FR3071955A1 - MODULAR ELECTRICAL LINE PROTECTION APPARATUS - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus (1) modular electrical protection line, differential switch type, delimited by a housing comprising: - a rear face (2) for attachment to a distribution box; - two opposite side faces (4,5); - a front panel (3) opposite the rear face (2), and having a shoulder (8); an upper face (7); - a lower face (6) opposite to the upper face (7); said apparatus (1) comprising within said housing a cut-off device controlled by a control lever (11), said lever (11) projecting from said shoulder 8 towards the outside of the housing. This device is characterized in that said shoulder (8) comprises a double stage whose maximum space, in a transverse plane parallel to the lateral faces (4,5), is limited by the size of the handle (11) in position centered on the device (1).

Description

Modular electrical line protection device

Field of the invention

The invention relates to modular electrical line protection device, of the differential switch type (RCCB). This type of device is designed in particular to cut and establish current levels generally between 16 and 125 amps.

This type of device conventionally comprises:

a cut-off device controlled by a handle for controlling a mobile contact fixed to a rotary contact holder driving said mobile contact remotely or to a fixed contact, said handle being connected to the contact holder by means of a lock mechanical capable of tilting by causing the opening / closing of the contacts following a manual action on the lever;

a tripping device able to switch the lock of the cut-off device to open the contacts in the event of the appearance of a differential current greater than a predetermined intensity threshold, and capable of leaving the contacts closed in the event of the appearance of a 'a short-circuit current.

State of the art

This type of device is delimited by a housing.

The rear side of the box allows the device to be fixed to a rail which is itself fixed in a distribution box. Other modular devices are juxtaposed along the rail.

The front of the device has a shoulder centered on the height of the device and extending over the entire width of the device, the width and height being defined when the device is in place in the distribution box. . The control lever protrudes from this shoulder, and moves in an opening which is substantially offset in width on the shoulder.

For example, for a four-pole device, comprising four connection terminals aligned across the width of the device, the control handle is located at the two terminals located on the left of the device.

The shoulder has the same depth over the entire width of the aircraft. The length of the lever is calculated so that, when it is located halfway, that is to say when it is centered in the opening of the shoulder, therefore horizontally in the device fixed in the distribution box, the free end of the handle does not touch the door of the distribution box. It is essential that the devices installed inside the boot do not hinder the closing of the door, regardless of the state of the devices, in this case regardless of the position of the handle for the device in question, the most restrictive position being that where the lever is centered.

The devices installed in the distribution boxes now contain electronics, in order to add functionality to the devices, to make them intelligent, for example in the context of home automation.

These devices can be equipped with an electronic differential current measurement system and with an electronic measurement processing system, which allows to anticipate the opening of the circuit according to adjustable parameters. They can be fitted with many other systems, such as an auxiliary contact.

This electronics is integrated directly within the device. To do this, it is necessary to provide a dedicated location. However, conventional devices are already full. Generally, the cut-off device composes the upper part of the device, while the trigger device composes the lower part of the device when the latter is in the position of use in a distribution box.

The objective of the present invention thus consists in providing a location dedicated to electronics within an electrical line protection device, so that the size of the device allows the enclosure door to be closed. distribution in which it is located.

Summary of the invention

This object is achieved by means of a modular electrical line protection device, of the differential switch type, delimited by a box comprising:

a rear face for fixing to a distribution box;

- two opposite side faces;

a front face opposite to the rear face, and having a shoulder; an upper face;

a lower face opposite the upper face.

This device comprises within this housing a cut-off device controlled by a control handle, said handle projecting from said shoulder towards the outside of the housing.

The main feature of this device is that said shoulder comprises a double stage, the maximum size of which, in a transverse plane parallel to the lateral faces, is limited by the size of the lever in the position centered on the device.

The main idea of this invention is to use the size of the controller as a basic reference, in order to increase the volume of the shoulder in a limited way to create additional volume within the device. This additional volume makes it possible to store the electronics necessary for new technologies. The device can thus present new functionalities, while continuing to integrate into distribution boxes, the dimensions of which remain unchanged.

Using the volume of the shoulder is particularly advantageous because it does not cause any dimensional change in the width and height of the device. The latter can therefore easily replace a defective device in a box, without requiring more space, and using the bridging bars already in place. In addition, the upper, lower, side and rear faces remain unchanged, which allows the device to maintain its association with all the surrounding accessories (such as an auxiliary contact, an emission coil, a lack coil tension, etc.).

The device according to the invention thus gains in volume, while remaining modular, and while being able to be combined with conventional bridging bars, wired connections, and all the other connection means in place in the distribution box.

Finally, this additional volume in the shoulder is preserved from overheating which may take place near the primary connections of the device, and provides a temperate space for electronics known to be thermally sensitive (in particular electronic cards for example).

According to the different embodiments of the invention, which can be taken together or separately:

said double stage consists of a first stage proximal to a first of said lateral faces and from which protrudes said lever, and of a second stage juxtaposed with said first stage and proximal of a second of said lateral faces.

the shoulder is delimited by a foot, a first nose corresponding to the first stage, a second nose corresponding to the second stage, the depth of the first stage being defined between the foot and the first nose of the shoulder, the depth of the second stage being defined between the foot and the second nose of the shoulder. the depth of the second stage of the shoulder is greater than the depth of the first stage of the shoulder.

- The difference between the depth of the second stage and the depth of the first stage is less than or equal to the length of the section of the joystick protruding from the first stage.

the second stage of the shoulder defines a volume in which the electronic components of the device are integrated.

the device has at least one information display window in the second nose of the shoulder.

the second stage of the shoulder includes means for indicating information, of the LED or screen type, coming from the electronic components, said means for indicating information being arranged at the level of said window and visible from the outside of the device.

the second stage of the shoulder comprises means of attachment by elastic deformation for its attachment to the front face of the device.

the first stage and the second stage of the shoulder constitute a single piece, the apparatus comprises a plurality of modules, the first stage of the shoulder extending over at least one module, the second stage of the shoulder s' spanning at least two modules.

the device consists of a four-pole device, the first stage extending over the two proximal terminals of the first lateral face, the second stage extending over the two proximal terminals of the second lateral face.

the second nose of the shoulder is flat and substantially parallel to the rear face of the device.

the apparatus further comprises an extension comprising at least one communication module and means for fixing to the housing of the apparatus, said housing of the apparatus comprising complementary fixing means, the means for fixing to the housing and the means for additional fixing being nested one inside the other to fix the extension to the housing.

the means for fixing to the housing of the device comprise a slot and the complementary fixing means include a protrusion nested in the slot for fixing the extension to the housing.

the second shoulder nose is curved, the second shoulder stage is made of polyamide.

Presentation of the figures

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the detailed explanatory description which follows, of four embodiments of the invention given by way of purely illustrative and nonlimiting example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus according to a first embodiment;

Figure 2 schematically shows a side view of the apparatus according to the first embodiment;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus according to a second embodiment;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of a second stage of the apparatus according to the second embodiment;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus according to a third embodiment;

Figures 6 and 7 are perspective views of an extension of the apparatus according to the third embodiment;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

detailed description

Figures 1 to 8 show a modular electrical line protection device 1 according to the invention, as it would be positioned in a distribution box for example.

This device 1 is delimited by a box. This housing has a rear face 2, commonly called sole, for attachment to a distribution rail (not shown) placed horizontally in the housing. It also includes an upper face 7, a lower face 6, a first lateral face 4 arranged here on the left of the apparatus 1, a second lateral face 5 arranged here on the right of the apparatus 1, and finally a front facade 3.

The height h of the device 1 is defined as the distance between the lower 6 and upper faces 7. The width I of the device 1 is defined as the distance between the first 4 and second 5 side faces of the device 1. In general, the height h and the width I of the device 1 are standard in order to be able to integrate into a conventional distribution board.

This device 1 has an orifice 13 at its first lateral face 4, allowing it to be directly connected with the electrical device or the accessories located on its left in the distribution box (such as an auxiliary contact, a coil with emission, an undervoltage coil, etc.). It is possible to provide several orifices on this first lateral face 4.

The front face 3 of the housing of the appliance 1 has a shoulder 8 centered in the height h of the appliance 1, and extending over the entire width I of the appliance 1.

A control handle 11 is located in the shoulder 8, and protrudes from the front panel 3. It is intended to control a mechanism for actuating the electrical contacts.

This lever 11 is movable in rotation, between a raised position and a lowered position. In FIG. 1, the lever 11 is in the lowered position. The lever 11 can also have an intermediate central position, halfway as illustrated in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the extreme positions (raised and lowered) are also shown in dotted lines. The lever 11 is thus mobile over a stroke delimited by a window 16 in the shoulder 8.

The depth P of the device 1 is defined as the distance between the rear face 2 and the front face 3 of the device 1. In order to be able to fit into a distribution box, the determining dimension is the distance between the free end of the lever 11 and the rear face 2 of the device 1. This distance is limited so as to be able to close the door of the distribution box without it banging against the lever 11, regardless of the position of the lever 11, in particular in its centered position halfway where the distance is then maximum.

In the example presented, the device 1 is a four-pole differential switch, and thus has four juxtaposed poles (one neutral and three phases) with the corresponding upstream and downstream connection terminals 12. The controller 11 is located at the first connection terminal on the left side, therefore directly in the vicinity of the first side face 4. The width of the controller 11 corresponds approximately to the width of a terminal. The lever 11 is centered in height on the shoulder 8.

The shoulder 8 has two stages, namely a first stage 9 from which protrudes the lever 11 and extending over the two left terminals, that is to say the proximal terminals of the first lateral face 4, and a second stage 10 extending over the two terminals on the right, that is to say the proximal terminals of the second lateral face 5.

The shoulder 8 arises at the level of the main part of the front face 3 of parallel appearance to the rear face 2. This main part constitutes the foot 17 of the shoulder 8. The shoulder 8 ends in two noses, respectively a first nose 18 constituting the front wall of the first stage 9, and a second nose 19 constituting the front wall of the second stage 10.

The maximum size of the shoulder 8, in a plane transverse to the device 1 and parallel to the side faces 4,5, is limited by the size of the lever 11 at mid-stroke. This is shown more clearly in Figure 2, where the apparatus 1 is shown in side view.

When the lever 11 is at mid-stroke, its free end shows the limit not to be exceeded so that the door of the distribution box can close without knocking in the device 1. Consequently, the shoulder 8 must not exceed this limit so as not to hinder the closing of the door.

The first stage 9 of the shoulder 8, containing the lever 11, has a depth P1 defined between the foot 17 and the first nose 18 of the shoulder 8. The second stage 10 of the shoulder 8 has a depth P2 defined between the foot 17 and the second nose 19 of the shoulder 8.

The depth of the second stage 10 is greater than that of the first stage 9, but the difference between the two depths is equal to or less than the length L of the section of the lever 11 protruding from the first stage 9 halfway.

In the volume of the second stage 10 are electronic components making it possible to add functionalities to the device 1. This electronics is connected on the one hand to all the terminals 12 of the device 1, and on the other hand to a or more communication module (s). The electronics may include one or more electronic cards 20, 21, 22 preferably superimposed in the volume of the second stage 10.

The second nose 19 of the shoulder 8 has windows 15 for displaying information from the electronics. -A means of information indication can be arranged in the volume of the second floor 10 last window 15 to have a digital display. This or these means of information indication may include one or more screen (s) and / or one or more indicator light (s) 24 preferably of LED type.

The indicator light (s) 24 can be arranged on an upper electronic card 20 among the electronic cards 20, 21, 22. The information indication means can: display the operating state of an electronic system for measurement of the device and / or display one or more pre-alarm level (s) and / or display a tripping state of an electronic system for measuring the differential current of the device 1 by differentiating between a differential fault of type A and a type B differential fault.

The first stage 9 of the shoulder 8 is molded integrally with the main part of the front facade 3. The second stage 10 of the shoulder 8 can either be molded also with the main part of the front facade 3, or can consist of an independent cover clipped onto the main part of the front panel 3.

The material is the same for all the parts of the front panel 3 (main part, first stage 9, second stage 10), and generally consists of polyamide.

In FIG. 1, the second nose 19 of the shoulder 8 has a slightly convex appearance. It can also be completely flat, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2.

In the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figures 5 to 7, the device 1 may include an extension 25 which can integrate the communication module (s). The extension 25 may include means for fixing to the housing of the device 1 and the housing of the device 1 may include additional fixing means. The fixing means can comprise a slot 28 and the complementary fixing means can comprise protuberance 29. In a fixing position of the extension 25, the latter can cover part of the front panel 3 of the device 1.

The extension can include a first section 26 and a second section 27. In the fixing position of the extension 25 on the housing of the device 1, the first section 26 of the extension 25 can rest on the front face 3 of the device 1 and / or the second section 27 of the riser 25 can rest on the upper face 7. The communication module (s) can be housed in the second section 27 of the riser 26. A depth of the first section 26 of the extension 25 may be less than the depth P2 of the second stage 10 of the shoulder 8.

The extension 25 may include one or more breakable parts 30 for the passage of cables.

In the embodiment of the invention disclosed in FIG. 8, the depth of the second stage 10 is approximately equal to that of the first stage 9.

With respect to the above description, the optimal dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, including variations in size, materials, shapes, function and modes of operation, assembly and use, are considered to be apparent and obvious to those skilled in the art, and all relationships equivalent to that illustrated in the drawings and that described in the specification are intended to be included in the present invention.

Claims (16)

1. Modular electrical line protection device, of the differential switch type, delimited by a box comprising: a rear face (2) for fixing to a distribution box; - two opposite side faces (4,5); a front face (3) opposite the rear face (2), and having a shoulder (8); an upper face (7); a lower face (6) opposite the upper face (7); said apparatus (1) comprising within this housing a cut-off device controlled by a control handle (11), said handle (11) projecting from said shoulder (8) towards the outside of the housing; characterized in that said shoulder (8) comprises a double stage whose maximum size, in a transverse plane parallel to the lateral faces (4,5), is limited by the size of the lever (11) in position centered on the 'device (1). 2. Modular electrical line protection device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said double stage consists of a first stage (9) proximal to a first of said lateral faces (4) and from which protrudes said lever (11) , and a second stage (10) juxtaposed with said first stage (9) and proximal to a second of said lateral faces (5). 3. Modular electrical line protection device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the shoulder (8) is delimited by a foot (17), a first nose (18) corresponding to the first stage (9), a second nose (19) corresponding to the second stage (10), the depth (P1) of the first stage (9) being defined between the foot (17) and the first nose (18) of the shoulder (8), the depth (P2) of the second stage (10) being defined between the foot (17) and the second nose (19) of the shoulder (8). 4. Modular electrical line protection device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the depth (P2) of the second stage (10) of the shoulder (8) is greater than the depth (P1) of the first stage (9 ) of the shoulder (8). 5. Modular electrical line protection device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the difference between the depth (P2) of the second stage (10) and the depth (P1) of the first stage (9) is less than or equal to the length (L) of the section of the lever (11) projecting from the first stage (9). 6. Modular electrical line protection device according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the second stage (10) of the shoulder (8) defines a volume in which are integrated electronic components of the device (1). 7. Modular electrical line protection device according to one of claims 3, 4, 5 or 6 in its combinations with claim 3, characterized in that it comprises at least one window (15) for displaying information made in the second nose (19) of the shoulder (8). 8. Modular electrical line protection device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second stage (10) of the shoulder (8) comprises means for indicating information, of the LED or screen type, coming from the electronic components, said information indication means being arranged at said window (15) and visible from outside the device (1). 9. Modular electrical line protection device according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the second stage (10) of the shoulder (8) comprises means of attachment by elastic deformation for its attachment to the front panel (3) of the appliance (1). 10. Modular electrical line protection device according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the first stage (9) and the second stage (10) of the shoulder (8) constitute a single piece. 11. Modular electrical line protection device according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of modules, the first stage (9) of the shoulder (8) extending over at least a module, the second stage (10) of the shoulder (8) extending over at least two modules. 12. Modular electrical line protection device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it consists of a device (1) four-pole, the first stage (9) extending over the two proximal terminals of the first lateral face (4 ), the second stage (10) extending over the two proximal terminals of the second lateral face (5). 13. Modular electrical line protection apparatus according to one of claims 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, or 6 in its combinations with claim 3, or 9 in its combinations with claim 3, or 10 in its combinations with claim 3, or 11 in its combinations with claim 3, characterized in that the second nose (19) of the shoulder (8) has a rounded shape. 14. Modular electrical line protection device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it further comprises an extension (25) comprising at least one communication module and means for fixing to the housing of the device (1), said device housing (1) comprising complementary fixing means, the fixing means to the case and the complementary fixing means being nested one inside the other to fix the extension (25) to the housing. 15. Modular electrical line protection device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the means for fixing to the housing of the device (1) comprise a slot (28) and the complementary fixing means comprise a nested protuberance (29) in the slot (28) to fix the extension (25) to the housing. 16. Modular electrical line protection device according to one of claims 2 to 13, or 14 in its combinations with claim 2, or 15 in its combinations with claim 2, characterized in that the second stage (10) of the shoulder (8) is made of polyamide.