FR2890781A1 - ELECTRICAL FUSE CUTTING APPARATUS - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a universal electrical interrupt appliance for different fuse formats. In said interrupt appliance (1), the housing (20) and the inner electrical contacts (4) are designed to authorize support elements (6) of the fuse (5c) to be mounted in different mounting positions so as to adjust their pitch to adapt it to different fuse formats. Similarly, the connection of the elements supporting (6) to the fuse (5c) is configured to enable different shapes of connecting pads (50) corresponding to the different fuse formats to be mounted. The invention is applicable to any type of fuse electrical interrupt appliances in any type of installation.

Description

2890781 1

  TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a fusible electric cut-off device comprising at least one housing containing at least two electrical contacts connected by a fuse disposed outside said housing, this fuse having at least two ranges. connection, each electrically coupled to said electrical contacts by two support members passing through said housing, each support member having at least one connection area to said fuse disposed outside the housing, an attachment area to said housing and a connection area said electrical contact disposed within the housing.

  PRIOR ART In the field of the distribution of electrical energy, switchgear devices such as fuse switches or fuse disconnectors are commonly used in order to protect the power supply of industrial equipment. These switching devices have ratings that can vary from a few tens to several thousand amperes and are, therefore, equipped with different fuse formats selected according to, in particular, the rating of the breaking device and the national standards in force. and / or international. Each fuse format is distinguished by its dimensions, its form of connection pads and its connection mode. As a result, there are specific support elements for each fuse format and each electrical breaking device is different.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: The present invention aims at providing a solution for universalizing as much as possible the fuse support elements and the corresponding breaking devices, so that they can receive several fuse formats, in order to reduce the number of references, mass production and lower production costs, while simplifying cut-off devices.

  For this purpose, the invention relates to an electrical switching device of the type indicated in the preamble, characterized in that at least the housing and the electrical contacts are arranged to allow the mounting of the support elements on the housing in different mounting positions in order to be able to adapt their center distance to different fuse formats and make this housing universal.

  In a preferred embodiment, the housing comprises at least two connection openings each disposed facing an electrical contact, these connection openings being elongate and delimiting for each support element two extreme mounting positions. It may also comprise at least two sets of several parallel connection slots, each set being arranged opposite an electrical contact, these connection slots defining for each support element different fixed mounting positions.

  Preferably, the electrical contacts each comprise at least one conductive bar extending at least along the length of the connecting opening or set of connection slots corresponding thereto and the connection area of each support element comprises at least a spring clip adapted to fit on the corresponding electrical contact.

  This spring clip may comprise at least two branches biased towards each other by at least one spring member or at least one fixed branch and a movable branch biased towards the fixed branch by at least one spring member.

  Advantageously, the housing and the mounting area of each support member comprise complementary fixing means arranged to allow the fixing of the support elements on the housing in their different mounting positions. For this purpose, each support element comprises, in its attachment zone, a base in plane support on the housing and fixed thereto by at least one fixing member.

  In the preferred embodiment, the connection area of the support members is also arranged to permit the mounting of different forms of connection pads corresponding to different fuse formats, making these support elements universal.

  In a first embodiment, the connection area of each support member comprises at least one spring clip adapted to receive by interlocking a connection range of the fuse. This spring clip is adaptable to the connection pads of different fuse sizes and may comprise at least one fixed branch and a movable branch biased towards the fixed branch by at least one spring member.

  The movable branches of the connection and connection areas of the same support member are advantageously formed of a single blade pivotally mounted about an axis substantially median to said support member and biased by the same spring member.

  In a second variant embodiment, the connection zone of each support element comprises at least one connecting lug adapted to receive in plane support a fuse connection range fixed by at least one fixing member, the connecting lug comprising at least one connecting lug. minus two superimposed fixing holes of different diameters 2890781 4 to receive fasteners adapted to different fuse formats. This connection zone may comprise at least one mounting bracket reported under the connecting lug and provided with a first fixing hole, the connecting lug having the second fixing hole of a diameter greater than the first.

  The housing and the support elements may comprise means for indexing the various possible mounting positions and an identification marking of the different fuse formats corresponding to said indexed mounting positions.

Brief description of the drawings:

  The present invention and its advantages will become more apparent in the following description of two embodiments given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cutting apparatus 3 is a perspective view of the casing of a cut-off module of the apparatus of FIG. 1, FIGS. 3A-C are perspective views of the casing of FIG. 2. according to a first embodiment respectively equipped with three different fuse formats, FIGS. 4AB and C are top views of the housing corresponding to FIGS. 3A and 3B and then 3C, FIGS. 5A and B are perspective views from above and from below a fuse holder member according to the first embodiment and Fig. 5C is a detail view of a part of this support member, Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3C, of a housing and its support elements, without fuse, in the mounting phase or adjustment, 7A-D are perspective views of the housing of Figure 2 according to a second embodiment respectively equipped with four formats of 8AB, C and D are top views of the housing corresponding to FIGS. 7A and B, C and D, and FIGS. 9A and B are perspective and side views, respectively, of a support element of FIGS. fuse according to the second embodiment.

  Illustrations of the invention: With reference to the figures, the electric switchgear 1 according to the invention is a three-phase fuse switch or disconnector provided with three breaking modules 2, one for each phase or pole of the distribution network. electrical, and a control module 3. This electric switching device 1 may have a number of different poles. Each cut-off module 2 is formed of a substantially parallelepiped-shaped casing 20 enclosing electrical contacts 4, at least two of which are electrically connected by a fuse 5 disposed outside the casing 20 and carried by two support elements. 6, 7. Each support element 6, 7 comprises a connection zone A to the fuse, located outside the housing 20 to connect to the fuse 5 by its connection pads 50, a connection area C to the electrical contact, located inside the housing 20 to connect to the electrical contact 4, and a fixing zone B to the housing, preferably located outside the housing 20 between the zones A and C. The format of the fuses 5 depends on the size of the electrical cut-off device 1, namely its amperage, and the normative specificities of each country. The object of the invention is to allow the mounting of different formats of existing fuses or at least the main ones with only one type of housing 20 and two types of support elements 6, 7. These different fuse formats, referenced 5a to 5f, are summarized in the table below: Ref. Fig. Standard Size Connection Diameter 5a BS BI B2 Screwed Screw M8 Sc BS A4 Screwed Screw M8 5b UL J Screwed or Screw M6 Nested 5d DIN 1 Nested --- 5th DIN 0 Nested 5f DIN 00 OOC Nested 5 These different fuse sizes 5a-f can be divided into two families according to their connection, depending on whether it should be screwed or simply nested. The invention accordingly proposes two models of support elements 6, 7, a first model of support elements 6 illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6, which allows the connection pads 50 of the fuses 5a-c to be fixed by screwing. , and a second model of support elements 7 illustrated in Figures 7 to 9, which allows the fixing of the connection pads 50 of the fuses 5b and 5d-f. The housing 20 meanwhile is designed on the basis of a single model compatible with one or the other model of support elements 6, 7 chosen.

  BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION: More particularly with reference to FIG. 2, the housing 20 comprises on the face receiving the fuse 5 two connection openings 21 each placed facing an electrical contact 4 and allowing the passage of the zone. each connection element C of each support element 6, 7. These connection openings 21 are rectangular and sufficiently elongated to permit the mounting of the support elements 6, 7 in different positions in order to adapt their spacing to the different fuse formats 5a. f. For this purpose, the electrical contacts 4 comprise a conductive bar which extends parallel to the axis of the connection opening 21 and over its entire length so that the electrical connection is possible regardless of the mounting position of the support element 6, 7. These connection openings 21 have the advantage of allowing a continuous adjustment of their position. However, they may be replaced by two sets of several parallel connection slots (not shown) each defining a mounting position of the support elements 6, 7.

  The housing 20 comprises at least two threaded fixing holes 22 each adapted to receive a fixing member 23, such as a screw, for fixing in a chosen mounting position of each support element 6, 7. Each fixing hole 22 may be formed by a square nut 24 housed in a groove 25 of the housing 20, the position of this nut 24 being adjustable to adapt to the chosen mounting position. Each support element 6, 7 is mounted in a base 8 in plane support on the housing 20 and fixed on the latter at least by the fixing member 23. For this purpose, the base 8 has openings 80 capable of being traversed by at least the zone of connection to the contact C of the support elements 6, 7. It also comprises a housing (not visible) adapted to receive by interlocking the fixing lug 60 provided in the zone of attachment to the housing B of the elements of support 6, 7. This base 8 comprises an orifice 81 for the passage of the fastener 23, which simultaneously fixes the support member 6, 7, through an oblong hole 61 provided in said fixing lug 60. base 8 is made of an electrically insulating material and makes it possible to secure the assembly by firmly holding the support element 6, 7 with respect to the housing 20 and to close the connection openings 21.

  In the example shown, the housing 20 also comprises indexing means 26 in the form of notches adapted to cooperate with complementary notches 86 provided under the base 8 to define the different possible mounting positions of the support elements. 6, 7. An identification marking 27 is provided on the housing 20 to be visible through a window 87 provided in the base 8 for the purpose of identifying the fuse format or formats which correspond to the mounting positions defined by the indexing means 26. The housing 20 finally has connection terminals 28 accessible on its sides for the connection of measurement or control equipment to voltage taps (not shown) connected directly to the electrical contacts 4. The configuration of the face receiving the fuse 5 of the housing 20 is symmetrical with respect to its central point and allows mounting to the right or left of the same elements of support 6, 7 which are therefore reversible.

  With particular reference to FIGS. 5A-C, the support element 6 is made in an electrically conductive bar having a substantially inverted-L shape, the large branch of the L defining the connection zone to the contact C and the small branch of the L defining the connection area to the fuse A. This fuse connection zone A comprises a connecting lug 62 provided with at least one threaded fixing hole 63, on which is fixed a connection pad 50 of the fuse 5 by at least one fastener (not shown) screwed through a bore 51 preferably oblong into the fixing hole 63. This connecting lug 62 has a smooth hole 64 disposed opposite the fixing lug 60 to allow access to the fastener 23 by a tool 10 such as a screwdriver for example.

  This connecting lug 62 comprises a mounting bracket 9, made of an electrically conductive material, substantially U-shaped, fixed under the connecting lug 62 by a return 90 and two fasteners 91 such as screws. It comprises in its base 92 a fixing hole 93 threaded, disposed opposite the fixing hole 63 and a smaller diameter. For example, the fixing hole 63 corresponds to a diameter M8 adapted to the fuse formats 5a and 5c and the fixing hole 93 corresponds to a diameter M6 adapted to the fuse formats 5b. This particular arrangement makes it possible to fix these three different fuse sizes 5a-c on the same support element 6. The fixing hole 93 can be formed by a square nut 94 held between three tongues cut in the base 92 and folded to form a cage 95. The branches 96 of the mounting bracket 9 start from the base 92 to frame the connection lug 62 of the support element 6. This mounting bracket 9 also allows, by its shape, to ensure a dissipation of Joules generated by the electrical connection.

  This support element 6 comprises in its contact connection area C at least one spring clip 65 adapted to fit on the electrical contact 4. This spring clip 65 has two substantially parallel vertical branches separated by a slot whose width corresponds to the thickness of the electrical contact 4. A spring member 66 is mounted around the two branches to urge them towards each other and provide a tight fitting so a quality electrical connection. In the example shown, this spring member 66 is formed of a wire provided with a helical median section and two free ends engaged with external notches formed in the branches of the clamp 65. Of course, other spring members 66 may be suitable such as a circlip or the like.

  Referring more particularly to Figures 9A and 9B, the support member 7 is formed in an electrically conductive bar having a substantially I-shaped, the fuse connection areas A and C contact connection being aligned.

  The fuse connection zone A comprises a spring clip 70 adapted to receive by interlocking a connection pad 50 of the fuse 5. This spring clip 70 comprises two branches 71, 72, one 71 being fixed and the other 72 mobile and biased towards the fixed branch 71 by a spring member 73 to ensure a good electrical connection and simultaneously adapt the interval between the branches 71, 2890781 10 72 to different thicknesses of connection pads 50 for fuse formats 5 different. Similarly, the contact connection area C comprises a spring clip 74 adapted to fit on the electrical contact 4. This spring clip 74 comprises two branches 75, 76, one 75 being fixed and the other 76 being mobile and biased towards the fixed branch 75 by a spring member 73 to ensure a good electrical connection. In the example shown, the two movable arms 72, 76 are formed of one and the same blade, slightly V-shaped, pivotally mounted about a substantially median axis 77, located in the zone of attachment to the housing B and oriented perpendicular to the support member 7. This flat blade is biased by a single spring member 73, also in the form of a V blade retained by the axis 77. Of course any other member spring 73 or any other embodiment of the movable branches 72, 76 may be suitable.

  The assembly of these support elements 6, 7 to the housing 20 is very simple. They are previously assembled to their base 8 by introducing their connection area to the contact C through the openings 80 of the base 8 to the attachment area B where the fixing lug 60 is fitted into the corresponding housing of the This subassembly is then mounted on the housing 20 by introducing the connection zone to the contact C through the connection openings 21 and by fitting the spring clip 65, 74 to the corresponding electrical contact 4. It is simultaneously positioned by placing each base 8 in the mounting position which corresponds to the fuse format 5 to be mounted. For this, the operator is assisted by the markings 27 and the indexing means 26. Each subassembly is locked in position on the housing 20 by using the fastener 23 which passes successively through the orifice 81 of the base 8 and then the oblong hole 61 of the support element 6, 7 before being screwed into the fixing hole 22 of the housing 20 with the help of, for example, a screwdriver 10. The fuse 5 can be put in place by screwing or simple interlocking on the connection areas A support elements 6, 7, the spacings and fixing being adapted to its different formats.

  Industrial Application Possibilities: FIGS. 3A-C illustrate a housing 20 of an electrical breaking device 1 according to the invention equipped with two support elements 6 according to the first model allowing mounting of different fuse formats 5a-c, namely BS type B1 or B2, BS type A4 and UL type J which must be screwed.

  Figures 4AB and 4C show the top of the housing 20 without the fuse 5ac in each case.

  FIG. 3A illustrates the arrangement corresponding to fuse 5a of BS type B1 or B2 format. In this case, the support elements 6 are symmetrically spaced apart from each other, the notches 86 of the bases 8 are nested in the first notches 26 starting from the sides of the housing 20 and the two windows 87 show the marking 27 B 1.B2.J as illustrated in Figure 4AB. The connection pads 50 of the fuse 5a are fixed by a fixing screw M8 in the fixing hole 63 of the connection tab 62.

  FIG. 3B illustrates the arrangement corresponding to the fuse 5b of type J UL format which is identical to that of FIG. 3A, except that the connection pads 50 of the fuse 5b are fixed by a fixing screw M6 in the fixing hole 93 of FIG. the mounting bracket 9 provided under the connecting lug 62.

  Figure 3C illustrates the mounting corresponding to fuse 5c BS format type A4. In this case, the support elements 6 are brought symmetrically close to each other, the notches 86 of the bases 8 are nested in the third notches 26 starting from the sides of the housing 20 and the two windows 87 show the marking 27 2890781 12A4 as illustrated in Figure 4C. The connection pads 50 of the fuse 5c are fixed by a fixing screw M8 in the fixing hole 63 of the connection tab 62.

  FIGS. 7A-D illustrate a housing 20 of an electrical breaking device 1 according to the invention equipped with two support elements 7 according to the first model allowing the mounting of different fuse formats 5b, 5d-f, namely the format UL type J and DIN formats type 0, 00, OOC or 1, which can be nested. Figures 8AB, 8C and 8D show the top of the housing 20 without the fuse 5b, 5d-f in each case.

  FIG. 7A illustrates the fitting corresponding to fuse 5d of DIN type 1 format. In this case, the support elements 6 are symmetrically spaced as far as possible from one another, the notches 86 of the bases 8 are nested in the first notches 26 from the sides of the housing 20 and the two windows 87 show the markings 0.1.J J on the right side and 1.J on the left side as shown in Figure 8AB.

  FIG. 7B illustrates the arrangement corresponding to fuse 5b of type J UL format which is identical to that of FIG. 7A, the connection pads 50 of fuse 5b being nested in spring clamps 70, unlike the assembly illustrated in FIG. Figure 3B where they were screwed.

  FIG. 7C illustrates the fitting corresponding to the fuse 5e of DIN O format. In this case, the support element 6 on the left is shifted one notch 26 to the right and the window 87 on the left shows the marking 27 0 as illustrated in Figure 8C.

  Figure 7D illustrates the fitting corresponding to fuse 5f DIN format type 00 or OOC. In this case, the support elements 6 are brought symmetrically to one another, the notches 86 of the bases 8 being nested in the last and fourth notches 26 starting from the sides of the housing 20 and the two windows 87 are the marking 27 00 appears as illustrated in Figure 8D.

  In these different assemblies, the connection pads 50 of the fuses 5b, 5d-f are fitted into force in the spring clips 70 which adapt to the thickness of these ranges by means of the spring member 73 and the pivot mounting of moving limbs 72, 76.

  It is clear from this description that the invention achieves the goals set, namely the mounting of several fuse formats on the same electrical switch device 1, in order to reduce manufacturing costs and simplify the mechanisms.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described but extends to any modification and variation obvious to a person skilled in the art while remaining within the scope of protection defined in the appended claims.

Claims (17)

claims   Electric fusible disconnect device (1) comprising at least one housing (20) containing at least two electrical contacts (4) connected by a fuse (5) disposed outside said housing (20), said fuse (5) ) having at least two connection pads (50) electrically coupled to said electrical contacts (4) by two support members (6, 7) extending through said housing (20), each support member (6, 7) having at least a connection zone (A) to said fuse disposed outside the housing (20), an attachment zone (B) to said housing and a connection zone (C) to said electrical contact disposed inside the housing (20) characterized in that at least said housing (20) and said electrical contacts (4) are arranged to allow mounting of the support members (6, 7) on the housing (20) in different mounting positions so as to be able to adapt their spacing to different fuse sizes (5a-f).   2. Switchgear according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (20) comprises at least two connection openings (21) each arranged facing an electrical contact (4), these connection openings (21) being elongated and delimiting for each support member (6, 7) two extreme mounting positions.   3. Switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that said housing (20) comprises at least two sets of several parallel connection slots, each set being arranged facing an electrical contact (4), these connection slots defining for each support member (6, 7) different fixed mounting positions.   4. Cutting device according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the electrical contacts (4) each comprise at least one conductive bar 2890781 15 extending at least along the length of the connection opening (21). ) or the set of connection slots that corresponds to it.   Switching device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the connection zone (C) of each support element (6, 7) comprises at least one spring clip (65, 74) adapted to fit on said electrical contact (4).   6. Cutting apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that said spring clip (65) comprises at least two branches biased towards each other by at least one spring member (66).   7. Switching device according to claim 5, characterized in that said spring clip (74) comprises at least one fixed branch (75) and a movable branch (76) biased towards the fixed branch (75) by at least one member spring (73).   8. Cutting device according to claim 1, characterized in that said housing (20) and the attachment zone (B) of each support element (6, 7) comprise fixing means (22-25; ) arranged to allow the fixing of said support members (6, 7) on the housing (20) in their different mounting positions.   9. Switching device according to claim 8, characterized in that each support member (6, 7) comprises, in its attachment zone (B), a base (8) in plane support on said housing (20) and fixed to the latter by at least one fastener (23).   10. Switchgear according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection area (A) of the support elements (6, 7) is arranged to allow the mounting 2890781 16 different forms of connection pads (50) corresponding to different fuse formats (5a-f).   11. Switchgear according to claim 10, characterized in that the connection zone (A) of each support element (7) comprises at least one spring clip (70) adapted to receive by interlocking a connection pad (50). ) of said fuse (5), said clamp (70) being adaptable to the connection pads (50) of different fuse formats (5b, 5d-f).   12. Switchgear according to claim 11, characterized in that the spring clip (70) comprises at least one fixed branch (71) and a movable branch (72) biased towards the fixed branch (71) by at least one member spring (73).   Cutting apparatus according to claims 7 and 12, characterized in that the movable legs (72, 76) of said connecting (A) and connecting (C) regions of the same support element (7) comprise a single and same blade pivotally mounted about a substantially middle axis (77) to said support member (7).   14. Switchgear according to. claim 10, characterized in that the connection zone (A) of said support members (6) comprises at least one connecting lug (62) adapted to receive in plane support a connection pad (50) of said fuse (5) secured by at least one fastener, said connecting lug (62) having at least two superposed fixing holes (63, 93) of different diameters for receiving fasteners adapted to different fuse formats (5a-c).   Cutting device according to claim 14, characterized in that the connection zone (A) comprises at least one mounting bracket (9) attached under said connecting lug (62) and provided with a first fixing hole ( 93), said connecting lug (62) having the second fixing hole (63) of a larger diameter than the first.   16. Cutting apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said housing (20) and said support members (6, 7) comprise indexing means (26, 86) of the different mounting positions.   17. Switching apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that said housing (20) comprises an identification marking (27) of the different fuse formats corresponding to said said indexed mounting positions.