EP3629351A1 - Actuating system for electrical switching appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuation system (1) of contacts for an electrical switch device, the actuation system comprising an arming shaft (5), a closing spring and an opening spring cooperating with the shaft. arm (5), as well as a control paddle (30) actuated by the arm shaft (5) and an opening actuator (10) which allows, when the opening spring is armed, control the release of the opening spring. The actuation system is characterized in that it also comprises a selection member (20) which is positionable:
- Or in a so-called active position in which it mechanically couples the arming pallet (30) with a closing crank (40), so that, as soon as the closing spring is armed, the arming pallet (30) causes the closing spring to be released via the closing crank (40),
- Either in a so-called inactive position in which the closing crank (40) is uncoupled from the arming pallet (30).

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to an actuation system intended to switch an electrical switch device between a so-called open state where the main contacts of the switch device are open and a so-called closed state where the main contacts of the switch device are closed. In this document, the term electrical switch device indifferently designates different types of electrical devices such as a switch, a circuit breaker, a contactor, a fuse switch, a recloser.

The invention is more particularly suitable for high voltage devices. In this document, the term "high voltage" covers the field of medium voltage and high voltage, that is to say devices operating under an electrical supply voltage greater than 1000V. The invention also relates to an electrical switch device comprising such an actuation system.

State of the art

The document EP2204828A1 describes for example an electrical switch device comprising a double hooking arming mechanism with two spiral springs mounted on the same arming shaft. Such latching arming mechanisms make it possible to accumulate sufficient energy in the springs to be able, once the mechanism is armed, to drive the arming shaft in order to effect a closing operation of the contacts of the switch device, that is to say to pass from the open state to the closed state, then a reopening operation of the contacts of the switch device if necessary, i.e. to go back from the closed state in open state.

The document WO2010015597 also describes another example of an electrical switch device having a double latching arming mechanism.

There are mechanisms which are said to be single latching and mechanisms known as double latching. In a simple latching mechanism, we arm the mechanism (that is to say we accumulate energy in the two springs) then, once armed, the mechanism directly switches the switch device from the open state to the closed state by releasing one of the two springs, called the closing spring (i.e. by releasing the energy of the spring closing). It is then necessary to act on an actuator (hooking) to restore the switch device to the open state by releasing the other spring, called the opening spring (that is to say by releasing the energy of the spring d 'opening).

In a double latching mechanism, once the mechanism is armed, it is necessary to act on a first actuator to switch the switch device from the open state to the closed state, releasing the energy of the closing spring. Then, it is then necessary to act on a second actuator to restore the switch device to the open state, releasing the energy of the closing spring.

These two types of mechanism are each of interest depending on the applications in which the switching device is used. The simple hooking mechanism has the advantage of being simpler. On the other hand, the double latching mechanism is, for example, preferably used in a so-called Normal-Backup application in which a combination of two switches is used to switch between two power sources. The double latching mechanism then makes it possible to switch the electrical supply network between a main power source and an auxiliary backup source, for example a generator, then to be able to switch back to the main source, or vice versa.

However, electrical switch devices are generally marketed with a mechanism which is either simple hooking or double hooking, and it is difficult to switch easily from one to the other. Indeed, as this involves the change of various mechanical parts, a differentiation of the type of device must be made during the manufacturing process, which therefore obliges customers to choose the mechanism when ordering the device. However, it would be desirable to propose an economical and easy to implement solution so that the same electrical switch device can be used in both modes, that is to say that it can easily pass from a "simple" operation. latching "to a" double latching "operation and vice versa. The selection of the type of device must be possible, for example, during the final phase of personalization of the switch device when it leaves the factory or even with customers at an installer / distributor. This would also have the advantage of reducing the number of switch devices to be stored, since the same device could be easily configured with a simple hooking or double hooking mechanism.

Statement of the invention

This object is achieved by a contact actuation system for an electrical switch device, the actuation system comprising a charging shaft, a closing spring and an opening spring cooperating with the charging shaft, thus a control pallet actuated by the arming shaft, and an opening actuator which allows, when the opening spring is armed, to control the release of the opening spring. According to the invention, the actuation system also comprises a selection member which can be positioned either in a so-called active position in which it mechanically couples the arming pallet with a crank for closing the actuation system, so that, as soon as the closing spring is armed, the arming pallet releases the closing spring via the closing crank, or in a so-called inactive position in which the closing crank is uncoupled from the pallet. armament.

According to one characteristic, when the selection member is in the inactive position, the actuation system also includes a closing actuator which allows, when the closing spring is armed, to control the release of the closing spring.

According to another characteristic, the control pallet has a first slot, the closing crank has a third slot, and the selection member is a spring rod comprising a loop which, in the active position, is inserted both into the first slot and in the third slot.

According to another characteristic, the control pallet also includes a second slot in which the loop is inserted in the inactive position.

According to another characteristic, the selection member comprises at one end a gripping lever making it possible to manually position the selection member in the active position or in the inactive position.

According to another characteristic, the control palette also includes a first visual indicator indicating that the actuation system is disarmed and a second visual indicator indicating that the actuation system is armed.

According to another characteristic, the closing spring and the opening spring are wound in a spiral in the same direction around the arming shaft.

According to another characteristic, the opening actuator comprises a manual control button, a mechanical striker or an electromagnet and the closing actuator comprises a manual control button or an electromagnet.

The invention also relates to a high voltage electrical switch device comprising movable contacts and such an actuation system for actuating the main movable contacts of the electrical switch device between an open state and a closed state.

detailed description

• la figure 1 montre une vue générale simplifiée d'un système d'actionnement selon l'invention en configuration double accrochage,
• la figure 2 représente une vue partielle du système d'actionnement en configuration simple accrochage, en face avant et en position désarmée,
• la figure 3 montre la même configuration que la figure 2, en face arrière et en position désarmée,
• la figure 4 montre la même configuration que la figure 2, en face avant et en position armée, prêt à passer à l'état fermé,
• la figure 5 représente une vue partielle du système d'actionnement en configuration double accrochage, en face avant et en position désarmée,
• la figure 6 montre la même configuration que la figure 5, en face arrière et en position désarmée,
• la figure 7 montre la même configuration que la figure 5, en face avant et en position armée.

Other characteristics will appear in the following detailed description made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• the figure 1 shows a simplified general view of an actuation system according to the invention in double hooking configuration,
• the figure 2 represents a partial view of the actuation system in simple hooking configuration, on the front face and in the disarmed position,
• the figure 3 shows the same configuration as the figure 2 , on the rear panel and in the disarmed position,
• the figure 4 shows the same configuration as the figure 2 , on the front panel and in the armed position, ready to enter the closed state,
• the figure 5 represents a partial view of the actuation system in double hooking configuration, on the front face and in the disarmed position,
• the figure 6 shows the same configuration as the figure 5 , on the rear panel and in the disarmed position,
• the figure 7 shows the same configuration as the figure 5 , on the front panel and in the armed position.

The snap-on actuation system of the figure 1 is intended to trigger the closing and opening movements of the electrical contacts of an electrical switch device. The actuation system 1 is integrated between two plates so as to then be mounted in the switch device. The figure 1 shows only a first plate 2, the second plate being absent from the figures for reasons of clarity. The two plates are separated from each other by several columns, one of which is shown in the figures. The actuation system comprises a cocking shaft 5 which is movable in rotation about an axis X as well as a closing spring and an opening spring (not visible in the figures) which cooperate with the shaft d arming 5.

In known manner, the rotation of the arming shaft 5 makes it possible to drive the main contacts of the switch device to an open state (main contacts disjoint) or to a closed state (main contacts joined) of the switch device , due to the release of the opening spring or the closing spring.

Preferably, the closing spring and the opening spring are spiral springs which are wound around the arming shaft 5 in the same direction, so that they can both be armed during the same movement of arming axis 5 rotation in one direction. In a known manner, this arming movement of the springs, which makes it possible to accumulate sufficient energy in the springs, can be done manually, using for example a crank, or electrically, using for example of a gearmotor assembly. As soon as the arming movement of the closing and opening springs is completed, the actuation system is in the so-called armed position.

The solution with spiral springs allows a reduced space requirement and a simplification of the actuation system because the same cocking movement in one direction makes it possible to arm the two springs. However, they could be replaced by linear compression springs armed for example using a connecting rod driven by the arming shaft for compression, the connecting rod being in return also capable of driving the arming when the springs are released.

The figures 2 and 3 show an embodiment of the actuation system in the simple latching configuration and in the disarmed position. The actuation system comprises an opening actuator 10, a pivot shaft 6, as well as a trigger lever 7 and a latching lever 8 which can pivot around the pivot shaft 6. The pivot shaft 6 is parallel to the cocking shaft 5. The actuation system also includes mechanical members not detailed in the figures because usual (such as wheels, levers, rollers, ...) which in particular tilt the trigger lever 7 around the pivot shaft 6 at the end of the arming movement of the arming shaft 5. One end of the lever trigger 7 is coupled to a control pallet 30 movable around a control axis 9, also parallel to the arming shaft 5, so that, when the trigger lever 7 is tilted, the control pallet 30 pivots also around the control axis 9.

According to the invention, the actuation system also comprises a selection member 20 the purpose of which is to choose between the single latching configuration and the double latching configuration. In the embodiment shown, this selection member 20 is a metal spring rod. The spring rod 20 is wound up by one or more turns around the control axis 9 and has a first end 21 which bears on a fixed point, for example on the baluster 4. The other end of the spring rod 20 has a loop 22, forming a sort of lug, extended by a manual gripping lever 23.

The control paddle 30 has a first slot 33 and a second slot 34 which are capable of accommodating the loop 22 of the selection member 20. When the loop 22 is inserted in the first slot 33, the selection member 20 is said to be in the active position, while when the loop 22 is inserted into the second slot 34, the selection member 20 is said to be in the inactive position. The positioning of the selection member 20 in the active or inactive position is carried out manually using the gripping lever 23 which makes it very easy to insert the loop 22 in the first slot 33 or in the second slot 34.

The actuation system 1 also comprises a closing crank 40 which is movable around the control axis 9 and a closing rod 42 (see figure 3 ). This closing crank 40 has a slot, called the third slot 41. The closing link 42 is coupled on one side with the closing crank 40 and on the other side with a closing actuating lever 16. When it is actuated, this closing lever 16 causes the release of the closing spring, the released energy of which switches the switch device from the open state to the closed state.

Advantageously, when the selection member 20 is in the active position, the loop 22 is inserted both into the first slot 33 of the control paddle 30 and into the third slot 41 of the closing crank 40, which the control paddle 30 and the closing crank 40 are then mechanically coupled. Thus, as soon as the closing spring is armed, the control paddle 30 switches following the action of an element linked to the arming shaft 5 (for example a roller not shown in the figures). As the loop 22 is in the active position, the control paddle 30 then drives the closing crank 40 which itself drives the closing lever 16 by means of the closing link 42, making it possible to trigger the release of the spring of closing and switching of the switch device to the closed state.

Other embodiments of the selection member 20 are easily achievable as an alternative to the spring rod. For example, the selection member 20 may just comprise a removable metal latch linked to the control paddle 30 and which would hook a stud of the closing crank 40 in the active position, and which would be released from this stud in the inactive position. As an alternative, we could also consider any type of removable mechanism allowing the joining of two parts, such as clip, pin, screw, etc.

The closing link 42 is advantageously made in a very simple way with just a rigid metallic wire which is bent at its ends so as to be able to hang on one side to the closing crank 40 and on the other side to the closing lever 16 .

The figure 4 shows the same configuration as the figure 2 , but just when the actuation mechanism is armed. The loop 22 being in the active position (that is to say inserted in the first slot 33 and in the third slot 41), the control paddle 30 is coupled with the closing crank 40. Thus, at the end of the movement d arming, the roller linked to the arming shaft 5 will tilt the control paddle 30, which causes the displacement of the closing crank 40 and the closing rod 42. This will therefore automatically actuate the lever closure 16, which will cause the rotation of a half-moon 44 by means of a connecting rod 43 (see figure 3 ) positioned between the closing lever 16 and the half-moon 44. The rotation of this half-moon 44 will then release one end of the engagement lever 8 which will thus release the closing spring and the passage of the electrical device switch in the closed state, without requiring any additional action using a closing actuator.

The Figures 5 and 6 show the actuation system in the double latching configuration and in the disarmed position. The actuation system includes therefore now a closing actuator 15 in addition to the opening actuator 10. The selection member 20 is now in the inactive position, that is to say that the loop 22 is inserted in the second slot 34 of the control pallet 30 and is therefore no longer inserted in the third slot 41 of the closing crank 40, which uncouples the closing crank 40 and the control pallet 30. A movement of the control pallet 30 therefore does not cause more movement of the closing crank 40 and the closing link 42 is inoperative. It is therefore the closing actuator 15 which can act on the closing lever 16, for example by means of a pusher 17 (see figure 6 ). Therefore, at the end of the arming movement when the closing spring is armed, there is no longer any automatic control of the release of the closing spring. It is then necessary to perform an action on the closing actuator 15 to actuate the closing lever 16, which will cause the rotation of the half-moon 44 by means of the connecting rod 43. The rotation of the half-moon 44 will then release the engagement lever 8 to cause the switch electrical device to switch to the closed state.

The figure 7 shows the same configuration as the figure 5 , but just when the actuation mechanism is armed. The loop 22 being in the inactive position (that is to say inserted in the first slot 34 and not in the third slot 41), it is clear that the movement of the control paddle 30 has not caused movement of the closing crank 40.

Thanks to the invention, the system for actuating the contacts of the electrical switch device therefore allows two distinct configurations, namely a configuration where it functions as a single latching mechanism and a configuration where it functions as a double latching mechanism. . Advantageously, the choice between these two configurations is very easy thanks to the positioning of the loop 22 of the selection member 20 either in the active position (mechanism with simple hooking), or in the inactive position (mechanism with double hooking).

In the single latching configuration, the actuation system only includes an opening actuator 10, since the closure occurs as soon as the arming ends without the need for an actuator as explained above, while in the double latching configuration, the actuation system further comprises a closing actuator 15.

In both configurations and conventionally, the opening actuator 10 allows, when the opening spring is armed, to control the release of the opening spring by acting on an opening lever 11 (visible in figure 6 ), so as to put the electrical switch device in the open state.

In the embodiment presented in the figures, the opening actuator 10, as well as the closing actuator 15 when it exists, are control push-buttons, which are placed side by side at the outside of the plates 2 to be easily accessible, for example on the front of the electrical switch device, thus allowing manual control by an operator.

Actuators other than a control push button are also possible. One can consider for example an actuator of the striker fuse type, the striker of which comes to act on the opening lever 16. Similarly, one can consider an electric actuator having a trigger actuated by an emission coil or a lack coil for act on the opening lever 16 or the closing lever 11. It is also possible to envisage a low energy consumption trigger (of the MITOP type), to allow automatic remote control, which is for example useful for triggering in electrical fault.

Furthermore, the control paddle 30 includes a first visual indicator 31 indicating that the actuation system is disarmed and a second visual indicator 32 indicating that the actuation system is armed. These two indicators 31, 32 are for example materialized by two separate flat parts of the control paddle 30 each having a sticker or a paint of different color. Once the actuation system is integrated in the electrical switch device, these flat parts are positioned opposite a window of the switch device, so that, depending on whether the actuation system is armed or not (it that is to say closing spring armed or not), it is either the second visual indicator 32, or the first visual indicator 31, which is located opposite the window. This thus constitutes a simple, reliable and economical way of indicating to an outside operator if the actuation system is armed.

Claims (10)

Actuation system (1) of contacts for an electrical switch device, the actuation system comprising a charging shaft (5), a closing spring and an opening spring cooperating with the charging shaft (5 ), as well as a control paddle (30) actuated by the arming shaft (5), and an opening actuator (10) which allows, when the opening spring is armed, to control the release of the opening spring, the actuation system being characterized in that it also comprises a selection member (20) which is positionable: - Or in a so-called active position in which it mechanically couples the arming pallet (30) with a closing crank (40) of the actuation system, so that, as soon as the closing spring is armed, the pallet d arming (30) causes the closing spring to be released by means of the closing crank (40), - Either in a so-called inactive position in which the closing crank (40) is uncoupled from the arming pallet (30). Actuation system according to Claim 1, characterized in that , when the selection member (20) is in the inactive position, the actuation system also comprises a closing actuator (15) which allows, when the closing spring is armed, to command the release of the closing spring. Actuation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the control pallet (30) has a first slot (33), the closing crank (40) has a third slot (41), and the selection member ( 20) is a spring rod comprising a loop (22) which, in the active position, is inserted both in the first slot (33) and in the third slot (41). Actuation system according to claim 3, characterized in that the control pallet (30) also comprises a second slot (34) in which the loop (22) is inserted in the inactive position. Actuation system according to claim 3, characterized in that the selection member (20) comprises at one end a gripping lever (23) allowing manual positioning of the selection member (20) in active or inactive position. Actuation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the control pallet (30) also includes a first visual indicator (31) indicating that the actuation system is disarmed and a second visual indicator (32) indicating that the system is armed. Actuation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the closing spring and the opening spring are wound in a spiral in the same direction around the cocking shaft (5). Actuation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening actuator comprises a manual control button (10), a mechanical striker or an electromagnet. Actuation system according to claim 2, characterized in that the closing actuator comprises a manual control button (15) or an electromagnet. High voltage electrical switch device comprising movable contacts, characterized in that it comprises an actuation system according to one of the preceding claims for actuating the movable contacts.

Images