EP1643530B1 - Adjustable driver for an electric line protection device - Google Patents

Adjustable driver for an electric line protection device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1643530B1
EP1643530B1 EP20040360089 EP04360089A EP1643530B1 EP 1643530 B1 EP1643530 B1 EP 1643530B1 EP 20040360089 EP20040360089 EP 20040360089 EP 04360089 A EP04360089 A EP 04360089A EP 1643530 B1 EP1643530 B1 EP 1643530B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
electric
bimetal
electric apparatus
fixed
locking mechanism
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP20040360089
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1643530A1 (en
Inventor
Nikola Puh
David Weil
Francis Diebold
David Haag
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Hager Electro SAS
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Hager Electro SAS
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Publication date
Application filed by Hager Electro SAS filed Critical Hager Electro SAS
Priority to DE602004007522T priority Critical patent/DE602004007522T2/en
Priority to EP20040360089 priority patent/EP1643530B1/en
Priority to ES04360089T priority patent/ES2290652T3/en
Priority to CN 200510108833 priority patent/CN1767120B/en
Publication of EP1643530A1 publication Critical patent/EP1643530A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1643530B1 publication Critical patent/EP1643530B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
    • H01H71/74—Means for adjusting the conditions under which the device will function to provide protection
    • H01H71/7427—Adjusting only the electrothermal mechanism
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H69/00—Apparatus or processes for the manufacture of emergency protective devices
    • H01H69/01—Apparatus or processes for the manufacture of emergency protective devices for calibrating or setting of devices to function under predetermined conditions

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the technical field of electrical devices, and more particularly to the field of modular electrical devices of the circuit breaker or switch type, used for the protection of lines to ensure the safety of people.
  • the invention relates, more precisely still, to the actuation of a lock mechanism such as those fitted to magnetothermic trip circuit breakers or devices of this type, for example phase circuit breakers.
  • Line protection circuit breakers conventionally comprise, in an insulating housing, a circuit extending between two terminals and comprising a thermal trip bimetallic strip for protection against electrical overloads and an electromagnetic actuator essentially having a coil cooperating with a mobile magnetic core. associated with a firing pin, to ensure in case of overcurrent tripping by opening a movable contact cooperating with one or more fixed contacts.
  • the phase and neutral circuit breakers comprise, in addition to the phase stage as described, a neutral stage also with fixed and movable contacts, the moving neutral contact being actuated jointly with the moving phase contact.
  • the displacement of the movable contact towards or away from the fixed contact is conventionally controlled by a lock mechanism of the toggle type, operated manually by a control handle. driving a rod tending to push a pivoting contact door to bring the movable contact or contact each with a fixed contact, in which position the reverse movement is normally prevented by a pawl prohibiting the link, a knee-type support on the door contact, to escape and to release this one.
  • the thermal subassembly comprising the bimetallic strip is therefore intended to unlock the lock mechanism so as to release or open the electrical contacts and interrupt the flow of current in the modular apparatus.
  • the unlocking of the lock must take place when the intensity flowing in the electrical circuit exceeds a predetermined threshold. It is therefore necessary to make a precise adjustment of the positioning of the bimetal so that its deflection is sufficient, once this threshold is reached, to ensure tripping.
  • the reliability and accuracy of operation of the modular electrical appliance are at this price.
  • the devices must therefore be equipped with adjustment means to ensure a positioning of the bimetallic compatible with the desired tripping threshold. This positioning and trigger management must also take into account the existence, between the bimetallic strip and the lock mechanism, a coach.
  • Positioning adjustment is conventionally performed by deformation of an elastic piece, for example metallic, supporting the bimetallic strip.
  • a condition for the effectiveness of the adjustment is the stability of the trigger threshold, and thus the stability of the positioning of the bimetal: it is therefore essential that the deformation of the elastic part is perfectly reversible, which implies that one remains, at during operation, below the elastic limit of the constituent material of the piece supporting the bimetallic strip.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a thermal protection subassembly for modular electrical apparatus ensuring accurately and reliably a predetermined tripping threshold, while avoiding the risk of default of reversibility in particular attributable to elastic supports when setting the trigger threshold.
  • Another object of the present invention is to simplify the constituent elements of this thermal subassembly, as well as assembly operations of said subassembly in the modular electrical apparatus.
  • the adjustment means is integrated in the trainer.
  • plastic housing This eliminates the referential represented by the plastic housing, whose dimensional variations in particular related to changes in hygrometry can affect the setting of the bimetallic strip.
  • the plastics selected for the housings are indeed sensitive to ambient humidity, and undergo deformations that may affect the position of the bimetal cold, and therefore the triggering of the product. It is certainly possible to find plastics that are insensitive to hygrometric variations, but their cost is higher, and the deterrent financial impact for a case.
  • the driver slides in translation in the housing and has two active contact zones at the opposite orientation with respect to the sliding direction, said active zones being provided respectively for being driven by the bimetal and for acting on the mechanism. lock, the adjustment means for changing the distance between them.
  • the adjustment means act on the positioning of at least one of the active areas relative to each other.
  • the coach has the shape of a U whose bottom slides in the housing and the jambs comprise the active areas.
  • the bottom of the U provides a sliding guide / sliding element, while the legs have opposite orientation zones which are easily associated with adjusting means to change the distance between them.
  • the active zone cooperating with the bimetallic strip consists of the free end of an element protruding from a leg in the direction of the bimetal and adjustable parallel to the bottom of the coach.
  • the adjustment is therefore parallel to the displacement, which is in the sense of optimizing each adjustment operation.
  • said adjustable element is a self-tapping screw attached to the jamb.
  • Adjustment manipulation is simple, as is the fixing of the adjustable element to a jamb: in terms of industrialization, this solution is favorable and inexpensive.
  • the element protruding from the jamb is turned towards the inside of the U, the other active zone cooperating with the lock mechanism being consequently also oriented towards the inside of the U.
  • the coach partially surrounds the lock mechanism, and the two active areas face each other.
  • the apparatus of the invention comprises an electromagnetic subassembly ensuring the disjunction of the fixed and movable electrical contacts in the event of a short-circuit
  • the bimetal has for example an end welded on one end of the coil of said sub. electromagnetic assembly, which is fixed relative to the housing.
  • the present invention relates, for example, to a modular electric appliance comprising a plastic housing (not shown) with which a support structure (1) partially shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 cooperates.
  • the electrical appliance more precisely comprises at least two connection terminals. electric and a control handle (2) movable between two stable positions and driving a lock mechanism (3) controlling the opening and closing of the electrical connection between the two connection terminals.
  • a fixed electrical contact and a movable electrical contact respectively open and close the electrical connection under the action of the lock mechanism (3).
  • the movable electrical contact (4) is directly driven by the lock mechanism.
  • the fixed electrical contact is for example constituted by a contact pad (5) integral with an induction coil (6) (see FIG. 1).
  • the electrical apparatus further comprises a bimetallic strip (7) acting on the lock mechanism (3) via a driver (8).
  • the driver (8) is shown in more detail in Figures 1, 2 and 3 and moves in the housings to act on the lock mechanism (3). It has an end (8a) shaped to act on the lock mechanism (3) to release the movable electrical contact (4) of the fixed electrical contact (5).
  • the setting means of the trigger threshold are, according to the invention, integrated into the trainer (8).
  • the movable element (11), which is actually the adjustment means, is disposed in a stop (8b) of the driver, and in this case takes the form of a self-tapping screw (11) whose end free is the active surface (10).
  • the stop (8a) acts via its surface (8c) on the lock mechanism (3), while the stop (8b) adjustable according to the position of the screw (11) interacts with the bimetallic strip (7).
  • the screw (11) is for example screwed to the bottom of a bore (12) formed in the constituent material of the driver (8).
  • the distance between the active surfaces (8c, 10) is adjusted to match that between the bimetallic strip (7) and the lock mechanism (3), or more particularly the wall of said mechanism (3) against which the active surface (8c) acts.
  • the electrical apparatus when it comprises an electromagnetic subassembly ensuring the disjunction of the fixed and mobile electrical contacts in the event of sudden overcurrent, is equipped with an induction coil (6), an example of which is shown in FIG. 1.
  • the other end (7b) of the bimetal (7) can then for example be fixed on one end (14) of said coil (6).
  • the electric current thus passes through the induction coil (6) and the bimetallic strip (7), on which is also connected an electric connection braid (not shown).
  • Fixing the bimetallic strip (7) on the end (14) of the induction coil (6) is by any known means and in particular by means of soldering points.
  • Figures 4 and 5 show the bimetal (7) in two positions respectively corresponding to a rest position and an active position. The latter makes it possible to release the movable electrical contact (4) from the fixed electrical contact (5) in response to a reversible deformation of the bimetallic strip (7).
  • the free end (7a) then bears on the movable stop (10) to drive in translation the driver (8), which in turn acts on the lock mechanism (3).
  • the modular electrical device according to the invention is for example constituted by an electric circuit breaker.
  • the modular electrical apparatus may be an electrical switch.

Landscapes

  • Thermally Actuated Switches (AREA)
  • Breakers (AREA)

Description

La présente invention se rapporte au domaine technique des appareils électriques, et plus particulièrement au domaine des appareils électriques modulaires du type disjoncteur ou interrupteur, utilisés pour la protection des lignes en vue d'assurer la sécurité des personnes.The present invention relates to the technical field of electrical devices, and more particularly to the field of modular electrical devices of the circuit breaker or switch type, used for the protection of lines to ensure the safety of people.

L'invention concerne, plus précisément encore, l'actionnement d'un mécanisme de serrure tels que ceux qui équipent les disjoncteurs à disjonction magnétothermique ou les appareils de ce type, par exemple les disjoncteurs de phase.The invention relates, more precisely still, to the actuation of a lock mechanism such as those fitted to magnetothermic trip circuit breakers or devices of this type, for example phase circuit breakers.

Les disjoncteurs de protection de ligne comprennent classiquement, dans un boîtier isolant, un circuit s'étendant entre deux bornes et comprenant un bilame de déclenchement thermique pour la protection contre les surcharges électriques et un actionneur électromagnétique présentant essentiellement une bobine coopérant avec un noyau magnétique mobile associé à un percuteur, pour assurer en cas de surintensité la disjonction par ouverture d'un contact mobile coopérant avec un ou plusieurs contacts fixes. Les disjoncteurs de phase et de neutre comprennent, outre l'étage de phase tel que décrit, un étage de neutre également avec contacts fixe et mobile, le contact mobile de neutre étant actionné conjointement au contact mobile de phase.Line protection circuit breakers conventionally comprise, in an insulating housing, a circuit extending between two terminals and comprising a thermal trip bimetallic strip for protection against electrical overloads and an electromagnetic actuator essentially having a coil cooperating with a mobile magnetic core. associated with a firing pin, to ensure in case of overcurrent tripping by opening a movable contact cooperating with one or more fixed contacts. The phase and neutral circuit breakers comprise, in addition to the phase stage as described, a neutral stage also with fixed and movable contacts, the moving neutral contact being actuated jointly with the moving phase contact.

Le déplacement du contact mobile vers ou à distance du contact fixe est classiquement piloté par un mécanisme de serrure du type à genouillère, actionné manuellement par une manette de commande entraînant une biellette tendant à repousser un porte contact pivotant pour amener le ou les contacts mobiles en contact chacun avec un contact fixe, position dans laquelle le mouvement inverse est normalement empêché par un cliquet interdisant à la biellette, en appui de type genouillère sur le porte contact, de s'échapper et de libérer celui-ci.The displacement of the movable contact towards or away from the fixed contact is conventionally controlled by a lock mechanism of the toggle type, operated manually by a control handle. driving a rod tending to push a pivoting contact door to bring the movable contact or contact each with a fixed contact, in which position the reverse movement is normally prevented by a pawl prohibiting the link, a knee-type support on the door contact, to escape and to release this one.

L'ouverture manuelle s'effectue en actionnant la manette en sens contraire. La disjonction est provoquée par action du bilame ou du percuteur de l'actionneur magnétique contre un déclencheur de façon à provoquer la libération du cliquet et donc l'échappement de la biellette, conduisant à l'ouverture du contact électrique. Un tel mécanisme de serrure est par exemple décrit dans le brevet européen EP 0 570 647 B1 .Manual opening is done by pressing the lever in the opposite direction. The disjunction is caused by action of the bimetallic strip or striker of the magnetic actuator against a trigger so as to cause the release of the pawl and thus the escape of the rod, leading to the opening of the electrical contact. Such a lock mechanism is for example described in the European patent EP 0 570 647 B1 .

Le sous-ensemble thermique comprenant le bilame est donc destiné à déverrouiller le mécanisme de serrure de façon à libérer ou ouvrir les contacts électriques et interrompre la circulation du courant dans l'appareil modulaire. Le déverrouillage de la serrure doit s'effectuer lorsque l'intensité circulant dans le circuit électrique dépasse un seuil prédéterminé. Il convient donc de procéder à un réglage précis du positionnement du bilame pour que sa déflexion soit suffisante, une fois ce seuil atteint, pour assurer le déclenchement. La fiabilité et la précision de fonctionnement de l'appareil électrique modulaire sont à ce prix.The thermal subassembly comprising the bimetallic strip is therefore intended to unlock the lock mechanism so as to release or open the electrical contacts and interrupt the flow of current in the modular apparatus. The unlocking of the lock must take place when the intensity flowing in the electrical circuit exceeds a predetermined threshold. It is therefore necessary to make a precise adjustment of the positioning of the bimetal so that its deflection is sufficient, once this threshold is reached, to ensure tripping. The reliability and accuracy of operation of the modular electrical appliance are at this price.

Les appareils doivent donc être équipés de moyens de réglage permettant d'assurer un positionnement du bilame compatible avec le seuil de déclenchement voulu. Ce positionnement et la gestion du déclenchement doivent de plus tenir compte de l'existence, entre le bilame et le mécanisme de serrure, d'un entraîneur.The devices must therefore be equipped with adjustment means to ensure a positioning of the bimetallic compatible with the desired tripping threshold. This positioning and trigger management must also take into account the existence, between the bimetallic strip and the lock mechanism, a coach.

Le réglage du positionnement s'effectue classiquement par déformation d'une pièce élastique, par exemple métallique, supportant le bilame. Une condition à l'efficacité du réglage est la stabilité du seuil de déclenchement, donc la stabilité du positionnement du bilame : il est dès lors indispensable que la déformation de la pièce élastique soit parfaitement réversible, ce qui implique que l'on reste, au cours du fonctionnement, en deçà de la limite élastique du matériau constitutif de la pièce supportant le bilame.Positioning adjustment is conventionally performed by deformation of an elastic piece, for example metallic, supporting the bimetallic strip. A condition for the effectiveness of the adjustment is the stability of the trigger threshold, and thus the stability of the positioning of the bimetal: it is therefore essential that the deformation of the elastic part is perfectly reversible, which implies that one remains, at during operation, below the elastic limit of the constituent material of the piece supporting the bimetallic strip.

Il est par exemple connu d'utiliser un ressort en inox associé à cette pièce support, dont le réglage peut être réalisé à l'aide d'une vis dont la tête est accessible depuis l'extérieur du boîtier.It is for example known to use a stainless spring associated with this support piece, the adjustment can be achieved using a screw whose head is accessible from outside the housing.

Le but de la présente invention vise à réaliser un sous-ensemble thermique de protection pour appareil électrique modulaire assurant avec précision et fiabilité un seuil de déclenchement prédéterminé, tout en s'affranchissant du risque de défaut de réversibilité notamment imputable aux supports élastiques lors du réglage du seuil de déclenchement.The object of the present invention is to provide a thermal protection subassembly for modular electrical apparatus ensuring accurately and reliably a predetermined tripping threshold, while avoiding the risk of default of reversibility in particular attributable to elastic supports when setting the trigger threshold.

Un autre but de la présente invention vise à simplifier les éléments constitutifs de ce sous-ensemble thermique, ainsi que les opérations d'assemblage dudit sous-ensemble dans l'appareil électrique modulaire.Another object of the present invention is to simplify the constituent elements of this thermal subassembly, as well as assembly operations of said subassembly in the modular electrical apparatus.

La solution traditionnelle à support élastique nécessitant plusieurs composants, est également intéressant, dans le cadre de la présente invention, d'obtenir la réduction du nombre de pièces constitutives du sous-ensemble de protection thermique, et d'aboutir par conséquent à une réduction significative des coûts de fabrication.The traditional solution with elastic support requiring several components, is also interesting, in the context of the present invention, to obtain the reduction of the number of parts constituting the thermal protection subassembly, and therefore lead to a significant reduction manufacturing costs.

Selon l'invention, à titre principal, le moyen de réglage est intégré dans l'entraîneur.According to the invention, primarily, the adjustment means is integrated in the trainer.

On s'affranchit ainsi du référentiel représenté par le boîtier en matière plastique, dont les variations dimensionnelles notamment liées aux changements d'hygrométrie peuvent affecter le réglage du bilame. Les plastiques choisis pour les boîtiers sont en effet sensibles à l'humidité ambiante, et subissent des déformations susceptibles de se répercuter sur la position du bilame à froid, et par conséquent sur le déclenchement du produit. Il est certes possible de trouver des plastiques qui sont insensibles aux variations hygrométriques, mais leur coût est plus élevé, et l'incidence financière dissuasive pour un boîtier.This eliminates the referential represented by the plastic housing, whose dimensional variations in particular related to changes in hygrometry can affect the setting of the bimetallic strip. The plastics selected for the housings are indeed sensitive to ambient humidity, and undergo deformations that may affect the position of the bimetal cold, and therefore the triggering of the product. It is certainly possible to find plastics that are insensitive to hygrometric variations, but their cost is higher, and the deterrent financial impact for a case.

La solution de l'invention permet de n'utiliser ce type de plastique que pour l'entraîneur, pièce de dimensions telles que l'impact économique est négligeable.The solution of the invention makes it possible to use this type of plastic only for the coach, a piece of dimensions such that the economic impact is negligible.

Elle conduit enfin à s'affranchir de la pièce élastique support servant au réglage de la position du bilame.It finally leads to get rid of the elastic support piece used to adjust the position of the bimetallic strip.

De préférence, l'entraîneur coulisse en translation dans le boîtier et présente deux zones actives de contact à l'orientation opposée par rapport à la direction du coulissement, lesdites zones actives étant prévues respectivement pour être entraînée par le bilame et pour agir sur le mécanisme de serrure, les moyens de réglage permettant de modifier la distance les séparant.Preferably, the driver slides in translation in the housing and has two active contact zones at the opposite orientation with respect to the sliding direction, said active zones being provided respectively for being driven by the bimetal and for acting on the mechanism. lock, the adjustment means for changing the distance between them.

Jusqu'ici, les entraîneurs utilisés n'ont jamais servi d'éléments de réglage et sont par conséquent des pièces dont la forme est insusceptible d'être modifiée.So far, the coaches used have never been used as adjustment elements and are therefore parts whose shape is insusceptible to be modified.

L'originalité de l'invention tient en fait dans la possibilité de modifier les côtes de l'entraîneur, et donc de l'adapter au positionnement du bilame plutôt que l'inverse.The originality of the invention is in fact in the possibility of modifying the ribs of the coach, and therefore to adapt to the positioning of bimetallic rather than the opposite.

De préférence encore, les moyens de réglage agissent sur le positionnement d'au moins une des zones actives par rapport à l'autre.More preferably, the adjustment means act on the positioning of at least one of the active areas relative to each other.

Pour des raisons économiques, néanmoins, seule une des zones actives sera réglable dans la plupart des hypothèses.For economic reasons, however, only one of the active zones will be adjustable in most cases.

En fait, selon une possibilité, l'entraîneur présente la forme d'un U dont le fond coulisse dans le boîtier et les jambages comportent les zones actives.In fact, according to one possibility, the coach has the shape of a U whose bottom slides in the housing and the jambs comprise the active areas.

Cette forme, classique en elle-même, se prête naturellement à l'invention : le fond du U procure un élément de guidage / glissement favorable au coulissement, alors que les jambages présentent des zones d'orientation opposées auxquelles est facile d'associer des moyens de réglage visant à modifier la distance qui les sépare.This form, conventional in itself, lends itself naturally to the invention: the bottom of the U provides a sliding guide / sliding element, while the legs have opposite orientation zones which are easily associated with adjusting means to change the distance between them.

Selon une configuration préférentielle, la zone active coopérant avec le bilame consiste en l'extrémité libre d'un élément dépassant d'un jambage en direction du bilame et réglable parallèlement au fond de l'entraîneur.According to a preferred configuration, the active zone cooperating with the bimetallic strip consists of the free end of an element protruding from a leg in the direction of the bimetal and adjustable parallel to the bottom of the coach.

Le réglage s'effectue par conséquent parallèlement au déplacement, ce qui va dans le sens de l'optimisation de chaque opération de réglage.The adjustment is therefore parallel to the displacement, which is in the sense of optimizing each adjustment operation.

En fait, plus précisément, ledit élément réglable est une vis autotaraudeuse fixée au jambage.In fact, more precisely, said adjustable element is a self-tapping screw attached to the jamb.

La manipulation de réglage est simple, autant que l'est la fixation de l'élément réglable à un jambage : en termes d'industrialisation, cette solution est favorable et peu coûteuse.Adjustment manipulation is simple, as is the fixing of the adjustable element to a jamb: in terms of industrialization, this solution is favorable and inexpensive.

Selon une possibilité, l'élément dépassant du jambage est tourné vers l'intérieur du U, l'autre zone active coopérant avec le mécanisme de serrure étant dès lors également orientée vers l'intérieur du U.According to one possibility, the element protruding from the jamb is turned towards the inside of the U, the other active zone cooperating with the lock mechanism being consequently also oriented towards the inside of the U.

Dans cette configuration, qui est l'une des deux possibles, l'entraîneur entoure partiellement le mécanisme de serrure, et les deux zones actives se font face.In this configuration, which is one of two possible, the coach partially surrounds the lock mechanism, and the two active areas face each other.

Dans l'hypothèse où l'appareil de l'invention comporte un sous-ensemble électromagnétique assurant la disjonction des contacts électriques fixe et mobile en cas de court-circuit, le bilame présente par exemple une extrémité soudée sur une extrémité de la bobine dudit sous-ensemble électromagnétique, lequel est fixe par rapport au boîtier.In the event that the apparatus of the invention comprises an electromagnetic subassembly ensuring the disjunction of the fixed and movable electrical contacts in the event of a short-circuit, the bimetal has for example an end welded on one end of the coil of said sub. electromagnetic assembly, which is fixed relative to the housing.

On peut ainsi n'utiliser qu'une seule tresse de liaison électrique fixée au bilame, réduisant par conséquent encore le nombre de pièces constitutives de l'appareil électrique.It is thus possible to use only one electrical connection braid fixed to the bimetallic strip, thereby further reducing the number of component parts of the electrical apparatus.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages ressortiront également de la description détaillée figurant ci-après en référence aux dessins annexés, dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une représentation partielle du sous-ensemble de protection thermique conforme à l'invention ;
  • les figures 2 et 3 montrent des détails de la figure 1 ;
  • les figures 4 et 5 représentent le bilame de l'appareil électrique conforme à l'invention dans deux positions de fonctionnement différentes.
Other features and advantages will also emerge from the detailed description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
  • Figure 1 is a partial representation of the thermal protection subassembly according to the invention;
  • Figures 2 and 3 show details of Figure 1;
  • Figures 4 and 5 show the bimetallic device of the invention according to the invention in two different operating positions.

La présente invention concerne par exemple un appareil électrique modulaire comportant un boîtier en matière plastique (non représenté) avec lequel coopère une structure support (1) représentée partiellement aux figures 4 et 5. L'appareil électrique comporte plus précisément au moins deux bornes de connexion électrique et une manette de commande (2) déplaçable entre deux positions stables et entraînant un mécanisme de serrure (3) pilotant l'ouverture et la fermeture de la liaison électrique entre les deux bornes de connexion.The present invention relates, for example, to a modular electric appliance comprising a plastic housing (not shown) with which a support structure (1) partially shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 cooperates. The electrical appliance more precisely comprises at least two connection terminals. electric and a control handle (2) movable between two stable positions and driving a lock mechanism (3) controlling the opening and closing of the electrical connection between the two connection terminals.

Un contact électrique fixe et un contact électrique mobile ouvrent et ferment respectivement la liaison électrique sous l'action du mécanisme de serrure (3). Le contact électrique mobile (4) est directement entraîné par le mécanisme de serrure. Le contact électrique fixe est par exemple constitué d'une pastille de contact (5) solidaire d'une bobine à induction (6) (voir figure 1).A fixed electrical contact and a movable electrical contact respectively open and close the electrical connection under the action of the lock mechanism (3). The movable electrical contact (4) is directly driven by the lock mechanism. The fixed electrical contact is for example constituted by a contact pad (5) integral with an induction coil (6) (see FIG. 1).

L'appareil électrique comporte par ailleurs un bilame (7) de déclenchement thermique agissant sur le mécanisme de serrure (3) via un entraîneur (8).The electrical apparatus further comprises a bimetallic strip (7) acting on the lock mechanism (3) via a driver (8).

L'entraîneur (8) est représenté plus en détail aux figures 1, 2 et 3 et se déplace dans les boîtiers pour agir sur le mécanisme de serrure (3). Il présente une extrémité (8a) conformée pour agir sur le mécanisme de serrure (3) en vue de libérer le contact électrique mobile (4) du contact électrique fixe (5). Les moyens de réglage du seuil de déclenchement sont, selon l'invention, intégrés dans l'entraîneur (8).The driver (8) is shown in more detail in Figures 1, 2 and 3 and moves in the housings to act on the lock mechanism (3). It has an end (8a) shaped to act on the lock mechanism (3) to release the movable electrical contact (4) of the fixed electrical contact (5). The setting means of the trigger threshold are, according to the invention, integrated into the trainer (8).

Ces moyens de réglage permettent d'ajuster la distance entre une butée (8a) disposée à l'une des extrémités de l'entraîneur (8), et présentant une surface active (8c), et un élément mobile (11) dont la surface active (10), destinée à venir au contact de l'extrémité libre (7a) du bilame (7), est orientée à l'inverse de la surface (8c).These adjustment means make it possible to adjust the distance between a stop (8a) disposed at one end of the driver (8), and having an active surface (8c), and a movable element (11) whose surface active (10), intended to come into contact with the free end (7a) of the bimetallic strip (7), is oriented opposite the surface (8c).

L'élément mobile (11), qui constitue en réalité le moyen de réglage, est disposé dans une butée (8b) de l'entraîneur, et prend en l'occurrence la forme d'une vis autotaraudeuse (11) dont l'extrémité libre est la surface active (10).The movable element (11), which is actually the adjustment means, is disposed in a stop (8b) of the driver, and in this case takes the form of a self-tapping screw (11) whose end free is the active surface (10).

La butée (8a) agit par l'intermédiaire de sa surface (8c) sur le mécanisme de serrure (3), alors que la butée (8b) réglable selon la position de la vis (11) interagit avec le bilame (7). La vis (11) est par exemple vissée au fond d'un perçage (12) ménagé dans la matière constitutive de l'entraîneur (8). La distance entre les surfaces actives (8c, 10) est réglée pour s'adapter à celle qui existe entre le bilame (7) et le mécanisme à serrure (3), ou plus particulièrement la paroi dudit mécanisme (3) contre laquelle agit la surface active (8c).The stop (8a) acts via its surface (8c) on the lock mechanism (3), while the stop (8b) adjustable according to the position of the screw (11) interacts with the bimetallic strip (7). The screw (11) is for example screwed to the bottom of a bore (12) formed in the constituent material of the driver (8). The distance between the active surfaces (8c, 10) is adjusted to match that between the bimetallic strip (7) and the lock mechanism (3), or more particularly the wall of said mechanism (3) against which the active surface (8c) acts.

L'appareil électrique, lorsqu'il comporte un sous-ensemble électro-magnétique assurant la disjonction des contacts électriques fixe et mobile en cas de surintensité brutale, est équipé d'une bobine à induction (6) dont un exemple est représenté à la figure 1. L'autre extrémité (7b) du bilame (7) peut alors par exemple être fixée sur une extrémité (14) de ladite bobine (6). Le courant électrique traverse donc la bobine à induction (6) et le bilame (7), sur lequel est également reliée une tresse de liaison électrique non représentée. La fixation du bilame (7) sur l'extrémité (14) de la bobine à induction (6) se fait par tous moyens connus et notamment par l'intermédiaire de points de soudure.The electrical apparatus, when it comprises an electromagnetic subassembly ensuring the disjunction of the fixed and mobile electrical contacts in the event of sudden overcurrent, is equipped with an induction coil (6), an example of which is shown in FIG. 1. The other end (7b) of the bimetal (7) can then for example be fixed on one end (14) of said coil (6). The electric current thus passes through the induction coil (6) and the bimetallic strip (7), on which is also connected an electric connection braid (not shown). Fixing the bimetallic strip (7) on the end (14) of the induction coil (6) is by any known means and in particular by means of soldering points.

Les figures 4 et 5 représentent le bilame (7) dans deux positions correspondant respectivement à une position de repos et à une position active. Cette dernière permet de libérer le contact électrique mobile (4) du contact électrique fixe (5) en réponse à une déformation réversible du bilame (7). L'extrémité libre (7a) vient alors en appui sur la butée mobile (10) pour entraîner en translation l'entraîneur (8), lequel agit à son tour sur le mécanisme de serrure (3).Figures 4 and 5 show the bimetal (7) in two positions respectively corresponding to a rest position and an active position. The latter makes it possible to release the movable electrical contact (4) from the fixed electrical contact (5) in response to a reversible deformation of the bimetallic strip (7). The free end (7a) then bears on the movable stop (10) to drive in translation the driver (8), which in turn acts on the lock mechanism (3).

L'appareil électrique modulaire conforme à l'invention est par exemple constitué par un disjoncteur électrique. Selon un autre exemple de réalisation, l'appareil électrique modulaire peut être un interrupteur électrique.The modular electrical device according to the invention is for example constituted by an electric circuit breaker. According to another embodiment, the modular electrical apparatus may be an electrical switch.

Claims (10)

  1. Modular electric apparatus for the protection of an electric line comprising, in a plastic material casing:
    - at least two connection terminals to the electric line,
    - a command handle (2) able to move between two stable positions, driving:
    - a locking mechanism (3) piloting the opening and closing of the electric connection between the two connection terminals,
    - a fixed electric contact and a moving electric contact, opening and closing the electric connection under the action of the locking mechanism (3),
    - a thermal trip bimetal (7) acting on the locking mechanism (3) via a tripper bar (8) in the event of an electric overload on the line, said tripper bar having a float arrangement in the casing,
    - and means for adjusting the trip threshold of the bimetal (7);
    characterized in that the adjustment means are integrated in the tripper bar (8).
  2. Electric apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that the tripper bar (8) slides in translation within the casing and has two active contact zones (8c,10) oriented in the opposite direction with respect to the direction of sliding, said active zones (8c,10) being respectively designed to be driven by the bimetal (7) and to act on the locking mechanism (3), the adjustment means (11) being used to modify the distance between them.
  3. Electric apparatus as in the preceding claim, characterized in that the adjustment means (11) act on the positioning of at least one of the active zones (8c,10) with respect to the other.
  4. Electric apparatus as in either of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the tripper bar (8) is U-shaped whose bottom part slides in the casing and the branches comprise active zones (8c,10).
  5. Electric apparatus as in the preceding claim characterized in that the active zone (10) cooperating with the bimetal(7) consists of the free end of an element (11) projecting beyond a branch in the direction of the bimetal (7) and adjustable parallel to the bottom of the tripper bar (8).
  6. Electric apparatus as in the preceding claim, characterized in that said adjustable element is a self-tapping screw (11) fixed to the branch.
  7. Electric apparatus as in either of claims 5 and 6 characterized in that said element (11) projects beyond the branch towards the inside of the U, the other active zone (8c) cooperating with the locking mechanism (3) then also facing towards the inside of the U.
  8. Electric apparatus as in any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises an electromagnetic subassembly ensuring the parting of the fixed (5) and moving (4) electric contacts in the event of a short circuit.
  9. Electric apparatus as in claim 8 characterized in that the bimetal (7) is fixed to one end (14) of an induction coil (6) of the electromagnetic subassembly, which is fixed with respect to the casing.
  10. Modular electric apparatus as in claim 8 or 9 characterized in that it forms an electric circuit breaker.
EP20040360089 2004-10-01 2004-10-01 Adjustable driver for an electric line protection device Expired - Lifetime EP1643530B1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE602004007522T DE602004007522T2 (en) 2004-10-01 2004-10-01 Adjustable drive for a power line protection device
EP20040360089 EP1643530B1 (en) 2004-10-01 2004-10-01 Adjustable driver for an electric line protection device
ES04360089T ES2290652T3 (en) 2004-10-01 2004-10-01 ADJUSTABLE ACTUATOR FOR ELECTRICAL LINE PROTECTION APPLIANCE.
CN 200510108833 CN1767120B (en) 2004-10-01 2005-09-30 Adjustable driver for an electric line protection device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20040360089 EP1643530B1 (en) 2004-10-01 2004-10-01 Adjustable driver for an electric line protection device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1643530A1 EP1643530A1 (en) 2006-04-05
EP1643530B1 true EP1643530B1 (en) 2007-07-11

Family

ID=34931784

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20040360089 Expired - Lifetime EP1643530B1 (en) 2004-10-01 2004-10-01 Adjustable driver for an electric line protection device

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1643530B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1767120B (en)
DE (1) DE602004007522T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2290652T3 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR3126059A1 (en) 2021-08-06 2023-02-10 Schneider Electric Industries Sas Electrical protection device with thermal trip, electrical panel comprising such a device and method for adjusting such a device

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4313098A (en) * 1980-01-16 1982-01-26 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Circuit interrupter trip unit
CN1016476B (en) * 1985-10-26 1992-04-29 西屋电气公司 Circuit breaker with calibration adjusting means
FR2648615B1 (en) * 1989-06-16 1991-09-13 Hager Electro IMPROVEMENTS ON AUTOMATIC SWITCHES, IN PARTICULAR FOR CIRCUIT BREAKERS AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
ATE102391T1 (en) * 1992-05-13 1994-03-15 Hager Electro KEYLOCK FOR CIRCUIT BREAKER AND CIRCUIT BREAKER INTEGRATED WITH IT.
FR2735614B1 (en) * 1995-06-19 1997-07-18 Schneider Electric Sa DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING THE THERMAL TRIGGER OF A CIRCUIT BREAKER
IT1302051B1 (en) * 1998-09-08 2000-07-20 Gewiss Spa MAGNETOTHERMAL ELECTRIC SWITCH.
US6445274B1 (en) * 2000-11-10 2002-09-03 Eaton Corporation Circuit interrupter with thermal trip adjustability
CN2489459Y (en) * 2001-05-28 2002-05-01 Lg产电株式会社 Circuit trip device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1767120B (en) 2010-09-01
DE602004007522D1 (en) 2007-08-23
CN1767120A (en) 2006-05-03
ES2290652T3 (en) 2008-02-16
DE602004007522T2 (en) 2008-03-13
EP1643530A1 (en) 2006-04-05

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