EP1934996B1 - Electrical switching device with fuse - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a universal electrical interrupt appliance for different fuse formats. In said interrupt appliance (1), the housing (20) and the inner electrical contacts (4) are designed to authorize support elements (6) of the fuse (5c) to be mounted in different mounting positions so as to adjust their pitch to adapt it to different fuse formats. Similarly, the connection of the elements supporting (6) to the fuse (5c) is configured to enable different shapes of connecting pads (50) corresponding to the different fuse formats to be mounted. The invention is applicable to any type of fuse electrical interrupt appliances in any type of installation.

Description

Technical area :

The present invention relates to an electrical fuse cutoff device comprising at least one housing containing at least two electrical contacts connected by a fuse disposed outside said housing, the fuse having at least two connection pads, each electrically coupled to said electrical contacts by two support elements passing through said housing, each support element comprising at least one connection zone to said fuse disposed outside the housing, an attachment zone to said housing and a connection zone to said electrical contact disposed at the inside the case.

Prior art:

In the field of distribution of electrical energy, switchgear devices such as fuse switches or fuse disconnectors are commonly used in order to protect the power supply of industrial equipment. These switching devices have ratings that can vary from a few tens to several thousand amperes and are, therefore, equipped with different fuse formats selected according to, in particular, the rating of the breaking device and the national standards in force. and / or international. Each fuse format is distinguished by its dimensions, its form of connection pads and its connection mode. As a result, there are specific support elements for each fuse format and each electrical breaking device is different.
The document GB-A-2280 786 discloses a switchgear according to the preamble of claim 1.

Presentation of the invention

The present invention aims at proposing a solution making it possible to universalize as much as possible the fuse support elements and the corresponding breaking devices, so that they can receive several fuse formats, in order to reduce the number of references, to massify the production. and reduce production costs, while simplifying cut-off devices.

For this purpose, the invention relates to an electrical switching device of the type indicated in the preamble, characterized in that at least the housing and the electrical contacts are arranged to allow the mounting of the support elements on the housing in different mounting positions in order to be able to adapt their center distance to different fuse formats and make this housing universal.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing comprises at least two connection openings each disposed facing an electrical contact, these connection openings being elongate and delimiting for each support element two extreme mounting positions. It may also comprise at least two sets of several parallel connection slots, each set being arranged opposite an electrical contact, these connection slots defining for each support element different fixed mounting positions.

Preferably, the electrical contacts each comprise at least one conductive bar extending at least along the length of the connecting opening or set of connection slots corresponding thereto and the connection area of each support element comprises at least a spring clip adapted to fit on the corresponding electrical contact.

This spring clip may comprise at least two branches biased towards each other by at least one spring member or at least one fixed branch and a movable branch biased towards the fixed branch by at least one spring member.

Advantageously, the housing and the mounting area of each support member comprise complementary fixing means arranged to allow the fixing of the support elements on the housing in their different mounting positions. For this purpose, each support element comprises, in its attachment area, a base in plane support on the housing and fixed thereto by at least one fixing member.

In the preferred embodiment, the connection area of the support members is also arranged to permit the mounting of different forms of connection pads corresponding to different fuse formats, making these support elements universal.

In a first embodiment, the connection area of each support member comprises at least one spring clip adapted to receive by interlocking a connection range of the fuse. This spring clip is adaptable to the connection pads of different fuse sizes and may comprise at least one fixed branch and a movable branch biased towards the fixed branch by at least one spring member.

The movable branches of the connection and connection areas of the same support member are advantageously formed of a single blade pivotally mounted about an axis substantially median to said support member and biased by the same spring member.

In a second variant embodiment, the connection zone of each support element comprises at least one connecting lug adapted to receive in plane support a fuse connection range fixed by at least one fixing member, the connecting lug comprising at least one connecting lug. minus two superimposed fixing holes of diameters different to receive fasteners suitable for different fuse formats. This connection zone may comprise at least one mounting bracket reported under the connecting lug and provided with a first fixing hole, the connecting lug having the second fixing hole of a diameter greater than the first.

The housing and the support elements may comprise means for indexing the various possible mounting positions and an identification marking of the different fuse formats corresponding to said indexed mounting positions.

Brief description of the drawings:

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un appareil de coupure électrique à trois pôles selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective du boîtier d'un module de coupure de l'appareil de la figure 1,
• les figures 3A-C sont des vues en perspective du boîtier de la figure 2 selon un premier mode de réalisation équipé respectivement de trois formats de fusible différents,
• les figures 4AB et C sont des vues de dessus du boîtier correspondant aux figures 3A et 3B puis 3C,
• les figures 5A et 5B sont des vues en perspective de dessus et de dessous d'un élément de support de fusible selon le premier mode de réalisation et la figure 5C est une vue de détail d'une pièce de cet élément de support,
• la figure 6 est une vue similaire à la figure 3C, d'un boîtier et de ses éléments de support, sans fusible, en phase de montage ou de réglage,
• les figures 7A-D sont des vues en perspective du boîtier de la figure 2 selon un second mode de réalisation équipé respectivement de quatre formats de fusible différents,
• les figures 8AB, C et D sont des vues de dessus du boîtier correspondant aux figures 7A et B, 7C et 7D, et
• les figures 9A et 9B sont des vues respectivement en perspective et de côté d'un élément de support de fusible selon le second mode de réalisation.

The present invention and its advantages will appear better in the following description of two embodiments given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of a three-pole electrical breaking device according to the invention,
• the figure 2 is a perspective view of the housing of a module of cutoff of the apparatus of the figure 1 ,
• the Figures 3A-C are perspective views of the case of the figure 2 according to a first embodiment respectively equipped with three different fuse formats,
• the Figures 4AB and C are top views of the housing corresponding to Figures 3A and 3B then 3C,
• the Figures 5A and 5B are top and bottom perspective views of a fuse support member according to the first embodiment and the Figure 5C is a detail view of a part of this support element,
• the figure 6 is a view similar to the figure 3C , a housing and its support elements, without fuse, during assembly or adjustment phase,
• the Figures 7A-D are perspective views of the case of the figure 2 according to a second embodiment respectively equipped with four different fuse formats,
• the Figures 8AB , C and D are top views of the housing corresponding to Figures 7A and B, 7C and 7D , and
• the Figures 9A and 9B are respectively perspective and side views of a fuse support member according to the second embodiment.

Illustrations of the invention:

With reference to the figures, the electric switching device 1 according to the invention is a three-phase fuse switch or disconnector provided with three cut-off modules 2, one for each phase or pole of the electrical distribution network, and one control module 3. This electric switching device 1 may comprise a number of different poles. Each cutoff module 2 is formed of a substantially parallelepiped-shaped casing 20 enclosing electrical contacts 4, at least two of which are electrically connected by a fuse 5 disposed outside the casing 20 and carried by two support elements. 6, 7. Each support element 6, 7 comprises a connection zone A to the fuse, located outside the housing 20 to connect to the fuse 5 by its connection pads 50, a connection area C to the electrical contact, located inside the housing 20 to connect to the electrical contact 4, and a fixing zone B to the housing, preferably located outside the housing 20 between the zones A and C.

The format of the fuses 5 depends on the size of the electrical breaking device 1, namely its amperage, and the normative specificities of each country. The object of the invention is to allow the mounting of different formats of existing fuses or at least the main ones, with only one type of housing 20 and two types of support elements 6, 7. These different fuse formats, referenced 5a to 5f, are summarized in the table below: Ref. Fig. Standard Cut Log in Diameter 5a BS B1 - B2 Screwed M8 screws 5c BS A4 Screwed M8 screws 5b UL J Screwed or nested M6 screws 5d DIN 1 nested --- 5th DIN 0 nested --- 5f DIN 00 - 00C nested ---

These different fuse formats 5a-f can be split into two families depending on their connection, depending on whether it should be screwed or simply nested. The invention accordingly proposes two models of support elements 6, 7, a first model of support elements 6 illustrated in FIGS. Figures 3 to 6 which allows the connection pads 50 of the fuses 5a-c to be fixed by screwing, and a second model of support elements 7 illustrated in FIGS. Figures 7 to 9 which allows the fixing of the connection pads 50 of the fuses 5b and 5d-f. The housing 20 meanwhile is designed on the basis of a single model compatible with one or the other model of support elements 6, 7 chosen.

Best way to realize the invention:

More particularly with reference to the figure 2 , the housing 20 comprises on the face receiving the fuse 5 two connection openings 21 each arranged facing an electrical contact 4 and allowing the passage of the connection area C of each support member 6, 7. These connection openings 21 are rectangular and sufficiently elongated to allow the assembly of the elements of support 6, 7 in different positions in order to adapt their spacing to the different fuse formats 5a-f. For this purpose, the electrical contacts 4 comprise a conductive bar which extends parallel to the axis of the connection opening 21 and over its entire length so that the electrical connection is possible regardless of the mounting position of the support element 6, 7. These connection openings 21 have the advantage of allowing a continuous adjustment of their position. However, they may be replaced by two sets of several parallel connection slots (not shown) each defining a mounting position of the support elements 6, 7.

The housing 20 comprises at least two threaded fixing holes 22 each adapted to receive a fixing member 23, such as a screw, for fixing in a chosen mounting position of each support element 6, 7. Each fixing hole 22 may be formed by a square nut 24 housed in a groove 25 of the housing 20, the position of this nut 24 being adjustable to adapt to the chosen mounting position. Each support element 6, 7 is mounted in a base 8 in plane support on the housing 20 and fixed on the latter at least by the fixing member 23. For this purpose, the base 8 has openings 80 capable of being traversed by at least the zone of connection to the contact C of the support elements 6, 7. It also comprises a housing (not visible) adapted to receive by interlocking the fixing lug 60 provided in the zone of attachment to the housing B of the elements of support 6, 7. This base 8 comprises an orifice 81 for the passage of the fastener 23, which simultaneously fixes the support member 6, 7, through an oblong hole 61 provided in said fixing lug 60. base 8 is made of an electrically insulating material and makes it possible to secure the assembly by firmly holding the support element 6, 7 with respect to the housing 20 and to close the connection openings 21.

In the example shown, the housing 20 also comprises indexing means 26 in the form of notches adapted to cooperate with complementary notches 86 provided under the base 8 to define the different possible mounting positions of the support elements 6, 7. An identification marking 27 is provided on the housing 20 to be visible through a window 87 provided in the base 8 for the purpose of identifying the fuse or formats that correspond to the mounting positions defined by the means 26. The housing 20 finally has connection terminals 28 accessible on its sides for the connection of measurement or control equipment to voltage taps (not shown) connected directly to the electrical contacts 4. The configuration of FIG. the face receiving the fuse 5 of the housing 20 is symmetrical with respect to its central point and allows mounting on the right or left of the same support elements 6, 7 which are therefore reversible.

With particular reference to Figures 5A-C , the support element 6 is made in an electrically conductive bar having a substantially inverted-L shape, the large branch of the L defining the connection area to the contact C and the small branch of the L defining the connection zone to the fuse A. This fuse connection zone A comprises a connecting lug 62 provided with at least one threaded fixing hole 63 on which is fixed a connection pad 50 of the fuse 5 by at least one fastener (not shown) screwed to the through a bore 51 preferably oblong in the fixing hole 63. This connecting lug 62 has a smooth hole 64 disposed opposite the fixing lug 60 to allow access to the fastener 23 by a tool 10 such as a screwdriver for example. This connecting lug 62 comprises a mounting bracket 9, made of an electrically conductive material, substantially U-shaped, fixed under the connecting lug 62 by a return 90 and two fasteners 91 such as screws. It comprises in its base 92 a fixing hole 93 threaded, disposed opposite the fixing hole 63 and a smaller diameter. For example, the fixing hole 63 corresponds to a diameter M8 adapted to the fuse formats 5a and 5c and the fixing hole 93 corresponds to a diameter M6 adapted to fuse formats 5b, This particular arrangement makes it possible to fix these three different fuse formats 5a-c on the same element of support 6. The fixing hole 93 may be formed by a square nut 94, held between three tabs cut in the base 92 and folded to form a cage 95. The branches 96 of the mounting bracket 9 start from the base 92 to frame the connecting lug 62 of the support element 6. This mounting bracket 9 also allows, by its shape, to ensure a dissipation Joules generated by the electrical connection.

This support element 6 comprises in its contact connection area C at least one spring clip 65 adapted to fit on the electrical contact 4. This spring clip 65 has two substantially parallel vertical branches separated by a slot whose width corresponds to the thickness of the electrical contact 4. A spring member 66 is mounted around the two branches to urge them towards each other and provide a tight fitting so a quality electrical connection. In the example shown, this spring member 66 is formed of a wire provided with a helical median section and two free ends engaged with external notches formed in the branches of the clamp 65. Of course, other spring members 66 may be suitable such as a circlip or the like.

With particular reference to Figures 9A and 9B , the support member 7 is formed in an electrically conductive bar having a substantially I-shaped, the connection areas to the fuse A and C contact connection being aligned. The fuse connection zone A comprises a spring clip 70 adapted to receive by interlocking a connection pad 50 of the fuse 5. This spring clip 70 comprises two branches 71, 72, one 71 being fixed and the other 72 mobile and biased towards the fixed branch 71 by a spring member 73 to ensure a good electrical connection and simultaneously to adjust the interval between the branches 71, 72 at different thicknesses of connection pads 50 for different fuse formats 5. Similarly, the contact connection area C comprises a spring clip 74 adapted to fit on the electrical contact 4. This spring clip 74 comprises two branches 75, 76, one 75 being fixed and the other 76 being mobile and biased towards the fixed branch 75 by a spring member 73 to ensure a good electrical connection. In the example shown, the two movable arms 72, 76 are formed of one and the same blade, slightly V-shaped, pivotally mounted about a substantially median axis 77, located in the zone of attachment to the housing B and oriented perpendicular to the support member 7. This flat blade is biased by a single spring member 73, also in the form of a V blade retained by the axis 77. Of course any other member spring 73 or any other embodiment of the movable branches 72, 76 may be suitable.

The assembly of these support elements 6, 7 to the housing 20 is very simple. They are previously assembled to their base 8 by introducing their connection area to the contact C through the openings 80 of the base 8 to the attachment area B where the fixing lug 60 is fitted into the corresponding housing of the base 8. This subassembly is then mounted on the housing 20 by introducing the connection area to the contact C through the connection openings 21 and fitting the spring clip 65, 74 on the corresponding electrical contact 4. It is simultaneously positioned by placing each base 8 in the mounting position which corresponds to the fuse format 5 to be mounted. For this, the operator is assisted by the markings 27 and the indexing means 26. Each subassembly is locked in position on the housing 20 by using the fastener 23 which passes successively through the orifice 81 of the base 8 and then the oblong hole 61 of the support element 6, 7 before being screwed into the fixing hole 22 of the housing 20 with the help of, for example, a screwdriver 10. The fuse 5 can be put in place by screwing or simple interlocking on the connection areas A support elements 6, 7, the spacings and fixing being adapted to its different formats.

Possibilities of industrial application:

The Figures 3A-C illustrate a housing 20 of an electrical breaking device 1 according to the invention equipped with two support elements 6 according to the first model for mounting different fuse formats 5a-c, namely the BS type B1 or B2 formats, the BS format A4 type and UL type J format which must be screwed. The Figures 4AB and 4C show the top of the housing 20 without the fuse 5a-c in each case.

The figure 3A illustrates the mounting corresponding to fuse 5a of BS type B1 or B2 format. In this case, the support elements 6 are symmetrically spaced apart from each other, the notches 86 of the bases 8 are nested in the first notches 26 starting from the sides of the housing 20 and the two windows 87 show the marking 27 "B1.B2.J" as shown in Figure 4AB . The connection pads 50 of the fuse 5a are fixed by a fixing screw M8 in the fixing hole 63 of the connection tab 62.

The figure 3B illustrates the mounting corresponding to the fuse 5b UL format type J which is identical to that of the figure 3A except that the connection pads 50 of the fuse 5b are fixed by a fixing screw M6 in the fixing hole 93 of the mounting bracket 9 provided under the connection tab 62.

The figure 3C illustrates the mounting corresponding to fuse 5c BS format type A4. In this case, the support elements 6 are brought symmetrically close to each other, the notches 86 of the bases 8 are nested in the third notches 26 starting from the sides of the housing 20 and the two windows 87 show the marking 27 "A4" as shown in figure 4C . The connection pads 50 of the fuse 5c are fixed by a fixing screw M8 in the fixing hole 63 of the connection tab 62.

The Figures 7A-D illustrate a housing 20 of an electrical breaking device 1 according to the invention equipped with two support elements 7 according to the first model for mounting different fuse formats 5b, 5d-f, namely the UL type J format and the DIN formats type 0, 00, 00C or 1, which can be nested. The Figures 8AB , 8C and 8D show the top of the housing 20 without the fuse 5b, 5d-f in each case.

The Figure 7A illustrates the mounting corresponding to fuse 5d DIN type 1. In this case, the support elements 6 are symmetrically spaced apart from each other, the notches 86 of the bases 8 are fitted into the first notches 26 starting the sides of the housing 20 and the two windows 87 show the marking 27 "0.1.J" on the right side and "1.J" on the left side as illustrated in FIG. Figure 8AB .

The Figure 7B illustrates the mounting corresponding to the fuse 5b UL format type J which is identical to that of the Figure 7A , the connection pads 50 of the fuse 5b being fitted into the spring clamps 70, unlike the assembly illustrated in FIG. figure 3B where they were screwed.

The Figure 7C illustrates the mounting corresponding to fuse 5e DIN 0 format. In this case, the support element 6 on the left is shifted by one notch 26 to the right and the window 87 on the left shows the marking 27 "0" as illustrated to the Figure 8C .

The Figure 7D illustrates the fitting corresponding to fuse 5f DIN format type 00 or 00C. In this case, the support elements 6 are brought symmetrically close to each other, the notches 86 of the bases 8 being nested in the last and fourth notches 26 starting from the sides of the housing 20 and the two windows 87 show the marking 27 "00" as shown in figure 8D .

In these different assemblies, the connection pads 50 of the fuses 5b, 5d-f are fitted into force in the spring clips 70 which adapt to the thickness of these ranges by means of the spring member 73 and the pivot mounting of moving limbs 72, 76.

It is clear from this description that the invention achieves the goals set, namely the mounting of several fuse formats on the same electrical switch device 1, in order to reduce manufacturing costs and simplify the mechanisms.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described but extends to any modification and variation obvious to a person skilled in the art while remaining within the scope of protection defined in the appended claims.

Claims (17)

1. An electrical circuit breaker (1) with a fuse comprising at least one housing (20) enclosing at least two electrical contacts (4) connected by a fuse (5) that is disposed outside the said housing (20), this fuse (5) comprising at least two lands (50) electrically coupled to the said electrical contacts (4) by two support elements (6, 7) passing through the said housing (20), each support element (6, 7) comprising at least one zone (A) for connection to the said fuse disposed outside the housing (20), one zone (B) for attachment to the said housing and one zone (C) for linking up to the said electrical contact disposed inside the housing (20), characterised in that at least the said housing (20) and the said electrical contacts (4) are designed to allow the mounting of the said support elements (6, 7) on the housing (20) in different mounting positions so as to be able to adapt their pitch to different fuse formats (5a-f).
2. A circuit breaker according to Claim 1, characterised in that the housing (20) comprises at least two connection openings (21) each disposed opposite an electrical contact (4), these connection openings (21) being elongate and delimiting two extreme mounting positions for each support element (6, 7).
3. A circuit breaker according to Claim 1, characterised in that the said housing (20) comprises at least two sets of several parallel connection slots, each set being disposed opposite an electrical contact (4), these connection slots defining different fixed mounting positions for each support element (6, 7).
4. A circuit breaker according to one of Claims 2 or 3, characterised in that the electrical contacts (4) each comprise at least one conducting bar extending at least over the length of the connection opening (21) or of the set of slots corresponding thereto.
5. A circuit breaker according to Claim 4, characterised in that the linking-up zone (C) of each support element (6, 7) comprises at least one spring clamp (65, 74) able to be fitted onto the said electrical contact (4).
6. A circuit breaker according to Claim 5, characterised in that the said spring clamp (65) comprises at least two branches stressed towards each other by at least one spring member (66).
7. A circuit breaker according to Claim 5, characterised in that the said spring clamp (74) comprises at least one fixed branch (75) and one movable branch (76) stressed towards the fixed branch (75) by at least one spring member (73).
8. A circuit breaker according to Claim 1, characterised in that the said housing (20) and the attachment zone (B) for each support element (6, 7) comprise complementary attachment means (22-25; 60, 61) designed to allow the attachment of the said support elements (6, 7) to the housing (20) in their different mounting positions.
9. A circuit breaker according to Claim 8, characterised in that each support element (6, 7) comprises, in its attachment zone (B), a base (8) resting flat on the said housing (20) and fixed to the latter by at least one attachment member (23).
10. A circuit breaker according to Claim 1, characterised in that the connection zone (A) of the support elements (6, 7) is designed to allow the mounting of different forms of lands (50) corresponding to different fuse formats (5a-f).
11. A circuit breaker according to Claim 10, characterised in that the connection zone (A) for each support element (7) comprises at least one spring clamp (70) suitable for receiving a land (50) of the said fuse (5) by fitting, the said clamp (70) being adaptable to the lands (50) of different fuse formats (5b, 5d-f).
12. A circuit breaker according to Claim 11, characterised in that the spring clamp (70) comprises at least one fixed branch (71) and one movable branch (72) stressed towards the fixed branch (71) by at least one a spring member (73).
13. A circuit breaker according to Claims 7 and 12, characterised in that the movable branches (72, 76) of the said connection zones (A) and linking-up zones (C) of the same support element (7) comprise just one blade, mounted to pivot about a pin (77) substantially median to the said support element (7).
14. A circuit breaker according to Claim 10, characterised in that the connection zone (A) of the said support elements (6) comprises at least one connection lug (62) suitable for receiving, by surface bearing, a land (50) of the said fuse (5) fixed by at least one attachment member, the said connection lug (62) comprising at least two superimposed attachment holes (63, 93) of different diameters to receive attachment members adapted to different fuse formats (5a-c).
15. A circuit breaker according to Claim 14, characterised in that the connection zone (A) comprises at least one mounting bracket (9) connected under the said connection lug (62) and provided with a first attachment hole (93), the said connection lug (62) comprising the second attachment hole (63) having a diameter greater than the first.
16. A circuit breaker according to Claim 1, characterised in that the said housing (20) and the said support elements (6, 7) comprise indexing means (26, 86) for the different mounting positions.
17. A circuit breaker according to Claim 16, characterised in that the said housing (20) comprises an identification tag (27) for the different fuse formats corresponding to the said indexed mounting positions.

Images