EP0045672A1 - Miniature circuit breaker with switching of the neutral line and the phase line - Google Patents

Miniature circuit breaker with switching of the neutral line and the phase line Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0045672A1
EP0045672A1 EP81401078A EP81401078A EP0045672A1 EP 0045672 A1 EP0045672 A1 EP 0045672A1 EP 81401078 A EP81401078 A EP 81401078A EP 81401078 A EP81401078 A EP 81401078A EP 0045672 A1 EP0045672 A1 EP 0045672A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contacts
phase
neutral
circuit breaker
contact
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP81401078A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0045672B1 (en
Inventor
Gérard Terrier
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Merlin Gerin SA
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Merlin Gerin SA
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Publication date
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Application filed by Merlin Gerin SA filed Critical Merlin Gerin SA
Priority to AT81401078T priority Critical patent/ATE9750T1/en
Publication of EP0045672A1 publication Critical patent/EP0045672A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0045672B1 publication Critical patent/EP0045672B1/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
    • H01H71/002—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00 with provision for switching the neutral conductor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
    • H01H1/14—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting
    • H01H1/20—Bridging contacts
    • H01H1/2066—Fork-shaped bridge; Two transversally connected contact arms bridging two fixed contacts

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a miniature unipolar and neutral circuit breaker with a narrow molded housing having two opposite narrow front and rear faces respectively provided with a control lever and a fixing means and two opposite opposite narrow faces each having a terminal. phase and a neutral terminal symmetrically juxtaposed on either side of the median plane of the housing perpendicular to said narrow faces, said housing containing phase contacts inserted in a phase circuit connecting said phase terminals, neutral contacts inserted in a neutral circuit connecting the neutral terminals, and a mechanism for controlling said contacts capable of being actuated on the one hand by said lever and on the other hand by an overcurrent and / or fault trigger.
  • a circuit breaker of the type mentioned is used in terminal distribution installations, in particular in buildings to protect an electrical circuit, and in the open position completely isolate this circuit by cutting both the phase conductor and the neutral conductor.
  • the circuit breaker can be produced by the association of two poles, which are both protected or one of which, the phase pole, is protected, and the other, the neutral pole, is cut. In both cases the number of modules is doubled and the size and cost of installation are significantly increased.
  • the present invention starts from the observation that the cut-off device for the neutral conductor can be simplified, the circuit protection being ensured by the phase cut-off device.
  • the simplification results in particular from the use of the control mechanism of the phase cut-off device for actuation of the neutral cut-off device, and from the incorporation of the phase and neutral devices in the same housing, the width or the pitch is equivalent to that of a single pole.
  • phase contacts comprise a pair of fixed contacts juxtaposed symmetrically on either side of said median plane, materialized in the breaking zone by an insulating partition, and a movable contact in fork shape overlapping said partition and cooperating with said pair of fixed contacts to bridge the latter in the closed position and that a pair of breaking chambers, arranged symmetrically with said insulating partition, is associated with said phase contacts to extinguish the arcs drawn during of the opening of said phase contacts, said breaking chambers and said phase contacts being arranged on the side of said rear face occupying the entire width of the housing, said neutral contacts being arranged on the side of said front face of the housing.
  • phase cut-off device with two cut-offs in series can thus be housed on the side of the rear face of the housing while occupying the entire width of the latter; leaving the front part of the box available to the neutral cut-off device housing.
  • the phase contacts and the breaking chambers are advantageously aligned, extending over the entire separation length of the input and output terminals of the circuit breaker, arranged on the narrow lateral faces in the usual manner.
  • the arrangement according to the invention makes it possible to comply with the standardized dimensions of a module with a width of 17.5 mm.
  • a median insulating partition is arranged in the zone of the contacts and of the phase cut-off chambers, and it extends to the edges of the housing ensuring separation between the juxtaposed terminals of neutral and phase.
  • the mechanical connection between the movable phase contact and the movable neutral contact is made by means of the circuit breaker control handle located on the front face of the housing.
  • the movable neutral contact is connected to an appendage of the lever by a rod forming a control toggle, coming in the extended position in the closed position of the contact.
  • a second appendage of the lever forms with a breakable link a toggle link between the lever and the movable contact in phase fork. The locking in the closed position of the contacts is effected by exceeding the neutral point of the toggle joint in a manner well known to specialists.
  • the breakable connecting rod comprises a lock capable of being actuated by an electromagnetic trip unit with a coil housed on the side of the front face of the housing next to the control lever.
  • the lock also cooperates with a:, bimetal for detecting overload currents.
  • the bolt keeps the two constituent elements of the breakable connecting rod in abutment and this bolt is arranged to transmit, after unlocking the breakable connecting rod, a force for opening the movable contact in the fork.
  • a housing 10 of molded insulating material consists of two half-shells 12, 14 assembled by rivets.
  • the housing 10 has a generally parallelepiped shape of small width, in particular of 17.5 mm corresponding to a module of a modular system.
  • the housing 10 has a rear face 16 for attachment to a symmetrical DIN rail and a front or front face 18 having a passage for a manual control lever 20.
  • On one of the narrow side faces 22 of the housing 10 is disposed a pair of terminals 24, 26 for supplying the device housed in the housing 10, the opposite face 28 carrying a pair of juxtaposed terminals 30, 32.
  • the opposite terminals 24, 30 belong to a neutral cutoff circuit housed inside the housing 10, the terminals 26, 32 belonging to the phase cutout circuit.
  • An insulating intermediate partition 34 interposed between the half-shells 12, 14 in the median plane of the housing 10 separates the adjacent terminals 24, 26 and 30, 32 and extends inside the housing 10 to subdivide into two symmetrical compartments a part of this case.
  • a neutral cut-off device shown in particular in FIG. 2, and comprising a movable contact 36 pivotally mounted on an axis 38.
  • the movable contact 36 cooperates with a fixed contact 40 integral with the terminal 30.
  • the movable contact 36 is connected by a connecting rod 42 to an appendage 44 of the lever 20, the connecting rod assembly 42, appendage 44 forming a toggle coming in the extended position in the closed position of the neutral contacts 36, 40.
  • the neutral contacts 36, 40 are adjacent to the output terminal 30, the handle 20 being offset laterally on the side of this terminal 30.
  • the con neutral tacts 36, 40 are disposed on the side of the front face 18 in a compartment delimited by the half-shell 12 and the intermediate partition 34.
  • a conductor 46 electrically connects the movable contact 36 to the opposite neutral terminal 24. It is easy to see that in the closed position shown in fig.
  • phase circuit In the housing 10 is housed a phase circuit, which essentially occupies the rear part of the housing over its entire width.
  • the phase circuit comprises two fixed contacts 48, 50, arranged on either side of the central partition 34 while being attached to the rear face 16.
  • the fixed contacts 48, 50 are each extended in the direction of the outlet face 28 by electrodes 52, 54 parallel to the face 16, and constituting end chamber plates 56, 58, arranged on either side of the central partition 34.
  • the interrupting chambers 56, 58 include deionization plates parallel to the rear face 16, but it is clear that an interrupting chamber devoid of plates or comprising electrodes for guiding the arc can be used.
  • the fixed contacts 48, 50 are each extended on the opposite side of the electrodes 52, 54 by conductors 62, 60 parallel to the face 16 and oriented towards the supply face 22.
  • the fixed contacts 48, 50 cooperate respectively with movable contacts 64, 66 belonging to a contact fork 68 rotatably mounted on a fixed axis 70 embedded between the half-shells 12, 14. In the closed position the movable contacts 64, 66 extend substantially parallel to the rear face 16 of the housing 10 in the extension of the sheets of the breaking chambers 56, 58.
  • the movable contacts 64, 66 separate from the fixed contacts 48, 50 by spreading the arcs drawn between the contacts 48, 64; 50, 66 at the entrance to the breaking chambers 56, 58, to promote their penetration and their extinction.
  • the use of a movable fork contact 68 makes it possible to insert two arcs in series into the phase circuit, and it is clear that the interrupting chambers 56, 58 can be of a restricted dimension, in particular of a height lower leaving available a housing area of the neutral cut-off device, -described above.
  • the movable fork contact 68 avoids the use of current supply braids.
  • the middle insulating partition 34 which extends in the area of the contacts 48, 64; 50, 66, is interrupted in the housing area of the control mechanism described below.
  • the movable fork contact 68 carries an axis 72 of articulation of the end of a connecting rod which can be broken into two elements 74, 76, the opposite end of which is articulated to an appendage 78 of the lever 20.
  • the end 80 of the element 76 is engaged and guided in a groove formed in the wall of the housing 10 and it cooperates in the active position with a step 82 formed at the corresponding end of the element 74.
  • a lock 84 is capable of being held by a flange 86 the end 80 in support of the step 82. In the locked position of the elements 74, 76 the latter constitute a rigid connection between the appendix 78 and the fork contact 68. In the closed position of the contacts, represented in FIGS.
  • the toggle formed by the appendix 78 and the breakable connecting rod with elements 74, 76 is in a position beyond dead center maintaining the contacts 48, 64; 50, 66 in the closed position. Pivoting in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2, of the lever 20 causes the toggle joint to break and the movable contact in the fork 68 to move into the open position.
  • the contact pressure is provided by a cooperating spring 88 with the tail of the fork movable contact 68 to urge the latter in the closed position as well as by a backlash assembly using a light 90 of the fork contact 68 receiving the axis 70.
  • the assembly is arranged in such a way that a pivoting movement of the lever 20 in the closing direction of the contacts causes a closing of the toggle 78, 76, 74 to close contacts 48, 64; 50, 66 and by a movement continued compression of the spring 88 with a corresponding displacement of the light 90 relative to the fixed axis 70.
  • the contact pressure can of course be achieved in any other operating manner, in particular by an elastic connection inserted in the control kinematics.
  • the lock 84 in the form of a yoke is mounted with limited sliding by virtue of a light 92 on the axis 72, so as to allow relative movement of the lock 84 relative to the element 74 towards a position for releasing the latter element. by escaping from the stop or flange 86 (see fig. 6).
  • the end 80 exerts on the step 82 a pivoting force tending to move the element 74 towards a position of rupture of the connection between the elements 74, 76, against a return spring 94.
  • the lock 84 carries a nose 98 cooperating with the end of a rocker arm 100 rotatably mounted on an axis 102.
  • the opposite end of the rocker arm 100 cooperates with a bimetallic strip 104 whose base is fixed to the end of the conductor 62.
  • the free end of the bimetal strip 104 is electrically connected by a conductor 106 to the terminal 26. It is easy to see that a deflection of the bimetallic strip 104 to the right in FIG. 1, causes a pivoting in the direction of the needles d 'A watch of the rocker arm 100 and a lifting of the lock-84 to the unlocked position.
  • the lock 84 also cooperates with an electromagnetic trip device 108, comprising a carcass 110, surrounding a coil 112.
  • the electromagnetic trip device 108 is arranged in the front zone of the box 10 next to the lever 20, the axis of the electromagnetic trip device 108 being substantially perpendicular to the faces 16, 18 of the box 10.
  • the rod 116 of the core 114 passes through an orifice 120, formed in the lock 84, so that the head 118 provides a unidirectional connection with the lock-84, active in the upward direction in the figures towards the front face 18.
  • an excitation of the coil 112 causes a attraction of the plunger core 114 in the direction of the front face 18, and a corresponding displacement of the head 118, which causes in its displacement the latch 84 in the unlocked position as described above.
  • the coil 112 is electrically connected on the one hand by a conductor 122 to the terminal 32, and on the other hand by a conductor 124 to the conductor 60.
  • the latch 84 is shaped as a yoke whose lateral flanges cooperate respectively with the movable contacts 64, 66 of the fork 68.
  • the element 74 of the breakable connecting rod is advantageously arranged in the plane of symmetry inside the yoke of the latch 84, so as to respect the symmetry of the control device.
  • the electromagnetic trip device 108 occupies the space between the latch 84 and the face 18 over the entire width of the housing 10. The clearance limited clearance by the light 92 of the latch 84 on the axis 72 carried by the fork contact 68, makes it possible to transmit a force d opening after the unlocking phase in a manner well known to specialists.
  • the manual opening of the circuit breaker is carried out by pivoting the handle 20 in the counterclockwise direction indicated by the arrow, which causes on the one hand the breaking of the toggle switch 42, 44, and the opening of the neutral contacts 36, 40, and on the other hand the breaking of the toggle 78, 74, 76, authorizing the pivoting in the open position of the movable contact in the fork 68 by rotation about the axis 70.
  • the opening of the contacts of phase 48, 64; 50, 66 must occur before the separation of the neutral contacts 36, 40, due to the kinematics of the control toggles.
  • the arcs drawn between the phase contacts 48, 64; 50, 66 enter the breaking chambers 56, 58 where they are quickly extinguished.
  • Manual closing of the circuit breaker is carried out by a reverse operation which need not be described.
  • the latch 84 is moved in the direction of the front face 18 towards an unlocking position corresponding to the exhaust of the element 74 from the stop 86.
  • the step 82 is arranged in such a way that the bearing force exerted by the end 80 generates a pivoting force of the element 74 in the unlocked position against of the return force 94.
  • the return spring 96 moves the movable neutral contact 36 and lever 20 assembly in the open position by entraining the element 76.
  • the contact spring 88 displaces the movable fork contact 68 in a first phase in support of the axis 70, and in a second phase of pivoting around this axis 70 towards a position separating the phase contacts 48, 64; 50, 66.
  • the electromagnetic trip device 108 acts after unlocking the mechanism as extractor of the movable contact in the fork 68, the movement of the plunger core 114 being transmitted by the head 118 to the lock 84, which drives the axis 72 by the abutment of the bottom of the light 92 on the axis 72.
  • the assembly is arranged so as to open the phase contacts prior to that of the neutral contacts 36, 40.
  • the pivoting of the lever 20 in the open position brings back the end 80 above the step 82 allowing tilting in the active position of the element 74.
  • the lock 84 returns to the locking position constituting the rigid connection between the elements 74, 76 of the breakable connecting rod.
  • the circuit breaker is closed by pivoting the handle 20 as described above.
  • the use of a contact fork 68 allows a reduction in the size of the arc chutes 56, 58 and a libé - ration sufficient space to the contact housing neutral 36, 40.
  • the arrangement according to the invention of the phase contacts 48, 64; 50, 66 and breaking chambers 56, 58 in the rear zone of the housing 10 frees sufficient space for housing the mechanism and the electromagnetic trip device 108, next to the manual control lever 20.
  • the insulating partition 34 extending in the plane of symmetry of the circuit breaker, ensures physical separation of the conductive parts while leaving available volumes occupying the entire width of the housing for housing the mechanism for controlling the phase contacts and the electromagnetic trip device.
  • the arrangement according to the invention of the constituent elements of the circuit breaker as well as the structure of the control mechanism made it possible to comply with the standardized dimensions, in this case a module width of 17.5 mm.

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  • Breakers (AREA)
  • Driving Mechanisms And Operating Circuits Of Arc-Extinguishing High-Tension Switches (AREA)
  • Keying Circuit Devices (AREA)
  • Transmitters (AREA)

Abstract

1. Miniature single pole and neutral circuit breaker having a narrow molded case (10) with two opposite small front (18) and rear (16) faces equipped respectively with an operating handle (20) and a fixing device and two opposite small connecting faces (22, 28) each having a phase terminal (26, 32) and a neutral terminal (24, 30) juxtaposed symmetrically on both sides of a case medium plane (34) perpendicular to said small faces (16, 18, 22, 28), said case containing phase contacts (48, 64; 50, 66) inserted in a phase circuit connecting said phase terminals (26, 32), neutral contacts (36, 40) inserted in a neutral circuit connecting the neutral terminals (24, 30) and an operating mechanism of said contacts which may be actuated on the one hand by said handle (20) and on the other hand by an electromagnetic tripping device (108), characterized in that said phase contacts comprise a fixed contact pair (48, 50) placed against the rear face (16) and being juxtaposed symmetrically on both sides of said medium plane (34), constituted in the breaking zone by an insulating wall (34), and a fork-shaped movable contact (68) straddled on said wall and cooperating with said fixed contact pair (48, 50) for connecting the latter in the closed position parallel to the rear face (16), that a pair of interrupting chambers (56, 58) is disposed symmetrically of said insulating wall (34) aligned with the movable contact (68) for extinguishing the arcs drawn at the opening of said phase contacts, that the electromagnetic tripping device (108) is located between the movable phase contact (48, 64; 50, 66) and said front face (18) and that said neutral contacts (36, 40) are disposed between said interrupting chambers (56, 58) and the front face (18).

Description

L'invention est relative à un disjoncteur miniature unipolaire et neutre à boîtier moulé étroit présentant deux faces opposées étroites avant et arrière dotées respectivement d'une manette de commande et d'un moyen de fixation et deux faces opposées étroites de raccordement ayant chacune une borne de phase et une borne de neutre juxtaposées symétriquement de part et d'autre du plan médian du boîtier perpendiculaire auxdites faces étroites, ledit boîtier contenant des contacts de phase insérés dans un circuit de phase reliant lesdites bornes de phase, des contacts de neutre insérés dans un circuit de neutre reliant les bornes de neutre, et un mécanisme de commande desdits contacts susceptible d'être actionné d'une part par ladite manette et d'autre part par un déclencheur de surintensité et/ou de défaut.The invention relates to a miniature unipolar and neutral circuit breaker with a narrow molded housing having two opposite narrow front and rear faces respectively provided with a control lever and a fixing means and two opposite opposite narrow faces each having a terminal. phase and a neutral terminal symmetrically juxtaposed on either side of the median plane of the housing perpendicular to said narrow faces, said housing containing phase contacts inserted in a phase circuit connecting said phase terminals, neutral contacts inserted in a neutral circuit connecting the neutral terminals, and a mechanism for controlling said contacts capable of being actuated on the one hand by said lever and on the other hand by an overcurrent and / or fault trigger.

Un disjoncteur du genre mentionné est utilisé dans les installations de distribution terminale, notamment dans les bâtiments pour protéger un circuit électrique, et en position d'ouverture isoler entièrement ce circuit en coupant à la fois le conducteur de phase et le conducteur neutre. Dans un système modulaire connu le disjoncteur peut être réalisé par l'association de deux pôles, qui sont tous deux protégés ou dont l'un, le pôle de phase, est protégé, et l'autre, le pôle de neutre, est coupé. Dans les deux cas le nombre de modules est doublé et l'encombrement et le coût de l'installation sont notablement accrus.A circuit breaker of the type mentioned is used in terminal distribution installations, in particular in buildings to protect an electrical circuit, and in the open position completely isolate this circuit by cutting both the phase conductor and the neutral conductor. In a known modular system, the circuit breaker can be produced by the association of two poles, which are both protected or one of which, the phase pole, is protected, and the other, the neutral pole, is cut. In both cases the number of modules is doubled and the size and cost of installation are significantly increased.

La présente invention part de la constatation que le dispositif de coupure du conducteur neutre peut être simplifié, la protection du circuit étant assurée par le dispositif de coupure de phase. La simplification résulte notamment de l'utilisation du mécanisme de commande du dispositif de coupure de phase pour l'actionnement du dispositif de coupure de neutre, et de l'incorporation des dispositifs de phase et de neutre dans un même boîtier dont la largeur ou le pas est équivalent à celui d'un pôle unique.The present invention starts from the observation that the cut-off device for the neutral conductor can be simplified, the circuit protection being ensured by the phase cut-off device. The simplification results in particular from the use of the control mechanism of the phase cut-off device for actuation of the neutral cut-off device, and from the incorporation of the phase and neutral devices in the same housing, the width or the pitch is equivalent to that of a single pole.

Le disjoncteur selon l'invention est caractérisé par le fait que lesdits contacts de phase comportent une paire de contacts fixes juxtaposés symétriquement de part et d'autre dudit plan médian, matérialisé dans la zone de coupure par une cloison isolante, et un contact mobile en forme de fourche chevauchant ladite cloison et coopérant avec ladite paire de contacts fixes pour ponter ces derniers en position fermé et qu'une paire de chambres de coupure, disposées symétriquement de ladite cloison isolante, est associée auxdits contacts de phase pour éteindre les arcs tirés lors de l'ouverture desdits contacts de phase, lesdites chambres de coupure et lesdits contacts de phase étant disposés du côté de ladite face arrière en occupant toute la largeur du boîtier, lesdits contacts de neutre étant disposés du côté de ladite face avant du boîtier.The circuit breaker according to the invention is characterized in that said phase contacts comprise a pair of fixed contacts juxtaposed symmetrically on either side of said median plane, materialized in the breaking zone by an insulating partition, and a movable contact in fork shape overlapping said partition and cooperating with said pair of fixed contacts to bridge the latter in the closed position and that a pair of breaking chambers, arranged symmetrically with said insulating partition, is associated with said phase contacts to extinguish the arcs drawn during of the opening of said phase contacts, said breaking chambers and said phase contacts being arranged on the side of said rear face occupying the entire width of the housing, said neutral contacts being arranged on the side of said front face of the housing.

L'emploi d'un contact mobile en forme de fourche permet une subdivision de la chambre de coupure en deux parties de dimensions réduites. Le dispositif de coupure de phase à deux coupures en série, peut ainsi être logé du côté de la face arrière du boîtier en occupant toute la largeur de ce dernier; laissant disponible au logement du dispositif de coupure du neutre la partie avant du boitier. Les contacts de phase et les chambres de coupure sont avantageusement alignés, en s'étendant sur toute la longueur de séparation des bornes d'entrée et de sortie du disjoncteur, disposées sur les faces latérales étroites de la manière usuelle. La disposition selon l'invention permet de respecter les dimensions normalisées d'un module d'une largeur de 17,5 mm.The use of a movable fork-shaped contact allows a subdivision of the breaking chamber into two parts of reduced dimensions. The phase cut-off device with two cut-offs in series can thus be housed on the side of the rear face of the housing while occupying the entire width of the latter; leaving the front part of the box available to the neutral cut-off device housing. The phase contacts and the breaking chambers are advantageously aligned, extending over the entire separation length of the input and output terminals of the circuit breaker, arranged on the narrow lateral faces in the usual manner. The arrangement according to the invention makes it possible to comply with the standardized dimensions of a module with a width of 17.5 mm.

Une cloison isolante médiane est disposée dans la zone des contacts et des chambres de coupure de phase, et elle s'étend jusqu'aux bords du boîtier en assurant une séparation entre les bornes juxtaposées de neutre et de phase. La liaison mécanique entre le contact mobile de phase et le contact mobile de neutre est réalisée par l'intermédiaire de la manette de commande du disjoncteur disposée sur la face avant du boîtier. Le contact mobile de neutre est relié à un appendice de la manette par une biellette formant genouillère de commande, venant en position d'extension en position de fermeture du contact. Un deuxième appendice de la manette forme avec une biellette brisable une genouillère de liaison entre la manette et le contact mobile en fourche de phase. Le verrouillage en position de fermeture des contacts s'effectue par un dépassement du point mort de la genouillère d'une manière bien connue des spécialistes. La bielle brisable comporte un verrou susceptible d'être actionné par un déclencheur électromagnétique à bobine logé du côté de la face avant du boîtier à côté de la manette de commande. Le verrou coopère également avec une:,bilame de détection des courants de surcharge. En position de verrouillage, le verrou maintient en appui les deux éléments constitutifs de la bielle brisable et ce verrou est agencé pour transmettre après déverrouillage de la bielle brisable une force d'ouverture du contact mobile en fourche.A median insulating partition is arranged in the zone of the contacts and of the phase cut-off chambers, and it extends to the edges of the housing ensuring separation between the juxtaposed terminals of neutral and phase. The mechanical connection between the movable phase contact and the movable neutral contact is made by means of the circuit breaker control handle located on the front face of the housing. The movable neutral contact is connected to an appendage of the lever by a rod forming a control toggle, coming in the extended position in the closed position of the contact. A second appendage of the lever forms with a breakable link a toggle link between the lever and the movable contact in phase fork. The locking in the closed position of the contacts is effected by exceeding the neutral point of the toggle joint in a manner well known to specialists. The breakable connecting rod comprises a lock capable of being actuated by an electromagnetic trip unit with a coil housed on the side of the front face of the housing next to the control lever. The lock also cooperates with a:, bimetal for detecting overload currents. In the locked position, the bolt keeps the two constituent elements of the breakable connecting rod in abutment and this bolt is arranged to transmit, after unlocking the breakable connecting rod, a force for opening the movable contact in the fork.

D'autres avantages et caractéristiques ressortiront plus clairement de la description qui va suivre d'un mode de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, donné à titre d'exemple non limitatif et représenté aux dessins annexés, dans lesquels:

  • la figure 1 est une vue schématique en élévation d'un disjoncteur selon l'invention, représenté en position fermé; la face latérale du boîtier étant supposée enlevée;
  • la figure 2 est une coupe médiane du disjoncteur selon la fig. 1, la cloison intermédiaire étant supposée enlevée;
  • la figure 3 est une coupe suivant la ligne III-III de la fig. 1;
  • la figure 4 représente le schéma électrique du disjoncteur;
  • les figures 5, 6 et 7 sont des vues à échelle agrandie, du dispositif de verrouillage représenté respectivement en position de fermeture et en positions de début et de fin de déverrouillage.
Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the description which follows of an embodiment of the invention, given by way of nonlimiting example and represented in the appended drawings, in which:
  • Figure 1 is a schematic elevational view of a circuit breaker according to the invention, shown in the closed position; the side face of the housing being assumed removed;
  • FIG. 2 is a median section of the circuit breaker according to FIG. 1, the intermediate partition being assumed to be removed;
  • Figure 3 is a section along line III-III of FIG. 1;
  • Figure 4 shows the circuit diagram of the circuit breaker;
  • Figures 5, 6 and 7 are views on an enlarged scale, of the locking device shown respectively in the closed position and in the start and end unlocking positions.

Sur les figures, un boîtier 10 en matériau isolant moulé est constitué de deux demi-coquilles 12, 14 assemblées par des rivets. Le boîtier 10 présente une forme générale parallélépipédique de faible largeur, notamment de 17,5 mm correspondant à un module d'un système modulaire. Le boitier 10 présente une face arrière 16 de fixation sur un rail DIN symétrique et une face avant ou frontale 18 présentant une lumière de passage d'une manette de commande manuelle 20. Sur l'une des faces latérales étroites 22 du boitier 10 est disposée une paire de bornes 24, 26 d'alimentation de l'appareil logé dans le boîtier 10, la face opposée 28 portant une paire de bornes juxtaposées 30, 32.In the figures, a housing 10 of molded insulating material consists of two half-shells 12, 14 assembled by rivets. The housing 10 has a generally parallelepiped shape of small width, in particular of 17.5 mm corresponding to a module of a modular system. The housing 10 has a rear face 16 for attachment to a symmetrical DIN rail and a front or front face 18 having a passage for a manual control lever 20. On one of the narrow side faces 22 of the housing 10 is disposed a pair of terminals 24, 26 for supplying the device housed in the housing 10, the opposite face 28 carrying a pair of juxtaposed terminals 30, 32.

Les bornes opposées 24, 30 appartiennent à un circuit de coupure de neutre logé à l'intérieur du boîtier 10, les bornes 26, 32 appartenant au circuit de coupure de phase. Une cloison intermédiaire isolante 34 intercalée entre les demi-coquilles 12, 14 dans le plan médian du boitier 10 sépare les bornes adjacentes 24, 26 et 30, 32 et s'étend à l'intérieur du boîtier 10 pour subdiviser en deux compartiments symétriques une partie de ce boîtier. Dans le boîtier 10 est logé un dispositif de coupure de neutre, représenté notamment à la figure 2, et comprenant un contact mobile 36 monté à pivotement sur un axe 38. Le contact mobile 36 coopère avec un contact fixe 40 solidaire de la borne 30. Le contact mobile 36 est relié par une bielle 42 à un appendice 44 de la manette 20, l'ensemble bielle 42, appendice 44 formant une genouillère venant en position d'extension en position fermé des contacts de neutre 36, 40. En se référant plus particulièrement à la fig. 2, on voit que les contacts de neutre 36, 40 sont adjacents à la borne de sortie 30, la manette 20 étant décalée latéralement du côté de cette borne 30. Les contacts de neutre 36, 40 sont disposés du côté de la face avant 18 dans un compartiment délimité par la demi-coquille 12 et la cloison intermédiaire 34. Un conducteur 46 relie électriquement le contact mobile 36 à la borne opposée de neutre 24. Il est facile de voir qu'en position de fermeture représentée à la fig. 2, le courant entre par la borne 24, parcourt le conducteur 46, le contact mobile 36, le contact fixe 40 pour sortir par la borne opposée 30. Un pivotement de la manette 20 dans le sens indiqué par la flèche vers la-position ouvert provoque une brisure de la genouillère 42, 44 et un déplacement du contact mobile 36 vers la position d'ouverture.The opposite terminals 24, 30 belong to a neutral cutoff circuit housed inside the housing 10, the terminals 26, 32 belonging to the phase cutout circuit. An insulating intermediate partition 34 interposed between the half-shells 12, 14 in the median plane of the housing 10 separates the adjacent terminals 24, 26 and 30, 32 and extends inside the housing 10 to subdivide into two symmetrical compartments a part of this case. In the housing 10 is housed a neutral cut-off device, shown in particular in FIG. 2, and comprising a movable contact 36 pivotally mounted on an axis 38. The movable contact 36 cooperates with a fixed contact 40 integral with the terminal 30. The movable contact 36 is connected by a connecting rod 42 to an appendage 44 of the lever 20, the connecting rod assembly 42, appendage 44 forming a toggle coming in the extended position in the closed position of the neutral contacts 36, 40. Referring more particularly in fig. 2, it can be seen that the neutral contacts 36, 40 are adjacent to the output terminal 30, the handle 20 being offset laterally on the side of this terminal 30. The con neutral tacts 36, 40 are disposed on the side of the front face 18 in a compartment delimited by the half-shell 12 and the intermediate partition 34. A conductor 46 electrically connects the movable contact 36 to the opposite neutral terminal 24. It is easy to see that in the closed position shown in fig. 2, the current enters via terminal 24, travels through conductor 46, movable contact 36, fixed contact 40 to exit through opposite terminal 30. Pivoting of lever 20 in the direction indicated by the arrow towards the open position causes a break of the toggle switch 42, 44 and a displacement of the movable contact 36 towards the open position.

Dans le boîtier 10 est logé un circuit de phase, qui occupe essentiellement la partie arrière du boîtier sur toute sa largeur. Le circuit de phase comporte deux contacts fixes 48, 50, disposés de part et d'autre de la cloison médiane 34 en étant accolés à la face arrière 16. Les contacts fixes 48, 50 sont chacun prolongés dans la direction de la face de sortie 28 par des électrodes 52, 54 parallèles à la face 16, et constituant des plaques d'extrémités de chambres de coupure 56, 58, disposées de part et d'autre de la cloison médiane 34. Dans l'exemple représenté sur les figures 1 et 2, les chambres de coupure 56, 58 comportent des tôles de désionisation parallèles à la face arrière 16, mais il est clair qu'une chambre de coupure démunie de tôles ou comportant des électrodes de guidage de l'arc peut être utilisée. Les contacts fixes 48, 50 sont chacun prolongés du côté opposé des électrodes 52, 54 par des conducteurs 62, 60 parallèles à la face 16 et orientés vers la face d'alimentation 22. Les contacts fixes 48, 50 coopèrent respectivement avec des contacts mobiles 64, 66 appartenant à une fourche de contact 68 montée à rotation sur un axe fixe 70 encastré entre les demi-coquilles 12, 14. En position de fermeture les contacts mobiles 64, 66 s'étendent sensiblement parallèlement à la face arrière 16 du boîtier 10 dans le prolongement des tôles des chambres de coupure 56, 58. Lors d'un pivotement de la fourche 68 autour de l'axe 70, les contacts mobiles 64, 66 se séparent des contacts fixes 48, 50 en étalant les arcs tirés entre les contacts 48, 64; 50, 66 à l'entrée des chambres de coupure 56, 58, pour favoriser leur pénétration et leur extinction. L'emploi d'un contact mobile en fourche 68 permet d'insérer dans le circuit de phase deux arcs en série, et il est clair que les chambres de coupure 56, 58 peuvent être d'une dimension restreinte, notamment d'une hauteur plus faible laissant disponible une zone de logement du dispositif de coupure de neutre,-décrit ci-dessus. Le contact mobile en fourche 68 évite l'utilisation de tresses d'amenée de courant. La cloison isolante médiane 34, qui se prolonge dans la zone des contacts 48, 64; 50, 66, est interrompue dans la zone de logement du mécanisme de commande décrit ci-dessous.In the housing 10 is housed a phase circuit, which essentially occupies the rear part of the housing over its entire width. The phase circuit comprises two fixed contacts 48, 50, arranged on either side of the central partition 34 while being attached to the rear face 16. The fixed contacts 48, 50 are each extended in the direction of the outlet face 28 by electrodes 52, 54 parallel to the face 16, and constituting end chamber plates 56, 58, arranged on either side of the central partition 34. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the interrupting chambers 56, 58 include deionization plates parallel to the rear face 16, but it is clear that an interrupting chamber devoid of plates or comprising electrodes for guiding the arc can be used. The fixed contacts 48, 50 are each extended on the opposite side of the electrodes 52, 54 by conductors 62, 60 parallel to the face 16 and oriented towards the supply face 22. The fixed contacts 48, 50 cooperate respectively with movable contacts 64, 66 belonging to a contact fork 68 rotatably mounted on a fixed axis 70 embedded between the half-shells 12, 14. In the closed position the movable contacts 64, 66 extend substantially parallel to the rear face 16 of the housing 10 in the extension of the sheets of the breaking chambers 56, 58. When the fork 68 pivots about the axis 70, the movable contacts 64, 66 separate from the fixed contacts 48, 50 by spreading the arcs drawn between the contacts 48, 64; 50, 66 at the entrance to the breaking chambers 56, 58, to promote their penetration and their extinction. The use of a movable fork contact 68 makes it possible to insert two arcs in series into the phase circuit, and it is clear that the interrupting chambers 56, 58 can be of a restricted dimension, in particular of a height lower leaving available a housing area of the neutral cut-off device, -described above. The movable fork contact 68 avoids the use of current supply braids. The middle insulating partition 34, which extends in the area of the contacts 48, 64; 50, 66, is interrupted in the housing area of the control mechanism described below.

Le contact mobile en fourche 68 porte un axe 72 d'articulation de l'extrémité d'une bielle brisable en deux éléments 74, 76, dont l'extrémité opposée est articulée à un appendice 78 de la manette 20. L'extrémité 80 de l'élément 76 est engagée et guidée dans une rainure ménagée danslla paroi du boîtier 10 et elle coopère en position active avec un redan 82 ménagé à l'extrémité correspondante de l'élément 74. Un verrou 84 est susceptible de maintenir par un rebord 86 l'extrémité 80 en appui du redan 82. En position verrouillée des éléments 74, 76 ces derniers constituent une liaison rigide entre l'appendice 78 et le contact en fourche 68. En position de fermeture des contacts, représentée sur les figures 1 et 2, la genouillère constituée par l'appendice 78 et la bielle brisable à éléments 74, 76 est dans une position de dépassement de point mort maintenant les contacts 48, 64; 50, 66 en position fermé. Un pivotement dans le sens indiqué par la flèche sur la figure 2, de la manette 20 provoque la brisure de cette genouillère et le déplacement en position d'ouverture du contact mobile en fourche 68. La pression de contact est assurée par un ressort 88 coopérant avec la queue du contact mobile en fourche 68 pour solliciter ce dernier en position de fermeture ainsi que par un montage à jeu grâce à une lumière 90 du contact en fourche 68 recevant l'axe 70. L'ensemble est agencé de telle manière qu'un mouvement de pivotement de la manette 20 dans la direction de fermeture des contacts provoque par une extension de la genouillère 78, 76, 74 une fermeture des contacts 48, 64; 50, 66 et par un mouvement poursuivi une compression du ressort 88 avec un déplacement correspondant de la lumière 90 par rapport à l'axe fixe 70. La pression de contact peut bien entendu être réalisée de toute autre manière opérante, notamment par une liaison élastique insérée dans la cinématique de commande.The movable fork contact 68 carries an axis 72 of articulation of the end of a connecting rod which can be broken into two elements 74, 76, the opposite end of which is articulated to an appendage 78 of the lever 20. The end 80 of the element 76 is engaged and guided in a groove formed in the wall of the housing 10 and it cooperates in the active position with a step 82 formed at the corresponding end of the element 74. A lock 84 is capable of being held by a flange 86 the end 80 in support of the step 82. In the locked position of the elements 74, 76 the latter constitute a rigid connection between the appendix 78 and the fork contact 68. In the closed position of the contacts, represented in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the toggle formed by the appendix 78 and the breakable connecting rod with elements 74, 76 is in a position beyond dead center maintaining the contacts 48, 64; 50, 66 in the closed position. Pivoting in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2, of the lever 20 causes the toggle joint to break and the movable contact in the fork 68 to move into the open position. The contact pressure is provided by a cooperating spring 88 with the tail of the fork movable contact 68 to urge the latter in the closed position as well as by a backlash assembly using a light 90 of the fork contact 68 receiving the axis 70. The assembly is arranged in such a way that a pivoting movement of the lever 20 in the closing direction of the contacts causes a closing of the toggle 78, 76, 74 to close contacts 48, 64; 50, 66 and by a movement continued compression of the spring 88 with a corresponding displacement of the light 90 relative to the fixed axis 70. The contact pressure can of course be achieved in any other operating manner, in particular by an elastic connection inserted in the control kinematics.

Le verrou 84 en forme de chape, est monté à coulissement limité grâce à une lumière 92 sur l'axe 72, de manière à permettre un déplacement relatif du verrou 84 par rapport à l'élément 74 vers une position de libération de ce dernier élément par échappement de la butée ou rebord 86 (voir fig. 6). Dans la position déverrouillée, représentée à la fig. 6, l'extrémité 80 exerce sur le redan 82 une force de pivotement tendant à déplacer l'élément 74 vers une position de rupture de la liaison entre les éléments 74, 76, à l'encontre d'un ressort de rappel 94. La rupture de la liaison entre les éléments 74, 76 de la bielle brisable autorise un déplacement du contact en fourche 68 par pivotement autour de l'axe 70 vers la position d'ouverture des contacts 50, 66; 48, 64 par l'action du ressort 88. (voir fig. 7). Dès la rupture de cette liaison, la manette 20 est rappelée en position d'ouverture par un ressort 96 agissant par exemple sur le contact mobile de neutre 36 si la genouillère 42, 44 ne franchit pas le point mort ou directement sur la manette 20. Le pivotement de la manette 20 en position d'ouverture entraîne un déplacement vers le haut sur les figures, de l'extrémité 80 autorisant un pivotement de l'élément 74 sous l'action du ressort de rappel 94 dès le franchissement du redan 82. L'élément 74 étant revenu en position d'appui, le verrou 84 se déplace sous l'effet de la gravité ou tout autre système de rappel en position de verrouillage assurant à nouveau la liaison rigide entre les éléments 74, 76.The lock 84 in the form of a yoke, is mounted with limited sliding by virtue of a light 92 on the axis 72, so as to allow relative movement of the lock 84 relative to the element 74 towards a position for releasing the latter element. by escaping from the stop or flange 86 (see fig. 6). In the unlocked position, shown in fig. 6, the end 80 exerts on the step 82 a pivoting force tending to move the element 74 towards a position of rupture of the connection between the elements 74, 76, against a return spring 94. The rupture of the connection between the elements 74, 76 of the breakable connecting rod authorizes a displacement of the fork contact 68 by pivoting around the axis 70 towards the open position of the contacts 50, 66; 48, 64 by the action of spring 88. (see fig. 7). As soon as this link is broken, the lever 20 is returned to the open position by a spring 96 acting for example on the movable neutral contact 36 if the toggle switch 42, 44 does not cross neutral or directly on the lever 20. The pivoting of the lever 20 in the open position causes an upward displacement in the figures, of the end 80 authorizing a pivoting of the element 74 under the action of the return spring 94 as soon as the step 82 is crossed. The element 74 having returned to the support position, the lock 84 moves under the effect of gravity or any other return system in the locking position again ensuring the rigid connection between the elements 74, 76.

Le verrou 84 porte un nez 98 coopérant avec l'extrémité d'un culbuteur 100 monté à rotation sur un axe 102. L'extrémité opposée du culbuteur 100 coopère avec une bilame 104 dont la base est fixée à l'extrémité du conducteur 62. L'extrémité libre de la bilame 104 est reliée électriquement par un conducteur 106 à la borne 26. Il est facile de voir qu'une déflexion de la bilame 104 vers la droite sur la figure 1, provoque un pivotement dans le sens des aiguilles d'une montre du culbuteur 100 et un soulèvement du verrou-84 vers la position de déverrouillage. Le verrou.84 coopère d'autre part avec un déclencheur électromagnétique 108, comportant une carcasse 110, entourant une bobine 112. A l'intérieur de la bobine 112 est monté à coulissement un noyau 114 prolongé par une tige 116 portant une tête 118. Le déclencheur électromagnétique 108 est disposé dans la zone avant du boîtier 10 à côté de la manette 20, l'axe du déclencheur électromagnétique 108 étant sensiblement perpendiculaire aux faces 16, 18 du boîtier 10. La tige 116 du noyau 114 traverse un orifice 120, ménagé dans le verrou 84, de façon que la tête 118 assure une liaison unidirectionnelle avec le verrou-84, active dans la direction vers le haut sur les figures vers la face avant 18. On comprend qu'une excitation de la bobine 112 provoque une attraction du noyau plongeur 114 en direction de la face avant 18, et un déplacement correspondant de la tête 118, qui entraine dans son déplacement le verrou 84 en position de déverrouillage de la manière décrite ci-dessus. La bobine 112 est reliée électriquement d'une part par un conducteur 122 à la borne 32, et d'autre part par un conducteur 124 au conducteur 60.The lock 84 carries a nose 98 cooperating with the end of a rocker arm 100 rotatably mounted on an axis 102. The opposite end of the rocker arm 100 cooperates with a bimetallic strip 104 whose base is fixed to the end of the conductor 62. The free end of the bimetal strip 104 is electrically connected by a conductor 106 to the terminal 26. It is easy to see that a deflection of the bimetallic strip 104 to the right in FIG. 1, causes a pivoting in the direction of the needles d 'A watch of the rocker arm 100 and a lifting of the lock-84 to the unlocked position. The lock 84 also cooperates with an electromagnetic trip device 108, comprising a carcass 110, surrounding a coil 112. Inside the coil 112 is slidably mounted a core 114 extended by a rod 116 carrying a head 118. The electromagnetic trip device 108 is arranged in the front zone of the box 10 next to the lever 20, the axis of the electromagnetic trip device 108 being substantially perpendicular to the faces 16, 18 of the box 10. The rod 116 of the core 114 passes through an orifice 120, formed in the lock 84, so that the head 118 provides a unidirectional connection with the lock-84, active in the upward direction in the figures towards the front face 18. It is understood that an excitation of the coil 112 causes a attraction of the plunger core 114 in the direction of the front face 18, and a corresponding displacement of the head 118, which causes in its displacement the latch 84 in the unlocked position as described above. The coil 112 is electrically connected on the one hand by a conductor 122 to the terminal 32, and on the other hand by a conductor 124 to the conductor 60.

Le verrou 84 est conformé en chape dont les flasques latéraux coopèrent respectivement avec les contacts mobiles 64, 66 de la fourche 68. L'élément 74 de la bielle brisable est avantageusement disposé dans le plan de symétrie à l'intérieur de la chape du verrou 84, de manière à respecter la symétrie du dispositif de commande. Le déclencheur électromagnétique 108 occupe l'espace intercalaire entre le verrou 84 et la face 18 sur toute la largeur du boîtier 10. Le montage à jeu limité par la lumière 92 du verrou 84 sur l'axe 72 porté par le contact en fourche 68, permet de transmettre à ce dernier contact une force d'ouverture après la phase de déverrouillage d'une manière bien connue des spécialistes.The latch 84 is shaped as a yoke whose lateral flanges cooperate respectively with the movable contacts 64, 66 of the fork 68. The element 74 of the breakable connecting rod is advantageously arranged in the plane of symmetry inside the yoke of the latch 84, so as to respect the symmetry of the control device. The electromagnetic trip device 108 occupies the space between the latch 84 and the face 18 over the entire width of the housing 10. The clearance limited clearance by the light 92 of the latch 84 on the axis 72 carried by the fork contact 68, makes it possible to transmit a force d opening after the unlocking phase in a manner well known to specialists.

Le disjoncteur selon l'invention fonctionne de la manière suivante:

  • En position de fermeture, représentée sur les figures, le courant de neutre entrant par la borne 24, parcourt le conducteur 46, les contacts de neutre fermés 36, 40 et la borne de sortie 30. Le courant de phase entrant par la borne 26 parcourt le conducteur 106, la bilame 104, le contact fixe 48, le contact en fourche 68, le contact fixe 50, la bobine 112, le conducteur 122 pour sortir par la borne opposée 32. Dans la position de fermeture, la genouillère constituée par l'appendice 78 et la bielle brisable 74, 76, a dépassé le point mort, et le ressort de contact 88 maintient le contact en fourché 68 et le mécanisme en position de fermeture. La genouillère 44, 42 de commande du contact de neutre 36 est avantageusement en une position proche du point mort, mais sans dépassement de ce dernier. ;
The circuit breaker according to the invention operates as follows:
  • In the closed position, shown in the figures, the neutral current entering through terminal 24 flows through the conductor 46, the closed neutral contacts 36, 40 and the output terminal 30. The phase current entering through terminal 26 flows through the conductor 106, the bimetallic strip 104, the fixed contact 48, the fork contact 68, the fixed contact 50, the coil 112, the conductor 122 to exit through the opposite terminal 32. In the closed position, the toggle joint constituted by the appendix 78 and the breakable connecting rod 74, 76, has passed neutral, and the contact spring 88 maintains the forked contact 68 and the mechanism in the closed position. The toggle switch 44, 42 for controlling the neutral contact 36 is advantageously in a position close to neutral, but without exceeding the latter. ;

L'ouverture manuelle du disjoncteur est réalisée par pivotement de la manette 20 dans le sens trigonométrique indiqué par la flèche, qui provoque d'une part la brisure de la genouillère 42, 44, et l'ouverture des contacts de neutre 36, 40, et d'autre part la brisure de la genouillère 78, 74, 76, autorisant le pivotement en position d'ouverture du contact mobile en fourche 68 par rotation autour de l'axe 70. Il convient de noter que l'ouverture des contacts de phase 48, 64; 50, 66 intervient obligatoirement avant la séparation des contacts de neutre 36, 40, en raison de la cinématique des genouillères de commande. Les arcs tirés entre les contacts de phase 48, 64; 50, 66 pénètrent dans les chambres de coupure 56, 58 où ils sont éteints rapidement. La fermeture manuelle du disjoncteur est effectuée par une opération inverse qu'il est inutile de décrire.The manual opening of the circuit breaker is carried out by pivoting the handle 20 in the counterclockwise direction indicated by the arrow, which causes on the one hand the breaking of the toggle switch 42, 44, and the opening of the neutral contacts 36, 40, and on the other hand the breaking of the toggle 78, 74, 76, authorizing the pivoting in the open position of the movable contact in the fork 68 by rotation about the axis 70. It should be noted that the opening of the contacts of phase 48, 64; 50, 66 must occur before the separation of the neutral contacts 36, 40, due to the kinematics of the control toggles. The arcs drawn between the phase contacts 48, 64; 50, 66 enter the breaking chambers 56, 58 where they are quickly extinguished. Manual closing of the circuit breaker is carried out by a reverse operation which need not be described.

Lors d'un courant de surcharge, détecté par la bilame 104, ou d'un courant de court-circuit détecté par le déclencheur électromagnétique 108, le verrou 84 est déplacé en direction de la face avant 18 vers une position de déverrouillage correspondant à l'échappement de l'élément 74 de la butée 86. Le redan 82 est agencé de telle manière que la force d'appui exercée par l'extrémité 80 génère une force de pivotement de l'élément 74 en position de déverrouillage à l'encontre de la force de rappel 94. Lors de la rupture de la liaison entre l'extrémité 80 et le redan 82 (fig. 6) le ressort de rappel 96 déplace l'ensemble contact mobile de neutre 36 et manette 20 en position d'ouverture en en- trainant l'élément 76. Simultanément, le ressort de contact 88 déplace le contact mobile en fourche 68 en une première phase en appui de l'axe 70, et en une deuxième phase de pivotement autour de cet axe 70 vers une position de séparation des contacts de phase 48, 64; 50, 66. Le déclencheur électromagnétique 108 agit après déverrouillage du mécanisme comme extracteur du contact mobile en fourche 68, le mouvement du noyau plongeur 114 étant transmis par la tête 118 au verrou 84, lequel entraîne l'axe 72 par la venue en butée du fond de la lumière 92 sur l'axe 72. L'ensemble est agencé de manière à réaliser une ouverture des contacts de phase préalable à celle des contacts de neutre 36, 40. Le pivotement de la manette 20 en position d'ouverture ramène l'extrémité 80 au-dessus du redan 82 permettant un basculement en position active de l'élément 74. Le verrou 84 repasse dans la position de verrouillage constituant la liaison rigide entre les éléments 74, 76 de la bielle brisable. La fermeture du disjoncteur s'effectue par pivotement de la manette 20 de la manière décrite ci-dessus.During an overload current, detected by the bimetallic strip 104, or a short-circuit current detected by the electromagnetic trip device 108, the latch 84 is moved in the direction of the front face 18 towards an unlocking position corresponding to the exhaust of the element 74 from the stop 86. The step 82 is arranged in such a way that the bearing force exerted by the end 80 generates a pivoting force of the element 74 in the unlocked position against of the return force 94. When the connection between the end 80 and the step 82 is broken (fig. 6) the return spring 96 moves the movable neutral contact 36 and lever 20 assembly in the open position by entraining the element 76. Simultaneously, the contact spring 88 displaces the movable fork contact 68 in a first phase in support of the axis 70, and in a second phase of pivoting around this axis 70 towards a position separating the phase contacts 48, 64; 50, 66. The electromagnetic trip device 108 acts after unlocking the mechanism as extractor of the movable contact in the fork 68, the movement of the plunger core 114 being transmitted by the head 118 to the lock 84, which drives the axis 72 by the abutment of the bottom of the light 92 on the axis 72. The assembly is arranged so as to open the phase contacts prior to that of the neutral contacts 36, 40. The pivoting of the lever 20 in the open position brings back the end 80 above the step 82 allowing tilting in the active position of the element 74. The lock 84 returns to the locking position constituting the rigid connection between the elements 74, 76 of the breakable connecting rod. The circuit breaker is closed by pivoting the handle 20 as described above.

L'emploi d'un contact en fourche 68 permet-une réduction de l'encombrement des chambres de coupure 56, 58 et une libé- ration d'un espace suffisant au logement des contacts de neutre 36, 40. La disposition selon l'invention des contacts de phase 48, 64; 50, 66 et des chambres de coupure 56, 58 dans la zone arrière du boîtier 10 libère un espace suffisant au logement du mécanisme et du déclencheur électromagnétique 108, à côté de la manette de commande manuelle 20. La cloison isolante 34, s'étendant dans le plan de symétrie du disjoncteur, assure une séparation physique des parties conductrices tout en laissant disponible des volumes occupant toute la largeur du boîtier pour le logement du mécanisme de commande des contacts de phase et du déclencheur électromagnétique. La disposition selon l'invention des éléments constitutifs du disjoncteur ainsi que la structure du mécanisme de commande ont permis le respect des cotes normalisées, en l'occurrence une largeur du module de 17,5 mm.The use of a contact fork 68 allows a reduction in the size of the arc chutes 56, 58 and a libé - ration sufficient space to the contact housing neutral 36, 40. The arrangement according to the invention of the phase contacts 48, 64; 50, 66 and breaking chambers 56, 58 in the rear zone of the housing 10 frees sufficient space for housing the mechanism and the electromagnetic trip device 108, next to the manual control lever 20. The insulating partition 34, extending in the plane of symmetry of the circuit breaker, ensures physical separation of the conductive parts while leaving available volumes occupying the entire width of the housing for housing the mechanism for controlling the phase contacts and the electromagnetic trip device. The arrangement according to the invention of the constituent elements of the circuit breaker as well as the structure of the control mechanism made it possible to comply with the standardized dimensions, in this case a module width of 17.5 mm.

L'invention n'est bien entendu nullement limitée au mode de mise en oeuvre plus particulièrement décrit et représenté sur les figures annexées.The invention is of course in no way limited to the embodiment more particularly described and shown in the appended figures.

Claims (10)

1. Disjoncteur miniature unipolaire et neutre à bottier (10) moulé étroit présentant deux faces opposées étroites avant (18) et arrière (16) dotées respectivement d'une manette (20) de commande et d'un moyen de fixation et deux faces. (22, 28) opposées étroites de raccordement ayant chacune une borne de phase (26, 32) et une borne de neutre (24, 30) juxtaposées symétriquement de part et d'autre du plan médian (34) du boîtier perpendiculaire auxdites faces étroites (16, 18, 22, 28), ledit boîtier contenant des contacts de phase (48, 64; 50, 66) insérés dans un circuit de phase reliant lesdites bornes de phase (26, 32), des contacts de neutre (36, 40) insérés dans un circuit de neutre reliant les bornes de neutre (24, 30) et un mécanisme de commande desdits contacts susceptible d'être actionné d'une part par ladite manette (20) et d'autre part par un déclen- cheur de surintensité (104) et/ou de défaut (108), caractérisé en ce que lesdits contacts de phase comportent une paire de contacts fixes (48, 50) juxtaposés symétriquement de part et d'autre dudit plan médian (34), matérialisé dans la zone de coupure par une cloison isolante (34), et un contact mobile (68) en forme de fourche chevauchant ladite cloison et coopérant avec ladite paire de contacts fixes (48, 50) pour ponter ces derniers en position fermé et qu'une paire de chambres de coupure (56, 58) disposées symétriquement de ladite cloison isolante (34) sont associées auxdits contacts de phase (48, 64; 50, 66) pour éteindre les arcs tirés lors de l'ouverture desdits contacts de phase, lesdites chambres de coupure (56, 58) et lesdits contacts de phase étant disposés du côté de ladite face arrière (16) en occupant toute la largeur du boîtier (10), lesdits contacts de neutre (36, 40) étant disposés du côté de ladite face avant (18) du boîtier.1. Miniature, single-pole, neutral molded circuit breaker (10), narrow molded, having two opposite narrow front (18) and rear (16) faces respectively provided with a control lever (20) and with a fixing means and two faces. (22, 28) opposite narrow connections, each having a phase terminal (26, 32) and a neutral terminal (24, 30) juxtaposed symmetrically on either side of the median plane (34) of the housing perpendicular to said narrow faces (16, 18, 22, 28), said housing containing phase contacts (48, 64; 50, 66) inserted in a phase circuit connecting said phase terminals (26, 32), neutral contacts (36, 40) inserted in a neutral circuit connecting the neutral terminals (24, 30) and an operating mechanism of said contacts may be actuated on the one hand by the said handle (20) and on the other hand by a trig - cheur overcurrent (104) and / or fault (108), characterized in that said phase contacts comprise a pair of fixed contacts (48, 50) juxtaposed symmetrically on either side of said median plane (34), materialized in the cutting zone by an insulating partition (34), and a movable contact (68) in the form of a fork overlapping said partition and cooper ant with said pair of fixed contacts (48, 50) for bridging these in closed position and that a pair of breaking chambers (56, 58) symmetrically disposed of said insulating partition (34) are associated with said phase contacts (48 , 64; 50, 66) to extinguish the arcs drawn during the opening of said phase contacts, said breaking chambers (56, 58) and said phase contacts being arranged on the side of said rear face (16) occupying the entire width of the housing (10), said neutral contacts (36, 40) being arranged on the side of said front face (18) of the housing. 2. Disjoncteur selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits contacts de phase (48, 64; 50, 66) et lesdites chambres de coupure (56, 58) sont alignés dans la direction de ladite face arrière (16) et s'étendent sur la quasi-totalité de la distance de séparation desdites bornes de phase (26, 32).2. Circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that said phase contacts (48, 64; 50, 66) and said breaking chambers (56, 58) are aligned in the direction of said rear face (16) and extend over almost the entire separation distance of said phase terminals (26, 32). 3. Disjoncteur selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que ladite manette (20) est reliée par une première genouillère (42, 44) au contact mobile de neutre (36) et par une deuxième genouillère (78; 74, 76) au contact mobile de phase (68), l'ensemble étant agencé de manière que lesdits contacts de phase s'ouvrent avant les contacts de neutre, lesdits contacts étant toujours simultanément dans une même position finale ouvert ou fermé.3. Circuit breaker according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said lever (20) is connected by a first toggle (42, 44) to the movable neutral contact (36) and by a second toggle (78; 74, 76) to the movable phase contact (68), the assembly being arranged so that said phase contacts open before the neutral contacts, said contacts always being simultaneously in the same final open or closed position. 4. Disjoncteur selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que ladite deuxième genouillère (78; 74, 76) comporte une bielle brisable (74, 76) ayant un verrou (84) susceptible d'être actionné par ledit déclencheur (104, 108) pour briser ladite bielle et rompre la liaison avec la manette (20) de façon à provoquer d'une part l'ouverture automatique desdits contacts de phase (48, 64; 50, 66) et d'autre part le rappel de la manette (20) en'position d'ouverture entraînant l'ouverture des contacts de neutre (36, 40).4. Circuit breaker according to claim 3, characterized in that said second toggle joint (78; 74, 76) comprises a breakable connecting rod (74, 76) having a latch (84) capable of being actuated by said trigger (104, 108) to break said connecting rod and break the connection with the lever (20) so as to cause on the one hand the automatic opening of said phase contacts (48, 64; 50, 66) and on the other hand the return of the lever ( 20) in opening position causing the opening of the neutral contacts (36, 40). 5. Disjoncteur selon la revendication caractérisé en ce que ledit déclencheur (104, 108) comporte un électro-aimant (112) dont l'armature (114) coopère avec ledit verrou (84), ce dernier étant relié mécaniquement avec jeu au contact mobile de phase (68) de façon à exercer sur ce dernier contact une force d'ouverture lors d'un déclenchement sur défaut.5. Circuit breaker according to claim characterized in that said trip device (104, 108) comprises an electromagnet (112) whose armature (114) cooperates with said latch (84), the latter being mechanically connected with play to the movable contact phase (68) so as to exert on this latter contact an opening force upon tripping on a fault. 6. Disjoncteur selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que ledit verrou (84) et ladite bielle brisable (74, 76) sont articulés sur un même axe (72) dudit contact mobile de phase (68), ledit verrou (84) étant agencé pour permettre un déplacement relatif de verrouillage et de déverrouillage par rapport à ladite bielle brisable.6. Circuit breaker according to claim 5, characterized in that said latch (84) and said breakable connecting rod (74, 76) are articulated on the same axis (72) of said movable phase contact (68), said latch (84) being arranged to allow relative movement of locking and unlocking with respect to said breakable connecting rod. 7. Disjoncteur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le déclencheur électromagnétique (108) est logé dans l'espace entre le contact mobile de phase (48, 64; 50, 66) et ladite face avant (18) du boîtier (10) adjacent à ladite manette (20).7. Circuit breaker according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electromagnetic trip device (108) is housed in the space between the movable phase contact (48, 64; 50, 66) and said front face (18) of the housing (10) adjacent to said lever (20). 8. Disjoncteur selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que lesdits contacts de neutre (36, 40) sont logés dans l'espace intercalaire entre la manette (20) et les chambres de coupure (56, 58).8. Circuit breaker according to claim 7, characterized in that said neutral contacts (36, 40) are housed in the intermediate space between the lever (20) and the breaking chambers (56, 58). 9. Disjoncteur selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte une bilame (104) intercalée entre le déclencheur électromagnétique (108) et les bornes adjacentes (26, 24) en s'étendant sensiblement perpendiculairement à la face arrière (16) du boîtier.9. Circuit breaker according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a bimetallic strip (104) interposed between the electromagnetic trip device (108) and the adjacent terminals (26, 24) extending substantially perpendicular to the rear face (16) of the housing. 10. Disjoncteur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit mécanisme et ledit déclencheur de défaut (108) sont logés dans un volume occupant toute la largeur du boîtier (10).10. Circuit breaker according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said mechanism and said fault trip device (108) are housed in a volume occupying the entire width of the housing (10).
EP81401078A 1980-08-06 1981-07-06 Miniature circuit breaker with switching of the neutral line and the phase line Expired EP0045672B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT81401078T ATE9750T1 (en) 1980-08-06 1981-07-06 MINIATURE SWITCH WITH DISCONNECTION OF THE NEUTRAL AND PHASE CONDUCTORS.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8017429A FR2488440A1 (en) 1980-08-06 1980-08-06 MINIATURE CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH NEUTRAL AND PHASE CUT
FR8017429 1980-08-06

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0045672A1 true EP0045672A1 (en) 1982-02-10
EP0045672B1 EP0045672B1 (en) 1984-10-03

Family

ID=9244985

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP81401078A Expired EP0045672B1 (en) 1980-08-06 1981-07-06 Miniature circuit breaker with switching of the neutral line and the phase line

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0045672B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE9750T1 (en)
DE (1) DE3166466D1 (en)
ES (1) ES8206909A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2488440A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0418754A2 (en) * 1989-09-18 1991-03-27 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Current limiting apparatus
FR2689309A1 (en) * 1992-03-31 1993-10-01 Merlin Gerin Drawer control mechanism for phase and neutral electric circuit breaker.
EP0569650A1 (en) * 1992-05-13 1993-11-18 Hager Electro S.A. Phase/neutral conductor circuit breaker
EP0599800A1 (en) * 1992-11-25 1994-06-01 Felten & Guilleaume Austria Ag Automatic cut-out switch

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE830974C (en) * 1949-11-25 1952-02-11 Stotz Kontakt Gmbh Switching device for self-switch with neutral contacts
DE960116C (en) * 1954-01-23 1957-03-14 Licentia Gmbh Automatic switch with neutral conductor that can be switched off
FR1276936A (en) * 1959-12-28 1961-11-24 Busch Jaeger Duerener Metall Base installation switch-circuit breaker
DE1180453B (en) * 1962-08-07 1964-10-29 Continental Elektro Ind Ag Circuit breakers, especially installation circuit breakers
US3388358A (en) * 1964-04-11 1968-06-11 Bassani Spa Circuit breaker
CH547003A (en) * 1972-07-07 1974-03-15 Landis & Gyr Montlucon NEUTRAL DISCONNECTING DEVICE FOR A TWO- OR MULTI-POLE DISCONNECTING DEVICE.

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE830974C (en) * 1949-11-25 1952-02-11 Stotz Kontakt Gmbh Switching device for self-switch with neutral contacts
DE960116C (en) * 1954-01-23 1957-03-14 Licentia Gmbh Automatic switch with neutral conductor that can be switched off
FR1276936A (en) * 1959-12-28 1961-11-24 Busch Jaeger Duerener Metall Base installation switch-circuit breaker
DE1180453B (en) * 1962-08-07 1964-10-29 Continental Elektro Ind Ag Circuit breakers, especially installation circuit breakers
US3388358A (en) * 1964-04-11 1968-06-11 Bassani Spa Circuit breaker
CH547003A (en) * 1972-07-07 1974-03-15 Landis & Gyr Montlucon NEUTRAL DISCONNECTING DEVICE FOR A TWO- OR MULTI-POLE DISCONNECTING DEVICE.

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0418754A2 (en) * 1989-09-18 1991-03-27 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Current limiting apparatus
EP0418754A3 (en) * 1989-09-18 1992-03-25 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Current limiting apparatus
FR2689309A1 (en) * 1992-03-31 1993-10-01 Merlin Gerin Drawer control mechanism for phase and neutral electric circuit breaker.
EP0564380A1 (en) * 1992-03-31 1993-10-06 Schneider Electric Sa Operating mechanism with slide for electrical circuit breakers with switching for the neutral conductor
EP0569650A1 (en) * 1992-05-13 1993-11-18 Hager Electro S.A. Phase/neutral conductor circuit breaker
EP0599800A1 (en) * 1992-11-25 1994-06-01 Felten & Guilleaume Austria Ag Automatic cut-out switch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE9750T1 (en) 1984-10-15
EP0045672B1 (en) 1984-10-03
ES504527A0 (en) 1982-08-16
FR2488440A1 (en) 1982-02-12
ES8206909A1 (en) 1982-08-16
DE3166466D1 (en) 1984-11-08
FR2488440B1 (en) 1983-02-25

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