EP3236482A1 - Air circuit breaker having an improved electrical arc cutting chamber - Google Patents

Air circuit breaker having an improved electrical arc cutting chamber Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3236482A1
EP3236482A1 EP17167276.9A EP17167276A EP3236482A1 EP 3236482 A1 EP3236482 A1 EP 3236482A1 EP 17167276 A EP17167276 A EP 17167276A EP 3236482 A1 EP3236482 A1 EP 3236482A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
circuit breaker
stack
side walls
protection
equal
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP17167276.9A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3236482B1 (en
Inventor
Marc Rival
Michael MARY
Eric Pinero
Brice JACOLIN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Schneider Electric Industries SAS
Original Assignee
Schneider Electric Industries SAS
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Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of EP3236482A1 publication Critical patent/EP3236482A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3236482B1 publication Critical patent/EP3236482B1/en
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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
    • H01H33/02—Details
    • H01H33/04—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H33/08—Stationary parts for restricting or subdividing the arc, e.g. barrier plate
    • H01H33/10—Metal parts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
    • H01H33/60—Switches wherein the means for extinguishing or preventing the arc do not include separate means for obtaining or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid
    • H01H33/64—Switches wherein the means for extinguishing or preventing the arc do not include separate means for obtaining or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid wherein the break is in gas
    • H01H33/65—Switches wherein the means for extinguishing or preventing the arc do not include separate means for obtaining or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid wherein the break is in gas wherein the break is in air at atmospheric pressure, e.g. in open air
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/30—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H9/34—Stationary parts for restricting or subdividing the arc, e.g. barrier plate
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/30—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H9/34—Stationary parts for restricting or subdividing the arc, e.g. barrier plate
    • H01H9/345—Mounting of arc chutes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/30—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H9/34—Stationary parts for restricting or subdividing the arc, e.g. barrier plate
    • H01H9/346—Details concerning the arc formation chamber
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/30—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H9/34—Stationary parts for restricting or subdividing the arc, e.g. barrier plate
    • H01H9/36—Metal parts
    • H01H9/362—Mounting of plates in arc chamber

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a circuit breaker having an arc-breaking chamber improved.
  • the circuit breakers make it possible to interrupt the flow of an electric current within an electrical circuit, such as a domestic or industrial distribution network.
  • an electrical circuit such as a domestic or industrial distribution network.
  • they comprise separable electrical contacts connected to input and output terminals of an electric current. These electrical contacts are selectively moveable between a closed position, in which they allow the electric current to flow between the terminals and, alternatively, an open position in which they are distant from each other in order to prevent the circulation of this Electric power.
  • Such a cutting chamber comprises metal separation plates stacked horizontally at a distance from each other, which allow to split the electric arc and absorb some of its energy, thus contributing to its extinction. These separating plates are held in place by means of vertical walls, also called cheeks or flanges, which delimit lateral edges of the interrupting chamber.
  • vertical walls also called cheeks or flanges, which delimit lateral edges of the interrupting chamber.
  • these walls are made of polyamide fabric impregnated with thermosetting resin.
  • Such a circuit breaker is for example known from the document EP 1 020 882 A1 .
  • the breaking chambers thus produced do not, however, give satisfaction when the interrupting chamber is subjected repeatedly to arcing for currents of intensity less than 10 kA.
  • currents of intensity between 800A and 4000A and for electrical voltages greater than 690V AC
  • extended duration is meant, for example, a duration greater than or equal to 5 ms or greater than or equal to 10 ms after the opening of the contacts.
  • circuit breakers described in the following documents are also known: US-2013/284702-A1 , WO-2007/113184-A1 and US-2006/026693-A1 , which have similar disadvantages.
  • the invention more particularly intends to remedy by proposing a circuit breaker provided with an arc-breaking chamber having increased durability and better resistance to wear when the circuit-breaker is used for low voltages and electric currents of high intensity.
  • the interrupting chamber further comprises cross-linked polyamide protection elements, the protection elements being placed inside the interrupting chamber, along the side walls on either side of the stack, at the level of junction areas between the side walls and the partition plates, the protection elements covering corners of the partition plates adjacent to the side walls, so as to separate these corners of the separating plates from the electrical contacts, and each protection element has a curved lateral face extending concavely from the side wall adjacent to the protection member to a central region of the stack.
  • the protection elements placed at the junction areas prevent the electric arc formed when opening the contacts to damage.
  • the walls of the interrupting chamber especially when this electric arc remains for an extended period of time at the entrance to the interrupting chamber.
  • the concave shape of the side face plays a role of guiding the electric arc towards the central region of the breaking chamber, away from the side walls.
  • the side walls therefore have improved durability and wear resistance. The reliability of the circuit breaker is thus increased.
  • the figure 1 represents a circuit breaker 2 intended to be used in an electric circuit, in order to allow the interruption of an electric power supply of this electric circuit, for example when a malfunction is detected, such as a short circuit or overcurrent.
  • the circuit breaker 2 is a low-voltage circuit breaker and AC, provided for an electrical voltage greater than or equal to 690 V AC and for electrical currents of greater than 1kA, for example between 800A and 4000A.
  • the circuit breaker is DC.
  • the circuit breaker 2 comprises a housing 4 and input terminals 6 and 8 of an electrical current, partially illustrated, able to connect the circuit breaker 2 to the electrical circuit, for example via sets of busbars. an electrical panel.
  • the terminals 6 and 8 are made of an electrically conductive material, such as copper.
  • the circuit breaker 2 also comprises separable electrical contacts 10 and 12, each provided with a contact pad, or contact patch, respectively 14 and 16, respectively connected to the input terminals 6 and the output terminal 8.
  • the contact pads 14 and 16 are made of an electrically conductive material, for example copper or a pseudo silver alloy.
  • the electrical contacts 10 and 12 are movable relative to each other, selectively and reversibly, between open and closed positions.
  • the contact pads 14 and 16 of the electrical contacts 10 and 12 are in direct contact with each other, thereby allowing the flow of an electric current between the input terminals 6 and 8.
  • the contact pads 14 and 16 are spaced from each other, for example by a distance greater than or equal to 5 mm or 10 mm. In the absence of an electric arc between the contact pads 14 and 16, the electric current is prevented from circulating between the terminals 6 and 8.
  • the circuit breaker 2 also comprises a displacement mechanism, not shown, configured to move the separable electrical contacts 10 and 12 between their open and closed positions relative to one another, for example in response to the detection of a situation. abnormal, such as an overcurrent of electric current.
  • a displacement mechanism configured to move the separable electrical contacts 10 and 12 between their open and closed positions relative to one another, for example in response to the detection of a situation. abnormal, such as an overcurrent of electric current.
  • Such mechanisms of displacement are well known and are not described in more detail.
  • the electrical contact 10 is fixed relative to the housing 4 and only the electrical contact 12 is able to be moved by the movement mechanism.
  • the circuit breaker 2 comprises a breaking chamber 18 of an electric arc.
  • the interrupting chamber 18 is placed inside the casing 4, facing the contact pads 14 and 16, so as to receive an electric arc during the formation thereof.
  • the Figures 2 to 5 illustrate in greater detail an example of the breaking chamber 18.
  • the breaking chamber 18 comprises a stack 20 of several separating plates 22, side walls 24 and an upper arc horn 26. There is a geometric plane "P" median of the break chamber 18.
  • the terms "front” and “rear” relating to the interrupting chamber 18 are defined with respect to the normal direction of flow of the cutoff gases.
  • the front portion of the interrupting chamber 18 designates the portion of the interrupting chamber 18 which faces the contacts 10 and 12 facing them.
  • the rear part of the breaking chamber 18 designates the part of the chamber of cutoff 18 which is oriented outwardly of the housing 4, opposite the front portion. The same applies to the elements of the breaking chamber 18, such as the separating plates 22.
  • the partition plates 22 are made of a metallic material and are configured to extinguish such an electric arc by splitting it and / or partially absorbing its energy by melting or vaporizing the metallic material when the electric arc comes into contact with these plates.
  • the partition plates 22 each have a planar shape.
  • the partition plates 22 are stacked at a distance from each other along a fixed axis X1 of the circuit breaker 2 and are spaced apart from each other along this axis X1.
  • the axis X1 is here parallel to the median plane P.
  • the stack 20 here comprises eleven separating plates 22.
  • the separation plates 22 extend substantially perpendicularly to the axis X1, that is to say here perpendicularly to the axis X1 to less than 5 °, preferably less than 3 ° near.
  • the separating plates 22 are essentially parallel to each other, that is to say here parallel to each other within less than 5 °, preferentially to less than 3 °. They converge towards the front part of the interrupting chamber and move away from each other towards the rear of the breaking chamber 18.
  • the separating plates 22 may be arranged parallel to one another and perpendicularly to the X1 axis.
  • Each of the partition plates 22 is provided with a recess 23, of rounded shape, which extends from the front edge of this partition plate 22 towards the center of this partition plate 22.
  • D22 denotes the thickness of a separating plate 22, measured on the front edge of this plate.
  • E22 denotes the spacing between two consecutive separation plates 22, measured along the axis X1 between the facing faces of these two consecutive separation plates 22.
  • the thickness D22 is, for example, between 2mm and 5mm. By way of illustration, the thickness D22 is here equal to 3.5 mm and the spacing E22 is equal to 4 mm.
  • the separating plates 22 also comprise holding studs 30, which protrude from the lateral edges of this separating plate 22, extending parallel to the plane of the separating plate 22.
  • the side walls 24 have the function of ensuring the holding in place of the stack 20 and laterally delimiting the breaking chamber 18.
  • the walls side 24 are here of flat shape and extend parallel to each other and parallel to the median plane P.
  • Each side wall 24 is formed by a structure of composite material, here composed of a polyamide fabric impregnated with a thermosetting resin.
  • the polyamide is here polyamide 6,6, also called “PA 6,6” or “polyhexamethylene adipamide”.
  • the side walls 24 are for example manufactured according to the method described in EP 1 020 882 A1 .
  • the side walls 24 are devoid of glass fibers.
  • glass fiber-free it is meant that the concentration of glass fibers within each side wall 24, expressed as a mass percentage, is less than or equal to 0.05%, preferably less than or equal to 0.01. %, more preferably less than or equal to 0.001%.
  • glass microbeads are considered to be glass fibers.
  • glass fibers or glass microbeads within the sidewalls 24 is undesirable. Indeed, during the formation of an electric arc, because of the high temperatures involved, typically greater than 700 ° C, the metals present inside the circuit breaker 2 on the passage of the electric arc are partially melted and / or vaporized. This is for example the case of the copper of the contact pads 14 and 16 or the metal of the separation plates 22. This metal is found in suspension in the cut-off gases and is redeposited on the outer surfaces of the glass fibers and, on the where appropriate, glass microbeads, forming locally electrically conductive metallic clusters. This decreases the surface electrical resistance of the sidewalls 24, and increases their risk of dielectric breakdown during the subsequent passage of an electric arc. This can lead to failure of breaker 2 and is therefore not acceptable.
  • each side wall 24 is provided with notches, here through, which receive the holding studs 30, so as to fastening the partition plates 22 in a similar manner.
  • notches are also provided on an upper part of the lateral walls 24, in order to fix the arc horn 26 therein.
  • the side walls 24 are here in contact with the lateral edges of the separating plates 22.
  • the regions of the interrupting chamber are called "junction zones". 18 which are at the junction between the side walls 24 on the one hand and the front edges of the separating plates 22 on the other.
  • the function of the arc horn 26 is to promote the movement of the electric arc, from the contact pads 14 and 16, towards the inside of the breaking chamber 18.
  • the arc horn 26 is placed at distance above the stack 20, between the side walls 24 opposite, in contact with these side walls 24.
  • the arc horn 26 has a portion folded towards the front of the breaking chamber 18 which extends according to a direction substantially parallel to the axis X1, perpendicular to those of the separating plates 22 which are located in an upper part of the stack 20. This folded part is here interposed between the five separating plates 22 of the top of the stack On the one hand and the electrical contacts 10 and 12 on the other hand. This folded portion ends with a lower edge 29.
  • the interrupting chamber 18 further comprises protection elements 40, fixedly placed inside the breaking chamber 18, at the junction zones between the side walls 24 and the front edges of the separating plates 22.
  • protection devices 40 are electrically insulating.
  • the protection elements 40 serve to protect the junction zones between the partition plates 22 and the side walls 24 in order to prevent the electric arc, when it is present inside the breaking chamber 18 between separating plates 22, does not damage the side walls 24 by erosion.
  • the breaking chamber 18 comprises two protection elements 40, identical to each other and each fixed on a side plate 24, symmetrically with each other with respect to the median plane P
  • Each protection element 40 has a block shape extending longitudinally along the axis X1.
  • the protection element 40 comprises in particular a front edge 41, a lower face 42 and a first lateral face 43 which is in contact with the side wall 24 on which the protective element 40 is fixed.
  • the protection element 40 also comprises a second lateral face 44, disposed opposite the first lateral face 43.
  • the second lateral face 44 is curved and extends, with a concave shape, from the lateral wall 24. adjacent, that is to say that to which the protection element 40 is here fixed, to a central region of the stack 20. More specifically, the second side face 44 extends from the front edge 41 and is turned towards the electrical contacts 10 and 12.
  • ⁇ is denoted an inclination angle of the second lateral face 44, this angle ⁇ being measured externally to the protection element 40, opposite the front edge 41, between , on the one hand, the edge of the protective element 40 common to the faces 42 and 44 and, on the other hand, an axis perpendicular to the axis X1 and parallel to the median plane P.
  • the angle ⁇ is between 30 ° and 60 °, preferably between 40 ° and 50 °, more preferably equal to 45 °.
  • the concave shape of the second lateral face 44 plays a role in guiding the electric arc towards the central region of the interrupting chamber, away from the side walls 24. In this way, the electric arc is moved away from the walls. 24. The risk of erosion wear of the side walls 24 is thus reduced.
  • D40 and D40 are denoted by the thicknesses of the lower face 42, respectively measured at the front edge 41 and the opposite edge of the lower face 42. These thicknesses are measured perpendicularly to the median plane P. As illustration, the thickness D40 is equal to 1.5mm and the thickness D40 'is equal to 7mm.
  • the protection elements 40 are arranged at a distance from a zone Z of forming the electric arc.
  • the arc forming zone Z here designates the volume of the space in which the electric arc arises during the displacement of the electrical contacts 10 and 12 to the open position.
  • the zone Z of arc formation is located between the electrical contact 10 and an end of a movable portion 45 of the electrical contact 12 which is electrically connected to the contact pad 16.
  • the movable portion 45 is configured to pivoting relative to the electrical contact 12 when the electrical contacts 10 and 12 are moved away from each other to the open position. In doing so, the end of the movable portion 45 first contacts the electrical contact 10 and then moves away only when the contact pads 14 and 16 are separated from each other. The electric arc is then formed between this end of the movable portion 45 and the electrical contact 10. This prevents the electric arc from being formed between the contact pads 14 and 16, as this could damage them.
  • the movable portion 45 is for example described in the patent EP 0410902 B1 .
  • the contact pads 14 and 16 do not penetrate inside the breaking chamber 18.
  • the zone Z of arc formation is here located outside the breaking chamber 18.
  • D1 the smallest distance between the nearest edges of the contact pads 14 and / or 16 on the one hand, and elements 40 on the other hand.
  • D'1 the smallest distance between the edges of the contact 12 closest to the protection elements 40, here the ends of the movable part 45, on the one hand, and the protection elements 40 on the other hand.
  • the distances D1 and D'1 are measured in the median plane P, for example by orthogonal projection in this median plane P.
  • this distance D1 is here measured with respect to the contact pads 14 and 16 in the closed position of the contacts 10 and 12.
  • the distances D1 and D'1 are further measured with respect to the respective front edges 41 of the protection elements 40.
  • the distance D'1 here corresponds to a distance between the front edges 41 of the protection elements 40 and the zone Z of arc formation between the electrical contacts 10 and 12.
  • the distance D1 is here greater than or equal to 10mm or 20mm.
  • the distance D'1 is greater than or equal to 5 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 7 mm. This distance D'1 is less than or equal to 30mm. In a particularly preferred manner, the distance D'1 is greater than or equal to 12 mm and less than or equal to 15 mm.
  • This arrangement of the protection elements 40 at a distance from the arc formation zone enables them to better withstand the rise in temperature during the formation of an electric arc, away from the zones where the temperature is the highest. .
  • the risk of destruction of the protection elements 40 during the separation of the contacts 10 and 12 is reduced.
  • Each protection element 40 is made of polyamide, for example polyamide 6,6.
  • the protection element 40 is here devoid of glass fibers.
  • This polyamide is crosslinked, which gives it better strength when exposed to high temperatures, typically above 700 ° C transiently.
  • the protective element 40 is manufactured by molding and subsequently undergoes a crosslinking operation.
  • each protective element 40 comprises a mineral material, with a concentration, expressed as a percentage by weight, less than or equal to 40%.
  • This mineral material is different from glass fibers, that is to say it is not made of glass fibers.
  • the mineral material is a silicate material, belonging for example to the family of inosilicates.
  • this mineral material is wollastonite.
  • the endurance of the protection element 40 is enhanced, which is advantageous for certain applications in which the circuit breaker 2 is intended to be subjected to a high number of opening and closing cycles during its lifetime, for example more than 10000 cycles. This is for example the case when the circuit breaker 2 is used together with wind turbines.
  • the reinforcement of the mineral material element is omitted.
  • the elements 40 do not extend over the entire height of the side walls 24.
  • the protection element 40 extends, along the axis X1, from the lower partition plate 22 of the stack 20, to the partition plate 22 of the stack 20 which is located immediately above the lower rim 29 of the arc horn 26.
  • the volume of material of the protection elements 40 is less than or equal to 10 cm 3 , preferably less than or equal to 5 cm 3 .
  • each protection element 40 makes it possible to obtain a satisfactory protection of the lateral walls 24 at the junction zones, while limiting the quantity of gas that can be emitted during the passage of the electric arc. , due to the melting and / or partial vaporization of the protective element 40. This effect is obtained in particular by reducing the amount of material used to form the elements 40 and by limiting the height of each protective element 40.
  • the polyamide used to form the elements 40 is gasogenic, that is to say it gives off gas when it is heated during the passage of the electric arc and / or the cut-off gas in the chamber 18.
  • this gas evolution must be limited as much as possible, because it generates on the one hand an overpressure which can damage the housing 4 and on the other hand increases the pollutant content of the cutoff gas, which forces to install a more efficient system of depollution out of the chamber 18.
  • each protection element 40 comprises fingers 46, or ribs, delimiting housings 48 within the protective element 40.
  • each housing 48 receives a corner before 49 of a partition plate 22 of the stack 20 inside this housing 48.
  • the wedge 49 is adjacent to the side wall 24 and is placed at the front of the partition plate 22. This plate of separation 22 is then said to be engaged with the protection element 40.
  • the fingers 46 then separate the separation plates 22 engaged with the protection element 40 in pairs.
  • Each partition plate 22 has two front corners 49. However, only one front corner 49 is shown on the figure 3 , for the sake of clarity. Because of the provision of the protection elements 40, each partition plate 22 which is engaged in one of the protection elements 40 at one of its front corners 49 is also engaged in the protective element 40 opposite at its other front corner 49.
  • the fingers 46 have a flat and straight plate shape and form upper and lower faces of the housings 48.
  • the housings 48 have a rectangular base shape and open outwardly of the protective element 40 , laterally and at the rear of this protection element 40.
  • the fingers 46 are identical to each other.
  • the housings 48 are identical to each other.
  • the housings 48 are formed by recessing a rear portion of this protection element 40.
  • the fingers 46 project rearwardly from the protection element 40 perpendicularly to this protection element 40, to the way of the fingers of a comb.
  • each protection element 40 comprises seven housings 48 delimited by eight fingers 46.
  • the thickness of a finger 46 and “E46” the spacing between the adjacent faces of two fingers 46 contiguous, this thickness D46 and this spacing E46 being measured along the axis X1.
  • the dimensions of the housings 48, and in particular the spacing E46 are chosen as a function of the thickness D22 of the separating plates 22, to leave as little clearance as possible between the fingers 46 and the wedges 49.
  • the wedges 49 received inside the housings 48 are pressed to the bottom of these housings 48.
  • the thickness D46 is equal to 3mm and the spacing E46 is equal to 4mm.
  • Each of the separating plates 22 engaged with the protective element 40 is thus covered on its upper and lower faces at its corner 49 by fingers 46.
  • the cutoff gas contains suspended metal particles that are electrically conductive.
  • the cutoff gas is prevented from recirculating between the separating plates 22 towards the front of the breaking chamber 18.
  • Such recirculation should be avoided as this could lead to loopback undesirable electric current and prevent power failure.
  • the metal particles contained in the cleavage gas are likely to be deposited by condensation on the side walls 24, at the junction areas. This should also be avoided, as such a deposit would favor short circuits inside the room 18. This deposit on the side walls 24 is here prevented thanks to the comb-shaped structure formed by the alternation of the fingers 46 and the housings 48.
  • each of the separating plates 22 engaged with the protection element 40 is also covered on its front edge, at this same wedge 49, by the second lateral face 44 of the protective protection element 40.
  • the wedge 49 of the partition plate 22 is separated from the contact pads 10 and 12 and is therefore not directly exposed to the arc-forming zone.
  • the electric arc can not approach the side walls 24.
  • the effectiveness of the protection elements 40 is increased, and the side walls 24 are better protected.
  • the partition plates 22 which are received in the housings 48 are here those which extend below the lower rim 29 of the upper arc horn 26, therefore those which are most exposed to the electric arc . It is therefore at the junction of these partition plates 22 with the side walls 24 that an electric arc is most likely to remain and cause damage by erosion of the side wall 24.
  • protection elements 40 when the electric arc enters the breaking chamber 18 and comes into contact with the separating plates 22, it can not approach near the corners 49 of these partition plates 22 which are covered by these protection elements 40, since these protection elements 40 are electrically insulating and are structurally resistant enough not to be destroyed by the electric arc.
  • the erosion of the sidewalls 24 is therefore limited, especially in operating conditions of the circuit breaker 2 for which the interrupting chamber 18 is subjected, repeatedly, to arcing for currents of intensity less than 10kA.
  • the protective elements 40 are attached to the side walls 24. More specifically, each protective element 40 is fixed, integrally and without degree of freedom, to a side wall 24, by means of fixing elements.
  • the fastening elements are rivets 50, which are mounted in corresponding holes 52 of the side wall 24. The rivets 50 allow to fix the protection elements 40 with a satisfactory strength.
  • the protection elements 40 are here differently fixed to the side walls 24, for example by snap-fastening.
  • the rivets 50 and the holes 52 are omitted.
  • the fastening elements then comprise deformable parts, of shape complementary, arranged on the protection elements 40 and on the side walls 24.

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  • Arc-Extinguishing Devices That Are Switches (AREA)
  • Breakers (AREA)

Abstract

Ce disjoncteur à coupure dans l'air comporte :
- deux contacts électriques séparables raccordés à des terminaux d'entrée et de sortie d'un courant électrique ;
- une chambre de coupure (18) d'un arc électrique, comportant un empilement (20) de plaques de séparation (22) espacées les unes des autres et des parois latérales (24) disposées de part et d'autre de l'empilement (20) et comportant un tissu polyamide imprégné de résine thermodurcissable et étant dépourvue de fibres de verre.This breaker in the air includes:
two separable electrical contacts connected to input and output terminals of an electric current;
- an arc-breaking chamber (18) comprising a stack (20) of separation plates (22) spaced from one another and side walls (24) arranged on either side of the stack (20) and comprising a polyamide fabric impregnated with thermosetting resin and being devoid of glass fibers.

La chambre de coupure (18) comporte en outre des éléments de protection (40) en polyamide réticulé placés au niveau de zones de jonction entre les parois latérales (24) et les plaques de maintien (22), les éléments de protection (40) recouvrant des coins (49) des plaques de séparation (22) adjacents aux parois latérales (24), de sorte à séparer ces coins (49) des plaques de séparation (22) des contacts électriques.

Figure imgaf001
The interrupting chamber (18) further comprises cross-linked polyamide protection elements (40) placed at junction regions between the side walls (24) and the holding plates (22), the protection elements (40). covering wedges (49) of the separating plates (22) adjacent to the side walls (24) so as to separate these wedges (49) from the separating plates (22) from the electrical contacts.
Figure imgaf001

Description

La présente invention concerne un disjoncteur comportant une chambre de coupure d'un arc électrique améliorée.The present invention relates to a circuit breaker having an arc-breaking chamber improved.

De façon connue, les disjoncteurs permettent d'interrompre la circulation d'un courant électrique au sein d'un circuit électrique, tel qu'un réseau de distribution domestique ou industriel. Typiquement ils comportent des contacts électriques séparables raccordés à des terminaux d'entrée et de sortie d'un courant électrique. Ces contacts électriques sont sélectivement déplaçables entre une position fermée, dans laquelle ils permettent au courant électrique de circuler entre les terminaux et, alternativement, une position ouverte dans laquelle ils sont distants l'un de l'autre afin d'empêcher la circulation de ce courant électrique.In a known manner, the circuit breakers make it possible to interrupt the flow of an electric current within an electrical circuit, such as a domestic or industrial distribution network. Typically they comprise separable electrical contacts connected to input and output terminals of an electric current. These electrical contacts are selectively moveable between a closed position, in which they allow the electric current to flow between the terminals and, alternatively, an open position in which they are distant from each other in order to prevent the circulation of this Electric power.

Lorsque ces contacts électriques sont déplacés vers leur position ouverte en présence d'un courant électrique, il peut se former un arc électrique entre ces deux contacts électriques. Dans le cas des disjoncteurs à coupure dans l'air, cet arc électrique ionise l'air ambiant présent dans le disjoncteur, ce qui génère des gaz, dits gaz de coupure, qui sont ensuite rejetés à l'extérieur du disjoncteur. L'arc électrique est ensuite éteint par une chambre de coupure d'arc du disjoncteur, afin d'interrompre la circulation du courant électrique.When these electrical contacts are moved to their open position in the presence of an electric current, an electric arc can be formed between these two electrical contacts. In the case of circuit breakers in the air, this electric arc ionizes the ambient air present in the circuit breaker, which generates gases, called cut-off gases, which are then discharged outside the circuit breaker. The electric arc is then extinguished by an arc-breaking chamber of the circuit breaker, in order to interrupt the flow of electric current.

Une telle chambre de coupure comporte des plaques de séparation métalliques empilées horizontalement à distance les unes des autres, qui permettent de fractionner l'arc électrique et d'absorber une partie de son énergie, contribuant ainsi à son extinction. Ces plaques de séparation sont maintenues en place au moyen de parois verticales, aussi nommées joues ou flasques, qui délimitent des bords latéraux de la chambre de coupure. Typiquement, pour des disjoncteurs à basse tension, c'est-à-dire inférieure ou égale à 1500 VAC ou 1500 VDC, et à forte intensité, c'est-à-dire supérieure ou égale à 1 kA, ces parois sont réalisées en tissu polyamide imprégné de résine thermodurcissable. Un tel disjoncteur est par exemple connu du document EP 1 020 882 A1 .Such a cutting chamber comprises metal separation plates stacked horizontally at a distance from each other, which allow to split the electric arc and absorb some of its energy, thus contributing to its extinction. These separating plates are held in place by means of vertical walls, also called cheeks or flanges, which delimit lateral edges of the interrupting chamber. Typically, for circuit breakers at low voltage, that is to say less than or equal to 1500 VAC or 1500 VDC, and high intensity, that is to say greater than or equal to 1 kA, these walls are made of polyamide fabric impregnated with thermosetting resin. Such a circuit breaker is for example known from the document EP 1 020 882 A1 .

Les chambres de coupure ainsi réalisées ne donnent cependant pas satisfaction lorsque la chambre de coupure est soumise de façon répétée à des arcs électriques pour des courants d'intensité inférieure à 10kA. En particulier, dans le cas de courants d'intensité comprise entre 800A et 4000A et pour des tensions électriques supérieures à 690V AC, on constate que l'arc électrique formé lors de l'ouverture des contacts tend à séjourner pendant une durée prolongée à l'entrée de la chambre de coupure, au niveau des jonctions entre les plaques de séparation et les parois verticales de la chambre de coupure. Par « durée prolongée », on entend par exemple une durée supérieure ou égale à 5ms ou supérieure ou égale à 10ms après l'ouverture des contacts. Cela entraîne une érosion des parois latérales, conduisant à une usure prématurée de la chambre de coupure et compromettant ainsi son bon fonctionnement. En particulier, une dégradation trop importante des parois latérales réduit l'efficacité de la chambre de coupure d'arc et peut entraîner un échec de coupure du disjoncteur. La fiabilité du disjoncteur est donc réduite.The breaking chambers thus produced do not, however, give satisfaction when the interrupting chamber is subjected repeatedly to arcing for currents of intensity less than 10 kA. In particular, in the case of currents of intensity between 800A and 4000A and for electrical voltages greater than 690V AC, it is found that the electric arc formed during the opening of the contacts tends to remain for a prolonged period of time. entrance to the break chamber, at the junctions between the separating plates and the vertical walls of the interrupting chamber. By "extended duration" is meant, for example, a duration greater than or equal to 5 ms or greater than or equal to 10 ms after the opening of the contacts. This causes erosion of the side walls, leading to premature wear of the interrupting chamber and thus compromising its proper operation. In particular, too much degradation of the sidewalls reduces the efficiency of the arcing chamber and may cause failure of the circuit breaker failure. The reliability of the circuit breaker is reduced.

On connaît également les disjoncteurs décrits dans les documents suivants : US-2013/284702-A1 , WO-2007/113184-A1 et US-2006/026693-A1 , qui présentent des inconvénients similaires.The circuit breakers described in the following documents are also known: US-2013/284702-A1 , WO-2007/113184-A1 and US-2006/026693-A1 , which have similar disadvantages.

C'est à ces inconvénients qu'entend plus particulièrement remédier l'invention, en proposant un disjoncteur pourvu d'une chambre de coupure d'arc électrique présentant une durabilité accrue et une meilleure résistance à l'usure lorsque le disjoncteur est utilisé pour des basses tensions et des courants électriques d'intensité élevée.It is these drawbacks that the invention more particularly intends to remedy by proposing a circuit breaker provided with an arc-breaking chamber having increased durability and better resistance to wear when the circuit-breaker is used for low voltages and electric currents of high intensity.

A cet effet, l'invention concerne un disjoncteur à coupure dans l'air, comportant

  • deux contacts électriques séparables raccordés à des terminaux d'entrée et de sortie d'un courant électrique ;
  • une chambre de coupure d'un arc électrique, pour éteindre un arc électrique formé lors de la séparation des contacts électriques, cette chambre de coupure comportant un empilement de plaques de séparation espacées les unes des autres et des parois latérales disposées de part et d'autre de l'empilement, les plaques de séparation étant fixées aux parois latérales, chaque paroi latérale comportant un tissu polyamide imprégné de résine thermodurcissable et étant dépourvue de fibres de verre.
For this purpose, the invention relates to a circuit breaker in the air, comprising
  • two separable electrical contacts connected to input and output terminals of an electric current;
  • an arc-breaking chamber, for extinguishing an electric arc formed during the separation of the electrical contacts, this breaking chamber comprising a stack of separation plates spaced apart from each other and side walls arranged on both sides another of the stack, the separation plates being attached to the side walls, each side wall comprising a polyamide fabric impregnated with thermosetting resin and being free of glass fibers.

La chambre de coupure comporte en outre des éléments de protection en polyamide réticulé, les éléments de protection étant placés à l'intérieur de la chambre de coupure, le long des parois latérales de part et d'autre de l'empilement, au niveau de zones de jonction entre les parois latérales et les plaques de séparation, les éléments de protection recouvrant des coins des plaques de séparation adjacents aux parois latérales, de sorte à séparer ces coins des plaques de séparation des contacts électriques, et chaque élément de protection présente une face latérale incurvée s'étendant, avec une forme concave, depuis la paroi latérale adjacente à l'élément de protection, vers une région centrale de l'empilement.The interrupting chamber further comprises cross-linked polyamide protection elements, the protection elements being placed inside the interrupting chamber, along the side walls on either side of the stack, at the level of junction areas between the side walls and the partition plates, the protection elements covering corners of the partition plates adjacent to the side walls, so as to separate these corners of the separating plates from the electrical contacts, and each protection element has a curved lateral face extending concavely from the side wall adjacent to the protection member to a central region of the stack.

Grâce à l'invention, les éléments de protection placés au niveau des zones jonctions empêchent l'arc électrique formé lors de l'ouverture des contacts d'endommager les parois de la chambre de coupure, notamment lorsque cet arc électrique séjourne pendant une durée prolongée à l'entrée de la chambre de coupure. En outre, la forme concave de la face latérale joue un rôle de guidage de l'arc électrique vers la région centrale de la chambre de coupure, à l'écart des parois latérales. Les parois latérales présentent donc une durabilité et une résistance à l'usure améliorées. La fiabilité du disjoncteur en est ainsi augmentée.Thanks to the invention, the protection elements placed at the junction areas prevent the electric arc formed when opening the contacts to damage. the walls of the interrupting chamber, especially when this electric arc remains for an extended period of time at the entrance to the interrupting chamber. In addition, the concave shape of the side face plays a role of guiding the electric arc towards the central region of the breaking chamber, away from the side walls. The side walls therefore have improved durability and wear resistance. The reliability of the circuit breaker is thus increased.

Selon des aspects avantageux mais non obligatoires de l'invention, un tel appareil électrique peut incorporer une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques suivantes, prises seules ou dans toute combinaison techniquement admissible :

  • Chaque élément de protection comporte des logements délimités par des doigts, un coin d'une plaque de séparation de l'empilement étant reçu à l'intérieur de chaque logement.
  • La distance entre une zone de formation d'arc électrique entre les contacts électriques et chaque élément de protection est supérieure ou égale à 5mm, de préférence supérieure ou égale à 7mm, de préférence encore comprise entre 12mm et 15mm.
  • Les éléments de protection en polyamide réticulé comportent chacun un matériau minéral avec une concentration massique inférieure ou égale à 40%, le matériau minéral étant différent des fibres de verre.
  • Le matériau minéral est la wollastonite.
  • Le matériau polyamide réticulé des éléments de protection est du polyamide 6,6.
  • Les éléments de protection s'étendent essentiellement parallèlement à l'empilement, depuis une extrémité inférieure de l'empilement, jusqu'à un rebord inférieur d'une corne supérieure d'arc placée au-dessus de l'empilement.
  • Le volume de matière des éléments de protection de la chambre de coupure est inférieur ou égal à 10cm3, de préférence inférieur ou égal à 5cm3.
  • Les éléments de protection sont fixés aux parois latérales au moyen de rivets.
According to advantageous but non-mandatory aspects of the invention, such an electrical appliance may incorporate one or more of the following features, taken alone or in any technically permissible combination:
  • Each protection element has finger-delimited housings, a corner of a stack separation plate being received within each housing.
  • The distance between an electric arc forming zone between the electrical contacts and each protection element is greater than or equal to 5 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 7 mm, more preferably between 12 mm and 15 mm.
  • The crosslinked polyamide protective elements each comprise a mineral material with a mass concentration of less than or equal to 40%, the mineral material being different from the glass fibers.
  • The mineral material is wollastonite.
  • The crosslinked polyamide material of the protective elements is polyamide 6,6.
  • The protection elements extend substantially parallel to the stack, from a lower end of the stack, to a lower edge of an upper horn arc placed above the stack.
  • The volume of material of the protection elements of the interrupting chamber is less than or equal to 10 cm 3 , preferably less than or equal to 5 cm 3 .
  • The protective elements are attached to the side walls by means of rivets.

L'invention sera mieux comprise et d'autres avantages de celle-ci apparaîtront plus clairement à la lumière de la description qui va suivre, d'un mode de réalisation d'un disjoncteur donné uniquement à titre d'exemple et faite en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une illustration, selon une vue en coupe longitudinale, d'une portion d'un disjoncteur comportant une chambre de coupure d'arc électrique selon l'invention ;
  • la figure 2 est une illustration, selon une vue en perspective, d'une chambre de coupure d'arc électrique du disjoncteur de la figure 1 ;
  • la figure 3 est une illustration, selon une vue en perspective partiellement éclatée, de la chambre de coupure d'arc électrique de la figure 2 ;
  • la figure 4 est une illustration partiellement écorchée de la chambre de coupure d'arc électrique des figures 2 et 3, selon une vue latérale dans un plan médian de cette chambre de coupure d'arc électrique ;
  • la figure 5 est une vue rapprochée de la zone V de la figure 4.
The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the description which follows, of an embodiment of a circuit breaker given solely by way of example and made with reference to drawings in which:
  • the figure 1 is an illustration, in a longitudinal sectional view, of a portion of a circuit breaker comprising an arc-breaking chamber according to the invention;
  • the figure 2 is an illustration, in a perspective view, of an arc-breaking chamber of the circuit breaker of the figure 1 ;
  • the figure 3 is an illustration, in a partially exploded perspective view, of the arc flash chamber of the figure 2 ;
  • the figure 4 is a partially scraped illustration of the electric arc breaking chamber of the figures 2 and 3 , according to a side view in a median plane of this arc-breaking chamber;
  • the figure 5 is a close-up view of the V zone of the figure 4 .

La figure 1 représente un disjoncteur 2 destiné à être utilisé dans un circuit électrique, afin de permettre l'interruption d'une alimentation en courant électrique de ce circuit électrique, par exemple lorsqu'une anomalie de fonctionnement est détectée, telle qu'un court-circuit ou une surintensité.The figure 1 represents a circuit breaker 2 intended to be used in an electric circuit, in order to allow the interruption of an electric power supply of this electric circuit, for example when a malfunction is detected, such as a short circuit or overcurrent.

Dans cet exemple, le disjoncteur 2 est un disjoncteur à basse tension et à courant alternatif, prévu pour une tension électrique supérieure ou égale à 690 V AC et pour des courants électriques d'intensité supérieure à 1kA, par exemple comprise entre 800A et 4000A. En variante, le disjoncteur est à courant continu.In this example, the circuit breaker 2 is a low-voltage circuit breaker and AC, provided for an electrical voltage greater than or equal to 690 V AC and for electrical currents of greater than 1kA, for example between 800A and 4000A. Alternatively, the circuit breaker is DC.

Le disjoncteur 2 comporte un boîtier 4 et des terminaux d'entrée 6 et de sortie 8 d'un courant électrique, partiellement illustrés, aptes à raccorder le disjoncteur 2 au circuit électrique, par exemple par l'intermédiaire de jeux de barres de connexion d'un tableau électrique. Les terminaux 6 et 8 sont réalisés en un matériau électriquement conducteur, tel que du cuivre.The circuit breaker 2 comprises a housing 4 and input terminals 6 and 8 of an electrical current, partially illustrated, able to connect the circuit breaker 2 to the electrical circuit, for example via sets of busbars. an electrical panel. The terminals 6 and 8 are made of an electrically conductive material, such as copper.

Le disjoncteur 2 comporte également des contacts électriques séparables 10 et 12, pourvu chacun d'un plot de contact, ou pastille de contact, respectivement 14 et 16, raccordées respectivement aux terminaux d'entrée 6 et de sortie 8. Les pastilles de contact 14 et 16 sont réalisées en un matériau électriquement conducteur, par exemple cuivre ou un pseudo alliage d'argent.The circuit breaker 2 also comprises separable electrical contacts 10 and 12, each provided with a contact pad, or contact patch, respectively 14 and 16, respectively connected to the input terminals 6 and the output terminal 8. The contact pads 14 and 16 are made of an electrically conductive material, for example copper or a pseudo silver alloy.

Les contacts électriques 10 et 12 sont déplaçables l'un par rapport à l'autre, sélectivement et réversiblement, entre des positions ouverte et fermée.The electrical contacts 10 and 12 are movable relative to each other, selectively and reversibly, between open and closed positions.

Dans la position fermée, les pastilles de contact 14 et 16 des contacts électriques 10 et 12 sont en contact direct l'un avec l'autre, autorisant ainsi la circulation d'un courant électrique entre les terminaux d'entrée 6 et 8.In the closed position, the contact pads 14 and 16 of the electrical contacts 10 and 12 are in direct contact with each other, thereby allowing the flow of an electric current between the input terminals 6 and 8.

Dans la position ouverte, les pastilles de contact 14 et 16 sont distants l'un de l'autre, par exemple d'une distance supérieure ou égale à 5 mm ou à 10 mm. En l'absence d'arc électrique entre les pastilles de contact 14 et 16, le courant électrique est empêché de circuler entre les terminaux 6 et 8.In the open position, the contact pads 14 and 16 are spaced from each other, for example by a distance greater than or equal to 5 mm or 10 mm. In the absence of an electric arc between the contact pads 14 and 16, the electric current is prevented from circulating between the terminals 6 and 8.

Le disjoncteur 2 comporte également un mécanisme de déplacement, non illustré, configuré pour déplacer l'un par rapport à l'autre les contacts électriques séparables 10 et 12 entre leurs positions ouverte et fermée, par exemple en réponse à la détection d'une situation anormale, telle qu'une surintensité du courant électrique. De tels mécanismes de déplacement sont bien connus et ne sont pas décrits plus en détail. Ici, le contact électrique 10 est fixe par rapport au boîtier 4 et seul le contact électrique 12 est apte à être déplacé par le mécanisme de déplacement.The circuit breaker 2 also comprises a displacement mechanism, not shown, configured to move the separable electrical contacts 10 and 12 between their open and closed positions relative to one another, for example in response to the detection of a situation. abnormal, such as an overcurrent of electric current. Such mechanisms of displacement are well known and are not described in more detail. Here, the electrical contact 10 is fixed relative to the housing 4 and only the electrical contact 12 is able to be moved by the movement mechanism.

Lorsque les contacts électriques 10 et 12 sont séparés l'un de l'autre de leur position fermée vers leur position ouverte alors qu'un courant électrique circule entre les terminaux 6 et 8, il peut se former un arc électrique entre ces contacts électriques 10 et 12. Un tel arc électrique permet la circulation du courant entre les terminaux 6 et 8 et doit être supprimé, c'est-à-dire éteint, pour interrompre la circulation du courant. L'intérieur du boîtier 4 est ici rempli d'air.When the electrical contacts 10 and 12 are separated from each other from their closed position to their open position while an electric current flows between the terminals 6 and 8, an electric arc can be formed between these electrical contacts 10 and 12. Such an electric arc allows the flow of current between the terminals 6 and 8 and must be suppressed, that is to say off, to interrupt the flow of current. The interior of the housing 4 is here filled with air.

A cet effet, le disjoncteur 2 comporte une chambre de coupure 18 d'un arc électrique. La chambre de coupure 18 est placée à l'intérieur du boîtier 4, en regard des pastilles de contact 14 et 16, de façon à recevoir un arc électrique lors de la formation de celui-ci.For this purpose, the circuit breaker 2 comprises a breaking chamber 18 of an electric arc. The interrupting chamber 18 is placed inside the casing 4, facing the contact pads 14 and 16, so as to receive an electric arc during the formation thereof.

Les figures 2 à 5 illustrent plus en détail un exemple de la chambre de coupure 18. La chambre de coupure 18 comporte un empilement 20 de plusieurs plaques de séparation 22, des parois latérales 24 et une corne d'arc supérieure 26. On note « P » un plan géométrique médian de la chambre de coupure 18.The Figures 2 to 5 illustrate in greater detail an example of the breaking chamber 18. The breaking chamber 18 comprises a stack 20 of several separating plates 22, side walls 24 and an upper arc horn 26. There is a geometric plane "P" median of the break chamber 18.

L'apparition de l'arc électrique entre les contacts 14 et 16 ionise et chauffe fortement l'air ambiant dans le disjoncteur 2. Il en résulte la formation d'un gaz, dit gaz de coupure, qui présente une température élevée, typiquement supérieure à 5000°C. Lors de la formation d'un arc électrique, ce gaz de coupure est éjecté en dehors de la chambre de coupure 18, et donc en dehors du boîtier 4, par l'intermédiaire d'un orifice d'échappement formé sur une face arrière 28 de la chambre de coupure 18. Cet orifice d'échappement est ici pourvu d'un système de filtration des gaz de coupure, non illustré. Un tel système de filtration est bien connu et n'est pas décrit plus en détail. A titre d'exemple illustratif, on utilise le système de filtration décrit dans la demande EP 1 020 882 A1 .The appearance of the electric arc between the contacts 14 and 16 strongly ionizes and heats the ambient air in the circuit breaker 2. This results in the formation of a gas, said breaking gas, which has a high temperature, typically higher at 5000 ° C. During the formation of an electric arc, this cutoff gas is ejected outside the breaking chamber 18, and therefore outside the casing 4, via an exhaust orifice formed on a rear face 28 of the breaking chamber 18. This exhaust port is here provided with a cutoff gas filtration system, not shown. Such a filtration system is well known and is not described in more detail. By way of illustrative example, the filtration system described in the application is used. EP 1 020 882 A1 .

Dans cette description, les termes « avant » et « arrière » se rapportant à la chambre de coupure 18 sont définis par rapport au sens d'écoulement normal des gaz de coupure. Ainsi, la partie avant de la chambre de coupure 18 désigne la partie de la chambre de coupure 18 qui est orientée vers les contacts 10 et 12 en faisant face à ceux-ci. La partie arrière de la chambre de coupure 18 désigne la partie de la chambre de coupure 18 qui est orientée vers l'extérieur du boîtier 4, à l'opposé de la partie avant. Il en va de même pour les éléments de la chambre de coupure 18, tels que les plaques de séparation 22.In this description, the terms "front" and "rear" relating to the interrupting chamber 18 are defined with respect to the normal direction of flow of the cutoff gases. Thus, the front portion of the interrupting chamber 18 designates the portion of the interrupting chamber 18 which faces the contacts 10 and 12 facing them. The rear part of the breaking chamber 18 designates the part of the chamber of cutoff 18 which is oriented outwardly of the housing 4, opposite the front portion. The same applies to the elements of the breaking chamber 18, such as the separating plates 22.

Les plaques de séparation 22 sont réalisées en un matériau métallique et sont configurées pour éteindre un tel arc électrique en le fractionnant et/ou en absorbant partiellement son énergie par fusion ou par vaporisation du matériau métallique lorsque l'arc électrique entre en contact avec ces plaques de séparation 22. Les plaques de séparation 22 présentent chacune une forme plane. Les plaques de séparation 22 sont empilées à distance les unes des autres selon un axe fixe X1 du disjoncteur 2 et sont espacées l'une de l'autre selon cet axe X1. L'axe X1 est ici parallèle au plan médian P. A titre d'exemple illustratif, l'empilement 20 comporte ici onze plaques de séparation 22.The partition plates 22 are made of a metallic material and are configured to extinguish such an electric arc by splitting it and / or partially absorbing its energy by melting or vaporizing the metallic material when the electric arc comes into contact with these plates. The partition plates 22 each have a planar shape. The partition plates 22 are stacked at a distance from each other along a fixed axis X1 of the circuit breaker 2 and are spaced apart from each other along this axis X1. The axis X1 is here parallel to the median plane P. As an illustrative example, the stack 20 here comprises eleven separating plates 22.

Plus précisément, dans cet exemple, les plaques de séparation 22 s'étendent essentiellement perpendiculairement à l'axe X1, c'est-à-dire ici perpendiculairement à l'axe X1 à moins de 5° près, préférentiellement à moins de 3° près. Ainsi, les plaques de séparation 22 sont essentiellement parallèles les unes aux autres, c'est-à-dire ici parallèles entre elles à moins de 5° près, préférentiellement à moins de 3° près. Elles convergent en direction de la partie avant de la chambre de coupure et s'éloignent les unes des autres vers l'arrière de la chambre de coupure 18. En variante, les plaques de séparation 22 peuvent être disposées parallèlement les unes aux autres et perpendiculairement à l'axe X1.More specifically, in this example, the separation plates 22 extend substantially perpendicularly to the axis X1, that is to say here perpendicularly to the axis X1 to less than 5 °, preferably less than 3 ° near. Thus, the separating plates 22 are essentially parallel to each other, that is to say here parallel to each other within less than 5 °, preferentially to less than 3 °. They converge towards the front part of the interrupting chamber and move away from each other towards the rear of the breaking chamber 18. In a variant, the separating plates 22 may be arranged parallel to one another and perpendicularly to the X1 axis.

Chacune des plaques de séparation 22 est pourvue d'un évidement 23, de forme arrondie, qui s'étend depuis le bord avant de cette plaque de séparation 22 vers le centre de cette plaque de séparation 22.Each of the partition plates 22 is provided with a recess 23, of rounded shape, which extends from the front edge of this partition plate 22 towards the center of this partition plate 22.

On note « D22 » l'épaisseur d'une plaque de séparation 22, mesurée sur le bord avant de cette plaque. On note « E22 » l'espacement entre deux plaques de séparation 22 consécutives, mesurée selon l'axe X1 entre les faces en regard de ces deux plaques de séparation 22 consécutives. L'épaisseur D22 est, par exemple, comprise entre 2mm et 5mm. A titre illustratif, l'épaisseur D22 est ici égale à 3,5mm et l'espacement E22 est égal à 4mm."D22" denotes the thickness of a separating plate 22, measured on the front edge of this plate. "E22" denotes the spacing between two consecutive separation plates 22, measured along the axis X1 between the facing faces of these two consecutive separation plates 22. The thickness D22 is, for example, between 2mm and 5mm. By way of illustration, the thickness D22 is here equal to 3.5 mm and the spacing E22 is equal to 4 mm.

Les plaques de séparation 22 comportent également des plots de maintien 30, qui font saillie sur des bords latéraux de cette plaque de séparation 22, en s'étendant parallèlement au plan de la plaque de séparation 22.The separating plates 22 also comprise holding studs 30, which protrude from the lateral edges of this separating plate 22, extending parallel to the plane of the separating plate 22.

Les parois latérales 24 ont pour fonction d'assurer le maintien en place de l'empilement 20 et de délimiter latéralement la chambre de coupure 18. Les parois latérales 24 sont ici de forme plane et s'étendent parallèlement entre elles et parallèlement au plan médian P.The side walls 24 have the function of ensuring the holding in place of the stack 20 and laterally delimiting the breaking chamber 18. The walls side 24 are here of flat shape and extend parallel to each other and parallel to the median plane P.

Chaque paroi latérale 24 est formée par une structure en matériau composite, ici composée d'un tissu en polyamide imprégné d'une résine thermodurcissable. Le polyamide est ici du polyamide 6,6, également nommé « PA 6,6 » ou « Polyhexaméthylène adipamide ». Les parois latérales 24 sont par exemple fabriquées selon la méthode décrite dans EP 1 020 882 A1 .Each side wall 24 is formed by a structure of composite material, here composed of a polyamide fabric impregnated with a thermosetting resin. The polyamide is here polyamide 6,6, also called "PA 6,6" or "polyhexamethylene adipamide". The side walls 24 are for example manufactured according to the method described in EP 1 020 882 A1 .

Les parois latérales 24 sont dépourvues de fibres de verre. Par « dépourvues de fibres de verre », on entend que la concentration en fibres de verre au sein de chaque paroi latérale 24, exprimée en pourcentage massique, est inférieure ou égale à 0,05%, de préférence inférieure ou égale à 0,01%, de préférence encore inférieure ou égale à 0,001%. Au sens de la présente description, des microbilles de verre sont considérées comme étant des fibres de verre.The side walls 24 are devoid of glass fibers. By "glass fiber-free" it is meant that the concentration of glass fibers within each side wall 24, expressed as a mass percentage, is less than or equal to 0.05%, preferably less than or equal to 0.01. %, more preferably less than or equal to 0.001%. For the purpose of the present description, glass microbeads are considered to be glass fibers.

La présence de fibres de verre ou de microbilles de verre au sein des parois latérales 24 n'est pas souhaitable. En effet, lors de la formation d'un arc électrique, du fait des températures élevées mises en jeu, typiquement supérieures à 700°C, les métaux présents à l'intérieur du disjoncteur 2 sur le passage de l'arc électrique sont partiellement fondus et/ou vaporisés. C'est par exemple le cas du cuivre des pastilles de contact 14 et 16 ou le métal des plaques de séparation 22. Ce métal se retrouve en suspension dans les gaz de coupure et se redépose sur les surfaces extérieures des fibres de verre et, le cas échéant, des microbilles de verre, formant localement des amas métalliques électriquement conducteurs. Cela diminue la résistance électrique de surface des parois latérales 24, et augmente leur risque de claquage diélectrique lors du passage ultérieur d'un arc électrique. Cela peut donner lieu à un échec de coupure du disjoncteur 2 et n'est donc pas acceptable.The presence of glass fibers or glass microbeads within the sidewalls 24 is undesirable. Indeed, during the formation of an electric arc, because of the high temperatures involved, typically greater than 700 ° C, the metals present inside the circuit breaker 2 on the passage of the electric arc are partially melted and / or vaporized. This is for example the case of the copper of the contact pads 14 and 16 or the metal of the separation plates 22. This metal is found in suspension in the cut-off gases and is redeposited on the outer surfaces of the glass fibers and, on the where appropriate, glass microbeads, forming locally electrically conductive metallic clusters. This decreases the surface electrical resistance of the sidewalls 24, and increases their risk of dielectric breakdown during the subsequent passage of an electric arc. This can lead to failure of breaker 2 and is therefore not acceptable.

Les parois latérales 24 sont fixées aux plaques de séparation 22, afin de maintenir en place l'empilement 20. A cet effet, chaque paroi latérale 24 est pourvue d'encoches, ici traversantes, qui reçoivent les plots de maintien 30, de manière à fixer solidairement les plaques de séparation 22. De façon analogue, des encoches sont également ménagées sur une partie supérieure des parois latérales 24, afin d'y fixer la corne d'arc 26.The side walls 24 are fixed to the partition plates 22, in order to keep the stack 20 in place. For this purpose, each side wall 24 is provided with notches, here through, which receive the holding studs 30, so as to fastening the partition plates 22 in a similar manner. Similarly, notches are also provided on an upper part of the lateral walls 24, in order to fix the arc horn 26 therein.

Dans cette description, les termes « supérieur » et « inférieur » sont définis par rapport à l'axe X1.In this description, the terms "upper" and "lower" are defined with respect to the axis X1.

Les parois latérales 24 sont ici en contact avec des bords latéraux des plaques de séparation 22. On nomme « zones de jonction » des régions de la chambre de coupure 18 qui se trouvent à la jonction entre les parois latérales 24 d'une part et les bords avant des plaques de séparation 22 d'autre part.The side walls 24 are here in contact with the lateral edges of the separating plates 22. The regions of the interrupting chamber are called "junction zones". 18 which are at the junction between the side walls 24 on the one hand and the front edges of the separating plates 22 on the other.

La corne d'arc 26 a pour fonction de favoriser le déplacement de l'arc électrique, depuis les pastilles de contact 14 et 16, en direction de l'intérieur de la chambre de coupure 18. La corne d'arc 26 est placée à distance au-dessus de l'empilement 20, entre les parois latérales 24 opposées, en contact avec ces parois latérales 24. La corne d'arc 26 présente une partie rabattue vers l'avant de la chambre de coupure 18 qui s'étend selon une direction essentiellement parallèle à l'axe X1, perpendiculairement à celles des plaques de séparation 22 qui sont situées dans une partie supérieure de l'empilement 20. Cette partie rabattue est ici intercalée entre les cinq plaques de séparation 22 du haut de l'empilement 20 d'une part et les contacts électriques 10 et 12 d'autre part. Cette partie rabattue se termine par un bord inférieur 29.The function of the arc horn 26 is to promote the movement of the electric arc, from the contact pads 14 and 16, towards the inside of the breaking chamber 18. The arc horn 26 is placed at distance above the stack 20, between the side walls 24 opposite, in contact with these side walls 24. The arc horn 26 has a portion folded towards the front of the breaking chamber 18 which extends according to a direction substantially parallel to the axis X1, perpendicular to those of the separating plates 22 which are located in an upper part of the stack 20. This folded part is here interposed between the five separating plates 22 of the top of the stack On the one hand and the electrical contacts 10 and 12 on the other hand. This folded portion ends with a lower edge 29.

La chambre de coupure 18 comporte en outre des éléments de protection 40, placés fixement à l'intérieur de la chambre de coupure 18, au niveau des zones de jonction entre les parois latérales 24 et les bords avant des plaques de séparation 22. Les éléments de protection 40 sont électriquement isolants. Les éléments de protection 40 ont pour fonction de protéger les zones de jonction entre les plaques de séparation 22 et les parois latérales 24 afin d'éviter que l'arc électrique, lorsqu'il est présent à l'intérieur de la chambre de coupure 18 entre des plaques de séparation 22, n'endommage les parois latérales 24 par érosion.The interrupting chamber 18 further comprises protection elements 40, fixedly placed inside the breaking chamber 18, at the junction zones between the side walls 24 and the front edges of the separating plates 22. protection devices 40 are electrically insulating. The protection elements 40 serve to protect the junction zones between the partition plates 22 and the side walls 24 in order to prevent the electric arc, when it is present inside the breaking chamber 18 between separating plates 22, does not damage the side walls 24 by erosion.

Dans cet exemple, la chambre de coupure 18 comporte deux éléments de protection 40, identiques entre eux et chacun fixé sur une plaque latérale 24, symétriquement l'un avec l'autre par rapport au plan médian PIn this example, the breaking chamber 18 comprises two protection elements 40, identical to each other and each fixed on a side plate 24, symmetrically with each other with respect to the median plane P

Chaque élément de protection 40 présente une forme de bloc s'étendant longitudinalement le long de l'axe X1. L'élément de protection 40 comporte notamment un bord avant 41, une face inférieure 42 et une première face latérale 43 qui est en contact avec la paroi latérale 24 sur laquelle l'élément de protection 40 est fixé.Each protection element 40 has a block shape extending longitudinally along the axis X1. The protection element 40 comprises in particular a front edge 41, a lower face 42 and a first lateral face 43 which is in contact with the side wall 24 on which the protective element 40 is fixed.

L'élément de protection 40 comporte également une deuxième face latérale 44, disposée à l'opposé de la première face latérale 43. Avantageusement, la deuxième face latérale 44 est incurvée et s'étend, avec une forme concave, depuis la paroi latérale 24 adjacente, c'est-à-dire celle à laquelle l'élément de protection 40 est ici fixé, vers une région centrale de l'empilement 20. Plus précisément, la deuxième face latérale 44 s'étend depuis le bord avant 41 et est tournée vers les contacts électriques 10 et 12. On note « α » un angle d'inclinaison de la deuxième face latérale 44, cet angle α étant mesuré extérieurement à l'élément de protection 40, à l'opposé du bord avant 41, entre, d'une part, l'arête de l'élément de protection 40 commune aux faces 42 et 44 et, d'autre part, un axe perpendiculaire à l'axe X1 et parallèle au plan médian P. L'angle α est compris entre 30° et 60°, de préférence compris entre 40° et 50°, de préférence encore égal à 45°.The protection element 40 also comprises a second lateral face 44, disposed opposite the first lateral face 43. Advantageously, the second lateral face 44 is curved and extends, with a concave shape, from the lateral wall 24. adjacent, that is to say that to which the protection element 40 is here fixed, to a central region of the stack 20. More specifically, the second side face 44 extends from the front edge 41 and is turned towards the electrical contacts 10 and 12. "α" is denoted an inclination angle of the second lateral face 44, this angle α being measured externally to the protection element 40, opposite the front edge 41, between , on the one hand, the edge of the protective element 40 common to the faces 42 and 44 and, on the other hand, an axis perpendicular to the axis X1 and parallel to the median plane P. The angle α is between 30 ° and 60 °, preferably between 40 ° and 50 °, more preferably equal to 45 °.

La forme concave de la deuxième face latérale 44 joue un rôle de guidage de l'arc électrique vers la région centrale de la chambre de coupure, à l'écart des parois latérales 24. De cette manière, l'arc électrique est éloigné des parois latérales 24. Le risque d'usure par érosion des parois latérales 24 est ainsi réduit.The concave shape of the second lateral face 44 plays a role in guiding the electric arc towards the central region of the interrupting chamber, away from the side walls 24. In this way, the electric arc is moved away from the walls. 24. The risk of erosion wear of the side walls 24 is thus reduced.

On note « D40 » et « D40' » les épaisseurs de la face inférieure 42, respectivement mesurées au niveau du bord avant 41 et du bord opposé de la face inférieure 42. Ces épaisseurs sont mesurées perpendiculairement au plan médian P. A titre d'illustration, l'épaisseur D40 est égale à 1,5mm et l'épaisseur D40' est égale à 7mm."D40" and "D40" are denoted by the thicknesses of the lower face 42, respectively measured at the front edge 41 and the opposite edge of the lower face 42. These thicknesses are measured perpendicularly to the median plane P. As illustration, the thickness D40 is equal to 1.5mm and the thickness D40 'is equal to 7mm.

Les éléments de protection 40 sont disposés à distance d'une zone Z de formation de l'arc électrique. La zone Z de formation d'arc désigne ici le volume de l'espace dans lequel l'arc électrique nait lors du déplacement des contacts électriques 10 et 12 vers la position ouverte.The protection elements 40 are arranged at a distance from a zone Z of forming the electric arc. The arc forming zone Z here designates the volume of the space in which the electric arc arises during the displacement of the electrical contacts 10 and 12 to the open position.

Dans cet exemple, la zone Z de formation d'arc se situe entre le contact électrique 10 et une extrémité d'une portion mobile 45 du contact électrique 12 qui est électriquement raccordée à la pastille de contact 16. La portion mobile 45 est configurée pour pivoter par rapport au contact électrique 12 lorsque les contacts électriques 10 et 12 sont éloignés l'un de l'autre vers la position ouverte. Ce faisant, l'extrémité de la portion mobile 45 entre d'abord en contact avec le contact électrique 10, puis ne s'en éloigne que lorsque les pastilles de contact 14 et 16 sont séparées l'une de l'autre. L'arc électrique se forme alors entre cette extrémité de la portion mobile 45 et le contact électrique 10. Cela empêche l'arc électrique de se former entre les pastilles de contact 14 et 16, car cela pourrait les endommager. La portion mobile 45 est par exemple décrite dans le brevet EP 0410902 B1 .In this example, the zone Z of arc formation is located between the electrical contact 10 and an end of a movable portion 45 of the electrical contact 12 which is electrically connected to the contact pad 16. The movable portion 45 is configured to pivoting relative to the electrical contact 12 when the electrical contacts 10 and 12 are moved away from each other to the open position. In doing so, the end of the movable portion 45 first contacts the electrical contact 10 and then moves away only when the contact pads 14 and 16 are separated from each other. The electric arc is then formed between this end of the movable portion 45 and the electrical contact 10. This prevents the electric arc from being formed between the contact pads 14 and 16, as this could damage them. The movable portion 45 is for example described in the patent EP 0410902 B1 .

De préférence, les pastilles de contact 14 et 16 ne pénètrent pas à l'intérieur de la chambre de coupure 18. La zone Z de formation d'arc est ici située en dehors de la chambre de coupure 18.Preferably, the contact pads 14 and 16 do not penetrate inside the breaking chamber 18. The zone Z of arc formation is here located outside the breaking chamber 18.

On note « D1 » la plus petite distance entre les bords les plus proches des pastilles de contact 14 et/ou 16 d'une part, et des éléments 40 d'autre part. On note « D'1 » la plus petite distance entre les bords du contact 12 les plus proches des éléments de protection 40, ici les extrémités de la partie mobile 45, d'une part, et des éléments de protection 40 d'autre part. Ici, les distances D1 et D'1 sont mesurées dans le plan médian P, par exemple par projection orthogonale dans ce plan médian P.We denote "D1" the smallest distance between the nearest edges of the contact pads 14 and / or 16 on the one hand, and elements 40 on the other hand. We denote by "D'1" the smallest distance between the edges of the contact 12 closest to the protection elements 40, here the ends of the movable part 45, on the one hand, and the protection elements 40 on the other hand. Here, the distances D1 and D'1 are measured in the median plane P, for example by orthogonal projection in this median plane P.

Compte tenu de la course permise pour le contact 12 entre les positions ouverte et fermée, cette distance D1 est ici mesurée par rapport aux pastilles de contact 14 et 16 dans la position fermée des contacts 10 et 12. Ici, compte tenu de la disposition des éléments de protection 40, les distances D1 et D'1 sont en outre mesurées par rapport aux bords avant 41 respectifs des éléments de protection 40.Given the travel allowed for the contact 12 between the open and closed positions, this distance D1 is here measured with respect to the contact pads 14 and 16 in the closed position of the contacts 10 and 12. Here, taking into account the arrangement of the protection elements 40, the distances D1 and D'1 are further measured with respect to the respective front edges 41 of the protection elements 40.

Ainsi, la distance D'1 correspond ici à une distance entre les bords avant 41 des éléments de protection 40 et la zone Z de formation d'arc entre les contacts électriques 10 et 12.Thus, the distance D'1 here corresponds to a distance between the front edges 41 of the protection elements 40 and the zone Z of arc formation between the electrical contacts 10 and 12.

La distance D1 est ici supérieure ou égale à 10mm ou à 20mm.The distance D1 is here greater than or equal to 10mm or 20mm.

La distance D'1 est supérieure ou égale à 5mm, de préférence supérieure ou égale à 7mm. Cette distance D'1 est inférieure ou égale à 30mm. De façon particulièrement préférée, la distance D'1 est supérieure ou égale à 12mm et inférieure ou égale à 15mm.The distance D'1 is greater than or equal to 5 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 7 mm. This distance D'1 is less than or equal to 30mm. In a particularly preferred manner, the distance D'1 is greater than or equal to 12 mm and less than or equal to 15 mm.

Cette disposition des éléments de protection 40 à distance de la zone de formation de l'arc leur permet de mieux résister à la montée en température lors de la formation d'un arc électrique, en les éloignant des zones où la température est la plus élevée. Le risque de destruction des éléments de protection 40 lors de la séparation des contacts 10 et 12 est donc réduit.This arrangement of the protection elements 40 at a distance from the arc formation zone enables them to better withstand the rise in temperature during the formation of an electric arc, away from the zones where the temperature is the highest. . The risk of destruction of the protection elements 40 during the separation of the contacts 10 and 12 is reduced.

Chaque élément de protection 40 est réalisé en polyamide, par exemple du polyamide 6,6. L'élément de protection 40 est ici dépourvu de fibres de verre. Ce polyamide est réticulé, ce qui lui confère une meilleure tenue lorsqu'il est exposé à des températures élevées, typiquement supérieures à 700°C de façon transitoire. Par exemple, l'élément de protection 40 est fabriqué par moulage puis subit postérieurement une opération de réticulation.Each protection element 40 is made of polyamide, for example polyamide 6,6. The protection element 40 is here devoid of glass fibers. This polyamide is crosslinked, which gives it better strength when exposed to high temperatures, typically above 700 ° C transiently. For example, the protective element 40 is manufactured by molding and subsequently undergoes a crosslinking operation.

Avantageusement, le polyamide formant l'élément de protection 40 est renforcé avec une charge d'un matériau minéral. Ainsi, chaque élément de protection 40 comporte un matériau minéral, avec une concentration, exprimée en pourcentage massique, inférieure ou égale à 40%. Ce matériau minéral est différent des fibres de verre, c'est-à-dire qu'il n'est pas constitué de fibres de verre. Dans ce mode de réalisation, le matériau minéral est un matériau silicate, appartenant par exemple à la famille des inosilicates. De préférence, ce matériau minéral est de la wollastonite.Advantageously, the polyamide forming the protective element 40 is reinforced with a charge of a mineral material. Thus, each protective element 40 comprises a mineral material, with a concentration, expressed as a percentage by weight, less than or equal to 40%. This mineral material is different from glass fibers, that is to say it is not made of glass fibers. In this embodiment, the mineral material is a silicate material, belonging for example to the family of inosilicates. Preferably, this mineral material is wollastonite.

Grâce à ce matériau minéral, l'endurance de l'élément de protection 40 est renforcée, ce qui est avantageux pour certaines applications dans lesquelles le disjoncteur 2 est destiné à être soumis à un nombre élevé de cycles d'ouverture et de fermeture au cours de sa durée de vie, par exemple plus de 10000 cycles. C'est par exemple le cas lorsque le disjoncteur 2 est utilisé conjointement avec des aérogénérateurs éoliens.With this mineral material, the endurance of the protection element 40 is enhanced, which is advantageous for certain applications in which the circuit breaker 2 is intended to be subjected to a high number of opening and closing cycles during its lifetime, for example more than 10000 cycles. This is for example the case when the circuit breaker 2 is used together with wind turbines.

En variante, le renforcement de l'élément matériau minéral est omis.In a variant, the reinforcement of the mineral material element is omitted.

De préférence, les éléments 40 ne s'étendent pas sur toute la hauteur des parois latérales 24. Par exemple, l'élément de protection 40 s'étend, selon l'axe X1, depuis la plaque de séparation 22 inférieure de l'empilement 20, jusqu'à la plaque de séparation 22 de l'empilement 20 qui est située immédiatement au-dessus du rebord inférieur 29 de la corne d'arc 26.Preferably, the elements 40 do not extend over the entire height of the side walls 24. For example, the protection element 40 extends, along the axis X1, from the lower partition plate 22 of the stack 20, to the partition plate 22 of the stack 20 which is located immediately above the lower rim 29 of the arc horn 26.

Par exemple, le volume de matière des éléments de protection 40 est inférieur ou égal à 10cm3, de préférence inférieur ou égal à 5cm3.For example, the volume of material of the protection elements 40 is less than or equal to 10 cm 3 , preferably less than or equal to 5 cm 3 .

La forme particulière et les dimensions de chaque élément de protection 40 permettent d'obtenir une protection satisfaisante des parois latérales 24 au niveau des zones de jonction, tout en limitant la quantité de gaz susceptible d'être émis lors du passage de l'arc électrique, du fait de la fusion et/ou vaporisation partielle de l'élément de protection 40. Cet effet est notamment obtenu en réduisant la quantité de matière utilisée pour former les éléments 40 et en limitant la hauteur de chaque élément de protection 40.The particular shape and the dimensions of each protection element 40 make it possible to obtain a satisfactory protection of the lateral walls 24 at the junction zones, while limiting the quantity of gas that can be emitted during the passage of the electric arc. , due to the melting and / or partial vaporization of the protective element 40. This effect is obtained in particular by reducing the amount of material used to form the elements 40 and by limiting the height of each protective element 40.

En effet, le polyamide utilisé pour former les éléments 40 est gasogène, c'est-à-dire qu'il dégage du gaz lorsqu'il est chauffé lors du passage de l'arc électrique et/ou du gaz de coupure dans la chambre de coupure 18. Dans le cas présent, ce dégagement de gaz doit être limité autant que possible, car il engendre d'une part une surpression qui peut endommager le boîtier 4 et d'autre part augmente la teneur en polluants du gaz de coupure, ce qui oblige à installer un système de dépollution plus performant en sortie de la chambre de coupure 18.Indeed, the polyamide used to form the elements 40 is gasogenic, that is to say it gives off gas when it is heated during the passage of the electric arc and / or the cut-off gas in the chamber 18. In the present case, this gas evolution must be limited as much as possible, because it generates on the one hand an overpressure which can damage the housing 4 and on the other hand increases the pollutant content of the cutoff gas, which forces to install a more efficient system of depollution out of the chamber 18.

De façon particulièrement avantageuse, chaque élément de protection 40 comporte des doigts 46, ou nervures, qui délimitent des logements 48 au sein de l'élément de protection 40. Dans une configuration montée de cet élément de protection 40, chaque logement 48 reçoit un coin avant 49 d'une plaque de séparation 22 de l'empilement 20 à l'intérieur de ce logement 48. Le coin 49 est adjacent à la paroi latérale 24 et est placé à l'avant de la plaque de séparation 22. Cette plaque de séparation 22 est alors dite être engagée avec l'élément de protection 40. Les doigts 46 séparent alors deux à deux les plaques de séparation 22 engagées avec l'élément de protection 40.Particularly advantageously, each protection element 40 comprises fingers 46, or ribs, delimiting housings 48 within the protective element 40. In an assembled configuration of this protection element 40, each housing 48 receives a corner before 49 of a partition plate 22 of the stack 20 inside this housing 48. The wedge 49 is adjacent to the side wall 24 and is placed at the front of the partition plate 22. This plate of separation 22 is then said to be engaged with the protection element 40. The fingers 46 then separate the separation plates 22 engaged with the protection element 40 in pairs.

Chaque plaque de séparation 22 comporte deux coins avant 49. Cependant, un seul coin avant 49 est illustré sur la figure 3, pour des raisons de clarté. Du fait de la disposition des éléments de protection 40, chaque plaque de séparation 22 qui est engagée dans l'un des éléments de protection 40 au niveau d'un de ses coins avant 49 est également engagée dans l'élément de protection 40 opposé au niveau de son autre coin avant 49.Each partition plate 22 has two front corners 49. However, only one front corner 49 is shown on the figure 3 , for the sake of clarity. Because of the provision of the protection elements 40, each partition plate 22 which is engaged in one of the protection elements 40 at one of its front corners 49 is also engaged in the protective element 40 opposite at its other front corner 49.

Dans cet exemple, les doigts 46 présentent une forme de plaque plane et rectiligne et forment des faces supérieure et inférieure des logements 48. Les logements 48 ont une forme de pavé à base rectangulaire et débouchent à l'extérieur de l'élément de protection 40, latéralement et à l'arrière de cet élément de protection 40. Les doigts 46 sont identiques entre eux. De même, les logements 48 sont identiques entre eux. Par exemple, les logements 48 sont formés par évidement d'une partie arrière de cet élément de protection 40. Les doigts 46 s'étendent en saillie vers l'arrière de l'élément de protection 40 perpendiculairement à cet élément de protection 40, à la manière des doigts d'un peigne. Dans cet exemple, chaque élément de protection 40 comporte sept logements 48 délimités par huit doigts 46.In this example, the fingers 46 have a flat and straight plate shape and form upper and lower faces of the housings 48. The housings 48 have a rectangular base shape and open outwardly of the protective element 40 , laterally and at the rear of this protection element 40. The fingers 46 are identical to each other. Similarly, the housings 48 are identical to each other. For example, the housings 48 are formed by recessing a rear portion of this protection element 40. The fingers 46 project rearwardly from the protection element 40 perpendicularly to this protection element 40, to the way of the fingers of a comb. In this example, each protection element 40 comprises seven housings 48 delimited by eight fingers 46.

Comme illustré à la figure 5, on note « D46 » l'épaisseur d'un doigt 46 et « E46 » l'espacement entre les faces adjacentes de deux doigts 46 contigus, cette épaisseur D46 et cet espacement E46 étant mesurés selon l'axe X1. De préférence, les dimensions des logements 48, et en particulier l'écartement E46, sont choisies en fonction de l'épaisseur D22 des plaques de séparation 22, pour laisser le moins possible de jeu entre les doigts 46 et les coins 49. De préférence, les coins 49 reçus à l'intérieur des logements 48 sont enfoncés jusqu'au fond de ces logements 48. A titre d'illustration, l'épaisseur D46 est égale à 3mm et l'espacement E46 est égal à 4mm.As illustrated in figure 5 , "D46" the thickness of a finger 46 and "E46" the spacing between the adjacent faces of two fingers 46 contiguous, this thickness D46 and this spacing E46 being measured along the axis X1. Preferably, the dimensions of the housings 48, and in particular the spacing E46, are chosen as a function of the thickness D22 of the separating plates 22, to leave as little clearance as possible between the fingers 46 and the wedges 49. Preferably , the wedges 49 received inside the housings 48 are pressed to the bottom of these housings 48. By way of illustration, the thickness D46 is equal to 3mm and the spacing E46 is equal to 4mm.

Chacune des plaques de séparation 22 engagées avec l'élément de protection 40 est ainsi recouverte, sur ses faces supérieure et inférieure, au niveau de son coin 49, par des doigts 46.Each of the separating plates 22 engaged with the protective element 40 is thus covered on its upper and lower faces at its corner 49 by fingers 46.

Cela empêche le gaz de coupure qui circule dans la chambre de coupure 18 de circuler près des zones de jonction. En effet, le gaz de coupure contient des particules métalliques en suspension qui sont électriquement conductrices. Lorsque les plaques 22 sont engagées dans les éléments de protection 40, le gaz de coupure est empêché de recirculer entre les plaques de séparation 22 vers l'avant de la chambre de coupure 18. Une telle recirculation doit être évitée car cela pourrait engendrer un rebouclage indésirable du courant électrique et empêcher la coupure du courant. D'autre part, les particules métalliques contenues dans le gaz de coupure sont susceptibles de se déposer par condensation sur les parois latérales 24, au niveau des zones de jonction. Cela doit aussi être évité, car un tel dépôt favoriserait des court-circuits à l'intérieur de la chambre de coupure 18. Ce dépôt sur les parois latérales 24 est ici empêché grâce à la structure en doigts de peigne formée par l'alternance des doigts 46 et des logements 48.This prevents the cutoff gas circulating in the break chamber 18 from circulating near the junction areas. Indeed, the cutoff gas contains suspended metal particles that are electrically conductive. When the plates 22 are engaged in the protection elements 40, the cutoff gas is prevented from recirculating between the separating plates 22 towards the front of the breaking chamber 18. Such recirculation should be avoided as this could lead to loopback undesirable electric current and prevent power failure. On the other hand, the metal particles contained in the cleavage gas are likely to be deposited by condensation on the side walls 24, at the junction areas. This should also be avoided, as such a deposit would favor short circuits inside the room 18. This deposit on the side walls 24 is here prevented thanks to the comb-shaped structure formed by the alternation of the fingers 46 and the housings 48.

L'efficacité des éléments de protection 40 est ainsi considérablement améliorée.The effectiveness of the protection elements 40 is thus considerably improved.

De plus, chacune des plaques de séparation 22 engagées avec l'élément de protection 40 est également recouverte sur son bord avant, au niveau de ce même coin 49, par la deuxième face latérale 44 de l'élément de protection de protection 40. Ainsi, le coin 49 de la plaque de séparation 22 est séparé des pastilles de contact 10 et 12 et n'est donc pas directement exposé à la zone de formation de l'arc électrique. L'arc électrique ne peut donc pas s'approcher des parois latérales 24. L'efficacité des éléments de protection 40 est augmentée, et les parois latérales 24 sont mieux protégées.In addition, each of the separating plates 22 engaged with the protection element 40 is also covered on its front edge, at this same wedge 49, by the second lateral face 44 of the protective protection element 40. the wedge 49 of the partition plate 22 is separated from the contact pads 10 and 12 and is therefore not directly exposed to the arc-forming zone. The electric arc can not approach the side walls 24. The effectiveness of the protection elements 40 is increased, and the side walls 24 are better protected.

En effet, les plaques de séparation 22 qui sont reçues dans les logements 48 sont ici celles qui s'étendent en-dessous du rebord inférieur 29 de la corne supérieure d'arc 26, donc celles qui sont les plus exposées à l'arc électrique. C'est donc au niveau de la jonction de ces plaques de séparation 22 avec les parois latérales 24 qu'un arc électrique est le plus susceptible de séjourner et de causer des dégâts par érosion de la paroi latérale 24.Indeed, the partition plates 22 which are received in the housings 48 are here those which extend below the lower rim 29 of the upper arc horn 26, therefore those which are most exposed to the electric arc . It is therefore at the junction of these partition plates 22 with the side walls 24 that an electric arc is most likely to remain and cause damage by erosion of the side wall 24.

Grâce aux éléments de protection 40, lorsque l'arc électrique pénètre dans la chambre de coupure 18 et entre en contact avec les plaques de séparation 22, il ne peut pas s'approcher à proximité des coins 49 de ces plaques de séparation 22 qui sont recouverts par ces éléments de protection 40, puisque ces éléments de protection 40 sont électriquement isolants et sont suffisamment résistant structurellement pour ne pas être détruits par l'arc électrique. L'érosion des parois latérales 24 est donc limitée, notamment dans des régimes de fonctionnement du disjoncteur 2 pour lesquels la chambre de coupure 18 est soumise, de façon répétée, à des arcs électriques pour des courants d'intensité inférieure à 10kA.Thanks to the protection elements 40, when the electric arc enters the breaking chamber 18 and comes into contact with the separating plates 22, it can not approach near the corners 49 of these partition plates 22 which are covered by these protection elements 40, since these protection elements 40 are electrically insulating and are structurally resistant enough not to be destroyed by the electric arc. The erosion of the sidewalls 24 is therefore limited, especially in operating conditions of the circuit breaker 2 for which the interrupting chamber 18 is subjected, repeatedly, to arcing for currents of intensity less than 10kA.

Les éléments de protection 40 sont fixés aux parois latérales 24. Plus précisément, chaque élément de protection 40 est fixé, solidairement et sans degré de liberté, à une paroi latérale 24, au moyen d'éléments de fixation. Ici, les éléments de fixation sont des rivets 50, qui sont montés dans des trous 52 correspondants de la paroi latérale 24. Les rivets 50 permettent de fixer les éléments de protection 40 avec une robustesse satisfaisante.The protective elements 40 are attached to the side walls 24. More specifically, each protective element 40 is fixed, integrally and without degree of freedom, to a side wall 24, by means of fixing elements. Here, the fastening elements are rivets 50, which are mounted in corresponding holes 52 of the side wall 24. The rivets 50 allow to fix the protection elements 40 with a satisfactory strength.

En variante, les éléments de protection 40 sont ici fixés différemment aux parois latérales 24, par exemple par encliquetage. Dans ce cas, les rivets 50 et les trous 52 sont omis. Les éléments de fixation comportent alors des pièces déformables, de forme complémentaire, disposées sur les éléments de protection 40 et sur les parois latérales 24.As a variant, the protection elements 40 are here differently fixed to the side walls 24, for example by snap-fastening. In this case, the rivets 50 and the holes 52 are omitted. The fastening elements then comprise deformable parts, of shape complementary, arranged on the protection elements 40 and on the side walls 24.

Les modes de réalisation et les variantes envisagés ci-dessus peuvent être combinés entre eux pour générer de nouveaux modes de réalisation.The embodiments and alternatives contemplated above may be combined with one another to generate new embodiments.

Claims (9)

Disjoncteur (2) à coupure dans l'air, comportant : - deux contacts électriques (10, 12) séparables raccordés à des terminaux d'entrée (6) et de sortie (8) d'un courant électrique ; - une chambre de coupure (18) d'un arc électrique, pour éteindre un arc électrique formé lors de la séparation des contacts électriques (10, 12), cette chambre de coupure (18) comportant un empilement (20) de plaques de séparation (22) espacées les unes des autres et des parois latérales (24) disposées de part et d'autre de l'empilement (20), les plaques de séparation (22) étant fixées aux parois latérales (24), chaque paroi latérale (24) comportant un tissu polyamide imprégné de résine thermodurcissable et étant dépourvue de fibres de verre ; caractérisé en ce que la chambre de coupure (18) comporte en outre des éléments de protection (40) en polyamide réticulé, les éléments de protection (40) étant placés à l'intérieur de la chambre de coupure, le long des parois latérales (24) de part et d'autre de l'empilement (20), au niveau de zones de jonction entre les parois latérales (24) et les plaques de séparation (22), les éléments de protection (40) recouvrant des coins (49) des plaques de séparation (22) adjacents aux parois latérales (24), de sorte à séparer ces coins (49) des plaques de séparation (22) des contacts électriques (10, 12), et en ce que chaque élément de protection (40) présente une face latérale (44) incurvée s'étendant, avec une forme concave, depuis la paroi latérale (24) adjacente à l'élément de protection (40), vers une région centrale de l'empilement (20).Circuit breaker (2) with cut-off in the air, comprising: - two separable electrical contacts (10, 12) connected to input terminals (6) and output (8) of an electric current; - a breaking chamber (18) of an electric arc, for extinguishing an electric arc formed during the separation of the electrical contacts (10, 12), this breaking chamber (18) comprising a stack (20) of separating plates Spaced apart from one another and side walls (24) disposed on either side of the stack (20), the partition plates (22) being attached to the side walls (24), each side wall ( 24) comprising a polyamide fabric impregnated with thermosetting resin and being devoid of glass fibers; characterized in that the interrupting chamber (18) further comprises cross-linked polyamide shielding elements (40), the protection elements (40) being placed inside the breaking chamber along the side walls ( 24) on either side of the stack (20), at junction areas between the side walls (24) and the separating plates (22), the protection elements (40) covering wedges (49). ) separating plates (22) adjacent to the side walls (24), so as to separate these wedges (49) from the separating plates (22) from the electrical contacts (10, 12), and that each protection element ( 40) has a curved side face (44) extending concavely from the side wall (24) adjacent to the protection member (40) to a central region of the stack (20). Disjoncteur (2) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que chaque élément de protection (40) comporte des logements (48) délimités par des doigts (46), un coin (49) d'une plaque de séparation (22) de l'empilement (20) étant reçu à l'intérieur de chaque logement (48).Circuit breaker (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that each protection element (40) has slots (48) delimited by fingers (46), a wedge (49) of a separating plate (22) of the stack (20) being received within each housing (48). Disjoncteur (2) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la distance (D'1) entre une zone de formation (Z) d'arc électrique entre les contacts électriques (10, 12) et chaque élément de protection (40) est supérieure ou égale à 5mm, de préférence supérieure ou égale à 7mm, de préférence encore comprise entre 12mm et 15mm.Circuit breaker (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance (D'1) between an electric arc formation zone (Z) between the electrical contacts (10, 12) and each protection element ( 40) is greater than or equal to 5 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 7 mm, more preferably between 12 mm and 15 mm. Disjoncteur (2) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les éléments de protection (40) en polyamide réticulé comportent chacun un matériau minéral avec une concentration massique inférieure ou égale à 40%, le matériau minéral étant différent des fibres de verre.Circuit breaker (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective elements (40) of crosslinked polyamide each comprise a mineral material with a mass concentration of less than or equal to 40%, the mineral material being different from the fibers of glass. Disjoncteur (2) selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que le matériau minéral est la wollastonite.Circuit breaker (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that the mineral material is wollastonite. Disjoncteur (2) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le matériau polyamide réticulé des éléments de protection (40) est du polyamide 6,6.Circuit breaker (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the crosslinked polyamide material of the protection elements (40) is polyamide 6,6. Disjoncteur (2) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les éléments de protection (40) s'étendent essentiellement parallèlement à l'empilement (20), depuis une extrémité inférieure de l'empilement (20), jusqu'à un rebord inférieur (29) d'une corne supérieure d'arc (26) placée au-dessus de l'empilement (20).Circuit breaker (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protection elements (40) extend essentially parallel to the stack (20), from a lower end of the stack (20), until at a lower rim (29) of an upper arcuate horn (26) positioned above the stack (20). Disjoncteur (2) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le volume de matière des éléments de protection (40) de la chambre de coupure (18) est inférieur ou égal à 10cm3, de préférence inférieur ou égal à 5cm3.Circuit breaker (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the volume of material of the protection elements (40) of the interrupting chamber (18) is less than or equal to 10 cm 3 , preferably less than or equal to 5 cm 3 . Disjoncteur (2) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les éléments de protection (40) sont fixés aux parois latérales (24) au moyen de rivets (50).Circuit breaker (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective elements (40) are fastened to the side walls (24) by means of rivets (50).
EP17167276.9A 2016-04-21 2017-04-20 Air circuit breaker having an improved electrical arc cutting chamber Active EP3236482B1 (en)

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FR1653554A FR3050566B1 (en) 2016-04-21 2016-04-21 BREAKER IN THE AIR WITH AN IMPROVED ELECTRIC ARC BREAK CHAMBER

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EP (1) EP3236482B1 (en)
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RU2720347C2 (en) 2020-04-29
US20170309425A1 (en) 2017-10-26
RU2017113462A (en) 2018-10-19
EP3236482B1 (en) 2019-02-06
CN107305815A (en) 2017-10-31
ES2721510T3 (en) 2019-08-01
CN107305815B (en) 2020-10-20
FR3050566A1 (en) 2017-10-27
US10192700B2 (en) 2019-01-29
RU2017113462A3 (en) 2020-03-16
FR3050566B1 (en) 2019-08-30

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