Abstract:
The present invention relates to a start system ( 1 ) comprising a plurality of electrical apparatuses ( 3, 5 ) each comprising an insulating casing ( 7, 9 ), secured to each other and having an alignment along a first extension direction (D 1 ). The plurality of electrical apparatuses ( 3, 5 ) is intended to be brought on a plurality of securing rails ( 13, 15 ) extending along a second extension direction (D 2 ) transversal to the first extension direction (D 1 ). A first electrical apparatus ( 3 ) comprises a removable mounting device ( 21 ) including a primary movable mounting element ( 17 ), the mounting device ( 21 ) forming a primary housing ( 35 ) in which a portion ( 13   a ) of a first rail ( 13 ) is able to be inserted. A second electrical apparatus ( 5 ) comprises a secondary mounting element ( 19 ), the secondary mounting element ( 19 ) forming, with the insulating casing ( 9 ) of the second electrical apparatus ( 5 ) a secondary housing ( 81 ) in which is able to be inserted a portion ( 15   a ) of a second rail ( 15 ).

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is related to and claims the benefit of French Application Number 14/56361 filed on 3 Jul. 2014, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a device for mounting a start system on a plurality of rails. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A start system is composed of a contactor and a circuit breaker. These electrical apparatuses are generally added independently on rails, allowing their installation in an electrical cabinet. However, these electrical apparatuses are intended to operate together, it is hence more suitable to secure them in a pre-assembled manner on rails. It is known to use standard securing devices, that is to say formed of two hooked mounting elements, opposite each other, for independently securing the electrical apparatuses. Securing the pre-assembled start system on two securing rails is not possible. The securing rails being disposed on a same first plane and the securing devices being secured on a same second plane, it is not possible to simultaneously insert one edge of a first securing rail and one edge of a second securing rail in the housings formed by the hooked mounting elements. 
     It is known to use additional securing plates in order to bring the start system on the securing rails, thus increasing the size of the system, and implying a higher manufacturing cost. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The purpose of the present invention is to resolve all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks. 
     To this end, the present invention relates to a device for mounting a first electrical apparatus intended to collaborate with a second electrical apparatus in such a manner as to form, in an assembled state, a start system intended to be brought on a plurality of securing rails, the mounting device comprising:
         a support intended to be brought on the first electrical apparatus of the start system and comprising at least one guiding element;   a mounting element capable of occupying a retracted position and a deployed position, arranged to be guided between the retracted position and the deployed position by at least one guiding element;   a return element arranged for returning the mounting element towards the deployed position,       

     in deployed position, the mounting element forms a housing with the support in which is intended to be inserted a first portion of a securing rail from among the plurality of securing rails by defining a relative securing position of said securing rail with respect to the first electrical apparatus in the assembled state. 
     The first portion of the rail may in particular be constituted by a first edge of said rail. 
     Thanks to the dispositions according to the invention, adding a mounting device allows mounting a pre-assembled start system on the rails. With the insulating casings maintaining their standard dimensions, the possibility, optionally, for the electrical apparatuses to be mounted independently from each other on rails is maintained. 
     The dispositions according to the invention further allow securing the start system by first inserting a portion of a first securing rail in the housing formed by a stationary mounting element, then second by positioning a portion of the second rail when the moveable mounting element is maintained in retracted position. Finally, the moveable mounting element is released and returned to deployed position and the portion of the second rail is thus retained. 
     According to optional features of the mounting device according to the invention:
         the mounting element comprises a gripping portion;   the support comprises a locking element intended to collaborate with the first electrical apparatus;   the locking element comprises a pressing portion intended to collaborate with the first electrical apparatus;   the support comprises an elastic element comprising a bearing portion intended to collaborate with the first electrical apparatus;   the elastic element comprises a planar portion and an opening.       

     The present invention also relates to an electrical apparatus intended to be brought on a plurality of securing rails, the electrical apparatus being intended to be mounted and electrically coupled with a second electrical apparatus in such a manner as to form a start system and comprising:
         an insulating casing;   a mounting device compliant with any one of the aforementioned features, secured to the insulating casing;       

     the insulating casing comprising a pressing area intended to collaborate with a second portion of a securing rail disposed according to the relative securing position with respect to the electrical apparatus in the assembled state. 
     Particularly the second portion of the rail corresponds to the second edge of the rail opposite the first edge forming the first portion. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, the insulating casing comprises:
         a retaining housing comprising an inserting portion for inserting the locking element of the mounting device and a pressing part against which the locking element of the mounting device is in abutment;   a maintaining element arranged to collaborate with the bearing portion of the elastic element of the mounting device.       

     According to an aspect of the invention, the electrical apparatus comprises an individual securing device comprising:
         a first individual mounting element being stationary and forming with the insulating casing a first housing in which is intended to be inserted a first portion of a securing rail by defining a relative individual securing position of said securing rail with respect to the electrical apparatus;   a second individual mounting element moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position, and forming with the insulating casing a second housing when it occupies the deployed position, in which is intended to be inserted a second portion of a securing rail disposed according to the relative individual securing position of said securing rail with respect to the electrical apparatus.       

     According to an aspect of the invention, the first mounting element and the second mounting element are oriented in an opposite manner. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, the first mounting element is integral with the insulating casing. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, the securing device comprises pressing housing defined between the first individual mounting element and the second individual mounting element forming the pressing area. 
     The present invention also relates to a start system intended to be brought on a plurality of securing rails comprising:
         a first electrical apparatus compliant with any one of the aforementioned features;   a second electrical apparatus mounted with the first electrical apparatus and electrically connected to the first electrical apparatus,       

     the first electrical apparatus and the second electrical apparatus being aligned along a first extension direction, 
     the first electrical apparatus being intended to collaborate with a first securing rail from among the plurality of securing rails, disposed in the relative securing position with respect to the first electrical apparatus in the assembled state, the first securing rail extending along a second extension direction transversal to the first extension direction, 
     the second electrical apparatus being intended to collaborate with a second securing rail, in a relative securing position with respect to the second electrical apparatus in the assembled state, the second securing rail extending along the second extension direction, and being shifted with respect to the first securing rail. 
     An extension direction transversal to the first extension direction means an extension direction oriented according to an angle between 60° and 120° with respect to the first extension direction. 
     Preferably, the second extension direction is oriented according to an angle between 70° and 110° with respect to the first extension direction. 
     Preferably, the second extension direction is oriented according to an angle between 80° and 100° with respect to the first extension direction. 
     Preferably, the second extension direction is perpendicular to the first extension direction. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, the second electrical apparatus comprises a second insulating casing, the insulating casing of the first electrical apparatus being called first insulating casing, the second electrical apparatus comprising, in complement with the mounting element of the first electrical apparatus in the assembled state, called primary mounting element a secondary mounting element being stationary in the assembled state forming with the second insulating casing a secondary housing in complement with the housing formed by the primary mounting element and the first insulating casing, called primary housing, 
     the secondary housing being intended to receive a first portion of the second securing rail in the relative securing position of the second securing rail with respect to the second electrical apparatus in the assembled state, 
     the second insulating casing comprising a second pressing area by similarity with the pressing area of the first insulating casing, called first pressing area, at which a second portion of the second securing rail is intended to press on in the relative securing position of the second support rail with respect to the second electrical apparatus in the assembled state. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, the secondary mounting element is integral with the second insulating casing. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, the second electrical apparatus comprises a second individual securing device, the individual securing device of the first electrical apparatus called first securing device the second securing device comprising:
         a third individual mounting element moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position, and forming with the second insulting casing a third housing when it occupies the deployed position, in which is intended to be inserted the first portion of a securing rail in a relative individual securing position of said securing rail with respect to the second electrical apparatus;   a fourth stationary individual mounting element forming with the second insulating casing a fourth housing in which is intended to be inserted the second portion of the securing rail disposed in the relative individual securing position of said securing rail with respect to the second electrical apparatus.       

     According to an aspect of the invention, the third mounting element and the fourth mounting element are oriented in an opposite manner. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, the fourth mounting element is integral with the second insulating casing. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, the second securing device comprises a second pressing housing, the pressing housing of the first securing device called first pressing housing, the second pressing housing being defined between the third mounting element and the fourth mounting element forming the second pressing area. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, the start system comprises a device for securing the start system, intended to secure the start system on two securing rails comprising:
         the primary mounting element intended to collaborate with the first portion of the first securing rail in the first relative position of the first securing rail with respect to the first electrical apparatus;   the secondary mounting element intended to cooperate with the first portion of the second securing rail in the first relative position of the second securing rail with respect to the second electrical apparatus.       

     According to an aspect of the invention, the device for securing the start system comprises:
         the first pressing area intended to collaborate with the second portion of the first securing rail in the first relative position of the first securing rail with respect to the first electrical apparatus;   the second pressing area of the second electrical apparatus intended to collaborate with the second portion of the second securing rail in the first relative position of the second securing rail with respect to the second electrical apparatus.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in light of the following description and by examining the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  represents a contactor and a circuit breaker forming, in the assembled state, a start system; 
         FIG. 2  represents a contactor and a circuit breaker forming, in the assembled state, a start system brought on two rails; 
         FIG. 3  represents a device for mounting the contactor in the assembled state; 
         FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    represent a support of a mounting device; 
         FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b    represent a mounting element of a mounting device; 
         FIGS. 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , 6 d    represent the steps for mounting a mounting device; 
         FIG. 7  represents a contactor on which a mounting device is mounted; 
         FIGS. 8 a , 8 b  and 8 c    represent the steps of mounting a mounting device on a contactor; 
         FIG. 9 a    represents a contactor brought in an individual manner on a rail; and 
         FIG. 9 b    represents a circuit breaker brought in an individual manner on a rail. 
     
    
    
     On this set of figures, identical or similar references designate identical or similar members or assemblies of members. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  represents a start system  1  comprising a contactor  3  and a circuit breaker  5 . The contactor  3  and circuit breaker  5  each comprise an electrically insulating casing  7 ,  9  allowing to protect their electrical components from the outside environment. The contactor  3  and the circuit breaker  5  are electrically connected and secured by a connecting element  11 . The contactor  3  and circuit breaker  5  are aligned along a first extension direction D 1 . 
     As represented on  FIG. 2 , the start system  1  is brought on two rails  13 ,  15  of DIN type within an electric casing. The rails  13 ,  15  extend along a second extension direction D 2 , substantially perpendicular to the first extension direction Dl. The rails  13  and  15  extend facing each other and are shifted with respect to each other. In order to be able to secure the assembly of the start system  1  on the rails  13 ,  15 , a mounting element  17  is brought on the contactor  3  and a mounting element  19  is brought on the circuit breaker  5 . In fact, the mounting elements  17  and  19  form a device for securing the start system, and are intended to operate together. When the start system is secured on the rails  13  and  15 , the rail  13  is in a relative securing position P 1  with respect to the contactor  3  in the assembled state and the rail  15  is in a relative securing position P 1 ′ with respect to the circuit breaker  5  in the assembled state. 
     A mounting device  21  is represented on  FIG. 3 . The mounting device  21  comprises the mounting element  17 . The mounting device  21  also comprises a support  23  represented on  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b   . The support  23  comprises a surface  25  and two guiding elements  27 ,  29 . The guiding element  27  comprises a bearing element  27   a  along a direction −x, a bearing element  27   b  along a direction z and a bearing element  27   c  along a direction y. A housing  31  is defined between the guiding element  27  and the surface  25 . The guiding element  29  comprises a bearing element  29   a  along a direction x, a bearing element  29   b  along a direction z and a bearing element  29   c  along a direction y. A housing  33  is defined between the guiding element  29  and the surface  25 . 
     The mounting element  17 , represented on  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b   , is intended to press on the surface  25 , and be inserted in the housings  31  and  33 . 
     The mounting element  17  comprises guiding elements  27 ′ and  29 ′. The guiding element  27 ′ is intended to press on the bearing elements  27   a,    27   b,    27   c  of the guiding element  27  and the guiding element  29 ′ is intended to press on the bearing elements  29   a,    29   b,    29   c  of the guiding element  29 . 
     The support  23  also comprises an elastic element  34 , intended to collaborate with the insulating casing  7  of the contactor  3 , comprising a planar portion  34   a  and a bearing element  34   b  and a housing  34   c.    
     The mounting element  17  is moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position. In deployed position, represented on  FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 , a housing  35  is defined between the end portion  17   a  of the mounting element  17  and the planar portion  34   a  of the elastic element  34  of the support  23 . An edge  13   a  of the rail  13  is intended to be inserted in the housing  35 . The other edge  13   b  of the rail  13  is intended to press on the insulting casing  7  at a pressing area  37 . 
     A return element, here a spring  39  allows returning the mounting element  17  from the retracted position towards the deployed position. The support  23  comprises a semi-circular housing  41  arranged for accommodating the spring  39  and a abutment  43  against which a first end of the spring  39  is intended to press on. The mounting element  17  comprises a semi-circular housing  41 ′, intended to be disposed facing the semi-circular housing  41  of the support  23 , and arranged for accommodating the spring  39 . The mounting element  17  further comprises a abutment  43 ′ against which is intended to press a second end of the spring  39 . The abutment  43 ′ is intended to be disposed facing the abutment  43  of the support  23 . The mounting element  17  comprises a insertion opening  57  of the spring  39 . The mounting element  17  comprises a gripping element  47  comprising an opening  47   a  in order to allow manually displacing the mounting element  17  from the deployed position towards the refracted position. 
     The steps of mounting the mounting element  17  on the support  23  are represented on  FIGS. 6 a , 6 b , 6 c  and 6 d   . In a first step represented on  FIG. 6 a   , the mounting element  17  is placed, along a direction represented by the arrow  49 , at the edge  28   a  of the surface  28  of the support  23 . In a second step represented on  FIG. 6 b   , the mounting element  17  is slidably inserted in the housings  31  and  33 , along a direction represented by the arrow  51 , until the guiding element  27 ′ presses on the bearing element  27   c  and the guiding element  29 ′ presses on the bearing element  29   c.  As represented on  FIG. 6 c   , the mounting element  17  is then in deployed position. In the deployed position, the semi-circular housing  41 ′ is disposed facing the semi-circular housing  41  and the abutment  43 ′ is disposed facing the abutment  43 . In a last step represented on  FIG. 6 d   , the spring  39  is compressed then inserted in the semi-circular housings  41 ,  41 ′ by means of the insertion opening  45 , along a direction represented by the arrow  53 . The spring  39  then expands in order to press on the abutment  43  and  43 ′. 
     The support  23  also comprises a surface  55  opposite the surface  25  and a locking element  57  having a substantially similar shape to the letter “T”. The locking element  57  comprises a pressing portion  57   a  and a sliding portion  57   b,  intended to collaborate with the insulating casing  7  of the contactor  3 . 
     The mounting device  21  is intended to be mounted on an edge  59  of the contactor  3  as represented on  FIG. 7 . 
     The steps of mounting the mounting device  21  on the contactor  3  are represented on  FIGS. 8 a , 8 b    and  8   c.    
     As represented on  FIG. 8 a   , the insulating casing  7  comprises a location  60  intended to receive the mounting device  21 . The location  60  is delimited by two guiding elements  60   a  and  60   b,  opposite each other, by two bearing elements  60   c  and  60   d,  by a surface  61  and by a protruding maintaining element  65 . The insulating casing  7  comprises a retaining housing  63  at the location  60 , comprising an insertion portion  63   a  and a pressing part  63   b.    
     During a first step, the mounting device  21  is placed in the location  60 , along a direction represented by the arrow  67  on  FIG. 8 a   , in such a manner that the surface  55  of the support  23  presses on the surface  61  of the insulating casing  7 , and in such a manner that the locking element  57  is positioned facing the insertion portion  63   a  of the housing  63 . The locking element  57  is inserted in the insertion portion  63   a  of the housing  63  until the surface  55  presses against the surface  61 . As represented on  FIG. 8 b   , the mounting device  21  then presses on the guiding elements  60   a  and  60   b  and the maintaining element  65  is disposed in the housing  34   c  of the elastic element  34  of the support  23 . 
     During a second step, the mounting device  21  is displaced along a direction represented by the arrow  69  on  FIG. 8 b   . The mounting device  21  slides between the guiding elements  60   a  and  60   b  and the sliding portion  57   b  of the locking element  57  slides in the pressing part  63   b  of the housing  63 , until the mounting device  21  presses on the bearing elements  60   c  and  60   d  of the insulating casing  7 . The translation movements along the direction y of the mounting device  21  with respect to the insulating casing  7  are thus locked. The pressing portion  57   a  of the locking element  57  is in abutment with the pressing part  63   b  of the housing  63  and locks the translation movements of the mounting device  21  with respect to the insulating casing  7  along the direction z. During this displacement of the protective device along arrow  69 , the elastic element  34  is manually lifted along the direction z. When the mounting device presses on the bearing portions  60   c  and  60   d,  the elastic element  34  is released. The bearing element  34   b  thus faces the maintaining element  65 , and locks the translation movements of the mounting device  21  with respect to the insulating casing  7  along the direction −y. 
     The contactor  3  further comprises a securing device  71  represented on  FIG. 9 a   .The securing device  71  allows independently securing the contactor  3  on a rail R, that is to say when it is not secured to a circuit breaker. The rail R is thus disposed in a relative individual position P 2  with respect to the contactor  5 . The securing device  71  is constituted of two mounting elements  73  and  75 . 
     The mounting element  73  is moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position. In deployed position, the mounting element  73  and the insulating casing  7  define a housing  77  in which is intended to be inserted a first edge Ra of the rail R. 
     The mounting element  75  is stationary and integral with the insulating casing  7 . The mounting element  75  and the insulating casing  7  define a housing  79  in which is intended to be inserted a second edge Rb of the rail R. 
     The mounting elements  73  and  75  of the securing device  71  define a housing, forming the pressing area  37  of the second edge  13   b  of the rail  13 . 
     As represented on  FIG. 1 , the mounting element  19  of the circuit breaker  5  is integral with the insulating casing  9  and is stationary with respect to the insulating casing  9 . A housing  81  is defined between the mounting element  19  and the insulating casing  9 . A first edge  15   a  of the rail  15  is intended to be inserted in the housing  81 . A second edge  15   b  of the rail  15  is intended to press on the insulating casing  9  at a pressing area  83 . The rail  15  is then disposed in the relative securing position P 1 ′ with respect to the circuit breaker  5  in the assembled state. 
     The circuit breaker  5  further comprises a securing device  85  represented on  FIG. 9 b   . The securing device  85  allows independently securing the circuit breaker  5  on a rail R′, that is to say, when it is not secured to a contactor. The rail R′ is thus disposed in a relative individual position P 2 ′ with respect to the circuit breaker  5 . The securing device  85  is constituted of two mounting elements  87  and  89 . 
     The mounting element  87  is moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position. In deployed position, the mounting element  87  and the insulating casing  9  define a housing  91  in which is intended to be inserted a first edge R′a of the rail R′. 
     The mounting element  89  is integral with the insulating casing  9  and stationary with respect to the insulating casing  9 . The mounting element  89  and the insulating casing  9  define a housing  93  in which is intended to be inserted a second edge R′b of the rail R′. 
     The mounting elements  87  and  89  of the securing device  85  define a housing, forming the pressing area  83  of the second edge  15   b  of the rail  15 . 
     The device for securing the start system  1  on the rails  13  and  15  comprises, in addition to the mounting elements  17  and  19 , pressing areas  37  and  83  collaborating with the second portions  13   b  and  15   b  of the rails  13  and  15  respectively. 
     Obviously, the present invention is not limited to the described and represented embodiment, provided by way of illustrating and non limiting example. 
     For example, the removable mounting device may be brought on the circuit breaker in a similar manner. 
     According to an embodiment, the mounting device may be formed of a block, an operator not being able to dismantle it. 
     According to another embodiment, the mounting device may be secured on an insulating casing of an electrical apparatus in a permanent manner.