EP0571258B1 - Protective switching device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a protective switch device such as a circuit breaker, comprising at least one pole having at least one movable contact cooperating with a fixed contact and magnetic and / or thermal tripping means ensuring the protection against overloads and overcurrents and acting on a control mechanism operating said movable contact and capable of being actuated by a control button rotary rotating around a mechanism axis.

Protection switch devices such as contactors and circuit breakers include, for each pole, a contact bridge capable of being moved relative to the contacts fixed. In the event of an electrical fault on at least one of the poles, a magnetic and / or thermal tripping is likely to cause the opening of contacts. This trigger mechanism acts on a control mechanism called lock described for example in document EP 114 542. This control mechanism can also be actuated manually by a manual control button so as to move the movable contacts relative to the fixed contacts via a switch controlling the electromagnet.

The object of the present invention is to provide a control mechanism for an apparatus for protection such as contactor-circuit breaker whose design is simple and whose assembly is easy to do. The constituent parts of the mechanism are limited. The resetting of the mechanism is possible from "triggered" to "stop" or from "triggered" to "market".

The apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that the control mechanism includes a lever of opening the contacts pivoting around the axis of the mechanism, an arming lever pivoting around the axis of the mechanism (14) and capable of keep the opening lever in the running position where this assembly is immobilized by a lock, triggering means controlling the mechanical release of the opening lever with respect to the cocking lever, a balance attached to the button and acting on the movable contact and the coil contact and likely to pivot around the axis when operating the button from the on position to the off position and pivot under the action of the opening lever when it is released from the on position and allowing return the cocking lever and the opening lever to the position triggered in the on position.

According to another preferred characteristic, it comprises a armament pivoting about the mechanism axis and subjected to a spring and associated with the pivoting cocking lever.

According to another preferred characteristic, the arming lever is associated with hooking means likely to ensure a connection in rotation with the opening lever.

According to another preferred characteristic, the means hooking consist of a movable hook around the axis of mechanism.

• la figure 1 représente schématiquement, en élevation, un appareil de protection conforme à un mode de réalisation de l'invention;
• la figure 2 est un schéma, en élevation, du mécanisme de commande de l'appareil selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention;
• la figure 3 est un schéma simplifié du mécanisme de commande représenté en position "marche";
• la figure 4 est un schéma simplifié du mécanisme de commande représenté en position "arrêt";
• la figure 5 est un schéma simplifié du mécanisme de commande représenté en position "déclenché".

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to an embodiment given by way of example and represented by the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 shows schematically, in elevation, a protective device according to an embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 2 is a diagram, in elevation, of the control mechanism of the apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 3 is a simplified diagram of the control mechanism shown in the "on"position;
• Figure 4 is a simplified diagram of the control mechanism shown in the "off"position;
• Figure 5 is a simplified diagram of the control mechanism shown in the "tripped" position.

The protection switch, of the contactor-circuit breaker type, which is shown in FIG. 1, includes one or more poles 1 housed in a housing 2. Each pole 1 includes fixed and mobile parts supporting separable contacts.

A single pole 1, of the double break type, is shown in FIG. 1. This pole comprises conductors 3 connecting the connection terminals to the fixed contacts and a bridge movable contact 4 carrying the movable contacts.

The movable bridge 4 cooperates, by contact pads, with the fixed contacts to establish or interrupt the passage of a power current between the connection terminals. This movable bridge 4 is mounted in a movable contact carrier assembly 5 which slides in the housing, perpendicular to the plane passing through the fixed contacts. This contact carrier assembly 5 comprises a sliding support 6 and a slide 7 guided in a housing of this sliding support. This slide 7 is integral in translation with the contact bridge 4. It is subjected to a contact pressure spring which tends to move the contact bridge 4 by relative to the sliding support 6, in the closing direction of the contacts. The spring of pressure of the contacts works in compression, is supported on the sliding support 6 and pushes back, in the closing direction of the contacts, the slide 7 and the contact bridge 4.

A set 8 of magnetic and thermal trip is arranged on each path of current, in the housing 2. This set 8 of magnetic and thermal trigger includes, for example, for each pole, a magnetic trigger and a trigger thermal. When the set 8 detects an overcurrent on the current path, it acts, via a control mechanism 9 and a deflector lifter 10, on the or the slides 7 for moving the contact bridges 4.

An electromagnet 11 is housed in the housing to actuate the contact carrier assembly 5. It includes a fixed magnetic circuit, a movable armature and a connected coil electrically to terminals by a switch. The latter can be ordered by mechanism 9 or by a rotary control button 12 capable of acting on the mechanism to open the contacts. The armature of the electromagnet is subject to a return spring and cooperates with a lever 111 which is directly coupled to the sliding support 6.

The contact carrier assembly 5 is therefore subjected to the return spring of the electromagnet which tends to move it to the open position (contacts open).

The control mechanism 9 is actuated by a rotary control button 12 which is arranged on the front face of the housing. The control mechanism 9 is mounted between two plates 13a, 13b fixed to the housing. Rotary button 12 for manual control is mounted secured to a rotation axis 14 which is guided in rotation by the plates 13a-13b, parallel to the guide plane of the contact carrier assembly 5. This axis 14 and the button 12 can pivot so as to occupy a start position corresponding to the "on" position (contacts closed), an end position corresponding to the "off" position (contacts open) or an intermediate position corresponding to a "tripped" position (contacts open). These different positions are respectively shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5. The "on" and "off" positions of the control 12 are substantially 90 ° from each other.

An opening lever 20 is mounted to rotate freely around the mechanism axis 14. This opening lever 20 is subjected to an opening spring, not shown, which tends to do so rotate from the "on" position to the "tripped" position.

An arming lever 15 is guided in rotation along the axis of the mechanism 14 so as to pivot between a "on" position (figure 3) and a "tripped" position (figure 5). This cocking lever 15 pivots from the "on" position to the "tripped" position to grip the opening lever 20 and returns from the "tripped" position to the "on" position with the opening lever 20. To perform this function, the arming lever 15 is subject to a cocking mechanism composed of a cocking piece 16 pivotally mounted around a axis 161 and subjected to an arming spring 17. The mechanical connection in rotation between the pivoting cocking lever 15 and the cocking piece 16 is effected by means of a training piece 18.

The arming piece 16 cooperates with a tilting lock 19 which makes it possible to lock this part 16 in the "on" or "triggered" position (FIG. 3 or 5) and allows by Therefore maintain the arming lever 15 in the "on" or "triggered" position. This tilting latch 19 is pivotally mounted about an axis 191 and is subjected to a spring reminder 193. It has a pin 192 which blocks the opening part 16 in the "on" position or "triggered".

The arming piece 16 is unlocked by the opening lever 20 when the latter acts on the tilting latch 19. A cocking hook 21 is pivotally mounted, around an axis 151, on the cocking lever 15 and is subjected to a return spring 22. It maintains this opening lever 20 in the "on" or "triggered" position. When opening, the cocking hook 21 releases the opening lever 20 which is subjected to the opening spring acting on the deflector lifter 10. Consequently, the opening lever 20 pivots from the "on" position to the "tripped" position. When arriving in the "tripped" position, the lever opening 20 acts on the latch 19 to release the arming piece 16. This actuates the cocking lever 15 which pivots from the "on" position to the "tripped" position and comes to grip the opening lever 20, via the cocking hook 21.

The thermal trigger and the magnetic trigger of the assembly 8 act on a trigger mechanism capable of releasing the opening lever 20 from the cocking lever 15 so as to trigger the passage from the "on" position (FIG. 3) to the position "triggered" (Figure 5). This trigger mechanism acts on the arming hook 21 by means of a tilting pusher 25. This tilting pusher 25 is pivotally mounted around the axis 161 and is subjected to a spring 26. This spring 26 is mounted between a pin 252 of the pusher 25 and a pin 242 of the trigger lock 24. It tends to rotate the rocking push-button 25 in the opening direction of the cocking hook 21. The trigger has a pivoting trigger lock 24 which can pivot around an axis 241, either under the action of the thermal trigger 81 or the trigger magnetic 82. By pivoting, the trigger lock 24 releases the rocking pusher 25 subjected to the action of a spring 26. The rocking pusher 25 opens the cocking hook 21 which releases the opening lever 20.

The tilting pusher 25 cooperates with a reset lever 32 pivotally mounted around the fixed axis 241 and connected by an axis 321 to the arming part 16. This rearming lever 32 acts on an axis 251 of the rocking pusher 25 so as to reset it.

The axis of the mechanism 14 which carries the rotary button 12 for manual control is integral a balance 29. The assembly consisting of the balance 29, the axis 14 and the button control 12 is connected by a tension spring 27 to a crank 28 which can pivot freely, around the axis of mechanism 14, between two positions. Spring 27 is mounted between a pin 291 secured to the balance 29 and a pin 281 secured to the crank 28.

The plates 13a-13b are identical, are assembled symmetrically and the parts swivels of the lock are mounted between them. Most springs can be put in place after the parts and the plates are assembled which facilitates the assembly.

The thermal trip element 81 is mounted on a part 33 whose position by relative to the plate 13a-13b can be adjusted at the factory and by the customer.

The operation of the control mechanism will now be explained.

In the "on" position corresponding to the closing of the contacts (figure 3), the lever opening 20 occupies the start of travel position called "on position". He is retained in this position by the hook 21 and the cocking lever 15. The cocking lever 15 is immobilized because the arming piece 16 is immobilized by the latch 19. The pendulum 29 is held in the "on" position by spring 27.

In the "Stop" position (FIG. 4), the balance 29 is in the "stop" position, by via the dead center override spring 27.

You can switch from the "On" position to the "Stop" position by turning the rotary button 12 command. The axis of the mechanism 14, by turning, rotates the balance 29 around from axis 14, from the "On" position (Figure 3) to the "Stop" position (Figure 4). During the rotation, the pendulum 29 passes through a neutral point, in the plane passing through the axis 14 and the axis for fixing the spring 27 on the crank 28. The latter rocks by causing the opening of the contact supplying the solenoid coil and the balance 29 occupies the end of "Stop" race. The spring 27 maintains the balance 29 in this position by through the pin 30 which is in abutment on the arming piece 16.

Conversely, you can go from the "Stop" position (Figure 4) to the "On" position (Figure 3), by turning the rotary control knob 12. When passing neutral, the balance 29 rotates crank 28 and thus activates the contact supplying the coil the electromagnet.

The transition from the "On" position (Figure 3) to the "Triggered" position (Figure 5), takes place automatically in the event of an overload or fault. It leads to the opening fast power contacts and opening of the coil contact. One of the triggers 81 or 82 acts on the release latch 24 which releases the pusher 25. This acts on the cocking hook 21 which by pivoting releases the opening lever 20. By pivoting, the lever opening 20 actuates the latch 19 which releases the arming part 16. This part arming 16 subjected to the arming spring 17 pivots and rotates the lever 15 which pivots until it comes to occupy the "tripped" position. In this position the arming hook 21 connects the opening lever 20 to the arming lever 15. The latch 19 rotates the crank 28 which actuates the coil contact. Furthermore, the lever armament 15, via pin 151, turns the pendulum 29 until it passes neutral. The armament 16 then determines the position of the pendulum 29 and button 12 ("tripped" position).

In the "triggered" position, the reset lever 32 resets the push-button 25.

The mechanism is reset from the "tripped" position to the "stop" position or from the "tripped" position to the "on" position (for example in the case of a reset remotely via a small electric motor).

To reset, from the "tripped" position (figure 5) to the "stop" position, the rotary button 12 to the "Stop" position. A drive pin 30 integral with the pendulum 29 rotates the armament 16 which rotates, by the pin 18, the cocking lever 15, the latter driving the opening lever 20 until the latter occupies the "on" position. At the end of the race, the lock 19, under the action of the spring 193, locks via a pin 192, the armament 16 and the mechanically connected parts (opening lever 15, opening lever 20) in position "market".

To reset from the "tripped" position (figure 5) to the "on" position, the rotary control button 12 from this "tripped" position to the "on" position. The balance 29 integral with button 12 pivots the cocking lever 15, the lever opening 20 and the arming piece 16 to the "On" position. At the end of the race, the latch 19 immobilizes the arming piece 16, the arming lever 15 and the lever opening 20 which remains attached to the cocking lever 15, by means of the hook of weapons 21.

In the event of an overload, if an operator prevents rotation of the control button 12, the opening lever 20 cannot be prevented from pivoting. Contacts can therefore open up.

The pendulum 29 actuated by the rotary button 12 ensures a forced opening of the coil contact and power contacts as well as the coil contact, going to the "off" position. This position can only be indicated if all the contacts are actually open.

It is understood that one can imagine variants and details improvements and even consider the use of equivalent means without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims (6)

1. A protective switch apparatus such as a contactor-circuit breaker that comprises at least one pole (1) having at least one mobile contact that cooperates with a fixed contact (3) and magnetic and/or thermal tripping means (8) that provide protection against overloads and overcurrents and that acts on a command mechanism (9) operating said mobile contact and which is able to be actuated by a rotary knob (12) that turns about an axis (14) of the mechanism characterized by the fact that the command mechanism (9) comprises a lever (20) for opening the contacts that pivots about the axis (14) of the mechanism and is capable of holding the opening lever (20) in the on position where this assembly is immobilized by a latch (19), tripping means (8) that command the mechanical release of the opening lever (20) towards the cocking lever (15), a balance bar (29) integral with the knob (12) acting on the mobile contact (4) and the coil contact and capable of pivoting about the axis (14) when the knob (12) is moved from the on position to the off position and of pivoting through the action of the opening lever when it is released from the on position and which allows the cocking lever (15) and the opening lever to be brought back from the tripped position to the on position.
2. An apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized by the fact that it comprises a cocking component (16) that pivots about the mechanism axis and is acted on by a cocking spring (17) and is connected to the pivoting cocking lever (15).
3. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized by the fact that the cocking lever (15) is connected to engagement means (21) capable of providing a rotational connection with the opening lever (20).
4. An apparatus according to Claim 3, characterized by the fact that the engagement means consists of a hook (21) that is mobile about the axis of the mechanism (14).
5. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized by the fact that the latch (19) ensures the immobilization of the cocking component (16) in the "on" position and releases said component (16) under the action of the opening lever (20) in such a way that the cocking lever (15) engages the opening lever (20) in the tripping position in such a way that this assembly (15, 20) is brought back into the "on" position.
6. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 3 to 5, characterized by the fact that it comprises a push rod (25) capable of releasing the opening lever (20) from the cocking lever (15) by acting upon the hook (21) this occurring under the action of magnetic and/or thermal tripping means (8).

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