EP1770739B1 - Differential unit with inclined trajectory sliding drawer - Google Patents

Abstract

The breaker has a case, for a differential block (1), with units of same orientation for guiding a slide (3) so that the sliding trajectory is inclined with respect to the general displacement direction. Conductors (5) arranged at the inlet of the block have ends placed in the slide using positioning stops when the slide is open. The conductor ends reach the plan of contact with the connection terminals of a circuit-breaker (2) by the displacement of the slide in the closing direction, to support against the terminals when the slide is closed.

Description

The present invention relates to a differential circuit breaker composed of a circuit breaker and a differential block contiguous to each other, for example modular products fixed on a rail in an electrical cabinet.

The differential block comprises in this case a sliding drawer with a lateral extension which allows mechanical and electrical coupling with the circuit breaker. The conductors at the input of the differential unit are arranged in the said extension and their ends are positioned such that, when the drawer is closed, they can be inserted into the cages of the downstream connection devices of the circuit breaker in order to reach the terminals. with which they must come into contact to make the connection, then to be clamped on said terminals.

Such a coupling by sliding drawers is already known, and is for example the subject of the application PCT / WO99 / 63563 . The object of this invention is in particular to make integral with the sliding drawer the electrical components of power and control of the differential block.

The document EP-A-1278224 discloses a sliding drawer differential block according to the preamble of claim 1.

These sliding drawer units are considered very interesting in a range of electrical devices for managing industrial and domestic circuits, because they make it possible to preserve the distinction between the differential function and the disjunction function while offering the possibility of coupling them. They avoid the manufacturer having to create a specific range of monobloc differential circuit breakers with a multitude of references, in addition to circuit breakers and differential blocks that are also unavoidable in a complete range. From a strictly economic point of view, the existence of differential blocks with drawers is therefore of considerable importance.

Until now, however, it was not possible to use them with high caliber devices. These involve the use of rigid conductors of large sections, therefore difficult to deform, which lead to the creation of two antagonistic constraints difficult to reconcile during a coupling.

These rigid conductors must, according to the first constraint, be housed without difficulty in the cages of the connection devices of the circuit breaker when closing the drawer at the time of said coupling. The safest way to ensure the entry of the rigid conductors in the cages is to center them with respect to the volume of said cage so as to avoid any obstacle during insertion. Such a centering makes it possible to overcome, as far as possible, geometrical defects or dimensional dispersion arising from the manufacture. It is carried out by means of positioning stops of the conductors, stops which are in the wall of the drawer which faces the cages.

The second constraint results in fact from the centered position of the rigid conductors in the cages, which certainly facilitates their introduction but places them at the same time away from the connection terminal of the connection device of the circuit breaker. A catch of the game existing between the rigid conductor and the terminal must therefore be carried out. This requires considerable effort, because of the high rigidity of the conductors, efforts in particular implemented when tightening the screws in the connecting cages. The screws deform the conductors to press them in contact with the terminals, creating in particular a moment at the housings of both the sliding drawer and the circuit breaker, at their junction, and more precisely on the positioning stops of said conductors. The application of important constraints on the plastic walls can then lead to localized destruction or even to the breakage of parts of the housings.

For example, the section of the rigid conductors for a 125 amps caliber involves sections having transverse dimensions of the order of 6 mm, leading to conductors which are obviously undeformable by human force alone. At manufacture, even if the objective is to position the conductors as close as possible to the terminals, there is necessarily a dispersion which causes a variation in the distance which separates them after introduction. The resulting misalignment leads in many situations to the need for significant deformation of the rigid ends of the conductors to bring them into contact with the terminals, thereby creating significant constraints on certain parts of the housings, in particular on the stops, at the time of tightening.

The present invention aims to remedy this problem, in particular by releasing the lower stops and, more generally, by franking the boxes of virtually any constraint at the time of tightening. For this purpose, a plurality of drawer guide means of the same orientation are provided in the housing of the differential block, in order to make the path of the slide of the slide inclined relative to the general direction of movement, the ends of the drivers approaching. then progressively from the plane of contact with the terminals as the drawer moves in the closing direction, to finally bear against the terminals when the drawer is closed.

The inclination of the trajectory of the drawers is such that the connection areas of the conductors, that is to say their ends, come close to leaning on the terminal when the drawer is closed and in contact with a side wall of the circuit breaker box. Clamping in the cages by the screws therefore no longer deforms, resulting in a very significant reduction, or even a disappearance of the constraints applying to the respective casings of the circuit breaker and the drawer.

The inclination of the drawer is obtained by various means, which allow adequate guidance and give the mechanical connection a resistance compatible with the use of the product in its usual context. Thus, according to one possibility, the sole of the housing of the differential block comprises lateral slides cooperating with ramps of the drawer, lined with sliding studs in inclined bottom slides in the drawer, said pads being located in line with a flange of the fixing rail.

These side rails preferably protrude from the sole in the direction of movement of the drawer, increasing the bearing surface of the sole. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the product placed on a worktop in the open position of the drawer from tipping under the weight of the latter, in particular with a view to preserving alignment with the adjacent circuit breaker, via the centering studs protruding the side wall of the differential block and inserted into holes in the adjacent wall of the circuit breaker.

According to the invention, the sole of the differential block housing may further comprise a rail having at least one inclined portion cooperating with a correspondingly shaped slideway formed in the drawer.

To gain volume inside the housing of the differential block, the rail actually comprises two inclined portions separated by a portion parallel to the sole, each inclined portion having a length corresponding to the travel of the drawer.

Furthermore, still according to the invention, the side walls of the housing and the differential block slide may also include slides designed to guide the inclined slide of the drawer.

According to one possible configuration, at least one of these side walls may comprise a slot provided for housing and guiding a projecting stud of the corresponding lateral wall of the drawer.

Two couples stud / recess inclined bottom located head-toe respectively on the sole and the bottom of the drawer with inversion reliefs, in the vicinity of said light, may further be provided to cooperate to improve the inclined guidance of the drawer in the housing.

Finally, the upper part of the drawer may, according to the invention, have at least one inclined surface provided for sliding in contact with an upper edge of the opening of the differential block housing in which is inserted the drawer. Preferably, an inclined lateral upper edge of the slide is also arranged with respect to said opening, so as to play the same guiding role.

There are therefore generally four sliding zones, substantially distributed at the four corners of the housing / drawer differential block, which optimize the strength of the assembly, minimize play and risk of jamming.

The ends of the conductors which are positioned in the drawer by means of positioning stops are supported on them when the drawer is open and move away when they gradually take support on the terminals being closed, at the end of inclined trajectory .

When the drawer is fully closed, the fact that the ends of the conductors are pressurized on the terminals allows complete release of the stops, which are no longer subject to any stress at the time of tightening screws.

The solution of the sloped spool therefore allows a mechanical and electrical coupling that minimally interact with the housings of the interconnected devices, in terms of mechanical stresses.

As indicated above, these devices are generally attached to a rail using at least one mechanism disposed under the sole of the housing and including a latch. The latches slide perpendicularly to the rail and are returned to the stable position of fixing by return means. In the case multipolar devices, several latches must be unlocked one after the other, and they are therefore provided bistable, that is to say they can be maintained in a stable position, also in the unlocked position.

When a circuit breaker and a differential block are associated, it must be possible to open all of their latches to disassemble the assembly. However, the connections and their cowling, that is to say the lateral extension of the movable drawer, obviously represent a particular obstacle to access the latches of the circuit breaker. The latter being in most cases used without differential block, it is hardly possible to extend the latches that equip it.

According to the invention, a latch puller has therefore been added to the differential block, in order to actuate the latches of the circuit-breaker, as well as those which are connected to the fixed housing of the differential blocks, covered in both cases by the spool valve. eyes of the user.

In other words, the drawer is provided with bistable latch pullers each designed to drive a latch sliding relative to the soleplate of the circuit breaker or that of the differential block, and to keep it open.

More specifically, each latch puller slides in a housing in the drawer, having a stop on closing the latch puller, the upper edge of the opening of the latch-side housing cooperating with an inclined ramp of the latch puller for to tilt and allow a protrusion unciform to lodge in a hole of the latch, a shoulder of the latch puller protruding from the same side that the protrusion being provided to bear against a song of the sole of the drawer defining the l opposite opening of the housing, after an extraction of the latch corresponding substantially to the compression distance of the latch return spring.

These different characteristics define a latch puller whose profile must fulfill multiple functions. Thus, during the maneuver to associate the circuit breaker and the differential block, the latch puller must not interfere mechanically with the latch of the circuit breaker. For there to be interaction, it is necessary that a switchover occurs, hence the existence of the ramp. For this tilt to be effective, a hook, adequately disposed relative to the hole of the latch usually used to move it, is provided protruding from the latch puller.

The ramp thus ensures, when the latch lever is actuated in the opening direction, an automatic movement of the hook so that the latch of the circuit breaker is gripped. The extraction of the latch puller is then against the return spring equipping the latch.

The bistable function of the latch, although existing, is difficult to activate using a latch puller. It is therefore the latter who must implement it. This is the reason for the existence of the shoulder intended to bear against a singing of the sole of the drawer facing away from the circuit breaker.

According to one possible configuration, the latch puller comprises an axial groove, one end of which consists of the inclined ramp, and the other end takes the form of a wall oriented perpendicular to the direction of sliding and intended to bear against the stop of the housing.

As mentioned previously, when the latch puller is at rest closed, with said wall disposed in abutment against the stop of the housing, the unconnected protrusion is positioned so that it does not interact with the circuit breaker latch .

The end zone of the latch-puller located opposite the uncongled protrusion is provided with a heel protruding in a direction perpendicular to the sliding plane, towards the sole of the drawer, and protruding therefrom longer than the height of the shoulder of the latch puller when it bears against the edge of the sole.

When the assembly formed by the circuit breaker and the differential block is removed from the mounting rail, it must indeed be able to separate easily. This is the reason for the heel, which raises the latch when the product is placed on a flat surface. The shoulder is indeed clear of the edge of the sole of the drawer, and the latch puller can be returned to its starting position, in particular by the latch return means.

The latch puller itself is also provided with biasing means exerting a force towards its stable closing position.

It is therefore the combination of the latch and the latch puller which returns both the latch and the latch in their initial rest positions devoid of mechanical interactions.

Said biasing means of the latch puller preferably also an action to move away from the sole of the drawer. This component of course perpendicular to the direction to bring it back to its initial position is not sufficient to overcome the frictional forces that occur at the mechanical connection edge of the sole / shoulder of the latch puller in case of action of the latch return spring, and therefore does not question the bistable function. When the differential block is disassociated from the circuit breaker, however, it is no longer possible to put the latch puller in a stable opening position, with its shoulder bearing against said edge. It automatically returns to its starting position, a necessary condition for an association with a circuit breaker.

Preferably, said return means consist of a spiral spring whose end branches are prestressed in the direction of the axis of the spiral central portion.

According to the invention, the latch puller is further provided with an axial portion protruding from the soleplate of the drawer and provided with a cavity for inserting the head of a handling tool.

Such a portion allows in particular the insertion of the end of a screwdriver, basic tool which are provided to all operators, facilitating the extraction of the differential block / circuit breaker assembly.

In the configurations of the prior art seeing the combination of a differential block and a circuit breaker using a sliding drawer, and in particular in the solution recommended in the document WO99 / 63563 , the protuberances provided with a notch allowing the attachment of these devices to a fixing rail in combination with a sliding latch are integral with the housing of the differential block.

However, for products of higher caliber such as those to be used in the context of the present invention, the rigidity of these conductors can create significant tensile forces and / or rotation at the connection, especially at the cages connection. As the protrusions with mounting notches on the rails are integral with the housing, the efforts in question tend to open the drawer, which can create unattractive misalignment, or even cause sufficient stresses to break the housing or the drawer lock system in the case.

This is why, in the context of the invention, said projection protruding from the sole is secured to the drawer. As a result, the forces exerted by the rigid conductors are directly transmitted to the rail by the part forming the bottom of the drawer. This part is by definition robust and is therefore not likely to break under the effect of the constraints generated at the time of fixing the rigid cables.

The drawer guiding system and the locking system are no longer mechanically stressed and therefore no longer risk damage by pulling the cables.

The circuit breaker / differential block assembly then forms a much more unitary and robust assembly, without obvious mechanical weakness.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un ensemble constitué d'un bloc différentiel muni d'un tiroir coulissant et d'un disjoncteur ;
• les figures 2a à 2c montrent le positionnement relatif du disjoncteur et du tiroir à différentes étapes de sa fermeture, dans un ensemble selon la présente invention ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective de dessous d'un ensemble bloc différentiel/disjoncteur fixé à un rail ;
• la figure 4 représente, toujours en perspective, un tire-loquet selon l'invention ;
• les figures 5a à 5e représentent le fonctionnement du tire-loquet à différentes phases de son ouverture ;
• la figure 6 montre une vue des semelles d'un bloc différentiel/disjoncteur, mettant en lumière la solidarisation au tiroir des protubérances munies d'encoches de fixation aux rails ;
• la figure 7 montre, en perspective éclatée, le boîtier du bloc différentiel de l'invention ;
• la figure 8 représente en perspective une vue de dessous du tiroir ; et
• la figure 9 représente ce même tiroir suivant une perspective latérale.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the appended figures for which:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of an assembly consisting of a differential block provided with a sliding drawer and a circuit breaker;
• the Figures 2a to 2c show the relative positioning of the circuit breaker and the drawer at different stages of its closure, in an assembly according to the present invention;
• the figure 3 is a perspective view from below of a differential block / circuit breaker assembly attached to a rail;
• the figure 4 represents, still in perspective, a latch puller according to the invention;
• the Figures 5a to 5e represent the operation of the latch puller at different stages of its opening;
• the figure 6 shows a view of the soles of a differential block / circuit breaker, highlighting the fastening to the drawer protuberances provided with notches fastening to the rails;
• the figure 7 shows, in exploded perspective, the differential block housing of the invention;
• the figure 8 represents in perspective a bottom view of the drawer; and
• the figure 9 represents the same drawer according to a lateral perspective.

The figure 1 shows the combination of a differential block (1) and a circuit breaker (2), in this case quadrupole. The differential block (1) is provided with a sliding drawer (3) with a lateral extension (4) whose cowling is shown partially open. This extension (4) has particular function the arrangement and positioning of the conductors (5) at the input of the differential block (1) relative to the connection devices (6) (cages) of the circuit breaker (2).

In high ratings (for example 125 amperes), the conductors (5) are made of rigid materials, and strong section. They are not easily deformable. The shape which is individually given to them, and in particular the orientation of their ends intended to cooperate with the connecting devices (6), is industrially using machines. To avoid inaccuracies in the alignment, which necessarily occur in certain cases during manufacture, and to allow the introduction in the best conditions of the ends of the conductors (5) in the housings formed by the cages of the devices (6). ), the positioning which is given at these ends more or less aims at centering in said cages. In such a case, these ends are, in most cases, positioned at a distance from the terminal to which it must be connected in the device when the drawer (3) is closed. Screw tightening (7), in deforming the conductors (5) to bring them in contact with said terminals, exerts significant stresses which are reflected in particular at the level of the housings, in particular at the stops (10) which participate, in the lateral extension (4) of the drawer (3 ), positioning the ends of the conductor (5). In some cases, these constraints are such that there is a risk of breakage of the housings.

According to the invention, the trajectory of the slide (3), and consequently of the lateral extension (4) is provided so that it is inclined, the ends of the conductors (5) progressively going downwards, in contact with the terminals of the connection cages (6), as the slide (3) slides towards the housing respectively of the differential block (1) and the circuit breaker (2).

The Figures 2a to 2c show the different phases of this sliding. In figure 2a the lateral extension (4) is disposed in the open position, that is to say that the end of the conductor (6) is located outside the cage and at a distance from the connection terminal (9). circuit breaker circuit (2). In the drawer (3), the position of the end of the conductor (5) is determined in particular by the existence of stops (10) located under the conductor (5) in the lateral extension (4) of the drawer (3). In the open position, the drawer (3) is slightly higher than the circuit breaker, as evidenced by the difference in level between its upper surface and the front of the circuit breaker (2) giving access to the screw (7).

With reference to the figure 2b , the drawer (3) slides to the left and, during its closure, it descends gradually with respect to the circuit breaker. The end of the conductor (5) comes into contact with the terminal (9), while remaining at this stage in contact with the stop (10) positioning. On the other hand, the clamping screw (7) and its distribution plate (8) are always in the open position.

Finally, Figure 2c , the drawer (3) is completely closed, still a little lower, and the end of the conductor (5) is then pressed against the terminal (9), which releases the stop (10).

The tightening of the conductor by means of the screw (7) therefore causes no stress in the housing, at the lateral extension (4) and the stops (10). The guide means according to this inclined trajectory are explained below, with reference to the Figures 7 to 9 .

The figure 3 shows the differential block (1) / circuit breaker (2) assembly fixed on a rail (11) using mechanisms traditionally used in modular electrical appliances.

On one side, the soles of these devices (at which the fixing to the rail), comprise protuberances (12) with a notch cooperating with said rail (11). On the other hand, they comprise latches (13) sliding on the soleplate, provided with a return spring in the closed position, and which make it possible to detach the product from its rail (11). In the case of multipolar products, there is more than one latch (13) on the soleplate of the apparatus, as is the case for example in the figure 3 . To be able to detach a multipolar product under good conditions from its rail (11), it then becomes necessary for these catches to be bistable, that is to say that, in addition to their stable position at closing, they can have a position of stability at the opening.

Given the existence of the drawer (3) and the lateral extension (4), the latches (13) are hidden from the user, and it has therefore been provided for the installation of a latch puller (14) to which the The user has access to slide the latches to remove the products from their rail (11).

The latch pullers (14), which equip both the part of the slide (3) which slides directly into the differential block (1) and the lateral extension (4), have a shape of which an example is shown in FIG. figure 4 . The return means, in the form of a spiral spring (15), allow the return to rest in the retracted position of the latch (14). The operation of such a latch puller (14) is best shown with reference to Figures 5a to 5e . In these partial cuts, made at the lateral extension (4) of the slide (3), that is to say in front of the circuit breaker (2), the latch puller of the figure 4 appears in section.

In the figure 5a , it is represented in the retracted position, the wall (16) delimiting one of the ends of the axial groove (17) then bearing against a stop (18) of the through housing (19) practiced in this case in the extension side (4) of the drawer (3). In this configuration, the unciform end (20) of the latch puller does not interact with the latch (13) of the circuit breaker (2).

When the latch puller (14) is actuated in the opening direction, as shown in FIG. figure 5b , the inclined plane (21) delimiting the other end of the central groove (17) (see figure 4 ) comes into contact with the upper edge (22) of the outlet of the housing (19), causing the latch puller (14) to tilt. The hook (20) then enters the hole of the latch (13) normally provided for its actuation by a screwdriver type tool.

Continuing the extraction of the latch (14), with reference to the figure 5c , the latch (13) is driven in translation, compressing its return means (not shown). The latch puller (14) is always in the tilted position, due to the progression of the ridge (22) along the inclined ramp (21) of the latch (14), and also because of the existence of a shoulder (23) on the lower surface of the latch (14).

The figure 5d shows the final phase of the extraction of the latch puller (14), the latch (13) being close to the maximum compression of its return spring, in the vicinity of a release position of the rail (11) hooking. The shoulder (23) ensures, as it appears in figure 5e , the bistable function that is supported by the latch puller (14). This shoulder (23) bears against the outer edge of the sole (24) of the drawer (3), in this case at its lateral extension (4). In this stable position, the latch (13) is released from the rail.

The differential block (1) / circuit breaker (2) assembly can be disengaged from the rail when all of their latch lifters (14) have been put in this position. To disassemble, simply put then said set on a flat surface. The heel (25) which appears in the rear part of the latch puller (14) is of sufficient length so that, when a gait pressure perpendicular to the plane of this surface is exerted, the shoulder (23) is released from the edge of the sole (24), causing the latch puller (14) to return to the retracted position, as shown in FIG. figure 5a under the combined effects of the latch return means (13) on the one hand, and those (15) of the latch puller (14) on the other hand.

With reference to the figure 6 , the sole (32) of the housing of the differential block (1) is provided with slots (27) allowing the sliding of the protuberances (12) provided with notches for attachment to the rail (not shown), said protuberances (12) being provided integral drawer (3). The constraints on the spool (3) at the time of tightening conductors therefore no longer affect the housing of the differential block (1), but are managed at the rail.

The Figures 7 to 9 show in more detail the means for guiding the spool (3) in the housing of the differential block (1). The latter is composed, as appears in figure 7 , a base (30) and a cover (31) engageable to form the housing of the differential block (1), adapted to accommodate and guide the slide (3) in translation. For this purpose, the sole (32) of the base (30) comprises a first slide consisting of a rail (33) with two inclined portions separated by a flat portion parallel to said sole (32). This rail (33) is intended to cooperate with a complex recess (34) visible in figure 8 , and which has the same negative form as this rail (33). As mentioned above, the choice of a double inclined portion aims to occupy the minimum volume inside the differential block housing (1).

Two lateral slides (35, 36) protrude from the sole (32). They are associated with two studs (37, 38) which cooperate with corresponding reliefs / recesses of the drawer (3). It should be noted that the bottoms of the slides (35, 36) are at the same level as the outermost line of the protrusion (12), which makes it possible to increase the contact surface of the case when it is placed on a horizontal work plan. When the housing is equipped with its drawer (3), the existence of the slides (35, 36) prevents the tilting of the device even when the drawer (3) is open.

These slides (35, 36) cooperate respectively with ramp-shaped reliefs (39, 40), while the pads (37 and 38) slide in inclined-bottom recesses respectively (41, 42) (see FIG. figure 8 ). The doubling of the guiding means, with inversion of the protruding / hollowed character makes it possible to solidify the mechanical connection, and to improve the control of the games and the rigidity. The mechanical relation between the pads (37, 38) and the recesses with inclined bottom (41, 42) thus reinforces the mechanical connection allowed by the slides (35, 36), in relation to the reliefs (39 and 40) , in case of significant effort causing a deformation of the slides (35 and 36). In this case, as the pads (37 and 38) are directly above the fixing rail, the deformation of the sole (32) is limited, and the risk of breakage therefore becomes very low.

In this double guidance, that which results from the slides (35 and 36) and ramps (39, 40) is however a priority because it allows to have a maximum guide length. Lateral guidance is also provided within the scope of the invention. It consists in particular of the inclined window (43) ( figure 7 ), designed to cooperate with the stud (44) ( figure 8 ). As for the previous links, this is doubled by a pair of guiding means consisting of a protuberance (45) and a recess inclined bottom (46) which is provided to cooperate with a pair of guide means of which the reliefs are inverted (not shown) in the sole (32). It should be noted that the protrusion (44) engages by clipping in the slot (43), which allows, during manufacture, to secure the drawer (3) to the base (30) before the introduction of the lid (31).

On the opposite lateral side, another guiding mode is provided. Thus, two protuberances (47, 48) protruding from the opposite side wall define, by their parallel surfaces opposite, an inclined slide in which is slid a beam (49) protruding from the drawer (see figure 9 ) and inclined according to the angle of the stroke of the latter. All these guide means involve, besides the drawer (3), the base (30) of the differential block housing (1). The cover (31), however, is also part of this guide, in particular by means of the edges (50, 51) of the orifice through which the slide (3) is inserted into said housing. These songs (50, 51), for example visible in figure 7 , cooperate with parts of the sliding drawer (3) located in the upper part thereof. Thus, a side wall of the drawer (3) whose upper edge (52) is inclined is provided to slide along the edge (50). This edge (52) appears in figure 8 in the vicinity of the lateral extension (4) of the drawer (3).

Similarly, an inclined surface (53) is guided in contact with the edge (51). All these inclined guide elements have the same inclination angle, for example of the order of 7 degrees. It should be noted that the zones chosen for the implementation of the sliding / guiding means are substantially arranged in the corners of the differential block housing (1). Their number, or even their redundancy, in addition to a significant improvement in rigidity already mentioned, also avoids any risk of jamming by allowing better control of different functional games.

These sliding / guiding means do not ensure the management of the stops at the opening of the drawer (3): it is supported by on the one hand the upper screwing shaft of the cover (not visible in figure 7 ) which cooperates with the lower barrel (60) for screwing the lid (31) on the bottom (30), the upper barrel sliding in an oblong duct (61) of the drawer (3) appearing in figure 8 .

This abutment at the opening is, on the other hand, made by pressing a wedge (62) (see figure 9 ) on a rib (63) (see figure 7 ) of the lid (31) adjoining a second upper screwing drum (64) placed at the corner of the lid (31).

Claims (20)

1. Differential circuit breaker comprising a circuit breaker (2) and a differential block (1) secured side by side on a rail (11) with two flanges, with which an excrescence (12) of a base provided with a notch and a sliding latch (13) on said base respectively co-operate, and the differential block (1) comprises a sliding drawer (3) and conductors (5) at the inlet of the differential block (1) disposed in a lateral extension (4) of said drawer (3), the ends of which are positioned so that when the drawer (3) is closed, they are inserted in cages of coupling devices (6) downstream of the circuit breaker (2) and positioned close to terminals (9) thereof to which they have to be connected, where the casing of the differential block (1) has a plurality of identically oriented guide means for the drawer (3), characterised in that the guide means of the drawer impart an angle to the trajectory of the slide relative to the general direction of displacement, and the ends of the conductors (5) move progressively from the contact plane with the terminals (9) in the closing direction as the drawer (3) is displaced so that they are ultimately supported on the terminals (9) when the drawer (3) is closed.
2. Differential circuit breaker as claimed in the preceding claim, characterised in that the base (32) of the casing of the differential block (1) has lateral slides (35, 36) co-operating with ramps (39, 40) of the drawer (3) incorporating contact blocks (37, 38) sliding in slides with an inclined base (41, 42) formed in the drawer (3), which contact blocks (37, 38) are disposed plumb with a flange of the mounting rail (11).
3. Differential circuit breaker as claimed in the preceding claim, characterised in that the lateral slides (35, 36) extend beyond the base (32) in the direction in which the drawer (3) is displaced, increasing the support surface of the base (32).
4. Differential circuit breaker as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base (32) of the casing of the differential block (1) has a rail (33) incorporating at least one inclined portion co-operating with a slide (34) of a complementary shape formed in the drawer (3).
5. Differential circuit breaker as claimed in the preceding claim, characterised in that the rail (33) has two inclined portions separated by a portion parallel with the base (32), each inclined portion being of a length corresponding to the path of the drawer (3).
6. Differential circuit breaker as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the side walls of the casing and the drawer (3) of the differential block (1) have slides (43; 47, 48) provided as a means of guiding the drawer (3) in an inclined sliding movement.
7. Differential circuit breaker as claimed in the preceding claim, characterised in that at least one of the side walls of the casing has a port (43), the purpose of which is to accommodate and guide a contact block (44) projecting from a side wall of the drawer (3).
8. Differential circuit breaker as claimed in the preceding claim, characterised in that two pairs comprising contact block (45)/cut-out with an inclined base (46) disposed head to tail respectively on the base (32) and the bottom of the drawer (3) with inverted relief regions, in the vicinity of the port (43), co-operate in order to improve the inclined guiding action of the drawer (3) in the casing.
9. Differential circuit breaker as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the top part of the drawer (3) has an inclined surface (53), disposed so that it slides in contact with a top edge (51) of the opening of the casing of the differential block (1) in which the drawer (3) is inserted.
10. Differential circuit breaker as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an inclined, lateral top edge (53) of the drawer (3) is disposed so as to slide in contact with a top edge (50) of the opening of the casing in which the drawer (3) is inserted.
11. Differential circuit breaker as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ends of the conductors (5) are positioned in the drawer (3) by means of positioning stops (10) on which they are supported when said drawer (3) is open and from which they move apart as they progressively assume the position supported on the terminals (9) on closing.
12. Differential circuit breaker as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the drawer (3) is provided with bistable latch extractors (14) disposed so that they each drive a latch (13) in a sliding movement relative to the base of the circuit breaker (2) or the differential block (1) and hold it open.
13. Differential circuit breaker as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the latch extractor (14) slides in a compartment (19) formed in the drawer (3) incorporating a stop (18) marking the closure of the latch extractor (14), and the top edge (22) of the opening of the compartment (19) on the side of the latch (13) co-operates with an inclined ramp (21) of the latch extractor (14), causing it to swing and enabling a hook-shaped excrescence (20) to locate in an orifice of the latch (13), and a shoulder (23) of the latch extractor (14) projecting out from the same face as the excrescence (20) is disposed so that it is supported against an edge of the base (24) of the drawer (3) bounding the opening opposite the compartment (19) when the latch extractor (14) has been extracted by a distance substantially corresponding to the compression of the return spring of the latch (13).
14. Differential circuit breaker as claimed in the preceding claim, characterised in that the latch extractor (14) has an axial neck (17), one end of which comprises the inclined ramp (21) and the other end of which assumes the shape of a wall (16) oriented perpendicular to the sliding direction and designed to move into abutment with the stop (18) of the compartment (19).
15. Differential circuit breaker as claimed in one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the terminal zone of the latch extractor (14) disposed opposite the hook-shaped excrescence (20) is provided with a heel (25) projecting in a direction perpendicular to the sliding plane towards the base (24) of the drawer (3) and extending beyond the external surface of said base (24), the length of which is greater than the height of the shoulder (23) of the latch extractor (14) when the latter is in abutment with the edge of the base (24).
16. Differential circuit breaker as claimed in one of claims 12 to 15, characterised in that the latch extractor (14) is provided with return means (15) expending a return force in the direction of its stable closed position.
17. Differential circuit breaker as claimed in one of claims 12 to 16, characterised in that the latch extractor (14) is provided with return means (15) effecting an action which moves the latch extractor (14) away from the base (24) of the drawer (3).
18. Differential circuit breaker as claimed in claims 16 and 17, characterised in that said return means comprise a helical spring (15), the terminal branches of which are pre-stressed in the direction of the axis of the central helical portion.
19. Differential circuit breaker as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 18, characterised in that the latch extractor (14) is provided with a portion extending beyond the base (24) of the drawer (3) and incorporates a cavity enabling the head of a manipulating tool to be inserted.
20. Differential circuit breaker as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a protuberance (12) extending beyond the base (32) of the differential block (1) and provided with a notch for hooking onto one of the flanges of the mounting rail (11) is integrally formed in the drawer (3).

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