EP1115131B1 - Circuit breaker pole with wide arc extinguishing chamber - Google Patents

Circuit breaker pole with wide arc extinguishing chamber

Info

Publication number
EP1115131B1
EP1115131B1 EP00410151A EP00410151A EP1115131B1 EP 1115131 B1 EP1115131 B1 EP 1115131B1 EP 00410151 A EP00410151 A EP 00410151A EP 00410151 A EP00410151 A EP 00410151A EP 1115131 B1 EP1115131 B1 EP 1115131B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
chamber
distance
contact
arc
plane
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP00410151A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1115131A1 (en
Inventor
Marc c/o Schneider Electric Industries SA Rival
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Schneider Electric Industries SAS
Original Assignee
Schneider Electric Industries SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Schneider Electric Industries SAS filed Critical Schneider Electric Industries SAS
Publication of EP1115131A1 publication Critical patent/EP1115131A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1115131B1 publication Critical patent/EP1115131B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/30—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H9/34—Stationary parts for restricting or subdividing the arc, e.g. barrier plate
    • H01H9/36—Metal parts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/30—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H9/46—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts using arcing horns
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/30—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H9/302—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts wherein arc-extinguishing gas is evolved from stationary parts

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a breaking chamber of a low-voltage circuit breaker of high intensity.
  • circuit breakers there is a particular difficulty when attempting to cut a current under a relatively high voltage, of the order of 600 volts effective single-phase, or 1000 volts effective three-phase, with a fairly low intensity, the order of 5 to 10 times the rated current of the circuit breaker.
  • EP 0 306 382 discloses a multipole circuit breaker with molded insulating housing meeting this requirement, enclosing a control mechanism coupled to a switching bar, so as to ensure the opening and closing of all the poles of the circuit breaker.
  • Each pole comprises a fixed contact member, a movable contact member and an arc extinction chamber.
  • the fixed contact member comprises a conductive fixed range of current supply bearing on the bottom of the housing, main fixed contacts and a fixed contact arc.
  • the movable contact member comprises a conductive fixed current-carrying pad also bearing on the bottom of the housing, and a contact system having a plurality of identical main contacts, divided into two series of the same number of parts and of another of a movable arcing contact extending longitudinally along the median axis of the pole, the length of the movable arcing contact being greater than the length of the movable main contacts.
  • the arc extinguishing chamber is disposed above the first range and comprises a stack of separators constituted by metal plates for deionizing the arc, each sheet having a V-shaped notch. upper and lower arc frames the stack of sheets of the fire-extinguishing chamber.
  • the lower arch horn is secured to the upper face of the first range with interposition of an insulating screen, by means of three screws which ensure the passage of the current between the arc horn and the beach.
  • the three screws are arranged at the vertices of an isosceles triangle, one of the screws being disposed along the central axis of the pole in the vicinity of a rim of the insulating screen and a gas exhaust wall. cutoff to the outside and the other two being close to the main fixed contacts.
  • the width of the lower arcuate decreases in the direction of migration of the arc towards the central screw, and the other two screws are on either side of the fixed arc contact, and in the vicinity of the contacts corresponding fixed principal.
  • the arc Upon opening of the contacts, the arc originates in the area of separation of the arcing contacts located along the center axis of the pole and then develops in the central zone of the chamber. The arc migrates to the central screw that stabilizes the root of the bow. At the end of the opening stroke, the distance between the arcing contacts becomes greater than the distance between the main contacts, causing a reclasking of the arc at the contacts main on one side of the room. The arc then develops on a second different path, along one of the sides of the chamber by gradually refocusing, and meeting along its path cold surfaces where efficient absorption of the favorable energy occurs. at the extinction of the arc.
  • the document FR 2 604 026 describes a circuit breaker whose lower arcuate horn widens from its anterior part close to the contacts to its posterior part close to the bottom of the extinguishing chamber.
  • the enlarged posterior portion constitutes a collector portion whose area is smaller than the section of an arc root for an arc that would be formed with a constant electrical current density corresponding to the nominal breaking current.
  • the goal here is to bring the arc to the collector and stabilize it.
  • the stabilized arc then develops essentially in the middle part of the chamber.
  • Such a configuration is effective only if the longitudinal dimension of the chamber, that is to say the depth between the fixed contact zone and the rear wall of the chamber used for the extraction of gases is important.
  • the width of the chamber can be reduced because it is not used for the extinction of the arc.
  • the invention therefore aims to improve the performance of a high-voltage low-voltage multipole circuit breaker, in particular a circuit breaker to be adapted to cut a rated current greater than 1000 amperes effective, at a high voltage, of the order of 600 volts. effective value per phase. It aims in particular to reduce the volume of room necessary to ensure the breaking of a current under high voltage, decreasing its depth for a given width. More specifically, it aims to make full use of the volume of the chamber when the chamber is wide and shallow and / or of reduced height.
  • the invention finds a particularly effective application in terms of volume reduction if in each part of the chamber delimited by the longitudinal median plane, said point is also located with respect to the posterior wall at a distance which is less than a quarter of the distance between each of the side flanges. It is thus ensured that the arc will make full use of the volume of material constituted by the separators.
  • the invention is preferably applied to a relatively wide pole, in particular a pole whose distance between the contact zone of the fixed contact member and the bottom wall of the chamber is less than the distance between the flanges. side of the room. It also applies to a pole whose bow horn less than one length, measured in the longitudinal median plane, which is less than the widest width of the posterior part of the arc horn, measured along a perpendicular axis in the median longitudinal plane.
  • the metal plates of the separators have an anterior rim provided with an asymmetrical indentation directed towards one or other of the lateral flanges.
  • the periphery projects inwards from the chamber with respect to the posterior portion of the arcuate horn or is flush with the posterior portion of the arcuate horn.
  • the protruding periphery allows a large degassing, which contributes greatly to the creation of the desired effect of developing two parallel arcs or a laterally oscillating arc in the two lateral parts of the chamber.
  • a low-power multipole circuit breaker 10 comprises a molded insulating casing 12 enclosing a known type of control mechanism 14, provided with a transverse switching bar 16 common to all the poles, journalling in bearings housed in the housing 12.
  • Each pole comprises a fixed contact member 20, a movable contact member 22 and an arc extinction chamber 24 located near the fixed contact member 20.
  • the fixed contact member 20 comprises a current supply zone 26 mounted in the bottom of the housing 12, partially under the arc extinguishing chamber 24.
  • the fixed contact member 20 further comprises two contact bars 28 (Figure 2) directly attached to the current supply range 26 and a center arc contact 30.
  • the arc contact 30 is fixed to the current supply range 26 in an intermediate zone between the bars. 28 and the chamber 24.
  • the arc contact 30 extends inwardly of the chamber 24 by a conductive lower arc horn 34 described in detail below.
  • the current supply range 26, the bars 28, the arc contact 30 and the arc horn 34 are made of various conductive metal materials, and are at the same potential.
  • the arcing contact 30 and the bars 28 together constitute a contact zone 36 intended to ensure electrical contact with the movable contact member 22.
  • the movable contact member 22 has meanwhile a conductive fixed range of current supply 40, a support cage 42 pivotally mounted about an axis 44 fixed relative to the housing 12 and a plurality of main contact fingers 46 (FIG. Figure 3) placed on either side of a middle arc contact finger 48.
  • the contact fingers 46, 48 pivot about a common geometric axis 50, fixed relative to the cage 42, and are returned to the fixed contact member by contact pressure springs 52.
  • a coupling rod 54 is used for coupling between the cage 42 of the movable contact member 22 and a crank 56 of the switching bar 16 of the mechanism 14.
  • Each main finger 46 comprises a contact pad 58, intended to ensure contact with the bar of corresponding contact 28 of the fixed contact member 20 when the apparatus is in the closed position shown in Figure 1, and a lug 60 protruding beyond the contact pad to the quenching chamber 24.
  • the arc contact finger has a movable arc contact 62 for contact with the stationary arc contact 30 of the stationary contact member 20 when the apparatus is in the closed position shown. in Figure 1, and a pin 64 f projecting finger past the contact pad towards the extinguishing chamber 24 with a shape identical to that of the pins 60.
  • the contact fingers 46, 48 are electrically connected to the current supply range 40 via of braids 49.
  • the extinguishing chamber 24 comprises two lateral flanges 68 made of insulating material, which are parallel to the sectional plane of FIG. 1 and situated equidistantly on either side thereof, so that the plane of section constitutes a median longitudinal geometric plane 70 of the chamber 24 and the pole.
  • a rear exhaust gas wall 72 is arranged at the rear of the chamber, perpendicular to the lateral flanges 68. This wall 72 has one or more orifices 74 for exhausting the cutoff gases.
  • An anterior opening 76 is arranged near the contact zone 36, opposite the posterior wall 72.
  • Separators 78 consisting of flat metal plates extend perpendicularly to the median longitudinal plane 70 of the front opening 76 to the rear wall 72.
  • the separators 78 are spaced apart from each other so as to leave the possibility of a flow of gas between the front opening 76 and the rear wall 72. They are supported laterally by the side flanges 68. Each plate 78 has an anterior stop 80 for capturing the electric arc, which is approximately in the plane of the plate a concave curved U-shaped or V-shaped with a notch 82 narrower and asymmetrical. The separators 78 are stacked so that the notches 82 are alternately on one lateral side and the other side of the chamber 24.
  • the lower arcuate horn 34 intended to receive the root of the arc when the arc extends from the fixed arc contact 30 towards the inside of the chamber 24, has a rear portion 84 located at the inside the chamber, and an intermediate portion 85 connecting the posterior portion to the fixed arc contact 30.
  • the width of the posterior portion 84 that is to say its largest dimension measured along an axis perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane 70 of the chamber, is important while the intermediate portion 85 is a narrower section.
  • the posterior portion 84 has two lateral surfaces constituting reception areas 86 for the root of an electric arc developing in the chamber 24.
  • the distance between the reception area 86 and the lateral flange situated in the same half-space delimited by the longitudinal median plane 70 is less than half the distance between the flange 68 and the median plane 70, and therefore less than one quarter the width of the chamber measured between the flanges 68.
  • the receiving areas 86 are also relatively close to the rear wall 72 of the chamber.
  • the lower arcuate horn 34 has in its rear part 84 and on each lateral side of the chamber at least one point situated, with respect to the lateral flange situated on the same side of the chamber, at a smaller distance at a quarter of the width of the chamber 24 and situated, with respect to the posterior wall 72, at a distance less than one third or one quarter of the width of the chamber 24.
  • the lower arcuate horn 34 is fixed on a bottom consisting of a plate of insulating material 90, in this case polyamide 6-6 loaded with 30% glass fiber.
  • the portion of the plate 90 not covered by the bow horn extends to the flanges 68 and the rear wall 72. It has a periphery 92 forming a projecting shoulder in the chamber and flush with the periphery of the rear portion 84 of the bow horn. Alternatively, the periphery 92 can protrude into the chamber up to a height greater than that of the posterior part of the bow horn.
  • the periphery 92 has a rounded C-shaped shape which follows the shape of the rim of the posterior portion 84, and in particular the reception areas 86, so as to constitute a separation between the posterior portion 84 and the posterior wall 72 of the on the one hand, and between the rear part 84 and the lateral flanges 68 on the other hand.
  • the posterior portion 84 of the arcing horn is electrically connected to the pad 26 only through the arcing contact 30, and the plate 90 constitutes a continuous solid insulator between the rear portion 84 and the pad 26.
  • An upper arc horn 96 intended to receive the head of the arc at the end of opening of the movable contact member 22, is constituted by a metal plate perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane 70, supported by the side flanges.
  • the upper arch horn 96 is substantially parallel to the separators 78 in its rear part and has in its front part a flap 98 which at least partially encloses the separators 78 located in the upper part of the chamber.
  • the switching bar 16 locked by the mechanism 14, and holds the cage 42 in the position shown in Figure 1.
  • the springs 52 provide a contact pressure between the pellets 58 of the main contact fingers 46 and the contact strips 28, and between the contact 62 of the arc contact finger 48 and the fixed arc contact 30.
  • an electronic trigger acts on the mechanism 14 which causes the opening.
  • the rotation of the switching shaft 16 rotates the cage 42 about its axis of rotation 44.
  • the main contact fingers 46 pivot very slightly about the axis of rotation 50, in the opposite direction of clockwise in FIG. 1, under the effect of the contact pressure springs 52, while remaining in contact with the bars 28. Then they meet a stop of the cage 42, and are integrally driven with the cage 42 in rotation in the direction around the axis of rotation 44, so that they separate the bars 28.
  • the movement of the arc contact finger 48 is similar, but offset in time, due to the spatial shift between the bars 28 and the fixed arcing contact 30.
  • the arc contact finger 48 is still in contact with the fixed arcing contact 30.
  • current flowing between the tracks 26, 40 then passes through the contacts 30, 62.
  • the arc contact finger 48 in turn encounters a stop of the cage 42 which drives it jointly with the cage 42 in the rotational movement of the latter around the axis of rotation 44 of the cage, in the clockwise direction, so that the separation of the arc contact finger 48 and the fixed arc contact 30 occurs
  • An arc arises between the arcing contacts 30. Due to the current loop formed in the range 26 and the plate 32, the root of the arc migrates rapidly towards the bottom of the chamber 24, whereas the head of the arc the arc remains on the lug 64 of the contact finger 48.
  • the contact fingers 46, 48 are close to the flap 98 of the upper arcuate horn.
  • the bow head then switches to the upper bow horn 96, and a secondary bow is formed in series with the first, between the flap 98 and the lug 64 of the bow contact finger 48.
  • the bow, penetrating the chamber 24, divides more or less in contact with the elementary arc separators 78, each elementary arc constituting an electrical connection in series between two adjacent separators 78 or between each arc horn 34, 96 and the separator 78. facing.
  • the arc root Upon arriving in the posterior portion of the chamber 24, the arc root tends to move toward one or other of the lateral receiving surfaces 86 of the lower arcuate horn.
  • the root of the arc When it is established on one of the lateral receiving surfaces 86, the root of the arc causes the rim of the perimeter 92 to be removed from a gasogenic material with a large emission of gas, in particular hydrogen. This emission of gas in the immediate vicinity of the root of the arc causes a constriction of the root arc and prevents it from stabilizing definitively on the receiving side surface 86 in question.
  • Two hypotheses can be emitted: according to a first hypothesis, the root of the arc located on one of the reception areas 86 would be expelled due to the gaseous emission by the periphery 92, and would migrate laterally to the other reception area 86 where the same phenomenon would recur, so that there would be an oscillating movement of the root of the arc between the two lateral reception areas 86. According to another hypothesis, the gaseous emission would cause a narrowing of the root of the arc, such that a reclamation would take place at the other reception area 86, the two arcs subsequently remaining simultaneously in the chamber. The presence of two simultaneous arcs in parallel in a chamber is generally a very transient phenomenon.
  • FIGS. 4 to 6 a circuit breaker pole according to a second embodiment of the invention is presented. To facilitate the description, the reference signs used in the description of the first embodiment for similar parts have been used.
  • the circuit breaker 10 is contained in a housing 12 and comprises as previously a mechanism 14 including a transverse switching bar 16 constituted by a pivoting shaft common to all the poles of the circuit breaker.
  • Each pole comprises a fixed contact member 20, a movable contact member 22 and an arc extinction chamber 24.
  • the fixed current supply pad 26 has a single contact strip 36a which cooperates with contact fingers 46a, all similar to the movable contact member 40.
  • the end of the contact fingers 46a are situated close to the axis of rotation 50 comprises a cam 47 cooperating with an elastic energy accumulator 52a bearing on the support cage 42, so as to form a bistable mechanism adapted to return the fingers 46a to either the fixed range 26 or the opposite of it.
  • the operation of the bistable device is described in detail in the French patent application bearing the registration number FR 9905276.
  • the contact fingers 46a are electrically connected to the current supply range 40 by means of a braid.
  • a lower arc-horn 34 constituted by a conductive metal plate is fixed by an anterior part to the area 26 of the stationary contact member 20.
  • the front part 34a of the lower arc-horn located near the bar contact 36a has an area of contact with the current supply range 26 and is attached thereto.
  • the front portion also has a transverse flange 34b protruding slightly above the surface of the contact strip 36, towards the contact fingers 46a.
  • the lower arcuate horn 34 furthermore has a posterior portion 84 extending inside the chamber, the width of which, that is to say the largest dimension measured along an axis perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the room is important.
  • the anterior portion 34a and the posterior portion 84 are connected by an intermediate portion 85 of width less than that of the rear portion.
  • the posterior portion 84 constitutes two lateral reception areas 86 for an arc.
  • the bottom of the chamber is constituted by a plate 90 of insulating material.
  • the plate has an imprint corresponding to the shape of the lower arcuate horn and in which is housed the arc horn 34.
  • the portion of the plate not covered by the arc horn is a perimeter 92 protruding from the bottom of the footprint, which is flush with the upper rim of the posterior portion 84 of the bow horn 34.
  • This periphery is interposed on the one hand between the rim of the bow horn and the posterior wall of the chamber, and secondly between the rim of the arc horn 34 and the side flanges of the chamber.
  • the entire plate, and in particular the periphery 92 is made of a gaseous material, in this case polyamide 6-6 loaded with 30% glass fiber.
  • the separation of the contacts can take place either because of an electromagnetic repulsion of the fingers 46a which pivot with respect to the cage 42 in the clockwise direction beyond the neutral position of the bistable mechanism 53, until a position is found. end of stroke, either following an opening order which causes the opening of the mechanism 14, the pivoting of its switching bar 16 and, via the coupling rod 54, the pivoting of the cage 42 around its axis 44 clockwise in Figure 1, which drives the fingers 46a.
  • the contact fingers 46a separate simultaneously, with the birth of an arc between one of the fingers 46a and the contact strip 36a.
  • the root of the arc immediately migrates to the rim 34b of the anterior portion of the lower arcuate horn and inwardly of the chamber 24. While passing through the narrower intermediate portion of the arc horn, the root is refocused with respect to the median plane 70.
  • Each of the embodiments thus makes it possible to observe, after cutting off a current of high voltage and of moderate intensity, the existence of two traces of arc roots at the level of the lateral reception areas of the posterior part of the horn. lower arc, attesting to the presence of an arc in each side of the chamber. Given the lack of theoretical basis to explain the reproducible result obtained, the characterization of the shape of the posterior part of the lower arcuate horn can only be empirical.
  • the center of gravity of the preceding centers of gravity in other words the centroids of the points constituting the centers of gravity weighted each by the corresponding mass of the separator, one also obtains a barycenter or overall center of gravity of the material subset. constituted by the portion of separators contained in the half-space considered, closer to the lateral flange than to the median longitudinal plane.
  • the root of the arc can stabilize near the previously defined broken line. Indeed, if the arc meets each separator near its center of gravity, it causes a relatively uniform heating of the separator, so a significant thermal absorption.
  • the posterior portion of the arcuate horn therefore comprises a reception area of the arch root constituted by a bulge located approximately in the extension. of the imaginary broken line previously defined. This result can be achieved by having a line drawn from the previously defined global center of gravity perpendicular to the plane of the upper surface of the end of the arc horn meet the bow horn at the level of from the reception area.
  • the distance between the reception area and the lateral flange located in the half-space considered is less than the distance between the overall center of gravity and the side flange.
  • a good positioning of the reception areas is obtained by imposing that the distance between the reception area and the lateral flange located in the half-space considered is less than half the distance between the flange and the median plane, and therefore less than a quarter of the width of the chamber measured between the flanges.
  • the lower arcuate horn has, for each lateral half of the chamber, at least one point located, relative to the flange located in the chamber half considered, at a distance less than a quarter of the width of the chamber. bedroom.
  • this point is also situated, with respect to the posterior wall of the chamber, at a distance of less than a third or a quarter of the width of the chamber, to characterize the fact that it is indeed the part posterior of the bow horn.
  • the distance between the lower arcuate horn and the posterior wall of the chamber is in itself less critical.
  • the arc is always born at the level of the contact zone, then migrates on the arc horns.
  • the invention is equally applicable to a circuit breaker arranged such that the arc is born directly between the lower arcuate horn and the end of the contact fingers.
  • the bottom of the chamber and the gas-producing perimeter constitute a single piece of gas-generating material.
  • a non-gasifying insulating base a perimeter of gasogenic material.
  • the rim may be flush with the rim of the posterior portion of the inferior arch horn, or protrude slightly above the rim of the posterior portion of the bow horn.
  • circuit breakers in which there is no articulation between a support cage and contact fingers, but a contact assembly forming an indeformable solid coupled to the mechanism.
  • the invention applies both to unipolar circuit breakers and to multipole circuit breakers.
  • the form of the mechanism is arbitrary, with or without a switching bar.
  • the bar if it exists, can pivot around its longitudinal axis or around a distant geometric axis.

Landscapes

  • Arc-Extinguishing Devices That Are Switches (AREA)
  • Circuit Breakers (AREA)

Description

L'invention concerne une chambre de coupure d'un disjoncteur basse tension de forte intensité. Pour de tels disjoncteurs, on rencontre une difficulté particulière lorsqu'on cherche à couper un courant sous une tension relativement élevée, de l'ordre de 600 Volts efficaces en monophasé, ou 1000 Volts efficaces triphasés, avec une intensité assez faible, de l'ordre de 5 à 10 fois le courant nominal du disjoncteur.The invention relates to a breaking chamber of a low-voltage circuit breaker of high intensity. For such circuit breakers, there is a particular difficulty when attempting to cut a current under a relatively high voltage, of the order of 600 volts effective single-phase, or 1000 volts effective three-phase, with a fairly low intensity, the order of 5 to 10 times the rated current of the circuit breaker.

Le document EP 0 306 382 décrit un disjoncteur multipolaire à boîtier isolant moulé répondant à cette exigence, renfermant un mécanisme de commande accouplé à un barreau de commutation, de manière à assurer l'ouverture et la fermeture de l'ensemble des pôles du disjoncteur. Chaque pôle comporte un organe de contact fixe, un organe de contact mobile et une chambre d'extinction d'arc. L'organe de contact fixe comporte une plage fixe conductrice d'amenée du courant prenant appui sur le fond du boîtier, des contacts fixes principaux et un contact fixe d'arc. L'organe de contact mobile comporte une plage fixe conductrice d'amenée de courant prenant également appui sur le fond du boîtier, et un système de contacts ayant une pluralité de contacts principaux identiques, répartis en deux séries de même nombre de part et d'autre d'un contact d'arc mobile s'étendant longitudinalement selon l'axe médian du pôle, la longueur du contact d'arc mobile étant supérieure à la longueur des contacts principaux mobiles. La chambre d'extinction d'arc est disposée au-dessus de la première plage et comprend un empilage de séparateurs constitués par des tôles métalliques de désionnisation de l'arc, chaque tôle ayant une encoche en forme de V. Une paire de cornes d'arc inférieure et supérieure encadre l'empilage de tôles de la chambre d'extinction. La corne d'arc inférieure est solidarisée à la face supérieure de la première plage avec interposition d'un écran isolant, au moyen de trois vis qui assurent le passage du courant entre la corne d'arc et la plage. Les trois vis sont disposées aux sommets d'un triangle isocèle, l'une des vis étant disposée le long de l'axe médian du pôle au voisinage d'un rebord de l'écran isolant et d'une paroi d'échappement des gaz de coupure vers l'extérieur et les deux autres étant à proximités des contacts fixes principaux. La largeur de la corne d'arc inférieure diminue dans le sens de la migration de l'arc vers la vis centrale, et les deux autres vis se trouvent de part et d'autre du contact d'arc fixe, et au voisinage des contacts principaux fixes correspondants. Lors de l'ouverture des contacts, l'arc prend naissance dans la zone de séparation des contacts d'arc située le long de l'axe médian du pôle et se développe ensuite dans la zone centrale de la chambre. L'arc migre vers la vis centrale qui stabilise la racine de l'arc. En fin de course d'ouverture, la distance entre les contacts d'arc devient supérieure à la distance entre les contacts principaux, entraînant un reclaquage de l'arc au niveau des contacts principaux sur un des côtés de la chambre. L'arc se développe ensuite sur un deuxième trajet différent, le long de l'un des côtés de la chambre en se recentrant progressivement, et en rencontrant le long de son trajet des surfaces froides où se produit une absorption efficace de l'énergie favorable à l'extinction de l'arc.EP 0 306 382 discloses a multipole circuit breaker with molded insulating housing meeting this requirement, enclosing a control mechanism coupled to a switching bar, so as to ensure the opening and closing of all the poles of the circuit breaker. Each pole comprises a fixed contact member, a movable contact member and an arc extinction chamber. The fixed contact member comprises a conductive fixed range of current supply bearing on the bottom of the housing, main fixed contacts and a fixed contact arc. The movable contact member comprises a conductive fixed current-carrying pad also bearing on the bottom of the housing, and a contact system having a plurality of identical main contacts, divided into two series of the same number of parts and of another of a movable arcing contact extending longitudinally along the median axis of the pole, the length of the movable arcing contact being greater than the length of the movable main contacts. The arc extinguishing chamber is disposed above the first range and comprises a stack of separators constituted by metal plates for deionizing the arc, each sheet having a V-shaped notch. upper and lower arc frames the stack of sheets of the fire-extinguishing chamber. The lower arch horn is secured to the upper face of the first range with interposition of an insulating screen, by means of three screws which ensure the passage of the current between the arc horn and the beach. The three screws are arranged at the vertices of an isosceles triangle, one of the screws being disposed along the central axis of the pole in the vicinity of a rim of the insulating screen and a gas exhaust wall. cutoff to the outside and the other two being close to the main fixed contacts. The width of the lower arcuate decreases in the direction of migration of the arc towards the central screw, and the other two screws are on either side of the fixed arc contact, and in the vicinity of the contacts corresponding fixed principal. Upon opening of the contacts, the arc originates in the area of separation of the arcing contacts located along the center axis of the pole and then develops in the central zone of the chamber. The arc migrates to the central screw that stabilizes the root of the bow. At the end of the opening stroke, the distance between the arcing contacts becomes greater than the distance between the main contacts, causing a reclasking of the arc at the contacts main on one side of the room. The arc then develops on a second different path, along one of the sides of the chamber by gradually refocusing, and meeting along its path cold surfaces where efficient absorption of the favorable energy occurs. at the extinction of the arc.

Dans un tel dispositif, une partie importante de la chambre est utilisée pour l'extinction de l'arc. Toutefois, on constate que l'un des côtés de la chambre reste grandement inexploité, puisque après le reclaquage de l'arc, celui-ci ne se développe que sur l'un des côtés de la chambre. La profondeur de la chambre, c'est à dire sa dimension longitudinale entre l'entrée de la chambre et la paroi d'échappement des gaz, doit donc être suffisante pour pourvoir au volume d'échange énergétique nécessaire à l'extinction de l'arc. Or il s'avère souhaitable, pour un disjoncteur de performances données, de diminuer la profondeur de la chambre, tout en lui conservant sa largeur, qui est une dimension imposée dans la pratique par des normes d'usage des installateurs.In such a device, a large part of the chamber is used for the extinction of the arc. However, it is found that one of the sides of the chamber remains largely untapped, since after reclamation of the arc, it arises only on one side of the chamber. The depth of the chamber, ie its longitudinal dimension between the inlet of the chamber and the exhaust wall of the gases, must therefore be sufficient to provide the energy exchange volume necessary for extinguishing the bow. Or it is desirable for a given performance circuit breaker to reduce the depth of the chamber, while retaining its width, which is a dimension imposed in practice by standards of use of installers.

Par ailleurs, le document FR 2 604 026 décrit un disjoncteur dont la corne d'arc inférieure s'élargit de sa partie antérieure proche des contacts à sa partie postérieure proche du fond de la chambre d'extinction. La partie postérieure élargie constitue une partie collectrice dont la surface est plus faible que la section d'une racine d'arc pour un arc qui serait formé avec une densité de courant électrique constante correspondant au courant de rupture nominal. L'objectif est ici d'amener l'arc sur la partie collectrice et de l'y stabiliser. L'arc stabilisé se développe alors essentiellement dans la partie médiane de la chambre. Une telle configuration n'est efficace que si la dimension longitudinale de la chambre, c'est-à-dire sa profondeur entre zone de contact fixe et la paroi postérieure de la chambre servant à l'extraction des gaz est importante. La largeur de la chambre peut être réduite, car elle n'est pas exploitée pour l'extinction de l'arc.Moreover, the document FR 2 604 026 describes a circuit breaker whose lower arcuate horn widens from its anterior part close to the contacts to its posterior part close to the bottom of the extinguishing chamber. The enlarged posterior portion constitutes a collector portion whose area is smaller than the section of an arc root for an arc that would be formed with a constant electrical current density corresponding to the nominal breaking current. The goal here is to bring the arc to the collector and stabilize it. The stabilized arc then develops essentially in the middle part of the chamber. Such a configuration is effective only if the longitudinal dimension of the chamber, that is to say the depth between the fixed contact zone and the rear wall of the chamber used for the extraction of gases is important. The width of the chamber can be reduced because it is not used for the extinction of the arc.

L'invention vise donc à améliorer les performances d'un disjoncteur multipolaire basse tension à calibre élevé, notamment un disjoncteur devant être adapté pour couper de courant nominal supérieur à 1000 ampères efficace, à une tension élevée, de l'ordre de 600 Volts en valeur efficace par phase. Elle vise notamment à diminuer le volume de chambre nécessaire pour garantir la coupure d'un courant sous une tension élevée, en diminuant sa profondeur pour une largeur donnée. Elle vise plus précisément à utiliser pleinement le volume de la chambre lorsque la chambre est large et peu profonde et/ou de hauteur réduite.The invention therefore aims to improve the performance of a high-voltage low-voltage multipole circuit breaker, in particular a circuit breaker to be adapted to cut a rated current greater than 1000 amperes effective, at a high voltage, of the order of 600 volts. effective value per phase. It aims in particular to reduce the volume of room necessary to ensure the breaking of a current under high voltage, decreasing its depth for a given width. More specifically, it aims to make full use of the volume of the chamber when the chamber is wide and shallow and / or of reduced height.

Selon l'invention, cet objectif est réalisé grâce à un pôle pour un disjoncteur électrique comprenant un boîtier et un mécanisme de commande apte à passer d'une position fermée à une position ouverte, ledit pôle comprenant:

  • un organe de contact fixe en matériau conducteur, comportant une zone de contact,
  • un organe de contact mobile comportant un ou plusieurs doigts de contact en matériau conducteur, l'organe de contact mobile étant apte à être accouplé audit mécanisme, et à passer d'une position fermée dans laquelle le ou les doigts de contact sont en contact avec la zone de contact de l'organe de contact fixe, à une position ouverte où les deux organes de contact sont séparés,
  • une chambre d'extinction d'arc, comportant:
    • deux flasques latéraux parallèles en matériau isolant, situés à égale distance d'un plan géométrique longitudinal médian de la chambre, le plan médian longitudinal délimitant ainsi deux demi-espaces géométriques latéraux contenant chacun l'un des flasques latéraux,
    • une paroi postérieure comportant un ou plusieurs orifices d'échappement de gaz,
    • des séparateurs constitués par des plaques métalliques s'étendant d'un des flasques latéraux à l'autre, sensiblement perpendiculairement au plan médian longitudinal,
    • une ouverture antérieure située à proximité de la zone de contact de l'organe de contact fixe et faisant face à la paroi postérieure,
    • une corne d'arc inférieure en matériau conducteur, reliée électriquement à l'organe de contact fixe, comportant:
      • une partie postérieure située à proximité de la paroi postérieure et pourvu d'un rebord,
      • une partie intermédiaire reliant la zone de contact et la partie postérieure,
    • un fond en matériau isolant,
    • une corne d'arc supérieure en matériau conducteur, les séparateurs étant situés entre la corne d'arc inférieure et la corne d'arc supérieure,
caractérisé en ce que:
  • la partie postérieure a une largeur, mesurée parallèlement à un axe perpendiculaire au plan longitudinal médian, plus importante que la largeur de la partie intermédiaire mesurée parallèlement au même axe,
  • dans chacun des demi-espaces latéraux, la partie postérieure de la corne d'arc possède au moins un point situé par rapport au flasque latéral situé dans le demi-espace considéré, à une distance qui est inférieure au quart de la distance entre les deux flasques latéraux,
  • la distance entre la partie postérieure et chacun des flasques latéraux est inférieure à la moitié de la distance entre chacun des flasques latéraux et le plan médian,
  • le fond est muni d'un pourtour en matériau gazogène s'interposant entre le rebord de la partie postérieure et les flasques latéraux.
According to the invention, this objective is achieved by means of a pole for an electric circuit breaker comprising a housing and a control mechanism capable of passing from a closed position to an open position, said pole comprising:
  • a fixed contact member made of conductive material, comprising a contact zone,
  • a movable contact member comprising one or more contact fingers of conductive material, the movable contact member being able to be coupled to said mechanism, and to move from a closed position in which the contact finger or fingers are in contact with the contact zone of the fixed contact member, in an open position where the two contact members are separated,
  • an arc extinction chamber, comprising:
    • two parallel lateral flanges of insulating material, located equidistant from a median longitudinal geometric plane of the chamber, the longitudinal median plane thus delimiting two lateral geometric half-spaces each containing one of the lateral flanges,
    • a rear wall having one or more gas exhaust ports,
    • separators constituted by metal plates extending from one of the lateral flanges to the other, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal median plane,
    • an anterior opening located near the contact zone of the fixed contact member and facing the rear wall,
    • a lower arc of conductive material, electrically connected to the fixed contact member, comprising:
      • a posterior part located near the posterior wall and provided with a rim,
      • an intermediate part connecting the contact zone and the posterior part,
    • a bottom of insulating material,
    • an upper arc of conducting material, the separators being located between the lower arc horn and the upper arc horn,
characterized in that
  • the posterior portion has a width, measured parallel to an axis perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane, greater than the width of the intermediate portion measured parallel to the same axis,
  • in each of the lateral half-spaces, the posterior portion of the bow horn has at least one point with respect to the lateral flange located in the half-space considered, at a distance which is less than a quarter of the distance between the two lateral flanges,
  • the distance between the posterior portion and each of the lateral flanges is less than half the distance between each of the lateral flanges and the median plane,
  • the bottom is provided with a periphery of gasogenic material interposed between the rim of the rear part and the side flanges.

Avec un dispositif de ce type, on observe après un essai de coupure d'un courant inférieur à 10 fois le courant nominal sous une tension alternative dépassant 600 Volts en valeur efficace monophasée, que la corne d'arc inférieure est sollicitée à un même degré sur les deux parties les plus latérales de la zone d'extrémité postérieure. Ceci permet d'affirmer, bien que les bases théoriques d'explication soient encore floues, que les deux parties latérales de la chambre ont contribué dans des proportions très proches à l'absorption de l'énergie dégagée par l'arc, donc à l'extinction de celui-ci. En fait, il est difficile de dire si les traces observées sont dues à l'existence de deux arcs se développant simultanément dans la chambre ou bien si elles sont dues à une oscillation latérale rapide de l'arc d'un côté à l'autre de la zone d'extrémité postérieure de la corne d'arc. Toujours est-il que cette disposition permet d'utiliser pleinement la largeur disponible de la chambre, et donc d'obtenir la coupure d'arc de tension élevée, au-dessus de 600 volts efficace pour la phase considérée, avec une chambre de faible profondeur.With a device of this type, it is observed after a breaking test of a current less than 10 times the rated current under an AC voltage exceeding 600 volts in single-phase rms value, that the lower arcuate horn is solicited to the same degree. on the two most lateral parts of the posterior end zone. This makes it possible to affirm, although the theoretical bases of explanation are still vague, that the two lateral parts of the chamber contributed in proportions very close to the absorption of the energy released by the arc, so that extinction of it. In fact, it is difficult to say whether the traces observed are due to the existence of two arcs developing simultaneously in the chamber or if they are due to a rapid lateral oscillation of the arc from one side to the other of the posterior end zone of the bow horn. Still, this arrangement makes it possible to make full use of the available width of the chamber, and thus to obtain the high voltage arc cut, above 600 volts effective for the phase considered, with a low chamber. depth.

L'invention trouve une application particulièrement performante en terme de réduction de volume si dans chaque partie de la chambre délimitée par le plan médian longitudinal, ledit point est également situé par rapport à la paroi postérieure à une distance qui est inférieure au quart de la distance entre chacun des flasques latéraux. On est ainsi assuré que l'arc utilisera pleinement le volume de matière constitué par les séparateurs.The invention finds a particularly effective application in terms of volume reduction if in each part of the chamber delimited by the longitudinal median plane, said point is also located with respect to the posterior wall at a distance which is less than a quarter of the distance between each of the side flanges. It is thus ensured that the arc will make full use of the volume of material constituted by the separators.

L'invention s'applique de manière préférentielle à un pôle relativement large, en particulier un pôle dont la distance entre la zone de contact de l'organe de contact fixe et la paroi du fond de la chambre est inférieure à la distance entre les flasques latéraux de la chambre. Il s'applique également à un pôle dont la corne d'arc inférieure à une longueur, mesurée dans le plan médian longitudinal, qui est inférieure à la plus grande largeur de la partie postérieure de la corne d'arc, mesurée suivant un axe perpendiculaire au plan longitudinal médian.The invention is preferably applied to a relatively wide pole, in particular a pole whose distance between the contact zone of the fixed contact member and the bottom wall of the chamber is less than the distance between the flanges. side of the room. It also applies to a pole whose bow horn less than one length, measured in the longitudinal median plane, which is less than the widest width of the posterior part of the arc horn, measured along a perpendicular axis in the median longitudinal plane.

Préférentiellement, les plaques métalliques des séparateurs ont un rebord antérieur pourvu d'une échancrure dissymétrique dirigée vers l'un ou l'autre des flasques latéraux.Preferably, the metal plates of the separators have an anterior rim provided with an asymmetrical indentation directed towards one or other of the lateral flanges.

Préférentiellement, le pourtour est en saillie vers l'intérieur de la chambre par rapport à la partie postérieure de la corne d'arc ou affleure au niveau de la partie postérieure de la corne d'arc. Le pourtour en saillie permet un dégazage important, qui contribue fortement à la création de l'effet recherché de développement de deux arcs parallèles ou d'un arc oscillant latéralement dans les deux parties latérales de la chambre.Preferably, the periphery projects inwards from the chamber with respect to the posterior portion of the arcuate horn or is flush with the posterior portion of the arcuate horn. The protruding periphery allows a large degassing, which contributes greatly to the creation of the desired effect of developing two parallel arcs or a laterally oscillating arc in the two lateral parts of the chamber.

Suivant un mode de réalisation, on considère que :

  • chaque demi-espace latéral comporte une partie des séparateurs, cette partie des séparateurs ayant un barycentre géométrique,
  • dans chaque demi-espace latéral, la distance entre la première zone d'extrémité et le flasque latéral contenu dans le demi-espace est plus faible que la distance entre le barycentre situé dans le même demi-espace et ledit flasque latéral.
According to one embodiment, it is considered that:
  • each lateral half-space comprises part of the separators, this part of the separators having a geometric center of gravity,
  • in each lateral half-space, the distance between the first end zone and the lateral flange contained in the half-space is smaller than the distance between the barycentre located in the same half-space and said lateral flange.

D'autres avantages et caractéristiques de l'invention ressortiront de la description qui va suivre de différents modes de réalisation de l'invention, donnés à titre d'exemples non limitatifs et représentés aux dessins annexés dans lesquels:

  • la figure 1 représente une vue d'un pôle d'un appareillage selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention, en coupe suivant un plan longitudinal médian d'une chambre de coupure de ce pôle;
  • la figure 2 représente en perspective éclatée d'une partie du pôle de la figure 1, montrant notamment la chambre de coupure ;
  • la figure 3 représente une vue du dessus du pôle de la figure 1;
  • la figure 4 représente une vue d'un pôle d'un appareillage selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention, en coupe suivant un plan longitudinal médian d'une chambre de coupure de ce pôle;
  • la figure 5 représente en perspective éclatée d'une partie du pôle de la figure 4, montrant notamment la chambre de coupure ;
  • la figure 6 représente une vue du dessus du pôle de la figure 4.
Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will emerge from the following description of various embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting example and represented in the accompanying drawings, in which:
  • Figure 1 shows a view of a pole of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention, in section along a median longitudinal plane of a breaking chamber of this pole;
  • Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the pole of Figure 1, showing in particular the breaking chamber;
  • Figure 3 shows a top view of the pole of Figure 1;
  • Figure 4 shows a view of a pole of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention, in section along a median longitudinal plane of a breaking chamber of this pole;
  • Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the pole of Figure 4, showing in particular the breaking chamber;
  • FIG. 6 represents a view from above of the pole of FIG. 4.

En référence aux figures 1 à 3, un disjoncteur multipolaire basse tension de puissance 10 comporte un boîtier isolant moulé 12 renfermant un mécanisme de commande 14 de type connu, muni d'un barreau de commutation transversal 16 commun à l'ensemble des pôles, tourillonnant dans des paliers ménagés dans le boîtier 12. Chaque pôle comporte un organe de contact fixe 20, un organe de contact mobile 22 et une chambre d'extinction d'arc 24 située à proximité de l'organe de contact fixe 20.With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a low-power multipole circuit breaker 10 comprises a molded insulating casing 12 enclosing a known type of control mechanism 14, provided with a transverse switching bar 16 common to all the poles, journalling in bearings housed in the housing 12. Each pole comprises a fixed contact member 20, a movable contact member 22 and an arc extinction chamber 24 located near the fixed contact member 20.

L'organe de contact fixe 20 comporte une plage d'amenée de courant 26 montée dans le fond du boîtier 12, partiellement sous la chambre d'extinction d'arc 24. L'organe de contact fixe 20 comporte en outre deux barrettes de contact principales 28 (figure 2) fixées directement à la plage d'amenée de courant 26 et un contact d'arc médian 30. Le contact d'arc 30 est fixé à la plage d'amenée de courant 26 dans une zone intermédiaire entre les barrettes 28 et la chambre 24. Le contact d'arc 30 se prolonge vers l'intérieur de la chambre 24 par une corne d'arc inférieure conductrice 34 décrite en détail plus loin. La plage d'amenée de courant 26, les barrettes 28, le contact d'arc 30 et la corne d'arc 34 sont constitués de divers matériaux métalliques conducteurs, et sont à un même potentiel. Le contact d'arc 30 et les barrettes 28 constituent ensemble une zone de contact 36 destinée à assurer le contact électrique avec l'organe de contact mobile 22.The fixed contact member 20 comprises a current supply zone 26 mounted in the bottom of the housing 12, partially under the arc extinguishing chamber 24. The fixed contact member 20 further comprises two contact bars 28 (Figure 2) directly attached to the current supply range 26 and a center arc contact 30. The arc contact 30 is fixed to the current supply range 26 in an intermediate zone between the bars. 28 and the chamber 24. The arc contact 30 extends inwardly of the chamber 24 by a conductive lower arc horn 34 described in detail below. The current supply range 26, the bars 28, the arc contact 30 and the arc horn 34 are made of various conductive metal materials, and are at the same potential. The arcing contact 30 and the bars 28 together constitute a contact zone 36 intended to ensure electrical contact with the movable contact member 22.

L'organe de contact mobile 22 comporte quant à lui une plage fixe conductrice d'amenée de courant 40, une cage support 42 montée pivotante autour d'un axe 44 fixe par rapport au boîtier 12 et une pluralité de doigts de contacts principaux 46 (figure 3) placés de part et d'autre d'un doigt de contact d'arc 48 médian. Les doigts de contact 46, 48 pivotent autour d'un axe géométrique commun 50, fixe par rapport à la cage 42, et sont rappelés vers l'organe de contact fixe par des ressorts de pression de contact 52. Une bielle d'accouplement 54 sert à l'accouplement entre la cage 42 de l'organe de contact mobile 22 et une manivelle 56 du barreau de commutation 16 du mécanisme 14. Chaque doigt principal 46 comporte une pastille de contact 58, destinée à assurer le contact avec la barrette de contact correspondante 28 de l'organe de contact fixe 20 lorsque l'appareil est dans la position fermée représentée sur la figure 1, ainsi qu'un ergot 60 faisant saillie au-delà de la pastille de contact vers la chambre d'extinction 24. Le doigt de contact d'arc possède quant à lui un contact d'arc mobile 62 des destiné à assurer le contact avec le contact d'arc fixe 30 de l'organe de contact fixe 20 lorsque l'appareil est dans la position fermée représentée sur la figure 1, ainsi qu'un ergot 64 faisant saillie au-delà de la pastille de contact vers la chambre d'extinction 24 avec une forme identique à celle des ergots 60. Les doigts de contact 46, 48 sont reliés électriquement à la plage d'amenée de courant 40 par l'intermédiaire de tresses 49.The movable contact member 22 has meanwhile a conductive fixed range of current supply 40, a support cage 42 pivotally mounted about an axis 44 fixed relative to the housing 12 and a plurality of main contact fingers 46 (FIG. Figure 3) placed on either side of a middle arc contact finger 48. The contact fingers 46, 48 pivot about a common geometric axis 50, fixed relative to the cage 42, and are returned to the fixed contact member by contact pressure springs 52. A coupling rod 54 is used for coupling between the cage 42 of the movable contact member 22 and a crank 56 of the switching bar 16 of the mechanism 14. Each main finger 46 comprises a contact pad 58, intended to ensure contact with the bar of corresponding contact 28 of the fixed contact member 20 when the apparatus is in the closed position shown in Figure 1, and a lug 60 protruding beyond the contact pad to the quenching chamber 24. The arc contact finger has a movable arc contact 62 for contact with the stationary arc contact 30 of the stationary contact member 20 when the apparatus is in the closed position shown. in Figure 1, and a pin 64 f projecting finger past the contact pad towards the extinguishing chamber 24 with a shape identical to that of the pins 60. The contact fingers 46, 48 are electrically connected to the current supply range 40 via of braids 49.

La chambre d'extinction 24 comporte deux flasques latéraux 68 en matériau isolant, qui sont parallèles au plan de coupe de la figure 1 et situés à égale distance de part et d'autre de celui-ci, de sorte que le plan de coupe constitue un plan géométrique longitudinal médian 70 de la chambre 24 et du pôle. Une paroi postérieure 72 d'échappement des gaz est agencée à l'arrière de la chambre, perpendiculairement aux flasques latéraux 68. Cette paroi 72 comporte un ou plusieurs orifices 74 d'échappement des gaz de coupure. Une ouverture antérieure 76 est agencée à proximité de la zone de contact 36, à l'opposé de la paroi postérieure 72. Des séparateurs 78 constitués par des plaques métalliques planes s'étendent perpendiculairement au plan longitudinal médian 70 de l'ouverture antérieure 76 à la paroi postérieure 72. Les séparateurs 78 sont disposés à distance les uns des autres de manière à laisser la possibilité d'une circulation de gaz entre l'ouverture antérieure 76 et la paroi postérieure 72. Ils sont supportés latéralement par les flasques latéraux 68. Chaque plaque 78 possède une arrête antérieure 80 de captation de l'arc électrique, qui présente approximativement dans le plan de la plaque une forme incurvée concave en U ou en V avec une encoche 82 plus étroite et dissymétrique. Les séparateurs 78 sont empilés de manière que les encoches 82 se trouvent alternativement d'un côté latéral et de l'autre de la chambre 24.The extinguishing chamber 24 comprises two lateral flanges 68 made of insulating material, which are parallel to the sectional plane of FIG. 1 and situated equidistantly on either side thereof, so that the plane of section constitutes a median longitudinal geometric plane 70 of the chamber 24 and the pole. A rear exhaust gas wall 72 is arranged at the rear of the chamber, perpendicular to the lateral flanges 68. This wall 72 has one or more orifices 74 for exhausting the cutoff gases. An anterior opening 76 is arranged near the contact zone 36, opposite the posterior wall 72. Separators 78 consisting of flat metal plates extend perpendicularly to the median longitudinal plane 70 of the front opening 76 to the rear wall 72. The separators 78 are spaced apart from each other so as to leave the possibility of a flow of gas between the front opening 76 and the rear wall 72. They are supported laterally by the side flanges 68. Each plate 78 has an anterior stop 80 for capturing the electric arc, which is approximately in the plane of the plate a concave curved U-shaped or V-shaped with a notch 82 narrower and asymmetrical. The separators 78 are stacked so that the notches 82 are alternately on one lateral side and the other side of the chamber 24.

La corne d'arc inférieure 34, destinée à réceptionner la racine de l'arc lorsque l'arc s'étend depuis le contact d'arc fixe 30 vers l'intérieur de la chambre 24, comporte une partie postérieure 84 située à l'intérieur de la chambre, et une partie intermédiaire 85 reliant la partie postérieure au contact d'arc fixe 30. La largeur de la partie postérieure 84, c'est-à-dire sa plus grande dimension mesurée suivant un axe perpendiculaire au plan longitudinal médian 70 de la chambre, est importante alors que la partie intermédiaire 85 constitue un tronçon plus étroit. La partie postérieure 84 présente deux surfaces latérales constituant des aires de réception 86 pour la racine d'un arc électrique se développant dans la chambre 24.The lower arcuate horn 34, intended to receive the root of the arc when the arc extends from the fixed arc contact 30 towards the inside of the chamber 24, has a rear portion 84 located at the inside the chamber, and an intermediate portion 85 connecting the posterior portion to the fixed arc contact 30. The width of the posterior portion 84, that is to say its largest dimension measured along an axis perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane 70 of the chamber, is important while the intermediate portion 85 is a narrower section. The posterior portion 84 has two lateral surfaces constituting reception areas 86 for the root of an electric arc developing in the chamber 24.

La distance entre l'aire de réception 86 et le flasque latéral situé dans un même demi-espace délimité par le plan médian longitudinal 70 est inférieure à la moitié de la distance entre le flasque 68 et le plan médian 70, et donc inférieure au quart de la largeur de la chambre mesurée entre les flasques 68. Les aires de réception 86 sont également relativement proches de la paroi postérieure 72 de la chambre. En d'autres termes, la corne d'arc inférieure 34 comporte dans sa partie postérieure 84 et de chaque côté latéral de la chambre au moins un point situé, par rapport au flasque latéral situé du même côté de la chambre, à une distance inférieure au quart de la largeur de la chambre 24 et situé, par rapport à la paroi postérieure 72, à une distance inférieure au tiers ou au quart de la largeur de la chambre 24.The distance between the reception area 86 and the lateral flange situated in the same half-space delimited by the longitudinal median plane 70 is less than half the distance between the flange 68 and the median plane 70, and therefore less than one quarter the width of the chamber measured between the flanges 68. The receiving areas 86 are also relatively close to the rear wall 72 of the chamber. In other words, the lower arcuate horn 34 has in its rear part 84 and on each lateral side of the chamber at least one point situated, with respect to the lateral flange situated on the same side of the chamber, at a smaller distance at a quarter of the width of the chamber 24 and situated, with respect to the posterior wall 72, at a distance less than one third or one quarter of the width of the chamber 24.

La corne d'arc inférieure 34 est fixée sur un fond constitué par une plaque en matériau isolant 90, en l'occurrence du polyamide 6-6 chargé à 30% de fibre de verre. La partie de la plaque 90 non recouverte par la corne d'arc s'étend jusqu'aux flasques 68 et la paroi postérieure 72. Elle présente un pourtour 92 formant un épaulement saillant dans la chambre et affleurant à la périphérie de la partie postérieure 84 de la corne d'arc. Alternativement, le pourtour 92 peut faire saillie vers l'intérieur de la chambre jusqu'à une hauteur supérieure à celle de la partie postérieure de la corne d'arc. Le pourtour 92 a une forme arrondie en de C qui épouse la forme du rebord de la partie postérieure 84, et notamment des aires de réception 86, de manière à constituer une séparation entre la partie postérieure 84 et la paroi postérieure 72 de la chambre d'une part, et entre la partie postérieure 84 et les flasques latéraux 68 d'autre part. La partie postérieure 84 de la corne d'arc n'est reliée électriquement à la plage 26 que par l'intermédiaire du contact d'arc 30, et la plaque 90 constitue un isolant solide continu entre la partie postérieure 84 et la plage 26.The lower arcuate horn 34 is fixed on a bottom consisting of a plate of insulating material 90, in this case polyamide 6-6 loaded with 30% glass fiber. The portion of the plate 90 not covered by the bow horn extends to the flanges 68 and the rear wall 72. It has a periphery 92 forming a projecting shoulder in the chamber and flush with the periphery of the rear portion 84 of the bow horn. Alternatively, the periphery 92 can protrude into the chamber up to a height greater than that of the posterior part of the bow horn. The periphery 92 has a rounded C-shaped shape which follows the shape of the rim of the posterior portion 84, and in particular the reception areas 86, so as to constitute a separation between the posterior portion 84 and the posterior wall 72 of the on the one hand, and between the rear part 84 and the lateral flanges 68 on the other hand. The posterior portion 84 of the arcing horn is electrically connected to the pad 26 only through the arcing contact 30, and the plate 90 constitutes a continuous solid insulator between the rear portion 84 and the pad 26.

Une corne d'arc supérieure 96, destinée à réceptionner la tête de l'arc en fin d'ouverture de l'organe de contact mobile 22, est constituée par une plaque métallique perpendiculaire au plan longitudinal médian 70, supportée par les flasques latéraux. La corne d'arc supérieure 96 est sensiblement parallèle aux séparateurs 78 dans sa partie postérieure et comporte dans sa partie antérieure un rabat 98 qui renferme au moins partiellement les séparateurs 78 situés dans la partie haute de la chambre.An upper arc horn 96, intended to receive the head of the arc at the end of opening of the movable contact member 22, is constituted by a metal plate perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane 70, supported by the side flanges. The upper arch horn 96 is substantially parallel to the separators 78 in its rear part and has in its front part a flap 98 which at least partially encloses the separators 78 located in the upper part of the chamber.

Le fonctionnement du dispositif selon le premier mode de réalisation est le suivant :The operation of the device according to the first embodiment is as follows:

En position de fermeture, le barreau de commutation 16 verrouillé par le mécanisme 14, et maintient la cage 42 dans la position illustrée sur la figure 1. Les ressorts 52 assurent une pression de contact entre les pastilles 58 des doigts de contact principaux 46 et les barrettes de contact 28, ainsi qu'entre le contact 62 du doigt de contact d'arc 48 et le contact d'arc fixe 30.In the closed position, the switching bar 16 locked by the mechanism 14, and holds the cage 42 in the position shown in Figure 1. The springs 52 provide a contact pressure between the pellets 58 of the main contact fingers 46 and the contact strips 28, and between the contact 62 of the arc contact finger 48 and the fixed arc contact 30.

Sur détection d'un faible courant de défaut, un déclencheur électronique agit sur le mécanisme 14 qui provoque l'ouverture. La rotation de l'arbre de commutation 16 fait pivoter la cage 42 autour de son axe de rotation 44. Les doigts de contact principaux 46 pivotent très légèrement autour de l'axe de rotation 50, dans le sens inverse des aiguilles d'une montre sur la figure 1, sous l'effet des ressorts de pression de contact 52, tout en restant en contact avec les barrettes 28. Puis ils rencontrent une butée de la cage 42, et sont entraînés solidairement avec la cage 42 en rotation dans le sens horaire autour de l'axe de rotation 44, de sorte qu'ils se séparent des barrettes 28. Sur le principe, le mouvement du doigt de contact d'arc 48 est similaire, mais décalé dans le temps, du fait du décalage spatial entre les barrettes 28 et le contact d'arc fixe 30. Ainsi, lorsque a lieu la séparation des doigts de contact principaux 46, le doigt de contact d'arc 48 est encore en contact avec le contact d'arc fixe 30. La totalité du courant circulant entre les plages 26, 40 passe alors par les contacts d'arc 30, 62. Dans une seconde phase, le doigt de contact d'arc 48 rencontre à son tour une butée de la cage 42 qui l'entraîne solidairement avec la cage 42 dans le mouvement de rotation de cette dernière autour de l'axe de rotation 44 de la cage, dans le sens horaire, de sorte que se produit la séparation du doigt de contact d'arc 48 et du contact d'arc fixe 30. Un arc naît entre les contacts d'arc 30. Du fait de la boucle de courant constituée dans la plage 26 et la plaque 32, la racine de l'arc migre rapidement vers le fond de la chambre 24, alors que la tête de l'arc reste sur l'ergot 64 du doigt de contact 48. Lorsque le mécanisme arrive en position ouverte, les doigts de contact 46, 48 se trouvent à proximité du rabat 98 de la corne d'arc supérieure. La tête d'arc commute alors sur la corne d'arc supérieure 96, et un arc secondaire se forme en série avec le premier, entre le rabat 98 et l'ergot 64 du doigt de contact d'arc 48. L'arc, en pénétrant dans la chambre 24, se divise plus ou moins au contact des séparateurs 78 en arc élémentaires, chaque arc élémentaire constituant une liaison électrique en série entre deux séparateurs 78 adjacents ou entre chaque corne d'arc 34, 96 et le séparateur 78 lui faisant face.Upon detection of a low fault current, an electronic trigger acts on the mechanism 14 which causes the opening. The rotation of the switching shaft 16 rotates the cage 42 about its axis of rotation 44. The main contact fingers 46 pivot very slightly about the axis of rotation 50, in the opposite direction of clockwise in FIG. 1, under the effect of the contact pressure springs 52, while remaining in contact with the bars 28. Then they meet a stop of the cage 42, and are integrally driven with the cage 42 in rotation in the direction around the axis of rotation 44, so that they separate the bars 28. In principle, the movement of the arc contact finger 48 is similar, but offset in time, due to the spatial shift between the bars 28 and the fixed arcing contact 30. Thus, when the separation of the main contact fingers 46, the arc contact finger 48 is still in contact with the fixed arcing contact 30. current flowing between the tracks 26, 40 then passes through the contacts 30, 62. In a second phase, the arc contact finger 48 in turn encounters a stop of the cage 42 which drives it jointly with the cage 42 in the rotational movement of the latter around the axis of rotation 44 of the cage, in the clockwise direction, so that the separation of the arc contact finger 48 and the fixed arc contact 30 occurs An arc arises between the arcing contacts 30. Due to the current loop formed in the range 26 and the plate 32, the root of the arc migrates rapidly towards the bottom of the chamber 24, whereas the head of the arc the arc remains on the lug 64 of the contact finger 48. When the mechanism arrives in the open position, the contact fingers 46, 48 are close to the flap 98 of the upper arcuate horn. The bow head then switches to the upper bow horn 96, and a secondary bow is formed in series with the first, between the flap 98 and the lug 64 of the bow contact finger 48. The bow, penetrating the chamber 24, divides more or less in contact with the elementary arc separators 78, each elementary arc constituting an electrical connection in series between two adjacent separators 78 or between each arc horn 34, 96 and the separator 78. facing.

En arrivant dans la partie postérieure de la chambre 24, la racine d'arc a tendance à se déplacer vers l'une ou l'autre des aires latérales de réception 86 de la corne d'arc inférieure. Lorsqu'elle s'établit sur l'une des aires latérales de réception 86, la racine de l'arc provoque l'ablation du rebord du pourtour 92 en matériau gazogène avec une importante émission de gaz, notamment d'hydrogène. Cette émission de gaz à proximité immédiate de la racine de l'arc provoque une constriction de la racine d'arc et empêche celle-ci de se stabiliser définitivement sur l'aire latérale de réception 86 en question.Upon arriving in the posterior portion of the chamber 24, the arc root tends to move toward one or other of the lateral receiving surfaces 86 of the lower arcuate horn. When it is established on one of the lateral receiving surfaces 86, the root of the arc causes the rim of the perimeter 92 to be removed from a gasogenic material with a large emission of gas, in particular hydrogen. This emission of gas in the immediate vicinity of the root of the arc causes a constriction of the root arc and prevents it from stabilizing definitively on the receiving side surface 86 in question.

La phase suivante de développement et d'extinction de l'arc n'est pas parfaitement connue, du fait que les moyens d'observation sont limités et que la théorie ne permet pas une complète explication des résultats observés. On observe en effet après extinction de l'arc que les deux aires de réception latérales 86 de la partie postérieure 84 de la corne d'arc portent des traces semblables, avec une usure significativement supérieure à l'usure des autres parties de la corne d'arc 34. Ceci permet d'affirmer que les deux aires de réception latérale ont été exposées de manière privilégiée à un arc électrique, dans des proportions très proches l'une de l'autre. Deux hypothèses peuvent être émises : selon une première hypothèse, la racine de l'arc située sur l'une des aires de réception 86 serait expulsée du fait de l'émission gazeuse par le pourtour 92, et migrerait latéralement jusqu'à l'autre aire de réception 86 où le même phénomène se reproduirait, de sorte que l'on assisterait à un mouvement oscillant de la racine de l'arc entre les deux aires de réception latérale 86. Selon une autre hypothèse, l'émission gazeuse provoquerait une striction de la racine de l'arc, telle qu'un reclaquage aurait lieu au niveau de l'autre aire de réception 86, les deux arcs subsistant par la suite simultanément dans la chambre. La présence de deux arcs simultanés en parallèle dans une chambre étant en général un phénomène transitoire très instable qui se résout par l'extinction de l'un des deux arcs, on suggère qu'en l'espèce, s'établirait de manière exceptionnelle une oscillation en opposition de phase des densités de courant des deux arcs, sous l'effet notamment de l'émission de gaz au voisinage de chaque arc qui tendrait à contraindre de manière plus importante l'arc de plus grande densité de courant.The next phase of development and extinction of the arc is not perfectly known, because the means of observation are limited and the theory does not allow a complete explanation of the observed results. It is observed after the extinction of the arc that the two lateral reception areas 86 of the posterior portion 84 of the arc horn bear similar traces, with a wear significantly greater than the wear of the other parts of the horn. This makes it possible to affirm that the two lateral reception areas have been exposed in a privileged manner to an electric arc, in proportions very close to one another. Two hypotheses can be emitted: according to a first hypothesis, the root of the arc located on one of the reception areas 86 would be expelled due to the gaseous emission by the periphery 92, and would migrate laterally to the other reception area 86 where the same phenomenon would recur, so that there would be an oscillating movement of the root of the arc between the two lateral reception areas 86. According to another hypothesis, the gaseous emission would cause a narrowing of the root of the arc, such that a reclamation would take place at the other reception area 86, the two arcs subsequently remaining simultaneously in the chamber. The presence of two simultaneous arcs in parallel in a chamber is generally a very transient phenomenon. unstable which is resolved by the extinction of one of the two arcs, it is suggested that in this case, an oscillation in opposition of phase current densities of the two arcs would be established in exceptional manner, under the particular effect the emission of gas in the vicinity of each arc which tends to constrain more importantly the arc of greater current density.

En fait, en l'absence d'essais de visualisation avec une caméra ultrarapide, il ne nous est pas possible de déterminer avec exactitude laquelle des deux hypothèses est correcte. Le fait déterminant est que l'on obtient grâce à la combinaison des deux aires de réception latérales 86 et d'un pourtour gazogène 92, une utilisation de la totalité de la chambre et une répartition énergétique équilibrée entre les deux aires de réception latérales 86.In fact, in the absence of visualization tests with an ultrafast camera, it is not possible for us to determine exactly which of the two hypotheses is correct. The decisive fact is that the combination of the two lateral receiving areas 86 and a gas-producing perimeter 92 results in a use of the entire chamber and a balanced energy distribution between the two lateral receiving areas 86.

Il est à souligner que ce phénomène n'est significatif que pour la coupure de courants d'intensité faible sous une tension élevée. Lors de la coupure des courants d'intensité élevée sous une tension faible, l'arc envahit de manière classique la totalité de la chambre.It should be emphasized that this phenomenon is significant only for the breaking of currents of low intensity under a high voltage. When cutting high currents under low voltage, the arc conventionally invades the entire chamber.

En référence aux figures 4 à 6 est présenté un pôle de disjoncteur selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention. Pour faciliter la description, on a repris les signes de référence utilisé dans la description du premier mode de réalisation pour les parties similaires.With reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, a circuit breaker pole according to a second embodiment of the invention is presented. To facilitate the description, the reference signs used in the description of the first embodiment for similar parts have been used.

Le disjoncteur 10 est contenu dans un boîtier 12 et comporte comme précédemment un mécanisme 14 incluant un barreau de commutation transversal 16 constitué par un arbre pivotant commun à l'ensemble des pôles du disjoncteur. Chaque pôle comporte un organe de contact fixe 20, un organe de contact mobile 22 et une chambre d'extinction d'arc 24.The circuit breaker 10 is contained in a housing 12 and comprises as previously a mechanism 14 including a transverse switching bar 16 constituted by a pivoting shaft common to all the poles of the circuit breaker. Each pole comprises a fixed contact member 20, a movable contact member 22 and an arc extinction chamber 24.

Ce disjoncteur diffère essentiellement du précédent par l'absence de contacts d'arc. La plage fixe d'amenée de courant 26 comporte une barrette de contact unique 36a qui coopère avec des doigts de contact 46a tous semblables de l'organe de contact mobile 40. L'extrémité des doigts de contact 46a se situant à proximité de l'axe de rotation 50 comporte une came 47 coopérant avec un accumulateur d'énergie élastique 52a prenant appui sur la cage support 42, de manière à former un mécanisme bistable apte à rappeler les doigts 46a soit vers la plage fixe 26, soit à l'opposé de celle-ci. Le fonctionnement du dispositif bistable est décrit en détail dans la demande de brevet français portant le numéro d'enregistrement FR 9905276. Les doigts de contact 46a sont reliés électriquement à la plage d'amenée de courant 40 par l'intermédiaire d'une tresse.This circuit breaker differs essentially from the previous one by the absence of arcing contacts. The fixed current supply pad 26 has a single contact strip 36a which cooperates with contact fingers 46a, all similar to the movable contact member 40. The end of the contact fingers 46a are situated close to the axis of rotation 50 comprises a cam 47 cooperating with an elastic energy accumulator 52a bearing on the support cage 42, so as to form a bistable mechanism adapted to return the fingers 46a to either the fixed range 26 or the opposite of it. The operation of the bistable device is described in detail in the French patent application bearing the registration number FR 9905276. The contact fingers 46a are electrically connected to the current supply range 40 by means of a braid.

Une corne d'arc inférieure 34 constituée par une plaque métallique conductrice est fixée par une partie antérieure à la plage 26 de l'organe de contact fixe 20. La partie antérieure 34a de la corne d'arc inférieure située à proximité de la barrette de contact 36a comporte une aire de contact avec la plage d'amenée de courant 26 et est fixée à celle-ci. La partie antérieure comporte également un rebord transversal 34b faisant légèrement saillie au-dessus de la surface de la barrette de contact 36, en direction des doigts de contact 46a. La corne d'arc inférieure 34 comporte par ailleurs une partie postérieure 84 s'étendant à l'intérieur de la chambre, dont la largeur, c'est-à-dire la plus grande dimension mesurée suivant un axe perpendiculaire au plan longitudinal médian de la chambre, est importante. La partie antérieure 34a et la partie postérieure 84 sont reliées par une partie intermédiaire 85 de largeur inférieure à celle de la partie postérieure. Comme dans le premier mode de réalisation, la partie postérieure 84 constitue deux aires de réception latérales 86 pour un arc.A lower arc-horn 34 constituted by a conductive metal plate is fixed by an anterior part to the area 26 of the stationary contact member 20. The front part 34a of the lower arc-horn located near the bar contact 36a has an area of contact with the current supply range 26 and is attached thereto. The front portion also has a transverse flange 34b protruding slightly above the surface of the contact strip 36, towards the contact fingers 46a. The lower arcuate horn 34 furthermore has a posterior portion 84 extending inside the chamber, the width of which, that is to say the largest dimension measured along an axis perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the room is important. The anterior portion 34a and the posterior portion 84 are connected by an intermediate portion 85 of width less than that of the rear portion. As in the first embodiment, the posterior portion 84 constitutes two lateral reception areas 86 for an arc.

Le fond de la chambre est constitué par une plaque 90 en matériau isolant. La plaque comporte une empreinte correspondant à la forme de la corne d'arc inférieure et dans laquelle vient se loger la corne d'arc 34. La partie de la plaque non recouverte par la corne d'arc constitue un pourtour 92 saillant par rapport au fond de l'empreinte, qui affleure au niveau du rebord supérieure de la partie postérieure 84 de la corne d'arc 34. Ce pourtour s'interpose d'une part entre le rebord de la corne d'arc et la paroi postérieure de la chambre, et d'autre part entre le rebord de la corne d'arc 34 et les flasques latéraux de la chambre. L'ensemble de la plaque, et en particulier le pourtour 92, est constituée en un matériau gazogène, en l'occurrence du polyamide 6-6 chargé à 30% de fibre de verre.The bottom of the chamber is constituted by a plate 90 of insulating material. The plate has an imprint corresponding to the shape of the lower arcuate horn and in which is housed the arc horn 34. The portion of the plate not covered by the arc horn is a perimeter 92 protruding from the bottom of the footprint, which is flush with the upper rim of the posterior portion 84 of the bow horn 34. This periphery is interposed on the one hand between the rim of the bow horn and the posterior wall of the chamber, and secondly between the rim of the arc horn 34 and the side flanges of the chamber. The entire plate, and in particular the periphery 92, is made of a gaseous material, in this case polyamide 6-6 loaded with 30% glass fiber.

Le fonctionnement du dispositif selon le deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention est le suivant:The operation of the device according to the second embodiment of the invention is as follows:

La séparation des contacts peut avoir lieu soit du fait d'une répulsion électromagnétique des doigts 46a qui pivotent par rapport à la cage 42 dans le sens horaire au-delà de la position de point mort du mécanisme bistable 53, jusqu'à trouver une position de fin de course, soit suite à un ordre d'ouverture qui provoque l'ouverture du mécanisme 14, le pivotement de son barreau de commutation 16 et, par l'intermédiaire de la bielle d'accouplement 54, le pivotement de la cage 42 autour de son axe 44 dans le sens horaire sur la figure 1, qui entraîne les doigts 46a.The separation of the contacts can take place either because of an electromagnetic repulsion of the fingers 46a which pivot with respect to the cage 42 in the clockwise direction beyond the neutral position of the bistable mechanism 53, until a position is found. end of stroke, either following an opening order which causes the opening of the mechanism 14, the pivoting of its switching bar 16 and, via the coupling rod 54, the pivoting of the cage 42 around its axis 44 clockwise in Figure 1, which drives the fingers 46a.

Les doigts de contact 46a se séparent simultanément, avec naissance d'un arc entre l'un des doigts 46a et la barrette de contact 36a. Par l'effet électrodynamique de boucle de courant dans l'organe de contact fixe 20, la racine de l'arc migre immédiatement sur le rebord 34b de la partie antérieure de la corne d'arc inférieure puis vers l'intérieur de la chambre 24. En passant par la partie intermédiaire plus étroite de la corne d'arc, la racine se recentre par rapport au plan médian 70.The contact fingers 46a separate simultaneously, with the birth of an arc between one of the fingers 46a and the contact strip 36a. By the electrodynamic effect of current loop in the fixed contact member 20, the root of the arc immediately migrates to the rim 34b of the anterior portion of the lower arcuate horn and inwardly of the chamber 24. While passing through the narrower intermediate portion of the arc horn, the root is refocused with respect to the median plane 70.

La suite de la coupure est similaire à celle du premier mode de réalisation.The continuation of the cut is similar to that of the first embodiment.

Chacun des modes de réalisation permet donc d'observer après coupure d'un courant de tension élevée et d'intensité modérée, l'existence de deux traces de racines d'arc au niveau des aires de réception latérales de la partie postérieure de la corne d'arc inférieure, attestant de la présence d'un arc dans chaque partie latérale de la chambre. Etant donné le manque de base théorique pour expliquer le résultat reproductible obtenu, la caractérisation de la forme de la partie postérieure de la corne d'arc inférieure ne peut être qu'empirique.Each of the embodiments thus makes it possible to observe, after cutting off a current of high voltage and of moderate intensity, the existence of two traces of arc roots at the level of the lateral reception areas of the posterior part of the horn. lower arc, attesting to the presence of an arc in each side of the chamber. Given the lack of theoretical basis to explain the reproducible result obtained, the characterization of the shape of the posterior part of the lower arcuate horn can only be empirical.

Pour situer plus précisément la position relative de la partie postérieure de la corne d'arc inférieure et des séparateurs, il convient de considérer séparément les deux moitiés latérales de la chambre situées chacune dans l'un des deux demi-espaces délimités par le plan médian longitudinal. Il est alors possible de définir pour chaque partie de séparateur se trouvant dans le demi-espace considéré, un centre de gravité. Chacun des centres de gravité considérés est plus proche du flasque latéral situé dans le demi-plan considéré que du plan médian longitudinal, du fait de l'échancrure constituée par l'arrête en U des séparateurs. En reliant entre eux les centres de gravités obtenus dans une moitié de chambre, on obtient une ligne brisée dont tous les points sont plus proches du flasque latéral correspondant que du plan longitudinal médian. En déterminant le centre de gravité des centres de gravité précédents, en d'autres termes le barycentres des points constituant les centres de gravités pondéré chacun par la masse correspondante du séparateur, on obtient également un barycentre ou centre de gravité global du sous-ensemble matériel constitué par la partie de séparateurs contenus dans le demi-espace considéré, plus proche du flasque latéral que du plan longitudinal médian.To more precisely locate the relative position of the posterior part of the lower arch horn and the separators, it is appropriate to consider separately the two lateral halves of the chamber, each situated in one of the two half-spaces delimited by the median plane. longitudinal. It is then possible to define for each part of separator located in the half-space considered, a center of gravity. Each of the centers of gravity considered is closer to the lateral flange located in the half plane considered that the longitudinal median plane, because of the notch formed by the U-shaped separators. By connecting together the centers of gravity obtained in a half of the chamber, a broken line is obtained, all points of which are closer to the corresponding lateral flange than to the median longitudinal plane. By determining the center of gravity of the preceding centers of gravity, in other words the centroids of the points constituting the centers of gravity weighted each by the corresponding mass of the separator, one also obtains a barycenter or overall center of gravity of the material subset. constituted by the portion of separators contained in the half-space considered, closer to the lateral flange than to the median longitudinal plane.

Pour exploiter pleinement une moitié de la chambre, on cherche empiriquement à ce que la racine de l'arc puisse se stabiliser à proximité de la ligne brisée précédemment définie. En effet, si l'arc rencontre chaque séparateur à proximité de son centre de gravité, il provoque un échauffement relativement uniforme du séparateur, donc une absorption thermique importante.To fully exploit one half of the chamber, it is empirically sought that the root of the arc can stabilize near the previously defined broken line. Indeed, if the arc meets each separator near its center of gravity, it causes a relatively uniform heating of the separator, so a significant thermal absorption.

La partie postérieure de la corne d'arc comporte par conséquent une aire de réception de la racine d'arc constituée par un renflement situé approximativement dans le prolongement de la ligne brisée imaginaire précédemment définie. On peut parvenir à ce résultat en faisant en sorte qu'une droite tirée à partir du centre de gravité global précédemment défini et perpendiculaire au plan de la surface supérieure de l'extrémité de la corne d'arc rencontre la corne d'arc au niveau de l'aire de réception.The posterior portion of the arcuate horn therefore comprises a reception area of the arch root constituted by a bulge located approximately in the extension. of the imaginary broken line previously defined. This result can be achieved by having a line drawn from the previously defined global center of gravity perpendicular to the plane of the upper surface of the end of the arc horn meet the bow horn at the level of from the reception area.

Dans le même esprit, on peut imposer que la distance entre l'aire de réception et le flasque latéral situé dans le demi-espace considéré soit inférieure à la distance entre le centre de gravité global et le flasque latéral. On peut également ajouter la condition selon laquelle la distance entre l'aire de réception et la paroi postérieure de la chambre soit supérieure à la distance entre le centre de gravité global et la paroi postérieure.In the same spirit, it can be imposed that the distance between the reception area and the lateral flange located in the half-space considered is less than the distance between the overall center of gravity and the side flange. One can also add the condition that the distance between the receiving area and the rear wall of the chamber is greater than the distance between the overall center of gravity and the posterior wall.

Empiriquement, on obtient un bon positionnement des aires de réception en imposant que la distance entre l'aire de réception et le flasque latéral situé dans le demi-espace considéré soit inférieure à la moitié de la distance entre le flasque et le plan médian, et donc inférieure au quart de la largeur de la chambre mesurée entre les flasques. En d'autres termes, la corne d'arc inférieure comporte, pour chaque moitié latérale de la chambre, au moins un point situé, par rapport au flasque situé dans la moitié de chambre considérée, à une distance inférieure au quart de la largeur de la chambre. On peut ajouter que ce point est également situé, par rapport à la paroi postérieure de la chambre, à une distance inférieure au tiers ou au quart de la largeur de la chambre, pour caractériser le fait qu'il s'agit bien de la partie postérieure de la corne d'arc. Toutefois, la distance entre la corne d'arc inférieure et la paroi postérieure de la chambre est en soi moins critique.Empirically, a good positioning of the reception areas is obtained by imposing that the distance between the reception area and the lateral flange located in the half-space considered is less than half the distance between the flange and the median plane, and therefore less than a quarter of the width of the chamber measured between the flanges. In other words, the lower arcuate horn has, for each lateral half of the chamber, at least one point located, relative to the flange located in the chamber half considered, at a distance less than a quarter of the width of the chamber. bedroom. It may be added that this point is also situated, with respect to the posterior wall of the chamber, at a distance of less than a third or a quarter of the width of the chamber, to characterize the fact that it is indeed the part posterior of the bow horn. However, the distance between the lower arcuate horn and the posterior wall of the chamber is in itself less critical.

Par ailleurs, il faut souligner le rôle de la partie intermédiaire étroite 85 de la corne d'arc inférieure, qui permet un centrage de la racine de l'arc lors de sa migration vers le fond de la chambre et qui, une fois que la racine de l'arc a atteint la partie postérieure 84, tend à empêcher la racine de l'arc de revenir vers la zone de contact.Furthermore, it is necessary to emphasize the role of the narrow intermediate portion 85 of the lower bow horn, which allows a centering of the root of the bow during its migration towards the bottom of the chamber and which, once the root of the arc has reached the posterior 84, tends to prevent the root of the arc from returning to the contact zone.

Naturellement, diverses modifications sont possibles.Naturally, various modifications are possible.

Dans les modes de réalisation présentés, l'arc naît toujours au niveau des zone de contact, puis migre sur les cornes d'arc. Toutefois, l'invention s'applique tout aussi bien à un disjoncteur agencé de telle manière que l'arc naisse directement entre la corne d'arc inférieure et l'extrémité des doigts de contact.In the embodiments presented, the arc is always born at the level of the contact zone, then migrates on the arc horns. However, the invention is equally applicable to a circuit breaker arranged such that the arc is born directly between the lower arcuate horn and the end of the contact fingers.

Dans les modes de réalisation présentés, le fond de la chambre et le pourtour gazogène constituent une même pièce en matériau gazogène. Il est toutefois également envisageable de rapporter sur un fond isolant non gazogène un pourtour en matériau gazogène. Le pourtour peut affleurer au niveau du rebord de la partie postérieure de la corne d'arc inférieure, ou bien faire saillie légèrement au-dessus du rebord de la partie postérieure de la corne d'arc.In the embodiments presented, the bottom of the chamber and the gas-producing perimeter constitute a single piece of gas-generating material. However, it is also possible to report on a non-gasifying insulating base a perimeter of gasogenic material. The The rim may be flush with the rim of the posterior portion of the inferior arch horn, or protrude slightly above the rim of the posterior portion of the bow horn.

Elle s'applique également à des disjoncteurs non limiteurs, dans lesquels il n'y a pas d'articulation entre une cage support et des doigts de contact, mais un ensemble de contact formant un solide indéformable accouplé au mécanisme.It also applies to non-limiting circuit breakers, in which there is no articulation between a support cage and contact fingers, but a contact assembly forming an indeformable solid coupled to the mechanism.

L'invention s'applique aussi bien à des disjoncteurs unipolaires qu'à des disjoncteurs multipolaires. La forme du mécanisme est quelconque, avec ou sans barreau de commutation. Le barreau, s'il existe, peut pivoter autour de son axe longitudinal ou autour d'un axe géométrique distant.The invention applies both to unipolar circuit breakers and to multipole circuit breakers. The form of the mechanism is arbitrary, with or without a switching bar. The bar, if it exists, can pivot around its longitudinal axis or around a distant geometric axis.

Claims (7)

  1. Pole for an electrical circuit breaker (10) comprising a case (12) and an operating mechanism (14) able to switch from a closed position to an open position, said pole comprising:
    - a stationary contact means (20) made of conducting material comprising a contact zone (36),
    - a movable contact means (22) comprising one or more contact fingers (46, 48) made of conducting material, the movable contact means being able to be coupled to said mechanism and to switch from a closed position in which the contact finger or fingers are in contact with the contact zone of the stationary contact means to an open position where the two contact means are separated,
    - an arc extinguishing chamber (24) comprising:
    - two parallel side flanges (68) made of insulating material situated at equal distance from a geometric longitudinal mid-plane (70) of the chamber, the longitudinal mid-plane thus bounding two geometric lateral half-spaces each containing one of the side flanges,
    - a rear wall (72) comprising one or more gas outlet orifices (74),
    - separators (78) extending from one of the side flanges to the other, appreciably perpendicularly to the longitudinal mid-plane,
    - a front opening (76) situated near to the contact zone of the stationary contact means and facing the rear wall,
    - a lower arcing horn (34) made of conducting material, electrically connected to the stationary contact means, comprising:
    - a rear part (84) situated near to the rear wall and comprising an edge,
    - an intermediate part (85) joining the contact zone and the rear part,
    - an upper arcing horn (96) made of conducting material, the separators being situated between the lower arcing horn and the upper arcing horn,
    characterized in that:
    - the rear part (84) has a width, measured parallel to an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal mid-plane, which is greater than the width of the intermediate part (85) measured parallel to the same axis,
    - in each of the lateral half-spaces, the rear part (84) of the arcing horn has at least one point situated with respect to the side flange situated in the half-space involved at a distance which is smaller than a quarter of the distance between the two side flanges,
    - the distance between the rear part (84) and each of the side flanges (68) is smaller than half the distance between each of the side flanges and the mid-plane,
    - the edge of the rear part is bordered by a periphery (92) made of gas-generating material which is interposed between the edge of the rear part (84) and the side flanges (68).
  2. Pole according to claim 1, characterized in that in each part of the chamber bounded by the longitudinal mid-plane, said point is also situated with respect to the rear wall at a distance which is smaller than a quarter of the distance between each of the side flanges.
  3. Pole according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance between the contact zone of the stationary contact means and the rear wall of the chamber is smaller than the distance between the side flanges of the chamber.
  4. Pole according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower arcing horn has a length, measured in the longitudinal mid-plane, which is smaller than the largest width of the rear part of the arcing horn measured along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal mid-plane.
  5. Pole according to claim 1, characterized in that the metal plates of the separators have a front edge comprising a dissymmetric notch directed towards one or the other of the side flanges.
  6. Pole according to claim 1, characterized in that the periphery protrudes out towards the inside of the chamber with respect to the rear part of the arcing horn or is flush with the rear part of the arcing horn.
  7. Pole according to claim 1, characterized in that
    - each lateral half-space comprises a part of the separators, this part of the separators having a geometric barycentre,
    - in each lateral half-space, the distance between the first end zone and the side flange contained in the half-space is smaller than the distance between the barycentre situated in the same half-space and said side flange.
EP00410151A 2000-01-07 2000-12-07 Circuit breaker pole with wide arc extinguishing chamber Expired - Lifetime EP1115131B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0000200 2000-01-07
FR0000200A FR2803687B1 (en) 2000-01-07 2000-01-07 POLE FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUIT BREAKER, PROVIDED WITH A WIDE ARC EXTINGUISHING CHAMBER

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1115131A1 EP1115131A1 (en) 2001-07-11
EP1115131B1 true EP1115131B1 (en) 2006-08-16

Family

ID=8845711

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00410151A Expired - Lifetime EP1115131B1 (en) 2000-01-07 2000-12-07 Circuit breaker pole with wide arc extinguishing chamber

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US6288621B1 (en)
EP (1) EP1115131B1 (en)
CA (1) CA2330194C (en)
DE (1) DE60030084T2 (en)
FR (1) FR2803687B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6388867B1 (en) * 2000-09-29 2002-05-14 Eaton Corporation Flexible seal for circuit breaker arc gas exhaust system
DE10250950B4 (en) * 2002-10-25 2004-10-28 Siemens Ag Low-voltage circuit breakers
DE102004022194B4 (en) * 2004-05-05 2013-01-03 Abb Ag Arc quenching device for a circuit breaker
US6977354B1 (en) * 2004-11-03 2005-12-20 Eaton Corporation Arc hood and power distribution system including the same
US7034242B1 (en) 2004-11-09 2006-04-25 Eaton Corporation Arc chute and circuit interrupter employing the same
FR2891082B1 (en) * 2005-09-16 2007-10-19 Schneider Electric Ind Sas CUTTING DEVICE HAVING A REDUCED SIZE OF ARC EXTINGUISHING CHAMBER
US7863537B2 (en) * 2007-10-09 2011-01-04 Eaton Corporation Gassing insulator assembly, and conductor assembly and electrical switching apparatus employing the same
KR101386582B1 (en) * 2010-06-04 2014-04-18 엘에스산전 주식회사 A circuit braker
DE102012203598A1 (en) * 2012-03-07 2013-09-12 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Fastening of quenching plates in the switching pole of a circuit breaker
FR3040238B1 (en) * 2015-08-18 2019-01-25 Schneider Electric Industries Sas ELECTRIC CIRCUIT BREAKER
RU2647121C2 (en) * 2016-02-09 2018-03-14 Эльхан Шахбаба оглы Мурадов Arc chute
CN109586176B (en) * 2018-12-20 2020-12-04 乐清市鑫艺科技有限公司 Distance circular arc blowing device of high-voltage transformer cabinet
CN111755299B (en) * 2019-03-29 2022-07-05 Ls产电株式会社 Arc extinguishing device of circuit breaker for wiring
US11158999B2 (en) 2019-06-18 2021-10-26 Eaton Intelligent Power Limited Equipment enclosure with self-sealing multilayer wall structure

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3142883A1 (en) * 1981-10-29 1983-05-11 Schiele Kg, 7746 Hornberg Electrical switch contact
KR900007273B1 (en) * 1986-09-16 1990-10-06 미쓰비시전기 주식회사 Circuit breaker
FR2648613B1 (en) * 1989-06-16 1991-09-13 Hager Electro IMPROVEMENT IN ELECTRICAL SWITCHING DEVICES
IT1264164B1 (en) * 1993-04-21 1996-09-17 Sace Spa LOW VOLTAGE SWITCH IN INSULATING BOX

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE60030084D1 (en) 2006-09-28
EP1115131A1 (en) 2001-07-11
FR2803687B1 (en) 2002-02-22
US6288621B1 (en) 2001-09-11
DE60030084T2 (en) 2007-01-18
CA2330194C (en) 2008-03-18
CA2330194A1 (en) 2001-07-07
FR2803687A1 (en) 2001-07-13

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1115131B1 (en) Circuit breaker pole with wide arc extinguishing chamber
CA1204136A (en) Contact breaker mechanism for low and medium voltage interruptor
EP1115132B1 (en) Pole for electrical circuit breaker with arc extinguishing chamber provided with dielectric shields
EP0410902B1 (en) Low tension circuit-breaker for high currents with multiple contacts
EP0042778B1 (en) Single-pole and neutral miniature circuit breaker
FR2465308A1 (en) ARC EXTINGUISHING DEVICE FOR CURRENT LIMITER CIRCUIT BREAKER
EP1764811B1 (en) Circuit breaker with a reduced size arc chamber
EP0306382B1 (en) Breaker arrangement for an electric multipolar circuit breaker with many contacts
FR2979746A1 (en) HIGH ELECTRODYNAMIC ELECTRICAL CUTTING APPARATUS
EP0817224A1 (en) Interrupting device for high caliber circuit breaker
EP0619592B1 (en) Electric circuit breaker with electrodynamic repulsion of the contacts and double extinguishing chambers
FR2722912A1 (en) MEDIUM VOLTAGE ELECTRIC SWITCHES
EP0053524A1 (en) Self blast electrical circuit breaker with rotating arc
CA1249621A (en) Switching apparatus protected against short-circuit currents
EP0189689B1 (en) Electrical switch with screen
FR2996678A1 (en) DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING AN ELECTRICAL PROTECTION DEVICE AND ELECTRICAL PROTECTION APPARATUS COMPRISING IT
EP0649155A1 (en) Double arc runner for a circuit breaker arc guide chamber
EP0118334B2 (en) Current-limiting switch
EP1017074A1 (en) Electrical switch apparatus having a contact member provided with a slit
EP0657907B1 (en) Current interrupting part of a switching device in particular of a contactor or a circuit breaker
EP0693764B1 (en) Electrical circuit breaker with electromagnetic actuator for H.T.
EP1065684B1 (en) Electrical switching device having a contact with a spark protection device
FR2589625A1 (en) Kinematic chain for transmission beween the control mechanism and the poles of an electric circuit breaker
FR2584230A1 (en) Arc extinction chamber for low-voltage circuit breaker with cutout in air
EP1267374A1 (en) Electrical interrupting device with mouvable contact bridge

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20011018

AKX Designation fees paid

Free format text: DE

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SAS

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: RIVAL, MARC,C/O SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SA,

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 60030084

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20060928

Kind code of ref document: P

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20070518

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R084

Ref document number: 60030084

Country of ref document: DE

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20171218

Year of fee payment: 18

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 60030084

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190702