Control unit for an electrical circuit breaker and associated electrical circuit breaker.

Description

1 / 20 Control unit for an electrical circuit breaker and associated electrical circuit breaker.

[001] The present invention relates to a control unit for an electrical circuit breaker, as well as to an electrical circuit breaker comprising such a control unit.

[002] Electrical circuit breakers that include a circuit breaker unit and an electronic control unit are known, particularly from document EP0 843 332-A1. Such a control unit is typically configured to measure, in real time, the operational state of the circuit breaker and to command the opening of the circuit breaker unit in case of malfunction. The control unit is reversibly received in a receptacle located on the circuit breaker unit and is located on a front face of the circuit breaker, so that a user can read and / or adjust certain operational parameters of the electrical circuit breaker. The control unit is removable, so that a user can replace the control unit in case of malfunction without having to disconnect the circuit breaker unit from the rest of the electrical installation.

[003] Depending on the application, the circuit breaker operates under voltages of several hundred or even thousands of Volts and under currents of up to several thousand Amperes. The circuit breaker in general, and the control unit in particular, must exhibit sufficient electrical insulation to ensure the safety of people. For example, the IEC 947-1:2019 standard - tables 13 and 15 - defines insulation classes, which correspond to minimum distances to be respected between electrified points - or points susceptible to electrification - and the user. The insulation distances depend, in particular, on the insulation class sought and the electrical voltage under which the circuit breaker operates. In the context of this description, two main voltage ranges are considered, with a first range corresponding to Petition 870250023683, dated 03 / 26 / 2025, page 10 / 77 2 / 20 corresponding to a voltage less than or equal to 690 V and a second range corresponding to a voltage strictly greater than 690 V. For a voltage greater than 690 V, class 1 insulation requires an insulation distance greater than 7 mm and leakage distances greater than 10 mm. Class 2 insulation doubles these distances. For a voltage less than 690 V, class 2 insulation requires an air gap greater than 10 mm.

[004] Document EP 3 290 935-A1 describes, for example, a control unit comprising an enclosure made of an insulating material in which various components are housed, such as a printed circuit board, voltage division components, etc. With the evolution of technologies and needs, it is advantageous to offer, if necessary, a wired connection interface so that the user can transfer data to and / or from the control unit. A connection interface is, on the one hand, connected to the printed circuit board of the control unit and, on the other hand, offers the user a connector, for example, a USB connector, in particular a USB-C, or a connector of another format, to which the user can connect an electronic device capable of communicating with the control unit.

[005] In this document, we are interested in connection interfaces that are modular, that is, that are part of a connection module that can be connected to or disconnected from the control unit.

[006] It is known to connect to the control unit a connection module comprising a connection cable with an input connector and an enclosure with an output connector. To ensure isolation distances, the connection cable is connected to the control unit from the back, while the enclosure is fixed to the front face of the circuit breaker. Such a solution is impractical, since re Petition 870250023683, dated 03 / 26 / 2025, page 11 / 77 3 / 20 requires the removal of the control unit from its receptacle to make the connection. Additionally, the housing attached to the circuit breaker is bulky and at risk of being damaged.

[007] The invention aims to meet such needs in particular by proposing a control unit that allows the installation of a connection module without service interruption, ensuring the protection of people and remaining compact.

[008] For this purpose, the invention relates to a control unit for an electrical circuit breaker, the control unit comprising a front face which generally exhibits a flat shape and is geometrically supported by a front plane, the front face being orthogonal to a depth axis and defining a forward direction oriented towards the user when the control unit is in a normal use configuration, the control unit comprising: - an enclosure, which is made of an insulating material and in which a connection housing is located, the connection housing being recessed from the front plane and opening towards the front plane, - a printed circuit board comprising a connection zone associated with the connection housing, the connection zone being located on the underside of the connection housing and comprising several electrical contact pads, - a connection module that is configured to be received in the connection housing in a mounted position of the connection module, the control unit being, therefore, in a mounted configuration, the connection module comprising: • a body, which is made of an electrically insulating material and which comprises fastening means for holding the connection module in the mounted position, the body comprising a face position Petition 870250023683, dated 03 / 26 / 2025, page 12 / 77 4 / 20 interior, which is located facing the connection zone when the control unit is in the assembled configuration, and a front face, which is oriented opposite the rear face, • an input connector that opens to the rear face and is configured to be connected to one or more contact pads of the connection zone, • an output connector, which is connected to the input connector and opens to the front face of the connection module, the output connector being capable of receiving a supplementary connector so that a user can exchange data with the control unit, wherein: - The contact pads are positioned recessed relative to the front plane and are spaced from the front plane by a distance, measured along the depth axis, greater than a first predetermined limit. - The first limit is chosen so that the insulation distance between each contact pad and the front plane is greater than the class 2 insulation distance under a voltage greater than 690 V, the insulation distance and the class 2 insulation distance being in accordance with the IEC 947-1:2019 standard. - The control unit also comprises a cover, which is hinged relative to the rest of the control unit and is movable between a closed position where the cover closes the connection housing, with a rear face of the cover oriented towards the connection housing, and an open position where the cover does not impede access to the connection housing. - when the connection module is in the assembled position: • The output connector is positioned recessed relative to the front plane, so that one front face of the cover is substantially aligned with the front plane, the front face of the cover Petition 870250023683, dated 03 / 26 / 2025, page 13 / 77 5 / 20 being oriented opposite the rear face of the cover, • the cover, in the closed position, prevents access to the output connector, so that the creepage distance between the output connector and the front plane is greater than the class 1 insulation distance under a voltage less than or equal to 690 V, the creepage distance being in accordance with standard IEC947-1:2019.

[009] Thanks to the invention, when the intended operating voltage is less than or equal to 690 V, it is possible to equip the control unit with a connection module, ensuring user safety by a sufficient isolation distance, both when the connection module is present, the isolation distance being measured from the output connector, and when the connection module is absent, the isolation distance being measured from the contact pads. The connection module is mounted from the front, without having to remove the control unit, and is received in the control unit housing, which thus remains compact.

[0010] In accordance with advantageous, but not mandatory, aspects of the invention, such a control unit may incorporate one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically permitted combination: - The connection housing is delimited, at the rear, by a lower wall, which is part of the enclosure, which is positioned recessed in relation to the front plane along the forward direction and in which openings are located, the openings opening into the connection housing and the electrical contacts are located on the back of the lower wall and are accessible from the connection housing through the openings. - Each opening has a profile that meets an IP3x protection rating as defined in the IEC 60529:2013 standard. - The input connector comprises telescopic pins, Petition 870250023683, dated 03 / 26 / 2025, page 14 / 77 6 / 20 each telescopic pin being configured to be connected to a respective contact pad, whereas, in the assembled configuration of the connection module, the rear face of the connection module is pressed against the bottom wall. - The enclosure consists of a perimeter wall, which radially delimits the depth axis of the connection housing, while the enclosure comprises a groove, which is recessed in the perimeter wall and opens into the connection housing, the groove extending parallel to the depth axis, wherein the body comprises a protrusion, which is configured to be received in the groove when the connection module is in the mounted position, and wherein the protrusion and the groove cooperate to form a switching element of the control unit. - the control unit comprises, in addition to the connection housing, a second housing, which is located in the enclosure and opens towards the front face of the control unit, while the slot opens towards the second housing, and wherein the control unit also comprises a wedge, which is configured to be inserted into the second housing in an inserted position, the wedge comprising a second protrusion, preferably a tongue, which at least partially closes the slot when the wedge is in the inserted position, preventing the mounting of the connection module in the connection housing. - The wedge, once inserted, is not removable.

[0011] The wedge is advantageously placed in position when the intended operating voltage is greater than 690 V, preventing the installation of the connection module in the control unit. User safety is therefore ensured by a sufficient isolation distance from the contact pads.

[0012] The invention also relates to an electrical circuit breaker that Petition 870250023683, dated 03 / 26 / 2025, page 15 / 77 7 / 20 includes: - a circuit breaker unit comprising at least one circuit breaker and one actuator, - an example of the control unit as described above, where: The circuit breaker unit forms a receptacle that opens onto a front face of the circuit breaker unit. The control unit is received in the receptacle, so that the front face of the control unit is substantially aligned with the front face of the circuit breaker unit.

[0013] The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in light of the following description of an embodiment of a control unit and an electrical circuit breaker, according to its principle, given only by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 represents, respectively, in two insets a) and b), a perspective view and a partially exploded perspective view of an electrical circuit breaker according to the invention, the electrical circuit breaker comprising a control unit, also according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the control unit in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows, in two insets a) and b), a perspective view of the control unit of Figure 2 in two different configurations, the control unit being shown with a connection module in inset a) and without the connection module in inset b); Figure 4 represents, respectively, in two insertions a) and b), a perspective view of the connection module of Fig. Petition 870250023683, dated 03 / 26 / 2025, page 16 / 77 8 / 20 ra 3 observed along two opposite directions, Figure 5 represents, in three insertions a), b) and c), a section of a housing located in the control unit and configured to receive the connection module, the control unit being represented in three different configurations; Figure 6 is a cross-section of the control unit from Figure 2 along a VI-VI plane, with the connection module hidden; Figure 7 depicts, in three insets a), b) and c), a perspective view of the control unit in Figure 2 and an element of the control unit, and Figure 8 represents, respectively, in two insets a) and b), a perspective view and a cross-section of the control unit.

[0014] An electrical circuit breaker 10 is represented in Figure 1. The electrical circuit breaker 10, also simply referred to as circuit breaker 10, is, in this document, a multipole circuit breaker, in particular a three-pole circuit breaker. The number of poles of the circuit breaker 10 is not limiting. In a known manner, a multipole electrical circuit breaker includes, for each electrical pole, power input and output terminals which are, respectively, connected or electrically isolated from each other by a circuit breaker device. The circuit breaker device comprises, for example, separable movable contacts that are received in a circuit breaker chamber of the electrical circuit breaker 10 and whose movements are controlled by an actuator. Thus, the circuit breaker device is actuatable by the actuator. The circuit breaker chambers are, in this document, materialized by three grids 12 visible on an upper face of the circuit breaker 10, the other elements of the circuit breaker device not being represented.

[0015] The electrical circuit breaker 10 is intended for use within an electrical installation, for example, to control the supply of Petition 870250023683, dated 03 / 26 / 2025, page 17 / 77 9 / 20 power supply of a machine tool. In a normal usage configuration, the electrical circuit breaker 10 is generally located inside an electrical cabinet, the electrical circuit breaker 10 having a front face 14, which is oriented towards the user standing in front of the electrical cabinet. The electrical cabinet is not shown.

[0016] The electrical circuit breaker 10 comprises a circuit breaker unit 16, which, in particular, includes each of the circuit breaker chambers, as well as the circuit breaker device and the associated actuator.

[0017] The electrical circuit breaker 10 advantageously comprises a cover 18, which is removable from the circuit breaker unit 16. The cover 18 is made of an electrically insulating material and generally extends along a frontal plane P14 that defines a portion of the front face 14 of the electrical circuit breaker 10 and, by extension, of the circuit breaker unit 16. The cover 18 thus serves to protect the user of the circuit breaker 10. In Figure 1a), the cover 18 is shown mounted on the circuit breaker unit 16, which corresponds to a normal operating configuration of the circuit breaker 10. In Figure 1b), the cover 18 is spaced from the circuit breaker unit 16, this configuration being found, for example, during maintenance of the circuit breaker unit 16.

[0018] The electrical circuit breaker 10 also comprises a control unit 20. The control unit 20 is configured to analyze the states of the circuit breaker unit 16 and is configured to actuate the actuator based on the results of such analyses, thereby separating the separable contacts.

[0019] The control unit 20 comprises a front face 22. The front face 22 is generally flat and is geometrically supported by a front plane P22 which is orthogonal to a depth axis A22 of the control unit 20. The front face 22 is oriented towards the user when the control unit 20 is in a normal use configuration. The front face 22 defines, by Petition 870250023683, dated 03 / 26 / 2025, page 18 / 77 10 / 20, therefore, a forward direction D22, which is parallel to the depth axis A22. The forward direction D22 is represented by an arrow. The notions of directions, such as forward, backward, up, down, etc., are defined in relation to the elements, as represented in the drawings, knowing that it may be different in reality.

[0020] The cover 18 comprises a window 19, through which the front face 22 of the circuit breaker unit 20 is visible. The window 19 is preferably closed by a transparent flap. The flap is not shown.

[0021] Control unit 20 is mounted on circuit breaker unit 16 in a reversible manner. In the example of Figures 1a) and 1b), control unit 20 is shown in a configuration mounted on circuit breaker unit 16. Control unit 20 is shown separately in Figure 2.

[0022] The circuit breaker unit 16 forms a receptacle that opens onto a front face 14 of the circuit breaker unit 16 and in which the control unit 20 is received, so that the front face 22 of the control unit 20 is substantially aligned with the front face 14 of the circuit breaker unit 16, as illustrated in particular in Figure 1a). The receptacle is not shown.

[0023] Control unit 20 is now described with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

[0024] The control unit 20 comprises an enclosure 30, which is made of an insulating material and forms a receiving volume for various components of the control unit 20. The enclosure 30, in particular, houses a printed circuit board 32, which is partially visible in Figure 3. The printed circuit board 32 comprises a printed circuit and various electronic components, such as a microprocessor, a light-emitting diode, etc. Petition 870250023683, dated 03 / 26 / 2025, page 19 / 77 11 / 20

[0025] In the illustrated example, printed circuit board 32 comprises several portions which are, in this document, connected to each other via a communication bus. The communication buses are not represented. Optionally, one or more portions of printed circuit board 32 are flexible. Alternatively, printed circuit board 32 includes several portions which are not connected to each other via the communication buses. Alternatively, printed circuit board 32 is in a single piece.

[0026] The enclosure 30 includes a front subassembly 100. By extension, the subassembly 100 belongs to the control unit 20. The front subassembly 100 comprises a central portion 102, which is generally flat, having a front side 102A and a rear side 102B opposite the front side 102A. The central portion 102 is, in this document, configured to receive at least one human-machine interface element 104. The front side 102A of the central portion 102 is preferably oriented along the forward direction D22. A human-machine interface is also referred to by its acronym HMI. Human-machine interface elements 104 are also simply referred to as HMI elements 104. In the illustrated example, the central portion 102 comprises several HMI elements 104. The HMI elements 104 in this document include three indicator lights 104A, a transparent portion 104B through which a screen can be viewed, and four buttons 104C.These examples are not exhaustive; the type, number, and configuration of the HMI 104 elements can be changed during the design of the front subassembly 100.

[0027] The front subassembly 100 is mounted on the rest of the control unit 20, in particular on the housing 30, in a reversible manner. Thus, it is possible to replace the front subassembly 100 in case of malfunction. The central portion 102 therefore forms a portion of the front face 22 of the control unit 120. Petition 870250023683, dated 03 / 26 / 2025, page 20 / 77 12 / 20

[0028] The control unit 20 comprises a connection module 300, which is received in a connection housing 301 located in the remainder of the control unit 20, in a mounted position of the connection module 300. By extension, the control unit 20 is in a configuration called mounted. The connection housing 301 is positioned recessed from the front plane P22 and opens to the front face 22.

[0029] The connection module 300 is configured to be received reversibly in the connection housing 301, the connection module 300 being configured to be inserted into the connection housing 301 according to an insertion movement, which is a translational movement parallel to the depth axis A22 and oriented along a backward direction, i.e., in a direction opposite to the forward direction D22.

[0030] The control unit 20 comprises a cover 308, which is hinged relative to the housing 30 and which closes the connection housing 301. The cover 308 is shown in a closed position in Figure 2 and in an open position in Figure 3, revealing the connection housing 301. In Figure 3a), the connection module 300 is shown in the connection housing 301, while in Figure 3b), the connection module is absent, revealing the connection housing 301.

[0031] The cover 308 is, in the present document, hinged in rotation relative to the housing 30 around a hinge axis A308 parallel to the front plane P22. The cover 208 is therefore not removable. The cover 308 has a generally flat shape and comprises a front face 309A and a rear face 309B, which is oriented opposite to the front face 309A. When the cover 308 is in the closed position, the front face 309A is oriented along the forward direction D22, while the rear face 309B is oriented in di Petition 870250023683, dated 03 / 26 / 2025, page 21 / 77 13 / 20 relation to the lower wall 304.

[0032] The connection module 300 and the associated connection housing 301 are now described. The connection housing 301 is shown in a perspective view in Figure 3b) and in section in Figure 5. The second connection module 300 is shown separately in Figure 4 and in an assembled configuration in Figures 5b) and 5c).

[0033] The connection housing 301 has a substantially cylindrical shape along an axis parallel to the depth axis A22. The connection housing 301 is bounded by a perimeter wall 302, which delimits the connection housing 301 radially to the depth axis A22. In the illustrated example, the connection housing 301 also comprises a bottom wall 304, which delimits the connection housing 301 towards the rear. In an alternative, not shown, the bottom wall is absent. The perimeter wall 302 and the bottom wall 304 are therefore, in the present document, part of the housing 30. The bottom wall 304 is positioned recessed relative to the front plane P22 along the forward direction D22 and opens onto the front plane P22.

[0034] A portion of the printed circuit board 32 is positioned recessed from the connection housing 301, in the present document, on the rear side of the lower wall, and comprises a connection zone 34, the connection zone 34 comprising at least one contact pad 36. Each contact pad 36 comprises a substantially flat conductive element located on the surface of the printed circuit board 32, each contact pad 36 being capable of being electrically connected to a respective complementary connector belonging to the connection module 300, each complementary connector making contact with the corresponding contact pad 36. Advantageously, the contact pads 36 are part of the Petition 870250023683, dated 03 / 26 / 2025, page 22 / 77 14 / 20 printed circuit board 32; in other words, they are manufactured at the same time as the printed circuit board 32. In the illustrated example, the connection zone 34 comprises five contact pads 36.

[0035] The connection housing 301, in this document, comprises openings 306, which are located in the lower wall 304 and which open into the battery housing 301. The connection zone 34 and the associated contact pads 36 are located on a rear side of the lower wall 304 and are accessible from the connection housing 301 through the openings 306. The five contact pads 36 and, by extension, the second connection zone 34B, are therefore associated with the second connection housing 301.

[0036] In the example illustrated, the second connection zone 34B comprises five contact pads 36, which are located on a rear side of the lower wall 304 and are accessible from the connection housing 301 through the openings 306.

[0037] Each opening 306 has a profile that has an inscribed circle diameter strictly smaller than 2.5 mm, preferably smaller than 2.0 mm, to meet an IP3x protection rating as defined in the IEC 60529:2013 standard. In the illustrated example, for each of the openings 306, the inscribed circle diameter is equal to 1.9 mm. This therefore reduces the risk of accidental introduction of objects through the openings, reducing the risk of electrical accidents. Each of the openings 36 is preferably circular.

[0038] Each contact pad 36 of the second connection zone 34B is positioned recessed from the front plane P22 and is spaced from the front plane P22 by a distance such that, when the cover 308 is in the closed position, the isolation distance between each contact pad 36 and plane 22 is greater than a first limit S1 prede Petition 870250023683, dated 03 / 26 / 2025, page 23 / 77 15 / 20 completed. The first limit S1 is chosen so that the insulation distance between each contact pad 36 and the front plane P22 is greater than the class 2 insulation distance under a voltage greater than 690 V, the insulation distance and the class 2 insulation distance being in accordance with the IEC947-1:2019 standard. The first limit S1 is advantageously chosen to be greater than or equal to 14 mm.

[0039] The connection module 300 is now described. The connection module 300 comprises a body 310, which is made of an electrically insulating material. The body 310, in the present document, has a generally parallelepiped shape and comprises a front side 311A, which is oriented towards the user when the connection module 300 is in the mounted position, and a rear side 311B, which is oriented opposite to the side; in other words, it is located facing the second connection zone 34B when the control unit 20 is in the mounted configuration. The body 310 also comprises two side faces 311C, which are oriented opposite to each other and which connect the front face 311A ​​to the rear face 311B. Body 310 further comprises an upper face 311D and a lower face 311E, which are oriented opposite each other and which connect, on the one hand, the front face 311A ​​to the back face 311B and, on the other hand, the side faces 311C to each other.

[0040] The body 310 comprises fastening means 312 for securing the connection module 300 in the assembled position. The fastening means 312 are, in the present document, two elastic clips, which extend from each of the lateral faces 311C. The fastening means 312 are advantageously reversible, so that a user can remove the connection module 300 from the connection housing 301, for example, to replace the connection module 300 in case of malfunction. Petition 870250023683, dated 03 / 26 / 2025, page 24 / 77 16 / 20

[0041] The connection module 300 also comprises an input connector 314 that opens to the rear side 311B and is configured to be connected to one or more of the contact pads 36 of the second connection zone 34B.

[0042] The input connector 314 advantageously comprises pins 315, preferably telescopic pins – also called pogo-pins, each pin 315 being configured to be connected to a respective contact pad 36 according to a translational movement. Each pin 315 is therefore a complementary connector of the connection module 300 configured to be connected to a respective contact pad 36. In the assembled configuration of the connection module 300, the rear face 311B is preferably in contact with the lower wall 304. The telescopic pins 315 allow dimensional variations to be accommodated when the connection module 300 is in the assembled position. This therefore reduces the size of the control unit 20, while ensuring good electrical contact between the input connector 314 and the associated contact pads 36.

[0043] The connection module 300 also comprises an output connector 316. The output connector 316 is connected to the input connector 314 through the body 310 and opens onto the front face, the output connector 316 being capable of receiving a supplementary connector so that a user can exchange data with the control unit 20. The supplementary connector is not shown. The connection module 300 is therefore a wired connection module. In the illustrated example, the output connector is advantageously in the so-called USB Type-C format. Other connector types are, of course, possible, provided that space constraints are respected.

[0044] When the connection module 300 is in the mount position Petition 870250023683, dated 03 / 26 / 2025, page 25 / 77 17 / 20 of the cover 308, in the closed position, prevents access to the output connector 316, the rear face 309B of the cover 308 being located facing the output connector 316.

[0045] Output connector 316 is positioned recessed from front plane P22 so that, when cover 308 is in the closed position, front face 309A is geometrically supported by front plane P22. The leakage distance between output connector 316 and front plane P22 is greater than the class 1 insulation distance under a voltage less than or equal to 690 V, the leakage distance being in accordance with standard IEC947-1:2019. The leakage distance between output connector 316 and front plane P22 is therefore greater than 10 mm. When cover 308 is closed, the insulation distance between output connector 316 and front plane P22 is greater than the class 1 insulation distance under a voltage less than or equal to 690 V, the insulation distance being in accordance with standard IEC947-1:2019. The isolation distance between the 316 output connector and the P22 front panel is therefore greater than 8 mm.

[0046] In the illustrated example, the leakage distance between the output connector 316 and the front plane P22 is equal to 11.5 mm, with the cover 308 closed, while the insulation distance is equal to 11.5 mm.

[0047] When the connection module 300 is absent, an isolation distance between the contact pads 36 of the second connection zone 34B and the front plane P22 is greater than 14 mm, while the creepage distance between the contact pads 36 of the second connection zone 34B and the front plane P22 is greater than 20 mm, with the cover 308 in the closed position.

[0048] In the illustrated example, the connection housing 301 is delimited by the lower wall 304, while the circuit board im Petition 870250023683, dated 03 / 26 / 2025, page 26 / 77 18 / 20 pressure 32 is located on the back of the bottom wall 304.

[0049] More generally, and with reference to Figure 6, the enclosure 30 advantageously comprises an intermediate wall 38, which is generally parallel to the front plane P22 and which is recessed from the front plane P22, the printed circuit board 32 being located on a rear side of the intermediate wall 38. The lower wall 304 which delimits the connection housing 301 is advantageously a portion of the intermediate wall 38. When it is necessary to provide an opening through a portion of the intermediate wall 38 to connect another functional module, different from the connection module 300, to another connection zone located on the printed circuit board 32, this portion of the intermediate wall 38 is preferably recessed from the front plane P22 and is spaced from the front plane P22 by a distance, measured along the depth axis A22, greater than the first limit S1.This ensures sufficient isolation distance between the connection zone and the user.

[0050] According to another aspect of the invention illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the housing 30 advantageously comprises a groove 320, which is recessed into the peripheral wall 302 and opens into the connection housing, the groove 320 extending parallel to the depth axis A22.

[0051] The body 310 of the connection module 300 comprises a protrusion 322, for example, a tongue, which is configured to be received in the slot 320 when the connection module is in the mounted position, as illustrated in Figure 3a). The protrusion 322 extends projecting onto the body 310, in this document, on the upper face 311D of the body 310. The protrusion 322 and the slot 320 cooperate to form a switching element of the control unit 20, the switching element being configured to allow the in Petition 870250023683, dated 03 / 26 / 2025, page 27 / 77 19 / 20 connection module 300 in connection housing 301 only in one position.

[0052] Advantageously, the control unit 20 comprises, in addition to the connection housing 301, a second housing 324, which is located in the recessed housing 30 of the front plane P22 and which opens onto the front face 22 of the control unit 20. The slot 320 also opens onto the second housing 324. In other words, the slot 320 forms a passage between the connection housing 301 and the second housing. The control unit 20 also comprises a wedge 340, which is configured to be received in the second housing 324 in an inserted position.

[0053] The wedge 340 comprises a second protrusion 342, preferably a tongue, which at least partially closes the groove 320 when the wedge is in the inserted position so as to prevent the assembly of the connection module 300 in the connection housing 301 when the wedge 340 is previously received in the second housing 324.

[0054] When the wedge 340 is in the inserted position, the wedge 340 is advantageously non-removable, i.e., it is not possible to remove the wedge 340 from the second housing 324 without damaging the wedge 340 or without removing the control unit 20 from its receptacle in the circuit breaker unit 16 in order to then disassemble the control unit. For this purpose, the wedge 340 comprises cutting means 344, in this document, two elastic tabs, which cooperate with recesses 326 positioned recessed in the second housing 324. The insertion of the wedge 340 into the second housing 324 is advantageously done manually and without tools.

[0055] Thus, when the control unit 20 is intended to operate at voltages higher than 690 V, the prior installation of the wedge 340 in the second housing 324 prevents any attempt to position it. Petition 870250023683, dated 03 / 26 / 2025, p. 28 / 77 20 / 20 interior installation of connection module 300 in connection housing 301, which could expose the user to a risk, since the distances and / or insulation classes would no longer be respected.

[0056] The aforementioned embodiments and alternatives can be combined with each other to generate new embodiments of the invention. Petition 870250023683, dated 03 / 26 / 2025, p. 29 / 77

Claims

1 / 5 CLAIMS 1. Control unit (20) for an electrical circuit breaker (10), the control unit (20) comprising a front face (22), which generally has a flat shape and is geometrically supported by a front plane (P22), the front face (22) being orthogonal to a depth axis (A22) and defining a forward direction oriented towards the user when the control unit (20) is in a normal use configuration, the control unit (20) comprising: - an enclosure (30), which is made of an insulating material and where a connection housing (301) is located, the connection housing (301) being positioned recessed from the front plane (P22) and opening onto the front plane (P22), - a printed circuit board (32) comprising a connection zone (32) associated with the connection housing (301), the connection zone (32) being located on the underside of the connection housing (301) and comprising several pads electrical contact (36),- a connection module (300), which is configured to be received in the connection housing (301) in a mounted position of the connection module (300), the control unit (20) then being in a mounted configuration, the connection module (300) comprising: • a body (310), which is made of an electrically insulating material and comprising fastening means (312) for securing the connection module (300) in the mounted position, the body (310) comprising a rear face (311B), which is located facing the connection zone (32) when the control unit (20) is in the mounted configuration, and a front face (311A), which is oriented opposite the rear face (311B), Petition 870250023683, dated 03 / 26 / 2025, page. 30 / 77 2 / 5 • an input connector (314) that opens to the rear face (311B) and is configured to be connected to one or more of the contact pads (36) of the connection zone (32), • an output connector (316),which is connected to the input connector (314) and opens onto the front face (311 A) of the connection module (300), the output connector (314) being able to receive a supplementary connector so that a user can exchange data with the control unit (20), characterized in that: - the contact pads (36) are positioned recessed relative to the front plane (P22) and are spaced from the front plane (P22) by a distance, measured along the depth axis (A22), greater than a first predetermined limit (S1), - the first limit (S1) is chosen so that the insulation distance between each contact pad (36) and the front plane (P22) is greater than the class 2 insulation distance under a voltage greater than 690 V, the insulation distance and the class 2 insulation distance being in accordance with the IEC 9471:2019 standard, - the control unit (20) also comprises a cover (308),which is articulated in relation to the rest of the control unit (20) and is movable between a closed position, in which the cover (308) closes the connection housing (301), a rear face (309B) of the cover being oriented towards the connection housing (301) and an open position, in which the cover (308) does not impede access to the connection housing (301), - when the connection module (300) is in the mounted position: • the output connector (316) is positioned recessed in relation to the front plane (P22), so that a front face (309A) Petition 870250023683, dated 03 / 26 / 2025, page. 31 / 77 3 / 5 of the cover (308) is substantially aligned with the front plane (P22), the front face (309A) of the cover (308) being oriented opposite to the rear face (311B) of the cover (308), • the cover (308), in the closed position, prevents access to the output connector (316),so that the creepage distance between the output connector (316) and the front plane (P22) is greater than a class 1 insulation distance under a voltage less than or equal to 690 V, the creepage distance being in accordance with IEC947-1:2019.

2. Control unit (20), according to claim 1, characterized in that: - the connection housing (301) is bounded, at the rear, by a lower wall (304) which is part of the housing (30) which is positioned recessed relative to the front plane (P22) along the forward direction (D22) and in which openings (306) are located, the openings opening into the connection housing (301), - the electrical contact pads (36) are located on the back of the lower wall (304) and are accessible from the connection housing (301) through the openings (306).

3. Control unit (20), according to claim 2, characterized in that: - each opening (306) has a profile that respects an IP3x protection index as defined in the IEC 60529:2013 standard.

4. Control unit (20), according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: - the input connector (314) comprises telescopic pins (315), each telescopic pin being configured to be connected to a respective contact pad (36), - in the assembled configuration of the connection module (300), the rear face (311B) of the connection module (300) is in contact with Petition 870250023683, dated 03 / 26 / 2025, page 32 / 77 4 / 5 the lower wall (304).

5. Control unit (20), according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: - the housing (30) comprises a peripheral wall (302) that delimits the connection housing (301) radially to the depth axis (A22), - the housing (30) comprises a groove (320), which is positioned recessed in the peripheral wall (302) and which opens to the connection housing (301), the groove (320) extending parallel to the depth axis (A22), - the body (310) comprises a protrusion (322), which is configured to be received in the groove (320) when the connection module (300) is in the mounted position, - the protrusion (322) and the groove (322) cooperate to form a switching feature of the control unit (20).

6. Control unit (20), according to claim 5, characterized in that: - the control unit (20) comprises, in addition to the connection housing (301), a second housing (324), which is located in the housing (30) and opens onto the front face (22) of the control unit (20), - the slot (320) opens onto the second housing (324), - the control unit (20) further comprises a wedge (340), which is configured to be inserted into the second housing (340) and, in the inserted position, the wedge (340) comprises a second protrusion (342) which at least partially closes the slot (320) when the wedge (340) is in the inserted position, preventing the mounting of the connection module (300) in the connection housing (301).

7. Control unit (20), according to claim 6, characterized in that: Petition 870250023683, dated 03 / 26 / 2025, page 33 / 77 5 / 5 - the wedge (340), in the inserted position, is not removable.

8. Control unit (20), according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the second protrusion (342) is a tongue.

9. Electrical circuit breaker (10) comprising: - a circuit breaker unit (16) comprising at least one circuit breaker device and an actuator, - an example of the control unit (20), as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: - the circuit breaker unit (16) forms a receptacle that opens onto a front face (14) of the circuit breaker unit, - the control unit (20) is received in the receptacle, such that the front face (22) of the control unit (20) is aligned with the front face (14) of the circuit breaker unit (16). Petition 870250023683, dated 03 / 26 / 2025, page 34 / 77

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