FR2817078A1 - Circuit breaker/differential circuit breaker modular protection apparatus remote command unit having driver reengaging apparatus and second driver switching apparatus electronic circuit controlled. - Google Patents

Abstract

The remote control unit has a unit (2) attached to the modular apparatus. There is a first driver (3) with linear movement reengaging the modular apparatus and a second driver (4) with linear movement switching the modular apparatus.

Description

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DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to the field of electrical installations, in particular the protection of the various circuits against overloads such as short circuits and direct or indirect contacts, by means of electrical safety devices such as circuit breakers, differential circuit breakers. or differential switches, in particular remote control devices for such devices, and for their object a remote control device for modular protection devices.

 For some of these circuits, switching off after a fault can cause significant discomfort for the user, for example in the case of a circuit supplying a freezing, heating, fire protection appliance or even when a controlled device is located in an unsupervised room, for example in an industrial installation.

 The triggering of a protective device does not always originate from a frank and permanent fault. Indeed, such a triggering can come from transient faults which disappear by themselves, for example from a current wave or transient voltage due to a lightning strike on the current transport line, a condensation generating humidity important likely to cause a leak to the ground and which disappears after drying, etc ...

 In such cases, there are automatic reset devices performing one or more successive reset attempts at increasingly longer time intervals. Such devices are mainly used in urban installations of candelabra type, public shelters, illuminated signs, etc.

 The design of these electrical safety devices often involves electronics for the differential function. In addition, these devices are mostly equipped with simple contact means tolerating only relatively low nominal currents and have limited short-circuit performance.

 There follows a problem of repetition of the re-engagement or rearming of these devices and of the overload in terms of contact means, the sustainability of which can be seriously called into question. he

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 It is therefore advisable to carry out a rapid re-engagement or rearming of these devices, making it possible to avoid premature degradation of the contact means.

 The automatic resetting devices known to date are generally in the form of geared motors cooperating, by means of linear connecting elements, with the means for actuating the apparatus. These devices certainly allow reliable control of the reset, but their operating mode, which involves a rotary control means associated with a movement transformation device with reduction gear or the like, implements a relatively low reset speed, which is detrimental to the sustainability of contacts. In addition, these devices are of a high cost price.

 The aim of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a remote control device for modular protective equipment making it possible, on the one hand, to order a very wide range of products from the current viewpoint, nominal permissible and performance, on the other hand, to carry out a re-engagement or rearming fast enough to avoid any risk of damage to the contacts and, finally, to carry out a remotely-controlled trip.

 To this end, the remote control device for modular protective equipment, in particular for switching on or off remotely, by means of a push-button switch, a time switch, a contactor or the like, a modular protective equipment, such as a differential circuit breaker or a differential circuit breaker, is characterized in that it is essentially constituted by a first actuating means, with linear movement, in resetting of the modular equipment to be controlled , by a second actuation means, also with linear movement, for triggering said modular apparatus to be controlled and by an electronic circuit for controlling the first and second actuation means.

 The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments, given by way of nonlimiting examples, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation and in section of a remote control device according to the invention, in the position of

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la figure 4 est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 1 du dispositif en position de déclenchement d'un appareillage modulaire à commander ; les figures 5 et 6 sont des vues analogues à celles des figures l, 3 et 4 représentant la mise en oeuvre d'un levier de condamnation ; la figure 7 est une vue en perspective du dispositif suivant la figure 1 ; la figure 8 est une vue en perspective représentant le dispositif combiné avec un appareillage modulaire à commander ;

la figure 9 est une vue analogue à celles des figures 1 et 3 à 5, représentant le dispositif suivant les figures 1 à 6 dans une vue en élévation latérale par le côté opposé ; la figure 10 est une vue éclatée en perspective d'une variante de

réalisation du dispositif suivant la figure 1 ; la figure Il est une vue en perspective du dispositif suivant la figure 10, couvercle enlevé ; la figure 12 est une vue partielle en perspective, des premier et deuxième moyens d'actionnement du dispositif suivant la figure 10, et les figures 13 et 14 sont des vues en élévation latérale représentant le dispositif suivant les figures 10 à 12 respectivement en position de condamnation du réarmement et en position prêt à réarmer dans un boîtier correspondant. service for re-engagement of modular equipment to be controlled; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the device according to Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 of the device in the reset position;

Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 of the device in the release position of a modular apparatus to be controlled; Figures 5 and 6 are views similar to those of Figures 1, 3 and 4 showing the implementation of a locking lever; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the device according to Figure 1; FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the device combined with a modular apparatus to be controlled;

Figure 9 is a view similar to those of Figures 1 and 3 to 5, showing the device according to Figures 1 to 6 in a side elevational view from the opposite side; Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of a variant of

realization of the device according to Figure 1; Figure II is a perspective view of the device according to Figure 10, cover removed; Figure 12 is a partial perspective view of the first and second actuation means of the device according to Figure 10, and Figures 13 and 14 are side elevational views showing the device according to Figures 10 to 12 respectively in the position of resetting lockout and in the ready to reset position in a corresponding box.

protection l, en particulier pour enclencher ou déclencher à distance, au moyen d'un interrupteur à bouton-poussoir, d'un interrupteur horaire, d'un contacteur ou autre, un appareillage de protection modulaire, tel qu'un disjoncteur-interrupteur différentiel ou un disjoncteur différentiel, qui est relié mécaniquement à une face latérale dudit appareillage 1 et qui se présente sous forme d'un boîtier 2 de contour général correspondant à celui

de l'appareillage modulaire 1 à commander. Figures 1 to 7 and 9 to 11 of the accompanying drawings show a remote control device for modular switchgear

protection l, in particular for switching on or off remotely, by means of a push-button switch, a time switch, a contactor or the like, a modular protective device, such as a differential circuit breaker or a differential circuit breaker, which is mechanically connected to a lateral face of said apparatus 1 and which is in the form of a box 2 of general outline corresponding to that

of modular equipment 1 to be ordered.

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commander 1 et par un circuit électronique 5 de commande des premier et deuxième moyens 3 et 4 d'actionnement. According to the invention, this control device is essentially constituted by a first actuation means 3, with linear movement, in re-engagement of the modular apparatus to be controlled, by a second actuation means 4, also with movement linear, for triggering said modular apparatus at

control 1 and by an electronic circuit 5 for controlling the first and second actuation means 3 and 4.

mobile 6'de l'électro-aimant 6 qui coopère, par un axe 9, à son extrémité opposée au corps de l'électro-aimant 6 avec une rainure 7"'du levier d'enclenchement 7. Pour améliorer le guidage de l'axe 9 dans la rainure 7'" du levier d'enclenchement 7, ledit axe 9 est avantageusement muni de patins de guidage 10 montés à coulissement dans ladite rainure 7"'du levier d'enclenchement 7. According to a first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6 and 9 of the accompanying drawings, the first actuating means 3, with linear movement, in re-engagement of the modular equipment to be controlled 1 is constituted by an electromagnet 6 connected to an engagement lever 7, with movement pivoting about an axis 7 ', intended to cooperate, via a drive finger 7 ", with a lever 8 of the modular apparatus to be controlled 1. The connection between the electromagnet 6 and the latching lever 7 is carried out by means of the core

mobile 6 ′ of the electromagnet 6 which cooperates, by an axis 9, at its end opposite to the body of the electromagnet 6 with a groove 7 ″ of the engagement lever 7. To improve the guidance of the 'axis 9 in the groove 7'"of the engagement lever 7, said axis 9 is advantageously provided with guide shoes 10 slidably mounted in said groove 7"'of the engagement lever 7.

 Thus, during a displacement of the movable core 6 'in the body of the electromagnet 6, the latching lever 7 is driven in a pivoting movement around its axis 7', so that the finger drive 7 "also undergoes a pivoting movement. This pivoting movement of the lever 7, which translates, in fact, a transformation of the linear movement of the movable core 6 ′ into a partial rotation movement of the drive finger 7", is rendered possible by the sliding connection between the engagement lever 7 and the corresponding end of the core 6 ′ of the electromagnet 6, by virtue of the groove 7 ″ ″ of said engagement lever 7 (FIGS. 1 and 3).

chargé par un ressort Il le maintenant dans une position normalement sortie au repos (figures 1 à 3). Un tel mode de réalisation permet, d'une part, un positionnement du levier 7 et donc du doigt d'entraînement 7", dans lequel ce dernier est placé sous la manette 8 de ré enclenchement de l'appareillage à commander 1 (figure 8) et, d'autre part, un actionnement très rapide du Preferably, the movable core 6 ′ of the electromagnet 6 is

loaded by a spring It keeps it in a position normally extended at rest (Figures 1 to 3). Such an embodiment allows, on the one hand, a positioning of the lever 7 and therefore of the drive finger 7 ", in which the latter is placed under the lever 8 for resetting the apparatus to be controlled 1 (FIG. 8 ) and, on the other hand, very rapid actuation of the

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 mobile core 6 ′ and its immediate return to the rest position during a single pulse on the coil of the electromagnet 6. A resetting position obtained following such a pulse is shown more particularly in FIG. 3 of the drawings attached.

face avant du boîtier de l'appareillage à commander 1 dans une position telle qu'il soit sous la manette 8 de ré enclenchement dudit appareillage 1 après un déclenchement de ce dernier. As can be seen more particularly from FIG. 7 of the accompanying drawings, the drive finger 7 "of the engagement lever 7 crosses a curvilinear groove 2 ′ from the side face of the housing 2 facing the apparatus to be controlled 1. Thus, as shown in figure 8, in the rest position of the device, the drive finger 7 "is located against the

front face of the casing of the apparatus to be controlled 1 in a position such that it is under the lever 8 for re-engagement of said apparatus 1 after a tripping of the latter.

l'appareillage à commander 1 et coopérant avec la serrure 14 de ce dernier (figure 4), à travers une ouverture correspondante 14' (figures 1 à 5 et 7), ce levier 13 étant, en outre, chargé par un ressort 13"de rappel en position de repos. The second actuation means 4, with linear movement, for triggering the modular apparatus to be controlled 1 is constituted by an electromagnet 12, the movable core 12 of which co-operates with a trigger lever 13, pivotally guided in the box 2, provided with a drive finger 13 'crossing the side face of the box 2 facing

the apparatus to be controlled 1 and cooperating with the lock 14 of the latter (FIG. 4), through a corresponding opening 14 '(FIGS. 1 to 5 and 7), this lever 13 being, moreover, loaded by a spring 13 " in the rest position.

 This second actuating means 4 is intended to produce a voluntary triggering of the apparatus 1 to be controlled remotely. To this end, it suffices to deliver a control pulse to the electromagnet 12, in order to move the core 12 ′ against the trigger lever 13 and to pivot the latter so as to be driven by the drive finger 13 'the unlocking part of the lock 14 of said apparatus to be controlled 1.

 The electronic circuit 5 for controlling the first and second actuation means 3 and 4 is advantageously in the form of an electronic card connected to the terminals of the respective electromagnets 6 and 12 and is provided with a timing of the control pulses delivered to these electromagnets. The time delay is advantageously adjustable so as to determine a very limited pulse duration, in order to avoid destruction of the coils of the electromagnets 6 or 12 by heating. Preferably, the duration of the control pulses of the electromagnets 6 and 12 is adjusted to values of the order of a few

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 milliseconds, which is enough to attract the 6 'and 12' moving cores.

 When the control pulse of one or other of the electromagnets 6 or 12 is cut off, the corresponding movable core 6 ′ or 12 ′ is immediately returned to the starting position, either by means of the spring It is either by the return spring 13 "acting on the trigger lever 13 cooperating with the unlocking part of the lock 14.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the control device is further provided with a locking means 15 preventing, in the service position, any implementation of the remote control and of the first and second means 3 and 4 for actuation respectively in reclosing and tripping (Figures 2 and 5 to 12).

 According to a first embodiment, this locking means 15 consists of a pivoting lever mounted on the pivot axis 7 'of the engagement lever 7, this pivoting lever 15 being provided, on the one hand, with at least a hole 15 ', accessible in the locked position and intended to cooperate, in this locked position, with a locking device such as a padlock or a sealing wire (Figures 2,5, 6 and 9) and, on the other hand, a cam 15 "intended to cooperate with an electrical contact 16 for controlling the supply of the electronic circuit 5 for controlling the first and second actuation means 3 and 4 (FIGS. 2.5, 6 and 9) The pivoting lever 15 is advantageously provided with holes 15 ′ of different diameters allowing adaptation to the chosen locking means, namely padlock or sealing wire.

 Thus, it is possible to prevent the switching on of the apparatus to be controlled 1 by locking the remote control produced by means of the electronic circuit 5. Such locking may be necessary when an operator carries out an intervention on the circuit corresponding to the 'switchgear 1 and where, for safety reasons, it is necessary to keep the downstream part of said electrical circuit open.

 Locking is carried out by pivoting the pivoting lever forming the locking means 15 towards the outside of the envelope. As a result, a hole 15 'becomes accessible and allows the passage of a padlock with a key or a sealing wire.

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 In addition, the rotation of this lever 15 brings the cam 15 "into contact with the electrical control contact 16 and cuts off the power supply to the electronic circuit 5, so that operation of the device is prevented both at engagement only upon release.

 Furthermore, according to another characteristic of the invention, the pivoting lever 15 forming the locking means is provided with a projecting element 15 '"intended for actuation of the trigger lever 13 cooperating with the unlocking part of the lock 14 of the switchgear to be controlled 1. When the lever 15 is pivoted into the locking position, this element 15 '"comes into contact with the end of the trigger lever 13 carrying the drive finger 13' and moves said lever to its release position, so that the circuit downstream of the apparatus to be controlled 1 is open. The operation of the projecting element 15 '"is more particularly shown in Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings.

 Figures 10 to 14 of the accompanying drawings show an alternative embodiment of the invention, in which the first actuating means 3 consists of an electromagnet 6, the body of which is pivotally mounted in the housing 2 by the 'intermediate of supports 17 guided in rotation in the housing 2 and whose movable core 6 is connected by its free end to an arm 18' of a latching lever 18 pivoting around an axis 18 "and provided with a drive finger 18 "'intended to cooperate with the lever 8 for re-engaging the apparatus to be controlled 1.

 According to a characteristic of the invention, the axis 18 ′ of the pivoting engagement lever 18 is loaded by a spiral spring 19 resting by its free end on the body of the electromagnet 6 or on the corresponding support 17. Thus, during an energizing pulse of the electromagnet 6, the movable core 6 is attracted into the body of said electromagnet and rotates the engagement lever 18 against the force of the spring 19. Upon interruption of the electrical impulse on the electromagnet 6, the spiral spring 19 causes a rotation of the engagement lever 18 in the opposite direction to that induced by the action of the movable core 6 ′ and causes the return to said starting position core 6 ′ and of the pivoting engagement lever 18. The angular displacement of the body 6 of the electromagnet and of the core 6 ′ relative to their longitudinal axis, during the rotation of the engagement lever 18 is compensated by the possibility pivoting of said

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 body of the electromagnet 6 provided by the supports 17 which are guided in rotation in the housing 2.

 The second actuation means 4, for triggering the modular apparatus to be controlled 1 acts on a trigger lever 20 provided with a drive finger 20 ', by means of an amplifier lever 21. Thus, the stroke of the movable core 12 ′ of the electromagnet 12 constituting this second actuating means 4 is amplified, so as to guarantee the corresponding displacement of the connecting piece of the lock of the apparatus to be controlled 1.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the device according to FIGS. 10 to 14 is equipped with a locking latch 22 guided by sliding in the front face of the housing 2 and provided, on the one hand, with at least one bore 22 ', accessible in the locked position and intended to cooperate, in this locked position, with a locking device such as a padlock or a sealing wire and, on the other hand, a cam 22 "intended to cooperate with an electrical contact 16 for controlling the supply of the electronic circuit 5 for controlling the first and second actuation means 3 and 4.

 Furthermore, this locking latch 22 is provided with a lug 23 for actuating the trigger lever 20. This lug 23 thus drives, when the latch 22 is extracted from the front face of the housing 2 to release the access to the bore 22 ', the trigger lever 20 in a pivoting movement in which its drive finger 20' actuates the lock of the apparatus to be controlled 1, in the direction of a trigger, so that the electrical circuit downstream of this apparatus 1 is switched off. This movement for extracting the lock 22 simultaneously brings the cam 22 "in front of the electrical contact 16 and cuts off the electronic circuit 5 and therefore the electromagnets 6 and 12.

 As indicated above with regard to the first embodiment, the latch 22 can be maintained in its locking position by fitting into one of the holes 22 'of a padlock or a sealing wire.

 Finally, according to another characteristic of the invention, and as appears more particularly from FIGS. 10 and 13 of the appended drawings, the locking bolt 22 is provided with means 24 for blocking the engagement lever 18 in the rest position , consisting of a flat surface of said cooperating latch 22, in the latching position of latch 22, with

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 part of the section of the axis 18 ′ of the engagement lever 18 of corresponding shape. This means 24 therefore allows mechanical locking of the lever 18 in the locking position of the latch 22 by applying two surfaces against each other.

 The remote control device according to the variant embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 to 14 of the appended drawings allows a more compact embodiment of the first and second actuation means 3 and 4.

 Thanks to the invention, it is possible to produce a remote control device for modular protective equipment in particular for switching on or off remotely, by means of elements of the switch or contactor type or other automatic devices. modular protective equipment such as a circuit breaker, a differential switch or a differential circuit breaker or another device of this type while guaranteeing very rapid operation of the controlled devices ensuring the durability of their contact.

 Indeed, the device according to the invention allows very rapid operation of the devices to be controlled, so that an unwanted heating of the contacts cannot occur. Furthermore, this device also allows a remote controlled triggering, in particular for effecting a temporary deactivation of the circuits.

 Finally, the device according to the present invention makes it possible to ensure the safety of operators working on electrical equipment thanks to the provision of a locking lock preventing any unwanted operation.

 Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims (18)

 1. Remote control device for modular protective equipment (1), such as a differential circuit breaker or a differential circuit breaker, which is mechanically connected to a side face of said equipment (1) and which is in the form of a housing (2) of general outline corresponding to that of the modular apparatus (1) to be controlled, characterized in that it is essentially constituted by a first actuation means (3), with linear movement, in re-engagement of the modular apparatus to be controlled (1), by a second actuating means (4), also with linear movement, of

 triggering of said modular apparatus to be controlled (l) and by an electronic circuit (5) for controlling the first and second actuation means (3 and 4).  2. Device according to claim l, characterized in that the first actuating means (3), with linear movement, in reclosing of the modular apparatus to be controlled (1) is constituted by an electromagnet (6) connected to an engagement lever (7), with movement pivoting about an axis (7 '), intended to cooperate, via a drive finger (7 "), with a lever (8) of the modular equipment to order (1).  3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the connection between the electromagnet (6) and the latching lever (7) is effected by means of the movable core (6 ') of the electromagnet (6) which cooperates, by an axis (9), at its end opposite to the body of the electromagnet (6) with a groove (7 '") of the engagement lever (7).  4. Device, claim 3, characterized in that the axis (9) is provided with guide shoes (10) slidably mounted in the groove (7 "') of the engagement lever (7).  5. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the movable core (6 ') of the electromagnet (6) is loaded by a spring (11) keeping it in a position normally extended at rest.  6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second actuation means (4), with linear movement, for triggering the modular apparatus to be controlled (1) consists of an electromagnet (12), whose movable core (12 ') cooperates with a <Desc / Clms Page number 11>  release lever (13) pivotally guided in the housing (2), provided with a drive finger (13 ') passing through the lateral face of the housing (2) turned towards the equipment to be controlled (1) and cooperating with the lock (14) of the latter, through a corresponding opening (14 '), this lever (13) being, in addition, loaded by a spring (13 ") for returning to the rest position.  7. Device according to claim l, characterized in that the electronic circuit (5) for controlling the first and second actuation means (3 and 4) is in the form of an electronic card connected to the terminals of the electromagnets (6 and 12) respective and is provided with a timing of the control pulses delivered to these electromagnets.  8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the time delay is adjustable so as to determine a very limited pulse duration, in order to avoid destruction of the coils of the electromagnets (6 or 12) by heating.  9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the control device is provided with a locking means (15) preventing, in the service position, any implementation of the remote control and first and second means (3 and 4) for actuation in re-engagement and in triggering respectively.  10. Device according to any one of claims 2 and 9, characterized in that the locking means (15) consists of a pivoting lever mounted on the pivot axis (7 ') of the engagement lever (7 ), this pivoting lever (15) being provided, on the one hand, with at least one bore (15 '), accessible in the locking position and intended to cooperate, in this locking position, with a locking device such that '' a padlock or a sealing wire and, on the other hand, a cam (15 ") intended to cooperate with an electrical contact (16) for controlling the supply of the electronic circuit (5) for controlling the first and second means (3 and 4) of actuation.  11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the pivoting lever (15) is provided with holes (15 ') of different diameters allowing adaptation to the chosen locking means, namely padlock or sealing wire.  12. Device according to any one of claims 6 and 10, characterized in that the pivoting lever (15) forming the locking means is provided with a projecting element (15 "') intended to <Desc / Clms Page number 12>  actuation of the trigger lever (13) cooperating with the unlocking part of the lock (14) of the apparatus to be controlled (1).  13. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first actuating means (3) consists of an electromagnet (6), the body of which is pivotally mounted in the housing (2) by means of supports (17) guided in rotation in the housing (2) and whose movable core (6 ') is connected by its free end to an arm (18') of a latching lever (18) pivoting around a axis (18 ") and provided with a drive finger (18" ') intended to cooperate with a lever (8) for resetting the apparatus to be controlled (1).  14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the axis (18 ') of the pivoting engagement lever (18) is loaded by a spiral spring (19) pressing at its free end on the body of the electromagnet (6) or on the corresponding support (17).  15. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second actuation means (4), for triggering the modular apparatus to be controlled (1) acts on a trigger lever (20) provided with a finger d 'drive (20'), via an amplifier lever (21).  16. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 13 to 15, characterized in that it is equipped with a locking latch (22) guided by sliding in the front face of the housing (2) and provided, d 'firstly, at least one bore (22'), accessible in the locking position and intended to cooperate, in this locking position, with a locking device such as a padlock or a sealing wire and, on the other hand, a cam (22 ") intended to cooperate with an electrical contact (16) for controlling the supply of the electronic circuit (5) for controlling the first and second actuation means (3 and 4).  17. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that the locking latch (22) is provided with a lug (23) for actuating the trigger lever (20).  18. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that the locking latch (22) is provided with means (24) for locking the latching lever (18) in the rest position, constituted by a flat surface of said latch (22) cooperating, in the latching position of the latch (22), with a part of the section of the axis (18 ') of the latching lever (18) of corresponding shape.