FR2944644A1 - Electrical switch apparatus i.e. electric disconnecting switch, has insulated parts and conductive parts that are cooperated with conductors along angular position of mobile cylinder with respect to fixed cylinder - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus (1) has a fixed cylinder (2) equipped with a pair of conductors (7-10), and a circular mobile cylinder (3) provided angularly displaceable in the fixed cylinder. An external face (F) of the mobile cylinder includes insulated parts (72, 73) juxtaposed to conductive parts (70, 71), where the insulated parts are cooperated with the conductors. The insulated parts and the conductive parts are cooperated with the conductors along an angular position of the mobile cylinder with respect to the fixed cylinder.

Description

B09-1045EN - ODE / CRA

Simplified joint stock company: AMPHENOL - AIR LB Electrical switch and switchgear Invention of: MIQUET Pascal Electrical switch and switchgear

The invention relates to a switch electrical appliance and an electrical switchgear. In particular, the invention relates to a switch, a disconnector, a contactor, a contactor-breaker, a relay or others. An electrical switch device whose role is to provide priority protection of electrical circuits against all incidents likely to disrupt the operation, but also to perform on command the various operations that allow to change the configuration of the electrical network in the normal conditions of service.

A switch is generally intended to establish and interrupt a circuit under normal load conditions. An electrical disconnector is a device that breaks the continuity of an electrical circuit, that is to say, to open the electrical circuit. In particular, a disconnector is used for safety reasons when it is desired to isolate an electrical circuit from its power source. There are also isolation and earthing switches. In general, the electrical switch devices comprise a movable contact which connects the electrical circuit with its power supply when the apparatus is in the closed position, and which moves to break the continuity of the electrical circuit when the apparatus is in the open position. In particular, the earthing switches also provide the possibility of grounding the electrical circuit when the disconnector is in the open position.

When the electrical switch device is in the closed position, the movable contact comes into contact with a conductor which is connected to the power source. This contact is then performed with a certain friction which causes wear of the moving contact, and therefore a decrease in electrical continuity when the electrical device is closed. One of the aims of the invention is therefore to provide an electrical switch device which limits the frictional forces on the movable contact during transitions between the closed and open positions of the apparatus. Another object of the invention is to provide an electrical switch device which ensures a sufficient contact pressure in the closed position.

According to one aspect, there is provided an electrical switch apparatus comprising a fixed cylinder provided with at least one pair of conductors and a circular movable cylinder mounted angularly displaceable in said fixed cylinder and comprising an outer surface which comprises at least one conductive portion and less an insulating part juxtaposed to said conductive part, said insulating and conductive parts being intended to cooperate with said conductors of the fixed cylinder according to the angular position of the movable cylinder relative to the fixed cylinder. Thus, a means is provided to guarantee a continuous effort made on the fixed conductors of the electrical switch device. This electrical switch device therefore prevents any additional effort applied to the fixed conductors during transitions from open to closed and open to open position of the device and therefore limits the friction forces. Thanks to a continuity between the conducting part and the insulating part of the mobile element of the apparatus, a means is provided for applying an equivalent force of stress to each fixed conductor when the latter are in contact with the conductive part or the part insulation of the mobile element of the apparatus.

Advantageously, said movable cylinder is able to take a first stable position in which each conductive part connects the two conductors of each pair of conductors and a second stable position in which each conductive part is in contact with a first conductor of each pair of conductors and the second conductor of each pair of conductors is in contact with the insulating part juxtaposed. It is thus possible to provide a switch electrical device that can take a first position, also noted closed position, in which the electrical circuits are closed which are respectively connected to the conductors of each pair of conductors. When the apparatus takes a second position, also denoted as an open position, said electrical circuits associated with the pairs of conductors are then opened and the second conductor of each pair of conductors is electrically isolated. In addition, it is possible to provide an electrical switching device which can simultaneously break the continuity of several electrical circuits by means of a single angular displacement of the mobile element of the apparatus.

According to another advantage, the fixed cylinder comprises an additional conductor associated with each pair of conductors, and each conductive portion being able to connect the first conductor of each pair of conductors and said associated additional conductor when the movable cylinder takes the second stable position.

With the aid of an additional conductor, an additional circuit can be closed when the switchgear is open. According to one embodiment, each first conductor of the pairs of conductors is connected to a supply voltage of an electrical circuit associated with each pair of conductors. In this case, one can simultaneously, that is to say during a single movement of the movable element of the electrical switch device, open a first set of electrical circuits and close a second set of electrical circuits.

According to another embodiment, each second conductor of the pairs of conductors is connected to a supply voltage of an electrical circuit associated with each pair of conductors and at least one additional associated conductor is connected to the ground.

It is thus possible to provide a particular electrical switch device, for example an electrical earthing switch, because it can simultaneously, that is to say during a single movement of the mobile element of the device , open a first set of electrical circuits and ground at least one electrical circuit among all the electrical circuits. Each conductor of the fixed cylinder may also comprise a spring urging said conductor against the outer surface of the movable cylinder.

This ensures a sufficient contact pressure between the conductors and the movable conductive portion of the apparatus. Advantageously, each conductor comprises a connection connection adapted to be in contact with the outer surface of the movable roll which comprises an extra thickness of insulating material extending transversely with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the movable roll, said overthickness having a substantially equal to the length of the connection connections of the conductors of the fixed cylinder. It is therefore possible to provide a breeder which comprises effective isolation means, in particular at the level of the electrical contacts between the fixed conductors and the movable conductive part. According to one embodiment, the conductors of the fixed cylinder and the conductive and insulating parts of the moving cylinder are coplanar in a plane that is perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the movable cylinder. According to another embodiment, the electrical switch apparatus comprises a stepping motor which is adapted to rotate said movable cylinder at an opening angle to reach the second stable position, and to rotate said movable cylinder according to a closing angle equal to and opposite the opening angle to reach the first stable position. According to another aspect, there is provided an electrical switchgear comprising a plurality of electrical switchgear devices described above, said switchgear being located parallel to each other, and each movable roll is provided with a recess in its center for receiving a drive shaft to be driven by said stepper motor.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of nonlimiting example, and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. front face of an embodiment of an electrical switch apparatus; - Figure 2 illustrates a rear view of the embodiment of the switch electrical apparatus of Figure 1; FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a switch electrical appliance which is in a first stable position; FIG. 4 illustrates a second stable position of the switch electrical appliance of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 illustrates a transient position of the electrical switching apparatus of FIG. 3; FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of an electrical switch device in a transient position; FIG. 7 illustrates yet another embodiment of an electrical switch device; FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of an electrical switchgear; and FIG. 9 illustrates a sectional view of the interrupting electrical apparatus of FIG. 8. FIG. 1 schematically shows a front view of an embodiment of an electrical switch apparatus. 1. The electrical switch apparatus 1 comprises a fixed cylinder 2 and a movable cylinder 3. The fixed cylinder 2 comprises fixing means 4 for fixing the fixed cylinder 2 to a housing, not shown in the figure, intended to maintain the 1. In general, the fixed cylinder 2 may comprise several pairs 5, 6 of conductors 7 to 10. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the fixed cylinder 2 comprises a first pair of conductors 7, 8 and a second pair 6 of conductors 9,10, this embodiment being not limiting. In addition, the fixed cylinder 2 may comprise additional conductors 11, 12 respectively associated with the pairs 5, 6 of conductors 7 to 10. Each conductor 7 to 10 of the pairs of conductors 5, 6 is respectively included in a cavity 13 to 16 of FIG. fixed cylinder 2. Each additional conductor 11,12 is respectively included in a cavity 17 to 18 of the fixed cylinder 2. The cavities 13 to 18 and the conductors 7 to 12 are included in the fixed cylinder 2 and are shown in dashed lines in the figure 1. Each conductor 7 to 12 respectively comprises a connection connection 20 to 25, a shoulder 26 to 31, a body 32 to 37 and a connection connection 38 to 43. Preferably the connection connection, the shoulder, the body and the connection connection of a conductor form a single conductive metal part. The branch connections 38 to 43 may be hollow to crimp or solder the conductor to a branch of an electrical circuit. In addition, each conductor 7 to 12 comprises a spring 44 to 49 and a washer 50 to 55. The cavities 13 to 18 receiving the conductors 7 to 12 are preferably oriented perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis A of the fixed cylinder 2. On the 1, the cavities 13 to 18 are oriented so that their respective longitudinal axis passes through the center of the fixed cylinder 2. It is also possible to provide cavities 13 to 18 oriented differently, for example so that their longitudinal axis does not pass through the center of the fixed cylinder 2. The fixed cylinder 2 further comprises a circular cylindrical recess B, an outer surface C and an inner surface D surrounding the movable cylinder 3. The circular cylindrical recess B is intended to receive said mobile cylinder 3 The inner surface D is provided with passages 60 to 65 adapted to pass respectively the connection connections 20 to 25 in the recess B. When the cylinder 3 is not mounted in the fixed cylinder 2, the connection connections 20 to 25 extend in the passages of the inner surface D and partly in the recess B. These connection connections 20 to 25 do not penetrate not entirely in the recess B thanks to the shoulders 26 to 31 which prevent the conductors 7 to 12 from completely crossing the passages 60 to 65. In addition, the springs 44 to 49 are prestressed between respectively the washers 50 to 55 and the shoulders 26 to 31 so as to urge the conductors out of the cavities 13 to 18 and towards the recess B.

The mobile cylinder 3 is intended to be mounted in the recess B of the fixed cylinder 2. This circular mobile cylinder 3 comprises a recess E and a circular outer surface F. The recess E is intended to receive a drive shaft, which will be described later, to rotate the movable cylinder 3 about a central longitudinal axis A 'of the movable cylinder 3. Note that in this embodiment, the central longitudinal axis A' of the movable cylinder 3 coincides with the central longitudinal axis A of the fixed cylinder 2. The circular outer surface F of the movable cylinder 3 comprises at least one conductive portion 70,71 and at least one insulating portion 72,73. In a preferred embodiment, the insulating portions 72, 73 are extensions of the movable roll 3 and form part of the outer surface F thereof. Alternatively, these insulating portions 72, 73 may be separate parts of the movable roll 3 and mounted on the circular outer surface F thereof. The conductive parts 70, 71 are preferably curved metal strips. These conductive parts 70,71 are mounted in recesses of the movable cylinder 3 which are located at the outer surface F of the latter. These recesses are adapted so that the conductive parts 70,71 are equidistant with the insulating parts 72,73 with respect to the central longitudinal axis A 'of the movable cylinder 3. The conductive parts 70,71 and the insulating parts 72,73 are of semicircular shape and form part of the outer surface F of the movable cylinder 3. The conductive parts 70,71 are located alternately with the insulating parts 72,73. In addition, each insulating portion 72,73 is juxtaposed with at least one conductive portion 70,71 to ensure continuity of the circular outer surface F. The conductive portions 70,71 also comprise respective fastening means 74,75 to movable cylinder 3. When the movable cylinder 3 is mounted in the recess B of the fixed cylinder 2, the circular outer surface F comes into contact with the connection connections 20 to 25 of the conductors 7 to 12. This circular outer surface F exerts a pressure on the conductors 7 to 12 and it tends to move transversely said conductors 7 to 12 to the outer surface C of the fixed cylinder 2. This displacement exerts a force on the springs 44 to 49 which are compressed and which exert an opposing restoring force which creates a contact pressure exerted by the connection connections 20 to 25 on the circular outer surface F of the moving cylinder 3. This contact pressure guarantees a con sufficient electrical tact when a conductor 7 to 12 is in contact with a conducting portion 70,71 and ensures effective insulation when a conductor 7 to 12 is in contact with an insulating portion 72,73. In this embodiment, the conductors 7 to 12 of the fixed cylinder 2 and the conductive 70,71 and insulating 72,73 parts of the movable cylinder 3 are coplanar in a plane which is perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis A 'of the moving cylinder 3. The movable cylinder 3 may also include an excess thickness 80 of insulating material to isolate the connection connections 20 to 25. In Figure 1, the extra thickness 80 is behind the connection connections, it will be described later in Figure 7 FIG. 2 diagrammatically shows a rear view of the switchgear 1 described in FIG.

This figure also shows some of the elements described in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 schematically shows a front view of an embodiment of an electrical switch electrical apparatus 1 which is in a first stable position. . This figure also shows some elements described in the previous figures. This electrical switch device 1 comprises a first pair of conductors 7,8. A first conductor 7 of said first pair of conductors 7,8 is connected to a supply voltage Vcc1 of a first electrical circuit C1 associated with the first pair of conductors 7,8. The second conductor 8 of said first pair of conductors 7,8 is connected to an input terminal EC1 of the first electrical circuit C1 associated with the first pair of conductors 7,8. This electrical switch device 1 also comprises a second pair 6 of conductors 9,10. A first conductor 9 of said second pair 6 of conductors 9, 10 is connected to a supply voltage Vcc2 of a second electrical circuit C2 associated with the second pair 6 of conductors 9, 10. The second conductor 10 of said second pair 6 of conductors 9, 10 is connected to an input terminal EC2 of the second electrical circuit C2 associated with the second pair 6 of conductors 9, 10. In addition, this electrical switch device 1 comprises a first additional conductor 11 which is associated with the first pair of conductors 7,8 and which is connected to an input terminal EC'l of a third electrical circuit C '1.

The electrical switch device 1 also comprises a second additional conductor 12 which is associated with the second pair 6 of conductors 9, 10 and which is connected to an input terminal EC '2 of a fourth electrical circuit C'2.

When the moving cylinder 3 is in the first stable position, a first conductive portion 70 is in contact with the two conductors 7,8 of the first pair of conductors 7,8. In this case, the first conductive portion 70 electrically connects the two conductors 7,8 of the first pair 5 and closes the first circuit C1. In addition, when the movable cylinder 3 is in the first stable position, a second conductive portion 71 is in contact with the two conductors 9,10 of the second pair 6 of conductors 9,10. In this case, the second conductive portion 71 electrically connects the two conductors 9,10 of the second pair 5 and closes the second circuit C2. In this first stable position, the additional conductors 11, 12 are respectively in contact with the insulating parts 73, 72 of the moving cylinder 3. In this case, the third and fourth electrical circuits C '1, C' 2 are open.

FIG. 4 diagrammatically shows a view on the front face of the switch electrical apparatus 1 described in FIG. 3 which is in a second stable position. This figure also shows some elements described in the previous figures. When the movable cylinder 3 is in the second stable position, the first conductive part 70 is in contact with the first conductor 7 of the first pair of conductors 7,8 and the first additional conductor 11. In this case, the first conductive part 70 electrically connects the two conductors 7,11 and closes the third circuit C '1. In addition, when the mobile cylinder 3 is in the second stable position, the second conductive portion 71 is in contact with the first conductor 9 of the second pair 6 of conductors 9, 10 and the second additional conductor 12. In this case, the second Conductive portion 71 electrically connects the two conductors 9,12 and closes the fourth circuit C'2. In this second stable position, the second conductors 8, 10 of the pairs 5, 6 of conductors are respectively in contact with the insulating parts 72, 73 of the mobile cylinder 3. In this case, the first and second electrical circuits C1, C2 are open.

FIG. 5 diagrammatically shows a view on the front face of the switch electrical apparatus 1 described in FIG. 3 which is in a transient position. This figure also shows some elements described in the previous figures.

This transient position corresponds to a position of the moving cylinder 3 between the first and second stable positions described respectively in FIGS. 3 and 4. In general, this transient position is unstable, but it can be envisaged to make it stable as a function of When the movable cylinder 3 is in the transient position, the first conductive part 70 is in contact with the first conductor 7 of the first pair of conductors 7,8 and the second conductive part 71 is in contact with the first conductor 9 of the second pair 6 of conductors 9,10. In this transient position, the second conductors 8, 10 of the pairs 5, 6 of conductors are respectively in contact with the insulating parts 72, 73 of the movable cylinder 3. In addition, the additional conductors 11, 12 are respectively in contact with the insulating parts 73 72. In this transient position, the second conductors 8, 10 as well as the additional conductors 11, 12 are insulated, that is to say that they are in contact with the insulating parts 73, 72 of the moving cylinder 3. In FIG. another embodiment of a switch electrical apparatus 1 in a transient position is shown schematically. This figure also shows some elements described in the previous figures. In this embodiment, the conductive portions 70, 71 have a surface adapted so that each conducting portion 70, 71 is in contact respectively with the conductors of each pair of conductors 5, 6 and in contact respectively with the additional conductors 11, 12 associated with each pair 5.6, when the movable cylinder 3 is in the transient position. Thus, in the transient position, no conductor is isolated, that is to say that the conductors of each pair of conductors 5,6 and the associated additional conductors 11,12 are interconnected by a conductive portion 70, 71. Another embodiment can be envisaged for interconnecting the conductors 7 to 10 of each pair 5, 6 of conductors with the associated additional conductor 11, 12 to the pair 5, 6 of conductors. For example, the second conductor 8 and the first associated conductor 11 may be brought closer to the first conductor 7 of the first pair of conductors. It is also possible to bring the second conductor 10 and the second associated conductor 12 of the first conductor 9 of the second pair 6 of conductors. FIG. 7 diagrammatically shows another embodiment of a switch electrical apparatus 1. Certain elements described in the previous figures are also shown in this figure. In this embodiment, the additional conductors 11, 12 are connected to earth T, the second conductors 8, 10 of the pairs 5, 6 of conductors are respectively connected to the supply voltage of a first circuit Vcc1 and a second electrical circuit Vcc2. Moreover, the first conductors 7, 9 of the pairs 5, 6 of conductors are respectively connected to an input terminal EC1 of the first electrical circuit C1 and to an input terminal EC2 of the second electric circuit EC2. When the movable cylinder 3 is in the second stable position, shown here in FIG. 7, the first and second electrical circuits EC1, EC2 are grounded T. This gives a switchgear electrical apparatus 1 of grounding T. When the movable roll 3 is in the first stable position, it has rotated, relative to the central longitudinal axis A 'of the movable roll 3, a closing angle in the direction of clockwise relative to at its second initial stable position. In the first stable position, the first and second electrical circuits EC1, EC2 are closed. In this embodiment, the closure angle is equal to 90 °.

FIG. 8 diagrammatically shows an interruption electrical apparatus 90. This apparatus 90 comprises a plurality of electrical switch devices 1 as described in the preceding figures. These electrical switch devices 1 are located in parallel with each other. In addition, the interruption switchgear 90 comprises a stepping motor 91 for rotating a drive shaft 92 around the central longitudinal axis A 'of the movable cylinder 3. This drive shaft 92 carries in rotating the movable cylinders 3 of each switch electrical apparatus 1 through the recesses E provided in said movable rollers 3. In FIG. 9, there is shown schematically a sectional view of the interrupting switchgear 90 described in FIG. Figure 6. It has also been shown in this figure some elements described in previous figures. This FIG. 9 shows two electrical switchgear devices 100, 101 located in parallel. The extra thickness 80 of the first device 100 makes it possible to isolate the connection connections of the first device 100.

Claims (10)

REVENDICATIONS1. Switching electrical apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a fixed cylinder (2) provided with at least one pair (5, 6) of conductors (7 to 10) and a circular movable cylinder (3) mounted angularly displaceable in said cylinder fixed element (2) and comprising an outer surface (F) which comprises at least one conductive part (70,71) and at least one insulating part (72,73) juxtaposed to said conductive part (70,71), said insulating parts ( 72,73) and conductors (70,71) being intended to cooperate with said conductors (7 to 10) of the fixed cylinder (2) according to the angular position of the movable cylinder (3) relative to the fixed cylinder (3). 2. Switching electrical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said movable cylinder (3) is adapted to take a first stable position in which each conductive portion (70,71) connects the two conductors of each pair (5,6) of conductors. (7 to 10) and a second stable position in which each conductive portion (70,71) is in contact with a first conductor of each pair of conductors (7,9) and the second conductor of each pair of conductors (8,10). ) is in contact with the insulating portion (72, 73) juxtaposed. 3. Electrical switch apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the fixed cylinder (2) comprises an additional conductor associated with each pair of conductors (11,12), and each conductive portion (70,71) being able to connect the first conductor each pair of conductors (7,9) and said associated additional conductor (11,12) when the movable cylinder (3) takes the second stable position. Switching electrical apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each first conductor of the pairs of conductors (7,9) is connected to a supply voltage of an electrical circuit associated with each pair of conductors ( VCCL, Vcc2). 5. Electrical switch apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each second conductor despaires of conductors (8,10) is connected to a supply voltage of an electrical circuit associated with each pair of conductors (Vccl, Vcc2) and at least one additional associated conductor (11,12) is connected to the earth (T). 6. Electrical switch apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each conductor (7 to 12) of the fixed cylinder (2) comprises a spring (44 to 49) urging said conductor (7 to 12) against the outer surface (F) of the movable cylinder (3) - Electrical switch device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, in which each conductor (7 to 12) comprises a connection connection (20 to 25) able to be in contact with the outer surface (F) of the mobile cylinder ( 3) which comprises an excess thickness (80) of insulating material extending transversely relative to the central longitudinal axis (A ') of the movable cylinder (3), said excess thickness (80) having a length substantially equal to the length of the connections connecting (20 to 25) conductors (7 to 12) of the fixed cylinder (3). Electrical switch device according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the conductors (7 to 12) of the fixed cylinder (3) and the conductive (70, 71) and insulating (72, 73) portions of the movable cylinder ( 3) are coplanar in a plane which is perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis (A ') of the movable cylinder (3) - 9. Electrical switch apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a motor (91) step which is adapted to rotate said movable cylinder (3) at an opening angle to reach the second stable position, and rotating said moving cylinder (3) at a closing angle equal to and opposite the opening angle to reach the first stable position. An electrical switchgear (90) comprising a plurality of switchgear according to claim 9, said switchgear being parallel to each other, and each movable roll is provided with a recess at its center for receiving a switchgear. drive shaft (92) for being driven by said motor (91) stepwise.