CH716204A9 - Disconnector switch and combined circuit breaker and disconnector switch. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a switch disconnector (I) comprising; at least one fixed contact (21) secured to a housing (1); a carriage (3) slidably mounted in the housing (1) in an axial direction (Z) between an engaged position and a deactivated position a movable contact (22) slidably mounted in the carriage (3) in the axial direction (Z) , resting on a stop of the carriage (3) in the released position of the carriage, and applied to each fixed contact (21) in the engagement position of the carriage (3); a first spring (41) housed in the carriage (3), prestressed in compression, and having a first end exerting on the movable contact (22), in the axial direction (Z), an elastic force directed towards the fixed contact (21 ).

Description

The invention relates to the field of electrical equipment and more specifically to the electrical power cut-off device such as a switch disconnector or a combined circuit breaker / neutral disconnector.

The document FR2686186 describes a combined circuit breaker and neutral disconnector comprising a side-by-side assembly of a base block containing a circuit breaker, and an auxiliary block housing a neutral disconnector, the two blocks being formed by insulating casings of matched profiles allowing the large side faces of the circuit breaker and the neutral disconnector to be joined together, the circuit breaker having phase contacts actuated by a mechanism controlled by a trip unit and a first handle, and the neutral disconnector comprising neutral contacts, whose moving contact in the form of a bridge is stressed, on the one hand in the closed position by a contact pressure spring, and on the other hand in the open position by the antagonistic action of a cam controlled by a second joystick. The assembly is arranged to authorize the opening of the phase contacts of the circuit breaker, before the separation of the neutral contacts from the neutral disconnector. On the other hand, the closing of the neutral disconnector must take place before that of the circuit breaker. The intervention of the circuit breaker following a fault takes place without interfering with the second handle. The neutral disconnector can remain in the closed state, in the absence of manual actuation of the second handle.

[0003] According to this document, the case of the neutral disconnector has dimensions different from that of the circuit breaker. This therefore requires special assembly compared to the use of a single circuit breaker and therefore entails additional costs for the installation of a neutral disconnector attached to a circuit breaker.

An object of the present invention is to address the drawbacks of the prior art document mentioned above and in particular to provide a neutral disconnector of standard dimensions.

For this, a first aspect of the invention relates disconnector switch comprising; at least one fixed contact secured to a housing; a carriage mounted to slide in the housing in an axial direction between an engaged position and a disengaged position a movable contact slidably mounted in the carriage in the axial direction, resting on an abutment of the carriage in the released position of the carriage, and applied to each fixed contact in the engagement position of the carriage; a first spring housed in the carriage, prestressed in compression, and having a first end exerting on the movable contact, in the axial direction, an elastic force directed towards the fixed contact; characterized in that the switch further comprises actuating means comprising an eccentric and a connecting rod, one end of which is linked to the eccentric, these actuating means being arranged to occupy a rest position and a triggered position by passing through an equilibrium position and arranged in in addition to selectively exert, in the axial direction, on a second end of the first spring, and via a second end of the connecting rod connected to the carriage, a force directed towards the fixed contact in a direction capable of increasing the compression of the first spring when the actuating means are in the rest position and in the equilibrium position; and drive means comprising a lever mounted on the casing and maneuverable outside the casing to move the actuating means from their rest position to their triggered position by passing through their equilibrium position so that the carriage is released on crossing, by the actuating means, of their equilibrium position, the carriage then being moved towards its triggered position by relaxation of the first spring.

[0006] According to another alternative embodiment, the handle mounted on the housing can be maneuvered outside the housing to move the actuating means from their triggered position to their rest position via their equilibrium position so that the carriage is moved by the actuating means towards its engaged position on crossing the equilibrium position of the actuating means.

[0007] According to another alternative embodiment, the handle is rotatably mounted in the housing, on an axis of rotation coinciding with the axis of rotation of the eccentric.

[0008]According to another alternative embodiment, return means are arranged on the handle so as to return the handle to an initial position as long as the actuating means have not crossed their equilibrium position.

[0009]According to another alternative embodiment, the housing comprises a first abutment against which the eccentric bears in its engaged position.

[0010]According to another alternative embodiment, the casing comprises a second stop against which the eccentric comes to rest in its triggered position.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a combination circuit breaker and neutral disconnector comprising a side-by-side assembly of a base block containing a circuit breaker, and an auxiliary block housing a neutral switch disconnector, the circuit breaker having phase contacts actuated by a mechanism controlled by a trip unit and a first handle, characterized in that the neutral switch disconnector is in accordance with the first aspect of the invention and in that the handle of the disconnector switch is arranged to drive the first lever of the circuit breaker when the disconnector is tripped.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings, wherein :

[0013] [Fig. 1] shows a front view of a combined circuit breaker and neutral switch/disconnector when the circuit breaker and neutral switch/disconnector are in the tripped position (open circuits)

[0014] [Fig. 2] shows a view shows a front view of a combined circuit breaker and neutral switch/disconnector when the circuit breaker is in the tripped position and the neutral switch/disconnector in the on position (closed circuit)

[0015] [Fig. 3] shows a partial elevational view of a switch/disconnector according to the invention, observed in a rest position of the actuating means (closed circuit)

[0016] [Fig. 4] represents a partial elevational view of a switch/disconnector according to the invention, observed in an intermediate position of the actuating means (closed circuit)

[0017] [Fig. 5] represents a partial elevational view of a switch/disconnector according to the invention, observed in an equilibrium position of the actuating means (closed circuit)

[0018] [Fig. 6] shows a partial elevational view of a switch/disconnector according to the invention, observed in a tripped position of the actuating means (open circuit)

[0019] [Fig. 7] shows a partial elevational view of the switch/disconnector according to the invention, observed in an equilibrium position of the actuating means (closed circuit).

[0020] [Fig. 8] shows an exploded perspective view of the switch disconnector according to one embodiment of the invention,

The invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1-8.

A switch disconnector in known manner, a housing 1, one or more fixed contacts 21 integral with the housing 1, a movable contact 22, a carriage 3, a spring 41, actuating means 5, and means of drive 6. 8 The carriage 3 is slidably mounted in the housing 1, in an axial direction Z shown vertically in Figures 3 to 7, between a triggered position visible in Figure 6 and an engagement position visible in Figures 3 to 5 and 7.

[0023] Incidentally, such a device generally also comprises a second spring 42 prestressed in compression between the housing 1 and the carriage 3, this second spring 42 being for example constituted by a helical spring and permanently urging the carriage 3 towards its triggered position .

The movable contact 22 is slidably mounted in the carriage 3 in the axial direction Z.

This movable contact 22, which rests on a stop 30 of the carriage 3 in the triggered position of the carriage 3, is on the other hand applied to each fixed contact 21 in the final engagement position of the carriage 3 (FIGS. 3 and 4).

The spring 41, which is preferably also constituted by a coil spring, is housed in the carriage 3 and prestressed in compression.

The end of the spring 41, that is to say the lower end of this spring in the figures, thus exerts, on the movable contact 22 and in the axial direction Z, an elastic force directed towards the contact fixed 21, that is to say downwards in Figures 3 to 7.

The actuating means 5, which comprise an eccentric 51 and a link 52, have the function of allowing the compression of the spring 41 to be increased in order to be able to move the carriage 3 from its triggered position to its final engagement position. against the opposing restoring force exerted on the carriage 3 by the second spring 42.

According to the embodiment shown, the eccentric 51, which is rotatably mounted in the housing 1 around its hub 55. 54 acting on the spring 41 via a kinematic connection with the carriage 3. In a rest position (Figures 3 and 4), the eccentric 51 maintains the carriage 3 in its engaged position (closed circuit). In this position, the eccentric 51 rests on a first stop 11 of the case 1, in order to prevent the counterclockwise rotation according to Figures 3 to 7 of the eccentric induced by the springs 41, 42.

In a position of equilibrium of the eccentric 51 visible in Figure 5, the eccentric 51 is no longer bearing against the housing but is substantially parallel to the axial direction Z. In this position, the rod 52 is also substantially parallel to the axial direction Z so that the forces of the springs 41, 42 act in the direction of the axis of rotation of the eccentric and no longer generate any torque on the eccentric 51.

On the other hand, a slight rotation of the eccentric 51 in one direction or the other will generate a torque which then amplifies the rotation of the eccentric 51.

Thus, from this equilibrium position, if the eccentric 51 is moved slightly clockwise according to Figures 3 to 7, the springs 41, 42 will cause the rotation of the eccentric 51 into its position triggered (open circuit) corresponding to Figure 6. In this position, the movable contacts 22 are no longer in contact with the fixed contacts 21. In this triggered position, the eccentric 51 bears against a second stop 12 of the housing 1 .

[0033] The movement of the eccentric 51 between its rest position and its triggered position via its equilibrium position is obtained by drive means 6 mounted on the box 1 and operable from outside the box 1 In other words, the action on the drive means 6 consists first of all in moving the eccentric from its rest position to its equilibrium position by driving the rotation of the eccentric 51 in the clockwise direction according to Figures 3 to 7. Then continuing to move the eccentric in the same direction slightly beyond the equilibrium position.

According to the embodiment shown, the drive means 6 comprises a handle 61 rotatably mounted on the same axis of rotation as that of the eccentric 51. The initial position of the handle 61 corresponds to Figure 3. In this position, handle 61 is not resting against eccentric 51. In other words, a slight movement of handle 61 does not cause movement of eccentric 51. Return means 62 can be mounted on the handle 61 so as to return the handle 61 to its initial position as long as the latter has not moved the eccentric 51 beyond its equilibrium position.

[0035] An action on the lever 61, exerted outside the housing 1, therefore makes it possible to cause a rotation of the eccentric 51 around its hub and a displacement of the link 52.

More specifically, the eccentric 51 and the rod 52 can thus be simultaneously moved from an engaged position visible in Figures 3 and 4, to a final triggered position visible in Figure 6, passing through a visible equilibrium position in Figure 5.

During this movement, the actuating means 5 exert, on the end of the spring 41, via the carriage 3, and in the axial direction Z, a force which is directed towards the fixed contact 21, i.e. down in figures 3 to 7.

According to the embodiment shown, the handle 61 comprises a first support zone 64 for rotating the eccentric 51 from its engaged position to its released position and a second support zone 65 for rotating the eccentric 51 from its triggered position to its engaged position.

Figure 7 shows more particularly the device according to the invention when the eccentric 51 is brought by the lever 61 from its triggered position to its equilibrium position. To obtain this potion, the lever has been moved counterclockwise from its final position visible in FIG. 6. In this final position, the second support zone 65 of the lever 61 is in contact with the eccentric 51. Thus, the rotation anti-clockwise of the handle 61 drives the eccentric 51 in the same direction from its triggered position to the equilibrium position represented in FIG. 7. An additional anti-clockwise rotation beyond this equilibrium position then causes the rapid displacement of the eccentric 51 in its triggered position resting on the first stop 11 of the box 1.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a combined circuit breaker and neutral switch/disconnector according to the invention. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the neutral switch disconnector I is attached to a phase circuit breaker D. The circuit breaker is known per se and comprises phase contacts actuated by a mechanism controlled by a trip device and a first lever 100. Given the particular architecture of the switch disconnector I according to the invention described above, the box 1 of the neutral switch disconnector I has the same external dimensions as a circuit breaker box. It is therefore understood that this makes it possible to install a neutral switch disconnector according to the invention in an electrical installation of standard design.

In a manner known per se, the handle 61 of the disconnector switch I according to the invention interacts with the handle 100 of the circuit breaker D so that: the neutral disconnector switch is in the tripped position (open circuit) after the circuit breaker D is also in the tripped position the neutral disconnect switch is in the on position (closed circuit) before the circuit breaker is also in the on position.

Figure 1 shows the handset when the circuit breaker D and the neutral switch disconnector I are in the tripped position. In this position, the handle 100 of the circuit breaker is positioned between the handle 61 of the switch disconnector I and the box of the circuit breaker D. It is therefore understood that the engagement of the circuit breaker D requires the prior operation of the handle 61 of the switch neutral disconnector I as shown in figure 2.

In order to guarantee the displacement of the handle 61 of the neutral disconnector switch I independently of the handle 100 of the circuit breaker D, a tool (for example a screwdriver) may be necessary to maneuver the handle 61 of the disconnector switch .

It will be understood that various modifications and/or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the various embodiments of the invention described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims (7)

1. Switch disconnector (I) comprising; – at least one fixed contact (21) secured to a housing (1); – a carriage (3) slidably mounted in the housing (1) in an axial direction (Z) between an engaged position and a triggered position – a movable contact (22) slidably mounted in the carriage (3) in the axial direction (Z), resting on a stop (30) of the carriage (3) in the released position of the carriage, and applied to each fixed contact (21) in the engagement position of the carriage (3); – a first spring (41) housed in the carriage (3), prestressed in compression, and having a first end (43) exerting on the movable contact (22), in the axial direction (Z), an elastic force directed towards the fixed contact (21); characterized in that the switch further comprises – actuating means (5) comprising an eccentric (51) and a link (52) of which a first end (53) is linked to the eccentric (51), these actuating means (5) being arranged to occupy a rest position and a triggered position passing through an equilibrium position and further arranged to exert selectively, in the axial direction (Z), on a second end (44) of the first spring (41), and by the intermediate a second end (54) of the link (52) connected to the carriage (3), a force directed towards the fixed contact (21) in a direction capable of increasing the compression of the first spring (41) when the means of actuation are in the rest position and in the equilibrium position; – and drive means (6) comprising a lever (61) mounted on the housing (1) and operable outside the housing (1) to move the actuating means from their rest position to their triggered position passing through their position of equilibrium so that the carriage (3) is released on crossing, by the actuating means (5), of their position of equilibrium, the carriage (3) then being moved towards its triggered position by relaxation of the first spring (41). 2. Switch disconnector according to claim 1 wherein the handle (61) mounted on the housing (1) is operable outside the housing (1) to move the actuating means (5, 51, 52) from their position triggered towards their rest position by passing through their equilibrium position so that the carriage (3) is moved by the actuating means (5, 51, 52) towards its engaged position on crossing the equilibrium position of the actuating means (5, 51, 52). 3. Switch disconnector according to one of the preceding claims wherein the handle (61) is rotatably mounted in the housing (1), on an axis of rotation coinciding with the axis of rotation of the eccentric (51). 4. Disconnector switch according to one of the preceding claims wherein return means (62) are arranged on the handle (61) so as to return the handle (61) to an initial position as long as the actuating means (5 , 51, 52) have not crossed their equilibrium position. 5. Switch disconnector according to one of the preceding claims wherein the housing comprises a first stop (11) against which the eccentric (51) bears in its engaged position. 6. Switch disconnector according to one of the preceding claims wherein the housing comprises a second stop (12) against which the eccentric (51) bears in its tripped position. 7. Combined circuit breaker (D) and neutral disconnector (I) comprising a side-by-side assembly of a base block containing a circuit breaker, and an auxiliary block housing a neutral switch disconnector, the circuit breaker having phase contacts actuated by a mechanism controlled by a trip unit and a first handle, characterized in that the neutral disconnector switch is in accordance with one of the preceding claims and in that the handle (61) of the disconnector switch is arranged to drive the first lever (100) of the circuit breaker when the disconnector is triggered.