FR2777110A1 - MULTIPOLAR DIFFERENTIAL CIRCUIT BREAKER - Google Patents

Abstract

This is a circuit breaker comprising, in the same case (11) of width L equal to a multiple n of a base module M, on the one hand, an even number n1 of breaking compartments (12) of same width I1, which all extend parallel to each other, and to each of which are associated an input terminal (13E) and an output terminal (13S), and, on the other hand, a differential protection compartment (15). According to the invention, and jointly, the differential protection compartment (15) extends parallel to the breaking compartments (12), and, apart from the wall thicknesses inevitably present, the width 11 of the breaking compartments (12) is substantially equal to the following value: (CF DRAWING IN BOPI) and the width 12 of the differential protection compartment (15) is at most equal to the following value: (CF DRAWING IN BOPI) Application, in particular, to circuit breakers bipolar and tetrapolar differentials.

Description

The present invention relates to "multipole differential circuit breaker".

  generally the circuit breakers

multipolar differentials.

  By definition, these multipole differential circuit breakers comprise, on the one hand, a certain number of breaking compartments, one per pole, and, on the other hand, for all of these breaking compartments, a

  differential protection compartment.

  It can therefore be, for example, both differential circuit breakers

  two-pole than four-pole differential circuit breakers.

  An input terminal and an output terminal are associated with each of the breaking compartments, with, acting between them, switch contacts, at least one of which is movable under the control of a mechanism.

commonly called "lock".

  When the corresponding pole is a phase to be protected, this mechanism is itself under the control of at least one triggering member, such as for example a magnetic triggering member and / or a thermal trip, capable of provoking if necessary

  a command to open the switch contacts.

  When the pole is a neutral, which is for example the case when, in the case of a four-pole differential circuit breaker, such a neutral is associated with three phases, no tripping device is however usually provided, the corresponding mechanism then being simply under the control of the

  mechanism of any of the phases.

  Indeed, whether it is a question of phases or whether it is a neutral, the mechanisms of the different cut-off compartments are usually coupled together, so that a command to open any one of them 'between them causes a command of the same type for all of them. As a corollary, the differential protection compartment is equipped, for its part, with a fault detector capable of delivering a differential current in response to a fault, with a sensitive relay served by this fault detector, and with a mechanism, too. commonly called "lock", capable of intervening in triggering on the mechanism of at least one of the breaking compartments. The present invention relates more particularly to the case where the multipolar differential circuit breaker concerned constitutes what is commonly called a

modular device.

  As is known, the housing of such a modular device comprises, parallel to one another, two main faces, and its width, equal to the distance separating one from the other these main faces, is a multiple of a given basic module common to all modular devices of

same type.

  These modular devices are thus advantageously able to be

  arranged contiguously side by side on the same support rail.

  They are then attached to it by a fixing face which

  belongs to the edge of their case.

  In multipole RCDs of such a modular design, the breaking compartments are usually arranged parallel to each other, and they all have the same width

equal to the basic module.

  As a corollary, the differential protection compartment also extends most often to date parallel to the breaking compartments, being in practice attached to these at one or the other of the ends of the alignment which they form, and its width is three times the module

basic.

  As a result, to date, the overall width of a four-pole differential circuit breaker for example is most often equal to seven times the basic module. However, an embodiment has been proposed in which this overall width is reduced to four times the basic module, to the benefit, therefore, of a

  greater compactness for the whole.

  According to this embodiment, the width of each of the cut-off compartments remains equal to the basic module, and the differential protection compartment is distributed longitudinally between these cut-off compartments, everything happening as if the volume available inside the housing was shared in two following a plane perpendicular both to the main faces of this housing and to its fixing face, part of this volume being fragmented transversely between the various breaking compartments while the other

  is occupied longitudinally by the differential protection compartment.

  However, in this embodiment, the axis of the magnetic tripping member of each of the cut-off compartments extends, in practice, and almost necessarily, perpendicular to the fixing face of the housing, and, the grip of this member magnetic trigger being larger along this axis than transversely thereto, the volume available along this same axis for the arc extinguishing chamber usually associated with switch contacts is reduced accordingly, to the detriment of the power cutoff. In addition, because the differential protection compartment extends longitudinally over the entire width of the housing, transversely with respect to the breaking compartments, the electrical connections to be provided between the numerous internal components of these various compartments are

  particularly complicated and difficult to achieve.

  The present invention generally relates to a provision which, while leading to a comparable compactness, allows

  advantageously avoid these drawbacks.

  More specifically, it relates to a multipole differential circuit breaker of the kind comprising, in the same housing of width L equal to a multiple n of a basic module M, on the one hand, an even number n. cut-off compartments of the same width II, which all extend parallel to each other, and to each of which are associated an input terminal and an output terminal, and, on the other hand, a differential protection compartment, this multipole differential circuit breaker being generally characterized in that, jointly, the differential protection compartment extends parallel to the breaking compartments, and, apart from the inevitable wall thicknesses present, the width I1 of the breaking compartments is substantially equal to the following value 2M and the width 12 of the differential protection compartment is at most equal to the following value i 12 = -.nl.11 Thus, the decision is made, according to the invention, to reduce the width of the

  switch-off compartments at a fraction of the basic module.

  Thanks to this reduction, an advantageous compromise can be found between, on the one hand, obtaining a good compactness, which, in practice, being a four-pole differential circuit breaker, leads, as previously, to a width overall equal to four times the basic module, and, on the other hand, compliance with a relative simplicity of construction, the differential protection compartment remaining conventionally parallel to the compartments

  as in the most common embodiments.

  Independently of the reduction in width obtained, the arrangement according to the invention also makes it possible, advantageously, for at least some of the constituents to be used, to economically take advantage of

  achievements already known and proven in the same field.

  Thus, for example, thanks to the arrangement according to the invention,

  the mechanism of the breaking compartments, ie the "lock" of these

  ci, may advantageously be of the type which, for a bipolar neutral phase circuit breaker of width equal to the basic module, was the subject of the French patent filed on August 4, 1994 under No 94 09691 and published under

No 2,723,470.

  Thus, also, thanks to the arrangement according to the invention, the mechanism of the differential protection compartment, that is to say the lock "thereof, can advantageously be of the type which for a neutral phase differential tripping device with an overall width equal to twice the basic module, was the subject of the French patent filed on May 31

  1994 under No 94 06585 and published under No 2 720 548.

  Anyway, thanks to the arrangement according to the invention, the axis of the magnetic triggering member of the breaking compartments can advantageously extend parallel to the fixing face of the housing, to the benefit of the space available. for the arc extinguishing chamber in front of this magnetic tripping device, and, therefore, for the benefit of the power of

break.

  Preferably, for at least one of the breaking compartments, and, in practice, for each of them, the coupling winding intended for the differential protection compartment is inserted between the

  input terminal and magnetic trip device.

  i 5 It therefore intervenes upstream of the magnetic trip member.

  Thus, the volume available downstream of the magnetic trip member can advantageously be used to the full for the single chamber.

  arc extinction, again for the benefit of the breaking capacity.

  Preferably also, according to a development of this arrangement, for each of the breaking compartments, the coupling winding intended for the differential protection compartment is connected to the magnetic trip member by a return section, which is parallel to the axis of this magnetic trip member, and which, for

  all the cut-off compartments extend to the same level.

  The compactness of the assembly is advantageously facilitated, at

  benefit from optimal use of the volume available in the housing.

  The characteristics and advantages of the invention will moreover emerge from

  the following description, by way of example, with reference to the drawings

  attached diagrams in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multipole differential circuit breaker according to the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic representation, in elevation, of this multipole differential circuit breaker, for the illustration of its internal organization; Figure 3 is a perspective view of all the internal components of this multipole differential circuit breaker, seen from the side of the output terminals thereof; Figure 4 is another perspective view of these components, seen from the side of the input terminals; Figure 5 is, on a different scale, and according to arrow V of Figure 3, a side view of all the internal components of any of the breaking compartments of the multipole differential circuit breaker according to the invention; Figure 6 is a partial view in axial section of one of these components, along the line VI-VI of Figure 5; FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the internal mounting of such a breaking compartment and its coupling to the associated differential protection compartment; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a unitary sub-assembly present in such a cut-off compartment, seen from the side of the input terminals; Figure 9 is another perspective view of this unitary sub-assembly, seen from the side of the output terminals; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a unitary subassembly present within the associated differential protection compartment, seen from the side of the output terminals; Figure 11 is a perspective view of this unitary sub-assembly, seen from the side of the input terminals; Figure 12 is a perspective view of one of the parts that includes this unitary sub-assembly, shown in isolation and viewed from the side of the output terminals; FIG. 13 is a perspective view of two hubs ensuring mechanical coupling between the various breaking compartments of the multipole differential circuit breaker according to the invention, FIG. 14 shows, on a larger scale, the detail of one of these hubs identified by an insert XIV in Figure 13; Figure 15 is a schematic representation which, similar to that of Figure 2, relates to another multipole differential circuit breaker according to the invention. As illustrated in these figures, and in a manner known per se, a multipole differential circuit breaker 10, 10 'according to the invention comprises, overall, in the same housing 11, 11' of width L equal to a multiple n of a basic module M, on the one hand, an even number n1 of breaking compartments i 2 of the same width 14, which all extend parallel to each other, and to each of which are associated an input terminal 13E and a i15 output terminal 1 3S, and, on the other hand, a protective compartment

differential 15.

  In practice, this multipole differential circuit breaker 10, 10 ′ is of the modular type. In other words, its housing 11, 11 ′ comprises, parallel to one another, two main faces 17, between which its width L is measured. In practice, also, the multipole differential circuit breaker 10, 10 ′ according to the invention is intended to be attached to a support rail, not shown. Its housing 11, 11 ′ comprises, to do this, on its edge, that is to say perpendicular to its main faces 17, a fixing face 18, which, for example, and as visible in FIG. 1, comprises, in its middle part, a notch 19, by which it is capable of being engaged on the support rail concerned, and by means of which intervene, for a snap-fastening

  on this support rail, one or more mobile locks 20.

  The corresponding provisions being well known in themselves, and not falling within the scope of the present invention, they will not be described further in

detail here.

  In a manner also known per se, the housing 11, 11 ′ comprises, on its edge, in addition to its fixing face 18, on the one hand, two lateral faces 21E, 21 S, which are perpendicular both to this fixing face 18 and the main faces 17, and onto which the input terminals 1 3E and the output terminals 1 3S, respectively, for the wiring of the breaking compartments 12, and, on the other hand, a front face 22 , which extends generally parallel to the fixing face 18, with, however, projecting in its middle part, a boss 24 on which is pivotally mounted an operating lever 25 available to the user, and from which are accessible, for tightening or loosening, the input terminals 1 3E

and the output terminals 1 3S.

  i15 The breaking compartments 12 extend from one of the side faces

  21 E, 21 S to the other, parallel to the main faces 1 7.

  According to the invention, and jointly, the differential protection compartment 15 extends parallel to the cut-off compartments 12, and, apart from the inevitable wall thicknesses present, the width 11 of the cut-off compartments 12 is substantially equal to the following value 2M and the width 12 of the differential protection compartment 15 is at most equal to the following value

12 = -n ..

  Preferably, and this is the case in the embodiments shown, apart from the inevitably present wall thicknesses, the width 12 of the differential protection compartment 15 is equal to the following value i 12 = -.ni.li In the forms of embodiment shown, the input terminals 13E, which are all aligned with each other, on the one hand, and, in correspondence with these, the output terminals 1 3S, which are also all aligned with the others, on the other hand, are distributed at a regular pitch equal to the basic module M from one to the other of the main faces 17, so that, perpendicular to these main faces 17, they are all offset with respect to the breaking compartment 12 to which they are

respectively associated.

  In practice, those of these input terminals 13E or output 1 3S which are at the ends of the corresponding alignments are at a distance from the main faces 17 of the housing 11, 1 1 'equal to half of the base module M. In the schematic representation of FIG. 2, the input terminals 1 3E and the output terminals 13S have been shown diagrammatically, in particular, by their tightening and loosening axis A1, and, for simplicity, this is in relation to this tightening and loosening axis A1, itself simply materialized by

  its trace on this figure 2, that their establishment was appreciated.

  In the embodiment more particularly shown in FIGS. 1 to 14, the multipole differential circuit breaker according to the invention is, at

  as an example, a four-pole differential circuit breaker 10.

  In other words, the number n1 of breaking compartments 12 that it

comprises equals four.

  As a result, the width 12 of the differential protection compartment 15

  is twice the width 11 of the breaking compartments 12.

  This width 12 of the differential protection compartment 15 is therefore equal to the following value: 4M

12 = 4M

  Preferably, and this is the case in the embodiment shown, the cut-off compartments 12 are, in this case, grouped by pairs P. P ', on the basis of a pair P of two cut-off compartments 12 of a first side of the differential protection compartment 15, and of a pair P ′ of two breaking compartments 1 2 on the side of this differential protection compartment 1 5 opposite the previous one, so that the differential protection compartment 1 5 occupies the central part of the interior volume of the housing 11 while the cut-off compartments 12 occupy the lateral parts of this interior volume. The internal organization of the four-pole differential circuit breaker 10 according to the invention is then advantageously symmetrical, and the offset of the input terminals 13E and output 13S relative to the breaking compartment 12 with which they are associated, which is all the more important. that this cut-off compartment 12 is distant from the protective compartment

  differential 15, is advantageously minimized.

  It follows from the above that the width L of the corresponding housing 11

is then equal to 4M.

  In other words, the number n is then equal to four.

  The production of the housing 11 falling within the skill of the art, this housing 11 does not

  will not be described in full detail here.

  As shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2, and according to arrangements which are in practice of the same type as those described in the French patent filed on March 18, 1995 under No 95 03 042 and published under No 2 731 837, it comprises, overall, on the one hand, five shells 26, 27, 28, which extend from one to the other of the lateral faces 21 E, 21S, and which, duly confronted two by two, form two by two the housings necessary for input terminals 13E and at output terminals 13S, namely, two end shells 26, which each respectively form the lateral faces 17, a central shell 27, and, on either side of the latter, two shells intermediate 28, and, on the other hand, for the delimitation of the differential protection compartment 15, two partitions 29, which, parallel to the main faces 17, are each more or less respectively engaged in the shells

intermediaries 28.

  These shells 26, 27, 28 and these partitions 29 represent walls,

  which, of course, inevitably all have a certain thickness.

  But, as noted above, it is purposely ignored here. All the breaking compartments 12 have roughly the same constitution. In a manner known per se, they comprise, overall, on the one hand, in series between their input terminal 13E and their output terminal 13S, as shown in FIG. 5 and as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 7 magnetic trigger 30, a fixed contact 31, a movable contact 32, and a thermal trigger member 33, and, on the other hand, as shown schematically in broken lines in Figure 5, a mechanism 35, commonly called "lock" , which, under the control of the magnetic trip member 30 and the thermal trip member 33, is capable of passing the movable contact 32 from a closed position, for which it is in abutment against the fixed contact 31, as shown in FIG. 5, in an open position, for which, on the contrary, it is separated from

this fixed contact 31.

  For the reverse passage of the movable contact 32 from its open position to its closed position, this mechanism 35 is itself under the

  control of the operating lever 25 available to the user.

  According to arrangements described in more detail later, there is further provided, for each of the breaking compartments 12, a coupling winding 36, which is also inserted between their input terminal 13E and their output terminal 13S, and which intervenes in the protection compartment

differential 15.

  In FIG. 5, and for simplicity, only the fixed part 37E of the input terminal 13E and the fixed part 37S of the terminal has been shown.

exit 13S.

  However, in a manner known per se, and as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, these input terminals 13E and output 13S also include a movable part 38E, 38S, in the shape of a stirrup, for tightening an electric cable. In a manner known per se, the magnetic trip member 30 comprises a winding 40 disposed around a core 41, for the

  control of a striker 42 able to act on the mechanism 35.

  In practice, the axis A2 of this magnetic trip member 30, that is to say the axis A2 along which its striker 42 acts, extends parallel both to the main faces 17 of the housing 11 and to the face fixing 18 thereof. In a manner also known per se, it is associated with the contacts 31, 32, which form the switch contacts of the assembly, a chamber

arc extinction 43.

  In the embodiment shown, this arc extinguishing chamber 43 extends between the magnetic trip member 30 and the face of

fixing 18 of the housing 11.

  Its inlet plate 44 belongs to the support 45 of the magnetic triggering member 30, and its outlet plate 46 belongs to a metal part 47 to which also belongs the fixed part 37S of the

13S output terminal.

  This metal part 47 serves jointly as a support for the thermal trip member 33, which in this case is a bimetallic strip, and, by a braid

  48, this thermal trip member 33 is connected to the movable contact 32.

  The foregoing provisions are well known in themselves, in particular by French patent No. 94 09691 already mentioned above, and

  they will therefore not be described in more detail here.

  It should however be emphasized that, according to one aspect of the invention, the winding 40 of the magnetic trip member 30 is formed by a wire of rectangular cross section, the largest dimension of which is

  parallel to the axis A2 of this magnetic trip member 30, FIG. 6.

  It is thus possible to minimize, at best, the transverse congestion

  of the magnetic trip member 30.

  Preferably, and this is the case in the embodiment shown, the mechanism 35 is of the type described in French patent No 94 06585 already mentioned above, and, in this respect, the latter

  can be considered as an integral part of this description.

  This mechanism 35 will therefore not be described in all its details here.

  Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention will be mentioned. It will suffice to recall, in this regard, that, for the constitution, in particular, of this mechanism 35, each of the breaking compartments 12 comprises, overall, a contact support 49, 49 ', which is rotatably mounted around a axis A3 fixed relative to the housing 11, and on which the movable contact 32 is itself rotatably mounted around this same axis A3, a hooking piece, 50 ′, which is also rotatably mounted around this axis A3 fixed , and an operating member 52, 52 ', which, by means of the operating lever 25, is available to the user, according to arrangements described in more detail later, and which, via 'a connecting rod 53, 53', also detailed later, and under the control of the attachment piece 50, 50 ', is capable of passing the contact support 49, 49' from a tripping position, for which the movable contact 32 is in the open position, away from the fixed contact 31, and a position d 'engagement, for which, on the contrary, this movable contact 32 is in the closed position, pressing against the fixed contact 31, with, associated with the contact support 49, 49', elastic opening means 54, 54 ', which permanently request this contact support 49, 49 'in the direction of its

trigger position.

  In practice, the fixed axis A3 common to the movable contact 32, to the contact support 49, 49 ', and to the attachment piece 50, 50', extends transversely,

  depending on the width of the cut-off compartment 12 concerned.

  According to the invention, the two breaking compartments 12 of the same pair P, P 'have in common the same contact support 49, 49', the same

  attachment piece 50, 50 ', and a single operating member 52, 52'.

  They also have in common the same linkage 53, 53 and the same

operating member 52, 52 '.

  As described in French patent No 94 09691 already mentioned above, the contact support 49, 49 'common to the two breaking compartments 12 of the same pair P. P' forms, with the corresponding movable contacts 32, the elastic members 55 associated with these movable contacts 32, and the attachment part 50, 50 ', a unitary sub-assembly 56, 56'. Such a unitary sub-assembly 56 is shown, in isolation, on the

  Figures 8 and 9, for the pair P of breaking compartments 12.

  As can be seen in FIGS. 8 and 9 for this unitary sub-assembly 56, and as described in detail in French patent No. 94 09691 already mentioned above, the attachment piece 50, 50 ′ of the sub -unit assemblies 56, 56 'includes, in particular, a hooking spout 57, for the intervention of the connecting rod assembly 53, 53', an insulation wall 58, for the intervention of the striker 42 of one or on the other of the two magnetic trip members 30 concerned, lugs 59, for the intervention of one or the other of the two thermal trip members 33 also concerned, and, parallel to the fixed axis A3, an arm 60, which is axially perforated with a bore 61, and which, as will be described later, is used here for the intervention of the protective compartment

differential 15.

  According to the invention, the operating member 52, 52 ′ associated with the two cut-off compartments 12 of the same pair P, P ′ comprising, in the housing 11, a hub 62, 62 ′ by which it is rotatably mounted on this housing 11, the two hubs 62, 62 ′ each corresponding respectively to the two pairs P. P ′ of cut-off compartments 12 are set in rotation one by

compared to each other. In practice, in the embodiment shown, these two hubs 62,

  62 'are aligned with each other, with means between them

dog clutch 63, 63 '.

  For example, and as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the hub 62 ′ comprises a section of reduced diameter 64 by which it is capable of engaging in a bore 65 of the hub 62, and the clutch means 63, 63 ′ are formed, on the one hand, by two recesses 63, which are provided recessed on the internal surface of the bore 65 of the hub 62 in diametrically opposite positions relative to each other, and, on the other hand , by two bosses 63 ', which, complementary to the clearances 63, and arranged in correspondence with them, protrude on the reduced diameter section 64 of the hub 62'. Jointly, the operating member 52, 52 ′ associated with the two cut-off compartments 12 of the same pair P. P ′ comprising a finger 67, 67 ′, which, integral with the corresponding hub 62, 62 ′, projects out of the housing 11, the two fingers 67, 67 'each corresponding respectively to the two pairs P, P' of breaking compartments 12 are, outside the housing 11, connected to each other by the same bar 68, I together constituting the

  operating lever 25 available to the user.

  In the embodiment shown, and as described in French patent No. 94 09691 already mentioned above, the linkage 53, 53 ′ associated with each of the pairs P, P ′ of breaking compartments 12 comprises, on the one hand , a pawl 70, 70 ', which is rotatably mounted on the corresponding contact support 49, 49', about an axis parallel to the axis A3, at a distance therefrom, and which, by a spout hooking not visible in the figures, is capable of cooperating in hooking with the hooking spout 57 of the corresponding hooking part 50, 50 ', and, on the other hand, a connecting rod 72, 72', which is articulated to the hub 62, 62 'of the corresponding actuator 52, 52', by means of an ear 73, 73 'of this hub 62, 62', and around an axis which, of course, is

also parallel to the A3 axis.

  Finally, in the embodiment shown, the elastic opening means 54, 54 'associated with the contact support 49, 49' of the

  breaking compartments 1 2 are compression springs.

  According to provisions of the type of those described in French patent No 94 06585 already mentioned above, and, in this regard, it can also be considered as an integral part of this

  description, the differential protection compartment 1 5 is itself equipped with a

  fault detector 75 capable of delivering a differential current in response to a fault, of a sensitive relay 76, which is served by this fault detector 75, of a trip lever 77, which, rotatably mounted about an axis A4 fixed relative to the housing 11, comprises an arm 78 on which the sensitive relay 76 can act, and an actuating lever 79, which, mounted rotatably about an axis As fixed relative to the housing 11 and distinct from the previous fixed axis A4, comprises an arm 80 by which, for its intervention on the mechanism 35 of the cut-off compartments 12, it can act on another part 81 which will be

described later.

  These provisions being, at least in principle, well known by

  themselves, they will not be described in detail here.

  As regards, for example, the fault detector 75, it comprises, in practice, a toroid 82 on which are wound, on the one hand, a primary, which, for each of the breaking compartments 12, comprises at least one coupling winding 36 coming from this cut-off compartment i15 12, and, on the other hand, a secondary, which is not visible in the figures, and

  to which the sensitive relay 76 is connected.

  In practice, in the embodiment shown, only one coupling winding 36 is provided for each of the compartments of

cutoff 12.

  The trigger lever 77 and the actuation lever 79 form,

  moreover, with the part 81, in this embodiment, a sub-

  unitary assembly 83, which constitutes the mechanism, or "lock", of the

  differential protection compartment 15.

  Their respective axes A4, A5 extend transversely to the

  differential protection compartment 15.

  Like the axis A3 of the contact supports 49, 49 'of the breaking compartments 12, these axes A4, A5 are therefore parallel to the fixing face 18 of the

  housing 11 and perpendicular to the main faces 17 thereof.

  Preferably, and this is the case in the embodiment shown, the axis A5, that is to say the axis around which the actuation lever 79 of the differential protection compartment 15 is rotatably mounted, is in the 'alignment of the axis A3 of the contact supports 49, 49' of the compartments

cut-off 12.

  In other words, these axes A3 and A5 are identical or coincident.

  In the embodiment shown, the axis A6 of the torus 82 of the fault detector 75 of the differential protection compartment 15 extends, itself, substantially perpendicular to the fixing face 18 of the

housing 11.

  It therefore extends substantially perpendicular to the axis A2 of the organ

  magnetic release 30 of the breaking compartments 12.

  According to the invention, for at least one of the breaking compartments 12, and, in practice, for each of them, the coupling winding 36 participating in the constitution of the primary of the fault detector 75 is inserted between the input terminal 13E and the magnetic trip member 30 of a

such cut-off compartment 12.

  More specifically, for at least one of the breaking compartments 12, and, in practice, for each of these, this coupling winding 36 intervenes immediately downstream of the input terminal 13E and immediately upstream of the corresponding input of the triggering device

magnetic 30.

  Preferably, and this is the case in the embodiment shown, for each of the breaking compartments 12, the coupling winding 36 participating in the constitution of the primary of the fault detector 75 is connected to the magnetic trip member 30 by a return section, which is parallel to the axis A2 of this magnetic trip member 30, and which, for all of the breaking compartments 12, extends at the same level, on the side of the trip member magnetic 30 opposite

  the one along which the associated arc extinguishing chamber 43 extends.

  According to the invention, the part 81 belonging to the unitary sub-assembly 83 which constitutes the mechanism of the differential protection compartment 15 is a crankshaft, which is rotatably mounted around the same fixed axis A5 as the actuation lever 79, and which comprises , laterally, in the eccentric position

  relative to this fixed axis A5, two fingers 87, 87 '.

  Aligned with each other, these two fingers 87, 87 'extend back to back, cantilevered, and they are each respectively engaged with the two attachment pieces 50, 50' which each correspond respectively to the two pairs P, P 'of cut-off compartments 12, by means of the bore 61

  of the arm 60 of these attachment pieces 50, 50 ′.

  In the embodiment shown, the part 81 forming the crankshaft comprises a hollow hub 88, in which is housed the actuation lever 79, and which is perforated with a recess 89, and the arm 80 of the actuation lever 79 s 'extends to the right of the edge of this recess 89, for intervention on the part 81, and, by the latter, on the attachment part 50, 50' of the compartments

cut-off 12.

  The tripping and closing processes of the four-pole differential circuit breaker 1 5 thus constituted being of the same type as those described in French patents Nos. 94 06585 and 94 09691 already mentioned

  above, they will not be repeated here.

  FIG. 15 illustrates, as a variant, the application of the invention to a

  10 'two-pole differential circuit breaker.

  The number n1 of breaking compartments 12 of this two-pole differential circuit breaker 10 ′ therefore being equal to two, the width 12 of the differential protection compartment 15 is equal to the following value

1 2M

12 = -.nl.ll = l = 2M

2 3

  Jointly, the width L of the corresponding housing 11 ′ is then equal

at 2M.

  In other words, the number n is then equal to two.

  For the rest, the provisions are of the same type as the previous ones.

  Of course, the present invention is not limited to the forms of

  realization described and represented, but includes any variant.

  In particular, in the case of a four-pole or three-pole differential circuit breaker with neutral, it is possible, as a variant of the preferred arrangement described and shown, to have the differential protection compartment at one or the other of the ends. of the alignment formed by the breaking compartments. Similarly, in the case of a two-pole differential circuit breaker, it is possible to arrange the differential protection compartment between the

breaking compartments.

Claims (14)

  1. Multipolar differential circuit breaker of the type comprising, in the same housing (11, 11 ') of width L equal to a multiple n of a basic module M, on the one hand, an even number n1 of breaking compartments (12 ) of the same width la, which all extend parallel to each other, and to each of which are associated an input terminal (13E) and an output terminal (1 3S), and, on the other hand, a compartment differential protection (15), characterized in that, jointly, the differential protection compartment (15) extends parallel to the breaking compartments (12), and, apart from the inevitably present wall thicknesses, the width Il of the compartments cut-off (12) is substantially equal to the following value 2M and the width 12 of the differential protection compartment (15) is at most equal to the following value 1 5 12 = -. Ni.   2. Multipole differential circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that, apart from the inevitably present wall thicknesses, the width 12 of the differential protection compartment (15) is equal to the following value: 12 = -. Ni.li 3 Multipolar differential circuit breaker according to any one of   Claims 1, 2, characterized in that the input terminals (13E), of a   part, and the output terminals (13S), on the other hand, are distributed at a regular pitch equal to the basic module M, so that they are offset with respect to the   cut-off compartment (12) with which they are associated.   4. Multipole differential circuit breaker according to any one of   Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the number n. compartments of   being cut-off (12) being equal to four, these cut-off compartments (12) are grouped in pairs (P, P '), on the basis of a pair (P) of two cut-off compartments (12) on a first side of the differential protection compartment (1 5), and a pair (P ') of two cut-off compartments (1 2) on the side of this differential protection compartment (15) opposite to the previous one, so that the differential protection compartment (15) occupies the central part of the interior volume of the housing (11) while the cut-off compartments   (12) occupy the lateral parts of this interior volume.   5. Multipolar differential circuit breaker according to claim 4, characterized in that, each of the breaking compartments (12) comprising a contact support (49, 49 '), which is rotatably mounted around an axis (A3) fixed relative to to the housing (11), and on which their movable contact (32) is itself rotatably mounted, the two breaking compartments (12) of the same pair (P,   P ') have in common the same contact support (49, 49').   6. Multipolar differential circuit breaker according to claim 5, characterized in that the two breaking compartments (12) of the same pair (P, P ') also have in common the same attachment piece (50,'), which is also rotatably mounted around the fixed axis (A3), and the same operating member (52, 52 '), which, by means of a linkage (53, 53') and under the control of the attachment piece (50, 50 '), is capable of passing the contact support (49, 49') from a tripping position, for which their movable contact (32) is at a distance from a fixed contact ( 31), and an engagement position, for which, on the contrary, this movable contact (32) is in abutment against this fixed contact (31), with, associated with the contact support (49, 49 '), elastic means opening (54, 54 ') which permanently urge this contact support (49, 49') towards its position trigger.   7. Multipolar differential circuit breaker according to claim 6, characterized in that the operating member (52, 52 ') associated with the two breaking compartments (12) of the same pair (P, P') comprising, in the housing (11), a hub (62, 62 ') by which it is rotatably mounted on this housing (11), the two means (62, 62') each corresponding respectively to the two pairs (P, P ') of compartments of cut-out (12) are set in rotation relative to each other.   8. Multipole differential circuit breaker according to claim 7, characterized in that the two hubs (62, 62 ') are aligned with each other, with, between them, dog clutch means (63, 63'). 9. Multipole differential circuit breaker according to any one of   Claims 7, 8, characterized in that the operating member (52, 52 ')   associated with the two cut-off compartments (12) of the same pair (P. P ') comprising a finger (67, 67'), which, integral with the corresponding hub (62, 62 '), projects out of the housing (11 ), the fingers (67, 67 ') each corresponding respectively to the two pairs (P, P') of breaking compartments (12) are, outside the housing (11), connected one to   the other by the same bar (68).   i10. Multipolar differential circuit breaker according to any one of   Claims 6 to 9, characterized in that, the protective compartment   differential (15) being equipped with a fault detector (75), which is capable of delivering a differential current in response to a fault, of a sensitive relay (76), which is served by the fault detector (75) , a trigger lever (77), which, rotatably mounted about an axis (A4) fixed relative to the housing (11), comprises an arm (78) on which the sensitive relay (76) can act, and an actuating lever (79), which, rotatably mounted about an axis (A5) fixed relative to the housing (11) and distinct from the preceding fixed axis (A4), comprises an arm (80) by which it can act on another part (81), said other part (81) is a crankshaft, which is rotatably mounted around the same axis (A5) fixed as the actuation lever (79), and which comprises, laterally, in the eccentric position with respect to this fixed axis (A5), two fingers (87, 87 '), and in that, aligned with each other, these two fingers (87, 87') extend back to cantilevered back and are each one respectively engaged with the two attachment pieces (50, 50 ') which each correspond respectively to the two   pairs (P, P ') of breaking compartments (12).   11. Multipolar differential circuit breaker according to claim 10, characterized in that the part (81) forming the crankshaft comprises a hollow hub (88), in which is housed the actuation lever (79), and which is perforated with a recess (89), and the arm (80) of the actuating lever (79) extends in line with the edge of this recess (89).   12. Multipolar differential circuit breaker according to claims 5 and   , taken together, characterized in that the axis (As) around which the actuating lever (79) of the differential protection compartment (15) is rotatably mounted and the axis (A3) of the contact supports (49, 49 ') of   breaking compartments (12) are identical.   13. Multipole differential circuit breaker according to any one of   Claims 10, 11, characterized in that the fault detector (75)   comprising a toroid (82) on which are wound, on the one hand, a primary, which, for each of the breaking compartments (12), comprises at least one coupling winding (36) coming from this breaking compartment ( 12), and, on the other hand, a secondary to which the sensitive relay (76) is connected, and at least one of the breaking compartments (12) comprising, between its input terminal (13E) and its terminal output (13S), a magnetic trip member (30), for at least one of the cut-off compartments (12), the coupling winding (36) is inserted   between the input terminal (13E) and the magnetic trip member (30).   14. Multipolar differential circuit breaker according to claim 13, characterized in that, for at least one of the breaking compartments (12), the coupling winding (36) intervenes immediately downstream of the input terminal (13E) and immediately upstream of the corresponding entry of   the magnetic trip member (30).   1 5. Multipolar differential circuit breaker according to any one of   Claims 13, 14, characterized in that, for each of the compartments   break (12), the coupling winding (36) participating in the constitution of the primary of the fault detector (75) is connected to the magnetic trip member (30) by a return section (85), which is parallel to the axis (A2) of this magnetic trip member (30), and which, for all of the   breaking compartments (12), extends at the same level.   16. Multipole differential circuit breaker according to any one of   Claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the axis (A6) of the torus (82) of the   fault detector (75) of the differential protection compartment (15) extends substantially perpendicular to the axis (A2) of the   magnetic release (30) of the breaking compartments (12).   17. Multipole differential circuit breaker according to any one of   Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that at least one of the compartments   break (12) comprising a magnetic trigger member (30), the axis (A2) of this magnetic trigger member (30) extends   parallel to the fixing face (18) of the housing (11).   18. Multipole differential circuit breaker according to any one of   Claims 1 to 17, characterized in that at least one of the compartments   breaking (12) comprising a magnetic trigger member (30) with a winding (40) arranged around a core (41), the winding (40) is formed by a wire of rectangular cross section whose largest dimension is parallel to the axis (A2) of this triggering member magnetic (30).