Control unit for electrical circuit breaker and associated electrical circuit breaker

Abstract

The control unit (20) comprises a housing (30) comprising a rear sub-assembly (34) and a front sub-assembly (100) assembled to the rear sub-assembly and comprising a central portion (102) having two opposing lateral edges (111, 112). The front sub-assembly (100) further comprises a fastening member (121, 122) and the rear sub-assembly (34) comprises a complementary member (131, 132) configured to cooperate with the fastening member to secure the front sub-assembly (100) to the rear sub-assembly (34) such that the two lateral edges are prevented from translating relative to the rear sub-assembly (34) according to two respective opposite and diverging directions, meanwhile, each transverse edge is free to rotate relative to the rear subassembly (34) about an axis parallel to the transverse edge considered.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a control unit for an electrical circuit breaker, and to an electrical circuit breaker comprising such a control unit. Background Art

[0002] As is known, in particular from EP-0 843 332-A1, an electrical circuit breaker comprises a circuit breaker unit and an electronic control unit. This control unit is typically configured to measure the operating state of the circuit breaker in real time and, if a fault is detected in the circuit breaker, to command the circuit breaker unit to open. The control unit is reversibly housed in a receptacle provided in the circuit breaker unit and is located on the front of the circuit breaker, allowing a user to read and / or adjust certain operating parameters of the electrical circuit breaker. The control unit is removable, allowing the user to replace the control unit in the event of a fault without having to disconnect the circuit breaker unit from the rest of the electrical installation.

[0003] As technology and needs evolve, it is advantageous to provide the user with an operating interface, also known as a "human-machine interface" or HMI, that allows the user to easily understand the operating status of the control unit and / or make adjustments to the control unit. Accordingly, the HMI of the control unit includes, but is not limited to, one or more elements selected from one or more indicator lights and / or one or more buttons and / or a display screen, depending on the circumstances. These HMI elements are assembled on a front subassembly of the control unit, which is secured to a rear subassembly to form the housing of the control unit.

[0004] However, these HMI components, especially the screen, are relatively fragile compared to the rest of the control unit. During the triggering of the circuit breaker, various electrical and / or magnetic and / or mechanical phenomena generate a circuit breaker shock, which may damage or eject the HMI component.

[0005] For example, EP 3 290 935-A1 describes a control unit comprising a front subassembly with a central portion on which several human-machine interface elements are arranged. The front subassembly is secured to the control unit housing by clamping. During triggering of the circuit breaker, this front subassembly is susceptible to being ejected from the housing by the tripping shockwave, which is undesirable.

[0006] Traditional methods of preventing the front subassembly from ejecting include adding fastening elements, such as screws, to secure the front subassembly to the rear subassembly. However, screws create hard points that increase localized stress during triggering, risking fracture of the front subassembly. This approach is unsatisfactory. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention aims to solve these problems by proposing a control unit for an electrical circuit breaker comprising a front subassembly including a central portion with at least one HMI element, wherein the front subassembly is resistant to circuit-breaking shocks.

[0008] To this end, the present invention relates to a control unit for an electrical circuit breaker, the control unit being configured to be housed in a receptacle open to the front face of a circuit breaker unit of the electrical circuit breaker in order to control the circuit breaker unit, wherein:

[0009] - the control unit has a front face presenting a generally flat shape and being geometrically carried by a front plane orthogonal to the depth axis and defining a forward direction directed towards the user when the control unit is in the normal use configuration, the front plane being parallel to the height axis and the transverse axis of the control unit,

[0010] - the control unit comprises a housing made of an electrically insulating material, the housing comprising a rear subassembly and a front subassembly, the front subassembly being assembled to the rear subassembly and comprising a central portion forming part of the front face of the control unit, the central portion being configured to receive at least one human-machine interface element,

[0011] - the central portion comprises two transverse edges comprising a first edge and a second edge, the two edges being located on either side of the central portion and extending parallel to each other and to the transverse axis,

[0012] - the front subassembly further comprises a fastening member fastening the front subassembly to the rear subassembly, the fastening member comprising a first fastening member located near the first edge and a second fastening member located near the second edge,

[0013] - the rear subassembly is made of an insulating material and comprises complementary members configured to cooperate with the fastening members of the front subassembly so as to secure the front subassembly to the rear subassembly in an assembled position of the front subassembly to the rear subassembly, wherein the front side of the central portion is oriented according to a forward direction and forms part of the front face of the control unit,

[0014] in:

[0015] The complementary members comprise a first complementary member cooperating with the first fastening member so as to form a first kinematic link between the front subassembly and the rear subassembly, said first kinematic link being such that:

[0016] • the first edge is prevented from translating relative to the rear subassembly according to a first direction parallel to the height axis, and

[0017] • the first edge is free to rotate relative to the rear subassembly about a first axis parallel to the transverse axis,

[0018] - in addition to the first complementary member, the complementary member comprises a second complementary member cooperating with the second fastening member so as to form a second kinematic link between the front subassembly and the rear subassembly, this second kinematic link allowing:

[0019] • the second edge is prevented from translating relative to the rear subassembly in a second direction opposite the first direction, and

[0020] • The second edge is free to rotate relative to the rear subassembly about a second axis parallel to the transverse axis.

[0021] Thanks to the present invention, the front subassembly is held along its two lateral edges by kinematic links that prevent translation but allow rotation. In other words, the central portion is free to deform elastically by bending. During the triggering of the circuit breaker unit, the deformation caused by the tripping shock is thus distributed and absorbed throughout the entire front subassembly. The absence of hard spots means that the front subassembly will bend but will not break.

[0022] According to an advantageous but non-mandatory aspect of the invention, such a control unit may incorporate one or more of the following features, taken alone or in any technically permissible combination:

[0023] - the first fastening member comprises at least one hook arranged to be recessed from the central portion according to a forward direction, each hook comprising a bent end extending according to the same direction parallel to the height axis and forming a recess, the recess of each hook being geometrically carried by the same axis parallel to the transverse axis,

[0024] and the first complementary member comprises at least one cavity, each cavity being arranged recessed in the rear subassembly and being configured to receive a corresponding hook in the hook-engaged configuration, each cavity opening through a corresponding hole to the front of the rear subassembly and providing an internal support surface oriented towards the interior of the corresponding cavity according to a rearward direction opposite to the forward direction,

[0025] And when each hook is in the engaged configuration, the curved end cooperates with the corresponding internal support surface to form a first kinematic link, and the first axis is substantially aligned with the recess of each hook.

[0026] - each hook comprises a lug arranged in a recess of the bent end portion of the hook in question in protrusion relative to the bent end portion of the hook in question,

[0027] The inner support surface includes a complementary recess configured to receive a lug of a corresponding hook, thereby preventing translational movement relative to the corresponding inner support surface parallel to the height axis of the hook when the hook is in the engaged configuration.

[0028] - the front subassembly comprises a clamping member located at a distance from the first edge and configured to cooperate with a complementary clamping member of the rear subassembly so as to hold the front subassembly in the assembled position when each hook is in the engaged configuration.

[0029] - the second fastening member comprises a protrusion extending protruding relative to the central portion and recessed from the central portion, the protrusion providing a support surface oriented towards the front when the front subassembly is in the assembled position of the rear subassembly,

[0030] The control unit further comprises a lock forming a second complementary member, the lock being assembled to the housing and being movable relative to the housing between a locked position and a released position,

[0031] The lock includes a locking surface positioned to face the support surface in a forward direction when the lock is in the locked position, thereby preventing translational movement of the protrusion relative to the rear subassembly in a forward direction, thereby preventing rotational movement of the front subassembly relative to the rear subassembly about the first axis,

[0032] And when the lock is in the released position, the lock does not prevent translational movement of the protrusion in a forward direction relative to the rear subassembly, thereby allowing rotational movement of the front subassembly relative to the rear subassembly about the first axis.

[0033] The lock is pivotably mounted relative to the rear subassembly about a lock axis parallel to the transverse axis, the locked position and the released position being two angular positions of the lock relative to the rear subassembly about the lock axis.

[0034] The present invention also relates to an electrical circuit breaker, comprising:

[0035] - a circuit breaker unit comprising at least one circuit breaker device and an actuator,

[0036] - an example of a control unit as described above,

[0037] in:

[0038] - the circuit breaker unit provides a container which opens onto the front face of the circuit breaker unit,

[0039] - The control unit is housed in the receptacle of the circuit breaker unit such that the front face of the control unit is substantially aligned with the front face of the circuit breaker unit.

[0040] Advantageously:

[0041] - a second lateral edge of the front subassembly is located at the edge of the front face of the control unit,

[0042] - The control unit is as described above,

[0043] - the lock has a recess that is recessed from the front face when the lock is in the locked position, the recess having a blocking surface oriented according to a direction orthogonal to the lock axis,

[0044] - the circuit breaker comprises a cover configured to be assembled to the circuit breaker unit so as to form a part of the front face of the circuit breaker unit, the cover having a window through which the front face of the control unit is visible,

[0045] - The window comprises a blocking edge which cooperates with the blocking surface to hold the lock in the locked position when the control unit is housed in the receptacle and the cover is assembled to the circuit breaker unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] The invention will be better understood and further advantages thereof will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of a control unit and an electrical circuit breaker, said description being in accordance with the principles of the invention, given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0047] - Figure 1 In the two illustrations a) and b) there is shown a perspective view and a partially exploded perspective view, respectively, of an electrical circuit breaker according to the invention, comprising a control unit also according to the invention;

[0048] - Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a control unit comprising a housing, a front subassembly, and a lock, the lock being in a locked state;

[0049] - Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A perspective view of the control unit housing, front subassembly and lock, with the lock in a released state;

[0050] - Figure 4 yes Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of the control unit housing, front subassembly, and lock;

[0051] - Figure 5 The two illustrations a) and b) show Figure 3 A perspective view of the control unit of FIG. 1 in an intermediate configuration during assembly of the control unit, and FIG. Figure 3 A cross section of a detail of a control unit in plane VV;

[0052] - Figure 6 The two illustrations a) and b) show Figure 3 Side view of the control unit with the lock in the released position, and Figure 3 Cross-section of a detail of the control unit, with the lock in the locked position;

[0053] - Figure 7The two illustrations a) and b) show Figure 1 Perspective and cross-sectional views of an electrical circuit breaker with some components hidden. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] Figure 1 , an electrical circuit breaker 10 is shown. The electrical circuit breaker 10, also referred to as a circuit breaker 10 for short, is a multi-pole electrical circuit breaker here, in particular a three-pole electrical circuit breaker. The number of poles of the circuit breaker 10 is not limited. As is known, a multi-pole electrical circuit breaker comprises, for each pole, input and output power terminals, which are respectively connected to each other or electrically isolated via a circuit breaker device of the electrical circuit breaker. The circuit breaker device comprises, for example, separable movable contacts, which are housed in a circuit breaker chamber of the electrical circuit breaker 10 and whose movement is controlled by an actuator. Thus, the circuit breaker device can be triggered by the actuator. The circuit breaker chamber is implemented here by three grids 12 visible on the upper surface of the circuit breaker 10, the other elements of the circuit breaker device not being shown.

[0055] An electrical circuit breaker 10 is intended for use in electrical equipment, such as for controlling the power supply of a machine tool. In a normal use configuration, the electrical circuit breaker 10 is typically placed in an electrical cabinet, with the electrical circuit breaker 10 presenting a front face 14 that is oriented toward a user standing in front of the electrical cabinet. The electrical cabinet is not shown.

[0056] The electrical circuit breaker 10 comprises a circuit breaker unit 16 comprising in particular each circuit breaker compartment as well as circuit breaker devices and associated actuators.

[0057] The electrical circuit breaker 10 advantageously includes a cover 18 that is reversibly secured to the circuit breaker unit 16. The cover 18 is made of an electrically insulating material and generally extends according to a front plane P14 that defines a portion of the front face 14 of the electrical circuit breaker 10 and extends through the extended circuit breaker unit 16. The cover 18 thus serves to protect the user of the circuit breaker 10. Figure 1 In a), the cover 18 is shown assembled to the circuit breaker unit 16, which corresponds to the normal use configuration of the circuit breaker 10. Figure 1 In b), the cover 18 is spaced apart from the circuit breaker unit 16 , such as would be found during maintenance of the circuit breaker unit 16 .

[0058] The electrical circuit breaker 10 further comprises a control unit 20. The control unit 20 is configured to analyse the status of the circuit breaker unit 16 and to trigger the actuator based on the results of these analyses, thereby separating the separable contacts.

[0059] The control unit 20 includes a front face 22. The front face 22 exhibits a generally flat shape and is geometrically defined by a front plane P22, which is orthogonal to a depth axis A22 of the control unit 20. When the control unit 20 is in its normal use configuration, the front face 22 is oriented toward the user. The front face 22 thus defines a forward direction D22 parallel to the depth axis A22. Forward direction D22 is indicated by an arrow. Concepts such as "front," "back," "top," and "bottom" are defined relative to the elements shown in the accompanying drawings, and it should be understood that in practice, other conditions may apply.

[0060] The cover 18 comprises a window 19 through which the front face 22 of the circuit breaker unit 20 is visible in the forward direction D22. The window 19 is advantageously closed by a transparent shutter. The shutter is not shown.

[0061] The control unit 20 is reversibly assembled to the circuit breaker unit 16. Figure 1 In the examples of a) and 1b), the control unit 20 is shown as an assembled structure of the circuit breaker unit 16. The control unit 20 is Figure 2 Shown separately in.

[0062] The circuit breaker unit 16 provides a receptacle that opens to the front face 14 of the circuit breaker unit 16, and the control unit 20 is housed in the receptacle such that the front face 22 of the control unit 20 is substantially aligned with the front face 14 of the circuit breaker unit 16, as shown. Figure 1 The container is not shown.

[0063] The control unit 20 will now be described. The control unit 20 comprises a housing 30 which is made of an insulating material and forms a receiving volume for the various components of the control unit 20. The housing 30 houses in particular a printed circuit board 32 which is Figure 7 The printed circuit board 32 includes a printed circuit and a plurality of electronic components, such as a microprocessor and the like.

[0064] The housing 30 includes a rear subassembly 34 and a front subassembly 100 that is assembled to the rear subassembly 34 during manufacture of the control unit 20. The components of the housing 30 are shown in FIG. Figure 3 are shown assembled together in Figure 4 Here, the rear subassembly 34 comprises a rear block 36 and an intermediate wall 38. The rear block defines a cavity 37 enclosed by the intermediate wall 38, in which the printed circuit board 32 is housed. Figure 4As shown, the intermediate wall 38 is advantageously fixed to the rear block 36 by fastening members 40, preferably clamping members. Alternatively, the rear block 36 and the intermediate wall 38 are manufactured as a single piece. It should be understood that when the control unit 20 and the electrical circuit breaker 10 are in the normal use configuration, the front subassembly 100 is assembled to the rear subassembly 34 in order to enclose the cavity 37 housing the printed circuit board 32, or more generally, the electrical components of the control unit 20, in order to protect the user.

[0065] Front subassembly 100 includes a central portion 102, which forms part of the front face 22 of control unit 120. Central portion 102 is generally flat and has a front side 102A and a rear side 102B opposite front side 102A. Central portion 102 is configured to receive at least one human-machine interface element 104. Front side 102A of central portion 102 is preferably oriented according to a forward direction D22. A human-machine interface is also referred to as an HMI. Human-machine interface elements 104 are also referred to as "HMI elements" 104. In the example shown, central portion 102 includes a plurality of HMI elements 104. HMI elements 104 include three indicator lights 104A, a transparent portion 104B through which a screen can be viewed, and four buttons 104C. These examples are not limiting, and the type, number, and arrangement of HMI elements 104 may vary during the design of front subassembly 100.

[0066] Advantageously, the front subassembly 100 is assembled in a reversible manner to the rear subassembly 34. Thus, in the event of a malfunction, the front subassembly 100 can be replaced.

[0067] Here, the central portion 102 exhibits a substantially rectangular shape and includes two lateral edges, including a first edge 111 and a second edge 112, located on either side of the central portion 102 and extending parallel to one another. The first edge 111 and the second edge 112 are parallel to the transverse axis T100 of the front subassembly 100. The first transverse edge 111 is the lower edge of the central portion 102, while the second transverse edge 112 is the upper edge of the central portion 102, as in the example shown. Therefore, when the control unit 20 is in the normal use configuration, the first edge 111 is located below the second edge 112. The transverse axis T100 is orthogonal to the height axis H20 of the control unit. By extension, the transverse axis 100 is also the transverse axis of the control unit 20. The front plane P22 is therefore parallel to both the height axis H20 and the transverse axis T100. The depth axis A22, the height axis H20, and the transverse axis T100 together form an orthogonal reference system. When the control unit 20 is in the normal use configuration, the height axis H20 is vertical. Other arrangements are of course possible.

[0068] The central portion 102 further comprises two side edges 113 which are parallel to each other and each connects the first edge 111 to the second edge 112. Thus, the first edge 111, the second edge 112 and the two side edges 113 delimit the central portion 102.

[0069] The front subassembly 100 includes fastening members 120 that fasten the front subassembly 100 to the rest of the control unit 20, particularly to the rear subassembly 34. The fastening members 120 include a first fastening member 121 located near the first edge 111 and a second fastening member 122 located near the second edge 112.

[0070] The rear subassembly 34 comprises complementary members configured to cooperate with the fastening members 120 of the front subassembly 100 in order to secure the front subassembly 100 to the rear subassembly 34 in an assembled position of the front subassembly 100 and the rear subassembly 34, thereby forming the housing 30 of the control unit 20. The housing 30 and, by extension, the control unit 20 are then in an assembled configuration, wherein the front side 102A of the central portion 102 is oriented according to the forward direction D22 and forms part of the front face 22 of the control unit 20.

[0071] The complementary members comprise a first complementary member 131 cooperating with the first fastening member 121 so as to form a first kinematic link between the front subassembly 100 and the rear subassembly 34 , the first kinematic link enabling:

[0072] - the first edge 101 is prevented from moving in translation relative to the rear subassembly according to a first direction D1 parallel to the height axis H20,

[0073] The first edge 101 is free to rotate relative to the rear subassembly 34 about a first axis A1 parallel to the transverse axis T100 .

[0074] Preferably, the first edge 101 is prevented from translating relative to the rear subassembly 34 according to the forward direction D22. In the example shown, the first fastening member 121 includes a hook 123 that is arranged to be recessed from the central portion 102 according to the forward direction D22. Here, the front subassembly 100 includes two hooks 123 that are arranged near the junction between the first edge 111 and the side edge 113.

[0075] refer to Figure 4 Here, each hook 123 comprises a curved end 124A extending according to the same direction parallel to the height axis H20, the curved ends 124A defining a recess 124B, the recess 124B of each hook 123 being geometrically carried by a first axis A1 parallel to the transverse axis T100. Schematically, the first axis A1 is substantially aligned with the recess 124B of each hook 123.

[0076] The first complementary member 131 comprises at least one cavity 133, each cavity 133 being provided recessed in the rear subassembly 34 and configured to receive a corresponding hook 123 in the engaged configuration of the hooks 123. Here, the cavities 133 are provided in the intermediate wall 38. Each cavity 133 opens towards the front of the rear subassembly 34 through a corresponding hole 134A and provides an internal support surface 134B oriented towards the interior of the cavity 133 according to a rearward direction opposite to the forward direction D22.

[0077] When each hook 123 is housed in the corresponding cavity 133, the curved end 124A of each hook 123 cooperates with the corresponding inner support surface 134B, in particular by complementarity of shape, thereby preventing the hook 123 from moving in translation relative to the support surface 134B parallel to the height axis H20 and downward toward the bottom, while allowing a rotational movement about the first axis A1. The first direction D1 is oriented from the second edge 112 toward the first edge 111, that is, here downward toward the bottom. The rotational movement is caused by Figure 5 134B, thereby forming a first kinematic link. It should also be understood that when hooks 123 are received in corresponding cavities 133, translational movement of the front subassembly 110 relative to the rear subassembly 34 parallel to the first axis A1 is prevented.

[0078] Advantageously, each hook 123 comprises a lug 125 which is arranged in a recess 124B of the end portion 124A under consideration in a protruding manner relative to the bent end portion 124A of the hook under consideration, while each internal support surface 134B comprises a complementary recess 135 which is configured to receive the lug 125 of the corresponding hook 123 and thereby prevents the height axis H120 of the hook 123 from being parallel to the corresponding internal support surface 134B when the hook is in the engaged configuration.

[0079] In addition to the first complementary member 131 , the complementary member also comprises a second complementary member 132 which cooperates with the second fastening member 122 in order to form a second kinematic link between the front subassembly 100 and the rear subassembly 34 , the second kinematic link enabling:

[0080] - the second edge 112 is prevented from translating relative to the rear subassembly 34 according to a second direction D2 parallel to the height axis H20, the second direction D2 being opposite to the first direction D1, and

[0081] The second edge 112 is free to rotate relative to the rear subassembly 34 about a second axis A2 parallel to the transverse axis T100 .

[0082] Preferably, the second edge 112 is prevented from translating relative to the rear subassembly 34 in the forward direction D22. In the illustrated example, the second securing member 122 includes a protrusion 126 that extends protruding relative to the central portion 102. The protrusion 126 is positioned recessed from the central portion 102 and extends toward the top of the control unit. The protrusion 126 provides a support surface 127 that is oriented according to the forward direction D22 when the front subassembly 100 is in the assembled position with the rear subassembly 34. The support surface 127 here exhibits an elongated shape that extends parallel to the second edge 112, in other words, parallel to the transverse axis T100.

[0083] The control unit 20 includes a lock 136 that is a separate component from the housing 30 and forms the second complementary member 132. The lock 136 is movable relative to the housing 30 between a locked position, in which the lock 136 is assembled to the housing 30 and engages with the protrusion 126 to prevent translational movement of the protrusion 126 relative to the rear subassembly 34 in the forward direction D22, and a released position, in which the lock 136 does not prevent translational movement of the protrusion 126 relative to the rear subassembly 34 in the forward direction D22. In the example shown, the lock 136 includes a locking surface 137 that is positioned to face the support surface 127 in the forward direction D22 when the lock 136 is in the locked position.

[0084] When the lock 136 is in the released position and each hook 123 is received in the corresponding cavity 133, the lock 136 does not prevent the protrusion 126 from translating relative to the rear subassembly 34 in the forward direction D22, thereby allowing the front subassembly 100 to rotate R121 relative to the rear subassembly 34 about the first axis A1.

[0085] In schematic form, when the lock 136 is in the locked position and each hook 123 is housed in the corresponding cavity 133, during a tripping stroke, the contact between the support surface 127 and the locking surface 137 corresponds to a linear contact, and the second axis A2 is geometrically carried by the support surface 127. Therefore, the rotational movement of the front subassembly 100 relative to the rear subassembly 34 about the second axis A2 is not prevented.

[0086] The first direction D1 is oriented from the second edge 112 toward the first edge 111, i.e., downwardly toward the bottom in this case. Accordingly, the second direction D2 is oriented from the first edge 111 toward the second edge 112, i.e., upwardly toward the top in this case. It will be appreciated that translational movement of the front subassembly 100 parallel to the height axis H20 is generally prevented, but the first edge 111 and the second edge 112 may approach each other.

[0087] In other words, although front subassembly 100 is fixed to rear subassembly 34, it is free to deform elastically by bending. In particular, central portion 102 is free to deform elastically by bending. During the triggering of circuit breaker unit 15, the deformation caused by the tripping shock is thus distributed and absorbed throughout front subassembly 100, particularly in central portion 102. The absence of hard points reduces the risk of fracture; in other words, front subassembly 100 bends but does not break. Front subassembly 100 then elastically returns to its original position.

[0088] Advantageously, the front subassembly 100 includes a clamping member 106 located at a distance from the first edge 111 and configured to cooperate with a complementary clamping member of the rear subassembly 34 to hold the front subassembly 100 in the assembled position when each hook 123 is received in a corresponding cavity 133. The function of the clamping member 106 is primarily to hold the front subassembly 100 when the lock 136 is in the released position, rather than to hold the front subassembly 100 during activation. The clamping member 106 is preferably located near the second edge 112 so as not to hinder the flexure of the central portion 102 of the front subassembly 100.

[0089] Advantageously, the lock 136 is pivotally mounted relative to the rear subassembly 34 about a lock axis A136 that is parallel to the second edge 112. The locked and released positions are two angular positions of the lock 136 relative to the rear subassembly 34 about the lock axis A136. To this end, the lock 136 here includes a clamping member 138A that engages a pin 138B provided on the rear subassembly 34. The rotational movement R136 of the lock 136 relative to the rear subassembly 34 between the locked and released positions is indicated by the double arrow in the figure. The transition from the locked position to the released position is advantageously accomplished manually, without the use of tools.

[0090] Advantageously, the second lateral edge 112 of the front subassembly 100 is located at the edge of the front face 22 of the control unit 20. The lock 136 has a recess 138 that, when the lock 136 is in the locked position, is positioned recessed from the front face 22, providing a blocking surface 139. The blocking surface 139 is oriented according to an axis that is orthogonal to the locking axis A136, or in other words, according to an axis that is orthogonal to a plane that passes through but does not intersect the lock axis A136. In other words, when the blocking surface 139 is blocked, the rotational movement R136 of the lock 136 is prevented. The blocking surface 139 is preferably oriented toward the top of the control unit 20, that is, here, according to the second direction D2.

[0091] The window 19 provided in the cover 18 includes a blocking edge 19A that is positioned facing the blocking surface 139 when the control unit 20 is housed in the receptacle and the cover 28 is assembled to the circuit breaker unit 16. The blocking edge 19A cooperates with the blocking surface 139 to hold the lock 136 in the locked position.

[0092] The above-mentioned embodiments and alternatives can be combined with each other to create new embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A control unit (20) for an electrical circuit breaker (10), the control unit (20) being configured to be received in a receptacle on a front face (14) of a circuit breaker unit (16) of the electrical circuit breaker for controlling the circuit breaker unit (16), wherein: - the control unit (20) has a front face (22) having a generally flat shape and being geometrically carried by a front plane (P22) orthogonal to the depth axis (A22) and defining a forward direction (D22) oriented towards the user when the control unit (20) is in a normal use configuration, the front plane (P22) being parallel to the height axis (H20) and the transverse axis (T100) of the control unit (20), - the control unit (20) comprises a housing (30) made of an electrically insulating material, the housing (30) comprising a rear subassembly (34) and a front subassembly (100), the front subassembly (100) being assembled to the rear subassembly (34) and comprising a central portion (102) forming part of the front face (22) of the control unit (20), - the central portion (102) comprises two transverse edges, comprising a first edge (111) and a second edge (112), the two edges being located on either side of the central portion (102) and extending parallel to each other and to the transverse axis (T100), - the front subassembly (100) further comprises a fastening member (120) for securing the front subassembly (100) to the rear subassembly (34), the fastening member (120) comprising a first fastening member (121) located near the first edge (111) and a second fastening member (122) located near the second edge (112), - the rear subassembly (34) is made of insulating material and comprises complementary members configured to cooperate with the fastening members (120) of the front subassembly (100) so as to secure the front subassembly (100) to the rear subassembly (34) in an assembled position of the front subassembly (100) to the rear subassembly (34), wherein the front side (102A) of the central portion (102) is oriented according to a forward direction (D22) and forms part of the front face (22) of the control unit (20), Its characteristics are: - the complementary members comprise a first complementary member (131) cooperating with the first fastening member (121) to form a first kinematic link between the front subassembly (100) and the rear subassembly (34), the first kinematic link enabling: • the first edge (111) is prevented from translating relative to the rear subassembly (34) according to a first direction (D1) parallel to the height axis (H20), and • the first edge (111) is free to rotate (R121) relative to the rear subassembly (34) about a first axis parallel to the transverse axis (T100), - In addition to the first complementary member (131), the complementary member comprises a second complementary member (132) cooperating with the second fastening member (122) in order to form a second kinematic link between the front subassembly (100) and the rear subassembly (34), the second kinematic link enabling: • the second edge (112) is prevented from translating relative to the rear subassembly (34) in a second direction (D2) opposite the first direction (D1), and • The second edge (112) is free to rotate relative to the rear subassembly (34) about a second axis (A2) parallel to the transverse axis (T100).

2. The control unit (20) according to claim 1, wherein: - the first fastening member (121) comprises at least one hook (123) arranged to be recessed from the central portion (102) according to the forward direction (D22), each hook (123) comprising a bent end (124A) extending according to the same direction parallel to the height axis (H20) and forming a recess (124B), the recess (124B) of each hook (123) being geometrically carried by the same axis parallel to the transverse axis (T100), - said first complementary member (131) comprises at least one cavity (133), each cavity (133) being recessed in the rear subassembly (34) and configured to receive a corresponding hook (123) in the hook engagement configuration, each cavity (133) opening onto the front of the rear subassembly (34) through a corresponding hole (134A) and providing an internal support surface (134B) oriented towards the interior of the corresponding cavity according to a rearward direction opposite to the forward direction (D22), - When each hook (123) is in the engaged configuration, the bent end (124A) cooperates with the corresponding internal support surface (134B) to form the first kinematic link, the first axis (A1) being substantially aligned with the recess (124B) of each hook (123).

3. The control unit (20) according to claim 2, wherein: - each hook (123) comprises a lug (125) which projects relative to the bent end (124A) of the hook in question and is arranged in a recess (124B) of the bent end (124A), - Each internal support surface (134B) comprises a complementary recess (135) configured to receive the lug (125) of the corresponding hook (123) so as to prevent translational movement of the hook (123) relative to the corresponding internal support surface (134B) parallel to said height axis (H20) when the hook (123) is in the engaged configuration.

4. The control unit (20) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein: - the front subassembly (100) comprises a clamping member (106) located at a distance from the first edge (111) and configured to cooperate with a complementary clamping member of the rear subassembly (34) so ​​as to hold the front subassembly (100) in an assembled position when each hook (123) is in an engaged configuration.

5. The control unit (20) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein: - the second fastening member (122) comprises a protrusion (126) extending protruding relative to the central portion (102) and recessed from the central portion (102), the protrusion (126) providing a support surface (127) oriented toward the front when the front subassembly (100) is in the assembled position to the rear subassembly (34), - the control unit (20) further comprises a lock (136) forming the second complementary member (132), the lock (136) being assembled to the housing (30) and being movable relative to the housing (30) between a locked position and a released position, - the lock (136) comprises a locking surface (137) which, when the lock (136) is in the locked position, is positioned facing the support surface (127) in the forward direction (D22), thereby preventing translational movement of the protrusion (126) relative to the rear subassembly (34) in the forward direction (D22), thereby preventing rotational movement (R121) of the front subassembly (100) relative to the rear subassembly (34) about the first axis (A1), - When the lock (136) is in the released position, the lock (136) does not prevent translational movement of the protrusion (126) relative to the rear subassembly (34) in a forward direction (D22), thereby allowing rotational (R121) movement of the front subassembly (100) relative to the rear subassembly (34) about the first axis (A1).

6. The control unit (20) according to claim 5, wherein: - the lock (136) is pivotally mounted relative to the rear subassembly (34) about a lock axis (A136) parallel to the transverse axis (T100), the locked position and the released position being two angular positions of the lock (136) relative to the rear subassembly (34) about the lock axis (A136).

7. An electrical circuit breaker (10), comprising: - a circuit breaker unit (16) comprising at least one circuit breaker device and an actuator, - an example of a control unit (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in: - the circuit breaker unit (16) provides a container which opens onto the front face (14) of the circuit breaker unit (16), - The control unit (20) is received in the receptacle of the circuit breaker unit (16) such that the front face (22) of the control unit (20) is substantially aligned with the front face (14) of the circuit breaker unit (16).

8. The electrical circuit breaker (10) according to claim 7, wherein: - a second lateral edge (112) of the front subassembly (100) is located at the edge of the front face (22) of the control unit (20), - the control unit (20) is a control unit according to claim 5, - the lock (136) has a recess (138) recessed from the front face (22) when the lock (136) is in the locked position, the recess having a blocking surface (139) oriented according to a direction orthogonal to the lock axis (A136), - the circuit breaker (10) comprises a cover (18) configured to be assembled to the circuit breaker unit (16) so as to form a part of the front face (14) of the circuit breaker unit (16), the cover having a window (19) through which the front face (22) of the control unit (20) is visible, - The window (19) comprises a blocking edge (19A) which cooperates with the blocking surface (139) to hold the lock (136) in the locked position when the control unit (20) is received in the receptacle and the cover (18) is assembled to the circuit breaker unit (16).

Images