Electrical panel, circuit breaker, electrical cabinet and aircraft

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical panel, a circuit breaker, an electrical cabinet and an aircraft. The electrical panel for an aircraft comprises: a first panel (3), referred to as a front panel; a second plate (4), referred to as a rear plate; a third board (7) comprising a printed circuit, the third board (7) being referred to as a PCB board, the PCB board (7) comprising an information processing unit; the invention relates to a circuit breaker (2) comprising a front plate (3), a rear plate (4), a PCB plate (7), a fourth plate (5) for the power supply of at least one circuit breaker (2), referred to as a power supply plate, the PCB plate (7) and the power supply plate (5) being arranged between the front plate (3) and the rear plate (4), each of said plates (3, 4, 5, 7) being provided with at least one access aperture for said circuit breaker (2).

Description

Electrical panels, circuit breakers, electrical cabinets, and aircraft Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to electrical panels for aircraft. Background Technology

[0002] Aircraft include numerous electrical equipment items, which are interconnected by complex circuits and equipped with circuit breakers to ensure the safety of the equipment. These circuits require a large amount of wiring, which is both cumbersome and time-consuming to prepare.

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome these disadvantages, at least in part. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To this end, the present invention provides an electrical panel for an aircraft, the electrical panel comprising: a first panel, referred to as a front panel; a second panel, referred to as a rear panel; a third panel, including printed circuits, referred to as a PCB board, the PCB board including an information processing unit; and a fourth panel, for supplying power to at least one circuit breaker, referred to as a power supply board, the PCB board and the power supply board being arranged between the front panel and the rear panel, each panel having at least one through-hole for the circuit breaker.

[0005] The electrical panel according to the invention saves space due to its flat shape and is easy to install due to the continuity of its panel and also due to the power supply panel, which reduces the number of cables required.

[0006] According to another aspect, the at least one through-hole for the circuit breaker is stacked to allow the circuit breaker to pass through each of the provided orifices.

[0007] According to another aspect, the electrical panel includes an electrical insulation plate located between the power supply board and the PCB board.

[0008] According to another aspect, the rear panel includes at least one housing for mounting the circuit breaker.

[0009] According to another aspect, the PCB board includes a label containing electronic ink, and the information processing unit is configured to instruct the electronic ink of the label to display visual information.

[0010] According to another aspect, the electrical panel includes a device for determining the position of the electrical panel itself relative to the electrical diagram of the aircraft, the device being designed to communicate with the information processing unit.

[0011] According to another aspect, the electrical panel includes devices for locking the circuit breaker in the electrical panel.

[0012] The present invention also relates to a circuit breaker for an electrical panel as described above, the circuit breaker including a device for identifying the circuit breaker.

[0013] According to another aspect, the circuit breaker includes a device for displaying the locked state of the circuit breaker in the electrical panel and the unlocked state of the circuit breaker.

[0014] The present invention also relates to an electrical cabinet for an aircraft, the electrical cabinet comprising at least one electrical panel as described above and / or at least one circuit breaker as described above.

[0015] The present invention also relates to an aircraft comprising at least one electrical panel as described above and / or at least one circuit breaker as described above and / or at least one electrical cabinet as described above. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Other features, details, and advantages will become apparent from reading the following detailed description and from analyzing the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic front perspective view of the electrical panel according to the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic exploded view of the electrical panel in Figure 1.

[0019] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the electrical panel in Figure 2.

[0020] Figure 4 is another schematic perspective view of the details of the panel in Figure 1.

[0021] Figure 5 is a rear-view perspective view of the panel in Figure 1.

[0022] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the current distribution in the electrical panel shown in Figure 1.

[0023] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of the disassembled circuit breaker used in the electrical panel of the aforementioned figures.

[0024] Figure 8 is another schematic perspective view of the circuit breaker in Figure 7.

[0025] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of an electrical cabinet equipped with multiple electrical panels. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The examples and associated conditions detailed herein are intended primarily to help the reader understand the principles of the invention, rather than to limit its scope to these specific examples and conditions. It will be understood that those skilled in the art will envision various arrangements, although not explicitly described or represented herein, that embody the principles of the invention and are included within its spirit and scope.

[0027] Furthermore, for ease of understanding, the following description illustrates a relatively simplified implementation of the invention. As those skilled in the art will understand, other implementations of the invention may be more complex.

[0028] In some cases, examples of modifications to the invention may also be presented. This is done merely to aid understanding and, likewise, not to limit the scope of the invention or to impose any restrictions on it. These modifications are not exhaustive, and those skilled in the art can make other modifications while still remaining within the scope of the invention.

[0029] Furthermore, all statements below relating to the principles, aspects, and implementations of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to cover both structural and functional equivalents of the invention, whether they are currently known or to be developed in the future.

[0030] This invention relates to an electrical panel, denoted as 1 in the figure, for use in aircraft. The electrical panel 1 is mounted in an electrical cabinet 100, also known as an avionics bay, as illustrated in Figure 9. Figure 9 shows three electrical panels 1.

[0031] Electrical panel 1 is intended to house circuit breakers 2. Each circuit breaker in circuit breaker 2 is dedicated to the circuitry used by the aircraft's electrical equipment. As detailed below, when circuit breaker 2 is locked (or engaged) in electrical panel 1, current flows in its dedicated circuitry. When circuit breaker 2 is unlocked from electrical panel 1, the power supply is cut off in the dedicated circuitry.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, the electrical panel 1 includes a set of boards fixed to each other. The panel 1 includes a first board referred to as the front board 3 and a second board referred to as the rear board 4. Between the front board 3 and the rear board 4, an electrical supply board 5, an electrical insulation board 6, and a printed circuit board (PCB) board 7 are arranged from the front board 3 to the rear board 4.

[0033] Panels 3 to 7 are stacked on top of each other, and the outlines of inner panels 5, 6 and 7 have the same dimensions as or smaller than those of the outer panels that serve as front panel 3 and rear panel 4, thereby giving electrical panel 1 a generally flat rectangular shape.

[0034] As can be seen specifically in Figure 1, the front panel 3 has a generally rectangular shape. The front panel 3 includes orifices 8 arranged in three rows of seven orifices 8 in a non-limiting manner. Each orifice 8 is sized to receive a circuit breaker 2 and a label 9 associated with each orifice 8. Each label 9 is a visual indicator of the identity of the circuit breaker 2, as detailed below.

[0035] As can be seen specifically in Figures 3 and 5, the rear panel 4 has a generally rectangular shape. The rear panel 4 includes a plate 10 on which a set of housings 11 are mounted, each housing 11 being designed to receive the circuit breaker 2. In the figures, and in a non-limiting manner, the housings 11 are arranged in three rows of seven.

[0036] Each housing 11 is a cylindrical member with a circular opening 12, which rests on a plate. For each housing 11, the plate itself includes orifices 13 with a diameter smaller than the circular opening 12, each orifice 13 being coaxial with the associated opening 12. The plate 10 also includes small holes 14 (three in a row for each housing 11 in FIG. 5) and straight grooves 15.

[0037] Each housing 11 includes two diametrically opposed studs 16 for locking the circuit breaker 2 within the housing 11, as described in detail below.

[0038] As can be seen specifically in Figures 3, 4, and 6, the power supply board 5 includes a power supply input section 17 connected to a conductive rod 18 or a busbar. The board 5 also includes a set of output sections 19 intended for connection to equipment on the aircraft via cables 20 bundled together in a bundle F. Each rod 18 is provided with a lug 18e projecting toward the electrical insulation board 6.

[0039] It should be noted that plate 5 is essentially empty, and the term "plate" is used because the outline of rod 18 is roughly rectangular.

[0040] As can be seen specifically in Figure 3, the electrical insulation plate 6 has a generally rectangular shape. Plate 6 includes through-holes 20 for the circuit breaker 2 and the tag 9, as well as straight grooves 21.

[0041] As can also be seen in Figure 3, PCB board 7 has a generally rectangular shape. Board 7 includes printed circuitry and an information processing unit (UT) or microprocessor connected to the printed circuitry. The microprocessor is configured to control electronic ink to print features associated with circuit breaker 2 on label 9. PCB board 7 also includes pinholes 22, circular apertures 23, and straight grooves 24.

[0042] The current distribution is described in Table 1 with reference to Figure 6.

[0043] As shown in the figure, in the operating position, the power supply center 25 is electrically connected to the power supply input section 17. The conductive rods 18 connected to the input section 17 supply power to the circuit breakers 2 in series. Each circuit breaker in the circuit breakers 2 is connected to the aircraft's equipment via an output section 19.

[0044] The circuit breaker 2, intended to be connected in the electrical panel 1, is described in detail below with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

[0045] As shown in these figures, each circuit breaker 2 is generally cylindrical in shape, including an electrical connection cylindrical member 30 with a longitudinal axis L and a cover 31.

[0046] The electrical connection cylindrical member 30 includes a longitudinal wall 32 extending between a base 33 and a top 34. The longitudinal wall 32 is provided with two diametrically opposed pawls 35. A visual indicator 36 is provided on the top 34. The visual indicator 36 is a disc-shaped member with a first sector of a first color and a second sector of a second color. In the accompanying drawings, the colors are green and red, with green (120° sector) indicating that the circuit breaker 2 is connected, and red (240° sector) indicating that the circuit breaker 2 is not connected, as explained below.

[0047] The base 33 includes an annular portion 37 and base portions 38 arranged on both sides of the longitudinal wall 39. The annular portion 37 is intended to receive the cover 31. The longitudinal portion 39 is provided with two diametrically opposed grooves 40. Each groove 40, preferably straight, is a guide for one of the studs 16 of the housing 11 of the rear plate 4.

[0048] The electrical connection cylindrical member 30 also includes two contact plates 41 protruding from its base for receiving current. The electrical connection cylindrical member 30 also includes pins 42, referred to as auxiliary contact pins, for example, two sets of pins 42. Pins 42 indicate the state of the circuit breaker 2. Internal resistors (not shown) are associated with a given state. For example, but not limited to, a 10 Ω resistor is used for a 2 A rating, a 100 Ω resistor for a 5 A rating, a 200 Ω resistor for 10 A, a 300 Ω resistor for 16 A, etc.

[0049] As also shown in Figures 7 and 8, the electrical connection cylindrical member 30 includes a rod 43, preferably a central rod, arranged along the longitudinal axis L. The rod 43 includes at least one button 44. The button 44 preferably includes a chip. The button 44 indicates the rating and presence of the circuit breaker 2 and whether the circuit breaker 2 is connected to the electrical panel 1, as detailed below. The free end 45 of the rod 43 carries the amperage rating of the circuit breaker 2, i.e., its rating (e.g., 2 A, 5 A, 10 A, 16 A, etc.).

[0050] Cover 31 is a hollow cylindrical member comprising a longitudinal wall 50 and a top 51. An internal volume V is defined between the top 51 and the longitudinal wall 50. The internal volume V is dimensioned to receive the electrical connection cylindrical member 30. The longitudinal wall 50 is provided with threads 52 for locking the circuit breaker 2 in the rear plate 4. The longitudinal wall 50 is also provided with two buttons 53 for locking / unlocking corresponding pawls 35 of the electrical connection cylindrical member 30. The top 51 has a portion 54 in the form of a corner sector indicating the amperage of the circuit breaker 2 (e.g., 2 A, 5 A, 10 A, 16 A, etc.). The corner sector is the same as the sector of the disconnect engagement color (e.g., red, illustrated by dots in the figure). The top 51 also includes an opening 56 in the form of a corner sector corresponding to the sector of the engagement color (e.g., green, illustrated by white in the figure).

[0051] To assemble the circuit breaker 2, the electrical connection cylindrical part 30 is inserted into the cover 31 until the cover 31 rests on the annular portion 37 of the electrical connection cylindrical part.

[0052] In the assembled position, the top 51 of the cover 31 exposes the red section of the electrical connection cylindrical member 30. The two leads of the thread 52 of the cover 31 are arranged in a straight line with the corresponding grooves 40 of the connection cylindrical member 30. The pawl 35 holds the button 53 and prevents the cover 31 from rotating.

[0053] To install the circuit breaker 2 in the electrical panel 1, the circuit breaker 2 must first be inserted through the circular opening 12 of the corresponding housing 11 of the electrical panel 1. Then, the stud 16 slides into one of the recesses 40 until it reaches the lead-in portion 57 of the thread 52. Then, the button 53 is pressed, which releases the pawl 35 and allows the cover 31 to rotate, moving the stud 16 in the thread 52 to a position that locks the circuit breaker 2 in the housing 11.

[0054] In the locked position, pins 42 are arranged in holes 14 in the rear plate 4 and holes 22 in the PCB board, ensuring communication between the circuit breaker 2 and the microprocessor. Each plate 41 passes through a straight slot 15 in the rear plate 15, a straight slot 24 in the PCB board, and a straight slot 21 in the insulating plate 6, and rests against a lug 18e of the power supply plate 5, allowing the circuit to be powered, as already described. A central rod 53 passes through an opening 13 in the housing 11, an opening 23 in the PCB board, an opening 20 in the electrical insulating plate 6, and an opening 8 in the front plate 3. The end of the rod 43 is visible and shows the markings of the amperage of the circuit breaker 2 (e.g., 2 A, 5 A, 10 A, 16 A, etc.). In this position, the green sector is visible, visually indicating to the operator that the circuit breaker 2 is connected and locked in the electrical panel 1.

[0055] Electrical panel 1 includes devices for identifying the panel. Identification refers to the position of electrical panel 1 within electrical cabinet 100. For example, electrical panel 1 might be electrical panel number N within electrical cabinet 100, or electrical panel 1 itself might be number M in the overall electrical layout of the aircraft. In this case, the identification of the electrical panel is N and M.

[0056] The device is connected to a control unit (e.g., a motherboard that manages all electrical panels 1 or at least some of the electrical panels 1), which sends the identity of panel 1 to the device. This is referred to as a location declaration.

[0057] The location declaration comes from a connection (internal connection) with a specific addressing socket, or from a connection from the smart CAN bus to the network, or from an update via the Internet or a specific network or artificial intelligence.

[0058] According to the first variant, the device is a socket, and the control unit notifies the socket of the identity of panel 1 according to the cable connected to the socket.

[0059] According to the second variant, the connecting cables are the same, and they are distinguished by using different resistors (e.g., the first position on the panel is 10 ohms, the second position is 100 ohms, the third position is 200 ohms, etc.).

[0060] According to the third variant, the switch connected to the socket ensures the declaration of the address.

[0061] According to the fourth variant, the screw provides electrical contact for the declaration of the address.

[0062] The identity of circuit breaker 2 is transmitted to the microprocessor via read chip 44, as shown in Figure 8.

[0063] Once the location of the electrical panel is known, the microprocessor is able to use electronic ink to identify the name and rating to be displayed on each label.

[0064] For example, label 9 could contain messages such as: Ventilation 10 A, Lighting 20 A, etc.

[0065] The microprocessor is also configured to compare the identity of the circuit breaker transmitted to it by the control unit via socket P with the identity of the circuit breaker transmitted to it via pin 42 of circuit breaker 2. If the identities do not match, the microprocessor displays an error message on label 9.

[0066] The microprocessor is also configured to detect whether the circuit breaker 2 is fully inserted, as indicated by the button 44 in the electrical panel 1, which is used to indicate the rating and presence of the circuit breaker 2 and whether the circuit breaker 2 is connected.

[0067] Therefore, its primary function is to check that the correct amperage is in place (e.g., 5 A at the 5 A position) and to provide the intended "postal" address (i.e., the intended label) to the electronic ink. Its secondary function is to determine whether circuit breaker 2 is switched "on" or "off" based on proximity (e.g., whether power is supplied to downstream lights).

[0068] Those skilled in the art can modify and improve upon the above-described implementations of the present invention. In particular, the described embodiments and variations can be combined, provided that these embodiments and variations are not incompatible. The above description is illustrative by way of example and not limitation. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is defined only by the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An electrical panel for use in an aircraft, the electrical panel comprising: The first plate (3), the first plate (3) is called the front plate; The second board (4), referred to as the rear board; the third board (7), referred to as the PCB board, which includes printed circuits and information processing unit (UT); the fourth board (5), referred to as the power supply board, which is used for power supply of at least one circuit breaker (2); the PCB board (7) and the power supply board (5) are arranged between the front board (3) and the rear board (4), and each of the boards (3, 4, 5, 7) is provided with at least one through hole for the circuit breaker (2).

2. The electrical panel according to claim 1, comprising an electrical insulating plate (6) located between the electrical supply board (5) and the PCB board (7).

3. The electrical panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The rear panel includes at least one housing (11) for mounting the circuit breaker (2).

4. The electrical panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The PCB board (7) includes a label (9) containing electronic ink, and the information processing unit is configured to instruct the electronic ink of the label to display visual information.

5. The electrical panel according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising means for determining the positioning of the electrical panel itself relative to the electrical diagram of the aircraft, the means being configured to communicate with the information processing unit.

6. An electrical panel according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a device (16) for locking the circuit breaker (2) in the electrical panel (1).

7. A circuit breaker (2) for use in an electrical panel according to any one of the preceding claims, the circuit breaker (2) including a device (42) for identifying the circuit breaker (2).

8. The circuit breaker (2) according to the preceding claim, including a device for displaying the locked state of the circuit breaker (2) in the electrical panel (1) and the unlocked state of the circuit breaker (2).

9. An electrical cabinet for use in an aircraft, the electrical cabinet comprising at least one electrical panel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and / or at least one circuit breaker according to any one of claims 7 and 8.

10. An aircraft comprising an electrical cabinet according to the preceding claim.

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