 5 In reference to figure 5, when the two lugs (17) are housed in the orifice (15), their first surfaces (19) are symmetrically in contact with two opposite edges (23, 24) of the orifice (15) of the terminal (11). If the shell portions (3, 4) were to deform following an excessive tightening torque in the 10 terminal cage, the lugs (17) would remain housed in the orifice (15), then preventing any gaping between the shell portions (3, 4) at the connecting surface (6). The invention has been described using one particular example 15 configuration, in particular regarding the shape of the lugs (17) and the orifice (15), as well as their positioning within the module (2), which is in no way limiting. The invention on the contrary encompasses all alternative embodiments and configurations within reach of one skilled in the art. 20 Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. 25 The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. 30 2468069 1.docx

Claims

1. An anti-gaping device designed for a zone joining two adjacent shell portions of a housing of a modular electrical apparatus of the circuit breaker 5 or switch type, said shell portions, when they are edge to edge, forming a planar surface of said housing including at least one window providing access to a connecting device for connecting at least one external conductor so that it can be clamped against a conductive terminal connected to a functional block of the apparatus, 10 wherein in that the conductive terminal includes a segment developing parallel to and in the vicinity of the connecting surface and including at least one receptacle for receiving at least one lug protruding from each shell portion toward the inside of the housing, each lug being inserted in a receptacle such that, in the inserted position, the surfaces of the lugs and the 15 receptacle(s) that are in contact, position the shell portions edge to edge to form the planar surface and oppose their separation.

2. The anti-gaping device according to claim 1, wherein each shell portion includes a lug, the two lugs of the two shell portions cooperating with 20 a same orifice of the conductive terminal.

3. The anti-gaping device according to claim 2, wherein each lug includes a semi-cylindrical surface oriented toward the edge of the orifice of the conductive terminal, the orifice being circular. 25

4. The anti-gaping device according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the conductive terminal is in the shape of a U, the base of which is parallel to the connecting surface, one leg of the U forming the connection with the functional block and the other leg including a guide orifice for guiding the 30 screw of the connecting device. 2468069_1.docx 8

5. The anti-gaping device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the lugs are located in the vicinity of the edges of the two shell portions and are symmetrical relative to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the housing. 5

6. The anti-gaping device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the lugs are molded in a single piece with the shell portions to which they belong.

7. A modular apparatus of the circuit breaker or switch type provided with 10 an anti-gaping device according to any one of the preceding claims. 2468069_i.docx