EP0915489B1 - Lever operating mechanism for a switch with three positions - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an energy storage control mechanism for a electric switch or circuit breaker, having a rotary main shaft carrying or actuating the contacts, and capable of being brought selectively into three positions stable comprising a first central opening position, a second position of closing the switch, and a third earthing position, said shaft main being connected by transmission rods to a first device for DC1 command to close and open the switch, and to a second DC2 earthing control device.

A known control mechanism of the kind mentioned comprises two devices for independent controls, one for closing and opening the switch, and the other for closing and opening of the earthing. Each of these devices of its kind Tumbler has a spring, and interlocking systems prohibit any wrong operation, in particular closing of the earthing when the switch is closed.

Document FR-A-2660109, showing a mechanism according to the preamble of claim 1, makes use of a single spring imposing maneuvers abruptness of the main tree by means of toggle levers transmitting to the tree main an increasing torque from said central position to the positions of closing the switch and earthing to come to these last positions in neutral, stable locking of the main shaft. A locking device prevents any untimely rotation of the main shaft during the arming phase, and opposes any rebound during opening. The mechanism includes a additional safety constituted by an interlocking preventing the operation of the earthing when the switch is closed, and vice versa. This interlocking cooperates with the control shafts for example by preventing the installation of the operating lever.

The object of the invention is to improve the performance of a control of a switch or circuit breaker with three working positions.

• une première manivelle d'entraínement coopérant avec un verrou d'ouverture, et calée sur un arbre d'actionnement avec une deuxième manivelle d'entraínement articulée à l'une des bielles,
• une ouverture ménagée dans la première manivelle d'entraínement pour assurer le déplacement d'un maneton solidaire d'une première manivelle de commande pour la compression et la détente d'un ressort principal,
• et un ressort de transfert assujetti à un maneton d'une deuxième manivelle de commande reliée à la première manivelle d'entraínement par une liaison mécanique, l'ensemble étant agencé pour armer simultanément le ressort principal et le ressort de transfert, et pour transférer l'énergie du ressort de transfert vers le ressort principal lors de la libération de la première manivelle d'entraínement suite au déblocage du verrou d'ouverture, provoquant d'abord la compression et le franchissement du point mort du ressort principal, et ensuite la détente dudit ressort principal pour le déplacement de la deuxième manivelle d'entraínement vers la position d'ouverture de l'interrupteur.

The control mechanism according to the invention is characterized in that the first control device comprises:

• a first drive crank cooperating with an opening lock, and wedged on an actuation shaft with a second drive crank articulated to one of the connecting rods,
• an opening in the first drive crank to move a crank pin secured to a first control crank for the compression and relaxation of a main spring,
• and a transfer spring subject to a crankpin of a second control crank connected to the first drive crank by a mechanical connection, the assembly being arranged to simultaneously arm the main spring and the transfer spring, and to transfer the energy from the transfer spring to the main spring when releasing the first drive crank following the unlocking of the opening lock, first causing compression and crossing the neutral point of the main spring, and then triggering said main spring for moving the second drive crank to the open position of the switch.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the opposite end of the main spring is attached to a third drive crank to which the other connecting rod is articulated transmission of the second control device.

The second drive crank cooperates in the armed position with a lock closure capable of maintaining the main spring and the transfer spring in the compressed state and prohibit any movement of the third crank for grounding.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the first drive crank has a snap rim and a supporting surface cooperating respectively with the opening latch, and with a stop in the armed position.

• La figure 1 est une vue schématique en élévation du mécanisme de commande selon l'invention, ledit mécanisme étant représenté en position d'ouverture ;
• les figures 2 à 4 sont des vues identiques du mécanisme de la figure 1 respectivement en position armée prêt pour fermer, en position de fermeture, et en position fermée prêt à ouvrir.

Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the description which follows of an embodiment of the invention, given by way of nonlimiting example and represented in the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic elevational view of the control mechanism according to the invention, said mechanism being shown in the open position;
• Figures 2 to 4 are identical views of the mechanism of Figure 1 respectively in the armed position ready to close, in the closed position, and in the closed position ready to open.

With reference to the figures, the energy storage mechanism comprises a shaft main 23 rotating integral with an operating crank 22, and coupled or constituted by the contact-carrying shaft of a switch or circuit breaker that can be brought selectively in one of three distinct stable positions. Main tree 23 can thus occupy either a first central position for opening the switch (FIGS. 1 and 2), either a second position for closing the switch (FIGS. 3 to 4), or a third earthing position diametrically opposite to the second position.

The operating crank 22 carries an eccentric pin 21 on which are articulated two transmission rods 12, 14 respectively coupled to a first device for DC1 command to close and open the switch, and to a second DC2 control device for closing and opening the earthing.

The first control device DC1 has an actuation shaft 24 on which are mounted a first drive crank 7 cooperating with a lock opening 2, and a second drive crank 6 coupled by a crankpin 10 to the connecting rod 12, and capable of cooperating with a closing lock 5.

The second DC2 control device has a third crank drive 15 coupled by a crankpin 20 to the other connecting rod 14.

A main spring 9 is inserted between the third drive crank 15, and a crank pin 13 secured to a first control crank 11 fixed on the shaft actuation 24. The pin 13 can move in a curvilinear light 33 formed in the first drive crank 7. The main spring 9 is associated a transfer spring 1, which is interposed between a fixed hooking member 19 and a crank pin 31 located on a second control crank 4 pivotally mounted on an axis 3.

A mechanical link 25 is arranged between the first drive crank 7 and the second control crank 4 so as to make the two springs 1, 9 dependent on each other.
The operation of the energy storage mechanism is as follows:

In the open position of Figure 1, the first drive crank 7 is resting on the stop 8, and the two springs 1, 9 are in the relaxed state. The third drive crank 15 is in engagement against a stop 18, and the second drive crank 6 bears against the closing latch 5.

Mechanism arming phase:

To perform a switch closing sequence, it is necessary to perform first arming the mechanism following a rotational movement of the first drive crank 7 around the actuation shaft 24. The action of the crank 7 on the crank pin 13 causes compression of the main spring 9, being given that the third drive crank 15 remains stationary. The movement of rotation of the crankpin 13 clockwise allows the crossing of the top dead center formed by the alignment of the shaft 24, of the crank pin 13 and from the attachment point 32 of the main spring 9 to the third crank 16. The crank pin is in abutment against the left end of the light 33 formed in the crank 7 so as to apply a torque to the second drive crank 6.

The rotation of the first drive crank 7 causes simultaneously by through the mechanical link 25, the pivoting of the second crank control 4 anticlockwise, so as to compress the transfer spring 1. In the ready-to-close armed position illustrated in FIG. 2, the opening lock 2 positively locks the first drive crank 7 in support against the stop 8, and maintains the two springs 9, 1 in the compressed state. The arming is finished and the energy retained in the transfer spring 1 will allow make an opening operation after having previously closed a the switch. The operating crank 22 and the transmission connecting rods 12, 14 remain stationary during the arming operation.

Switch closing phase:

In the CI2 operating mode corresponding to latching on opening and closing, the torque exerted by the crank pin 13 on the second drive crank 6 following compression of the main spring 9, is blocked by the opening latch 5 found in locked position. Closing occurs as soon as the closing latch 5 is moved to the unlocked position following a manual unlocking action by a push button, or on the issue of an electrical command applied to a trigger. The couple rotates the second drive crank 6 via the crank pin 13, which moves along the lumen 33 of the first drive crank 7 until it comes into abutment against the end of right of light 33.

In the CI1 operating mode the absence of closing lock 5 allows to directly drive the second drive crank 6 in rotation from the main spring neutral shift 9.

In both operating modes, the second drive crank 6 is rotate the operating handle 22 anti-clockwise around the shaft 23 via the transmission rod 12. The shaft 23 arrives in the closed position, and the movement of the connecting rod 14 and crank 15 assembly is without effect on the main spring 9 being in the relaxed state (FIG. 3).

Energy transfer and switch opening phase:

From the closed position in Figure 3, the opening sequence is operated by the release of the first drive crank 7 following the unlocking of the lock opening 2 controlled by rotation anti-clockwise. The transfer spring 1 initially compressed in the closed position of FIG. 3, will relax, and causes the second control crank 4 to rotate in the direction clockwise. The mechanical link 25 simultaneously drives the first drive crank 7 counterclockwise, so to compress the main spring 9.

During the time of transfer of energy from spring 1 to main spring 9, the leading torque exerted by the transfer spring 1, on the first crank drive 7, will remain greater than the driven torque, due to the reaction by the spring main 9 on the same crank 7, until crossing the main dead center 9 (figure 4). The first drive crank 7 is then supported against the stop 8, and the pin 13 moves in the light 33 of the crank 7 allowing the main spring 9, and by moving the second drive crank 6 counterclockwise. The operating crank 22 of the main shaft 23 is simultaneously actuated clockwise through the switch open position (Figure 1).

Cable earthing phase:

This earthing phase occurs by means of the actuation of the third crank 15, the operating sequence of which is described in detail in the document FR-A-2 660 109.

Claims (4)

1. An operating mechanism with energy storage for an electrical switch or circuit breaker, having a rotary main shaft (23) bearing or actuating the contacts and able to be moved selectively to three stable positions comprising a first central open position, a second closed position of the switch, and a third earthed position, said main shaft (23) being connected by transmission rods (12, 14) to a first control device (DC1) controlling closing and opening of the switch, and to a second control device (DC2) controlling earthing,
   characterized in that the first operating device comprises:

   a first drive crank (7) operating in conjunction with an opening latch (2) and keyed onto an actuating shaft (24) with a second drive crank (6) articulated on one of the rods (12),

   an aperture (33) arranged in the first drive crank (7) to perform movement of a crank-pin (13) securedly affixed to a first operating crank (11) for compression and relaxation of a main spring (9),

   and a transfer spring (1) securedly affixed to a crank-pin (31) of a second operating crank (4) connected to the first drive crank (7) by a mechanical link (25), the assembly being arranged to simultaneously load the main spring (9) and the transfer spring (1) and to transfer the energy of the transfer spring (1) to the main spring (9) when the first drive crank (7) is released following release of the opening latch (2), causing firstly compression and passing of the dead point of the main spring (9), followed by relaxation of said main spring for movement of the second drive crank (6) to the open position of the switch.
2. The operating mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the opposite end of the main spring (9) is attached to a third drive crank (16) whereon the other transmission rod (14) of the second control device (DC2) is articulated by means of the crank (15) and crank-pin (17).
3. The operating mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that the second drive crank (6) operates in the loaded position in conjunction with a closing latch (5) designed to keep the main spring (9) and transfer spring (1) in the compressed state and to prevent any movement of the third drive crank (15) for earthing.
4. The operating mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the first drive crank (7) comprises a clipping edge (35) and a bearing surface (36) operating respectively in conjunction with the opening latch (2) and with a stop (8) in the loaded position.

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