FR2794281A1 - Circuit breaker/electronic card connection having flexible U-shaped support/connection end and card position slotting card contact elements connecting. - Google Patents

Abstract

The circuit breaker to electronic card connection unit has a semi flexible connection piece with a section (5) fixing to the electronic card support (4). The electronic card has contact elements (3) brought into contact with the electronic card support section when the board is placed in position.

Description

DEVICE <B> OF </ B> ELECTRICAL CONNECTION OF A <B> BEAM </ B> <B> CONTACT OF AN </ B> ELECTRICAL DEVICE TEL <B> A CIRCUIT BREAKER TO A </ B> DEVICE <B> DE </ B> INFORMATION PROCESSING TEL <B> AN </ B> ELECTRONIC CARD.

The present invention relates to a device for electrically connecting a contact pad of a breaking device such as a circuit breaker to the contact elements of an information processing device housed in a support, such as an electronic card, said support being intended to <B> to </ B> be attached to the housing of said apparatus.

One obvious way to make this type of connection is to use wired drivers. In this case, the wires are connected by welding, by their two opposite ends, respectively to the contact elements of the card and <B> to </ B> the range of the device. However, the use of a conventional wired connection to achieve this type of connection induces risks of obtaining a low connection quality, and in any case requires the realization of special welds, electrical or <B> to </ B> tin, <B> to </ B> inside the device, hence a time and cost related <B> to the important connection operation.

The present invention solves these problems and proposes a device for connecting a contact pad of a switchgear to the contact elements of an information processing device such as an electronic card, making it possible to reduce the related industrial costs. B> to </ B> this connection operation while improving the quality of contact. The invention also relates to a circuit breaker equipped with such a device.

<B> A </ B> With this effect, the present invention relates to a device of the kind mentioned above, this device being characterized in that it comprises a connection piece made at least partly of a rigid or semi conductive material -rigid having a slight elasticity, said connecting piece having means for fixing to the support, said means being able <B> to </ B> electrically connect during this fixing the conductive part of the connecting piece to the contact elements of the support and a contact portion adapted to be brought into press contact over the aforesaid range by the aforementioned elasticity of the workpiece during the operation of fixing the support to the workpiece. case of the device.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned fixing means comprise means for clamping an end of the support. According to a particular characteristic, the aforementioned clamping means comprise a portion <B> U </ B> having a slight elasticity and formed <B> at </ B> one end of the connection piece, the aforementioned end the support is held firmly between the two branches of the <B> U </ B> thanks <B> to </ B> the elastic force of return of the two branches in the direction of one another.

According to another characteristic, one of the branches of the first U> B </ B> comprises at least one contact stud projecting towards the support and adapted <B> to </ B> be brought into contact by pressure on the contact elements of the support.

According to another feature, the card is mounted on a mounting bracket having at least one card guide pad extending in the direction of the card, and one or more positioning candles extending in the opposite direction and fit <B> to </ B> cooperate with the base of the device.

The invention also relates to a circuit breaker comprising a base, said base comprising means for fixing a support such as an electronic card on said base, and at least one device for connecting a contact pad to the contact elements of the carrier having the aforementioned features taken alone or in combination.

But other advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent in the detailed description which follows and refers to the accompanying drawings given only <B> to </ B> title <B> d </ B> 'example and in which < B>: </ B> Fig. <B> 1 </ B> is a partial perspective view, illustrating the connection device according to the invention implemented to achieve the electrical connection of a range of circuit breaker <B> to </ B> an electronic card FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating two connecting devices according to the invention, an electronic card, and a support for fixing the card to the circuit breaker box. FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view. , illustrating the base of a circuit breaker ready to receive an electronic card equipped with two connecting devices according to the invention and the aforementioned fixing support, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view, illustrating FIG. the various components of a circuit breaker according to the invention, adapted to receive an electronic card, equipped with two connecting devices according to the invention, FIG. schematically the electronic circuit of the electronic card tronic, and <B> - </ B> Fig.6 represents this same circuit in more detail. In the figure <B> 1, </ B> we see a connecting device <B> to </ B> the invention, implemented to electrically connect one 2 of the ranges of a branch circuit breaker bipolar, to the contact elements <B> 3 </ B> of an electronic card 4. This connection device comprises a connection piece <B> 5 </ B> consisting mainly of a semi-rigid blade made of a material conductive and having some elasticity. This blade has been folded to <B> to </ B> form a first <B> U, 6, </ B> constituting a means for fixing the blade on the card 4. This first <B> U </ B> includes a first <B> 7 </ B> and a second <B> 8 </ B> branch connected by a base <B> 9, </ B> between which branches an end 4a of the card 4 is introduced <B> to </ B> against the elastic force recalling the two <B> 7.8 </ B> branches towards each other. This second <B> 8 </ B> branch carries two <B> 10, 11 </ B> studs slightly protruding on the inside of the second <B> 8 </ B> limb and able <B> to < / B> be elastically applied to the contact elements <B> 3 </ B> of the card 4. This second branch <B> 8 </ B> extends to form a second <B> U, </ B> 12, opposite to the first. This second <B> U, </ B> 12, has a branch <B> 13 </ B> common with the first <B> U </ B> and a second branch 14 extending in the opposite direction <B> to </ B> the card 4, so <B> to </ B> form a tab constituting the contact part <B> 15 </ B> of the connecting part <B> 5. </ B> This tab <B> 15 </ B> is formed by folding at an angle of about 45 'to the extended end of the second leg 14 of the second <B> U </ B> 12 relative to the plane P of the card 4 or <B> to </ B> the direction of the second branch 14 of the second <B> U </ B> 12. It can also be seen that this part of the piece forming the leg is fork-shaped and has been split up 'at about the level of the base <B> 9 </ B> of the first <B> U 6, <B> so <B> to </ B> form two parallel branches 15a, 15b whose ends 15c, 15d were bent towards the map (or opposite direction <B> to </ B> the beach). This tab <B> 15 </ B> is intended <B> to </ B> bear against the surface of the range 2 of the device, as will be explained later.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, two connecting devices <B> 1 </ B> according to the invention are shown intended to be attached to, respectively, two elements of contact <B> 3 </ B> spaced from the card 4. This card 4 is intended <B> to </ B> be fixed on a mounting bracket <B> 16 </ B> comprising on the one hand, three <B> 17 </ B> receiving and guiding pads for card 4, extending towards card 4, and a positioning candle <B> 18, </ B> extending in the opposite direction and adapted to cooperate with the base <B> 19 </ B> of the apparatus, the final fixing of the card 4 on the base <B> 19 </ B> being effected by means of two orifices 20, 21 in respectively in the card 4 and in one of the pads <B> 17. </ B> It will be noted that in the case where the apparatus will be of the four-pole type, two positioning candles and four guide pins will be used.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, this card 4 is intended to be fixed on the base of a branch circuit breaker of the type shown in FIG. neutral phase having two terminals <B> 22,23 </ B> supply phase respectively and neutral.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, this apparatus comprises, intended to be attached to the base 19, a neutral chamber 24, an interruption chamber 25 , </ B> two null poles <B> 26,27, </ B> placed on either side of the neutral chamber 24, a contact position indicator <B> 28 </ B>, a differential mechanism <B> 29, </ B> a differential relay <B> 30, </ B> a differential toroid <B> 31, </ B> a contact opening mechanism <B> 32, </ B> a subassembly including board 4, connecting devices <B> 1 </ B> and board support <B> 16, </ B> and terminals <B> 22,23. </ B>

Briefly described below is the operation of connecting the pads 2 of the circuit breaker to the electronic card 4 with reference to the figures.

The contact elements <B> 3 </ B> of the card 4, present <B> at </ B> one end thereof, are first introduced between the branches <B> 7,8 </ B> of the first <B> U, 6, </ B> connecting pieces <B> 5, <I> to </ I> </ B> against the elastic force of return of the branches <B> 7,8 </ B> one towards the other. The contact pads <B> 10,11 </ B> are used to ensure a certain contact pressure on the contact elements <B> 3. </ B> Then, the card and connecting part assembly <B> 5 </ B> is fixed on the card holder <B> 16 </ B> by inserting the card 4 between the guide pins <B> 17 </ B> and definitively fixing the card 4 on one studs through the orifices 20,21. After that, the assembly is fixed on the base <B> 19 </ B> of the apparatus by means, inter alia, positioning candles <B> 18. </ B> During this fixing operation, the legs contact <B> 15 </ B> connecting pieces <B> 5 </ B> are brought into contact respectively on the contact pads 2 of the device <B>. </ B> As and <B > to </ B> measuring the progress of the fixing operation, these tabs <B> 15 </ B> exert increasing pressure on the surfaces 2 thanks to the elasticity of the material of which these are constituted.

We have therefore realized thanks to the invention a device for ensuring a voltage tap on the main current line of a branch circuit breaker or other without having to use <B> to </ B> > a particular weld to ensure a good quality of contact. The quality of this connection is ensured by a judicious choice of the electrolytic couple of the two parts in contact so as to avoid corrosion problems. This solution therefore reduces industrial costs because it does not require the use of solder (electric or <B> to </ B> tin) in the device. This invention is intended to be advantageously used on bipolar and four-pole circuit breakers. The diagram of Figure <B> 5 </ B> represents an electrical apparatus such as a switch or a circuit breaker according to the invention having a differential protection circuit <B> A </ B> and a surge protection circuit B, for example a protection circuit against excessive mains voltage variations. In this embodiment, the overvoltage protection circuit B may be installed regardless of the presence of the differential protection.

Circuit B comprises voltage taps X according to one embodiment of the invention, a rectifier and voltage divider circuit connected to voltage taps X, and a first delay circuit <B> E </ B> connected to the circuit <B> D. </ B> An output of the delay circuit <B> E </ B> is connected <B> to </ B> through a diode F <B> to </ B> a trigger <B> G at </ B> voltage threshold which controls a relay H if said voltage threshold is exceeded.

The differential protection circuit <B> A </ B> has a summing torus <B> 1 </ B> to measure a differential current, a circuit <B> J </ B> clipper and rectifier connected to the toroid <B> 1 </ B> and a second delay circuit K whose timing is independent of that of the first delay circuit <B> E. </ B> An output of the second delay circuit K is connected <B> to </ B > through a diode L to the trigger <B> G. </ B>

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the <B> A </ B> and B circuits are independent and the delay circuits <B> E </ B> and K can have delays different and completely independent.

F and L diodes connected in the form of an <B> </ B> or <B> </ B> analog detect the maximum voltage provided by the timing circuits. This maximum voltage is provided <B> at </ B> a single <B> G </ B> trigger to control the relay and cause contacts <B> C </ B> to open if a voltage threshold is exceeded .

Figure <B> 6 </ B> shows the diagram of an electrical apparatus according to the invention having a protection circuit M which comprises the differential protection function and the overvoltage protection function.

In this detailed embodiment, a clipper <B> N </ B> and a rectifier <B> 0 </ B> are connected <B> to the secondary winding of the measuring toroid <B> 1 </ B> Resistors P and <B> Q </ B> and a Zener diode R and a capacitor <B> S </ B> form the timer for the differential protection function. The timer is connected to a maximum detection diode L, as for the second delay circuit K of the figure <B> 5. </ B>

The protection circuit M also comprises an overvoltage protection function comprising voltage taps according to one embodiment of the invention, connected to a rectifier and a voltage divider formed by a diode <B > 35 </ B> and resistors <B> 36.37, </ B>, and <B> 38. </ B> A voltage divider output is connected to a <B> timer. overvoltage protection <B> to </ B> through a Zener diode <B> 39. </ B> This timer includes an RC cell formed by resistor 40 and capacitor 41. The output of the timer is connected to <B>. </ B> a diode F as for the delay circuit <B> E </ B> of the figure <B> 5. </ B> In this embodiment, the two delays are completely independent, since the diodes L and F forming a <B> OR </ B> analog are connected to the outputs of said timers. The outputs of the diodes are connected <B> to </ B> a trigger device <B> threshold> comprising two transistors 42 and 43 mounted head to tail having a sensitive thyristor function, each transistor 42 and 43 having polarization resistors respectively 44 and 45 connected between the base and the transmitter. The tripping threshold is determined by a Zener diode 45 connected between the base of the transistor 42 and the emitter of the transistor 43. The output of the tripping device is connected in series with the relay H which comprises a non-return diode 47 connected in turn. parallel on its winding. Thus, in this embodiment, if the voltage supplied by the differential protection <B> to </ B> across the diode L or the voltage supplied by the overvoltage protection supplied <B> to </ B> through the diode F exceeds the threshold determined by the Zener diode 45, the transistors are controlled and a current supplied <B> to </ B> through said diodes L and F passes through the relay H to trigger the opening of the contacts of the circuit breaker or the switch . Of course, the invention is not limited to the described and illustrated embodiments which have been given only as examples.

On the contrary, the invention comprises all the technical equivalents of the means described and their combinations if they are carried out according to its spirit.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS <B> 1 .- </ B> Device for electrical connection of a contact area of a breaking device such as a circuit breaker to the contact elements of an information processing device housed in a support such as a card electronic, said support being intended <B> to </ B> be fixed on the housing of said apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a connection piece <B> (5) </ B> made at least partly in one rigid or semi-rigid conductive material having a slight elasticity, said connecting piece <B> (5) </ B> comprising on the one hand, fixing means <B> (6) </ B> to the support (4 ), said means being able <B> to </ B> electrically connect during this fixing the conductive part of the connection piece <B> (5) </ B> to the contact elements <B> (3) </ B > support (4), and secondly, a contact portion <B> (15) </ B> adapted <B> to </ B> be brought into contact by pressure on the aforementioned range (2) through <B> to </ b> the elasticity pr of the part <B> (5) </ B> during the process of fixing the support (4) to the housing of the device. 2.- Device according to claim <B> 1, </ B> characterized in that the aforementioned fastening means comprise pinch means <B> (6,7,8) </ B> of one end (4a ) of the support (4). <B> 3 .- </ B> Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the said clamping means comprise a portion shaped <B> U (6) </ B> having a slight elasticity and formed <B > at </ B> one end of the connection piece <B> (5), </ B> the aforementioned end (4a) of the support (4) being held firmly between the two branches <B> (7.8 ) <B> U (6) </ B> thanks to <B> to </ B> the elastic force of return of the two branches <B> (7,8) </ B> towards the one of the other. 4.- Device according to claim 3, characterized in that one <B> (8) <B> <B> (7,8) </ B> of <B > U (6) </ B> extends to form a second <B> U </ B> (12) inverted with respect to the first, the second branch (14) of the second <B> U </ B> (12) ), not common with the first <B> U (6), </ B> extending to form the aforementioned contact part <B> (15). </ B> <B> 5 .- </ B> Device according to claim 4, characterized in that said contact portion <B> (15) </ B> is formed by folding the extended end of the second limb (14) of the second <B> U </ B> (12) at an angle of about 45 'to the direction of said branch (14). <B> 6 .- </ B> Device according to claim <B> 5, </ B> characterized in that the contact portion <B> (15) </ B> is shaped fork and comprises two branches ( 15a, 15b) parallel, terminated by curved portions (15c, 15d) in the opposite direction <B> to </ B> the range (2). <B> 7 .- </ B> Device according to claim 3, characterized in that one <B> (8) </ B> of the branches <B> (7,8) </ B> of the first <B> U (6) </ B> comprises at least one contact pad <B> (10,11) </ B> protruding towards the support (4) and suitable (s) <B> to </ B> be brought into contact by pressure on the contact elements <B> (3) </ B> of the support (4). <B> 8 .- </ B> Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the card (4) is mounted on a mounting bracket <B> (16) </ B> having at least one guide pad <B> (17) </ B> of the card (4) extending in the direction of the card (4), and one or more positioning candles <B> (18) </ B> s 'extending in the opposite direction and able to <B> to </ B> interact with the base <B> (19) </ B> of the device. <B> 9 .- </ B> Circuit breaker comprising a base, said base <B> (19) </ B> comprising means for fixing a support (4) such as an electronic card (4) on said base < B> (19), </ B> and at least one connecting device <B> (1) </ B> from a contact area (2) of the circuit breaker to the contact elements <B> (3) </ B> support (4) according to any one of the preceding claims. 10. Circuit breaker according to claim 9, characterized in that it is of the bipolar or four-pole type. <B> 11 .- </ B> Circuit breaker according to claim 9, wherein it is a branch circuit breaker. 12. Circuit breaker according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the support (4) is an electronic card comprising a differential protection circuit and a protection circuit against variations in mains voltage too high.