EP1432001A1 - Electrical apparatus, preferably modular, having a two-part housing - Google Patents

Abstract

The modular electrical apparatus has an isolating unit mounted on a rail. The unit is divided into two electrically and mechanically separable parts with a truncated unit and a removable block. The unit and block have input connectors allowing distribution circuit connection, with the electrical connection in front of the truncated unit.

Description

The present invention relates to electrical devices of the type so-called modular differential circuit breaker, block or switch comprising a insulating housing, and designed to be mounted on a rail or any other support attachment, attached to other electrical devices of the same type to constitute an electrical distribution circuit. The invention does not relate exclusively devices qualified as modular, which in principle obey a fairly precise sizing, but it finds ground with these privileged and majority application.

In general, these devices have a housing that integrates functional means enabling them to fulfill the electrical objective which is assigned, said housing further having fixing means and support on the rail or support. To be able to be integrated into the circuit distribution, generally installed in a distribution board centralizing modular equipment, the boxes finally include input and output connection means opening into their faces perpendicular to both the rail and the abutment plane, for the connection of at least one individual conductor or part of a bridging bar suitable for being also connected to adjacent devices contiguous.

The modular electrical devices on each rail are used in both single and multi-phase electrical circuits, allowing in each case multiple possibilities of configurations and / or solutions of connection. The distribution of neutral and / or phases, in particular, is often performed using rigid bridging bars with regularly spaced connection tabs, intended to be inserted into the connectors of the various electrical devices arranged on the rail.

The use of such a distribution accessory effectively leads to a certain number of limitations. This is the case, for example, with the width of the boxes, which determines in practice the distance between the connectors of the devices electric. In the case of so-called modular devices, the separation step connectors is around 17.5 / 18 mm, whether in a same multiphase box with several connection holes for different phases or in the case of two modules joined together. This is not found in practice between the tabs of the bridging bar, and its value constitutes the width allocated to what is commonly called a "module".

The use of a bridging bar therefore does not allow recourse to devices with connecting devices spaced one step apart different, that is to say electrical devices integrated in a housing whose width represents a multiple or a sub-multiple of that of a module.

However, the current trend is to produce more and more devices compacts with an optimized design combined with the space saving achieved in the tables gives an undeniable economic appeal.

Simultaneous use of individual conductors and bridging bars for the distribution of the current, and the potential multiplication of connections, in particular for three-phase operations with or without neutral, moreover leads to congestion, outside the volume of electrical devices themselves, which can make operations difficult installation, maintenance, replacement of devices in distribution boards, etc.

In general, it should be noted that the current solutions of distribution and interconnection finally lead to a configuration relatively rigid, which is sometimes difficult to develop or adapt to new constraints. These solutions are based on modular units all of which must be connected to the supply conductors, i.e. to the in phase (s) and / or neutral. Interconnections, when they concern entire rows of devices are made exclusively on the basis of the pitch aforementioned modular, in particular because they are preferably made using said bridging bars.

Based on the observation resulting from previous observations, this invention provides a solution which allows a decorrelation between the pitch of connection of the external distribution on the one hand and the step of the devices installed on the other hand, and which significantly reduces the number and the dimensions of the connection elements to current modular boxes.

According to an essential objective, the invention also makes it possible to conserve the compatibility with distribution solutions that are already in place, and in particular the supply of modular devices by bridging bars rigid and by individual conductors.

According to yet another objective, the system of the invention leads to a lower production costs by pooling certain functions, when it applies to more than one paired device.

Said invention consists in fact of an electrical appliance of the type modular circuit breaker, block or switch, comprising a box insulation intended to be mounted on a rail or any other fixing support, attached to other electrical devices to form a distribution circuit electric, and for this purpose comprising input connection means and outlet opening into its faces perpendicular to said rail and to the plane connection, for the connection of at least one individual conductor or forming part of a bridging bar suitable for also being connected to any adjacent device attached, and it is mainly characterized in that the housing is divided into two parts that can be connected and separated mechanically and electrically, forming a truncated housing and a removable block, the latter being able to cooperate with either a single box, or shareable between at least two truncated boxes joined together, and containing the connection means input allowing connection to the distribution circuit of the truncated housings to which said block is connected, as well as means for downstream electrical connection to the truncated box (es).

The volume initially allocated to the housing of electrical appliances classics, essentially modular, is therefore divided into two parts one of which has the functional core which performs the function (s) electric, and the other is in fact a distribution accessory which ensures electrical connection or interfacing between at least one conductor external and said functional nucleus.

Although it is applicable to a single box, which is then obviously truncated, the invention takes on its full meaning when the removable block is shared between several boxes, the latter being therefore all truncated to be able integrate the block by plugging in, as this results in a significant reduction in the number of external power supply conductors for the phases and / or for the neutral, the supply being done only once for the removable block, instead of an individual connection for each device as it is in existing configurations.

To maintain compatibility with the configurations in place, if there is more than one phase to be connected, the input connection means are spaced at a pitch p ₁ corresponding to the modular pitch of the connecting tabs of the bridging bars , and the length of said removable block is an integer multiple of this step p ₁ .

The second condition to be fulfilled to obtain compatibility with existing products and their traditional connection mode is in the bridging level, which must of course be equivalent to that of the housings traditional to respect the bypass continuity.

Respect for the spacing of the connection openings and the level of bridging allows in particular the use of conventional bridging bars, when the device of the invention is integrated, on a mounting rail, between electrical appliances fitted with conventional boxes.

Each removable block therefore comprises a single set of means for input connection for each phase and / or neutral, the existence of a set of connection means for each phase and for the neutral depending on the electrical configuration presented by the box (es) truncated to which the block is connected. So there can be only one set connection means for a single phase, or two sets for a phase and neutral, etc. This greatly simplifies the input connection, as well as the space it entails, the individual connections with the functional cores of electrical devices being taken care of downstream of the removable block. As will be seen in more detail below, it is these downstream connections, the pitch of which is completely uncorrelated from that of the connections above, which make said individual connections.

This structure allows a great flexibility of operation, that either in the initial design of the distribution board, for the maintenance or replacement of products if necessary. This flexibility is not only reflected in the initial design work of the table, but also in the increased ease and speed of interventions on site in the event of a problem, dismantling for testing or changing a product being for example almost instantaneous.

When an electrical device according to the invention, that is to say having a removable block supporting input connection functions located placed side by side between conventional modular devices, themselves connected by a bridging comb, and that the removable block has a length which appreciably exceeds the zone in which the connection means, it is necessary to provide for the management of the connection tabs unused bridging bar.

To this end, the block includes means for housing said tabs, in its face into which the input connection means open, at less in areas lacking these means.

This also contributes to the compatibility of the new system with prior art devices. New devices with removable block according to the invention, can therefore be joined on one or two of their sides to classic modular devices, without any restrictions.

According to one possibility, said means of accommodation consist of at least a straight groove extending parallel to the rail or other support fixation. The connection tabs of the bridging blade (s) are then inserted into the slot (s) located at their bridging level in the removable block, without having an electrical connection to inside the block. Alternatively, said groove can be replaced by alveoli.

According to one possibility, the downstream electrical connection means are spaced by a regular step p ₂ which is, as already mentioned, not necessarily equal to the step p ₁ above. It is therefore at this level that the decorrelation takes place between the external step, at input, and the internal step, downstream.

In most cases, however, the step p ₂ separating the downstream quick connection means is a multiple or a sub-multiple of the step p ₁ . This is particularly the case when the removable block of the invention must be used to interface double or triple truncated modules.

Preferably, the removable block comprises downstream means for quick electrical connection to the truncated box (es), i.e. pluggable and preferably removable without tools.

These means act in combination with and simultaneously with mechanical connection means, which in particular allow their guidance, and which can be implemented by hand, without any particular effort.

Said quick connection means consist for example of conductive tabs cooperating with blades also spring conductive so as to establish an electrical connection between the block removable and the truncated case (s).

This structure, well known in itself, is easy to implement and provides a secure electrical connection.

Preferably, the tongues, as well as if necessary that the blades spring, are also protected by IP2X type.

This characteristic is justified by the fact that in certain cases, the housings truncated cooperating with a removable block will not be sufficient to occupy it entirely, either for reasons of configuration of the switchboard, either temporarily during maintenance operations. In these various case, it is important that protection against accidental contact is ensured, and that the user does not take unnecessary risks.

According to one possibility, the protection of the tabs is carried out from the as follows: each tab is surrounded by a conductive wall of shape designed to fit into a correspondingly shaped orifice in the truncated box at the outlet of the spring blade with which it cooperates.

According to a possible configuration, the tabs are attached to the block removable and the leaf spring connectors are integrated into the truncated housing.

The removable block and the truncated boxes to which it is fixed can be pre-assembled in a compact block, then mounted on the rail or support. In other circumstances, however, particularly when carrying out device replacements, extraction of a single truncated case, and its replacement, can easily be implemented by inserting a new box truncated on the tab or tabs which protrude from the block attached to the others truncated boxes mounted on the rail or support.

One of the most original aspects of the present invention resides in the fact that the existence of the removable block allows a second level of design and realization of a part of the distribution circuit, which is totally independent of the input connections arranged outside the volumes of the traditional complete boxes. The choice of the removable block directs in a some measure the configuration of the circuit downstream of this block (width), but the user keeps the choice, in particular according to the spacing of the means of downstream connection, of a number of possible electrical circuits, which depends on the selected devices.

On the same row, assembled to the same rail or support, it can moreover there are several groups of electrical devices depending on separate removable blocks, separated by conventional modular devices.

These removable blocks serve in particular as connection accessories integrated into the complete volumes of the boxes, and they therefore release, between two adjacent rows, a significant space because they allow significantly limit the number of external connection conductors. The space between two rows of adjacent devices being very limited, and little conducive to manipulation occurring during the development of circuits, or during replacement during maintenance operations, is thus used to optimally with the structure of the invention.

The possibility of pooling functions has been mentioned before. traditionally devoted to electrical appliances, as part of the block removable. Thus, in the configurations of the prior art, some of these functions, such as input and output connections, fixing to the rail or to the support, etc. must be provided on each device, modular or not, installed on the rail or on the mounting bracket. However, according to the invention, for removable blocks connected to several boxes, the connection means are shared since they are only in one copy by phase and / or for neutral. This pooling can however be extended to other functions.

Thus, the removable block may include means for fixing to the rail or to the mounting bracket which are also shared.

In this case, and provided that the volume of said block extends to level of the fixing sole, for example to the rail, sole part of which is then in fact integrated into the removable block, at least one latch for fixing to the rail can for example be mounted therein so that it can slide on said part.

In the event that the removable block cooperates with several housings different electrical devices, and depending on its length, we may not plan only one or two latches. Their number does not correspond in any event more necessarily to the number of truncated boxes of modular devices attached downstream of the removable block, and in most cases remains below this number.

Similarly, the removable unit may include a differential switch controlling the electrical devices connected to the block, and dispensing with provide a specific box for this function. Alternatively or additionally, the removable blocks may be fitted with a surge arrester, a voltage indicator, a phase balance indicator, etc.

To further simplify the connection of external upstream conductors, and / or to reduce their number, several blocks can be assembled to each other, and for this purpose they comprise assembly means mechanical and electrical connection allowing them to be joined in a direction parallel to that of the rail or mounting bracket.

It is thus possible to connect, along the rail or the mounting bracket, several groups of devices according to the invention, that is to say each equipped of their removable block. It should also be emphasized that the use of the divisible configuration according to the present invention is entirely compatible with the simultaneous use of older range devices, when these are arranged on the same fixing rail. Even when devices traditional arranged on either side of groups according to the invention are connected by a bridging bar, this is no longer a constraint for the replacement of certain modular electrical devices located in groups according to the invention. There is no need to remove it, when replacing traditional equipment with one or more groupings presenting the new configuration.

Part of the adaptability and flexibility of use in the fact that it is possible to select a removable block which corresponds to the configuration installed to replace traditional boxes.

• la figure 1 montre une vue de profil d'un appareil électrique conforme à l'invention, dont le bloc amovible est simplement schématisé par son contour ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective éclatée d'un groupement de boítiers tronqués d'appareils électriques dotés d'un unique bloc amovible, et assemblable à un appareil modulaire traditionnel ;
• la figure 3 est une vue de dessus de la représentation de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 montre la configuration des deux figures précédentes, les boítiers tronqués de l'invention étant à présent connectés au bloc amovible de manière à réaliser un groupement compact, assemblable à un appareil modulaire classique ;
• la figure 5 représente une configuration possible des éléments de connexion électrique aval, c'est-à-dire ceux qui réalisent la connexion entre le bloc amovible et les appareils à boítiers tronqués ; et
• la figure 6 est une variante de ces mêmes moyens de connexion électrique aval.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will also emerge from the detailed description given below, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 shows a side view of an electrical device according to the invention, the removable block is simply shown schematically by its outline;
• Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a group of truncated housings of electrical devices with a single removable block, and connectable to a traditional modular device;
• Figure 3 is a top view of the representation of Figure 2;
• Figure 4 shows the configuration of the previous two figures, the truncated housings of the invention now being connected to the removable block so as to produce a compact grouping, which can be assembled with a conventional modular device;
• Figure 5 shows a possible configuration of the downstream electrical connection elements, that is to say those which make the connection between the removable block and the devices with truncated housings; and
• Figure 6 is a variant of these same downstream electrical connection means.

Referring to Figure 1, the electrical apparatus of the invention, bearing the general reference (1) comprises at least one truncated case (2) containing the functional core and a removable block (3) separable / nestable mechanically and electrically by means of connection by example operable without tools. The truncated case (2) integrates the functions essential electrical components of the electrical appliance (1).

Together, said truncated housing (2) and the removable block (3) constitute a electrical device whose external dimensions recreate the volume of traditional modular electrical appliances. In the example shown in Figure 1, the removable block (3) develops from the front (4) of the product up to its sole (5), and over the entire width of the device, and it includes therefore the face into which the input connection means open. The fitting of the removable block (3) on the truncated case (2) is in particular made possible by the complementarity of the forms opposite these two parts.

This nesting, as well as separation, can be achieved without tools, the mechanical and electrical connection means being designed for this purpose, in a manner known per se.

Figure 2 shows an example of a series of functional kernels, represented by their truncated housing (2), intended to cooperate with a single block removable (3), therefore of a length adapted to the sum of the module widths (2). The group consisting of truncated boxes (2) connected to the removable block (3) is then intended to be attached, on a rail support, to a conventional modular device (6). The configuration shown is intended to be used in a three-phase circuit, and the means of there are therefore three input connections (8). These means in this case are traditional clamping screw cages, said screws being accessible via orifices (9) arranged in the upper part of the block (3) in the extension of the facade (4). Connection means downstream, intended to electrically connect said block (3) to truncated housings (2), are not visible in this figure. They are intended to fit into the holes (11) shown on the short side sides of said truncated housings (2) facing the block (3).

One of the advantages presented by the removable block (3) consists in the possibility of sharing functions, as already indicated. In this case, it is note that this block (3), intended to cooperate with 12 boxes of width corresponding to a module, has only two latches (7) for fixing to the mounting rail. In other words, the fixing notches (appearing especially in Figure 1) located in the truncated housing, at the sole (5), there are 12, one per product, and only cooperate with two latches (7). This obviously leads to financial gain, by saving parts and simplifying assembly, which is not negligible with reference to the quantity of devices produced.

FIG. 3, having a configuration identical to that of FIG. 2, makes more visible the type of downstream electrical connection used to make to the connection of the removable block (3) to the truncated boxes (2). This is in the occurrence of circular-looking studs (10) intended to be inserted in the aforementioned holes (11), which will be described in more detail with reference to the figure 5. These circular studs (10), however, only have a mechanical function of connection and guidance, the electrical connection being made by a tongue arranged inside said studs (10).

The object of Figure 4 is simply to show that once assembled, the removable block (3) and the truncated housings (2) have a transverse profile which is equivalent to that of the conventional modular device (6). Such conventional devices can therefore be placed on either side of the group formed by said block (3) fixed to the truncated housing (2). The new configuration does not encroach on the spaces traditionally devoted to external conductors.

Figure 5 shows the removable block (3) used in Figures 2 to 4, but in an opposite orientation. The studs (10) surround many tabs electrical connection (12), which are designed to be inserted in blades spring arranged in the truncated housings (2), and emerging at the holes (11).

FIG. 6 constitutes a possible variant of the connection system downstream of Figure 5, according to which the blades (12) are this time inserted between two parallel low walls (13, 13 '). These low walls (13, 13 '), as much that the cylindrical studs (10) aim to protect the user against any contact accidental on the tabs, according to the safety standards in force.

The previous figures showed the association of a removable block (3) with several truncated width boxes representing a module traditional type of electrical appliance (6). However, it is clear that the choice of a removable block does not prejudge in any way the selection of boxes that can be attached to it. Thus, depending on the electrical functions, the available products, the specific pitch of the downstream connection means, etc., it it will be possible to integrate modules whose width is equal to a submultiple or a multiple of the modular step.

In the configuration shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the pitch of the means of downstream connection is equal to the pitch of the input connection means (8). He ... not of course this is a very special case, the main purpose of the block removable (3) being to achieve a decorrelation between the upstream pitch of input connection means and the downstream step. This objective must be fulfilled without however break compatibility with modular electrical devices existing, regardless of the size of the removable block (3).

• un interrupteur différentiel ;
• un voyant de mise sous tension ;
• un système parafoudre ; etc.

As already mentioned, in addition to the mutualisation of the means of attachment to the rail, as well as that of the input connection means, which follows from the uniqueness of these for each phase and / or the neutral, it is also possible to introduce additional elements in the removable block:

• a differential switch;
• a power-on indicator;
• a lightning arrester system; etc.

These possibilities, combined with the choice of the step of the means of downstream connection, and with different available dimensions of the removable block, allow a large number of configurations, at the user's discretion.

Claims (20)

Electrical device of the circuit breaker type, modular block or differential switch comprising an insulating housing designed to be mounted on a rail or any other fixing support, attached to other electrical devices to constitute an electrical distribution circuit, and comprising for this purpose input and output connection means opening in its faces which are perpendicular to said rail or support and to the abutment plane, for the connection of at least one individual conductor or forming part of a bridging bar capable of being also connected to any adjacent adjoining device, characterized in that the box is divided into two parts which can be connected and separated mechanically and electrically, forming a truncated box and a removable block, the latter being able to cooperate with either a single box, or shareable between at least two truncated boxes joined together, and containing the input connection means allowing the connection to the distribution circuit of the truncated box (es) to which said block (s) is connected, as well as downstream electrical connection means to the truncated box (es). Electrical device according to claim 1, characterized in that , if there is more than one phase to be connected, the input connection means are spaced apart by a pitch p ₁ corresponding to that of the connecting tabs of the busbars bridging, and the length of said removable block is an integer multiple of this step p ₁ . Electrical device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said block includes a single set of input connection means per phase and / or for the neutral, the existence of a set of connection means for each phase and for the neutral depending on the electrical configuration presented by the truncated box (es) to which the block is connected. Electrical device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said block comprises means for housing the connecting tabs of the bridging bars, in its face into which the input connection means open, at least in the zones lacking these means. Electrical device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said housing means consist of at least one rectilinear groove extending parallel to the rail or to the fixing support. Electric device according to claim 4, characterized in that said housing means consist of cells. Electrical device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the downstream electrical connection means are spaced by a regular pitch p ₂ . Electrical device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the step p ₂ separating the connection means is a multiple or a sub-multiple of the step p ₁ . Electrical device according to one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the removable block comprises downstream means of rapid electrical connection to each truncated box of electrical device, pluggable and removable preferably without tools. Electric apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said quick connection means consist of conductive tabs cooperating with spring blades also conductive so as to establish an electrical connection between the removable block and the or the truncated housing (s). Electrical device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said tongues and the spring blades are protected by IP2X type. Electrical device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each tongue is surrounded by an insulating wall of shape designed to fit into an orifice of corresponding shape located at the outlet of the leaf spring with which said tongue cooperates. Electrical device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the tongues are attached to the removable block and the connectors with leaf spring are integrated into the truncated housings. Electrical device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the removable block comprises means for fixing to the rail or to the fixing support. Electrical device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the means for fixing to the rail consist of at least one latch sliding along one face of the removable block extending the sole of the truncated case or boxes to which the block is connected. Electrical device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the removable block contains a differential switch. Electrical device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the removable block contains a surge arrester. Electrical device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the removable block includes a voltage indicator. Electrical device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the removable block includes a phase balance indicator. Electrical device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each block comprises means for mechanical assembly and electrical connection to at least one other block, with a view to joining them in a direction parallel to that of the rail or support mounting.

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