Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H51/00—Electromagnetic relays
  • H01H51/22—Polarised relays
  • H01H51/2209—Polarised relays with rectilinearly movable armature

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a circuit breaker incorporating a bistable actuator and to a safety device.
• a circuit breaker comprises two pads connected to an electrical circuit and a bridge capable of occupying two positions, a first position called “closed circuit” in which it is in contact with the two pads and ensures continuity electrical, and a second position called “open circuit” in which it is no longer in contact with the pads and no longer ensures electrical continuity.
• This bridge is generally attached to the end of a rod of a bistable actuator.
• the actuator comprises a plunger extended by a rod, disposed inside a solenoid, and return means in the form of a spring which tend to keep the plunger in the "open circuit” position. ". In normal operation, the solenoid is energized and keeps the plunger in the "closed circuit” position. In the absence of current, the solenoid is no longer energized so that the plunger under the action of the return means takes the "open circuit” position.
• This solution has the main disadvantage of excessive power consumption.
• Another solution consists in providing retaining means associated with the plunger capable of maintaining the latter in the two stable "closed circuit” and “open circuit” positions, as well as a solenoid for acting on the plunger so as to modify the state. retaining means and consequently the position of the plunger.
• This solution has the main advantage of reducing consumption of energy since a single pulse is sufficient to excite the solenoid and change the position of the plunger.
• the moving parts constituting the retaining means generate a wear of the mechanism and constitute a source of failures.
• bistable actuators There are other bistable actuators.
• the devices of the prior art are unsatisfactory because they are generally complex and difficult to industrialize. On the other hand, they do not generally provide a safe and reliable contact which can be detrimental in some applications, especially when used for safety devices embedded on vehicles.
• the present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a circuit breaker comprising a bistable actuator of simple design, ensuring a safe and reliable contact.
• the subject of the invention is a circuit breaker comprising two pads connected respectively to a circuit, a bridge capable of occupying two states, a first state corresponding to the "closed circuit” position in which the bridge is in contact. with the pads and a second state corresponding to the position "open circuit” in which the bridge is spaced apart and is no longer in contact with the two pads, said bridge being connected to a bistable actuator via a rod in non-magnetic material, characterized in that the actuator comprises:
• a plunger connected to the rod capable of sliding in a tube of non-magnetic material between two stable positions
• This arrangement provides a reliable and safe mechanism due to a reduced number of moving parts and low power consumption, a single pulse sufficient to ensure the change of state of the circuit breaker.
• the simple design of the device according to the invention also makes it possible to obtain an industrializable device.
• FIG. IA is a section of a circuit breaker in a first position called "closed circuit"
• FIG. 1B is a section of the circuit breaker of FIG. 1A in a second position called "open circuit"
• FIG. 2A is a section of a bistable actuator according to a first variant of the invention in a first state corresponding to a first stable position
• FIG. 2B is a section of the actuator of FIG. 2A in a second state corresponding to a second stable position
• FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a bistable actuator according to another variant of the invention
• FIG. 4A is a section of the bistable actuator of FIG. 3 in a first state corresponding to a first stable position
• FIG. 4B is a section of the bistable actuator of FIG. 3 in a second state corresponding to a second stable position
• FIG. 5A is a section of the bistable actuator of FIG. 3 illustrating the passage from the first position to the second position
• FIG. 5B is a section of the bistable actuator of FIG. 3 illustrating the passage from the second position to the first position
• FIG. 6A is an electrical diagram illustrating a safety device in a first state corresponding to normal operation
• FIG. 6B is an electrical diagram illustrating the device of FIG. 6A in a second state corresponding to the detection of a incident.
• a circuit breaker comprising a housing 42 inside which two pads 44.1 and 44.2 are arranged respectively connected to connection terminals 46.1 and 46.2 to a circuit arranged outside the housing 42 and a bridge 48 capable of occupying two states, a first state corresponding to the "closed circuit" position illustrated by FIG.
• the bridge 48 is connected to a rod 14 of non-magnetic material of a bistable actuator 10, the first stable position of the actuator corresponding to the "closed circuit” position and the second stable position corresponding to the position " open circuit”.
• the actuator 10 is integrated inside the housing 42 of the circuit breaker so that the bridge 48 is connected to the rod 14 in the middle position and the translation of the rod 14 ensures the contact of the bridge 48 with the pads 44 or its spacing.
• means are provided for maintaining the bridge 48 in a plane and limiting the rotational movements so that said bridge 48 is always at the right of the studs 44.
• the bridge 48 can translate slightly along the rod 14 and 50 return means are arranged on either side of the bridge 48 so as to allow a slight movement of the bridge 48 relative to the stem. This slight clearance makes it easier to adjust the circuit breaker and to have wider dimensional tolerances while obtaining effective contact between the bridge 48 and the pads 44.
• a bistable actuator 10 comprises a plunger 12, extended by a rod 14 connected to the bridge 48 of the circuit breaker, housed in part or entirely in a housing 16, capable of occupying two states, a corresponding first state at a first stable position illustrated by Figure ZA, and a second state corresponding to a second stable position shown in Figure 2B.
• the change of state results in a translation of the rod 14, the latter being further out of the housing 16 in the first stable position in the example chosen.
• This rod is made of material insensitive to magnetic fields.
• the plunger 12 comprises a body of material sensitive to the magnetic field, at one end of which the rod 14 of non-magnetic material is secured, for example by screwing.
• the body of the plunger 12 is slidable in a bore 18 formed in a tube 20 of non-magnetic material integrated in the casing 16.
• Translational stop means are provided to limit the translational movement of the plunger 12, each means of stop showing a stable position.
• the housing 16 comprises a carcass 22 of magnetic material inside which is disposed the tube 20, an orifice 24 allowing the passage of the rod 14 whose diameter is smaller than that of the body of the diver.
• the body of the plunger comes to rest against the carcass 22 or an element integral with the carcass, whereas in the second stable position illustrated by FIG. 2B, it is a shoulder 26 formed at the rod 14 which abuts against the carcass 22 or a component attached to the carcass.
• the actuator 10 comprises at least one permanent magnet 28 capable of ensuring the retention of the plunger 12 in the first stable position as illustrated by FIG. ZA, and return means 30 capable of ensuring maintaining the plunger 12 in the second stable position as illustrated in Figure 2B and the translation of the plunger from the first stable position to the second stable position.
• the actuator 10 comprises means, for example a solenoid 32, capable of emitting a non-permanent magnetic field whose value is such that, in its absence, the force generated by the magnetic field of the permanent magnets 28 is greater than that of the return means 30 while in its presence, the force produced by the return means 30 is greater than that produced by the magnetic field of the permanent magnets 28 so that the plunger is translated from the first stable position towards the second.
• a simple electrical pulse to excite the solenoid 32 and generate the translation of the plunger from the first stable translation to the second stable position.
• the solenoid 32 is capable of emitting in a first state a magnetic field which enhances the effects of the magnetic field of the permanent magnets 28 and in a second state a magnetic field which reduces or cancels the effects of the magnetic field of the magnet permanent.
• the plunger translates by reversing the polarization of the solenoid 32.
• the device comprises an element 34 made of magnetic material disposed inside. tube 20 of non-magnetic material, providing a large contact surface 36 to the plunger 12.
• This element 34 is connected to the carcass 22 and comprises a bore 38 allowing the passage of the rod 14.
• the permanent magnets 28 are arranged at inside the carcass 22 and outside the tube 20 of non-magnetic material and have a surface in contact with the carcass 22.
• the permanent magnets 28 comprise a first pole in contact with the carcass 22 and a second pole in contact with the tube 20 to the plunger 12.
• the solenoid 32 is disposed inside the carcass 22 and outside the tube 20 of non-magnetic material between the permanent magnets 28 and the contact element 34 In the absence of a magnetic field produced by the solenoid 32, the permanent magnets 28 produce a magnetic field via the carcass 22 and the contact element 34 which generates a magnetic bonding force to the calf of the surface 36 between the plunger 12 and the contact element 34.
• the solenoid when excited, it produces a magnetic field which disturbs the magnetic field of the permanent magnets 28 so that the magnetic bonding force at level of the surface 36 is zero or at least less than the force produced by the biasing means 30 generating consequently the translation of the plunger 12 from the first stable position to the second stable position.
• This arrangement makes it possible to obtain a large contact surface, hence a greater magnetic bonding force ensuring a reliable holding of the plunger in the first stable position.
• the movements of the plunger are not disturbed by the direct effects of the permanent magnets 28 or the solenoid 32, the only magnetic force likely to influence the plunger 12 being the produced by the contact element 34 disposed inside the tube 20.
• the solenoid being disposed at the right of the carcass 22 between the permanent magnets 28 and the contact element 34, the magnetic field produced by the solenoid more effectively disturbs the field produced by the permanent magnet.
• the translation of the plunger 12 from the second stable position to the first stable position can be obtained by various means.
• the distance separating the plunger 12 and the contact element 34 in the second stable position and / or the magnetic bonding force produced by the permanent magnets 28 may be such that in the absence of a magnetic field produced by the solenoid, the plunger is subjected to the attraction force of the contact element 34 and is translated from the second stable position to the first stable position.
• the translation of the second stable position to the first can be obtained by mechanical means which act on the plunger 12, including a push button manually operated by an operator.
• metal elements in the form of stacked plates may be interposed between the permanent magnet (s) and the tube (20) of non-magnetic material, the edge of the various plates bearing against said tube (20), as illustrated in FIG. This arrangement makes it possible to reinforce the bonding force and to obtain a more stable and therefore safer device.
• nonmagnetic walls 60 are provided on either side of the permanent magnets 28 in order to better channel the magnetic field lines and to reinforce the bonding force.
• circuit breaker 40 In this state, the circuit breaker 40 is in "open circuit” position and no longer ensures electrical continuity . Means of rearming are provided at the circuit breaker to ensure the return to "closed circuit” position and the translation of the plunger 12 from the second stable position to the first stable position as mentioned above.
• the circuit breaker described is used as a battery switch, one of the connection terminals being connected to one of the terminals of a battery not shown.
• Figures 6A and 6B there is shown a safety device, more particularly for a vehicle.
• the circuit breaker 40 comprises a bistable actuator 10 whose solenoid 32 is integrated in a so-called control circuit 52, comprising one or more incident detectors 54, such as a shock detector or an inclination detector.
• the incident detectors 54 are in the open position and no electrical impulse is transmitted to the solenoid 32 of the bistable actuator 10 so that the circuit breaker is in the open position. closed circuit position.
• the incident detector 54 transmits an electric pulse to the solenoid 32 of the bistable actuator 10. causing the change of state of the circuit breaker 40 which goes to the "open circuit” position and in the case of a vehicle cuts off the power supply of the battery.
• the device of the invention is particularly interesting because it includes only a limited number of moving parts so that its life is extended and its reliability improved. Furthermore, the device of the invention requires only a small amount of electrical energy to operate and change state since a single pulse is sufficient and does not consume energy to stay in "closed circuit” position.
• FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B, 5A and 5B there is shown a bistable actuator 100 according to another variant of the invention.
• the actuator 100 comprises a plunger 112, extended by a rod 114 of magnetic field insensitive material, connected to the bridge 48 of the circuit breaker, housed in part or entirely in a housing 116, said plunger being capable of occupy two states, a first state corresponding to a first stable position illustrated by Figure 4A 1 and a second state corresponding to a second stable position shown in Figure 4B.
• the plunger 112 comprises a body of material sensitive to the magnetic field, at one end of which the rod 114 of nonmagnetic material is secured, for example by screwing.
• the body of the plunger 112 is capable of sliding in a bore 118 formed in a tube 120 of non-magnetic material integrated in the housing 116.
• Translation stopping means are provided to limit the translational movement of the plunger 112, each stop means embodying a stable position.
• the housing 116 comprises a carcass 122 of magnetic field-sensitive material inside which the tube 120 is disposed, with an orifice 124 allowing the passage of the rod 114 whose diameter is smaller than that of the body of the diver. As shown in the figure
• the carcass 122 has a U-shape, the orifice 124 being provided at the base and the tube 120 extending between the two branches substantially parallel to the two branches.
• the carcass 122 comprises an extension 123 extending from at least one leg of the U substantially parallel to the base of the U, the tube 120 being placed between the base of the U and the extension 123.
• the body of the plunger comes to rest against the base of the U of the carcass 122 or an element integral with said base, whereas in the second stable position the body of the plunger comes to rest against the extension 123 of the carcass 122.
• the carcass 122 namely the U shape and the
• Extension 123 are of magnetic field sensitive material.
• the device comprises an element 134 of magnetic material disposed inside the tube 120 of non-magnetic material, providing a significant contact surface 136 to the right of the plunger 112.
• This element 134 is linked to the carcass 122 and includes a bore 138 allowing the
• the actuator 110 comprises at least one permanent magnet 128 capable of maintaining the plunger 112 in the two stable positions.
• the permanent magnets 128 are disposed inside the carcass 122 and outside the tube 120 of non-magnetic material and have a surface in contact with the carcass 122.
• the permanent magnets 128 comprise a first pole (for example south) in contact with the carcass 122 and a second pole (eg north) in contact with the tube 120 to the right of the plunger 112.
• the bistable actuator comprises two permanent magnets, one disposed against each of the legs of the U of the carcass 122. As illustrated in FIG. AA, when the actuator is in the first stable position, the permanent magnet holds the plunger stuck. 112 against the element 134. In this case, the magnetic flux passes through the carcass 122 in the direction of the element 134 and through the plunger.
• the magnet (s) permanent (s) maintains glued the plunger 112 against the extension 123.
• the magnetic flux passes through the carcass 122 towards the extension 123 and through the plunger 112, as illustrated in Figure 4B.
• metal elements 135 in the form of stacked plates may be interposed between the permanent magnet (s) 128 and the tube 20 made of non-magnetic material, the edge of the different plates bearing against said tube 120, as illustrated in the figures AA and 4B. This arrangement makes it possible to reinforce the bonding force and to obtain a more stable and therefore safer device.
• the plates 135 comprise an orifice whose diameter is adapted to the outside diameter of the tube 120.
• nonmagnetic walls 160 are provided on either side of the permanent magnets 128 in order to better channel the lines of magnetic field and enhance the bonding effort.
• a non-magnetic material 162 may be affixed to the end of the plunger and / or against the wall of the extension 123 opposite the plunger. This arrangement makes it possible to modulate the bonding force between the plunger 112 and the extension 123.
• the actuator 10 comprises means, for example a solenoid 132, likely to emit a non-permanent magnetic field.
• the solenoid 132 is preferably disposed between the tube 120 and the carcass 122, between the base of the carcass and the permanent magnets 128.
• nonmagnetic walls are disposed on either side of the solenoid , especially between the solenoid and the permanent magnets 128, so as to channel the magnetic flux of said solenoid.
• the solenoid 132 is in the form of a cylinder with a bore of diameter adapted to the outside diameter of the tube 120 and whose outer surface is opposite the carcass 122.
• the solenoid 132 is supplied with electric current so as to generate a magnetic field such that it tends to bring the plunger 112 closer to the extension 123.
• the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnets tends to reinforce this translational movement.
• the solenoid is supplied with electric current so as to generate a magnetic field such that it tends to bring the plunger 112 closer to the element 134.
• the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnets tends to reinforce this translational movement.
• the permanent magnet does not discharge which contributes to increasing the life and reliability of such a device.
• the carcass used for the second variant can be used for the first variant. It is the same with the arrangement of the permanent magnets, and the solenoid.
• the bistable actuator could control several bridges.
• the actuator may comprise two rods each connected to a bridge, the rods being disposed at each end of the plunger.

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• 2004
  • 2004-06-15 FR FR0406453A patent/FR2871617B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2004-12-16 EP EP04816568A patent/EP1761939A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2004-12-16 WO PCT/FR2004/050715 patent/WO2006005817A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation

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