EP0461027A1 - Differential release device - Google Patents

Abstract

This is a differential release device whose release mechanism (24) is able to intervene on the release member of a main release device in the event of a differential defect. According to the invention, this release mechanism (24) includes, for this action, a main lever (44) and, coupled with the operating handle of the main release device, an operating handle (60), which is able systematically to ensure, by itself, under the stress of its return spring (63), automatic resetting of this main lever (44) before reaching its own release position. Application in particular to circuit-breakers. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention generally relates to differential tripping devices intended to be associated with a main tripping device such as a switch or circuit breaker for tripping the latter in the event that one or the other of the conductors ensuring the supply of an electrical appliance comes to be the object of an insulation fault.

These differential tripping devices, which, as we know, are responsible for ensuring the protection of people more than that of equipment, generally include a fault detector capable of delivering a differential current in response to a fault , in practice a toroid wound accordingly, a sensitive relay supplied by this fault detector, and a triggering mechanism, which, under the control of the sensitive relay, is able to intervene on the triggering member of the main triggering device.

One of the problems to be solved in the production of differential triggering devices of this type is that, in as small a volume as possible, their triggering mechanism, which has the main function of mechanically ensuring a certain amplification, must jointly meet a number of requirements.

According to a first of these requirements, this tripping mechanism must be capable of intervening as soon as the circuit controlled by the main tripping device is closed, that is to say as soon as the relevant contacts of this circuit bear the against each other, and therefore largely before the lever of this main tripping device is fully in the latching position.

The present invention generally relates to a provision allowing in particular to meet this requirement while leading to other advantages.

More specifically, it relates to a differential tripping device intended to be associated with a main tripping device such as a switch or circuit breaker, of the type comprising a suitable fault detector in delivering a differential current in response to a fault, a sensitive relay supplied with differential current by said fault detector, and a triggering mechanism, which, under the control of the sensitive relay, is capable of acting on the triggering member of the main tripping device, this differential tripping device being generally characterized in that the tripping mechanism comprises a first lever, hereinafter called simple main lever convenience, which, under the control of a return spring permanently urging it in the direction of a release position, is mounted to rotate about an axis, between two extreme positions, one of which constitutes said release position, a fastening member which, itself mounted to rotate around an axis, under the control of a return spring urging it permanently towards a latching position, is interposed on the path an arm secured to the main lever, a maneuver, which, too, is rotatably mounted, about an axis, between two extreme positions, one for engagement, the other for triggering, under control a return spring urging it permanently towards its release position, and a link, which, articulated to the main lever, is able to act on the release member of the main release device, in that the axes of said main lever and said operating lever are distinct but parallel to each other, and in that said operating lever has a spout on the path of which is interposed, between said axes, a flat portion of said main lever, so that, under the request of its return spring, said operating lever is capable of systematically ensuring, by itself, automatic resetting of the main lever, that is to say a return of this main lever to a position able to allow it to be again engaged with the latching member, the latter being also capable of being elastically erased as it passes during its corresponding return movement.

Thus, the differential triggering mechanism is systematically reset when the main triggering device is opened, even before its operating lever has reached its corresponding extreme triggering position.

It is therefore with complete certainty that this triggering mechanism will again be able to intervene as soon as the circuit controlled by the main triggering device is closed.

Thus, for the sole triggering phase of the main triggering device correspond, for the differential triggering mechanism according to the invention, two successive phases, namely a first triggering phase, to which the triggering of the main triggering device must elsewhere to have been initiated, and a rearming phase.

But, advantageously, the differential triggering mechanism according to the invention satisfies a second requirement, which is to be able to intervene in triggering even when the operating lever of the main triggering device is positively held in the engaged position, namely that , for various reasons, this joystick is either leaded or padlocked, or that, during intervention, the operator keeps his hand on it.

The differential trigger mechanism according to the invention also has other advantages.

First of all, although being presented in a relatively reduced volume allowing it to be housed if desired in a modular box of the same type as that of the main tripping device, it can advantageously be satisfied with a sensitive relay which is relatively inefficient , and therefore economical.

More precisely, it can advantageously be satisfied with a sensitive relay whose effort available to the striker experiences a significant fall as a function of the stroke thereof.

At the same time, having regard to its relatively small size, the triggering mechanism according to the invention is advantageously able to form if desired with the sensitive relay a sub-assembly, the various parts which constitute it then being, for example, arranged between, on the one hand, a mechanism support flange, which also carries the sensitive relay, and, on the other hand, a retaining plate, which, parallel to this mechanism support flange, is integral with it.

Easy to handle, this sub-assembly can advantageously only be installed last in the corresponding housing.

Thus, the adjustments to be made, and in particular the magnetic adjustment of the sensitive relay as well as the mechanical adjustment in position thereof, can advantageously be provided outside of this housing.

The corresponding operations are advantageously facilitated.

Finally, when the differential trigger device according to the invention comprises a trigger indicator, this trigger indicator advantageously takes the form of a pendulum mounted to rotate between two positions, one erased, the other deployed, around '' an axis distinct from that of the main lever but parallel to it, being in practice coaxial with the operating lever and being in any case under the control of a return spring urging it permanently towards its position deployed, and the main lever carries an elastically erasable latching lever, a spout of which is interposed in the path of a boss of said trigger indicator, so that, when it is in the latching position, said main lever is thus capable of retaining said trigger indicator in a position close to its erased position.

Thus, the balance constituting this trigger indicator, which, of course, becomes apparent from the outside of the housing of the assembly only when the differential trigger mechanism has actually intervened, does not Advantageously disappears only after returning to the latching configuration of the main latching device, despite the fact that, in the meantime, and as already emphasized above, the differential tripping mechanism has been previously reset.

In other words, this pendulum somehow memorizes the triggering due to the differential triggering mechanism, thus indicating advantageously to the interested parties, as long as the main triggering device has not been brought back into the latching position, that this triggering has actually occurred. on a differential fault.

Finally, due to the hooking lever associated therewith, this balance remains advantageously retained in a position close to its erased position when, for another reason, and, for example, in response to an intervention on the operating lever of the main release device, the operating handle of the differential release device is brought into the release position.

Indeed, this latching lever is carried by the main lever, which itself remains in the latching position.

Thus, the balance constituting the trigger indicator according to the invention is advantageously not likely to give a false indication.

• la figure 1 est, avec des arrachements locaux, une vue en perspective éclatée du dispositif de déclenchement différentiel suivant l'invention et du dispositif de déclenchement principal auquel il est associé ;
• la figure 2 est, à échelle supérieure, et avec des arrachements locaux, une vue en élévation de ce dispositif de déclenchement différentiel suivant la flèche II de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est, à échelle différente, une vue en perspective éclatée du mécanisme de déclenchement qu'il comporte ;
• les figures 4 et 5 sont des vues partielles en élévation, qui, reprenant chacune pour partie, de manière schématique, celle de la figure 2, se rapportent chacune respectivement à deux phases distinctes du fonctionnement du dispositif de déclenchement différentiel suivant l'invention ;
• la figure 6 est un bloc diagramme de ce dispositif de déclenchement différentiel et du dispositif de déclenchement principal auquel il est associé.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, by way of example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is, with local cutaway, an exploded perspective view of the differential trigger device according to the invention and the main trigger device with which it is associated;
• Figure 2 is, on a larger scale, and with local cutaway, an elevational view of the differential trigger device according to arrow II of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is, on a different scale, an exploded perspective view of the trigger mechanism which it comprises;
• Figures 4 and 5 are partial elevational views, which, each taking up in part, schematically, that of Figure 2, each relate respectively to two distinct phases of the operation of the differential release device according to the invention;
• FIG. 6 is a block diagram of this differential tripping device and of the main tripping device with which it is associated.

As illustrated in these figures, the differential tripping device 10 according to the invention is intended to be associated with a main tripping device 11 such as a switch or a circuit breaker.

It is for example a circuit breaker of the type described in French patent No 2,504,725.

In the embodiment shown, the main tripping device 11 that constitutes such a circuit breaker is monopolar.

Let P be the phase it controls, Figure 6, and let N be the corresponding neutral.

This main trigger device 11 is well known in itself and not per se of the present invention, it will not be described in all its details here.

It will suffice to indicate that it comprises a contact 12P interposed on the phase P and a contact 12N interposed on the neutral N, FIG. 6, that the contact 12P is under the control of a tripping mechanism comprising a magnetic function 14 and a thermal function 15, that the assembly is housed in a modular type housing 16, FIG. 1, that it is possible to act on the triggering mechanism by means of a lug 17 which, integral with a trigger member that this trigger mechanism comprises, protrudes from the housing 16, that an operating lever 18, rotatably mounted between a latching position, shown in Figure 1, and a trigger position, is at the available to the user, and that, in line with a buttonhole 20 giving him access, this operating lever 18 has a bore 21.

Overall, and in a manner known per se, the differential tripping device 10 according to the invention comprises a fault detector 22, capable of delivering a differential current in response to a fault, a sensitive relay 23, supplied with differential current by the detector fault 22, and a trigger mechanism 24, which, under the control of the sensitive relay 23, is able to intervene, as will appear later, on the trigger member of the main trigger device 11, and, more precisely , on lug 17 carried by it.

In practice, the fault detector 22 consists of a torus on which are wound, on the one hand, a primary formed by one or more windings 26P belonging to the P phase and one or more windings 26N belonging to the neutral N, and, on the other hand, a secondary 27 established at the terminals of the coil of the sensitive relay 23.

In practice, too, this sensitive relay 23 is a relay whose pallet, not visible in the figures, carries, for intervention on the trigger mechanism 24, a striker 28.

In practice, too, a diode 29 is provided, bypassing across the terminals of its coil.

In the embodiment shown, and according to the invention, the trigger mechanism 24 and the sensitive relay 23 jointly form a sub-assembly 30, the various constituent parts of this trigger mechanism 24, detailed later, being arranged between, d on the one hand, a mechanism support flange 31, which also carries the sensitive relay 23, and, on the other hand, a retaining plate 32, which, parallel to the mechanism support flange 31, is integral with the latter.

More precisely, in this embodiment, the sensitive relay 23 has, in diametrically opposite positions relative to one another, two ears 33.

By one of these ears 33, it is pivotally mounted between two fingers 34 secured to the mechanism support flange 31.

On a first side of the other of these ears 33 acts the head 35 of an adjusting screw 36 in screwed engagement with a nut 37 wedged in a well 38 secured to the flange support of mechanism 31, while on the other side of this same ear 33 carries a spring 39 bearing on this same well 38.

The sensitive relay 23 is thus capable of mechanical adjustment in position relative to the triggering mechanism 24.

It suffices to act accordingly on the adjusting screw 36.

Anyway, in the embodiment shown, the subassembly 30 to which it belongs and the fault detector 22 are jointly housed in a modular housing 40 of the same type as the modular housing 16 of the main trip device 11 .

In practice, this modular box 40 includes a base 41 and a cover 42.

The lug 17 of the trigger member of the main trigger device 11 opens into the interior volume of the base 41, and the bore 21 of the operating lever 18 of this main trigger device 11 is accessible there.

According to the invention, and as detailed in FIGS. 2 and 3, the triggering mechanism 24 comprises a first lever 44, here called the main lever, which, under the control of a return spring 45 urging it permanently towards from a trigger position, is mounted to rotate about an axis A1, materialized by a barrel 46, between two extreme positions, one of which constitutes this trigger position, FIG. 4.

In the embodiment shown, the return spring 45 is a torsion spring, the middle torsion part of which is engaged on the barrel 46 embodying the axis A1.

One of the branches of this return spring 45 is stapled to the main lever 44, thanks to a drilling 51 thereof, while the other is supported on a stud 47 secured to the mechanism support flange 31.

The trigger mechanism 24 further comprises a latching member 48, which, itself rotatably mounted about an axis A2, under the control of a return spring 49 urging it permanently towards a attachment position, shown in FIG. 2, is interposed on the path of an arm 50 secured to the main lever 44.

In the embodiment shown, the axis A2 of this attachment member 48 is orthogonal to the axis A1 of the main lever 44.

In practice, this axis A2 is materialized by a rod 56 snapped at its ends on elastically deformable lugs 52 secured to the mechanism support flange 31.

In practice, too, the hooking member 48 is in the form of a sleeve freely engaged in rotation on the rod 56.

It carries an arm 53, for the action of the sensitive relay 23, and a notch 54, with an inclined attack facet, for the attachment of the main lever 44, the latter having jointly, for this attachment, at the end of its arm 50, and square therewith, a spout 55 whose attack facet is also inclined.

The attachment member 48 also has a flat surface 58.

In the embodiment shown, the return spring 49 which is associated with it is a torsion spring, the middle torsion part of which is engaged on a stud 57 secured to the flange supporting the mechanism 31 and one branch of which bears on its flat part 58 while that the other is supported on a lug 59 also integral with the mechanism support flange 31.

The trigger mechanism 24 also includes an operating lever 60 which, too, is rotatably mounted around an axis A3, materialized by a barrel 62, between two extreme positions, one of engagement, Figures 1, 2 and 4, the other trigger, Figure 5, under the control of a return spring 63 urging it permanently in the direction of its release position.

In practice, the axes A1 of the main lever 44 and A3 of the operating handle 60 are distinct but parallel to one another.

The corresponding barrels 46 and 62 extend from one to the other of the parts that constitute the mechanism support flange 31 and the retaining plate 32, while being journalled on them at their ends.

In the embodiment shown, the operating handle 60 comprises a flange 64 which extends perpendicular to its barrel 62 over approximately a semicircle.

On the side of this flange 64 opposite the main lever 44, it carries, laterally, projecting, parallel to its axis A3, a finger 65 by which it is able to be engaged with the operating lever 18 of the main trigger device 11 , by engagement of this finger 65 in the bore 21 of the latter.

On the side of its flange 64 facing the main lever 44, the operating handle 60 has, projecting, parallel to its axis A3, a spout 66 on the path of which is interposed, between this axis A3 and the axis A1 of the lever main 44, a flat 67 of this main lever 44, so that, under the bias of its return spring 63, the operating handle 60 is capable of systematically ensuring, by itself, and as will be described more in detail later, an automatic reset of this main lever 44, that is to say the return of this main lever 44 to a position capable of allowing it to be again engaged with the latching member 48, the latter being moreover capable of being elastically erased as it passes during its corresponding return movement.

In the embodiment shown, the return spring 63 of the operating handle 60 is a tension spring whose ends 68, 69, in the form of an open loop, and coupled, one, to this operating lever 60, on a lug 70 integral with the latter, the other at a fixed point 71 formed in practice by a tab coming from the retaining plate 32, each extend respectively on either side of the axis A3 of this maneuver 60 for the latching position thereof, au- beyond this axis A3 relative to its own position for the triggering position of this maneuver 60, so that, by crossing dead center effect corresponding to the crossing of this axis A3 by this return spring 63, and so as will be described in more detail later, the engagement position of the operating handle 60 is a stable position.

The trigger mechanism 24 also comprises a link 72, which, articulated, by one end 73, to the main lever 44, by swiveling engagement of this end 73 on a stud 74 which this main lever 44 projecting parallel to its axis A1 , on the side of the operating handle 60, is capable of being able to act, by its other end 75, on the triggering member of the main triggering device 11, this end 75 forming a buttonhole 76 by which this link 72 is engaged , with play, with the lug 17 integral with this trigger member.

In the embodiment shown, a resetting pallet 78 is interposed between, on the one hand, the sensitive relay 23, and, more precisely, the striker 28 thereof, and, on the other hand, the member d 'hooking 48, and, more precisely, the arm 53 of the latter.

By two lugs 79, this rearming pallet 78 is engaged in journalling on the rod 56 materializing the axis A2 of the attachment member 48.

It itself comprises, folded in a U, an arm 80, and this arm is interposed on the path of a connecting rod 81, which, articulated to the operating lever 60, is also engaged with a fixed guide 82, in so that, when it is rearmed, and as will be described in more detail later, this operating lever 60 is also capable of systematically resetting itself sensitive relay 23.

In the embodiment shown, this link 81 is in the form of a rod, each of the ends of which is bent.

It is in practice located on the other side of the mechanism support flange 31 relative to the other constituent parts of the trigger mechanism 24.

By one of its bent ends, it passes through this flange mechanism support 31 by means of a recess 83 provided for this purpose therein, before coming into engagement with a bore 84 passing right through the spout 66 of the joystick 60.

By its other angled end, it engages with the fixed guide 82 which is associated with it, and, in practice, this is formed by another recess in the flange supporting the mechanism 31, FIG. 3.

Jointly, in the embodiment shown, the arm 80 of the resetting pallet 78 is elastically deformable.

In practice, this rearming pallet 78 is formed by a metal blank suitably cut and folded.

Likewise, the rod constituting the link 81 is metallic.

The trigger mechanism 24 comprises, finally, a trigger indicator 85, and, in the embodiment shown, this is in the form of a pendulum mounted rotatably, between two positions, one erased, Figures 1 , 2 and 4, the other deployed, FIG. 5, around an axis distinct from that of the main lever 44 but parallel to it, under the control of a return spring 86 urging it permanently in the direction of its deployed position.

In practice, this trigger indicator 85 is coaxial with the operating handle 60, being engaged, by the bore 88 of a hub 89, on the barrel 62 embodying the axis A3 thereof.

Transversely with respect to its hub 89, the trigger indicator 85 has an arm 90 which itself carries parallel to the axis A3, and in a circular sector, a pallet 91.

For the erased position of the trigger indicator 85, this pallet 91 is away from a window 92 present on the front wall of the base 41 of the housing 40.

For the deployed position, it is perpendicular to this window 92, and it is therefore visible through it.

To be more apparent, this palette 91, at least, is colored.

In the embodiment shown, the return spring 86 of the trigger indicator 85 is a torsion spring which, by its central torsion part, is engaged on its hub 89, and one branch of which bears on a lug 93 which is integral with it while the other is supported on a lug 94 fitted for this purpose by the retaining plate 32.

In the embodiment shown, and for reasons which will appear later, the main lever 44 carries a latching lever 95 of which a spout 96 is interposed on the path of a boss 97 provided for this purpose projecting on the arm 90 of the trigger indicator 85, so that, when it is in the engaged position, this main lever 44 is thus able to retain this trigger indicator 85 in a position close to its erased position.

In the embodiment shown, this hooking lever 95 is formed by one of the branches of a torsion spring 98, the central torsion part of which is engaged on a stud 99 secured to the main lever 44 and the other of which branch 105 rests on a lug 100 also integral with this main lever 44.

To retain the branch of this torsion spring 98 forming the attachment lever 95, the main lever 44 also carries a stud 106.

Preferably, the boss 97 of the trigger indicator 85 comprises, at a distance from one another, on a first side, a substantially straight leading edge 101, for cooperation in retention with the latching lever 95, by engaging with the spout 96 thereof, and, on the opposite side, a largely rounded leading edge 102, for elastic erasure of this latching lever 95, by cooperation with the inclined part of its hooking beak 96.

For its retention in the erased position, as well as for its resetting, that is to say for its return to the erased position, the trigger indicator 85 comprises, parallel to the axis A3, a lug 103, and this lug 103 is interposed on the path of a lug 104 which, in correspondence, also parallel to the axis A3, carries with the operating handle 60.

With the exception of the springs 45, 49, 63, 86 and 98, of the resetting pallet 78, and of the link 81, the various parts thus constituting the trigger mechanism 24 according to the invention can advantageously be made of synthetic material.

The same applies to the mechanism support flange 31, which, in addition to the stud 47 on which the return spring 45 of the main lever 44 is supported, has other studs 47 of the same type for the bracing and the fixing of the holding plate 32.

In the embodiment shown, and as is better visible in FIG. 6, the differential tripping device 10 according to the invention also comprises a test circuit 110.

On this test circuit 110, which is connected in bypass between phase P and neutral N, is interposed a torsion spring 111, said hereinafter by simple convenience self-cutting spring, which is carried by the main lever 44, and which is of course metallic.

By its central torsion part, this self-cutting spring 111 is engaged on a stud 112 secured to the main lever 44.

One of its branches, 113, duly held by a lug 107 secured to the main lever 44, bears on the central torsion part of the return spring 45 of the latter.

This return spring 45 therefore also belongs to the test circuit 110.

It is thus possible, using the fixed branch of this return spring 45, to insert a resistor 114 on this test circuit 110.

The other branch, 115, of the self-cutting spring 111, duly guided by a lug 116 integral with the main lever 44, is free.

It extends on the path of the bent end 118 of one of the branches of another torsion spring 119, which, carried by the base 41 of the housing 40 while being engaged to do this by its median part of torsion on a stud 120 provided for this purpose on this base 41, FIG. 2, also belongs to the test circuit 110.

The branch in question of this torsion spring 119 is subjected to a test pusher 122 mounted movable in translation on the base 41 of the housing 40 while being accessible to the user on the front part of the latter.

To guide the branch 115 of the self-cutting spring 111, the internal end of this test pusher 122 is in the shape of a stirrup, FIG. 1.

Finally, the operating handle 60 has a spout 124 on the path of which this branch 115 of the self-cutting spring 111 is interposed, for opening the test circuit 110 for the triggering position of this operating handle 60.

During assembly, the various constituent parts of the trigger mechanism 24 are stacked one after the other between the mechanism support flange 31 and the retaining plate 32.

The latter is then secured, in practice by crimping, to the corresponding studs 47 of this flange support for the mechanism 31.

The sensitive relay 23, which is preferably shielded to prevent inadvertent tripping, is in turn placed in the housing provided for it on this flange mechanism support 31, and, after the connections necessary have been carried out, its magnetic adjustment is carried out as well as its mechanical adjustment in position.

The rod 81 is then attached from the rear to the subassembly 30 therefore formed, and it is placed in the base 41 of the housing 40, with engagement of the finger 65 of the operating handle 60 in the drilling 21 of the operating lever 18 of the main trigger device 11 and engagement of the link 72 with the lug 17 secured to the trigger member of this main trigger device 11.

Finally, it suffices to attach the cover 42 to the base 41 of the housing 40.

In service, the main lever 44 is initially in the latching position, with its arm 50 engaged by its spout 55 with the notch 54 of the latching member 48, the operating lever 60 is also in the latching position , and the trigger indicator 85 is in the erased position, Figure 2.

For this engagement position, the ends 68, 69 of the return spring 63 of the operating lever 60 are substantially aligned with the axis A3 thereof, on either side of this axis 43, while having slightly exceeded this one.

By crossing neutral point, the corresponding engagement position is therefore advantageously a stable position, which avoids any interference with the joint stability of the engagement position of the operating lever 18 of the main engagement device 11.

When a differential current occurs, the striker 28 of the sensitive relay 23 pushes, through the reset paddle 73, the arm 53 of the latching member 48, which causes the notch 54 of this latching member 48 to escape at the spout 55 of the arm 50 of the main lever 44.

Once released, this main lever 44 switches instantly, under the bias of its return spring 45, around its axis A1, in the direction of its position of trigger, according to arrow F1 in Figure 4.

The link 72 which it carries then acts, along arrow F2 in FIG. 4, on the lug 17 secured to the triggering member of the main triggering device 11.

This main trigger device 11 being duly triggered, its operating lever 18 switches to the triggering position, driving with it the operating lever 60 which is coupled to it.

As soon as the return spring 63 of this operating lever 60 has passed its neutral point, it adds its effects to the corresponding drive force.

Released by the operating handle 60, the trigger indicator 85 switches itself into the deployed position, FIG. 5, under the stress of its return spring 86.

Indeed, duly driven by the main lever 44, the latching lever 95 carried by this main lever 44 then does not interfere, by its beak 96, with the path of the boss 97 of this trigger indicator 85.

During its rotation around its axis A3, along arrow F3 in FIG. 5, the operating handle 60 comes to bear, by its spout 66, on the flat 67 of the main lever 44.

This results, for this main lever 44, in the manner of a gear, a retrograde rotation about its axis A1, along the arrow F′1 in FIG. 5, which leads it to return to a rearming position, to which, after elastic crossing of the notch 54 of the latching member 48, by elastic erasure of the latter against its return spring 49, it is able to again come into engagement with this notch 54 by the beak 55 of his arm 50.

The return spring 45 of this main lever 44 is jointly rewound, the return spring 63 of the operating handle 60 being established accordingly.

Jointly, duly driven by the operating handle 60, and duly guided by the fixed guide 82 which is associated with it, the rod 81 came to act on the arm 80 of the resetting pallet 78, which, by pivoting of the latter around the rod 56 materializing the axis A2, has caused the resetting of the sensitive relay 23, by pushing back its striker 28.

The elasticity of the arm 80 of the reset paddle 78 makes it possible to spare the sensitive relay 23 the corresponding shock.

Of course, when returning to the cocking position of the main lever 44, the spout 96 of the latching lever 95 carried by this main lever 44 is passed under the boss 97 of the trigger indicator 85, so that it- it remains in the deployed position.

This situation continues until, for a new closure of the circuit concerned, the operating handle 18 of the main trip device 11 is returned to the engaged position.

As before, this operating lever 18 then drives with it the operating lever 60 of the differential tripping device 10, along arrow F′3 in FIG. 2.

By releasing, then, the main lever 44, this operating lever 60 allows the arm 50 of the latter to come back into engagement by its spout 55 with the notch 54 of the hooking member 48.

Jointly, the operating handle 60 drives, by its lug 104, the trigger indicator 85, thereby bringing it back to its erased position.

During this return movement, the trigger indicator 85 elastically crosses the spout 96 of the latching lever 95 carried by the main lever 44, causing the elastic deletion of this latching lever 95 by the edge of round attack 102 of its boss 97.

As soon as the end 68 of the return spring 63 of this operating lever 60 has passed the neutral position of this return spring 63, the operating lever 60 is again held stably in the latching position.

A new differential trip may occur.

As will be noted, it can also intervene if, the operating lever 18 of the main triggering device 11 being held positively in the engaged position, the operating lever 60, coupled to the latter is located even thus maintained in the latching position.

As will also be noted, the operating handle 60 can be brought back into the triggering position by the operating lever 18 of the main triggering device 11 without the triggering indicator 85 of the differential triggering device 10 passing into the deployed position. .

Indeed, then duly interposed by its beak 96 on the path of the boss 97 of this trigger indicator 85, the latching lever 95 carried by the main lever 44, itself in the latching position, prevents deployment of this trigger indicator 85, its beak 96 engaging the right leading edge 101 of the boss 97 thereof.

As will be noted, finally, it is possible at any time to control the proper functioning of the assembly by depressing the test pusher 122.

Indeed, this depression causes the closing of the test circuit 110, by coming into contact with the bent end 118 of the torsion spring 119 with the free branch 115 of the self-cutting spring 111, everything then happening as if, by the test circuit 110 thus closed, a leak was established between phase P and neutral N.

However, in order to provide resistance 114, which is a current limiting resistor, the operating handle 60 systematically comes to open, by its spout 124, this test circuit 110, when, following the triggering occurring, it arrives in the triggering position .

As will be noted, finally, the contact 12N interposed on the neutral N is, in the embodiment shown, integrated, for safety, in the test circuit 110.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown, but encompasses any variant.

Claims (17)

Differential trip device intended to be associated with a main trip device such as a switch or circuit breaker, of the type comprising a fault detector (22) capable of delivering a differential current in response to a fault, a sensitive relay (23) supplied in differential current by said fault detector (22), and a tripping mechanism (24), which, under the control of the sensitive relay (23), is capable of acting on the tripping member of the main tripping device, characterized in that the trigger mechanism (24) comprises a first lever (44), called the main lever, which, under the control of a return spring (45) urging it permanently in the direction of a trigger position, is rotatably mounted around an axis (A1) between two extreme positions, one of which constitutes said trigger position, a latching member (48), which, itself rotatably mounted around an axis (A2 ), under the control of a return spring (49) urging it permanently in the direction of a hooking position, is interposed on the path of an arm (50) integral with the main lever (44) operating (60) which, too, is rotatably mounted, about an axis (A3), between two extreme positions, one of engagement, the other of triggering, under the control of a return spring (63) urging it permanently in the direction of its release position, and a link (72), which, articulated to the main lever (44), is capable of being able to act on the release member of the main release device, that the axes (A1, A3) of said main lever (44) and of said operating lever (60) are distinct but parallel to each other, and in that said operating lever (60) has a spout (66) on the path of which is interposed, between said axes (A1, A3), a flat (67) of said main lever (44), so that, under the ground licitation of its return spring (63), said operating lever (60) is capable of systematically ensuring, by itself, automatic resetting of said main lever (44), that is to say the return of this main lever (44) to a position capable of allowing it to be again engaged with the latching member (48), the latter being by elsewhere able to fade elastically as it passes during its corresponding return movement. Differential release device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a trip indicator (85) which is in the form of a pendulum mounted to rotate between two positions, one erased the other deployed, around d an axis distinct from that of the main lever (44) but parallel thereto, under the control of a return spring (86) urging it permanently in the direction of its deployed position, and in that said main lever ( 44) carries an elastically erasable hooking lever (95) of which a spout (96) is interposed on the path of a boss (97) of said trigger indicator (85), so that, when it is in position of engagement, said main lever (44) is thus able to retain said trigger indicator (85) in a position close to its erased position. Differential release device according to claim 2, characterized in that the latching lever (95) carried by the main lever (44) is formed by one of the branches of a torsion spring (98). Differential release device according to any one of claims 2, 3, characterized in that the boss (97) of the trigger indicator (85) has at a distance from each other, a substantially leading edge straight (101), for cooperation in retention with the latching lever (95), and a largely rounded leading edge (102), for elastic erasure of said latching lever (95). Differential release device according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the release indicator (85) is coaxial with the operating lever (60). Differential triggering device according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the triggering indicator (85) comprises a lug (103) which is interposed on the path of a lug (104) of the lever. operation (60). Differential release device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the return spring (63) of the operating handle (60) is a tension spring, the ends (68, 69) of which are coupled 'one at said operating handle (60) the other at a fixed point (71), each extend respectively on either side of the axis (A3) of said operating handle (60) for the position engagement thereof, beyond this axis relative to its own position for the trigger position of the operating lever (60), so that, by crossing neutral point corresponding to the crossing of said axis (A3) by said return spring (63), the engagement position of the operating lever (60) is a stable position. Differential release device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the operating lever (60) carries a projecting finger laterally (65) by which it is able to engage the operating lever ( 18) of the main trip device. Differential release device according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the axis (A2) of the hooking member (48) is orthogonal to the axis (A1) of the main lever (44) . Differential release device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, between the sensitive relay (23) and the latching member (48) is interposed a reset pallet (78), said pallet resetting (78) comprises an arm (80), and said arm (80) is interposed on the path of a connecting rod (81) which, articulated to the operating lever (60), is also engaged with a fixed guide (82), so that when resetting, said operating lever (60) is capable of systematically ensuring by itself automatic resetting of said sensitive relay (23). Differential release device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, between the sensitive relay (23) and the latching member (48) is interposed a reset pallet (78), said pallet reset (78) comprises an arm (80), and said arm (80) is interposed on the path of a connecting rod (81) which, articulated to the operating lever (60) is also engaged with a fixed guide ( 82), so that, when it is reset, said operating lever (60) is capable of systematically ensuring by itself automatic resetting of said sensitive relay (23). Differential release device according to claim 11, characterized in that the arm (80) of the reset paddle (78) is elastically deformable. Differential release device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises a test circuit (110) on which is interposed a torsion spring (111), said below for simple convenience spring d '' self-cutting, carried by the main lever (44), and the operating handle (60) has a spout (124) on the path of which is interposed one of the branches of said self-cutting spring (111), for opening of said circuit test (110) for the trigger position of said operating handle (60). Differential release device according to claim 13, characterized in that, the return spring (45) of the main lever (44) being a torsion spring, the other of the branches of the self-cutting spring (111) bears on the part torsional median of this return spring (45), and it also belongs to the test circuit (110). Differential tripping device according to any one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the tripping mechanism (24) and the sensitive relay (23) jointly form a sub-assembly (30), the various component parts of the trigger mechanism (24) being arranged between, on the one hand, a flange mechanism support (31), which also carries the sensitive relay (23 ), and, on the other hand, a holding plate (32), which, parallel to said flange mechanism support (31), is integral with the latter. Differential trip device according to claim 15, characterized in that the sensitive relay (23) is mounted adjustable in position on the mechanism support flange (31), said sensitive relay (23) having an ear (33) on a first side which acts the head (35) of an adjusting screw (36), and on the other side of which carries a spring (39). Differential release device according to any one of claims 15, 16, characterized in that said subassembly (30) and the fault detector (22) are jointly housed in a modular housing (40) of the same type as that of the main release device.

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