EP2146363B9 - Modular electrical device comprising a label-protecting cover and a tab supporting a label - Google Patents

Description

The present invention generally relates to modular devices, that is to say devices intended to be arranged contiguously side by side on the same support.

It relates more particularly to a modular electrical appliance according to the preamble of claim 1.

BACKGROUND

Document ITMI970366U is already known, a modular apparatus of the aforementioned type in which the pull tab, which is adapted to support a marking label of the modular apparatus, slides freely in the receiving housing defined on the housing.

The main disadvantage of this modular device lies in the fact that the establishment of the label on the zipper is a difficult operation to achieve.

Indeed, to set up the label on the zipper, here, the panel builder or the installer must, with one hand, hold the zipper on the housing out of its receiving housing, and, with the other hand, place the label correctly on the corresponding side of the zipper.

Document is also known FR2527893 a modular device whose front face has a groove for receiving a locating tag carrier. This support is stuck in the groove and blocks the label against one of its faces.

The disadvantage of this support is that it must be completely disconnected from the housing of the modular device for the implementation of the label and that this separation is not easy for the installer.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the state of the art, the present invention proposes a new modular electrical device in which the introduction and removal of the marking label on the registering portion of the housing are facilitated.

More particularly, according to the invention, there is provided a modular electrical apparatus as defined in claim 1.

Thus, advantageously, thanks to the invention, the installer can immobilize the zipper on the housing outside of its receiving housing to easily access the front face of said zipper to set up or remove the label locating the modular switchgear.

In addition, said locking means prevent the manipulator of the modular device, the pull out of its receiving housing and escape the label that supports it.

Other non-limiting and advantageous features of the modular electrical appliance according to the invention are listed in claims 2 to 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting example, will make it clear what the invention is and how it can be achieved.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un appareil électrique modulaire selon l'invention avec sa tirette en position rentrée;
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique en perspective de l'appareil de la figure 1 avec sa tirette en position sortie sur le boîtier;
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique de détail en perspective éclatée de la portion de repérage munie du capot protège-étiquette et de la tirette de l'appareil de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue de face de l'appareil de la figure 1 sans son capot protège-étiquette et ni sa tirette;
• la figure 5 est une vue arrière du capot protège-étiquette et de la tirette associée de l'appareil de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 6 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un autre appareil électrique modulaire selon l'invention avec sa tirette en position rentrée;
• la figure 7 est une vue schématique en perspective de l'appareil de la figure 6 avec sa tirette en position sortie sur le boîtier;
• la figure 8 est une vue schématique de détail en perspective éclatée de la portion de repérage munie du capot protège-étiquette et de la tirette de l'appareil de la figure 6 ; et
• la figure 9 est une vue arrière du capot protège étiquette et de la tirette associée de l'appareil de la figure 6.

In the accompanying drawings:

• the figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a modular electrical apparatus according to the invention with its pull tab in the retracted position;
• the figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the device of the figure 1 with its zipper in the out position on the housing;
• the figure 3 is a diagrammatic perspective exploded detail view of the marking portion provided with the cover label and the zipper of the device of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 4 is a front view of the camera the figure 1 without its label cover and its zipper;
• the figure 5 is a rear view of the label cover and the associated zipper of the device of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of another modular electrical device according to the invention with its pull tab in the retracted position;
• the figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of the device of the figure 6 with its zipper in the out position on the housing;
• the figure 8 is a diagrammatic perspective exploded detail view of the marking portion provided with the cover label and the zipper of the device of the figure 6 ; and
• the figure 9 is a rear view of the hood protects label and the associated zipper from the device of the figure 6 .

On the Figures 1, 2 , 6 and 7 two different modular electrical devices have been shown. Here, it's about breakers.

Each modular electrical apparatus comprises an insulative housing 10 in the form of a generally rectangular wafer.

This housing 10; 20 has two parallel main lateral faces 11, 21 which rise over the entire height of said housing, a front face 12, 22, a rear face 13, 23, an upper transverse face 14, 24 and a transverse face. less than 15, all perpendicular to said main lateral faces 11;

The housing 10, 20 has a standardized width, measured from one to the other of its two lateral main faces 11, 21, equal to one or more times a base width, called "basic module", which is the order of 18 mm.

In particular, the housing 10 of the modular electrical apparatus shown on the Figures 1 and 2 , has a width equal to the basic module while the housing 20 of the modular electrical device shown on the Figures 6 and 7 has a width equal to twice the base module.

According to the example shown on Figures 1 and 2 , the housing 10 consists of a stack of a plurality of insulating partitions joined by a common facade plate. The partitions have lateral main faces contiguous to each other, their slices forming by stacking the rear, upper transverse and lower transverse faces of said housing.

However according to a variant not shown, it can be provided that the housing consists of two semi-thick shells assembled by their edges in a median joint plane, each shell having a side main side of the housing.

According to the example shown on Figures 6 and 7 , the housing 20 consists of two shells joined by their edges in a joint plane J.

The housing 10, 20 of each modular electrical apparatus conventionally has in its rear face 13, 23 a notch 13A, 23A for mounting the modular apparatus on a rail (not shown). This rear face 13; 23 comprises, also conventionally, mounting means for pressing the rail at the bottom of the notch 13A; 23A.

These mounting means here comprise one or two latches 13B, 23B which extend along the rear face 13; 23 of the housing 10; According to the examples shown in the figures, there are provided two latches 13B, 23B which extend from one side and the other of the notch 13A; 23A perpendicular thereto. Each latch 13B, 23B is slidably mounted on the rear face 13, 23 of the housing 10, and comprises elastic return means which tend to recall the lock 13B; 23B in its locking position in which one of its free ends extends into the notch 13A; 23A.

Of course, alternatively, any other mounting means known to those skilled in the art can be provided.

Each modular electric appliance has, projecting on the front face 12, 22 of its housing 10, 20, in the median zone thereof, a front part 16, 26 through which said housing 10 is intended to emerge out of the housing. a plastron (not shown), through a window of this plastron, when it is in place on a rail, for example in an electrical cabinet.

On the front face 12; 22 of the housing 10; 20, which is the front face of the facade portion 16; 26, each modular electrical appliance comprises an operating lever 16A; 26A allowing the manual activation of the modular electrical appliance. .

As shown more particularly by Figures 3, 4 and 8 the front face 12; 22 of the housing 10; 20 of each modular electrical apparatus shown is provided with a registration portion 17; 27.

This registration portion affects the front face 12; 22 of the front portion 16; 26 and, more particularly, an end portion of this front face 12; 22.

In addition, as shown by Figures 1, 2 , 3 , 6, 7 and 8 each modular electric appliance comprises a label cover 110, 210 which defines with said registration portion 17; 27 a receiving housing which opens outwards through a slot, and a pull tab 120; receiving a label, which is translationally mounted between an extended position and a retracted position in said receiving housing through the slot.

This pull tab 120, 220 comprises along one side a flange 121, 221 adapted to close at least part of said slot when the pull tab 120, 220 is fully engaged in its receiving recess defined between the label cap 110; and the registration portion 17, 27 of the housing 10;

Said rim 121; 221 remains accessible to the installer when the zipper 120; 220 is fully engaged in its receiving housing so that it constitutes a gripping rim through which the installer can catch the zipper 120; 220 to translate it to its outward position outside the receiving housing.

According to the invention, each modular electrical device shown in the various figures comprises locking means 126, 19, 18, 226, 29, 28 for immobilizing the pull tab 120, 220 on the housing 10, in its extended position, outside its receiving housing (see FIG. figures 2 and 7 ).

Advantageously, each modular electrical apparatus also comprises locking means 126, 19, 16B, 226, 29, 26B for immobilizing the pull tab 120 220 in its retracted position in which the pull tab 120 220 is fully engaged inside its reception accommodation.

According to the examples shown, said locking means 126,19,18,16B; 226,29,28,26B intervene between the pull tab 120; 220 and the housing 10; 20, but according to another variant not shown, it can be provided that said locking means intervene between the pull tab and the label cover.

Here, said locking means 126,19,18,16B; 226,29,28,26B are reversible latching means, but according to other variants not shown, it can be provided that said locking means are means of friction, wedging means or reversible interlocking means.

In the embodiment shown, the registration portion 17; 27 is located slightly recessed from a distance d relative to the current portion of the front face 12; 22 it affects, and it extends parallel to this front face 12; 22 from a shoulder 16B, 26B transverse thereof.

The marking portion 17, 27 comprises, laterally, parallel to the main lateral faces 11, 21 of the housing 10, 20 recessed with respect thereto, two L-shaped grooves open towards these lateral main faces 11; and suitable for receiving the label cover 110; 210.

Each L-shaped groove has a floor 17B; 27B and a side wall with a longitudinal groove 17C; 27C open for latching the label cap 110; 210.

Between the grooves of L-shaped section, the registration portion 17; 27 forms, in front, a facet 17A; 27A delimited on one side by the shoulder 16B; 26B.

In the embodiments shown, the shoulder 16B, 26B continues, laterally, on either side of the facet 17A, 27A, to join, by the rounded connection leaves 16C; 26C, the floor 17B; 27B of said section grooves in L.

As shown more particularly by figures 3 , 5 , 8 and 9 , the label cover 110; 210, which is made of transparent material, comprises a front wall laterally bordered by two longitudinal members 111, 211 through which it is adapted to engage frontally in the L-shaped grooves of the portion locating 17; 27.

These longitudinal members 111, 211 each have, projecting towards the other sill, a square return provided with teeth 112, 212 for snapping into the longitudinal groove 17C, 27C provided in the lateral wall of the section groove. in corresponding L of the registration portion 17; 27.

An upper edge of the front wall of the label cap 110; 210, which extends transversely between the two longitudinal struts 111; 211, is provided with a notch 113; 213 which extends over substantially the entire length from this edge.

Here, the label cover 110, 210 is set up frontally on the registration portion 17, 27 of the housing 10, sandwiching the pull tab 120, 220 between its front wall and the facet 17A; locating portion 17; 27.

During this front placement, the longitudinal members 111, 211 of the label-protecting cover 110 and 210 spring slightly apart from one another to allow the teeth 112, 212 to engage in the grooves. longitudinal 17C, 27C corresponding to the marking portion 17; 27.

The height of the longitudinal members 111, 211 is at most equal to the distance separating the floor 17B, 27B from said L-shaped grooves of the current portion of the front face 12, 22 of the housing 10, 20, being in practice less than this distance.

The thickness of the longitudinal members 111, 211 is at most equal to the width of the L-shaped grooves of the registration portion 17, 27, being in practice slightly less than this width.

Thus, once in place on the locating portion 17, 27 of the housing 10, of the modular electrical apparatus, the label cover 110, 210 is flush with substantially flush with the front face 12; lateral main faces 11, 21 of the housing 10, 20, fully integrating into the contour of the housing 10;

To accentuate this integration, the lateral end edge of the longitudinal members 111, 211 corresponding to the shoulder 16B, 26B of this housing 10 is rounded to the image of the connection fillers 16C, 26C extending this shoulder 16B; to marry perfectly the curvature.

In the embodiment shown, the other end lateral edge of the longitudinal members 111, 211 is straight, but it could just as easily be rounded in the opposite direction to the first one.

When the label cover 110, 210 is snapped onto the registration portion 17, 27 of the housing 10, 20, its front wall covers the facet 17A, 27A of said registration portion 17;

The receiving housing delimited by the inner face of the label cover 110; 210, the facet 17A; 27A of the registration portion 17; 27 and the shoulder 16B; 26B, opens outwards through a slot on a corresponding side face of the housing 10, 20, on the side of the label cover 110; 210 opposite the shoulder 16B; 26B of said housing 10; 20.

The slot is defined between the edge of the notch 113; 213 of the label cap 110; 210 and the registration portion 17; 27.

The receiving housing thus defined between the label cover 110; 210 and the registration portion 17; 27 of the housing 10; 20 houses the pull tab 120; 220.

The pull tab 120, 220 is in the form of a wafer 127, 227 whose front face 120A, 220A is bordered by a rib 122, 222 which delimits a receiving housing 123, 223 for a label (not shown).

The wafer 127, 227 has a width and a height slightly lower than the width (taken between the inner faces opposite the longitudinal members 111, 211) and at the height of the label-protecting cover 110;

According to the example shown on the figure 5 , the wafer 127 has a square shape, whereas according to the example shown in FIG. figure 9 this wafer 227 has a rectangular shape.

Advantageously, in order to facilitate the removal of the label of the receiving housing 123; 223 delimited by said rib 122; 222 on the front face 120A; 220A of the wafer 127; 227, this rib 122; 222 has locally a reduction of height.

Here, said rib 122, 222 has a reduced height at two different locations extending the same distance, along two parallel sides of said wafer 127; More specifically, according to the embodiments shown, said rib 122; 222 is locally interrupted at the two corresponding locations.

In addition, as shown by figures 3 , 5 , 8 and 9 , the wafer 127; 227 comprises, where said rib 122; 222 is interrupted, a notch 124; 224 which opens on the edge of said wafer 127; 227. The wafer 127, 227 thus comprises two notches 124, 224 placed on two parallel lateral edges. These notches 124; 224 allow the installer to catch the label between two fingers to extract it very easily from the receiving housing 123; 223 delimited on the front face of the zipper 120; 220.

Preferably, each modular electrical device shown comprises means for translational movement of the pull tab 120 220 in its receiving housing, which intervene between said locating portion 17; 27 of the housing 10; 20 and the pull tab 120; 220.

These guide means here comprise, on the one hand, on the rear face 120B; 220B of the wafer 127; 227, one or two pairs of ribs 125; 225, and on the other hand, on said registration portion 17; 27, one or two grooves 17D; 27D in each of which slides a pair of ribs 125; 225.

According to the example shown on the figure 3 said registration portion 17 includes, in its facet 17A, a central U-shaped groove 17D extending parallel to said L-shaped grooves from the shoulder 16B to the opposite edge of said facet 17A. This groove 17D slidably receives a pair of parallel ribs 125 projecting on the rear face 120B of the wafer 127.

According to the example shown on the figure 8 said registration portion 27 includes, in its facet 27A, two grooves 27D of U-section which each extend along an L-shaped groove, from the shoulder 26B to the opposite edge of said facet 27A. These two grooves 27D slidably receive two pairs of parallel ribs 225 provided projecting on the rear face 220B of the wafer 227.

According to the exemplary embodiments shown in the various figures, the means for locking the pull tab 120 220 in its retracted position or its extended position on the casing 10 20 comprise at least one tooth 126 226 projecting from the face rear 120B; 220B of the zipper 120; 220 and at least one receiving housing for each tooth 126; 226, defined between a boss 19; 29 and a stop 18, 16B; 28, 26B disposed facing the marking portion 17, 27 of the housing 10;

According to the example shown on Figures 3 to 5 , the pull tab 120 carries on its rear face 120B a tooth 126 located near the lower transverse edge of the pull tab 120. This tooth 126 extends between the two parallel ribs 125, transversely thereto. In correspondence, it is provided at the bottom of the central groove 17D of the marking portion 17 of the housing 10, on the one hand, a boss 19 and a stop 18 vis-à-vis, placed near the upper edge (opposite at the shoulder 16B) of the marking portion 17 for locking the pull tab 120 in the extended position on the housing 10, and, on the other hand, another boss 19 placed opposite the shoulder 16B ( forming a stop) for locking the pull tab 120 in the fully retracted position within its receiving housing.

According to the example shown on Figures 8 and 9 , the zipper 220 carries on its rear surface 220B two teeth 226 located near the lower transverse edge of the zipper 220. Each tooth 226 extends between the two parallel ribs 225 of a pair of ribs, transversely thereto. Correspondingly, there is provided at the bottom of each groove 27D of the marking portion 27 of the housing 20, on the one hand, a boss 29 and a stop 28 facing each other, placed near the upper edge (opposite to the shoulder 26B) of the registration portion 27 for locking the pull tab 220 in the extended position on the housing 20, and, on the other hand, another boss 29 placed opposite the shoulder 26B ( forming a stop) for locking the pull tab 220 in the fully retracted position inside its receiving housing.

Each boss 19; 29 has two inclined faces 19A; 29A inverted joined by a rounded apex 19B; 29B (see figures 4 and 8 ) to constitute an obstacle that can be crossed by each tooth 126; 226 of the pull tab 120; 220 when it is pulled or pushed by the installer.

Thus, when the pull tab 120; 220 is placed in the retracted position, its tooth 126, 226 is engaged in the receiving housing defined between the boss 19; 29 and the shoulder 16B; 26B of the housing 10; 20. In this way, the zipper 120, 220 is immobilized in its receiving housing and the various manipulations of the modular electrical device are not likely to cause the output of the zipper 120; 220 out of its receiving housing.

If the installer wishes to change or place a marking label on the marking portion of the housing 10; 20 of the modular electrical device, it is sufficient that he pulls the zipper 120; 220 from its retracted position to the outside of the housing reception to place it in its extended position.

By exerting a slight pull on the pull tab, the installer passes each tooth 126; 226 of the pull tab 120; 220 said boss 19; 29 placed vis-à-vis the shoulder 16B; 26B, to allow the zipper 120; 220 to slide inside its receiving housing until each tooth 126; 226 crosses the other boss 19; 29 and locks against the stop 18; 28 positioned near the upper edge of the housing; marking portion 17; 27 of the housing opposite the shoulder 16B; 26B.

Thus, the installer immobilizes the zipper 120, 220 in the extended position on the housing 10, 20 and has both hands free to easily remove and / or place a label in the receiving housing 123; 223 delimited on the front face 120A; 220A of the pull tab 120; 220.

It can then push the zipper 120; 220 inside its receiving housing to again immobilize it in the retracted position fully engaged in said receiving housing where the label is protected by the label cap 110; 210.

By exerting a slight push on the zipper 120, 220, it makes cross each tooth 126; 226 thereof the boss 19; 29 placed near the upper edge of the marking portion 17; 27 opposite the shoulder 16B; 26, to allow said pull tab 120; 220 to slide inside its receiving housing until each tooth 126: 226 crosses the other boss 19; 29 and locks against the shoulder 16B, 26B of the housing 10;

Claims (15)

1. A modular electrical appliance comprising a casing (10; 20) having a front face provided with an identifying portion (17; 27), a label-protecting cover (110; 210) that co-operates with said identifying portion to define a reception housing that is open to the outside via a slot, and a label-support pull-tab (120; 220) that is mounted to move in translation in said reception housing through the slot, said pull-tab (120; 220) including a rim (121; 221) along one side, said rim being adapted to close said slot at least in part when the pull-tab (120; 220) is fully engaged in said reception housing, the appliance being characterized in that it includes blocking means (126, 19, 18; 226, 29, 28) for preventing the pull-tab (120; 220) from moving relative to the casing (10; 20) when the pull-tab is in a projecting position outside said reception housing.
2. An electrical appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes blocking means (126, 19, 16B; 226, 29, 26B) for preventing the pull-tab (120; 220) from moving when the pull-tab is in a retracted position in which it is fully engaged inside said reception housing.
3. An electrical appliance according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said blocking means (126, 19, 18, 16B; 226, 29, 28, 26B) act between the pull-tab (120; 220) and the casing (10; 20).
4. An electrical appliance according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that said blocking means act between the pull-tab and the label-protecting cover.
5. An electrical appliance according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said blocking means (126, 19, 18, 16B; 226, 29, 28, 26B) are reversible snap-fastener means or catch means.
6. An electrical appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said blocking means are friction means.
7. An electrical appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said blocking means are jamming means.
8. An electrical appliance according to claim 3, characterized in that the blocking means comprise at least one tooth (126; 226) projecting from the rear face (120B; 220B) of the pull-tab (120; 220) and at least one housing for the tooth, this housing being defined between a ramp (19; 29) and a stop (18, 16B; 28, 26B) placed facing the ramp on the identifying portion (17; 27) of the casing (10; 20).
9. An electrical appliance according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each ramp (19; 29) presents two opposite inclined slopes (19A; 29A) united via a rounded top (19B; 29B).
10. An electrical appliance according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the pull-tab (120; 220) is in the form of a plate (127; 227) having a front face (120A; 220A) surrounded by a rib (122; 222) that defines a housing (123; 223) for a label, the rib (122; 222) presenting a local reduction in its height.
11. An electrical appliance according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said rib (122; 222) presents reduced height at two different locations, each occupying the same distance along two parallel sides of said plate (127; 227).
12. An electrical appliance according to either one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that said rib (122; 222) is locally interrupted.
13. An electrical appliance according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the plate (127; 227) includes a notch (124; 224) where said rib (122; 222) is interrupted, the notch opening out into the edge of said plate (127; 227).
14. An electrical appliance according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it includes guide means (17D; 125; 27D, 225) for guiding the movement of the pull-tab in translation in its reception housing, which guide means act between the identifying portion (17; 27) and the pull-tab (120; 220).
15. An electrical appliance according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said guide means include at least one groove (17D; 27D) in said identifying portion (17; 27), the bottom of the groove having a portion of said blocking means provided therein.

Images