CN115376845A - Electrical protection device - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrical protection device (1) comprising: a slider (10) to which a movable contact (43) of the conductive track (4) is attached; a contact spring (13) that applies a contact force (F13) to the movable contact to thereby drive the slider; a switch controller (5); and a release (8). For miniaturization and quick release, the device (1) comprises a hook (15) supported by the slider and movable between a locking position, which slaves the configuration of the switch control to the position of the slider, and an unlocking position, which allows the slider to move from the "set" position to the release position, even if the switch control is in the closed configuration. Tripping causes the hook to flip to the unlocked position, which is triggered by a first type of electrical fault.

Description

Electrical protection device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an electrical protection device.

Background

EP1884976A1 describes a switching device which can be incorporated into a switchboard of an electrical apparatus. The switching device comprises a handle which, for controlling the opening and closing of the two movable contacts, controls a movable core via a connecting rod. The movable contacts are themselves attached to the movable core by respective connecting rods so as to be actuated by the movable core. In order to define the stroke of each movable contact under the action of the movement of the movable core, the casing comprises, for each movable contact, a respective curved guide rail which guides one end of the movable contact. For each movable contact, there is also provided a respective spring which keeps the movable contact in contact with the fixed contact when the movable contact is in the closed position, or in contact with a pin formed by the casing when the movable contact is in the open position, so as to keep the movable contact at a distance from the fixed contact. The switching device also includes an electromagnetic actuator and a thermal actuator configured to trip the movable contact to the open position. To this end, these actuators cause the overturning of a lever which releases the movable plunger, allowing the movable contact to return to the open position together with the handle through the movable plunger.

There is a continuing need to miniaturize devices of this type, for example, to incorporate more functionality into an enclosure without increasing the size of the device, and/or to reduce the size of the device within a power distribution panel. Furthermore, in order to provide good protection, it is desirable to provide that the movable contacts open very quickly in the event of an electrical fault.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention therefore seeks in particular to obtain a novel electrical protection device which is compact and which trips quickly in the event of an electrical fault.

The subject of the invention is an electrical protection device comprising: a housing; a first electrically conductive track comprising a first movable contact movable with respect to the housing between a conducting position, in which the first movable contact electrically connects the first input terminal to a first output terminal belonging to the first electrically conductive track, and an isolating position, in which the first input terminal and the first output terminal are electrically isolated from each other. The electrical protection device further includes a slider to which the first movable contact is attached, the slider being slidable relative to the housing along a slider axis between a set position in which the first movable contact is in a conducting position and a tripped position in which the first movable contact is in an isolating position; a first contact spring exerting, by bearing against the casing, a first contact force on the first movable contact, the first movable contact having, under the action of the first contact force, a tendency to drive the slider towards the tripped position when the slider is in the set position; a switch controller configured to move between a closed configuration and an open configuration; and a first trip configured to be activated by a first type of electrical fault.

According to the invention, the electrical protection device further comprises a first hook supported by the slider, the first hook being movable with respect to the slider between: a locking position for slaving the configuration of the switch controller to the position of the slider such that the slider is in the tripped position when the switch controller is in the open configuration and such that the slider is in the set position when the switch controller is in the closed configuration, whereupon the switch controller holds the slider in the set position; and an unlocked position, wherein the first hook allows the slider to move from the set position to the tripped position even if the switch controller is in the closed configuration. According to the invention, the first trip unit is configured to trip-flip the first hook from the latched position to the unlatched position when the first trip unit is energized by a first type of electrical fault.

One idea behind the present invention is to provide for the use of a first hook supported by the slider itself so that the slider is selectively slaved to and released from the switch control. When no electrical fault occurs, the assembly comprising the slider and the first contact is advantageously slaved to the switch controller, so that the user can control the first movable contact via the switch controller. When an electrical fault occurs, the slider is released by moving the first hook to the unlocked position, so that the first movable contact is quickly placed in the isolated position under the action of the first contact spring, regardless of the configuration of the switch controller. Provision is then advantageously made for the switching controller to be returned to the open configuration by a separate device. Unlike the solutions specified in the prior art, the idea of carrying the first hook on the slider allows these two elements to be physically combined with each other so as to increase the overall compactness of the electrical protection device, while allowing the first release to very rapidly flip the first movable contact into the isolated position when an electrical fault of the first type occurs.

Preferably, the switch controller includes: a handle rotatably movable relative to the housing about a handle axis, the slider axis being orthogonally radial relative to the handle axis; a control lever, comprising: a main end via which the control rod is attached to the handle, the main end being pivotable relative to the handle about a main axis parallel to the handle axis; and a secondary end captured by the first hook when the first hook is in the locking position, thereby slaving to the configuration of the switch controller and the position of the slider.

Preferably, the handle is rotatably movable when: when the switch controller is in a closed configuration (with the handle rotatably against the housing) until a closed orientation; when the switch controller is in the open configuration, up to the open orientation. Preferably, the switch controller includes a control spring that applies a control force to the handle relative to the housing, tending to rotate the handle to the off orientation. Preferably, the control lever is arranged in such a way that, when the configuration of the switch control is slaved to the position of the slider, and the switch control is in the closed position and the slider is in the set position: in the closed orientation, the slider holds the handle rotationally against the casing by means of the control rod under the action of the first movable contact receiving the first contact force, and the control rod resists the movement of the slider towards the tripped position by bearing against the handle, which itself is rotationally against the casing in the closed orientation.

Preferably, the electrical protection device further comprises: a second hook supported by the slider, the second hook being movable relative to the slider between a locked position and an unlocked position independently of the first hook; a second trip configured to trip flip the second hook from the latched position to the unlatched position when the second trip is energized by the second type of electrical fault. Preferably, in order to be movable relative to the slider, the first hook and the second hook are independently pivotable relative to the slider about the same hook axis, such that: the secondary end is radially captured between the first and second hooks when the first and second hooks are in the locked position, thereby slaving the configuration of the switch controller to the position of the slider; when the first hook is in the unlocking position and the second hook is in the locking position, the first hook is far away from the secondary end, so that the sliding piece is allowed to move from the set position to the tripping position; and when the second hook is in the unlocked position and the first hook is in the locked position, the second hook is distal from the secondary end, thereby allowing the slider to move from the set position to the tripped position.

Preferably, when the secondary end is radially captured between the first and second hooks and the slider is in the set position: the secondary end bears radially against a first cam surface belonging to the first hook, while the first cam surface is positioned around the secondary end at a first angle relative to the main axis; and the second end bears radially against a second cam surface belonging to the second hook, while the second cam surface is positioned around the secondary end at a second angle relative to the main axis, so that the secondary end is interposed between the first and second cam surfaces, and so that the first and second angles have different values.

Preferably, the electrical protection device comprises a trigger supported by the slider and movable with respect to the slider between a retaining position, in which the trigger keeps the first hook in the locking position, and a release position, in which the trigger allows the first hook to pass from the locking position to the unlocking position. Preferably, the first trip is configured to move the trigger from the hold position to the release position to trigger the first hook to flip from the locked position to the unlocked position when the first trip is activated by the first type of electrical fault.

Preferably, the electrical protection device comprises a trigger spring which tends to return the trigger to the retaining position and the first hook to the locking position when the trigger is in the release position and the first hook is in the unlocking position.

Preferably, the trigger is pivotable relative to the slider about a first trigger axis and comprises: a holding end that mechanically cooperates with a catching end belonging to the first hook when the trigger is in the holding position, so that the trigger holds the first hook in the locking position; and an actuation end through which the first trip unit moves the trigger from the hold position to the release position when the first trip unit is actuated by the first type of electrical fault.

Preferably, the electrical protection device further comprises a reset lever portion supported by the slider movable between the uncaptured position and the reset position with respect to the slider, the reset lever portion being configured to: the trigger is driven from the hold position to the release position when the reset lever portion is driven from the reset position to the uncaptured position, and the first trip is reset when the reset lever portion is driven from the uncaptured position to the reset position. Preferably, the first trip is configured to move the trigger from the hold position to the release position by moving the reset lever portion from the reset position to the uncaptured position. Preferably, the housing includes a reset pin for driving the reset lever portion from the uncaptured position to the reset position under movement of the slider from the set position to the tripped position.

Preferably, the electrical protection device comprises an indicator which is movable relative to the housing between an initial position and an indicating position. Preferably, the trigger is configured to move the indicator to the indicating position when the trigger is moved from the holding position to the release position. Preferably, the slider is configured to move the indicator to the initial position when the slider is moved from the trip position to the set position.

Preferably, the first electrically conductive track comprises a first fixed contact, against which the first movable contact abuts in a first contact direction perpendicular to the axis of the slider when the first movable contact is in the conducting position, for electrically connecting the first input terminal to the first output terminal, the first movable contact being at a distance from the first fixed contact when the first movable contact is in the isolating position, so that the first input terminal and the first output terminal are isolated from each other. Preferably, the first contact spring is configured such that the first contact force holds the first movable contact pressed against the first fixed contact in the first contact direction when the first movable contact is in the on position.

Preferably, the electrical protection device comprises: a second electrically conductive track electrically isolated from the first electrically conductive track and comprising a second movable contact and a second fixed contact, the second movable contact being attached to the slider and movable relative to the outer housing between: a conducting position in which the slider is in the set position and the second movable contact is pressed against the second fixed contact in a second contact direction opposite to the first contact direction, thereby electrically connecting the second input terminal to the second output terminal belonging to the second electrically conductive track; and an isolation position in which the slider is in the tripped position and the second movable contact is positioned away from the second fixed contact such that the second input terminal and the second output terminal are electrically isolated from each other. Preferably, the electrical protection device comprises a second contact spring which, by applying a second contact force to the second movable contact against the casing, tends to drive the slide towards the tripped position under the effect of the second contact force when the slide is in the set position, the second contact spring being configured such that the second contact force holds the second movable contact pressed against the second fixed contact in a second contact direction when the second movable contact is in the on position.

Drawings

The present invention will be better understood and further advantages thereof will become apparent from the following description, which sets forth an example in accordance with the principles of the invention and is illustrated by the following drawings.

Fig. 1 is a side view of an electrical protection device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the electrical protection device being shown in a closed configuration with the switch control in the closed configuration, the movable contact in the conducting position, the slider in the set position, the hook in the locked position, and the trigger in the retaining position.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the electrical protection device of fig. 1, viewed from a different angle, shown in a closed configuration.

Fig. 3 is a partial side view of the device of the preceding figures, viewed from the same perspective as in fig. 1, with the electrical protection device shown in an open configuration, with the switch control in the open configuration, the movable contact in an isolated position, the slider in a tripped position, the hook in a locked position, and the trigger in a hold position.

Fig. 4 is a partial side view of the device of the preceding figures, viewed from the same angle as in fig. 2, with the electrical protection device shown in an open configuration.

Fig. 5 is a partial side view of the device of the preceding figures, from the same perspective as fig. 1, with the electrical protection device shown in a first tripped configuration with the switch control in a closed configuration, the movable contact in an isolated position, the slider in a tripped position, one of the hooks in an unlocked position and its trigger in a released position, and the other of the hooks in a locked position and its associated trigger in a retained position.

Fig. 6 is a partial side view of the device of the preceding figures, from the same perspective as in fig. 2, in a second, tripped configuration in which the switch control is in the closed configuration, the movable contact is in the isolated position, the slider is in the tripped position, one of the hooks is in the locked position and its trigger is in the release position, and the other of the hooks is in the locked position and its associated trigger is in the hold position.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the electrical protection device of the previous figures.

Fig. 8 is a side view of a portion of an electrical protection device having the same configuration and same angle as fig. 1.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 to 6 show an electrical protection device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 1 is configured to be incorporated into a modular electrical panel for electrical equipment, for example for fitting to a building.

The device 1 of the present example comprises a housing 2, conductive tracks 3 and 4, a switch controller 5 and trips 6, 7 and 8, an arc chute 9, a slider 10, contact springs 12 and 13 and hooks 14 and 15. In fig. 1 to 6, the housing 2 is cut away to show its internal contents.

The device 1 defines a width direction X1, a depth direction Y1 and a height direction Z1, which are perpendicular to each other and fixed relative to the housing 2. Preferably, the height direction Z1 is vertically upward when the device 1 is incorporated into an electrical panel.

The housing 2 constitutes a substantially closed and electrically isolated casing. The casing 2 advantageously comprises a front portion 21 and a rear portion 22 distributed along the direction Y1, the front portion 21 being in the direction Y1 with respect to the rear portion 22. The casing 2 advantageously comprises a lower end 23 and an upper end 24 distributed in the direction Z1, the upper end 24 being in the direction Z1 with respect to the lower end 23. The housing advantageously comprises a right side and a left side, these sides being preferably planar and parallel, distributed in the direction X1, the left side being in the direction X1 with respect to the right side. The front and rear portions 21, 22 and the left and right sides connect the end portion 23 to the end portion 24 in the direction Z1. The front portion 21 and the rear portion 22 each connect the right side to the left side in the direction X1. Each connecting the rear portion 22 to the front portion 21 in the direction Y1.

Preferably, the casing 2 comprises an internal partition 25 extending parallel to the directions Y1 and Z1, which divides the internal volume of the casing 2 into a right-hand compartment 26 visible in fig. 1, 3 and 5 and a left-hand compartment 27 visible in fig. 2, 4 and 6. The right-hand compartment 26 and the left-hand compartment 27 are distributed along the direction X1. The right-hand compartment 26 is delimited by the partition 25 and the right-hand side in the direction X1, the ends 23 and 24 in the direction Z1, and the front 21 and the rear 22 in the direction Y1. The left-hand compartment 27 is delimited by the partition 25 and the left-hand ends 23 and 24 in the direction X1, the ends 23 and 24 in the direction Z1 and the front 21 and the rear 22 in the direction Y1.

For incorporation into an electrical panel, the device 1 is advantageously designed to be fixed to a rail belonging to the electrical panel. To this end, the device 1 advantageously comprises on the rear portion 22 any suitable fixing means, for example a clip-on clamp, by means of which the device 1 can be fixedly attached to said rail. The direction X1 is therefore parallel to the guide rail. The same guide rail can therefore support several protection devices of the same type as the device 1, positioned alongside one another against one another along a guide rail parallel to the direction X1.

The device 1 is preferably a bipolar device in that it comprises two electrically conductive tracks 3 and 4, as shown. As an alternative, it is provided that the device 1 is a unipolar device comprising only one of the conductive tracks 3 and 4, or a multipolar device comprising more such conductive tracks, for example a quadrupole device with four conductive tracks.

Provision is made for each conductive track to comprise an input, an output, a movable contact and a fixed contact. The track 3 comprises an input terminal 31, an output terminal 32, a movable contact 33 and a fixed contact 34, which can be seen in fig. 1, 3 and 5. The track 4 comprises an input terminal 41, an output terminal 42, a movable contact 43 and a fixed contact 44, which can be seen in fig. 2, 4 and 6.

Preferably, each conductive track is electrically isolated from the other conductive tracks. To this end, preferably each electrically conductive track is located entirely inside a respective one of the compartments of the housing. Here, track 3 is located in compartment 26 and track 4 is located in compartment 27. An internal partition 25 is interposed between the rails 3 and 4 to ensure that they are electrically isolated from each other.

The inlet terminals 31 and 41 are preferably located at the upper end 24 so that they can be electrically connected to respective power supply devices belonging to the electrical panel. For example, terminal 31 is connected to a first comb bus belonging to the switchboard, while input terminal 41 is connected to a second comb bus belonging to the switchboard. Each conductive track constitutes a different pole of the device 1. Preferably, the tracks 3 constitute phase poles and the tracks 4 constitute neutral poles. In other words, each conductive track is designed to be raised to a different potential. Preferably, the device 1 is designed for low voltages, which means for voltages between 100V (volts) and 600V, for example 230V.

The output terminals 32 and 42 are preferably located at the lower end 23 so as to be electrically connectable to a circuit for powering a receiver load, for example in the case of a building, a household appliance or a lighting fixture. These electrical loads are therefore supplied with electrical power supplied to the input terminals 31 and 41 via the device 1.

The fixed contact 34 is fixed with respect to the housing 2, and is electrically connected to the terminal 31. The movable contact 33 is electrically connected to the terminal 32. The fixed contact 34 is positioned in the direction Z1 with respect to the movable contact 33.

Preferably, the movable contact 33 comprises an electrically conductive end 35 and an attachment end 36, which lie in a plane parallel to the directions Y1 and Z1. The movable contact 33 is movable between a conducting position, shown in figure 1, and an isolating position, shown in figures 3 and 5. This movement is in a plane parallel to the directions Y1 and Z1.

The casing 2 comprises curved guide rails 38 carried by the partitions 25 to guide the ends 36 of the contacts 33 in a curved linear path in a plane parallel to the directions Y1 and Z1. Thus, in the conducting position, the end 36 is located at a first end of the curved track 38. In the isolated position, the end 36 is located at a second end of the curved rail 38, in the directions Y1 and Z1 relative to the first end. The end 36 advantageously describes a curve in a plane parallel to the directions Y1 and Z1, preferably centred on the fixed contact 34, as it passes from one end to the other of the curved guide 38.

In the on position, the movable contact 33 is in electrical contact with the fixed contact 34, which electrically connects the input terminal 31 to the output terminal 32. In particular, the movable contact 33 is then pressed against the fixed contact 34 in a contact direction Z34, the contact direction Z34 being parallel to the direction Z1 and in the same direction as the direction Z1. In particular, the movable contact 33 is pressed against the fixed contact 34 via the end 35. The pressure is preferably point-loaded, that is to say the end 35 is not prevented from rotating about an axis parallel to the direction X1. In the conducting position, the movable contact 33 is at a distance from the tumbler pin 28 belonging to the casing 2 in a direction opposite to the contact direction Z34. The pin 28 is carried by the partition 25, for example. The fixed contact 34 is positioned in the direction Z1 and in the direction opposite to the direction Y1 with respect to the flip pin 28. The tumble pin 28 is located between the slider 10 and the fixed contact 34. In the conducting position, the end 36 of the contact 33 is located at the end of the guide 38 opposite to the direction Z1, so as to ensure that the contact 33 is distanced from the overturning pin 28, while still in contact with the fixed contact 34, so that the movable contact 33 is positioned obliquely, the end 35 being located in the direction Z1 with respect to the end 36.

In the isolating position, the movable contact 33 is at a distance from the fixed contact 34, thus electrically isolated from the fixed contact 34, thus breaking the electrical connection between the terminals 31 and 32, so that the terminals 31 and 32 are electrically isolated from each other.

In particular, the conductive end 35 is distant from the fixed contact 34 in a direction opposite to the contact direction Z34. In the isolating position, the movable contact 33 is pressed against the overturning pin 28 in the direction Z34. In particular, the movable contact 33 bears against the pin 28 via a bearing surface provided between its ends 35 and 36. This bearing surface of the movable contact 33 and the pin 28 have complementary shapes so as to obtain a pressure in a plane parallel to the directions Y1 and Z1, and this has the tendency to orient the contact 33 in an orientation, in this case substantially parallel to the direction Y1, with the conductive end 35 distanced from the fixed contact 34. When the movable contact 33 is in the isolating position, the end 36 of the movable contact 33 is located at the end of the guide 38 in the direction Z1, so that the movable contact 33 as a whole pivots about an axis parallel to the direction X1 with respect to its orientation in the conducting position.

The contact spring 12 is preferably located in the compartment 26. The purpose of the contact spring 12 is to exert a force F12, known as "contact force", on the movable contact 33 by elasticity, by bearing against the casing 2. The force F12 is directed obliquely so that it has a component in the direction Z1 and, at least when the contact 33 is in the on position, a component in the direction Y1. To this end, for example, the spring 12 is a torsion spring which is attached to the contact 33 at a point intermediate between the ends 35 and 36 and is attached to the housing 2 in the directions Z1 and Y1 via the partition 25 with respect to its attachment point on the contact 33. Advantageously, provision is made for the attachment point of the spring 12 to the contact 33 to be located at the height of the pin 28. The component of the force F12 in the direction Z1 keeps the contact 33 pressed against the contact 34 in the on position and the contact 33 pressed against the pin 28 in the off position.

The fixed contact 44 is fixed with respect to the housing 2 and is electrically connected to the terminal 42. The movable contact 43 is electrically connected to the terminal 41. The movable contact 43 is positioned in the direction Z1 with respect to the fixed contact 44.

Preferably, the movable contact 43 comprises a conductive end 45 and an attachment end 46, which lie in a plane parallel to the directions Y1 and Z1. The movable contact 43 is movable between a conducting position, shown in figure 2, and an isolating position, shown in figures 4 and 6. This movement takes place in a plane parallel to the directions Y1 and Z1. In other words, the movement of the movable contacts 33 and 43 occurs in parallel. The movements of the movable contacts 33 and 43 are mirror images of each other with respect to a plane parallel to the directions Y1 and Z1, with an offset in the direction X1.

The housing 2 includes a curved rail 48, the curved rail 48 being supported by the partition 25 on the opposite face with respect to the rail 38. The curved guide rails 48 guide the end portions 46 of the contacts 43 in a curved linear path in a plane parallel to the directions Y1 and Z1. Thus, in the on position, end 46 is at a first end of curved rail 48. In the isolated position, end 46 is located at a second end of curved rail 48, opposite direction Z1 with respect to the first end. In the transition from one end to the other end of the curved guide 48, the end 46 advantageously describes a curve in a plane parallel to the directions Y1 and Z1, which is preferably centered on the fixed contact 44.

In the on position, the movable contact 43 is in electrical contact with the fixed contact 44, which electrically connects the input terminal 41 to the output terminal 42. In particular, the movable contact 43 is therefore pressed against the fixed contact 44 in a contact direction Z44, the contact direction Z44 being parallel to the direction Z1 and in the opposite direction to the direction Z1. In other words, the direction Z44 is the opposite direction of the direction Z34. In particular, the movable contact 43 is pressed against the fixed contact 44 via the end 45. The pressure is preferably point-loaded, that is, the end 45 is not prevented from rotating about an axis parallel to the direction X1. In the conducting position, the movable contact 43 is at a distance from the tumble pin 29 belonging to the housing 2 in a direction opposite to the contact direction Z34. The pin 29 is supported by the spacer 25 on a surface opposite to the surface on which the pin 28 is supported, for example. The pins 29 are positioned in the directions Y1 and Z1 with respect to the fixed contacts 44. The pin 29 is located between the slider 10 and the fixed contact 44. In the conducting position, the end 46 of the contact 43 is located at the end of the guide 48 in the direction Z1, so as to ensure that the contact 43 is distanced from the overturning pin 29, while still in contact with the fixed contact 44, and therefore the movable contact 43 is positioned obliquely, the end 46 being in the direction Z1 with respect to the end 45. Thus, when the contacts are in the conducting position, they are arranged in a cross or V shape with respect to each other.

In the isolating position, the movable contact 43 is at a distance from the fixed contact 44, thus being electrically isolated therefrom, which breaks the electrical connection between the terminals 41 and 42, so that the terminals 41 and 42 are electrically isolated from each other.

In particular, the conductive end 45 is distant from the fixed contact 44 in a direction opposite to the contact direction Z44. In the isolating position, the movable contact 43 is pressed against the overturning pin 29 in the direction Z44. In particular, the movable contact 43 bears against the pin 29 via a bearing surface provided between its ends 45 and 46. This bearing surface of the movable contact 43 and the pin 23 have complementary shapes to obtain a pressure in a plane parallel to the directions Y1 and Z1, which has the tendency to orient the contact 43 in an orientation, here substantially parallel to the direction Y1, with the conductive end 45 remote from the fixed contact 44. When the movable contact 43 is in the isolating position, the end 46 of the movable contact 43 is located at the end of the guide rail 48 opposite to the direction Z1, so that the movable contact 43 as a whole pivots about an axis parallel to the direction X1 with respect to its orientation in the conducting position. In the example shown, in the isolated position, contacts 33 and 43 are parallel to each other.

The contact spring 13 is preferably located in the compartment 27. The contact spring 13 has a function of applying a force F13, called "contact force", to the movable contact 43 by elasticity, by bearing against the housing 2. The force F13 is directed obliquely so as to have a component in the direction opposite to the direction Z1 and, at least when the contact 33 is in the on position, in the direction Y1. To this end, for example, the spring 13 is a torsion spring which is attached to the contact 43 at a point intermediate between the ends 45 and 46 and is attached to the housing 2 via the partition 25 in a direction opposite to the direction Z1 and in the direction Y1 with respect to its attachment point to the contact 43. Advantageously, provision is made for the attachment point of the spring 13 to the contact 43 to be located at the height of the pin 29. In other words, the springs 12 and 13 are arranged in a cross or V shape. The component of the force F13 in the direction opposite to the direction Z1 keeps the contact 43 pressed against the contact 44 in the conducting position and the contact 43 pressed against the pin 29 in the isolating position.

The arc chute 9 seeks to give the device 1 the ability to open, by dissipating any arc that may be generated when the contacts 33 and 43 move from the conducting position to the isolating position. Preferably, the arc extinguishing chamber 9 is positioned in the compartment 26 along the rear 22 of the casing 2, between the fixed contact 34 and the input terminal 31.

The arc-extinguishing chamber 9 comprises, for example, a stack of metal plates 91, sometimes called splitters or separators, which are stacked at a distance from each other, here in the direction Y1. The arc chute 9 advantageously comprises insulating end plates, between which the plate 91 is located. The plate 91 is held between the partition 25 and the right side of the housing 2, for example. The fixed contact 34 preferably extends from an arc horn 92 belonging to the chamber 9 and is bent towards the inside of the arc extinguishing chamber 9. The arc chute 9 also advantageously comprises a switching horn 93, which is electrically connected to the rail 3 between the contact 33 and the terminal 32. The corners 92 and 93 are positioned to face each other. Thus, when the contacts 33 are turned into the isolating position, any arc that may form is conducted by the corners 92 and 93 to the plate 91, thus being separated and extinguished inside the arc extinguishing chamber 9. The input terminal 31 is interposed between the arc extinguishing chamber 9 and the upper end 24.

The trip unit 6 is configured to be actuated by a predetermined type of electrical fault, i.e. a short-circuit type of electrical fault, which is liable to occur between the conductive tracks 3 and 4 or between the conductive track 3 and electrical ground. The trip unit 6 is therefore excited, in particular, by a short circuit which may occur downstream of the output terminals 32 and 42, on the circuit supplied by the device 1 or on one of its loads. In this case, this is a phase neutral or phase grounded short circuit.

Here, the trip unit 6 is located substantially inside the compartment 26 and it is connected in series to the conductive track 3. In the direction Z1, the trip unit 6 is located between the terminal 31 and the fixed contact 34. In the direction Y1, the trip device 6 is located between the arc chute 9 and the front portion 21.

The trip device 6 takes the form of a magnetic actuator, here comprising an electromagnetic winding 61 and a movable iron core 62, as best seen in fig. 1 and 5. The input terminal 31 is electrically connected to the fixed contact 34 via a trip, in particular through an electromagnetic winding 61. When a short circuit occurs between the rails 3 and 4 or between the rail 3 and the electrical ground, in particular downstream of the terminals 32 and 42, the intensity of the current flowing through the winding 61 suddenly becomes very high, so that a sufficiently large electromagnetic force is generated to move the movable iron core 62 with respect to the housing 2 from the rest position shown in fig. 1 to the trip position shown in fig. 5. Here, the movement of the iron core 62 from the rest position to the trip position occurs in a direction opposite to the direction Z1. Once the fault disappears, the current flowing through the winding 61 is no longer high enough to keep the iron core 62 in the tripped position, so that the iron core 62 advantageously returns to the rest position, for example by means of a spring (not shown) belonging to the trip 6.

The trip unit 7 is configured to be actuated by another predetermined type of electrical fault, i.e. an overload type of electrical fault, which is liable to occur between the conductive tracks 3 and 4. The trip unit 7 is therefore particularly excited by an overload which may occur downstream of the output terminals 32 and 42, on the circuit supplied via the device 1 or on one of its loads. This type of fault may occur when one or more loads connected to the circuit demand too much current.

Here, the trip unit 7 is located entirely within the compartment 26 and is connected in series with the conductive track 3. In the direction Z1, the trip unit 7 is located between the terminal 32 and the movable contact 33.

The trip unit 7 takes the form of a thermal actuator, which is here formed by an electrically conductive and thermally deformable bimetal. The movable contact 33 is electrically connected to the output terminal 32 via the trip 7, i.e. via the bimetal. When an overload occurs, particularly downstream of terminals 32 and 42, the intensity of the current flowing in the bimetal raises the temperature of the bimetal to the point of deforming it. When the failure disappears, the bimetal cools and returns to its original shape.

The trip unit 8 is configured to be actuated by another predetermined type of electrical fault, i.e. a differential type of electrical fault, which is liable to occur between the conductive tracks 3 and 4 or between the conductive track 3 and electrical ground. The trip unit 8 is therefore excited, in particular, by ground current leakage, which may occur downstream of the output terminals 32 and 42, thus resulting in a difference in value between the current intensity circulating in the track 3 and the current intensity circulating in the opposite direction in the track 4.

Here, the trip unit 8 extends into the compartments 26 and 27, through the partition 25. In the direction Z1, the trip unit 8 is advantageously located between the output terminals 32 and 42 on the one hand and the contacts 33, 34, 43 and 44 on the other hand. Preferably, the trip unit 8 comprises a differential sensor 81 extending into both compartments 26 and 27, located along the rear portion 22 of the casing 2, and a relay 82 extending only in the compartment 27, located between the front portion 21 and the differential sensor 81. The differential sensor 81 comprises, for example, a ferromagnetic ring supporting two electromagnetic windings, one formed by the track 3 and the other by the track 4. The electromagnetic winding of the track 3 is advantageously formed by a portion of the track 3 connecting the movable contact 33 to the terminal 32, and more particularly by a portion of the track 3 between the trip 7 and the output terminal 32. The electromagnetic winding of the track 4 is advantageously formed by a portion of the track 4 between the fixed contact 44 and the output terminal 42. When there is a certain difference in the current intensity between the tracks 3 and 4 that exceeds a certain threshold value, an electromagnetic field is generated at the ring of the differential sensor 81. The relay 82 is configured to be actuated when this threshold is crossed, which has the effect of actuating the movable lever 83 belonging to the relay 82 to move with respect to the casing 2 from the rest position shown in fig. 2 and 6 to the tripped position. Here, the movement of the movable lever 83 from the rest position to the trip position occurs in the direction Z1. Once the movable lever 83 has reached the trip position, it needs to return to the rest position in order to reset the relay 82, allowing the relay 82 to actuate the lever 83 again in the event of a differential fault, as described below.

The slider 10 is partially visible in fig. 1 to 6, and is best seen in fig. 7. The slide 10 comprises a portion 101 extending in the compartment 26 and a portion 102 extending in the compartment 27. The slider 10 passes through the partition 25. The slider 10 is attached to the housing 2 via an intermediate portion connecting the portions 101 and 102, which is slidable along a slider axis Y10 relative to the housing 2. The slider axis Y10 is advantageously parallel to the direction Y1 and is fixed with respect to the casing 2. Axis Y10 is perpendicular to directions Z34 and Z44. Preferably, the slider 10 slides along a cut made in the partition 25. The slider 10 slides relative to the housing between a position referred to as the "set position" shown in fig. 1 and 2 and a position referred to as the "tripped position" shown in fig. 3-6. Preferably, the trip position is in the direction Y1 with respect to the set position. Preferably, the slider 10 is prevented from rotating relative to the housing 2. Preferably, the slider 10 is fixed with respect to the casing 2 in the directions X1 and Z1.

The movable contact 33 is attached to the slider 10 via an attachment end 36. In particular, the device 1 comprises a link 37 by means of which link 37 the contact 33 is attached to the slide 10 via an arm 103 formed by the portion 101. The movable contact 33 is able to pivot with respect to the link 37 about a first axis parallel to the direction X1 and centred on the attachment end 36. The link 37 is itself able to pivot with respect to the slider 10 about a second axis parallel to the direction X1. Due to this coupling via the link 37, the movement of the contact 33 is linked to the movement of the slider 10 and vice versa. Next, when the slider 10 is driven from the trip position to the set position, the slider 10 drives the contact 33 from the isolated position to the on position via the link 37. When the slider 10 is driven from the set position to the trip position, the slider 10 drives the contact 33 from the on position to the off position via the link 37. Reciprocally, when the contact 33 is driven from the on position to the off position, the contact 33 drives the slider 10 from the set position to the trip position via the link 37. Then, the contact 33 transmits the component of the force F12 in the direction Y1 to the slider 10 via the link 37. Thus, the force F12 has a tendency to return the slider 10 to the tripped position and to move the contacts 33 toward the isolated position. Thus, the spring 12 performs two functions, namely tending to return the assembly comprising the contact 33 and the slider 10 in the direction Y1 and to subject the contact 33 to pressure in the direction Z34.

The movable contact 43 is attached to the slider 10 via an attachment end 46. In particular, the device 1 comprises a link 47 by which the contact 43 is attached to the slider 10 via an arm 104 formed by a portion 102. Preferably, arms 103 and 104 are located on either side of a plane containing slider axis Y10 and parallel to direction X1, respectively, arm 104 being in direction Z1 with respect to arm 103. The movable contact 43 is pivotable relative to the link 47 about a first axis parallel to the direction X1 and centered on the attachment end 46. The link 47 is itself able to pivot with respect to the slider 10 about a second axis parallel to the direction X1. Due to this connection via the link 47, the movement of the contact 43 is linked to the movement of the slider 10 and vice versa. Next, when the slider 10 is driven from the trip position to the set position, the slider 10 drives the contact 43 from the isolated position to the conducting position via the link 47. When the slider 10 is driven from the set position to the trip position, the slider 10 drives the contact 43 from the on position to the off position via the link 47. Reciprocally, when the contact 43 is driven from the conducting position to the isolating position, the contact 43 drives the slider 10 from the set position to the trip position via the link 47. Next, the contact 43 transmits the component of the force F13 in the direction Y1 to the slider 10 via the link 47. Thus, in addition to the force F12, the force F13 has a tendency to return the slider 10 towards the tripped position and to return the contacts 43 towards the isolated position. Thus, the spring 13 performs two functions, namely the tendency to return the assembly comprising the contact 43 and the slider 10 in the direction Y1 and to subject the contact 43 to a pressure in the direction Z44. Because the directions Z33 and Z44 are opposite directions, the system is in equilibrium in the direction Z1.

The hooks 14 and 15 are visible in fig. 1 to 6, but are best seen in fig. 7 and 8. Hooks 14 and 15 are attached to slider 10. More specifically, hook 14 is supported by portion 101, disposed entirely within compartment 26, while hook 15 is supported by portion 102, positioned entirely within compartment 27. In other words, the slider 10 is located between the hooks 14 and 15 in the direction X1. In particular, the hook 14 comprises an attachment end 141, by means of which the hook 14 is attached to the slider 10, and a catching end 142, which catching end 142 is free with respect to the slider 10. In particular, the hook 15 comprises an attachment end 151 by which the hook 15 is attached to the slide 10, and a catching end 152, the catching end 152 being free with respect to the slide 10. The catching ends 142 and 152 are located on both sides of a plane containing the axis Y10 and parallel to the direction X1, respectively. In other words, the hooks 14 and 15 are arranged like a clip. Preferably, the catching end 142 and the arm 103 are located on either side of the plane. Preferably, the catch end 152 and the arm 104 are located on either side of the plane.

With respect to the slider 10, the hook 14 is movable between a position referred to as "locked position" shown in fig. 1, 3, 7 and 8 and a position referred to as "unlocked position" shown in fig. 5. In order to be movable with respect to the slider 10, it is preferable to provide that the hook 14 is able to pivot with respect to the slider 10 about an axis X14, called "hook axis", which axis X14 is perpendicular to the slider axis Y10 and fixed with respect to the slider 10. The axis X14 is parallel to the direction X1. The axis X14 passes through the end 141. Preferably, the axis X14 intersects the axis Y10. In the locked position, it is advantageously provided that the catching end 142 is closer to the end 152 than in the unlocked position.

With respect to the slider 10, the hook 15 is movable between a position referred to as "locked position" shown in fig. 2, 4, 7 and 8 and a position referred to as "unlocked position" shown in fig. 6. The hook 15 is movable independently of the hook 14, which means that the hook 15 can be in either the locked or unlocked position, and vice versa, regardless of whether the hook 14 is in the locked or unlocked position. In order to be movable relative to the slider 10, it is preferably provided that the hook 15 is pivotable relative to the slider 10. Preferably, this pivoting of the hook 15 also takes place about the hook axis X14. In the locked position, it is advantageously provided that the catching end 152 is closer to the end 142 than in the unlocked position. In other words, the hooks 14 and 15 are separated from each other in the process from the locked position to the unlocked position.

The switch controller 5 is advantageously located on the front face 21 of the housing 2. In this example, the switch control 5 comprises a handle 51, that is to say a lever passing through the front portion 21. The handle 51 comprises a base 52, by means of which base 52 the handle 51 is mounted so as to be able to pivot with respect to the casing 2 about a handle axis X51 parallel to direction X1 and fixed with respect to the casing 2. The handle axis X51 is perpendicular to the slider axis Y10. More specifically, the slider axis Y10 is orthogonal to the handle axis X51, that is to say to a radius passing through the slider axis Y10. By rotating the handle 51, the handle 51 is able to move between a closed orientation, shown in fig. 1, 2, 5 and 6, and an open orientation, shown in fig. 3 and 4. When the handle 51 is in the closed orientation, the switch controller 5 is in the closed configuration. When the handle 51 is in the off orientation, the switch controller 5 is in the off configuration.

The handle 51 also comprises a knob 53 projecting from the housing 2 by which the user can actuate the handle 51 to rotate it and also allow the current position of the handle 51 to be seen.

Preferably, the rotational travel of the handle 51 relative to the housing 2 is limited between an open and a closed position by the handle 51 abutting the housing 2 in a first rotational direction in the open position and abutting the housing 2 in the opposite rotational direction in the closed position. To achieve this abutment, for example, when the handle 51 is in the above-described position, the base 52 is specified to abut against the housing 2.

The switch controller 5 advantageously comprises a spring 57, which spring 57 is partially shown in fig. 1, omitted in the other figures, and is called "control spring", which spring 57 exerts a force, called "control force", by elasticity, to the handle 51 by bearing against the housing 2. The control force creates a turning moment on the handle 51 that tends to return the handle from the closed orientation to the open orientation. This spring 57 takes the form, for example, of a torsion spring, twisted about an axis parallel to the direction X1 and housed inside the base 52 of the handle.

The switch controller 5 further comprises a control link 54, which is visible in fig. 1 to 6 and is shown in fig. 3 and 5 in dashed lines. The link 54 includes a main end 55, by which main end 55 the link 54 is attached to the base 52 of the handle 51. Via this main end 55, the connecting rod 54 can pivot relative to the base 52 about the main axis X55. The main axis X55 is parallel to the handle axis X51, positioned radially with respect to the handle axis X51. To obtain this connection, the main end 55 takes the form, for example, of a shaft extending along the axis X55 and is housed in a bearing formed by the base 52. Rotation of the handle 51 drives the end 55 of the link 54 in a crank-like movement relative to the housing 2 about the axis X51.

The link 54 also includes a secondary end 56 by which the link 54 may mechanically engage the slider 10, as explained below. The secondary end 56 advantageously takes the form of a shaft, centred on the secondary axis X56 of the connecting rod 54. The shaft here has a circular cross-section centered on the axis X56. In addition to fig. 1-6, end 56 is also shown in fig. 7 and 8. Axes X55 and X66 are parallel to each other and to direction X1. The secondary axis X56 is advantageously parallel to the hook axis X14.

The link 54 advantageously comprises two arms 58 and 59 for connecting the ends 55 and 56, the arm 58 being located in the compartment 26 and the arm 59 being located in the compartment 27. As an alternative, a single arm may be provided for connecting ends 55 and 56.

Structurally, the link 54 defines a force axis R54, the force axis R54 intersecting the axes X55 and X56 and being perpendicular to these axes X55 and X56. The link 54 is configured to transmit force along the axis R54 via the ends 55 and 56.

For any configuration of the controller 5, the end 56 is positioned along the slider axis Y10, or near the axis Y10. In the direction Y1, the end 56 can abut against the slide 10, in particular against a drive surface 105 belonging to said slide, as shown in fig. 3 and 7. The drive surface 105 advantageously forms a bridge that receives the shaft of the end portion 56, which shaft can then be in radial contact with the drive surface 105. The bridge formed by the drive surface 105 is open in the direction opposite to the direction Y1.

When both hooks 14 and 15 are in the locking position, end 56 is radially captured between hooks 14 and 15 in a direction opposite to direction Y1, in particular in a direction parallel to axis R54, which is directed in a direction extending from end 55 towards end 56. Hooks 14 and 15 are positioned on either side of end 56, respectively, in radial contact with end 56 on either side of axis Y10, and in particular on each side of axis R54. Thus, when the hooks 14 and 15 are in the locked position, the end 56 may abut the hooks 14 and 15 along the force axis R54 in a direction opposite to the direction Y1, such that the end 56 drives the slider 10 via the hooks 14 and 15 in a direction opposite to the direction Y1. In this case, the configuration of the switch controller 5 follows the position of the slider 10 relative to the housing 2 via the hooks 14 and 15 and the surface 105.

In particular, when the hooks 14 and 15 are in the locking position for catching the end 56, and the slider 10 is also in the setting position, and the controller 5 is also in the closed configuration, the end 56 bears radially in a predetermined manner against the cam surface 143 belonging to the hook 14 and against the cam surface 153 belonging to the hook 15. More generally, the end 56 is received between the surfaces 105, 143, and 153 about the axis X56 so as to capture the end 56 therebetween. As shown in fig. 8, the surfaces 143 and 153 face each other, are inclined with respect to each other, and are positioned on both sides of the axis R54, respectively. In other words, surfaces 143 and 153 are arranged in a V-shape and receive end 56 therebetween. Thus, by the bell crank effect, the radial pressure of end 56 against surface 143 causes end 56 to bear against surface 153, and the radial pressure of end 56 against surface 153 causes end 56 to bear against surface 143. By simultaneously pressing radially against the two surfaces 143 and 153, the result is that the end 56 bears, on the one hand, via the surfaces 143 and 153 along the axis R54 against the assembly comprising the hooks 14 and 15 and the slide 10.

In practice, surface 143 faces in the opposite direction to direction Z1, while surface 153 faces in the same direction as directions Y1 and Z1. Surface 143 is formed between end 141 and end 142. Surface 153 is formed between end 151 and end 152. The surface 143 is advantageously tangential to the curved surface of the shaft forming the end 56, at the point where these surfaces meet. The surface 153 is advantageously tangential to the curved surface of the shaft forming the end 56, at the point where these surfaces meet.

As shown in fig. 1, 2 and 8, when the end 56 is radially captured between the hooks 14 and 15 in the locked position, and the slider 10 is also in the set position, and the controller 5 is also in the closed configuration, the cam surface 43 is positioned at an angle a143 about the axis X56 relative to the axis X55, and the cam surface 153 is positioned at an angle a153 about the axis X56 relative to the axis X55. Angle a143 is measured in a forward direction with respect to axis X56 between axis X55 and the point of contact between the shaft of end 56 and surface 143, and angle a153 is measured in an opposite direction with respect to axis X56 between axis X55 and the point of contact between the shaft of end 56 and surface 153. These angles a143 and a153 are predetermined by the design of the device 1, in particular by the shape of the hooks 14 and 15.

The prescribed angle a143 and angle a153 each have a predetermined value between 90 ° and 180 °. As shown in the figure, it may be advantageous to provide that the value of angle a143 is different from the value of angle a 153. Here, the angle a153 is smaller than the angle a143, and is, for example, equal to two-thirds of the angle a 143. For example, as is the case in the figures, angle a153 has a value between 92 ° and 100 °, while angle a143 has a value between 130 ° and 160 °. Due to the difference between angles a143 and a153, a greater force needs to be applied to hold hook 14 in the locked position than to hold hook 15 in the locked position.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, when the controller 5 and the slider 10 are slaved to each other and the controller 5 is also in the closed configuration, the slider 10 is held in the set position and the contacts 33 and 43 are held in the isolated position. In this case, the link 54 is arranged such that the axis X51 is positioned in the direction Z1 with respect to the force axis R54. Thus, under the action of the forces F12 and F13 applied to the contacts 33 and 43 and transmitted to the slider 10 and then to the hooks 14 and 15, the hooks apply forces to the end 56, and these forces are transmitted to the handle 51 along the axis R54 through the end 55, tending to pivot the links towards the closed position. Thus, the slider 10 holds the controller 5 in the closed configuration via the hooks 14 and 15 and the link 54 against the action of the spring 57. In other words, the link 54 is arranged in such a way that, when the configuration of the switch control 5 is slaved to the position of the slider 10 by the hooks 14 and 15 entering the locking position, the slider 10 keeps the handle 51 rotating in the closed orientation against the casing 2 via the link 54, under the effect of the forces F12 and F13 with respect to their components in the direction Y1. Reciprocally, since the control 5 is in abutment in the closed configuration, the control 5 keeps the slider 10 in the set position, via the hooks 14 and 15 and the end 56 in the locked position, against the action of the forces F12 and F13. Thus, the slider 10 is prevented from moving to the trip position due to the link 54 being interposed between the handles 51 in rotational abutment in the closed orientation. This then holds the contacts 33 and 43 in the conducting position.

When hooks 14 and 15 are in the locked position and the user also flips controller 5 from the closed to the open configuration, in this case by flipping handle 51 from the closed to the open orientation, slider 10 is first driven from the set position to the tripped position by link 54 and then under the action of forces F12 and F13. In detail, when the control 5 leaves the closed configuration, the link 54 allows the slider 10 to move towards the tripped position under the action of the springs 12 and 13, while holding the slider 10 via the surfaces 143 and 153. At that moment, the position of the slider 10 and the end 56 are slaved to each other. When the controller 5 has left the closed configuration, the link 54 pivots as the end 55 driven by the handle 51 is progressively moved. During this pivoting, the axis R54 pivots closer toward the axis X51. When the axis R54 intersects the axis X51, that is, when the axes X51, X55 and X56 are aligned, the link 54 no longer holds the slider 10 in the set position. Then, under the action of forces F12 and F13, slider 10 is driven towards the tripped position via contacts 33 and 43, while contacts 33 and 43 are driven towards the isolated position. Under the action of forces F12 and F13, slider 10 also drives controller 5 towards the open configuration via link 54, link 54 being oriented so that handle 51 pivots to the open orientation. The device 1 then reaches the configuration shown in fig. 3 and 4, in which the slider 10 is in the tripped position, the contacts 33 and 43 are in the isolated position, and the controller 5 is in the open configuration. In this case, the axis R54 is arranged in the direction Z1 with respect to the axis X51, as shown in fig. 3 and 4.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, when one of the two hooks 14 and 15 is in the unlocking position, the slider 10 is no longer held by the secondary end 56 of the link 54 in the direction Y10, which means that the slider 10 can be returned from the set position to the trip position via the contacts 33 and 43 under the action of the forces F12 and F13, the contacts 33 and 43 themselves returning from their on-position to their off-position. In other words, once one of the hooks 14 and 15 is in the unlocked position, the slider 10 can move from the set position to the trip position even if the switch controller 5 is in the closed configuration. When the slider 10 moves towards the trip configuration, the controller 5 returns to its open configuration under the action of the spring 57, since the link 54 no longer holds the handle 51 in the closed orientation, since the end 56 of the link 54 is disengaged from the hooks 14 and 15 and therefore from the forces F12 and F13 that tend to hold the handle 51 in abutment in the closed orientation.

More specifically, as shown in fig. 5, when hook 14 is in the unlocked position and hook 15 is in the locked position, hook 14 pivots away from secondary end 56. In particular, the cam surface 143 is no longer radially pressed against the shaft formed by the secondary end 56. Thus, the secondary end 56 and the hook 15 can slide relative to each other, since this end is no longer held by the surface 143 against the surface 153 in the direction opposite to the direction Z1. This allows the slider 10 to move from the set position to the trip position.

As shown in fig. 6, when hook 15 is in the unlocked position and hook 14 is in the locked position, hook 15 pivots away from secondary end 56. In particular, the cam surface 153 is no longer radially pressed against the shaft formed by the secondary end 56. Thus, the secondary end 56 and the hook 14 can slide relative to each other, since the end 56 is no longer held by the surface 153 against the surface 143 in the direction Z1. This allows the slider 10 to move from the set position to the trip position.

Preferably, the protection device comprises a trigger 16, the trigger 16 being supported by the slide 10 and visible in fig. 1, 3, 5, 7 and 8. More specifically, trigger 16 is supported by portion 101, and in particular by arm 106 of portion 101, fully positioned in compartment 26. Arms 103 and 106 are positioned on either side of a plane containing axis Y10 and parallel to direction X1, respectively. In other words, the hook 14 extends along the arm 106. The surface 105 is advantageously provided between the two arms 103 and 106 arranged in a fork.

The trigger 16 is able to pivot relative to the slider 10 about an axis X16, the axis X16 being referred to as the "trigger axis", in which case the trigger axis X16 passes through the arm 106 and is fixed relative to the slider 10. Preferably, the axis X16 is parallel to the axis X14 and does not coincide with the axis X14. By this pivoting, the trigger 16 can be moved relative to the slide 10 between a retaining position shown in fig. 1, 3, 7 and 8 and a release position shown in fig. 5. Preferably, the trigger 16 pivots in the opposite direction to the hook 14 when the hook moves from the locked position to the unlocked position during movement from the retaining position to the release position.

The trigger 16 comprises a retaining end 161 and an actuating end 162, which are located on either side of the axis X16.

As shown in fig. 1, 3, 7 and 8, when the hook 14 is in the locked position and the trigger 16 is also in the retaining position, the retaining end 161 mechanically engages the catch end 142 of the hook 14 such that the trigger 16 retains the hook 14 in the locked position. To this end, the retaining end 161 and the catch end 142 have complementary shapes, which means that the trigger 16 prevents the hook 14 from rotating towards the unlocked position. In particular, when the hook 14 is pivoted from the locking position to the unlocking position, the end 142 describes a circular path, on the tangent of which the end 161 and the axis X16 of the trigger 16 are aligned when the trigger is in the retaining position, causing the hook 14 to be blocked in the locking position by the trigger 16. As shown in fig. 8, the end 161 has a radial surface 166, which radial surface 166 presses against the end 142 in a radial direction with respect to the axis X16. The force with which the end 142 presses against the surface 166 depends substantially on the value of the angle a143, since the end 56 of the link, under the action of the springs 12 and 13, pushes the hook 14 to pivot towards its unlocking position, whereas the hook 14 is kept in the locking position by the orthogonal radial bearing of the end 142 against the end 161.

Furthermore, it is advantageously provided that the pivoting of the trigger 16 towards the retaining position is limited to the retaining position by the end 161 abutting against the hook 14 orthogonally and radially with respect to the axis X16. To this end, the end 161 includes, for example, an anti-rotation surface 167, the anti-rotation surface 167 bearing against the hook 14 in an orthogonal radial direction with respect to the axis X16.

When the hook 14 is in the locked position and the trigger 16 is also flipped to the release position, the end 161 moves in direction Y1 relative to the end 142 so that the trigger 16 no longer holds the hook 14 in the locked position. Thus, under the action of forces F12 and F13, hook 14 can be brought into the unlocking position by engagement with end 56 of link 54, under the action of movement of slider 10 towards the trip position, slider 10 thus driving hook 14 in its movement via end 141. Flipping the hook 14 by flipping the trigger 16 requires particularly little effort.

A trigger spring 163 is advantageously provided. The spring 163 is designed to apply a force to the trigger 16, preferably by bearing on the hook 14, tending to hold the trigger 16 in the retaining position when the hook 14 is in the locked position and the trigger 16 is also in the retaining position. In this particular example, it is provided that the two tabs of the spring 163 tend to separate by elasticity. In other words, the spring 163 exerts a counter force to the end 142 and the end 162. As shown in fig. 5, with the surface 167 normal radially against the hook 14, the trigger 16 is held in the release position by the hook 14 and then away from the surface 105 when the hook 14 itself is held in the unlocked position by the end 56 of the link 54. The spring 163 is designed to exert a force on the trigger 16 by bearing against the hook 14, so as to tend to return the hook 14 to the locking position and the trigger 16 to the retaining position when the hook 14 is no longer retained by the end 56 in the unlocking position, i.e. in particular when the end 56 is positioned against the surface 105. This occurs when the slider 10 is in the tripped position and the controller 5 is also in the open configuration.

As shown in fig. 1 and 5, trips 6 and 7 are configured to trip-flip hook 14 from a latched position to an unlatched position when one of these trips 6 and 7 is energized by its respective electrical fault, i.e., a short circuit in the case of trip 6, an overload in the case of trip 7, and the slide is also in the set position.

More specifically, when the trip unit 6 is short-circuited, the movable iron core 62 moves from the rest position to the trip position visible in fig. 5 and thus strikes the end 162 of the trigger 16. As it does so, the plunger 62 moves the trigger 16 from the retaining position to the release position. As previously described, the trigger 16 thus allows the hook 14 to move from the locked position to the unlocked position. Thus, under the action of springs 12 and 13, contacts 33 and 43 move to the isolated position, slider 10 moves to the tripped position, and controller 5 moves to the open configuration.

When the trip unit 7 is energized by overload, it deforms, driving the end 162 of the trigger 16 via the link 164, the link 164 connecting the end 162 to one end of the bimetallic strip forming the trip unit 7. In this way, the trip 7 moves the trigger 16 from the holding position to the release position. As previously described, the trigger 16 then allows the hook 14 to move from the locked position to the unlocked position. Thus, under the action of springs 12 and 13, contacts 33 and 43 move to the isolated position, slider 10 moves to the tripped position, and controller 5 moves to the open configuration.

Due to the lever arm between the end 162 and the axis X16, the trips 6 and 7 can move the contacts 33 and 43 towards the isolated position with little effort. When the trip unit 6 or 7 is energized by its corresponding fault, regardless of the configuration of the controller 5, the movement of the contacts 33 and 43 towards the isolated position is performed, as the slider 10 is released from the end 56 of the link 54 by the movement of the hook 14 to the unlocked position. The control 5 is then returned towards the open position under the sole action of its spring 57.

Preferably, the protection device comprises a trigger 17, the trigger 17 being supported by the slider 10 and visible in fig. 2, 4, 6, 7 and 8. More specifically, trigger 17 is supported by portion 102, in particular by arm 107 of portion 102, positioned entirely in compartment 27. The arms 104 and 107 are respectively positioned on either side of a plane containing the axis Y10 and parallel to the direction X1. The arm 107 and the arm 106 are located on each side of the same plane. The hook 15 extends along the arm 107. The surface 105 is advantageously provided between two arms 104 and 107 arranged in a fork.

The trigger 17 is able to pivot relative to the slider 10 about an axis X17, the axis X17 being referred to as the "trigger axis", in which case the trigger axis X17 passes through the arm 107 and is fixed relative to the slider 10. Preferably, the axis X17 is parallel to the axis X14 and does not coincide with the axis X14. By this pivoting, the trigger 17 can be moved relative to the slide 10 between a retaining position shown in fig. 2, 4, 7 and 8 and a release position shown in fig. 6. Preferably, when the hook 15 is moved from the locking position to the unlocking position, the trigger 17 pivots in the opposite direction to the hook 15 when moving from the holding position to the releasing position.

The trigger 17 includes a holding end 171 and an actuating end 172, which are located on either side of the axis X17. The ends 171 and 172 are visible in particular in fig. 8.

As shown in fig. 2, 4, 7 and 8, when the hook 15 is in the locked position and the trigger 17 is also in the retaining position, the retaining end 171 mechanically engages the catch end 152 of the hook 15 such that the trigger 17 retains the hook 15 in the locked position. To this end, the retaining end 171 and the catching end 152 have complementary shapes, which means that the trigger 14 prevents the hook 15 from rotating towards the unlocked position. In particular, when the hook 15 is pivoted from the locking position to the unlocking position, the end 152 describes a circular path, on the tangent of which the end 171 and the axis X17 of the trigger 17 are aligned when the trigger 17 is in the retaining position, resulting in the hook 15 being blocked in the locking position by the trigger 17. As shown in fig. 8, the end 171 has a radial surface 177 that bears against the end 152 in a radial direction relative to the axis X17. The force with which the end 152 bears against the abutment surface 177 depends substantially on the value of the angle a153, since under the action of the springs 12 and 13 the end 56 of the link pushes the hook 15 to pivot towards its unlocking position, whereas the hook 15 is maintained in the locking position by the end 152 bearing orthogonally radially against the end 171.

Furthermore, it is advantageously provided that the pivoting of the trigger 17 towards the retaining position is limited to the retaining position by the end 171 abutting against the hook 15 orthogonally and radially with respect to the axis X17. To this end, the end portion 171 includes, for example, an anti-rotation surface 176, the anti-rotation surface 176 bearing against the hook 15 in the orthogonal radial direction with respect to the axis X17.

Advantageously, it is provided that the geometry of end 171 is similar to the geometry of end 161, and the geometry of end 152 is similar to the geometry of end 142. Thus, the ends 171 and 152 shown in FIG. 8 also illustrate the shape of the symmetrically disposed ends 161 and 142, and the manner in which they mechanically mate.

When the hook 15 is in the locked position and the trigger 17 is also flipped to the release position, the end 171 is moved in the direction Y1 relative to the end 152 so that the trigger 17 no longer holds the hook 15 in the locked position. Thus, under the action of movement of slider 10 towards the trip position under the action of forces F12 and F13, hook 15 can be brought into the unlocking position by engagement with end 56 of link 54, slider 10 thus driving hook 15 in its movement via end 151. Turning the hook 15 by turning the trigger 17 requires particularly little effort. Due to the difference between angles a143 and a153, the force required to flip trigger 17 is even lower than the force required to flip trigger 16 because the force with which hook 15 presses against surface 176 is lower than the force with which hook 14 presses against surface 166. Due to this difference between angles a143 and a153, it may be advantageously provided that an actuator that generates a lower force (e.g., trip 8 explained below) is used to actuate trigger 17, thereby preserving actuation of trigger 16 for actuators that generate a greater force, such as trip 6 and trip 7 explained above.

A trigger spring 173 is advantageously provided. The spring 173 is designed to exert a force on the trigger 17, preferably by bearing against the hook 15, tending to keep the trigger 17 in the retaining position when the hook 15 is in the locked position and the trigger 17 is also in the retaining position. In this particular example, it is provided that the two lugs of the spring 173 tend to separate by elasticity. In other words, spring 173 applies a counter force to end 152 and end 172. As shown in fig. 6, with surface 177 of end 172 abutting orthogonally radially against hook 15, trigger 17 is held by hook 15 in the release position, now away from surface 105, when hook 15 itself is held in the unlocked position by end 56 of link 54. The spring 173 is designed to exert a force on the trigger 17 by bearing against the hook 15, so as to tend to return the hook 15 to the locked position and the trigger 17 to the retaining position when the hook 15 is no longer held in the unlocked position by the end 56, i.e. in particular when the end 56 is positioned against the surface 105. This may occur when the slider 10 is in the tripped position and the controller 5 is also in the open configuration.

Preferably, the device 1 further comprises a reset lever portion 18, which is visible in fig. 2, 4, 6, 7 and 8. The lever portion 18 is supported by the slider 10 and is movable with respect to the slider between a rest position, shown in figures 2, 4, 6, 7 and 8, and a disconnected position. In particular, the lever portion 18 is attached to the portion 102 so as to be completely housed in the compartment 27. In this particular example, the lever portion 18 includes an attachment end 181, an actuation end 182, and an intermediate shoulder 183, the lever portion 18 being attached to the slider 10 by the attachment end 181. More specifically, the lever portion 18 is attached to the arm 107. In order to be able to move between the reset position and the disconnection position, it is therefore advantageously provided for the lever portion 18 to pivot about the axis X17. The movement of the lever portion 18 is independent of the movement of the trigger 17, except for their interaction as mentioned below. During the passage from the reset position to the disconnect position, the end 182 is moved in the direction Z1, i.e. when the trigger is pivoted from the retaining position to the release position, the lever portion 18 is pivoted in the same direction as the trigger 17.

Lever portion 18 is disposed along trigger 17 with end 181 flush with end 171 and end 182 flush with end 172. The trigger 17 is arranged in the direction Z1 with respect to the lever portion 18. The lever portion 18 is configured to drive the trigger 17 from the retaining position to the release position when the lever portion 18 itself is driven from the reset position to the disconnect position. In other words, when the lever portion 18 is pivoted towards the disconnected position, the end 182 bears orthogonally radially against the end 172, so as to drive the trigger towards the release position by driving the end 172.

The housing 2 includes a reset pin 184, which is particularly visible in fig. 6. In this case, the pin 184 is supported by the partition 25 and is disposed in the compartment 27. When the lever portion 18 is in the disconnection position and the slider 10 is also moved from the set position towards the trip position, the lever portion 18 is driven with the same translational movement in the direction Y1. The pin 184 is arranged in such a way that the lever portion 18 is in contact with the pin 184 via the shoulder 183, and this returns the lever portion 18 to the reset position under the action of the movement of the slider 10 towards the trip position. Specifically, pin 184 slides along lever portion 18 and rotates the lever portion through mechanical engagement with shoulder 183.

As shown in fig. 2 and 6, the trip unit 8 is configured to trip flip-flop the hook 15 from the latched position toward the unlatched position when the trip unit 8 is energized by its corresponding electrical fault (i.e., a differential fault in this case).

More specifically, when the trip unit 8 is energized by a differential fault and the slide 10 is also in the set position, the relay 82 moves the movable lever 83 from the rest position shown in fig. 2 to a trip position in which the lever 83 is moved in the direction Z1 relative to the housing 2. Thus, the lever 83 reaches the actuation end 182 of the lever portion 18 and drives the lever portion 18 from the reset position to the disconnect position via the end 182. This has the effect of causing the lever portion 18 to drive the trigger 17 from the retaining position to the release position. In other words, preferably, the trip unit 8 drives the trigger 17 from the holding position to the release position by means of the lever portion 18. When the trigger 17 is in the release position, the hook 15 is no longer held in the locking position. As previously described, the hook 15 is then moved to the unlocked position under the action of the springs 12 and 13, and this causes the slider to move from the set position to the tripped position, while the contacts 33 and 43 move from the on position to the isolated position.

Due to the lever arm between the end 182 and the axis X17, the trip unit 8 can move the contacts 33 and 43 towards the isolated position with very little effort. When the trip unit 8 is energized by a differential fault, the movement of the contacts 33 and 43 towards the isolated position is performed, regardless of the configuration of the controller 5, since the slider 10 is released from the end 56 of the link 54, since the hook 15 is already in the unlocked position. Thus, the controller 5 is returned towards the off position under the sole action of its spring 57.

Before slider 10 reaches the trip position, lever portion 18 returns to the reset position by engagement with pin 184 under the action of the movement of slider 10 driven by forces F12 and F13. By moving back to the reset position, the end 182 of the lever portion drives the movable bar 83 from the trip position to the rest position in a direction opposite to the direction Z1. In other words, the lever portion 18 is configured to reset the relay 82 of the trip unit 8 when the lever portion 18 is driven from the disconnected position to the reset position.

As an alternative, the presence of lever portion 18 is optional in the event that trip 18 does not need to be reset or will be reset by some other means, and trip 8 may be provided to directly actuate trigger 17 in a manner similar to that employed by trip 6 for trigger 16.

Advantageously, the device 1 comprises an indicator 165, which indicator 165 is movable in rotation with respect to the casing 2 about an axis parallel to the direction X1 between an initial position visible in fig. 1 and an indicating position visible in fig. 5. In the indicating position, an indicating end 169 belonging to the indicator 165 is visible from the outside of the housing 2, placed in an opening belonging to a window of the housing 2, which window is formed through the front face 21. In the initial position, the indicator end 169 is not visible from the outside of the housing 2, offset with respect to said window in the housing 2. The trigger 16 is configured to move the indicator 165 to the indicating position when the trigger 16 is moved from the holding position to the release position. To this end, the trigger 16 comprises, for example, a radial projection 168, which radial projection 168 drives the drive end 160 of the indicator 165 in rotation when the trigger 16 itself is pivoted towards the release position with the slide 10 in the set position, which can be seen in fig. 3. The slider 10 is configured to return the indicator 165 to the initial position when the slider 10 is moved from the trip position to the set position. For this purpose, provision is made, for example, for the arm 106 of the slide 10 to comprise a projection 108, the projection 108 driving the drive end 160 in rotation when the slide 10 is moved towards the set position and the indicator 165 is also in the indicating position. The indicator 165 is thus able to indicate to a user when one of the trips 6 or 7 has been actuated by an electrical fault, the indicator 165 being reinitialized once the user has reset the apparatus 1 by moving the controller 5 from the open configuration to the closed configuration.

Alternatively or additionally, an indicator 175 is provided having an indicating end 179, similar to indicator 165 and its indicating end 169. The indicator 175 is actuated by the trigger 17 or lever portion 18 toward the indicating position independently of the indicator 165, thereby indicating to the user when the trip unit 8 is energized due to a differential fault. Once the fault has disappeared, indicator 175 is returned to the initial position by slide 10 when controller 5 returns to the closed configuration.

Advantageously, the device 1 comprises an indicator 110, which indicator 110 is movable in rotation with respect to the casing 2 about an axis parallel to the direction X1 between a position indicating closed (as shown in fig. 2) and a position indicating open (as shown in fig. 4 and 6). Regardless of its position, the indicating end 111 belonging to the indicator 110 is visible from the outside of the casing 2, positioned in an opening belonging to a window of the casing 2 formed through the front face 21. Depending on its position, different portions of the indicating end 111 may be visible through the window or face the pointer to indicate whether the contacts 33 and 43 are in the isolated or conducting position. The position of the indicator 110 is slaved to the position of the slider 10, which preferably directly drives the indicator 110 through the portion 102 of the slider 10. The position of the indicator 110 thus allows the user to know the position of the slider 10 and therefore of the contacts 33 and 43, in order to detect a possible failure of the device 1, in particular if the configuration of the controller 5 does not correspond to the position that the contacts 33 and 43 should assume.

Due to its internal mechanism, the device 1 allows to easily provide one or more particularly compact mechanical indicators for signaling the state of the mechanism to the user without the need to open the casing 2.

More generally, the device 1 is configured such that, when no electrical fault has occurred, the contacts 33 and 43 can be flipped between their isolated position and their on position by actuating the controller 5 between the open configuration and the closed configuration, and such that when an electrical fault occurs with the contacts 33 and 43 in the on position, the contacts flip to the isolated position even with the possibility of the controller 5 remaining in the closed configuration. The device 1 is designed for several types of tripping, in particular the tripper 8 which needs to be reset, the force generated by the relay 82 being particularly low. The device 1 is particularly compact and easily allows the three trips 6, 7 and 8 and the two conductive tracks 3 and 4, electrically isolated from each other, to be housed in one and the same casing 2.

Any feature described above in relation to one particular embodiment or variant may be implemented in other embodiments and variants described above, as long as it is technically feasible.

Claims (12)

1. An electrical protection device (1) comprising:

-a housing (2);

-a first electrically conductive track (4) comprising a first movable contact (43) movable with respect to the outer casing (2) between:

-a conductive position in which said first movable contact (43) electrically connects a first input terminal (41) to a first output terminal (42) belonging to said first conductive track (4), and

-an isolating position in which the first input terminal (41) and the first output terminal (42) are electrically isolated from each other;

-a slider (10) to which said first movable contact (43) is attached, said slider (10) being slidable along a slider axis (Y10) with respect to the casing (2) between a set position, in which said first movable contact (43) is in said conducting position, and a tripped position, in which said first movable contact (43) is in an isolating position;

-a first contact spring (13) exerting, by bearing against said casing (2), a first contact force (F13) on said first movable contact (43), said first movable contact (43) having a tendency to drive said slider (10) towards said tripped position under the action of said first contact force (F13) when said slider (10) is in said set position;

-a switch controller (5) configured to move between a closed configuration and an open configuration; and

-a first trip (8) configured to be activated by an electrical fault of a first type;

the method is characterized in that:

-the electrical protection device (1) further comprises a first hook (15) supported by the slider (10), the first hook being movable with respect to the slider (10) between:

-a locking position for slaving the configuration of the switch control (5) to the position of the slider (10), such that when the switch control (5) is in the open configuration the slider (10) is in the tripped position, and such that when the switch control (5) is in the closed configuration the slider (10) is in the set position, the switch control (5) thus holding the slider (10) in the set position, and

-an unlocking position in which said first hook (15) allows said slider (10) to move from said set position to said tripped position even if said switch control (5) is in the closed configuration; and

-a first release (8) is configured to trip-flip the first hook (15) from the locked position to the unlocked position when the first release (8) is energized by an electrical fault of a first type.

2. The electrical protection device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the switch controller (5) comprises:

-a handle (51) movable in rotation with respect to the casing (2) about a handle axis (X51), the slider axis (Y10) being orthogonally radial with respect to the handle axis (X51);

-a control lever (54) comprising:

-a main end (55) via which the control rod (54) is attached to the handle (51), pivotable with respect to the handle (51) about a main axis (X55) parallel to the handle axis (X51); and

-a secondary end (56), said secondary end (56) being caught by said first hook (15) when said first hook (15) is in said locking position, so as to slave the configuration of said switch control (5) and the position of said slider (10).

3. The electrical protection device (1) according to claim 2, wherein:

-the handle (51) is rotationally movable in the following situations;

when the switch control (5) is in a closed configuration, the handle (51) is rotationally abutted against the housing (2), the handle (51) is rotationally moved up to a closed orientation, and

when the switch controller (5) is in an open configuration, the handle (51) is rotationally moved up to an open orientation;

-said switch control (5) comprises a control spring (57) exerting a control force on said handle (51) with respect to said casing (2) tending to rotate said handle (51) up to said disconnection orientation; and

-said control lever (54) is arranged in such a way that, when the configuration of said switch control (5) is slaved to the position of said slider (10) and said switch control (5) is in said closed position and said slider (10) is in said set position:

-the slider (10) holds the handle (51) rotationally against the casing (2) in the closed orientation with respect to the control rod (54) under the effect of the first movable contact (43) receiving the first contact force (F13), and

-the control lever (54) resists the movement of the slider (10) towards the tripped position by bearing against the handle (51), the handle (51) itself bearing rotationally against the casing (2) in the closed orientation.

4. The electrical protection device (1) according to any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein:

-said electrical protection device (1) further comprises:

-a second hook (14) supported by the slider (10) and movable with respect to the slider (10) between a locking position and an unlocking position independently of the first hook (15);

-a second trip (6;7) configured to trip flip over the second hook (14) from a latched position to an unlatched position when the second trip (6;7) is activated by a second type of electrical fault; and

-said first hook (15) and said second hook (14) are independently pivotable with respect to said slider (10) about a same hook axis (X14) in order to be movable with respect to said slider (10) such that:

-when the first hook (15) and the second hook (14) are in the locking position, the secondary end (56) is radially captured between the first hook (15) and the second hook (14), so as to slam the configuration of the switch control (5) to the position of the slider (10);

-when the first hook (15) is in the unlocking position and the second hook (14) is in the locking position, the first hook (15) is distanced from the secondary end (56), allowing the slider (10) to move from the set position to the tripped position; and

-when the second hook (14) is in the unlocking position and the first hook (15) is in the locking position, the second hook (14) is distanced from the secondary end (56), allowing the slider (10) to move from the set position to the tripped position.

5. Electrical protection device (1) according to claim 4, wherein, when said secondary end (56) is radially captured between said first hook (15) and said second hook (14) and said slider (10) is in said set position:

-the secondary end (56) bears radially against a first cam surface (153) belonging to the first hook (15), while the first cam surface (153) is positioned around the secondary end (56) at a first angle (a 153) with respect to the main axis (X55); and

-the secondary end (56) bears radially against a second cam surface (143) belonging to the second hook (14), while the second cam surface (143) is positioned around the secondary end (56) at a second angle (a 143) with respect to the main axis (X55), so that the secondary end (56) is interposed between the first cam surface (153) and the second cam surface (143), and so that the first angle (a 153) and the second angle (a 143) have different values.

6. The electrical protection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:

-the electrical protection device (1) comprises a trigger (17) supported by the slider (10) and movable with respect to the slider (10) between:

-a retaining position in which the trigger (17) holds the first hook (15) in the locking position, and

-a release position in which the trigger (17) allows the first hook (15) to pass from the locking position to the unlocking position; and

-the first release (8) is configured to move the trigger (17) from the retaining position to the release position so as to trigger the overturning of the first hook (15) from the locking position to the unlocking position when the first release (18) is energized by an electrical fault of the first type.

7. Electrical protection device (1) according to claim 6, comprising a trigger spring (173) which, when the trigger (17) is in the release position and the first hook (15) is in the unlocked position, tends to return the trigger (17) to the retaining position and the first hook (15) to the locked position.

8. Electrical protection device (1) according to any one of claims 6 and 7, wherein the trigger (17) is pivotable with respect to the slider (10) about a first trigger axis (X17) and comprises:

-a retaining end (171), when the trigger (17) is in the retaining position, the retaining end (171) mechanically cooperates with a catching end (152) belonging to the first hook (15), so that the trigger (17) holds the first hook (15) in the locking position; and

-an actuating end (172) through which the first trip (8) moves the trigger (17) from the holding position to the release position when the first trip (8) is energized by the first type of electrical fault.

9. The electrical protection device (1) according to claim 8, wherein:

-the electrical protection device (1) further comprises a return lever portion (18) supported by the slider (10) and movable with respect to the slider (10) between an uncaptured position and a return position, the return lever portion (18) being configured to:

-driving the trigger (17) from the retaining position to the release position when the reset lever portion (18) is driven from the reset position to the non-capture position, and

-resetting the first trip unit (8) when the reset lever portion (18) is driven from the uncaptured position to the reset position;

-the first release (8) is configured to move the trigger (17) from the retaining position to the release position by moving the reset lever portion (18) from the reset position to the unseen position; and

-said housing (2) comprises a reset pin (184) for driving said reset lever portion (18) from said non-capture position to said reset position under the action of the movement of said slider (10) from said set position to said tripped position.

10. The electrical protection device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein:

-the electrical protection device (1) comprises an indicator (175) movable with respect to the casing (2) between an initial position and an indicating position;

-the trigger (17) is configured to move the indicator (175) to the indicating position when the trigger (17) is moved from the retaining position to the releasing position; and

-the slider (10) is configured to move the indicator (175) to the initial position when the slider (10) is moved from the tripped position to the set position.

11. The electrical protection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:

-said first electrically conductive track (4) comprises a first fixed contact (44), said first movable contact (43) bearing against said first fixed contact (44) in a first contact direction (Z44) perpendicular to said slider axis (Y10) when said first movable contact (43) is in said conducting position, for electrically connecting said first input terminal (41) to said first output terminal (42), said first movable contact (43) being at a distance from said first fixed contact (44) when said first movable contact (43) is in said isolating position, so that said first input terminal (41) and said first output terminal (42) are isolated from each other; and

-said first contact spring (13) is configured such that, when said first movable contact (43) is in the on position, said first contact force (F13) keeps said first movable contact (43) pressed against said first fixed contact (44) in said first contact direction (Z44).

12. The electrical protection device (1) according to claim 11, wherein the electrical protection device (1) comprises:

-a second electrically conductive track (3) electrically isolated from the first electrically conductive track (4) and comprising a second movable contact (33) and a second fixed contact (34), the second movable contact (33) being attached to the slider (10) and being movable with respect to the outer case (2) between:

an on position in which the slider (10) is in the set position and the second movable contact (33) is pressed against the second fixed contact (34) in a second contact direction (Z34) opposite to the first contact direction (Z44), thereby electrically connecting the second input terminal (31) to the second output terminal (32) belonging to the second electrically conductive track (3), and

-an isolating position, in which the slider (10) is in the tripped position and the second movable contact (33) is positioned away from the second fixed contact (34) so that the second input terminal (31) and the second output terminal (32) are electrically isolated from each other; and

-a second contact spring (12) exerting, by bearing against said casing (2), a second contact force (F12) on said second movable contact (33), said second movable contact (33) tending to drive said slider (10) towards said tripped position under the action of said second contact force (F12) when said slider (10) is in said set position, said second contact spring (12) being configured so that, when said second movable contact (33) is in said on position, said second contact force (F12) keeps said second movable contact (33) pressed against said second fixed contact (34) in said second contact direction (F34).

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