EP2220665B1 - Secondary lid for electric apparatus with moulded casing - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a case for electrical protection apparatus for example circuit breaker type, especially used for products with molded housings. The invention relates more specifically the secondary cover that equips this kind of device. Their housing is in fact mainly constituted by a base and a so-called primary cover forming the envelope of the components conferring its function on the apparatus, as well as a so-called secondary cover pivoting on the front of the primary cover of the where the joystick emerges.

Pivoting is effected between an open position releasing all of said facade, and a closed position covering it. This secondary cover is intended in particular to cover auxiliary devices integrated into the housing after the closure of the primary cover, in recesses arranged laterally to a central well guiding the movement of the control handle. This central well protrudes from the front of the cover, the ends of which open onto the respective input and output connection terminals, which are generally not covered by the secondary cover.

In the configurations known to date, the secondary covers were pivotally mounted at one of their ends by means of a hinge articulating them to the primary covers, and were fixed in the folded position in the vicinity of their free end, for example at the end. using clips or screws, usually two in the vicinity of the two corners of said free end.

This type of molded product is used for calibres such that when a problem occurs, and it is necessary to interrupt the circuit, the subsequent breaking of the electric arc results in very large mechanical pressures which are exerted in particular on the secondary cover. These cutoff pressures are then exerted on the hinge as well as on the opposite attachment points.

The high mechanical stresses at the axis of the hinge, a mechanical connection involving a relative movement between two parts and therefore structurally often less able to withstand violent forces without damage, can ultimately result in deteriorating said hinge. Moreover, the existence of these important efforts requires the establishment of resistant fastening means, the activation of which is sometimes restrictive for the operator (screw). The document " FR 2 837 319 A "discloses a housing according to the preamble of claim 1.

In the case of the invention, the housing is provided with a secondary cover capable of housing, in the closed position, pressures resulting from a high breaking capacity, repeatedly and without causing any particular problems. This cover is also actuated, to proceed to its attachment to the primary cover, at a single control point, so that a single operation is sufficient to lock on or unlock the primary cover.

• la charnière de pivotement du couvercle secondaire sur le couvercle primaire comporte des plots d'extrémité coaxiaux disposés latéralement au niveau de l'une des extrémités du couvercle secondaire, lesdits plots étant aptes à pivoter et à coulisser, suivant un plan parallèle à celui de la façade, dans des logements du couvercle primaire ;
• les couvercles primaire et secondaire comportent un unique moyen de commande du coulissement du couvercle secondaire sur le couvercle primaire lorsqu'il est rabattu au contact de ce dernier, entre une position de verrouillage activant des moyens de fixation et une position de déverrouillage désactivant lesdits moyens et permettant le pivotement.

To meet these criteria, the housing of the invention, conventionally comprising a base, a primary cover and a secondary cover pivoting on the front of the latter, is characterized in principal in that:

• the pivoting hinge of the secondary cover on the primary cover comprises coaxial end pads arranged laterally at one of the ends of the secondary cover, said pads being able to pivot and slide, in a plane parallel to that of the facade, in housing of the primary cover;
• the primary and secondary covers comprise a single means for controlling the sliding of the secondary cover on the primary cover when it is folded in contact with the latter, between a locking position activating fastening means and an unlocking position disabling said means and allowing pivoting.

In sum, the fundamental contribution of the invention lies in the establishment of a single control means for locking / unlocking the secondary cover on the primary cover at several points. This is done by moving in translation ordered from the secondary cover on the primary cover. This is the reason why the hinge, also necessary for the pivoting of the secondary cover on the primary cover, must also be accessible to a sliding movement.

According to one possibility, which derives in particular from the establishment of displacement by sliding, said fixing means comprise at least two surfaces respectively belonging to the primary cover and the secondary cover, which are parallel when the secondary cover is folded down, and which slide on contact one of the other during sliding to the locking position, said surfaces having an orientation parallel to or adjacent to the parallelism with the front of the primary cover, the surface belonging to the secondary cover sliding under the other.

The relative orientation and layout of the surfaces can be explained by the fact that the locking must take place against a force, in this case the resultant of the pressure, which is exerted perpendicular to the facade of the product and has to push back the secondary cover. It is therefore necessary that the reaction of the fixing means is exercised in the same direction, but in the opposite direction.

According to one possibility, the facade comprises at least two brackets hooking fastening systems provided to cooperate with the inner edges of the secondary cover.

More specifically, the hooks may each consist of a transverse wall at the base of which a groove is formed in the face located on the opposite side to the hinge, said walls being preferably preferably positioned so that their outer lateral faces guide the sliding secondary cover on the front of the primary cover.

The location of the resistance of the pressure forces occurring at the cut-off of the electric arc being closer to the free end of the secondary cover when it is in the folded position, said walls / hooks are preferably arranged in the vicinity of said end.

However, in a hypothesis where the only locking means are these walls arranged near the free edge of the secondary cover, the hinge pads also participate in locking. The hinge therefore cash mechanical forces that can damage it eventually.

This is the reason why, in the invention, the secondary cover actually comprises four hook fastening systems, two of which are arranged near the hinge.

According to a corresponding configuration, the secondary cover has transverse ribs disposed in the vicinity of the hinge studs, having an L-shaped section whose base is intended to cooperate with transverse grooves formed in a wall of the primary cover protruding from the front, said throats opening opposite the hinge.

As mentioned before, the hinge must provide both pivoting and sliding. In this regard, the hinge housings have a width of the order of the diameter of the stud, with a functional clearance allowing sliding, the length of said housings being provided to ensure the movement over a distance allowing the activation of the fastening means .

According to one possibility, the pads comprise a flat part taking a direction distinct from the orientation of the facade when the secondary cover is folded down. In this case, the housing comprises at one of their axial end an opening of smaller width than the diameter of the pads and greater than the truncated diameter at the flat.

The existence and orientation of the flat part and said opening allow disassembly of the secondary cover when it is not in the folded position on the one hand, or when it does not hang, that is to say when is not open at 180 °.

Preferably, the flat is oriented perpendicularly to the plane of the facade, in the folded position of the secondary cover. In this case, the disassembly of the lid is effective when it is oriented at 90 ° from its folded position. This is a position in which the control of the displacement of the studs in the dwellings, and in particular in the passage openings, is the easiest because the gripping of the cover takes place under optimal conditions. This direction is also the most natural for disassembly, given that the devices are often arranged in congested electrical cabinets.

Preferably, the bottom of each housing comprises, at the opening, a relief constituting a hard point during the extraction of the secondary cover.

The passage through this hard point, making extraction and disassembly of the secondary cover more difficult, gives a tactile indication to the operator during the disassembly operation, and validates the desire for such disassembly. The obstacle which it constitutes furthermore prevents an undesired exit of the lid, for example during a rotation of 180 ° aiming to release the facade of the primary cover.

Reference has been made earlier in the text to unique control means for sliding and securing the secondary cover.

According to the invention, said sliding control means consist of a screw guided in rotation on a quarter of a turn, arranged in the secondary cover. According to one possible configuration, an eccentric stud, protruding from the axial end of the body of the screw, cooperates with a transverse groove formed in the front of the primary cover to effect the sliding.

Alternatively, it may be a screw guided on a quarter turn, disposed in the secondary cover and whose free end has a cam-forming boss cooperating with a transverse wall of the primary cover in the unlocked position, and two radial ribs having a bearing area at least linear respectively on the primary cover and the secondary cover in the locking position, providing a guide adjusted in a direction perpendicular to the facade. These grooves are then preferably angularly offset on either side of a diametral plane so as to create a torque confirming said locking at the onset of an internal pressure in the volume between the primary cover and the secondary cover.

In this second hypothesis, in the closed position, the screw maintains the secondary cover even if the forces due to the internal pressure tend to open it. The offset of the grooves indeed creates a torque exerted in the direction of a closure. Guiding perpendicular to the facade prevents the creation of another pair, along an axis parallel to said facade, which could result in an expulsion of the screw from its housing, with the same end result: the unlocking of the secondary cover.

The screw allows only a controlled rotation over a quarter of a turn, transforming the rotary movement of said screw into a translational movement of the secondary cover, in particular guided by the hinge and the retaining walls. The control of the screw in one direction allows the simultaneous operation of all the fastening means. A rotary control in the opposite direction simultaneously releases all of these means.

According to an additional possibility, the secondary cover comprises a transparent window slidably mounted in two lateral rails of an opening in the cover for receiving said window.

This window is intended to protect and allow the visualization of a zone for example informative, on which could for example be arranged a signaling label specific to the product. This label being disposed in a zone of the primary cover, therefore not subject to any displacement, it must be independent of the sliding movement of the secondary cover.

For this purpose, it comprises two pins intended to be housed in orifices made in the primary cover when the secondary cover is folded down, blocking the window during the sliding thereof.

Preferably, these side rails are provided with a relief forming a hard point for the sliding of the window when the secondary cover is open.

The secondary cover finally comprises an axially oriented lug provided with an orifice intended to come into correspondence with an orifice of a second lug secured to the primary lid in the activation position of the fastening means, to allow a possible sealing of a lid on the other.

• la figure 1 montre une vue perspective d'un disjoncteur avec un boîtier constitué d'un socle, d'un couvercle primaire et d'un couvercle secondaire selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 représente, en perspective, le même disjoncteur sans le couvercle secondaire ;
• la figure 3 reprend les éléments de la figure 2 sous un angle différent ;
• la figure 4 constitue, en vue perspective, un agrandissement du logement de la charnière dépassant du couvercle primaire ;
• la figure 5 représente une perspective du couvercle secondaire, vu du dessus ;
• la figure 6 montre ce même couvercle secondaire par en dessous ;
• les figures 7, 8 et 9 illustrent le double mouvement de pivotement puis de rotation appliqué au couvercle secondaire pour l'ouvrir ; et
• les figures 10, 11 et 12 montrent des phases d'ouverture du couvercle secondaire, avec notamment la position de démontage à 90°.

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

• the figure 1 shows a perspective view of a circuit breaker with a housing consisting of a base, a primary cover and a secondary cover according to the invention;
• the figure 2 represents, in perspective, the same circuit breaker without the secondary cover;
• the figure 3 resumes the elements of the figure 2 from a different angle;
• the figure 4 is, in perspective view, an enlargement of the housing of the hinge protruding from the primary cover;
• the figure 5 represents a perspective of the secondary lid, seen from above;
• the figure 6 shows this same secondary cover from underneath;
• the Figures 7, 8 and 9 illustrate the double pivoting then rotation movement applied to the secondary cover to open it; and
• the Figures 10, 11 and 12 show the opening phases of the secondary cover, in particular with the disassembly position at 90 °.

With reference to the figure 1 , the circuit breaker shown comprises a housing, in this case molded, consisting of a base (1) surmounted by a primary cover (2), these two elements forming the main envelope of the circuit breaker components. A secondary cover (3), shown slightly rotated in the open position, comes to cover when folded the primary cover (2).

The secondary cover (3) has a central opening (4) allowing passage of the control lever (5) of the circuit breaker. It also conventionally comprises input and output connection means (6, 7).

The Figures 2 to 6 show a possible configuration of hinge obeying the constraints previously laid, and means for fixing the secondary cover (3) on the primary cover (2).

The actual hinge is in fact constituted, on each lateral side of the housing, pads (8) arranged at both ends of an end portion (9) of the secondary cover (3), forming the rotation shaft of said cover (3).

These pads (8) cooperate with housings (10) made in cheeks (15) protruding from the two lateral ends of the facade (11) of the secondary cover (2), overlooking the connection means (7). These housings (10) are dimensioned so that the studs (8) can not only pivot, but also be slid when the secondary cover (3) is folded down on the front (11), the sliding being effected in the direction of the arrow (F) appearing in figure 4 .

The diameter of the studs (8) is indeed much less than the length of the housings (10), so as to allow this sliding, while it is practically equal to the functional clearance close to the width of these housings (10) to allow and control the pivoting.

The pads (8) are provided with a flat (12), in this case oriented perpendicularly to the plane (4) of the facade (11) when the secondary cover (3) is folded in contact with the primary cover (1). The function of these flats (12) is as follows: when the secondary cover (3) is rotated by 90 °, as for example shown in FIG. figure 10 , a truncated diameter and thus reduced studs (8) is in practice facing openings (13) provided at the rear of the housing (10) (see figure 4 ).

The height of these openings (13) allows the passage of the pads (8) when positioned so that the flat (12) is oriented upwards. It is then possible to remove the secondary cover (3), as shown in figure 11 . A relief (14) is also provided at the opening (13) of each housing (10), constituting a hard point preventing the exit of the secondary cover (3) if a voluntary action is not exerted on the latter to extract it.

In the absence of such an action, the pivoting can continue inside the housings (10), resulting in a position in which the secondary cover hangs freely, as shown in FIG. figure (12 ).

Pivoting of the secondary cover (3) is actually possible only when the fastening means are not activated, that is to say when the secondary cover has slid on the primary cover (2) so that the studs (8) come into abutment on the wall of the housing (10) located opposite the opening (13). This is the position that appears in figure 8 , and which allows to initiate the pivoting shown in figure 9 or in figure 1 . Conversely, when the secondary cover (3) is in the position shown in figure 7 , in contact with the cheeks (15) delimiting the housing (10), no pivoting is possible because the fastening means are then activated. These fixing means, for example visible in figure 2 , in this case consist of two walls (16) and grooves (17) respectively disposed near the connection means (6) and (7).

The walls (16) are also provided with grooves (18) oriented in the same direction as the grooves (17). These grooves (17, 18) are provided to cooperate with inner edges respectively (19) and (20) of the secondary cover (3), which are actually internal ribs oriented parallel to the front (11) when the cover (3) ) is folded. The flanges (19) and (20) are housed respectively in the grooves (17) and (18) when the secondary cover (3) is slid in the direction of the arrow (A) appearing in figure 2 . The fixing means are then activated, and it is no longer possible to proceed to any pivoting of the secondary cover (3) relative to the primary cover (2).

The sliding control means are constituted by a quarter turn screw (21). In the example illustrated, the screw has at its free end an eccentric stud (22) intended to cooperate with an oblong recess (23) of the transversely oriented facade and transforming the rotational movement of the screw (21) into a movement of translation of the secondary cover (3). As mentioned before, it may also be another system, such as a cam forming boss disposed at the free end of the screw and cooperating with a transverse wall of the primary cover. In this configuration, means of securing the closure are further provided, to guard against any opening accidental of the secondary lid at the appearance of strong pressures between the two covers.

The secondary cover (3), as it appears in figure 5 , further comprises a window (33) covering an area (24) which must remain visible in the closed position of the secondary cover (3). This area (24) being fixed relative to the primary cover (2), the window (33), although connected to the secondary cover (3) must be able to overcome the sliding movement of the latter to stay in front of said zone (24).

For this purpose, lateral fins (25) of this window (33) slide in side rails (26) of the secondary cover of the light provided for receiving said window (33). The latter being supposed to remain fixed with respect to the primary cover (2) and to the zone (24) during the sliding of the secondary cover (3), pins (27) protruding from the lower surface of the window (33) are provided for cooperate with recesses (28) of the zone (24). During the sliding of the secondary cover (3), the pins (27) are immobilized, in the direction of movement, inside the recesses (28). The window (33) therefore slides relative to the secondary cover (3). However, this mechanical connection does not prevent said window (33) to remain attached to the secondary cover (3) during a pivoting phase.

The secondary cover (3) is further provided with an axial lug (29) at the end of which is formed a through hole (30). When the secondary cover (3) is slid in the direction of its attachment in contact with the primary cover (2), this orifice (30) becomes coaxial with a corresponding orifice (31) formed in a second tab (32) secured to the primary cover , for the purpose of a possible sealing.

Claims (17)

1. Casing for circuit breaker type protective electrical equipment, having a base (1) and a primary cover (2) forming the space envelope of the equipment, as well as a secondary cover (3) pivoting on the front face (11) of the primary cover (2) from where the control lever (5) emerges, between an open position exposing the said front face (11) and a closed position covering it, the pivoting hinge of the secondary cover (3) on the primary cover (2) having coaxial end tabs (8) positioned laterally at one end (9) of the secondary cover (3), characterized in that:

   - the said tabs (8) are able to pivot and slide, following a plane parallel to that of the front face (11), in some housings (10) on the primary cover (2);

   - the primary (2) and secondary (3) covers have a single means of control for sliding the secondary cover (3) over the primary cover (2) when it is folded into contact of the latter, between a locking position activating a means of attachment, and a releasing position disabling the said means and allowing the pivoting.
2. Casing for electrical equipment according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the said means of attachment has at least two surfaces belonging to the primary cover (2) and the secondary cover (3) respectively, which are parallel when the secondary cover (3) is folded back, and which slide into contact with one another when sliding toward the locking position, the said surfaces having an orientation parallel to or close to parallel with the front face (11) of the primary cover (2), the surface belonging to the secondary cover (3) sliding under the other.
3. Casing for electrical equipment according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the front face (11) has at least two systems of attachment with protruding hooks (16, 17, 18) intended to work in conjunction with the interior edges (19, 20) of the secondary cover (3).
4. Casing for electrical equipment according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each of the hooks is made up of a transversal wall (16) the base of which has a groove (18) in the face located on the opposite side to the hinge, the said walls (16) being positioned so that their external lateral faces guide the sliding motion of the secondary cover (3) over the primary cover (2).
5. Casing for electrical equipment according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the said walls (16) are positioned near the free end of the secondary cover (3).
6. Casing for electrical equipment according to any one of claims 3 to 5 characterized in that the secondary cover (3) has four attachment systems with hooks (16, 17, 18), of which two (17) are positioned in proximity to the hinge.
7. Casing for electrical equipment according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the secondary cover (3) has transversal ribs (19) positioned close to the hinge tabs (8), and having an L section of which the base is intended to work in conjunction with transversal grooves (17) in the wall of the primary cover (2) protruding from the front face (11), the said grooves (17) leading away from the hinge.
8. Casing for electrical equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housings (10) of the hinge have a width equal to the diameter of the tab (8), with some clearance permitting the sliding motion, the length of the said housings (10) being intended to ensure the movement along a distance allowing the activation of the means of attachment.
9. Casing for electrical equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tabs (8) have a flat surface (12) with an orientation separate to that of the front face (11) when the secondary cover (3) is folded back, and the housings (10) have an opening (13) at one of their axial ends which is inferior in size to the diameter of the tabs (8) and superior to the truncated diameter level with the flat surface (12).
10. Casing for electrical equipment according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the flat surface (12) is oriented perpendicular to the plane of the front face (11), when the secondary cover (3) is in the folded position.
11. Casing for electrical equipment according to claims 9 to 10, characterized in that the base of each housing (10) has, at the opening (3), a form (14) constituting a pressure point during the extraction of the secondary cover (3).
12. Casing for electrical equipment according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means of controlling the sliding motion consists of a screw (21) guided in its rotation over one quarter of a turn, positioned in the secondary cover (3) and of which an eccentric pin (22), extending from the axial end of the body of the screw (21), works in conjunction with a transversal groove (23) in the front face (11) of the primary cover (2).
13. Casing for electrical equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the means of controlling the sliding motion consists of a screw (21) guided over one quarter of a turn, positioned in the secondary cover (3) and of which the free end has a bump forming a cam working in conjunction with a transversal wall in the primary cover (2) in the released position, as well as two radial ribs having a contact area at least linear with the primary cover (2) and the secondary cover (3) respectively in the locked position, yielding a precise guidance in a direction perpendicular to the front face (11) and angularly offset from one another across the centreline in such a way as to create a pair confirming the said locking with an internal pressure appearing in the area between the primary cover (2) and the secondary cover (3).
14. Casing for electrical equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the secondary cover (3) has a transparent window (33) which slides in two lateral runners (26) in an opening formed in the cover (3) made to receive the said window (33).
15. Casing for electrical equipment according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the window (33) has two pins (27) designed to fit in some holes (28) formed in the primary cover (2) when the secondary cover (3) is folded back, blocking the window (33) when the latter is sliding.
16. Casing for electrical equipment according to claims 14 and 15, characterized in that the lateral runners (26) have a form constituting a pressure point for the sliding of the window (33) when the secondary cover (3) is open.
17. Casing for electrical equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the secondary cover (3) has an axially orientated lug (29) with a hole (30) intended to line up with a hole (31) in a second lug (32) fixed to the primary cover (2) when the means of attachment are in the activated position, allowing one cover to be wired locked to the other if required.

Images