FR2914485A1 - DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING AN ELECTRICAL PROTECTION APPARATUS AND ELECTRICAL PROTECTION APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a control device of an electrical protection device housed in an insulating housing (1) enclosing a pair of fixed (5) and movable contacts (4), said movable contact (4) being operable either manually by via a handle (6) is automatically, comprising a transmission rod (10) coupled to the handle (6), a support device (3) of the movable contact (4) comprising a plate (15) mounted to rotation on a pivot (31) and having a mechanical link breakable with the transmission rod (10), and a triggering lever (16) controlled by a trigger to cause in the event of a fault the breaking of the mechanical link, causing the triggering automatic mechanism of the mechanism independently of the handle (6) and the separation of the contacts (4,5), the breakable mechanical connection being formed by a catch of the release lever (16) cooperating with a hook hook (1). 9) pivotally mounted on an axis (20) of the plate, the breaking of the mechanical connection corresponding to the unlocking of the attachment. This device is characterized in that the transmission rod (10), in locking position of the hooking, bears on the plate (15) and on the locking hook (19), the relative positions of the two surfaces of respectively support of the plate and the hook and the ratio of the two lever arms for the reduction of the force of the rod on the release lever being chosen so that the force applied to the hook is lower than that applied to the platinum.

Description

DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING AN ELECTRICAL PROTECTION DEVICE AND APPARATUS

  ELECTRIC PROTECTION DEVICE COMPRISING SAME.

  The present invention relates to a control device of an electrical protection device housed in an insulating housing enclosing a pair of fixed and movable contacts, said movable contact being operable either manually via a joystick or automatically, comprising: a transmission rod coupled to the handle, -a movable contact support device comprising a plate rotatably mounted on a pivot and having a mechanical link breakable with the transmission rod, and a trigger lever controlled by a trigger to cause in the event of a fault, the breaking of the mechanical connection, resulting in the automatic triggering of the mechanism independently of the lever and the separation of the contacts, -the breakable mechanical connection being formed by a catch of the release lever cooperating with a hook hooking pivotally mounted on an axis of the plate. Patent FR 2 589 627 is known in which the transmission rod cooperates with the plate. In this device, the force of the mechanism is taken 2/3 on the plate and 1/3 on the trigger bar. There is no multiplier effect.

  Also known is the patent FR 2,616,583 describing a control mechanism of a miniature electric circuit breaker having the characteristics mentioned above.

  In this document, the assembly comprising the transmission link, the hook, and the trip lever is a reduction stage allowing a reduction of the triggering force. In this mechanism, the force of the rod exerts a torque on the hook hook. This geometry does not allow to be optimized in order to further reduce the gripping force for reasons of size of the mechanism in relation to the standard size of the modular circuit breaker poles. As a result, the size of the magnetic and thermal protections can not be further reduced. 2 This limits the performance of the circuit breakers because of the overheating produced by these devices.

  The present invention solves these problems and provides a device for controlling an electrical apparatus to improve the performance of this apparatus.

  For this purpose, the present invention relates to a control device of an electrical protection apparatus of the kind mentioned above. This device is characterized in that the transmission rod, in locking position of the hooking, bears on the plate and on the locking hook, the relative positions of the two bearing surfaces respectively of the plate and the hook and that the ratio of the two lever arms for the reduction of the force of the rod on the release lever being chosen so that the force applied to the hook is lower than that applied to the plate.

  According to a particular feature, the relative positions of the two bearing surfaces as well as the ratio of the two lever arms are chosen so that the force applied to the hook is about seven times lower than that applied to the plate.

  According to another particular feature, the hook and the trip lever are made in a reduced thickness so as to allow the housing of an antipollution screen interposed between the link and the attachment zone between the hook and the trip lever.

  According to another characteristic, the hook is made of a cut sheet or plastic.

  According to another characteristic, the hook and the plate each comprise an opening intended to allow rotation of the plate during an automatic release while the rod is locked in the closed position of the contacts by the lever. , the plate also has an opening adapted to guide the stroke of the rod to its initial position in support on the plate, when the handle returns to the open position of the contacts after an automatic trigger.

  According to another characteristic, this device comprises a spring with two branches fixed on the lever, comprising a first branch adapted to bring the release lever back to its initial position ready for engagement after a release and a second branch capable of bringing back the hook. in a preferred position, in which is created a sufficient clearance between the hook and the lever so as to facilitate hooking of the hook on said bar, after an automatic trigger.

  The invention also relates to an electrical protection device comprising a control device comprising the previously mentioned 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 solely by way of example, and in which:

  FIG. 1 is a partial view, in plan, illustrating the inner part of a circuit-breaker equipped with a control device according to a particular embodiment of the invention, in the open position of the contacts and the handle,

  FIG. 2 is a view identical to the previous one, the device being in a position corresponding to a beginning of closure of the contacts,

  FIG. 3 is a view identical to the preceding, in a closed position of the contacts and of the joystick and illustrating the anti-pollution screen,

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the preceding figure, illustrating more particularly the control device in the closed position of the contacts and the joystick corresponding to the preceding figure; FIG. 5 is a partial plan view, illustrating FIG. more particularly the control device in a triggered position, the lever being held in a closed position, - Figure 6 is a view identical to the previous, illustrating the control device in the same position as Figure 5, but further illustrating the anti-pollution screen,

  - Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 1, but further illustrating the anti-pollution screen.

  In the figures, we see a miniature electric circuit breaker molded insulating casing 1 comprising a control device 2 according to the invention. This device comprises a support device 3 of the movable contact 4, said movable contact 4 cooperating with a fixed contact 5. An opening 7 is provided in the front face 8 of the housing for the passage of a lever 6 mounted to pivot limited on an axis 11 of the housing between a closed position in which the contacts 4,5 are closed, and an open position corresponding to the separation of the contacts 4,5. The handle 6 is equipped with an internal base 9 coupled to a transmission rod 10 to form a toggle device whose articulation 12 is eccentric with respect to the fixed axis 11 of the lever 6. The handle 6 is biased in the trigonometric direction to the open position of the contacts by a return spring (not shown). The fixed contact 5 is secured to the casing of the electromagnetic release 13. The movable contact 4 is fixed to the support device 3 of the movable contact 4, said support 3 being articulated on a pivot 14, the rotating plate 15 being rotatably mounted around a pivot 31. A triggering lever 16 controlled by the firing pin of the electromagnetic release and the bimetallic strip of the thermal release (not shown) or of an external auxiliary, is pivotally mounted on an axis 17 carried by the plate 15 with an offset predetermined in relation to the aforementioned pivot 14.5 A breakable mechanical connection is provided between the transmission rod 10 and the driving plain 15 of the support device 3 of contact 4. In the locked position, the connection allows the manual control of the mechanism by the 6. The movement of the release lever 16 towards the triggered position under the action of the triggers, causes the momentary rupture. the triggering mechanism 16 is associated with a return spring 27 for ensuring the automatic restoration of the mechanical link when the lever 6 is actuated to the mechanical release, the automatic triggering of the mechanism, independently of the handle 6. opening position, following a triggering of the fault mechanism.

  The breakable mechanical link comprises a hook 19 mounted pivotably on an axis 20 of the plate 15. Opposite this axis, the spout 21 (FIG. 4) of the hook 19 cooperates in the locked position of the link with a notch of retaining 22 (fig.4) located on the arm of the release lever 16. The transmission rod 10 is coupled to the hook 19 and the plate 15 at a hinge point 23 able to move when triggered in two openings 24 and 26 consecutive platinum 15. This hinge point 23 is located between the hinge axis 20 (fig.3) of the hook 19 on the plate and the beak 21 (fig.4) of the hook hook. The link is a reduction stage in the kinematic chain of the mechanism, allowing a reduction of the triggering force from the magneto-thermal trigger.

  The hook 19 also has a bean-shaped opening or V 25 which, with the openings 24 and 26 of the plate, are intended to allow the rotation of the contact holder plate 15, during a trip, while the link 10 is blocked by the handle 6, itself held in the closed position of the contacts. The opening 26 provided in the plate 15 also guides the stroke of the link when the handle returns to the open position of the contacts after a trip. The two openings 24,26 of the plate 15 extend relative to each other so as to form a V. A bias spring 27 with two branches 28,29 is installed around the axis 17 on the lever 16. One 28 of the branches is intended to return the release lever 16 to its initial position while the other branch 29 polarizes the hook 19 in a preferred position chosen so as to create between the lever 16 and the hook 19 a sufficient game to allow the hanging. A screen 30 (FIGS. 3, 6 and 7) integrated in the release lever covers the catching area of the release lever 16 with the hook 19. This screen is interposed between the link and the attachment zone of the hook. . It makes it possible to protect the fastening area from projections due to the cut.

  The operation of the device will be described below with reference to the figures. In FIG. 1, the control device is in a position of the open contacts, the lever being in the open position. When the lever 6 is actuated to close the contacts (fig.2), the latter 10 moves the link 10 which bears on the plate 15 and the hook 19 (fig.2). The hook 19 is locked on the bar (or lever) trigger. The rod 10 bears on the plate 15 and the hook 19, pivots the plate about its axis 31 until the contacts 4,5 close. The rod continues its race until crossing the dead point of the knee 15 formed by the handle and the link. Then, the mechanism takes the equilibrium position that holds the contacts closed as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. To open the contacts 4.5 manually, the handle 6 is actuated until it passes the point. death of the knee in the other direction. The mechanism then joins the equilibrium position, the contacts being open, when the handle reaches the end of its stroke, the position shown in FIG. 1. When the contacts are closed and the trigger bar is actuated, the hook 19 is unlocked, but the lever 6 does not return immediately to its open position. The balance of forces exerted by the rod 10 on the mechanism is broken. The plate 25 rotates about its axis 31 and opens the contacts, the position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The opening 25 provided inside the hook 19 allows rotation of the hook about the axis 20 and this opening 25 of the hook and the openings 24,26 of the plate 15, allow the rotation of the plate, the handle is still maintained in position of the closed contacts. Then, the spring of the joystick brings the latter back to the open contacts position and the rod returns the hook to the initial position as shown in FIG. 7. The spring 27 for biasing the hook and resetting the bar puts them back into a position. position 7 for locking the hook on the bar when the lever is pressed to close the contacts. The openings 24,26 provided in the plate 15 participate in the guide of the rod 10 so as to bring it back into position on the platen. Thus, according to the invention, in the normal operating position of the electrical circuit without any fault in the circuit, the link is supported on the contact carrier plate and on the locking hook, the relative positions of the two bearing surfaces as well as the ratio of lever arms X and Y being optimized so that the force that locks the hook is reduced to a minimum. Thus, the system comprises two stages of reduction. According to the first, the force of the mechanism is taken up largely on the plate and in a smaller part on the hook. According to the second, by a set of lever arms on the hook, the force is multiplied on the trigger lever. Thus, the force required for unlocking can be reduced to a value lower than the solutions of the prior art.

  By virtue of the invention, a reduction in the size of the products is obtained while maintaining or increasing the performance of the device, given that the size of the magnetic and thermal protections can be reduced. The heat released by the thermal protections is thereby decreased. The operation of the magnetic releases is faster and better since the dynamic stresses are lower. The reduction of the gripping force reduces the bearing surface of the hook on the bar and therefore the thickness of the hook and the trigger bar. The reduction of the gripping force also makes it possible to produce the cut sheet hook because it is possible to make the hook in a thin sheet. The small thickness of the hook and the bar makes it possible to house an anti-pollution screen between, on the one hand, the connecting rod and, on the other hand, the catch zone between the hook and the bar. C) n also note that thanks to the presence of the bias spring, the dimension chains for hooking the hook on the bar are simplified. Thus, a single spring is used to perform both functions namely resetting the bar and creating a snap.

  Similarly, thanks to the presence of this screen, the attachment zone is not likely to be degraded by the pollution due to the cut. The performance of the circuit breaker is maintained over time. The invention applies to any electrical appliance comprising a mechanism of the aforementioned type 5, such as a circuit breaker, a switch, a differential switch, a disconnector, auxiliary contacts including modular products etc.

  Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated which have been given by way of example. 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.

15 20 25 10 30

Claims (10)

  . 1. Control device of an electrical protection device housed in an insulating casing enclosing a pair of fixed and movable contacts, said movable contact being able to be activated either manually by means of a handle or automatically, comprising a connecting rod transmission device coupled to the handle, -a movable contact support device comprising a plate rotatably mounted on a pivot and having a mechanical link breakable with the transmission rod, and a trigger lever controlled by a trigger to cause in case defect the breaking of the mechanical connection, causing the automatic triggering of the mechanism independently of the joystick and the separation of the contacts, -the breakable mechanical connection being formed by a retaining catch of the trigger lever cooperating with a hook hook mounted to pivoting on an axis of the plate, the rupture of the mechanical connection corresponding to the unlocking the attachment, characterized in that the transmission link (10), in the locking position of the hooking, bears on the plate (15) and on the locking hook (19), the relative positions of the two bearing surfaces respectively of the plate (15) and the hook (19) and the ratio of the two lever arms for the reduction of the force of the rod on the release lever, being chosen so that the applied force the hook is smaller than that applied to the plate.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the relative positions of the two bearing surfaces and the ratio of the two aforementioned lever arms are chosen so that the force applied to the hook is about seven times lower than that applied. to the platinum.   3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the hook (19) and the release lever (16) are made in a reduced thickness so as to allow the housing of an anti-pollution screen interposed between the link and the hooking zone between the hook and the link.   4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the hook (19) is made of a plastic oubien cut sheet.   5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the hook (19) and the plate (15) each comprise an opening (24,25,26) intended to allow the rotation of the plate (15). ) when an automatic trigger, while the rod (10) is locked in the closed position of the contacts by the handle (6).   6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate (15) also comprises an opening (24,26) adapted to guide the stroke of the rod (10) to its initial position in support on the plate (15), when the handle (6) returns to the open position of the contacts after an automatic trigger.   7. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the opening (25) of the hook (19) is V-shaped.   8. Device according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the opening provided in the plate is formed of two openings (24,26) of oblong shape forming a V.   9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a spring (27) with two branches (28,29) fixed on the Ievier (16), having a first branch (28) adapted to bring back the lever (16) in its initial position ready for hooking after a trigger and a second branch (29) adapted to bring the hook (19) to a preferred position, in which is created a sufficient clearance between the hook (19) and the lever (16) so as to facilitate the attachment of the hook on said bar, after an automatic triggering.   10. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said screen is integral with the release lever (16).] Tl. Electrical switching device comprising a control device according to any one of the preceding claims.