A set of external connection modules for electrical connection cabinets and related electrical connection cabinets.

Abstract

An electrical connection cabinet includes at least one power supply connected to an associated electrical load, and includes a base, a front, a cover, and functional elements connected to the base. All power supplies have a base of constant height, a front, and a cover with a height adapted to the dimensions of the functional elements. The electrical cabinet includes at least one external connection module (706) associated with one of the power supplies and selected from a set of external connection modules. Each external connection module includes a first end (709) with a height equal to the height of the base and including an input connector (710) connected to the power supply, and a second end (711) with a height equal to one, two, or three times the height of the base and less than or equal to the height of the associated power supply, and including an output connector (712) connected to the electrical load.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electrical connection cabinet. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of electrical cabinets, it is known practice to install one or more external connection modules in the electrical connection cabinet. These external connection modules allow external electrical loads to be connected to a power source that forms part of the electrical connection cabinet. In practice, it is known to use a single type of external connection module, regardless of the external electrical load to which it is connected. Therefore, external connection modules are not suitable for the electrical loads connected to them, which presents disadvantages in terms of size and modularity, especially since some modules are specified to be too large relative to their actual use.

[0003] EP-A-0 926 793 describes a frame for inserting a circuit breaker, having multiple connection modules for connecting a busbar to the circuit breaker. These connection modules are sized to accommodate the transmitted power. However, using such connection modules in electrical connection cabinets is not satisfactory. These connection modules are not easily adaptable for connecting to power sources other than the busbar.

[0004] More specifically, this invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by providing an electrical connection cabinet suitable for a variety of external electrical loads. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the present invention relates to an electrical connection cabinet including at least one power supply, each power supply being configured to connect to an associated electrical load, each electrical load including a functional element configured to supply power to the electrical load, a base, the functional element being attached to the base, a front, and a cover. The electrical connection cabinet also includes at least one external connection module associated with one of the power supplies and selected from a set of external connection modules, each external connection module including a first end including an input connector configured to connect to the power supply, and a second end including an output connector configured to connect to the electrical load. Each external connection module is configured to allow connection to an electrical load consuming a certain amount of electrical power within a given power range, and for this purpose includes a cable or conductive busbar electrically connecting the input and output connectors, the cross-section of which is adapted to the electrical power consumed by the electrical load connected to the external connection module. The bases of all power supplies have a constant height, and the front and cover of each power supply have a height suitable for the dimensions of the functional element of the power supply. The height of the first end of each external connection module is equal to the height of the base of all power supplies, and the height of the second end of each external connection module is equal to one, two, or three times the height of the base of all power supplies, and is less than or equal to the height of the relevant power supply.

[0006] According to the present invention, the electrical connection cabinet includes external connection modules selected from a set of external connection modules, which are suitable for external electrical loads and are easy to connect to a power source.

[0007] According to some advantageous but non-mandatory aspects of the invention, the group of external connection modules, individually or in any technically permissible combination, incorporates one or more of the following features:

[0008] - Each of the external connection modules in the group has a different height.

[0009] - The second end of each external connection module includes a cover that protects the output connector in the installation configuration.

[0010] - Each external connection module is configured to extend between the functional area and the connection area of ​​the electrical cabinet at the installation location.

[0011] - Each external connection module is configured to extend between the functional area and the connection area of ​​the electrical connection cabinet through a window in the support structure of the electrical connection cabinet, and each external connection module and each power supply connected to the external connection module are fixed to the support structure.

[0012] - The set of external connection modules includes three external connection modules (702, 704, 706): a first external connection module configured to connect low-power electrical loads, such as below 11 kW; a second external connection module configured to connect medium-power electrical loads, such as between 11 kW and 30 kW; and a third external connection module configured to connect high-power electrical loads, such as between 30 kW and 75 kW.

[0013] - The second external connection module and the third external connection module include reinforcements extending parallel to their first ends. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The invention will be better understood from the following description of an embodiment of an electrical connection cabinet based on its principles, and its other advantages will become more apparent. These descriptions are given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the electrical cabinet according to the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A longitudinal sectional view of the electrical cabinet along plane II;

[0017] Figure 3 It is along plane III Figure 1 A horizontal sectional view of a portion of the electrical cabinet;

[0018] Figure 4 It is similar to the second electrical cabinet according to the present invention. Figure 3 Horizontal sectional view;

[0019] Figure 5 It is similar to the third electrical cabinet according to the present invention. Figure 3 Horizontal sectional view;

[0020] Figure 6 It belongs to the basis Figures 1 to 5 A perspective view of the communication module of one of the cabinets;

[0021] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A top view of the communication module;

[0022] Figure 8 It belongs to the basis Figures 1 to 5 A perspective view of a motor starter module in one of the cabinets;

[0023] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of another motor starter module viewed from a different angle;

[0024] Figure 10 It is used for Figure 8 and 9 A perspective view of the support structure of the motor starter module;

[0025] Figure 11 It is used for Figure 8 and 9 A perspective view of the protection unit of the motor starter module;

[0026] Figure 12 It's an observation from another perspective. Figure 11 A perspective view of the protection unit;

[0027] Figure 13 It belongs to the basis Figures 1 to 5 A perspective view of one of the cabinet's monitoring and control drawers;

[0028] Figure 14 It's an observation from another perspective. Figure 13 A perspective view of the monitoring and control drawer;

[0029] Figure 15 It belongs to the basis Figures 1 to 5 A perspective view of the second monitoring and control drawer of one of the cabinets;

[0030] Figure 16 It's an observation from another perspective. Figure 15 A perspective view of the second monitoring and control drawer;

[0031] Figure 17 It is along Figure 15 The plane XVII cut in Figure 15 A top view of the second monitoring and control drawer;

[0032] Figure 18 It belongs to the basis Figures 1 to 5 A perspective view of the moving side contact of one of the cabinets;

[0033] Figure 19 It's an observation from another perspective. Figure 18 A perspective view of the moving lateral contact;

[0034] Figure 20 yes Figure 18 and 19 Exploded perspective view of the moving lateral contact;

[0035] Figure 21 yes Figure 18 and 19 A top view of the moving lateral contact in its first position;

[0036] Figure 22 yes Figure 18 and 19 A top view of the moving lateral contact in the second position;

[0037] Figure 23 yes Figure 18 and 19 A top view of the moving lateral contact in the third position;

[0038] Figure 24 It belongs to the basis Figures 1 to 5 A perspective view of the input / output module of one of the cabinets;

[0039] Figure 25 It belongs to the basis Figures 1 to 5 A perspective view of the computer bus segment of one of the cabinets;

[0040] Figure 26 yes Figure 25 Detailed XXV view;

[0041] Figure 27 This is a perspective view of a computer bus connector;

[0042] Figure 28 It belongs to the basis Figures 1 to 5 A perspective view of the first external connection module of one of the cabinets, the module being according to the present invention;

[0043] Figure 29 yes Figure 28 An exploded perspective view of the first external connection module;

[0044] Figure 30It belongs to the basis Figures 1 to 5 A perspective view of the second external connection module of one of the cabinets, which is according to the present invention;

[0045] Figure 31 yes Figure 30 An exploded perspective view of the second external connection module;

[0046] Figure 32 It belongs to the basis Figures 1 to 5 A perspective view of the third external connection module of one of the cabinets, which is according to the present invention;

[0047] Figure 33 yes Figure 32 An exploded perspective view of the third external connection module;

[0048] Figure 34 It is equipped with three jumpers Figure 25 and 26 A perspective view of a computer bus segment;

[0049] Figure 35 yes Figure 34 A perspective view of the jumper wires;

[0050] Figure 36 It is in the first position. Figures 15 to 17 A detailed view of the monitoring and control system for the drawer's locking mechanism;

[0051] Figure 37 It is in the second position. Figures 15 to 17 A detailed view of the monitoring and control system for the drawer's locking mechanism;

[0052] Figure 38 yes Figure 36 A perspective view of the locking system, showing part of the drawer hidden, and also revealing the system according to... Figures 1 to 5 One of the cabinet's guide rails;

[0053] Figure 39 yes Figure 37 A perspective view of the locking system, showing part of the drawer hidden, and also revealing the system according to... Figures 1 to 5 One of the cabinet's guide rails;

[0054] Figure 40 yes Figure 37 A perspective view of the locking system, in which part of the drawer is hidden;

[0055] Figure 41 It belongs to the basis Figures 1 to 5 A perspective view of the third monitoring and control drawer of one of the cabinets, the third drawer being according to the invention;

[0056] Figure 42It's an observation from another perspective. Figure 41 A perspective view of the monitoring and control drawer; and

[0057] Figure 43 It belongs to Figure 41 and 42 A perspective view of the position detection module for monitoring and controlling the drawer. Detailed Implementation

[0058] Figures 1 to 5 An electrical cabinet 100 is shown. This electrical cabinet is intended to be integrated into an electrical network (partially shown). The electrical network includes, on one hand, a power supply cable 102 upstream of the electrical cabinet 100, for example, from a substation, and on the other hand, one or more electrical loads 104 downstream of the electrical cabinet.

[0059] Electrical cabinet 100 is a connection cabinet configured to connect electrical load 104 to power supply cable 102.

[0060] In the installation configuration of the electrical cabinet 100, the cabinet is placed on a horizontal surface represented by plane P1. In practice, plane P1 is, for example, the floor of the building where the electrical cabinet 100 is installed.

[0061] The longitudinal X-axis of the electrical cabinet 100 is defined as the axis of the largest dimension of the electrical cabinet 100, which is actually its length. The transverse Y-axis is defined as the axis of the smallest dimension of the electrical cabinet 100 and is perpendicular to the X-axis, which is actually its width. The vertical Z-axis is defined as the third axis of the orthogonal coordinate system that includes the X-axis and Y-axis.

[0062] The orientations of the X, Y, and Z axes are rigidly connected to the orientation of the electrical cabinet 100. The orientation of the electrical cabinet 100 described in this disclosure corresponds to its installation configuration. Therefore, it should be understood that when the orientation of the electrical cabinet 100 changes, the orientations of the X, Y, and Z axes also change. For example, when the cabinet 100 is not in its installation configuration, such as when it is being transported, the Z axis may not be vertical. The modifiers “top,” “bottom,” and “vertical” used throughout this disclosure are relative to the Z axis.

[0063] In the installation configuration described herein, the plane formed by the X-axis and Y-axis is horizontal and parallel to plane P1, while the Z-axis is perpendicular to this plane. The modifier “horizontal” as used throughout this disclosure applies to any element contained in the plane parallel to the plane formed by the X-axis and Y-axis in the installation configuration of electrical cabinet 100. The modifiers “left” and “right” refer to the x-axis, and the modifiers “front” and “back” refer to the y-axis.

[0064] The relative positions and orientations of the components described below are given as examples only and are not limiting. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, they imply the assembled and installed configuration of electrical cabinet 100. Therefore, when referring to the orientation of a component relative to the X, Y, and / or Z axes, it refers to the installed configuration of the cabinet. In other instances, the orientation and relative positions of the components may vary when storing, transporting, disassembling, or assembling cabinet 100.

[0065] "F1" represents the front of cabinet 100, "F2" represents its back, "F3" represents its bottom, "F4" represents its top, "F5" represents its left side, and "F6" represents its right side. These surfaces F1 to F6 are generally planar. In fact, surface F3 of the cabinet is therefore arranged on plane P1.

[0066] The power supply cable 102 supplies main power to the electrical cabinet 100. This main power supply preferably has a voltage of 400 V and is a three-phase power supply with a neutral wire, preferably with a frequency of 50 Hz. As a variation, the power supply cable 102 supplies three-phase current without a neutral wire or single-phase current.

[0067] Electrical load 104 may be, for example, an electric motor, such as a three-phase electric motor, a power distribution network, or a driveable electrical load, such as a battery or a photovoltaic panel.

[0068] like Figure 1 As shown, the electrical cabinet 100 includes a power supply post 106, at least one distribution post 108, and at least one connection post 110.

[0069] The power supply post 106, the distribution post 108, and the connection post 110 are arranged side by side along the X-axis.

[0070] In the example shown, the electrical cabinet 100 includes a distribution post 108 and two connecting posts 110, which are arranged on both sides of the distribution post 108. In practice, the connecting posts 110 are always placed alongside the distribution post 108. The distribution post 108 is always placed alongside one or both connecting posts 110.

[0071] like Figure 3 As shown, the combination of distribution post 108 and one or two connecting posts 110 forms a functional post 111. When the functional post 111 includes two connecting posts 110, these two posts are located on both sides of the distribution post 108, that is... Figures 1 to 5 The left and right sides of the distribution post 108. When the functional post 111 includes only one connecting post 110, the post is located indiscriminately on one side or the other side of the distribution post 108, that is... Figures 1 to 5 The left or right side of the middle.

[0072] Two other embodiments of functional column 111 are in Figure 4 and 5 As can be seen in the text, and described below.

[0073] exist Figures 1 to 3 In the example shown, electrical cabinet 100 includes a functional column 111.

[0074] As a variation of the invention (not shown), the electrical cabinet 100 includes a plurality of functional columns 111 arranged juxtaposed along the X-axis.

[0075] In the example shown, function column 111 has a height H1 of 2000 mm measured along the Z-axis. As a variation, this height is different, for example, 1500 mm or 2500 mm.

[0076] The height H1 also corresponds to the height of the electrical cabinet 100.

[0077] The power supply post 106 enables power to be supplied from the power supply cable 102 to all electrical cabinets 100. Preferably, the power supply post is located at one longitudinal end of the cabinet 100, as shown in the example, where the power supply post is on the left side of the cabinet 100.

[0078] like Figure 2 As shown, in power supply column 106, each phase and neutral wire of power supply cable 102 are connected to the input terminal of circuit breaker 112.

[0079] like Figure 2 and 3 As shown, the power supply column 106 also includes a set of power buses 114, which comprises multiple power buses 116. Each output of the circuit breaker 112 is connected to a power bus 116. Thus, in the example where the electrical cabinet 100 supplies three-phase current with a neutral line, this set of buses 114 of the column 106 includes four power buses 116, corresponding to the three phases and the neutral line of the supply current.

[0080] A set of power buses 114 are connected to a set of horizontal buses 118. The set of horizontal buses 118 includes multiple horizontal buses 120, and in fact, the number of horizontal buses 120 is the same as the number of buses 116. Therefore, each bus 116 of the set of power buses 114 is connected to a bus 120 of the set of horizontal buses 118.

[0081] A set of horizontal busbars 118 extends along the longitudinal X-axis of the electrical cabinet 100, enabling power supply to each distribution post 108 of the cabinet. A horizontal conduit 119 extends along the entire length of the electrical cabinet 100 and houses the set of horizontal busbars 118.

[0082] exist Figures 1 to 3 In the example, the horizontal conduit 119 is located at the top of the electrical cabinet 100. As a variation of the invention (not shown), the horizontal conduit 119 is located at the bottom of the electrical cabinet 100.

[0083] Each distribution post 108 includes a set of vertical busbars 122, which allows power to be supplied to the adjacent connecting post 110 or to each connecting post 110. In the example shown, cabinet 100 therefore includes a set of vertical busbars, which allows power to be supplied to both connecting posts 110.

[0084] Each set of vertical busbars 122 includes multiple vertical busbars 124, and in fact, the number of vertical busbars 124 is the same as the number of horizontal busbars 120. Each vertical busbar 124 is connected to a horizontal busbar 120. The connection between a set of vertical busbars 122 and a set of horizontal busbars 118 occurs in a horizontal conduit 119.

[0085] The power bus 116, horizontal bus 120, and vertical bus 124 are made of a conductive material, such as copper, and are preferably flat busbars. Preferably, they have a diameter of 250 to 3000 mm. 2 The cross-section between them.

[0086] For each distribution post 108, the assembly of the power supply bus 116, the horizontal bus 120 and the vertical bus 124 forms a power supply line.

[0087] In the example shown, cabinet 100 includes four power supply lines, corresponding to the three-phase and neutral lines of the power supply current from cable 102. Other variations are also conceivable, such as electrical cabinet 100 supplying single-phase current or three-phase current without a neutral line, including two busbars and three busbars for each group of busbars, respectively.

[0088] Circuit breaker 112 is connected between power supply cable 102 and power supply line, thus cutting off power supply to each power supply line. Circuit breaker 112 is therefore a protective component for protecting electrical cabinet 100.

[0089] Each connection post 110 allows one or more electrical loads 104 to be electrically connected to the electrical cabinet 100, and makes it possible to monitor the electrical loads 104 connected thereto.

[0090] Each connecting post 110 includes a portion of a horizontal conduit 119. This portion of the horizontal conduit 119 extends along the X-axis over the entire length of the connecting post 110 and accommodates a portion of a set of horizontal busbars 118.

[0091] Electrical cabinet 100 is monitored by industrial computer 130. For clarity of the accompanying diagram, only [the following text is missing]. Figure 2 As shown, the industrial computer is connected to the electrical cabinet via communication cable 132. This industrial computer enables the control connection column 110.

[0092] In fact, the industrial computer 130 includes a computing unit (not shown) that executes software for managing the electrical cabinet 100.

[0093] As a variant, the industrial computer 130 is replaced by a real-time monitoring and control and data acquisition or “SCADA” system that monitors the operation of the electrical cabinet 100, or the computer is integrated into such a system.

[0094] Each connecting post 110 includes a communication module 134. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the communication module 134 is located near the top of the connecting post 110 and near the horizontal conduit 119.

[0095] As a variation of the invention (not shown), the communication module 134 is located at the bottom of the column.

[0096] As a variation of the invention (not shown), when the horizontal conduit 119 is located at the bottom of the electrical cabinet 100, the communication module 134 may be located at the top of the connecting post 110, or near the bottom of the post, above the horizontal conduit.

[0097] The communication module 134 enables the centralization of all information from the connection post 110 and the control of the connection post. The content and function of this information will be described in detail below.

[0098] The communication module 134 communicates with the industrial computer 130 via the communication cable 132, transmitting information about the operation of the connecting post 110 and receiving commands from the industrial computer that must be transmitted to the connecting post.

[0099] The communication module 134 of the connecting column 110 thus acts as an intermediary between the industrial computer 130 and the connecting column 110, and enables centralized communication between the computer and the column.

[0100] like Figure 6 As shown, each communication module 134 actually includes a controlled network switch 135, referred to as a "management switch".

[0101] When the electrical cabinet 100 includes multiple connecting posts 110, such as Figures 1 to 3 In the example shown, the communication modules 134 of each connecting post are connected in series with each other via internal communication cables 136. In practice, it is the management switches 135 of the communication modules that are interconnected via internal communication cables 136.

[0102] Furthermore, in this configuration, the management switches of communication modules 134 are all connected to a central switch 137 via internal communication cables 136, and the central switch 137 is preferably located in the power supply column 106. The central switch 137 acts as an intermediary between the communication modules 134 and the industrial computer 130; that is, information (e.g., commands) from the industrial computer 130 is distributed between the communication modules via the central switch 137, and information from the communication modules 134 is aggregated via the central switch before being transmitted to the industrial computer.

[0103] Therefore, each management switch 135 is connected to the industrial computer 130 independently of the other management switches 135.

[0104] This configuration has the advantage of making the operation of the electrical cabinet 100 more reliable. Specifically, in the event of a failure in the communication module 134, only the operation of the connection post 110 including that module will be affected, because other fault-free modules are interconnected and connected to the central switch 137, and their connection to the industrial computer 130 will not be interrupted by the faulty module.

[0105] As a variation, when the electrical cabinet 100 includes multiple connecting posts 110, the management switch 135 of each communication module 134 is directly connected to the industrial computer without going through a switch of type 137.

[0106] Alternatively, when the electrical cabinet 100 includes only one connecting post 110, the central switch 137 is arranged between the communication module and the industrial computer.

[0107] In the example shown, the internal communication cable 136 is a cable that uses the Ethernet protocol. As a variation, the internal communication cable 136 may use another local area network protocol, such as MODBUS or PROFINET.

[0108] To allow the connection of electrical load 104, each connection post 110 includes one or more monitoring and control units 138.

[0109] Because the electrical loads 104 are located far from the cabinet 100, their connection to the monitoring and control unit 138 is made via the connection cable 139.

[0110] In the example shown, the monitoring and control unit 138 is a monitor and control drawer, which can therefore be easily and quickly installed in and removed from the connecting post 110. As a variation of the invention (not shown), the monitoring and control unit 138 is a cabinet fixing unit, which is assembled during cabinet installation, for example by screwing into one or more posts 110.

[0111] In fact, the monitoring and control unit 138 allows for the electrical connection of the electrical load 104.

[0112] In the example shown, the connection post 110 includes up to thirty monitoring and control units 138, thus allowing the connection of up to thirty electrical loads 104. The connection post 110 is modular, meaning that the desired number of monitoring and control units can be installed within it, ranging from one unit to thirty units. The monitoring and control units 138 are vertically juxtaposed in the connection post 110.

[0113] As a variation, the connecting post 110 may include more than thirty monitoring and control units 138, for example, if the height of the monitoring and control units is reduced or if the height of the connecting post 110 is increased.

[0114] The monitoring and control unit 138 also allows control of the electrical loads 104 to which they are connected. When the electrical load is an electric motor, such control (also referred to as drive) includes, for example, driving the electric motor, i.e., starting it, stopping it, and possibly controlling its speed, or when the electrical load is a power distribution network, including supplying the voltage and current required for the normal operation of the power distribution network.

[0115] In addition, the monitoring and control unit 138 also allows monitoring of the electrical loads 104 to which they are connected. Such monitoring includes, for example, measuring the voltage and current transmitted to the load 104, or, when the load 104 is a motor, retrieving information from sensors such as position or speed sensors or temperature sensors.

[0116] Therefore, each monitoring and control unit 138 may have the function of connecting the electrical load 104, controlling the load, and monitoring the load. However, depending on the type of electrical load 104 connected to the monitoring and control unit 138, the monitoring and control unit may not have the function of driving the load, or it may not have the function of controlling the load.

[0117] like Figure 2 and 3 As shown, each connection post 110 includes one or more protection units 140. Each protection unit 140 is configured to electrically protect one or more monitoring and control units 138 and electrical loads 104 connected to these monitoring and control units, particularly in the event of a fault in the electrical load 104, such as a short circuit.

[0118] The protection unit 140 is, for example, a circuit breaker arranged upstream of the monitoring and control unit 138, and enables the interruption of the current supplied to the load 104 via the monitoring and control unit 138 in the event of an accident, such as a short circuit. In other words, the protection unit 140 controls the power supply to the monitoring and control unit 138.

[0119] Therefore, the protection unit 140 of the functional column 111 is arranged between the monitoring and control unit 138 and a set of vertical busbars 122 of the power distribution column 108 of the functional column 111, and allows power to be supplied to the monitoring and control unit 138 from the set of vertical busbars 122. The electrical connection between the protection unit 140 and the set of vertical busbars 122 occurs in a known manner, for example via a set of horizontal rigid busbars, a set of flexible busbars, or via cables (not shown).

[0120] In other words, a set of vertical busbars 122 is the power supply for each protection unit 140.

[0121] When the protection unit 140 is a circuit breaker, its electrical connections and operation are the same as those of the circuit breaker 112.

[0122] Each protection unit 140 protects one or more monitoring and control units 138.

[0123] like Figure 2 As shown, each connection post 110 includes a computer bus 142 that connects the communication module 134 of the connection post to all monitoring and control units 138 of that post. Each monitoring and control unit 138 is thus connected to the communication module 134.

[0124] In the example shown, the computer bus 142 is a housing including a circuit board, i.e., an elongated printed circuit board, vertically arranged in the connecting posts 110. The circuit board includes... Figure 25 The visible electronic circuitry 144 or track allows communication, i.e., data exchange, from each monitoring and control unit 138 to the management switch 135 of the communication module 134, and from the management switch of the communication module to each monitoring and control unit, for example, using Ethernet protocols. In other words, these data transmissions are carried out via the electronic circuitry 144 of the computer bus 142.

[0125] With the aid of computer bus 142, the management switch 135 of each connection post 110 controls each monitoring and control unit 138 of that connection post and aggregates data from the monitoring and control units.

[0126] The monitoring and control unit 138 is connected to the computer bus 142.

[0127] Each computer bus 142 also includes Figure 25 The visible power supply rail 148 is configured to conduct a first auxiliary voltage, which allows a first auxiliary voltage to be supplied to the monitoring and control unit 138, which is required for the operation of certain components of the monitoring and control unit 138, as will be described in detail below. This first auxiliary voltage originates from the communication module 134 of each connection post 110. This first auxiliary voltage is, for example, a 48 V DC voltage.

[0128] As a variation, the first auxiliary voltage is another voltage value, such as 12 V, 24 V, 110 V DC, or 110 V AC.

[0129] In order to transmit the first auxiliary voltage, the communication module 134 includes at least one power supply block 150.

[0130] When the electrical cabinet 100 includes multiple connecting posts 110, each communication module 134 includes at least one power supply block 150.

[0131] Optionally, each communication module 134 includes two redundant power supply blocks 150, similar to... Figure 6 and 7 The example shown. This configuration is advantageous because, in the event of a failure in the power block 150, the operation of the communication module 134 containing that block and the operation of the connection post 110 containing that module will not be interrupted.

[0132] Each computer bus 142 also includes Figure 25 The visible power supply track 154 is configured to conduct a second auxiliary voltage, preferably a 230 V AC voltage. This second auxiliary voltage supplies power to the electrical load 104. This second auxiliary voltage originates from the communication module 134 of each connection post 110.

[0133] In one exemplary embodiment, the computer bus 142 is a six-layer printed circuit board with power supply rails 148 and 154 and electronic circuitry 144 distributed among these six layers. As a variation, the computer bus 142 may include a different number of layers.

[0134] As a variant, the power supply rails 148 and 154 of the computer bus 142 are replaced by cables attached to the computer bus.

[0135] With the aid of computer bus 142, the communication module 134 of the connecting column 110 can be centrally connected to the communication circuit of the monitoring and control unit 138 of the column, as well as the first and second auxiliary circuits, on a single physical support.

[0136] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 and 2 The internal arrangement of the functional columns 111 of the electrical cabinet 100. Specifically, Figure 3 The different regions included in each connecting post 110 are shown, namely:

[0137] - Functional area 156, which includes monitoring and control unit 138 and protection unit 140, and is adjacent to power distribution post 108, such that protection unit 140 is arranged between power distribution post and monitoring and control unit;

[0138] - Connection area 158, where the connection from electrical load 104 to monitoring and control unit 138 occurs, and this connection area is adjacent to functional area 156;

[0139] - Cabling area 160, in which all connecting cables 139 are arranged, and which is adjacent to connection area 158; and

[0140] - Thermal management zone 162, the function of which is as follows.

[0141] In fact, functional area 156 and connection area 158 are located at the front of connection post 110, that is, near the front F1 of the cabinet, and wiring area 160 occupies the entire width of connection post, which corresponds to the width of cabinet 100, that is, from its front F1 to its back F2.

[0142] In fact, the thermal management area 162 is located on the back of the connecting post 110, near the back side F2, and extends longitudinally, i.e. along the X-axis, from the distribution post 108 upwards to the wiring area 160.

[0143] As a variation, the functional column 111 does not include the wiring area 160, and all connecting cables 139 are arranged in the connection area 158.

[0144] It should be understood that the internal arrangement of the left connecting post 110 and the internal arrangement of the right connecting post 110 are symmetrical with respect to the symmetry plane P2, which is parallel to the vertical plane formed by the Y-axis and Z-axis and passes through the center of the distribution post 108.

[0145] Functional region 156 extends at a height H2 that is shorter than height H1, which allows the communication module 134 to be mounted above functional region 156, such as Figures 1 to 3 The example shown is installed below that area.

[0146] When the connecting column 110 includes the maximum number of monitoring and control units 138, such as 30 units in the example shown, these monitoring and control units occupy most of the functional area 156.

[0147] When the connecting column 110 does not include the maximum number of monitoring and control units 138, the functional area 156 is not completely occupied by the monitoring and control units, but includes free space. In this configuration, the communication module 134 can also be installed in the free space of the functional area 156.

[0148] In the example shown, the height H2 is 1500 mm; as a variation, it can be different.

[0149] The connection area 158 extends at a height H3 that is shorter than height H1 and larger than height H2. In fact, height H3 is equal to the sum of height H2 and the height of communication module 134. Additionally, the height of computer bus 142 is equal to height H3.

[0150] In the example shown, the height H3 is 1600mm.

[0151] The wiring area 160 and the thermal management area 162 extend over the entire height H1 of the functional column 111. In fact, the horizontal conduit 119 therefore passes through the wiring area 160.

[0152] Furthermore, the horizontal conduit 119 preferably passes above or below the functional area 156 and the connecting area 158 so as not to pass through the thermal management area 162.

[0153] In this configuration, the connection cable 139 is connected to the monitoring and control unit 138 via the front F1 of the cabinet 100.

[0154] Preferably, in this configuration, the width of the functional column 111, and therefore the width of the cabinet 100, denoted by "ℓ1", is 600 mm. The width of the wiring area 160 is also 600 mm. Furthermore, the widths of the functional area 156 and the connection area 158, denoted by "ℓ2", are preferably 400 mm. In this configuration, the width of the thermal management area 162, denoted by "ℓ3", is 200 mm.

[0155] Figure 4 The internal arrangement of a second embodiment of a cabinet 100 having functional columns 111 is shown. This second embodiment is similar to... Figures 1 to 3 The difference in this embodiment is that the width ℓ1 of the functional column 111 is equal to the width ℓ2, and the connecting column 110 does not include the thermal management area 162. Except for the width of the wiring area 160, which is equal to the width ℓ2, the arrangement of the functional area 156, the connecting area 158, and the wiring area 160 is the same as in the first configuration of the functional column 111. As a variation, in the second embodiment, the functional column 111 does not include the wiring area 160, and all the connecting cables 139 are arranged in the connecting area 158.

[0156] Figure 5 The internal arrangement of a third embodiment of a cabinet 100 with functional columns 111 is shown. This third embodiment is related to... Figures 1 to 3 The difference in this embodiment is that the connection of the connecting cable 139 to the monitoring and control unit 138 is made through the rear F2 of the cabinet 100. Therefore, the functional column 111 does not include a dedicated wiring area 160, and the connection is made in the thermal management area 162. Widths ℓ1, ℓ2, and ℓ3 are... Figures 1 to 3 The same as in the embodiments.

[0157] from Figures 3 to 5 The comparison clearly shows that the internal layout of the functional column 111 is adaptable, which gives the electrical cabinet 100 greater modularity.

[0158] In particular, the arrangement of the functional column 111 allows the connection cable 139 to be connected either via the front of the cabinet 100 or via the back of the cabinet 100.

[0159] Preferably, in cabinet 100, the width of all functional columns 111 is equal to ℓ1 or ℓ2, and the width of power column 106 is selected to be equal to the width of the functional columns.

[0160] As a variation, in the electrical cabinet 100, it is possible for some functional columns 111 to have a width equal to ℓ1, while other functional columns have a width equal to ℓ2.

[0161] Depending on the height of the cabinet 100, the internal communication cable 136 is preferably located opposite a set of horizontal busbars 118 to avoid any electromagnetic interference. In practice, this means that, preferably, when the horizontal conduit 119 is located at the bottom of the cabinet, the cable 136 is located at the top of the cabinet 100, and when the horizontal conduit is located at the top of the cabinet, the cable is located at the bottom of the cabinet.

[0162] As a variation, when the width ℓ1 of the connecting post 110 is equal to 600 mm, the internal communication cable 136 can be positioned as close as possible to the back F2 of the cabinet 100, thus close to the back of the connecting post 110, so as to pass through the thermal management area 162. In this configuration, the cable 136 is sufficiently far from a set of horizontal busbars 118 to avoid any electromagnetic interference, even when the cable and a set of busbars are located at the top or bottom of the connecting post.

[0163] Preferably, such as Figure 3 As shown, the length L1 of the power supply post 106 is 650 mm, the length L2 of the distribution post 108 is 150 mm, the length L4 of the wiring area 160 is 300 mm, and the length L5 of the functional area 156 and the connection area 158 is 650 mm. Therefore, the length L3 is 950 mm.

[0164] Therefore, in a configuration where each connecting post includes a wiring area, the length L111 of the functional post 111 including two connecting posts 110 is preferably equal to 2650 mm. As a variation, when no connecting post includes a wiring area 160, the length L5 is equal to the length L3, and the length L111 of the functional post 111 is preferably equal to 2050 mm.

[0165] As variants, the lengths L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, and L111 are different.

[0166] Cabinet 100 actually includes a basic frame 164 and cladding panels 166.

[0167] In the example shown, the basic frame 164 includes a plurality of frames 168 and transverse members 170 that connect the frames to each other, and each frame is formed by four rods 172.

[0168] Of the four rods 172 in frame 168, two are arranged along the Y-axis and two along the Z-axis, thus forming a rectangle. Therefore, each frame 168 is a rectangle parallel to the plane formed by the Y-axis and the Z-axis.

[0169] The transverse members 170 extend along the X-axis, enabling the frames 168 to be connected to each other. Advantageously, the transverse members 170 are arranged at the top and bottom of the cabinet 100, thus forming top and bottom stripes respectively, which is aesthetically pleasing.

[0170] Cladding panel 166 is attached to basic frame 164 to enclose the front F1, back F2, top F4, left F5, and right F6 of cabinet 100. Thus, the interior of cabinet 100 is protected.

[0171] exist Figure 1 In this example, cabinet 100 does not include any cladding plate 166 on the entire front F1 of the connecting post 110 of cabinet 100, so that one side of each communication module 134, each monitoring and control unit 138, and each protection unit 140 can be accessed from the outside. As a variation, the communication modules, as well as the protection and connection units, are protected by cladding plate 166.

[0172] Each cladding panel 166 can also be a door, allowing access to the interior of cabinet 100. Cladding panels 166 can be opaque or transparent. Figure 1 The cladding 166 located at the level of the power pillar 106 and the wiring area 160 is shown to be opaque.

[0173] Furthermore, when the cabinet 100 has a width of 600 mm ℓ1, the basic frame 164 also includes a reinforcing member 174 that extends more than 200 mm from the rear of the cabinet F2. Thus, the reinforcing member 174 extends across the entire width of the thermal management area 162 to the interface between the thermal management area and the functional area 156 and the connection area 158.

[0174] In practice, each column of cabinet 100 (power column, distribution column, and connection column) comprises an independent basic frame, and the basic frames of two adjacent columns are connected to each other, for example, using screws. This allows for a high degree of modularity in the design and assembly of cabinet 100.

[0175] As a variation, each functional post 111 includes a basic frame 164 shared by the power distribution post 108 of that functional post 111 and one or more connection posts 110.

[0176] As a variation, the design of the basic frame 164 of the cabinet 100 is different. For example, the frame 168 forms a rectangle parallel to the plane formed by the X-axis and Z-axis, and the transverse member 170 extends along the Y-axis.

[0177] Details of communication module 134 are in Figure 6 and 7 As can be seen in the text.

[0178] The communication module 134 includes a front panel 176 and a rear panel 178.

[0179] In the example shown, the communication module extends over a width of ℓ134 of 400 mm between the front 176 and the back 178.

[0180] When the communication module is installed on the connecting post 110, the front 176 of the module is at the same level as the front F1 of the post and the cabinet, and the back 178 of the module is in the cabinet with... Figure 4 In the embodiment, a width of 400 mm ℓ2 is horizontal at the back of the cabinet, or in cabinet 100 having a similar Figures 1 to 3 In the embodiment of 5, the width of 600 mm ℓ1 is at the level of the reinforcement 174.

[0181] Front ventilation grille 180 and two locks 182 (in) Figure 6 Only one of them can be seen in the middle) is made on the front 176. The lock 182 is arranged symmetrically with respect to the middle plane π134 of the drawer 134, and makes it possible to keep the communication module 134 mounted in the connecting column 110 by cooperating with the basic frame 164. They can be actuated from the outside of the cabinet 100 via its front F1.

[0182] The rear ventilation grille 184 is fabricated on the back 178. When cabinet 100 has a width of 400 mm ℓ2, as... Figure 4 In one embodiment, the ventilation grille 184 connects the interior of the communication module to the exterior of the cabinet. When the cabinet 100 has a width of 600 mm ℓ3, as... Figures 1 to 3 In embodiments 5 and 6, the ventilation grille 184 connects the interior of the communication module to the thermal management area 162.

[0183] With the help of the front ventilation grille 180 and the rear ventilation grille 184, the air inside the communication module 134 is continuously replenished by natural convection, which allows the communication module to be cooled and maintains the temperature inside the module suitable for its operation by removing the heat generated by the electronic components contained in the communication module, especially the power block 150.

[0184] In practice, air enters through the front ventilation grille 180, is heated by the electronic components of the communication module, which makes it possible to cool these components, and then leaves through the rear ventilation grille 184.

[0185] As a variation, a fan is mounted in the communication module 134 to force airflow from the front to the back of the module. This fan can be mounted, for example, on the front or rear ventilation grille, or carried by the power block 150.

[0186] The front side 176 of the communication module 134 includes an indicator 185 for operation of the communication module, such as... Figure 1As shown. These indicators 185 are, for example, lights, which signal the correct operation or malfunction of the power supply block 150, i.e., the interruption of the supply of the first auxiliary voltage.

[0187] Each connecting post 110 includes two side guide rails 186 attached to the basic frame 164. The side guide rails 186 in... Figure 6 and 7 As shown in the image.

[0188] The communication module 134 includes two sides 187 extending from the front 176 to the rear 178. These sides 187 mate with the side guides 186 of the connecting post 110, allowing the communication module 134 to be positioned appropriately within the connecting post and removed by sliding it like a drawer in a direction parallel to the Y-axis. Therefore, the installation and removal of the communication module 134 are quick and easy.

[0189] Two redundant power blocks 150 are connected to the circuit board 188. In fact, the circuit board 188 includes two connectors 189, to which the power blocks 150 are plugged.

[0190] Circuit board 188 enables control of the two power blocks 150 and management of the first auxiliary voltage.

[0191] The circuit board 188 is configured to warn of a fault, for example by an indicator 185, in the event of a fault in one of the two power blocks 150, but to continue to manage the first auxiliary voltage delivered by the second, fault-free power block.

[0192] The front panel 176 of the communication module includes a cover 190. This cover 190 is removable from the front panel 176 and is arranged to face both power blocks 150. Therefore, when the circuit board 188 signals a fault in a power block 150, the cover 190 can be removed to directly access the faulty power block, remove it from the communication module 134, and replace it with a functioning power block. This replacement operation occurs without removing the communication module 134 from the connecting post 110, allowing the replacement to be performed without interrupting the operation of the communication module, while the other power block remains active.

[0193] It is advantageous to replace the power supply block during operation because it avoids the need to stop the operation of connection post 110.

[0194] In addition, circuit board 188 provides a first auxiliary voltage to management switch 135 to allow the switch to operate.

[0195] The circuit board 188 also provides a first auxiliary voltage to the first connector 192 arranged on the side 187, which allows the first auxiliary voltage to be connected to another post of the cabinet 100, such as the first connector 192 of the communication module 134 connected to another post 110. Therefore, in the event of a failure of both power blocks 150, the communication module 134 is still supplied with the first auxiliary voltage by the communication module 134 of the other post.

[0196] As a variation, this connection also makes it possible to avoid installing a power supply block 150 in each communication module 134 of cabinet 100.

[0197] In addition, the first connector 192 provides a first auxiliary voltage to the computer bus 142.

[0198] The circuit board 188 includes a computing unit 193 that executes software that enables control of the management switch 135 and the power supply block 150. In practice, the circuit board 188 and the management switch 135 are connected via an internal communication cable (not shown), such as an Ethernet cable.

[0199] The power supply block 150 itself is supplied with a second auxiliary voltage. Therefore, the second auxiliary voltage enables power to be supplied to both the power supply block 150 and the electrical load 104.

[0200] The communication module 134 includes a protective housing 194, which is, for example, a circuit breaker. The protective housing 194 supplies a second auxiliary voltage to the communication module 134. For this purpose, the protective housing 194 itself is powered by a power source connected to an external or internal power source of the electrical cabinet 100.

[0201] In fact, housing 194 is connected to second connector 196, which is arranged on the same side 187 as first connector 192, allowing the protective housing to be connected to an external or internal power source.

[0202] As a variation, the protective enclosure 194 is connected to one vertical bus 124 and the neutral line of a set of vertical busbars 122. By connecting only to one vertical busbar and the neutral line of the set of busbars, the enclosure 194 is supplied with a voltage lower than that supplied by the main power source. For example, when the main power source is a three-phase power source providing 400 V, the auxiliary voltage obtained by connecting to one phase and the neutral line is 230 V.

[0203] Advantageously, the protective housing 194 also provides a second auxiliary voltage to the computer bus 142.

[0204] The side 187 supporting the first and second connectors also includes two communication connectors 198 connected to the management switch 135. Of these two communication connectors 198, in the case where the cabinet 100 includes multiple connecting posts 110, the first connector allows connection of an internal communication cable 136 to a communication module of another connecting post 110, and the second connector allows connection of an internal communication cable 136 to a central switch 137. As a variation, the first and second connectors are each connected to a communication module of another connecting post 110 to connect the three connecting posts to each other. As a variation, the communication module 134 includes a number of communication connectors 198 in addition to two, for example, one or three.

[0205] An opening is formed in the side guide rail 186 to allow access to connectors 192, 196 and 198 when the communication module is mounted on the side guide rail.

[0206] The connecting post 110 can be configured for a variety of different applications:

[0207] - First configuration, wherein the connecting post allows connection to an electric motor, such as a three-phase motor. Each electric motor is connected to a monitoring and control unit. The connecting post 110 then makes it possible to supply power to these electric motors and drive them. In this first configuration, the connecting post 110 is referred to as the "motor start post".

[0208] - A second configuration in which the connecting post allows connection to downstream power distribution circuits, such as distribution boards or distribution cabinets. The connecting post 110 then enables power to be distributed from the power supply cable 102 to multiple downstream circuits and protects these downstream circuits, each connected to a monitoring and control unit. In this second configuration, the connecting post 110 is referred to as a "current distribution post".

[0209] - A third configuration in which the connecting post allows connection to a drivable electrical load, such as a photoelectric panel or a battery. Each electrical load is connected to the monitoring and control unit 138. The connecting post 110 then makes it possible to power and drive these circuits. In this third configuration, the connecting post 110C is referred to as the "load drive post".

[0210] In fact, the configuration and architecture of functional area 156, especially the configuration and architecture of monitoring and control unit 138, differ among the three configurations listed above. Furthermore, other configurations associated with other uses are also conceivable.

[0211] The configuration and architecture of the motor starter column 110 are described in detail below.

[0212] Some of the components mentioned below are described in the context of motor starting posts, but their applications are not limited to their use in motor starting posts. Therefore, some of the components described below can also be applied to components used in, for example, current distribution posts or load drive posts.

[0213] Therefore, the following description details the configuration and architecture of the motor starting module 200.

[0214] The configuration and architecture of this module can be adapted to other configurations. For example, in the case of a current distribution column, the motor starting module corresponds to the distribution module, which enables the distribution of current to one or more downstream circuits and protects these circuits. Or, in the case of a load drive column, the motor starting module corresponds to the drive module, which enables the supply of power to electrical loads and the driving of them. Other applications are also conceivable.

[0215] "Functional module" means any module whose architecture can be converted from the architecture of the motor starter module 200 described below, such as a distribution module or a drive module.

[0216] Motor starting column 110 includes one or more motor starting modules 200, one of which is in Figure 8 and 9 As can be seen in the text.

[0217] Each motor starting module 200 of the motor starting column 110 is mainly located in the functional area 156 and partially located in the connection area 158 of the motor starting column.

[0218] When the motor starting column 110 includes multiple motor starting modules 200, the motor starting modules are arranged vertically side by side.

[0219] In practice, each motor starting module 200 includes a protection unit 140 and at least one monitoring and control unit 138. Each monitoring and control unit 138 of the motor starting module is electrically protected by the protection unit 140 of that motor starting module.

[0220] In addition, each monitoring and control unit 138 is connected to a protection unit 140 that protects the monitoring and control unit so that information about the operation of the monitoring and control unit can be transmitted to the protection unit.

[0221] In the example shown, the monitoring and control unit 138 is a drawer, the height of which can take several defined values. For the remainder of this specification, the monitoring and control unit 138 will therefore be referred to as "drawer 138". Thus, the base height of the drawer is defined as a unit height, denoted by "U". The height of the drawer can be an integer multiple of this base height, with a maximum of six times the unit height U.

[0222] Therefore, drawer 138 can occupy a height of 1U, 2U, 3U, 4U, 5U or 6U.

[0223] Preferably, the unit height U is equal to 50 mm. Therefore, in this example, drawer 138 with a height of 6U will have a height of 300 mm.

[0224] Each motor starter module 200 has a main height of 6U, denoted by "H4". In the example shown, functional area 156 has a height H2 of 1500 mm, and therefore can include up to five motor starter modules 200.

[0225] Furthermore, the width of the motor starter module, measured along the Y-axis, is equal to the width ℓ2 of the functional area where the module is installed.

[0226] Each motor start module 200 is configured to accommodate any technically permissible combination of drawers, depending on the height of those drawers. For example, a motor start module may accommodate six 1U drawers, three 2U drawers, or one 6U drawer.

[0227] like Figure 8 and 9 As shown, each motor starting module 200 includes the following components:

[0228] -Support structure 202;

[0229] - Protection unit 140;

[0230] - Computer bus segment 204, which corresponds to a portion of computer bus 142;

[0231] - At least one drawer 138, actually between one and six drawers 138;

[0232] - At least one input / output module 206, actually the same number of input / output modules 206 and drawers 138, i.e., between one and six input / output modules; and

[0233] - At least one external connection module 208, actually having the same number of connection modules 208 and drawers 138, i.e., one to six external connection modules. Each external connection module 208 is configured to connect to and supply power to an electrical load 104. In fact, in the case of the motor starting module 200, each load 104 is an electric motor.

[0234] exist Figure 8 In the example shown, the motor starter module 200 includes a drawer with a height of 2U and a drawer with a height of 4U.

[0235] exist Figure 9In the example shown, the motor starter module 200 accommodates two drawers with a height of 1U and two drawers with a height of 2U.

[0236] The three main positions of drawer 138 in the motor starting module are defined as follows:

[0237] - The drawer's operating position, in which the drawer is fully inserted into the motor start module 200. This position corresponds to the normal operating position of the drawer 138, that is, on the one hand, the drawer 138 supplies power to the external connection module 208 and the electrical load 104 connected thereto, and on the other hand, the drawer 138 is connected to the communication module 134 and the protection unit 140. Figure 8 The two drawers and Figure 9 All three lower drawers are in the operating position.

[0238] - The test position of the drawer, in which the drawer portion is inserted into the motor starter module 200. This position corresponds to the intermediate position where the drawer 138 is operating, i.e., the components it contains are powered and are communicating, but the drawer does not power any electrical load 104. The upper drawer with a height of 1U is as follows: Figure 9 The location shown is the test position.

[0239] - The drawer is in the disconnected position, in which the drawer is partially or completely disconnected from the motor starter module 200, and in this position, the drawer is not powered and does not supply power to any electrical load 104.

[0240] Drawer 138 is configured to move between these three positions.

[0241] like Figure 10 As shown, the support structure 202 of each motor starting module 200 includes a back support 210 and a side support 212.

[0242] The back support 210 and the side support 212 enable the motor start module 200 to be attached to the motor start column 110, and also enable the computer bus segment 204, the protection unit 140, each drawer 138, each input / output module 206 and each external connection module 208 to be attached to the motor start module 200.

[0243] In fact, each motor starting module 200 is attached to the basic frame 164 of the motor starting column 110 to which the module belongs via its support 202.

[0244] Therefore, when the cabinet has a width of 400 mm ℓ2, if in Figure 4 In one embodiment, the back support 210 is connected to a rod 172 of the basic frame 164 located at the back of the cabinet, or when the cabinet has a width of 600 mm ℓ1, such as in Figures 1 to 3In embodiments 5 and 6, the back support 210 is connected to the reinforcement 174 of the basic frame 164. The lateral support 212 is attached to the rod 172 of the basic frame 164 located on the front of the cabinet.

[0245] The attachment of supports 210 and 212 to the basic frame 164 is preferably made using screws (not shown in the figure).

[0246] Supports 210 and 212 are preferably attached together using screws (not shown in the figure).

[0247] In the assembly configuration of the motor starter module 200 on cabinet 100, the back support 210 extends primarily parallel to the plane formed by the X and Z axes. It is generally rectangular and includes ventilation holes 214, six of which are shown in this example.

[0248] The back support 210 includes a set of attachment holes 216 that allow the back support 210 to be attached to elements of the base frame 164 and the motor start module 200, such as the protection unit 140 or the external connection module 208.

[0249] In the assembly configuration of the motor starter module 200 on cabinet 100, the lateral support 212 extends primarily parallel to the plane formed by the Y-axis and Z-axis. It is generally rectangular.

[0250] The lateral support 212 is configured to be attached to the back support 210 at one end and to the basic frame 164 of the cabinet 100 at the other end. The lateral support 212 includes a set of attachment holes 218 that allow this mounting, which is preferably made using screws (not shown).

[0251] The lateral support 212 includes an opening 220, which is located near the back support 210, i.e., near the back of the motor starter module. Figure 8 As shown, these openings are configured to allow the external connection module 208 to pass through. In fact, the lateral support 212 includes six openings 220.

[0252] In addition, the lateral support 212 includes windows 222, the function of which will be explained below. In fact, the support includes six windows 222.

[0253] In the example shown, the back support 210 and the side support 212 are formed of folded and perforated metal plates.

[0254] Furthermore, the support structure 202 includes guide rails 224, which are actually six guide rails 224 extending along the Y-axis. Preferably, the guide rails 224 are attached to the lateral support member 212 by screws (not shown).

[0255] Each guide rail 224 includes two windows 226 juxtaposed along the Y-axis. For example... Figure 8 and 10 As shown, when the guide rail is attached to the lateral support 212, its two windows 226 face the window 222 of the lateral support 212.

[0256] exist Figure 10 In the diagram, two guide rails 224, namely the upper and lower guide rails, are shown in an exploded view, i.e., these two guide rails are shown not mounted on the lateral support 212. Other intermediate guide rails are shown in their proper positions on the lateral support 212.

[0257] Each guide rail 224 has a "U" shape, with its bottom 228 parallel to the plane formed by the Y and Z axes, in which the window 226 is formed, and two edges 230 extending perpendicularly to the bottom 228. Therefore, the two edges 230 are opposite each other.

[0258] Furthermore, each guide rail 224 includes a tongue 232 on its edge 230, which extends in the direction of the opposite edge of the rail. The tongue 232 of the guide rail is formed in its edge 230 at the level closest to the back support 210 of the window 226 of the guide rail, or more precisely, at the end of the window closest to the back support 210.

[0259] Protection unit 140 in Figure 11 and 12 The image is shown in perspective.

[0260] The protection unit includes one or more protective components (not shown), such as a circuit breaker, which protects one or more drawers 138 of the motor starting module 200.

[0261] The protection unit 140 includes a front 234, a back 236, an inner surface 238, and an outer surface 240.

[0262] In fact, in the installation configuration, the front 234 of the protection unit is contained in the same plane as the front F1 of the cabinet 100.

[0263] In fact, the front and back faces 234 and 236 are parallel to the plane formed by the X-axis and Z-axis, while the inner face 238 and the outer face 240 are parallel to the plane formed by the Y-axis and Z-axis.

[0264] The back 236 of the protection unit 140 is attached, for example, to the back support 210 of the structure 202 of the motor start module 200 using a screw (not shown), which passes through the attachment hole 216 in the back support.

[0265] When the protective unit 140 is attached to the structure 202, the inner surface 238 of the protective unit and the lateral support 212 of the structure 202 face each other, that is, they are arranged to face each other. The volume V1 is defined as the volume located between the inner surface 238 of the protective unit, the back support 210 and the lateral support 212.

[0266] like Figure 12 As shown, the electrical connection between the protection unit 140 and a set of vertical buses 122 is achieved using electrical connectors 244 arranged on the outside 240 of the protection unit. Each connector 244 connects to a vertical bus 124 of the set of vertical buses 122. In practice, the protection unit 140 includes four electrical connectors 244, which allows for the connection of, for example, a power supply including three phases and a neutral line. Furthermore, some electrical connectors 244 may not be connected, for example, if the power supply to the electrical cabinet 100 includes three phases without a neutral line, or one phase and a neutral line.

[0267] The protection unit 140 includes a plurality of electrical output groups 246. These electrical output groups extend from the rear side 236 of the protection unit toward its front side 234. In other words, the electrical output groups 246 are arranged in volume V1.

[0268] In fact, the protection unit 140 includes six electrical output groups 246.

[0269] The protection unit 140 can therefore protect up to six drawers 138.

[0270] Therefore, the protection unit 140 can centrally protect the drawers 138 of the motor starter module 200. This centralization is advantageous because it allows for a reduction in the cost of the motor starter module, as each drawer 138 does not require a dedicated protection unit.

[0271] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the protection unit 140 is not integrated into the drawer 138. Specifically, in the event of a drawer malfunction, only the drawer needs to be replaced, without having to replace the protection unit 140, which reduces costs.

[0272] Each electrical output group 246 includes four electrical outputs 248, each of which is connected to one of four electrical connectors 244.

[0273] The protective element of the protection unit 140 is therefore arranged between the electrical connector 244 and the electrical output 248.

[0274] Therefore, for each phase and neutral line, the protection element is connected as an input to connector 244 and as an output to six electrical outputs 248, i.e., to one of the four electrical outputs in each electrical output group.

[0275] An electrical output group 246 is contained in a volume with a height of 1U.

[0276] The protective unit 140 includes guide rails 250, preferably six guide rails 250, which are the same as the guide rails 224 of the support structure 202. In particular, the guide rails 250 include windows 252 and tongues 254.

[0277] The guide rail 250 is arranged on the inner surface 238 of the protection unit.

[0278] exist Figure 11 In the middle, the upper and lower guide rails 250 are shown in an exploded view, i.e., these guide rails are removed from the protection unit 140. Other intermediate guide rails 250 are shown in their proper positions on the protection unit 140.

[0279] Guide rail 250 faces guide rail 224 of support structure 202, that is, each guide rail 250 extends parallel to guide rail 224 and is on the same horizontal plane as guide rail 224. Therefore, guide rail 250 and guide rail 224 together form a pair of guide rails.

[0280] As described below, a pair of guide rails formed by guide rails 250 and 224 enable drawer 138 to move between its operating position, its testing position and its disconnected position.

[0281] In addition, the inner surface 238 of the protection unit 140 includes windows 256, which are actually six windows 256 facing the window 252 of the guide rail 250.

[0282] Figure 13 and 14 Drawer 138 with a height of 4U is shown.

[0283] This 4U drawer 138 includes the front section 300.

[0284] like Figure 13 As shown, the front part 300 of the drawer extends primarily parallel to the plane formed by axes X and Z.

[0285] All drawers 138 include a front section 300, which varies depending on the height of the drawer. Therefore, the height of the front section matches the height of the drawer in front of it. Thus, the front section 300 can have a height of 1U, 2U, 3U, 4U, 5U, or 6U.

[0286] For the remainder of this specification, refer to Figure 13 and 14 Any components described in drawer 138 of height 4U are also present in drawers 138 of different heights, unless otherwise explicitly mentioned.

[0287] The front section 300 includes a display 302 that displays information about the operation of the drawer 138. This information may include, for example, a reference to the electrical load 104 controlled by the drawer 138, the electrical power supplied to the electrical load, or the status of the electrical load.

[0288] As a variation, display 302 also includes light-emitting diodes or "LED strips" which include one or more LEDs capable of emitting visual cues in the form of colors.

[0289] The front part 300 includes the main handle 304.

[0290] The handle 304 includes a base 306 and a handle extension 308.

[0291] In practice, the base 306 and the handle extension 308 are formed as one piece and are connected to the front by a fastening device 309, such as a screw.

[0292] The base 306 includes a button 310. The button 310 allows a command to be sent to open an electromagnetic lock 311 located on one side of the drawer 138, such as... Figure 13 and 14 As shown, the electromagnetic lock 311 is located on one side of the guide rail 250 of the protection unit 140.

[0293] As a variant, such as Figure 15 and 16 As shown, the electromagnetic lock 311 is located on the other side of the drawer 138, with the electromagnetic lock 311 situated on one side of the guide rail 224 of the support structure 202. In a variation, two electromagnetic locks 311 are arranged on the drawer 138, one on each side.

[0294] As a variation of the invention (not shown), button 310 is arranged at another location on the front 300 of drawer 138.

[0295] The electromagnetic lock 311 can move between a position for locking drawer 138 and a position for unlocking drawer 138.

[0296] In the position used to lock drawer 138, electromagnetic lock 311 allows drawer 138 to be held in the operating or test position. In other words, electromagnetic lock prevents drawer from being inserted into motor starter module 200 from its test position to its operating position, and prevents drawer from being ejected from motor starter module from its operating or test position.

[0297] In the position used to unlock drawer 138, the electromagnetic lock allows the drawer to be freely inserted into the motor start module from its test position to its operating position, or removed from the motor start module from its operating position or from its test position.

[0298] In fact, at the location used to lock drawer 138, electromagnetic lock 311 extends out of the drawer and mechanically prevents it from being inserted into or removed from the motor start module, as detailed below.

[0299] By default, the electromagnetic lock 311 is in the position for locking drawer 138, and when an open command is received, the lock moves to the position for unlocking the drawer. Without an open command, the lock moves to the position for locking the drawer by default.

[0300] In this example, button 310 must be pressed into base 306 to transmit an open command, and a spring (not shown) holds the button from being pressed down.

[0301] In other words, in order to insert drawer 138 from its test position into the motor start module to its operating position, or to remove drawer 138 from its operating position from the motor start module, button 310 needs to be actuated. Therefore, when button 310 is actuated, it can send an open command to control the electromagnetic lock 311 to unlock, thereby allowing the drawer to move from its operating position or from its test position.

[0302] In practice, the electromagnetic lock 311, controlled by button 310, prevents drawer 138 from being inserted from its test position into its operating position, or from being removed from its operating position, by interfering with guide rail 224 or guide rail 250.

[0303] exist Figure 36 and 37 In the diagram, drawer 138 is shown locked by electromagnetic lock 311 in both the test and operation positions. In this example, electromagnetic lock 311 is shown on one side of the guide rail 224 of the support structure 202.

[0304] The following description of the operation of electromagnetic lock 311 also applies to electromagnetic locks arranged on one side of guide rail 250 and interfering with guide rail 250 to prevent drawer 138 from moving.

[0305] From these Figure 36 and 37 As can be seen, the electromagnetic lock 311 includes a rocker arm 3111 and a pin 3113 disposed at a first end 3115 of the rocker arm 3111. The rocker arm is rotatable about a second end 3117. Therefore, when the electromagnetic lock 311 receives an opening command, the rocker arm 3111 is rotatably driven, thereby moving the pin 3113.

[0306] In the position used to lock the electromagnetic lock 311, when the drawer 138 is in the test position, the latch 3113 is arranged in the slot 2241 in the guide rail 224, or when the drawer is in the operating position, the latch 3113 is arranged in another slot 2243 in the same guide rail 224.

[0307] Therefore, the movement of drawer 138 is prevented by the contact between the latch 3113 and the edge of the groove 2241 or the edge of the groove 2243 of the guide rail 224 of the support structure 202.

[0308] The rotation of the rocker arm 3111 is driven by an electromagnetic actuator (not shown). This actuator is activated when the electromagnetic lock 311 receives an open command. In practice, the actuation of the button 310 generates the open command, which is an electrical signal controlling the activation of the actuator of the electromagnetic lock 311.

[0309] As a variation of the invention (not shown), the electromagnetic lock 311 does not include a rotatable rocker arm, and the pin 3113 is translated by an electromagnetic actuator, for example by a slider.

[0310] The base 306 includes a slider 312 that can be accessed through a window 314 in the base 306.

[0311] The slider 312 can be actuated between the position for locking the button 310 and the position for unlocking the button 310.

[0312] In the position used to lock button 310, slider 312 mechanically prevents button 310 from being actuated. In other words, in this position, it is impossible to send an open command to electromagnetic lock 311, and therefore it is impossible to move drawer 138 from its operating position or from its test position in motor start module 200.

[0313] Therefore, the position where the anti-block button 310 of slider 312 is actuated by the slider corresponds to the position for locking drawer 138.

[0314] exist Figure 13 In the diagram, slider 312 is shown in a position for locking button 310. In fact, slider 312 can translate relative to base 306 along the X-axis, and obtains a position for locking the slider when the slider is to the right of window 314 in the base.

[0315] The handle extension 308 is configured to be easily gripped by hand, thereby facilitating the movement of the drawer 138 parallel to the Y-axis within the motor start module 200.

[0316] Furthermore, the handle extension 308 includes a hole 316 with an end opening. The hole 316 is configured to allow the locking device 318 to be positioned in the proper place within the main handle 304.

[0317] Locking device 318 Figure 8 and 9 As shown, and in this example, it is a padlock.

[0318] In practice, the end opening 316 is configured to allow multiple locking devices 318 to be placed in the appropriate position therein, such as the handles of three locking devices.

[0319] Slider 312 is securely attached to Figure 40The handle 810 is visible in the middle, and the handle extends within the main handle 304 of the drawer 138.

[0320] The handle 810 includes a first free end 812 and a second free end 814.

[0321] The first end 812 of the handle 810 is firmly connected to the support plate 816, which is driven to move by the slider 312. Therefore, the slider 312 transmits translational motion to the handle 810 through the support plate 816.

[0322] In practice, the support plate 816 is arranged in the base 306 of the handle 304 and can be translated in the base 306 along an axis parallel to the X-axis of the drawer 138.

[0323] The free end 814 of the handle 810 is configured not to extend into the end opening hole 316 in the position for locking the button 310, and to extend into the end opening hole 316 in the position for unlocking the button 310.

[0324] Therefore, when the locking device 318 is in place in the end opening hole 316, the slider 312 cannot be actuated to the position for unlocking the button 310, because the locking device 318 prevents the end 814 of the handle 810 from extending into the end opening hole 316, in this example by the hook of a padlock.

[0325] Furthermore, the handle 810 includes a notch 818. When the slider 312 is in the position for unlocking the button 310, the notch 818 faces the button 310 and does not prevent the button from being activated. Conversely, when the slider 312 is in the position for locking the button 310, the notch 818 is offset relative to the button 310 along the X-axis, and then the body of the handle 810 prevents the button from being actuated.

[0326] In other words, the button 310 cannot be actuated when the slider 312 is in the position for locking the drawer 138, and possibly when the locking device 318 is in the proper position in the hole 316 of the end opening.

[0327] In summary, when the slider 312 is in the position for locking the button 310, the locking device 318 can be placed in the hole 316 of the handle 304, which prevents the slider 312 from translating to the position for unlocking the button 310. This prevents the button 310 from being actuated, and thus prevents the transmission of the command to unlock the drawer 138 via the electromagnetic lock 311.

[0328] The support plate 816, which is fixed to and driven by the slider 312, is also connected to the mechanical lock 820, such as... Figures 36 to 40 As shown. In Figure 36 and 37In order to make part of the mechanism of the mechanical lock 820 visible, the guide rail 224 is partially hidden.

[0329] In the examples shown in these figures, mechanical lock 820 is shown on one side of guide rail 224. The following description of the operation of mechanical lock 820 also applies to mechanical locks arranged on one side of guide rail 250 and interfering with guide rail 250 to prevent drawer 138 from moving.

[0330] The mechanical lock 820 and the electromagnetic lock 311 complement each other, and together they form the locking system for drawer 138.

[0331] Preferably, the mechanical lock 820 is made of a metallic material, such as steel.

[0332] The mechanical lock 820 includes a structure 822 attached to the drawer 138. This structure 822 extends primarily parallel to the Y-axis, that is, parallel to the motion axis of the drawer 138 in the motor actuation module 200.

[0333] Furthermore, when drawer 138 is installed in motor start module 200, structure 822 is accommodated in guide rail 224.

[0334] Structure 822 includes a protruding tongue 824 that contacts the guide rail 224, thus maintaining electrical continuity between structure 822 and guide rail 224 when the drawer is installed in the motor start module. Specifically, this electrical continuity allows drawer 138 to share a common ground with motor start module 200.

[0335] The mechanical lock 820 includes a handle 826 that extends primarily parallel to the Y-axis and is translatable relative to the structure 822 along the axis.

[0336] The handle 826 includes a first end 828, a body 829, and a second end 830.

[0337] The second end 830 is thinner than the main body 829, meaning that the dimension of the second end 830, measured along an axis parallel to the Z-axis of the drawer 138, is smaller than the dimension of the main body 829. In other words, the second end 830 is narrower than the main body 829.

[0338] The first end 828 is connected to the actuating rod 832 via a pivot link 834, the axis Z 834 of which is parallel to the Z-axis of the drawer 138. Therefore, the actuating rod 832 can rotate relative to the handle 826.

[0339] Furthermore, the actuating rod 832 is connected to the structure 822 via a pivot link 836, the axis of which, Z836, is parallel to the Z-axis of the drawer 138. Therefore, the actuating rod 832 can rotate relative to the structure 822. In fact, axis Z836 represents the axis of rotation of the actuating rod 832 relative to the drawer 138, since the structure 822 is fixed relative to the drawer 138.

[0340] Furthermore, a guide rail 838 is fabricated in the actuating rod 832. The guide rail 838 has a curved shape, that is, it includes two straight sections that are inclined relative to each other, denoted by 840 and 842 respectively.

[0341] Pin 844, attached to support plate 816, is arranged in guide rail 838. More precisely, pin 844 is located at the end of leg 845, which is integral with support plate 816 and folds at a right angle relative to the support. Therefore, pin 844 is movable, and its movement is driven by slider 312.

[0342] like Figure 38 As shown, when the slider 312 is in the position for locking the button 310, the pin 844 is arranged in part 840 of the guide rail 838.

[0343] like Figure 39 As shown, when the slider 312 is in the position for unlocking the button 310, the pin 844 is arranged in part 842 of the guide rail 838.

[0344] As pin 844 translates along an axis parallel to the drawer's X-axis, the movement of slider 312 from its locked position to its unlocked position drives actuator 832 to rotate about axis Z836.

[0345] Specifically, pin 844 only translates because it is attached to support plate 816 via leg 845. This translation occurs without moving actuator rod 832 when pin 844 is in the first portion 840 of guide rail 838. Next, once pin 844 is engaged in the second portion 842 of guide rail 838, pin 844 forces actuator rod 832 to rotate about pivot 836 by applying force to the sidewall of guide rail.

[0346] Under the action of pin 844, the rotation of actuating rod 832 drives pivot 834 to move, and then pivot 834 moves closer to support plate 816 along the Y-axis parallel to drawer 138.

[0347] This movement of pivot 834 then drives handle 826 to move along an axis parallel to the Y-axis of drawer 138 and in the direction of support plate 816.

[0348] Therefore, the actuator 832 enables the translational motion of the slider 312 along the axis parallel to the X-axis of the drawer 138 to be converted into the translational motion of the handle 826 along the axis parallel to the Y-axis of the drawer, that is, translational motion in a direction perpendicular to the translational direction of the slider 312.

[0349] Preferably, the connection between the handle 826 and the actuating lever 832 includes a set of operations along an axis parallel to the X-axis (not visible in the figure) of the drawer 138, which helps to convert rotation of the actuating lever into translation of the handle.

[0350] The second end 830 of the handle 826 engages with two latches 850 belonging to the mechanical lock 820. Each latch 850 includes a body 852 and a hook 856 pivotally mounted around a pivot 854, the axis of rotation of the pivot 854 being parallel to the X-axis of the drawer 138.

[0351] Each latch 850 is available Figure 36 and 38 The position shown is for locking drawer 138 and Figure 37 and 39 Move between the positions shown for unlocking drawer 138.

[0352] When the latches 850 are in the position for locking the drawer 138, their hooks 856 extend into the recesses 2245 in the guide rail 224. This position is as follows: Figure 36 As shown.

[0353] In this position, drawer 138 is in the test position and cannot be moved to its operating position or its disconnected position because hook 856 abuts against the wall of recess 2245 in guide rail 224.

[0354] like Figure 37 As shown, when the latch 850 is in the position for unlocking the drawer 138, the hook 856 does not extend into the recess 2245 and does not prevent the drawer 138 from moving in the motor start module.

[0355] like Figure 38 and 39 As shown, structure 822 also includes two guide recesses 857. When the latch 850 is in the locked drawer 138 position and when the latch is in the unlocked drawer position, each recess 857 is configured to guide a hook 856, i.e., the hook 856 extends through the recess 857.

[0356] The movement of the hooks 856 is guided by the guide notch 857, so that when the latches 850 move to the position for locking the drawer 138, they can be easily inserted into the notch 2245 in the guide rail 224.

[0357] By default, latch 850 is in the position for unlocking drawer 138.

[0358] Specifically, the mechanical lock 820 also includes a resilient member 858 that holds the latch 850 in the position for unlocking the drawer 138.

[0359] In the example shown, the elastic member 858 is an elastically deformable tongue, for example, made of spring steel.

[0360] This elastically deformable tongue is generally U-shaped, with its arms converging from the bottom as the distance increases. It extends around a pivot 854, and its two ends are held by the ends 860 of the body 852 of the latch 850.

[0361] As a variation of the invention (not shown), the elastic member 858 is a tension spring, such as a coil spring, which extends between the two ends 860 of the two latch bodies 852 along an axis parallel to the Z-axis of the drawer 138.

[0362] Each latch 850 also includes a cam 862 facing the other latch 850. Thus, the two cams 862 are positioned to face each other.

[0363] When slider 312 is in the position for unlocking button 310, latch 850 is in the position for unlocking drawer 138.

[0364] Specifically, when the slider 312 is in the position for unlocking the button 310, the second end 830 of the handle 826 is located between the cams 862 of the latch 850. Because the second end 830 is thinner, the cams 862 are close to each other, and the hook 856 is far enough from the guide rail 224 that it does not extend into the notch 2245 in the guide rail.

[0365] Conversely, when slider 312 is in the position for locking button 310, latch 850 is in the position for locking drawer 138.

[0366] Specifically, when the slider 312 is in the position for locking the button 310, the handle 826 moves, causing the handle body 829 to be positioned between the cams 862 of the latch 850, as... Figure 36 As shown. Therefore, the latches 850 move away from each other, and the hook 856 extends into the notch 2245 in the guide rail 224.

[0367] In other words, when slider 312 moves from its unlocking position to its locking button 310 position, the handle 826 of mechanical lock 820 moves to actuate cam 862, thereby moving hook 856 into recess 2245 in guide rail 224 until latch 850 reaches its locking position for drawer 138. Therefore, the movement of slider 312 allows hook 856 to be moved.

[0368] The notch 2245 in the guide rail 224 is made in a specific position so that the hook 856 can extend therein only when the drawer 138 is in the test position. The mechanical lock 820 thus allows the drawer 138 to be locked in the test position.

[0369] Therefore, the mechanical lock 820 can move between two positions: a position for locking drawer 138, in which the drawer is in a test position, and a position for unlocking drawer 138, in which the mechanical lock 820 does not prevent the drawer 138 from moving.

[0370] Furthermore, when the slider 312 is in the position for locking the button 310, the mechanical lock 820 is in the position for locking the drawer 138, and when the slider 312 is in the position for unlocking the button 310, the mechanical lock 820 is in the position for unlocking the drawer 138.

[0371] Therefore, when the slider 312 is in the position for locking the button 310, the movement of the drawer 138 in the motor start module 200 can be mechanically prevented by means of the mechanical lock 820.

[0372] Furthermore, at this position of the slider 312, the locking device can be placed in the appropriate position in the hole 316 in the handle, which then prevents the slider from entering the channel for the position of the unlock button 310, and thus prevents the mechanical lock 820 from entering the channel for the position of the unlock drawer 138.

[0373] In summary, slider 312 enables mechanical lock 820 to be actuated.

[0374] Therefore, the locking system of drawer 138 includes two different locking mechanisms, namely electromagnetic lock 311 and mechanical lock 820.

[0375] It should be understood that slider 312 interacts with both locking mechanisms because, depending on its position, slider 312 allows or prevents activation of button 310, which controls electromagnetic lock 311 and moves mechanical lock 820 between its position for locking or unlocking drawer 138.

[0376] In summary, the electromagnetic lock 311 allows the drawer 138 to be locked in the operating or testing position, and the mechanical lock 820 allows the drawer 138 to be locked in the testing position.

[0377] In addition, the electromagnetic lock 311 can be unlocked only when the mechanical lock 820 is unlocked.

[0378] The locking mechanism of drawer 138 in the test position is redundant, which is particularly advantageous for the safe use of drawer 138 and the electrical load 104 connected thereto.

[0379] Specifically, during maintenance operations on the electrical load 104 connected to drawer 138, it is desirable to supply power to drawer 138 but not to the electrical load 104, which corresponds to the test position of the drawer. In this position of the drawer, the electrical load 104 connected to the drawer can be operated without risk because the electrical load 104 is not powered.

[0380] To ensure the safety of the maintenance operator working on electrical load 104, it is necessary to ensure that drawer 138 cannot be moved from its test position to its operating position. To this end, the maintenance operator places a locking device 318 (e.g., a padlock) in the appropriate position on drawer 138, which prevents the drawer 138 from moving. This operation is referred to as “electrical blocking” of electrical load 104 because it is impossible to re-establish power supply to electrical load 104 as long as the locking device 318 is installed.

[0381] The locking device 318 thus prevents drawer 138 from being unlocked.

[0382] Because the through hole 316 is configured to accommodate multiple locking devices 318, multiple maintenance operators can prevent drawer 138 from being unlocked by installing their own locking devices 318.

[0383] Having locking redundancy makes it safer because if one of the two locks fails, it is still impossible for drawer 138 to move to the operating position.

[0384] Furthermore, both the electromagnetic lock 311 and the mechanical lock 820 operate independently of the components contained in drawer 138. Therefore, the aforementioned locking system can be used for many types of monitoring and controlling drawers, regardless of the functions included in those drawers.

[0385] As a variation, drawer 138 also includes a manually operated mechanism that makes it possible to unlock the electromagnetic lock 311 in the absence of voltage, thereby allowing the drawer to move from its operating position to its test position, or from its test position to its disconnected position.

[0386] As a variation, drawer 138 does not include mechanical lock 820, and the locking system for the drawer is formed solely by electromagnetic lock 311.

[0387] As a variation, button 310 is replaced by another control device, such as a touch screen or a handle.

[0388] As a variation, the electromagnetic lock 311 is controlled by a device other than the button 310, particularly by a remote device. In this variation, the command to open the electromagnetic lock 311 is sent, for example, by a remote computer, which could be computer 130, or, for example, by communication module 134.

[0389] The front part 300 of drawer 138 also includes a second handle 320.

[0390] The second handle 320 includes a base 322 and a handle extension 324.

[0391] The grip extension 324 of the second handle is the same as the handle extension 308 of the main handle 304.

[0392] The base 322 of the second handle 320 is different from the base 306 of the main handle because the base 322 does not include buttons or sliders.

[0393] In fact, only drawers 138 with heights of 4U, 5U, and 6U include a second handle 320. Drawers with heights of 1U, 2U, and 3U include only a main handle 304.

[0394] The main handle 304 has a height of 1U so that it can be installed on a drawer with a height of 1U.

[0395] The front section 300 includes a ventilation grille 326. The ventilation grille is actually a perforation formed in the front area that allows air to flow between the outside and the inside of the drawer 138.

[0396] Each ventilation grille 326 has a height of 1U.

[0397] In fact, the front of a drawer with a height of N×U includes N ventilation grilles, where N is an integer between 1 and 6. For example, Figure 13 and 14 The front of the 4U-height drawer 326 includes four ventilation grilles 326, while Figure 8 The front of the 2U-high drawer, visible from the center, includes two ventilation grilles 326.

[0398] Drawer 138 includes a base 328 with a height of 1U and a lid 330.

[0399] The base 328 is the main structure of the drawer. The front of the drawer is attached to the base 328, and the drawer is mounted and secured in the motor start module 200 via the base 328.

[0400] In fact, the electromagnetic lock 311 is located in the base 328 of the drawer.

[0401] The base 328 is horizontal, and the components contained in the drawer are attached to it, which will be described in detail below.

[0402] exist Figure 8 , 9 In the examples shown in 1, 13 and 14, the base 328 is located at the bottom of drawer 138.

[0403] The lid 330 is a protective structure that allows drawer 138 to be closed and protects the components housed within it. In fact, the shape of the lid 330 depends on the height of drawer 138. Therefore, each drawer height corresponds to a lid height.

[0404] When the height of drawer 138 is equal to 1U, the lid 330 is formed by a horizontal flat plate 332. Such an example is... Figure 9 As can be seen in the text. In such an example, the height of cover 330 is assumed to be 0×U.

[0405] like Figure 13 and 14 As shown, when the height of drawer 138 is greater than 1U, lid 330 includes a horizontal flat plate 332, two side walls 334 extending from two opposite edges of the flat plate toward the base 328 and parallel to the plane formed by the Y-axis and Z-axis, and a rear wall 336 extending from the edge of the flat plate opposite to the front part 300 of the drawer toward the base 328 and parallel to the plane formed by the X-axis and Z-axis. In this configuration, the height of lid 330 is 1U shorter than the height of drawer 138.

[0406] Therefore, the height of cover 330 is between 0U and 5U.

[0407] In fact, in the drawer corresponding to a height of 4U Figure 13 and 14 In the example, the height of the cover 330 is equal to 3U. Therefore, when it is on the base 328, the cover 330 extends from the base to the top of the drawer 138, that is, the flat plate 332 of the cover 330 is at the level of the upper edge of the front 300.

[0408] When the drawer height is equal to 2U or 3U, the rear wall 336 of the cover 330 includes a vent 338.

[0409] When the drawer height is equal to 4U, 5U or 6U, the rear wall 336 of the cover 330 includes two ventilation holes 338.

[0410] As a variation, the rear wall 336 of the drawer lid, which is 6U in height, includes three ventilation holes 338.

[0411] exist Figure 15 and 16 The image shows drawer 138 with a height of 1U, but it is not shown with... Figure 9 The same cover 330 as shown.

[0412] exist Figure 15 In the middle, the front part 300 of drawer 138 can be seen, with its slider 312 in the position for unlocking button 310, that is, the slider is located to the left of window 314 in base 306, and button 310 can be actuated to unlock drawer 138 from motor start module 200.

[0413] The base 328 includes a support plate 340. The support plate 340 is U-shaped, meaning it includes a main part 342 and two vertical walls 344. The main part 342 is horizontal and is actually the bottom of the drawer 138. The vertical walls 344 extend parallel to the plane formed by the Y-axis and Z-axis.

[0414] Furthermore, the base 328 includes two lateral structures 346. The lateral structures 346 are attached to the exterior of the vertical wall 344 of the support plate 340 by fastening devices such as screws 347. In practice, the lateral structures 346 extend from the front portion 300 of the drawer 138 along the Y-axis to the rear portion of the drawer, specifically to the rear portion 348 opposite to the front portion, which also belongs to the base 328 of the drawer 138.

[0415] Therefore, the lateral structure 346 belongs to the base 328 of the drawer 138.

[0416] In fact, the structure 822 of the mechanical lock 820 is fixed to the lateral structure 346.

[0417] Each lateral structure 346 includes rollers 350, preferably two rollers 350.

[0418] Each roller 350 has an axis X350 parallel to the X-axis and is configured to roll within the guide rail 224 of the motor starting module structure 202 and the guide rail 250 of the protection unit 140. Therefore, the diameter of the roller 350 is smaller than the distance between the two edges of the guide rails 224 and 250.

[0419] In practice, each drawer 138 is installed within the volume V1 of the motor start module 200. For this purpose, a first lateral structure 346 is inserted into the first guide rail of guide rails 224 and 250, and a second lateral structure 346 is inserted into the second guide rail of the same pair of guide rails 224 and 250. Then, the rolling of roller 350 on the guide rails allows the drawer to be inserted into and removed from the motor start module.

[0420] Therefore, with the help of the lateral structure 346, the drawer 138 can move between the three main positions of the drawer in the motor-starting module.

[0421] Each lateral structure 346 also includes a movable lateral contact 352, which allows the drawer 138 to be connected to a communication interface 353 belonging to the input / output module 206 or the protection unit 140, the operation of which will be explained below.

[0422] The rear part 348 of drawer 138 extends between two lateral structures 346.

[0423] In the case of a 1U height drawer, the cover 330 extends from the front 300 to the rear 348 and is located between the two side structures 346.

[0424] When the drawer height is greater than or equal to 2U, the side wall 334 of the cover 330 extends upward to the vertical wall 344, and the rear wall 336 of the cover extends upward to the rear 348.

[0425] The rear section 348 includes a set of upstream connectors 354, a set of downstream connectors 356, and a vent 358.

[0426] Therefore, the upstream connector 354 and the downstream connector 356 are mounted on the base 328 of the drawer 138.

[0427] from Figure 16 As can be seen more clearly, the vent 358 is located between the upstream connector group 354 and the downstream connector group 356 along the longitudinal X-axis of the drawer 138. Advantageously, the vent 358 is centered relative to the base 328 along the X-axis. Furthermore, the upstream connector group 354 and the downstream connector group 356 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the vent 358.

[0428] When the drawer is installed in the motor start module 200, the vent 358 is positioned facing the vent 214 of the back support 210.

[0429] In fact, the rear 348 includes four upstream connectors 354 and four downstream connectors 356.

[0430] When drawer 138 is in the operating position, upstream connector 354 is fitted to four electrical outputs 248 of a set of electrical outputs 246 of protection unit 140. Therefore, drawer 138 is powered from the power supply line via protection unit 140. In other words, protection unit 140 is the power source for drawer 138.

[0431] When drawer 138 is in the operating position, downstream connector 356 is fitted onto external connection module 208. Therefore, drawer 138 supplies power to external connection module 208, and when electrical load 104 is connected to external connection module 208, power can be supplied to electrical load 104.

[0432] When drawer 138 is in the test position or disconnect position, upstream connector 354 and downstream connector 356 are pulled out from the electrical output 248 of protection unit 140 and external connection module 208, respectively.

[0433] Drawer 138 includes a functional element 362, which is not shown in detail, but its location is... Figure 17The components are marked with dashed lines. In a known manner, these functional elements 362 enable control of the electrical load 104, which is actually an electric motor, and allow operation of the drawer 138.

[0434] These functional components specifically include:

[0435] - At least one contactor;

[0436] - Thermal protection relays, such as bimetallic electromechanical relays or electronic relays, have the function of protecting the electric motor powered by drawer 138 from potential overload, which is especially likely to occur when starting the motor;

[0437] - A sensor for the operation of drawer 138, such as a sensor for the power supply voltage from upstream connector 354; and

[0438] - Electronic components configured to collect signals from sensors (e.g., temperature probes or speed sensors) arranged on or near the electrical load 104 for the operation of the electrical load 104.

[0439] In practice, the contactor is directly connected to the upstream connector 354 via connecting bus 360, and to the downstream connector 356 via downstream connecting bus 361. In fact, each connector 354 or 356 provides one connecting bus 360 or 361. Figure 15 and 16 For simplicity, only three connecting buses are shown, namely the buses of the current phases.

[0440] Therefore, the contactor can selectively interrupt or allow current flow between the upstream connector 354 and the downstream connector 356 in a known manner. With the aid of the contactor, power can be supplied to the electrical load 104, which allows, for example, an electric motor to be started and then run when current flow is allowed, and to stop the operation of such a motor when current is interrupted.

[0441] In addition, drawer 138 may include multiple contactors, which allows, for example, the voltage supplied to electrical load 104 to control, for example, the speed of a motor; or to control the direction of rotation of the motor.

[0442] Drawer 138 also includes a control circuit board 364. The control circuit board is attached to the support plate 340.

[0443] The control circuit board 364 is connected to the communication module 134 of the motor starter column 110. This allows functional elements 362 of the drawer 138, such as contactors, thermal protection relays, and displays 302, to be controlled according to commands from the communication module. It also allows for the combination of information from sensors for drawer operation and information from electronic components configured to collect signals from sensors for electrical load operation before transmitting them to the communication module 134.

[0444] Based on this analysis of information from sensors used for the operation of the drawer and electrical load, the control circuit board 364 can adjust its control over the functional element 362, for example, by issuing a command to the contactor to interrupt power supply to the electrical load when the operating sensor returns a fault in the electrical load.

[0445] Therefore, with the help of functional element 362 and circuit board 364, each drawer 138 supplies power to the electrical load 104, controls the electrical load, and monitors the electrical load. Thus, each drawer 138 simultaneously serves to supply power to the electrical load 104, control the electrical load 104, and monitor the electrical load 104.

[0446] The drawer's control circuit board 364, functional element 362, and electromagnetic lock 311 are supplied with a first auxiliary voltage.

[0447] The electromagnetic lock 311 is actually controlled by the control circuit board 364, and the button 310 communicates with the control circuit board.

[0448] When button 310 is actuated, it sends a control signal to control circuit board 364, requesting activation of electromagnetic lock 311 so that it can move to the position for unlocking drawer 138.

[0449] In this case, after receiving a signal from button 310 and before moving the electromagnetic lock to the position for unlocking the drawer, control circuit board 364 performs a verification operation.

[0450] These verification operations include, for example, analyzing information from sensors used for drawer operation and from sensors used for electrical load 104 operation, so that the electromagnetic lock 311 is moved to the position for unlocking the drawer only when the operating state of the drawer (e.g., functional element 362) and / or the electrical load is satisfactory.

[0451] The control circuit board is configured such that if a fault is detected in drawer 138 during these verification operations, such as a fault in one of the functional elements 362, or a fault in electrical load 104, such as a fault in one of the sensors used for electrical load operation, the lock 311 does not move to the position for unlocking the drawer, and therefore preferably, a message notifying of the fault is displayed on display 302.

[0452] Therefore, with the aid of the electromagnetic lock 311, whose opening is controlled by the button 310 and verified by the control circuit board 364, the drawer 138 can be unlocked, that is, moved from its test position or its operating position only after the correct operating status of the drawer 138 and / or the electrical load 104 has been verified.

[0453] This verification before unlocking drawer 138 is particularly advantageous because it allows for the safe use of electrical cabinet 100 and electrical load 104 by ensuring the correct operation of the drawer and electrical load before connection.

[0454] The height of drawer 138 is selected—from 1U to 6U—depending on the power that must be supplied to electrical load 104. Specifically, the higher the power consumed by electrical load 104, the larger the size of the contactor and other functional components.

[0455] Therefore, a contactor controlling a low-power motor, such as up to 11 kW, will be relatively small and can be installed in a 1U high drawer, while a contactor controlling a high-power motor, such as 75 kW, will be larger and must be installed in a 6U high drawer. A contactor controlling a medium-power (e.g., 30 kW) motor will, for example, be installed in a 3U high drawer.

[0456] The design of drawer 138 described herein is advantageous because base 328 is shared for all six heights of drawer 138. Base 328 constitutes the main structure of the drawer, allowing it to be mounted in the motor start module, and carries all electrical connectors of drawer 138—upstream and front connectors, side contacts—and functional element 362.

[0457] Because the height of the front 300 and the cover 330 is adapted to the size of the functional element 362, the drawer 138 is modular.

[0458] Therefore, it is easy to adapt the height of drawer 138 to the size of contactor and other functional components, since only the front 300 and the cover 330 differ between drawers 138 of different heights.

[0459] The functional elements 362 of drawer 138 become hot during their operation, particularly the contactors and thermal protection relays. The heat thus generated heats the air contained in drawer 138, and air must then be replenished to maintain an internal temperature suitable for the normal operating conditions of the functional elements of the drawer.

[0460] Figure 17 The airflow FL1 flowing through drawer 138 is shown.

[0461] In this figure, the positions of the functional elements 362 of drawer 138 are shown by dashed lines. It can be observed that the airflow FL1 flows horizontally across these functional elements, allowing them to be cooled through heat exchange. In fact, as the airflow FL1 flows horizontally across these functional elements, the airflow cools the functional elements while simultaneously heating itself.

[0462] The heat generated by the functional element 362 of the drawer depends in particular on the electrical power of the motor 104 controlled by the drawer.

[0463] In the case of low-power electric motors, such as up to 11 kW, the heat generated will be removed from the 1U-height drawer 138 that controls the motor by airflow FL1 caused by natural convection.

[0464] This natural convection is generated by the ventilation grille 326 at the front 300 of drawer 1U and the ventilation holes 358 at the rear 348 of drawer 1U.

[0465] In fact, the airflow FL1 enters through the ventilation grille 326 and exits through the ventilation hole 358.

[0466] In the case of higher-power electric motors, such as those between 11 kW and 75 kW, the drawer 138 controlling the motor will have a height between 2U and 6U, depending on the motor's power. In this configuration, the airflow FL1 that allows cooling of the drawer enters via the ventilation grille 326 of the front 300 and exits on one hand via the ventilation opening 358 of the rear 348, and on the other hand via one or more ventilation openings 338 of the rear wall 336 of the cover 330.

[0467] In other words, the vent 358 of the rear portion 348 and one or more vents 338 of the rear wall 336 of the cover 330 together form the rear ventilation area 359 of the drawer 138. Therefore, the rear ventilation area of ​​the drawer is located at the level of the rear portion 348 of the drawer.

[0468] In the case of a 1U height drawer 138, the rear ventilation area 359 of the drawer is similar to the ventilation hole 358 at the rear of the drawer 348.

[0469] In practice, when the height of the drawer is between 2U and 6U, the drawer 138 includes one or more fans 366 to force airflow FL1 through the drawer 138.

[0470] Each fan 366 is arranged on the rear wall 336 of the cover and has a height of slightly less than 2U. The fan 366 is configured to expel air contained in the drawer 138 from the drawer.

[0471] When the height of drawer 138 is equal to 2U or 3U, it includes a fan 366. The fan is arranged between the ventilation hole 358 at the rear of the drawer 348 and the ventilation hole 338 at the lid 330. In other words, the fan is arranged on the rear ventilation area 359 of the drawer.

[0472] When the height of drawer 138 is equal to 4U (e.g.) Figure 14 As shown in the diagram, in the 5U or 6U configuration, it includes two overlapping fans 366. The first fan is positioned between the vent 358 at the rear of the drawer 348 and the first vent 338 on the lid, while the second fan is positioned entirely on the second vent 338 on the lid. In other words, the two fans are positioned on the rear ventilation area 359 of the drawer.

[0473] When the height of drawer 138 is equal to 6U, it may optionally include a third fan 366 arranged on the third vent 338.

[0474] With the help of one or more fans 366, the air supply in drawer 138 is improved, and the cooling of functional components is more efficient.

[0475] Advantageously, the control board 364 controls one or more fans 366 to optimize their operation.

[0476] Advantageously, the control circuit board 364 is configured to stop the fan 366 when the functional elements of the drawer 138 do not generate any heat, particularly when the electrical load 104 is not supplied with power.

[0477] According to another advantageous method, drawer 138 includes a temperature sensor that measures the internal temperature of drawer 138, and the speed of fan 366 is adjusted according to the internal temperature of drawer 138, that is, the speed increases when the temperature is high to accelerate the replenishment of air, and the speed decreases when the internal temperature of drawer is satisfactory.

[0478] Advantageously, drawer 138 includes one or more radiators 368, one of which is in Figure 17 As shown, a heat sink 368 is arranged on one or more functional elements 362 and is capable of increasing heat exchange with the airflow FL1 flowing through the drawer 138, thereby improving the cooling of these functional elements.

[0479] In this configuration, drawer 138 advantageously includes a deflector 370 that directs the airflow FL1 onto the radiators 368. In effect, the deflector 370 is, for example, a thin sheet that guides the airflow along its path through the drawer. The presence of the deflector in drawer 138 alters the airflow through drawer 138 without changing its primary direction, i.e., from the front 300 to the rear ventilation area 359.

[0480] It is advantageous for air to enter drawer 138 via the front portion 300 and exit drawer 138 via the rear ventilation area 359. Specifically, these two portions are arranged along the Y-axis at both ends of the drawer, and the airflow through the drawer then flows directly between these two ends along the Y-axis; that is, it does not undergo any significant change in direction, which is more efficient than airflow where the air inlet and air outlet are located on the same side (e.g., the front). In particular, any change in the direction of airflow will slow down the airflow velocity.

[0481] In other words, the airflow FL1 flows from one side of the drawer to the other without a significant change in direction. "Without a significant change" means that the airflow FL1 does not follow any curve with an angle greater than 30°, preferably greater than 15°.

[0482] In fact, when the airflow FL1 comes into contact with the functional element 362, the airflow FL1 is interrupted, but these interruptions do not constitute a change in the main direction of the airflow and are necessary to provide heat exchange between the air and the functional element.

[0483] Furthermore, the total height of the ventilation grille 326 at the front 300 is essentially equal to the height of the rear ventilation area 359 of the drawer 138. In other words, the rear ventilation area 359 of the drawer and the ventilation grille 326 of the drawer 138 extend across the entire height of the drawer, regardless of the drawer's height. Therefore, the airflow FL1 passes from one side of the drawer 138 to the other without changing its vertical direction; that is, the airflow FL1 is horizontal.

[0484] Due to this thermal management based on airflow from one side through drawer 138 to the other, the cooling of the functional components of drawer 138 is improved.

[0485] Furthermore, this thermal management based on airflow from one side of the component to the other also makes it possible to cool the communication module 134.

[0486] Specifically, the communication module 134 includes a front ventilation grille 180 on its front side 176 and a rear ventilation grille 184 on its rear side 178, which respectively function as a ventilation grille 326 similar to the front part 300 of the drawer 138 and a ventilation hole 358 on the back 348 of the drawer 138.

[0487] Therefore, the rear ventilation grille 184 has the function of a rear ventilation area 359 similar to that of drawer 138.

[0488] Therefore, the airflow FL1 also passes from one side through the communication module 134 to the other side without a significant change in direction.

[0489] This airflow allows for the cooling of heat-generating components in the communication module 134, specifically one or more power blocks 150 and circuit boards 188.

[0490] As a variation of the invention (not shown), the communication module 134 further includes at least one fan mounted to force airflow FL1 through the communication module and arranged on the rear ventilation grille 184 and / or the front ventilation grille 180. Preferably, these one or more fans are controlled by a circuit board 188.

[0491] As a variation of the invention (not shown), the communication module 134 further includes at least one heat sink disposed on one or more power blocks 150 or circuit boards 188. Preferably, the communication module 134 also includes at least one deflector configured to direct airflow FL1 to one or more heat sinks.

[0492] "Functional unit" refers to the unit of communication module 134 or monitoring and control unit 138, which in the example is drawer 138 and is cooled by airflow FL1.

[0493] Drawer 138 has a width equal to ℓ2, or 400 mm, measured along the Y-axis. This width is measured between the front portion 300 and the rear portion 348 of the drawer.

[0494] When the motor starting module 200 is installed in a cabinet 100 with a width ℓ2 equal to 400 mm, such as Figure 4 In this embodiment, the rear portion 348 of each drawer is located at the level of the rear side F2 of the cabinet 100. Furthermore, the thin panel 166 forming the rear side of the cabinet 100 includes ventilation grilles 372, such as... Figure 4 As shown. These ventilation grilles are arranged facing the ventilation area 359 of each drawer. Thus, the ventilation area 359 of drawer 138 connects the interior of the drawer to the exterior of the cabinet via these ventilation grilles 372. In this configuration, air flowing through drawer 138 is exhausted directly from cabinet 100 via the rear of cabinet 100.

[0495] When the motor starting module 200 is installed in a cabinet 100 with a width ℓ1 equal to 600 mm, such as Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 5 In one embodiment, the rear portion 348 of each drawer is located at the level of the interface between the functional area 156 of the motor start module 200 and the thermal management area 162. Therefore, the ventilation area 359 connects the interior of the drawer 138 to the thermal management area 162 of the cabinet. In this configuration, the airflow FL1 flowing through the drawer 138 exits into the thermal management area 162 of the cabinet.

[0496] In addition, in this configuration, the air flowing through the communication module 134 is also discharged into the thermal management area 162 of the cabinet via the rear ventilation grille 184 of the communication module.

[0497] The thermal management zone 162 is a substantially hollow column that extends across the entire height of the cabinet 100. Therefore, air exhausted from drawers 138 is heated by the functional elements 362 of these drawers and rises to the top of the thermal management zone 162 via convection, the same as the air exhausted from the communication module 134.

[0498] Furthermore, the thermal management area 162 includes an upper section at the top of the cabinet 100, which is actually part of the upper section F4 of the cabinet. This upper section includes an escape grille (not shown). This escape grille allows hot air to escape from the thermal management area 162. Therefore, the airflow FL2 from drawer 138 and communication module 134 rises through the thermal management area 162 and exits via the top of the thermal management area 162, i.e., via the upper section F4 of the cabinet 100, as... Figure 2 As shown.

[0499] In other words, the thermal management area 162 acts as a chimney for hot air to escape from the drawer 138 and the communication module 134.

[0500] Optionally, an extraction fan 374 is included above the thermal management area corresponding to the upper part of the cabinet F4, which draws in the air contained in the thermal management area so as to exhaust it from the cabinet 100. With the help of this fan, the removal of hot airflow FL2 is facilitated.

[0501] Because thermal management area 162 allows hot air to be drawn from all drawers 138 and communication module 134 via the top of cabinet 100, cabinet 100 can be installed with its back blocked, for example by positioning the cabinet against a wall or back-to-back with a second cabinet 100, without negatively impacting the thermal management of drawers 138 and communication module 134.

[0502] As a variation, fan 366 is positioned on ventilation grille 326 at the front of drawer 138 and facilitates airflow FL1 into the drawer.

[0503] As a variant, the fan 366 is positioned both on the ventilation grille 326 at the front of the drawer and on the rear ventilation area 359.

[0504] Furthermore, when cabinet 100 does not include wiring area 160, it is similar to Figure 5 In this embodiment, the connection of cable 139 is made in the thermal management area 162, but cable 139 is not arranged in the airflow FL2, so it does not affect the cooling of the cabinet. Specifically, the cable is located at the rear of the connection area 158, while the airflow FL2 is located at the rear of the functional area 156.

[0505] As a variation, the thermal management of the aforementioned drawer 138 and the cabinet 100 including one or more drawers 138 is applied to the drawer 138 installed in the current distribution column or load drive column.

[0506] As a variation, as described above, and including the use of drawers 138 with grilles 326 and holes 338 and 358, and the thermal management of cabinet 100 including one or more drawers 138, is applied to monitoring and control unit 138 as a fixed unit of the cabinet.

[0507] Figure 18 This is a perspective view of the movable lateral contacts 352 of the lateral structure 346. Each movable lateral contact 352 is actually arranged at the level of the window 400 formed in the lateral structure 346 and the window 402 formed in the vertical wall 344.

[0508] Each drawer 138 includes two movable lateral contacts 352, each arranged within a lateral structure 346. Of these two movable lateral contacts, the first connects the drawer 138 to the communication interface 353 of the input / output module 206, and the second connects the drawer 138 to the communication interface 353 of the protection unit 140. The design and operation of these two movable lateral contacts are identical.

[0509] As a variation, drawer 138 includes only one movable lateral contact 352 arranged in the lateral structure 346, which allows drawer 138 to be connected to the communication interface 353 of input / output module 206 or the communication interface 353 of protection unit 140.

[0510] In fact, each input / output module 206 includes a communication interface 353, and the protection unit 140 includes six communication interfaces 353 arranged in the window 256.

[0511] Each movable lateral contact 352 includes a plate 404. The plate 404 includes a body 406 and two wings 408, the body 406 having a shape extending along the Y-axis and the wings 408 extending perpendicularly to the body 406 along the X-axis.

[0512] The main body 406 of the plate includes an opening 410.

[0513] In practice, the height of the main body 406 along the Z-axis is shorter than the height of the window 402 of the vertical wall 344.

[0514] like Figure 19 As shown, plate 404 is arranged inside drawer 138 and contacts the surface of vertical wall 344 facing the inside of drawer 138.

[0515] The two wings 408 of the panel extend toward the outside of the drawer 138, are arranged in two slots 412 in the vertical wall 344, and extend between the vertical wall 344 and the lateral structure 346.

[0516] Each wing includes an end edge 414 parallel to the Y-axis and a ramp 416, the ramp 416 connecting the end edge 414 to the body 406 of the plate 404.

[0517] The vertical wall 344 includes two retaining brackets 418 positioned facing the window 402 and formed by cutting and folding the vertical wall 344. In fact, the retaining brackets 418 include a first portion extending perpendicularly to the vertical wall 344 into the interior of the drawer 138 and a second portion extending perpendicularly to the first portion, i.e., parallel to the vertical wall 344, thus extending towards the window 402.

[0518] The plate 404 is held in place relative to the drawer 138 by means of a wing 408 arranged in the slot 412, a bracket 418 that prevents the plate from translating along the X-axis toward the interior of the drawer 138, and a vertical wall 344 that prevents the plate from translating along the X-axis toward the exterior of the drawer.

[0519] Plate 404 is fixed relative to drawer 138 along the Y-axis.

[0520] In addition, springs 420 are arranged between each bracket 418 and the body 406 of the plate. The two springs 420 allow the plate 404 to remain against the vertical wall 344.

[0521] Each movable contact 352 also includes a frame 422 disposed between the vertical wall 344 and the lateral structure 346.

[0522] In fact, the lateral structure 346 includes a main wall 424 and two secondary walls 426. The main wall 424 is parallel to the vertical wall 344 of the support plate 340, and the two secondary walls 426 extend from the main wall 424 toward the vertical wall 344, one of which is as follows: Figure 15 As shown.

[0523] Therefore, the lateral structure 346 defines the internal volume between the main wall 424, the secondary wall 426, and the vertical wall 344 of the support plate 340.

[0524] The frame 422 is arranged within the internal volume of the lateral structure 346 and is movable along the Y-axis within that internal volume.

[0525] In fact, frame 422 cannot move along the X-axis because it is in contact with vertical wall 344 on one hand and main wall 424 on the other.

[0526] The height H422 of frame 422 is shorter than the distance measured along the Z-axis, which separates the two secondary walls 426 of the lateral structure 346.

[0527] The height of frame 422 is greater than the height H400 of window 400 in the lateral structure, so that the frame cannot exit the internal volume of the lateral structure via window 400.

[0528] like Figure 20 As shown, the frame 422 includes two openings 428 with a height of H428, which pass through the frame 422 along an axis parallel to the X-axis.

[0529] Each movable lateral contact 352 also includes a contact housing 430. The contact housing includes a retaining device 432, and two contact retainers 434 extend from the retaining device 432 along the Y-axis on each side of the retaining device 432.

[0530] Each contact holder 434, indicated by "H434", is shorter in height than the height H428 of the opening 428.

[0531] The height of the fixing device 432, represented by "H432", is greater than the height H428 of the opening 428.

[0532] The contact housing 430 is arranged within the internal volume of the lateral structure 346, between the frame 422 and the vertical wall 344, and extends partially out of this internal volume through the window 400 along the X-axis. In effect, the frame 422 carries the contact housing 430. Each contact retainer 434 passes through an opening 428 in the frame 422. In other words, the frame 422 guides the contact housing 430 to move along the Y-axis within the lateral structure 346.

[0533] The contact housing 430 is movable along the X-axis within the frame 422. For example... Figure 21 , 22 As shown in Figure 23, its translational movement along the X-axis is restricted on the one hand by the vertical wall 344, and on the other hand by the fixing device 432 that contacts the frame 422.

[0534] Each movable lateral contact 352 includes a spring 435, actually four springs 435. The springs 435 are arranged between the contact housing 430 and the frame 422 and are configured to apply a force along the X-axis that separates the contact housing 430 from the frame 422. Since the frame 422 cannot move along the X-axis, the force applied by the springs 435 causes the contact housing 430 to move relative to the drawer 138 along the X-axis toward the interior of the drawer.

[0535] Each moving side contact 352 also includes two electrical contacts 436.

[0536] Each electrical contact 436 is securely arranged in the contact holder 434.

[0537] Each electrical contact 436 includes a flexible connector 438.

[0538] The flexible connector 438 is configured to connect drawer 138 to input / output module 206 or protection unit 140. This connection is described below.

[0539] Cable 440 is also connected to the control circuit board 364 of drawer 138. Figures 18 to 23 Only part of cable 440 is shown in the image.

[0540] In practice, the cable connects to the flexible connector 438 and extends from the rear of the electrical contact 436 through the window 402 in the vertical wall 344 and the opening 410 in the plate 404, into the interior of the drawer 138.

[0541] Each movable lateral contact 352 also includes a guide shaft 442. The guide shaft is preferably a cylinder extending along the Z-axis and is mounted in the frame 422.

[0542] As a variant, the guide shaft is integrated with the frame 422.

[0543] The height H442 of the guide shaft 442 is greater than the distance measured along the Z-axis, which separates the secondary wall 426 of the lateral structure 346. Therefore, the guide shaft 442 extends out of the internal volume of the lateral structure 346, passing through the two slots 444 formed in the secondary wall 426.

[0544] Each movable lateral contact 352 also includes a tension spring 446, preferably two springs 446. The tension springs 446 extend parallel to the Y-axis. One end of each tension spring 446 is attached to the guide shaft 442, and the other end is attached to the lateral structure 346.

[0545] Each movable lateral contact 352 is configured to ensure that the flexible connector 438 connects to the protection unit 140 or the input / output module 206 for any position of the drawer 138 between its operating position and its test position, and to ensure that the connection is not interrupted when the drawer 138 moves between its test position and its operating position.

[0546] Therefore, each movable lateral contact 352 can move along the longitudinal axis A138 of the drawer 138 parallel to the Y-axis and the transverse axis B138 of the drawer parallel to the X-axis.

[0547] Figure 21 , 22 Figures 2 and 23 show three different positions of the lateral contact 352.

[0548] The engagement position of drawer 138 is defined as the position between the drawer's disengagement position and the test position. Figure 21 In the diagram, drawer 138 is shown between its engagement position and the test position. The test position of the drawer is as follows: Figure 22 As shown, the drawer's operating position is as follows: Figure 23 As shown.

[0549] In these figures, only a portion of the movable lateral contact 352 and drawer 138 are shown. Specifically, for clarity, the guide rails 224 and 250 into which the drawer's lateral structure is inserted are concealed. In reality, the movement of each movable lateral contact is influenced by the interaction between the movable lateral contact and guide rail 224 or 250, into which the lateral structure 346 carrying the movable lateral contact is inserted.

[0550] When drawer 138 is inserted into motor start module 200 between its disconnected and engaged positions, the moving lateral contact 352 does not move relative to drawer 138.

[0551] In this position, the frame 422 and guide shaft 442 are held as close as possible to the rear of the drawer 348 by the tension spring 446 in a rest position. In fact, when the guide shaft 442 contacts one end of the slot 444, the frame 422 and guide shaft 442 are as close as possible to the rear of the drawer 348. This position is not shown in the figure.

[0552] Furthermore, in this position, the contact housing 430 and the contact 426 are in the insertion position within the drawer 138, meaning the contact housing 430 is away from the frame 422 and closer to the vertical wall 344. In other words, in the insertion position, the contact housing 430 and the contact 426 are contained as far as possible within the internal volume of the lateral structure 346 and extend out of that internal volume as little as possible through the window 400.

[0553] In fact, the insertion position of the contact housing 430 and the contact 426 is applied by the spring 435, which applies a force to the contact housing 430 to separate it from the frame 422.

[0554] During the process of inserting the motor start module 200 into the drawer 138, when the drawer 138 reaches the engagement position, the guide shaft 442 contacts the tongue 232 or 254 of the guide rail 224 or 250.

[0555] Specifically, the height H442 of the guide shaft 442 is greater than the distance between the edges of the guide rails 224 and 250 measured along the Z-axis, but less than the distance between the tongues of the guide rails.

[0556] From this engagement position, the translation of frame 422, contact housing 430, and electrical contact 436 along the Y-axis stops. These components then begin to move relative to drawer 138. Thus, between the drawer's engagement position and its operating position, and through the drawer's test position, frame 422 translates relative to the internal volume of the lateral structure 346. In effect, when drawer 138 moves, frame 422 becomes fixed relative to motor actuation module 200. During this movement of the drawer, tension spring 446 is stretched.

[0557] The movement of the frame 422, the contact housing 430, and the electrical contact 436 between the drawer's engagement position and the drawer's test position is carried out in two stages.

[0558] During the first phase, the frame 422, contact housing 430, and electrical contact 436 move relative to drawer 138 along the Y-axis and axis B138, away from the stationary position of frame 422, while remaining fixed relative to motor start module 200. This movement continues until the fixing device 432 of contact housing 430, fixed along the Y-axis, contacts the end edge 414 of wing 408 of plate 404, which is movable along the Y-axis. This position is as follows: Figure 21 As shown.

[0559] During the second phase, after the fixing device 432 has contacted the end edge 414, the frame 422 and the elements it carries continue to move relative to the drawer 138 along the Y-axis, and the contact housing 430 further translates along the X-axis and axis A138 away from the internal volume of the lateral structure 346.

[0560] Therefore, the translation of the contact housing 430 along the X-axis is achieved by the inclined surface 416 of the wing. During the translation along the Y-axis, the inclined surface 416 pushes the contact housing and the contact 436 from their insertion position to their position extending from the drawer 138, as... Figure 22 As shown. This movement causes compression of the spring 435 between the contact housing and the frame 422.

[0561] Furthermore, such translation of the contact housing 430 and the electrical contact 436 along the X-axis is permitted because, from the engagement position of the drawer 138 to the operating position, the contact housing 430 of the moving lateral contact 352 faces the window 226 or 252 in the guide rail into which the lateral structure is engaged.

[0562] In fact, one of the two windows 226 or 252 in the face guide rail of each contact holder 434 of the contact housing 430.

[0563] Due to this translation, the electrical contact 436 extends into a lateral structure 346 and can contact the protection unit 140 or the input / output module 206.

[0564] Between the test position and the operating position of the drawer, the contact housing 430 is fixed relative to the motor start module 200 along the X-axis, and the fixing device 432 of the contact housing slides on the end edge 414 of the wing 408 of the plate 404.

[0565] In other words, the fixing device 432 forces the contact housing 430 to move relative to the drawer 138 toward its extended position.

[0566] Furthermore, the spring 420 that holds the plate 404 on the vertical wall 344 (i.e., in the reference position) is configured such that, in the event that the extension of the contact housing 430 along the X-axis is blocked, for example by an obstacle present in the window in the guide rail, the force applied by the spring 420 is weaker than the force applied by the fixing device 432 to the wing 408 of the plate 404, which causes the plate 404 to move along the X-axis toward the retaining bracket 418, i.e. toward the safe position.

[0567] Due to this movement of plate 404, the moving lateral contact 352 will not be damaged in this situation.

[0568] This movement of plate 404 also makes it possible to accommodate changes in the relative positioning of components. For example, if the communication interface 353 is closer to drawer 138, the movement along the X-axis of the plate will prevent excessive stress from being applied to the electrical contacts 436.

[0569] In summary, the movement of the electrical contact 436 in the motor starting module 200 consists of three stages:

[0570] - From the disconnected position to the engaged position of the drawer, the electrical contact 436 translates relative to the motor actuation module along the Y-axis in the guide rail 224 or 250 and is fixed relative to the drawer 138;

[0571] - From the drawer's engagement position to the drawer's test position, the electrical contact 436 translates along the X-axis away from the lateral structure 346, through the window 226 or 252 in the guide rail, and is fixed along the Y-axis relative to the motor actuation module 200; and

[0572] - The electrical contact 436 is fixed relative to the motor starting module from the test position of the drawer to the operating position of the drawer.

[0573] Due to this three-stage movement of the electrical contact 436, more specifically, due to the electrical contact 436 being fixed relative to the motor start module 200 between the test position and the operating position of the drawer, the contact between the electrical contact 436 and the protection unit 140 or the input / output module 206 is maintained uninterruptedly, which allows the connection between the control circuit board 364 and the protection unit 140 or between the control circuit board 364 and the input / output module 206 to be maintained between these two positions.

[0574] As the electrical contacts 436 extend through the window 226 in the guide rail 224, they also extend through the window 222 in the lateral support 210 to which the guide rail 224 is attached.

[0575] The cables 440 are flexible, allowing their ends, which connect to the electrical contacts 436, to move with the contacts 436. Furthermore, the dimensions of the window 402 in the vertical wall 344 and the opening 410 in the plate 404 are such that they do not interfere with the movement of the cables 440.

[0576] When drawer 138 is removed from volume V1 of start module 200, that is, when it moves from its operating position to its disconnected position, the movement of electrical contact 436 of moving side contact 352 includes three stages:

[0577] -From the drawer's operating position to the test position, the electrical contact 436 is fixed relative to the motor starting module 200 and translates relative to the drawer 138 along the Y-axis;

[0578] - From the test position to the engagement position of the drawer, the electrical contact 436 is fixed relative to the motor starting module along the Y-axis and, under the action of the spring 435, translates away from the frame 422 and toward the lateral structure 346 along the X-axis; and

[0579] - From the engaged position to the disengaged position of the drawer, the electrical contact 436 translates relative to the motor start module along the Y-axis and is fixed relative to the drawer 138.

[0580] like Figure 24 As shown, the input / output module 206 includes a housing 500, on which two connection pads 502 are arranged, forming a communication interface 353.

[0581] When drawer 138 is in the operating or test position, the flexible connector 438 of the two electrical contacts 436 contacts the two connecting pads 502. In fact, the connector 438 is called "flexible" because it can elastically deform along the X-axis under force, such as the force generated by contact with the connecting pads 502. This deformation allows for good electrical contact to be maintained between the flexible connector and the connecting pads 502, as it allows for tolerance of errors in the relative alignment and position of the connector and the connecting pads.

[0582] from Figure 8 As can be seen, the housing 500 of the input / output module 206 is attached to the lateral support 212 of the motor starter module 200. Each input / output module 206 is associated with a drawer 138 and is located on the lateral support 212 at the height of the base 328 of the drawer.

[0583] The input / output module 206 also includes a linear connector 504, which allows the input / output module 206 to be connected to the computer bus segment 204 of the motor starter module 200. Therefore, the input / output module 206 is connected to the electronic circuit 144, the power supply rail 148 conducting the first auxiliary voltage, and the power supply rail 154 conducting the second auxiliary voltage.

[0584] The input / output module 206 includes a first wireless communication board 506 disposed within the housing 500. This first wireless communication board is not visible from the outside of the housing 500. Figure 24 It is shown in dashed lines.

[0585] The first wireless communication board 506 communicates with the second wireless communication board 508, which is actually arranged in drawer 138 associated with the input / output module, such as... Figure 16 As shown, the second plate is also indicated by a dashed line.

[0586] In fact, the first and second wireless communication boards are arranged to face each other, that is, they are aligned along the same axis parallel to the transverse Y-axis of the electrical cabinet.

[0587] The first and second communication boards are configured to exchange data by transmitting and receiving radio frequencies, for example, using a wireless protocol, preferably at a frequency of 60 GHz. For example, the protocol used is Ethernet. Therefore, this data exchange is performed remotely, without physical contact between the communication boards.

[0588] In addition, the first and second communication boards 506 and 508 are configured to allow this data exchange when the drawer 138 is in the operating position, when the drawer is in the test position, and when the drawer moves between the two positions.

[0589] In this example, the contact between the drawer's moving side contact 352 and the two connection pads 502 of the input / output module allows a first auxiliary voltage to be supplied from the power supply rail 148 to the drawer, and the data exchanged between the first and second communication boards 506 and 508 corresponds to the data transmitted via electronic circuitry 144.

[0590] This solution is advantageous because it separates the data exchange on one side and the voltage transmission on the other side into two separate connections.

[0591] Furthermore, because one of the two moving side contacts 352 of drawer 138 is connected to the input / output module from the drawer's test position to its operating position, a first auxiliary voltage is supplied to the drawer from its test position. Therefore, in the drawer's test position, the control circuit board 364 and functional elements 362 are supplied with the first auxiliary voltage.

[0592] The power supply in the test position is advantageous because it allows for verification of the correct operation of drawer 138, for example, before allowing drawer 138 to move to the operating position.

[0593] As a variation, the first connecting pad 502 of the two pads allows a first auxiliary voltage to be supplied to the drawer 138, and the second connecting pad allows data to be exchanged between the drawer and the input / output module 206 as a supplement or redundancy to data exchange (e.g., emergency stop signal) performed by the communication board.

[0594] As a variation, drawer 138 and input / output module 206 do not include a communication board, and data transmitted via electronic circuit 144 is exchanged between drawer 138 and input / output module via connection pad 502 and moving lateral contact 352.

[0595] from Figure 8 As can be seen, each input / output module 206 also includes a connection terminal block 510.

[0596] In the connection terminal block 510 of the input / output module, some terminals are connected to the power supply rail 154 on one side and to the electrical load 104 on the other. The electrical load 104 is connected to the drawer 138 associated with the input / output module, which allows a second auxiliary voltage to be supplied to the electrical load. In practice, a power supply cable (not shown) connects the connection terminal block 510 to the electrical load 104.

[0597] As a variation, these power cables are connected to a movable connector, and the movable connector is configured to connect to the connection terminal block 510.

[0598] Supplying a second auxiliary voltage to the electrical load 104 enables the supply of power to auxiliary functions of the electrical load 104. When the electrical load 104 is an electric motor, these auxiliary functions are, for example, heating circuits that keep the electric motor above a minimum temperature when it is not in operation. These heating circuits are advantageous because they prevent condensation effects that could damage the motor.

[0599] In the input / output module's connection terminal block 510, one side is connected to the electronic circuit 144, and the other side is connected to sensors (not shown) arranged at the level of the electrical load 104, such as position, speed, or temperature sensors when the load 104 is a motor, or an emergency stop button. Data from these sensors is transmitted to drawer 138 on one hand, and to the computer bus segment on the other.

[0600] Therefore, each input / output module 206 enables the computer bus segment 204 to be connected to the monitoring and control drawer 138 and the electrical load 104 connected to the monitoring and control drawer, and allows data to be exchanged between the monitoring and control drawer 138 and the electrical load 104.

[0601] The input / output module 206 is advantageous because it allows multiple connections to be centralized in a single housing and allows drawer 138 to be connected to computer bus segment 204 without the need for cabling.

[0602] like Figure 25 As shown, the computer bus segment 204 includes a housing 600, and a circuit board 602 is arranged in the housing 600.

[0603] Like computer bus 142, computer bus segment 204 extends longitudinally along the Z-axis.

[0604] The circuit board 602 carries the electronic circuit 604, the first power supply rail 606, and the second power supply rail 608.

[0605] Computer bus segment 204 also includes linear connectors 610, which are actually six linear connectors.

[0606] Each linear connector 610 connects to electronic circuitry 604 and power supply rails 606 and 608.

[0607] In practice, computer bus segment 204 is configured to connect to one or more input / output modules 206, up to six input / output modules. Each input / output module is connected to the computer bus segment via a linear connector 610. Specifically, the linear connector 610 is configured to connect to the linear connector 504 of the input / output module, thereby ensuring the connection between the computer bus segment 204 and the input / output module 206.

[0608] exist Figure 8 In the middle, two input / output modules 206 are connected to the computer bus segment.

[0609] Computer bus segment 204 also includes a male connector 612 located at a first end along the Z-axis, which in this example is at the top. In practice, the male connector 612 includes a first connector 614 connected to a first power supply rail 606, a second connector 616 connected to a second rail rail 608, and a third connector 618 connected to electronic circuitry 604.

[0610] The first end also includes pins 620, actually two pins 620, which extend from the housing 600 along the Z-axis away from the housing.

[0611] Computer bus segment 204 also includes a female connector 622 at a second end along the Z-axis, which in this example is at the bottom. Specifically, the female connector 622 includes a first connector 624 connected to a first power supply rail 606, a second connector 626 connected to a second power supply rail 608, and a third connector 628 connected to electronic circuitry 604.

[0612] The male connector 612 and the female connector 622 have complementary shapes, meaning that the male connector can be inserted into the female connector.

[0613] The second end also includes a cavity 630. The pin 620 and the cavity 630 have complementary shapes, meaning the pin can be inserted into the cavity.

[0614] Female connector 622 and cavity 630 in Figure 26 For details, please see below.

[0615] Multiple segments of the computer bus 204 can be connected together due to pin 620 and cavity 630. Multiple segments of the computer bus 204 can be electrically connected continuously due to male connector 612 and female connector 622.

[0616] When the two segments of the computer bus 204 are connected, they are placed side by side along the Z-axis, the male connector of the first segment is inserted into the female connector of the second segment, and the pin 620 of the first segment is inserted into the cavity 630 of the second segment.

[0617] In fact, each motor starter module 200 includes a segment of computer bus 204. Therefore, when the motor starter column 110 includes multiple stacked motor starter modules 200, the segments of the computer bus 204 of all motor starter modules 200 are connected and electrically connected to each other.

[0618] Figure 27 A computer bus connector 650 is shown. This connector... Figure 6 It is also visible in the middle, connected to the communication module 134.

[0619] The computer bus connector 650 allows a computer bus segment 204 of the connector 110 to be connected to the communication module 134 of that connector. Therefore, each connector 110 includes a computer bus connector 650 attached to the communication module 134 of that connector.

[0620] For this purpose, the computer bus connector 650 includes a male connector 652 and a female connector 654, which are the same as the male connector 612 and female connector 622 of the computer bus segment 204, respectively.

[0621] The computer bus connector 650 also includes a pin 656 and a cavity 658, which are the same as pin 620 and cavity 630 of computer bus segment 204, respectively.

[0622] Therefore, the computer bus connector 650 can be connected and electrically connected to the computer bus segments in the same way that the two segments of the computer bus can be connected to each other, i.e., by inserting them into each other.

[0623] Furthermore, the fact that the computer bus connector 650 includes both male and female connectors is advantageous because, for example, when the communication module 134 is arranged above one or more motor starter modules 200, it can be connected to the top of the computer bus segment, or when the communication module 134 is arranged below one or more motor starter modules 200, it can be connected to the bottom of the computer bus segment.

[0624] In practice, when the computer bus connector 650 is installed in the post 110, only the male or female connector is used. It is then advantageous to protect the unused connector with a cap (not shown).

[0625] In the motor starter column 110, the computer bus 142 is formed by one or more segments of the computer bus connector 650 and the computer bus 204.

[0626] In the motor start column 110, electronic circuit 604 corresponds to electronic circuit 144 of computer bus 142, first power supply rail 606 of one or more segments of computer bus corresponds to power supply rail 148 of computer bus 142, and second power supply rail 608 corresponds to power supply rail 154 of computer bus 142.

[0627] The connection from the computer bus 142 to the communication module is made through multiple front connectors 660. Specifically, these connectors include:

[0628] - A first connector 662 is connected on one side to a first connector 192 of the communication module via a cable (not shown), and on the other side to a power supply rail 148 of the computer bus 142. A first auxiliary voltage is provided to the power supply rail 148 of the computer bus 142 via the first connector 662.

[0629] - A second connector 664 is connected on one side to the protective housing 194 of the communication module 134 via a cable (not shown), and on the other side to the rail 154 of the computer bus 142. A second auxiliary voltage is provided to the rail 154 of the computer bus 142 by means of the second connector 664.

[0630] - A third connector 666 is connected on one side to the management switch 135 of the communication module 134 via a cable (not shown), and on the other side to the electronic circuitry 144 of the computer bus 142. With the aid of the third connector 666, the electronic circuitry 144 of the computer bus 142 is connected to the management switch 135, and thus can exchange information with the communication module 134.

[0631] like Figure 34 As shown, computer bus segment 204 can be equipped with jumper 750.

[0632] Figure 34 and 35 The three types of jumpers in the 750 series are different:

[0633] - Male jumper 752;

[0634] - Mother jumper 754; and

[0635] - Input / output jumper 756.

[0636] The male jumper 752 and the female jumper 754 prevent the end of the computer bus 142 (which includes multiple segments of the interconnected computer bus 204) from being free in the motor starter post 110, opposite to the end connected to the computer bus connector 650.

[0637] Therefore, the first end of the computer bus 142 is connected to the computer bus connector 650, while the second end of the computer bus is connected to either the male jumper 752 or the female jumper 754.

[0638] This connection allows for the protection of connectors 622 or 612 on the computer bus segment 204 opposite the computer bus connector.

[0639] In fact, male jumper 752 protects female connector 622, and female jumper 754 protects male connector 612.

[0640] To allow jumpers to be connected to computer bus segment 204, male jumper 752 includes two pins 758 whose shape is complementary to the cavity 630 at the first end of the computer bus segment, and female jumper 754 includes two cavities 760 whose shape is complementary to the pin 620 at the second end of the computer bus segment.

[0641] Furthermore, jumpers 752 and 754 ensure the continuity of electronic circuitry 604 in computer bus segment 204, which corresponds to electronic circuitry 144 in computer bus 142 in motor start post 110.

[0642] Specifically, electronic circuits 144, particularly when they allow data exchange using the Ethernet protocol, connect the communication module 134 of the motor starter column 110 in series with the monitoring and control drawer 138. Thus, electronic circuits 144 form a loop, with the communication module 134 as the starting point of the loop.

[0643] When computer bus segment 204 includes a free end, the end jumper 752 or 754 mounted on the free end can close the loop by connecting to the free end of the computer bus segment and relying on the connector connected to electronic circuit 604.

[0644] In fact, the male jumper 752 includes a male connector 762 and the female jumper 754 includes a female connector 764, which are the same as the male connector 612 and the female connector 622 of the computer bus segment 204, respectively.

[0645] As a variation of the present invention (not shown), the motor start column 110 does not include the communication module 134, and the electronic circuit 144 forms a loop, the starting point of which is the industrial computer 130, which has the same function as the communication module 134.

[0646] Advantageously, these male connectors 762 and female connectors 764 also allow the terminal jumpers 752 and 754 to be connected to power rails 606 and 608.

[0647] Therefore, power supply rails 606 and 608 can supply power to the linear connector 610 in parallel or series. Specifically, in the case of series power supply, the male jumper 762 and the female jumper 764 enable the closure of the circuit for power supply rails 606 and 608.

[0648] Using the same principle, when no input / output module 206 is connected to a given linear connector 610, the input / output jumper 756 allows the loop formed by the electronic circuit 144 to be closed at the level of the linear connector 610.

[0649] For this purpose, each input / output jumper 756 has an auxiliary connector 766, which is configured to connect to the linear connector 610.

[0650] In fact, the number of input / output jumpers 756 in the motor starter module 200 depends on the number of input / output modules 206. This number is equal to the total number of linear connectors 610 minus the number of input / output modules 206 in the motor starter module 200.

[0651] Therefore, in Figure 8 In the example shown, two input / output modules 206 are connected to a computer bus segment 204 that includes six linear connectors 610, and four input / output jumpers 756 are connected to the computer bus segment, but are not shown for the sake of simplicity.

[0652] Since the input / output module 206 is always associated with the monitoring and control drawer, it can also be considered that when no monitoring and control drawer is connected to the linear connector, the input / output jumper 756 allows the loop formed by the electronic circuit 144 to be closed at the level of the linear connector 610.

[0653] like Figure 34 As shown, the computer bus segment 204 also includes a storage block 780, which is actually an electronic chip, also known as an integrated circuit.

[0654] Advantageously, the computer bus segment 204 includes the same number of memory blocks 780 and linear connectors 610.

[0655] In this example, computer bus segment 204 therefore includes six memory blocks 780. Figure 34 In order to simplify the accompanying drawings, only four storage blocks 780 are shown through two cross-sections of the housing 600 of the computer bus segment.

[0656] Therefore, each storage block 780 is associated with a linear connector 610.

[0657] Therefore, when assembling the motor start module 200, each storage block 780 is associated with the input / output module 206 and with the monitoring and control drawer 138, the input / output module 206 corresponding to the input / output module connected to the linear connector 610, and the monitoring and control drawer 138 corresponding to the drawer connected to the input / output module connected to the linear connector 610.

[0658] During the operation of the electrical cabinet 100, each storage block 780 stores information and parameters about the monitoring and control drawer 138, the electrical load 104 connected to the monitoring and control drawer 138, and / or the input / output modules 206 to which the drawer and electrical load are connected.

[0659] For example, storage block 780 stores all or some of the following information about the electrical load 104 connected to the monitoring and control drawer 138 associated with the storage block:

[0660] - The type of electrical load 104, such as a single-phase electric motor, a three-phase electric motor, or a driveable electrical load;

[0661] - The operating conditions of the electrical load 104, such as the electrical power required for its operation; and

[0662] - The type of monitoring and control drawer 138 for electrical loads must be controlled, i.e., the representative characteristics of the drawer, including, for example, the number and arrangement of contactors of functional element 362 or the type of thermal protection relay.

[0663] In practice, the storage block 780 specifically stores the monitoring and control drawer 138 associated with the storage block, the type of the monitoring and control drawer (i.e., representative characteristics of the drawer), and the operating parameters of the functional element 362. These operating parameters are, for example, settings for the power to be supplied to the electrical load 104, settings for the tripping threshold of the thermal protection relay, or detection thresholds for the operating sensors.

[0664] In fact, the storage block 780 stores information about the input / output module 206 associated with the storage block, such as the type of electrical load 104 connected to the input / output module and / or the type of sensor arranged at the level of the electrical load and connected to the input / output module.

[0665] These operating parameters are typically stored at the level of the control circuit board 364 that monitors and controls drawer 138.

[0666] Furthermore, each storage block 780 communicates with the communication module 134 of the corresponding motor start column 110. Specifically, each storage block 780 communicates via... Figure 34The visible connection circuit 782 is connected to the electronic circuit 604, thereby allowing this communication.

[0667] Storage block 780 is particularly advantageous during the use of electrical cabinet 100, especially during the maintenance phase of electrical cabinet 100.

[0668] Specifically, when the old monitoring and control drawer 138 of the motor start column 110 is replaced with a new monitoring and control drawer, a first verification method is performed via communication module 134 or via industrial computer 130 through communication module 134. This method includes at least the following steps:

[0669] a) Based on information stored in storage block 780 associated with the drawer, detect the type of the old monitoring and control drawer 138 that was originally installed in a given location;

[0670] b) Based on the information stored in the storage block 780 associated with the drawer, verify whether the type of the new monitoring and control drawer 138 installed as a replacement corresponds to the type of the old drawer and / or is compatible with the type of the electrical load 104;

[0671] c) Determine if the new drawer is suitable to replace the old one;

[0672] d) If the new monitoring and control drawer 138 is determined in step c) to be suitable for replacing the old drawer, based on the information stored in the storage block 780, the operating parameters of the functional elements 362 of the new drawer are adjusted and stored in the control circuit board 364 of the new drawer so that these operating parameters are the same as those of the old drawer; and

[0673] e) If the new monitoring and control drawer 138 is determined in step c) to be unsuitable for replacing the old drawer, prevent the new monitoring and control drawer from starting and issue an abnormal signal.

[0674] This first verification method is advantageous because it ensures that the replacement of the monitoring and control drawer is performed correctly, and that the replacement can be performed without having to instruct the new monitoring and control drawer on the operating parameters, which are automatically loaded.

[0675] Advantageously, if during step b), it is detected that the type of the new monitoring and control drawer 138 is different from the type of the old drawer, but the new drawer is compatible with the type of electrical load 104, then during step c), the new drawer is determined to be suitable for replacing the old drawer, and step d) is performed, and a signal indicating the type difference between the new and old drawers is sent, for example via a message displayed on display 302. For example, the new monitoring and control drawer 138 may include a functional element 362 that allows control of electrical loads with higher power than the old drawer, but is also suitable for controlling electrical loads associated with the drawer. Thus, the new drawer is compatible with the electrical load and can therefore be used as a replacement for the old drawer, even though the new drawer is of a different type than the old drawer.

[0676] As a variant, the first verification method is performed by an input / output module 206 associated with the replaced monitoring and control drawer 138. The input / output module is then equipped with a computing unit configured to perform steps a) through e) and access information stored in the storage block 780 associated with the drawer.

[0677] When replacing the old input / output module 206 with a new input / output module, this involves rewiring the connection terminal block 510 of the module, and the second verification method is executed by the communication module 134 or by the industrial computer 130 via the communication module 134, including at least the following steps:

[0678] a) Based on the information stored in the storage block 780 associated with the new input / output module, detect the type of electrical load 104 associated with the new input / output module 206 and / or the type of sensor arranged at the level of the electrical load connected to the input / output module;

[0679] b) Verify that the type of electrical load and / or these sensors connected to the new input / output module corresponds to the type of electrical load and / or sensors originally connected to the old input / output module;

[0680] c) Determine whether electrical load 104 and / or the sensor connected to the new input / output module actually correspond to electrical load 104 and / or the sensor connected to the old input / output module;

[0681] d) If so, authorize the starting of electrical load 104; and

[0682] e) If not, prevent the electrical load 104 from starting and issue an abnormal signal.

[0683] This second verification method is advantageous because it ensures that the replacement of the input / output module 206 is performed correctly, and more specifically, that the connection to the connection terminal block 510 is performed correctly.

[0684] As a variant, the second verification method is performed by a new input / output module 206. The new input / output module is then equipped with a computing unit configured to perform steps a) to e) and access information stored in the storage block 780 associated with the input / output module.

[0685] Furthermore, when the communication module 134 of the motor starter column 110 is replaced, a method for retrieving data is executed by the new communication module. This method includes retrieving the operating parameters of the monitoring and control drawer 138 and / or information related to the electrical load 104 based on information stored in the storage block 780, so that the new communication module 134 has this information.

[0686] This method of retrieving data is particularly advantageous because it avoids the tedious task of manually feeding large amounts of data to the new communication module 134, which is retrieved automatically here.

[0687] In a variant of the motor starter column 110 that does not include the communication module 134, this method for retrieving data is similarly applied to the replacement of the industrial computer 130.

[0688] Furthermore, the fact that the storage blocks 780 are arranged on the computer bus segment 204 is particularly advantageous, as the computer bus segment is a reliable component, relatively unaffected by failures, and therefore typically not replaced during the service life of the electrical cabinet 100. Thus, the information stored in these storage blocks 780 is not lost, even during complex maintenance operations, such as simultaneously replacing the monitoring and control drawer 138, the associated input / output module 206, and the communication module 134.

[0689] The connection between drawer 138 and electrical load 104, i.e., the supply of power to electrical load through drawer 138, is made through external connection module 208. Therefore, external connection module 208 is associated with each drawer 138.

[0690] Figures 28 to 33 Three types of external connection modules 208 are shown. These three types of modules together form a set of external connection modules 700, which are partially shown in each of these figures.

[0691] Each connection module of the group of modules 700 is configured to allow drawer 138 to be connected to an electrical load 104 that consumes power within a given data range.

[0692] Figure 28 and 29 A first external connection module 702 is shown. This first connection module is configured to connect drawer 138 to a low-power electrical load 104, for example, less than 11 kW.

[0693] The second external connection module 704 is in Figure 30 and 31 As shown in the diagram, the second connection module is configured to connect drawer 138 to a medium-power electrical load 104, for example, between 11 kW and 30 kW.

[0694] The third external connection module 706 is in Figure 32 and 33 As shown in the diagram, the third connection module is configured to connect drawer 138 to a high-power electrical load 104, for example, between 30 kW and 75 kW.

[0695] Therefore, the selection of the external connection module installed on the motor starting module depends on the electrical power required by the electrical load 104 connected to the module.

[0696] External connection modules 702, 704, and 706 each include a housing 708. Housing 708 actually comprises two half-housings, forming a base 708A and a cover 708B respectively, connected by a fastening device, for example in… Figure 29 Screw 708C is visible only to the external connection module 702.

[0697] The housing 708 of the external connection module 702 has a height H702 equal to 1U.

[0698] The housing 708 of the external connection module 704 has a height H704 equal to 2U.

[0699] The housing 708 of the external connection module 706 has a height H706 equal to 3U.

[0700] Preferably, external connection module 702 is associated with drawer 138 with a height of 1U or 2U, external connection module 704 is associated with drawer 138 with a height of 2U, 3U, 4U, 5U, or 6U, and external connection module 706 is associated with drawer 138 with a height of 5U or 6U. Therefore, the height of the external connection module is always less than or equal to the height of the drawer it is associated with.

[0701] The first end 709 of the housing 708 of each external connection module carries the input connector 710.

[0702] Regardless of the height of the housing 708, the height of the first end 709 is equal to 1U.

[0703] The second end 711 of the housing 708 of each external connection module carries the output connector 712.

[0704] The height of the second end 711 is equal to the height of the shell 708, H702, H704 or H706.

[0705] In fact, the input connector 710 and the output connector 712 are arranged on the same side of the housing 708, that is, when the housing is assembled on the motor starter module 200, the input connector 710 and the output connector 712 face the same side of the cabinet 100, which is the front side F1 in this example.

[0706] In this example, the first end 709 includes four input connectors, and the second end includes four output connectors.

[0707] The input connector 710 is configured to connect to the downstream connector 356 of the drawer 138 associated with the connection module. In other words, the downstream connector 356 of the drawer supplies power to the external connection modules 702, 704, or 706 associated with that drawer. Therefore, the drawer 138 is the power source for the connection module.

[0708] The constant height of the first end 709 is advantageous because it is equal to the height of the base 328 of the drawer 138. Then, the first end 709 allows for the connection of all drawers 138, regardless of their height.

[0709] The output connector 712 is configured to be connected to the electrical load 104 via the connection cable 139.

[0710] In fact, the electrical connection cable 139 is connected to the output connector 712 via the lug 716, such as Figure 29 As shown.

[0711] Within housing 708, input connector 710 and output connector 712 are electrically connected via cable or conductive busbar 718. In the first and second external connection modules 702 and 704, conductive cables can be used between connectors 710 and 712 to accommodate the transmitted power. Figure 29 and 31 Their respective centerlines are indicated in the diagram. In the third external connection module 706, considering the power transmission, a connection is used between connectors 710 and 712. Figure 33 The connecting busbar is visible in the middle. In the latter case, connectors 710 and 712 are formed from the ends of busbar 718.

[0712] In fact, each external connection module includes four conductive cables or conductive busbars 718, that is, one busbar for each input connector and one busbar for each output connector.

[0713] The conductive cable or conductive bus 718 is matched to the power consumed by the electrical load 104 connected to the output connector 712.

[0714] Therefore, for high-power electrical loads, such as those between 30 kW and 75 kW, the conductive busbar 718 is, for example, a copper busbar with a cross-section between 16 and 50 mm, such as 50 mm for a 75 kW electrical load. 2 .

[0715] For low-power electrical loads, such as below 11 kW, the conductive cable 718 has a smaller cross-section, such as 1 and 6 mm². 2 Between, for example, for an 11 kW electrical load, equals 6 mm. 2 .

[0716] As a variation, the conductive cables 718 of the first and second external connection modules 702 and 704 can be replaced by conductive busbars.

[0717] In practice, the higher the power delivered to the electrical load, the larger the cross-section of the conductive cable and conductive busbar 718, which requires a taller external connection module including such a conductive cable or busbar. This is why the height H706 of the third external connection module 706 is greater than the height H704 of the second module 704, and the second module 704 itself is greater than the height H702 of the module 702.

[0718] The second end 711 of each external connection module further includes a cover portion 720 that covers the output connector 712. When the cover portion 720 is installed, the connector 712 is inaccessible from the outside of the housing 708 and is therefore protected, which prevents any contact with the lug 716. When the cover portion 720 is removed, the connector 712 is accessible, which allows the cable 139 to be connected to the connector.

[0719] Preferably, the cover portion 720 is transparent, which allows inspection of whether the cables 139 are properly connected without making the cables accessible.

[0720] Preferably, the cover portion 720 is connected to the housing 708 by a fastening device, such as a screw 721 visible only to the external connection module 702.

[0721] from Figure 8 As can be seen, the housing 708 of each external connection module is attached, for example, to the back support 210 of the structure 202 of the motor starter module 200 at the level of its first end 709, that is, at the level of the end including the input connector 710, using screws.

[0722] Therefore, the housing 708 extends from the back support 210 as a cantilever, away from the motor start module 200.

[0723] In addition, the housing 708 of each external connection module 704 and 706 (i.e., modules with heights of 2U and 3U) includes a reinforcement 722 that extends from the housing 708 parallel to the first end 709 and is also attached to the back support 210.

[0724] The height of the reinforcing member 722 is equal to 1U. It is integral with the cover 708B.

[0725] The first end 709 and the possible reinforcement 722 are arranged in the volume V1 and in the functional area 156 of the connecting column 110.

[0726] The remainder of housing 708 and the second end 711 extend into the wiring area 160 of connecting post 110.

[0727] In fact, functional area 156 and cable area 160 are separated by the lateral support 212 of the motor starter module. Therefore, the first end 709 of the external connection modules 702, 704 and 706 extends through the lateral support 212, and more specifically, through the opening 220 in the lateral support 212.

[0728] The reinforcement 722 of the housing 708 of the external connection modules 704 and 706 also extends through the opening 220 in the lateral support 212.

[0729] As a variation, the external connection module is configured such that the input connector 710 and the output connector 712 are arranged on two opposite surfaces. When the cable 139 is connected via the back of the electrical cabinet 100, it is similar to... Figure 5 This configuration is advantageous in its variation.

[0730] In addition, each drawer 138 includes two centering members 800, which are arranged on the rear portion 348 of the drawer and extend outward along the Y-axis. Each centering member 800 has a tapered shape, i.e., its free end is narrower than the base connected to the rear portion of the drawer. Preferably, the centering member 800 is integral with the base.

[0731] These centering components 800 ensure that the drawer 138 is correctly positioned in the motor start module 200 when the drawer 138 is moved to its operating position.

[0732] Therefore, the protection unit 140 includes a centering cavity 802, and each external connection module 702, 704 and 706 includes a centering cavity 804.

[0733] like Figure 11 As shown, the centering cavity 802 of the protection unit 140 is arranged between the connector assembly 246 and the inner surface 238 of the protection unit 140.

[0734] The centering cavity 804 of each external connection module 702, 704 and 706 is arranged on the cover 708B of each housing 708, near the first end 709 and the input connector 710.

[0735] The centering cavity 802 of the protection unit and the centering cavity 804 of each external connection module point to the volume V1 of the motor starting module 200.

[0736] Centering cavities 802 and 804 have shapes complementary to the shape of centering member 800 and are positioned such that, in the operating position of the drawer, the first centering member 800 of drawer 138 is received in centering cavity 802 and the second centering member of drawer 138 is received in centering cavity 804.

[0737] As drawer 138 moves from its test position to its operating position, centering member 800 of drawer 138 gradually inserts into centering cavities 802 and 804, and due to the conical shape of centering member 800, this gradual insertion enables drawer 138 to be centered relative to centering cavities 802 and 804 and therefore relative to motor start module 200.

[0738] Due to the external connection module 208 of module group 700, the connection from electrical load 104 to drawer 138 is moved from functional area 156 to wiring area 160. This is advantageous because wiring area 160 is easily accessible, which simplifies the connection of cable 139 to output connector 712.

[0739] As a variation, the number of types of external connection modules 208 within this group of external connection modules can be different from three, specifically equal to 2, 4, 5 or 6.

[0740] In summary, the main power supplied by the power supply cable 102 is first conducted through the electrical cabinet 100 by the power supply column 106, then redistributed by the bus groups 114, 118 and 122 to each protection unit 140 of each motor start column 110, then redistributed by the connectors 248 and 354 to each drawer 138, then redistributed by the connector 356 to each external connection module 208, and then redistributed by each external connection module 208 to each electrical load 104.

[0741] In summary, a large amount of data exchange is performed in electrical cabinet 100:

[0742] - Operational data from the sensors located on each electrical load 104 is transmitted by the input / output module 206 associated with that load via the computer bus 142 to the drawer 138 on one hand and to the communication module 134 on the other.

[0743] In drawer 138, this data is considered by control circuit board 364 to adapt to the operation of drawer 138.

[0744] In drawer 138, this data, on the other hand, is transmitted to protection unit 140 if necessary, for example, when this data originates from the activation of an emergency stop button located near electrical load 104, with the aim of cutting off the power supply at the level of protection unit 140.

[0745] In the communication module 134, this data is transmitted to the industrial computer 130.

[0746] - Each drawer 138 transmits data about its own operation to a communication module including the connecting post 110 of that drawer;

[0747] When the cabinet includes multiple connecting posts, the communication module 134 of each connecting post 110 exchanges data about the operation of that connecting post with the industrial computer 130 and the communication modules of the other connecting posts 110 of the cabinet 100; and

[0748] The industrial computer 130 transmits commands to the communication module 134 of each connection post 110, and then these data are distributed by the management switch 135 and transmitted to the drawer 138 via the computer bus 142 and the input / output module 206.

[0749] The installation of the motor starting column 110, which includes a communication module 134 and at least one motor starting module 200, includes an assembly phase and a connection phase.

[0750] The assembly stage includes the following steps:

[0751] a) Connect the communication module 134 to the basic frame 164 of the motor starter column;

[0752] b) Assemble each motor starter module 200, that is, attach the protection unit 140, the computer bus segment 204, each input / output module 206 and each external connection module 208 to the structure 202 of the motor starter module;

[0753] c) Each motor start module is attached to the basic frame 164 by inserting the segments of the computer bus 204 into each other and inserting the computer bus segment of the motor start module into the computer bus connector 650.

[0754] d) Attach input / output jumpers to each freeline connector 610 and connect the male or female jumper to the free end of the computer bus 142; and

[0755] e) Install drawer 138 in each motor starter module.

[0756] In fact, the order of steps a) to e) can be different. In particular, steps b), c), and d) can be reversed, and step a) can be performed at any other time. However, step e) always follows steps a) to c).

[0757] Specifically, as a variant, the structure 202 of the motor starting module is first attached to the basic frame 164 of the motor starting column, and then step b of assembling the motor starting module 200 is performed.

[0758] The connection phase, which allows for the commissioning of electrical cabinet 100, is performed after the assembly phase and includes the following steps:

[0759] a) Connect the front connector 650 of the computer bus connector 650 to the communication module 134;

[0760] b) Connect the connection terminal block 510 of each input / output module 206 of each motor starter module 200 to the electrical load 104 so as to connect the sensor of the electrical load to the input / output module and provide a second auxiliary voltage to the electrical load; and

[0761] c) Connect the external connection module 208 to the electrical load 104 using cable 139 to provide main power to the electrical load 104.

[0762] In fact, the connection between the main power supply and the electrical load 104 only requires the connection of cable 139.

[0763] Therefore, the electrical cabinet 100 described herein, more specifically the motor starting column 110, is advantageous because:

[0764] All connections required for the commissioning of electrical cabinet 100 are made in connection area 158. This is advantageous because it simplifies the wiring of the electrical cabinet. In particular, no connections are required in functional area 156.

[0765] - Many connections inside the cabinet are made by slotting or inserting connectors, which is simpler than setting up electrical connection cables.

[0766] - The cables connected in the electrical cabinet all originate from connection area 158. Therefore, their management is simpler: when the electrical cabinet 100 includes wiring area 160, such as... Figure 3 As shown, all these cables can be bundled together in the cable bundle within this wiring area, and when the electrical cabinet 100 does not include the wiring area 160, as... Figure 5 As shown, all these cables can be bundled together in a cable bundle that is led out of cabinet 100 via the back F2 of cabinet 100.

[0767] The orientation of the components in the aforementioned motor starting module 200 relates to the motor starting module disposed in the connecting post, which is located at... Figures 1 to 5 On the right side of the distribution pole.

[0768] In fact, Figures 1 to 5 Alternatively, the motor starting module 200 can be arranged in a connecting post located on the left side of the distribution post. For this purpose, the motor starting module 200 can simply be rotated 180 degrees about an axis parallel to the transverse Y-axis.

[0769] Therefore, the motor start module 200 has no preferred orientation: the protection unit 140, computer bus segment 204, each drawer 138, each input / output module 206, and each external connection module 208 are configured to operate regardless of their spatial orientation.

[0770] For example, the drawer 138 of the connecting column located on the left side of the distribution column will be arranged such that its base 328 is located at the top and its lid at the bottom. Since all components contained in the drawer 138 are attached to the base 328, this arrangement will not affect the operation of the drawer. This arrangement also does not affect the cooling of the drawer by the airflow FL1, because the airflow FL1 is horizontal and therefore unaffected by changes in direction. This arrangement in… Figure 1 As can be seen in the text.

[0771] This operation of the motor starting module 200 is advantageous regardless of the module's orientation, for several reasons:

[0772] - The same components can be used for connection posts located on the left or right side of the distribution post, which is economical and beneficial to the design of cabinet 100; and

[0773] - Two connecting posts can be provided on each side of the power distribution post 108 to form a functional post 111, which allows the power distribution post to be shared between the two connecting posts, which is economical and allows for a reduction in the size of the cabinet 100.

[0774] Similarly, the communication module 134 has no preferred orientation, and the module mounted in the connecting post located on the left side of the distribution post will rotate 180 degrees about an axis parallel to the transverse Y-axis relative to the orientation described in this disclosure, in the same way as the computer bus connector 650 connected thereto.

[0775] therefore, Figures 1 to 5 The internal arrangement of the left and right connecting columns relative to Figure 2 The plane P2 is symmetric as can be seen in the middle.

[0776] Furthermore, the control circuit board 364 of drawer 138 is configured to detect the orientation of drawer 138, for example using a sensor integrated into the board, and to control display 302 such that the information displayed thereon is oriented for easy reading from the outside of cabinet 100. Display 302 is thus configured to adapt the orientation of the information displayed thereon to the orientation of drawer 138.

[0777] As a variation of the invention (not shown), the electrical cabinet 100 does not include any motor starting module, and the protection unit, computer bus segment, monitoring and control drawer, input / output module and external connection module are directly arranged in the electrical cabinet 100 and attached to the basic frame 164.

[0778] exist Figure 41 and 42 In the diagram, drawer 138, with a height of 1U, is shown as having no lid (330). This drawer is similar to... Figures 15 to 17 The drawer shown, but also includes a position detection module 900, which... Figure 43 It is shown separately in the text.

[0779] In the following text, Figure 41 and 42 In drawer 138 and Figures 15 to 17 The components similar to drawer 138 shown have the same reference numerals and operate in the same manner. The following description primarily focuses on... Figures 15 to 17 drawers and Figure 41 and 42 The differences between the drawers. Furthermore, if a component is mentioned in the following description of drawer 138, but not in... Figure 41 and 42 As shown in the figure, this component corresponds to Figures 1 to 40 The same elements shown.

[0780] exist Figure 41 and 42 In the middle, the functional element 362 and the control circuit board 364 of drawer 138 are not shown.

[0781] The position detection module 900 is attached to the base 328 of the drawer 138. In this example, the position detection module 900 is attached to one of two lateral structures 346, preferably to a lateral structure excluding the mechanical lock 820. As a variation, the position detection module 900 is attached to the same lateral structure as the mechanical lock 820.

[0782] The position detection module 900 includes detectors for detecting when drawer 138 is in the test position and when drawer is in the operating position. In this example, the position detection module includes two detectors 902 and 904. The two detectors 902 and 904 are connected to the control board 364 to transmit information about the position of drawer 138 to the control board.

[0783] The position detection module 900 also includes an actuator 906 for actuating detectors 902 and 904. In this example, the actuator 906 is a control lever. The control lever 906 includes a first end 908 and a second end 910.

[0784] The first end 908 is attached to the movable contact 352 of the lateral structure 346, and the position detection module 900 is attached to the movable contact 352. More precisely, the first end is attached to the frame 422 of the movable contact 352. Therefore, the first end 908 is fixed to the frame 422 such that translation of the frame 422 along the Y-axis causes translation of the control lever 906 along the Y-axis, that is, translation along the longitudinal axis A138 of the drawer. In other words, the control lever 906 can be translated relative to the lateral structure 346 along the longitudinal axis A138 of the drawer.

[0785] The translation of the control lever 906 relative to the lateral structure 346 is advantageously guided by the fixing structure 912 of the position detection module 900, which specifically includes a guide 914 at the level of the second end 910.

[0786] The fixing structure 912 is attached to the lateral structure 346, for example, via a threaded connection. Furthermore, in this example, the fixing structure 912 comprises two parts connected to each other, for example, by riveting. Figure 43 In the figure, the various parts of the fixed structure are indicated by the same reference numeral 912.

[0787] Advantageously, the position detection module 900 includes a resilient return member 916. The resilient return member 916 connects the fixing structure 912 to the control lever 906, such that the control lever returns to its corresponding position when no other force is applied to it. Figure 43 The position shown. In other words, the control lever 906 has the following characteristics: Figure 43 The control lever is positioned at a rest or stable position as indicated, and the elastic return member 916 tends to return the control lever to that stable position.

[0788] Here, the control lever 906 includes a stop 917 that abuts against the fixing structure 912 when the control lever is in the rest position, preventing the control lever from moving beyond its rest position. The stop 917 is formed by two tongues folded at right angles relative to the main part of the control lever.

[0789] In this example, the elastic return member 916 is a tension spring, with its first end attached to the hook 918 of the fixing structure 912 and its second end attached to the second end 910 of the control lever.

[0790] In fact, when drawer 138 is between its disconnected position and its engaged position, control lever 906 is in a stationary position, and when drawer is between its engaged position and its operating position, control lever moves relative to lateral structure 346 along axis A138, as does frame 422.

[0791] In this example, the position detection module 900 is oriented such that the second end 910 of the control lever 906 is positioned near the front portion 300 of the drawer 138, and the first end 908 is positioned away from the front portion of the drawer. As the control lever 906 moves, the second end 910 moves away from detectors 902 and 904 and closer to the front portion 300 until it is positioned at the front, extending through the window 919 in the fixed structure 912. In effect, an empty space is provided in the front portion 300 to accommodate the presence of the second end 910.

[0792] The control lever 906 includes two top cams 920 and 922 and a bottom cam 924. The two top cams 920 and 922 are located in the same plane parallel to axis A138, i.e., they are aligned along the Z-axis and offset from the bottom cam 924 along the Z-axis. The top cams 920 and 922 are configured as actuator detectors 902, and the bottom cam 924 is configured as actuator detector 904.

[0793] L920 represents the length between the top cam 920 and the actuation element 926 of the detector 902, L922 represents the length between the top cam 922 and the actuation element 926, and L924 represents the length between the bottom cam 924 and the actuation element 928 of the detector 904. Lengths L920, L922, and L924 are measured along axis A138. Advantageously, length L922 is equal to length L924.

[0794] When the control lever 906 is in the stationary position, that is, when the drawer 138 is between its disconnected position and its engaged position, the lengths L920, L922 and L924 have their respective maximum values.

[0795] When drawer 138 is in the test position, length L920 is zero. Therefore, when the drawer is in the test position, the top cam 920 contacts the actuating element 926 for detector 902, which actuates detector 902 and causes a detection signal to be sent from detector 902 to control circuit board 364, thereby notifying control circuit board that the drawer is in the test position. In other words, when control circuit board 364 receives a signal from detector 902 actuated by top cam 920, control circuit board 364 detects that drawer 138 is in the test position.

[0796] When drawer 138 is in the operating position, lengths L922 and L924 are zero. Therefore, when the drawer is in the operating position, the top cam 922 contacts the actuation element 926 for detector 902, and the bottom cam 924 contacts the actuation element 928 for detector 904. This simultaneously actuates detectors 902 and 904, causing two detection signals to be sent from detectors 902 and 904 to the control circuit board 364, thus notifying the control circuit board that the drawer is in the operating position. In other words, when the control circuit board 364 simultaneously receives signals from detectors 902 and 904 actuated by the top cam 922 and the bottom cam 924, the control circuit board 364 detects that drawer 138 is in the test position.

[0797] When drawer 138 is in the intermediate position between the test position and the operation position, the top cam and bottom cam are not in contact with the actuation element used for the detector, and no detection signal is sent to the control circuit board 364.

[0798] In this example, detectors 902 and 904 are dry contact switches, and actuating elements 926 and 928 are metal strips mounted to pivot about corresponding axes Z926 and Z928 parallel to the Z-axis.

[0799] Detector 902 is connected to control circuit board 364 via two wires 930, which in Figures 41 to 43 The diagram is shown in a simplified manner. Two wires 930 form a loop that begins and ends horizontally on the control board and passes through detector 902 in such a way that the metal strip 926 of the detector can open or close the loop. Specifically, the loop formed by the two metal wires 930 is closed when the metal strip 926 contacts the top cam 920 or top cam 922, as the top cam then pushes the metal strip 926 and pivots it about axis Z926; the loop is open when the metal strip is not in contact with the top cam. When the loop formed by the wires 930 is closed, the control board 364 receives a detection signal from detector 902.

[0800] Similarly, detector 904 is connected to control circuit board 364 via two wires 932, as follows: Figures 41 to 43As shown in a simplified manner, they form a loop that closes when the metal strip 928 contacts the bottom cam 924 and opens when the metal strip is not in contact with the bottom cam. When the loop formed by the wire 932 is closed, the control circuit board 364 receives a detection signal from the detector 904.

[0801] In this example, the control board 364 is configured to detect that the drawer 138 is in the test position when a detection signal is received from the detector 902, and to detect that the drawer 138 is in the operation position when detection signals are received from both the detectors 902 and 904.

[0802] The position detection module 900 is particularly advantageous because it allows for more reliable operation of the drawer 138. Specifically, by means of the position detection of the drawer 138 provided by the position detection module 900, the control circuit board 364 takes into account the actual position of the drawer when controlling the functional element 362. This improves the control of the functional element 362.

[0803] Furthermore, the operation of the position detection module 900 is particularly reliable because it is fully integrated into the drawer 138, and because the drawer's position is detected solely based on the position of one of the moving lateral contacts 352 by detecting the position of that lateral contact relative to the base 328 of the drawer. In other words, the detection of the drawer's position does not require any interaction with the motor starting module 200 or the fixed structure of the electrical cabinet 100, and the position detection module 900 is isolated within the drawer 138. This is particularly advantageous because the detection of the drawer's position is insensitive to potential damage to the drawer's position relative to the electrical cabinet 100 around its test and operating positions, which could otherwise damage detectors 902 and 904. Such damage could be caused, for example, by vibrations or impacts experienced by the drawer.

[0804] As a variation, the operating position is detected when the control circuit board 364 receives only the detection signal from the detector 904. In this variation, the control lever 906 does not include the second top cam 922 because it is not necessary to actuate the detector 902 in the operating position.

[0805] As a variant, detectors 902 and 904 have different orientations. Figures 41 to 43 The orientation is shown, and the positions of the top cams 920 and 922 and the bottom cam 924 are adjusted accordingly.

[0806] As a variant, the position detection module 900 does not include the elastic return member 916. In this variant, the control lever 906 returns to its rest position via a tension spring 446, which tends to pull the frame 422 and thus the control lever into the rest position.

[0807] As a variant, detectors 902 and 904 are inductive switches or Hall effect switches that detect the positions of the top cams 920 and 922 and the bottom cam 924.

[0808] As a variant, the position detection module 900 includes a single detector 902 or 904 for detecting the test and operation positions.

[0809] As a variation, drawer 138 includes a movable contact 352 that is movable only along the longitudinal axis A138 of the drawer. In this variation, a communication interface 353 protrudes, for example, from input / output module 206 and protection unit 140, to contact the movable contact 352 when drawer 138 is in the test position, and to drive the movable contact relative to base 328 when drawer moves from its test position to its operating position. In this variation, the operation of position detection module 900 remains unchanged.

[0810] The above-described embodiments and variations can be combined to produce new embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrical connection cabinet (100), comprising: - At least one power source (138), each power source configured to be connected to an associated electrical load (104), each electrical load comprising: Functional element (362), configured to supply power to an electrical load, Base (328), functional elements are attached to the base, Front (300) and cover (330). - At least one external connection module (702, 704, 706) associated with one of the power supplies (138) and selected from a set of external connection modules (700), each of which includes: The first end (709) includes an input connector (710) configured to connect to a power supply (138), and The second end (711) includes an output connector (712) configured to be connected to an electrical load (104). Each of the external connection modules (702, 704, 706) in the set of external connection modules (700) is configured to allow connection to an electrical load (104) that consumes a certain amount of electrical power within a given power range, and for this purpose includes a cable or conductive bus (718) for electrically connecting input and output connectors, the cross-section of which is adapted to the electrical power consumed by the electrical load connected to the external connection module. Among them, the base (328) of all power supplies (138) has a constant height (1U). The front (300) and cover (330) of each power supply have a height suitable for the dimensions of the functional elements (362) of the power supply. In this case, the height (1U) of the first end (709) of each external connection module (702, 704, 706) is equal to the height of the base (328) of all power supplies (138). Furthermore, the height (1U, 2U, 3U) of the second end (711) of each external connection module is equal to one, two, or three times the height (1U) of the base (328) of all power supplies, and is less than or equal to the height of the relevant power supply.

2. The electrical connection cabinet (100) according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the external connection modules (702, 704, 706) of the group of external connection modules (700) has a different height (H702, H704, H706).

3. The electrical connection cabinet (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The second end of each external connection module (702, 704, 706) includes a cover (720) that protects the output connector (712) in the installation configuration.

4. The electrical connection cabinet (100) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein, Each external connection module (702, 704, 706) is configured to extend at the installation location between the functional area (156) of the electrical cabinet (100) and the connection area (158) of the electrical cabinet (100).

5. The electrical connection cabinet (100) according to claim 4, wherein, Each external connection module (702, 704, 706) is configured to extend between the functional area (156) and connection area (158) of the electrical connection cabinet (100) via a window (222) of the support structure (202) of the electrical connection cabinet, and each external connection module and each power supply (138) connected to the external connection module are fixed to the support structure.

6. The electrical connection cabinet (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The set of external connection modules (700) includes three external connection modules (702, 704, 706): a first external connection module (702) configured to connect a low-power electrical load (104), a second external connection module (704) configured to connect a medium-power electrical load (104), and a third external connection module (706) configured to connect a high-power electrical load (104).

7. The electrical connection cabinet (100) according to claim 6, wherein, The second external connection module (704) and the third external connection module (706) include a reinforcement (722) extending parallel to their first end (709).

8. The electrical connection cabinet (100) according to claim 6, wherein, The electrical load (104) configured to be connected to the first external connection module (702) has a low power of less than 11 kW, the electrical load (104) configured to be connected to the second external connection module (704) has a medium power of between 11 kW and 30 kW, and the electrical load (104) configured to be connected to the third external connection module (706) has a high power of between 30 kW and 75 kW.

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