EP1170769A1 - Snap closing mechanism for modular circuit breaker - Google Patents

Abstract

Mechanism for abruptly closing the contacts for a modular electrical device of the circuit breaker type comprising at least one movable contact (5, 6) designed to cooperate with at least one fixed contact (9), said movable contact (5, 6) being pivotally arranged by relative to a contact carrier (s) (2), their relative positioning at rest being ensured by the action of a contact spring (7, 8), said contact carrier (s) (2) being driven by a rotational movement making it possible to position the movable contact (5, 6) alternately with the contact and at a distance from the fixed contact (9), in particular by manual action on a control lever (1) pivoting between two stable positions and causing the rotation of the contact carrier (s) (2) by a toggle joint system (3, 4). The control lever (1) and the movable contact (5, 6) are driven in a rotation movement in opposite directions, inducing a crossing of the respective theoretical trajectories of two members which move substantially in the same direction. Said members consist of a cam (12) driven by the control handle (1), arranged to rotate freely according to a limited clearance relative to the latter, and of a finger (16, 17) integral with the movable contact ( 6, 5), the positioning of which respectively with respect to the cam (12) and to the movable contact (6, 5) is such that said finger (16, 17) and said cam (12) come into contact when the fixed contacts ( 9) and mobile (5, 6) are spaced, the cam (12) having a surface (15) of shape and length such that said finger (16, 17) remains locked in rotation during a fraction of rotation of the lever ( 1) less than its residual travel to reach its stable position for closing the contacts (5, 6, 9), the contact carrier (s) (2) however continuing its travel while the contact spring (7, 8) accumulates of the energy which it releases only when the contact cam (12) / finger (16, 17) ceases, in the last portion of the stroke of the lever (1), the cam (12) then being able to continue its rotation relative to the handle (1), the angular movement being limited by a stop of the handle (1), an elastic element (22) being interposed between the cam ( 12) and this stop. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a snap closure mechanism contacts of a modular electrical device such as a circuit breaker or differential circuit breaker, which can be adapted equally to a single-pole product, neutral or multipolar phase.

This kind of device includes at least one mobile contact provided to cooperate with at least one fixed contact, the movable contact being pivotally disposed relative to a contact carrier (s), their positioning relative to rest being ensured by the action of a said spring contact to ensure correct pressure at closing contacts, whatever their wear. This contact holder (s) is itself rotated to position the movable contact alternately against and away from the fixed contact, in particular by manual action on a pivoting control lever between two stable positions, and causing the rotation of the contact carrier (s) by a conventional mechanical system with toggle.

Such an abrupt closing mechanism, already known in its principle, is for example disclosed in patent EP-0 224 396, and mainly comprises two members, pivoting respectively with the control lever and the movable contact, with paths which interfere during a fraction of their combined rotation. These organs are provided to cooperate in order to block the movable contact to distance from the fixed contact during said fraction of rotation, before abrupt release at the end of the cooperation phase, and closure subsequent contact at a speed independent of the speed exerted on the remote.

In the system described in document EP-0 224 396, the movement of combined rotation between the control lever and the sub-assembly carrying the movable contact causes an individual rotation of each organ in the same sense of rotation. Their axis being offset, said members located one at the periphery of the lever, and the other on the edge of said sub-assembly carrying the movable contact, travel in the opposite direction in the area where their path interferes. For schematize and visualize their movements, we can take the example of two circular-looking trajectories meeting following two developing paths in the opposite way. In this case, said trajectories cross twice, in the first contact zone and in the clearance zone at the exit of the zone interference. The system disclosed in patent EP-0 224 396 is based on such a configuration, which means that when the organs cross, their release naturally results from the opposite direction of their trajectory.

In the present invention, the control lever and the movable contact are animated by an opposite direction of rotation, which on the contrary induces the crossing of the respective theoretical trajectories of two organs which converge and move in the same direction. In this configuration, it is not easy to manage a second crossing of the trajectories aimed at clearing said organs from each other, due to the limited space that exists in the housing said modular electrical devices and because each organ is on the path of the other. This is also due to the existence of an angular travel of length given for the lever, as well as for the contacts.

The inventive closing mechanism obeys these constraints particular, and therefore presents a specific configuration which is adapted to the above-mentioned kinetic constraints in particular.

Thus, the organs of the invention participating in the abrupt closing function consist of a cam driven by the control handle, arranged free in rotation with a limited clearance relative to the latter, and with a finger secured to the movable contact, the positioning of which respectively with respect to the cam and in moving contact is such that the finger and the cam come into contact when the fixed and mobile contacts are spaced by a predetermined residual distance, the cam having an external surface along which the finger slides when the rotation of the joystick continues, of length and shape such that said finger remains locked in rotation during a fraction of rotation of the joystick less than its residual travel to reach its stable contact closure position.

The contact carrier (s) continues to run, while the contact spring accumulates energy which it releases suddenly when the cam / finger contact ceases, in the last portion of the joystick stroke. The cam can then continue its rotation relative to the lever, the angular movement being limited by a stop of the lever, an elastic element being interposed between the cam and this stopper.

Functionally, the relative positioning of the finger and the cam, their shape respective, and in particular the length of the external surface of the cam, allow only to obtain blocking of the mobile contact (s). The possibility for the cam of a residual rotation relative to the lever allows in particular absorb contact wear, and also plays a role in opening them.

The same applies to the elastic element which is interposed between the stop and the cam when this one comes close to that one, allowing a retraction of the cam at the opening of the contacts, and preventing an abrupt closing failure at their closing.

More specifically, the cam comprises a hollow cylindrical-looking barrel rotating around a central journal fitted to the center of a drum fitted with a radial lever and forming the handle, said drum comprising a window arranged substantially at opposite of the lever and allowing the passage of a radial projection of the cam extending from said barrel, the free end of which widens and has a surface external of coaxial appearance to the cylindrical surface of the barrel, the edges of the window parallel to the generator of the drum constituting the stops between which the cam is free to rotate.

This cam, very simply added to a handle and lock structure already existing, can similarly be deleted if the function of abrupt closing is not necessary.

Preferably, the elastic element consists of a tab fixed to the surface outside of the barrel, gradually moving away from it towards its free end, and placed on the side of the cam coming first into contact with the finger when contact closure.

This configuration makes it possible to make the last portion of relative rotation of the cam relative to the control handle, in the closing direction contacts, elastic. As will be seen in more detail below, this is necessary to retract said cam when the contacts open. In this case, in fact, as mentioned above, the end of the finger is in the theoretical path taken by the cam during movement opening and is likely to be an obstacle to the return movement. If there was not this possibility of retraction, there would therefore be a commitment to force between these two organs, risking damage to the system, or all less causing over time wear that is incompatible with the function at fill.

More preferably, the finger secured to the movable contact is located between this last and the joystick and is formed by overmolding of the movable contact conductor with insulating material. When the abrupt closing mechanism is used in a phase-neutral product, so there is no insulation problem in the abrupt closing zone, managed in this case by a single cam, and which requires a certain proximity between the moving parts.

In such a phase-neutral device, the cam is identical to that of a product single-phase, the external surface of the cam intended to come into contact with the finger of each movable contact being made with a width sufficient to cooperate with two fingers simultaneously, ensuring simultaneous release of two movable phase and neutral contacts.

The differences between a unipolar device and a phase-neutral device are incidentally minor, in terms of the structure of the abrupt closing mechanism contacts. This is another advantage of the product, especially in terms of manufacturing and lowering production costs.

la figure 1 représente une perspective éclatée d'une serrure d'appareil modulaire électrique de type disjoncteur avec sa manette de commande ;

la figure 2 représente une perspective assemblée des mêmes éléments ;

la figure 3 est une vue en élévation de face des mêmes éléments, pendant la phase de maintien du contact mobile à distance du contact fixe avant relâchement ;

les figures 4a à 4g montrent un cycle de fermeture manuelle avec notamment les différentes phases de coopération des organes constituant le mécanisme de fermeture brusque, alternativement avec des contacts neufs et usés ; et

les figures 5a à 5e représentent un cycle d'ouverture manuelle, avec les mêmes éléments, et alternativement des contacts neufs et usés.

The invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended figures, for which:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a lock of a modular electric device of the circuit breaker type with its control lever;

Figure 2 shows an assembled perspective of the same elements;

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the same elements, during the phase of maintaining the movable contact away from the fixed contact before release;

FIGS. 4a to 4g show a manual closing cycle with in particular the different phases of cooperation of the members constituting the abrupt closing mechanism, alternately with new and worn contacts; and

Figures 5a to 5e show a manual opening cycle, with the same elements, and alternately new and worn contacts.

Referring to Figure 1, the various parts forming part of the circuit breaker control include a handle (1) connected to a contact holder (2) by a link (3). Said lever (1), the eccentric housing (4) in which one of the ends of the link (3) is inserted and the latter forming a toggle for controlling the movement of the contact carrier (2). The control mechanism shown here concerns a phase electrical appliance neutral, it therefore includes two movable contacts (5, 6) pivotally mounted around the axis (18), in the form of a needle which is also the rotation shaft around which the contact carrier (2) pivots. Contact springs (7) and (8) urge said movable contacts respectively (5) and (6), each against a corresponding stop on the contact carrier (2).

The primary function of these springs (7, 8) is to maintain the pressure between the contacts even when they are worn out. As part of the abrupt closure of the inventive contacts, these springs are used to store energy when the movable contacts (5, 6) are immobilized. The fixed contact (9) is secured to a sheet forming the cylinder head of the magnetic trip device (not represented).

The contact carrier (2) also supports the release (10), also mounted pivoting around the needle (18), and comprising a trigger spring (11) the recalling in its rest position allowing in particular the jamming of one ends of the link (3) in normal product operation.

The cam (12) of the snap closure mechanism has a hollow barrel (13) with from which extends radially a protuberance (14) whose external surface (15) is provided to cooperate with fingers (16, 17) integral with the contacts mobile respectively (6) and (5).

The same control mechanism appears in Figure 2, in version Assembly. The trigger (10) is however not integrated into this assembly, to avoid overloading the figure. This figure shows the fact that the fingers (16) and (17) are located near the projection (14) of the cam (12), and that their free end can cooperate with the external surface (15). This is of sufficient width to allow cooperation with simultaneously the two fingers (16) and (17) attached to the two phase and neutral contacts (6) and (5).

The barrel (13) is simply threaded onto the central pin (19) of the lever (1), which the guide in rotation. The lever more precisely consists of a lever (20) arranged radially on the periphery of a drum (21) whose lower wall is cut into a window allowing the protuberance (14) of the cam (12).

The barrel (13) of said cam (12) also includes an elastic tab (22) imparting elasticity to the last portion of relative rotation of the cam (12) in the control handle (1). The elastic bending of said tab (22) against the internal wall of the drum (21) makes it possible to obtain the elastic final stop.

In Figure 3, the free end of the finger (16) integral with the movable contact (6) is in cooperation with the external surface (15) of the protuberance (14) of the cam (12), that is to say that the contact (6) is kept at a fixed distance from the contact fixed (9). The finger (16) is nevertheless located at the end of said surface (15), and close to sagging. Indeed, the projection (14) being driven in rotation by the control lever (1), while the finger (16) is by definition maintained immobile, the protrusion (14) and in particular the external surface (15) escapes to the right of the figure, and finally suddenly releases the finger (16), and by therefore the movable contact (6). It performs at high speed the rest of its trajectory of rotation, the finger (16) pushing to the right when it overflows on the peripheral trajectory of the surface (15), the projection (14). Due to the rotation relative free between the barrel (13) and the control handle (1), around the journal (19) central of said lever (1), the projection (14) does not oppose resistance to the thrust applied to it, in the measurement of the length of the stroke of relative rotation that exists between the cam (12) and the control handle, as will appear in more detail below.

FIGS. 4a to 4g represent a manual closing cycle, alternately with new contacts and worn contacts. In Figure 4a, the lever is shown in its upright position, in abutment against one of the edges sides of an opening in the housing B allowing the lever (20) to pass, the contacts (6) and (9) then being separated. It should be noted that, in this position of the lever (1), the finger (16) integral with the contact (6) is also located at a distance from the projection (14) projecting from the barrel (13) of the cam (12). In this representation, the magnetic actuator (M) is shown schematically, only the striker, the fixed core and the movable core being represented, with the exception of the induction coil. for an opening of the circuit breaker due to a short circuit, the striker is launched against the trigger (10), which switches the knee switch in view of the opening of the contacts (6, 9), as is well known elsewhere.

When the handle (1) is actuated in the direction of closing the contacts, as it appears in Figure 4b, that is to say when it is rotated counterclockwise, the movable contact is rotated by the contact carrier (2) clockwise. In this case, the finger (16) as much as the projection (14) of the cam (12) progress towards each other, substantially in the same direction, until their free ends meet. Finger (16) is then stopped by the outer surface (15) of the protrusion (14), a relative sliding occurring between the two when the cam (12) continues its rotation as shown in Figure 4c. So although the rotation of the joystick control (1) has progressed well between Figure 4b and Figure 4c, the movable contact (6) remained stationary, and at the same distance from the fixed contact (9). Although the cam (12) is free to rotate around the pin (19), the protrusion (14) is driven in rotation by one of the side edges of the window in the wall lower of the drum (21) and the cam therefore reflects the force which is exerted on the control handle (1).

When the finger (16) ceases to be in contact with the external surface (15) of the outgrowth (14), an abrupt relaxation occurs because nothing is more opposed to continued rotation of the movable contact (6), thanks to the energy stored by the spring (8). The finger (16) then pushes the projection (14) of the cam (12) back into the direction of a continuation of its rotation in the counterclockwise direction, rotation which is allowed by the relative freedom of pivoting between the cam (12) and the command (1). In Figure 4d, the contacts are considered to be new, which means that the residual angular travel of the cam (12) relative to the lever (1) is limited. On the other hand, in figure 4e, the figure representation of worn contacts, resulting in a residual stroke which is more extensive. In both case, however, the spring tab (22) is not used, because it must allow additional retraction during the return maneuver applied to the remote. In Figures 4d and 4e, the control handle (1) is not still in abutment in its final position, contacts closed.

It reaches this position in Figures 4f and 4g, with respectively new contacts and worn contacts. In the first case, the energy is restored by the spring (8), communicated to the protrusion (14) rejected at a distance from the end free from the finger (16). In the second case, the contacts being worn, we are in a configuration in which the tab (22) is in contact with the opposite lateral edge of the window made in the lower wall of the drum (21), while the free end of the finger (16) is still in contact with the rear part of the outgrowth (14). The tab (22) is not, however, stressed in bending, because the relative rotary clearance between the cam (12) and the control handle (1) is of course intended to integrate a possible wear of the contacts.

Figures 5a to 5e show a reverse cycle, that is to say by which one proceeds when the contacts (6, 9) open. Figures 5a to 5b are therefore identical to Figures 4f and 4g, and should be considered here as the start of the cycle opening. Now, if you operate the control lever (1) clockwise, as shown in figure 5c, the toggle control mechanism actuates the contact carrier (2), and consequently the contact (6), in rotation in the trigonometric sense. The opposite direction of rotation, already observed in the cycle closing, caused a crossing of the trajectories which places the finger (16) in the opening trajectory of the projection (14). If the opening were to be force, the engagement of said protuberance (14) and of the finger (16) could cause damage to any of these organs, or even premature wear detrimental to operation.

This is the reason why the elastic tab (22) is provided, since it intervenes at this stage of the opening to repel the protuberance (14) in a opposite direction to that of the lever (1), for a very limited stroke, due to the opposing force created by the finger (16) while it is still in the trajectory normal outgrowth (14). The difference between Figure 5c and Figure 5d is located in the positioning of the elastic tab (22), and therefore of the projection (14): in FIG. 5c, the elastic tab is not yet stressed, so that it is and is in abutment against the barrel (13) in FIG. 5d.

Continued reverse rotation of the control handle (1) and the contact holder (2) supporting the movable contact (6) then allows the rotation of the protrusion (14) clockwise, because the rotary movement of the finger (16) counterclockwise is enough to let it pass.

In the absence of additional obstacles, the joystick can be brought to again in abutment against the opposite edge of the upper opening of the housing B, in the open position of the contacts (6, 9).

The invention has been described by means of a particular configuration example, in particular the cam and the finger secured to the movable contact, which are not however not limiting. The invention, on the contrary, encompasses all variants of form and configuration which are within the reach of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims (5)

Mechanism for abruptly closing the contacts for a modular electrical device of the circuit breaker type comprising at least one movable contact (5, 6) designed to cooperate with at least one fixed contact (9), said movable contact (5, 6) being pivotally arranged by relative to a contact carrier (s) (2), their relative positioning at rest being ensured by the action of a contact spring (7, 8), said contact carrier (s) (2) being driven by a rotational movement for positioning the movable contact (5, 6) alternately in contact and at a distance from the fixed contact (9), in particular by manual action on a control lever (1) pivoting between two stable positions and causing the rotation of the contact carrier (s) (2) by a toggle joint system (4, 3), said snap-closing mechanism comprising mainly two members pivoting respectively with the control lever (1) and the movable contact (5, 6), of which the trajectory interferes during a fraction of their rotation n combined, and which are designed to cooperate in order to block the movable contact (5, 6) at a distance from the fixed contact (9) during said fraction of rotation before abrupt release at the end of the organ cooperation phase, and closing of the contacts (5, 6, 9) at a speed independent of the speed exerted on the lever,
characterized in that the control lever (1) and the movable contact (5, 6) being driven in a rotation movement in opposite directions, inducing a crossing of the respective theoretical trajectories of two members which move substantially in the same direction , said members consist of a cam (12) driven by the control handle (1), arranged free in rotation according to a limited clearance relative to the latter, and a finger (16, 17) integral with the movable contact (6, 5), the positioning of which respectively with respect to the cam (12) and the movable contact (5, 6) is such that said finger (16, 17) and said cam (12) come into contact when the fixed contacts (9) and mobile (5, 6) are spaced, the cam (12) having a surface (15) of shape and length such that said finger (16,17) remains locked in rotation during a fraction of rotation of the lever (1) less than its residual stroke to reach its stable closed position re contacts (5, 6, 9), the contact carrier (s) (2) however continuing its stroke while the contact spring (7, 8) accumulates energy which it releases only when the contact cam (12) / finger (16, 17) ceases, in the last portion of the stroke of the lever (1), the cam (12) can then continue to rotate relative to the lever (1), the angular movement being limited by a stop of the lever (1), an elastic element (22) being interposed between the cam (12) and this stop. Mechanism for abrupt closing of the contacts for a modular electrical appliance according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the cam (12) comprises a barrel (13) of hollow cylindrical appearance rotating around a central pin (19) equipping the center a drum (21) provided with a radial lever (20) and forming the handle (1), said drum (21) comprising a window disposed substantially opposite the lever (20) and allowing the passage of a radial projection (14) of the cam (12) extending from said barrel (13), the free end of which widens and has an external surface (15) of coaxial appearance with the cylindrical surface of the barrel (13), the edges of the window parallel to the generator of the drum (21) constituting the stops between which the cam (12) is free to rotate. Snap-closing mechanism for contacts for modular electrical apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the elastic element consists of a lug (22) fixed to the external surface of the barrel (13), gradually moving away from it in the direction of its free end, and placed on the side of the cam (12) coming first into contact with the finger (16, 17) when the contacts (5, 6, 9) are closed. Mechanism for abrupt closing of the contacts for a modular electrical appliance according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the finger (16, 17) secured to the movable contact (6, 5) is located between the latter and the control handle (1) and is formed by overmolding of the conductive movable contact (5, 6) with a material insulating. Mechanism for abrupt closing of the contacts for a modular electrical appliance according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that , for a phase-neutral device, the cam (12) is identical to that of a single-phase product, the external surface (15) of the cam (12) intended to come into contact with the finger (16, 17) of each movable contact (6, 5) being produced with a width sufficient to cooperate with two fingers (16, 17) simultaneously, ensuring simultaneous release of the two movable contacts (5, 6) of phase and neutral.

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