FR2931998A1 - DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING AN ELECTRICAL CUTTING APPARATUS COMPRISING A DEVICE FOR SIGNALING THE CONTACTS WELDING, AND AN ELECTRICAL CUTTING APPARATUS COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for controlling an electric switchgear housed in an insulating housing, comprising at least one movable contact (3) carried by a contact carrier (2) intended to cooperate with at least one contact fixed (4) relative to the housing, said mobile contact can be actuated either manually via a handle (7), or automatically, and a sudden closure device comprising a pawl (25) rotatably mounted around the X axis of the handle (7), said pawl (25) being biased by a spring against a stop of the handle (7), being driven by the handle (7) in the direction of closure of the fixed and movable contacts, and cooperating with the contact holder so as to ensure the sudden closure of said movable contact. This device is characterized in that the aforementioned pawl (25) comprises a light (31), said light being visible from the outside through an opening (5) of the housing, only when the fixed contacts (3) and movable (4) are open.

Description

DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING AN ELECTRICAL CUTTING APPARATUS HAVING A CONTACTING WELDING SIGNALING DEVICE, AND AN ELECTRICAL CUTTING APPARATUS COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE.

The present invention relates to a device for controlling an electric switchgear housed in an insulating housing, comprising at least one movable contact carried by a contact carrier intended to cooperate with at least one fixed contact with respect to the housing, said contact movable which can be operated either manually via a handle rotatably mounted about an axis of the housing, or automatically between an open position and a closed position of the fixed and movable contacts, and a closure device abruptly, said device being intended, at the beginning of the manual closing maneuver of the joystick and a certain stroke thereof, to hold the movable contact in the open position by storing energy and, after this stroke of the joystick, releasing said moving contact in such a way that the energy stored previously causes the fixed and mobile contacts to close abruptly, said closure device br usque comprising a ratchet rotatably mounted about the axis of the handle, said pawl being biased by a spring against a stop of the rnanette, being driven by the handle in the direction of closing and cooperating with the contact-pile so as to ensure the sudden closure of said movable contact, as well as an electrical switching device comprising such a device.

Document FR 2,616,583 describes a mechanism for controlling a miniature electrical circuit breaker, said mechanism comprising a lever coupled to a transmission link for forming a toggle joint, a device for supporting the movable contact having a plate mounted for rotation on a pivot, and a mechanical connection breakable under the action of a trigger lever. The connection is formed by a catch of the release lever cooperating with a hook hook pivotally mounted on an axis of the plate. The rod is coupled directly to the hook, the assembly constituting a reduction stage allowing a reduction of the triggering force. This mechanism advantageously comprises a device for abruptly closing the contacts comprising a locking arm arranged on the insulating support lever of the contact arm and cooperating with a pawl pivotally mounted on the axis of the lever. This pawl is associated with a return spring which urges the pawl in the trigonometric direction against a stop of the joystick. This device does not include means for signaling the welding of the contacts.

Also known is EP 0 342 133 describing a miniature circuit breaker control mechanism with solder indicator contacts. In this document, the device for indicating the welding of the contacts comprises a stop provided on the contact carrier intended to interfere with a locking nose provided on the base of the handle, so as to hold the handle in an intermediate position. in case of welding contacts. This mechanism also comprises an apparent signal indicator of the opening of the circuit breaker arranged on the base of the handle in the vicinity of the hinge of the toggle joint, so as to be visible from the outside of the housing through the orifice when the handle arrives in the open position. In this document, when the contacts are welded and the operator presses the joystick, the operator acts directly on the signaling. It is then possible to display the signaling while the contacts are soldered. This can mislead the operator and cause him to put himself in a dangerous situation. And it is also known FR 2,660,794 describing a miniature circuit breaker mechanism comprising a bistable indicator mounted to rotate freely on the axis of the lever between an active position and an inactive position. The indicator comprises a first signaling arm equipped with an indicator light, and a second control arm movable between two end stops, and having a step cooperating with the nose of the contact carrier to lock the indicator in the position inactive when the handle is actuated from the closed position to the open position when the contacts are soldered.

The present invention solves the aforementioned problems and proposes a device for controlling an electrical switching device comprising a contact welding signaling device, of simple design, having a reduced number of parts, and for which the handling of the controller when the contacts are soldered does not mislead the indicator in the open position of the contacts.

For this purpose, the subject of the present invention is a control device of the kind mentioned above, this device being characterized in that the aforementioned pawl comprises a light, said light being visible from the outside through an opening of the housing, that when the fixed and mobile contacts: are open. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the above-mentioned pawl is integral with the indicator light. According to a particular characteristic, this pawl has a so-called first outer surface, in the form of a portion of a cylinder, cooperating with a ramp belonging to the contact holder, so that it is retained in the open position of the contacts during the closing of the the handle for a certain period corresponding to the time during which the pawl slides along the ramp of the contact carrier.

According to another characteristic, the aforementioned pawl has at one of the ends of its so-called first outer surface, a second surface portion extending substantially perpendicular to the first and intended to cooperate with a beak portion formed to the end of the ramp of the aforementioned contact carrier, so as to retain the pawl in a position in which the indicator is not visible from the outside, when the handle is driven to the open position of the contacts, when the contacts are soldered.

According to another characteristic, the aforesaid indicator is formed by a strip of material extending from said so-called second surface portion.

According to another characteristic, the base of the handle has an outer surface also in the form of a cylinder portion, and this base has a clearance of material whose outer shape is complementary to that of the inner surface facing the axis of the cylinder. lever, the strip of material forming the indicator, so that in the open position of the contacts, these two last surfaces are superimposed, said strip of light material having an outer surface located in the extension of the outer surface of the aforementioned base.

According to another characteristic, this control device comprising a transmission rod coupled to the lever, a device for supporting the movable contact comprising a plate pivotally mounted on a pivot and having a mechanical link breakable with the transmission rod, a lever of tripping triggered by a trigger to cause failure in the event of failure of the mechanical link, causing the automatic triggering of the mechanism independently of the handle and the separation of the contacts, the breakable mechanical link having a detent of the release lever cooperating with a hook hook pivotally mounted on an axis of the plate, the breaking of the mechanical connection corresponding to the unlocking of the attachment, this device is characterized in that it further comprises a stop integral with the plate and adapted to cooperate with the hook so as to guarantee the position of the joystick in a intermediate position of the handle in which the contacts are welded.

The invention further relates to an electrical switching device comprising a control device 15 having the aforementioned characteristics taken alone or in combination.

But other advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description which follows and refers to the accompanying drawings given by way of example only and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, illustrating the interior part of a cut-off device according to the invention comprising a control device according to the invention, in the open position of the contacts,

FIG. 2 is a partial view, in perspective, illustrating more particularly the handle in this open position of the contacts of the apparatus,

FIG. 3 is a view from above of the apparatus, in this same position of the contacts,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, illustrating the rear portion of the same apparatus in this same position; FIG. 5 is a perspective view, illustrating the interior portion of the same apparatus, in a position corresponding to a beginning of FIG. closing the apparatus, FIG. 6 is a view identical to the preceding figure, in a position of the device corresponding to the abrupt closing of the apparatus,

FIG. 7 is a view identical to the previous ones, the apparatus being in a closed position, FIG. 8 is a plan view, illustrating the interior part of the apparatus, in a position thereof in which its contacts are welded,

FIG 9 is a partial view and including a snatch, illustrating more particularly the lever in a welded position of the contacts, and

FIG. 10 is a top view of the switchgear, in a welded position of the contacts, after being forced on the handle.

FIGS. 1 and 4 to 8 show a miniature electrical circuit breaker with molded insulating housing B comprising a control device 1 according to the invention. This control device 1 is of the type described in the European patent application No. 86 402 267 of the applicant. The device actuates a contact holder 2 having a contact piece 3 cooperating with a fixed contact 4. An opening 5 is formed in the front face 6 of the housing for the passage of the handle of a handle 7 mounted to pivot limited on an X axis between a closed position in which the contacts 3,4 are closed, and an open position corresponding to the separation of the contacts 3,4. The lever 7 is equipped with an internal base 8 coupled to a transmission rod 9 to form a toggle device whose articulation 10 is eccentric with respect to the axis X of the lever 7. The lever 7 is requested in a direction corresponding to the opening of the contacts by a return spring 11 shown in Figure 2. The fixed contact 4 is secured to the casing of an electromagnetic release 12. The contact carrier 2 of insulating material is articulated10 around a pivot 14 belonging to a rotary plate 15 for driving the contact carrier 2.

A triggering lever 16 controlled by the striker 17 of the electromagnetic release 5 and the bimetallic strip 18 of the thermal release is pivotally mounted on a Y axis carried by the plate 15 with a predetermined offset with respect to the aforementioned pivot 14.

A breakable mechanical connection is provided between the transmission rod 9 and the drive plate of the contact carrier 2. In the locked position, the connection allows the manual control of the mechanism by the lever 7. The displacement of the release lever 16 to the triggered position under the action of the trigger, causes the momentary break of the mechanical link, causing the automatic triggering of the mechanism, regardless of the joystick. The release lever 16 is associated with a return spring 19 for ensuring the automatic restoration of the mechanical link 15 when the lever 7 is actuated to the open position, following a triggering of the fault mechanism.

The breakable mechanical link comprises a hook 20 pivotally mounted on an axis Z of the plate 15. Opposite this axis Z, a spout 21 of the hook (not visible in the figures) cooperates in the locked position of the link with a retaining catch 22 (not visible in the figures) located on the arm of the trip lever 16. The transmission link 9 is coupled to the hook 20 and to the plate 15 at a hinge point that can move when triggered in two consecutive openings 23,24 of the plate 15. This point of articulation is located between the hinge axis Z of the hook 20 on the plate 25 and the spout 21 of the hook hook. Note also that the device further comprises a stop 33 (fig.8) integral with the plate 15 and adapted to cooperate with the hook 20 so as to ensure the position of the lever 7 in an intermediate position of the handle 7 in which the contacts 3,4 are soldered. 2931998 .7 This control device 1 also comprises a pawl 25 rotatably mounted about the axis X of the lever 7 and biased by the aforementioned spring 11 in the counterclockwise direction against a stop 7a of the base 8 of the joystick 7 (fig.2). As illustrated in FIG. 9, this spring 11 comprises a first leg 11a fixed in the casing 26 and a second leg 11b bearing against a stop 25a of the pawl and also intended to return the lever 7 to the open position. by the supports on the stops 7a of the lever and 25b of the pawl (fig.2). This pawl 25 has an outer surface 27, said first, in the form of a cylinder portion intended to cooperate with a ramp 28 provided at the end of the contact carrier 2, so that the contact carrier 2 is retained in the position of opening of the contacts during the closure of the handle 7, for a certain period corresponding to the time during which the pawl 25 slides along the ramp 28 of the contact carrier 2.

This pawl 25 comprises, at the end 29 of the outer surface 27 in the form of said cylinder portion, a surface portion 30, said second, extending substantially perpendicular to the surface portion 27, said first, and from of which extends a band of material forming the indicator 31. This portion of surface 30, called second, comprises a portion 30a (fig.2) intended to cooperate with a nose portion 32 formed at the end of the ramp 28 of the aforementioned contact carrier 2, so as to retain the pawl, against its return spring 11, in a position in which the indicator 31 is not visible from the outside, when the handle 7 is driven from the closing position of the contacts to the open position of the contacts when the contacts are soldered.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the base 8 of the handle 7 has an outer surface 34 also shaped cylinder portion, and this base has a clearance of material 35 whose outer shape is complementary to that of the surface internal 37 of the strip of material 31 forming the indicator, so that in the open position of the contacts, the latter two surfaces are superimposed, said strip of material 31 forming a light having an outer surface 38 located in the extension of the outer surface 34 of the aforementioned base 8.

The operation of the control device according to the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the figures:

In FIGS. 1 to 4, the contacts 3,4 of the apparatus are open. The return spring 11 lever reminds the pawl 25 and its associated indicator 31 against the base 8 of the handle 7, the assembly consisting of the handle 7 and the pawl 25 being biased in the open position by said spring 11. In this position, the handle 7 is located to the left of the device and the indicator 31 appears through the opening 5 of the housing.

In Fig. 5, the handle 7 has begun to be manually moved to the closed position by moving from left to right. At the beginning of the closing stroke, the kinematic chain connecting the lever 7 to the plate 15 drives the contact holder 2 towards the fixed contact 4. During its movement, the lever 7 drives the pawl 25 in its movement because the indicator 31 is supported on the base 8 of the handle 7 in the open position. The pawl 25 rotates with the handle 7 and approaches the contact holder, which rotates in the opposite direction. The engagement of the pawl 25 with the ramp 28 of the contact carrier 2 stops the rotation of the contact carrier, and maintains the contact piece 3 of the contact carrier 2 at a predetermined distance from the fixed contact 4. The contact carrier 2 remains then still, but the pawl 25 can nevertheless slide along the ramp 28, allowing the closing movement of the lever 7. During this movement of the lever 7, the latter continues to actuate the mechanism that tends the pressure spring of contact. This results in an accumulation of energy in the contact pressure spring until the end of the sliding movement of the pawl on the ramp, position shown in Figure 6.

The final displacement of the handle 7 towards the closed position illustrated in FIG. 7, causes the release of the contact carrier 2 by the pawl 25, followed by the abrupt closure of the contact carrier 2 under the action of the drive train and in particular the contact pressure spring. During the displacement of the handle 7 from the open position illustrated in FIG. 1 to the closed position illustrated in FIG. 7, the indicator light 31 moves from the position visible from the outside to the retracted position inside the the device.

When manually opening the circuit breaker as shown in Figure 8, the pawl abuts the spout 32 of the contact holder without hindering the free pivoting of the plate and the contact holder. Then, the ratchet remains in position and the handle and its mechanism continue their rotation. When the opening distance between the contacts 3 and 4 is greater than 1.5mm, the pawl escapes the stop 32 and is biased against the face 7a of the base 8 of the lever under the effect of the spring. 11, to the open position of the handle illustrated in Figure 5 and the indicator 31 appears through the opening 5 of the housing, as shown in Figure 1.

When the contacts are welded, and that one wants to move from the closed position shown in Figure 7 to the open position shown in Figure 1, the handle 7 can move to a certain extent but n ' does not drive the turntable because the contacts are soldered. During this movement, the pawl 25 is biased towards the lever in the opposite trigonometric direction by its return spring 11. During this movement of the pawl 25, the latter comes into contact with its so-called second ramp surface 30, with the spout 32 of the contact carrier and is retained by this contact carrier in an intermediate position in which the indicator 31 is retracted inside the apparatus as shown in FIG. 8. When the lever 7 is forced on to try to bring it into the open position, the indicator 31 remains in this intermediate position as the contacts are welded. Thus, according to the invention, the indicator 31 is carried by the pawl 25 which serves for the sudden closure. This pawl is locked in the intermediate position by the contact carrier 2 when the contacts are welded. Thus, the kinematics of the indicator is independent of external actions on the controller.

The present invention applies to any electrical breaking device such as a circuit breaker, a switch or a disconnector, etc. whose contacts can be actuated by a handle or the like, and comprising a sudden closure device, said abrupt closure device comprising a pawl rotatably mounted about the axis of the handle.

Thus, according to the invention, a control device in which the kinematics of the indicator lamp is independent of the actions of the operator on the controller without the need to bring additional parts. Whatever the force applied on the handle, the indicator does not appear when the contacts are soldered.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the described and illustrated embodiments which have been given by way of example only.

On the contrary, the invention comprises all the technical equivalents of the means described and their combinations if they are carried out according to its spirit. 15

Claims (8)

REVENDICATIONS1. Device for controlling an electric switchgear housed in an insulating housing, comprising at least one movable contact carried by a contact carrier intended to cooperate with at least one fixed contact with respect to the housing, said movable contact being able to be operated either manually by means of a handle rotatably mounted about an axis of the housing, or automatically, between an open position and a closed position of the fixed and movable contacts, and an abrupt closure device, said device being intended at the beginning of the manual closing operation of the handle and on a certain stroke thereof, to hold the contact: mobile in the open position by storing energy and, after this stroke of the handle, to release said moving contact in such a way that the energy stored previously causes the fixed and mobile contacts to close abruptly, said abrupt closing device comprising a mounted ratchet rotatable about the axis of the handle, said pawl being biased by a spring against a stop of the handle, being driven by the handle in the direction of closing the fixed and movable contacts and cooperating with the contact carrier so as to close the said movable contact, characterized in that the aforementioned pawl (25) comprises a light (31), said light (31) being visible from the outside through an opening (5) of the housing, only when the fixed (3) and mobile (4) contacts are open. 2. Control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforementioned pawl (25) is integral with the indicator (31). 3. Control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the aforesaid pawl (25) has an outer surface (27) said first, in the form of a cylinder portion, cooperating with a ramp (28) belonging to the carrier. contact (2), so that it is retained in the open position of the contacts (3,4) during the closing of the handle (7), for a certain period corresponding to the time during which the pawl (25) slides along the ramp (28) of the contact carrier (2). 11 4. Control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the aforesaid pawl (25) has at the end 29 of its aforesaid outer surface (27), said first, a surface portion (30). ), said second, extending substantially perpendicular to the first and intended to cooperate with a nose portion (32) formed at the end of the ramp (28) of the aforementioned contact carrier (2), so as to retain the ratchet (25) in a position in which the indicator (31) is not visible from the outside, when the handle (7) is driven to the open position of the contacts, when the contacts are welded. 5. Control device according to claim 4, characterized in that the aforesaid indicator (31) is formed by a strip of material extending from said so-called second surface portion (30). 6. Control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the base (8) of the handle (7) has an outer surface (34) also in the form of a cylinder portion, and in that this base has a clearance of material (35) whose outer shape is complementary to that of the inner surface (37) directed towards the axis of the handle (7), the strip of material (31) forming the indicator, so that in the open position of the contacts, these last two surfaces are superimposed, said strip of material (31) forming a light having an outer surface (38) located in the extension of the outer surface (34) of the aforementioned base (8). 7. Control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a transmission rod (9) coupled to the handle (7), a movable contact support device comprising a plate (15) rotatably mounted on a pivot (14) and having a mechanical link breakable with the transmission rod (9), a triggering lever (16) controlled by a trigger to cause in case of failure the breaking of the mechanical link, causing the automatic trigger mechanism independently of the handle and the separation of the contacts, the breakable mechanical connection comprising a retaining catch (22) of the release lever (16) cooperating with a hooking hook (20) pivotally mounted on an axis X of the plate, the rupture of the mechanical linkage corresponding to unlocking the attachment, characterized in that it comprises a stop (33) integral with the plate (15) and adapted to cooperate with the hook (20) of mani to guarantee the position of the handle (7) in an intermediate position of the handle (7) in which the contacts are welded. Electrical switching device comprising a control device according to any one of the preceding claims. 10