EP1061542A1 - Electromagnetic multipolar switch - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multipolar electromagnetic switching module intended to be associated by source terminals (t1, t2, t3) to a main multipolar electromagnetic switch device (AP) and by load terminals (U, V, W, u , v, w) to at least one motor and having, between these terminals, in a housing (Bo) several power current lines provided with switching poles with always alternately closed contacts, controlled by a switching electromagnet (EI ) controlled by a control circuit, each of the switching poles (C1, C2, C3) being constituted by a contact carrier (Pc) movable between two conductors (Cf1, Cf2) carrying the fixed contacts characterized in that, for each pole, the movable contact carrier (Pc) has two parallel conductors (Cm1, Cm2) in the form of loops joined to a terminal (T1, T2, T3) and that the two pieces of fixed contacts (Cf1, Cf2) are in the form of loops and joined to terminals (U, V, W).

Description

The present invention relates to an electromagnetic switching module multipole intended to be associated by source terminals with a switching device main multipolar electromagnetic and by charging terminals to at least one motor and having, between these terminals, in a box several current lines of power provided with switching poles with contacts always alternately closed, controlled by a switching electromagnet controlled by a control circuit, each of the switching poles being constituted by a movable contact carrier between two conductors carrying the fixed contacts.

It is known to make a motor control diagram (direction reverser walking, star-delta starting, speed change, etc.) by combining several devices (contactors, etc.) interconnected at the power level and at the control level in according to the desired scheme. This type of construction is bulky.

We know from patent FR 2 758 903 or patent FR 2 761 521 a module reversing type allowing a motor to pass from running operation direct to reverse operation and vice versa. This module is also cumbersome.

The object of the invention is to provide an electromagnetic switching module provided with a switching chamber and single-pole switching poles with improved electromagnetic properties. The switching poles always remain closed outside the switches and this is particularly effective due to the electromagnetic properties of these poles and the arrangement of the switching.

The switching module according to the invention is characterized in that, for each pole, the mobile contact holder has two parallel conductors in the form of loops joined to a terminal and that the two fixed contact pieces are in the form of loops and joined to terminals.

• la figure 1 est un schéma du circuit puissance d'un module de commutation de type inverseur, associé à un appareil interrupteur principal ;
• la figure 2 est un schéma du circuit puissance d'un module de commutation de type étoile-triangle, associé à un appareil interrupteur principal ;
• la figure 3 est un schéma du circuit puissance d'un module de commutation de type distributeur, associé à un appareil interrupteur principal ;
• la figure 4 est un schéma du circuit puissance d'un module de commutation de type changement de vitesse, associé à un appareil interrupteur principal ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective éclatée montrant l'agencement interne du module selon l'invention;
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective de la partie basse du module, réalisant la commutation sur le circuit de puissance;
• la figure 7 est un schéma d'un pôle de commutation du module ;
• la figure 8 est une vue de détail du pôle, la ligne de courant d'un des contacts fixes n'étant pas représentée ;
• la figure 9 est une coupe selon P de la figure 8 ;
• la figure 10 est un schéma d'un mode de réalisation du circuit de commande de l'électroaimant du module.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to embodiments given by way of examples and represented by the appended drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is a diagram of the power circuit of a switching module of the inverter type, associated with a main switch device;
• FIG. 2 is a diagram of the power circuit of a switching module of the star-delta type, associated with a main switch device;
• FIG. 3 is a diagram of the power circuit of a distributor-type switching module, associated with a main switch device;
• FIG. 4 is a diagram of the power circuit of a switching module of the speed change type, associated with a main switch device;
• Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal arrangement of the module according to the invention;
• Figure 6 is a perspective view of the lower part of the module, performing the switching on the power circuit;
• FIG. 7 is a diagram of a switching pole of the module;
• Figure 8 is a detail view of the pole, the current line of one of the fixed contacts not being shown;
• Figure 9 is a section along P of Figure 8;
• FIG. 10 is a diagram of an embodiment of the control circuit of the module's electromagnet.

The electromagnetic switching module according to the invention, marked M on the drawings, is intended to be associated with an electromagnetic switch device multipolar Ap which can be provided with a motor protection function, of the type contactor or contactor-circuit breaker. It can be integrated, in association with devices such as Ap, in conventional schemes such as: reversal of direction of travel, star-delta start, distribution, gear change.

The main switch device Ap houses, in a box, current lines poles arranged between source terminals L1, L2, L3 connecting to the phases of the AC network and T1, T2, T3 charging stations that can be connected to the switching M. Each current line has a switch or pole I1 or I2 or I3 controlled by a main electromagnet E whose coil B is supplied with current electric by two supply terminals marked A1 and A2.

The switching module M is housed in a box Bo provided at the rear with a fixing base P, substantially flat, allowing it to be fixed on a rail or a plate. It has source (power) terminals t1, t2, t3 which connect directly to the downstream terminals T1, T2, T3 of the main AP device and of the output or load terminals (power) U, V, W on the one hand u, v, w on the other hand which are connected to the motor (s).

The switching module M can be mounted directly under the Ap device or it can be deported.

On the current lines between the source terminals t1, t2, t3 and the terminals of output or load, are arranged switching poles C1, C2, C3 of the type to simple and bistable break. These poles C1, C2, C3 are actuated by an electromagnet bistable El provided with a coil Bb and their contacts are always alternately closed except during switching. Module M does not have a fire extinguisher arc and therefore cannot be operated under load. The number of terminals t1, t2, t3 is equal the number of terminals T1, T2, T3, the number of poles C1, C2, C3 being itself equal or less than this number of terminals.

Poles C1, C2, C3 and the internal wiring Sc of the associated current lines perform a conventional motor control function: inverter, star-triangle or distribution, low speed - high speed. The wiring of the power circuit of the module M depends on the control function performed by this module.

In the embodiment intended for reversing the direction of travel which is illustrated in figure 1, the source terminal t3 is directly connected to the charging terminal W. source terminals t1 and t2 are connected (direct operation) to the load terminals U and V by the poles C1, C2 and after switching of these same poles (reverse operation), at terminals V and U, which achieves the usual phase crossing.

In the embodiments which are illustrated in FIG. 2, in FIG. 3 and in the Figure 4 and which are respectively intended for star-delta starting, for distribution and at speed change, the source terminals t1, t2, t3 are arranged on one side of the module while the charging stations U, V, W (starting in triangle or first motor or high speed) and the charging stations u, v, w (star or second start motor or low speed) are arranged on the opposite side. The terminals U, V, W on the one hand, u, v, w on the other hand are offset from each other.

The bistable type electromagnet El housed in the switching module M and actuating the movable contacts of the switching poles C1, C2, C3 is equipped with a permanent magnet to reduce energy consumption. This electromagnet El is controlled by an internal control circuit Cc illustrated in Figure 10. The part moving magnetic of the electromagnet El which has an alternating rectilinear movement operates the switching poles C1, C2, C3 by a slide Ra. Preferably the axis of movement of this electromagnet is parallel to the fixing plane Pf and to terminals.

The switching module M is arranged so that the poles of switching C1, C2, C3 and the associated power circuits and that all of control of the poles formed by the electromagnet El and the control circuit Cc are offset or spaced in a direction perpendicular to the rear face Pf for fixing the module and the width L of the module is substantially equal to the width of the device main associated Ap. The width L is therefore reduced if compared to conventional devices performing similar functions. The switching poles C1, C2, C3 and the Sc conductors of the wiring diagram (inverter, etc.) are housed towards the rear, the electromagnet El and the associated control circuit Cc being housed forward.

Each switching pole C1 or C2 or C3 illustrated schematically in the figure 6 is of the reversing type (contacts always closed) and consists of a contact holder mobile Pc carrying two parallel conductors Cm1, Cm2 in the form of loops and carrying respectively the movable contacts P1 and P2. These conductors are assembled at a terminal t1, t2, t3. The contact carrier Pc oscillates, around a trunnion Ax and an axis AA ′, between two conductors Cf1, Cf2 carrying the fixed contacts P3 and P4. These drivers are themselves in the form of a loop and joined to one or two terminals U, V, W. In the mode of shown embodiment the axes are perpendicular to the rear mounting plane Pf.

The movable contact carrier Pc oscillates, around the axis AA ′, from a first position working, contacts closed, in a second working position, contacts also closed. Current flowing in a mobile conductor Cm1 or Cm2 and in the fixed conductor corresponding Cf1 or Cf2, in parallel directions, induces an attraction force magnetic. This loop effect provides proportional contact pressure to the current that passes through the pole. The poles are never operated under load which reduces the nominal contact pressure, the size of the electromagnet is finding it diminished.

The moving parts of the electromagnet actuate a movable slide Ra in translation parallel to the rear mounting plane Pf and acting on each spring of Rp pole via a Pi part.

Fixed conductors Cf1, Cf2 realize with extensions or additional conductors leading to the charging (power) terminals U, V, W etc, one of the SC control diagrams of the motor or motors. These extensions or additional conductors are housed in the Bo box, on the side of the terminals charge.

The mobile conductors Cm1, Cm2 of the contact carrier PC are distant, one by with respect to each other, so that a No magnetic core lodges between them. This core magnetic No cooperates with plywood Cp1, Cp2 fixed inside the switching chamber housing the pole. The moving contact parts Cm1, Cm2 are joined by a flexible electrical connection Tr and a conductor such as Co3 to a terminal source such as t3.

The input and output terminals used for control are arranged forward. The input terminals A2, A1, A1 ', B1, B1' are intended to receive orders from motor control and the output terminals SA1, S21, S22 cooperate with the device main partner Ap.

The main device Ap includes a locking contact Ve operated by the moving part of the electromagnet E and connected to two terminals 21 and 22 which can be connect to terminals SA1 and SA2 of module M.

The coil Bb of the electromagnet El is supplied so as to be polarized in either direction. This command can be carried out by two change-over contacts auxiliaries 1a and 1b actuated by the mobile part of the bistable electromagnet El and associated to diodes 7a, 7b. Switching module M can have other contacts auxiliaries such as 3 and 6 also actuated by the movable part of the electromagnet El.

To carry out the application, connect to terminals A1, A'1, B1, B'1 of the module switch M on the one hand of the contacts Bp1 controlling the operation in the "Sense one" and on the other hand contacts Bp2 controlling the operation in the "sense of them ". One of the two operating modes is called "sense one" operation. of the module, i.e. direct for the reverser or star for the star-triangle. The second mode is called "two-way" operation, ie reverse operation. or in a triangle.

The operation of the switching module will now be explained.

In the position of FIG. 10, the electromagnet El of the main apparatus Ap is powered by the MA on / off switch, the contacts Bp1, Bp2 and 6. The poles of power 11, 12 and 13 of the main unit Ap are in the operating position "Sense one". Switching switches such as C1, C2 of the switching module M are in the position corresponding to this "sense one" operating mode (these poles are always in the closed position).

To switch to "two-way" operating mode, the operator opens a contact Bp2 and close the associated contact Bp2. Contact opening cuts power of the coil B of the main unit Ap. The power switches 11 to 13 of the main device Ap opens.

Closing the contact Bp2 causes the supply of the coil Bb of the module M which causes the switching of switching contacts such as C1, C2. The auxiliary contacts of module M switch and current is sent to electromagnet E of the main device Ap so as to operate the power switches 11-13.

The electromagnet El of the switching module M can only switch when the power contacts 11 to 13 are open. This security function is provided by the Ve locking contact. On the other hand, the power contacts 11 to 13 close when the contacts of the switching module M are in the correct position.

In order not to cut the supply voltage during the stroke of the electromagnet El, the auxiliary contacts must change position after the electromagnet It has run its course or an important part of its course. A device for delay of change of state can be associated with these three contacts.

It is understood that one can without departing from the scope of the invention imagine variants and refinements of detail and even consider the use of means equivalents.

As a variant, one could avoid using in the control scheme Cc semiconductors (diodes or small protection components).

Claims (7)

Electromagnetic multipole switching module intended to be associated by source terminals (t1, t2, t3) to an electromagnetic switchgear main multipole (AP) and by charging terminals (U, V, W, u, v, w) to at least one motor and having, between these terminals, in a box (Bo) several current lines of power provided with switching poles with contacts always alternately closed, controlled by a switching electromagnet (El) controlled by a control circuit, each of the switching poles (C1, C2, C3) being constituted by a contact carrier (Pc) movable between two conductors (Cf1, Cf2) carrying the fixed contacts characterized by the fact that, for each pole, the movable contact carrier (Pc) has two conductors parallel (Cm1, Cm2) in the form of loops joined to a terminal (T1, T2, T3) and that the two fixed contact parts (Cf1, Cf2) are in the form of loops and joined to terminals (U, V, W). Module according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductors (Cm1, Cm2) of the contact carrier are distant from each other so that a magnetic core (No) fits between them. Module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the core magnetic (No) cooperates with plywoods (Cp1, Cp2) fixed inside the switching chamber housing the pole. Module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pieces of movable contacts (Cm1, Cm2) are joined by a flexible electrical connection (Tr) to a thick headed. Module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the module is inverter type and has on one side the source terminals (t1, t2, t3) and on the opposite side the charging stations (U, V, W). Module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the module is star-delta or distributor start-up or gear change and has a side of the source terminals (t1, t2, t3) and on the opposite side the load terminals (U, V, W) for a first operation and the charging stations (u, v, w) for the second operation. Module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the contact carrier (PM) is associated with a pin-shaped pole spring (Rp) or from U and actuated by a slide (Ra) moved by the electromagnet (El).

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