Electrical contactor comprising spring for quickly driving contacts

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical contactor (10) comprising: a fixed contact part (12) and a movable contact part (14), the movable contact part being movable relative to the fixed contact part (12) between a contact position in contact with the fixed contact part and a separated position separated from the fixed contact part (12); the actuator (16) is used for driving the movable contact part (14) to move relative to the fixed contact part (12) towards a contact position in contact with the fixed contact part (12) or a separation position separated from the fixed contact part (12); a linkage portion (30) for driving the movable contact portion (14) independently of the actuator (16) from a contact position to a separation position, characterized in that the linkage portion (30) comprises a drive spring (32) and a system for releasably locking the linkage portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an electric contactor comprising an electromagnetic actuator enabling a movable contact to be moved in the direction of a fixed contact and a system for rapidly driving the movable contact to rapidly disconnect the contactor.

[0002] The present invention more particularly relates to an electric contactor whose rapid driving system includes a driving spring. Background Art

[0003] The electrical contactor comprises a movable contact, a fixed contact and a device for driving the movable contact.

[0004] These drive means comprise in particular an actuator which is designed to drive the movable contact towards the fixed contact in order to close the contactor, or to drive the movable contact away from the fixed contact in order to open the contactor.

[0005] The contactor can also operate in circuit breaker mode when a short circuit current occurs.

[0006] When the electrical contact between the fixed contact and the movable contact is broken, an arc is formed between the fixed contact and the movable contact.

[0007] In the event of a short-circuit current, the energy of the arc is particularly high and the arc must therefore be interrupted as quickly as possible.

[0008] Therefore, the electric contactor also includes means for driving the movable contact portion so that the contact portions can be separated at high speed, so that the arc is quickly disconnected.

[0009] A first embodiment of the high-speed drive device comprises a pyrotechnic device. An example of such a device is described in document US 10388477. The pyrotechnic device comprises a gunpowder ignited by an ignition device and acting on a piston driving a movable contact.

[0010] This solution cannot be tested during product manufacturing.

[0011] The second embodiment comprises a compression spring which releases its stored potential energy to drive the movable contact.Such a loading spring is arranged on the moving axis of the movable contact.

[0012] According to this solution, in order to give the movable contact a sufficient amplitude of movement and in order to have a sufficient speed, in particular for an electrical contactor intended to be installed in an aircraft, the dimensions of the spring are large relative to the overall dimensions of the electrical contactor.

[0013] The object of the present invention is to propose an electrical contactor comprising means for driving a movable contact at high speed and which does not have the above-described disadvantages. Summary of the invention

[0014] The present invention provides an electric contactor, which comprises: a fixed contact part and a movable contact part, wherein the movable contact part can move relative to the fixed contact part between a contact position with the fixed contact part and a separation position with the fixed contact part.

[0015] an actuator for driving the movable contact portion to move relative to the fixed contact portion toward one or the other of a contact position in contact with the fixed contact portion and a separation position in which the movable contact portion is separated from the fixed contact portion,

[0016] a linkage part, the linkage part being used to drive the movable contact part to move from the contact position toward the separation position independently of the actuator,

[0017] It is characterized in that the linkage part comprises a drive spring and a detachable locking system for locking the linkage part.

[0018] Preferably, the spring is a tension spring.

[0019] Preferably, the linkage portion comprises a shaft rod pivotally mounted relative to the fixed shaft, the shaft rod can be driven to rotate by a spring, and the shaft rod can drive a connecting rod for driving the movable contact portion.

[0020] Preferably, a first end of the spring is connected to the fixed shaft and a second end of the spring is connected to the movable end of the shaft.

[0021] Preferably, the locking system comprises two small hinged connecting rods which are inserted between the fixed axis and the movable end of the shaft and which are able to lock the shaft in terms of movement against the action of a spring.

[0022] Preferably, the locking system comprises a lever against which the small connecting rod abuts when the locking system is in the locked position.

[0023] Preferably, the control rod can be rotated by a pusher to drive the locking system towards a position for unlocking the shaft.

[0024] Preferably, the electric contactor comprises a beam portion, the movable contact portion is connected to the beam portion, and the beam portion is connected to an output shaft of the actuator and to the linkage portion via a strike plate (lame).

[0025] Preferably, a detachable coupling is interposed between the output shaft and the beam portion.

[0026] Preferably, the electrical contactor comprises a support rod supporting the movable contacts and a retaining spring system interposed between each movable contact and the support rod associated with the movable contact. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] [ Figure 1 ] is a front view of an electric contactor including a linkage portion according to the present invention.

[0028] [ Figure 2 ]yes Figure 1 A top view of the electrical contactor is shown in FIG.

[0029] [ Figure 3 ]yes Figure 1 and Figure 2 A side view of an electrical contactor is shown in FIG.

[0030] [ Figure 4 ]and[ Figure 5 ] is related to Figure 3 A similar view of FIG. 1 shows two other states of the linkage portion.

[0031] [ Figure 6 ] is a detail showing a partial cross-section of a detachable coupling between the output shaft and the beam portion for supporting the movable contact portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The drawings show an electrical contactor 10 comprising a pair of fixed contacts 12 and a pair of movable contacts 14. Each fixed contact 12 is connected to a terminal of an electrical circuit.

[0033] The movable contacts 14 are electrically connected to each other, and the movable contacts can electrically connect the fixed contacts 12 to each other to close a circuit.

[0034] The movable contact portion 14 is installed to be able to translate and move along the axial direction A1 between a disconnected position and a connected position relative to the fixed contact portion 12, the disconnected position corresponds to the disconnected configuration of the electrical contactor 10, in the disconnected configuration, the movable contact portion 14 is located at a predetermined axial distance relative to the fixed contact portion 12, and the connected position corresponds to the closed configuration of the electrical contactor 10, in the closed configuration, the movable contact portion 14 is in electrical contact with the fixed contact portion 12, and in the closed configuration, the movable contact portion connects the fixed contacts 12 to each other.

[0035] The electric contactor 10 further comprises an actuator 16 for driving the movable contact 14 to translate along the axial direction A1 between a disconnecting position of the movable contact and a connecting position of the movable contact.

[0036] The actuator 16 is preferably constituted, but in a non-limiting manner, by an electromagnetic actuator comprising an output shaft 18 extending according to an axial direction A1 and movable in translation along the axial direction A1 .

[0037] The output shaft 18 carries at its free axial end a beam 20 extending perpendicularly to the output shaft 18. The free end of the output shaft is connected to the middle of the beam 20. As will become clear hereinafter, the coupling between the free end of the output shaft 18 and the beam 20 is detachable, that is to say it can be disconnected.

[0038] The beam 20 comprises two transverse ends 22 , each of which carries a support rod 24 parallel to the axial direction A1 .

[0039] The free end of each support rod 24 carries a movable contact portion 14 .

[0040] Here, each movable contact 14 consists of a plate which is coupled at its center to the free end of a support rod 24 associated with the plate.

[0041] Preferably, a retaining spring system 26 is interposed between each movable contact 14 and the free end of the support rod 24 in order to exert the bearing stress of the movable contact 14 on the fixed contact associated with this movable contact.

[0042] During normal operation, the closing phase of the contactor 10 , starting from the disconnected position of the movable contact 14 , consists in operating the actuator 16 to extend the output shaft 18 .

[0043] The output shaft 18 drives the beam 20 , the support rod 24 and thus the movable contact 14 .

[0044] At the middle moment of the closing phase, the movable contact 14 makes electrical contact with the fixed contact 12 .

[0045] Once this intermediate moment has passed, the output shaft 18 continues its axial translation, driving the beam 20 and the support rod 24 further. Thus, the retaining spring system 26 is stressed to enable the support rod 24 to move axially beyond the position corresponding to the intermediate moment.

[0046] After this closing phase, the output shaft 18 is in the extreme position outside the actuator 16 , the movable contact 14 is in contact with the fixed contact 12 , and the holding spring system 26 is stressed so that the movable contact 14 is kept in contact with the fixed contact 12 regardless of the operating conditions of the contactor 10 .

[0047] The opening phase of the contactor 10 , starting from the extreme closing position in which the movable contact 14 is in contact with the fixed contact 12 and the retaining spring system 26 is stressed, consists in operating the actuator 16 to cause the retraction of the output shaft 18 .

[0048] The output shaft 18 therefore performs a reverse movement which firstly enables the retaining spring system 26 to be unstressed and then enables the movable contact 14 to be separated from the fixed contact 12 .

[0049] The contactor 10 also has an operating mode known as circuit breaker which, starting from the extreme closed position, consists in driving the movable contact 14 so as to rapidly separate it from the fixed contact 12 .

[0050] This circuit breaker mode is performed when a short-circuit current circulates between the fixed contact 12 and the movable contact 14. This short-circuit current is characterized by a high intensity relative to normal operating conditions.

[0051] In the presence of this short-circuit current, an arc is formed during the separation of the movable contact 14 from the fixed contact 12. The rapid separation of the contacts 12, 14 enables the arc formed thereby to be quickly cut off.

[0052] To achieve this circuit breaker mode, the contactor 10 includes a linkage 30 for driving the movable contact 14 independently of the actuator 16 .

[0053] The linkage part 30 includes a spring 32 storing a certain amount of potential energy and a plurality of connecting rods and shaft rods connected and / or hinged to each other and connected and / or hinged to the spring 32 .

[0054] The linkage portion 30 is also connected to the beam portion 20 via an impact plate 34 to transfer the potential energy from the spring 32 towards the beam portion 20 and thus towards the movable contact portion 14 .

[0055] Preferably, the spring 32 is a tension spring whose stiffness and the length of the spring 32 when extended are predetermined to generate a force which will be transmitted to the beam 20 through the impact plate 34 and the rest of the linkage 30 to drive the movable contact portion.

[0056] The assembly of the connecting rod and the shaft rod is designed to achieve a sufficiently high movement speed of the movable contact part 14 through the action of the spring 32 .

[0057] As in Figure 1 and Figure 2 As can be seen in the figure, the linkage part 30 includes two support plates 36, between which the spring 32, the connecting rod and the shaft rod are arranged. The support plates 36 are fixed relative to the actuator 16 and are connected to each other by a fixed shaft 38.

[0058] In addition, preferably, the connecting rods and the shaft rods are distributed in pairs and are arranged substantially symmetrically on both sides of the spring 32 .

[0059] According to another alternative embodiment, the linkage 30 is also double, that is to say it comprises two sets of connecting rods and shafts distributed on both sides of the actuator 16 and two springs 32. This double linkage 30 makes it possible to balance the mechanical forces acting in the contactor 10.

[0060] In the following description of the linkage, reference will be made to a single connecting rod or shaft of each pair of connecting rods or shafts, and the description of the other connecting rod or shaft will be derived similarly.

[0061] As in Figure 3 As can be seen in more detail in , the spring 32 includes a first end 40 connected to the first fixed shaft 38 and a second end 42 connected to the first movable shaft 44 .

[0062] The linkage 30 comprises a first shaft 46, a first end 48 of which is hinged relative to the second fixed shaft 38 and a second end of which is hinged to the first movable shaft 44. The first shaft 46 carries a second movable shaft 50, which is located along the first shaft 46 between the second fixed shaft 38 and the first movable shaft 44.

[0063] Linkage 30 comprises a first connecting rod 52 , a first end 54 of which is connected to second movable shaft 50 and thus to first shaft 46 , and a second end 56 of which is connected to strike plate 34 via a third movable shaft 58 .

[0064] The fixed axis and the movable axis are arranged in the linkage so that when the linkage 30 is in the loaded position, i.e. before operation in the circuit breaker mode, the first movable axis 44 is offset relative to a straight line passing through the two fixed axes. Therefore, in the loaded position of the linkage, the spring 32 is prestressed in the form of a tensile force. The spring 32 exerts stress on the first movable axis 44 to drive the first movable axis 44 toward the first fixed axis 38, so that the first movable axis 44 is aligned with the two fixed axes 38, which will cause the first shaft 46 to rotate around the second fixed axis 38.

[0065] Due to this rotation of the first shaft 46 , the second movable shaft 50 is also moved, thereby driving the first connecting rod 52 , which in turn drives the impact plate 34 in the direction of the actuator 16 .

[0066] The fixed and movable shafts are also arranged in the linkage 30 to reduce the movement of the first movable shaft 44 relative to the first fixed shaft 38, thereby allowing the third movable shaft 58 to have a significant movement speed.

[0067] The linkage 30 also includes a system for locking the first shaft 46 and the first connecting rod 52 in the loaded position. This locking system can be disengaged to execute the circuit breaker mode of the contactor 10.

[0068] The locking system comprises a first small connecting rod 60, a first end 62 of which is connected to the third fixed shaft 64, and a second end 66 of which is connected to the fourth movable shaft 68. The locking system comprises a second small connecting rod 70, a first end 72 of which is connected to the fourth movable shaft 68, and a second end 74 of which is connected to the first movable shaft 44.

[0069] When the linkage part 30 is in Figure 3 In the loaded position shown, the third fixed axis 64 is substantially aligned with the first fixed axis 38 and the first movable axis 44. Therefore, the fourth movable axis 68 is offset relative to a straight line passing through the third fixed axis 64 and the first movable axis 44.

[0070] As described above, the first movable shaft 44 is driven by the spring 32 to move toward the first fixed shaft 38. Due to the position of the fourth movable shaft 68, the action of the spring also tends to move the first movable shaft 44 closer to the third fixed shaft 64. By the cooperation of the control rod 76 with the stop rod 78 fastened to the second small connecting rod 70, the locking system is maintained in the position just described.

[0071] The control rod 76 has an L-shaped shape and is comprised of Figure 3 The control rod has a vertically oriented first branch 80, the free end of which is hinged relative to the support rod 36 around a fourth fixed axis 82, and the control rod is included in Figure 3 There is a horizontally oriented second branch 84 , a first end of the second branch is connected to the second end of the first branch 80 , and a second end of the second branch is free and connected to the pusher 86 .

[0072] The control lever 76 also comprises a lug 88 at the junction angle of the two branches 80 , 84 , the free end of which cooperates with the free end of the stop rod 78 .

[0073] The stopper bar 78 is connected to the second small connecting rod 70 at the first movable shaft 44 , and the stopper bar bears against the lugs of the control rod 76 in a direction corresponding to the first movable shaft 44 moving closer to the first and third fixed shafts 64 .

[0074] The locking system thus holds the first movable shaft 44 in its position furthest from the first fixed shaft 38 and therefore in the loaded position of the linkage 30 .

[0075] During the circuit breaker operating mode of the triggering electric contactor 10, in order to unlock the first shaft 46 and the first connecting rod 52 to drive the striking blade 34, the pusher 86 is activated to rotate the control rod 76 about the fourth fixed axis 82. During this rotation of the control rod 76, the lug 88 bears on the free end of the stop rod 78.

[0076] The following will be based on Figures 3 to 5 The circuit breaker operation mode of the electrical contactor 10 is described.

[0077] exist Figure 3 In FIG. 1 , the electrical contactor 10 is shown in a closed position, in which the movable contact 14 is in electrical contact with the fixed contact. Thus, electric current can flow through the contactor. The output shaft 18 is in an outer limit position.

[0078] The linkage 30 is in the loaded position, that is, the spring 32 is in a stretched state, and the locking system is in a position for locking the first movable shaft 44 .

[0079] In the event of a short-circuit current, the pusher 86 is activated, thereby driving the control rod 76 to rotate about the fourth fixed axis 82. The control rod 76 in turn drives the second small connecting rod 70 through the engagement of the lug 88 on the free end of the stop rod 78.

[0080] Therefore, the second small connecting rod 70 is driven to pivot so that the fourth movable shaft 68 intersects the straight line passing through the third fixed shaft 64 and the first movable shaft 44. When the fourth movable shaft 68 moves to the other side of the straight line, the locking system is thus deactivated, thereby releasing the first shaft rod 46 and the first connecting rod 52.

[0081] Under the action of the spring 32 , the first movable shaft 44 is driven in the direction of the first fixed shaft 38 , and the shaft 46 pivots about the second fixed shaft 38 to drive the first connecting rod 52 , which in turn drives the beam portion 20 and the movable contact portion.

[0082] exist Figure 4 At the first intermediate moment shown, the fourth movable axis 68 has been moved to the other side of the straight line passing through the third fixed axis 64 and the first movable axis 44, that is, the locking system is deactivated.

[0083] The shaft 46 has begun to pivot about the second fixed axis 38 to drive the beam 20 .

[0084] exist Figure 4 At the intermediate moment shown, the beam 20 has moved a distance corresponding to the movement of the beam 20 and the support rod 24 relative to the movable contact portion allowed by the retaining spring system 26 .

[0085] Once this intermediate moment has passed, Figure 4 The intermediate moments and Figure 5 Between the moments shown, the electrical contact between the movable contact 14 and the fixed contact 12 is broken and an arc is formed between the fixed contact and the movable contact.

[0086] However, the first shaft 46 is still driven to pivot by the spring 32, thereby driving the first connecting rod 52 and the beam 20. The pivoting speed of the first shaft via the linkage 30 makes the movement speed of the beam 20, the support rod 24 and the movable contact 14 high enough to quickly cut off the arc.

[0087] After the movement of the beam 20, the support rod 24 and the movable contact part 14, as in Figure 5 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the movable contact 14 is at a sufficiently large spacing distance relative to the fixed contact 12 , and the electrical contactor 10 is completely disconnected.

[0088] During execution of the circuit breaker operating mode of the electrical contactor 10 , the actuator 16 is in an activated configuration in which the output shaft 18 is completely located outside.

[0089] In order to enable the beam 20 to move independently of the position of the output shaft 18, Figure 6 The detachable coupling 90 shown in FIG. 1 is inserted between the output shaft 18 and the beam 20. The detachable coupling 90 is here constituted by a ball and spring coupling.

[0090] The output shaft 18 comprises a peripheral groove 92, and the beam 20 comprises two housings 94, which are radially oriented relative to the output shaft 18 and open to the central aperture of the beam 20, through which the output shaft 18 passes. In each housing 94, a ball 96 and a push spring 98 are arranged.

[0091] Each ball 96 is intended to be partially received in a groove 92 of the output shaft, and a push spring 98 associated with that ball 96 exerts a stress on the ball 96 to retain the ball 96 in the groove 92 .

[0092] The depth of the groove 92 and the stiffness of the push spring 98 are defined to keep the beam 20 fixed relative to the output shaft 18 under normal operating conditions of the electrical contactor 10 .

[0093] During the circuit breaker operating mode of the electrical contactor 10, the stress of the beam 20 driven by the linkage 30 causes the ball 96 to leave the groove 92. Once the ball 96 has left the groove 92, the ball 96 is in contact with the outer cylindrical surface of the output shaft, so the resistance to the relative movement of the beam 20 with respect to the output shaft 18 is negligible.

Claims

1. An electric contactor (10), comprising: A fixed contact portion (12) and a movable contact portion (14), wherein the movable contact portion is movable relative to the fixed contact portion (12) between a contact position in contact with the fixed contact portion and a separation position in contact with the fixed contact portion (12), an actuator (16) for driving the movable contact portion (14) to move relative to the fixed contact portion (12) toward one or the other of the contact position in contact with the fixed contact portion (12) and the separation position in which the movable contact portion (14) is separated from the fixed contact portion (12), a linkage part (30), the linkage part being used to drive the movable contact part (14) to move from the contact position toward the separation position independently of the actuator (16), It is characterized in that the linkage part (30) comprises a drive spring (32) and a detachable locking system for locking the linkage part.

2. Electrical contactor according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The spring (32) is a tension spring.

3. The electric contactor (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The linkage part comprises a shaft rod (46) which is pivotally mounted relative to a fixed shaft (38), the shaft rod being driven to rotate by the spring (32) and the shaft rod being capable of driving a connecting rod (52) for driving the movable contact part (14).

4. Electrical contactor (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that A first end of the spring (32) is connected to a fixed shaft (38), and a second end of the spring (32) is connected to a movable end of the shaft (46).

5. Electrical contactor (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The locking system comprises two small hinged connecting rods (60, 70) which are inserted between a fixed axis and the movable end of the shaft and are capable of locking the shaft (46) in terms of movement against the action of the spring (32).

6. Electrical contactor (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The locking system comprises a control rod (76) against which the small connecting rod (70) abuts when the locking system is in the locked position.

7. Electrical contactor (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The control lever (76) is rotatable by a pusher (86) to drive the locking system toward a position for unlocking the shaft (46).

8. An electrical contactor (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a beam (20) to which the movable contact (14) is connected, characterized in that The beam portion is connected to an output shaft (18) of the actuator (16) and to the linkage portion (30) via an impact plate (34).

9. Electrical contactor (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that A detachable coupling member (90) is interposed between the output shaft (18) and the beam portion (20).

10. An electrical contactor (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The electrical contactor comprises a support rod (24) supporting the movable contact (14) and a retaining spring system (26) interposed between each movable contact (14) and the support rod (24) associated with the movable contact (14).

Images