Locking module for equipment systems of electrical switching devices

Abstract

The present invention relates to a locking module for an equipment system of an electrical switching device, comprising an accumulation device, the module comprising: a lever (130) comprising a second end (132) of a bearing surface, the accumulation device applying a thrust on the first end when the accumulation device is in an equipped state; a locking element adopting a first position intended to resist the thrust and a second position intended to resist the thrust; the module is characterized in that when the bearing surface abuts against a contact surface, a shoe-shaped member (180) fixed to the lever is interposed between the bearing surface and the contact surface, and the width of the surface of the shoe-shaped member in contact with the contact surface is greater than the width of the bearing surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking module for an equipment system of an electrical switch device, and in particular to a locking module for an equipment system of a current generating and disconnecting module. The present invention also relates to a control system of a current generating and disconnecting module provided with the locking module according to the present invention. Background Art

[0002] The locking module of the equipment system can be used to operate, in particular close and / or open, current generating and disconnecting modules in electrical switching devices, in particular electrical switching devices operating at medium or high voltage, that is, electrical switching devices operating at voltages greater than 1000V.

[0003] In the following description, the current generation and disconnection module will be referred to as a current disconnection module, it being understood that the latter may equally well be implemented for the generation of current as for the disconnection of current.

[0004] In this document, the term electrical switching apparatus includes indiscriminately several types of electrical apparatus, such as switches, circuit breakers, contactors, fuse switches, disconnectors, reclosers, etc.

[0005] In this respect, the arming system is provided with accumulator means for releasing mechanical energy during switching from the arming state to the disarming state.

[0006] The lock module also includes:

[0007] - a lever connected pivotally about a first pivot axis, comprising a first end and a second end, said second end comprising a surface, a so-called bearing surface, said accumulator means exerting a thrust at said first end when it is in said armed state;

[0008] - a locking element adapted to adopt one or the other of two positions, respectively referred to as the first position and the second position, the first position corresponding to a position in which the bearing surface abuts against the contact surface of the locking element so as to counteract any rotation of the lever due to the thrust and to keep the accumulator in the armed state, and the second position corresponding to a retraction of the contact surface so as to allow the accumulator to switch from the armed state to the dismounted state.

[0009] The locking element of the locking module may include a half-moon-shaped member pivotally connected about a second pivot axis.

[0010] "Meniscus" is understood to mean a cylinder truncated along a cutting plane parallel to the axis of rotation of said cylinder. A specific example of a meniscus is a half cylinder. The remaining cylindrical surface of the meniscus defines the contact surface.

[0011] The accumulation device may comprise a spring, such as a compression spring or a coil spring, which is in the armed state when the spring is under compression or tension.

[0012] However, such locking modules known from the prior art are not satisfactory and can be improved technically and economically.

[0013] Indeed, in order to allow the locking element to be switched from its first position to its second position with a reasonable force, the coefficient of friction between the contact surface and the bearing surface must be as low as possible.

[0014] To this end, the bearing surface of the lever is usually treated to exhibit a relatively low roughness, in particular below 1.6 μm (Ra), for example between 0.6 μm and 1.6 μm.

[0015] This surface treatment is typically obtained using resurfacing equipment, which is relatively expensive and complicated to perform.

[0016] Furthermore, the lever usually comprises a relatively thick sheet metal, in particular greater than 6 mm, so that it has a sufficiently wide lateral contact surface to avoid in particular burrs and thus deformation of the half-moon. The manufacture of the lever is therefore usually carried out by a block metal machining method, which is costly and complex to implement.

[0017] One object of the present invention is therefore to propose a locking module for which the adjustment of the friction coefficient between the bearing surface and the contact surface is easier to implement and cheaper.

[0018] Another object of the invention is also to propose a locking module for which the lever is simpler and cheaper to manufacture. Summary of the invention

[0019] The object of the present invention is achieved at least in part by a locking module of an arming system provided with an accumulation device for releasing mechanical energy during switching from an arming state to a disarming state, the module comprising:

[0020] - a lever pivotally connected about a first pivot axis and comprising a first end and a second end, said second end comprising a surface, called bearing surface, having a width, called bearing width, said accumulator means exerting a thrust at said first end when it is in said armed state;

[0021] - a locking element adapted to adopt one or the other of two positions, respectively referred to as the first position and the second position, the first position corresponding to a position in which the bearing surface abuts against the contact surface of the locking element so as to counteract any rotation of the lever due to the thrust and to keep the accumulator in the armed state, and the second position corresponding to a retraction of the contact surface so as to allow the accumulator to switch from the armed state to the dismounted state.

[0022] The module is characterized in that, when the supporting surface abuts against the contact surface, a shoe-shaped piece made of sheet metal and fixed to the lever is interposed between the supporting surface and the contact surface, a surface portion of the shoe-shaped piece, called the secondary surface, is in contact with the contact surface, and a width of the secondary surface, called the shoe-shaped piece width, is greater than the supporting width.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the shoe element width is at least twice the support width.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the secondary surface has a roughness of less than 1.6 μm Ra.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the shoe also comprises a retaining tongue which engages in a slot formed in the lever in order to secure the shoe to the lever.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the lever comprises a hub overmoulded in plastic material which ensures the pivot connection of the lever with the first pivot axis, the hub advantageously comprising a hole passed through by the first pivot axis and extending over a length of at least three times the diameter of the pivot axis.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the lever comprises a metal plate having a thickness less than 6 mm, advantageously between 2 mm and 6 mm.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the locking element is a half-moon shaped piece pivotally connected about a second pivot axis, advantageously substantially parallel to the first pivot axis, the contact surface being defined by a portion of a surface having a cylindrical geometry of the half-moon shaped piece.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the arming system comprises a wheel mechanically coupled to the accumulating device and carrying a plate of rollers for exerting a thrust on the first end.

[0030] According to one embodiment, said accumulation means comprise a helical spring provided with a peripheral end and a central end, said central end being mechanically connected to the arming shaft, advantageously through a groove formed in said arming shaft.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the arming system is an opening mechanism of a current-breaking device.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the arming system is a closing mechanism of a current-breaking device, the peripheral end being mechanically connected to the wheel, which in turn is pivotally connected about the arming axis.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the arming system is an opening mechanism of a current-breaking device, the peripheral end remains fixed, and the wheel is fixedly connected to the arming shaft.

[0034] The invention also relates to a control module for a current breaking device, comprising a module provided with an arming system for opening the current breaking device and / or a module provided with an arming system for closing the current breaking device.

[0035] The invention also relates to a control module for a current-breaking device, comprising a module provided with an arming system for opening the current-breaking device and a module provided with an arming system for closing the current-breaking device, the two arming systems having a common arming axis.

[0036] The invention also relates to an electrical switching device comprising a module according to the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Further features and advantages will emerge from the following description of a locking module of an arming system according to the invention, given as a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0038] - Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a first example of a locking module according to the present invention;

[0039] - Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a second example of a locking module according to the present invention;

[0040] - Figure 3a and 3b They are Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the first side and the second side of the lever;

[0041] - Figure 3c It is arranged in Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a shoe-shaped member at a second end of the lever;

[0042] - Figure 3d It is equipped with a wheel hub Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the lever;

[0043] - Figure 4a and 4b They are Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the first side and the second side of the lever;

[0044] - Figure 4c yes Figure 2A schematic diagram of a shoe-shaped member at a second end of the lever;

[0045] - Figure 4d It is equipped with a wheel hub Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the lever;

[0046] - Figure 5 is a perspective schematic diagram of a half-moon-shaped piece;

[0047] - Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a flat coil spring having a discontinuous turn connected to a mounting shaft by a groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Figure 1 and Figure 2 2 is a schematic diagram of a first example and a second example of a locking module 100 according to the present invention.

[0049] As shown in these figures, the locking module is usually implemented to control the opening of a current-breaking device, in particular a switch. Figure 1 ) and / or closed ( Figure 2 ).

[0050] In this respect, the opening control and the closing control generally include actions of an arming system 110 provided with a mechanical energy accumulation device 120 .

[0051] The energy accumulation device 120 may in particular comprise a spring, in particular a compression spring or a helical spring (it is understood that a helical spring within the meaning of the present invention is a flat spring having discontinuous turns, which are for example wound around an axis).

[0052] The accumulator 120 can adopt one or the other of two states, respectively referred to as the armed state and the unloaded state, and is adapted to release mechanical energy when switching from the armed state to the unloaded state. In this respect, the armed state is caused by the arming (or arming phase) of the accumulator 120.

[0053] The locking module 100 includes a lever 130 ( Figure 1 , 2 , 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b).

[0054] The lever 130 includes a first end 131 and a second end 132 (also referred to as a "hook"), the second end including a bearing surface 132a (see Figure 1 ) has a width known as the support width.

[0055] It should be understood that, without necessarily specifying, the width is measured in a direction parallel to the pivot axis, regardless of the element under consideration.

[0056] The lever 130 comprises two lateral faces, respectively called first face 130a and second face 130b, connected by a profile 130c (the distance between the first face 130a and the second face 130b defines the thickness E of the lever 130). It should be understood that the two lateral faces of the lever are at right angles to the first pivot axis 140 without necessarily specifying it.

[0057] It should also be understood that the bearing surface 132a is a small portion of the profile 130c at the second end 132 without necessarily specifying otherwise.

[0058] According to the invention, the accumulator device 120 exerts a thrust on the first end 131 when it is in the armed state.

[0059] In other words, when in the armed state no resistance is provided to the thrust applied by the accumulator, the lever 130 pivots about the first pivot axis 140. Thus, this rotational movement of the lever 130 simultaneously allows the release of the mechanical energy stored by the accumulator 120 and its switching from the armed state to the unloaded state.

[0060] The equipment system may comprise a wheel 150 mechanically coupled to the accumulating device and carrying a roller, called a stop roller 151, for applying a thrust on the first end 131 ( Figure 1 and 2 ).

[0061] The locking module also includes a locking element 170 ( Figure 1 , 2 and 5) for adopting one or the other of two positions, respectively referred to as the first position and the second position.

[0062] In particular, the first position corresponds to the bearing surface 132a abutting against the contact surface 170a ( Figure 2 and 5 ) in order to resist any rotation of the lever 130 due to the thrust and to keep the accumulation device 120 in the armed state position.

[0063] The second position corresponds to the retraction of the contact surface 170a so as to allow the accumulating device 120 to switch from the armed state to the unarmed state.

[0064] “Retraction of the contact surface” is understood to mean a sliding of said surface such that the latter is cancelled and no longer offers resistance to the thrust exerted by the accumulation device 120 at the second end 132 of the lever 130 .

[0065] According to the present invention, the lever 130 comprises at its second end a shoe 180 ( Figure 3c and 4c).

[0066] The shoe is in particular arranged to be inserted between the contact surface 170a and the support surface 132a.

[0067] In particular, when the bearing surface abuts against the contact surface, a surface portion of the shoe-shaped member, referred to as the second surface 181, is in contact with the contact surface 170a (see Figure 3c and 4c ) in contact, the second surface 181 has a width referred to as the shoe member width.

[0068] Advantageously, the shoe is arranged symmetrically with respect to the lever 130 .

[0069] Such an implementation of a shoe 180 thus avoids contact between the contact surface 170a and the support surface 132a, so that the latter no longer requires treatment, in particular resurfacing.

[0070] Furthermore, the metal blade is usually formed from rolled metal sheet so that the latter has a surface condition, in particular a roughness, compatible with a reduced coefficient of friction. The metal blade may comprise stainless steel.

[0071] Therefore, the secondary surface has a roughness of less than 1.6 μm Ra (“Ra” stands for arithmetic roughness), in particular a roughness of 0.6 μm Ra to 1.6 μm Ra.

[0072] If it proves necessary, the treatment of the secondary surface, in particular the reduction of its roughness, can be achieved by polishing techniques which are simpler to implement and cheaper than resurfacing methods for resurfacing surface portions of machined components.

[0073] Particularly advantageously, the shoe element width is greater than the support width, in particular is equal to at least twice the support width.

[0074] The shoe 180 may include a fixing tongue 182 that engages in a slot, referred to as a fixing slot 133, formed in the lever in order to fix the shoe to said lever ( Figure 3c and 4c ).

[0075] The fixing tongue 182 is fixed in the fixing slit 133 ( Figure 3a and 4a ) can be a force mate.

[0076] Additionally or alternatively, the fixing slot 133 can be provided with a blocking element for the fixing tongue 133 , in particular at least one lug.

[0077] The lugs may cooperate with drilled holes formed in the fixing tongue 182 .

[0078] However, this method of securing the shoe member 180 is not limited to the embodiment of securing the tongue, and a person skilled in the art will be able to consider any other possible suitable securing solutions.

[0079] In particular, the shoe member 180 may be fixed to the second end of the lever by gluing or welding.

[0080] Still advantageously, the lever 130 comprises a hub 190 ( Figure 3d and 4d ), which ensures the pivotal connection of the lever 130 with the first pivot axis, advantageously, the hub comprises a hole passed by the first pivot link and extending for a length of at least three times the diameter of the pivot axis.

[0081] This arrangement, combined with a shoe width greater than the support width, makes it possible to consider a lever of reduced thickness, in particular a thickness less than 6 mm, more particularly between 2 mm and 6 mm.

[0082] Levers within this thickness range may be obtained by stamping or cutting metal sheet (eg stainless steel).

[0083] This type of method is relatively simple to implement and is less expensive than the processing techniques considered in the prior art.

[0084] The locking element 170 may include a half-moon-shaped member ( Figure 1 , 2 and 5). The second pivot axis 171 is advantageously substantially parallel to the first pivot axis 140, the contact surface being defined by a portion of a surface having the cylindrical geometry of said half-moon.

[0085] According to the invention, the half-moon is a cylinder truncated along a plane parallel to the axis of rotation of said cylinder. The half-moon then comprises a remaining cylindrical surface, the two edges of which are connected by a flat surface. The remaining cylindrical part of the half-moon comprises the contact surface of the locking element.

[0086] In operation, the half-moon is pivotable about the second pivot axis to adopt one or other of the first position and the second position.

[0087] In particular, during the arming phase of the accumulator 120, the meniscus is in its first position so that when the accumulator applies a thrust, the bearing surface 132a abuts against the contact surface of the meniscus. Thus, during this arming phase, the accumulator accumulates mechanical energy and is in an arming state.

[0088] The switching or pivoting of the half-moon from its first position to its second position destroys any resistance to the thrust exerted by the accumulator device 120 , causing it to release the mechanical energy accumulated during the arming phase and finally return to the disarming state.

[0089] As a non-limiting example, Figure 1 and Figure 2 A relatively specific arrangement of the invention is shown.

[0090] In particular, Figure 1 and Figure 2 A locking module of an equipment system for opening and closing a current interrupting device, in particular a switch, respectively, is shown.

[0091] In particular, the accumulation device 120 includes a helical spring, which is referred to as the central end 120a ( Figure 6 ) is mechanically connected to an axis referred to as an equipment axis 160. The equipment axis 160 may advantageously be substantially parallel to the first pivot axis 140.

[0092] The mechanical connection between the equipment shaft 160 and the central end 120 a is advantageously ensured by a groove 160 a formed in said equipment shaft 160 .

[0093] The outer end 120b of the coil spring is referred to as Figure 6 ) can be fixed, in particular mechanically coupled, to a fixing element not shown in the figure (e.g. a fixing element connected to a frame of the device, Figure 1 ).

[0094] In this particular case, the wheel 150 is fixedly connected relative to the equipment shaft 160 ( Figure 1 ).

[0095] Thus, when the coil spring is in the armed state, the coil spring exerts a force on the armed shaft 160, which can rotationally drive the armed shaft 160 with the wheel 150. The wheel 150 then transmits a thrust force at the first end 132 of the lever 130 via the stop roller 151.

[0096] Alternatively, the peripheral end 120b may be fixedly connected relative to the wheel 150 ( Figure 2 ).

[0097] According to this configuration, the wheel 150 is then pivotally connected about the equipment axis 160 ( Figure 2 ).

[0098] The arming of the helical spring is achieved by exerting a rotational force on the arming shaft 160 .

[0099] The stop roller 151 may be mounted on the wheel 150 using a runner link.

[0100] Then, the arming stage of the coil spring includes two intermediate stages, which are respectively called the first stage and the second stage.

[0101] Then, the first phase corresponds to the rotation of the assembly formed by the helical spring, the wheel 150 and the stop roller 151 about the axis of rotation of the arming shaft 160. In this first phase, the stop roller 151 slides along the profile 130c of the lever 130 to reach the first end 131 of said lever 130.

[0102] When the stop roller 151 reaches the first end, the second stage can begin. When the second stage is performed, the bearing surface 132a abuts against the contact surface 170a (it should be understood that the shoe is inserted between the bearing surface and the contact surface), so that the coil spring accumulates mechanical energy under the rotation applied to the equipment shaft.

[0103] At the end of the second phase, the coil spring is in the armed state. At this point, a simple switching of the half-moon to its second position destroys any resistance to the thrust, causing the coil spring to release all the mechanical energy accumulated during the armed phase and switch to the unarmed state. The invention also relates to a control module for a current disconnecting device. In particular, the control module may include an arming system for opening a current disconnecting device and / or an arming system for closing a current disconnecting device.

[0104] Furthermore, when the arming system for opening and the arming system for closing are included in a common control module, they may include a common arming axis.

[0105] The invention also relates to an electrical switching device comprising a module according to the invention.

Claims

1. A locking module (100) of an equipment system (110), the equipment system (110) being provided with an accumulation device (120) for releasing mechanical energy during switching from an equipped state to a dismounted state, the locking module comprising: a lever (130) pivotally connected about a first pivot axis (140), said lever comprising a first end (131) and a second end (132), said second end (132) comprising a surface called a bearing surface (132a) having a width called a bearing width, said accumulator device (120) exerting a thrust on the first end (131) when it is in the armed state; a locking element (170) configured to adopt one or the other of two positions, respectively referred to as a first position and a second position, the first position corresponding to a position in which the bearing surface (132a) abuts against a contact surface (170a) of the locking element (170) to resist any rotation of the lever (130) due to the thrust and to keep the accumulator (120) in the armed state, and the second position corresponding to a retraction of the contact surface (170a) so as to allow the accumulator (120) to switch from the armed state to the unarmed state; The module is characterized in that, when the support surface (132a) abuts against the contact surface (170a), a shoe-shaped member (180) made of sheet metal and fixed to the lever (130) is interposed between the support surface (132a) and the contact surface (170a), and a portion of the shoe-shaped member surface, called a secondary surface (181), is in contact with the contact surface (170a), and the width of the secondary surface, called the shoe-shaped member width, is greater than the support width.

2. The module according to claim 1, wherein: The shoe member width is at least twice the support width.

3. The module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The secondary surface (181) has a roughness of less than 1.6 μm Ra.

4. The module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The shoe member (180) also includes a retaining tongue (182) that engages in a slot formed in the lever (130) to secure the shoe member (180) to the lever (130).

5. The module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The lever (130) comprises a hub (190) overmoulded with plastic material, which ensures the pivot connection of the lever (130) to the first pivot shaft (140), the hub (190) comprising a hole passed through by the first pivot shaft (140) and extending over a length of at least three times the diameter of the pivot shaft.

6. The module according to claim 5, wherein: The lever (130) comprises a metal plate having a thickness less than 6 mm.

7. The module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The locking element (170) is a half-moon shaped piece pivotally connected about a second pivot axis (171) parallel to the first pivot axis (140), the contact surface (170a) being defined by a portion of a surface having a cylindrical geometry of the half-moon shaped piece.

8. The module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The arming system (110) comprises a wheel (150) mechanically coupled to the accumulating device (120) and carrying a stop roller (151) for exerting a thrust on the first end (131).

9. The module according to claim 8, wherein: The accumulating device (120) comprises a coil spring provided with a peripheral end (120b) and a central end (120a), the central end being mechanically connected to the arming shaft (160) via a groove (160a) formed in the arming shaft (160).

10. The module according to claim 9, wherein: The arming system (110) is a closing mechanism of a current interrupting device, the peripheral end (120b) being mechanically connected to the wheel (150), which in turn is pivotally connected about the arming axis (160).

11. The module according to claim 9, wherein: The equipment system (110) is an opening mechanism of a current breaking device, the peripheral end (120b) remains fixed, and the wheel (150) is fixedly connected to the equipment shaft (160).

12. A control module for a current breaking device, comprising the module according to claim 10 and / or the module according to claim 11.

13. A control module for a current breaking device, comprising the module according to claim 10 and the module according to claim 11, the opening mechanism and the closing mechanism having a common mounting axis.

14. An electrical switching device comprising a control module according to any one of claims 12 to 13.

Images