EP0773566A1 - Electric apparatus with movable contacts mounted on a contact support - Google Patents

Abstract

The switch block includes the moving contact (13A) which is formed with two elbows making two sections (36,38) by which it rotates around the cross-piece (25A). The second elbow (39) is in the opposite direction to the first (37) and the first is more open than the second while both form angles (A,B) slightly less than 90 degrees . The moving contact pivots lie between two flat side pieces (26) of the support (12) which are connected by the cross-piece. The abutment (29) is cut into at least one of the side pieces and forms a hook preceded by an oblique slope (30). The abutment holds the middle part (34) of the moving contact against the spring (28) when the switch is open.

Description

The present invention relates generally to electrical devices of the kind comprising, in a housing, a contact support (s), on which is rotatably mounted at least one movable contact, and which, generally disposed facing at least a fixed contact, is itself mounted mobile in the housing, between an open position, for which the mobile contact is at a distance from the fixed contact, and a closed position, for which this mobile contact is on the contrary applied to this fixed contact, with, associated with the mobile contact, elastic means which, bearing on the contact support (s), permanently urge it in the direction of a stop provided for it on this contact support (s).

It relates more particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, to the case where this electrical device is a differential switch of the type for example of that described in the French patent which, filed on January 17, 1992 under No 92 00452, was published under No 2,686,453.

In this French patent, the contact support (s) comprises, for the rotary mounting of the movable contact, a cross member forming a pivot, and the movable contact is hooked onto this cross member by a U-shaped journal portion whose concavity is generally turned on the side of the stop provided for it on the contact support (s).

This arrangement has given and still gives satisfaction.

But the mounting of the movable contact on the contact support (s) is relatively difficult, and, therefore, expensive.

This is all the more so since, on the one hand, in order to ensure sufficient contact pressure on closing, the elastic means associated with the movable contact develop a relatively large force which it is necessary to overcome during this mounting, and that, on the other hand, these elastic means are in practice constituted by a torsion spring, which is in itself relatively expensive, and whose implementation is also relatively delicate.

The present invention generally relates to a provision making it possible to minimize these disadvantages.

More specifically, it relates to an electrical device of the kind comprising, in a housing, a contact support (s), on which is rotatably mounted at least one movable contact, and which, generally disposed facing at least a fixed contact, is itself mounted mobile in the housing between an open position for which the mobile contact is at a distance from the fixed contact and a closed position for which the mobile contact is on the contrary applied to this fixed contact, this contact support (s) comprising, for the rotary mounting of the movable contact, a cross-member forming a pivot on which the movable contact is hooked by a swivel portion, with, associated with the movable contact, elastic means, which, bearing on the contact support (s), permanently urge this movable contact in the direction of a stop provided for it on the contact support (s), this electrical device being generally characterized in that e the stop that includes the contact support (s) for the movable contact is, in the manner of a hook, preceded by an oblique ramp.

During its installation, the movable contact comes to bear on this oblique ramp, which facilitates its engagement on the stop under which it must then come to be caught.

You just have to force it to follow this oblique ramp.

To further facilitate this positioning, the swiveling portion by which the movable contact is first hooked on the cross member of the contact support (s) is preferably generally V-shaped.

The engagement of the movable contact on this crosspiece is indeed easier.

Overall, the mounting of the mobile contact is thus faster, and therefore less costly.

At the same time, the elastic means associated with this movable contact are preferably constituted by a simple compression spring, of the coil spring type, the price of which is advantageously moderate, and which is put in place. itself relatively easily, to the extent, at least, where it can advantageously operate flat, on a pin of the contact support, without prior positioning relative to the movable contact.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un appareil électrique suivant l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est, à échelle supérieure, une vue en perspective de la seule partie inférieure de cet appareil électrique, après ouverture de son boîtier ;
• la figure 3 est, à échelle encore supérieure, une vue en perspective du support de contacts que comporte cet appareil électrique et des contacts mobiles portés par ce support de contacts ;
• la figure 4 est, à échelle encore supérieure, une vue en coupe transversale de l'ensemble, suivant la ligne IV-IV de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 5 est, à échelle différente, une vue en perspective d'un des contacts mobiles concernés ;
• la figure 6 est, à échelle supérieure, une vue partielle en coupe longitudinale de ce contact mobile, suivant la ligne VI-VI de la figure 5 ;
• les figures 7A et 7B sont des vues en coupe transversale qui, déduites de celle de la figure 4, illustrent deux phases successives du montage de ce contact mobile sur le support de contacts qu'il doit équiper ;
• la figure 8 est une vue partielle en coupe transversale, qui, reprenant pour partie celle de la figure 4, se rapporte à une variante de réalisation ;
• la figure 9 est une vue partielle en plan de cette variante de réalisation, suivant la flèche IX de la figure 8.

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 an electrical device according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is, on a larger scale, a perspective view of the only lower part of this electrical device, after opening its housing;
• Figure 3 is, on a still larger scale, a perspective view of the contact support that includes this electrical device and mobile contacts carried by this contact support;
• Figure 4 is, on a still larger scale, a cross-sectional view of the assembly, along the line IV-IV of Figure 3;
• Figure 5 is, on a different scale, a perspective view of one of the mobile contacts concerned;
• Figure 6 is, on a larger scale, a partial view in longitudinal section of this movable contact, along the line VI-VI of Figure 5;
• FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross-sectional views which, deduced from that of FIG. 4, illustrate two successive phases of the mounting of this movable contact on the contact support which it must equip;
• Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view, which, partly taking that of Figure 4, relates to an alternative embodiment;
• FIG. 9 is a partial plan view of this variant embodiment, according to arrow IX in FIG. 8.

These figures illustrate, by way of example, the application of the invention in the case where the electrical appliance 10 concerned is a differential switch of the type of that described in French patent No 92 00452.

This electrical device 10 is thus well known in itself, and not belonging specifically to the present invention, it will not be described in all its details here.

Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention will be described therein.

It will suffice to indicate, essentially, on this subject, that this electrical apparatus 10 comprises, in a housing 11, a contact support 12, on which is rotatably mounted at least one movable contact 13A, 13B, and which, generally disposed opposite at least one fixed contact 14A, 14B, is itself mounted movably in the housing 11, between an open position, for which the movable contact 13A, 13B is at a distance from the fixed contact 14A, 14B , and a closed position, for which this movable contact 13A, 13B is on the contrary applied against this fixed contact 14A, 14B.

In the embodiments shown, the housing 11 is formed by a base 15, which, in the form of a box body, constitutes its lower part, and by a cover 16, which, adapted to cooperate in interlocking with the base 15, constitutes the upper part thereof, with, on the surface thereof, a lever 18 available to the user.

In a manner known per se, the housing 11 is in modular form, and it is equipped, on the underside, with a lock 19 suitable for snapping onto a standardized rail.

In the embodiments shown, the contact support 12 is rotatably mounted in the housing 11, and, more precisely, in the base 15 thereof.

It has for this purpose, laterally, pins 20, by which it is in rotation with legs 21 locally extending upwards this base 15.

Only one of these pins 20 is visible in the figures.

Either to the corresponding axis of rotation, as shown diagrammatically in broken lines in FIGS. 2 and 3.

This axis of rotation A extends perpendicular to the main faces 22 of the housing 11.

In practice, it is associated, with the contact support 12, with elastic means 23, in this case a simple compression spring of the coil spring type, which, bearing on the housing 11, permanently urges this contact support 12 towards its open position.

In practice, also, two fixed contacts 14A, 14B being provided, at a distance from each other, parallel to the axis of rotation A, each belonging respectively to two input terminals 24A, 24B, the support for contacts 12 door, side by side, in correspondence, each respectively, with these fixed contacts 14A, 14B, two movable contacts 13A, 13B.

The provisions relating to these two movable contacts 13A, 13B being identical for both of them, they will essentially only be described below for one of them.

For the rotary mounting of these two movable contacts 13A, 13B, the contact support 12 comprises, in alignment with one another, and parallel to the axis of rotation A, two crosspieces 25A, 25B forming pivots, and, therefore, of generally circular cross section.

In the embodiments shown, the contact support 12 has, for each of the movable contacts 13A, 13B, two flanges 26 which, at their upper part, are connected to each other by the corresponding crosspiece 25A, 25B, and between which this mobile contact 13A, 13B is struggling.

As described in French patent No 92 00452, each of the movable contacts 13A, 13B is hooked by a swivel portion 27 on this corresponding crosspiece 25A, 25B, and it is associated, with such a movable contact 13A, 13B, with means elastic 28, which, bearing on the contact support 12, permanently urge this movable contact 13A, 13B in the direction of a stop 29 provided for it on the contact support 12.

Of course, this stop 29 intervenes between the movable contact 13A, 13B and the corresponding fixed contact 14A, 14B.

According to the invention, the stop 29 which the contact support 12 thus includes for each of the movable contacts 13A, 13B is, in the manner of a hook, preceded by an oblique ramp 30.

In the embodiments shown, the stop 29 and the oblique ramp 30 which precedes it are formed by the edge of at least one of the two corresponding flanges 26.

In practice, they are shared between these two flanges 26, being formed by the edge of one and the other of these.

More specifically, in the embodiments shown, for at least one of the two flanges 26, and, in practice, for only one of them, in this case the outermost flange 26, the stop 29 and the oblique ramp 30 which precedes it extend laterally on a lug 32, which protrudes on this flange 26 on the side thereof facing the other flange 26, and, in correspondence, the movable contacts 13A, 13B each have, for their engagement on such a lug 32, a notch 33 making a key.

Each of the movable contacts 13A, 13B is formed of a metal plate suitably cut and folded.

In addition to the journaling portion 27 by which they are hooked on the crosspiece 25A, 25B of the contact support 12, these movable contacts 13A, 13B each comprise a middle portion 34, on which bear the elastic means 28 associated with them, and a contact portion 35, by which they are adapted to cooperate with the fixed contacts 14A, 14B.

The journal portion 27 forms an end portion for the movable contacts 13A, 13B, and the same is true for the contact portion 35, the latter extending on the other side of the middle portion 34 with respect to to this swivel portion 27.

In the embodiments shown, the journal portion 27 has a reduced width compared to that of the middle portion 34, while for the guidance of the assembly, the width of this middle portion 34 is substantially equal to the distance separating from one another the two corresponding flanges 26 of the contact support 12, while being slightly less than this distance.

According to the invention, the journal portion 27 of the movable contact 13A, 13B is generally shaped as a V.

It thus has, successively, from the middle portion 34 to which it follows, two sections, namely a first section 36, which makes a first bend 37 with the middle portion 34, and a second section 38, which makes with the first section 36 a second bend 39 in the opposite direction to the first bend 37.

In the embodiments shown, the first elbow 37 is more open than the second elbow 39.

In practice, the first elbow 37 generally forms an angle A slightly less than 90 °, while the second elbow 39 generally forms an angle B significantly less than 90 °, for example being close to 60 °.

Preferably, the second elbow 39, at least, is largely rounded.

In the embodiments shown, it is the same for the first elbow 37.

For cooperation with the oblique ramp 30 concerned with the contact support 12, the movable contacts 13A, 13B each have a shoulder 40 transversely.

In practice, this shoulder 40 belongs to at least one finger 42 which projects laterally on the edge of such a movable contact 13A, 13B, on at least one side thereof.

In the embodiments shown, the movable contacts 13A, 13B each comprise two fingers 42, at the rate of one per flange 26 of the contact support 12, and that of these fingers 42 which is outermost, by its shoulder 40, one of the sides of the notch 33 that each of these movable contacts 13A, 13B comprises.

The shoulder 40 of each of the movable contacts 13A, 13B is therefore shared between these two fingers 42.

In the embodiments shown, this shoulder 40 also extends obliquely, in the manner of a chamfer, by affecting the movable contacts 13A, 13B on the side thereof facing towards the crosspiece 25A, 25B on which they are hooked.

In practice, the fingers 42 operate at the end of the middle portion 34 furthest from the swiveling portion 27, at the connection between this middle portion 34 and the contact portion 35.

Beyond these fingers 42, the contact portion 35 of the movable contacts 13A, 13B has a width substantially equal to that of their middle portion 34.

On the side facing the fixed contact 14A, 14B, this contact portion 35 projects a contact grain 44.

On the opposite side, and as shown in fine lines in FIG. 5, any flexible electrical conductor 45, for example a braid, is attached to it for its electrical connection with an output terminal 46A, 46B, via a differential transformer 47 .

In the embodiments shown, the contact portion 35 of the movable contacts 13A, 13B is slightly offset with respect to their middle portion 34, being offset towards the fixed contact 14A, 14B corresponding by a double inflection 48.

In addition, in these embodiments, this contact portion 35 extends slightly obliquely relative to the middle portion 34, moving away from the contact support 12 as it moves away from this middle portion 34.

Preferably, and as shown, the elastic means 28 associated with each of the movable contacts 13A, 13B are constituted by a compression spring, of the coil spring type.

They are supported on a bearing surface 49 of the contact support 12 which extends substantially in line with the corresponding cross-member 25A, 25B, by connecting the two flanges 26 concerned like this, and being in practice substantially parallel to the associated stopper 29, this stopper 29 being itself angularly offset relative to the bearing surface 49 around the cross 25A, 25B.

To facilitate the fitting of the elastic means 28, and then to guide them, a stud 50 is provided, projecting from this bearing 49.

For the guidance, also, of these elastic means 28, the middle portion 34 of the movable contacts 13A, 13B has, projecting, in its central zone, a boss 51, which, in practice, results from a simple local stamping of this middle portion 34.

However, for the establishment of a movable contact 13A, 13B on the contact support 12, it can, for example, be carried out as follows.

First, the elastic means 28 associated with this movable contact 13A, 13B are first attached to the contact support 12, by engagement on the corresponding pin 50 thereof.

In a second step, the movable contact 13A, 13B is hooked, at an angle, by its swivel portion 27, on the crosspiece 25A, 25B concerned with the contact support 12, by engagement of the second section 38 of this swivel portion 27 behind this cross 25A, 25B.

At the same time, the boss 51 of the middle portion 34 of this movable contact 13A, 13B is engaged in the elastic means 28.

According to the arrow F1 in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the movable contact 13A, 13B is then pivoted around the crosspiece 25A, 25B of the contact support 12, which causes its shoulder 40 to make contact with the corresponding oblique ramp 30 of the latter. ci, and which jointly ensures progressive compression of the elastic means 28.

In practice, the pivoting movement of the movable contact 13A, 13B is continued until its fingers 42 extend beyond the stop 29 which the contact support 12 includes for it.

It is then possible to complete its picking on the crosspiece 25A, 25B of the contact support 12, by engaging these fingers 42 behind this stop 29, following a movement of translation shown diagrammatically by an arrow F2 in FIG. 4.

At the end of this translational movement, the first section 36 of the journaling portion 27 of the movable contact 13A, 13B, initially away from the crosspiece 25A, 25B of the contact support 12, is in contact with this crosspiece 25A , 25B, like the second section 38.

In practice, this first section 36 then extends substantially perpendicularly to the stop 29 and to the bearing surface 49 of the contact support 12.

When closing, the movable contact 13A, 13B moves away from the stop 29 of the contact support 12, by pivoting around the crosspiece 25A, 25B thereof, according to arrow F3 in FIG. 4.

In the variant embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the second section 38 of the journaling portion 27 of each of the movable contacts 13A, 13B projecting a lug 52, in the direction of the crosspiece 25A, 25B of the contact support 12, and, in correspondence, this locally has a flat 54.

This results in better retention of the movable contacts 13A, 13B transversely relative to the crosspiece 25A, 25B on which they are hooked.

At the same time, for better guidance of these movable contacts 13A, 13B, this cross-member 25A, 25B has, projecting, lugs 55, which, having regard to the reduced width of the latter, locally frame their swivel portion 27.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but encompasses any variant and / or combination of their various elements.

In addition, the field of application of the invention is not limited to only differential switches of the type more particularly described and shown, but on the contrary extends equally to all electrical devices comprising a contact support (s ) on which is rotatably mounted at least one movable contact.

Claims (21)

Electrical device of the kind comprising, in a housing (11), a contact support (s) (12), on which is rotatably mounted at least one movable contact (13A, 13B), and which, generally arranged facing at least at least one fixed contact (14A, 14B), is itself movably mounted in the housing (11) between an open position for which the mobile contact (13A, 13B) is at a distance from the fixed contact (14A, 14B) and a closed position for which the movable contact (13A, 13B) is on the contrary applied to this fixed contact (14A, 14B), this contact support (s) (12) comprising, for the rotary mounting of the movable contact (13A, 13B), a crosspiece (25A, 25B) forming a pivot on which this movable contact (13A, 13B) is hooked by a swivel portion (27), with, associated with the movable contact (13A, 13B), elastic means (28 ), which, bearing on the contact support (s) (12), permanently urge this movable contact (13A, 13B) in the direction of a stop (29) provided for the ui on the contact support (s) (12), characterized in that the stop (29) that comprises the contact support (s) (12) for the movable contact (13A, 13B) is, in the manner of a hook, preceded by an oblique ramp (30). Electric device according to claim 1, characterized in that the journaling portion (27) of the movable contact (13A, 13B) is generally V-shaped. Electric device according to claim 2, characterized in that, the movable contact (13A, 13B) comprising a middle portion (34) on which bear the elastic means (28) associated therewith, its journal portion (27) has, successively, starting from this middle portion (34), two sections, namely a first section (36), which makes a first bend (37) with the middle portion (34), and a second section (38), which makes with the first section (36) a second bend (39) in the opposite direction to the first bend (37). Electric device according to claim 3, characterized in that the first bend (37) of the movable contact (13A, 13B) is more open than its second bend (39). Electrical device according to any one of Claims 3, 4, characterized in that the first elbow (37) of the movable contact (13A, 13B) generally forms an angle (A) slightly less than 90 °. Electrical device according to any one of Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the second bend (39) of the movable contact (13A, 13B) generally forms an angle (B) significantly less than 90 °. Electrical device according to any one of Claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the second bend (39), at least, of the movable contact (13A, 13B) is largely rounded. Electric device according to any one of Claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the second section (38) of the journaling portion (27) of the movable contact (13A, 13B) projects a lug (52), in the direction of the crosspiece (25A, 25B) of the contact support (s) (12), and, in correspondence, this crosspiece (25A, 25B) locally has a flat (54). Electrical device according to any one of Claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the swiveling portion (27) of the movable contact (13A, 13B) has a reduced width compared to that of its central portion (34). Electrical device according to Claim 9, characterized in that the cross-member (25A, 25B) of the contact support (s) (12) has projecting lugs (55) which frame the swivel portion (27) of the movable contact (13A , 13B). Electric device according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the journaling portion (27) of the movable contact (13A, 13B) forms an end portion for the latter. Electrical device according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the contact support (s) (12) having two flanges (26), which are connected by its crosspiece (25A, 25B), and between which the mobile contact (13A, 13B), the stop (29) that this contact support (s) (12) for this movable contact (13A, 13B) and the oblique ramp (30) which precedes this stop (29) are formed by the edge of at least one of these two flanges (26) . Electric device according to claim 12, characterized in that the stop (29) and the oblique ramp (30) which precedes it are shared between the two flanges (26) of the contact support (s) (12). Electric device according to claim 13, characterized in that for at least one of the flanges (26) of the contact support (s) (12), the stop (29) and the oblique ramp (30) which precedes the latter extend laterally on a lug (32) projecting from this flange (26) on the side thereof facing the other flange (26), and, in correspondence, the movable contact (13A, 13B) has a notch ( 33). Electrical device according to any one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the elastic means (28) associated with the movable contact (13A, 13B) bear on a surface (49) of the contact support (s) (12) which extends substantially in line with the crosspiece (25A, 25B) thereof. Electrical device according to Claim 15, characterized in that the stop (29) which the contact support (s) (12) has for the movable contact (13A, 13B) is angularly offset relative to the bearing surface (49) around the crosspiece (25A, 25B). Electrical device according to any one of Claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the contact support (s) (12) is rotatably mounted on the housing (11). Electric device according to any one of Claims 1 to 17, characterized in that, for cooperation with the oblique ramp (30) of the contact support (s) (12), the movable contact (13A, 13B) has a shoulder transversely (40). Electrical device according to claim 18, characterized in that the shoulder (40) of the movable contact (13A, 13B) extends obliquely. Electrical device according to any one of Claims 18, 19, characterized in that the shoulder (40) of the movable contact (13A, 13B) belongs to at least one finger (42) which projects laterally on the edge of this contact mobile (13A, 13B). Electrical device according to any one of Claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the movable contact (13A, 13B) having a contact portion (35) for cooperation with the fixed contact (14A, 14B) and a middle portion ( 34) on which bear the elastic means (28) associated therewith, said contact portion (35) extends on the other side of said middle portion (34) relative to its journal portion (27).

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