EP0843331B1 - Contactor with electromagnetic and manual control - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a dual control contactor electromechanical and manual, of the power contactor type in general or contactor for off-peak tariffs in particular, including a joystick mounted on the housing and allowing to enter forced operation mode and / or an indicator light to control the excitation state of the circuit coil electromechanical control.

The invention relates more particularly to a new arrangement mechanics advantageously combining these different functions, both from the point of view of efficiency and reliability than that of cost price.

We know from document FR 2 383 480 a double contactor control of the type concerned, more particularly suitable for supplying a electrical appliance such as a working water heater preferably and automatically during off-peak hours and at the reduced rate consented by an electric power supplier. Such a contactor includes, in a box, a controlled electromagnet whose magnetic circuit has a fixed part carrying a coil and a mobile part often called palette. The pallet is attracted by said fixed part when the spool is powered. It is coupled to a mobile equipment carrying at least one element contact of a main electrical circuit connected to the receiving device. Generally, the mobile assembly comprises at least two such elements of contact, one for connection to the wire connected to the phase and the other for connection to the wire connected to neutral. The mobile assembly is associated with elastic means the urging towards the pallet in a direction tending to move it away from the fixed part of the magnetic circuit. In other words, when the pallet is attracted to the circuit magnetic, it moves said moving assembly and consequently the one or more contact elements by opposing the action of these elastic means, which therefore exert on the pallet an elastic restoring force.

In addition, the housing contains a lever, generally sliding, movable climb between at least two stable positions, for example a position automatic operating position and a forced operating position.

In general, the joystick can also be placed in a third position stable or off position for which the power supply circuit the coil is open.

In the automatic operating position, the paddle is mechanically free but its position is conditioned by the feeding state of the coil. For example, the main electrical circuit is closed (respectively open) when the coil is energized. We thus define a main electrical circuit normally open or normally closed. In variant, the electrical circuit comprises two pairs of fixed contact pads for each conductor of the main electrical circuit, which allows a inverter.

On the other hand, when the lever is in a position of forced operation, the pallet position is directly determined by the action of a ramp carried by said lever on the pallet, via a pivoting lever cooperating with the latter. The main electrical circuit is then in a given predetermined state, closed or open and the supply of the coil no longer influences the state of the main electrical circuit.

In the case of a conventional power contactor, the position of forced operation is generally decided by an intervening professional on the installation. On the other hand, in the case of a contactor of the "hours" type ", the automatic operation is designed to organize the electricity consumption essentially and, as far as possible, during off-peak hours, that is, at night. Impulses generated by the electric power supplier to determine the time slot concerned. However, the user may need to commission the electrical appliance outside the off-peak time slot and this is at this moment that it is brought to place the lever on the position of forced operation. An automatic return system is nevertheless provided to exempt the user from having to replace the lever in the automatic operation. This return to the operating position automatic is controlled by the signal marking the start of the time slot at reduced price.

To do this, in said forced operating position, the pallet is kept at a short distance from said fixed part of the magnetic circuit. This allows the pallet to be overtravel, when the signal is emitted highlight of the reduced time slot. This overtravel frees up a pivoting lever cooperating with the pallet and releasing it, which, when requested by a spring returns to its automatic operating position.

In all these types of dual control contactors, it is desirable to have an indicator to display the occupied position by the pallet and therefore the state of the main electrical circuit.

The invention provides a new arrangement combining all of these functions.

More particularly, the invention relates to a double contactor electromechanical and manual control, comprising, in a housing, a controlled electromagnet, the magnetic circuit of which has a fixed part carrying a coil and a mobile part called "pallet" coupled to a crew mobile actuating at least one connection element of an electrical circuit main, said mobile assembly being associated with first elastic means urging it towards said pallet in a direction tending to move it away from said part fixed of said magnetic circuit, a handle mounted movable between at least two stable positions, respectively an automatic operating position where the position of the pallet conditioning the state of said main electrical circuit is determined by the coil power state and a position of forced operation where a position of said pallet placing said circuit main electric in a given state is directly determined by the action a cam carried by said lever on a pivoting lever cooperating with said pallet, characterized in that said lever is mounted articulated on said pallet and includes a flap forming a light capable of tilting opposite a window under the action of said cam on said lever at least when said lever is placed in said forced operating position.

According to a preferred embodiment, the lever forms a slide mounted movable between two parallel walls of the housing and comprises an element of maneuver integral with a large base, movable opposite an opening of the housing and sealing it. The window, through which the indicator is visible, is practiced in this base and moves with it in the same opening of the case. In this way, the elements constituting the housing can be the same for any type of contactor, whether or not provided with an indicator. They can therefore be from the same molds.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the aforementioned lever, which carries the indicator and on which the lever acts, has the general shape of a jumper comprising two parallel and substantially symmetrical branches connected between them by said seer. These two branches bear on their inner faces in look two aligned pins engaged in holes or a hole transverse of the pallet. This lever is associated with second elastic means which solicit it in a direction tending to keep the indicator invisible, that is to say away from said window. These second elastic means, in the occurrence a simple helical spring, are used, possibly, to implement the return of the lever to the operating position automatic. If the spring is hooked between the lever and a fixed point on the housing, return to the automatic operating position is only possible on user or professional intervention. However, if the spring is connected between the lever and the lever itself, the clock signal developed by the electric power supplier at the start of a "off-peak" period causes the overtravel of the pallet which releases the lever, which by tilting, and by means of the spring, returns the lever to the operating position automatic.

• la figure 1 est une vue générale en élévation d'un contacteur à double commande automatique et manuelle conforme à l'invention, pour tarif "heures creuses", ce contacteur étant représenté en position de fonctionnement automatique déclenché;
• la figure 2 est une vue semblable à la figure 1 du même contacteur, cette fois en position de fonctionnement automatique enclenché;
• la figure 3 est une vue analogue à la figure 2, montrant le contacteur en position de fonctionnement forcé;
• la figure 4 est une vue analogue à la figure 3, montrant le contacteur en position de mise hors service;
• la figure 5 est une vue partielle en élévation du même contacteur, selon la coupe partielle V-V de la figure 6 montrant le circuit d'alimentation de la bobine de l'électro-aimant, en position de mise hors service;
• la figure 6 est une vue partielle de dessus selon la flèche VI de la figure 5;
• la figure 7 est une vue semblable à la figure 6, en position de fonctionnement automatique;
• la figure 8 est une vue semblable à la figure 6, en position de fonctionnement forcé;
• la figure 9 est une vue en perspective du levier formant voyant;
• la figure 10 est une vue de dessus montrant deux contacteurs de puissance selon une variante de l'invention, montés côte-à-côte et illustrant la structure particulière de la manette et de son cache de protection pivotant;
• la figure 11 est une vue en perspective éclatée de la manette d'un contacteur selon la figure 10;
• la figure 12 est une vue schématique partielle illustrant une variante; et
• la figure 13 est une vue analogue à la figure 7 illustrant une autre variante.

The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the description which follows, of two examples of double-control contactors conforming to its principle, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a general elevational view of a contactor with automatic and manual dual control according to the invention, for tariff "off-peak", this contactor being shown in the automatic operating position triggered;
• Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 of the same switch, this time in the automatic operating position engaged;
• Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the contactor in the forced operating position;
• Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the switch in the off position;
• Figure 5 is a partial elevational view of the same contactor, according to the partial section VV of Figure 6 showing the supply circuit of the coil of the electromagnet, in the off position;
• Figure 6 is a partial top view along arrow VI of Figure 5;
• Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6, in the automatic operating position;
• Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6, in the forced operating position;
• Figure 9 is a perspective view of the indicator lever;
• FIG. 10 is a top view showing two power contactors according to a variant of the invention, mounted side by side and illustrating the particular structure of the lever and of its pivoting protective cover;
• Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the handle of a contactor according to Figure 10;
• Figure 12 is a partial schematic view illustrating a variant; and
• Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 7 illustrating another variant.

Figures 1 to 9 show a double contactor 11 type control more specifically designed to connect to the electrical distribution an electrical device which operates preferentially and automatically at off-peak hours at a reduced rate. Such a device can by example be a hot water heater or a system of storage heating.

In the case of a water heater for example, the heating of the reserve water is controlled by the supply of an electromagnet 13 housed in the housing. This electromagnet comprises on the one hand, a fixed part 14 including a coil 16 and a part 18 of the magnetic sheet metal circuit and on the other hand, a mobile part 20 hereinafter called pallet, consisting of a stack of sheets and which forms the rest of the magnetic circuit of the electromagnet. Said movable part 20 is mounted here pivoting on a fixed axis 22 of the housing. When the coil 16 is traversed by an electric current, the generated magnetic field attracts the pallet 20 in the position which is illustrated in figure 2.

Furthermore, the end of the pallet opposite its pivot axis is in contact with a probe 25 of a movable assembly 26 subject to move following a straight path in the housing of the contactor. To do this, the crew mobile 26 is guided in a sliding structure defined by inside the case. The latter consists of two shells 28 in material insulating plastic interlocking and enclosing, among other things, a frame 29 also made of molded insulating plastic, serving as a support to the electromagnet 13, to connection terminals and to conductors internal electrics. The arrangement of the two shells and the internal framework need not be described in detail here, not part of the invention.

However, there are, housed in cavities of this frame 29, two upstream connection terminals 30 intended to be connected to the network electrical distribution, one in phase and the other in neutral, two terminals downstream connection 32 intended to be connected to the electrical appliance supply and two control terminals 34 for the connection of a power control of the coil 16 of the electromagnet 13. It should be noted that in the drawings, for each pair of terminals mentioned above, a only terminal is visible, said terminals being arranged in parallel in a plane transverse to that of the drawing. The main electrical circuit, inside the case, is defined as follows. The upstream terminals 30 are connected by two flat and parallel conductors 36 with two fixed contact pads 38. Terminals downstream 32 are also connected by two flat conductors 39 to two pads of contact 40 fixed.

In addition, the mobile crew carries and activates two elements of connection forming parallel bars 42, each carrying two studs contact 44, 45 arranged opposite the fixed contact pads 38, 40, respectively. When the moving element 26 is moved by the pallet 20 closing the magnetic circuit, the contact pads 44, 45 of the bars 42 are applied against the fixed contact pads 38, 40 so that the electrical connection is established between terminals 30 and 32 by the conductors of the main electrical circuit defined above. So this is a double normally open type contactor, i.e. including a circuit electric which closes when the coil 16 is supplied. We have represented in dotted the modifications that are made to define a contactor of the type normally closed. In this case, the fixed contact pads are moved from the other side of the bars and they are turned over; the electrical circuit main opening when the paddle moves to close the circuit magnetic of the electromagnet. By providing two access terminals by combining the two types of conductors, we can also get the equivalent of a double inverter.

The moving element 26 is associated with first elastic means 46, know here a helical spring mounted so as to bias it towards the pallet 20 in a direction tending to move the latter away from the fixed part 14 of the circuit magnetic. This is notably the situation illustrated in FIG. 1.

The housing contains a lever 48 mounted sliding and movable between three stable positions, an automatic operating position where a manual actuation element 49 of the joystick is in the middle of a opening 50, rectangular, of the housing, a forced operating position where the actuating element 49 is located at one end of the window, as shown in Figure 3 and an off position where the element 49 is located at the other end of the window, as shown in figure 4.

The fixed part 14 of the electromagnet comprises a carcass 54 made of material molded plastic, insulating, on which is wound the coil 16 and the part 18 of the magnetic circuit is achieved by stacking E-sheets. One of the control terminals 34 is connected, via a flat conductor 52, to a terminal 53 carried by the carcass 54 of the coil, to which is soldered one end of the winding. The other end of the winding is welded to another fixed terminal 56, carried by an extension of the other cheek the carcass 54 of the coil (see FIG. 5). The other control terminal is connected to a flat conductor 58 which extends along the internal face of the housing up to the vicinity of the terminal, along one side of the lever 48. The end of this conductor is substantially in the same plane as a part terminal of the terminal 56 and separated from the latter by an insulating part 60 (see figure 6). The lever carries laterally a metal part 62, called "cursor", comprising two elastic branches forming between them an obtuse angle. Moon branches is in sliding contact with the conductor 58 connected to the terminal command 34 and the other branch is in sliding contact, either with the part insulating 60, either with the terminal part of the terminal 56, depending on the position of the controller.

More precisely, when the lever is in the position of automatic operation or in the forced operation position, the cursor 62 is actually in contact with the terminal part of the terminal 56 and with the flat conductor 58 connected to the control terminal. In these conditions, the solenoid coil can be energized if a control voltage between the two terminals 34.

However, when the lever is in the out-of-service position (figures 5 and 6), the cursor 62 remains in contact with the conductor 58 by one of its branches but the other branch comes into contact with the insulating part 60. In these conditions, the coil can no longer be supplied.

Holding bosses 64, 65 are provided both on the conductor 58 than on terminal 56 to define a certain indexing of the three positions of the lever 48. Thus, in the out-of-service position, the pallet 20 is mechanically free with respect to the lever 48 but it is maintained in a position remote from the fixed part of the electromagnet by the moving element 26 biased by the spring 46. A control signal has no effect on the electromagnet.

In the automatic operating position, the pallet 20 is still mechanically free from handle 48, but, like the coil can be fed, the position of the pallet is conditioned by the state supply of the coil 16. In the example shown, the two branches the main electrical circuit (phase and neutral) are closed when the coil is supplied since the pallet 20 is attracted by the fixed part 14 of the magnetic circuit of the electromagnet and pushes the moving assembly 26 against the spring force 46. If the coil is not energized, the pallet 20 remains distant of the fixed part of the electromagnet under the action of the moving assembly 26 pushed back by the spring 46 and, therefore, the main electrical circuit is open.

Finally, when the lever 48 is in the forced operating position, it acts directly on the pallet 20, as will be described in more detail below, and moves it towards the fixed part 14 of the magnetic circuit up to a position where the studs of the connection bars come to take support against the fixed studs 38, 40, thereby closing the circuit main electric.

It is however noted that in this forced operating position, if the coil is not energized, the position imposed on the pallet 20 by the handle 48 is such that a slight overtravel of still possible (see Figure 3). In other words, if the lever is in the forced operating position, the main electrical circuit is closed, but the pallet 20 does not come into abutment against the fixed part of the magnetic circuit until the coil 16 is energized. This possibility of overtravel is exploited, as will be seen below, to allow a remotely controlled return of the lever 48 to the automatic operating position. This return occurs at the start of the so-called "reduced rate" period which follows manual engagement in the forced operation position.

The handle 48 has two lateral ribs 68 engaged in corresponding slides defined internally on the walls of the housing and a base 70 from which protrudes the operating element. This base is therefore moves opposite the opening 50 of the housing; it is sized for close this opening for any position of the handle. This includes in addition to two parallel flanges 72 located on either side of the pallet 20 and each defining a cam 74 in the form of an inclined ramp acting on a pivoting lever 76 cooperating with the pallet. More specifically, this lever is pivotally mounted on the pallet 20 and, according to a remarkable characteristic, it comprises a flap 78 forming a warning light, capable of tilting opposite a window 80 under the action of the two parallel cams 74 acting on the lever 76 when the lever is actuated to be placed in the operating position strength.

In the example, all of said lever 76 is made of plastic molded in color, preferably red. Window 80 through which the indicator is visible is made in the base 48 of the controller sliding and therefore moves with it in the opening 50 of the housing. The base 48 is made of opaque material, as is the housing 11, but the window 80 formed in said base is provided with a transparent element 82 at through which appears said color indicator. All of these appear better on FIG. 11 which represents a very similar lever 48a. As seen more particularly in Figure 9, the lever 76 has the general shape a jumper comprising two substantially symmetrical parallel branches 85 L-shaped, connected together by said sight glass 78. The two branches bear, on their facing inner faces, two aligned pins 86, engaged in transverse drilling of the pallet. It is therefore in relation to the common axis of these journals 86 that the lever 76 forming a sight glass can pivot relative to the pallet 20. The two pins 86 are located at the free ends of the branches parallel 85. A short distance from these trunnions, but outside the parallel branches, two lugs 88 are also defined, aligned, making projecting respectively outwards, parallel to the common axis of the two pins. The two ramps defined on the flanges 72 of the lever cooperate respectively with these two pins to tilt the lever 76, that is to say the light 78, so that it comes next to the window 80, when the lever 48 is moved to the forced operating position (Figure 3).

In addition, the two arms 85 of the lever respectively have two pivoting support elements 90, aligned along a common axis distant from the axis of the two journals and parallel to it. Each support element makes respectively projecting towards the outside of a branch 85 at the bend of the this one. It rests on the fixed part of the magnetic circuit and helps to make switch the indicator next to the window, when the pallet 20 is attracted by the fixed part of the magnetic circuit and drives the lever 76.

More precisely, these two pivoting support elements 90 rest respectively on two spaced bases 92, defined on a cheek of the carcass 54 of the electromagnet winding. These bases are arranged on both sides from the palette. Second elastic means 94, in the form of a spring helical, are connected to lever 76 to hold the support elements pivoting 90 in contact with the fixed part, that is to say in abutment on the bases 92 and to request said indicator away from said window.

In the example shown, the spring 94 is mounted with stress of initial traction between one of the support elements 90 and an anchoring lug 96 of the controller. As will be seen later, this arrangement of the spring allows a return the joystick to the automatic operating position when the electromagnet receives an appropriate control signal.

As shown, each cam 74 defined in one of the flanges of the lever has an angular free end extended by a recess indexing device 98 (Figure 4). The corresponding ergot 88 engages in this indexing recess 98 when the lever reaches said position of forced operation (Figure 3). This indexing, combined with that of the cursor 62 carried by the lever, opposes the force developed by the spring 94 when said lever is in the forced operating position. This arrangement particular, in combination with the possibility of overtravel of the pallet 20, described above, when the coil is energized, frees the pins 88 to return the joystick from the forced operating position to the position automatic operation as soon as the electromagnet is energized. That is what occurs when a clock signal, generated by the energy distributor electric, is transmitted over the network and reaches control terminals 34. The current which then flows through the coil 16 attracts the pallet until the latter come to rest against the fixed part of the magnetic circuit. In this position, the lever 76 secured to the pallet moves away from the lever and the two pins 88 emerge from indexing recesses 98 defined in the flanges 72. The spring 94 then develops sufficient force to bring the lever back. in the central position, i.e. in the operating position automatic.

The contactor which has just been described is, as we have seen, more particularly intended for controlling the supply of an electrical appliance preferably operating during off-peak hours at a reduced rate. A remarkable feature of such a device is in particular the possibility of return to automatic operating position, without manual intervention, at the start of each off-peak period. However, the same device can be used as a simple power contactor, controlled by distance and with possibility of manual actuation. In this case, the return to automatic operating position is irrelevant and to remove this function, it suffices that the spring 94 is mounted between the lever 76, as previously, and a fixed point of the housing, for example the axis of rotation 22 of the palette 20. In addition to this modification, the shape of the lever can also be modified. Indeed, for such a contactor, with double control, the position in forced operation, like the out of service position, becomes exceptional positions which are only decided upon intervention by a specialist. Under these conditions, the actuating element 49 is advantageously removed in favor of a simple notch 49a in the thickness of the base 70 of the joystick. Such a lever 48a is shown in the figure 11. It is easy to maneuver only with a screwdriver or tool similar. A tracking index 100 is defined in relief on the side of this notch 49a to indicate the operating position. In addition, the window is fitted with a plastic swivel cover 102, hinged to the housing along on one side of the opening 50. This cover is provided with a slot 104 placed in look of the path of the index 100 and a square or rectangular opening 106 performed next to said window 80 for viewing the indicator light 78. The index 100 is located opposite three marks provided on the cover 102, on the side of the slot 104. Here, the three marks are three letters, respectively O for the deactivation position, A for automatic operating position and I for the forced operating position.

In Figure 12, there is shown a different arrangement but still in accordance with the principle of the invention. Similar structural elements have the same reference numerals. We find the lever 48 slidably mounted between the three stable positions and the pivoting lever 76 is in the form of a jumper similar to that of Figure 9; it is provided with its flap 78 forming a sight glass. The electromagnet 13 also includes a fixed part 14 including the coil 16 and a part 18, at E, of the magnetic circuit. The movable part 20 a or pallet has a shape different from that of the previous embodiment. It is a stack of E-shaped sheets, movable in translation in a direction parallel to the axis of the coil. This pallet nevertheless remains coupled to a mobile assembly, not shown, carrying the mobile connection elements of the main electrical circuit. The pivoting lever 76 is mounted in rotation, by means of a pin 112, on a yoke 110 defined at one end of the carcass 54. Each branch of the lever forming a sight glass comprises, on its outer surface, a lug 88 cooperating with the ramp 74 corresponding to the handle and, on its inner face, a pin 86 engaged in an oblong hole 114 of the pallet. The elongated portion of the oblong hole 114 is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the pallet. Of course, a similar arrangement is also possible with a pivoting pallet.

In FIG. 13, a variant has been shown making it possible to set take advantage of the natural elasticity of the slider 62, due to its general V shape largely open, for indexing the three positions of the lever 48.

Indeed, it is clear that the cursor 62 requests the lever in the direction of the side wall 116 of the housing which is opposite to that which adjoins the conductors 56 and 58. The lever 48 has, on this side, a projecting element 118 (also visible in the embodiment of Figure 11) which cooperates with bosses 119, 120, defined by slight reliefs on the internal surface of the side wall 116. These reliefs exist only on a strip corresponding to the element height 118.

In FIG. 13, the lever 48 (therefore the projecting element 118) is shown in automatic operating position. The locations of the protruding element 118 for the other two positions of the lever have been shown in phantom. This indexing arrangement can replace the boss system 64, 65 or complete it.

Claims (16)

1. A contactor involving double electromechanical and manual control, comprising, in a casing, a controlled electromagnet (13) whose magnetic circuit comprises a fixed portion (14) carrying a coil (16) and a mobile portion (20) referred to as the plate which is coupled to a mobile assembly (26) for actuating at least one connecting element (42) of a main electric circuit, said mobile assembly being associated with first resilient means (46) urging it towards said plate in a direction tending to move it away from said fixed portion of said magnetic circuit, a control member (48) mounted movably between at least two stable positions, being respectively an automatic operating position in which the position of the plate governing the state of the main electric circuit is determined by the state of supply of the coil and a forced operating position in which a position of said plate putting said main electric circuit in a given state is directly determined by the action of a cam carried by said control member on a pivoting lever (76) co-operating with said plate (20), characterised in that said lever (76) is mounted pivotably on said plate (20) and comprises a shutter forming an indicator (78) capable of pivoting opposite a window (80) under the action of said cam on said lever at least when said control member is placed in said forced operating position.
2. A contactor according to claim 1 wherein said control member (48) forms a slider which is mounted movably between two parallel walls of said casing and that it comprises an operating element (49) mounted on a base portion (70) of said control member, which is movable opposite an opening (50) of said casing and closes same, and that said window (80) through which the indicator is visible is provided in said base portion (70) and is displaced with same in the same opening (50).
3. A contactor according to claim 2 characterised in that said base portion is of opaque material and that said window provided in same is provided with a transparent element (89) through which said indicator (78) appears.
4. A contactor according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that said lever (76) is in the general form of a U-shaped member comprising two parallel limbs (85) which are substantially symmetrical and which are connected together by said indicator (78), the two limbs carrying on their mutually facing inward faces two aligned journals (86) engaged into a transverse opening in said plate.
5. A contactor according to claim 4 characterised in that said lever (76) comprises two lugs (88) which project outwardly in parallel relationship with the common axis of the two journals and that the control member comprises two said cams forming two ramps provided on side plate portions (72) disposed on respective sides of said plate, and that said ramps respectively co-operate with the two lugs (88) to cause pivotal movement of said indicator (78) in relation to said window when said control member is displaced into said forced operating position.
6. A contactor according to claim 5 characterised in that said two limbs (85) of the U-shaped member respectively comprise two pivotal support elements (90) aligned on an axis spaced from the common axis of the two journals and parallel to said axis and that said two pivotal support elements rest on the fixed portion of said magnetic circuit to cause pivotal movement of said indicator (78) in relation to said window when said plate (20) is attracted by the fixed portion of said magnetic circuit, second resilient means (94) being connected to said lever to hold said pivotal support elements in contact with said fixed portion and urge said indicator (78) away from said window.
7. A contactor according to claim 6 characterised in that the two pivotal support elements (90) respectively rest on two spaced bases (92) which are disposed on respective sides of said plate and which are defined on a flange of the winding carrier of said electromagnet.
8. A contactor according to one of claims 6 and 7 characterised in that each cam comprises a free angular end prolonged by an indexing recess (98) into which engages said corresponding lug (88) when said control member is placed in said forced operating position.
9. A contactor according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that said control member (48) is mounted movably between three stable positions, being successively said forced operating position, said automatic operating position and an inoperative position in which a feed circuit of the coil is interrupted, that said feed circuit comprises a metal cursor member (62) carried by said control member, said cursor member establishing an electrical connection between two fixed conductors (56, 58) only for said first two positions of said control member.
10. A contactor according to claim 9 characterised in that holding bosses (64, 65) are provided on said fixed conductors with which resilient limbs of said cursor member co-operate for at least contributing to defining said stable positions of said control member.
11. A contactor according to claim 9 or claim 10 characterised in that said metal cursor member (62) provided with resilient limbs urges said control member in the direction of a side wall (116) of said casing and that the internal surface of said wall comprises bosses (119, 120) with which a projecting element (118) of said control member co-operates for at least contributing to defining said stable positions of said control member.
12. A contactor according to claim 8 characterised in that in said forced operating position said plate (20) is held at a spacing from said fixed portion of the magnetic circuit to define an over-travel (d) of said plate for liberating each said lug (88) and that said second resilient means (94) are arranged to return said control member from said forced operating position to said automatic operating position when said electromagnet is excited.
13. A contactor according to claim 12 characterised in that said second resilient means (94) are formed by a spring, said spring being mounted between said lever (76) and said control member (48).
14. A contactor according to one of claims 6 to 9 characterised in that said second resilient means (94) are mounted between said lever and a fixed point of the casing, for example the axis of rotation of said plate.
15. A contactor according to claim 14 characterised in that said control member comprises a simple operating slit (49a) and a marker index (100) which are accessible in said window (50) of said casing and that said window is provided with a pivotal cover (102) fixed with respect to said casing, provided with a slot (104) placed opposite the path of movement of said index, and an opening (106) provided opposite said window, for making said indicator visible.
16. A contactor according to claim 4 or claim 5 characterised in that said pivotal lever (76) is mounted rotatably on said fixed portion of the magnetic circuit and that said journals (86) are engaged in an oblong hole (114) in said plate-forming mobile portion (20a).

Images