FR2740900A1 - ELECTRICAL APPARATUS WITH GROUND INK - Google Patents

Abstract

The electrical switch includes the slide (44) which is mounted parallel to the principal surfaces of the casing and perpendicular to the rear surface by which it is fixed. It runs against a guide surface, channelled by a pair of strips on the slide which extend parallel to the direction of displacement. The shoulder (45A) lies parallel to the displacement direction and butts against the guide at the rear. The cam mechanism is between the contact support (12) and the slide. An edge (62) on the support corresponds with a slope (63) on the slide so as to impede the path of the edge from the open to closed position of the contacts along an oblique direction relative to the slide direction.

Description

"Electrical apparatus with snap" The present invention

  generally relates to electrical devices of the type comprising, in a housing, a contact support (s) on which is mounted movable at least one movable contact, and which, generally arranged facing at least one fixed contact, is itself movably mounted in the housing between an open position, for which the movable contact is at a distance from the fixed contact, and a closed position, for which the movable contact is instead applied to this fixed contact, with, associated with the movable contact, elastic means which, resting on the contact support (s) permanently solicits in the direction of a

  stop provided for him on this support contact (s).

  It relates more particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, the case where this electrical apparatus is a differential switch of the type for example of that described in the French patent which, filed January 17, 1992

  No. 92 00452, was published as No. 2,686,453.

  When closing, the moving contact, under the load of the contact support (s) which carries it, is applied to the fixed contact, with a contact pressure, which, due to the elastic means to which it is jointly subjected, grows gradually, because of the progressive crushing of these elastic means, until providing all the force of

desirable penetration.

  But this contact pressure is initially zero.

  In other words, the engagement in the closed position of the electrical apparatus is done gradually. This provision has given and still gives satisfaction, in particular for electrical appliances of

relatively moderate caliber.

  For electrical appliances of relatively large size, and more specifically for electrical appliances of greater than 40 A, it is sometimes found that, on closing, and because of the importance of the current, it develops, inadvertently, between the fixed contact and the moving contact, a repulsive force, which increases with intensity, and is likely to disturb this closure. It is also sometimes found that under these conditions, the mobile contact can then be the object of a

bonding on the fixed contact.

  The present invention generally relates to a provision allowing, very simply,

to avoid these disadvantages.

  More specifically, it relates to an electrical device of the type comprising, in a housing, a contact support (s) on which is mounted movable at least one movable contact, and which, generally disposed facing at least one fixed contact, is itself movably mounted in the housing between an open position, for which the movable contact is at a distance from the fixed contact, and a closed position, for which the movable contact is instead applied to the fixed contact, with, associated with the movable contact, resilient means which, resting on the contact support (s), urge the contact permanently movable towards a stop provided for it on the contact support (s), this apparatus electrical device being generally characterized in that it also comprises a retaining member, which is also mounted movably in the housing, between an extended position, for which, interfering with a shoulder on the path of the mobile contact, it is able to temporarily retain it, and a retracted position, for which it is able to release this moving contact, with, firstly, associated with this retaining member, elastic means which solicit it in in the direction of its extended position, and, on the other hand, intervening between the contact support (s) and this retaining member, the cam means that, when it passes from its open position to its closing position, the contact support (s) causes itself the passage of the organ of

  restraint from its deployed position to its retracted position.

  Thus, during closure, the movable contact is temporarily held away from the fixed contact, with a progressive compression of the elastic means associated therewith. It is therefore with an already significant contact pressure, and without passing through a zero contact pressure,

  that it then applies to the fixed contact when it is released.

  In other words, thanks to the retaining member according to the invention, the engagement of the electrical apparatus is

  advantageously abruptly.

  No repulsive force is likely to develop under these conditions, even for a relatively large caliber, and it is no longer

  bonding between the movable contact and the fixed contact.

  In addition, not interfering with the other components of the mechanism of the electrical apparatus, this retaining member can advantageously equip or not on demand it, simply being added, or not, to this device

electric when mounting.

  It is thus advantageously possible, with the same basic constituents, and therefore to the benefit of a certain standardization, to achieve either electrical devices with progressive engagement, particularly for relatively moderate calibres, or electrical devices with snap-in, particularly for relatively

  high, thus extending the range of the set.

  The characteristics and advantages of the invention

  will emerge from the description which follows,

  By way of example, with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a larger scale, a perspective view of the only lower part of this electrical device, after opening of its housing; FIG. 3 is a larger scale, a partial cross-sectional view, along the line III-III of Figure 2, for its opening configuration; Figure 4 is a still larger scale, a perspective view of the retaining member that comprises according to the invention this electrical apparatus; Figure 5 is a plan view of this retaining member, along the arrow V of Figure 4; Figures 6A and 6B are partial views in cross section, which, derived from that of Figure 3, illustrate two successive phases of operation of the electrical apparatus according to the invention; Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view which, also derived from that of Figure 3, illustrates the closing configuration of the electrical apparatus according to the invention; FIG. 8 is a partial view in side elevation of the retaining member according to the invention, for a variant

realization of it.

  These figures illustrate, by way of example, the application of the invention in the case where the electrical apparatus 10 concerned is a differential switch of the type of the

  described in French Patent No. 92 00452.

  This electrical apparatus 10 is well known by

  he himself will not be described in all its details here.

  Only the elements will be more precisely described

  necessary to understand the invention.

  It will suffice, essentially, to indicate in this regard that the electrical apparatus 10 comprises, in a housing 11, a contact support (s) 12 on which is mounted movable at least one movable contact 13A, 13B, and which , generally arranged facing at least one fixed contact 14A, 14B, is itself movably mounted in the housing 11 between an open position, FIG. 3, for which the movable contact 13A is at a distance from the fixed contact 14A, and a closed position, FIG. 7, for which the movable contact 13A, 13B is instead applied to this fixed contact 14A, 14B, with, associated with the movable contact 13A, 13B, resilient means 15, which, resting on the support contact (s) 12, urge this movable contact 13A, 13B permanently toward a stop 16 provided for

  him on the contact support (s) 12.

  In the embodiment shown, the housing 11 is formed of a base 18, which, in the form of a box body, constitutes the lower part, and a cover 19, which, adapted to cooperate in interlocking with the base 18, constitutes

the upper portion.

  In a manner known per se, it is in modular form, with principal faces 20 parallel to each other, and it is equipped, on the underside, that is to say on its rear face 21, for its fixing, a latch 22 specific to its snapping on a standard rail, and, in front, that is to say on its front face 24, a lever 25 available to the user. In practice, the contact support (s) 12 is rotatably mounted in the housing 11, and more precisely in the base

18 of it.

  It comprises, for this purpose, laterally, journals 26, by which it is engaged in rotation with

  legs 27 extending upwards this base 18.

  Let A be the corresponding axis of rotation, as schematized in broken lines in FIG. 2, and such that

  identified by its trace in FIGS. 3, 6A, 6B and 7.

  In practice, the contact carrier (s) 12 is permanently biased towards its open position by elastic means 28, which in this case are constituted by a

  simple compression spring of the coil spring type.

  For its passage in the closed position, which is done simply by pivoting about the axis of rotation A, it is subjected to a mechanism not shown, and for its coupling to

  this one, he presents, on his back, an ear 30.

  In practice, two fixed contacts 14A, 14B are provided side by side in the housing 11, and more specifically in the base 18 thereof, each belonging respectively to

two input terminals 31A, 31B.

  The contact carrier (s) 12 thus carries, in correspondence, two movable contacts 13A, 13B, which, by flexible electrical conductors, in this case braids, not shown, are each respectively in electrical connection with two output terminals 32A, 32B, via a transformer

differential 33.

  In practice, the two movable contacts 13A, 13B are rotatably mounted on the contact support (s) 12 and they are

identical to each other.

  For their rotational mounting, the contact support (s) 12 has, in alignment with one another, and in parallel

  at its axis of rotation A, two crosspieces 35A, 35B.

  By a journal portion 36, which forms one of the end portions, and which is generally V-shaped, the movable contacts 13A, 13B are hooked on the crossmember 35A, 35B corresponding, while, by a portion of contact 38, which forms the other of the end portions, and which projects a contact bump 39, they are adapted to cooperate with the fixed contact 14A, 14B

with which they are associated.

  Between their journal portion 36 and their contact portion 38, the movable contacts 13A, 13B comprise a median portion 40, on which the means

  elastics 15 associated with them.

  In the embodiment shown, these elastic means 15 are constituted by a compression spring, in this case a coil spring, which is supported on a bearing

41 of contact support (s) 12.

  As for the stop 16, it intervenes beyond the movable contacts 13A, 13B relative to the span 41, between these movable contacts 13A, 13B and the fixed contacts 14A, 14B, and the movable contacts 13A, 13B are able to carry on it by fingers that they laterally present projecting for this purpose. The foregoing constructive arrangements not falling within the scope of the present invention, they will not be

described in more detail here.

  According to the invention, the electrical apparatus 10 also comprises a retaining member 44, which is also movably mounted in the housing 11, and more specifically in the base 18 thereof, between an extended position, FIGS. 3 and 6A, for which, interfering with shoulders 45A, 45B in the path of movable contacts 13A, 13B, it is able to temporarily retain them, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, and a retracted position, FIG. 7, for which it is able to release the moving contacts 13A, 13B, with, on the one hand, associated with this retaining member 44, elastic means 46, which constantly urge it towards its deployed position, and on the other hand, intervening between the contact support (s) 12 and this retaining member 44, cam means, described in more detail later, which results that, during its transition from its open position to its closed position, the contact support (s) 12 provokes e of itself the passage of the organ of

  retainer 44 from its deployed position to its retracted position.

  In the embodiments shown, the retaining member 44 is a slider mounted mobile parallel to the main faces 20 of the housing 11 and perpendicular to the

  rear face 21, fixing thereof.

  Let D be its displacement direction, as schematized in dashed lines in FIG. 3, and as spotted by

its trace in Figure 5.

  This direction of displacement D is orthogonal to

  the axis of rotation A of the contact support (s) 12.

  In the embodiments shown, the retaining member 44 has a plane of symmetry S, which is itself perpendicular to the axis of rotation A of the contact support (s) 12. This plane of symmetry S is schematized in FIG. features

  interrupted by his trace in Figure 5.

  In practice, the two shoulders 45A, 45B that comprise the retaining member 44 for the temporary retention of the movable contacts 13A, 13B extend on either side of a central body 47 which cooperates with the contact support ( s) 12 for the formation of the cam means intervening between him and this one. In practice, also, these shoulders 45A, 45B extend parallel to the direction of displacement D. In the embodiments shown, they are formed by the bracket portion 48A, 48B that the retaining member 44 has a door to false. In practice, these brackets 48A, 48B are elongated parallel to the plane of symmetry S, and they project on two lower wings 49A, 49B, which themselves protrude from the central body 47, at the base thereof, extend, they, perpendicular to this plane of symmetry S. The consoles 48A, 48B are coplanar one with

  the other, and so are the lower wings 49A, 49B.

  In the embodiments shown, the lower wings 49A, 49B are each respectively surmounted by upper wings 50A, 50B which, of lesser development,

  they are also substantially coplanar.

  Between the retaining member 44 and the housing 11

  there are guide means.

  In the embodiments shown, these guide means are of interest, in particular, to the central body 47.

the retainer 44.

  In practice, the housing 11, and more specifically, the base 18 thereof, has, internally, two walls 52A, 52B, which surround the central body 47 and between which

this one is struggling.

  More specifically, in the embodiments shown, the central body 47 comprises, at a distance from the lower wings 49A, 49B and the upper wings 50A, 50B, a T-shaped extension 53, and the walls 52A, 52B of the housing 11 comprise, protruding, at a distance from one another, two ribs 54 which frame the crosspiece of this extension T 53. In addition, the walls 52A, 52B of the housing 11 extend to the lower wings 49A, 49B and 50A upper 50B of the retaining member 44, a first side thereof, while, on the other side of these lower wings 49A, 49B and 50A, 50B, the housing 11, and, more specifically, the base 18 thereof, internally, in the plane of symmetry S of the retaining member 44, another wall 55 with which the body of

  retainer 44 is engaged by a groove 56.

  In the embodiments shown, the guiding means intervening between the retaining member 44 and the housing 11 also concern the lower wings 49A,

  49B and 50A, 50B of this retaining member 44.

  To do this, the housing 11, and more specifically, the base 18 thereof, has, internally, partitions which form grooves 57A, 57B between which circulate

  these lower wings 49A, 49B and higher 50A, 50B.

  Finally, or otherwise, in the embodiments shown, the guide means intervening between the retaining member 44 and the housing 11 also comprise the housing 11, and more precisely in the base 18 thereof. , bearing walls 58A, 58B, which, parallel to the shoulders A, 45B of this retaining member 44, abut these

  shoulders 45A, 45B, at the rear of these.

  These bearing walls 58A, 58B are substantially coplanar with each other, and they extend perpendicular to the plane of symmetry S of the body of

detention 44.

  In practice, the retaining member 44 bears against them by the slice of tongues 60A, 60B which, projecting from its lower flanges 49A, 49B, on the opposite side of the brackets 48A, 48B, extend parallel to each other. its plane of symmetry S, and, therefore, parallel to its direction of displacement D. In the embodiments shown, the cam means also intervening between the contact support (s) 12 and the retaining member 44 comprise, on the contact support (s) 12, a spout 62, and, in correspondence with this spout 62, on the retaining member 44, a ramp 63, which interferes with the path of the spout 62 during the passage of the contact support ( s) 12 from its open position to its closed position, which extends obliquely to the direction

  displacement D of the retaining member 44.

  Preferably, for contact with the ramp 63 of the retaining member 44, the spout 62 of the contact support (s) 12

is rounded.

  For the definition of the deployed position of the retaining member 44, the housing 11, and, more precisely, the base

  18 thereof, has a stop 65.

  In practice, this stop 65 extends at a distance from the rear face 21, of attachment, of the housing 11, parallel to

this rear face 21.

  For cooperation with this abutment 65, the retaining member 44 comprises, in the embodiment shown, at least one elastically deformable hook 66, having a transverse hooking catch 67 and an oblique engagement ramp 68,

  which, when mounting, allows its snap.

  In practice, for reasons of symmetry, two elastically deformable hooks 66 are provided,

parallel to each other.

  In the embodiment more particularly represented in FIGS. 1 to 7, the elastic means 46 associated with the retaining member 44 are formed by a spring

distinct from it.

  This is, in practice, a compression spring, like coil spring, which is supported on the wall 69 of the

  base 18 of the housing 11 forming the rear face 21 thereof.

  For holding, and centering, this spring, the retaining member 44 has, projecting on the face

  lower of its central body 47, a lug 70.

  On assembly, the spring constituting the elastic means 46 is attached to the retaining member 44, and, as previously indicated, it is latched, by its elastically deformable hooks 66, into the base 18 of the

casing 11.

  When, in operation, the contact support (s) 12 moves from its open position to its closed position, as shown schematically by an arrow F1 in FIGS. 3, 6A and 6B, the movable contacts 13A, 13B carried by this 11 contact support (s) 12 come carry by the free end of their contact portion 38 against the shoulders 45A, 45B

the retainer 44.

  The movable contacts 13A, 13B are therefore stopped and kept at a distance from the fixed contacts 14A, 14B, while

  the contact support (s) 12 continues its movement.

  During this movement, the contact support (s) 12 comes to bear, by its beak 62, against the ramp 63 of the organ

  retainer 44, as shown in Figure 6B.

  It therefore causes progressive repression of this retaining member 44, against the elastic means 46 which

  associated with it, according to the arrow F2 of FIGS. 6B and 7.

  In the meantime, the elastic means 15 associated with the moving contacts 13A, 13B are themselves progressively

switched on.

  Therefore, when, under the action of the contact support (s) 12, the displacement of the retaining member 44 towards its retracted position is sufficient for the movable contacts 13A, 13B to escape its shoulders 45A, 45B these movable contacts 13A, 13B are applied suddenly against the fixed contacts 14A, 14B under the solicitation of the elastic means 15 associated with them, and, as soon as they come into contact with its fixed contacts 14A, 14B, they apply to those ci with a non-zero contact pressure, both because of the impulse of which they are then the object that because the elastic means 15 then remain largely

tablets, Figure 7.

  During the passage of the contact support (s) 12 from its closed position to its open position, the retaining member 44, released by this support contact (s) 12, returns to its deployed position, under the solicitation means

  elastics 46 associated with it.

  In the variant embodiment shown in FIG. 8, these elastic means 46 are formed by a spring in one piece with the retaining member 44, the assembly

  forming by molding a single and same piece.

  For example, and as shown, this spring forms

  a zigzag extension of the retaining member 44.

  If desired, to facilitate the mounting of the retaining member 44, it may be associated with this retaining member 44, as shown schematically in broken lines in Figure 4, a positioning rod 71, which initially in one piece with the retaining member 44, the assembly forming a single piece by molding, is breakable, and is eliminated, by rupture, once ensured the latching of this retaining member 44 in

the housing 11.

  Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but encompasses any variant embodiment and / or combination of

their various elements.

  In addition, the field of application of the invention is not limited to that of the only differential switch more particularly described and shown, but on the contrary extends as well to any electrical apparatus comprising a movable contact support (s). on which is itself mounted

mobile at least one moving contact.

Claims (17)

CLAIMS CATIONS   1. Electrical apparatus of the kind comprising, in a housing (11), a contact support (s) (12) on which is mounted movable at least one movable contact (13A, 13B), and which, generally disposed facing at least one fixed contact (14A, 14B) is itself movably mounted in the housing (11) between an open position, for which the movable contact (13A, 13B) is at a distance from said fixed contact (14A, 14B ), and a closing position, for which said movable contact (13A, 13B) is instead applied to this fixed contact (14A, 14B), with, associated with the movable contact (13A, 13B), resilient means (15) which, resting on the contact support (12), urge said movable contact (13A, 13B) permanently towards a stop (16) provided for it on the contact support (12) , characterized in that it also comprises a retaining member (44), which is also movably mounted in the housing (11), between an extended position, for which, interfered with nt by a shoulder (45A, 45B) in the path of the movable contact (13A, 13B), it is able to temporarily retain it, and a retracted position, for which it is able to release this movable contact (13A, 13B) ), with, on the one hand, associated with this retaining member (44), resilient means (46), which constantly urge it towards its deployed position, and, on the other hand, intervening between the support of contact (s) (12) and this retaining member (44), cam means (62, 63) which results that, during its passage from its open position to its closed position, said contact support (s) (12) causes the passage of said retaining member (34) from its deployed position in its retracted position.   2. Electrical device according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining member (44) is mounted movably   parallel to the main faces (20) of the housing (11).   3. Electrical device according to claim 2, characterized in that the retaining member (44) is mounted movable perpendicularly to the rear face (21), fixing, the housing (11).   4. Electrical apparatus according to any one of   Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that between the   retainer (44) and the housing (11) are involved guiding means. 5. Electrical device according to claim 4, characterized in that the guide means intervening between the retaining member (44) and the housing (11) comprise, in the housing (11), a bearing wall (58A, 58B), which, parallel to the shoulder (45A, 45B) of the retaining member (44),   this shoulder (45A, 45B) is staunched at the rear of the latter.   6. Electrical device according to claim 5, characterized in that the retaining member (44) bears against the bearing wall (58A, 58B) of the housing (11) by the edge of a tongue (60A, 60B). which extends parallel to its direction displacement (D).   7. Electrical apparatus according to any one of   Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the shoulder (45A,   B) of the retaining member (44) extends parallel to its direction of movement (D).   8. Electrical apparatus according to any one of   Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the shoulder (45A,   B) of the retaining member (44) is formed by the edge of a bracket (48A, 48B) that said retaining member (44) comprises cantilevered.   9. Electrical apparatus according to any one of   claims 1 to 8, characterized in that for the definition   of the extended position of the retaining member (44), the housing (11) has a stop (65).   10. Electrical device according to claim 9, characterized in that, for cooperation with the stop (65), the retaining member (44) comprises at least one resiliently deformable hook (66), which, on assembly, allows its snapping . 11. Electrical apparatus according to any one of   Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the cam means   (62, 63) intervening between the contact support (12) and the retaining member (44) comprise, on the contact support (12), a spout (62), and correspondingly with this spout (62), on the retaining member (44), a ramp (63), which interferes with the path of said spout (62) during the passage of the contact support (s) (12) from its position d opening to its closed position, which extends obliquely relative to   to the direction of displacement (D) of the retaining member (44).   12. Electrical apparatus according to any one of   Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the movable contact   (13A, 13B) is rotatably mounted on the contact carrier (s) (12).   13. Electrical apparatus according to any one of   Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that two contacts   fixed (14A, 14B), and therefore two movable contacts (13A, 13B), being provided, the retaining member (44) has two shoulders (45A, 45B), and these extend from one side to the other. other of a central body (47) cooperating with the contact support (12) for forming the cam means (62, 63)   intervening between the latter and the retaining member (44).   14. Electrical apparatus according to any one of   Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the means   elastic members (46) associated with the retainer (44) are formed   by a spring distinct from it.   15. Electrical apparatus according to any one of   Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the means   elastic members (46) associated with the retainer (44) are formed   by a spring in one piece with it.   16. Electrical apparatus according to any one of   claims 1 to 15, characterized in that it is associated with   the retaining member (44), a positioning rod (71) which, initially in one piece with this retaining member (44), is breakable.   17. Electrical apparatus according to any one of   Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the support of   contact (s) (12) is rotatably mounted in the housing (11).