FR2480993A1 - LOCKING DEVICE BETWEEN TWO REMOTE ELECTRICAL DEVICES AND INSTALLATION EMPLOYING THE SAME - Google Patents

Abstract

A REMOVABLE BOX 12 CONTAINING AT LEAST TWO LOCKS 13, 21 IS PROVIDED BETWEEN MOVABLE PARTS 43, 44 OF REMOTE DEVICES, AT LEAST ONE OF THE LOCKS BEING MECHANICALLY ASSOCIATED WITH ONE OF THE LOCKS BY A FLEXIBLE TRANSMISSION 39, 40. THIS DEVICE IS USEFULLY USED FOR ESTABLISHING RECIPROCAL OR LOGIC INTERLOCKS BETWEEN TWO REMOTE APPLIANCES, ESPECIALLY IF THE DIMENSIONS OF THESE APPLIANCES MAKE THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD DANGEROUS, OR IF ONE OF THE APPLIANCES IS INSTALLED AFTER THE STROKE.

Description

The invention relates to a locking device

  movements of at least two moving parts placed respectively

  in two independent and remote electric appliances,

  this device comprising in a removable housing, a first housing

  movable wheel connected to the movement of a first movable part and a second lock connected to the movement of a second movable part, these locks being placed relative to each other so that at least when the first latch is in a first working position, the second latch can not move and remains in a second rest position, and that eventually, when the second latch is in a second working position, the first latch can not move and stay in

a first rest position.

  Known devices, especially those which, as

  in the invention mainly concern the reclosing

  of at least two contactors, comprise two

  coupling intended to hang each directly on an identical moving part of each contactor, because most often, the contactors concerned are of the same model; in some embodiments, the device housing is even held tight

between two neighboring contactors.

  In other known embodiments, both

  contactors are fixed on a common support

  bolts, which are themselves connected by connecting rods to

moving parts of the contactors.

  All these known achievements are based on the consideration that these two contactors are adjacent and are

same model.

  However, when devices to lock, especially

  the contactors, are not of the same model, or that two identical contactors must be relatively far apart for reasons of either functionality or ease of connection,

  or that more than two contactors must observe each other

  other special locking conditions, the solutions proposed to date are not able to respond to these situations. It is naturally the same if the

  three situations mentioned above are combined.

  The invention therefore proposes to provide a device

  first of all to be used when

  that two contactors are so far apart that a mechanical connection and

  rigid between them, is virtually impossible.

  This implementation will, consequently, give an installer a great freedom of relative layout which will result either by a respective location of the apparatus which will correspond more logically to their functions, or by a

  decrease in the length of the conductors leading to these

  or the possibility of implementing

  rust between already installed appliances and appliances

  subsequently mounted; in the event that the device is

  two contactors, one of which would be of high caliber for the

  one heavy load, while the other is lighter

  would be for auxiliary functions, an additional benefit

  would result not only from the savings achieved

  turntables or chassis, as these should be

  mended to receive the largest device, but still

  mechanical isolation established between two devices o the lightest

  would not be subject to shocks developed by the heaviest.

  It has already been proposed and electrical interlocks are still used which make it possible to obtain some of the advantages mentioned, but for reasons of reliability, it is very common for electrical interlocks to be doubled by mechanical interlocks, in particular to prevent effects of possible shocks on the devices or the installation

which they are part of.

  According to the invention, this result is obtained thanks to the fact

  that at least one of the two locks is connected to a movable member of

  at least one apparatus via a flexible transmission

  having a first end attached to the housing containing

  latches and a second end connected to a device.

  Remote control devices are already known using flexible links contained or not in ducts, but the fields of application for which they are intended, generally make them choose when significant efforts must be transmitted; when such known control devices are used for signaling purposes, or have to transmit relatively low forces, it is generally not desirable to have an additional logic or mechanical function in the path of the mechanical signal, unless that the amplitude of the movement of entry is such that a simple reduction of this movement is necessary at the exit; the nature of the transformation of the latter two movements, which most often leads to irreversibility of transmission in one of the two directions, excludes

  the execution of a logical function, such as a function of

  bition corresponding to a mutual interlock between a first

  input signal and a second input signal.

  Recess locking assemblies are also known.

  using a flexible link between two electrical

  placed at a distance from each other, and are generally

  normally operated by hand; in this known arrangement, it does not use a separate housing having a particular function, the two ends of the link being directly connected to pieces of

  interlocked permanently on

  electric wires disposed within an enclosure.

  Finally, the invention aims at providing an electrical installation

  in which thanks to the device according to the invention, it will be possible to arrange, group or separate electrical devices in such a way that on the one hand a mechanical isolation is established between devices of different calibres and that on the other hand a rational distribution of functions of these devices can

to be respected.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the

  below which will be accompanied by 15 figures among which:

  Figures 1, 3 and 4 represent different instal-

  tions implementing a device according to the invention able to lock two devices; FIG. 2 represents a first device that can be used in installations according to FIGS. 1 and 3;

  Figures 5 and 6 show two variants of

  positive suitable for use in installations according to Figure 4; Fig. 7 shows a locking device in which a torsionally flexible transmission is used for coupling to at least one locking device; FIG. 8 shows a detail of embodiment concerning means of connection between a flexible link and a lock contained in the case of a device; Figure 9 illustrates an installation in which a lock is performed on more than two devices;

  Figure 10 shows in section the disposition of several

  latches such as those of FIGS. 2 and 8, for interlocks of the installation according to FIG. 9; FIG. 11 shows a first embodiment of a

  interlocking device performing logical operations

additional mechanically;

  Figures 12 and 13 illustrate in partial plan view

  lement cut and elevation, a second embodiment of a locking device having the same functions as that of the previous figure; Figures 15 and 14 show additional measures

  conferring on the apparatuses of FIGS. 13 and 14

  ciprocity in locking effects.

  An equipment or electrical installation (1), visible in Figure 1, comprises for example a series of plates (2, 3, 4, 5) mounted horizontally adjacent to each other on two vertical uprights (6, 7). On the plates (2 and 5) furthest apart, are respectively arranged two electrical devices such as contactors (8 and 9); it will be assumed that in this case, the two contactors are identical, and each comprise an internal or external moving part such as (10) respectively (11), which is associated with the movements of the contacts themselves, controlled by the excitation of an electromagnet; this moving part can be

  for example the contact carrier, a finger, or a groove thereof.

  The distance separating these two contactors results, for example, from the fact that the plates (2) or (3, 4) are occupied by other devices (39) or (38), or that one of the contactors, for example (9) was installed after delivery of the equipment. A housing (12) of which an exemplary constitution is visible in FIG. 2, contains a first latch (13) constituted by a first lever (14) pivoting about a fixed axis (15) and having, on the one hand, a movable arm (16) terminated by one end (17) and on the other hand an association arm (18) provided with first connecting means such as a notch (19) accessible and movable through an opening (20) the housing; a second latch (21) constituted by a second lever (22) pivoting about a fixed axis

  (23) and having on the one hand a movable arm (24) terminated by one end

  mité (25), and on the other hand an association arm (26) provided with second connection means (27) accessible by an opening (28)

of the case.

  The ends (17 and 25) are placed in the vicinity 1'-

  one of the other when the two levers are in their rest position (R13, R21) shown in this figure; these levers can not oscillate independently of each other because of the respective position of their axis and that of their end in known manner, because if one of the levers takes a working position such that (T13 ) illustrated in dotted lines, the other can not

  to maintain its rest position (R21) and vice versa.

  Consequently, if the two means of connection are mechani-

  and respectively connected to movable members of two contactors, suitably, only one of these contactors can take a working state, the other can only remain

  in a state of rest. In the vicinity of the opening (28) of the bowl

  tier (12), or in it, is fixed a first end (29) of a flexible sheath (30) having a second end (31), the latter having hooking means (32), suitable for s associate with a device (9). A cable (33) is placed in this sheath so that it can slide there freely and has a first end (34) and a second end (35), the first end being fixed to the connecting means (27) of the arm (26). of the lever (22) while the second end (35) is fixed for example to a slide (18 ') which is movable in (32) and comprises for example a coupling notch (19') adapted to cooperate

with the moving part (11).

  Referring to Figure 1, it can be seen that the box

  tier (12) is placed in the vicinity of the contactor (8) and this

  such that the removable housing (12) is fixed

  on the body (37) of the switch (8) is in its immediate vicinity on the plate (2), the movable part (10) is associated with (19), see also Figure 2; the attachment means (32) are themselves associated with the body (36) of the contactor (9) for -6-

mate (11) and (19 ').

  When the contactor (9) is excited and is in its working state, the movable member (11) pulls on the cable (33) which transmits its movement to the second latch to give it a position (T21), and consequently, the contactor (8) can not

  to take up his work because of the impossibility of

  ter in which is located the first lock (13) which remains in

position (R13).

  When the contactor (8) is excited before the contactor (9) and a movement of the movable part (11) of the contactor (9) is biased by an internal electromagnet, this moving part can not move because the lock (22) being unable to pivot, due to the application of the end (25) to the end (17), the cable (33) is subjected to a non-elastic tension

  which prevents any displacement of its second end (35).

  The flexibility of the sheath and that of the cable, which constitutes

  kill a flexible transmission, allow to circulate them easily between devices (38) possibly placed

  between the contactors (8 and 9), this sheath and cable constitute

  killing the flexible transmission identified by (30j.

  In the installation example (1 ') shown in FIG. 3, the contactor (9') is of a larger size and size than those of the contactor (8 '), and furthermore the path the sheath (30 ') has more bends; in the latter case, it is more advisable to place a housing (12 ') equivalent to that described in (12) in the vicinity of the contactor of lower caliber (8'), and the attachment means (32 ') in the vicinity of the contactor (9 ') so that the friction forces appearing

  during the movement of the cable (33 ') in the sheath are easily

  overcome by the contactor having a stronger electromagnet. However, it is also possible to realize an installation (1 ") having a device for interlocking between two contactors (8" and 9 "), see FIG. 4, comprising a housing (12") receiving latches similar to the latches (13, 21) connected by two flexible transmissions (39, 40) and

  two attachment means (41, 42) particular to each individual member

  bile (43, 44) of the contactors (see also Figure 5).

  This embodiment makes it possible to share between the two contactors the friction forces to be overcome when the distance

  separating them is too important for the electromagnet

  one of them can undergo without disadvantage the friction developed in a single transmission of great length such as that shown in Figure 1. 1

  Obviously, it is also possible to

  similar to those just described by means of flexible transmissions (39 ', - 40') comprising flexible cables and sheaths capable of transmitting compressive forces to produce the movement of latches (13 ", 21"); ") placed in a housing (12" '), see Figure 6, these cables are however much more expensive, which makes them prefer traction cables.If necessary, we can even consider using cables and ducts flexible (39 ", 40") adapted to transmit to and from a locking device (12 "") a rotation torque as shown in Figure 7. However, efforts to

  transmit in this way produce bending and rubbing

  additional features that are less suitable for performing the function than the previous solutions. In these FIGS. 6 and 7, the organs having the same functions carry reference marks comparable to those of FIG. 5, but accompanied by indices

  (') (") ("') and respectively ("" ') additional.

  The means of association between the first ends of the cable and the locks, or between the second ends and the moving parts of the locking devices, can appeal

  to means known per se to allow the adjustment of the length

  cable according to the position of the locks and the position of the moving parts; we will give a preference to the means

  which gives this association good reliability for sup--

  carrying the large number of maneuvers to which the device can be subjected, for example by bending the portion (46) of one end (47) of a flexible cable (53) which is provided by means of a screw (48) placed at the end of a curved surface (49) of the lock (53) on which this end is wound, as can be seen in FIG. 8, where the association arm

  (26) of FIG. 2 is here represented by a cylindrical surface

  drique (50) coaxial with the pivot (23) having a passing tangent F

by the axis XX 'of the sheath (51).

  In any case, a weak return spring such as (52) shown in FIG. 8, can be used to give the latch (53) a rest position defined by a fixed or adjustable stop (54) of the housing. when the cable (58) is no longer taut; a slight extra cable run {58) in the direction of the

  arrow (G), which may be necessary to obtain this posi-

  when the associated contactor will be in its

  rest, may be given at the time of adjustment, for example at

  using the hollow stop screw (55) adjustable along the axis XXV in the housing (56) to produce an appropriate displacement of the

sheath (51).

  When interlocks must concern more than two devices, such as contactors (57, 58, 59) visible in FIG. 9, or for example the contactor (57) must not be able to assume its working state unless the two contactors (58 and 59) are each in their own rest state, can be arranged in a housing (60) three latches (61, 62, 63) respectively associated with the movable members of these contactors by transmissions

  flexible (64, 65, 66) similar to the previous ones.

  By way of nonlimiting example, FIG. 10 represents a possible embodiment of the locking box (60) in which each lock is associated with a particular cable (67, 68, 69) by a device comparable to that of FIG. 8, but o two identical latches (62, 63) are arranged side by side and pivot on the same axis (70) so that their ends (71, 72) can cooperate with an end (73) of the latch (61) which has a width "a" such that the tilting of one of these two locks (62, 63) or all of these two locks produces its immobilization. The operation of this locking device is reversible since if the latch (61) has been moved by the device (57) none of the devices (58) or (59)

can take his work state.

  In the case where the execution of the lock function

  of a device (74) in the state of rest and visible in the figure

  It requires two other devices (75, 76) to be simultaneously

  in their working state, provision may be made for

  particular locking mechanism (77), of which an exemplary embodiment

  non-limiting example is shown. In this figure, the levers

  (78, -79 and 80) are respectively associated with

  said apparatuses by flexible transmissions (81, 82, 83).

  A lever (79) is pivoted at (84) in the housing, and

  has an association device (85) with the cable (86)

  logue to that of Figure 8; this first lever which can perform an angular movement of amplitude ok, from its rest position (shown in this figure) when the apparatus (75) is excited in its working state, comprises at one end (87) a articulation (88) around which oscillates a second lever (80), which can perform an angular movement of amplitude 6 from its rest position (shown in this figure),

  when the apparatus (76) is energized in its working position.

  This amplitude e is here measured with respect to the axis YY 'passing

by (84) and (88).

  Lever (80) which represents a first lock for

  preventing the movement of a second pivoting latch (78), comprising

  on the one hand, at its end (93) a spout (89) whose surface

  active (90) is substantially perpendicular to an axis ZZ 'of the

  (80) passing through the hinge (88) and on the other hand, a

  positive association (91) with a cable (92) of the transmission

  flexible (83), which is similar to the association device (85).

  When the apparatuses (75 and 76) are both in their working state, the movements transmitted to the lever and to the first latch by (82 and 83) add up geometrically and bring this moving element into the position T8t shown in dotted line, this position being obtained whatever the order

  movements of the pieces (79 and 80).

  The second latch (78), pivoted (94) in the housing and associated with the cable (95) of the flexible transmission (81) by a device (96) similar to the preceding, is formed by a lever having an end (97) moving from a rest position Ts illustrated in the figure; this end (97) is facing the surface (90) when the lever (79) and the first

  latch (80) are in position T S so that a rotation of am-

  the second lock in the clockwise direction is prevented, if traction is transmitted by the flexible transmission (81), thus preventing the apparatus (74)

to take a state of work.

- 10 -

  This type of locking, performing at the same time a logical function AND, is not reciprocal insofar as it

  allows for separate or simultaneous work

  similar (75 and 76) when the apparatus (74) is previously placed in its working state corresponding to the position Tu of the second latch (78) shown in dotted lines after execution of the angular stroke y. Springs (98, 99 and 100) as well as respective stops (101, 102 103) make it possible to fix the positions of

  rest of the corresponding parts (79, 80 and 78).

  Another embodiment of a lock casing

  the same function as the previous one, and visible

  FIGS. 12 and 13 use the addition properties of

  Differential device using as an example

bevel gears.

  A lock (78 ') identical to the preceding latch (78), see FIG. 12, is here placed in a casing (77') and pivots

  around an axis (94 ') thanks to its association with the transmission

  flexible connection (81 '). A second axis (104) parallel to the previous one carries two bevel gears (105 and 106) each having a means of association (107) respectively (108) with cables placed in the flexible transmissions (109) and respectively (110), these means of association being similar to those of the

figure 8.

  Between these two gears is disposed another lock (111)

  which pivots about the axis (104) and presents on the one hand a first

  first end (112) placed in the vicinity of the end (97 ') of the latch (78) in a manner similar to that shown in FIG.

  2, and on the other hand a cylindrical extension (113) perpendicular

  axis (104) on which is rotatably mounted a third

  second bevel gear (114) meshing with the two gears

(106, 107).

  As best seen in Figure 13, the end (112)

  latch (111) is placed at a distance "b" from the end

  mity (97 ') whose value is such that this lock will describe an angular stroke S in the direction of clockwise for said end comes into a position preventing the lock (78') to rotate in the opposite direction. This race i will be achieved if the movements of moving parts associated with

  gears (106, 107) by the flexible transmissions have given simul-

  temporarily or separately to these gears clean rotations of the same direction. Here again the movement of the latch (111), and thus the setting to the working state of the external devices (not shown) which provoke it, must precede a possible movement of the latch (78 ') (which would be solicited by the flexible transmission ( 81 ')) so that

  the locking device works. In addition, the provision

  sitive is not reversible because a prior movement of the latch (78 ') counter-clockwise does not prevent the latch (111) from performing a fraction of its stroke. conferred on the devices described in FIGS.

  12, 13 by additional organs carried or not by a lock.

  Thus, a lever (115) pivoting about an axis (116) of the housing (77) of FIG. 11 could place a first end (117) facing (89) to prevent its movement when a second end (118) would be raised by the latch (78) in the Tu position, see Figure 14, this provision requiring that the latch (80) is unidirectionally linked with the lever (79) which carries it by a stop (119) of (80 ) cooperating with a support (120) of (79). It will again be noted that the independence of the movements communicated to the latch (80) with respect to the movements communicated to the lever (79) is due to the fact that the articulation (88)

  moves faintly on both sides of a line XX 'which

  the axis of the end of the flexible transmission (83) in the housing and that the pivot (84) is placed in the vicinity

from XX '.

  If an extension (121) located at the end (97) of the latch (78 ') of Figure 13 and having a length substantially

  equal to the distance "b", is placed opposite the

  (112) only when the latch (111) is in position

  rest position Rz and that said latch (78 ') is in a position Tv corresponding to the working state of the apparatus associated therewith, a movement of the latch (111) to its position Tw will be prevented and the flexible transmissions (109, 110) will operate a

  locking the other two devices.

  It goes without saying that we can still bring variants

  both the installation system described and the locking device

lage itself.

- 1.2 -

  Thus, if different housings such as (12, 60 etc.) and hooking means such as (32) have been shown directly contiguous or fixed on an electrical device,

  particularly on contactors, these boxes and means of ac-

  in the immediate vicinity of these contactors or electrical appliances with similar functions, that is to say devices performing the cut and the

  closing of circuits by manual means such as

  as a result of the appearance of overloads such as circuit breakers; the locking box may itself have two moving parts that can move for example parallel and cooperate with a third oscillating or sliding intermediate piece to establish a locking of one of the two moving parts. In all cases the locking device will be removable and include at least one flexible transmission to control the movement of at least one lock by a

  movable device of cutoff device. Moreover, it is still pos-

  sible to have one of the two locks

  relay magnet whose frame would only be used for this purpose, this electromagnet could in turn be placed on

the case or even in it.

  Finally, the lock functions could also

  use time delay devices so that

  rusting occurs during chronological events or according to

well-defined sequences.

  These timers could in turn be placed away from a lock box, either against it or inside to control or control the movements of a

lock.-

- 13 -

Claims (13)

  1. Device for locking the movements of at least two moving parts respectively placed in two independent and remote electrical appliances, this device comprising in a removable housing a first movable lock connected to the movement of a first movable part and a second lock connected to the movement of a second moving part, these latches being placed relative to each other so that at least when the first latch is in a first working position, the second latch can move and remains in a second rest position and that eventually, when the second latch is in a second working position, the first latch can not   move and remains in a first rest position, characterized   in that at least one of the two locks (13, 21) is connected   a movable member (10, 11) of at least one device (8) each   (9) via a flexible transmission (30 ') having a first end (29) fixed to the housing (12) and   a second end (31) connected to a device (9).   2. Locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that each latch (13, 21) both contained in the same housing (12 ") is associated with a particular flexible transmission (39) respectively (40) resulting in a device   particular (8 ") respectively (9").   3. Locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least three locks (61, 62, 63) are arranged in the same housing (60) and that at least one of these   locks is associated by a flexible transmission (64) respectively   (65) respectively (66) to a particular apparatus (57)   respectively (58) respectively (59).   4.Locking device according to one of the claims   1 to 3, characterized in that the flexible transmission (30 ') comprises a flexible cable (33) which is housed in a flexible sheath (30) and works indifferently in traction, compression or torsion. Locking device according to claim 4, characterized in that one end (47) of cable (58) is associated by winding (46) with a curved surface (50) carried by a pivoting latch (53), this surface having a tangent F passing through a   axis XX 'along which this end moves. 2480993   6. Locking device according to one of the claims   1 to 5, characterized in that latches (61, 62, 63)   respectively (78, 80) respectively (111, 78 ') are arranged in   a single box to operate locks that perform the execution   logical operations to be performed by devices (74, 75,   76) respectively connected to these locks.   7. Locking device according to claim 6, characterized in that a housing (60) for performing a logic function or comprises two latches (62, 63) pivoted on the same axis (70) whose ends (71, 72) cooperate with a   same end (73) of a third latch (61).   8. Locking device according to claim 6 characterized in that a first latch (80) is mounted by a hinge (88) at the end of a lever (79) pivoting, two flexible transmissions (83) respectively (82). ) being associated with the first latch and the lever so that the respective angular displacements TP and \ communicated by these transmissions add up and place an end (90) of the first latch in   the path traveled by one end (97) of a second pivotal latch voting (78).   9. Locking device according to claim 6 characterized in that a first latch (111) pivoting, cooperating with a second pivoting latch (78 ') carries a bevel gear (114) cooperating with two bevel gears (105, 106) performing elementary rotations by respective association with two   flexible transmissions (109) respectively (110).   10. Electrical installation employing a device   locking device according to one of claims 1 to 9,   characterized in that said installation (1) (1 ') (1 ") (1"' ') comprises a frame (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) receiving at least two electrical appliances (8, 9 ), (8 ', 9') (57, 58, 59) spaced apart from each other between which must be established special locks that are made mechanically, so that one of these devices is maintained in a state of rest when at least one other apparatus is in a working state, a removable lock housing (12) (12 ') (60) (77) having internal latches (13, 21) (13') , 21 ') and at least one flexible transmission (30) of movement associated with these locks being fixed indifferently on the frame or on one of the apparatus of - 15 -   at least one of the movable members (10, 11) of these devices is   coupled to this flexible transmission.   11. Electrical installation according to claim 10, characterized in that the electrical devices comprise electromagnetically controlled switching devices such as manually operated contactors such as disconnectors or switches.   automatic control such as circuit breakers.   12. Electrical installation according to one of the claims   or 12, characterized in that the electrical appliances comprise   electro-magnets for relaying which a movable associated with a lock.   13. Electrical installation according to one of the claims   12 characterized in that the electrical apparatus comprises   timers with a moving organ associated with a lock.