EP1139368B1 - Electrical multiphase interrupting device with a driving mechanism and switching modules - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an electrical switchgear device multipole, and in particular to a multipole breaking apparatus comprising vacuum ampoules.

The document EP 0 346 603 discloses a three-pole switchgear with three identical polar break modules arranged side by side on a chassis. Each module comprises a vacuum bulb provided with a movable control rod in translation. A spring drive mechanism of known type having a pole shaft, allows the driving of the control rods of the three vacuum bulbs. Each control rod is connected to the pole shaft via an independent linkage, specific to the corresponding cut-off module. This linkage consists of a transmission lever, arranged between two connecting rods, one of the connecting rods connecting the lever to a crank of the pole shaft and the other connecting the lever to the control rod of the bulb to empty. In practice, the vacuum bulbs of the different poles may be subjected to different forces during opening and closing. When opening, it may happen that the contacts of a bulb are slightly welded, or on the contrary that the electromagnetic forces induced by the currents on the contacts tend to separate more violently the contacts of one of the bulbs. When closing, especially if it occurs on a short circuit for one of the poles, one of the contacts may be subjected to very large repulsion efforts. Because of these different stresses on the rods of the vacuum bulbs of the various poles, the pole shaft is subjected to significant torsional stresses, directly transmitted by the independent linkages of the different poles. There is then a risk of dynamic deformation in significant torsion of the pole shaft, which results in closure or non-simultaneous opening of different bulbs. To overcome this risk, it is then necessary to oversize the pole shaft, so as to give it additional torsional stiffness. Furthermore, the apparatus does not allow to easily vary the spacing between the vacuum bulbs of the different poles. It is true that the construction of identical and independent clipping modules theoretically allows any arbitrary provision. However, at each distance between poles corresponds to a different pole shaft, since the cranks of the pole shaft must be spaced the same distance from each other as the bulbs. However, the pole shaft is a particularly expensive part, especially since its torsional rigidity is critical. In addition, the need to provide shafts of different poles for each center distance prohibits to design the mechanism as a functional unit pre-assembled at the factory independently of the cutoff modules. The architecture does not favor the delayed differentiation of the different models of a range of switchgear.

An object of the invention is to provide a multipole electrical switchgear with independent pole modules, allowing simultaneous operation of the various modules. Another objective is to increase the modularity of a multipolar switchgear with independent pole break modules, allowing low cost to change the distance between poles. Another objective is to obtain an architecture that allows storage of standardized functional subsystems, and their assembly at the last moment to meet the needs of the customer.

• un support ;
• un mécanisme d'entraînement muni d'un arbre des pôles tourillonnant autour d'un premier axe géométrique fixe par rapport au support ;
• une pluralité de modules de coupure chaque module comportant
• une paire de contacts séparables comportant au moins un contact mobile ;
• une tige mobile solidaire du contact mobile ;
• un levier de transmission pivotant autour d'un deuxième axe géométrique parallèle au premier axe géométrique, ledit deuxième axe géométrique étant commun à l'ensemble des modules de coupure et fixe par rapport au support ;
• des moyens de liaison du levier de transmission à ladite tige ;

caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte en outre une bielle unique de liaison de l'arbre des pôles aux leviers de transmission des différents modules de coupure, la bielle étant articulée d'une part sur au moins deux manivelles coaxiales de l'arbre des pôles, définissant un troisième axe géométrique de pivotement parallèle au premier axe géométrique, et d'autre part sur des pivots assurant un pivotement de chaque levier de transmission par rapport à la bielle autour d'un quatrième axe géométrique de pivotement parallèle au premier axe géométrique et commun à l'ensemble des modules de coupure.According to the invention, these objectives are achieved by means of a multipolar power switchgear comprising

• a support ;
• a drive mechanism provided with a pole shaft journalled about a first geometric axis fixed relative to the support;
• a plurality of cut-off modules each module comprising
• a pair of separable contacts having at least one movable contact;
• a movable rod integral with the movable contact;
• a transmission lever pivoting about a second geometric axis parallel to the first geometric axis, said second geometric axis being common to all of the cutoff modules and fixed relative to the support;
• connecting means of the transmission lever to said rod;

characterized in that it further comprises a single connecting rod of the pole shaft to the transmission levers of the different breaking modules, the rod being articulated on the one hand on at least two coaxial cranks of the pole shaft , defining a third geometric axis of pivoting parallel to the first geometric axis, and secondly on pivots providing pivoting of each transmission lever relative to the connecting rod about a fourth geometric pivot axis parallel to the first geometric axis and common to the set of cutoff modules.

According to one embodiment, the movable rod is, in each module, connected to the connecting rod via a pivoting connection about a fifth geometric axis parallel to the first geometric axis. This provides a simple and advantageous geometric arrangement, which provides a geometric return to a pole shaft located at the height of the vacuum bulbs, while allowing the connecting rod to work in tension when closing the contacts. Preferably, the movable rod is connected to the connecting rod via a pivoting connection about a fifth geometric axis, this in each module. The leverage effect in this configuration reduces the amplitude of the transmitted motion and a reduction of the forces, which is particularly favorable when the contacts have only a small opening and closing stroke, as it This is particularly the case for vacuum bulbs.

Preferably, the connecting rod is arranged so as to be stressed during closing. Closing is the sequence of movement where the forces transmitted by the connecting rod are the most important. By making work the linkage in traction in this sequence, one limits the deformations of the connecting rod. When opening, the rod is biased in compression but the forces are relatively less important, so that the risk of deformation of the connecting rod out of its plan by buckling are discarded.

Preferably, the connecting rod comprises a metal plate shaped such that its quadratic moment with respect to an axis perpendicular to a plane containing the third and fourth axes, is high. The rigidity of the connecting rod to bending in a plane containing the third and fourth axes avoids any risk of delay in opening or closing one of the pairs of contacts.

According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting rod comprises a sheet having two arms Vee each vee arm having a converging end supporting a bearing with one of the cranks of the pole shaft, and a diverging end, the diverging ends of the two vee arms being connected to one another by a base supporting articulation bearings with the levers of the modules cut.

According to one embodiment, the connecting means of the transmission lever to said rod comprise an insulating arm. This arrangement ensures isolation between the contacts and the mechanism, which is accessible to operators.

• un ressort de pression de contact ayant deux extrémités ;
• un premier organe de support d'une première extrémité du ressort, solidaire du levier ;
• un deuxième organe de support d'une deuxième extrémité du ressort, solidaire de la tige ;
• une liaison mécanique entre le premier organe et le levier, assurant la transmission intégrale du mouvement du levier dans le sens de la fermeture et n'assurant pas la transmission du mouvement dans le sens de l'ouverture.

According to one embodiment, the connecting means of the transmission lever to said rod comprise

• a contact pressure spring having two ends;
• a first support member of a first end of the spring, integral with the lever;
• a second support member of a second end of the spring, integral with the rod;
• a mechanical connection between the first member and the lever, ensuring the integral transmission of the movement of the lever in the closing direction and not ensuring the transmission of the movement in the direction of the opening.

Preferably, each breaking module comprises a frame provided with support bearings for pivoting the transmission lever around the second pivot axis. The cutoff modules can then be pre-assembled and tested at the factory, before assembly with the mechanism and the connecting rod. This helps to improve the delayed differentiation.

Preferably, the rod makes with the transmission levers an angle close to a right angle, and the rod works in translation in a plane substantially parallel to the connecting rod. In other words, the geometrical plane defined by the second and fourth geometrical axes on the one hand and the geometric plane defined by the third and fourth geometrical axes on the other hand, make an angle close to 90 ° between them, whereas the rod is parallel to the plane containing the third and fourth axes.

The invention is particularly adapted to the fact that each breaking module comprises a vacuum interrupter constituting an enclosure in which the separable contacts are located. However, it is possibly adaptable to other breaking principles, as long as the opening and closing stroke of the contacts is low.

• la figure 1 représente une vue éclatée d'un appareillage de coupure selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, montrant en particulier un mécanisme d'entraînement et des modules de coupure ;
• la figure 2 représente une vue en coupe de l'appareillage de la figure 1, en position d'ouverture ;
• la figure 3 représente une vue en perspective d'une chaîne cinématique de transmission reliant le mécanisme aux modules de coupure ;
• la figure 4 représente une vue de côté de la chaîne cinématique, en position de fermeture.

Other advantages and features will emerge more clearly from the description which follows, of a particular embodiment of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, and represented in the appended drawings in which:

• the figure 1 represents an exploded view of a switchgear according to one embodiment of the invention, showing in particular a drive mechanism and breaking modules;
• the figure 2 represents a sectional view of the apparatus of the figure 1 , in the open position;
• the figure 3 represents a perspective view of a transmission kinematic chain connecting the mechanism to the breaking modules;
• the figure 4 represents a side view of the kinematic chain, in the closed position.

With reference to figures 1 and 2 , a tripolar switchgear 10 is composed of a drive mechanism 12 and three identical cutoff modules 14, 16, 18, arranged side by side on the same side of a partition 20 separating them from the drive mechanism. 12. The partition 20 is constituted by a sheet having three windows 22, 24, 26 and rests on a second plate 28 arranged at right angles and acting as a base. The partition 20 is at ground potential and provides electrical protection to people.

The drive mechanism 12 may be of any known type having a pole shaft. It may be for example a mechanism of the type described in the document EP-A-0 222 645 , provided with an arming and closure subassembly comprising a closing spring, and an opening subassembly comprising an opening spring. The essential point in the context of the present invention is that the mechanism comprises an output shaft, also called pole shaft. In the exemplary embodiment, the mechanism 12 is fixed on a support frame 30 and provided with a pole shaft 32 supported by bearings 34 fixed to the frame 30. The frame is itself fixed to the partition 20.

As illustrated by figure 3 , the pole shaft 32 comprises two double cranks 36, 38 which pass through the wall of the chassis through slots and allow the articulation between the shaft of the poles 32 and a transmission rod 40. The transmission rod 40 is constituted by a flat part forming two double vee arms 42, 44, spaced from one another, and connected on the diverging end side by a base 46. Each vee arm 42, 44 supports, at its convergent end, a pair of lugs 50, 52 provided with coaxial bores, forming bearings. The cranks 36, 38 also comprise coaxial bores forming bearings, so that a hinge-type pivot connection is obtained between the double cranks 36, 38 of the pole shaft 32 and the rod 40 by insertion of pins 54 into each other. the corresponding bores of the double cranks 36, 38 and double tabs 50, 52. The base 46 supports three pairs of tabs 60, 62, 64 provided with coaxial bores, forming bearings. These tabs allow, by insertion of axes 66, a hinge type connection with three double levers 70, 72, 74 belonging to the three polar modules 14, 16, 18 of the apparatus, which pass through the windows 22, 24, 26 of the partition 20.

The three cutoff modules being identical, only the module 18 will be described. As illustrated by figure 2 , the module 18 comprises a vacuum interrupter 80 supported by a frame 82. The frame 82 is fixed to the wall 20 and the base 28, so that the frame 30, the plates 20, 28 and the frames 82 of the three poles form together a support 83 for the other parts of the apparatus. Two connection pads 84, 86, fixed to the frame 82, are intended to electrically connect the lamp 80 to a busbar (not shown). Here, the generic expression of a vacuum bulb designates a subset of known type, comprising a cylindrical body 88 forming a chamber in which there is a relative vacuum and which encloses a pair of separable contacts 90, 92 connected to the connection pads. 84, 86. The body 88 is itself divided into a medial insulating section 94 of insulating material, a first metal end section constituting a first closure flange 96, and a second metal end section constituting a second flange of closing 98. The contact 92 is fixed and connected to the second flange 98. The other contact 90 constitutes an axial end of a rod 100 movable in translation along its axis and passing through the body 88 of the bulb through a hole of the flange 96. A sealing bellows 102 brazed on the rod 100 and on the inner wall of the first flange 96, allows an axial translational movement of the rod 100 and the movable contact 90 by relative to the fixed contact 92, while preserving the vacuum prevailing in the enclosure. The electrical connection of the rod 100 to the busbar is ensured by means of a flexible electrical connection 104, one end of which also constitutes the connection pad 84.

Outside the enclosure, the rod 100 is connected to the double lever 74, via an insulating arm 110. The insulating arm comprises a plastic body 112 overmolding on the one hand the head of a first threaded rod 114, and secondly the head of a second threaded rod 116 located in the axial extension of the first. The first threaded rod 114 is screwed into a threaded blind hole located at the end of the rod 100 of the bulb 80. On the second threaded rod 116 is screwed a tubular adjusting nut 118. The nut 118 supports at one end a support plate 120 for one end of a contact pressure spring 122. The other end of the spring 122 bears on a second plate 124, which rests on a bar 126. The bar comprises a bore 128 forming a guide sleeve traversed by the tubular nut 118. The bar 126 freely journalled in lateral axes 130 supported by the arms of the lever 74. The guide sleeve 128 allows both the translation of the nut 118 parallel to its axis and its free rotation. The nut 118 has a shoulder that rests on the bar portion 126 opposite to the second plate 124. The two arms of the double lever 74 pivot about an axis 132 supported by the frame 82. The three breaking modules 14, 16 , 18 of the apparatus 10 being arranged side by side, the pivot axes 132 of the levers 70, 72, 74 are aligned, and parallel to the pole shaft 32. The levers 70, 72, 74 are parallel.

Thus, the kinematic chain connecting the shaft of the poles 32 to the rods 100 of the three breaking modules 14, 16, 18 comprises a single connecting rod 40 connecting the pole shaft 32 and the three double levers 70, 72, 74 of the cutoff modules, and is extended in each module by an insulator 112, one end slides in a sheath 128 pivoting relative to the double lever 70, 72, 74, and the other end is integral with the rod 100 of the bulb 80. This kinematic chain makes it possible to define five geometrical axes of parallel rotation: a first geometrical axis 140 of pivoting of the pole shaft, a second pivot axis 142 of the levers 70, 72, 74, a third geometric axis 144 pivoting the rod relative to the cranks of the pole shaft, a fourth geometric axis 146 of pivoting of the rod relative to the levers, and a fifth geometric axis 148 of pivoting of the bars 126 relative to the levers 70, 72, 74. The first axis 140 and the second axis 142 are both fixed relative to the support 83, the other axes being movable during the sequences of opening and closing.

Strictly speaking, the movement printed on the rod 100 of the bulb 80 by this mechanism in the absence of play between the moving parts would not be perfectly rectilinear with respect to the frame 82. However, the angle between the lever 70, 72, 74 and the rod 100 is always very close to the right angle, and the stroke of the rod 100 of the bulb between its open position and its closed position does not exceed a few millimeters, which corresponds to a rotation angle of the lever not exceeding a few degrees, so that in the absence of play, the radial movement of the rod 100 would be of the order of one hundredth of its axial stroke. In the embodiment described, this clearance is absorbed by the existing gaps between the various elements of the driveline, in particular at the axes 130, 132. However, if one wanted a larger race, it would be possible to guide the bar 126 in an oblong of the lever 90, 92, 94.

The driveline operates in the following manner. When the contacts are separated and the mechanism is open, the kinematic chain is initially in the position shown in FIG. figure 2 . On closing, the closing spring of the mechanism 12 drives the pole shaft 32 in the opposite direction of the clockwise, over a stroke of more than 50 °. The connecting rod 40 transmits this movement uniformly to the three double levers 70, 72, 74. In each of the breaking modules, the double lever pivots clockwise about the axis 132, driving the bar 126 which compresses the spring 122 through the plate 124. The closing force is then transmitted by the spring 122 to the movable contact 90, via the plate 120, the nut 118 and the arm 110. The kinematic chain is in the closed position of the figure 4 , the contacts being closed.

On opening, the opening spring of the mechanism 12 drives the pole shaft clockwise over a travel of more than 50 °. The connecting rod 40 transmits this movement uniformly to the three double levers 70, 72, 74. In each of the breaking modules, the double lever pivots counterclockwise about the axis 132 on the figure 4 , directly driving the bar 126, the nut 118, the insulating arm 110 and the rod 100 of the movable contact, until reaching the open position of the figure 2 .

The single rod 40 has a high quadratic moment with respect to an axis perpendicular to the geometric plane containing the axes of pivoting of the connecting rod with respect to the pole shaft and the double levers. Although the structure of the connecting rod has been lightened to reduce its mass, the base 46 preserves the desired rigidity. In other words, the forces applied to the rod in its plane are not likely to induce a significant bending of the connecting rod. Therefore, the link 40 gives the kinematic chain a high rigidity, so that even if the forces to be applied to different bulbs are different, their movement will nevertheless be simultaneous. By construction, the pole shaft 32 itself is very torsionally rigid, so that it is possible to space the two hinges connecting the connecting rod 40 to the pole shaft 32 which contributes to further reinforce the rigidity of the kinematic chain.

The connecting rod is manufactured by cutting a sheet. The levers are also made of sheet metal. The electrical insulation is carried out in each breaking module thanks to the insulating arms. It should be noted that the insulating portion 112 of the arm is skirted so as to provide optimum insulation.

To change the spacing of the polar modules, simply change the connecting rod and, if necessary, the wall 20, which are very low cost parts. Each specific link has a base of different length and especially legs 60, 62, 64 in number and variable locations. By against the distance between the tabs 50, 52 ensuring the hinge connection with the cranks of the pole shaft remains constant. Thus, the pole shaft 32 remains identical regardless of the spacing between the polar modules, which means that the mechanism 12 can be pre-assembled at the factory and forms a functional unit for the entire range.

Similarly, the cutoff modules 14, 16, 18 are identical, regardless of the chosen spacing. This makes it possible to defer fitting of the equipment until the choice of the customer is stopped.

Naturally, various modifications are possible. The number of modules is not limited to three: the invention also applies to dipole devices, quadrupole, or hexapole or octopole. The levers 70, 72, 74 may be simple. The drive mechanism can be of any type: with closing springs and distinct opening, to allow a sequence closing, arming, opening, closing, opening; single spring for closing and opening.

Claims (11)

1. A multipole electrical switchgear apparatus comprising:

   - a support (83);

   - a drive mechanism (12) equipped with a pole shaft (32) rotating around a first geometric axis (140) fixed with respect to the support;

   - a plurality of breaking modules (14, 16, 18), each module comprising:

   - a pair of separable contacts (90, 92) comprising at least one movable contact (90);

   - a movable rod (100) securedly affixed to the movable contact (90);

   - a transmission lever (70, 72, 74) pivoting around a second geometric axis (142) parallel to the first geometric axis (140), said second geometric axis being common to all the breaking modules (14, 16, 18) and fixed with respect to the support;

   - means for connecting the transmission lever to said rod;

   characterized in that it further comprises a single connecting rod (40) connecting the pole shaft (32) to the transmission levers (70, 72, 74) of the different breaking modules, the connecting rod (40) being articulated on the one hand on at least two coaxial cranks (36, 38) of the pole shaft (32), defining a third geometric axis (144) of pivoting parallel to the first geometric axis (140), and on the other hand on swivel-pins (66) ensuring pivoting of each transmission lever (70, 72, 74) with respect to the connecting rod (40) around a fourth geometric axis (142) of pivoting parallel to the first geometric axis (140) and common to all the breaking modules (14, 16, 18).
2. The switchgear apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that in each module, the movable rod (100) is connected to the connecting rod (40) by means of a link pivoting around a fifth geometric axis (148) parallel to the first geometric axis (140).
3. The switchgear apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that in each module, the fifth axis (148) of pivoting is located between the second axis (142) and the fourth axis (146), closer to the second axis (142) than to the fourth axis (146).
4. The switchgear apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting rod (40) is arranged in such a way as to be solicited in traction when closing of the switchgear apparatus takes place.
5. The switchgear apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting rod (40) comprises a metal plate shaped in such a way that its quadratic moment with respect to an axis perpendicular to a plane containing the third axis (144) and fourth axis (146) is high, so that even if the forces to be applied to the different breaking modules (14, 16, 18) are different, movement of the latter will nevertheless be simultaneous.
6. The switchgear apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting rod (40) comprises a metal plate comprising two V-shaped arms (42, 44), each V-shaped arm comprising a convergent end supporting a bearing (50, 52) for articulation with one of the cranks (36, 38) of the pole shaft (32), and a divergent end, the divergent ends of the two V-shaped arms (42, 44) being connected to one another by a base (46) supporting bearings (60, 62, 64) for articulation with the levers (70, 72, 74) of the breaking modules.
7. The switchgear apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for connecting the transmission lever (70) to said rod (100) comprise an insulating arm (110).
8. The switchgear apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for connecting the transmission lever (70, 72, 74) to said rod (100) comprise:

   - a contact pressure spring (122);

   - first support means (124) of a first end of the spring, securedly affixed to the lever (70, 72, 74);

   - second support means (120) of a second end of the spring (122), securedly affixed to the rod (100);

   - a mechanical connection between the first support means (124) and the lever (70, 72, 74), such that the first support means is secured to the lever when the lever is moved in the closing direction of the switchgear apparatus.
9. The switchgear apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that each breaking module comprises a frame (82) equipped with support bearings enabling pivoting of the transmission lever (70, 72, 74) around the second axis of pivoting (142).
10. The switchgear apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting rod makes an angle close to a right angle with the transmission levers and that the rod moves in translation substantially parallel to the connecting rod.
11. The switchgear apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that each breaking module comprises a vacuum cartridge (80) forming an enclosure wherein the separable contacts (90, 92) are located.

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