FR3101193A1 - Fuse electrical switch-off device - Google Patents

Abstract

Fuse-type electrical switching device Fuse-type electrical switching device (2), comprising: - a housing comprising at least one housing intended to receive a fuse (8); and - at least one electrical connector (10) associated with said housing in order to connect an end terminal of a fuse when said fuse is inserted into the receiving housing; wherein each electrical connector (10) comprises a first contact portion (30) and a second contact portion which face each other and which define a central receiving area (40) for receiving said end terminal, the second portion contact being attached to the first contact portion and comprising at least one attachment portion (34) received in a corresponding opening (38) formed in a lower region (36) of the first contact portion (30). Figure for abstract: Figure 2

Description

fused electrical disconnect device

The present invention relates to an electrical fuse switchgear.

In the field of electrical distribution, it is known to use electrical cut-off devices comprising one or more fuses, such as fuse switch-disconnectors, to protect an electrical system against electrical failures.

Such devices generally comprise one or more input and output terminals, and one or more removable fuse cartridges connected between said terminals by means of dedicated electrical connectors.

A common problem with these disconnect devices is related to the design of the electrical connectors. In practice, fuses are manually inserted into the device before use. It can sometimes happen that a fuse is mounted in the breaking device while it is incorrectly connected to the electrical connectors. Therefore, the fuse cannot function as expected in the event of an electrical failure.

There is therefore a need for a fused electrical disconnect device comprising improved electrical connectors.

There is also a need for electrical connectors which have a simpler design and which are simpler to manufacture.

In order to at least partially meet one or more of the above needs, one aspect of the invention relates to a fused electrical switchgear, comprising:

- a housing comprising at least one housing intended to receive a fuse; And

- at least one electrical connector associated with said housing in order to connect an end terminal of the fuse when this fuse is inserted in the reception box.

Each electrical connector comprises a first contact part and a second contact part which face each other and which delimit a central reception zone intended to receive said end terminal, the second contact part being fixed on the first contact part and comprising at least one fixing part received in a corresponding opening formed in a lower zone of the first contact part.

The electrical contacts described above reduce the risk of faulty connection to the fuse. They are also simpler and less expensive to manufacture, since they can be assembled without the need for additional connecting elements such as a bolt or a screw.

According to advantageous but not mandatory aspects, such a breaking device can incorporate one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically permissible combination:

• The second contact part includes a single attachment part received in a single opening in the middle of the lower region of the first contact part.
• The second contact part includes two or more attachment parts each received in a corresponding opening in the middle of the lower region of the first contact part.
• The switchgear according to any preceding claim, wherein each attachment portion has an L-shaped cross-section.
• Each electrical connector includes a spring connected to the rear faces of the first and second contact portions.
• The second contact portion includes a spacer tab that extends toward the first contact portion.
• The first contact part is made integrally with a base part of the electrical connector.
• The first and the second contact parts are made of metal.
• The first and second contact portions include guide portions that flare outward from the central receiving area.
• Each receiving housing includes at least two such electrical connectors.

The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of an embodiment of an electrical fuse switchgear given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified representation of a front view of a fused electrical disconnect device according to the embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified representation of an electrical connector of the FIG. 1 switching device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the electrical connector of Fig. 2 seen along the direction of arrow III of Fig. 2;

FIG. 4 is a simplified representation of an electrical connector of the FIG. 1 switching device according to another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 illustrates a fused electrical disconnect device 2, such as a fused switch-disconnector, configured to protect an electrical installation against electrical faults.

For example, the device 2 comprises one or more removable fuse cartridges, each configured to interrupt an electric current when the latter is too high.

The fuses are removable and can be disconnected by a user, preferably when no current is flowing, such as by hand or using a suitable mechanism. In some embodiments, the device 2 may also include devices for extinguishing electric arcs, so that users can remove one or more fuses even when an electric current is flowing through the device.

The device 2 comprises a casing 4 made of an electrically insulating material, such as a polymer, preferably of molded plastic.

Housing 4 comprises one or more housings 6a, 6b, 6c each configured to receive a cartridge fuse 8 (referred to simply as "fuse" in the following).

For example, the housings 6a, 6b, 6c are delimited by internal partitions arranged inside the housing 4. These partitions can be formed in one piece with the outer body of the housing 4.

According to the embodiments, the housing 4 has a rectangular shape and the housings 6 are aligned vertically one above the other along the housing 4.

In the example shown, the device 2 is connected with a three-phase electrical system and is adapted to receive three fuses 8, each fuse being associated with a phase of the electrical system.

In an alternative embodiment, the device 2 could be modified to operate with an electrical system comprising a different number of phases, such as a single-phase electrical system.

Preferably, each fuse 8 comprises a main body and two upstream and downstream connection terminals 20 extending outside the body.

For example, the main body has a block or cylinder shape.

The terminals 20 each have an elongated shape, such as the shape of a blade or the shape of a rod, and extend on either side of the main body in the same longitudinal direction.

For example, fuses 8 are low voltage fuses as described in standard IEC/EN 60269-2-1.

According to non-limiting examples given by way of illustration, the fuses 8 are blade fuses, such as DIN NH type fuse cartridges.

According to the embodiments, to facilitate the insertion and removal of the fuse cartridges 8, the device 2 may comprise, for each housing 6a, 6b, 6c, a mobile cradle configured to hold a fuse cartridge 8.

The cradles can be connected to a fixing device connected to the housing 4 so as to be pivotally movable relative to the housing 4. These cradles are not illustrated in Figure 1.

For example, each cradle is movable between an open position, allowing the insertion or removal of the fuse 8, and a closed position, in which the fuse 8 is received inside the corresponding housing. The cradles are preferably mechanically linked together by an appropriate link mechanism, such as one or more levers, so that the opening and closing movements are simultaneous between all the cradles of the device 2.

The device 2 also includes a plurality of electrical connectors 10 to connect the fuses 8 to the electrical system. In practice, each housing 6 is associated with a pair of electrical conductors 10 upstream and downstream.

The connectors 10 are used to connect the upstream and downstream terminals of each fuse 8 with a corresponding electrical line of the electrical system when said fuse 8 is installed in the corresponding housing.

Examples of connectors 10 in accordance with aspects of the invention are described in more detail in the following.

In the example given by way of illustration, the electrical system comprises three connection bars 12a, 12b and 12c (also known as bus bars), each associated with an electrical phase.

For example, busbars 12a, 12b and 12c serve to distribute electrical power into the electrical system and are powered by an electrical source.

According to the embodiments, for each pair of connectors 10, one of the connectors 10 (upstream connector) is electrically connected to a corresponding connection bar 12a, 12b and 12c, for example by means of one or more parts electrically conductors mounted in the housing 4.

For example, the connection bars 12a, 12b and 12c are arranged in parallel and superimposed vertically at a distance from each other within an electrical panel.

In the example shown, the device 2 is mounted vertically on the electrical panel by being connected to the connection bars 12a, 12b and 12c on a rear face of the box 4.

The device further comprises conductors 14, such as cables, intended to connect the device 2 to an electrical load. For example, the conductors 14 are connected to a downstream connection zone 16 of the device 2 here formed on a lower part of the casing 4.

According to the embodiments, the other connector 10 (downstream connector) of each pair is electrically connected to one of the conductors 14 by a contact bar 18a, 18b, 18c installed inside the device 2 and which connects said connector 10 to a corresponding conductor 14 via connection area 16.

For example, each of the contact bars 18a, 18b, 18c extends in the housing 4 inside a side compartment along one or more housings 6. The contact bars 18a, 18b, 18c are preferably made of metallic material, for example copper or aluminum.

Thus, each electrical connector 10 is electrically connected to an upstream or downstream electrical connection element of the disconnector 2.

In the example illustrated, for each housing 6a, 6b, 6c, the connectors 10 of each pair are arranged vertically one above the other in each housing. When the fuse 8 is in the housing 6a, 6b, 6c, the upstream and downstream terminals 20 of the fuse 8 are respectively connected to the upstream and downstream connectors 10 of this housing, as illustrated for the housing 6a of FIG. 1.

Figures 2 and 3 show a first embodiment of a connector 10 in accordance with aspects of the invention.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the connector 10 includes a first contact part 30 and a second contact part 32 which face each other and which delimit a central reception zone 40 intended to receive an end terminal 20 of the fuse 8.

For example, the first and second contact portions 30, 32 are flat plates made of an electrically conductive material. The first and the second contact parts 30, 32 are arranged in parallel and are spaced apart with a width almost identical to that of the terminal 20 (such as for example a width equal to that of the terminal 20 at +/-10%).

For example, the first and second contact portions 30, 32 are metal plates.

When the terminal 20 is in a received position within the reception area 40, the first and second contact portions 30, 32 are in direct contact with the terminal 20 so as to provide an electrical connection between the fuse 8 and connector 10.

The second contact part 32 is fixed on the first contact part 30 and comprises at least one fixing part 34 received in a corresponding opening 38 formed in a lower zone 36 of the first contact part 30. Preferably, the second part contact 32 comprises two or more such fixing parts 34, and the first contact part comprises as many corresponding openings 38 in the lower zone 36.

In the example illustrated, the lower zone comprises two such openings 38 formed on the opposite side edges of the first contact part 30. The first contact part 30 comprises two such fixing parts 34, arranged on the opposite side edges of the second part 32, each fixing part 34 being received in one of said openings 38.

In the illustrated examples, the openings 38 have a square shape or a rectangular shape.

For example, the or each attachment portion 34 is at a lower end of the second contact portion 32.

In one or more embodiments, attachment portion 34 has an L-shaped cross-section. For example, attachment portion 34 includes a first portion and a second portion.

The first part extends perpendicular to an internal face of the first contact part 30, said first part being received in the opening 38 when the second contact part 32 is fixed on the first contact part.

The second part extends downward from the outer end of the first part and abuts against the outer face of the first contact part 30. For example, the second part extends at a right angle with the first part. The second part serves as a stop tab which prevents removal of the attachment part 34.

It should be noted that in the examples described, the qualifiers "inner" and "outer" used in reference to the faces of the first and second contact portions 30 and 32 are defined with respect to the receiving area 40. By example, the internal face of said contact parts is turned towards the reception zone 40.

Attachment portions 34, with apertures 38, provide a simple means of mounting second contact portion 32 to first contact portion 30. This mechanical connection does not require a fastener such as a bolt or screw. , and also offers the advantage that the second contact part 32 can be slightly inclined with respect to the first contact part 30 in order to facilitate the insertion of the terminal 20 inside the reception area 40.

In one or more embodiments, each electrical connector 10 includes a spring 42 connected to the rear faces of the first and second contact portions 30, 32.

Preferably, the spring 42 is formed so as not to disturb the entry and exit of the terminal 20 in the reception area 40.

The spring 42 is configured to exert a return force laterally on the first and second contact portions 30 and 32 so as to bring them closer together. This forces the first and second contact portions 30 and 32 to come into abutment against the terminal 20 when the latter is received in the reception area 40.

According to one or more examples, the spring 42 is composed of a metallic material or an elastomeric material. The spring 2 can have a curved shape, although other shapes are possible.

In one or more embodiments, the first and second contact portions 30, 32 respectively comprise guide portions 44, 46 flared outwards from the central reception zone 40 so as to guide the terminal 20 to the inside the reception area 40.

Optionally, the second contact portion 32 may include a spacer tab 54 which extends toward the first contact portion 30. The spacer tab 54 protrudes from the edge or inner face of the second contact portion 32 and is adapted to come into contact with the internal face of the first contact part 30 when the first and second contact parts 30, 32 are sufficiently close to each other.

For example, the spacing tongue 54 has a length less than the distance which separates the internal faces of the first and second contact parts 30, 32 when no restoring force is exerted by the spring 42.

In some embodiments, the first contact portion 30 is fabricated integrally with a base portion 50 of the electrical connector 10. For example, the bottom region 36 of the first contact member 30 is extended downward by a twisted part 48 connected to the base part 50. The base part 50 can comprise a connection zone 52 which makes it possible to fix the connector 10 on a corresponding electrical connection element. For example, the connection zone 52 comprises an orifice adapted to receive a fixing member such as a screw or a bolt.

In certain embodiments, the base part 50 is integrated into the end of one of the contact bars 18a, 18b, 18c (by being manufactured for example in one piece with said contact bar).

Figure 4 illustrates a second embodiment of the connector 10, identified by the reference sign 10'. This connector 10' is similar to the connector 10 previously described, although it differs therefrom in that the second contact part 32 comprises a single fixing part 34' and the first contact part 30 comprises a single central opening in the middle of the lower zone 36' intended to receive said fixing part 34'. Apart from this difference, the description of the embodiments of connector 10 is applicable to connector 10'.

The embodiments and the variants envisaged above can be combined together to give rise to new embodiments.

Claims (10)

Electrical fuse switchgear (2), comprising:
- a box (4) comprising at least one housing (6a, 6b, 6c) intended to receive a fuse (8); And
- at least one electrical connector (10) associated with said housing (6) in order to connect an end terminal (20) of a fuse (8) when said fuse is inserted into the receiving housing;
wherein each electrical connector (10) comprises a first contact part (30) and a second contact part (32) which face each other and which delimit a central reception zone (40) intended to receive said end terminal ( 20), the second contact part (32) being fixed on the first contact part and comprising at least one fixing part (34) received in a corresponding opening (38) formed in a lower zone (36) of the first part contact (30). Switching device according to claim 1, in which the second contact part (32) comprises a single fixing part (34') received in a single opening in the middle of the lower zone (36) of the first contact part (30 ). A switchgear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second contact portion (32) comprises two or more attachment portions (34) each received in a corresponding opening (38) in the middle of the lower region (36) of the first contact part (30). A switchgear as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each fixing portion (34) has an L-shaped cross-section. Switching device according to any of the preceding claims, in which each electrical connector (10) comprises a spring (42) connected to the rear faces of the first and the second contact portions (30, 32). A switchgear according to any preceding claim, wherein the second contact portion (32) includes a spacer tab (54) which extends towards the first contact portion (30). Switching device according to any of the preceding claims, in which the first contact part (30) is made integrally with a base part (50) of the electrical connector (10). A switchgear according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second contact portions (30, 32) are metal plates. Switchgear according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second contact portions (30, 32) include guide portions (44, 46) flared outward from the central receiving area (40 ). Switching device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each receiving housing (6) comprises at least two such electrical connectors (10).