EP0650178B1 - Interface adaptor for multipolar differential switch - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an interface adapted to come between electrical auxiliaries and a Differential Switch.

A known multi-pole differential switch (see for example US-A-2,779,831) comprises an insulating housing containing a lever mechanism for actuating a contact-carrying shaft between a open position and a closed position and vice versa, and a differential detector with summing transformer electrically connected to a relay trigger to cause an opening automatic said switch.

By electrical auxiliaries, we mean here devices intended to perform triggering, switching and / or signaling. Such electrical auxiliaries are commonly joined and mated to circuit breakers. We can classify these auxiliaries electric in two large families, the auxiliaries triggers and auxiliary switches.

A trigger auxiliary is fitted with a trigger adapted to be activated in conditions data, said mechanism being coupled to the circuit breaker so as to cause, by its triggering, the triggering of said circuit breaker. Emission triggers or undervoltage releases are known examples auxiliary triggers.

An auxiliary switch is provided with a trigger adapted to be activated by triggering the circuit breaker, the triggering of said mechanism causing a electrical switching, in particular for the purpose of circuit breaker status signaling. The auxiliaries of the auxiliary change-over contact or fault signal contact type are known examples of auxiliary switches.

It may be envisaged to use such auxiliaries electric in cooperation with a differential switch. However, the mechanism of the latter is very different from circuit breaker mechanism. However, electrical auxiliaries already existing are designed to be adapted to a circuit breaker, their tripping mechanism being very similar in stroke and effort to that of a circuit breaker. Of the kind, the coupling between the circuit breaker and the auxiliary is very easy, a coupling device connecting a tripping device for the circuit breaker mechanism and a comparable triggering mechanism the auxiliary. Such coupling is not possible between an auxiliary and a differential switch, especially the tripping energy supplied by the relay trigger of the latter is weak compared to the energy necessary to trigger the auxiliary. So there is significant differences in race and effort between two comparable triggering mechanisms respective of the differential switch and the auxiliary, which prevents their coupling by a mechanical connection simple.

The object of the present invention is to provide a interface for adapting to a differential switch of known type the circuit breaker electrical auxiliaries already existing, without modification of one or the others.

• un premier organe attelé au mécanisme dudit auxiliaire,
• un second organe propre à provoquer le déclenchement de l'interrupteur différentiel, et
• un troisième organe commandé par l'arbre porte-contacts de l'interrupteur différentiel ;

   en ce que, ledit mécanisme est adapté d'une part, à transmettre un ordre de déclenchement de l'interrupteur différentiel à l'interface, le déplacement dudit troisième organe provoquant celui dudit premier organe, ledit second organe restant immobile, et, d'autre part, à transmettre un ordre de déclenchement de l'interface à l'interrupteur différentiel, le déplacement dudit premier organe provoquant celui dudit second organe, ledit troisième organe restant immobile ;
   et en ce que celui des appareils qui émet un ordre de déclenchement fournit à l'interface l'énergie mécanique nécessaire au déclenchement de l'autre appareil.To this end, the invention provides an interface for adapting to a multipole differential switch of electrical auxiliaries intended to provide tripping, switching and / or signaling functions, said interface being adapted to be coupled and coupled to a on the one hand to said differential switch and on the other hand to an auxiliary, said interface being characterized in that its mechanism comprises:

• a first member coupled to the mechanism of said auxiliary,
• a second member capable of triggering the differential switch, and
• a third member controlled by the contact-carrying shaft of the differential switch;

in that, said mechanism is adapted on the one hand, to transmit a triggering order from the differential switch to the interface, the displacement of said third member causing that of said first member, said second member remaining stationary, and, on the other hand, to transmit a trigger order from the interface to the differential switch, the movement of said first member causing that of said second member, said third member remaining stationary;
and in that that of the devices which emits a triggering order supplies the interface with the mechanical energy necessary for the triggering of the other device.

When the differential switch moves from the position closed in the open position, the movement of the contact shaft will be transmitted to said first organ, which will move enough to cause the auxiliary trigger.

When the auxiliary, in this case a trigger, passes from the engaged position to the triggered position, its trigger movement, resulting in displacement of said first organ, will be transmitted, to said second organ, which will act on the trigger mechanism of the differential switch, so the latter is going to be automatically opened.

This device solves the problems of differences in strokes and forces between the switch mechanism differential and that of an auxiliary, and this, in a very simple. In particular, it does not use a source additional energy, such as an accumulation spring. Therefore it works perfectly reversibly and requires no rearming.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique de l'interface selon la présente invention, accolée d'une part à un interrupteur différentiel et d'autre part à des auxiliaires électriques ;
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique en coupe suivant la direction II-II de l'interface de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective éclatée d'une partie du mécanisme de l'interface selon la présente invention;
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique du mécanisme de l'interface selon la présente invention, dans une position de repos correspondant à la position fermée de l'interrupteur différentiel;
• la figure 5 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 4, montrant une phase de déclenchement par un auxiliaire;
• la figure 6 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 5, dans une position de repos correspondant à la position ouverte de l'interrupteur différentiel.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic view of the interface according to the present invention, attached on the one hand to a differential switch and on the other hand to electrical auxiliaries;
• Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view along the direction II-II of the interface of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of part of the interface mechanism according to the present invention;
• Figure 4 is a schematic view of the interface mechanism according to the present invention, in a rest position corresponding to the closed position of the differential switch;
• Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 4, showing a triggering phase by an auxiliary;
• Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 5, in a rest position corresponding to the open position of the differential switch.

According to the embodiment shown in the figure 1, an interface 1 comprises an insulating housing attached to a part in the insulating case of a differential switch 2 and on the other hand to the insulating housing of an electrical auxiliary 3. The differential switch 2 is of known type comprising a lever mechanism 40 for actuating a contact-carrying shaft between an open position and a position of closing and vice versa, and a differential detector at summing transformer electrically connected to a relay trigger (not detailed) to trigger a automatic opening of said switch. In practice, and as is well known, this relay acts on a mechanism of triggering so as to break a hold hold of the contact carrier shaft, which causes the rotation of this last towards its open position.

The mechanism of the differential switch 2 is coupled to interface 1 by two mechanical connections: one shaft 6 extending axially the contact carrier shaft from the switch, to transmit the rotation of the this contact-carrying shaft, and a coupling pin 11 connected to a member of the switch trigger mechanism differential, to transmit a trigger order of the interface to the switch.

In practice, the organ of the trigger mechanism the differential switch to which the finger ends hitch 11 is the member that breaks the holding hook of the contact carrier shaft.

The shaft 6 can be fixed end to end with the contact-holding shaft for example using a tenon and mortise couple (not shown).

The electrical auxiliary 3 is for example a trigger undervoltage, the mechanism of which is likely to move from an engaged position to a triggered position, a lever 41 allowing the resetting of said trigger 3.

The trigger mechanism for auxiliary 3 is coupled to the interface 1 mechanism by a finger coupling 10 connected to a triggering member of said auxiliary mechanism.

The shaft 6 crosses the housings of the switch 2 and of interface 1 thanks to holes of adapted shape. Of even, the coupling fingers 10 and 11 pass through the walls of interface and, respectively, auxiliary 3 and switch 2, using holes, respectively 7 and 8, of oblong shapes adapted to the respective races of those fingers.

Other auxiliaries, triggers or switches, can be joined and coupled to auxiliary 3, so that the movements of their trigger mechanisms are subject to that of auxiliary 3. In the example represented in FIG. 1, an auxiliary 4, for example a auxiliary type fault signal contact, is attached to auxiliary 3 and coupled to the latter by a connection mechanical 9, which connects the triggering member of the auxiliary 3 linked to the coupling pin 10 to an organ auxiliary correspondent 4.

As best seen in Figure 2, the housing interface insulator 1 contains a mechanism 5, shown in exploded perspective in Figure 3.

As seen in this last figure, the tree 6 of connection with the contact-holder shaft of switch 2 integral part of a link 16, an elongated flange extending the end of said tree, perpendicular to it latest.

The shaft 6 passes through a bore 12 of the housing interface, bore which is extended by an element in projection 13, in the form of a hollow cylinder, which extends up to the deflection area of the elongated flange part of the link 16.

On the free end of this elongated flange part a notch 17 is formed forming an open oblong housing extending radially. This oblong housing 17 is suitable for receiving a finger 21 from a lever 20.

As shown in Figure 3, the lever 20 has a body 20B having an upper shape generally parallelepipedic of which only a portion dorsal is extended downward, so as to form a shoulder 27.

The upper part of the body 20B is crossed by a transverse bore 24 adapted to receive the hinge pin 31 of lever 30.

The lever 20 also includes a radial arm 20A which, starting from a side face of the upper part of this body 20, extends upwards in an arc, as can be seen in Figures 3 and 4.

This radial arm 20A carries at its end the finger 21 of connection with the link 16. This finger 21 extends transversely on either side of the arm 20A. The part of this finger extending from the side of the body 20B is in engagement with the oblong housing 17 of the rod 16. The other part of this finger 21 is engaged with a window 15 formed in the housing, this making it possible to limit the movement of said axis.

The lever 20 finally comprises, at the level of the part lower body 20B, an arm 26, in the form of a plate angled at right angles. This arm 26 leaves from the lateral side of the body 20B opposite to that on which the arm 20A leaves. As seen in Figure 3, a stud 25, extending transversely, is formed on the outer surface of the bent end of the arm 26.

The axes of the finger 21, the bore 24 and the stud 25 are in the same plane and the substantially radial surface 23 of the shoulder 27 extends parallel to this plane, as we you can see it in Figure 4.

This lever 20 is articulated on a lever 30, itself mounted pivoting about a fixed axis of the interface box 1.

The lever 30 comprises a body 30A, of shape generally parallelepiped inside which is provided a housing adapted to receive a transverse axis 36 formed on the interface box 1, as seen on Figure 3.

The size of this body 30A is adapted to the size of the shoulder 27 located in the body 20B of the lever 20.

The lever 30 also includes a radial arm 30B, in elongated flange form, extending from one side of the body 30A.

This arm 30B carries, on one of its lateral sides, the finger 10, extending transversely, forming finger coupling with the auxiliary mechanism 3. It bears, on its other lateral side, a stud 31, extending transversely, in engagement with the bore 24 of the lever 20, of so as to form an axis of articulation of the latter.

A shoulder 32 is provided under the arm 30B. This shoulder is of a shape adapted to receive the bent end of arm 26 of lever 20.

A link 50 is pivotally mounted on the lever 20, the stud 25 of the latter being engaged with a bore 51 formed on one end of said link 50.

As seen in Figure 3, this rod is in elongated flange shape, a rear part, of which the end receives the stud 25, being slightly inclined down relative to the rest of said link.

The other end of the rod 50 is linked to a pivoting element 60, a transverse bore 52 of this connecting rod receiving free in rotation a stud 61 of said swivel element 60.

The latter comprises a cylinder 60B rotating around a transverse axis 62 carried by the interface box 1, as seen in Figure 3.

The pivoting element 60 also comprises two arms radial 60A and 60C, operating at the level of both ends of cylinder 60B, parallel, and extending in opposite directions.

The end of the radial arm 60C carries the stud 61 in taken with the bore 52 of the rod 50.

For its part, the end of the radial arm 60A carries the transverse finger 11, forming coupling finger with the tripping mechanism of the differential switch.

When the differential switch 2 is in a closed position and auxiliaries 3 and 4 are in a position engaged, the interface 1 mechanism is in the rest position shown in Figure 4.

In this position, the lever 20 is in abutment against the lever 30. More precisely, the body 30A of the lever 30 is fits under the upper part of the body 20B, thanks to the shoulder 27, the substantially radial surface 35 of said body 30A abutting against the substantially radial surface 23 of the body 20B.

In addition, the bent end of the arm 26 of the lever 20 is found against the body 30A, by means of the shoulder 32.

In this position of the levers 20 and 30, the axis of the nipple 25 of lever 20 is aligned with axis 36 of articulation lever 30.

The finger 21 is, on the one hand, in a portion upper of the oblong housing 17 of the rod 16, as seen in Figure 4, and, on the other hand, in abutment on a small side of window 15, more precisely its left side in the representation of figure 3.

Finger 10 is located at the left end, in the representation of FIG. 4, of the opening oblong 7.

Finger 11 is at the end right, in the representation of figure 4, of the opening oblong 8.

When, under the effect of an automatic trigger or action of the lever 40, the mechanism opening / closing of the differential switch 2 pass from the closed position to the open position, the rotation of the latter's contact carrier shaft results in the rotation of the link 16, driven by the shaft 6. This rotation is clockwise, if we refer to Figures 4 and 6.

The link 16 then acts on the lever 20, by via finger 21, in connection with the pivot sliding in the housing 17.

The part of the lever 20 diametrically opposite the finger 21 being in abutment against the lever 30, said lever 20 cannot rotate around axis 31.

Therefore, the lever 20 will drive the lever 30 in rotation around axis 36, this rotation taking place in clockwise, if we refer to Figures 4 and 6.

The two levers 20 and 30 will pivot together, without relative movement of one with respect to the other, their respective surfaces 23 and 35 remaining in abutment one against the other.

The stud 25 therefore does not move during the movement of the levers 20 and 30, its axis remaining in alignment with the axis 36 around which the rotation takes place.

Consequently, no action is exercised on the connecting rod formed by the rod 50 and the element swivel 60.

As for the coupling pin 10, the rotational movement lever 30 brings it to the level of the right end, in the Representation of Figures 4 and 6, of the oblong opening 7.

The movement of the coupling pin 10 causes the trigger of auxiliary 3 and, via the connection 9, auxiliary 4.

It should be noted that the energy transmitted to trigger mechanisms of auxiliaries 3 and 4, in order to activate them, is provided through the interface by the differential switch, and more specifically by the pivoting movement of its contact-holding shaft.

At the end of this pivoting movement of the shaft contact carrier, the interface 1 mechanism is located in the rest position shown in Figure 6.

This rest position corresponds to the open position of the differential switch and in the tripped position auxiliaries.

When, starting from the rest position of FIG. 4, the triggering auxiliary 3 issues a triggering order, its trigger mechanism will go from an engaged state to a triggered state, thereby causing displacement of the coupling pin 10 towards the right end, in the Representation of Figures 4 to 6, of the oblong opening 7.

This causes the clockwise rotation, if one is refers to FIGS. 4 to 6, of the lever 30 around its axis 36.

The lever 20 is maintained at its part upper by the link 16, which is itself maintained in position by the contact carrier shaft of the switch differential 2. As a result, the pivoting, in direction clockwise, lever 30 will cause pivoting of lever 20 around the axis 31 of articulation between these two levers. This pivoting is counterclockwise, if we are referring in Figures 4 to 6.

The finger 21, turning and sliding slightly towards the low in the oblong housing 17, allows this movement of relative pivoting between the two levers

The linkage formed by the two levers 20 and 30 is behaves, in a way, like a pair of scissors which opens.

We see in Figure 5 the state of the interface 1 when the coupling pin 10 has reached its extreme position, on the right side, in the Representation of Figures 4 to 6, of the oblong opening 7.

The two levers 20 and 30 are then in a position maximum relative opening.

The stud 25, which is at the end of the lever 20, therefore moved during the crankshaft movement formed by levers 20 and 30.

This displacement of the stud 25 causes the displacement of the link 50 which will act on the pivoting element 60, causing it to rotate counterclockwise, if we refers to figures 4 to 6.

The finger 11 then moves towards the left end, in the representation of FIGS. 4 to 6, of the opening oblong 8. This movement of the finger 11 activates the mechanism of trip of the differential switch 2.

The energy required to activate this mechanism trip of the differential switch, is provided by the trigger mechanism 3.

Activation of the trigger mechanism the differential switch will cause this latest. Consequently, the link 16 will pivot in the direction timetable, if one refers to figures 4 to 6.

The lever 20, under the action of the link 16, pivots clockwise around the axis 31 of the lever 30 which itself remains stationary, so that the pair of scissors formed by the two levers close.

By pivoting, the lever 20 brings back the connecting rod assembly by the link 50 and the pivoting element 60 in its position initial. Because of this, once the switch differential is open, finger 11 stops transmitting to its mechanism a trigger order.

At the end of the rotation movement of the contact carrier shaft, the interface mechanism is found again in the rest position shown in Figure 6 and previously described.

It should be noted that when the interface 1 is in this rest position, the axis of pivoting of the rod 16 is in the plane common to the axis 36 and to the axes of the finger 21 and the nipple 25. By therefore, the oblong housing 17 extends radially not only with respect to the pivot axis of the link 17, but also with respect to axes 31 and 36.

When, by acting on the lever 40 of the switch differential, the contact carrier shaft of the latter is brought back in the closed position, the pivoting of the link 16 goes cause the levers 20 and 30 to pivot towards their position shown in Figure 4. The two levers pivot together, around axis 36. As a result, the connecting rod assembly constituted by the rod 50 and the pivoting element 60 is not not requested.

Advantageously, there is provided in interface 1 a open or closed position signaling device contacts of the differential switch.

For this, as seen in Figure 4, it is arranged in interface 1 a double contact device 79 with overtaking of neutral point, of known type.

As is known, the blade 76 of such a device is swivel by one of its ends, so that it can wrestle between two positions in which his other end is in contact with, respectively, a stud 77 and a pad 78. The blade 76 is engaged with a spring which requests it towards pad 77 or toward pad 78, depending on its position relative to the median plane between said pads.

This device 79 is part of an electrical circuit (not shown) in which it plays a role of switch. This circuit can include a diode which will be in position off or on depending on whether the blade 76 is in contact with either pad 77 and 78.

Advantageously, it will include two diodes indicating respectively that the contacts are closed and open, and the ignition of which will be subject to contact of the blade with the pad 77 for one and pad 78 for the other.

A lever 70 is pivotally mounted on the fixed axis 36 of the interface box 1.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, this lever comprises, starting from a heel 72 provided with a bore with which is in take the axis 36, a leg 70A and a foot 70B.

On the end of the leg 70A is provided a surface cam 71.

The foot 70B, for its part, comprises, at its lower end, curved downward, two fingers 74 and 75, extending transversely one above the other, with a slight offset, as seen, for example, in Figure 4.

Also, is formed on the foot 70B a lug 73 on which is installed the end of a bias spring 80, the other end of which engages a lug 82 formed on the radial arm 20A of the lever 20.

When the interface mechanism is in the position rest of Figure 4, corresponding to the closed position of the differential switch 2, the lever 70, biased by the spring 80, is in abutment, via the cam surface 71, against the finger 21 of the lever 20.

In this case, the blade 76 of the device is in abutment, against the pad 77 while the finger 74 of the foot of the lever 70 used to bring it into this position is at proximity to blade 76.

When the link 16, and, consequently, the finger 21 is move to the position of figure 6, either following to a trip ordered by the differential switch itself or by the auxiliary 3, the lever 70 follows the movement of finger 21, pivoting in the direction towards which the stresses bias spring 80, that is to say clockwise, if we refer to the figures 4 to 6.

During the pivoting of this lever 70, the finger 74 goes lose contact with the blade 76, the latter remaining in contact with pad 77 due to the solicitation of the spring of the device 79. Next, the finger 75 will enter contact with this blade and lead it to the pad 78.

When the interface mechanism is in the position in Figure 6, corresponding to the open position of the differential switch, the blade is therefore in contact with the pad 78, the finger 75 being nearby.

When the differential switch is brought back to closed position, the lever 70 will be brought back by the finger 21 in its initial position, and therefore finger 74 will bring the blade back into contact with the pad 77.

This device therefore makes it possible to signal, by through the diodes, if the differential switch is in the open or closed position.

The advantage is that it pulls this information directly of the position of finger 21, linked directly to the contact-carrying shaft of the differential switch. this allows in particular, as we will see now, to make correctly account for the exceptional case where contacts would be stuck in the differential switch.

In the event that the contacts of said switch differential are glued, and therefore cannot open despite a fault trip order, it will nevertheless produce a slight movement of the contact carrier shaft.

But this movement is not enough for the finger 75 of the lever 70, located near the blade 76, comes into contact with it and forces it to break its support on the pad 77. Consequently, the device for internal interface signaling will continue to indicate that the contacts, of the associated differential switch, are closed. We can deduce that one or other of the contacts remained stuck.

Advantageously, the movements of the levers 40, 41 and 42 are secured with a lever 43 installed on the housing of interface 1. Thus, the control of the modular assembly is simplified.

Claims (8)

1. An interface for adaptation to a multipolar differential switch of electrical auxiliary units which are intended to implement triggering, switching and/or signalling functions, said interface being adapted to be disposed adjacent to and coupled to on the one hand said differential switch and on the other hand an auxiliary unit, said interface being characterised in that its mechanism comprises:

   a first member (10) connected to the mechanism of said auxiliary unit,

   a second member (11) for causing triggering of the differential switch, and

   a third member (16) controlled by the contact-carrying shaft of the differential switch;

      that said mechanism is adapted on the one hand to transmit a triggering order of the differential switch to the interface, the displacement of said third member causing that of said first member, said second member remaining immobile, and on the other hand to transmit a triggering order of the interface to the differential switch, the displacement of said first member causing that of said second member, said third member remaining immobile; and
      that that one of the devices which emits a triggering order supplies the interface with the mechanical energy necessary for triggering of the other device.
2. An interface according to claim 1 characterised in that it comprises a first linkage including:

   a first lever (30) mounted pivotably about a fixed axis (36) and provided with a connecting member (10) for connection to the mechanism of said auxiliary unit (3), and

   a second lever (20) pivotably connected to said first lever (30) and in engagement on the one hand with a second linkage (16) controlled by a contact-carrying shaft of said differential switch (2) and on the other hand with a third linkage (50, 60) controlling a mechanism for triggering of said differential switch; and

      that when said first linkage (20, 30) moves under the control of said second linkage (16) it entrains said connecting member (10) without acting on said third linkage (50, 60) and when it moves under the control of said connecting member it entrains said third linkage.
3. An interface according to claim 2 characterised in that a link (50) of the third linkage is mounted pivotably on said second lever (20), the axis (25) of said pivotal mounting being aligned with the axis (36) of pivotal movement of said first lever (30) when said interface is in its rest position corresponding to the closed position of the differential switch.
4. An interface according to claim 3 characterised in that said second lever (20) is adapted to come into a position of abutment against said first lever (30) so that when said second lever moves under the control of said second linkage (16) said two levers pivot together about the axis (36) of pivotal movement of said first lever so that, the pivotal mounting (25) of the link (50) of the third linkage (50, 60) to said second lever being aligned with said axis (36) of said first lever, no action is applied to said third linkage.
5. An interface according to any one of claims 2 to 4 characterised in that when said first lever (30) moves under the control of said connecting member (10) said second lever (20) which is retained at the location of its connection to said second linkage (16) pivots with respect to said first lever and thereby entrains said third linkage (50, 60).
6. An interface according to any one of claims 2 to 5 characterised in that said second lever (20) is provided at one of its ends with an axis member (21) in engagement with a corresponding oblong housing (17) provided on an end of a link (16) of the second linkage, said link pivoting at the location of its other end under the control of the contact-carrying shaft of the differential switch (2).
7. An interface according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that it is associated with at least one supplementary auxiliary unit (4) which is disposed adjacent to and which is coupled to said auxiliary unit (3) so as to transmit to said supplementary auxiliary unit mechanical triggering energy provided by said auxiliary unit and vice-versa.
8. An interface according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that it is provided with an electrical signalling device (79) comprising a switching means (76) which is pilot-controlled by a lever (70) controlled by said third member (16) in such a way that an incomplete movement of the contact-carrying shaft is not sufficient to cause the change in state of said switching means.

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