EP2068332B1 - A latching device for a control mechanism for electrical apparatus, and a control mechanism equipped with such a device. - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a slide (30) provided with a stop portion (31), where the slide is moved for releasing a stop between a stop forming part and the stop portion of the slide and obtaining free rotation of a blocking pin (20) along an axle (21). The releasing of the stop drives the rotation of a controlling wheel (10) under the effect of its constraint, and pushes a cam routing portion (22) to be disengaged from a blocking portion (13) of a cam surface (12) by displacing the cam routing portion relative to the cam surface through the rotation of the pin.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to the general field of electrical equipment and in particular to the field of medium voltage switch control mechanisms. The invention relates to a hooking device for a medium voltage switch control mechanism and a control mechanism comprising such a hooking device.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

The current distribution cells, for example the medium voltage cells, comprise in particular a switch which establishes or cuts the passage of the current in the cell.

A medium voltage switch is usually controlled by a spring-loaded control mechanism that is operated for example by means of a removable lever. These mechanisms can be with or without clashes depending on their function. It is known that the control mechanisms are subjected to significant efforts. However, to comply with regulatory standards that impose a limit on the triggering force, the clutch control mechanisms often include links complexes or lever arms of great length in order to minimize the triggering force.

Thus, the document FR2160980 discloses a control mechanism for electric circuit breaker, including a driving wheel whose rotation causes the energization of a snap-in spring, and the release of the accumulated elastic energy triggers.

As shown in figure 7 which reproduces the single figure of the document cited, the control mechanism comprises a set of tensioning of the engagement spring A18, comprising the mechanical parts A1 to A7, acting on a drive wheel A8 in cooperation with an anti-rotation assembly. back (parts A11 and A12). This same wheel A8 drives, via a finger A9, a cam A10 mounted on the axis A14 of said wheel A8 whose end is capable of abutting against a snap A13. Are connected to the axis A14 of said wheel A8 an engagement assembly (parts A15 to A18) and a trigger assembly (parts A19 to A22). The attachment device of the control mechanism comprises in particular the cam A10, the drive wheel A8 comprising a finger A9 acting on the cam A10, the snap-fastening A13 and the non-return assembly A11 and A12 preventing the wheel A8 of turn in the opposite direction.

Such a coupling device for a control mechanism has a number of disadvantages. On the one hand, the mechanical structure of the attachment device is characterized by a large number of mechanical parts of different dimensions and likely to deform. This is the case for example when the attachment device is in closed configuration (cam A10 abuts against the snap A13) where the cam A10 exerts a continuous force on the snap A13. An imperfect contact surface condition between the cam and the latching and a deformation of one of the two parts can cause an unplanned triggering of the control mechanism. The reliability of the control mechanism is no longer guaranteed.

On the other hand, the energization of the interlocking spring, which results in the setting in closed configuration of the attachment device requires the use of a set of complex power, including the large number of mechanical parts , in particular of small size (roller A7, counter roller A3, lever A6, balance A2) likely to deform, reduces the reliability of the control mechanism. For example, a contact fault between the cam A10 and the roller A7 may cause the ratchet lever A5 to engage continuously in the toothing of the drive wheel A8 and then block the triggering of the control mechanism. In addition, in order to minimize the triggering force, the control mechanism comprises a complex linkage consisting in particular of a lever arm A19, a connecting rod A16 and a cam A10 large.

Thus, it will be understood that the control mechanism previously described has an attachment device and actuation assemblies of said device with complex structures consisting of a multitude of parts of different dimensions likely to deform. The slightest play or the slightest deformation of these mechanical parts can cause a blocking of the control mechanism, making it impossible to engage or trigger the mechanism, or even a nuisance tripping. To this lack of reliability of the control mechanisms of the prior art are added the high maintenance costs to overcome the lack of reliability and the congestion problems inherent in the use of large mechanical parts.

The document US 2007/131526 describes a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and in particular to provide a coupling device for medium voltage switch control mechanism designed to ensure high reliability while having a reduced trip force.

• une roue de commande montée tournante sur un premier axe, de façon contrainte suivant un sens de rotation déterminé et présentant une surface formant surface de came,
• un doigt de blocage monté tournant selon un deuxième axe, et présentant une partie formant butée ainsi qu'une portion suiveuse de came destinée à contacter ladite surface de came, et
• une glissière comprenant une portion de butée,
  ledit dispositif étant apte à occuper une configuration verrouillée dans laquelle ladite roue de commande est immobilisée en rotation
• d'une part par l'appui de ladite portion suiveuse de came sur une portion de blocage de ladite surface de came ; et
• d'autre part par l'immobilisation en rotation dudit doigt grâce à la retenue de sa partie formant butée par ladite portion de butée de la glissière,
  ledit dispositif étant conçu pour être libéré de sa configuration verrouillée par une mise en mouvement de la glissière provoquant un échappement de la butée entre ladite partie formant butée et ladite portion de butée de la glissière, et rendant libre en rotation ledit doigt selon le deuxième axe, ledit échappement de la butée conduisant à une mise en rotation de la roue sous l'effet de sa contrainte, poussant la portion suiveuse de came à se dégager de ladite portion de blocage de la surface de came en se déplaçant relativement à celle-ci, grâce à la rotation dudit doigt selon le deuxième axe.

The present invention is defined by an attachment device for a control mechanism, in particular a medium voltage switch. According to the invention, said attachment device comprises:

• a control wheel rotatably mounted on a first axis, constrained according to a determined direction of rotation and having a surface forming a cam surface;
• a locking finger rotatably mounted along a second axis, and having a stop portion and a follower cam portion for contacting said cam surface, and
• a slideway comprising a stop portion,
  said device being adapted to occupy a locked configuration in which said control wheel is immobilized in rotation
• on the one hand by the support of said cam follower portion on a locking portion of said cam surface; and
• secondly by the immobilization in rotation of said finger through the retention of its abutment portion by said stop portion of the slide,
  said device being adapted to be released from its locked configuration by a setting in motion of the slide causing an escape of the stop between said abutment portion and said abutment portion of the slide, and free to rotate said finger along the second axis , said escapement of the abutment leading to a rotation of the wheel under the effect of its constraint, causing the cam follower portion to disengage from said blocking portion of the cam surface by moving relative thereto , thanks to the rotation of said finger along the second axis.

Preferably, the abutment portion of the locking finger comprises a roller rotating about a third axis substantially parallel to the second axis and having a surface adapted to come into contact with the stop portion of the slide.

Advantageously, the slide is guided in its movement by at least two rotating rollers on axes.

Preferably, said one or more rollers are mounted on rings made of self-lubricated polymer.

Alternatively, said one or more rollers are mounted on rings made of polytetrafluoroethylene.

Preferably, said roller or rollers and the surface of the slideway are made of steel.

In one embodiment of the invention, said slideway comprises a portion adapted to come into contact with the abutment portion of said locking pin, said slide portion being substantially adjacent to the abutment portion of the slide and oriented such that that during the release of the finger, its contact with the abutment portion causes the movement of the slide.

Preferably, a release lever is connected to said slideway so as to control the movement of said slideway.

The present invention also relates to a control mechanism including a medium voltage switch, comprising a hooking device according to one of the preceding characteristics.

Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent in the detailed non-limiting description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• La figure 1 est une vue partielle en perspective du mécanisme de commande d'interrupteur moyenne tension comprenant le dispositif d'accrochage selon le mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention, le dispositif d'accrochage occupant la configuration déverrouillée ;
• La figure 2 est une vue de face du dispositif d'accrochage montré sur la figure 1, occupant la configuration verrouillée ;
• La figure 3 est une vue de face du dispositif d'accrochage montré sur la figure 1, où le doigt de blocage est en cours de dégagement ;
• La figure 4 est une vue de face du dispositif d'accrochage montré sur la figure 1, occupant la configuration déverrouillée ;
• La figure 5 est une vue de face du dispositif d'accrochage selon un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• La figure 6 est une vue de face du dispositif d'accrochage selon encore un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of nonlimiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• The figure 1 is a partial perspective view of the medium voltage switch control mechanism comprising the hooking device according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the hooking device occupying the unlocked configuration;
• The figure 2 is a front view of the hooking device shown on the figure 1 , occupying the locked configuration;
• The figure 3 is a front view of the hooking device shown on the figure 1 , where the blocking finger is being released;
• The figure 4 is a front view of the hooking device shown on the figure 1 , occupying the unlocked configuration;
• The figure 5 is a front view of the attachment device according to another embodiment of the invention;
• The figure 6 is a front view of the attachment device according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED PRESENTATION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

As schematically illustrates figure 1 , the attachment device according to the invention comprises a control wheel 10 rotatably mounted on a first axis or shaft 11 and adapted to be locked in rotation. The control wheel 10 is constrained in rotation in a determined direction of rotation. In the embodiment of the invention described in figure 1 , the control wheel 10 is constrained in rotation in the direction anti-clockwise when viewed from the front. The control wheel 10 may be constrained by a spiral spring (not shown), but also by other types of spring, for example a helical spring whose end is connected to the control wheel 10.

The control wheel 10 has at its outer periphery a cam surface 12. The cam surface 12 of the control wheel 10 comprises at least one locking portion 13 in the form of an arcuate recess.

The attachment device according to the invention comprises a locking pin 20 rotatably mounted on a second axis 21 parallel to the first axis 11. The locking pin 20 comprises a cam follower portion 22 intended to be in contact with the cam surface. 12 of the control wheel 10. A means exerting a restoring force (not shown), for example a torsion spring, is connected to the locking finger 20 so as to maintain contact between the follower portion of the cam 22 of the locking finger. blocking 20 and the cam surface 12 of the control wheel 10.

In this embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. figure 1 the second axis 21 is located substantially near one end of the finger 20 and the cam follower portion 22 is located substantially near the other end.

During the counterclockwise rotation of the control wheel 10 due to the force exerted by the spiral spring, the cam follower portion 22 of the locking finger 20 moves along the cam surface 12 while remaining in contact. with this one. As shown in figure 2 when the follower cam portion 22 comes into contact with the locking portion 13 of the cam surface 12, the locking portion 13 exerts a force on the cam follower portion 22 following the normal to the curvature of the locking portion. 13 and facing the cam follower portion 22. As shown in FIGS. figures 3 and 4 this force exerted on the cam follower portion 22 causes the cam follower portion 22 to disengage from the locking portion 13 by moving relatively thereto, by rotating the finger 20 along the second axis 21. in other words, the force exerted by the spiral spring on the control wheel 10 to constrain it in rotation is transmitted to the locking pin 20 by causing the rotation of the finger 20. The rotation of the finger 20 causes the release of the portion cam follower 22 of the locking portion 13 and allows the further rotation of the wheel 10. In the case where the finger 20 is locked in rotation, the clearance of the cam follower portion 22 of the locking portion 13 is impossible and the rotation of the wheel is blocked. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the Figures 1 to 4 the cam follower portion 22 can escape from the locking portion 13 by the anti-clockwise rotation of the finger 20.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the attachment device comprises a slideway 30 comprising an abutment portion 31. The slideway can slide in translation so as to contact or release the abutment portion 31 of the slideway 30 with an abutment portion 23 of the locking finger 20. The slide 30 is disposed relative to the locking finger 20 so as to block the rotation of the finger 20 when the abutment portion 23 of the locking finger 20 is in contact with the portion forming stop 31 of the slide 30. When there is escape of the stop corresponding to the absence of contact between the abutment portion 23 of the locking finger 20 and the abutment portion 31 of the slide 30, the rotation of the finger 20 is made free. Thus the slide 30 functions as a removable stop.

In operation, the attachment device according to the invention is able to occupy a locked configuration in which the control wheel 10 is immobilized in rotation, as illustrated in FIG. figure 2 . The immobilization in rotation of the wheel 10 is provided jointly, firstly by the support of the cam follower portion 22 on the locking portion 13 of the cam surface 12, and secondly by the immobilization in rotation of the finger 20 through the retention of its abutment portion 23 by the abutment portion 31 of the slide 30.

The triggering of the attachment device, that is to say the release of the attachment device from its locked configuration, is ensured by the setting in motion of the slide 30 causing the escape of the stop between the abutment portion 23 of the finger 20 and the abutment portion 31 of the slide 30. The rotation of the finger 20 around the second axis 21 is made free, thereby allowing the disengaging the follower cam portion 22 from the locking portion 13 of the cam surface 12.

The attachment device according to the invention has a certain number of advantages. First, the triggering force of the attachment device is reduced because it corresponds only to the force required to slide the slideway 30 and to obtain the exhaust of the stop between the stop portion 31 of the slideway 30. and the abutment portion 23 of the finger 20. In addition, the forces exerted on the slide 30 indirectly by the control wheel 10 are reduced since resumed in part by the axis 21 of the finger 20. This helps to reduce the triggering force to be applied to slide 30.

In addition, the reduction of the triggering force makes it possible to overcome the use of long rods. Also any risk of deformation and thus blocking or inadvertent tripping is avoided. The attachment device according to the invention therefore has increased reliability.

The attachment device according to the invention, by the fact of not having to use connecting rods or parts of great length, has the advantage of a small footprint.

Finally, the economy of parts compared to the prior art and increased reliability can reduce the costs of implementation and maintenance costs.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the abutment portion 23 of the locking pin 20 comprises a rotating roller 23 around a third axis 24 substantially parallel to the second axis 21 and having a surface adapted to come into contact with the forming a stop portion 31 of the slideway 30. Thus, when the slide 30 is set in motion to obtain the escape of the abutment, the abutment portion 23 of the finger 20 is rotated along the abutment portion 31 of the slide 30. This reduces the triggering force since the friction between the abutment portion 23 of the finger 20 and the abutment portion 31 of the slide 30 are reduced.

Advantageously, the slideway 30 is guided in its movement by at least two rollers 32A and 32B each rotatable about the axes 33A and 33B substantially parallel to the third axis 24 and substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the slideway 30, in permanent contact with the surface of the slide 30. Thus, the slide 30 moves relative to the two rollers 32A and 32B rotating them. This reduces the triggering force since the displacement of the slide 30 is not by sliding on a support but by rolling on the two rollers 32A and 32B. Remember that in the case of the sliding of a steel part on a support of the same material, the dry kinematic coefficient of friction is of the order of 10 ^-1 . In the case of the rolling of a steel roller radius for example centimeter on a support of the same material, the coefficient of rolling is of the order of 10 ^-3 , that is two orders of magnitude lower than the coefficient of kinematic friction. The triggering force is thus reduced.

In order to reduce the rolling friction of the rollers, the rollers 23, 32A and 32B can be mounted respectively on rings 25, 35A and 35B. The materials of the rollers 23, 32A and 32B, the rings 25, 35A and 35B, and the surface 34 of the slide 30 are chosen so as to have a low rolling coefficient, so as to reduce the release force as explained previously. Advantageously, the rollers 23, 32A and 32B and the surface 34 of the slide 30 are made of steel, and the rings 25, 35A and 35B are made of self-lubricated polymer. The term "self-lubricated" applies here to a material whose coefficient of friction is sufficiently low not to have to use lubricant at the contact surface between the rings 25, 35A and 35B and, respectively, the rollers 23. , 32A and 32B. Advantageously, the self-lubricated polymer may be a fluoropolymer, for example polytetrafluoroethylene or POM loaded with PTFE and / or silicone.

Thus, it is not necessary to grease the parts of the attachment device. The risks of aging fats and their deterioration (desiccation and coagulation) are then avoided. In addition, it avoids maintenance operations especially lubrication and thus lower costs.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the slide 30 comprises a portion 36 adapted to come into contact with the abutment portion 23 of said locking finger 20. The portion 36 is substantially adjacent to the abutment portion 31 of the slide 30 and oriented so as to undergo a force exerted by the abutment portion 23 of said finger 20 during the rotation of said finger 20 under the effect of the rotation of said wheel 10.

When the locking finger 20 is made free to rotate by the movement of the slide 30, the abutment portion 23 of the finger 20 comes into contact with the portion 36 of the slide 30. The finger 20 rotated by the rotation of the wheel 10 causes the abutment portion 23 to move along the portion 36. The portion 36 is oriented so that the abutment portion 23 of the finger 20, in its movement, exerts a force on the portion 36 of the slide 30, thereby causing the slide 30 to move in translation in the triggering direction. The figure 2 shows a portion 36 in the form of a flat surface having an angle substantially greater than 90 ° relative to the abutment portion 31 of the slide 30.

The presence of this portion 36 of slide 30 minimizes the movement of the slide necessary to cause the escape of the stop. The slide is then pushed in translation over a determined distance under the effect of the force exerted by the finger in rotation. This minimizes the necessary trigger travel.

In order to trigger the attachment device according to the invention, a release lever 40 may be provided to control the movement of the slide 30. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the trigger lever 40 is rotatably mounted on an axis 41 substantially parallel to the axis 21 of the finger 20. The lever 40 comprises a slot 42 in the form of recess for the translation of the lever 40 relative to the axis 41. The lever 40 is connected by pivotally to the slide 30 so that the rotation of the lever 40 drives the slide 30 in translation.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a release frame 50 is provided on which are mounted integral the rings 35A and 35B, as well as the axis 41 of the trip lever 40. The shafts 11, 21 and 41 are mounted substantially perpendicular to a plate (not shown).

In another alternative embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. figure 5 the control wheel 10 is rotated in a clockwise direction. The force exerted by the wheel 10 on the finger 20 tends to rotate it in a counter-clockwise rotation so that the cam follower portion 22 of the finger 20 escapes from the locking portion 13 of the cam surface 12. The rest of the triggering movement is identical to what has been described previously.

The figure 6 shows yet another embodiment of the invention wherein the axis 21 of the finger 20 is located substantially in the center of the finger 20. The cam follower portion 22 and the abutment portion 23 are no longer located substantially at the same end of the finger 20, as in the preferred embodiment of the invention, but are located opposite to each other. The cam follower portion 22 is located substantially at one end of the locking finger 20 while the abutment portion 23 is located substantially at the other end. Here again, the triggering movement is identical to that described in the preferred embodiment of the invention.

The triggering of the attachment device can be effected by actuation of the release lever 40, either manually or automatically. There are many possibilities to actuate the trigger lever 40, for example by push button in the case of a manual action. The trip lever 40 may also be actuated by the melting of a fuse, or by the action of an electromagnet, or by a coil lack of voltage or striker.

The triggering of the attachment device results in the rotation of the wheel 10 whose rotation energy allows the actuation of mechanical means connected to the wheel 10 (not shown) intended to establish or cut the passage of the current in the distribution cell.

Once the hooking device is triggered, the engagement can be carried out manually or by means of a motorization. The trip lever 40 is then actuated by a return spring fixed between the release lever 40 and the frame 50 so as to slide the slideway 30 in the reverse direction to the triggering direction. The abutment portion 23 of the locking finger 20 moves along the portion 36 of the slide and then comes into contact with the abutment portion 31 of the slide. Meanwhile, the cam follower portion 22 of the finger 20 moves along the cam surface 12 until it comes into contact with the locking portion 13 of the cam surface 12. The attachment device is then found in the locked configuration. The control wheel 10 is immobilized in rotation on the one hand by the support of the cam follower portion 22 on the locking portion 13 of the cam surface 12 and on the other hand by the immobilization in rotation of the finger 20 thanks to the retention of its abutment portion 23 by the abutment portion 31 of the slide 30.

Claims (9)

1. A latching device for a control mechanism, and especially for a medium voltage interrupter control mechanism, characterized in that it comprises:

   a control wheel (10) rotatably mounted on a first shaft (11) under a biasing force to urge the wheel to rotate in a predetermined direction, the control wheel having a cam surface (12);

   • a stop finger (20) rotatably mounted on a second shaft (21) having an end stop portion (23) and a cam follower portion (22) for making contact with said cam surface (12); characterized by

   • a slider (30) having an abutment portion (31);
   said device being adapted to assume a latched configuration in which said control wheel (10) is prevented from rotating:

   • firstly by engagement of said cam follower portion (22) on a stop portion (13) of said cam surface (12); and

   • secondly by immobilization of the finger (20) against rotation resulting from the retention of its end stop portion (23) by said abutment portion (31) of the slider (30);
   said device being so designed that it is released from its latched configuration by the slider (30) being set in motion so as to cause the engagement between said end stop portion (23) and said abutment portion (31) of the slider (30) to be broken, releasing said finger (20) for rotation on the second shaft (21), the breaking of said engagement leading to the wheel (10) being set in rotation by said biasing force, pushing the cam follower portion (22) out of engagement with said stop portion (13) of the cam surface (12) by moving relative to the cam surface, due to the rotation of the finger (20) on the second shaft (21).
2. A latching device according to claim 1, characterized in that the end stop portion (23) of the stop finger (20) includes a roller rotatable about a third shaft (24), that is substantially parallel to the second shaft (21) and that has a surface adapted to make contact with the abutment portion (31) of the slider (30).
3. A latching device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the slider (30) is guided in its movement by at least two rollers (32A, 32B) that are rotatable on spindles (33A, 33B).
4. A latching device according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that the or each said roller (23; 32A, 32B) is mounted on a bush (25; 35A, 35B) made of self-lubricating polymer.
5. A latching device according to claim 4, characterized in that the or each roller (23; 32A, 32B) is mounted on a bush (25; 35A, 35B) made of polytetrafluorethylene.
6. A latching device according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that the or each roller (23; 32A, 32B) and the surface (34) of the slider (30) are of steel.
7. A latching device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said slider (30) includes a portion (36) that is adapted to make contact with the end stop portion (23) of said stop finger (20), said slider portion (36) being adjacent to the abutment portion (31) of the slider (30), and being so oriented that, during operation of the finger (20), its contact with the end stop portion (23) causes the slider (30) to be displaced.
8. A latching device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that an unlatching lever (40) is coupled to said slider (30), in such a way as to control the movement of said slider (30).
9. A control mechanism, especially for a medium voltage interrupter, including a latching device according to any preceding claim.

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