Switching device comprising a resetting device

A switching device includes a shell delimiting a plurality of spaces each able to accommodate a trip including a tripping device, a switching device, and a control mechanism including a device for grasping that can be moved between a first position and a second position by an operator in order to control movement of the switching device between an open position and a closed position. The switching device is in the closed position when the device for grasping is in the first position and in the open position when the device for grasping is in the second position. The control mechanism includes a single resetting device that resets each trip when the operator moves the device for grasping from the first position into the second position.

The present invention concerns a switching device.

Numerous switching devices include a switching device and a control device adapted to open or to close the switching device and therefore to prevent or to allow the passage of an electric current through the switching device. In particular, the control device enables the opening or the closing of the switching device in accordance with a precise specification, in particular in terms of the rapidity of opening.

Switching devices of this kind frequently include one or more trips. A trip is a module enabling opening to be commanded in the event of detection of an electrical fault, for example if a voltage is above or below predefined thresholds, or a short-circuit or an overcurrent.

In the event of detection of a fault of this kind, a mobile part of the trip moves from an initial position to a tripped position to actuate the control device and therefore to trip the opening of the switching device. In order to re-establish the flow of the electric current trips of this kind must therefore be reset when they have been tripped by the detection of a fault, i.e. the mobile part must be returned to its initial position to enable the switching device to be closed.

Trips are often supplied in the form of optional modules, which enables adaptation of the switching device to numerous different installations, each type of trip being designed to trip switching in response to specific faults. The same switching device therefore frequently includes a plurality of trips of different types.

However, when a plurality of trips are present it is necessary to ensure that all the trips are returned to their initial positions by actions that are as simple as possible for the operator. This is generally achieved by resetting devices carried by the trips. If only one of the resetting devices is faulty, the closing of the switching device is then rendered impossible. Moreover, resetting presupposes an accurate position of each trip.

Moreover, different types of trips often have different mechanical characteristics. In particular, the force necessary for resetting them is likely to vary from one type of trip to another. Accordingly, if the operator actuates a crank to close the switching device, different forces are exerted on the crank by the various trips. In time this results in wear and premature failure of the resetting device or the crank, for example buckling or twisting of the latter. This is particularly important for trips that must provide a large number of open/close cycles without failing.

An object of the invention is to propose a switching device that is more reliable than the prior art switching devices.

To this end there is proposed a switching device including:a shell,a switching device including an input connection terminal and an output connection terminal and adapted to switch between a closed position allowing the passage of the current between the input connection terminal and the output connection terminal and an open position preventing the passage of the current between the input connection terminal and the output connection terminal, anda device for controlling the switching device, the control device including a grasping device movable between a first position and a second position by an operator to command the movement of the switching device between the open position and the closed position, the switching device being in the closed position when the grasping device is in the first position and being in the open position when the grasping device is in the second position,the shell further delimiting a plurality of spaces each able to accommodate a trip including a tripping device mobile between an armed position and a tripped position, the tripping device being configured to command the movement of the switching device from its closed position to its open position when the tripping device goes from its armed position to its tripped position.

The control device further includes a single resetting device configured to move the or each tripping device from its tripped position to its armed position when the operator moves the grasping device from the first position to the second position.

According to other advantageous but not obligatory features of the invention, the switching device includes one or more of the following features, separately or in all technically possible combinations:the switching device includes trips, the resetting device being configured to move the tripping devices of the trips conjointly from their tripped positions to their respective armed positions when the operator moves the grasping device from the first position to the second position.the grasping device includes a crank mobile in rotation about a first axis relative to the shell, the resetting device being mobile in rotation relative to the shell about a second axis parallel to the first axis, the crank coming to bear against the resetting device when the grasping device is moved by the operator from the first position to the second position.the crank includes a handle, a bearing configured to allow rotation of the crank about the first axis and at least one arm connecting the handle to the bearing, the resetting device including at least one first branch and one second branch, the first branch having a first end and a second end, the first end bearing against the arm or one of the arms of the crank and the second end surrounding the second axis in a plane perpendicular to the second axis, the second branch having a third end in one piece with the second end and a fourth end bearing against the tripping device of a corresponding trip.the switching device includes a first trip and a second trip, each trip being accommodated in a corresponding space of the shell, a resetting force being defined for each trip as being the minimum value of the force that the resetting device must apply to the tripping device of the trip to move the tripping device from its tripped position to its armed position, the resetting force of the first trip being different from the resetting force of the second trip, each resetting force corresponding to a bearing force exerted at a bearing point on a first branch by the or at least one arm of the crank, the resetting device being configured so that the bearing force corresponding to the first trip is equal to the bearing force corresponding to the second trip.the resetting force of the first trip and the resetting force of the second trip have the same moment about the second axis.each second branch includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion connecting the second portion to the second end of the corresponding first branch, each second portion having a circular cylindrical face about a corresponding third axis, each third axis being parallel to the second axis, the cylindrical face coming to bear against the tripping device to move the tripping device to its armed position, a distance between the third axes being strictly greater than zero.the crank includes two arms, the resetting device including two first branches and two second branches, each first branch extending in a direction perpendicular to the second axis, the resetting device further including a bar fastening together the first ends of the two first branches, the bar extending in a direction parallel to the second axis.the or each arm of the crank has a bearing face, the first end of a corresponding first branch bearing against the bearing face, a distance being defined for each point of the bearing face between the point concerned and the first axis, an angle being defined for each point of the bearing face between the tangent to the bearing face at the point concerned and a line connecting the point to the first axis, the bearing face being concave and the angle increasing with the distance.each first branch includes a roller configured to roll or to slide against the or at least one arm of the crank.the switching device is a circuit breaker.

An axis III-III is represented in all the figures in order to explain better the respective orientations of the figures, and in particularFIGS. 3, 4 and 6.

A switching device10has been represented inFIG. 1.

The switching device10is a circuit breaker. For example, the switching device10is a three-phase circuit breaker.

In a variant, the switching device10is a switch such as a three-pole switch or a four-pole switch.

The switching device10includes a shell, at least one switching device15, at least one trip20and a control device25.

In a variant, the switching device10includes a plurality of switching devices15. In particular, when the switching device10is a three-phase circuit breaker the switching device10includes three switching devices15, one for each phase.

Instead of this or in addition to this, the switching device10includes a plurality of trips20. According to theFIG. 1example, the switching device10includes two trips20.

Each tripping device15includes an input connection terminal30and an output connection terminal35.

The switching device15is able to switch between a closed position and an open position.

When the switching device15is in the closed position the switching device15allows the passage of an electric current between the input connection terminal30and the output connection terminal35.

When the switching device15is in the open position the switching device15prevents the passage of an electric current between the input connection terminal30and the output connection terminal35.

Each switching device15is configured to be moved between the open position and the closed position by the control device25.

The shell is configured to insulate the switching device15, the trip or trips20and the control device25from the outside of the casing.

The shell delimits a chamber able to accommodate the switching device or devices15, the trip or trips20and the control device25. In particular, the envelope delimits a plurality of spaces each able to accommodate a trip20. For example, the shell delimits two spaces.

According to one embodiment, the shell consists of the combination of a set of walls carried by separate parts. For example, the switching device10includes a cover, at least two partitions and at least one spacer separating two switching devices15from each other and further including a wall and the shell is formed by the combination at least of the wall, the two partitions and the cover.

In a variant, the shell includes a one-piece casing and a cover.

According to theFIG. 1example, the switching device10includes a first trip and a second trip, each trip20being received in a corresponding space. The first trip is identified inFIG. 1by a reference20A and the second trip by a reference20B.

Each trip20is configured to command the movement of the switching device15from its closed position to its open position. In particular, each trip20includes a tripping device40. Each trip20is configured to move the corresponding tripping device40between an armed position and a tripped position.

Each trip20is removable from the shell. In particular, each trip20can be extracted from the shell independently of the control device25.

In particular, each trip20is able to move the corresponding tripping device40from its armed position to its tripped position in response to the detection of an electrical fault. For example, each trip20is able to receive a signal from a detector on detection of the electrical fault.

The electrical fault is for example a short circuit current, an overload current or an insulation fault.

In a variant, a trip20is a no-voltage trip configured to move the tripping device40to its tripped position if a voltage of the electric current is below a single predetermined threshold.

According to another variant, at least one trip20is a current emission trip configured to move the tripping device40to its tripped position if a voltage of the electrical current is above a predetermined threshold.

The tripping device40is mobile relative to the control device25between its armed position and its tripped position.

The tripping device40is configured to command the movement of the switching device15from its closed position to its open position when the tripping device40goes from its armed position to its tripped position.

The tripping device40is for example in the form of a cylinder extending in a principal direction DP. The tripping device40then has an end face42perpendicular to the principal direction DP. The end face42delimits the tripping device42in the principal direction DP.

The tripping device40is for example mobile in translation in its principal direction DP between its armed position and its tripped position.

In a variant, the tripping device40is mobile in rotation between its armed position and its tripped position.

When the tripping device40is in its armed position the tripping device40is at least in part accommodated in a shell of the trip20. When the tripping device40is in its armed position the trip20is able to command the switching of the switching device15. For example, when the tripping device40is in its armed position a spring is compressed inside the trip20. The spring is able, when it is released, to move the tripping device40from its armed position to its tripped position.

When the tripping device40is in its tripped position the tripping device40is at least in part extracted from the shell of the trip20.

When the tripping device40goes from its armed position to its tripped position the tripping device40preferably moves from inside the shell of the trip20to outside the shell of the trip20.

A resetting force Fr is defined for each trip20. The resetting force Fr is the minimum value of the force that must be applied to the tripping device40of the trip20concerned to move the tripping device40from its tripped position to its armed position.

The resetting force Fr of the first trip20A is different from the resetting force Fr of the second trip20B.

A resetting travel is moreover defined for each trip20. The resetting travel is the distance between a point of the tripping device40when the tripping device40is in its armed position and the same point when the tripping device40is in the tripped position.

No trip20is represented inFIG. 2in order to enable the switching device15and the control device25to be seen better.

The control device25is configured to move the switching device15between its open position and its closed position.

The control device25includes a grasping device45, at least one switch50and a single resetting device55. The control system25preferably includes a switch50for each space receiving a trip20.

The grasping device45is mobile relative to the switching device15between a first position and a second position.

The grasping device45is movable by an operator between the first position and the second position to command the movement of the switching device15between its open position and its closed position.

When the grasping device45is in the first position the switching device15is in its closed position.

When the grasping device45is in the second position the switching device15is in its open position.

The grasping device45is moreover able to come to bear against the resetting device55to move the resetting device55between a third position and a fourth position.

The grasping device45includes a crank60also termed a throw.

The crank60is mobile in rotation relative to the shell about a first axis A1.

The crank60is configured to come to bear against the resetting device55when the grasping device45is moved from its first position to its second position.

The crank60includes a handle65, at least one bearing70and at least one arm75. According to theFIG. 2example, the crank60includes two arms75.

The handle65is configured to enable an operator to move the grasping device45manually between its first position and its second position.

Each bearing70is configured to enable a respective rotation movement between the crank60and the other elements of the control device25. Each bearing70is therefore able to guide an arm75in rotation about the first axis A1.

According to theFIG. 4example, the crank60includes a bearing70for each arm75.

For example, each bearing70is able to cooperate with a respective gear extending along the first axis A1to enable rotation of the crank60about the first axis A1. In a variant, each bearing70is able to cooperate with a single first shaft common to the two bearings70.

The arm or each arm75connects the handle65to the bearing(s)70.

According to theFIG. 2example, the two arms75are made in one piece and produced from a single metal part.

Each arm75is perpendicular to the first axis A1.

For example, each arm75is in the form of a plate perpendicular to the first axis A1. In this case, each arm75has two principal faces80and one lateral face85.

The two principal faces80delimit the corresponding arm along the first axis A1. In this case, each principal face80is perpendicular to the first axis A1.

The lateral face85interconnects the two principal faces80.

The lateral face85delimits the corresponding arm75in a plane perpendicular to the first axis A1.

A portion of the lateral face85forms a bearing face90.

The bearing face90is configured to come to bear against the resetting device55when the grasping device45is moved to its second position.

According to theFIG. 4example, the bearing face90is concave.

A first distance d1and a first axis are defined for each point of the bearing face90.

The first distance d1is the distance between the point concerned and the point on the first axis A1closest to the point concerned.

The first angle is the angle between the tangent to the bearing face90at the point concerned and a line connecting the point concerned to the first axis A1. Each tangent is in a plane perpendicular to the first axis A1.

The first angle increases with the first distance d1.

For example, for each set of two points of the bearing face90a line connecting the two points concerned is formed of points each being part of the bearing face90or not being part of the arm75.

For example, the bearing face90includes two facets F1and F2, each facet F1, F2being plane and the two facets F1, F2defining in a plane perpendicular to the first axis A1a second angle that faces toward the exterior of the arm75. The second angle has a value between 90 degrees (°) and 180 degrees, inclusive, for example.

In other words, the second angle is a function of the first distance d1defined by two affine functions, each affine function being defined over a respective range of first distances d1, the two ranges being successive, and the director coefficient of the affine function corresponding to the range at the greatest distance from the first axis A1is strictly greater than the director coefficient of the other affine function.

In a variant, the second angle is a function of the first distance d1the second derivative of which is strictly positive.

Each switch50is configured to command the switching of the switching device15from its closed position to its open position when the corresponding tripping device40goes from its armed position to its tripped position.

Each switch50is for example a button mobile relative to the shell and adapted to be actuated by the corresponding tripping device40when the latter reaches its tripped position.

The resetting device55is configured to move the or each tripping device40from its tripped position to its armed position when the operator moves the grasping device45from its first position to its second position.

There is only one resetting device55. In particular, if the switching device10includes a plurality of trips20the resetting device55is configured to move the tripping devices40of the trips20conjointly from their tripped positions to their respective armed positions.

The resetting device55is preferably configured to move all the tripping devices40simultaneously to their respective armed positions when the operator moves the grasping device45from its first position to its second position.

The resetting device55is part of the control device25. In particular the resetting device55cannot be extracted from the shell independently of the other elements of the control device25.

For example, the resetting device55is not removable from the casing.

The resetting device55is mobile in rotation relative to the casing about a second axis A2. The second axis A2is parallel to the first axis A1.

In particular, the resetting device55is mobile in rotation between its third position represented inFIG. 2and its fourth position represented inFIG. 3.

When the resetting device55is in the third position the resetting device55is not in contact with the tripping device40of any trip20. Moreover, when the resetting device55is in the third position and the grasping device45is in its first position the resetting device55and the grasping device45are not in contact with each other.

When the resetting device55is in the fourth position the resetting device55bears against all the tripping devices40, each of which is in the armed position.

The resetting device55includes at least one first branch95and at least one second branch100.

According to theFIG. 5example, the resetting device55includes two first branches95, two second branches100and a bar105.

The resetting device55is configured to transmit a movement of the grasping device45from its first position to its second position to the or at least one tripping device40. For example, the resetting device55is configured to exert a displacement force FD on the or at least one of the tripping devices40in response to a bearing force FA exerted by the grasping device45as it moves. Each displacement force FD tends to move the corresponding tripping device40toward its armed position.

The resetting device55is in one piece.

Each first branch95has a first end E1and a second end E2.

Each first branch95extends in a first direction D1. The first direction D1is perpendicular to the second axis A2.

Each first end E1is adapted to come to bear against the arm75or one of the arms75of the grasping device45when an operator moves the grasping device45toward its second position.

In particular, when the resetting device55includes two first branches95and the crank60includes two arms75each first end E1is adapted to come to bear against the bearing face90of a corresponding arm75.

Each first end E1has a bearing point. The bearing point is the point of the first end E1at which the bearing force FA is exerted by the arm75.

According to theFIG. 5example each first end E1includes a roller110. Each roller110is configured to roll or slide against the arm75or one of the arms75of the crank60.

In particular, each roller110is adapted to roll or to slide against the bearing face90of a corresponding arm75.

The bearing point is therefore a point on the roller110.

According to theFIG. 5example, the rollers110are disposed between the two first branches95.

In a variant, the resetting device55does not include rollers110.

The second end E2surrounds the second axis A2in a plane perpendicular to the second axis A2. For example, the second end E2delimits a hole115receiving a second shaft. Each hole115is for example a circular cylinder about the second axis A2.

Each second branch100is configured to come to bear against the tripping device40of a corresponding trip20.

Each second branch100extends in a second direction D2. The second direction D2is perpendicular to the second axis A2.

The second direction D2is different from the first direction D1. For example, the second direction D2forms an angle with the first direction D1equal to 98°, to the nearest 15°.

Each second direction D2preferably defines with the first direction D1of the first branch95, with which its third end E3is made in one piece, a plane perpendicular to the second axis A2.

Each second branch100includes a first portion P1and a second portion P2.

The first portion P1has a third end E3. The first portion P1is delimited in the second direction D2by the third end E3and by the second portion P2.

The third end E3is in one piece with the second end E2. The first portion P1therefore connects the second portion P2and the second end E2of the first branch95.

The second portion P2has a fourth end E4and a cylindrical face120.

The second portion P2is delimited in the second direction D2by the fourth end E4and by the first portion P1.

The fourth end E4is adapted to come to bear against the tripping member40of a corresponding trip20.

The cylindrical face120of each second branch100is a cylinder with a circular base about a third axis A3.

Each cylindrical face120is adapted to come to bear against the end face42of a corresponding tripping device40and to exert the displacement force FD on the end face42.

A radius R is defined for each cylindrical face120. The radius R is the radius of the cylindrical face120about the third axis A3.

The two radii R of the two cylindrical faces120of the same resetting device55are equal. According to a variant, the two radii R are different from each other.

Each third axis A3is parallel to the second axis A2.

A second distance d2measured in the first direction D1is defined between the bearing point of a first branch95and the second axis A2. A third distance d3is defined between the application point on the cylindrical face120of the corresponding second branch100and the second axis A2.

The resetting device55is configured so that the bearing force FA corresponding to the resetting force Fr of the first trip20A is equal to the bearing force FA corresponding to the resetting force Fr of the second trip20B.

By “bearing force FA corresponding to the resetting force Fr” of a trip20is meant a value of the bearing force FA for which the resetting force Fr exerted on the tripping device40by the resetting device55is equal to the resetting force of the trip20concerned.

For example, the second distances d2of the two first branches95are equal to each other. In this case, the third distance d3of the two second branches100are such that the product of the third distance d3of a second branch100and the bearing force FA corresponding to the resetting force Fr of the corresponding trip20is identical for both the second branches100.

The resetting device55is then configured so that the resetting force Fr of the first trip20A and the resetting force Fr of the second trip20B have the same moment about the second axis A2.

For example, the third axes A3of the two second branches100of the same resetting device55do not coincide. In other words, a distance D between the two third axes A3is strictly greater than 0. For example, the distance D is greater than or equal to 1 millimeter (mm).

The distance D can be seen inFIG. 6. The two third distances d3are therefore different from each other.

In a variant, the two third distances are equal to each other but the two second distances d2are different from each other.

The bar105, also termed a flange, connects the two first ends E1of the two first branches95of the same resetting device55. The bar105is adapted to fasten together the two first ends E1. The bar105therefore fastens together two pairs of branches, each pair comprising a first branch95and a second branch100in one piece with each other.

The bar105extends in a third direction D3. The third direction D3is parallel to the second axis A2.

The operation of the switching device10will now be described.

In an initial step the switching device15is in its closed position and an electric current flows through the switching device15between the input connection terminal30and the output connection terminal35.

During the initial step the grasping device45is in its first position, visible inFIG. 2. Moreover, the tripping device40of each trip20is its armed position and the resetting device55is in its third position.

During a detection step an electrical fault is detected by at least one trip20. The trip or trips20that have detected the electrical fault then trip the switching of the switching device15, i.e. the tripping device40of each trip20that has detected an electrical fault goes from its armed position to its tripped position. In doing so, the tripping device40actuates the corresponding switch50which leads to the control device25moving the switching device15from its closed position to its open position. The electric current is then cut off by the switching device15.

In the detection step the grasping device45moves from its first position to an intermediate position between its first and second positions. In a variant, at the end of the detection step the grasping device45is in its first position.

Then, in a resetting step, an operator actuates the grasping device45to enable the current to flow again. For example, the operator has resolved the electrical fault and now wishes to re-establish the supply of electrical power to an installation.

To this end the operator manually causes the grasping device45to pivot about the first axis A1to its second position.

During the movement of the grasping device45toward its second position the grasping device reaches a fifth position. The fifth position is an intermediate position between the first position and the second position.

When the grasping device45is in the fifth position and the resetting device55is in the third position the grasping device45bears against the resetting device55. To be more precise, each of the rollers110is then in contact with the second facet F2of the bearing face90of a corresponding arm75.

The movement of the grasping device45from its fifth position to its second position then causes the resetting device55to pivot about the second axis A2from the third position to the fourth position.

The rollers110then roll successively against the second facet F2and then against the first facet F1.

A bearing force FA is then exerted on each first end E1by the arm75against which that first end E1bears. The bearing force FA tends to cause the resetting device55to pivot from its third position to its fourth position.

The movement of the resetting device55toward its fourth position brings the fourth end E4of at least one second branch100to bear against the corresponding tripping device40. To be more precise, the cylindrical face120of the second branch100comes to bear against the end face42of the tripping device40.

Pivoting to its fourth position, the resetting device55therefore exerts a displacement force FD on the or each tripping device40against which it bears.

The or each tripping device40bearing against the resetting device55is then moved to its armed position.

If a plurality of tripping devices40were in their tripped position, those tripping devices40are returned simultaneously to their respective armed position by the resetting device55.

The use of a single resetting device55integrated into the control device25makes it possible to simplify the production of the switching device10. Moreover, the switching device10is more reliable than prior art switching devices that include a resetting device incorporated into each trip and are therefore liable to be rendered inoperative following the failure of a single resetting device.

The resetting device55is easy to manufacture and operates reliably because of its great simplicity. In particular, the resetting device55reliably resets the various trips20. In fact, as resetting involves few components the operation of the resetting device55is relatively insensitive to mechanical play.

Moreover, if a plurality of trips20of different types are used the resetting device55necessitates the same bearing force FA to enable the resetting of each trip20. The forces exerted by the resetting device55on the various arms75of the crank60are therefore identical, which reduces the risk of the crank60twisting. Once again, the switching device10is more reliable.

Moreover, the resetting device55does not presuppose that the tripping devices40have identical travels.

The geometry of the bearing face90makes it possible to minimize the forces exerted on the crank60by the resetting device55whilst ensuring that the bearing force FA always applies a sufficient rotation torque to the resetting device55. In particular, when the rollers110roll against the second facet F2there is a large angle between the direction in which the bearing force FA is exerted and a line connecting the bearing point to the second axis A2and the torque is therefore high.

When the rollers110roll against the first facet F1, i.e. at the end of the movement of the crank60toward the second position, the rotation torque acting on the crank60is low. Moreover, the orientation of the first facet F1allows a large amplitude of movement of the grasping device45.

The invention has been described hereinabove in the situation where the resetting device55includes two pairs of branches, each pair of branches including a first branch95and a second branch100. The person skilled in the art will easily understand that the number of pairs can vary as a function of a number of trips20used.

According to a variant, the number of first branches95is different from the number of second branches100. For example, the resetting device55includes a single first branch95coming to bear against the crank60and a plurality of second branches100, one second branch100for each trip20.

According to another variant, the resetting device55includes a single second branch100.