FR3063840A1 - ELECTRICAL DEVICE COMPRISING A REMOVABLE MECHANICAL ELEMENT FOR ITS LOCKING ON A SUPPORT RAIL, IN PARTICULAR A DIN TYPE RAIL - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrical device (1), comprising: a body (10), a housing (20) for receiving a support rail (2) for fixing the electrical device (1), and a first element (30) ) and a second element (40) hooked on the body (10), delimiting between them the housing (20) for receiving the support rail (2), with at least the first element (30) sliding relative to the body (10) between a fixing position (P1) in which the first element (30) is brought closer to the second element (40) so as to grip the support rail (2) in the housing (20), and a release position (P2) in wherein the first member (30) is spaced from the second member (40) to release the support rail (2) from the housing (20); characterized in that the first member (30) comprises a resilient and tilting tongue (70) between: a locked configuration (C1) in which the tongue (70) is at rest, and the first member (30) is immobilized relative to the body (10), in the fixing position (P1), and an unlocked configuration (C2) in which the tongue (70) is elastically deformed, and the first element (30) is free to slide relative to the body (10) between the fixing position (P1) and the release position (P2).

Description

® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY © Publication number: 3,063,840 (to be used only for reproduction orders)

©) National registration number: 17 51959

COURBEVOIE

©) Int Cl ⁸ : H 02 B 1/052 (2017.01), H 01 H 71/02

A1 PATENT APPLICATION

©) Date of filing: 10.03.17. ©) Applicant (s): DIGITAL ELECTRIC Société à res- (30) Priority: limited liability - FR. ©) Inventor (s): MARTINEZ GERMAIN. ©) Date of public availability of the request: 14.09.18 Bulletin 18/37. (56) List of documents cited in the report preliminary research: Refer to end of present booklet (© References to other national documents ©) Holder (s): DIGITAL ELECTRIC Société à responsa- related: limited bility. ©) Extension request (s): @) Agent (s): LAWRENCE AND CHARRAS CABINET.

ELECTRIC DEVICE COMPRISING A REMOVABLE MECHANICAL ELEMENT LOCKING ON A SUPPORT RAIL, IN PARTICULAR A DIN TYPE RAIL.

FOR HIS

FR 3 063 840 - A1 (6 /) The present invention relates to an electrical device (1), comprising: a body (10), a housing (20) for receiving a support rail (2) for fixing the electrical device (1), and a first element (30) and a second element (40) hooked to the body (10), delimiting between them the housing (20) for receiving the support rail (2), with at least the first element (30 ) sliding relative to the body (10) between: a fixing position (P1) in which the first element (30) is brought closer to the second element (40) in order to enclose the support rail (2) in the housing (20) , and a release position (P2) in which the first element (30) is separated from the second element (40) in order to release the support rail (2) from the housing (20); characterized in that the first element (30) comprises a tongue (70) elastic and tiltable between: a locked configuration (C1) in which the tongue (70) is at rest, and the first element (30) is immobilized relative to the body (10), in the fixing position (P 1), and an unlocked configuration (C2) in which the tongue (70) is elastically deformed, and the first element (30) is free to slide relative to the body (10 ), between the fixing position (P1) and the release position (P2).

Electrical device comprising a removable mechanical element for locking it on a support rail, in particular a PIN type rail

The present invention relates to an electrical device designed to be fixed to a support rail, in particular a circuit breaker or a differential switch designed to be fixed to a DI N rail. The field of the invention is that of low power electrical devices.

Conventionally, an electrical device of the circuit breaker or differential switch type comprises a body and two mobile elements attached to the body. These two elements define between them a housing for receiving a support rail, in particular of the DIN type, for fixing the electrical device.

Generally, the two elements must be separated by forcing using a tool, for example a screwdriver, which is not entirely satisfactory.

The object of the present invention is to provide an electrical device, the mounting on a support rail and the disassembly of this support rail can be carried out in a simple and practical manner, without forcing.

To this end, the invention relates to an electrical device, comprising:

- a body,

- a housing for receiving a support rail for fixing the electrical device, and

a first element and a second element attached to the body, delimiting between them the housing for receiving the support rail, with at least the first element sliding with respect to the body between:

- a fixing position in which the first element is brought closer to the second element in order to enclose the support rail in the housing, and

- a release position in which the first element is spaced from the second element in order to release the support rail from the housing;

characterized in that the first element comprises an elastic and tilting tongue between:

a locked configuration in which the tongue is at rest, and the first element is immobilized relative to the body, in the fixing position, and

- An unlocked configuration in which the tongue is elastically deformed, and the first element is free to slide relative to the body between the fixing position and the release position.

Thus, the invention makes it possible to mount and dismount the electrical device on the support rail in a simple and practical manner, without forcing, by hand or with a tool.

According to other advantageous characteristics of the invention, taken individually or in combination:

- The tongue came in one piece with the first element.

- The tongue has an internal recess which is positioned in abutment against a shoulder of the body in the locked configuration and released with respect to the shoulder in the unlocked configuration.

- The second element is also sliding relative to the body.

- The second element comprises two elastically deformable legs, between: a locked configuration in which the legs are tightened around an island secured to the body and the second element is immobilized relative to the body, in the fixing position, an unlocked configuration in which the legs deviate from either side of the island or are tightened beyond the island, and the second element is free to slide relative to the body, in the release position.

- The body and each sliding element comprise complementary retaining means, limiting sliding and thus preventing the disassembly of this or these elements relative to the body.

- The electrical device is a circuit breaker or a differential switch, designed for attachment to a support rail conforming to the DI N standard.

The invention also relates to a method of implementing an electrical device as mentioned above, for fixing it to a support rail, characterized in that the method comprises successive steps consisting in:

- switch the tongue from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration by pressing on the tongue, in the fixing position;

- sliding the first element from the fixing position to the release position while the tongue is in the unlocked configuration;

- position the electrical device on the support rail, which is received in the housing;

- slide the first element from the release position to the fixing position while the tongue is in the unlocked configuration, until the two elements enclose the support rail in the housing;

- switch the tongue from the unlocked configuration to the configuration locked by elastic return of the tongue, in the fixing position.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of nonlimiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of an electronic device according to the invention, of the circuit breaker type designed for attachment to a rail DI N, comprising two sliding elements defining between them a housing for receiving the rail;

Figures 2 to 4 are views similar to Figure 1 showing the elements in different configurations;

Figure 5 is a rear view along arrow V in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a partial section of the device at the first element, in a median plane parallel to the plane of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a section similar to Figure 6 showing the first element in another configuration;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the first element, without the rest of the device; and FIG. 9 is a section in plane IX in FIG. 8.

In Figures 1 to 9 is shown an electrical device 1 according to the invention, of the circuit breaker type.

Alternatively, the device 1 can be a differential switch, or any other electrical device, for example electromechanical, intended to be fixed on a support rail, in particular a rail conforming to the DIN standard.

The circuit breaker 1 is designed for attachment to a DIN rail 2, shown only in FIG. 1 for the purpose of simplification.

The circuit breaker 1 comprises a body 10, a housing 20 for receiving the rail 2, two elements 30 and 40 delimiting the housing 20 between them, and a lever 50 used to cut or reset the circuit breaker 1.

The body 10 has a front face 11 and a rear face 12. The housing 20 and the elements 30, 40 are located on the rear face 12. The lever 50 is arranged projecting on the front face 11 and inside the body 10, in which the various internal components of the circuit breaker 1 are arranged. The body 10 comprises a rear surface 14 partially delimiting the housing 20. The body 10 consists of several parts, assembled around the internal components.

The elements 30 and 40 are slidably mounted relative to the body 10, while being hooked to the body 10. The elements 30 and 40 have two opposite protuberances, respectively 32 and 42. The housing 20 is delimited by the surface 14 on one side , by the protrusions 32 and 42 on two other opposite sides, and is open on the side opposite to the surface 14.

When the element 30/40 is brought closer to the other element 40/30, it is in the fixing position P1 in order to enclose the rail 2 in the housing 20. When the element 30/40 is moved away from the another element 40/30, it is in a release position P2 in order to release the rail 2 from the housing 20.

The device 1 can be fixed on the rail 2 only when the two elements 30 and 40 are in the fixing position P1, as shown in FIG. 1. The rail 2 is then fixed in the housing 20, being kept pressed against the surface 14 and enclosed between the protrusions 32 and 42.

The rail 2 can be introduced into the housing 20 or removed from the housing 20 when at least one of the elements 30 and 40 is in position P2, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. In this case, the rail 2 n is not blocked by one of the protrusions 32 and / or 42, and is therefore not kept pressed against the surface 14.

The first element 30 comprises a resilient tongue 70, integrally formed with the element 30, for example during its injection molding.

At rest, the tongue 70 is brought closer to the body 10.

In position P1, the tongue 70 at rest is in a locked configuration C1, in which the element 30 is immobilized relative to the body 10.

By exerting pressure on the tongue 70 opposite the body 10, the tongue 70 can be elastically deformed and separated from the body 10. The deformed tongue 70 is then in an unlocked configuration, in which the element 30 is free to slide relative to the body 10, between positions P1 and P2.

In position P2, the tongue 70 at rest or deformed is always in the unlocked configuration C2, in which the element 30 is free to slide relative to the body 10, to return to position P1.

As shown in Figures 6 to 9, the tongue 70 has an internal recess 71 which is positioned in abutment against a shoulder 17 of the body 10 in the locked configuration C1. The internal recess 71 is released with respect to the shoulder 17 in the unlocked configuration C2, after tilting by elastic deformation of the tongue 70 from the locked configuration.

The second element 40 comprises two legs 80 which are elastically deformable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration.

In the locked configuration shown in FIG. 5, the tabs 80 are tightened around an island 18 secured to the body 10. The second element 40 is in its fixing position P1 and is immobilized relative to the body 10.

In the unlocked configuration, the tabs 80 deviate on either side of the island 18, or are tightened beyond the island 18. The element 40 is in its release position P2 and is free to slide relative to the body 10.

The body 10 and each of the sliding elements 30 and 40 comprise complementary retaining means, limiting their movement, and thus preventing the disassembly of the elements 30 and 40 relative to the body 10.

For element 30, the retaining means include:

- lateral ribs 15 formed on the body 10, on either side of the shoulder 17,

- lateral prominences 35 formed on the element 30, on either side of the tongue 70, cooperating with the ribs 15 to guide the sliding of the element 30 relative to the body 10, while maintaining the element 30 pressed against the body 10,

- the shoulder 17 formed on the body 10,

- a second inner recess 37 formed on the element 30, between the protrusions 32 and the tongue 70, cooperating with the shoulder 17 to limit the sliding of the element 30 opposite the element 40.

For element 40, the retaining means include:

- lateral ribs 16 formed on the body 10, on either side of the island 18,

- Lateral prominences 46 formed on the element 40, on either side of the legs 80, cooperating with the ribs 16 to guide the sliding of the element 40 relative to the body 10, while keeping the element 40 pressed against body 10,

- two stops 19 formed on the body 10, below the island 18,

- two stops 49 formed on the element 40, above the legs 80, cooperating with the stops 19 to limit the sliding of the element 40 opposite the element 30.

The fixing of the circuit breaker 1 on the rail 2 comprises the following successive steps:

- Toggle the tongue 70 from the locked configuration C1 to the unlocked configuration C2, by manual pressing on the tongue 70, in the fixing position P1;

- slide the element 30 from the fixing position P1 to the release position P2 while the tongue 70 is in the unlocked configuration C2;

- Position the circuit breaker 1 on the rail 2, which is received in the housing 20;

- slide the element 30 from the release position P2 to the fixing position P1 while the tongue 70 is in the unlocked configuration C2, until the two elements 30 and 40 enclose the support rail 2 in the housing 20;

- Tilt the tongue 70 from the unlocked configuration C2 to the locked configuration C1, by elastic return by elastic return of the tongue 70, in the fixing position P1.

Alternatively, the attachment can be ensured by sliding the element 40 opposite the element 30, or by moving the two elements 30 and 40 apart at the same time.

The dismantling of the circuit breaker 1 with respect to the rail 2 comprises the following successive steps:

- Tilt the tongue 70 from the locked configuration C1 to the unlocked configuration C2, by manual pressing on the tongue 70, in the fixing position P1;

- Slide the element 30 from the fixing position P1 to the release position P2 while the tongue 70 is in the unlocked configuration C2, so that the rail 2 is no longer blocked by the protrusions 32 in the housing 20 ;

- remove the circuit breaker 1 relative to the rail 2, which is received in the housing 20.

As an alternative, disassembly can be ensured by sliding the element 40 opposite the element 30, or by moving the two elements 30 and 40 apart.

Furthermore, the electrical device 1 can be shaped differently from Figures 1 to 9 without departing from the scope of the invention.

In a variant not shown, only the element 30 is sliding relative to the body 10, while the element 40 is fixed relative to the body 10. According to a particular variant, the element 40 may have come integrally with the body 10 , for example during its injection molding.

According to another variant not shown, the tongue 70 can be a separate part from the element 30. In this case, the tongue 70 is mounted in pivot connection on the element 30, provided with means for returning the tongue 70 towards the locked configuration C1.

In addition, the technical characteristics of the various embodiments and 5 variants mentioned above can be, in whole or for some of them, combined. Thus, the electrical device 1 can be adapted in terms of cost, functionality and performance.

Claims (8)

1. Electrical device (1), comprising: a body (10), a housing (20) for receiving a support rail (2) for fixing the electrical device (1), and a first element (30) and a second element (40) hooked to the body (10 ), delimiting between them the housing (20) for receiving the support rail (2), with at least the first element (30) sliding relative to the body (10) between: a fixing position (P1) in which the first element (30) is brought closer to the second element (40) in order to enclose the support rail (2) in the housing (20), and a release position (P2) in which the first element (30) is separated from the second element (40) in order to release the support rail (2) from the housing (20); characterized in that the first element (30) comprises a tongue (70) elastic and tilting between: a locked configuration (C1) in which the tongue (70) is at rest, and the first element (30) is immobilized relative to the body (10), in the fixing position (P1), and an unlocked configuration (C2) wherein the tongue (70) is elastically deformed, and the first element (30) is free to slide relative to the body (10) between the fixing position (P1) and the release position (P2). 2. An electrical device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the tongue (70) is made integrally with the first element (30). 3. Electrical device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongue (70) has an internal recess (71) which is positioned in abutment against a shoulder (17) of the body (10) in the configuration locked (C1) and released vis-à-vis the shoulder (17) in the unlocked configuration (C2). 4. Electrical device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second element (40) is also sliding relative to the body (10). 5. Electrical device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the second element (40) comprises two legs (80) elastically deformable, between: a locked configuration in which the legs (80) are tightened around an island (18) integral with the body (10) and the second element (40) is immobilized relative to the body (10), in the fixing position (P1 ), an unlocked configuration in which the tabs (80) deviate on either side of the island (18) or are tightened beyond the island (18), and the second element (40) is free to slide relative to the body (10), in the release position (P2). 6. Electrical device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (10) and each sliding element (30; 30, 40) comprise complementary retaining means (15, 17, 35, 37; 16, 19, 46, 49), limiting the sliding and thus preventing the disassembly of this or these elements (30; 30, 40) relative to the body (10). 7. Electrical device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical device (1) is a circuit breaker or a differential switch, designed for attachment to a support rail (2) conforming to the DIN standard. 8. Method for implementing an electrical device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, for fixing it to a support rail (2), characterized in that the method comprises successive steps consisting in: tilt the tongue (70) from the locked configuration (C1) to the unlocked configuration (C2) by pressing on the tongue (70), in the fixing position (P1); sliding the first element (30) from the fixing position (P1) to the release position (P2) while the tongue (70) is in the unlocked configuration (C2); position the electrical device (1) on the support rail (2), which is received in the housing (20); slide the first element (30) from the release position (P2) to the fixing position (P1) while the tab (70) is in the unlocked configuration (C2), until the two elements (30 ; 40) enclose the support rail (2) in the housing (20); ίο switch the tongue (70) from the unlocked configuration (C2) to the locked configuration (C1) by elastic return of the tongue (70), in the fixing position (P1). 1/6