EP1143477A1 - Safety device for an electrical apparatus like a circuit-breaker type - Google Patents

Abstract

The modular electrical apparatus contact lock prevention has a moving contact (4) with a contact carrier (5) connected to a command handle (M) pivoting between two positions. There is a rotating command in which the pivot is commanded simultaneously with the moving contact in rotation, acting during the closure contact operation. A handle is operated during opening, If a solder contact loss occurs the handle is blocked in an intermediate position between the two positions, obscuring holes in the lateral ears.

Description

The present invention relates to a safety device for especially modular electrical devices, more specifically provided for devices suitable for isolation, and aims to prevent padlocking of a device when the contacts have been accidentally welded, in particular as a result of a magnetothermal defect.

Lockout is carried out using a lockout kit to lock the device in one of its normal positions operating, contacts open or closed. This kit applies to level of the joystick, which is therefore blocked in one of its stable positions corresponding to the aforementioned states. he is attached to the housing of the electrical appliance via at least one opening in an ear placed along the opening in which moves said joystick. Activation of the lockout kit, fixing this last to the housing of the device by inserting a member into at least one of said holes, then allows the installation of a padlock which prohibits to remove said kit.

The operator then knows in principle the state of the contacts, and can work without a voluntary manual alteration of this state being at to fear.

To guarantee this function and allow an operator to intervene in downstream of the device with full knowledge of the state of the contacts, it is necessary to take into account all possible states of the contacts. Some technologies currently have gaps in extreme cases where the device contacts are soldered, making everything makes possible the installation of a padlocking kit keeping the handle in position theoretical opening of the contacts, when in reality the circuit is not interrupted. One can easily imagine the risks run by the operator and / or users of the circuit downstream of the modular device thus padlocked.

To overcome this drawback, it has been imagined to offset the stop serving as a stop for the control lever, as described for example in the French patent FR-A-2 733 087. The stopper is angularly offset therefrom, relative to the position corresponding to the normal opening position, from an angle that we consider as sufficient for the force applied to the lever to bring it into support against this stop is at least equal to a predetermined threshold force when the contacts are soldered.

Obviously, the threshold force must correspond to a rupture of the internal components of the device, otherwise the abutment offset would be ineffective and ineffective in solving the problem posed.

The drum carrying the lever also has a recess which is arranged to coincide with openings in the side walls of the housing circuit breaker, to authorize lockout, and whose respective positions are offset when the contacts are soldered.

According to another solution usually used to prevent lockout, the control lever is blocked at the padlocking holes when the contacts are soldered to each other.

This is the solution chosen in the context of the invention, the objective of which is also to propose a technical solution making it possible to derive the mechanical forces applied to the handle to the housing of the electrical appliance, keeping the components of it.

The invention therefore relates to particularly modular electrical devices of the circuit breaker type comprising at least one movable contact intended to cooperate with at at least one fixed contact, said movable contact being integral with a contact carrier pivoting connected to a control lever pivoting between two stable positions, a first position corresponding to the opening of said contacts and a second position corresponding to the closing of the contacts, said lever moving, in an opening in the front of the circuit breaker box, along lateral ears provided with at least one orifice allowing padlocking locking the lever in the open or closed position of the contacts.

According to an essential characteristic, the security device specific to the invention includes rotary control means whose pivoting is controlled simultaneously with the rotation of the movable contact, which can activate during the operation of closing the contacts a movable member in the housing for the move closer to said lever, means being provided on the latter and on said member to cooperate when the lever is actuated in the direction of the opening of the contacts and when these remain closed by welding, in order to lock the lever in an intermediate position between said two positions stable, in which it obstructs the said orifice (s) made in the ears lateral, return means recalling the movable member in a position of rest further apart from the joystick to move the latter in the position corresponding to the opening of the contacts when there is no soldering.

Essentially, said movable member cooperates with the housing or a part fixed to the housing so that when the handle is locked in position intermediate, the forces exerted on said lever are passed on to said housing.

According to a possible variant, said control means consist of minus one control arm pivoting at the same time and around the same axis that the movable contact, capable of actuating a shoe disposed near the lever and pivoting in the housing around an axis parallel to the previous one.

The addition of a part, in this case the shoe, connected to the housing of the device, allows to dissociate the control of the joystick, and the effort which accompanies it, of internal mechanism ensuring the operation of the circuit breaker, only in the event of bonding of contacts. In other words, as soon as a weld of these product, the shoe comes into play and drifts the force applied to the lever towards the housing.

When there is no soldering, normal operation of the circuit breaker, and in particular the opening and closing of the contacts by action on the lever, is not in no way disturbed by the existence of the means of reminders which postpone the shoe in a rest position which does not hinder the movement of the lever in the direction of opening the contacts.

More specifically, as will be seen in more detail below, when the contacts are soldered, the force exerted on the lever initially produces a small angular travel of the lock during which at least part of it deformed. Very quickly, however, the hoof intervenes, and efforts are then transmitted to the circuit breaker box, said lock then no longer being under stress.

Each control arm is preferably directly attached to a movable contact, but it is also possible to make it integral with the contact carrier. In fact, the important criterion is that it rotates at the same time as the contact mobile, and thus reflects its displacement.

During the initial stress phase mentioned above, before the hoof intervention, it is in fact mainly the control arm (s) which are under constraints.

According to one possibility, each of these is equipped at its free end a finger oriented to exert pressure transmitting to the hoof at least one part of the rotational movement of the movable contact.

In reality, to simplify the design of the hoof, and to preserve as much as possible the conventional internal configuration of the circuit breaker, only the end of the displacement of the movable contact (s) is passed on to the shoe, which is subjected to consequently a displacement of limited amplitude, compatible with the smallness of such device and the limited space available.

According to a preferred configuration, the shoe of the invention comprises at one from its ends a pivot shaft to which a spring is fixed, said shoe being further provided with at least one extension provided to cooperate with an arm control. The ends of the pivot shaft are free to rotate in bearings fitted to the circuit breaker box. These are also the essential place of transmission to the housing of the stresses exerted on the lever when soldering the contacts.

Each extension of the hoof actually comes into contact, at the end of the closing, with the finger fitted to the end of the control arm. The rotation printed by the moving contacts or the contact carrier is transmitted to the shoe via these extensions, located on the peripheral trajectory of the fingers, and allows a Reverse rotation of the shoe.

The spring exerts a return action tending to rotate the shoe in the direction reverse of the direction conferred by the control arm (s), by pressing on an element fixed to the circuit breaker box.

The objective is to return the hoof to its initial rest position when operates the lever to open the contacts. Preferably, the hoof is disposed between the lever and the magnetic sub-assembly, the spring resting then on the yoke of said magnetic sub-assembly.

This location near the front of the product presents double advantage of moving this purely mechanical device away from stress zones thermal.

More precisely, the spring has a wavy shape, the corrugations are developing over a length calculated so that its stiffness allows a return to its rest position synchronized with the movement of the joystick when the contacts are opened.

This form is advantageous because the restoring force it produces depends on the length of the spring, and can therefore easily be adjusted.

Preferably, the shoe, its pivot shaft and the return spring are made in one piece of plastic.

Means for achieving the locking of the lever in a position have been mentioned before: according to one possibility, these means consist on the shoe of at least one surface whose orientation at rest is near the plane containing the pivot axes of the joystick on the one hand, and the or orifices made in the lateral ears on the other hand, and comes close to it then when the shoe is actuated by the control arm (s).

This surface is designed to cooperate with corresponding means located on the controller. Specifically, the periphery of the joystick drum includes a protrusion located substantially opposite the lever operation of said lever, in particular comprising a surface oriented such that so that relative sliding is possible with the aforementioned surface of the shoe when they meet, the shoe then blocking the lever.

If the contacts stick, the control arm (s) hold the shoe in the position in which it is worn when said contacts are closed, at near the controller and more particularly, given its location, near the rotary drum supporting the control lever. It then interferes with the trajectory of the projection provided on said drum, and the two surfaces can come into contact. They are oriented in such a way that the action of the outgrowth on the free rotating shoe produces relative slip, resulting in continued rotation of the shoe started by the control arm (s), to result in a blockage complete which no longer involves the latter, as opposed to the two surfaces.

The blocking once achieved, the lock is not subject to any constraint, which is not the case of the spring, that the additional rotation results in constraining a little more, nor of the case in which the shoe pivots, essential receiver of said constraints via the bearings in which the shoe shaft turns.

The attachment surfaces each have, at their free edges intended to come into contact with each other, a rounded boss, the shoe boss occurring at the time of the first contact between the projection of the protrusion of the drum and the periphery thereof. This characteristic ensures that the bond between the surfaces of the hoof and the protrusion, before the relative sliding cited above.

In the absence of soldering of the contacts, the stiffness of the spring allows the shoe return to its resting position quickly, so that there is no interference with the trajectory of the outgrowth when the handle is manipulated in the direction of opening the contacts.

The present invention further relates to modular devices electric fitted with the aforementioned safety device, and in particular circuit breakers who are equipped with it. In the particular case of a phase-neutral type circuit breaker, each movable contact comprises a control arm extending radially by with respect to the axis of rotation of said contact and forming an approximately right angle with the latter, only the shoe extension located on the neutral side having a contact surface with the surface of a protrusion positioned on the same side on the joystick drum.

Finally, a second variant of the invention can be implemented.

In this second configuration, the rotary control means, the pivoting is controlled simultaneously with the rotation of the consistent moving contact in a member pivoting about an axis parallel to the pivot axis of the contact carrier, connected to the latter which drives it in rotation, and in turn moving a shoe arranged near the joystick and guided in the housing in the direction of the lever during the closing operation of the contacts.

In this case, the hoof is moved by the rotation of a rotary member rotating around an axis distinct from that of the contact carrier, and therefore of the movable contact.

According to a possible configuration, the pivoting member comprises a first arm of radial appearance provided with a pin inserted in a radial notch of the contact carrier. Similarly, it may include a second arm with a radial appearance at the end of which the shoe is placed.

For reasons of optimization of the use of space in the housing of such modular device, optimization which is always a major challenge for design process, the second tree with the shoe is placed from preferably radially substantially opposite the first radial arm.

As in the first variant, the handle must be locked in an adequate position preventing any lockout, that is to say holes fitted to the lateral ears surrounding the handle.

For this purpose, the end of the shoe close to the lever has a geometry designed to block the handle by contact with the surface peripheral thereof when actuated in the direction of opening of the contacts without said shoe moving due to bonding of the contacts.

According to a possible configuration, the end of the shoe comprises, in its lower surface, a notch cooperating with a ratchet protruding from the surface external device of the controller.

The cooperation of the notch and the ratchet, by pressing the surface of one in the housing offered by the other, allows effective blocking, especially since, as we will see in the following, the shoe is arranged in the housing of the device such so that the force exerted on the lever is passed on to said housing.

In fact, to adapt to certain modular devices and their configuration particular internal, the ratchet can for example protrude from the external surface a protrusion of the drum of the handle provided for housing the end of a link participating in the mechanism of the lock.

It will be noted that then said ratchet is disposed at a distance from the drum of the lever, and that we benefit for the needs of the invention from a favorable configuration allowing the use of an existing growth.

Preferably, the shoe is separate from the pivoting member.

In this case, and according to an advantageous configuration, the second allure arm radial is provided with a pin inserted in a notch, with a shape parallel to said arm, in which it is free in translation.

This disposition to a degree of freedom makes it possible in particular to transmit a hoof effort without necessarily imposing a displacement trajectory on it, which can be fixed by an external guide to these elements.

Thus, according to one possibility, the shoe is guided in rectilinear translation in the housing, in a direction of shape parallel to the front of said housing, so that its trajectory meets that of the peripheral configuration of the joystick.

As soon as the shoe is guided by the housing in a rectilinear slide, the aforementioned mechanical connection allows the transformation of the pivoting of the organ rotary in a rectilinear movement of the hoof.

The shape of the end of the shoe and the clearances provided in the sizing elements involved in blocking prevent any obstacle to movement of the handle when the contacts are not welded.

The shoe can also be used in another function of signaling: said shoe indeed moves preferably near a portion of the front of the case provided with a light allowing the visualization of said shoe, which has visual elements reflecting the position of the contacts.

• la figure 1 représente une vue en élévation de face d'une partie d'un disjoncteur phase-neutre vue du côté neutre, équipé d'un dispositif de sécurité selon l'invention, contacts ouverts ;
• la figure 2 reprend les éléments de la figure 1, mais avec les contacts fermés ;
• la figure 3, montrant les mêmes éléments essentiels, illustre le début du blocage de la manette en cas de soudure des contacts ;
• la figure 4 constitue un détail agrandi de la zone de contact entre le sabot et l'excroissance de la manette dans cette phase initiale de blocage ;
• les figures 5 et 6 sont les pendants des figures 3 et 4, en fin de phase de blocage ;
• la figure 7 est une vue en perspective des mêmes éléments, vus du côté phase ;
• les figures 8 et 9 représentent deux vues éclatées de ces éléments, montrant ces derniers respectivement du dessus et du dessous ;
• la figure 10 montre une vue en élévation de face d'une partie d'un interrupteur différentiel modulaire équipé d'un dispositif de sécurité selon la deuxième variante de l'invention, contacts ouverts ;
• la figure 11 est une vue similaire à la précédente, contacts fermés ;
• la figure 12 représente la même vue, contacts collés ; et
• la figure 13 montre un agrandissement du dispositif de sécurité de la seconde variante.

The invention will now be described in more detail, using the attached figures, for which:

• FIG. 1 represents a front elevation view of part of a phase-neutral circuit breaker seen from the neutral side, equipped with a safety device according to the invention, open contacts;
• Figure 2 shows the elements of Figure 1, but with the contacts closed;
• FIG. 3, showing the same essential elements, illustrates the start of blocking of the lever in the event of contact soldering;
• Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of the contact area between the shoe and the protrusion of the handle in this initial blocking phase;
• Figures 5 and 6 are the pendants of Figures 3 and 4, at the end of the blocking phase;
• Figure 7 is a perspective view of the same elements, seen from the phase side;
• Figures 8 and 9 show two exploded views of these elements, showing the latter respectively from above and from below;
• FIG. 10 shows a front elevation view of part of a modular differential switch fitted with a safety device according to the second variant of the invention, open contacts;
• Figure 11 is a view similar to the previous one, contacts closed;
• Figure 12 shows the same view, glued contacts; and
• Figure 13 shows an enlargement of the safety device of the second variant.

In the various figures commented below, we will not go into the operating details of parts, sub-assemblies, etc. of circuit breakers known in themselves and which are not directly necessary for the understanding of the security device of the invention.

• la manette de commande (M) actionnable depuis la façade (1) du disjoncteur, et qui se déplace entre des oreilles latérales (O) du boítier (A) ;
• la serrure (S) reliée à ladite manette (M) par une biellette (2), et notamment constituée d'un porte-contacts (3) sur lequel sont disposés les contacts mobiles (4) ;
• un sous-ensemble magnétique (B), notamment constitué d'une bobine (6) et d'une culasse (7), auquel est relié le contact fixe (5).

The main parts of the circuit breaker shown in Figure 1 are:

• the control handle (M) operable from the front (1) of the circuit breaker, and which moves between lateral ears (O) of the housing (A);
• the lock (S) connected to said lever (M) by a link (2), and in particular consisting of a contact carrier (3) on which the movable contacts (4) are arranged;
• a magnetic sub-assembly (B), in particular consisting of a coil (6) and a yoke (7), to which the fixed contact (5) is connected.

Each movable contact (4) is equipped with a control arm (8), is developing radially substantially at right angles to said contact (4), the center of the mark consisting of the axis of rotation (9) of the lock (S).

Each arm (8) is provided at its free end with a finger (10) intended to transmit the movement imparted by the lock (S) to the movable contact (4).

Above the magnetic sub-assembly (B), a shoe (11) has at one from its ends an extension (12) intended to cooperate with the finger (10) of the control arm (8). The other end of this shoe (11) has a shaft (13) housed in bearings (15) of the housing (A), to which a wavy spring (14) is fixed, the free end of which is located in the rest position of the shoe (11) illustrated in this figure, near the magnetic yoke (7).

When the contacts (4, 5) are closed, as shown in Figure 2, the finger (10) comes into contact with the shoe (11), via the extension (12), and the pushes up, towards the drum (16) of the handle (M). The rotation counterclockwise from the control arm (8) therefore drives a clockwise rotation of the shoe (11) around the shaft (13). The spring corrugated (14) enters itself into contact with the cylinder head (7) and becomes ready to restore the energy it stores.

As will be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures, the movement of the shoe (11) is in fact aimed at bringing the surface (17), appearing at the level of an upper shoulder of the hoof (11), of the periphery of the trajectory a surface (18) providing a projection (19) of the drum (16), so that their respective trajectories interfere in specific circumstances.

Thus, in FIGS. 3 and 4, the contacts (4, 5) are welded, and the operator actuates the lever M in the direction of theoretical opening of said contacts (4, 5). Because of welding, the control arm (8) reflecting the position of the movable contact (4) considered closed is always in contact with the shoe (11), via respectively the finger (10) and the extension (12), and pushes it upwards exactly as in the hypothesis of figure 2.

The surface (18) of the projection (19) then inevitably meets the surface (17) of the upper shoulder of the shoe (11), as shown in FIG. 4. In this intermediate position of the lever (M), the lever (20) obstructs the orifice (21) practiced in the ear (O) of the front of the product. The two bosses (22, 23) equipping the free ends of the surfaces (17, 18) make it possible to ensure priming of the connection, before a progressive sliding of one surface (17) on the other (18) because of their respective orientations and the mutual constraints exerted. At the end of attachment (Figures 5 and 6), said sliding having caused a rotation complementary to the shoe (11), the extension (12) is itself in contact, via its upper surface, of the projection (19), and the two surfaces (17, 18) are substantially parallel and supported on each other by the bosses (22, 23) creating two linear support zones: blocking of the lever (M) by the shoe (11) is completed.

It should be noted that, in this state, the finger (10) disposed at the end of the arm of control (8) is no longer under stress, because it is no longer in contact with the shoe (11).

The perspective of FIG. 7 shows the invention seen from the phase side of a phase-neutral circuit breaker, and allows you to get a more precise idea of a possible configuration of the control arm (8), the pressure finger (10) and the shape of the hoof (11). It has two parts intended to cooperate with the two control arms (8) integral with the two movable contacts. The extension (12) appearing in the foreground, which is that on the phase side, is not moreover not provided with a shoulder or a hooking surface such as defined above for locking the handle (M) in the intermediate position. Of even, the drum (16) of the latter does not have, on this side, outgrowth. The hanging function is only carried out on one side, the neutral side, hence the asymmetry of the forms.

It appears in Figures 8 and 9, which also clearly show the constitution in one piece of the shoe (11) and the spring (14), separated by a shaft (13) whose two ends, notably projecting laterally from the cylinder head (7), are intended to be housed in bearings created directly in the shells forming the housing (A), so as to derive the forces exerted on the lever (M), in the event of soldering of the contacts (4, 5), on said housing (A). The the handle (M) is then locked in a predetermined position, at level of the orifices (21) of the ears (O) bordering the window made in the facade (1) of the circuit breaker for moving the handle (M).

It should be emphasized that the design of the shoe (11) does not obey only the one requirement to derive the efforts towards the housing (A), but also to the need to lock the handle (M) in said predetermined position, in order to obstruct the holes (21).

The differential switch shown in Figure 10 includes a joystick control (M) operable from the front (1) of the housing (A), and which moves between lateral ears (O). A lock (S ') connects in particular a contact carrier (3) to the lever (M), via links (2, 42). Without going into the details of operation of such a switch, which is not in itself the object of the invention, it comprises, like the circuit breaker of the preceding figures, a fixed contact (5) and a movable contact (4) integral with a contact carrier (3).

The contact carrier (3) is itself connected to a member (30) pivoting around a axis (31). This member (30) comprises a first arm (32) of radial appearance, one of which end pin is slidably arranged in a U-shaped housing (33) of the contact carrier (3).

Said member (30) comprises a second arm (34), also of radial appearance, at least one end pin (35) of which is equivalently placed sliding in a U-shaped housing of a shoe (36) guided in rectilinear translation in the housing (A), along the front (1), in the direction of the lever (M).

In the case of Figure 10, the shoe (36) is disposed on the left of the device, away from the lever (M), because the contacts (4, 5) are open. A protuberance (37) equips the periphery of the drum (16) of the lever (M), said protuberance (37) itself comprising a ratchet (38) provided to cooperate with a notch of the shoe (36) (see below) via a surface (39).

Referring to Figure 11, said shoe (36) is instead moved towards the right, towards the lever (M) of the switch, in a position such that could interfere with said elements (37, 38) arranged on the periphery of the drum (16) of the lever (M). This is the position corresponding to the contacts (4, 5) in which said peripheral elements (37, 38) are however angularly distant from the hoof (36).

Figure 12 shows the position of the shoe (36) when said contacts (4, 5) are glued. They are then in the same position as in Figure 11, but the position of the handle (M) has changed. It was brought back to its theoretically corresponding position to the opening of the contacts, and the projection (37) housing one end of the link (2) then comes into contact with the shoe (36), as clearly shown in Figure 13.

The ratchet (38) located on the periphery of said protuberance (37) has a contact surface (39) (see Figure 13) oriented so that at the time of said contact, it is substantially parallel to a homologous surface (40) provided in the lower part of the shoe (36). According to one possibility, this surface (40) appears at a notch in the lower corner of the shoe (36) proximal of the lever (M).

The particular shape in rounded beak given to this same end of the hoof (36) (in the upper part) is explained by the need for there to be no interference when operation is normal (without contact soldering), and especially when the lock trips. In this case, the removal of the shoe (36) is caused by the rotary movement of the pivoting member (30), and said shape results in leaving the field free for the rotation of the lever (M) in all conditions.

When, as shown in FIG. 12, the contacts (4, 5) are glued, the stress exerted by the ratchet (38) on the surface (40) is transmitted to the housing (A), and no longer to the elements participating in the interrupt function which are by therefore spared by any attempt to force the opening of the contacts (4, 5).

It should be noted that this figure represents a window (41), made in the front (1) opposite the shoe (36), and which allows a location of the state of the contacts thanks to information arranged on said shoe (36). So a code of color can for example be used on the upper surface of said shoe (36) to signal that the contacts (4, 5) are in such or such position.

The example described above is of course not exhaustive of the invention, which on the contrary encompasses variants of form, implementation and design which are within the reach of those skilled in the art knowing the problem posed and the solution brought.

Claims (27)

Safety device to prevent the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for isolation comprising at least one movable contact intended to cooperate with at least one fixed contact, said movable contact being integral with a pivoting contact carrier connected to a control lever pivoting between two stable positions, a first position corresponding to the opening of said contacts and a second position corresponding to the closing of the contacts, said lever moving, in an opening in the front of the circuit breaker box, along lateral ears provided with at least one orifice allowing padlocking blocking the lever in the open position of the contacts, characterized in that it comprises rotary control means the pivoting of which is controlled simultaneously with the rotation of the movable contact, capable of actuating during of the contact closure operation, a movable member in the housing to bring it closer of said lever, means being provided on the latter and on said member for cooperating when the lever is actuated in the opening direction of the contacts and when the latter remain closed by welding, in order to block the lever in a position intermediate between said two stable positions, in which it obstructs said opening (s) in the lateral ears, return means recalling the movable member in a rest position further away from the lever and allowing it to be moved into the position corresponding to opening of the contacts when there is no welding. Safety device for preventing the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for cutting according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said movable member cooperates with the housing or a part fixed to the housing so that when the lever is locked in the intermediate position , the forces exerted on said lever are passed on to said housing. Safety device for preventing the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for cutting according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said control means consist of at least one control arm pivoting at the same time and around the same axis as the movable contact, capable of actuating a shoe disposed near the lever and pivoting in the housing around an axis parallel to the previous one. Safety device to prevent the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for cutting according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each control arm is secured to a movable contact. Safety device for preventing the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for cutting according to claim 3, characterized in that each control arm is integral with the contact carrier. Safety device for preventing the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for cutting according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that each control arm is equipped at its free end with a finger oriented to exert a transmitting pressure at the shoe at least part of the rotational movement of the movable contact. Safety device for preventing the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for cutting according to any one of Claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the shoe comprises at one of its ends a pivoting shaft to which a spring is fixed , said shoe being further provided with at least one extension provided to cooperate with a control arm. Safety device to prevent the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for cutting according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the ends of the shoe pivot shaft are free to rotate in bearings provided in the case of the circuit breaker. Safety device for preventing the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for cutting according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the spring exerts a return action tending to rotate the shoe in the opposite direction to the direction conferred by the control arm or arms by pressing on an element fixed to the case of the circuit breaker. Safety device to prevent the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for cutting according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the shoe is disposed between the lever and the magnetic sub-assembly, the spring resting on the cylinder head of said sub- magnetic assembly. Safety device for preventing the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for cutting according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the spring has a wavy shape, the corrugations developing over a length calculated so that its stiffness allows a return to its rest position in a synchronized manner with the movement of the lever when the contacts open. Safety device for preventing the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for sectioning according to any one of Claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the shoe, its pivot shaft and the return spring are made in one piece in plastic material. Safety device for preventing the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for sectioning according to any one of Claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the shoe has at least one surface whose orientation is close to the plane containing the axes of pivoting of the lever on the one hand, and orifice (s) made in the lateral ears on the other hand, and approaches it when the shoe is actuated by the control arm (s). Safety device for preventing the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for cutting according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the periphery of the drum of the lever comprises a protrusion situated substantially opposite the operating lever of said lever, comprising in particular a surface oriented so that a relative sliding is possible with the surface of the hoof when they meet, the hoof then blocking the lever. Safety device for preventing the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for cutting according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said surfaces comprise at their free edges intended to come into contact with each other a rounded boss, the boss of the shoe being located at the first contact between the boss of the protuberance of the drum and the periphery thereof. Multipolar protection device provided with a safety device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that each movable contact comprises a control arm extending radially with respect to the axis of rotation of said contacts and forming an approximately right angle with these last, only the extension of the shoe located on the neutral side having a contact surface with the surface of a protrusion positioned on the same side on the drum of the control lever. Safety device for preventing the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for isolation according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the said rotary control means consist of a member pivoting about an axis parallel to the axis pivoting of the contact carrier, connected to the latter which causes it to rotate, and in turn moving a shoe disposed near the lever and guided in the housing in the direction of the lever during the closing operation of the contacts. Safety device to prevent the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for cutting according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the pivoting member comprises a first arm of radial appearance provided with a pin inserted in a radial notch of the holder contacts. Safety device for preventing the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for cutting according to one of claims 17 and 18, characterized in that the pivoting member comprises a second arm with a radial appearance at the end of which is disposed the shoe. Safety device to prevent the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for cutting according to one of claims 18 and 19, characterized in that the second shaft comprising the shoe is placed radially substantially opposite the first radial arm. Safety device for preventing the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for sectioning according to any one of Claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the end of the shoe close to the lever has a geometry intended to block the lever in contact with the peripheral surface thereof when it is actuated in the direction of opening of the contacts without said shoe moving due to the bonding of the contacts. Safety device for preventing the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for sectioning according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the end of the shoe comprises, in its lower surface, a notch cooperating with a ratchet protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the remote. Safety device for preventing the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for cutting according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the ratchet protrudes from the external surface of a protuberance of the drum of the handle provided for housing the end of a link participating in the mechanism of the lock. Safety device for preventing the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for sectioning according to one of claims 17 to 23, characterized in that the shoe is separate from the pivoting member. Safety device for preventing the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for sectioning according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second arm of radial appearance is provided with a pin inserted in a notch, of appearance parallel to said arm, in which it is free in translation. Safety device to prevent the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for cutting according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the shoe is guided in rectilinear translation in the housing, in a direction of speed parallel to the front of said housing, so that its trajectory meets that of the peripheral configuration of the joystick. Safety device to prevent the padlocking of a modular electrical device suitable for cutting according to one of claims 25 and 26, characterized in that the shoe moves near a portion of the front of the housing provided with a light allowing the display of said shoe, which includes visual elements reflecting the position of the contacts.

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