Actuation system for electrical switching device

Abstract

The invention relates to a contact actuation system (1) for an electrical switching device, the actuation system comprising an arming shaft (5), a closing spring and an opening spring cooperating with the arming shaft (5), and a control blade (30) driven by the arming shaft (5), and an opening actuator (10) which can command the release of the opening spring when the opening spring is armed. The actuation system is characterized in that it also comprises a selection unit (20) which can be positioned: - a position called active, in which it mechanically couples the arming blade (30) with a closing crank (40) so that once the closing spring has been armed, the arming blade (30) releases the closing spring via the closing crank (40), - or a position called inactive, in which the closing crank (40) is separated from the arming blade (30).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an actuation system for switching an electrical switching device between a state called open, in which the main contacts of the switching device are open, and a state called closed, in which the main contacts of the switching device are closed. In this document, the term electrical switching device refers non-particularly to various types of electrical devices, such as switches, circuit breakers, contactors, fuses, reclosers.

[0002] The invention applies more particularly to high voltage devices. In this document, the term "high voltage" covers the range of medium voltage and high voltage, ie devices operating at a supply voltage exceeding 1000 V. The invention also relates to an electrical switching device comprising such an actuation system. Background Art

[0003] Document EP2204828A1 describes, for example, an electrical switching device comprising a double-latch arming mechanism in which two helical springs are mounted on the same arming shaft. Such a latched arming mechanism enables sufficient energy to be accumulated in the springs, once the mechanism has been armed, to drive the arming shaft to perform an operation of closing the contacts of the switching device, i.e. passing from the open state to the closed state, and then, if necessary, to perform an operation of reopening the contacts of the switching device, i.e. returning from the closed state to the open state.

[0004] As another example, document WO2010015597 also discloses a driver for a high voltage or medium voltage switchgear unit, which includes a double latching mechanism.

[0005] There are mechanisms known as single latches and mechanisms known as double latches. In a single latch mechanism, the mechanism is armed (that is, energy is accumulated in the two springs) and then, once armed, the mechanism causes the switching device to switch directly from the open state to the closed state by releasing one of the two springs (called the closing spring), i.e. by releasing the energy stored in the closing spring. It is then necessary to act on the actuator (latch) in order to switch the switching device back to the open state by releasing the other spring (called the opening spring), i.e. by releasing the energy stored by the opening spring.

[0006] In a double latch mechanism, once the mechanism is armed, it is necessary to act on the first actuator in order to switch the switch device from the open state to the closed state by releasing the energy stored in the closing spring. Next, it is necessary to act on the second actuator in order to switch the switch device back to the open state by releasing the energy in the closing spring.

[0007] Depending on the application in which the switchgear is used, both types of mechanisms have their own advantages. The single latch mechanism has the advantage of being simpler. However, the double latch mechanism is preferably used, for example, in applications known as normal / standby applications, where a combination of two switches is used to switch between two power sources. The double latch mechanism then makes it possible to switch the supply network between the main supply source and an auxiliary standby source (e.g. a generator set), and then be able to switch back to the main source, and vice versa.

[0008] However, electrical switching devices are typically sold as devices having either a single latching mechanism or a double latching mechanism, and it is difficult to easily change from one to the other. In particular, because it involves changing various mechanical components, it is necessary to distinguish between the device types during the manufacturing process, which means that the customer must therefore make a choice of the device when placing an order. Now, it may be desirable to provide an economical and easy to implement solution so that the same electrical switching device can be used in both modes, i.e. it can be easily converted from a "single latch" operation to a "double latch" operation and vice versa. The selection of the device type needs to be able to be made, for example, during the final stages of customizing the switching device when the switching device leaves the factory, or even within the premises of the installer / distributor, or even within the customer's base. This also has the advantage of reducing the number of switching devices that need to be stored, since the same device can be easily configured with either a single latching mechanism or a double latching mechanism. Summary of the invention

[0009] This object is achieved by a contact actuation system for an electrical switching device, the actuation system comprising an arming shaft, a closing spring and an opening spring cooperating with the arming shaft, a control blade driven by the arming shaft, and an opening actuator which can command the release of the opening spring when the opening spring is armed. According to the invention, the actuation system also comprises a selection unit which can be positioned in a position referred to as active, in which it mechanically couples the arming blade with a closing crank of the actuation system, so that once the closing spring has been armed, the arming blade releases the closing spring via the closing crank, and in the inactive position the closing crank is separated from the arming blade.

[0010] According to one feature, when the selection unit is in the inactive position, the actuation system also comprises a closing actuator making it possible to command the release of the closing spring when the closing spring is armed.

[0011] According to another feature, the control blade comprises a first slot, the closing crank comprises a third slot, and the selection unit is a spring lever comprising a ring which, in the activated position, is inserted into the first slot and the third slot.

[0012] According to another feature, the control vane also comprises a second groove in which the ring is inserted in the inactive position.

[0013] According to another feature, the selection unit comprises a handle at one end, which allows the selection unit to be positioned manually in the active position or in the inactive position.

[0014] According to another feature, the control blade also includes a first visual indicator indicating that the actuation system is not armed and a second visual indicator indicating that the actuation system is armed.

[0015] According to another feature, the closing spring and the opening spring are helically wound in the same direction around the arming axis.

[0016] According to another feature, the opening actuator comprises a manual control button, a mechanical striker or an electromagnet, and the closing actuator comprises a manual control button or an electromagnet.

[0017] The invention also relates to a high-voltage electrical switching device comprising a moving contact and such an actuation system for actuating a main moving contact of the electrical switching device between an open state and a closed state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Other features will become more apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] - Figure 1 shows a simplified overview of the actuation system of a double latch arrangement according to the present invention,

[0020] - Figure 2 depicts a partial view of the actuation system of a single latch configuration in a non-armed position as viewed from the front,

[0021] - Figure 3 Shown in the non-armed position as viewed from the rear Figure 2 The same configuration,

[0022] - Figure 4 Shown is the vehicle in the equipped position as viewed from the front. Figure 2 The same configuration, ready to switch to the closed state,

[0023] - Figure 5 depicts a partial view of the actuation system of a dual latch configuration in a non-armed position as viewed from the front,

[0024] - Figure 6 Shown in the non-armed position as viewed from the rear Figure 5 The same configuration,

[0025] - Figure 7 Shown is the vehicle in the equipped position as viewed from the front. Figure 5 Same configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Figure 1 The latch actuation system of the invention is intended to initiate the movement of electrical contacts of an electrical switching device that closes and opens. The actuation system 1 is built between two plates so that it can then be installed in the switching device. Figure 1 Only the first plate 2 is shown, the second plate is not shown in the figure for the sake of clarity. The two plates are separated from each other by several posts, one of which 4 is shown in the figure. The actuation system comprises an arming shaft 5 that is movable in rotation about an axis X, and a closing spring and an opening spring (not visible in the figure) that cooperate with the arming shaft 5.

[0027] In a known manner, rotation of the arming shaft 5 allows the main contacts of the switching device to be driven towards the open state of the switching device (main contacts not in contact) or towards the closed state (main contacts in contact) under the action of the release of the closing spring or the opening spring.

[0028] Preferably, the closing spring and the opening spring are helical springs which are wound in the same direction on the arming shaft 5 so that they can both be armed during the same rotational movement of the arming shaft 5 in one direction. In a known manner, this spring arming movement, which allows sufficient energy to build up on the springs, can be performed manually, for example using a crank, or electrically, for example using a geared motor unit. Once the arming movement of the closing and opening springs is completed, the actuation system is in a position called armed.

[0029] The solution using helical springs allows for smaller volume and simplification of the actuation system, since the same arming movement in the same direction allows both springs to be armed. However, they can be replaced by linear compression springs, for example armed using a connecting rod driven by the arming shaft for compression, the connecting rod also being able to drive the arming shaft when the spring is released.

[0030] Figure 2 and 3 An embodiment of the actuation system is shown in a single latch configuration and in a non-armed position. The actuation system comprises an opening actuator 10, a pivot 6, and a starter lever 7 and a setting lever 8 which are pivotable about the pivot 6. The pivot 6 is parallel to the arming axis 5. The actuation system also comprises mechanical units, not described in detail in the figures because they are conventional (e.g. wheels, levers, rollers, etc.), which in particular cause the starter lever 7 to pivot about the pivot 6 exactly at the end of the arming movement of the arming axis 5. The starter lever 7 is coupled at one end to a control blade 30 which is movable about a control spindle 9, also parallel to the arming axis 5, so that when the starter lever 7 is pivoted, the control blade 30 also pivots about the control spindle 9.

[0031] According to the invention, the actuation system also comprises a selection unit 20, the purpose of which is to select between a single latch configuration and a double latch configuration. In the embodiment shown, this selection unit 20 is a metal spring rod. The spring rod 20 is wound one or more times around the control spindle 9 and has a first end 21 that rests against a fixed point, for example against the column 4. The other end of the spring rod 20 has a ring 22, forming a kind of lug extended by a handle 23.

[0032] The control blade 30 comprises a first slot 33 and a second slot 34 which are capable of receiving the ring 22 of the selection unit 20. When the ring 22 is inserted into the first slot 33, the selection unit 20 is said to be in the activated position, and when the ring 22 is inserted into the second slot 34, the selection unit 20 is said to be in the inactivated position. The positioning of the selection unit 20 in the activated position or inactivated position is performed manually using a handle 23 which allows the ring 22 to be inserted into the first slot 33 or the second slot 34 very easily.

[0033] The actuation system 1 also comprises a closing crank 40 and a closing connecting rod 42 (see Figure 3 ). The closing crank 40 has a slot, referred to as the third slot 41. A closing link 42 is coupled to the closing crank 40 at one end and to the closing actuating rod 16 at the other end. When actuated, the closing rod 16 causes the release of the closing spring, the energy of which causes the switch device to switch from the open state to the closed state.

[0034] Advantageously, when the selection unit 20 is in the activated position, the ring 22 will be inserted into the first slot 33 in the control blade 30 and the third slot 41 in the closing crank 40, which means that the control blade 30 and the closing crank 40 are then mechanically coupled. Thus, once the closing spring is armed, the control blade 30 pivots due to the action of an element (such as a roller not shown in the figure) connected to the arming shaft 5. Since the ring 22 is in the activated position, the control blade 30 then drives the closing crank 40, which in turn drives the closing lever 16 through the closing link 42, so as to initiate the release of the closing spring and the switching of the switching spring to the closed state.

[0035] As an alternative to the spring bar, other forms of embodiment of the selection unit 20 can be easily realized. For example, the selection unit 20 can simply include a removable metal lock connected to the control blade 30, which is captured on the stud of the closing crank 40 in the activated position and released from this stud in the inactivated position. As an alternative, any type of deformable mechanism that allows connecting the two parts can also be envisaged, such as a clip, a pin, a screw, etc.

[0036] The closing link 42 is advantageously manufactured in a very simple manner, having only a rigid metal wire which is closed at its ends so as to be able to be captured on the closing crank 40 at one end and on the closing lever 16 at the other end.

[0037] Figure 4 Shown with Figure 2 The same configuration, but only when the actuation mechanism is ready. When the ring 22 is in the activated position (which means inserted in the first slot 33 and the third slot 41), the control vane 30 is coupled to the closing crank 40. Thus, at the end of the arming movement, the roller connected to the arming shaft 5 will pivot the control vane 30, thus driving the movement of the closing crank 40 and the closing link 42. The latter will thus automatically actuate the closing lever 16, which will move through the link 43 located between the closing lever 16 and the eccentric 44 (see Figure 3 ) drives the rotation of the eccentric 44. The rotation of the eccentric 44 will then release one end of the setting rod 8, which will then cause the release of the closing spring and the switching of the electrical switching device to the closed state without any further action using the closing actuator.

[0038] Figure 5 and 6 The actuation system is shown in a double latch configuration and in the non-armed position. The actuation system thus comprises a closing actuator 15 in addition to the opening actuator 10. The selection unit 20 is now in the inactive position, which means that the ring 22 is inserted into the second slot 34 in the control blade 30 and is therefore no longer inserted into the third slot 41 in the closing crank 40, thereby separating the closing crank 40 and the control blade 30. The movement of the control blade 30 thus no longer drives the movement of the closing crank 40 and the closing link 42 is inactive. The closing actuator 15 can thus act on the closing lever 16, for example by means of the pressing lever 17 (see Figure 6 ). Therefore, at the end of the arming movement when the closing spring is armed, there is no longer any automatic command to release the closing spring. Therefore, it is necessary to perform an action on the closing actuator 15 to actuate the closing lever 16, which will drive the rotation of the eccentric 44 through the connecting rod 43. The rotation of the eccentric 44 will therefore release the setting lever 8 so as to switch the electrical switching device to the closed state.

[0039] Figure 7 Shown with Figure 5 The same configuration, but only when the actuation mechanism is primed. Since the ring 22 is in the inactive position (ie inserted in the first slot 34 and not in the third slot 41 ), it can be clearly seen that the movement of the control vane 30 does not cause any movement of the closing crank 40 .

[0040] By means of the invention, the system for activating contacts of an electrical switching device thus allows two different configurations, namely a configuration that operates like a single latch mechanism and a configuration that operates like a double latch mechanism. Advantageously, it is very easy to select between these two configurations by positioning the ring 22 of the selection unit 20 in the activated position (single latch mechanism) or in the inactivated position (double latch mechanism).

[0041] In the single latch configuration, the actuation system comprises only the opening actuator 10 , since closure only occurs at the end of arming without the need for an actuator as described above, whereas in the double latch configuration the actuation system additionally comprises the closing actuator 15 .

[0042] In both configurations and in the conventional manner, when the opening spring is equipped, the opening actuator 10 can be opened by acting on the opening lever 11 ( Figure 6 ) to command the release of the opening spring, thereby switching the electrical switching device to the open state.

[0043] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the opening actuator 10 and the closing actuator 15 (when one is present) are controlled buttons, which are positioned side by side on the outside of the plate 2 for easy access, for example, on the front of the electrical switching device, thereby allowing an operator to perform manual control.

[0044] Actuators other than control buttons are also possible. For example, actuators of the striker-fuse type are conceivable, in which the striker operates on the opening lever 16. Likewise, electric actuators with trips actuated by a transmitting coil or a voltage-free coil are conceivable, to act on the opening lever 6 or on the closing lever 11. It is also conceivable to use low-energy trips (MITOP type) to allow remote automatic control, which is beneficial for tripping, for example, in the event of an electrical fault.

[0045] Furthermore, the control blade 30 comprises a first visual indicator 31 indicating that the actuation system is not armed and a second visual indicator 32 indicating that the actuation system is armed. These two indicators 31, 32 are constituted, for example, by two different flat parts of the control blade 30, each with a sticker or paint of a different color. Once the actuation system has been incorporated into the electrical switching device, these flat parts themselves face the window of the switching device, so that, depending on whether the actuation system is armed or not (i.e. whether the closing spring is armed or not), the second visual indicator 32 or the first visual indicator 31 faces the window. This therefore constitutes a simple, reliable and economical way of indicating to an external operator whether the actuation system is armed or not.

Claims

1. A contact actuation system (1) for an electrical switching device, the actuation system comprising an arming shaft (5), a closing spring and an opening spring cooperating with the arming shaft (5), a control blade (30) driven by the arming shaft (5), and an opening actuator (10) which commands the release of the opening spring when the opening spring is armed, the actuation system being characterized in that it also comprises a selection unit (20) which can be positioned: a position called activated, in which it mechanically couples the control vane (30) to the closing crank (40) of the actuation system, so that the control vane (30) releases the closing spring via the closing crank (40) once the closing spring has been armed, - Or the so-called inactive position, in which the closing crank (40) is separated from the control vane (30).

2. The actuation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the selection unit (20) is in the inactive position, the actuation system further comprises a closing actuator (15) which enables the release of the closing spring to be commanded when the closing spring is armed.

3. The actuation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control blade (30) comprises a first slot (33), the closing crank (40) comprises a third slot (41), the selection unit (20) is a spring lever comprising a ring (22) which, in the activated position, is inserted into the first slot (33) and the third slot (41).

4. The actuation system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The control vane (30) also comprises a second slot (34) into which the ring (22) is inserted in the inactive position.

5. The actuation system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The selection unit (20) comprises a handle (23) at one end, which allows the selection unit (20) to be manually positioned in an activated position or an inactivated position.

6. The actuation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control blade (30) also includes a first visual indicator (31) indicating that the actuation system is not armed and a second visual indicator (32) indicating that the actuation system is armed.

7. The actuation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The closing spring and the opening spring are helically wound in the same direction around the mounting shaft (5).

8. The actuation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The opening actuator (10) comprises a manual control button, a mechanical striker or an electromagnet.

9. The actuation system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The closing actuator (15) comprises a manual control button or an electromagnet.

10. A high voltage electrical switch device, comprising a moving contact, characterized in that: It comprises an actuation system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 for actuating the moving contact.

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