WO2007029100A1

WO2007029100A1 - Electrical device which is equipped with configurable connection pads

Info

Publication number: WO2007029100A1
Application number: PCT/IB2006/002449
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roger Dumont
Original assignee: Socomec S.A.
Priority date: 2005-09-07
Filing date: 2006-09-06
Publication date: 2007-03-15
Also published as: FR2890495B1; FR2890495A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical device. The inventive electrical device (1) is characterised in that each connection pad (4) is mounted such that it can pivot around a pivot axis (A) between two angular end positions comprising lateral and rear positions. For said purpose, the invention comprises a body (5) which defines the pivot axis (A) and which is mounted in an open housing (26) provided in the casing (20) of the device at an angle from the lateral (23) and rear (22) walls thereof. The aforementioned body (5) comprises a fixed part (50) which is coupled to an electric contact (6) and a mobile part (51) which can rotate in relation to the fixed part (50) and which is coupled to a connection pad (4). According to the invention, the connection pad (4) and the electric contact (6) are coupled electrically and the two parts (50, 51) of the body (5) are locked with a locking screw (52). The angular position of the connection pad (4) can be easily altered by loosening the locking screw (52) using a wrench (9).

Description

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH CONFIGURABLE CONNECTION RANGES

Technical area :

The present invention relates to an electrical apparatus provided with configurable connection pads, comprising at least two electrical contacts housed in a housing and extended outside said housing by said connection pads.

Prior art:

Such electrical devices are generally used for single-phase, three-phase or tetra-phased low-voltage electrical distribution, the intensity ranging from a few tens to several hundred amperes. This may include switches, fuses, switches, contactors, or any other electrical device to control and control the power of industrial equipment. Depending on the electrical power required, different types of electrical conductors such as copper wires, cables or busbars or the like are used. In the case of busbars, these are connected to the electrical devices by connection pads and one or more bolts to screw. Depending on the configuration of the assembly, it is necessary to have upstream and downstream connection areas in lateral output and / or rear output relative to the housing.

In the solution of publication FR 2 845 530 of the same holder, the connection pads are configurable between a lateral position and a rear position after disassembly of a screw. This solution already interesting compared to the state of the art, which proposed only electrical devices with ranges of fixed connection, has the disadvantage of having to disassemble and reassemble the connection pads to be able to position them in the desired configuration, resulting in a significant loss of time. In addition, this solution offers only two positions: a lateral position and a rear position at right angles, which is limiting.

Presentation of the invention

The present invention aims to overcome these disadvantages by providing an electrical apparatus in which the connection pads are adjustable, without disassembly, in any angular position between two extreme positions, this device being simple to manufacture and use, economical, little bulky, reliable and secure.

For this purpose, the invention relates to an electrical appliance of the type indicated in the preamble, characterized in that it comprises at least one body mounted in the housing formed of a fixed part coupled to said electrical contact and a rotatable part. around a pivot axis coupled to said corresponding connection pad to be movable between two extreme angular positions including at least the so-called "lateral" and "rear" positions relative to said apparatus and in that said body comprises locking means arranged to lock said connection pad in an angular position selected between said extreme positions as a function of the desired electrical connection pattern and for electrically coupling said connection pad and said electrical contact.

In a preferred embodiment, the end positions of said connection pad are separated by an angle of between 90 ° and 180 ° and bounded by said casing and said body is made of at least electrically insulating material. In the preferred embodiment, the housing comprises at least one open housing provided at the corner of its side walls and its rear wall and arranged to receive said body, the opening of said housing defining the extreme positions.

Advantageously, the fixed and movable parts of said body are locked by at least one operable locking member between at least one locked position in which the two parts are integral, preventing the angular displacement of the connection pad, and an unlocked position in which the two parts are disengaged, allowing the angular displacement of the connection range.

The locking member may comprise at least one screw provided with a thread engaged with the movable part and a head accessible by a suitable tool outside the fixed part.

The movable portion may comprise at least one radial slot parallel to the pivot axis adapted to receive by nesting said connection area and the fixed portion may comprise at least one radial slot perpendicular to the pivot axis adapted to receive by interlocking said electric contact.

The electrical contact and the connection pad are preferably arranged to be electrically coupled by means of a planar electrical contact area disposed perpendicular to said pivot axis and traversed by said locking member.

The electrical apparatus may also include at least one voltage tap electrically coupled to said connection pad. In this case, the movable portion of said body may comprise at least one additional radial slot parallel to the pivot axis adapted to receive by said interlocking said voltage tap, the latter being arranged to be electrically coupled to said electrical contact or to said connecting range by means of a flat electrical contact area disposed perpendicular to said pivot axis and traversed by said locking member.

The body can be arranged to allow free pivoting of the movable part and, in this case, the angular position of the connection pad is continuously adjustable, or a controlled pivoting and, in this case, the angular position of the paddle. connection is adjustable in steps between the two extreme positions.

The electrical apparatus advantageously comprises several pairs of electrical contacts, corresponding to the number of poles of said apparatus. According to a first variant, each pair of electrical contacts is housed in an individual housing comprising an individual body by electrical contact so that each connection area is individually adjustable. According to a second variant, all the pairs of electrical contacts are housed in a common housing comprising a common body with a plurality of electrical contacts so that the corresponding connection pads are adjustable simultaneously.

Brief description of the drawings:

The present invention and its advantages will appear better in the following description of an embodiment given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A-C are perspective views of an example of an electrical apparatus whose connection areas have different angular positions, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIGS. connection ranges is being set, FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a connection pad and its locking means, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the connection pad of FIG. 3 mounted, and FIG. 5 is an axial sectional view. the connection range of Figure 4.

Illustrations of the invention:

With reference to FIGS. 1A-1C, the electrical apparatus 1 according to the invention is a three-phase fuse switch provided with three cut-off modules 2, one for each phase or pole of the electrical distribution network, and a control module 3. This electrical appliance 1 can also be a simple switch, a switch, a contactor or any other electrical appliance, with two or more phases or poles, with or without a neutral, used to distribute electrical energy but also to control any type of equipment or electrical circuit. In the example shown, each breaking module 2 comprises at least two electrical contacts housed in a housing 20 and extended outside the housing 20 by two connection pads 4, called upstream and downstream or arrival and departure, which are connected busbars (not shown) coupled to equipment or an electrical circuit. This connection can be made by means of a screw, a bolt or the like using the fixing hole 40 provided for this purpose. Each housing 20 has for example a parallelepiped shape, or any other suitable shape, and defines at least one front wall 21 and one rear wall 22 connected by two side walls 23 and by two left and right sides 24, 24 '. The housings 20 of the different switching modules 2 and control 3 are assembled side by side by their corresponding flanks 24, 24 'and mechanically interconnected for example by means of a control shaft (not shown). According to a form not shown, the electrical apparatus may comprise a common housing with several poles. The electrical apparatus 1 comprises also pins or clips 25 projecting from the front wall 21 of the housing 20 opposite the connection pads 21, 22, coupled to the electrical contacts and adapted to receive a fuse (not shown). This type of electrical apparatus 1 is usually mounted on a frame, for example housed in an electrical cabinet, by any appropriate means such as standard rails (not shown) screwed and / or clipped.

The object of the invention is to allow the end customer to choose the angular orientation of the connection pads 4 according to its needs, preferably pole by pole, continuously or not between two extreme positions. In FIG. 1A, all the upstream and downstream connection zones 4 are oriented laterally, this lateral position possibly corresponding to the first extreme position. In FIG. 1B, only the upstream connection pads 4 are oriented towards the rear, ie at 90 ° from the first extreme position, the downstream connection pads 4 being oriented laterally. And in FIG. 1C, the three upstream connection pads 4 each have a different orientation and from left to right with respect to the first extreme position: a position at 45 °, a position at 135 ° which can correspond to the second extreme position and a 90 ° rear position.

For this purpose, each connection area 4 is pivotally mounted in the housing 20 about a pivot axis A between the two end positions having at least the lateral position and the rear position, usually requested, arranged at right angles. In the example shown, the angle between these two extreme positions can be between 90 ° and 180 ° and for example equal to 135 °.

Best way to realize the invention:

With reference more particularly to FIGS. 3 to 5, each connection pad 4 is mounted in a body 5 made of a material that is at least electrically insulating. and defining the pivot axis A. This cylindrical body 5 is mounted in an open housing 26 provided in the housing 20 in the angle defined by its side walls 23 and rear 24. This housing 26 (see Fig. 1 and 2) has a complementary cylindrical shape whose opening delimits the two extreme positions. This housing 26 thus extends over an angle complementary to the pivot angle, that is to say between 180 ° and 90 ° and for example equal to 225 °, thus ensuring mechanical retention of said body 5 relative to 20. The housing 26 is disengaged on one side, the left side 24 being cut at 27, and closed on the other side by the right side 24 '.

The body 5 comprises at least one fixed portion 50 with respect to the housing 20 coupled to the electrical contact 6 extending inside the housing 20 through a non-visible slot and a movable portion 51 rotated relative to the portion fixed 50 and the housing 20 coupled to the connection pad 4 disposed outside the housing 20. These two fixed and movable parts 50, 51 are assembled by complementary interlocking shapes allowing their relative rotation around the axis of pivoting A. This assembly is locked by an axial locking member 52, such as a hexagon screw screwed into the movable part 51.

The movable portion 51 consists of a cylindrical block provided with an axial bore 53 and blind having a thread in which the locking screw 52 is screwed. In the example shown, this thread is formed by a nut 54 housed in a hexagonal portion of the bore 53. This movable portion 51 has a radial slot 55, parallel to the pivot axis A, adapted to receive by interlocking the connecting range 4, this slot 55 opening peripherally, outside, so that the connection pad 4 is protruding. This connection area 4 consists of a plate, made of a substantially rectangular electrically conductive material, extended by a return 41 bent at right angles and provided with an orifice 42 arranged in the pivot axis A so as to be crossed by the locking screw 52. A recess 56 is provided in the movable part 51 in front of the bore 53 to house the return 41 of the connection pad 4 which is thus rotatably connected to the movable part 51. additional radial slot 57 substantially parallel to the radial slot 55 to receive an electrically conductive part forming a voltage tap 7, electrically coupled to the connection pad 4, and to which any type of measuring or control device can be connected in using the fixing hole 70 or any other means. This voltage tap 7 comprises a right-angle return 71 provided with an orifice 72 disposed in the pivot axis A so as to be traversed by the locking screw 52. This movable part 51 has opposite the fixed part 50 a peripheral shoulder 58 whose diameter corresponds to the inside diameter of the fixed portion 50. This shoulder 58 is terminated by a beveled edge facilitating the interlocking of the two parts 50, 51. A peripheral groove 59 is provided at the rear of this shoulder 58 with which the fixed part 50 is in engagement, axially blocking the assembly of the two parts 50, 51 of the body 5.

The fixed part 50 consists of a disc 81 surrounded on either side of a partial peripheral wall 82, 83. This disc 81 comprises a radial slot 84, perpendicular to the pivot axis A, adapted to receive by interlocking the electrical contact 6, this radial slot 84 opening peripherally, the housing side 20. This electrical contact 6 is shown only partially and schematically. It is in the form of a plate made of an electrically conductive material and has an orifice 60 disposed in the axis of pivoting A so as to be traversed by the locking screw 52. The electrical contact 6 and the connection pad 4 are electrically coupled by direct contact of the electrical contact 6 on the return 41 of the connection pad 4, forming a plane contact zone perpendicular to the pivot axis A. This geometry makes it possible to guarantee a quality and uniform electrical connection that is the angular orientation of the connection pad 4. Similarly, the voltage tap 7 is also coupled electrically to the connection pad 4 by direct contact of their returns 41, 71 forming a planar electrical contact area perpendicular to the pivot axis A.

The peripheral wall 82 of the fixed part 50 is arranged to cover the shoulder 58 of the movable part 51, its internal diameter corresponding to the diameter of this shoulder 58 by means of an operating clearance allowing a relative rotational movement about the axis of rotation. pivoting A. Opposite the radial slot 84, this peripheral wall 82 stops and forms two notches 85. It also comprises at least two lugs 86 (see FIG 5) able to fit into the groove 59 of the part mobile 51 at the rear of the shoulder 58, these lugs 86 through the shoulder 58 through for example spaces released by the radial slots 55, 57. The peripheral wall 83 extends only about half of the periphery of the disk 81 so as to clear the access to the head of the locking screw 52 by a tool such as a flat wrench for a hexagonal head or any other tool adapted to the shape of the head.

Possibilities of industrial application:

Each cut-off module 2 of the electrical appliance 1 is separately mounted before being assembled with another cut-off module 2 and with the control module 3. The open housing 26 provided in each housing 20 is thus accessible via the left-hand flank. and allows the mounting of the body 5 and the connection pad 4. As a priority, the moving part 51 and the connection pad 6 are assembled, having taken care to place the nut 54 beforehand in the bore 53, then if necessary , the voltage tap 7 in the additional radial slot 57. The connection pad 4 is engaged in the radial slot 55, its return 41 being pressed into the recess 56. This subassembly is put in place in the housing 26 in FIG. the plating against the right side 24 'of the housing 20. The fixed part 50 of the body 5 is placed on the end of the electrical contact 6, protruding outside the housing 20, by fitting it into the radial slot 84 Simultaneously, it is engaged on the shoulder 58 of the movable part 51, orienting the moving part 51 so as to allow the passage of the lugs 86 in the clear spaces. Then the moving part 51 is rotated relative to the fixed part 50 around the pivot axis A to lock the lugs 86 in the groove 59. At the same time, an angular position of the connection area 4 is chosen between the delimited end positions. by the opening of the housing 26. Finally, the locking screw 52 is inserted through the fixed part 50 into the various orifices 60, 42, 72 provided and is screwed into the nut 54 with a flat key 9 (see Fig. 2) for tight fitting and good electrical contact between electrical contact 6 and connection pad 4 and, if applicable, voltage tap 7.

When the electrical apparatus 1 is assembled, or even mounted on a wiring frame for example, the operator can use a simple spanner 9 to change the angular orientation of each connection pad 4, pole by pole. For this, it is sufficient for him to loosen the locking screw 52 corresponding to release the movable portion 51 of the fixed portion 50 and allow the change of angular position of the connection pad 4, then tighten the screw. The cutout 27 provided in the casing 20 makes it possible to disengage a sufficient angular space to allow the movements of the flat key 9 during the tightening and loosening of the locking screw 52.

According to the embodiments, it is possible to provide free pivoting of the movable part 51 so as to allow a continuous adjustment of the angular position of the connection area 4. It is also possible to provide controlled pivoting so as to allow adjustment by steps of the angular position of the connection pad 4. In this case, the notches 87 are provided on the moving part 51 adapted to cooperate with the complementary catches 85 provided on the fixed part 50 to obtain a setting in steps of 15 ° for example .

It is clear from this description that the invention achieves the goals set, namely an adjustment of the angular position of each connection pad 4 simple and fast, without disassembly, in order to adapt any type of electrical device to any type of electrical connection configuration.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described but extends to any modification and variation obvious to a person skilled in the art while remaining within the scope of protection defined in the appended claims.

Claims

claims

Electrical apparatus (1) provided with configurable connection pads, comprising at least two electrical contacts (6) housed in a housing (20) and extended outside said housing (20) by said connection pads (4), characterized in that it comprises at least one body (5) mounted in said housing (20) formed of a fixed portion (50) coupled to said electrical contact (6) and a movable portion (51) rotating about a pivot axis (A) coupled to said corresponding connection pad (4) for being movable between two extreme angular positions comprising at least the so-called "lateral" and "rear" positions with respect to said apparatus (1) and in that said body (5) comprises locking means arranged to lock said connection pad (4) in an angular position selected between said extreme positions as a function of the desired electrical connection configuration and for electrically coupling the said connection pad (4) and said electrical contact (6).

2. Electrical apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said extreme positions are separated by an angle between 90 ° and 180 ° and defined by said housing (20).

3. Electrical apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said body (5) is made of a material at least electrically insulating.

4. Electrical device according to claim 1, characterized in that said housing (20) comprises at least one open housing (26) provided at the corner of its side walls.

(23) and its rear wall (22) and arranged to receive said body (5), the opening of said housing (26) defining said extreme positions.

5. Electrical device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed parts (50) and movable (51) of said body (5) are locked by at least one locking member (52) operable between at least one locked position in which the two parts (50, 51) are integral, preventing the angular displacement of the connection pad (4), and an unlocked position in which the two parts (50, 51) are disengaged, allowing the angular displacement of the connection pad (4).

6. Electrical apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that said locking member (52) comprises at least one screw provided with a thread engaged with the movable part (51) and a head accessible by a tool suitable for the outside of the fixed part (50).

7. Electrical device according to claim 5, characterized in that said movable part (51) comprises at least one radial slot (55) parallel to the pivot axis

(A) adapted to receive, by interlocking, said connection area (4) and in that said fixed part (50) comprises at least one radial slot (84) perpendicular to the pivot axis (A) adapted to receive by interlocking said electrical contact (6).

Electrical apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that said electrical contact (6) and said connection pad (4) are arranged to be electrically coupled by means of a planar electrical contact area disposed perpendicularly to said pivot axis ( A) and traversed by said locking member (52).

9. Electrical device according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises at least one voltage tap (7) electrically coupled to said connection pad (4).

10. Electrical apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the movable part (51) of said body (5) comprises at least one additional radial slot (57) parallel to the pivot axis (A) adapted to receive by interlocking said voltage tap (7), the latter being arranged to be electrically coupled to said electrical contact (6) or to said connection pad (4) by means of a planar electrical contact area disposed perpendicularly to said pivot axis (A) and traversed by said locking member (52).

11. Electrical apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said body (5) is arranged to allow free pivoting of the movable part (51), the angular position of the connection pad (4) being continuously adjustable between the two extreme positions.

12. Electrical device according to claim 1, characterized in that said body (5) is arranged to allow controlled pivoting of the movable part (51), the angular position of the connection pad (4) being adjustable in steps between two extreme positions.

Electrical device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises several pairs of electrical contacts (6), corresponding to the number of poles of said apparatus, each pair of electrical contacts (6) being housed in an individual housing (20). comprising an individual body (5) by electrical contact (6) so that each connection pad (4) is individually adjustable.

14. Electrical device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises several pairs of electrical contacts (6), corresponding to the number of poles of said apparatus, housed in a housing (20) having a common body (5) common to several electrical contacts (6) so that the corresponding connection pads (4) are adjustable simultaneously.