Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
  • H01H13/02—Details
  • H01H13/26—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members
  • H01H13/28—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members using compression or extension of coil springs
  • H01H13/285—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members using compression or extension of coil springs having a symmetrical configuration

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a bistable mechanical locking device of a mobile in translation, in particular in a circuit breaker.
• This rod can thus take two positions, one in which the bridge is in contact with the studs and the other in which the bridge is spaced from the studs.
• the problem which then arises is to maintain the bridge and therefore the rod which carries it, in the two positions, in a stable manner, avoiding any consumption of energy during the maintenance in one or the other of these stable positions. , without risk of escaping in the event of an impact or movement of the support on which the battery switch is attached or more generally the controlled member.
• Document DE 297.13.168 describes such a device, comprising two springs, working in compression, each mounted on an extendable axis, provided on either side of the rod so as to mark the stable positions.
• the present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and proposes a device as defined in claim 1.
• FIG. 1 a perspective view of a battery switch chosen to illustrate the invention
• FIGS. 4A and 4B two side elevation views of the locking device mounted, respectively in a first and a second state
• FIGS. 5A and 5B the top views of the representations of FIGS. 4A and 4B.
• FIG. 6A and 6B two sectional views through a vertical median plane of a complete battery switch, equipped with the device according to the present invention in the two stable positions.
• the battery switch is seen from the outside, ready to be attached to a support. It comprises a casing 10 surmounted by an actuator 12, in this case a handle and two studs 14 for electrical connection capable of being interposed on an electrical supply line.
• the casing is made in two parts, one upper 10A and the other lower 10B.
• the casing comprises a tubular sheath 16, which is capped by the body of the handle 12. This sheath is used as the axis of rotation of the handle.
• This handle carries a hole 18 provided to receive a pin 20.
• This battery switch further comprises means 22 for operating in translation of a rod 24 movable in translation.
• These maneuvering means 22 comprise a cylinder 26 with an outside diameter equal, apart from the clearance, to the inside diameter of the sleeve 16.
• This cylinder is equipped with a flange 28 so as to hold this cylinder on either side of the sheath 16 and a hole 30 provided to be crossed, after assembly, by the pin 20.
• This cylinder is therefore linked to the handle in rotation and rotatably mounted in the cylinder 16.
• This cylinder further comprises a through helical track 32, formed in the thickness of its wall.
• FIG. 3 simultaneously to FIG. 1 to appreciate the details of the assembly.
• This so-called head part is referenced 34. it carries at its upper end a bore 36 opening, oriented along a diameter and capable of receiving an axis 38.
• This axis has a length equal to the outside diameter of the cylinder 26 and an equal diameter, at play close, to the width of the helical track 32 so that you can slide in this track.
• the rod body 40 has a substantially square section and comprises a window 42, of oblong shape, passing through two of the opposite faces.
• the major axis of this oblong shape is oriented parallel to the displacement of said rod.
• two fixed pins 44 are provided on each of the other two faces, receiving two rings 46 mounted free in rotation, defining a pivot axis.
• the locking device further comprises two arms 48, in a U, the free ends of which consist of forks 50, of profile conjugate with that of the rings 46, so that they can be straddled and pivoted around them.
• the four forks are arranged in pairs on the two pins.
• first two bosses there are two second bosses 51-2 which provide an upper support stop for the bases 49.
• the arms 48 are thus held in the plane P but can pivot.
• a spring 52 working in traction, is interposed between the bases of the arms 48, therefore between the bases of the U-shaped profiles.
• the ends of the spring are curved to come around the base of the profile. As shown in Figure 3, the spring passes through the oblong window 42.
• the lower part called the foot of the movable rod 24 is designed to cooperate with the lower part 10B of the casing.
• This foot carries two stops 54 for setting a plating spring 56, coaxial with said foot of the rod.
• a bridge 58 made of conductive material, is carried by this stem foot in order to be able to electrically connect the studs 14.
• This bridge has a passage hole so as to allow a sliding assembly in translation around said stem foot.
• the spring being interposed in a compressed manner between the stops 54 and the bridge 58, a circlip 60 limits the maximum travel of the bridge downwards.
• a ring 62 with a flange with its seal, ensuring guiding and sealing at the foot of the rod, which is housed in the lower part 10B of the casing 10.
• damping means are secured to the foot of the rod 24.
• damping means comprise a piston 66 provided with an O-ring 68, mounted to slide in a housing 70 visible in FIG. 2 but better still in FIGS. 6.
• FIGS. 4A, 5A and 6A The operation of the locking device in the case of a battery switch as described is now detailed. If this embodiment has been chosen, it is because it is particularly explicit but it is in no way limiting. Indeed, it can be implemented in other arrangements. Reference is made to FIGS. 4A, 5A and 6A as well as to FIGS. 4B, 5B and 6B.
• the bridge 58 is detached from the studs 14 with a sufficient air gap for the air space to provide electrical insulation.
• the rod 24 is in the high position, that is to say that the pin 20 is in the high position in the groove 32.
• the branches 48 have their fork 50 in the high position, above the plane P while the bases remain held in the plane P by the bosses 51-1 and 51-2.
• the spring 52 holds the two arms stably with an angle, the top of which is upwards, as illustrated in FIG. 4A.
• the spring 56 presses the bridge 58 on the circlip 60 which retains it.
• the piston 66 is at the top of the housing 70 formed in the lower part 10B of the casing 10.
• the actuating means is implemented, in this case the manual handle.
• This handle is turned a quarter turn, clockwise, the limitation being obtained by a notch formed in the upper part 10A of the casing 10 as shown in FIG. 6A.
• the pin 20 cooperates in the track 32 and causes the movable rod 24 to descend downwards.
• the movement is forced, which causes the tensioning of the spring 52 and the tilting of the forks 50 downwards, once the hard point has passed.
• the arms are then in a second stable position.
• the bridge is pressed against the studs and the spring 56 ensures pressure of the bridge on the studs.
• the two stable positions are mechanically locked and any actuator only has to exert efforts to pass from one stable state to another, but the device then does not require any energy to maintain it in the determined position. Furthermore, this arrangement gives the device a reduced capacity and number of parts.
• the actuator of the maneuvering means as presented is of the manual type since it is a handle but any other actuator of the pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical or electric type can ensure the maneuvers of the rod without changing the spirit of the present invention, the battery switch being only one particular example of application.
• the piston 66 / chamber 70 assembly can constitute a jack ensuring the maneuvers of the movable rod 24.

Landscapes

• Push-Button Switches (AREA)
• Battery Mounting, Suspending (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=8868289

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Family Cites Families (4)

• 2001
  • 2001-10-12 FR FR0113253A patent/FR2830979B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2002
  • 2002-10-10 WO PCT/FR2002/003451 patent/WO2003032346A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2002-10-10 EP EP02785538A patent/EP1435103A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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