EP0366519B1 - Security device for a switching apparatus made by the assembly of several removable modular elements - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a safety device intended for a switching device produced by the assembly of several removable modular elements.

• un module interrupteur comprenant un ou plusieurs interrupteurs comportant chacun au moins un élément de contact fixe, au moins un élément de contact mobile, monté sur un équipage mobile de manière à pouvoir prendre au moins deux positions, à savoir, une première position dans laquelle l'élément de contact mobile est appliqué contre l'élément de contact fixe (état fermé) et une deuxième position dans laquelle l'élément de contact mobile se trouve écarté de l'élément de contact fixe (état ouvert) et des moyens élastiques exerçant sur l'équipage mobile un effort tendant à ramener l'élément de contact mobile dans la première position,
• un module de commande de commutation directe, tel que, par exemple, un électroaimant apte à provoquer un changement d'état de l'interrupteur en exerçant sur l'équipage mobile une action antagoniste à celle des moyens élastiques,
• un module de commande de commutation indirecte présentant au moins deux états stables, à savoir, un état armé et un état déclenché, ainsi que deux phases transitoires, à savoir, une phase d'armement manuel et une phase de déclenchement, ce module comprenant des moyens aptes a accumuler une quantité déterminée d'énergie potentielle lors de la phase d'armement, et des moyens de déclenchement pour appliquer cette énergie potentielle sur un organe d'actionnement de l'équipage mobile de l'interrupteur lors de la phase de déclenchement en réponse à un ordre de déclenchement, et
• un module de protection apte à émettre ledit ordre de déclenchement, par exemple à la suite d'une surcharge ou d'une surintensité.

It relates more particularly, but not exclusively, to a switching device of a type similar to that described in EP-A-179 677, which involves:

• a switch module comprising one or more switches each comprising at least one fixed contact element, at least one mobile contact element, mounted on a mobile assembly so as to be able to take at least two positions, namely, a first position in which the the movable contact element is applied against the fixed contact element (closed state) and a second position in which the movable contact element is separated from the fixed contact element (open state) and elastic means acting on the moving element an effort tending to bring the moving contact element back into the first position,
• a direct switching control module, such as, for example, an electromagnet capable of causing a change of state of the switch by exerting on the moving assembly an action antagonistic to that of the elastic means,
• an indirect switching control module having at least two stable states, namely, an armed state and a triggered state, as well as two transient phases, namely, a manual arming phase and a triggering phase, this module comprising means capable of accumulating a determined quantity of potential energy during the arming phase, and triggering means for applying this potential energy to an actuating member of the moving part of the switch during the triggering phase in response to a trigger order, and
• a protection module capable of transmitting said trip order, for example following an overload or an overcurrent.

An important advantage of this type of device is that it is possible to remove or mount the control modules on the switch module without having to disconnect the circuit in which the latter is connected.

However, for obvious security reasons, these operations must necessarily be carried out without causing a change in state of the switch and, preferably, in the open state of the switch.

This therefore implies that the direct switching module is in the de-energized state and therefore cannot exert a closing action on the moving element of the switch and that, moreover, the indirect switching module is located at the armed state.

The object of the invention is therefore more particularly to provide a safety device which makes it impossible to mount or extract the control modules when the switch is not in a determined state (for example the open state).

It therefore proposes a safety device for a device of the aforementioned type comprising a switch module on which an indirect action control module can be fixed by means of a screw mounted axially sliding in a through passage provided in said control control module. so that in the assembled position of this control module on the switch module, it can be screwed into a coaxial threaded hole provided in the switch module, and that at the end of screwing, the control module is tightened against the module switch thanks to the action of the screw head on a fixed surface of the control module.

According to the invention, this device is more particularly characterized in that it comprises means capable of preventing access from the head of the screw and, consequently, any possibility of screwing or unscrewing, when the control module n is not in the armed state.

Advantageously, these prohibition means may consist of a prohibition element secured to the manual control member provided for arming the indirect switching control module.

Furthermore, the length of the threaded end of the screw coming to be screwed into the aforesaid tapped hole will preferably be provided at least equal to the actuating stroke of the moving element of the switch module. In this case, the above-mentioned prohibition means will be designed so as to ensure, in cooperation with the abovementioned stop, an axial locking of the screw (by imprisonment of the head).

This arrangement ensures that an attempt to assemble a control module in the tripped state on a switch module cannot generate an action on the moving element of this switch module, and this, due to the presence of the threaded end of the screw that protrudes outside the control module. Indeed, this threaded end will prevent any possibility of contact of the actuation means of the control module on the moving element.

This safety measure will be increased through the use of guide means associated with the switch module and the control module to ensure that the assembly of these two modules can only be performed after a relative movement of translation parallel to the axis of the screw, over a distance at least equal to the length of the end of the screw which protrudes outside the control module, when the head of the screw is in contact with its bearing surface.

The invention applies, in a particularly advantageous manner, to a switching device consisting of a contactor-limiter involving a switch module, a removable indirect switching control module and a direct switching control module (removable or incorporated in the switch module).

In this case, the safety device will aim to prohibit any possibility of assembly (or extraction) of the indirect switching control module, not only when this module is not in the armed state, but in addition when the direct switching control module is enabled to operate.

• une position "arrêt", et
• une position "auto".

To achieve these results, the safety device according to the invention also involves a safety switch mounted in series on the supply circuit of the coil of the electromagnet of the direct switching control module, as well as means for controlling this switch as a function of the position of the manual control member of the control module. This indirect switching control member may then have, in addition to the triggered position and the transient arming position, two armed positions, namely:

• a "stop" position, and
• an "auto" position.

In this case, the aforementioned control means will be designed so as to close the safety switch only in the "auto" position while the prohibition means will be provided so as to not allow access to the head of the screw only when these control means are in the "off" position.

• La figure 1 représente, en perspective schématique, un contacteur limiteur équipé d'un dispositif selon l'invention à l'état désassemblé ;
• La figure 2 est une vue schématique de côté, partiellement en coupe, du contacteur représenté sur la figure 1 ; et
• Les figures 3, 4, 5 et 6 sont des vues de la face supérieure du module de commande indirecte, avec un bouton de commande d'armement en position "arrêt" (figure 3), "auto" (figure 4), "déclenché" (figure 5) et "armement" (figure 6).

An embodiment of the invention will be described below, by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 shows, in schematic perspective, a limiter contactor equipped with a device according to the invention in the disassembled state;
• Figure 2 is a schematic side view, partially in section, of the contactor shown in Figure 1; and
• Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 are views of the upper face of the indirect control module, with an arming control button in the "off" position (figure 3), "auto" (figure 4), "triggered "(figure 5) and" arming "(figure 6).

• deux éléments de contact fixes 3, 4 portés par deux conducteurs 5, 6 respectivement reliés à deux connecteurs 7, 8 ;
• un équipage mobile comprenant un porte-contact mobile 9 en un matériau électriquement conducteur et sur lequel sont montés deux éléments de contact mobiles 10, 11 destinés à coopérer avec les éléments de contact fixes 3, 4 respectifs ;
• un organe de manoeuvre consistant en un poussoir 12, réalisé en un matériau électriquement isolant, solidaire du porte-contact mobile 9 ;
• un ressort 13 disposé entre la paroi de support 14 du boîtier 2 et le porte-contact mobile 9, de manière à exercer une force tendant à appliquer les contacts mobiles 10, 11 contre les contacts fixes 3, 4.

In this example, the limiter contactor consists first of all of a switch module 1 comprising, inside of a box B₁, three normally open type power switch devices, only one of which is visible in FIG. 2 and which each include:

• two fixed contact elements 3, 4 carried by two conductors 5, 6 respectively connected to two connectors 7, 8;
• a movable assembly comprising a movable contact carrier 9 made of an electrically conductive material and on which are mounted two movable contact elements 10, 11 intended to cooperate with the respective fixed contact elements 3, 4;
• an operating member consisting of a pusher 12, made of an electrically insulating material, integral with the movable contact carrier 9;
• a spring 13 disposed between the support wall 14 of the housing 2 and the movable contact carrier 9, so as to exert a force tending to apply the movable contacts 10, 11 against the fixed contacts 3, 4.

Of course, this switch, which is shown very schematically, can also include all the equipment with which the switches are usually fitted, such as, for example, arc splitting fins, decompression channels, etc. elsewhere, the conductors 5 and 6 have a folded shape allowing the development of repulsion forces acting on the movable contact carrier 9, under the effect of the current flowing in the switch.

• deux faces longitudinales opposées parallèles 15, 16 qui jouent le rôle de faces de jonction dans le cas d'un assemblage de plusieurs modules 1 disposés côte à côte ;
• deux faces latérales opposées 17, 18 ;
• une face de support 19 qui comprend, dans sa partie médiane, une concavité prismatique 20, de section trapézoïdale, axée normalement aux faces longitudinales 15, 16, qui sert au montage du boîtier 2 sur un rail profilé de support de type classique ; et
• une face d'assemblage 21 opposée à la face de support 19.

More specifically, the housing B₁ has an elongated shape of general appearance which is substantially parallelepipedic and comprises:

• two opposite parallel longitudinal faces 15, 16 which act as junction faces in the case of an assembly of several modules 1 arranged side by side;
• two opposite side faces 17, 18;
• a support face 19 which comprises, in its middle part, a prismatic concavity 20, of trapezoidal section, normally oriented to the longitudinal faces 15, 16, which is used for mounting the housing 2 on a profile support rail of conventional type; and
• an assembly face 21 opposite the support face 19.

This assembly face 21 has, in its middle part, a partition 22 which extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal faces 15, 16 and to the assembly face 21. This partition 22 separates the assembly face 21 into two zones, namely, a zone Z₁ intended to receive a direct control module 23 and a zone Z₂ intended to receive an indirect control module 24. It comprises, on the side of the assembly zone Z₂, a stepped profile P₁ and, on the side of the zone Z₁, a flat face F perpendicular to the assembly face 21.

Zone Z₁ comprises, in the vicinity of the partition 22, three orifices O aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal faces 15, 16, through which the pushers 12 of the three switches pass.

Furthermore, the lateral faces 17, 18 each have three orifices C₁, C₂, C₃ for access to the connection devices 7, 8 whose clamping screws 25, 25 ′ are accessible by means of orifices Aifices, A₂, A₃, A′₁, A′₂ correspondents provided in the assembly face 21.

The direct control device 23 comprises a housing B₂ of parallelepiped shape which is fixed by its base 26 on the assembly zone Z₁ slightly set back from the zone Z′₁ in which the pushers 12 stand out.

This box B₂ contains an electromagnet 27 whose movable armature 28 (or the core) is connected to a lever 29 used for actuating the pushers 12 of the switches. In this example, the end of the lever 29 located opposite its connection to the frame 28 cooperates with a rake 30 movable in translation in the interval between the housing B₂ and the partition 22 and supported by the pushers 12 of the three switches. The lever 29 and the rake 30 are then arranged so that the excitation of the coil of the electromagnet 27 generates a tilting of the lever 29 which causes a translational movement of the rake 30 and the three pushers 12, at the against the action exerted by the springs 13, in the direction of opening of the contacts 3, 4 - 10, 11.

The excitation of the coil 31 of the electromagnet is ensured by means of a remote control circuit connecting to two terminals 32, 33 provided on the housing B₂ and comprising a switch 34 arranged in series.

This switch 34 is controlled by a pusher 35 accessible by an opening provided on the face 36 of the housing B₂ located opposite the partition 22.

• deux faces planes longitudinales opposées 37, 38 parallèles l'une par rapport à l'autre et séparées l'une de l'autre par une distance sensiblement égale à celle des faces longitudinales 15, 16 du module interrupteur 1 ;
• une face d'assemblage 39 qui s'étend perpendiculairement aux faces longitudinales 37, 38 et qui présente une base 40 destinée à venir en regard de la zone d'assemblage Z₂, ainsi qu'une région à profil étagé P₂ de forme sensiblement complémentaire à celle du profil étagé P₁ de la cloison 22 ;
• deux faces latérales parallèles opposées 41, 42 dont l'une 41, qui est située du côté du profil étagé P₂, est destinée à venir jointivement contre la face 36 du module de commande directe 23 ; et
• une face frontale 43 présentant un étagement 44 sur lequel est monté un bouton rotatif de commande de réarmement 45.

The indirect switching control module 24 is in the form of a prismatic housing B₃ of rectangular cross section having:

• two opposite longitudinal flat faces 37, 38 parallel to one another and separated from each other by a distance substantially equal to that of the longitudinal faces 15, 16 of the switch module 1;
• an assembly face 39 which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal faces 37, 38 and which has a base 40 intended to come opposite the assembly zone Z₂, as well as a region with a stepped profile P₂ of a shape substantially complementary to that of the stepped profile Pois of the partition 22;
• two opposite parallel lateral faces 41, 42 one of which 41, which is situated on the side of the stepped profile P₂, is intended to come into contact with the face 36 of the direct control module 23; and
• a front face 43 having a stage 44 on which is mounted a rotary reset control button 45.

In this example, the indirect switching control module 24 comprises both a triggering device with potential accumulation and the protection devices associated with it, such as, for example, an electromagnet intended to cause the triggering of the device in response. has abrupt overcurrents or short-circuits, a thermal protection system, for example, bimetal intended to cause tripping following abnormal elevations of intensity lasting over time.

• un premier organe d'actionnement 48 représenté par un poussoir, passant au travers d'un orifice prévu dans l'étagement 49 du boîtier B₃, en un emplacement situé au droit du râteau 30, lorsque le module 24 est assemblé au module interrupteur 1, et
• un deuxième organe d'actionnement 50 représenté par un poussoir, passant au travers d'un orifice prévu dans la face latérale 42 du boîtier B₃, en un emplacement situé en regard du poussoir 35 du module de commande de commutation directe 23, lorsque les deux modules 23, 24 sont assemblés au module 1.

In FIG. 2, the triggering device 46 has been represented schematically by a block into which the axis 47 of the reset control button 45 penetrates and which comprises two actuating members, namely:

• a first actuating member 48 represented by a pusher, passing through an orifice provided in the stage 49 of the housing B₃, at a location situated in line with the rake 30, when the module 24 is assembled to the switch module 1, and
• a second actuating member 50 represented by a pusher, passing through an orifice provided in the lateral face 42 of the housing B₃, at a location located in view of the push-button 35 of the direct switching control module 23, when the two modules 23, 24 are assembled to module 1.

• une position rétractée qui correspond à l'état armé du module de déclenchement (et aux positions "arrêt" et "auto" du bouton 45) , position dans laquelle cet organe 48 n'exerce aucune action sur le râteau 30 de manière à permettre aux dispositifs interrupteurs de puissance du module 1 de passer à leurs positions normalement fermées, et
• à la suite d'un déclenchement, une position déployée dans laquelle il appuie sur le râteau 30 de manière à maintenir ouverts les interrupteurs de puissance.

The first actuating member 48 can take two positions, namely:

• a retracted position which corresponds to the armed state of the trigger module (and to the "stop" and "auto" positions of the button 45), position in which this member 48 exerts no action on the rake 30 so as to allow the module 1 power switch devices to switch to their normally closed positions, and
• following a trip, a deployed position in which it presses on the rake 30 so as to keep the power switches open.

The second actuating member 50 can also take a retracted position in which it does not stress the plunger 35 and a deployed position in which it acts on the plunger 35 so as to close the switch 34 of the control module 23, the passage from the retracted position to the deployed position being effected by passing the button 45 from the "off" position (that is to say arming) to an "auto" position.

The triggering device 46 further comprises a triggering member 52 represented here by a pusher which, when it is pressed, causes the first actuation member 48 to pass suddenly, from its retracted position to its deployed position.

The protection devices 53 associated with the triggering device 46, which are housed here in the indirect switching control module 24, have been represented diagrammatically by a block in FIG. 2.

They comprise an actuating member 54 (represented by a pusher) arranged so as to urge the triggering member 52 following the detection of an anomaly of the current passing through the power switches of the module 1.

The electrical connections between the current lines passing through these power switches and these protection devices 53 are established by means of three pairs of male 55 and female 56 connection elements respectively provided on the shelves 57, 58 opposite the modules 1 and 23; the male connection elements 55 are connected to the protective devices 53 by means of links 59, while the female connection elements 56 are respectively connected to the conductors 5 of the power switches.

Of course, the male connection elements 55 are designed so as to respectively engage in the female connection elements 56 during assembly of the indirect switching control module 24 on the switch module 1.

It should be noted on this subject that this assembly is ensured by bringing the module 24 onto the module 1 at the end of a translational movement perpendicular to the assembly face 21.

During this translational movement, the module 24 is guided by guide wings 61, 62 - 61 ′, 62 ′ which extend the longitudinal faces 15, 16 in regions adjacent to the partition 22 and to the transverse edge 63 and terminate at the level of the upper stage 64 of the partition 22.

The attachment of the indirect switching control module 24 to the switch module 1 is ensured by means of at least one screw 65 which engages in a through passage of the housing B₃ to come to be screwed (in the assembled position of the modules 1 and 24) in a tapped hole 66 provided in the step 64 of the partition 22, the axis of the screw 65 and that of the hole 66 being perpendicular to said step 64.

In this example, the head 67 of the screw 65 engages in a well 68 produced on the stage 44 of the front face 43 in the area of rotation of the flange 69 of the cocking button 45.

It is clear that at the end of screwing, the head 67 of the screw 65 comes to bear on the bottom of the well 68 in order to tighten the two modules 1, 24.

To allow screwing, the flange 69 of the button 45 has a notch 70 arranged so as to coincide with the well 68 only when the button 45 is in the "off" position. With this measure, when the button is not in the "off" position, it therefore becomes impossible to disassemble the modules 1 and 24 or, on the contrary, to assemble them. In addition, thanks to the guide wings 61, 61 ′ - 62, 62 ′ and the fact that the head 67 of the screw 65 is trapped in the well 68 by the flange 69 of the button 45, an attempt to assemble the two modules 1, 24 cannot lead to accidental actuation of the power switches; the module 24 will be kept away from the module 1 by the screw 65.

Preferably, the length of the portion of the screw 65 emerging from the module 24 will be provided greater than the length of the stroke of the actuating member 48, so that the latter cannot come to bear on the rake 30 during such an attempt.

According to another embodiment, the screw 65 can be biassed axially by a spring, so that in the unscrewed position, it remains engaged in the notch 70 and thus prohibits any operation of the button 45.

The attachment of the module 24 to the module 23 is, moreover, ensured by means of a tongue 71, integral with the housing B₃, which extends parallel to the lateral face 42 from the tier 44 and which engages in a slot provided on the face 72 of the housing B₂. This arrangement makes it possible in particular to avoid a separation of the housings B₂ and B₃ under the effect of the pressure exerted by the actuating member 50 on the pusher 35.

The operation of the device described above will be explained below with reference to Figures 3 to 6 which show the cocking button 45 in its different positions of use.

In the "stop" position of the button 45, the notch 70 of the flange 69 is in coincidence with the well 68, and the head 67 of the screw 65 is accessible, either for assembly or for disassembly. In this position, the actuating members 48, 50 are in the retracted state and the module 24 is in the armed state. This module has no action on the switch module 1 and the direct switching module 23 is inhibited due to the fact that the switch 34, which is not pressed, is in the open state.

From this position, the transition to the "auto" position, represented in FIG. 4, (clockwise rotation of 90 °) has the effect of causing the deployment of the actuating member 50 which then acts on the pusher 35 to cause the contact 34 to close. The direct switching control module 23 is then authorized to operate. The collar 69 prohibits access to the head 67 of the screw 65.

When the triggering member 52 is requested by the protective devices 53, it causes the actuating member 48 to pass to the deployed position, thereby causing the power switches of the module 1 to open. , the button 45 rotates 45 ° counterclockwise, position in which the flange 69 prohibits access to the head 67 of the screw 65 (Figure 5).

Resetting is then obtained by rotating the button 45 75 ° counterclockwise to the "arming" position shown in Figure 6, then returning the button (clockwise) to the "stop" position shown in Figure 3. The button can then be returned to the "auto" position in Figure 4.

As previously described, the device according to the invention achieves very high security, while being very simple and non-binding for the user.

Claims (11)

1. A safety device for switching appliances comprising the assembly of at least two removable modular elements, namely :

   - a switching module (1) comprising at least one power switch having at least one fixed contact element (10, 11), at least one mobile contact element (3, 4), mounted on a mobile assembly (9) so as to be able to take up at least an open position and a closed position, and resilient means (13) exerting on the mobile assembly (9) a force tending to bring the mobile contact element (3, 4) back into one of said positions,

   - an indirect switching control module (24) having at least two stable conditions, namely a set condition, and a tripped condition, as well as two transitory phases, namely a setting phase and a tripping phase, this module comprising means adapted for accumulating an amount of potential energy transmitted by a setting member (45) during the setting phase and tripping means for applying this potential energy to a member (12, 30) actuating the mobile assembly (9) during the tripping phase in response to a tripping order, and

   - means for fixing said control module (24) to said switching module (1), said means comprising at least one screw (65) mounted for axial sliding in a through passage provided in said control module, so that in the assembled position of this control module (24) on the switching module (1) it may be screwed into a tapped bore (66) formed in the switching module (1) for clamping the two modules together,

   characterized in that it further comprises means (69) preventing access to the head (67) of the screw (65) and, consequently, any possibility of screwing this screw (65) in or out, when the control module (24) is not in the set condition.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said prevention means (69) are fast with said setting member (45).
3. The device as claimed in one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said prevention means (69) are designed so as to provide axial blocking of the screw (65) when said control module (24) is not set, and in that, in this case, the length of the threaded end of said screw (65) which screws into said tapped bore (66) is at least equal to the distance travelled by the control module (24) for actuating said mobile assembly (9).
4. The device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said switching module (1) comprises guide means (61, 61' - 62, 62') cooperating with corresponding guide means provided on the control module (24) so that these two modules can only be assembled together after a relative translational movement parallel to the axis of said screw (65).
5. The device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said translational movement takes place over a path of a length at least equal to the length of the end of the screw (65) which projects outwardly of said control module (24) when said screw is blocked axially by said prevention means (69).
6. The device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said setting member (45) consists of a rotary knob, and in that said prevention means consist of a circular sector (69) fast for rotation with said knob, said sector being disposed so as to cover the head (67) of the screw (65) when the control module (24) is not in the set condition.
7. The device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that said sector consists of a collar (59) carried by the knob and having an indentation (70) permitting access to the head of the screw when the knob is not in the set position.
8. The device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said screw (65) is urged axially by a spring disposed so that, in the unscrewed position, said screw (65) remains engaged in said indentation (70) and thus prevents operation of the knob.
9. The device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which the switching appliance further includes a direct control module (23) of the type comprising an electromagnet (27) adapted to cause a change of condition of the switching module (1) by exerting on said mobile assembly (9) an action antagonistic to that of said resilient means (13), characterized in that it further comprises a safety switch (34) mounted in series in the supply circuit of the coil (31) of the electromagnet (27) as well as means (35) for controlling this switch (34) as a function of the position of the member (45) for manually setting the indirect switching control module (24).
10. The device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said manual setting member (45) may assume successively :

    - a "stop" position in which the indirect switching control module (24) is in the set condition, whereas said safety switch (34) is open ;

    - an "auto" position in which the indirect switching control module (24) is in the set condition and acts on the direct switching control module (23) for maintaining said safety switch (34) closed ;

    - a tripped position in which the indirect switching control module (24) acts on said power switch for maintaining it open, a safety switch (34) being also open ; and

    - a transitory "setting" position which is reached during a setting stroke effected from the tripped position and following which said setting member (45) comes back to the "stop" position ;

    and in that, in this case, said prevention means (69) only permit access to the head (67) of the screw (65) when said setting member (45) is in said "stop" position.
11. The device as claimed in one of claims 9 and 10, characterized in that, for actuating said safety switch (34), said indirect switching control module (24) comprises an actuating member (50) adapted for exerting on said control member (35) of said safety switch (34) a force directed perpendicularly to the axis of said screw (65), and in that, in this case, said direct (23) and indirect (24) switching control modules comprise respective engagement means (71, 72) which are engaged one in the other at the end of the travel for assembling the indirect switching control module (24) on the switching module (1).

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