Power distribution assembly and related electrical panel

Abstract

The power distribution assembly (100) configured to distribute electrical energy from a power source to at least one electrical load comprises a power bus (124) comprising a plurality of bus bars (122), each bus bar (122) having a portion at one end for connection to an output terminal of a main box (200). The power bus defines a connection region which extends along a connection plane (P124) and is provided for connecting at least one outgoing box (300) on a front side of the connection plane (P124). The power distribution assembly (100) comprises a cooling device (400) comprising a contact plate (410) for mating with the rear face (231) of the main housing (200), a radiator (420) extending from the rear side of the connection plane (P124), and at least one heat pipe (430) connecting the contact plate (410) to the radiator (420).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power distribution assembly, and to an electrical panel including such a power distribution assembly. Background Technology

[0002] The power distribution components considered here allow power to be connected to at least one electrical load. Known power distribution devices include so-called "static" switching devices, specifically semiconductor switching devices, which allow for fast, arc-free switching. However, these static switching devices are relatively expensive.

[0003] Known practice, particularly from GB 2 182 812 A, involves connecting static switching devices to multiple output terminal blocks, each of which is associated with a mechanical switching device.

[0004] However, static switching devices tend to generate significant heat, especially when performing their switching function, which can hinder the satisfactory operation of power distribution components, particularly when they switch frequently and closely. Known practices include improving heat exchange through ventilation or even air conditioning, but these solutions are noisy, energy-intensive, and unreliable.

[0005] More specifically, the present invention aims to overcome these problems by proposing a power distribution assembly that provides improved cooling while maintaining a relatively compact design. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the present invention relates to a power distribution assembly configured to distribute electrical energy from a power source to at least one electrical load, the power source comprising a neutral line and at least one phase, wherein:

[0007] - The power distribution assembly includes a power bus, which includes multiple busbars:

[0008] • Multiple busbars include at least one phase bar and an optional neutral bar, the optional neutral bar being associated with the neutral line of the power supply, and each phase bar being associated with a phase of the power supply.

[0009] • Multiple busbars extend parallel to each other along the main axis of the power distribution assembly and are aligned along a height axis orthogonal to the main axis.

[0010] -Each of the busbars includes:

[0011] • Power supply section, configured to be connected to the output terminals of the main housing in the main housing mounting configuration.

[0012] • A connection portion extending from one side of the power supply portion, the connection portion being geometrically located on the front side of a connection plane parallel to the main axis and the height axis, and together defining a connection area of ​​the power bus, the connection area being configured to receive at least one output box, such that the output box is connected to the power bus, each output box being connectable to an electrical load to supply power to the electrical load.

[0013] - The power distribution components include a cooling device, which includes:

[0014] • A contact plate having a contact surface extending parallel to the connection plane, the contact surface being configured to mate with the rear of the main housing, particularly by means of a complementary shape, in an installation configuration to facilitate heat transfer between the contact plate and the main housing;

[0015] • A radiator that extends along the connection region on the rear side of the connection plane.

[0016] • At least one heat pipe that connects the contact plate to the radiator and is configured to transfer some of the heat collected by the contact plate to the radiator, which is configured to dissipate the heat transferred by each heat pipe into the air.

[0017] According to the invention, the space in front of the power bus is used to connect other devices, such as protective devices like transmission boxes, while the space behind the power bus is essentially reserved for the radiators. This allows for efficient dissipation of some of the heat generated by the main housing during operation. Furthermore, the cooling system is passive, i.e., it does not consume energy for operation and is silent. The cooling system does not include a motor or any moving parts, reducing the likelihood of failure, which contributes to the reliability of the cooling system and, through its expansion, to the reliability of the power distribution assembly. The arrangement of the power distribution assembly is particularly compact while providing improved cooling capacity.

[0018] According to an advantageous but non-mandatory aspect of the invention, such a power distribution assembly can incorporate one or more of the following features, either individually or in any technically acceptable combination:

[0019] - The power distribution assembly includes a main housing, which is mounted on the remainder of the power distribution assembly and includes:

[0020] • Input terminals, configured to connect to each phase and optionally to the neutral line of the power supply.

[0021] • Output terminals, which are connected to the busbars, with each output terminal associated with a corresponding busbar and a corresponding input terminal.

[0022] • Especially the rear part, which is formed by the complementary shape and the contact surface.

[0023] The main housing includes switching devices, particularly static ones, capable of switching between an on configuration and an off configuration. In the on configuration, each input terminal is electrically connected to an associated output terminal, and the main housing is in the on configuration. In the off configuration, current is prevented from flowing between the input terminals and the associated output terminals, and the main housing is in the off configuration.

[0024] The main housing includes a rear wall made of a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material and includes a rear side. The rear wall is located between the switching device and the contact plate, such that some of the heat generated by the switching device during operation is transferred to the contact plate through the rear wall.

[0025] - The at least one heat pipe is a two-phase heat pipe.

[0026] - At least one heat pipe is a capillary two-phase heat pipe, and the main axis is horizontal when the power distribution assembly is in normal operating configuration.

[0027] The power distribution assembly includes an insulating wall made of an electrically insulating material and inserted between the power bus and the radiator, the insulating wall being open towards the front of the contact plate.

[0028] Although the output terminals of the main housing are clips, each clip is adapted to be connected to the corresponding busbar in a connection movement oriented toward the rear of the power distribution assembly, such that the rear of the main housing abuts against the contact surface during the movement of connecting the output terminals to the busbar.

[0029] The power distribution assembly includes a rear portion that forms a cavity for receiving the cooling device, and the rear portion is made of an electrically insulating material.

[0030] The rear section is perforated to facilitate cooling of the cooling device through convection.

[0031] The present invention also relates to an electrical panel, comprising:

[0032] - A housing, which defines an outer cover and has a base.

[0033] - As defined above, power distribution components

[0034] The power distribution components are fastened to the base of the housing, with the main axis parallel to the base of the housing, preferably horizontal. Attached Figure Description

[0035] The invention will be better understood by reading the following description of one embodiment of a power distribution assembly and distribution board according to its principles, given only by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0036] Figure 1 This is a partial exploded perspective view of an electrical panel according to the invention, which includes power distribution components also according to the invention;

[0037] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Partial exploded perspective view of the central power distribution components;

[0038] Figure 3 The illustrations are shown in two figures, a) and b) respectively. Figure 1 A perspective view of the power distribution components, some of which are hidden, and a perspective view of the power distribution component's transmission bus.

[0039] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A partial exploded perspective view of the power distribution components, with some parts hidden; and

[0040] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the power distribution components. Detailed Implementation

[0041] Figure 1 An electrical panel 10 according to the invention is shown. The electrical panel 10 includes a housing 12 defining an outer cover V12 and having a base 14. The base 14 extends generally in a plane orthogonal to the depth axis A14. The outer cover V12 is advantageously closed by a door (not shown).

[0042] Electrical panel 10 includes a power distribution assembly 100. The power distribution assembly 100 is fastened to a base 14 of housing 12. The power distribution assembly 100 is configured to distribute electrical energy from a power source to at least one electrical load, the power source including a neutral line and at least one phase. The power source and electrical load, not shown, are not part of this invention but are used to explain its operational context.

[0043] The power distribution assembly 100 includes a power distribution unit 110, a main housing 200, and at least one outgoing box 300. The power distribution assembly 100 is secured to the base 14 via the power distribution unit 110. The main housing 200 and the power distribution unit 110 are preferably reversibly assembled, in this case, with seven outgoing boxes. Each outgoing box 300 is reversibly assembled with the power distribution unit 110 at its mounting position. Therefore, the main housing 200 can be replaced as needed in case of failure, while retaining the other components of the power distribution assembly 100, the power distribution unit 110, and one or more outgoing boxes 300, which is economical. Similarly, one or more outgoing boxes 300 can be replaced as needed, for example, in the event of failure, while retaining other components, the power distribution unit 110, and the main housing 200, which is also economical.

[0044] The power distribution unit 110 has an elongated shape that extends along the main axis A110. When the power distribution unit 100 is in normal operating configuration, the main axis A110 is parallel to the base 14, in other words, orthogonal to the depth axis A14. Preferably, the main axis A110 is horizontal, as... Figure 1 As shown. The height axis H110 is defined as an axis orthogonal to both the depth axis A14 and the main axis A110. A description is given regarding the orientation of the various elements shown in the figure; it should be understood that this can actually be different.

[0045] exist Figure 1 In the example, the main housing 200 is located to the left of the power distribution assembly 100, and the output box 300 is located to the right of the main housing 200.

[0046] When the power distribution assembly 100 is secured to the base 14, the rear portion 112 of the power distribution device 110 is oriented towards the base 14, in other words, towards the rear direction of the power distribution assembly 100. The rear direction is therefore parallel to the depth axis A14. The front direction is also defined as the direction opposite to the rear direction.

[0047] The power distribution unit 110 therefore has a mounting surface 114, which is generally oriented forward and is suitable for mounting the main housing 200 and each outgoing box 300.

[0048] The rear portion 112 is made of an electrically insulating material, such as a synthetic polymer. Here, the rear portion 112 has a generally rectangular shape, extending along its longest dimension parallel to the main axis A110. The shorter side of the rectangle is therefore parallel to the height axis H110. Here, the power distribution device 110 includes two flanges 116 made of an electrically insulating material. The two flanges 116 are assembled with the shorter side of the rear portion 112 to form a basket shape.

[0049] Here, the power distribution unit 110 includes an insulating wall 118 made of an electrically insulating material and assembled with the rear portion 112 and the flange 116 to form a cavity V110, as shown. Figure 3 As shown.

[0050] According to one aspect of the invention, the power distribution unit 110 includes a cooling device 400, which is received in cavity V110 and adapted to dissipate some of the heat generated by the main housing 200 during operation of the power distribution assembly 100. Thus, the cooling device 400 is located on the rear side of an insulating wall 118, while on the front side of the insulating wall 118, oriented in the opposite direction to the rear side, the insulating wall 118 forms recesses 120 adapted to receive a plurality of busbars 122. The busbars 122 together form a power bus 124 of the power distribution unit 110, and extend to form the power bus 124 of the power distribution assembly 100. The rear portion 112 is preferably perforated to facilitate cooling of the cooling device 400 by convection. The power distribution unit 110 thus forms a cage surrounding the cooling device 400.

[0051] Busbar 122 includes at least one phase bar and an optional neutral bar, the neutral bar being associated with the neutral line of the power supply, and each phase bar being associated with a corresponding phase of the power supply. In the example shown, power bus 124 includes four busbars 122, and the power supply is a three-phase power supply with a neutral line. Here, the power distribution assembly 100 has a so-called "3P+N" or simply 3PN configuration.

[0052] As a variant not shown, the power supply is three-phase, with or without a neutral line, and the distribution assembly does not include a busbar associated with the neutral line. In other words, the distribution assembly consists of only three phase bars, each associated with a corresponding phase of the power supply. The distribution assembly thus has a so-called 3P configuration.

[0053] Regardless of the number of phases in the power supply, the principles of this invention can be interchanged. According to another variation (not shown), the power supply is single-phase, i.e., it consists of only a neutral line and only one phase. The busbars then consist of only one phase line and a neutral line. The distribution assembly then has a so-called P+N, or simply PN, configuration. Regardless of the configuration, there are always multiple busbars, each including at least one phase line, and optionally a neutral line.

[0054] Busbars 122 extend parallel to each other along the main axis A110 of the power distribution assembly 100 and are aligned along the height axis H100. Together, the busbars 122 define a connecting plane P124, which is orthogonal to the depth axis A14, in other words, parallel to the height axis H110 and the main axis A110. Mounting surface 114 is substantially parallel to the connecting plane P124.

[0055] The cooling device 400 includes a contact plate 410, a radiator 420, and at least one heat pipe 430. The contact plate 410 is adapted to collect some of the heat released by the main housing 200, the radiator 420 is adapted to dissipate the heat into the ambient air, and the at least one heat pipe 430 is, in this case, three heat pipes. The at least one heat pipe 430 connects the contact plate 410 to the radiator 420 and is configured to transfer some of the heat collected by the contact plate 410 to the radiator 420.

[0056] Here, the contact plate 410 has a parallelepiped shape and a contact surface 412 that extends parallel to the connecting plane P124. The contact surface 412 is configured to mate with the rear end 230 of the main housing 200 in a mounting configuration on the power distribution unit 110 (particularly by means of a complementary shape) to facilitate heat transfer between the contact plate 410 and the main housing 200.

[0057] Here, the radiator 420 is formed by an assembly of metal fins, which are positioned such that they do not obstruct the passage of air. The metal fins are positioned parallel to each other and aligned along the main axis A110. A heat pipe 430 connects the fins to a contact plate 410.

[0058] Typically, a heat pipe is a device used to transfer heat due to principles of heat transfer, such as conduction, convection, or phase change of a fluid. According to the example, heat pipe 430 is a metal rod, such as a copper rod. Preferably, heat pipe 430 is a two-phase heat pipe. In the example shown, heat pipe 430 is a capillary two-phase heat pipe. Typically, a capillary two-phase heat pipe comprises two coaxial tubes arranged to facilitate circulation of a heat transfer fluid within them, which changes phase between liquid and gas depending on its temperature. Preferably, when the power distribution assembly 100 is in normal operating configuration, the capillary two-phase heat pipe 430 is straight and horizontally arranged. In other words, the main axis A110 is preferably horizontal. As a variation (not shown), the two-phase heat pipe 430 is a "gravity" heat pipe, which is preferably vertically arranged. In other words, in this case, the main axis A110 is preferably vertical.

[0059] Therefore, the radiator 420 extends along the connection area of ​​the power bus 124 on the rear side of the connection plane P124. Specifically, the radiator 420 is located on the rear side of the insulating wall 118, which is received in the cavity V110, while the insulating wall 118 opens towards the front of the contact plate 410. In other words, the insulating wall 118 is located between the power bus 124 and the radiator 420. The portion of the insulating wall 118 that serves as a support for the busbar 122 is preferably continuous to reduce the risk of arcing between the busbar 122 and the radiator 420.

[0060] Busbar 122 includes a neutral bar and at least one phase bar, the neutral bar being associated with the neutral line of the power supply, and each phase bar being associated with a corresponding phase of the power supply. In the example shown, power bus 124 includes four busbars 122, and the power supply is a three-phase power supply. The principle of the invention can be interchanged regardless of the number of phases of the power supply, especially if the power supply is single-phase, i.e., includes only a neutral line and only one phase.

[0061] Now will be of particular reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 Description of main housing 200. In Figure 5 The circuit is shown in the diagram, but only one phase is shown. In accordance with known convention, the three phases are shown by three parallel lines across the circuit.

[0062] The main housing 200 includes input terminals 202 and output terminals 204. The input terminals 202 are configured to connect to the neutral line and each phase line of the power supply, and the output terminals 204 are configured to connect to busbars. Each output terminal is associated with a corresponding busbar and a corresponding input terminal. Here, the input terminals 202 are screw terminals. Advantageously, the output terminals 204 are clips, each adapted to reversibly connect to a corresponding busbar 122 during a connection movement oriented toward the rear of the power distribution assembly 100. Therefore, during the movement of connecting the output terminals 204 to the busbar 122, the rear of the main housing 200 abuts against the contact surface 412.

[0063] For each input terminal 202, the main housing includes a corresponding input line 203 and an output line 205, with the input line 203 connected to the corresponding input terminal 202 and the output line 205 connected to the corresponding output terminal 204.

[0064] The main housing 200 includes a static switching device 210 that can be switched between an on configuration and an off configuration. In the on configuration, each input terminal 202 associated with a power supply is electrically connected to an associated output terminal 204, and the main housing 200 is in the on configuration. In the off configuration, current is prevented from flowing between the input terminals 202 and the associated output terminals 204, and the main housing 200 is in the off configuration.

[0065] The static switching device 210 is a power switch based on semiconductor components, preferably a gate field-effect transistor or MOSFET, and is therefore referred to as "static" in contrast to switching devices with moving contacts. The static switching device 210 is connected in series between the input line 203 and the associated output line 205. Figure 4 and Figure 5 It is shown schematically in the diagram.

[0066] During operation, the switching device 210 releases heat, on the order of tens of watts. The switching device 210 is advantageously positioned to facilitate the transfer of at least some of the heat released into the cooling device 400.

[0067] Specifically, the switching device 210 is advantageously arranged against the rear wall 231 of the main housing 200, preferably in contact with the surface of the rear wall 231. The rear wall 231 forms a rear face 230, which is oriented in a direction opposite to that of the switching device 210. Therefore, when the main housing 200 is mounted on the power distribution unit 110, the rear wall 231 is positioned between the switching device 210 and the contact plate 410, such that some of the heat generated by the switching device 210 during operation is transferred to the contact plate 410 through the rear wall.

[0068] The rear wall 231 is made of a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material. In the example shown, the rear wall 231 is formed by an assembly of an electrically insulating plate and a copper plate, the electrically insulating plate being made of a synthetic polymer material, and the copper plate providing rigidity to the assembly while facilitating heat conduction. When the main housing 200 is mounted on the power distribution unit 110, the copper plate forms the rear 230 and abuts against the contact plate 410.

[0069] The main housing 200 includes a main detection device 212 configured to measure the electrical quantity at the output terminal and detect electrical faults based on the measured values. Here, the main detection device 212 is shown by a measurement circuit arranged on the output line 205. Preferably, the main detection device 212 includes a differential current detection device.

[0070] The main housing 200 is configured to switch from an on configuration to an off configuration when the main detection device 212 detects a first electrical fault.

[0071] The main housing 200 includes an electronic control unit 214 or ECU configured to control a static switching device 210, that is, toggle the static switching device 210 between an on and off configuration. The electronic control unit 214 is also configured to analyze values ​​measured by the main detection device 212 and determine whether a predetermined type of electrical fault exists based on predetermined criteria corresponding to a predetermined type of electrical fault. Figure 5The presence of a so-called "master" filter 222, positioned between the main detection device 212 and the electronic control unit 214, schematically illustrates the use of a predetermined standard. Several types of differential faults exist, specifically defined in IEC 60755:2017. In particular, the types of electrical faults include rectified electrical signals, signals including high-frequency components, rated values ​​(e.g., 30mA or 300mA), etc. It should be understood that the master filter 222 defines the standard for detecting electrical faults by the electronic control unit 214 of the main housing 200. Preferably, the master filter 222 defines the standard for detecting a predetermined type of differential fault selected from those defined in IEC 60755:2017.

[0072] The switching time ΔC is defined as the time interval between detecting an electrical fault and switching to the off configuration. Therefore, the switching time ΔC includes the time required to analyze measurements performed by the main detection device, the time required to send an off command to the static switch 210, and the switching time of the static switch 210 once the off command is sent. Typically, the switching time of the static switch 210 depends on the structure of the static switch and is less than 1 microsecond (μs). The switching time ΔC is therefore essentially associated with the operation of the electronic control unit 214. Typically, the switching time ΔC is on the order of one microsecond or approximately ten microseconds, for example, between 5 μs and 500 μs.

[0073] Preferably, the main housing 200 also includes a universal switching device 216 for each input terminal 202, which is a switching device with separable contacts, here a disconnecting switch. The universal switching device 216 is controlled by an electronic control unit 214 and enables the power supply to be electrically disconnected from the power distribution assembly 100, for example, in the event of a failure of the static switching device 210. The universal switching device 216 is located between each input terminal 202 and the static switching device 210.

[0074] Advantageously, the power distribution unit 110, and further comprising the transmission bus 150 via the extension power distribution assembly 100, is also included. Figure 3 The transmission bus 150, shown separately in b), is adapted to supply energy to each outlet box 300 in its installed position (i.e., connected to busbar 122). Here, transmission bus 150 is therefore an energy transmission bus, in other words, a power bus, which is separate from power bus 124. According to an illustrative example, transmission bus 150 operates at a voltage of tens of volts, such as 50V DC, while power bus 124 operates at a voltage of 400V AC three-phase current. Here, transmission bus 150 is a separate component that is assembled with the rest of the power distribution unit 110.

[0075] The transmission bus 150 includes a body 152 made of an electrically insulating material and having an elongated shape extending along the power bus 124. The transmission bus 150 thus extends along the main axis A110.

[0076] The transmission bus 150 defines a plurality of mounting areas 154, which are adapted to connect to each output box at a mounting location. The mounting areas 154 are preferably evenly distributed along the main axis A110, and each mounting area 154 is associated with a single location along the main axis A110. The transmission bus 150 preferably comprises fifteen mounting areas spaced apart from each other at an 18 mm pitch. Other pitches are, of course, possible. As a variation not shown, the mounting areas 154 are spaced apart from each other at a 9 mm pitch.

[0077] The transmission bus 150 includes at least two transmission lines 156 extending along the body 152 and configured to be electrically connected to each output box 300 at a mounting location. Here, the transmission lines 156 are power lines, and the transmission bus 150 is therefore a power bus configured to supply operating energy to each output box 300, particularly to the microcontroller 320 of each output box 300. As a variant not shown, the transmission bus 150 is also used to transmit data between each microcontroller 320 and the electronic control unit of the main housing 200. For example, information transmission is carried out via the same transmission lines 156 used for energy transmission. As an alternative not shown, the transmission bus 150 includes specific information transmission lines formed on the transmission bus 150, distinct from the transmission lines 156. According to another alternative, the transmission lines 156 are used for both energy and information transmission.

[0078] The transmission bus 150 also includes a connection area 158 adapted to connect the main housing 200 to a mounting location on the power distribution unit 110. For example, the main housing 200 includes an additional terminal block 250 configured to cooperate with the connection area 158, such that the main housing is electrically connected to the transmission line 156. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the main housing 200 draws electrical energy from the neutral and phase lines of the power supply between the static switching device 210 and the general-purpose switching device 216 to supply power to the transmission bus 150. This supplied power can be used for the operation of the output box 300.

[0079] Here, the transmission bus 150 is formed by a printed circuit board, the transmission line 156 is a conductor trace formed on the surface of the circuit board, and the mounting area 154 and the connection area 158 are leads formed in the circuit board substrate.

[0080] The output box 300 will now be described.

[0081] Therefore, each output box 300 includes an input terminal block reversibly connectable to busbar 122, and includes at least two input terminals 302, each configured to be electrically connected to a corresponding busbar 122. For each output box 300, the input terminal 302 includes a neutral input terminal configured to be electrically connected to a neutral bar, and between one and three other input terminals, each configured to be connected to a corresponding phase bar. Each output box 300 is configured to be reversibly mounted on the power supply rod 114 such that each input terminal 302 is electrically connected to a corresponding busbar 122.

[0082] Each output box 300 also includes an output terminal block configured to connect to an electrical load and including output terminals 304, each output terminal 304 being associated with a corresponding input terminal 302. The output terminals 304 are located in... Figure 5 It is shown schematically in the diagram.

[0083] In the non-limiting example shown, the output box 300 has a different width, measured along the main axis A110. The output box 300 is thus divided into two subgroups corresponding to two different widths: a narrow output box 300 and a wide output box 300, the wide output box 300 being approximately three times wider than the narrow output box 300. Other widths of the output box 300 are, of course, conceivable. The width of the output box 300 is preferably a multiple of the spacing between each mounting area 154 of the transmission bus 150, i.e., 18 mm here. As a variation not shown, the output box 300 may have a width that is a multiple of 9 mm.

[0084] In the example shown, the output box 300 configured to supply power to a single-phase electrical load advantageously has a width of 18 mm, while the output box 300 configured to supply power to a three-phase electrical load has three times the width of 18 mm, i.e., 54 mm.

[0085] The narrowest output box 300 is configured to connect to two busbars 122, including a neutral bar and a phase bar, while the widest output box 300 is configured to connect to four busbars 122. The principles of the invention apply regardless of the number of phases connected to each output box 300.

[0086] Preferably, the power distribution unit 110 is adapted to receive five outgoing boxes 300, each outgoing box including four incoming terminals 302; in other words, five wide outgoing boxes 300. According to an example not shown, the power distribution assembly 100 includes five outgoing boxes 300, each outgoing box including four incoming terminals 302. Accordingly, the power distribution unit 110 is also adapted to receive fifteen narrow outgoing boxes 300, each narrow outgoing box 300 including two incoming terminals 302. Each busbar 122 includes:

[0087] - Power supply section 126, configured to be connected in the mounting configuration of the main housing 200 to the associated output terminal 204, and

[0088] - A connection portion 128 extends from one side of the power supply portion 126. The connection portion 128 is geometrically located on the front side of the connection plane P124 and together defines the connection area of ​​the power bus 124.

[0089] exist Figure 4 In the diagram, only the power supply portion 126 of busbar 122 is visible; the connection portion 128 is hidden. The connection area is configured to receive at least one output box 300, enabling the output box to connect to the power bus 129. The output box 300 can then be connected to an electrical load to supply power to the load.

[0090] Each output box 300 includes an electromechanical switching device 310 inserted between each input terminal 302 and a corresponding output terminal 304. The electromechanical switching device 310 includes separable contacts movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, each input terminal 302 is electrically connected to the associated output terminal 304, and the output box 300 is in a closed configuration. In the open position, current is prevented from flowing between the input terminal 302 and the associated output terminal 304, and the output box 300 is in an open configuration.

[0091] Each output box 300 includes a secondary detection device 312 configured to measure the electrical quantity at the corresponding output terminal and detect at least one predetermined type of electrical fault, i.e., corresponding to a predetermined detection criterion. Here, the secondary detection device 312 is schematically shown by a measurement circuit arranged on the wire connecting the input terminal 302 to the output terminal 304. The schematic depiction of the secondary detection device 312 does not limit the types of electrical faults that the secondary detection device can detect. The secondary detection device 312 is therefore configured to detect short-circuit type electrical faults.

[0092] For example, the secondary sensing device 312 includes a current sensor, specifically one current sensor per phase, while the output box 300 includes a microcontroller 320 that receives measurement results from the current sensors and is able to determine whether one or more measured currents exceed a short-circuit threshold.

[0093] Optionally or additionally, the secondary sensing device 312 includes a differential current sensing device. Preferably, the output box 300 includes a microcontroller 320 configured to evaluate differential current measurements using a so-called “secondary” filter 322, which is pre-stored in the memory of the microcontroller 320 of the output box 300 and is capable of detecting differential faults.

[0094] The microcontroller 320 is powered by the transmission bus 150. For this purpose, each output box 300 includes a transmission terminal block 350, which includes transmission terminals (not shown). The transmission terminal block 350 is configured to connect to the transmission bus 150 such that each transmission terminal is electrically connected to a corresponding transmission line 156. Here, the transmission terminal block 350 is therefore a power terminal block. The transmission terminals are different from the input terminals 302 or the output terminals 304.

[0095] It should be understood that the secondary filter 322 defines the criteria for detecting electrical faults detected by the microcontroller 320 of the output box 300. Preferably, the secondary filter 322 defines the criteria for detecting differential faults of a predetermined type, selected from faults defined in IEC 60755:2017.

[0096] Each microcontroller 320 is supplied with electrical power for operation via the transmission bus 150, regardless of the configuration, setting, or tripping of the switching mechanism (here, the electromechanical switching device 310) of the output box 300.

[0097] Here, each output box 300 includes an actuator 324 configured to move the electromechanical switching device 310 to the open position when the actuator receives a trip signal, and the microcontroller 320 configured to send a trip signal to the actuator 324 when an electrical fault (particularly a short-circuit fault or differential fault) is detected. More generally, each output box 300 is configured to switch from a closed configuration to an open configuration when an electrical fault is detected by the secondary detection device 312 and via the extended microcontroller 320.

[0098] The operation of the power distribution assembly 100 will now be described under the condition of a short-circuit fault; this operation can be transferred to other types of electrical faults, particularly differential faults. The disconnection time ΔO is defined as the time interval between the moment an electrical fault is detected and the start of the movement of the separable contact of the electromechanical switching device 310 from the closed position to the open position. In the example shown, the disconnection time includes the time spent by the microcontroller 320 processing the measured value and the time spent by the microcontroller 320 sending a switching command to the actuator 324. Typically, the disconnection time ΔO is on the order of one millisecond, for example, from 1 ms to 9 ms.

[0099] In the minimum configuration of the power distribution assembly 100, the power distribution assembly includes a power distribution unit 110, on which a main housing 200 and a single output box 300 are mounted. It is assumed that the power distribution assembly 100 is connected to a power source via input terminals 202, while the electrical load is connected to output terminals 304.

[0100] In normal operating configuration, the main housing 200 is initially in the ON configuration, while the output box 300 is initially in the OFF configuration. The output terminals 304 are thus each electrically connected to the corresponding output terminal 204 via an associated busbar 122. In the event of an electrical fault, such as a failure of the electrical load, the electrical fault can be detected by the main housing 200 via the main detection device 212, and by the output box 300 via the secondary detection device 312.

[0101] In other words, the electrical fault detection standard used in the main housing 200 is the same as the electrical fault detection standard used in the output box 300 under discussion.

[0102] Many types of electrical faults can be conceived. To illustrate, in the case of a short circuit, the short-circuit current can reach several times the rated operating current, for example, five times. Other examples of electrical faults include overcurrent, differential current faults, etc. Compared to short-circuit faults, the currents involved in overcurrent or differential faults are much lower, for example, less than 1.2 times the rated operating current.

[0103] In the example shown, the detection criteria are defined by detection filters, specifically the main filter 222 for the main housing 200 and the secondary filter 322 for the output box 300. In the event of a short-circuit fault, it is assumed that the main filter 222 and the secondary filter 322 operate with the same detection criteria; in other words, the main filter 222 and the secondary filter 322 are operationally identical, such that the main housing 200 and the output box 300 are configured to detect electrical faults according to the same criteria.

[0104] The power distribution assembly 100 is configured such that when an electrical fault occurs that matches the standards of the first filter 222 and the second filter 322:

[0105] - The output box 300 detects electrical faults through the secondary detection device 312, and then the microcontroller 320 of the output box commands the electromechanical switching device 310 to switch to the off position.

[0106] When the main housing 200 detects the same electrical fault by means of the main detection device 212, the electronic control unit 214 of the main housing 200 commands the switching device 210 to switch to the cut-off configuration.

[0107] Given that the main housing 200 is close to the output box 300, the detection of the same electrical fault by the main housing 200 and the output box 300 is considered to be simultaneous.

[0108] The power distribution assembly 100 is configured such that the main housing 200 switches to the off configuration before the first box switches from the closed configuration to the open configuration. In other words, the switching time ΔC is shorter than the off time ΔO, such that no current circulates in the power bus 114 when the separable contacts of the electromechanical switching device 310 begin to move from the closed position to the open position. The separable contacts of the electromechanical switching device 310 disconnect without generating any arc, which reduces wear on the separable contacts and contributes to the durability of the outgoing box 300.

[0109] Once the output box 300 is in the off configuration, the main housing 200 is configured to switch from the off configuration to the on configuration at the end of a predetermined waiting time ΔW, the waiting time being longer than the off time.

[0110] Consider a power distribution assembly comprising two or more outgoing boxes 300, including a first box and a second box, both of which are connected to a busbar 122. In other words, the two outgoing boxes 300 are mounted on the same power distribution unit 110. During normal operation of the power distribution assembly 100, the main housing 200 is initially in an on configuration, while the first box 300 and the second box 300 are each initially in a closed configuration. Assume that the first box 300 and the second box 300 are each connected to a corresponding electrical load.

[0111] When an electrical fault occurs at the output terminal 304 of the first box 300, for example, after a fault occurs in the electrical load connected to the first box 300, the first output box 300 detects the electrical fault by means of its secondary detection device 312, and simultaneously, the main housing 200 also detects the electrical fault by means of its main detection device 212. As described above, the main housing 200 switches to a cut-off configuration before the first box 300 switches from a closed configuration to a disconnected configuration, while the second box 300 remains in a closed configuration.

[0112] Next, the main housing 200 switches from the off configuration to the on configuration at the end of the waiting time ΔW, while the second housing 300 remains in the closed configuration. The waiting time ΔW is short enough that the interruption of power supply experienced by the electrical load associated with the second housing 300 has no negative impact. In practice, the waiting time ΔW is less than 20 ms, preferably less than 15 ms, and more preferably less than 10 ms.

[0113] In the example shown, each output box 300 includes a microcontroller 320 that analyzes the measurements from the secondary sensing device 312 and determines whether an electrical fault, particularly a differential fault, is present. This requires the microcontroller to be powered by electrical energy, here via a transmission bus 150. The principle of the invention can be transferred to a case where the output box 300 does not include a microcontroller, and the actuator 324 is directly powered, for example, by the current difference measured by the secondary sensing device 312.

[0114] The foregoing embodiments and variations can be combined with each other to produce new embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A power distribution assembly (100) configured to distribute electrical energy from a power source to at least one electrical load, the power source comprising a neutral line and at least one phase, wherein: The power distribution assembly (100) includes a power bus (124), which includes a plurality of busbars (122): Multiple busbars include at least one phase bar and an optional neutral bar, the optional neutral bar being associated with the neutral line of the power supply, and each phase bar being associated with a phase of the power supply. Multiple busbars extend parallel to each other along the main axis (A110) of the power distribution assembly (100) and are aligned along a height axis (H110) orthogonal to the main axis (A110). Each of the busbars (122) includes: The power supply section (126) is configured to be connected to the output terminal (204) of the main housing (200) in the mounting configuration of the main housing (200). A connection portion (128) extends from one side of the power supply portion (126), the connection portion (128) being geometrically located on the front side of a connection plane (P124) and together defining a connection area of ​​the power bus (124), the connection plane (P124) being parallel to the main axis (A110) and the height axis (H110), the connection area being configured to receive at least one output box (300) such that the output box (300) is connected to the power bus (124), each output box (300) being able to be connected to a corresponding electrical load to supply electrical power to the electrical load. The power distribution assembly (100) includes a cooling device (400), the cooling device comprising: A contact plate (410) having a contact surface (412) extending parallel to the connecting plane (P124) is configured to mate with the rear (231) of the main housing (200) in an installation configuration, particularly by means of a complementary shape fit, to facilitate heat transfer between the contact plate (410) and the main housing (200); A radiator (420) extends along the connection region on the rear side of the connection plane (P124). At least one heat pipe (430) connects the contact plate (410) to the radiator (420) and is configured to transfer some of the heat collected by the contact plate (410) to the radiator (420), which is configured to dissipate the heat transferred by each heat pipe (430) into the air.

2. The power distribution assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The power distribution assembly (100) includes the main housing (200), which is mounted on the remainder of the power distribution assembly (100) and includes: Input terminals (202) are configured to be connected to each phase of the power supply and to an optional neutral line. Output terminals (204) are connected to the busbars (122), and each output terminal (204) is associated with a corresponding busbar (122) and a corresponding input terminal (202). The rear (231) specifically engages with the contact surface (412) through a complementary shape.

3. The power distribution assembly (100) according to claim 2, wherein: The main housing (200) includes switching devices, particularly static ones, capable of switching between an on configuration and an off configuration. In the on configuration, each input terminal is electrically connected to an associated output terminal (204), and the main housing (200) is in the on configuration. In the off configuration, current is prevented from flowing between the input terminals and the associated output terminals (204), and the main housing (200) is in the off configuration. The main housing (200) includes a rear wall made of a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material and includes a rear end (231) between the switching device and the contact plate (410) such that some of the heat generated by the switching device during operation is transferred through the rear wall to the contact plate (410).

4. The power distribution assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one heat pipe (430) is a two-phase heat pipe (430).

5. The power distribution assembly (100) according to claim 4, wherein: The at least one heat pipe (430) is a capillary two-phase heat pipe. When the power distribution assembly (100) is in normal operating configuration, the main axis (A110) is horizontal.

6. The power distribution assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The power distribution assembly (100) includes an insulating wall (118) made of an electrically insulating material and inserted between the power bus (124) and the radiator (420), the insulating wall (118) being open towards the front of the contact plate (410). The output terminals (204) of the main housing (200) are connecting clips, each of which is adapted to be connected to the corresponding busbar (122) in a connection movement oriented toward the rear of the power distribution assembly (100), such that during the movement of connecting the output terminals (204) to the busbar (122), the rear (231) of the main housing (200) abuts against the contact surface (412).

7. The power distribution assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The power distribution assembly (100) includes a rear portion (112) that forms a cavity (V110) for receiving the cooling device (400), the rear portion (112) being made of an electrically insulating material. The rear portion (112) is perforated to facilitate cooling of the cooling device (400) through convection.

8. An electrical panel (10), comprising: The outer casing (12) defines the outer cover (V12) and has a base (14). The power distribution assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The power distribution assembly (100) is fastened to the base (14) of the housing, and the main axis (A110) is parallel to the base of the housing, preferably horizontal.

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