EP0718862B1 - Circuit breaker with curved fuseholder - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates generally circuit breakers.

As we know, such a circuit breaker includes, overall, in a housing, on the one hand, two organs of contact, which, established at a distance from each other, are each respectively in electrical connection with two terminals of connection accessible from outside the case, and, on the other hand, a fuse holder, frequently called "gripper", which has a recess which is suitable for housing a cartridge fuse, and which also accessible from outside the case, is mounted movable therein between two positions, namely, a closed position, for which its recess extends from one to the other of the two organs of contact, so that a fuse cartridge present in this obviously then establishes an electrical connection between them, and an open position, for which, removed from these contact members, its recess extends at least in part out of the housing, so that it is possible to put in places or removes a fuse cartridge.

In practice, these circuit breakers are intended to be reported on any support by the back side of their housing.

In some embodiments, and this is the case for example in French patent No 1,526,090, the fuse holder is articulated to the housing along an axis of rotation duly materialized by a pivot.

This provision has the advantage of allowing the fuse holder to tip in the direction of the operator open position, and thus to facilitate the latter installation of the fuse cartridge or its replacement, in favoring him a good vision of the whole.

But, because the corresponding axis of rotation is at best located on the edge of the housing, it most often for the disadvantage of driving for the fuse holder only at one relatively reduced deflection capacity of one of its positions to each other.

As a result, in the open position, the isolation distance separating the internal contact members to the fuse holder recess box on which must intervening the operator is itself relatively reduced, at detriment to security.

This is all the more so as the operator is almost inevitably unable to see in his whole this recess, and, therefore, in the case of a replacement, check on sight whether the fuse cartridge must apprehend is effectively released from that of these contact members which is closest to the axis of rotation the fuse holder.

In other realizations, and it is for example the case in the French patent which, filed under No. 69 40088, was published under No. 2,067,912, the fuse holder is mounted sliding in the case like a drawer.

This provision has the disadvantage of leading to a exclusively horizontal travel of the fuse holder, which makes it relatively difficult to install or replace of the fuse cartridge.

In other embodiments, finally, and this is the case with example in the French patent which, filed under No 81 02508, was published under No 2 499 763, the fuse holder is mounted both swiveling and sliding in The box.

It is substantially the same in the request for German patent No 11 57 287, in the published French patent under No. 2,038,633, and in U.S. Patent No. 3,158,700.

But each time this results in a relative complexity of realization for the whole.

The present invention generally has for subject a provision to avoid these drawbacks.

More specifically, it relates to a circuit breaker of the kind comprising, in a housing, on the one hand, two contact bodies, which, remotely established one of the other, are each respectively in electrical connection with two connection terminals accessible from outside the housing, and, on the other hand, a fuse holder, which has a recess suitable for housing a fuse cartridge, and which also accessible from outside the housing, is slidably mounted in this one between two positions, namely, a position of closure, for which its recess extends from one to the other of the two contact members, so that a cartridge fuse present in this recess then establishes a connection electric between them, and an open position, for which, apart from the contact members, its recess extends at least partly out of the housing, so that it is possible to install a fuse cartridge or remove, this circuit breaker being generally characterized in that, guide means acting between the fuse holder and the housing, these guide means are globally bent, and itself globally bent to the image of these guide means, the fuse holder a, from one to the other of its positions, a curved trajectory.

In other words, everything happens as if, from one to the other of its positions, the fuse holder was mounted not only sliding, but still pivoting, along an axis of rotation, which, intangible, can advantageously lie outside of the case.

The radius of the corresponding path can thus being relatively high, the fuse holder benefits, advantageously, from one to the other of its positions, a itself relatively large travel.

In the open position, the isolation distance by report to the contact members present in the housing can thus advantageously also be relatively high, at security benefit.

In particular, when replacing, the cartridge the fuse to be removed is advantageously fully visible.

In short, the arrangement according to the invention allows advantageously to combine very simply the advantages of a swivel mounting and those of a sliding mounting for the fuse holder, and overall the conditions for security of the whole advantageously fall under the same class both for the closed position of this fuse holder only for its open position or for any position intermediary of it.

la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un coupe-circuit suivant l'invention, pour la position de fermeture de son porte-fusible ;

la figure 2 en est une vue en perspective, pour la position d'ouverture de ce porte-fusible, avec, retirée de celui-ci, la cartouche fusible correspondante ;

la figure 3 est, à échelle différente, suivant la flèche III de la figure 2, et avec des arrachements locaux, une vue en élévation de ce coupe-circuit pour la position d'ouverture de son porte-fusible, après retrait du couvercle que comporte son boítier ;

la figure 4 est, à échelle supérieure, une vue partielle en coupe longitudinale, supposée développée à plat, du seul porte-fusible, suivant la ligne IV-IV de la figure 3 ;

la figure 5 est une vue partielle en élévation de ce porte-fusible, suivant la flèche V de la figure 4 ;

la figure 6 en est une vue partielle en coupe transversale, suivant la ligne brisée VI-VI de la figure 5 ;

la figure 7 reprend, à échelle supérieure, le détail de la figure 4 repéré par un encart VII sur cette figure 4 ;

la figure 8 est, en correspondance avec la figure 7, une vue partielle en coupe du boítier ;

la figure 9 est une autre vue partielle en coupe de ce boítier, suivant la ligne IX-IX de la figure 8 ;

les figures 10 et 11 sont des vues en perspective qui, analogues, chacune respectivement, à celles des figures 1 et 2, se rapportent à une variante de réalisation ;

la figure 12 est, à échelle supérieure, une vue partielle en coupe transversale du porte-fusible de cette variante de réalisation, suivant la ligne XII-XII de la figure 11 ;

la figure 13 est, également à échelle supérieure, et suivant la ligne XIII-XIII de la figure 11, une vue en coupe transversale du guide de lumière prévu dans cette variante de réalisation.

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 a perspective view of a circuit breaker according to the invention, for the closed position of its fuse holder;

Figure 2 is a perspective view, for the open position of this fuse holder, with, removed therefrom, the corresponding fuse cartridge;

Figure 3 is, on a different scale, along arrow III of Figure 2, and with local cutaways, an elevational view of this circuit breaker for the open position of its fuse holder, after removing the cover that has its case;

Figure 4 is, on a larger scale, a partial view in longitudinal section, assumed to be developed flat, of the single fuse holder, along the line IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a partial elevational view of this fuse holder, according to arrow V in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a partial view in cross section along the broken line VI-VI of Figure 5;

Figure 7 shows, on a larger scale, the detail of Figure 4 identified by an insert VII in this Figure 4;

Figure 8 is, in correspondence with Figure 7, a partial sectional view of the housing;

Figure 9 is another partial sectional view of this housing, along the line IX-IX of Figure 8;

Figures 10 and 11 are perspective views which, analogously, each respectively, to those of Figures 1 and 2, relate to an alternative embodiment;

Figure 12 is, on a larger scale, a partial cross-sectional view of the fuse holder of this alternative embodiment, along the line XII-XII of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is, also on a larger scale, and along the line XIII-XIII of Figure 11, a cross-sectional view of the light guide provided in this alternative embodiment.

As illustrated in these figures, and in a known manner in itself, the circuit breaker 10 according to the invention comprises, overall, in a housing 11 detailed below, on the one hand, two 12P contact members, which, remotely established one of the other, are each respectively in electrical connection with two 13P connection terminals accessible from outside the case 11, and, on the other hand, a fuse holder 14, which has a recess 15 specific to the housing of a fuse cartridge 16, and which, also accessible from outside the housing 11, is slidably mounted therein between two positions, namely, a closed position, which is that shown in FIG. 1, and for which its recess 15 extends from to each other of the two 12P contact members, so that, as shown schematically in broken lines in Figure 3, a fuse cartridge 16 present in this recess 15 establishes then an electrical connection between them, and a position, clear, opening, which is that shown in the figures 2 and 3, and for which, separated from the contact members 12P, its recess 15 extends at least partly outside the housing 11, so that, as shown by a double arrow F1 in Figure 2, it is possible to set up a fuse cartridge 16 or remove it.

In the embodiments shown, the housing 11 is of modular type.

It therefore presents itself, in a manner known per se, under the general shape of a plate, comprising, therefore, a part, two main faces 18, and, on the other hand, by its edge, a rear face 19, two lateral faces 20, which, parallel to each other, are perpendicular to the face rear 19, and a front face 21, which, generally parallel to the rear face 19, present, projecting, in its part median, a nose 22, with, on either side of it, two dropouts 23.

To engage the assembly on a support rail not shown, transversely to this rail of support, the rear face 19 has, in its middle part, a recess 24, with, at the ends thereof, means, also not shown, suitable for snap-fastening of the assembly on this support rail.

The lateral faces 20 each have a 25P opening giving access to the 13P connection terminal corresponding.

Jointly, the recesses 23 of the front face 21 each have an opening 26P, for the passage of the screwdriver required to control this connection terminal 13P.

The front portion 28 of the nose 22, which also forms the front part of the housing 11, is open, for the passage of fuse holder 14, with recess 29 allowing, in the closed position, to grasp the fuse holder 14 from the rear, and therefore act in traction on it, along arrow F2 in Figure 1.

In practice, the housing 11 thus formed is generally formed, on the one hand, of a base 30, which forms a alone holding one of its main faces 18, its rear face 19, its side faces 20, and its front face 21, and, on the other part, of a cover 31, which forms the other of its faces main 18, and which, reported on the base 30 in favor a rebate thereof, is duly secured to this base 30, for example by ultrasonic welding.

The foregoing provisions are well known by themselves, and, not specifically falling under this invention, they will not be described in more detail here.

Also known per se, the fuse holder 14 presents itself in the form of a plate, which, slightly less thick than that of the housing 11, slides parallel to the main faces 18 thereof, like a drawer.

This fuse holder 14 therefore also has a part, two main faces 32, and, on the other hand, by its edge, a rear face 33, two lateral faces 34, 34 ', and a front face 35.

The recess 15 extends substantially transversely from one of the side faces 34, 34 'to the other, and the front face 35, which is fitted with a label holder 36, protrudes slightly of the transverse contour of the assembly, to apply to the front portion 28 of the nose 22 of the housing 11.

According to the invention, from one to the other of its positions, closing and opening, the fuse holder 14 has a curved trajectory.

In practice, guide means 38 intervening between the fuse holder 14 and the box 11 for the control of this path, these guide means 38 are generally curved.

In the embodiments shown, these guide means 38 comprise at least one groove 38R in hollow on the fuse holder 14, and, in correspondence, at least a complementary rib 38N, which, projecting into the housing 11, is engaged with the groove 38R.

In practice, two grooves 38R are provided on the fuse holder 14, one per main face 32 of this one, and they generally extend from its back side 33 on its front face 35, being formed, on a part at less than their length, by two parallel ribs 39.

As a corollary, it is provided, in the housing 11, two ribs 38N, one per main face 18, one of these 38N ribs projecting from the surface inside the bottom 40 of the base 30 and the other extending in projection on the inner surface of the cover 31.

The corresponding provisions are human of art, so they won't be described in more detail here.

In practice, the fuse holder 14 is itself generally curved, like the guide means 38.

One of its lateral faces 34, 34 ′ is therefore more long than the other, being generally convex while the other is generally concave.

In practice, this is the lateral face 34 higher, i.e. the one facing upwards when the circuit breaker 10 is mounted vertically on a rail of horizontal support.

The recess 15, the cross section of which is generally circular, opens via an outlet 42 on this face lateral 34 upper, while, on the side of the lateral face 34 'lower, it has a blind bottom 44.

In the embodiments shown, this recess 15 is also open laterally over its entire height by slots 45, except for two strips 46 which, formed in particular by the ribs 39, each being perforated by an opening 47 between them, the close locally transversely, away from its outlet 42, for retaining the fuse cartridge 16.

In the embodiments shown, the guide means 38 extend in an arc A, which is shown in broken lines in FIG. 3, and of which the center C is largely outside the housing 11, and, as a corollary, the fuse holder 14 is itself overall curved in an arc.

Preferably, and this is the case in the forms of shown, the radius R of the arc of circle A is at least of the same order of magnitude as the largest dimension D of the housing 11 measured parallel to its main faces 18, from one to the other of its lateral faces 20.

For example, when the largest dimension D of the case 11 is of the order of 80 mm, the radius R can be between 80 and 100 mm.

But, of course, these numeric values are only here data as an example, to illustrate the invention, without that any limitation thereof may result.

Preferably, and this is the case in the forms of shown, the trajectory of the fuse holder 14 is generally normal to the front portion 28 of the housing 11.

In other words, the arc of circle A generally intersects this part of the facade 28 at an angle of the order of 90 °.

Preferably, finally, and this is the case in illustrated embodiments, stop means are provided between the fuse holder 14 and the housing 11, for a positive delimitation of closing and opening positions of this fuse holder 14 in this case 11.

For the closed position, these stop means use the front face 35 of the fuse holder 14, the latter then coming to bear against the front portion 28 of the housing 11.

For the open position, the stop means have several shoulders provided so complementary to this effect on the fuse holder 14 and on the housing 11.

First there is a shoulder 48 which, present in projection on the upper side face 34 of the fuse holder 14, at the end thereof opposite the front face 35, cooperates with a shoulder 48 'provided on the housing 11 behind its front portion 28, and, more precisely, behind the clearance 29 provided for withdrawal thereof.

There is also a shoulder 49 which, projecting from each of the main faces 32 of the fuse holder 14, on the bottom of the corresponding groove 38R thereof, close from its rear face 33, is able to cooperate with a shoulder 50 provided in a complementary manner projecting from the rib 38N corresponding to the housing 11.

As a security measure, and as it is better visible in Figures 4 and 7, one of the shoulders 49 that thus presents the fuse holder 14 is accompanied by a hook 51 in the embodiments shown.

In the embodiments shown, the 12P contact members are generally U-shaped, with a middle part 52, which, generally perpendicular to the faces main 18 of the housing 11, is in electrical connection with the corresponding connection terminal 13P, and two wings 53, which, parallel to the main faces 18, each extend respectively in the vicinity of these.

In practice, these wings 53 have, in plan, a angled configuration, and, to strengthen their elasticity, they are jointly enclosed by a pin spring 54 in U shape.

In the embodiments shown, the fuse holder 14 carries, moreover, a connection strip 55 by which, in the closed position, it establishes a connection electric between two other 12N contact members, which, established at a distance from each other in the housing 11, are each in electrical connection with two other terminals of 13N connection.

In practice, the 12N contact members, which are by example of neutral contact bodies while the bodies 12P contact are phase contact members, extend in the vicinity of the rear face 19 of the housing 11, and it is simple strips, which, transversely, are substantially perpendicular to the main faces 18 of this housing 11.

Like the 13P connection terminals, the 13N connection are installed on the side faces 20 of the housing 11, being offset towards the rear face 19 thereof relative to the connection terminals 13P, and in each being accessible by an opening 25N of these faces side 20.

Together, and as before, the recesses 23 of the front face 21 of the housing 11 have each an opening 26N, for the passage of the screwdriver necessary to control these 13N connection terminals.

Folded in U, with its concavity turned towards the face front 35 of the fuse holder 14, the connection strip 55 is in engagement with a portion 56 of this fuse holder 14 which, located at its end opposite to its front face 35, and elongated along its trajectory, is inserted between the two 12N contact members in the closed position.

In practice, this connection strip 55 is formed by a strip, which is suitably shaped, being, transversely, substantially perpendicular to the faces main 32 of the fuse holder 14, and which, by returns 57, is hooked on the portion 56 thereof which it encloses.

In practice, too, this portion 56 of the fuse holder 14 extends between two flanges 58 forming the rear part thereof, beyond the recess 15.

As will be noted, the intervention of the bar 55 for the electrical connection of the 12N contact in the closed position is advantageously done without any auxiliary elastic member.

Because of the relatively low value important of the radius R of the arc of circle A according to which extends the trajectory of the fuse holder 14, this fuse holder 14 advantageously, according to the invention, a clearance important between its position, pressed, closed, and its position, clear, open.

For the open position, the recess 15 can thus advantageously be located entirely outside the housing 11, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

In the variant shown on the Figures 10 to 13, the fuse holder 14 has a second recess 59, which extends away from its front face 35, between this and the first recess 15, and which is specific to the housing of a lamp 60, forming a sight glass, and at this second recess 59, there is associated a light guide 61, which extends from this second recess 59 to the front face 35, in opening onto this front face 35 by means of a notch 62 locally affecting it for this purpose.

In practice, this light guide 61 extends parallel to the main faces 32 of the fuse holder 14, and, attached, laterally, removably, on this fuse holder 14, under one of its bands 46, it intersects transversely, at mid-height, the second recess 59 in border of it, as shown in broken lines in figure 12.

In practice, too, the light guide 61 fits into a recess 63 of the fuse holder 14, which, in continuity with the notch 62 of its front face 35, extends substantially along a cord, from this front face 35 to second recess 59.

Light guide 61, which also presents itself generally in the form of a plate substantially parallelepiped, has, projecting on one of its faces main, and as it is better visible in the figures 11 and 13, two legs 64, which are capable of fitting into housings provided for this purpose in the fuse holder 14, and of which at least one is shaped as a hook at its end, to a click on this fuse holder 14.

In practice, the light guide 61 is made in translucent synthetic material.

In the second recess 59 of the fuse holder 14, it is provided, moreover, in the embodiment shown, an elastically deformable tongue 65, which, coming in one piece from the fuse holder 14, present, successively, three perpendicular sections two by two, namely, a first section 66, which extends substantially parallel to the main faces 32 of the fuse holder 14, and by which it comes from it, a second section 67, which extends substantially perpendicular to the faces main 32, and which in practice forms the bottom of the second recess 59, and a third section 68, which is parallel to the main faces 32, and which, at its end, presents, for wear on the lamp 60, a bead 69.

When the lamp 60 is in place in the second recess 59 in fuse holder 14, it is resiliently tight, transversely, between the tongue elastically deformable 65, and, more precisely, the bead 69 of the section 68 thereof, and the light guide 61.

Removal of this light guide 61 therefore facilitates the fitting of this lamp 60, or its replacement.

In practice, the lamp 60 is a shuttle lamp, and, as shown in broken lines in Figure 3, the contact members 12P, and, more precisely, their wings 53, are sufficiently extended towards the facade part 28 of the housing 11 so that, in the closed position, they extend not only over the first recess 15 of the fuse holder 14, but also, at least partially, on the second recess 59 thereof.

Thus, for the closed position of the fuse holder 14, the lamp 60 is mounted in parallel on the terminals of the fuse cartridge 16.

But, given its resistance, it is extinct when it is busy.

On the contrary, she is excited when, having blown, the fuse cartridge 16 becomes non-passable.

The lamp 60 therefore constitutes from this point of view a blown indicator for the fuse cartridge 16.

In practice, the light guide 61 constitutes a accessory which, supplied separately from circuit breaker 10, together with a lamp 60, is used only when it is desired that this circuit breaker 10 comprises a such lamp 60.

In the absence of any 60 lamp, it is simply substituted, for light guide 61, a cover, not shown on the figures, which, complementary to the corresponding notch 62 of the front face 35 of the fuse holder 14, obscures this notch 62.

So a single reference is enough advantageously and economically to the constitution of a circuit breaker including or not, on request, an on-board lamp.

According to another variant embodiment shown schematically in broken lines in Figures 1, 2 and 5, it is drawn a relatively large additional benefit from the travel of the fuse holder 14 to ensure, if desired, the control of a any auxiliary device by it.

To this end, the fuse holder 14 has, by example, projecting from the bottom of one of its grooves 38R, cam means 70 on the path of which the housing 11 has an opening 71.

It is sufficient that, jointly, the auxiliary apparatus to control, not shown, has a protruding rod appropriate control and is duly attached to the circuit breaker 10.

Entering this circuit breaker 10 thanks to the opening 71 of the housing 11, its control rod is located duly actuated by the cam means 70 of the fuse holder 14 when moving from its closed position to its open position.

The present invention is moreover not limited to embodiments described and shown, but encompasses any variant of execution and / or combination of their various elements.

Claims (12)

1. A circuit-breaker of the kind comprising, in a casing (11), on the one hand, two contact members (12P) which, disposed at a spacing from each other, are each respectively electrically connected to two connecting terminals (13P) which are accessible from the exterior of the casing (11), and, on the other hand, a fuse carrier (14) which has an opening (15) for accommodating a fuse cartridge (16) and which, also being accessible from the exterior of the casing (11), is mounted slidably therein between two positions, namely, a closed position in which its opening (15) extends from one of the two contact members (12P) to the other such that a fuse cartridge (16) present in said opening (15) then makes an electrical connection between them, and an open position in which, being moved away from said contact members (12P), its opening (15) extends at least in part out of the casing (11) such that it is possible to fit a fuse cartridge (16) therein or to remove it therefrom, characterised in that, guide means (38) being operative between the fuse carrier (14) and the casing (11), said guide means (38) are generally curved and, itself being generally curved in the image of said guide means (38), the fuse carrier (14) follows a curved trajectory from one of its positions to the other.
2. A circuit-breaker according to claim 1 characterised in that the guide means (38) operative between the fuse carrier (14) and the casing (11) extend along a circular arc (A), the centre (C) of which is outside the casing (11).
3. A circuit-breaker according to claim 2 characterised in that, the casing (11) being of modular type, in the general form of a plate portion, the radius (R) of the circular arc (A) along which extend the guide means (38) operative between the fuse carrier (14) and the casing (11) is at least of the same order of magnitude as the largest dimension (D) of the casing (11) as measured parallel to its main faces (18).
4. A circuit-breaker according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterised in that the trajectory of the fuse carrier (14) is generally normal to the front part (28) of the casing (11).
5. A circuit-breaker according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that the guide means (28) comprise at least one groove (38R) in recessed relationship on the fuse carrier (14) and at least one rib (38N) which, in projecting relationship in the casing (11), is in engagement with the groove (38R).
6. A circuit-breaker according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that the fuse carrier (14) carries a connecting bar portion (55) by way of which, in the closed position, it establishes an electrical connection between two other contact members (12N) which, disposed at a spacing from each other in the casing (11), are each electrically connected to two other connecting terminals (13N).
7. A circuit-breaker according to claim 6 characterised in that, bent in a U-shape, the connecting bar portion (55) is in engagement with a portion (56) of the fuse carrier (14) which, being elongate in the direction of the trajectory thereof, fits between the two other contact members (12N) in the closed position.
8. A circuit-breaker according to claim 7 characterised in that the portion (56) of the fuse carrier (14) carrying the connecting bar portion (55) extends between two side plates (58).
9. A circuit-breaker according to any one of claims 1 to 8 characterised in that, the fuse carrier (14) having a second opening (59) which extends at a spacing from its front face (35) and which is capable of accommodating a lamp (60) forming a warning lamp, a light guide (61) extends from said second opening (59) to said front face (35).
10. A circuit-breaker according to claim 9 characterised in that the light guide (61) is laterally removably fitted to the fuse carrier (14) and it transversely crosses the second opening (59) that the fuse carrier has.
11. A circuit-breaker according to either one of claims 9 and 10 characterised in that the contact members (12P) are sufficiently prolonged in the direction of the front part (28) of the casing (11) that, in the closed position, they extend not only over the first opening (15) of the fuse carrier (14) but also at least partially over its second opening (59).
12. A circuit-breaker according to any one of claims 1 to 11 characterised in that the fuse carrier (14) has cam means (70), on the path of which the casing (11) has an aperture (71).

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