WO2021043741A1

WO2021043741A1 - Electrical switching device and vehicle comprising such a device

Info

Publication number: WO2021043741A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/074291
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicolas Quentin; Christophe AUDEMAR
Original assignee: Alstom Transport Technologies
Priority date: 2019-09-03
Filing date: 2020-09-01
Publication date: 2021-03-11
Also published as: FR3100376A1; EP4026153A1; EP4026153B1; CN114730672A; FR3100376B1; ZA202202576B

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical switching device, in particular for a railway vehicle, comprising a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact which is movable relative to the first contact, an actuator and a control module (40) suitable for controlling a movement of the second contact by the actuator between a first position in which the first and second contacts are electrically connected to each other and a second position in which the first and second contacts are electrically disconnected from each other. The switching device further comprises a thermoelectric module (45) and a heat sink (50), the thermoelectric module (45) being interposed between the heat sink (50) and the control module (40) and being configured to generate a heat flow (F), preferably using the Peltier effect, from the control module (40) to the heat sink (50).

Description

TITLE: Electrical switching device and vehicle comprising such a device

The present invention relates to an electrical switching device, as well as to a vehicle comprising such an electrical switching device.

Frequently used electrical switching devices include two electrical contacts movable relative to each other as well as an actuator configured to move one or the other of the two electrical contacts to open or close an electrical circuit comprising these two. contacts. The actuator is generally controlled by a control module which determines the relevance of opening or closing this circuit, for example on a command from a user or even following the occurrence of an electrical fault detected by the control module. control or by a separate module.

Control modules and actuators are liable to generate heat during their operation. In addition, the operation of the electronic components of which they are composed is affected by the ambient temperature, so that many electrical switching devices are cooled, for example via openings provided in the housing surrounding the electrical switching device, or even by the choice of positioning the device in a location naturally crossed by air currents. For example, in vehicles, the air flows generated when the vehicle is moving can release some of the heat. In some cases, the switching devices are positioned in air-conditioned compartments, for example compartments accommodating travelers.

However, these known cooling methods impose constraints on the positioning or insulation, in particular electrical, of the switching devices. For example, it is necessary to provide ducts directing the cooling air over the portions to be cooled of the switching device. In addition, known cooling methods are not always sufficient, especially when the outside air flow generated when moving the vehicle is at a high temperature, for example in hot countries or in summer.

There is therefore a need for an electrical switching device which is more adaptable, in particular in terms of positioning in a vehicle, than the switching devices of the state of the art, while exhibiting good performance.

To this end, an electrical switching device is proposed, in particular for a railway vehicle, comprising a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact movable relative to the first contact, an actuator and a control module. able to control a displacement of the second contact by the actuator between a first position in which the first and second contacts are electrically connected to each other and a second position in which the first and second contacts are electrically disconnected one on the other, the switching device further comprising a thermoelectric module and a heat sink, the thermoelectric module being interposed between the heat sink and the control module and being configured to generate a heat flow, preferably by the Peltier effect , from the control module to the heat sink.

According to particular embodiments, the electrical switching device has one or more of the following characteristics taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:

- the heat sink forms a housing delimiting an interior volume, the actuator, the control module and the thermoelectric module being received in the interior volume;

- the control module and the thermoelectric module are mounted on an internal wall of the housing;

the control module comprises a printed circuit board, the thermoelectric module being supported jointly against the printed circuit board and against the heat sink;

the printed circuit board has a first face and a second face, the first face carrying a set of electronic components, the second face carrying a set of conductive tracks connecting the electronic components to each other, the thermoelectric module being in contact with the second face;

- the thermoelectric module comprises a thermoelectric element having a hot face and a cold face, the thermoelectric element being configured to generate the heat flux from the cold face towards the hot face, the thermoelectric module further comprising a first thermal wafer and a second thermal pad, the first thermal pad being clamped between the control module and the thermoelectric element, the second thermal pad being clamped between the heat sink and the thermoelectric element;

- the second thermal plate is made of graphite.

A railway vehicle is also proposed comprising an electrical switching device as defined above.

According to particular embodiments, the vehicle has one or more of the following characteristics taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:

- the electrical switching device is a high voltage circuit breaker; the electrical switching device is fixed to a roof of the rail vehicle, the electrical switching device extending in particular through an opening made in said roof.

Characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[Fig 1] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an electrical switching device according to the invention, comprising a control module, a thermoelectric module and a heat sink, and

[Fig 2] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the control module, thermoelectric module, and heat sink of Figure 1.

An example of an electrical switching device 10 is shown in Figure 1.

The switching device 10 is, in particular, integrated in a vehicle 15 shown partially in FIG. 1. For example, the switching device 10 is fixed to a roof 20 of the vehicle 15. However, embodiments in which the switching device Switch 10 is arranged inside the vehicle 15, for example in a passenger compartment, or else under a vehicle floor 15 are also possible.

According to a variant, the switching device 10 is integrated into a fixed installation such as a building.

The vehicle 15 is, for example, a railway vehicle. As a variant, the vehicle 15 is a motor vehicle, or else a ship or an aircraft.

The switching device 10 comprises a first electrical contact 25, a second electrical contact 30, an actuator 35, a control module 40, a thermoelectric module 45 and a heat sink 50.

The switching device 10 is configured to switch between a first configuration in which the first electrical contact 25 is electrically connected to the second electrical contact 30 and a second configuration in which the first electrical contact 25 is electrically isolated from the second electrical contact 30.

The switching device 10 is, for example, fixed to the roof 20. According to one embodiment, the switching device 10 extends through an opening in the roof 20.

The switching device 10 is, for example, a high voltage circuit breaker suitable for providing, in the second configuration, insulation between the electrical contacts 25 and 30 when an electrical voltage between the two electrical contacts 25 and 30 is greater than or equal. at 5 kilovolts (kV). In particular, the electrical contacts 25 and 30 form a vacuum interrupter interposed between a catenary or a pantograph and an electrical system, in particular a power transformer, of the vehicle 15. In this case, the switching device 10 further comprises, a plate 52 and an enclosure 54.

The plate 52 is for example a metal plate, in particular of aluminum. The plate 52 at least partially closes the opening in the roof 20 through which the switching device 10 extends. The plate 52 is, for example, supported by the roof 20, in particular fixed to an upper face of the roof 20.

The plate 52 defines, in particular in a horizontal plane, a passage 55 through which the actuator 35 extends.

The enclosure 54 extends from the plate 52, in particular in a vertical direction of the vehicle 15. The enclosure 54 is suitable for electrically isolating the actuator 35 and the contacts 25, 30 from the outside. The enclosure 54 is, for example, cylindrical, or else parallelepiped.

The enclosure 54 is made of an electrically insulating material. The enclosure 54 includes, for example, a vacuum interrupter 60 within which the first and second electrical contacts 25, 30 are accommodated. In a manner known per se, a vacuum interrupter makes it possible to switch electric currents at high voltages while maintaining a small distance between the contacts 25 and 30, the vacuum then playing the role of an electrical insulator.

The switching device 10 is, for example, configured to provide the electrical protection of an electrical circuit comprising the contacts 25 and 30, and in particular to switch from the first configuration to the second configuration in the event of detection of the electrical fault. The electrical fault is, for example, a short circuit, an ignition, an overvoltage or an overcurrent.

As a variant, the switching device 10 is a low voltage circuit breaker, a contactor, or even a switch of any type.

Each of the first contact 25 and of the second contact 30 is accommodated in the enclosure 54.

The first contact 25 is, for example, a contact fixed relative to the roof 20. For example, the first contact 25 is fixed to the enclosure 54.

The second contact 30 is a movable contact between a first position in which the second contact 30 bears against the first contact 25 and a second position in which the second contact 30 is distant from the first contact 25. When the second contact 30 is in the first position, the switching device 10 is in the first configuration, the switching device 10 being in the second configuration when the second contact 30 is in the second position.

The second contact 30 is, for example, movable in translation in a vertical direction of the vehicle 15 between its first and second positions. The actuator 35 is configured to move the second electrical contact 30 between its first and second positions.

The actuator 35 comprises, for example, an actuator 65 and a drive member 70.

The actuator 65 is connected to the second contact 30 by the drive member 70, which is for example a rod made of an electrically insulating material, such as a laminate based on fiberglass.

The actuator 65 is configured to exert on the drive member 70 a first force causing a joint movement of the drive member 70 and the second contact 30, so as to move the second contact 30 between them. first and second positions.

The actuator 65 comprises, for example, an electromagnet. However, other types of actuators 65 are conceivable.

According to one embodiment, the actuator 35 further comprises a return member such as a spring, capable of exerting on the drive member 70 a second force tending to move the second contact 30 towards its second position. . In this case, the first force tends to move the second contact 30 towards the first position, the second contact 30 then being returned to the second position by the return member when the actuating member 65 does not exert a first force .

As a variant, the actuator 65 is suitable for exerting a first force tending to move the second contact 30 towards the first position, as well as a second force tending to move the second contact 30 towards its second position.

The control module 40 is configured to control the switching of the switching device 10 between the first and second configurations. In particular, the control module 40 is configured to control a displacement of the second contact 30 from the first position to the second position or vice versa.

For example, the control module 40 is configured to generate a first switching command and to transmit the first command to the actuator 35. The control module 40 is further configured to generate a second switching command and to transmit. the second command to the actuator 35. The first command is a command to switch from the first configuration to the second configuration. The second command is a command to switch from the second configuration to the first configuration.

The control module 40 is, for example, configured to detect the electrical fault and to generate the first command in the event of detection of the electrical fault. As a variant, the control module 40 is configured to generate the first command following receipt of an instruction from an operator, for example an instruction from a driver of the vehicle 15. As a variant, the control module 40 is configured to generate the first command following receipt of an instruction from a train system such as a fault detection system on board the train.

The control module 40 is, for example, configured to generate the second command following receipt of an instruction from an operator.

As a variant or in addition, the control module 40 is configured to transmit to remote equipment, for example a vehicle monitoring module 15, information on a state of the switching device 10. For example, the control module 40 is configured to transmit a message comprising an indicator having a first value when the switching device 10 is in the first configuration and having a second value different from the first value when the switching device 10 is in the second configuration.

According to another variant, the control module 40 is configured to measure values of a parameter of the switching device 10 and to transmit the measured values to remote equipment such as a vehicle monitoring module 15. The parameter is, for example, an electrical parameter such as an electrical voltage between the contacts 25 and 30, the current flowing through the actuator, an intensity of an electric current flowing between the two contacts 25 and 30, or else a thermodynamic parameter such as a temperature of the switching device 10 or a level of humidity in the air.

The control module 40 comprises, for example, at least one printed circuit board 75, a set of electronic components 80 and a box 85.

A single printed circuit board 75 is present in the embodiment visible in FIG. 2, however embodiments in which several printed circuit boards 75 are present are also conceivable.

Each printed circuit board 75 is configured to support at least part of the electronic components 80. For example, the printed circuit board 75 has a first face 90 and a second face 95, the electronic components 80 being carried by the first face 90. . Each of the first face 90 and of the second face 95 is, for example, planar.

The second face 95 is opposite the heat sink 50.

Each printed circuit board 75 is made of an electrically insulating material, in particular of a plastic material.

According to one embodiment, the second face 95 carries at least one track made of an electrically conductive material such as gold or copper. For example, the second face 95 carries a set of such tracks.

Each track interconnects at least two electronic components 80. For example, each track is electrically connected to electronic components 80 through a via connecting the first face 90 to the second face 95 through the printed circuit board 75.

It should be noted that embodiments in which at least one track is carried by the first face 90 are also possible.

The set of components 80 is configured to form, when they are interconnected by the tracks, a module for generating the first command, a module for generating the second command and, optionally, a module for measuring values of. each parameter and / or a module for sending a message containing at least one measured value and / or at least one indicator of a configuration of the switching device 10.

For example, the set of components 80 includes a processor and memory comprising a set of software instructions. When they are executed on the processor, the software instructions form in particular the module for generating the first command, the module for generating the second command, the module for measuring the values of each parameter and / or the module for sending d 'a message.

As a variant or in addition, the set of components 80 comprises a programmable logic circuit, known by the acronym FPGA (from English "field-programmable spoils array", which means "network of programmable gates in situ"). In particular, the FPGA is configured to form the module for generating the first command, the module for generating the second command, the module for measuring the values of each parameter and / or the module for sending a message.

According to another variant, the set of components 80 comprises a set of analog components forming the module for generating the first command, the module for generating the second command, the module for measuring the values of each parameter and / or the module. sending a message.

The cabinet 85 is configured to isolate each printed circuit board 75 and the set of components 80 from the actuator 35. In particular, the cabinet 85 defines at least partially a chamber accommodating each printed circuit board 75 and the set of components 80.

The box 85 is, for example, fixed to the heat sink 50. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the box 85 cooperates with the heat sink 50 to form the chamber. For example, the cabinet 85 defines a recess which is closed by the heat sink 50 to form the chamber. It should be noted that embodiments in which the chamber is entirely delimited by the cabinet 85, in particular in which a wall of the cabinet 85 is interposed between each printed circuit board 75 and the heat sink 85, are also envisaged.

The thermoelectric module 45 is interposed between the control module 40 and the heat sink 50. In particular, the thermoelectric module 45 is in contact with the control module 40 and with the heat sink 50.

In particular, the thermoelectric module 45 is interposed between each printed circuit board 75 and the heat sink 50, in particular resting against the printed circuit board 45 and against the heat sink 50. For example, the thermoelectric module 45 is in contact with the second face 95 of each printed circuit board 75.

According to the example shown in Figure 2, the thermoelectric module 45 is accommodated in the housing 85.

The thermoelectric module 45 is configured to generate heat flow F from the control module 40 to the heat sink 50. In particular, the thermoelectric module 45 is configured to transfer heat from the control module 40 to the heat sink 50. In other words, the thermoelectric module 45 is configured to cool the control module 40 and to heat the heat sink 50 accordingly.

The thermoelectric module 45 is configured to generate the heat flow by thermoelectric effect. The thermoelectric module 45 is, in particular, configured to generate the heat flow by the Peltier effect.

The Peltier effect consists in particular of the cooling of a junction between the ends of two semiconductor electrodes each having a doping of a type different from the type of doping of the other electrode, cooling which is accompanied by heating. from the other ends of the electrodes, when an electric current passes through the junction.

The thermoelectric module 45 comprises, for example, a thermoelectric element 100, a first thermal wafer 105 and a second thermal wafer 110.

The thermoelectric element 100 has a hot face 110 and a cold face 115. The thermoelectric element 100 is configured to generate the heat flow F. In particular, the thermoelectric element 100 is configured to generate the heat flow F from the cold face 115 to the hot face 110.

The thermoelectric element 100 is configured to generate the heat flow F by the Peltier effect.

The thermoelectric element 100 comprises, for example, a casing and a set of electrodes mounted in series in a manner known per se.

Each electrode is housed in the envelope.

The hot face 110 and the cold face 115 are external faces of the envelope. The hot face 110 and the cold face 115 are, for example, parallel to each other. The cold face 115 is arranged facing the control module 40, in particular facing the second face 95 of each printed circuit board 75.

For example, the hot face 110 is a face of a first portion of the envelope, the cold face being a face of a second portion of the envelope.

The casing is made of a thermally conductive material such as a metallic material.

Each electrode is made of a semiconductor material.

Each electrode is, for example, made of a single semiconductor material.

According to one embodiment, at least one electrode has a plurality of portions, each portion being made of a semiconductor material different from the other portions of the considered electrode.

Each electrode is doped. Doping is defined as the presence, in a material, of impurities providing free charge carriers. Impurities are, for example, atoms of an element that is not naturally present in the material.

When the presence of impurities increases the volume density of holes present in the material relative to the undoped material, the doping is of p type.

When the presence of impurities increases the volume density of free electrons present in the material relative to the undoped material, the doping is n-type.

Each electrode has a hot end and a cold end.

The electrodes are connected in series with each other.

The thermoelectric element 100 comprises a power supply suitable for generating an electric current passing successively through all the electrodes. Advantageously, the control module 40 is suitable for supplying the thermoelectric module 45 with electrical energy. An electrical supply cable extends for example between the modules 40 and 45.

The electrodes define a set of junctions. Each junction is formed by the hot ends or by the cold ends of two successive electrodes, these hot ends or cold ends being electrically connected to one another. Thus, the current flowing through the set of electrodes flows from the hot end of one electrode among the two electrodes forming the junction to the hot end of the other electrode forming the junction, or from the cold end of one electrode at the cold end of the other electrode.

The thermoelectric element 100 is configured so that the flow of current generates heating of the hot end of each electrode and cooling of the cold end of each electrode.

In particular, the electrodes are such that two successive electrodes have different types of doping, each type of doping being chosen from n-type doping and p-type doping.

The electrodes are arranged such that the hot end of each electrode is in contact with the first portion of the shell, the cold end in contact with the second portion of the shell. Thus, when the electric current passes through each electrode, the cold face 115 is cooled by the cold ends of the electrodes and the hot face 110 is heated by the hot ends of the electrodes, thus generating the heat flow F.

The first thermal plate 105 is interposed, in particular clamped, between the thermoelectric element 100 and the control module 40. For example, the first thermal plate 105 is in contact with, in particular clamped between, the second face 95 and the cold face 115 .

The first thermal plate 105 is configured to ensure good thermal contact between the cold face 115 and the control module 40. In particular, the first thermal plate 105 is configured to allow the propagation of the thermal flow F of the control module 40 up to to the cold face 115, in particular to increase an intensity of the heat flow F with respect to a case where the cold face 115 would be in contact with the control module 40.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the first thermal wafer 105 is configured to ensure good thermal contact between the cold face 115 and the second face 95. In particular, the first thermal wafer 105 is configured to allow the propagation of the heat. heat flow F from the second face 95 up to the cold face 115, in particular to increase an intensity of the heat flow F with respect to a case where the cold face 115 would be in contact with the second face 95.

The first thermal plate 105 is, in particular, configured to deform when it is clamped between the control module 40 and the cold face 115, so as to fill in any irregularities which could be present on the cold face 115 and / or on the cold face 115. surface, in particular the second face 95, of the control module 40.

The second thermal plate 107 is interposed, in particular tight, between the thermoelectric element 100 and the heat sink 40. For example, the second thermal plate 107 is in contact with, in particular clamped between, the heat sink 50 and the hot face 110.

The second thermal wafer 107 is configured to ensure good thermal contact between the hot face 110 and the heat sink 50. In particular, the second thermal wafer 107 is configured to allow the propagation of the thermal flux F du from the hot face 110 up to to the heat sink 50, in particular to increase an intensity of the heat flow F with respect to a case where the hot face 110 would be in contact with the heat sink 50.

The first thermal plate 105 is, in particular, configured to deform when it is clamped between the heat sink 50 and the hot face 110, so as to fill irregularities which could be present on the hot face 110 and / or on the surface of the heat sink. heat sink 40.

The second thermal plate 107 is, for example, made of carbon, in particular of graphite. For example, the second thermal wafer 107 comprises a set of layers of graphene superimposed in a direction perpendicular to the hot face 110. The second thermal wafer 107 has, for example, a thickness of the order of 200 microns, for example between 180 microns and 220 microns, before being clamped between the thermoelectric element 100 and the heat sink 40.

The heat sink 50 is made at least partially of a metallic material, for example of aluminum. The heat sink 50 forms, for example, a case delimiting an internal volume Vi. The control module 40, the thermoelectric module 45 and the actuator 35 are at least partially accommodated in the interior volume Vi. The housing is configured to prevent an operator from accessing actuator 35 and / or control module 40 from outside the housing. The internal volume Vi is, for example, delimited by the heat sink 50 and by the plate 52. In particular, the internal volume Vi is delimited by the plate 52 in the vertical direction.

The heat sink 50 is, for example, suspended from the roof 20. In particular, the heat sink 50 is fixed to the plate 52, which is itself fixed to the roof 20. The heat sink 50 is, in particular, resting against a underside of plate 52.

The heat sink 50 is for example interposed between the roof 20 or the plate 52 and a ceiling 120 of the vehicle 15, for example a ceiling of a passenger compartment of the vehicle 15.

The thermoelectric module 45 and the control module 40 are, for example, mounted on an internal wall of the heat sink 50. In other words, the thermoelectric module 45 and the control module 40 are fixed, in the internal volume Vi, to the heat sink 50.

According to one embodiment, each printed circuit board 75 is fixed, via the first thermal plate 105, to the thermoelectric element 100, the thermoelectric element 100 being fixed to the heat sink 50.

The thermoelectric module 45 is, for example, fixed to a flat face of the heat sink 50.

The heat sink 50 has, for example, a parallelepipedal shape. In particular, the heat sink 50 comprises 4 vertical side walls and a horizontal bottom wall.

According to the example shown in Figure 2, the control module 40 and the thermoelectric module 45 are fixed to a side wall of the housing formed by the heat sink 50. For example, the faces 90, 95, 110 and 115 are faces vertical.

The control module 40 and the thermoelectric module 45 are, for example, supported by the heat sink 50, in particular by a side wall to which they are attached.

According to one embodiment, the heat sink 50 is covered at least partially with a coating having an emissivity strictly greater than the emissivity of the material in which the heat sink 50 is made. The coating then makes it possible to promote the cooling of the heat sink 50 by radiation.

It should be noted that embodiments in which the heat sink 50 does not form a case are also possible. For example, the switching device 10 comprises a housing delimiting the internal volume Vi, the heat sink thermal contacting thermoelectric module 45 through a wall of the housing.

In this case, the heat sink 50 is likely to have any shape whatsoever. For example, the heat sink 50 is a support suitable for fixing the housing, the actuator 35, the control module 40, the thermoelectric module 45 and / or the contacts 25, 30 to a wall of the vehicle 15.

As a variant, the heat sink 50 is a heat sink fixed to the housing of the switching device 10, or else simply a metal plate.

Thanks to the invention, the thermoelectric module 45 makes it possible to effectively cool the control module 40 and therefore to increase its service life, while having small dimensions. The thermoelectric module 45 therefore does not require a significant adaptation of the arrangement of the switching device. This is particularly true when the heat sink 50 forms the box delimiting the internal volume Vi, since in this case, the thermoelectric module 45 is capable of easily being added to existing switching devices, provided that the boxes of these existing devices are metallic.

When the thermoelectric module 45 is resting against the printed circuit board, the thermal transfer between the control module 40 and the heat sink 50 is particularly effective. The second face 95, which does not include the components 80, is therefore relatively flat, which allows good thermal contact with the thermoelectric module 45. The thermal plates 105 and 107 make it possible, here again, to improve the thermal transfer and therefore cooling of the control module 40.

A graphite thermal plate 107 is very effective in transferring heat, in particular between the hot face 110 and the heat sink 50, since the hot face 110 is flat and the heat sink 50 is easily adapted to present a flat face. In this case, graphite is very suitable for forming a good thermal interface between these flat faces.

Such a switching device 10 is particularly suitable for being carried in a vehicle, where the relatively small available space makes it difficult to employ other cooling methods with sufficient efficiency. High voltage circuit breakers are particularly frequently used in applications where space is limited, or where electrical isolation issues make it difficult to employ certain cooling methods.

In particular, when the switching device 10 is fixed to a roof 20 of the vehicle 15, the solar radiation which strikes the roof 20 or the plate 52 is liable to cause the temperature of the control module 40 to rise to levels too high to be effectively cooled by known methods, in particular by a flow of outside air. This is particularly the case when the vehicle 15 is traveling in a hot country or in summer, since the outside air is then at a temperature too high to effectively cool the control module 40. When the control module 40 and the thermoelectric module 45 are fixed to a side wall of the case formed by the heat sink 50, the arrangement of the elements in the interior volume Vi is facilitated.

Claims

1. Electrical switching device (10), in particular for a railway vehicle (15), comprising a first electrical contact (25), a second electrical contact (30) movable relative to the first contact (25), an actuator (35) and a control module (40) suitable for controlling a movement of the second contact (30) by the actuator (35) between a first position in which the first and second contacts (25, 30) are electrically connected to one another. 'further and a second position in which the first and second contacts (25, 30) are electrically disconnected from each other, the switching device (10) being characterized in that it further comprises a module thermoelectric (45) and a heat sink (50), the thermoelectric module (45) being interposed between the heat sink (50) and the control module (40) and being configured to generate a heat flow (F), preferably by Peltier effect, from the control module (40) to u heat sink (50).

2. Electrical switching device according to claim 1, wherein the heat sink (50) forms a housing delimiting an internal volume (Vi), the actuator (35), the control module (40) and the thermoelectric module (45 ) being received in the interior volume (Vi).

3. An electrical switching device according to claim 2, wherein the control module (40) and the thermoelectric module (45) are mounted on an internal wall of the housing (50).

4. Electrical switching device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the control module (40) comprises a printed circuit board (75), the thermoelectric module (45) being jointly supported against the printed circuit board. (75) and against the heat sink (50).

5. Electrical switching device according to the preceding claim, wherein the printed circuit board (75) has a first face (90) and a second face (95), the first face (90) carrying a set of electronic components (80). ), the second face (95) carrying a set of conductive tracks connecting the electronic components (80) to one another, the thermoelectric module (45) being in contact with the second face (95).

6. An electrical switching device according to any preceding claim, wherein the thermoelectric module (45) comprises a thermoelectric element (100) having a hot face (110) and a cold face (115), the thermoelectric element ( 100) being configured to generate the thermal flux (F) from the cold face (115) to the hot face (110), the thermoelectric module (45) further comprising a first thermal wafer (105) and a second thermal wafer (107), the first heat pad (105) being clamped between the control module (40) and the thermoelectric element (100), the second heat pad (107) being clamped between the heat sink (50) and the element thermoelectric (100).

7. Electrical switching device according to the preceding claim, wherein the second thermal plate (107) is made of graphite.

8. Rail vehicle (15) comprising an electrical switching device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. Rail vehicle according to the preceding claim, wherein the electrical switching device (10) is a high voltage circuit breaker.

10. Rail vehicle according to the preceding claim, wherein the electrical switching device (10) is fixed to a roof (20) of the rail vehicle (15), the electrical switching device (10) extending in particular through an opening. formed in said roof (20).