EP1734434A1 - Emergency circuit breaker - Google Patents

Abstract

The switch has a tubular body (2) receiving a tubular part (3), displaced in axial translation, and a blocking unit (5) cooperating with indexing slots (6,7) in output and reentering positions, respectively. The blocking unit is in the form of an annular shaped part which is integrated in the tubular body, where one part of the annular shaped part is elastically deformable so that the blocking unit is returned in a direction of one of the slots. The annular shaped part is made of an elastomer material, where a possibility of the removal of the blocking unit is determined by guiding units.

Description

The present invention relates to a punch switch, of the type comprising a body receiving movable means in translation adapted, under the effect of an axial thrust, to move from an extended position to a retracted position, each of said positions being indexed through locking means adapted to cooperate with at least one indexing notch in an extended position and with at least one indexing notch in a retracted position.

A punch switch is generally used for the emergency stop of a device in operation or the rapid shutdown of a circuit or network. Such a switch will find application in many technical fields, such as, and not limited to, through chains and industrial devices, machine tools, power circuits, etc.

Such a switch generally comprises a body on which is mounted a push button. Under the effect of an axial thrust on this button, a trigger, movable in translation relative to said body, passes into a stop position in which a portion of this trigger is projecting from said body and causes the device to stop or other.

Note that some of these switches are provided with a system of arming through a spring, to ensure the non-return after triggering.

For safety reasons, after triggering, the punch switches remain locked in the depressed position and restarting the device or other is possible only through a voluntary approach. To do this, the state of the art provides for unlocking said switch by pulling on said button.

Such a switch comprises an elastic element, such as a coil spring arranged in a ring, which cooperates with two peripheral grooves of complementary shape, spaced longitudinally, and each corresponding to one of the two positions taken out and retracted.

Other punch switches provide for the unlocking of the button by rotation of the latter. These switches comprise latching locking means which are disengaged by rotation. In addition to being complex in design and expensive to manufacture, the known switches have the disadvantage that a rotary unlocking switch and a pulling switch require different manufacturing on separate assembly lines, which leads to additional costs. of production.

We know from the document US 4,404,445 , a pull-release switch with pull release, whose push button is also capable of being manipulated in rotation so as to cooperate with a cam which pushes it axially and therefore transforms this rotation by traction. The disadvantage of such a punch switch is that it is necessarily unlockable by traction and rotation, and it is not possible to have one or the other.

In addition, the rotary unlocking switches can not be equipped with an arming system ensuring the non-return after tripping.

Also known are punch switches optionally equipped with visual means to indicate their state, open or closed, and usually consist of either a light element or a movable element cooperating with a window. The document US 4,404,445 aforementioned is thus equipped with a luminous means.

The implementation of such a visual means requires to have enough space inside the switch, knowing that the latter must meet limited external dimensions.

However, very few punch switches can be equipped with such visual means, and those who can, are unlocked by traction, or like that of the document US 4,404,445 with release by traction and rotation.

Consequently, there are currently no punches, unlockable by traction and / or rotation, capable of incorporating visual means for signaling their state, open or closed, consisting either of a light element or in a movable element cooperating with a window, and may further be equipped with a cocking system ensuring the non-return after tripping.

The invention aims to overcome this deficiency, by providing a punch switch to meet all these criteria.

The punch switch according to the invention is of the type comprising a body receiving a movable means in translation adapted, under the effect of an axial thrust, to move from an extended position to a retracted position, each of said positions being indexed through at least one locking means adapted to cooperate with at least one indexing notch in an extended position and with at least one indexing notch in a retracted position, and is essentially characterized in that a part of said indexing notches are made in the outer wall of said movable means, that secondly said locking means consists of a portion of an annular piece arranged around said movable means, immobilized in rotation relative to said body , and which is shaped to be able to cooperate alternately with one or the other of said notches indexing, while at least one other part of said part is elastically deformable so as to be able to return said locking means towards one or the other notch; and in that on the other hand said indexing notch in the retracted position is shaped so as to allow extraction of said locking means by a rotational movement of said locking means with respect to said indexing notch, as well as in an axial traction movement of said moving means, the possibility of extraction of said locking means according to one or other of said movements being determined by means for guiding the displacement of said moving means relative to said body.

The annular shape of the part comprising the blocking means makes it possible to release the interior of the system so as to be able to incorporate visual means for signaling the state of the switch.

According to an additional characteristic of the switch according to the invention, the annular shaped piece comprises a plurality of locking means separated in pairs by an elastically deformable part.

Preferably, for reasons of distribution of forces, the annular piece comprises two diametrically opposed locking means.

According to another additional feature of the switch according to the invention, the annular piece consists of a single piece.

The annular piece is preferably monobloc, it may, however, consist of two or more parts abutted and joined together.

According to another additional feature of the switch according to the invention, the annular shaped piece consists of a one-piece piece from molding one or more elastomeric materials.

The annular piece may come from molding an elastomeric material on a core of another material, metal for example.

According to another additional characteristic of the switch according to the invention, the annular piece is an integral part of the body, or part thereof, and comes from the molding thereof in a plastic material.

Such a design facilitates the mounting of the switch. From the point of view of construction, the body may consist of bringing together in a median longitudinal plane of two molded shells, each incorporating a part of the annular piece, which part has a certain elastic mobility relative to the rest of the body.

According to another additional feature of the switch according to the invention, the indexing notch in the retracted position comprises an oblique lateral edge to form a stop to the locking means while allowing the escape of the latter along said edge. lateral during the translation of the moving means under the effect of said axial traction.

According to another additional feature of the switch according to the invention, the guide means comprise at least one groove forming a sliding path for at least one pin so as to induce the moving means, under the effect or not of means of elastic return, a rotation movement reverses the rotation undergone during the disengagement of the locking means.

According to another additional feature of the switch according to the invention, the indexing notch of the retracted position is in the form of a flat portion in the cylindrical wall of the movable means.

According to another additional feature of the switch according to the invention, the flat part opens laterally to another flat which extends longitudinally into a total or partial peripheral groove which constitutes the indexing notch of the extended position.

According to another additional feature of the switch according to the invention, it is equipped with an arming system ensuring the non-return after tripping, and which comprises a spring arranged so as to be compressed under the effect of the axial thrust, and then relax to repel the moving means.

According to another additional feature of the switch according to the invention, the body comprises immobilization means in rotation of the locking means relative to the moving means.

According to another additional feature of the switch according to the invention, the indexing notch of the retracted position further comprises means capable of allowing the disengagement of the locking means in an axial traction movement of the moving means.

The advantages and characteristics of the switch according to the invention will emerge more clearly from the description which follows and which refers to the attached drawing, which represents a non-limiting embodiment thereof.

• la figure 1 représente une vue schématique en coupe selon un plan longitudinal d'un interrupteur coup de poing selon l'invention.
• la figure 2 représente une vue en perspective d'une partie du même interrupteur.
• la figure 3 représente une vue en perspective d'une variante de la même partie du même interrupteur.
• les figures 4a, 4b, 4c et 4d représentent des vues schématiques partielles d'une variante du même interrupteur dans des phases successives d'utilisation.
• la figure 5 représente une vue schématique en perspective d'une variante d'une partie du même interrupteur.
• les figures 6a et 6b représentent des vues en perspective selon deux axes différents, d'une pièce d'un interrupteur selon l'invention.
• la figure 7 représente une vue schématique en coupe selon plan longitudinal médian d'un mode de réalisation préféré de l'interrupteur selon l'invention.
• la figure 8 représente une vue schématique en élévation d'une pièce de l'interrupteur selon l'invention représenté sur la figure 7.

In the attached drawing:

• Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view along a longitudinal plane of a punch switch according to the invention.
• Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a portion of the same switch.
• Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a variant of the same part of the same switch.
• Figures 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d show partial schematic views of a variant of the same switch in successive phases of use.
• Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a variant of a portion of the same switch.
• Figures 6a and 6b show perspective views along two different axes, of a part of a switch according to the invention.
• FIG. 7 represents a schematic view in section along a median longitudinal plane of a preferred embodiment of the switch according to the invention.
• FIG. 8 represents a diagrammatic elevational view of a part of the switch according to the invention shown in FIG.

With reference to FIG. 1, it can be seen that a switch 1 according to the invention comprises a tubular body 2 which, for manufacturing constraints, is produced, in a nonlimiting manner, in two butted parts, and which comprises an axial cavity 20 for receive a tubular part 3 adapted to move in axial translation.

This tubular piece 3 may, under the effect of an axial thrust, move to move from an extended position to a retracted position to come actuate unrepresented electrical modules.

In this regard, the output position corresponds to the switch before triggering, in the initial position, while the retracted position corresponds to the actuated switch. In addition, in the retracted position, at least a portion of the tubular part may be provided projecting relative to the body 2 so as to allow the device to stop or other.

The thrust exerted on said moving means is effected through a push button 4 which extends the tubular piece 3 and which, in the embodiment shown and in a manner known per se, is connected to the latter by means of an arming system ensuring the non-return after release, which comprises an intermediate biasing spring 40 intended, during the push, to store the energy required for the passage from the extended position to the retracted position.

Note also the presence of a spring 41 for returning the push button 4 relative to the body 2.

Each of the positions of exit or re-entry is indexed through locking means 5 adapted to cooperate with an indexing notch 6 corresponding to the extended position and with an indexing notch 7 corresponding to the retracted position. These indexing notches 6 and 7 are formed at the periphery of the tubular part 3, and in this embodiment consist of a flat, as is also visible in FIG. 2, and whose ends open each at the level of the wall. 30 of the tubular piece 3.

The notches 6 and the notches 7 go in pairs and are diametrically opposed, while the locking means 5 consist of a ring elastically deformable in the transverse direction, threaded on the tubular piece 3 and comprising two diametrically opposed studs 50, connected by elastic elements, not shown, which tend to recall the two studs 50 towards each other, and therefore to the tubular part 3.

Furthermore, the locking means 5 are immobilized in rotation relative to the body 2, which is obtained, for example, through radial guide means 21 with which the studs 50 cooperate.

Referring also to Figure 2, it can be seen that the tubular part 3 comprises at its end opposite to that equipped with the push button 4, a guide slot 31 intended to cooperate with a pin, finger or pin 22 that includes the body 2 , which is represented in FIGS. 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d, and which limits evolutions in translation and in axial rotation of the tubular piece 3 in the cavity 20 of the body 2.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an alternative construction of the tubular piece 3 can be seen. In this embodiment, the notches 6 consist of a peripheral groove 60, while the notches 7 consist of separate flats in pairs. by a flat portion 70 of a depth equal to that of the peripheral groove 60 and which is extended to the latter.

Referring now to FIGS. 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d, different operating phases of the switch 1 can be seen, which is equipped with a tubular piece 3 as shown in FIG. 3.

In Figure 4a, the tubular part 3 is in the extended position, the pads 50 are engaged in the notches 6, and more precisely in the groove 60, so as to maintain the tubular piece 3 immobile in the body 2, not shown.

In FIG. 4b, under the action of a thrust P, the tubular piece 3 engages axially in the body 2, the studs 50 moving apart to get out of the groove 60 and then engage in the notches 7 to come in retracted position. The extraction of the studs 50 of the groove 60 is permitted by the configuration thereof, the edge 61 of the side of the notch 7, is beveled.

In this retracted position, the tubular piece 3 is locked axially, the notch 7 comprising, on the side of the groove 60, an edge 71 against which abuts and lock the stud 50.

In FIG. 4c, it can be seen that under the action of a rotational movement R applied to the tubular piece 3, the studs 50 which are immobile in rotation with respect to the tubular piece 3, protrude, relatively, laterally. notches 7 to be found on the flat part 70, and therefore in the extension of the bottom of the groove 60.

Referring now to Figure 4d, it can be seen that under the effect of axial traction T, which may result from the action of a spring not shown, the tubular piece 3 returns to the extended position, which is permitted by the relative displacement of the studs 50 along the flats 70 to fall into the groove 60. Under the action, not shown, of a rotation opposite to R, the studs 50 resume their initial position behind the bevelled edges 61.

Note that the rotation for the return to the initial position can be obtained through a torsion spring.

It should be noted that the operation is similar with a tubular piece 3 such as that shown in Figure 2. In this case the extraction of the studs 50 of the notches 7 and the return to the notches 6 are made by passing on the wall cylindrical 30.

As can be seen in these figures 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d, the various thrust, rotation and traction movements are guided and limited by the cooperation of the pin 22 with the light 31.

Whatever the embodiment, the return to the initial position output, is achievable through a rotational movement associated with a traction movement, enslaved or not by elastic means.

The architecture of the switch according to the invention allows however to consider other configurations.

Indeed, it is possible that the edges of the notches 7 for retaining the pads 50 have a certain inclination, for example of the same slope as that of the edge 61, so as to allow disengagement of the pads 50 and a return to the extended position, in a movement of traction only.

It can thus be seen in FIG. 3 and especially in FIGS. 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d, that the tubular piece 3 has four notches 7, regularly spaced angularly, and that these notches 7 do not all have the same profile, so two notches 7 diametrically opposed, those that are active in these figures, have an edge 71 substantially at right angles to the bottom, while the other two notches 7 have a 71 'beveled edge.

Also, according to the fact that, in position when the studs 50 are housed in notches 7 comprising an edge 71 or 71 ', the disengagement can be achieved, respectively, either solely by a rotational movement, or by a rotational or tractional movement. .

Note that these features can also be applied to an embodiment such as that shown in FIG. 2.

The choice of an operating kinematics rather than another also depends on the shape of the light 31, since it is this which limits the movements of the tubular piece 3.

Therefore, it can be expected to create lights of different shapes around the perimeter of the tubular part 3, so that at the time of mounting of the latter in the body 2, we choose to cooperate the pads 50 with the one or other of the types of notch 7, and to cooperate the pin 22 with the corresponding guide light 31.

It will be noted that it can thus be provided a light 31 of longitudinal and narrow shape allowing only disengagement only under the action of traction.

From the construction point of view, it suffices for a single production line, knowing that with the same parts, it is at the moment of the last assembly operations, corresponding to the angular orientation of the tubular piece 3 with respect to the body 2 and at the choice of the location of the pawn 22, that is determined the nature of the finished product.

Referring now to Figure 5, we can see another variant of the tubular part 3, in particular with respect to its end opposite to that receiving the push button 4 and for the realization of the guidance of the various movements.

This guide portion intended to cooperate with the pin 11, not shown, comprises a guide path disposed over the entire periphery, which consists of longitudinal grooves 32 connected in pairs by cut faces 33. This configuration allows s' free from the reverse rotation movement when returning to the extended position, so that the unlocking being done in a single rotational movement in one direction as in the other.

Referring now to FIGS. 6a and 6b, one can see a preferred embodiment of the blocking means 5.

It is in the form of an annular piece comprising, diametrically opposed, the pads 50 which have on the inner side a flat face 51 intended to cooperate with the indexing notches 6 and 7, and which are connected by two parts 52 elastically deformable.

The pads 50 each further comprise on one face, the top or the bottom, a prominence 53 intended to cooperate with a guide means 21 of the body 2, so as to allow only radial displacements of the pads 50.

Such an annular piece is preferably made of elastomeric material, which reduces the mounting constraints. In addition, since it incorporates the blocking and return means, it requires less external grip which allows, with equal external dimensions and subject to constraints of standards, to have a larger interior space and more released.

Referring now to Figure 7 can be seen a switch according to the invention, in a preferred embodiment.

This figure shows the body 2, the push button 4, the tubular piece 3 and the indexing notches 6 and 7, the annular piece 5 and the pads 50, the spring 40 and the prestressing spring 41.

In this embodiment, the push button 4 and the tubular piece 3 are connected through a key 42 inserted into the axial channel 34 of the tubular piece 3, and snapped onto the push button 4.

The push button also incorporates internally, a shell 43 which is able to pivot axially during the passage from the extended position to the retracted position, coming to bear on an inclined ramp 23 of the body 2. This pivoting allows to put a part of this shell 43 facing lights, not visible, that includes the push button 4, on the top and / or on the sides, so as to indicate the state of the switch 1.

In this figure can also be seen all the space cleared inside the tubular part 3, which may house means for diffusing a light signal, in this case the key 42 may be provided translucent.

The switch 1 according to the invention thus allows the integration of one or more visual means of signaling its state, while allowing a release by traction, or by rotation, or both.

Referring now to FIG. 8, it can be seen that the tubular part 3 comprises, on the one hand, two guide lobes, of different types, angularly offset, one of rectilinear and longitudinal shape and the other 36 having a flare of internal side.

The light 35 is intended to cooperate with a pin, finger or pin 22, not shown, while the studs 50 cooperate with notches 7 which have an edge 71 'beveled, to allow a release by traction; while the light 36 is intended to cooperate with a pin, finger or lug 22, not shown, while the studs 50 cooperate notches 7 which have a straight edge 71 to allow unblocking only by rotation.

Thus, the unlocking according to one or other of the movements depends on the fact that the pin, finger or pin 22, not shown, is engaged in one or the other of the lights 35 and 36, which is decided at the moment of assembly of the switch.

Claims (10)

Punching switch, of the type comprising a body (2) receiving a means (3) movable in translation adapted, under the effect of an axial thrust, to move from an extended position to a retracted position, each of said positions being indexed through at least one locking means (50) adapted to cooperate with at least one indexing notch (6) in an extended position and with at least one indexing notch (7) in a retracted position, characterized in that on the one hand said indexing notches (6, 7) are formed in the outer wall (30) of said movable means (3), on the other hand said blocking means (50) consists of a part d an annular piece (5) arranged around said movable means (3), immobilized in rotation with respect to said body (2), and which is shaped to be able to cooperate alternately with one or the other of said indexing notches; (6, 7), while at least one other part (52) of said part (5) is elastically deformable so as to be able to recall said locking means (50) towards one or the other notch (6, 7); and in that on the other hand said indexing notch (7) in the retracted position is shaped so as to allow extraction of said locking means (50) by a rotational movement (R) of said locking means with respect to said indexing notch (7), as well as in an axial traction movement (T) of said movable means (3), the possibility of an extraction of said locking means (50) according to one or the other of said movements (R, T) being determined by guiding means (22, 31; 32, 33; 35, 36) of the displacement of said movable means (3) relative to said body (2). Punch switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the annular piece (5) comprises a plurality of locking means (50) separated in pairs by an elastically deformable part (52). Punch switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the annular shaped part (5) consists of a single piece. Punch switch according to claim 3, characterized in that the annular-shaped piece (5) consists of a one-piece piece from molding one or more elastomeric materials. Punch switch according to Claim 4, characterized in that the annular shaped part (5) is an integral part of the body (2), or part thereof, and comes from the molding thereof in a plastics material . Punch switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the indexing notch (7) in the retracted position comprises an oblique lateral edge (71 ') to form a stop for the locking means (50). ) while allowing the escape of the latter along said lateral edge during the translation (T) of the movable means (3) under the effect of said axial traction (T). Punch switch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide means comprise at least one groove (31; 32, 33) forming a sliding path for at least one pin (22) so as to inducing the moving means (3), under the effect or not of elastic return means, a rotational movement reverses the rotation undergone during the disengagement of the locking means (50). Punch switch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the indexing notch (7) of the retracted position is in the form of a flat portion in the cylindrical wall (30) of the movable means (3). Punch switch according to claim 8, characterized in that the flattening (7) opens laterally onto another flattening surface (70) which extends longitudinally into a total or partial peripheral groove (60) constituting the indexing notch (6) from the out position. Punch switch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is equipped with an arming system ensuring non-return after tripping, and which comprises a spring (40) arranged so as to be able to be compressed under the effect of the axial thrust (P), then relax to repel the moving means (3).

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