FR2713393A1 - Electric switch with default trigger. - Google Patents

Abstract

It includes fixed contact means (51), moving contact means (5, 5a, 50) capable of taking up a working position and a rest position, an electrical fault detector (1, 2, 3, 14) reacting to a fault by setting itself to active position, and control means (6, 7, 20) for switching the said movable contact means in one or the other of the said positions. Releasable linking means (7b, 11, 11a) can selectively take up an engaged position, in which case they form a mechanical link between the said control means (6, 7, 20) and the said movable contact means (5, 5a, 50), and a tripped position, in which case the said movable contact means are mechanically decoupled from the said control means. These linking means in engaged position react to the setting of the fault detector (1 to 3, 14) in active position by putting themselves in tripped position.

Description

The present invention relates to a tripping electrical switch

  defect, of the type comprising: fixed contact means; movable contact means that can assume a working position, in which they cooperate electrically with the fixed contact means, and a rest position for which no electrical cooperation takes place; a lock mechanism, operable by manual control means for putting said movable contact means into one or other of said positions; resilient return means for biasing the movable contact means towards their rest position i and an electrical fault detector responsive to a fault by setting into operative position to trigger said lock mechanism and causing the return of said movable contact means to the rest position under the action of said elastic return means. Switches of this type are in particular differential switches, for example triggered by a relay controlled by a torus of

  Sensing sensitive to a differential current.

  The object of the invention is to propose a switch of this type which allows, on the one hand, rapid opening of the contacts in the event of a fault and, on the other hand, closure of the contacts under pressure independent of the lever or other actuating member. manual switch. Other objects of the invention are to provide a simple device architecture and facilitating assembly, to optimize the forces transmitted by the different parts of the mechanism, and to ensure visualization or detection

effective triggers.

  The first of these aims is achieved, in accordance with the invention, by the fact that the switch further comprises releasable connecting means that can take an interlocked position, for which they form a mechanical connection between said lock mechanism and said means. movable contact, and a triggered position, for which said movable contact means are mechanically released from said lock mechanism, and in that said engagement means in the engaged position responds to the active setting of the fault detector by setting

in the triggered position.

  Thus, at the occurrence of a defect, the movable contact means are mechanically decoupled from said lock mechanism and its control means, so that the switch is quickly placed in the open position by the action of the elastic means with the mobile contact means, only the own inertia of the contact means being able to limit the speed

  the opening of the electrical contact.

  Moreover, since their inertia no longer intervenes in the speed of opening of the switch in the event of a fault, the lock mechanism may have a high total mass and be associated with means for visualizing the trips or auxiliary devices detection. Advantageously, the lock mechanism is provided with own return means, arranged so as to urge it towards its rest position when it is mechanically decoupled from the moving contact means. Thanks to this feature, after triggering the switch on a fault, the mechanism of reinforcement automatically resumes

his rest position.

  Advantageously, the releasable connection means comprise: a ramp or abutment surface provided in the movable contact means, a retaining element integral with a part of said lock mechanism and capable of cooperating with said ramp, and a trigger element comprising a guiding surface, this element being able to assume an engaged position, for which said guiding surface holds said retaining element against said ramp, and a triggered position for which

  said guide surface is remote from said ramp.

  In order to achieve the second of the above goals, the switch can be provided with temporary stop means capable of taking an active position in which they interpose in the path of the movable contact means to their working position; elastic energy storage means for allowing the movement of the control means to their working position while the movable contact means are stopped and for storing the mechanical energy transmitted to said contact means; and means for inactive position of said stop means when said lock mechanism reaches the vicinity of its working position. Thanks to this use of temporary stop means that are erased when the lock mechanism reaches a position close to its working position, a high contact pressure is obtained as soon as the contacts are closed.

close to the service pressure.

  Advantageously, the temporary abutment means are provided with elastic return means urging them towards their active position, and the means serving to put inactive position the temporary abutment means comprise an integral element of the lock mechanism and arranged to separate said means of abutment. stop of their active position when the lock mechanism is at

  neighborhood of his working position.

  Advantageously, in the interlocked position of the connecting means, said lock mechanism forms, in cooperation with the movable contact means and said elastic moving contact return means, a bistable mechanical system whose two stable positions, known as work and rest positions. , respectively correspond to the positions of

  work and rest of said mobile contact means.

  Other features and benefits of

  the invention will appear on reading the description which

  will follow several embodiments of the invention,

  description made with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

  - Figures 1 to 3 show schematically different functional positions of a fault-triggering electrical switch, according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4 is a partial schematic partial view of the switch of FIGS. 1 to 3, in the position of FIG. 2; - Figure 5 is a partial exploded view of the switch shown in Figures 1 & 4, according to a particular embodiment of the invention; - Figure 6 is an exploded view complementing Figure 5; FIGS. 7 to 10 are diagrammatic views in vertical section in elevation of the assembly formed by the parts of FIG. 6, these views showing different positions of the control and moving contact means, according to a particular embodiment of the invention. 'invention; - Figures 11 to 15 show schematically different functional positions of a fault-triggering electric switch, according to a second embodiment of the invention; - Figures 16a and 16b are partial exploded views of the device shown schematically in Figures 11 to 15, according to one embodiment of the invention; - Figure 17 is an exploded view complementing Figures 16a and 16b; and FIGS. 18 to 21 are diagrammatic views in vertical section in elevation of the assembly formed by the parts of FIG. 17, these views showing different positions of the control and moving contact means, according to

  an embodiment of the invention.

  Figures 1 & 4 schematically show a differential circuit breaker having a movable contact 50, a fixed contact 51, control means and fault triggering means, which will be described later. The words "movable and fixen" are considered here with respect to the frame (not shown) of the switch.In FIGURE 1, the switch is shown in the initial position - or in rest position -, contacts 50, 51 open. a relay 1, which constitutes a trip device in the event of differential electrical faults occurring on the circuit controlled by the switch, the relay I is held in the reset position, supported by a spring 2, via a resetting lever 3 articulated at 3a on the frame of the apparatus.This lever 3 itself bears on a stop 4 of a slider 5 operatively connected to the movable contact 50 by means which

  will be described later with reference to Figures 6 to 10.

  The slider 5 is mounted on the vertical sliding frame, according to Figures 1 & 3, by means not shown, and it is subjected to the action of elastic return means tending to move it upwardly of these figures. These return means are shown schematically in FIGS. 1 and 3 in the form of a

  powerful spring 5a, ensuring the contact pressure.

  The lock mechanism comprises a handle 6, hinged about an axis 6a on the frame, capable of being mechanically connected to the slider 5 via a rod - or connecting rod - 7, one end 7a of which is articulated on the lever 6 and whose other end 7b is capable of acting on a shoulder I1l provided on the slide 5 and opening into an oblique guide groove 11a of the slide 5 in which the end 7b can retract when it escapes

the shoulder 11.

  A position indicator of the contacts 8, articulated about an axis 8a on the frame, is displaced angularly, during the vertical displacement of the slider 5, by the action of an end 8b of an extension 8c of said indicator B. L end 8b slides in an oblique groove 9 of the slide 5. The indicator 8 indicates, through a window 10, the position (closed or open) of the contacts

, 51 of the switch.

  As shown in particular in FIG. 3, the switch shown furthermore comprises a differential defect display device comprising a pawl 16 cooperating with an attachment element 17 of a differential release indicator 18 mounted rotatably about an axis. which is preferably aligned with the axis 8a of the indicator 8. A return spring 19 biases the differential release indicator 18 in the direction

anti-clockwise (according to Figure 3).

  The switch just described operates in the following manner. Starting from the open position (FIG. 1), the contacts 50, 51 are closed by a manual action on the handle 6 in the anti-clockwise direction which moves it from the position of FIG. 1 to that of FIG. During this action, the rod 7 is supported by its end 7b on the shoulder 11 of the slider 5 to move the latter down against the return means 5a. Throughout the duration of this movement, the end 7b is held in abutment on the shoulder 11 by the right edge 12a of the substantially vertical portion 12b of a square-shaped groove 12 formed in a room, called ' trigger '13, which is mounted

  rotating on the frame about an axis 13a.

  The trigger 13 is itself locked in its position, called the "engaged position", in which it is represented in FIGS. 1 and 2, by a pawl in the form of a half-moon 14 rotatably mounted about an axis 14a on the

  chassis, and associated with a return spring 14b.

  The closed position of the contacts 50, 51 is accomplished when the movement of the handle 6 is stopped by a closing end stop (not shown). At this moment, the position of the slider 5 corresponds to the closed state of the contacts 50, 51

(Figure 2).

  During the closing action of the contacts of the switch, the extension Bc of the indicator 8 is moved to the left by the oblique groove 9 of the slider 5, so that the indicator 8 moves to the right in front of the window 10, giving, at the end of this action, an indication of the closed position of the contacts

(Figure 2).

  In the event of a differential defect occurring while the trigger 13 is in the engaged position, and the slider 5 is in the low position - or working position - corresponding to the closed state of the contacts 50, 51 <position of FIG. 2 ), the relay 1 acts on the lever 3 which is free to pivot downwards, the stop 4 having been erased. During this movement, the lever 3 rotates the clapper 14, freeing the latching of the trigger 13 which is then free to rotate about the axis 13a, clockwise, under the pressure of the end 7b of the connecting rod 7, end exerting a force

  f (FIG. 4) on the guiding edge 12a of the groove 12.

  The end 7b is, in fact, itself pushed upwards by the shoulder 11 of the slide 5 lul-meme submitted &

  the action of the return means 5a (Figure 3).

  The trigger 13 thus takes the so-called triggered position 'shown in FIG. 3, for which the guiding edge 12a is obliterated, which has the consequence of allowing the end 7b of the rod 7 to slide along a oblique edge lib extending downward the shoulder 11 of the groove 11a, as well as along the substantially horizontal portion 12c of the square groove 12, and

  to allow the slider 5 to return to the high position -

  or rest position - corresponding to the open state of

contacts 50, 51.

  The angle of inclination of the edge lib of the groove 11a, as well as that of the portion 12c of the groove 12 are chosen so that, at the moment when the guide edge 12a is erased in front of the end 7b, 11 has an optimal mechanical disconnection between the coullsseau 5, the connecting rod 7 and the

trigger 13.

  Thanks to these provisions, the upward movement of the sled 5 can be carried out very quickly because the slider 5 is at that moment decoupled mechanically from all the other parts of the control mechanism, so that it is slowed down by the inertia and the friction forces of none of the parts, in movement at that moment, of the control mechanism of the interrupter, except the own inertia of this slider 5 and the friction forces

to which this one is subject.

  Indicator 8 is returned to its original position

  by the oblique groove 9 of the slider 5.

  The display of the trip on default is performed automatically in the following manner * during rotation, the trigger 13 acts on the pawl 16 which releases the latching element 17 of the differential tripping indicator 18 which, in turn , moves

  in front of the window 10 under the action of the spring 19.

  When the slider 5 reaches the vicinity of its high position, the lever 3 is returned to the reset position by the action of the stop 4. The lever 6 also returns to its initial position (which is that of FIG. pivoting caused by the action of a properly sized return spring 20, until said handle 6 meets an opening limit stop (not shown). This reset to the initial position of the handle 6 is accompanied by the return to the starting position (position of Figure 1) of the other parts of the control mechanism of the switch, and in particular that of the trigger 13 under the action of a return spring 22, such as a torsion spring as shown in Figures 4 and 5. It should be noted that the differential indicator 18 is returned to the starting position by a new operation of the lever 6, a component of which 6b actuation (FIG. 2)

  acts on a lever 21 of this indicator 18.

  Figure 4 shows the trigger 13 in the engaged position, while the contacts 50, 51 are closed. As can be seen in this figure, the force acting lever arm L defined above and the lever arm L2 of the force acting on the pawl 14 are chosen so as to sufficiently multiply the transmitted forces. by the return means 5a to the pawl 14 of the release 13, via the slider 5, the shoulder 11, the end 7b of the rod 7, and the edge 12a of the groove 12. This reduction allows to limit the force required to trip on the switch fault at the differential relay 1, without

  there is a need for Intermediate parts or references.

  The spring 22 associated with the trigger 13, which is preferably a torsion spring as shown schematically in FIGS. 4 and 5, is suitably sized and arranged to allow play 23 (FIG. 1) essential for rearming the pawl 14. The spring 22 contributes also, by an adequate dosage of its force, to reduce the force exerted on the hooking between trigger

13 and ratchet 14.

  The end 7b of the rod 7, the groove 11a of the slider 5, and the trigger 13 provided with the groove 12 together form a releasable mechanical connection device capable of mechanically coupling and uncoupling the slider 5 and the control mechanism 3 , 6, 7, 11 to 14. When this connecting device 7b, 11a, 13 is in the active position - or engaged - (position corresponding to the engaged position of the trigger 13 as represented in FIGS. 1 and 2), it allows to the control mechanism 3, 6, 7, 11 to 14 to form, with the slider 5 provided with its elastic return means 5a, a bistable mechanical system whose stable positions correspond, respectively, to the open positions (Figure 1) and closed

(FIG. 2) contacts 50, 51.

  On the other hand, when the connecting device 7b,

  lia, 13 is in the disengaged - or inactive - position

  (Figure 3), the control mechanism 3, 6, 7, 11 to 14 is, thanks in particular to the return spring 20 of the handle 6, a mechanical system monostable tending to return

  at its position shown in Figure 1.

  The control mechanism 3, 6, 7, 11 i 14 of the switch which has just been described has the advantage of requiring only a small number of parts, while integrating the possibility of carrying out additional functions such as the display of the differential fault trip (performed by the elements 16 to 19) or the indication of the position of the contacts (carried out by the

elements 8 and 9).

  FIG. 5 shows the arrangement of the parts of the control mechanisms and ancillary functions sandwiched between two plates 52 and 53 which are kept fixed.

  to one another via spacers 54.

  The limited number of parts and the arrangement thereof between the two plates 52, 53 allow easy automation of the assembly, all the parts being mounted in a preferred direction on one of the plates, for example the plate 52 serving as mounting base. The arrangement shown is particularly adapted to the case where the mobile contact or contacts are substantially parallel to the base of the device

away from the controller.

  FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the part providing the "contact" function of the differential switch, this part being represented only very schematically in FIGS. 1 & 4. This part, represented in FIGS. quick closure of the contacts, that is to say the very fast movement of the movable contact (s) towards the fixed contact (s), with a very high contact pressure obtained from the beginning of the closing. This device can be advantageously associated with the device according to Figures 1 to 5, but it can also be independently mounted on any other switch. In the example shown, this function is provided by two movable contact blades 100 (see also Figures 7 to 10) which are placed substantially horizontally in a base 101 forming part of the frame of the switch. This arrangement of the contact blades 100 limits the path traveled by the current, which allows a reduction of the sections of the various conductive elements while maintaining an acceptable level of heating. Each of the blades 100 is mounted in the base 101 so as to be able to move substantially vertically, that is to say transversely to its plane, and to be able to pivot within a certain angular limit around its end 100a opposite to that 100b carrying the movable contact 50 (see Figure 7). The base 101 houses a breaking chamber which is equipped, as is known, with arc extinguishing elements, such as tension holding plates 102 and deionization plates 103. Connection terminals 104 are placed on the and other of the

breaking room.

  A temporary stop member 105 is mounted on the base 101, above the contact blades 100, so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis. The element 105, which is returned to a rest position by a spring not shown, is intended to cooperate with the blades 100 which are each provided with a notch 106 whose role

will be explained later.

  The interrupting chamber is closed by a cover 107, snapped onto the base 101 ensuring the compression

  contact springs 108 each associated with a blade 100.

  The cover 107 also carries supports 109 for the fixed contacts 51, as well as other pieces of

  switch which are not shown in Figure 6.

  A contact carrier spring 110 acts on a contact carrier 111 which is mounted in the base 101 and rotates about a horizontal axis. As will be explained below, the spring 110 cooperating with the contact springs 108 is intended to increase the speed of opening of the movable contacts in the event of fault triggering. The operation of the various elements of FIG 6 will now be described with reference to FIGS 7 to 10. FIG 7 shows the position "open contacts" of the device By acting on the operating member (handle 6) of the switch differential, it causes the displacement of the control slider 5 (Figures I to 4), which causes the plunger of the contact holder 111 to turn clockwise (FIG. 8). During this pivoting, the contact carrier 111 acts, by a cam surface 112, on the blades 100 at a midpoint thereof, in order to move them upwards against the springs 108. The ends 100a of the blades 100 resting on a stop 101a of the base 101, the blades 100 perform a rotational movement around their end a, movement tending to bring their end 10Ob closer to the associated fixed contact 51. The blades 100 are stopped in this rotational movement, shortly before the closure of the contacts 51, by a stop 113 placed on the temporary stop element 105. At this precise moment, the latter is rotated in the anti-clockwise direction by a cam surface 114 of the contact holder 111. In this phase of the 9 which corresponds to FIG. 9, the blades 100 rotate around the cam surface 112 by compressing their spring 108. If the control lever 6 is continued to act, the rotation of the element 105 continues until the stops 113 are in front of the notches 106 of the blades 100 and penetrate therein causing the closing of the contacts (Figure 10). The contact springs 108 provide from this moment a contact pressure close to the operating pressure. In addition, thanks to the return action of the springs 108 and 110 tending to rotate the contact holder 111 in the anti-clockwise direction, and thus to urge the slide 5 upwards, the locking mechanism of the control mechanism is ensured. 3, 6, 7, 11 to 14 in its second stable position (or working position), while bringing the movable contact blades 100 to their position

service (or work).

  FIGS. 11 to 15, 16a and 16b show another embodiment of a differential switch which, like the one just described, allows rapid closing and opening of the contacts, and in which the contact pressure at the moment closing contacts

  is high and close to the service pressure.

  Figure 11 shows schematically the switch in the reset position, open contacts. The relay 1 is held in the reset position by a spring 200 via a reset lever 201 and a stop 202 of a contact holder 203. The latter is mounted on

  the frame rotating about an axis 203a.

  By actuating the handle 6, the movable contact holder 203 is actuated by means of a first connecting rod 204, for example, in the form of a stirrup, articulated to a second connecting rod 205, itself articulated, & close to the point of articulation with the first connecting rod to a third connecting rod 206, until the end of the lever 6 and closure of the movable contacts 214 and fixed 215 (Figure 13). A position indicator of the contacts 207, driven by an oblique groove 208 of the contact carrier 203, indicates the closed position of the contacts through a window 209 on a cover (not shown) of the frame of the apparatus. The rod 206, doubly bent to form remote end branches on either side of the central lever arm, bears on a central shoulder 210 of the portecontacts 203 and is held in position by a guide surface 211, profile concave, a trigger 212, articulated on the hunting 212a and itself blocked by a ratchet 213 in the form of half-moon recalled in

  locking position by a weak spring (not shown).

  The contact holder 203 has an arm 203b which pushes down a strong return spring (not shown)

  which solicits him in the direction of contact opening.

  The hinge 212a is not very far from the shoulder

210 of the contact holder 203.

  During the closing phase (FIG. 12), just before the movable 214 and fixed 215 contacts are touching, the contact holder 203 is stopped in its rotation by a temporary stop member 216 in the form of a lever, rotatable around it of the axis of rotation 6a of the lever 6. By continuing to act on the handle 6, a mechanical energy storage spring 217 is compressed by the combined movement of the rods 204 & 206 and by

  via a return lever 218 hinged at 218a.

  Just before the handle 6 reaches its extreme position (or working position), an actuating relief 224 of said handle 6 rotates the temporary stop member 216 so that the contact holder 203 is released. This makes it possible to have almost instantaneously, when the contacts 214, 215 close, a contact pressure close to the operating pressure and coming from the compression of the spring 217, transmitted by the connecting rods 205, 206. In the event of a differential defect ( 14), the relay 1 acts on the reset lever 201 which rotates the pawl 213, releasing the nozzle 212b of the trigger 212 located at the free end of the trigger, which can then, against its weak return spring 223, turn counterclockwise under the pressure of the connecting rod 206 pushed by the shoulder 210 of the contact holder 203. By its end 206a, the connecting rod 206 escapes by sliding against the guide surface 211 the trigger 212, allowing the contact holder 203 to return to the "open contacts" position under the influence of the return spring acting on the arm 203b without being slowed down by any one of the elements of the control mechanism 6, 201, 204 206 and 211 to 213. The rotary indicator 207 is returned to its initial position by the rainureoblique 208 of contact carrier 203 which causes an arm 207a

of the indicator.

  During rotation, the trigger 212 raises, by a relief 212c, a sliding differential release indicator 220 and the indicator 220 normally blocked by a spout 220a against a fixed stop 219 against which the pushes its return spring 221, moves in front of a window 222. In its displacement, the indicator 220 causes in the anti-clockwise direction a connecting piece 226 pivoting about an axis 226a which allows the transmission of the rotational movement to a usual auxiliary device that can be coupled to the Differential Switch. The connecting piece 226, which is connectable to an auxiliary device, through a light in the wall of the switch housing, is driven until a ramp 220b of the indicator 220 encounters a fixed relief 220c, which raises the indicator and releases the piece 226. However if the auxiliary apparatus is present, its mechanism, coupled to the piece 226, prohibits the return thereof, which otherwise would have occurred under the effect of its recall means elastic 226b, and this as long as the user will not rearm the auxiliary device. In this position the piece 226 prevents the return to the rest position of the pawl 213, so that the manual reset of the switch according to the invention is prevented, because the guiding surface 211 always allows the end 206a to escape. the connecting rod

  206 out of reach of the contact carrier.

  Once the auxiliary device is reset (if present), the piece 226 has been returned to its initial position, releasing the arm 213a from the pawl 213, and the user can then reset the switch, causing the clockwise rotation of the indicator 207, which pushes the differential tripping indicator 220 up to the hooking behind the stop 219 and the support of the end or spout 226c of the connecting piece 226. IF the auxiliary apparatus is not present, it is the elastic return means 226b

  who will have brought the piece 226 back to the rest position.

  The lever 6 returns to the open position (rest) under the action of its return spring 20, allowing the replacement of all the parts of the control mechanism 201, 204 to 206 and 211 & 213 as shown in FIG. 11. The differential trip indicator 220, if it has been actuated, is reset, as we have seen, by the next engagement of the lock mechanism by the rotation of the position indicator of the

contacts 207.

  The dimensioning of the lever arms L3, L4 and L5 (FIG. 15) enables the forces transmitted by contact springs to be multiplied sufficiently (shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 11 to 15 in the form of a spring 225 interposed between the contact-carrier 203 and the contact 214) through the shoulder 210 of the contact carrier 203 to limit the force required to trip on the switch fault, by the differential relay 1, without

  there is a need for Intermediate parts or removals.

  The spring 223, acting on the trigger 212, contributes, by a suitable dosage of its force, to reduce the force exerted on the hooking between trigger 212 and ratchet

213.

  This arrangement ensures optimal use of forces, in which the connecting rod 206 is supported by the contact carrier at a point 206a located on a geometrical radius of the contact holder 203 which is almost perpendicular to the connecting rod 206, which makes the best use of the thrust of the 217 spring amplified by the lever 218 in a position forming an obtuse angle with the rods 205, 206, promoting a fairly high consistency of the thrust from the

spring 217.

  In this position the rods 205 and 206 are almost aligned and the force supported by the connecting rod 204 is low. FIGS. 16a and 16b show, by exploded views, the main elements of the embodiment of FIGS. 11 to 15, mounted on either side of a plate 227 which makes it possible to separate on either side of a median plane of the apparatus, represented by the plate, a lock mechanism space (Fig 16a) and a trigger space

(Fig 16b).

  FIG. 17 represents the moving contact mechanism elements which are represented only very schematically by the elements 203, 214 and 225 in FIGS. 11 to 14, this mechanism possibly being independent of

  device described in Figures 11 to 16.

  Moving contact blades 214 are placed vertically in the base 301 of the apparatus so as to clear a location for a differential current measuring element 302. The interrupting chamber is equipped with arc extinguishing elements which is created when contacts open. In the example shown in FIG. 17, these extinguishing elements are constituted by plates of

  maintaining voltage 303 and deionization plates 304.

  Terminals 305 are placed on the one hand above the breaking chamber and on the other hand

  below the measuring devices 302.

  Preferably, temporary stop elements 306 are placed above a contact holder 203 and cooperate with notches 308 formed in the blades.

  214 and with tabs 309 of the contact holder 203.

  A return spring 310 acts on the arm 203b of the contact holder 203. The contact pressure is provided by torsion springs 225, each blade 214 is equipped. One end 312 of each of the springs bears on the contact holder 203, while the middle part of each spring 225 is fixed to the associated blade 214 and the other end 311 of the spring 225 bears. on the base 301. The operation of the device which has just been described will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 17 to 21. The mechanism being in its rearmed position, open contacts, as represented in FIG. 18, acting on the 6 of the switch, it causes the rotation of the contact holder 203 which causes in its movement the blades 214 until they are stopped, shortly before the closure of the contacts, by a tongue 313 provided on the elements of temporary stop 306 (FIG. 19). These latter elements are driven in translation by the tongues 309 of the contact holder 203. The blades 214, rotated by the tongues 313, compress the contact springs 225. When the tongues 313 are in front of the notches 308 of the blades 214 , the latter tilt around a cam surface 314 of the contact holder 203 (Figure 20). The contact springs 214 provide at this time a contact pressure close to the operating pressure. Continuing to act on the control lever 6 of the switch, it ensures the locking of the control mechanism in the working position while bringing the contact blades 214 to their working position (Figure 21).

Claims (14)

  1. Electric trip switch by default, of the type comprising fixed contact means; movable contact means (5, 50; 203, 214, 225) which can assume a working position, in which they electrically cooperate with the fixed contact means, and a rest position for which no electrical cooperation takes place; a lock mechanism (7, 13, 14; 204, 205, 206, 212, 218) operable by manual control means (6) for moving said movable contact means into one or other of said positions ; elastic return means for biasing the movable contact means towards their rest position; and an electric fault detector (1 to 3, 14) responding to a fault by setting itself in the active position to trigger said lock mechanism and causing the return of said movable contact means to the rest position under the action of said resilient means of return, characterized in that it comprises: - releasable connection means (7b, 11, 11a, 1b, 12, 12a, 12b, 12c, 13; 206a, 210 to 213) can take a locked position, for which they form a mechanical connection between said control means (6, 7, 20; 6, 20, 204 to 206) and said movable contact means (5, 50; 203, 214, 225), and a triggered position, for which said movable contact means are mechanically released from said control means (6, 7, 20; 6, 20, 204 to 206), and in that said engagement means in the engaged position respond to the active setting of the fault detector (1 to 3, 14) by moving into the tripped position; and / or temporary stop means (105, 113; 216, 306, 313) capable of taking an active position in which they interpose in the path of the movable contact means (100; 214) towards their working position ; resilient energy storage means (108; 217,312) for allowing the control means (6,7,20; 6,20,204-206) to continue moving to their working position while the means for moving contact (100; 214) are stopped and for storing the mechanical energy transmitted to said control means; and means (106, 114; 224, 308, 309) for setting said stop means to inactive position when said control means   reach the vicinity of their working position.   2. Switch according to claim 1 characterized in that the lock mechanism (6, 7, 20; 6,, 204 to 206) is provided with own biasing means (20) arranged to urge towards its rest position when it is mechanically decoupled from the means of contact mobile (5, 50; 203, 214, 225).   3. Switch according to any one of   claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the means for   Releasable links (7b, 11, 11a, 11b, 12, 12a, 12b, 12c, 13, 14; 206a, 210-213) comprise: an abutment surface (11; 210) provided in the movable contact means (5; 203), a retaining element (7b; 206a) integral with a piece (7; 206) of the lock mechanism and capable of cooperating with said abutment surface, and a trigger element (13; 212) having a surface of guide (12a; 211), which member can assume an engaged position, wherein said guide surface holds said retainer against said abutment surface, and a triggered position for which said   guiding surface is elongated from said abutment surface.   4. Switch according to claim 3, characterized in that the means for rendering inactive the temporary stop means (105, 113; 216, 306, 313) comprise an element (114; 224, 309) of the arranged control lock mechanism. to separate said stop means from their active position when the mechanism of   lock is in the vicinity of its working position.   5. Switch according to any one of   Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the means for   movable contact comprise at least one blade (100; 214), one end (100a) of which is subjected to the action of the elastic energy storage means (108; 225), a middle portion of which is subjected to the action (212; 314) of the lock mechanism and the other end of which travels, during movement of said blade to its working position, a path on which intervene (113 t 313)   said temporary stop means in the active position.   6. Switch according to any one of   claims I to 5, characterized in that, in   engaged with the connecting means (7b, 11, 11a, 11b, 12, 12a, 12b, 12c, 13; 206a, 210-213), the means of the lock mechanism (6, 7, 20; 6, 20, 204 & 206) form, in cooperation with the movable contact means (5, 50 t 203, 214, 225) and said elastic moving contact return means (Sa; 225), a bistable mechanical system whose two stable positions, called work and rest, respectively correspond to the working positions and   rest of the mobile means of contact.   7. Switch according to any one of   claims 1 & 6 characterized in that the mechanism of   lock comprises a control handle (6) recalled in the inactive position by a return spring (20) and articulated to a first connecting rod (204), itself articulated to a second connecting rod (205), the latter being articulated to a third connecting rod (206) near the point of articulation between the first and second connecting rods, said third connecting rod (206) being capable of pushing a shoulder (210) of the contact holder (203) in the contact closure direction, said second connecting rod (205) being articulated, at its end remote from the articulation with the first connecting rod, to a lever (218) subjected to the action of a powerful spring (217) maintaining a pressure in the direction of contact closure.   B 8. Switches according to claim 7, characterized in that the point of support of the end (206a) of said third connecting rod (206) against the shoulder (210) of the contact carrier (203) is located on a geometric radius the axis of rotation (203a) of said contact carrier is close enough to the perpendicular to the direction of said third and second connecting rods (206, 205) substantially aligned, said lever (218) making with said second connecting rod (205) at an obtuse angle.   9. Device according to one of claims 7 and   8 characterized in that said temporary stop means (216) is a lever articulated around the axis (6a) of said control lever (6) and whose free end cooperates with a hooking relief of the portecontacts (203). ), said handle (6) having a relief (224) capable of unlocking said lever (216) when it arrives nearby of his active position.   10. Switch according to any one of   Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a   contact position display indicator (207) movable in front of a window (209), pivotally driven by a drive surface (208) of the contact carrier (203).   11. Switch according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises a fault triggering display indicator (220) substantially sliding in front of a window (222), normally maintained in an inactive position by a fixed stop (219) against which the pushes an elastic means (221), and cooperating with a trigger element (212) which releases it from said stop in case of triggering of the device, means (207) allowing its rearming in the inactive position during the   manual reset of the switch.   12. Switch according to claim 11 characterized in that said fault indicator (220) is capable of driving a connecting piece (226) against an elastic return means (226b), said connecting piece acting on the ratchet means (213) such that, if the movement to the home position of said connecting piece (226) is prevented by the action of a mechanical auxiliary apparatus with said workpiece, said ratchet means (213) is kept in a   position preventing manual reset of the switch.   13. Apparatus according to claim 12 characterized in that said sliding defect indicator (220) is provided with ramp and stop means (220b, 220c) for escaping said connecting piece (226) towards the end of its movement. active position when triggered by default.   14. Switch according to any one of   Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said means   releasable linkages comprise a triggering lever (212> articulated at a fixed point (212a) close to a shoulder (210) of the contact holder (203) on which the thrust of the lock mechanism takes place, said triggering lever ( 212) having, at an end remote from said hinge, the hooking means (212b) against a pawl (213) forming part of the triggering means by default.