EP0773566B1 - 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 electrical appliances of the kind comprising, in a housing, a contact support (s), on which is rotatably mounted at least a mobile contact, and which, generally arranged facing at least minus a fixed contact, is itself mounted mobile in the case, between an open position, for which the movable contact is at a distance from the fixed contact, and a position closing, for which this movable contact is on the contrary applied to this fixed contact, with, associated with the mobile contact, elastic means, which, bearing on the support of contact (s), permanently solicit him towards a stop intended for him on this contact support (s).

More specifically, it does not necessarily exclusively, the case where this electrical appliance 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) includes, for the rotary mounting of the movable contact, a cross member forming a pivot, and the movable contact is hooked onto this crosspiece by a swivel portion in the form of U whose concavity is generally turned towards the stop provided for him on the contact support (s).

This provision has given and still gives satisfaction.

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

This is all the more so because, on the one hand, for ensure sufficient contact pressure when closing, elastic means associated with mobile contact develop a relatively large effort that needs to be overcome during this assembly, and that, on the other hand, these elastic means are in practice constituted by a torsion spring, which is by itself relatively expensive, and whose implementation is also relatively delicate.

The present invention generally has for subject a provision to minimize these disadvantages.

More specifically, it relates to a device electric of the kind comprising, in a housing, a support of contact (s), on which at least one contact is rotatably mounted mobile, and which, generally arranged facing at least one fixed contact, is itself mounted mobile in the housing between an open position for which the movable contact is away from the fixed contact and a closed position for which 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 portion of swiveling, with, associated with the mobile contact, means elastic, which, bearing on the contact support (s), constantly request this mobile contact towards a stop provided for him on the contact support (s), this electrical apparatus being generally characterized in that the stop which comprises the contact support (s) for the movable contact is, like a hook, preceded by an oblique ramp.

During its installation, the mobile contact comes carry on this oblique ramp, which facilitates its engagement on the stopper under which it must then come and get caught.

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

To further facilitate this implementation, the swivel portion through which the movable contact is first hooked on the cross of the contact support (s) is preferably generally V-shaped.

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

Overall, the mounting of the movable contact is thus faster, and therefore less expensive.

Jointly, the elastic means associated with this mobile contact are preferably constituted by a simple compression spring, of the coil spring type, the price of which is advantageously moderate, and which is implemented itself relatively easily, to the extent, at least, where it can advantageously operate flat on a spike of the contact support, without prior positioning relative to in mobile 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 boítier ;

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 appliance 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 views in cross section 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, application of the invention in case 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 by itself, and not specifically falling under this invention, it will not be described in full detail here.

Only the elements necessary for the understanding of the invention.

It will suffice to indicate, essentially, on this subject, that this electrical appliance 10 comprises, in a housing 11, a contact support 12, on which is rotatably mounted at minus a movable contact 13A, 13B, and which, generally arranged facing at least one fixed contact 14A, 14B, is itself mounted mobile in the housing 11, between a position opening, for which the movable contact 13A, 13B is at distance from the fixed contact 14A, 14B, and a position of closure, for which this movable contact 13A, 13B is at otherwise 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 body box, constitutes the lower part thereof, and a cover 16, which, adapted to cooperate in interlocking with the base 15, in constitutes the upper part, with, on the surface thereof, a joystick 18 available to the user.

In a manner known per se, the housing 11 presents itself in modular form, and it is equipped, on the underside, with a lock 19 suitable for being snapped 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.

To this end, it has pins 20, by which it is rotatably engaged with lugs 21 locally extending this base 15 upwards.

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

Either to the corresponding axis of rotation, such that shown schematically in broken lines in Figures 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, elastic means 23, in this case a simple spring compression of the coil spring type, which, bearing on the housing 11, permanently seek 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 to two respectively input terminals 24A, 24B, contact holder 12 door, side side by side, in correspondence, each respectively, with these fixed contacts 14A, 14B, two movable contacts 13A, 13B.

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

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

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

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

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

According to the invention, the stop 29 which thus comprises the contact support 12 for each of the movable contacts 13A, 13B is, like a hook, preceded by a ramp oblique 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, stopper 29 and oblique ramp 30 which precedes it extend laterally on a lug 32, which protrudes from this flange 26 on the side thereof turned to the other flange 26, and, in correspondence, the contacts mobile 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 by a metal plate suitably cut and folded.

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

The swivel portion 27 forms a portion end for movable contacts 13A, 13B, and so on likewise for the contact portion 35, this extending from the other side of the middle portion 34 relative to this swivel portion 27.

In the embodiments shown, the swivel portion 27 has a reduced width compared to to that of the middle portion 34, however that, for the guide the assembly, the width of this middle portion 34 is substantially equal to the distance between one and the other 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 V-shaped.

It thus presents, 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 with the first section 36 a second bend 39 in the opposite direction first elbow 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 a angle A slightly less than 90 °, while the second elbow 39 generally forms an angle B significantly less than 90 °, being for example 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 of contact support 12, movable contacts 13A, 13B each have a shoulder 40 transversely.

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

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

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, affecting the movable contacts 13A, 13B on the side of these facing the cross 25A, 25B on which they are crocheted.

In practice, the fingers 42 intervene at the end the middle portion 34 farthest from the portion of swivel 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 projecting from a contact grain 44.

On the opposite side, and as shown in fine lines in Figure 5, it is subject to any conductor flexible electric 45, for example a braid, for its connection electrical 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 from their middle portion 34, in being offset towards the fixed contact 14A, 14B corresponding by a double inflection 48.

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

Preferably, and as shown, the means elastic bands 28 associated with each of the movable contacts 13A, 13B consist of a compression spring, of the spring type with sausage.

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

To facilitate the installation of elastic means 28, and to then guide them, it is provided, projecting from this surface 49, a spike 50.

Also for guiding these elastic means 28, the middle portion 34 of the movable contacts 13A, 13B has, in projection, 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 mobile contact 13A, 13B on the contact support 12, it can, for example, proceed as follows.

First, the elastic means 28 associated with this mobile contact 13A, 13B are first reported on the contact support 12, by engagement on the pin 50 correspondent of it.

Secondly, the mobile contact 13A, 13B is crocheted, at an angle, through its swivel portion 27, on the crosspiece 25A, 25B concerned with the contact support 12, by engagement of the second section 38 of this portion of journal 27 behind this crosspiece 25A, 25B.

Jointly, the boss 51 of the middle portion 34 of this mobile contact 13A, 13B is engaged in the means elastic 28.

According to the arrow F1 in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the contact mobile 13A, 13B is then pivoted around the crosspiece 25A, 25B of the contact support 12, which leads to its shoulder 40 to contact the corresponding oblique ramp 30 of it, and which jointly provides compression progressive elastic means 28.

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

It is then possible to complete its picking on the crosspiece 25A, 25B of the contact support 12, 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 contact mobile 13A, 13B, initially away from the cross-member 25A, 25B of the contact support 12, is in contact with this cross 25A, 25B, like the second section 38.

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

On closing, the movable contact 13A, 13B deviates from the stop 29 of the contact support 12, by pivoting around the crosspiece 25A, 25B thereof, along arrow F3 of the figure 4.

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

This results in better contact maintenance movable 13A, 13B transversely to the cross member 25A, 25B on which they are hooked.

Jointly, for better guidance of these movable contacts 13A, 13B, this crosspiece 25A, 25B has, protruding, lugs 55, which, having regard to the reduced width of it, locally frame their portion of swivel 27.

Furthermore, the scope of the invention does not is not limited to only differential switches of the type of the one more particularly described and represented, but extends on the contrary as well to all electrical devices comprising a contact support (s) on which is mounted rotary at least one movable contact.

Claims (21)

1. Electrical apparatus of the kind comprising, in a housing (11), a support (12) for one or more contacts, on which there is rotatably mounted at least one movable contact (13A, 13B) which, generally disposed in opposite relationship to at least one fixed contact (14A, 14B), is itself mounted movably in the housing (11) between an open position in which the movable contact (13A, 13B) is at a spacing from the fixed contact (14A, 14B) and a closed position in which the movable contact (13A, 13B) is in contrast applied to said fixed contact (14A, 14B), said contact support (12) comprising, for rotatably mounting the movable contact (13A, 13B), a transverse portion (25A, 25B) forming a pivot on which said movable contact (13A, 13B) is hooked by a pivot portion (27), with, associated with the movable contact (13A, 13B), resilient means (28) which, bearing against the contact support (12), continuously urge said movable contact (13A, 13B) in the direction of an abutment (29) provided for same on the contact support (12), characterised in that the abutment (29) that the contact support (12) comprises for the movable contact (13A, 13B) is preceded by an inclined ramp (30) in the manner of a hook.
2. Electrical apparatus according to claim 1 characterised in that the pivot portion (27) of the movable contact (13A, 13B) is of a generally V-shape.
3. Electrical apparatus according to claim 2 characterised in that, the movable contact (13A, 13B) comprising a central portion (34) against which bear the resilient means (28) which are associated therewith, its pivot portion (27) successively comprises, from said central portion (34), two parts, namely a first part (36) which forms a first bend (37) with the central portion (34) and a second part (38) which with the first part (36) forms a second bend (39) in the opposite direction to the first bend (37).
4. Electrical apparatus according to claim 3 characterised in that the first bend (37) of the movable contact (13A, 13B) is more open than its second bend (39).
5. Electrical apparatus according to either one of claims 3 and 4 characterised in that the first bend (37) of the movable contact (13A, 13B) forms overall an angle (A) which is slightly less than 90°.
6. Electrical apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5 characterised in that the second bend (39) of the movable contact (13A, 13B) forms overall an angle (B) which is markedly less than 90°.
7. Electrical apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6 characterised in that the second bend (39) at least of the movable contact (13A, 13B) is widely rounded.
8. Electrical apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 7 characterised in that the second part (38) of the pivot portion (27) of the movable contact (13A, 13B) carries a lug (52) in projecting relationship in the direction of the transverse portion (25A, 25B) of the contact support (12) and at a corresponding location said transverse portion (25A, 25B) locally has a flat (54).
9. Electrical apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 8 characterised in that the pivot portion (27) of the movable contact (13A, 13B) is of a reduced length in relation to that of its central portion (34).
10. Electrical apparatus according to claim 9 characterised in that the transverse portion (25A, 25B) of the contact support (12) has in projecting relationship lugs (55) which flank the pivot portion (27) of the movable contact (13A, 13B).
11. Electrical apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 characterised in that the pivot portion (27) of the movable contact (13A, 13B) forms an end portion for same.
12. Electrical apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11 characterised in that, the contact support (12) having two side plate portions (26) which are connected by its transverse portion (25A, 25B) and between which the movable contact (13A, 13B) moves, the abutment (29) which said contact support (12) has for said movable contact (13A, 13B) and the inclined ramp (30) which precedes said abutment (29) are formed by the edge of one at least of said two side plate portions (26).
13. Electrical apparatus according to claim 12 characterised in that the abutment (29) and the inclined ramp (30) which precede it are shared between the two side plate portions (26) of the contact support (12).
14. Electrical apparatus according to claim 13 characterised in that for one at least of the side plate portions (26) of the contact support (12) the abutment (29) and the inclined ramp (30) which precede same are prolonged laterally on a lug (32) in projecting relationship on said side plate portion (26) at the side thereof which is towards the other side plate portion (26) and at a corresponding location the movable contact (13A, 13B) has a recess (33).
15. Electrical apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14 characterised in that the resilient means (28) associated with the movable contact (13A, 13B) bear against a support surface (49) of the contact support (12) which extends substantially in vertical alignment with the transverse portion (25A, 25B) thereof.
16. Electrical apparatus according to claim 15 characterised in that the abutment (29) that the contact support (12) has for the movable contact (13A, 13B) is angularly displaced with respect to the support surface (49) about the transverse portion (25A, 25B).
17. Electrical apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15 characterised in that the contact support (12) is mounted rotatably on the housing (11).
18. Electrical apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17 characterised in that, for co-operation with the inclined ramp (30) of the contact support (12), the movable contact (13A, 13B) transversely has a shoulder (40).
19. Electrical apparatus according to claim 18 characterised in that the shoulder (40) of the movable contact (13A, 13B) extends inclinedly.
20. Electrical apparatus according to either one of claims 18 and 19 characterised 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 said movable contact (13A, 13B).
21. Electrical apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 20 characterised in that, the movable contact (13A, 13B) having a contact portion (35) for co-operation with the fixed contact (14A, 14B) and a central portion (34) against which the resilient means (28) associated therewith bear, said contact portion (35) extends on the other side of said central portion (34) with respect to its pivot portion (27).

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