GB2135129A

GB2135129A - A multiple pole modular switch device

Info

Publication number: GB2135129A
Application number: GB08303692A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christian Pichard; Felix Lameyre
Original assignee: La Telemecanique Electrique SA
Current assignee: Telemecanique SA
Priority date: 1981-09-17
Filing date: 1983-02-10
Publication date: 1984-08-22
Also published as: SE8301009L; SE8301009D0; FR2513006B1; DE3306106A1; SE431270B; GB2135129B; GB8303692D0; NL8300778A; BE895810A; FR2513006A1

Abstract

The multiple pole modular switch device comprises a first block formed by a base plate (1) comprising first fixing means (11) and a quick break mechanism (not shown) controlled by an operating handle (13) and a second block, secured to the first block by second fixing means (18, 25), formed by a modular assembly of switch cases (2) firmly secured together. Each switch case (2) comprises a first and second means (231) for connecting to an electric supply circuit and means (27) for interrupting the electric circuit at (270, 271) connected by one end to a first one of the connection means (231) said quick break mechanism actuating through interconnected transmission means (17, 223, 224, 221, 222, 220) the interruption means of the different switch case modules (2). On the second block there is fixed a third block comprising a modular fuse holder assembly (3). Operation of the handle (13) effects movement of a fork (17) by means of the bistable quick break mechanism. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A multiple pole modular switch device The present invention relates to a multiple pole modulator switch with a manual and independent control mechanism, abie to be combined with fuses.

The construction of multiple pole switch devices is known whose control mechanism is not independent and in which the number of poles is predetermined by the dimensions of the case containing the devices.

The construction of switch devices combined with fuses is also known.

However these devices present the disadvantage of requiring the storage of a large number of products so as to comply with the demand.

One of the aims of the invention is to avoid this disadvantage and to provide a modular switch device in which the number of poles is adaptable and combinable or not with fuses.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a switch device combined with fuses with protection against the risks of electrocution by.access to live parts.

Another aim of the invention is to reduce the manufacturing cost by increasing the number of parts of the same type to be manufactured.

In accordance with the invention, the multiple pole modular switch device comprises a first block formed of a base having first fixing means and a quick break device controlled by an operating hand le, a second block, firmly fixed to the first block by second fixing means, formed by a modular assem bly of switch cases firmly secured to each other and each comprising a first and second means for connection to an electric power source and means for interrupting the electric circuit connected by one end to a first connection means, said quick break mechanism actuating the interrupting means of the different modules through transmission means.

According to the invention, the multiple pole modular switch device comprises a modular assem blyoffuse holding cases forming a third block, firmly fixed to the second block, fuse holding jaws mounted on each module and connected electrically to the other end of the interruption means and to the second connection means, said assembly of cases comprising a front face closable by means of a door supporting on its internal surface fuses which coop erate with the fuse carrying jaw when the door is closed.

The invention will be better understood from the following description made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa perspective exploded view of the device of the invention with the general diagram of the electric circuit.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the fuse holding block when the door is closed.

Figure 3 is a view in partial section of the locking device in its operating position.

Figure 4 is a front view of a detail of the front face of the fuse carrying cases.

Figure 5 is a view of the locking device in the rest position, and Figure 6 is a perspective view of a variation of the invention.

Figure 1 shows in perspective the manually controlled multiple pole modular switch device. The device comprises a parallelepipedic-shaped base plate 1 having a base, lateral faces and an upper face, openings 11 formed in the flanges integral with the base allow means to be passed therethrough for fixing the base plate to a frame, box or plate. Holes 12 allow the passage of screws for fixing the switch modules, as will be seen hereafter. This base plate comprises in its inner volume a quick break mechanism, known per se. This quick break mechanism is controlled by an operating handle 13 integral with a rod 14 passing through the upper face of base plate 1 through an aperture 15 and perpendicular to this face.Actuation of the control handle triggers the quick break mechanism and allows a fork 17, projecting from the upper face of the base plate through an opening 16 formed in this face, to move sharply between two stable positions. Afirst stable, so-called rest position, in which the fork is in a position which corresponds to the opening of the contacts of the switch when the lever of the operating handle 13 is in the horizontal position, as shown in Figure 1. A second, so-called work position, in which the fork is in a position which corrresponds to the closing of the contacts of the switch, this position corresponds to the position of the operating handle in which this latter is vertical and turned downwardly as shown in Figure 2.

On this base plate 1 is mounted an assembly of switch modules 2 so as to form a multiple pole switch.

Modules 2 are formed from half cases which, assembled together, have a shape of a parallelepiped. These half cases comprise on their bottom a groove 24 whose cavity is turned towards the outside of the case and in the direction parallel to the direction of the operating rod 14, the groove of a half case being intended to form with a groove of the adjacent half case belonging to the adjacent module, a passage 14. Each half case comprises on its lateral sides parallel to the operating rod an indentation adapted to form an opening 23 with the associated half case. This opening 23 being an opening giving access to the connecting hubs of the switch, to the electric circuit.

The bottom of each half case is provided with orifices 21 for passing therethrough assembly bars 25 for firmly locking the modules together and for the bars situated near the base plate, for locking the modules to the base plate.

For that, the two bars situated near the base plate are provided with two tapped holes 251 in which are screwed screws 18 which pass into holes 12 and into the corresponding holes provided on the side of the case adjacent the base plate.

The bottom of each half case is also pierced with a circular hole in which is fitted a part 221, integral with a rocking fork 220, forming an axis of rotation for a lever arm 224 integral with the rocking fork 220.

This rocking fork 220 drives a mobile contact 270 which opens or closes the fixed contacts 271 of a switch 27 for connecting together the connection terminals 231.

The electric circuit of the device is completed either by fuses 33 mounted on jaws 26 fixed and connected electrically to the circuit by screws 261 or, as shown in Figure 6, by shunt bars connected electrically to the circuit by screws 261. The end of the lever arm 224 opposite the fork 220 comprises a stud 223 which is driven by the projecting fork 17.

The assembly formed by lever 224, fork 220, switch 27 and connecting terminals 231 is housed in the internal volume 2 of the module. A bar 222 of rectangular section is fitted into holes having an identical section provided in each part 221 of each module, so as to lock together in rotation the rocking forks 220 and the lever arms 224 of each module.

Thus, fork 17 of the base plate will drive a rocking lever 224, which itself will drive through bar 222 the rocking levers of the other modules.

On the face of case 2 opposite the one in contact with the base plate, so-called front face, two fuse holder jaws 26 are fitted by means of fixing screws 261. The fixing screws 261 also serve for providing the electrical connection between the part of the circuit housed in the case and terminals 231. On the front face of these switch modules are fixed fuse holder modules 3 whose rear face comprises openings for passing the fuse holder jaws therethrough and the front face comprises an opening for passing the fuse therethrough. This latter opening is closed by the front panel carrying the fuses 33, in a way known per se, and which, by pivoting, brings the fuses into cooperation with jaws 26.This front panel is also formed of modular elements comprising a groove 323 forming a handle and some of which, such as 32, comprise a pivoting arm 31 which pivots about a shaftformed by a stud or by a rod 35, whereas others, such as 32', do not comprise a pivoting arm. Each panel 32,32' comprises a boss 322 which, when the door is closed, is housed in the corresponding notch 34 provided in the front face of the fuse holder case. The panels 32, 32' forming the door of an assembly of modules are locked together by means of a rod 321. Rod 35 may also serve for locking the fuse holder cases together. These fuse holder cases 3 also comprise on each lateral face a groove 36 forming with the groove of the adjacent case a passage for the control rod 14.In the lateral facing faces of two adjacent cases 3 which surround the control shaft 14, openings, not shown, will be provided for allowing a locking bolt 141 to pivot, shown in Figure 3 locked in rotation, through known means, with the control shaft 14 and mounted on the shaft. The role of the locking bolt will be explained during the description relative to Figures 3 to 5.

Thus, a device is formed comprising several blocks : a first block serving for fixing the apparatus and comprising a quick break mechanism which will be called locking block; a second block formed by an assembly of switching modules actuated by the quick break and connection mechanism and finally a third blockformed by an assembly of fuse holder modules.

In Figure 1 is shown the general diagram of the switch and a double cut out switch has been shown with a double contact, movable in translation, but a single cut out switch could also be used having a pivoting contact.

In Figure 1 knife fuses have been shown but it is of course evident that the invention is independent of the type of fuses used. In particular, fuses with a cylindrical cartridge could also be used.

The door which has been shown in modular form could also be formed of a single element and the operating handle in another way than by groove 323.

Similarly, the means used for providing the mechanical connection between the fork of the lock and the mobile contacts of the switches are only given as an example and could be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Figure 2 shows an assembly of fuse holder modules when the front door 32 is closed, the operating handle 13 preventing the inopportune opening of the door when the electrical contacts are closed.

Figure 3 shows the locking member formed by a cylindrical locking bolt integral with control shaft 14 and having the same axis as handle 13. This bolt comprises, near the ends of the cylinder, two arms 142 perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder. These two arms are pierced with holes 145, 146 forming guide surfaces for a locking shaft 143 pushed into the locking position buy a spring 144 which bears, on the one hand, on arm 142 the furthest from door 32 and, on the other hand, on a stop washer or a pin 147 as shown in Figure 5.

In Figure 3, the locking shaft 143 is shown in its locking position, that is to say in the position in which it is engaged in notch 34 provided in the fuse holder cases. In this position, rotation of the locking bolt is prevented and operation of the control handle is avoided.

The control handle is thus held in the horizontal position shown in Figure 4, which position corresponds to the opening of the contacts of the switch.

Thus, when door 32 is open, it is impossible to accidentally operate the mechanism controlling the closing of the contacts and to have access to live parts. However, it is possible to unlock the handle voluntarily by using a tool.

When the door is closed, one of bosses 322 causes the locking shaft 143, which was housed in notch 34, to retract and thus unlocks the operating handle which may rotate and be brought into the position in Figure 5. In this position, the locking shaft 143 is held against the wall of the front face of the fuse holder case by spring 144 and the operating handle 13 prevents the inopportune opening of the door. The vertical position 13 of the operating handle also corresponds to closure of the contacts of the switch through the quick break mechanism and the rocking fork.

Figure 6 shows a variation of the invention in which the block formed by the assembly of the fuse holder modules with their locking system has been omitted. In this variation, the fuse holder jaws have been replaced by shunt bars 37 mounted on the switch modules by means of screws 261. These bars are housed in the hollow part of bar covering cases 38 mounted on the front face of the switch module.

These bar covering cases comprise on their lateral faces as for the fuse holder cases.

The means for assembling together modules of the same block and the blocks together could be any assembly means such as fixing by means of screws, bars or clipping.

The invention is then in no way limited to the embodiment described and shown which has only been given by way of example. In particular, all modifications within the scope of a man skilled in the art form part of the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A multiple pole modular switch device, characterised in that it comprises: a first block formed by a base plate (1) comprising first fixing means and a quick break mechanism controlled by an operating handle (13); a second block, firmly secured to the first one by second fixing means, formed by a modular assembly of switch cases (2) secured together by assembly means, each comprising a first and second means for connecting to an electrical supply source and means (270, 271) for interrupting the electric circuit, connected by one end to a first connecting means, said quick break connecting mecanism actuating, through transmission means (223,15,224, 220), the interruption means of the different modules; a third block removably mounted on the second block and connecting through connection means, the other end of the interruption means to the second connection means of the second block.

2. The multiple pole modular switch device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the connection means are formed by a shunt bar (37) and connecting screws (26) mounted in the third block formed by an assembly of modular cases.

3. The multiple pole modular switch device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the connections means are formed by fuse holder jaws (26) and fuses (33), the third block being formed of assemblies, modular or not, of fuse holder cases (3) comprising a front face closable by means of a door supporting on its inner face the fuses (33) which cooperate with the fuse holder jaws 426) when the door is closed.

4. The multiple pole modular switch device as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that each lateral face of each case comprises a groove (24,36) and that the operating handle is frontal and connected to the break mechanism by a control shaft (14) passing through a housing formed by two grooves situated on the lateral facing faces of the two cases adjacent the connecting shaft.

5. The multiple pole modular switch device as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the operating handle prevents opening of the door when the electric circuit is closed and a locking device (141, 143, 144), integral with the control shaft, prevents the operating handle from being actuated when the electric circuit is open, the door, when it is open, allowing fuses to be replaced with the power off.

6. The multiple pole modular switch device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the assembly means are formed by bars (25) and the second fixing means by screws (18) which are fixed in tapped holes provided in these bars.

7. The multiple pole modular switch device as claimed in one of lye preceding claims, characterised in that the transmission means are formed by a rocking fork actuating each mobile contact with one of its ends and the other end of which is engaged with the fork of the quick bream mechanism, the rocking fork being connected together, in rotation, buy a bar.