Bidirectional contactor with double break

Description

DOMAINE TECHNIQUE DE L'INVENTION

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of contactor chambers.

[0002] The present invention relates to a double-break bi-directional contactor and more particularly to a double-break bi-directional contactor comprising in all two blocks of fins allowing the extinction of two electric arcs simultaneously. ARRIERE-PLAN TECHNOLOGIQUE DE L'INVENTION

[0003] Switches are usually equipped with two electrical contacts that allow for an electrically conductive connection to be established. When the contacts separate, electric arcs occur, accompanied by high thermal stress and difficulty in extinguishing the electrical connection. It is therefore necessary that these arcs extinguish quickly.

[0004] Conventionally, an arc is extinguished by accelerating the arc with a magnetic field towards deionization fins, which allows the electric arc to be divided into several arcs. Cutting the arc increases the arc voltage and thus extinguishes it.

[0005] For example, patent EP 2463876A1 presents an invention for cutting electric arcs of a double-break bi-directional contactor. This is composed of two extinguishing zones per breaking zone, i.e. four extinguishing zones in this contactor. For each breaking zone, the two extinguishing zones are distinct and perpendicular to each other. One embodiment comprises, for each of the extinguishing zones, a fin block, i.e. four fin blocks. In another embodiment, for each breaking zone, the contactor comprises one extinguishing zone which is a fin block and the other extinguishing zone is an arc spacer plate. In addition, for each fin block, there are two arc guides per fin block, each extending from an electrical contact of the corresponding switch, and one arc guide extending from each arc spacer plate.However, this solution is bulky and requires a lot of equipment due to the two separate extinguishing zones perpendicular to each other per cut-off zone. RESUME DE L'INVENTION

[0006] The invention provides a solution to the problems mentioned above, by increasing the dissipation power of the deionization fins while simplifying the operation of the contactor by reducing the number of parts inside the contactor. This simplification makes it possible to reduce the number of parts and thus increase the surface area of ​​the fins to help dissipate electric arcs.

[0007] A first aspect of the invention relates to a double-break bi-directional contactor comprising: a movable bridge between a closed state and an open state, comprising a first movable contact and a second movable contact, and a first fixed contact opposite the movable contact and a second fixed contact opposite the movable contact, wherein in the closed state, the first and second movable contacts are in contact with the first and second fixed contacts respectively and in the open state the first and second movable contacts are spaced apart from the first and second fixed contacts respectively, two magnets capable of generating a magnetic field of constant direction so as to generate a magnetic force to move an arc appearing between the fixed contacts and the movable contacts of the movable bridge passing from a closed state to an open state, two blocks of fins each having: o a first and a second end o fins between the first end and the second end of the corresponding block of fins, o a first and a second extinction zone each formed by the fins, four arc guides heading from the movable contacts of the bridge towards the two blocks of fins,characterized in that at least fin notches forming a fin block groove among the fins of each of the two fin blocks are opposite each corresponding arc guide.

[0008] Thus, the invention makes it possible to reduce the number of parts of the contactor by using a fin block for two extinguishing zones. In addition, having a single fin block without a second extinguishing zone (either a fin block or an arc spacer plate) separate and perpendicular to this fin block makes it possible to benefit from an increase in the surface area of ​​the fins and to increase the inter-fin volume. The increase in the surface area of ​​the fins makes it possible to improve its heat dissipation and therefore to reduce the heating of the contactor. The inter-fin volume in the fin blocks makes it possible to increase the dissipation power of the deionization fins by reducing and perhaps even eliminating the smothering of the arcs to be cut.

[0009] In addition to the characteristics which have just been mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the contactor according to one aspect of the invention may have one or more additional characteristics among those mentioned in the following paragraphs, considered individually or according to all technically possible combinations: According to one embodiment, the double-break bi-directional contactor comprises four arc guides each heading from one of the corresponding fixed contacts to respectively one of the corresponding fin blocks. Each fin block is therefore opposite four arc guides and the number of arc guides is therefore eight: the four arc guides leading from the moving contacts of the bridge allow the arc to be guided from the moving bridge to the fin blocks the other four arc guides leading from the fixed contacts allow the arc to be guided from the fixed contacts to the fin blocks.

[0010] According to an example of this embodiment, the eight arc guides are independent of each other, four arc guides are branches extending from the movable contacts to the fin blocks and four arc guides are branches extending from the fixed contacts to the fin blocks.

[0011] According to an example of this embodiment, the double-break bi-directional contactor comprises a first and a second fixed contact support electrically insulated from each other respectively supporting the first and second fixed contacts and two of the four arc guides leading from the fixed contacts belong to the first fixed contact support each extending from the first fixed contact towards the fin blocks and the other two of the four arc guides leading from the fixed contacts belong to the second fixed contact support each extending from the second fixed contact towards the fin blocks. For example, these four arc guides leading from the fixed contacts are surfaces of the first and second fixed contact supports leading from the fixed contacts towards the fin blocks.

[0012] According to an example of this embodiment, the four arc guides leading from the fixed contacts are surfaces of the first and second fixed contact supports leading from the fixed contacts to the fin blocks.

[0013] According to one embodiment, a pair of arc guides among the four arc guides leading from the movable contacts is a plate comprising a first and a second arc guide linked to a base, the first and the second arc guides each extending in a direction between respectively the first and second movable contacts of the bridge towards the corresponding fin block. Thus, the branches make it possible to guide the arc from the movable bridge towards the corresponding fin blocks.

[0014] According to an example of this embodiment, the two arc guides of a pair of arc guides are separated from each other by a groove and are parallel to each other.

[0015] According to an example of this embodiment, the fins of each fin block each comprise two portions of the two extinction zones distinct from the corresponding fin block, each of the two portions comprising a groove and in that for each of the pairs of arc guides, the arc guides extend from the base of the arc guide plate towards the grooves of the fin blocks. The grooves of the fin blocks make it possible to guide the arc onto the fin block.

[0016] According to one embodiment, four arc guides extending from the movable contacts are connected into an assembly, the assembly is a plate comprising four arc guides connected to a base, each arc guide extends from the movable contacts to the fin blocks. This simplifies assembly by having a single part.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the fins of each fin block each comprise a receiving surface and in that some of the receiving surfaces are offset towards the fixed contact relative to the other receiving surfaces aligned in the same plane of the same fin block. This makes it possible to match the arc as it propagates from the first and second moving contacts to the fin block.

[0018] According to one embodiment, each arc guide is fixed to the first end of the fin block.

[0019] The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. BREVE DESCRIPTION DES FIGURES

[0020] The figures are presented for information purposes only and in no way limit the invention. [ Fig.1 ] is a schematic diagram of a breaking chamber of a contactor according to one embodiment of the invention. Fig.2 ] is a schematic diagram of the double electrical contacts of the double-break contactor. [ Fig.3 ] is a top view of a portion of the interrupting chamber shown in the figure 1 following a current flow. Fig.4 ] is a top view of a portion of the interrupting chamber shown in the figure 1 following a current flow. Fig.5 ] is a perspective view of a portion of the interrupting chamber shown in the figure 1 . [ Fig.6 ] is a sectional view of a portion of the contactor including the breaking chamber shown in the figure 1 with electric arcs. Fig.7 ] is a sectional view of a portion of the contactor including the breaking chamber shown in the figure 1 with electric arcs cut by fins. DESCRIPTION DETAILLEE

[0021] Unless otherwise specified, the same element appearing in different figures has a single reference.

[0022] The invention relates to a double-break bi-directional contactor.

[0023] In reference to the figure 2 which is a schematic diagram of the double electrical contacts of the double-break bi-directional contactor, the double-break bi-directional contactor comprises a movable bridge 2 comprising a first movable contact 2a, a second movable contact 2b, a first fixed contact 1a, a second fixed contact 1b. The movable contact 2a is opposite the first fixed contact 1a and the second movable contact 2b is opposite the second fixed contact 1b. The figure 2 represents the movable bridge 2 in the open state. When the movable bridge 2 is in the closed state, a current Imoves from the first fixed contact 1a to the second fixed contact 1b by crossing the movable bridge 2. Thus, the current I flows in a first direction of electric current from the first fixed contact 1a to the second fixed contact 1b and therefore flows in a first physical direction 13 when the current flows between the first fixed contact 1a and the movable contact 2a and a second physical direction 14 opposite to the first physical direction 13 when the current flows between the second fixed contact 1b and the movable contact 2b. The electric circulation of the current I can be reversed in such a way that the current I moves from the second fixed contact 1b to the first fixed contact 1a by crossing the movable bridge 2, the direction of the physical current is therefore reversed at the contacts 1a, 2a, 1b, 2b.

[0024] In reference to the figure 1 , a double-break bi-directional contactor 30 is shown according to a first embodiment of the invention. The contactor 30 comprises a breaking chamber, the movable bridge 2 located in the breaking chamber as well as the first fixed contact 1a and the second fixed contact 1b, together called the fixed contacts 1, only one of which is shown on the figure 1 . The fixed contacts 1 are also located in the breaking chamber opposite the movable bridge 2. The movable bridge 2 is either in a closed state when the movable bridge 2 is in contact with the fixed contacts 1 or in an open state when the movable bridge 2 is distant (separated) from the fixed contacts 1. The contactor 30 comprises a first and a second block of fins 4, 5 each comprising a first end 42, 52 and a second end 43, 53 opposite the first end 42, 52. The second end 43, 53 is the end closest to the fixed contacts 1. A first pair of arc guides 7 is fixed on the first end 42 of the first block of fins 4 and a second pair of arc guides 8 is fixed on the first end 52 of the second block of fins 5. Each pair of arc guides 7, 8 comprises two arc guides 72a, 72b, 82a, 82b.

[0025] The bi-directional double-break contactor 30 comprises, in this embodiment, a first and a second fixed contact supports 20 electrically insulated from each other, the first and second fixed contact supports 20 each respectively supporting the first fixed contact 1a and the second fixed contact 1b.

[0026] In this embodiment, the double-break bi-directional contactor comprises a first and a second pair of arc guides 21, 22 leading from the first fixed contact 1a and the second fixed contact 1b to the first fin block 4 and the second fin block 5 respectively.

[0027] In this example of this embodiment, the first and second fixed contact supports 20 each comprise two of the four arc guides 21, 22. On the figure 1 , only one fixed contact support of the first and second fixed contact supports 20 is shown and two of the four arc guides 21, 22 are shown. According to one example, the contactor 30 comprises a support block comprising the two fixed contact supports 20 for the two fixed contacts 1 by comprising an electrically insulating part between the two fixed contact supports 20. The fixed contact supports 20 comprises

[0028] On the figure 1 is represented as two arc guides 21, 22. Each arc guide 21, 22 of the fixed contact 1 is a surface of a fixed contact support 20

[0029] The fin blocks 4, 5 are composed of a plurality of fins 100 stacked and spaced apart from each other. Each fin 100 of each fin block 4, 5 comprises a receiving surface in such a way that some of the receiving surfaces are offset towards the fixed contacts 1 relative to the other receiving surfaces of the same fin block, aligned in the same plane. This offset forms a curve making it possible to best match the arcs 9, 10 forming from the fixed contacts 1 and the movable bridge 2.

[0030] There figure 1 represents the movable bridge 2 in the open state. When the movable bridge 2 passes from the closed state to the open state, two electric arcs 9, 10 can be created between the fixed contacts 1 and the movable bridge 2. These move towards the fin blocks 4, 5. The arcs 9, 10 have two attachment points called arc feet. At the movable bridge 2, the arc feet move on the movable contacts 2a and 2b then on the arc guides 72a, 72b, 82a, 82b. The arc guides 72a, 72b, 82a, 82b at the movable bridge 2 are branches. At the level of the fixed contact 1, the arc feet move on the fixed contacts 1a, 1b then on the four arc guides 21, 22 belonging to the first and second fixed contact supports 20.

[0031] In another embodiment not shown, the contactor 30 comprises eight arc guides 72a, 72b, 82a, 82b, 21, 22 independent of each other. The arc guides 72a, 72b, 82a, 82b, 21, 22 are therefore not linked in pairs of arc guides 7, 8.

[0032] In the embodiment shown in the figures, one of the fins 100 of each fin block 4, 5 is an inlet fin 101 located at the second end 43, 53 of the fin blocks 4, 5. With reference to the figure 5 , the fins 100 are of identical shape. The input fin 101 is the fin closest to the fixed contacts 1. The input fin 101 is the fin most offset towards the fixed contact relative to the other fins 100.

[0033] In reference to the figure 3 which is a view of a part of the breaking chamber of the contactor 30 of the figure 1 without the fixed contacts 1, the pairs of arc guides 7, 8 are each formed of a base 71, 81 and two arc guides 72a, 72b, 82a, 82b linked to the base 71, 81. The arc guides 72a, 72b, 82a, 82b are here branch-shaped. The arc guides 72a, 72b of the first pair of arc guides 7 are fixed to the first end 42 of the first fin block 4. The arc guides 82a, 82b of the second pair of arc guides 8 are fixed to the first end 52 of the second fin block 5. The movable bridge 2 is located between the two bases 71, 81. Preferably, a length of the movable bridge 2 located opposite the bases 71, 81 is substantially identical to a length of each base 71, 81. The first pair of arc guides 7 comprises a first 72a and a second arc guide 72b. The first arc guide 72a of the first pair of arc guides 7 is opposite the first movable contact 2a.The second arc guide 72b of the first pair of arc guides 7 is opposite the second movable contact 2b. Also, the second pair of arc guides 8 comprises a first 82a and a second arc guide 82b. The first arc guide 82a of the second pair of arc guides 8 is opposite the first movable contact 2a. The second arc guide 82b of the second pair of arc guides 8 is opposite the second movable contact 2b. The pairs of arc guides 7, 8 make it possible to create a point of attachment of the arc feet in order to create a path to help it to be routed towards the fin blocks.

[0034] In another embodiment not shown, the pairs of arc guides 7, 8 are two plates of length substantially identical to the length of the movable bridge 2. The first and second pairs of arc guides 7, 8 are opposite the movable bridge 2 and more precisely opposite respectively the first and second movable contacts 2a, 2b. The first and second pairs of arc guides 7, 8 extend from the movable bridge 2 towards respectively the first block of fins 4 and the second block of fins 5. The first 7 and second pairs of arc guides 7, 8 are fixed respectively to the first block of fins 4 and to the second block of fins 5.

[0035] In another embodiment not shown, the contactor 30 comprises a set of four arc guides connecting the arc guides 72a, 72b, 82a, 82b instead of two pairs of arc guides 7, 8 in the embodiment shown. At the level of the movable bridge 2, the assembly comprises a base from which the four arc guides 72a, 72b, 82a, 82b extend towards the fin blocks 4, 5. The arc guides 72a, 72b, 82a, 82b are here branch-shaped.

[0036] The contactor 30 comprises two magnets 11, 12 each having two polarities (north and south), the movable bridge 2 is located between the two magnets 11, 12. The first magnet 11 has a south pole opposite the movable bridge 2. The second magnet 12 has a north pole opposite the movable bridge 2. Thus the two magnets 11, 12 generate a magnetic field of constant direction from a first magnet 12 to a second magnet 11. The direction of the magnetic field is represented by the arrow 6.

[0037] The magnetic field forces the electric arcs 9, 10 to move towards the fin blocks 4, 5 according to Laplace's law.

[0038] So, d F → = I . d l → ∧ B →

[0039] With F , the force applied to the electric arc 9, 10, I the current passing through the electric arc 9, 10, l the length element of the electric arc 9, 10 crossed by the current I And B the magnetic field to which it is subjected.

[0040] So, the figure 3 presents a circulation of current I , such that the first physical direction 13 flows from the first fixed contact 1a to the first movable contact 2a and the second physical direction 14 flows from the second movable contact 2b to a second fixed contact 1b.

[0041] In this configuration, a first electric arc 9 propagates from the first movable contact 2a and moves by a magnetic force generated by the magnetic field towards the first fin block 4. The first electric arc 9 is guided by the first arc guide 72a of the first pair of arc guides 7 towards the first fin block 4.

[0042] In this same configuration, a second electric arc 10 propagates from the second movable contact 2b and moves by a magnetic force generated by the magnetic field towards the second block of fins 5. The second electric arc 10 is guided by the second arc guide 82b of the second pair of arc guides 8 towards the second block of fins 5.

[0043] In reference to the figure 4 which is a view of the figure 3 , the current Iflows in a second direction of electric current from the second fixed contact 1b to the first fixed contact 1a. The second direction of electric current is reversed with respect to the first direction of electric current of the figure 3 . Thus, the first physical direction 13 circulates from the first movable contact 2a to the first fixed contact 1a and the second physical direction 14 circulates from the second fixed contact 1b to the second movable contact 2b.

[0044] In this configuration, the first electric arc 9 propagates from the first moving contact 2a and moves by a magnetic force generated by a magnetic field towards the second block of fins 5. The first electric arc 9 is guided by the first arc guide 82a of the second pair of arc guides 8 towards the second block of fins 5.

[0045] In this same configuration, the second electric arc 10 propagates from the second moving contact 2b and moves by a magnetic force generated by a magnetic field towards the first block of fins 4. The second electric arc 10 is guided by the second arc guide 72b of the first pair of arc guides 7 towards the first block of fins 4.

[0046] Each fin block 4, 5 comprises a first and a second groove 102 located along the fins 100. Each fin 100 therefore comprises on either side two notches such that the notches on one side of the fins of a fin block 4, 5 together form a first groove 102 and the other notches on the other side of the fins 100 of a fin block 4, 5 form the second groove 102. The first and second grooves 102 of the first fin block 4 each comprise a bottom located respectively opposite the first and second arc guides 72a, 72b of the first pair of arc guides 7, thus making it possible to guide the electric arcs 9, 10. The first and second grooves 102 of the second fin block 5 each comprise a bottom located respectively opposite the first and second arc guides 72a, 72b of the first pair of arc guides 7, thus making it possible to guide the electric arcs 9, 10. with respect to the first and second arc guides 82a, 82b of the second pair of arc guides 8.The grooves 102 make it possible to predetermine the exact location where the electric arc 9, 10 will be guided and contained to be extinguished.

[0047] Each groove 102 is V-shaped, each groove 102 can also be U-shaped or in any other shape allowing the arcs 9, 10 to be guided properly.

[0048] Each fin block 4, 5 comprises a recess 103 positioned between the two grooves 102 of the fin block 4, 5. This recess 103 makes it possible to reduce the mass of the contactor 30.

[0049] There figure 6 represents a sectional view of a breaking chamber of the contactor 30 shown with a plurality of electric arcs corresponding to the movement of the second electric arc 10 heading from the movable bridge 2 towards the second block of fins 5 via the second pair of arc guides 8. The closer the arc is to the second block of fins 5, the more it has a shape similar to the shape of the second block of fins 5 so as to match said arc. Thus, the electric arc 10 closest to the second block of fins 5 is cut at the same time by the different fins 100 during its propagation.

[0050] The contactor 30 comprises a wall 31 to prevent gases or particles from escaping from the breaking chamber. The contactor 30 also comprises a movable rod 32 and an assertion spring 33. The movable bridge 2 is normally open, that is to say that the rest position of the movable bridge 2 is distant from the fixed contacts 1. Of course, the movable bridge 2 can also be normally closed, that is to say that in the rest position, the movable bridge 2 is in contact with the fixed contacts 1.

[0051] There figure 7 shows a sectional view of a breaking chamber of the contactor 30 representing the first electric arc 9 and the second electric arc 10. The first electric arc 9 is cut by the fins 100 of the first block of fins 4. The second electric arc 10 is cut by the fins 100 of the second block of fins 5.

Claims

1. A double-break contactor (30) comprising: - a movable bridge (2) being movable between a closed state and an open state, comprising a first movable contact (2a) and a second movable contact (2b), and, - a first fixed contact (1a) facing the movable contact (2a) and - a second fixed contact (1b) facing the movable contact (2b), - wherein, in the closed state, the first and second movable contacts (2a, 2b) are in contact with the first and second fixed contacts (1, 1a, 1b) respectively and, in the open state, the first and second movable contacts (2a, 2b) are distant from the first and second fixed contacts (1a, 1b) respectively, - two magnets (13, 14) capable of generating a magnetic field having constant direction so as to generate a magnetic force to move an arc (9, 10) appearing between the fixed contacts (1, 1a, 1b), and the movable contacts (2a, 2b) of the movable bridge (2) switching from a closed state to an open state, - two fin blocks (4, 5) each having: ∘ a first end (42, 52) and a second end (43, 53), ∘ fins (100) between the first end (42, 52) and the second end (43, 53) of the corresponding fin block (4, 5), ∘ a first and a second extinction zone each formed by the fins (100), - four arc guides (7, 8) running from the movable contacts (2a, 2b) of the bridge (2) to the two fin blocks (4, 5), - characterised in that fin notches (100) forming a groove (102) of fin blocks (4, 5) among the fins (100) of each of the two fin blocks (4, 5) face each corresponding arc guide (7, 8), and in that the contactor further comprises four arc guides (21, 22) each running from one of the corresponding fixed contacts (1, 1a, 1b) to one of the corresponding fin blocks (4, 5) respectively.

2. The contactor (30) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the eight arc guides (72a, 72b, 82a, 82b, 21, 22) are independent of one another, four arc guides (72a, 72b, 82a, 82b, ) are branches extending from the movable contacts (2a, 2b) towards the fin blocks (4, 5) and four arc guides (21, 22) are branches extending from the fixed contacts (1a, 1b) towards the fin blocks (4, 5).

3. The contactor (30) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a first and a second fixed contact support (20) electrically insulated from each other respectively supporting the first and second fixed contact (1, 1a, 1b) and two of the four arc guides (21, 22) running from the fixed contacts (1, 1a, 1b) belong to the first fixed contact support (20) each extending from the first fixed contact (1a) towards the fin blocks (4, 5), and the other two of the four arc guides (21, 22) running from the fixed contacts (1, 1a, 1b) belong to the second fixed contact support (20) each extending from the second fixed contact (1b) towards the fin blocks (4, 5).

4. The contactor (30) according to the preceding claim, wherein the four arc guides (21, 22) running from the fixed contacts (1, 1a, 1b) are surfaces of the first and second fixed contact supports (20) running from the fixed contacts (1, 1a, 1b) to the fin blocks (4, 5).

5. The contactor (30) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one pair of arc guides (7, 8) of the four arc guides (7, 8) running from the movable contacts (2a, 2b), is a plate comprising a first (72a, 82a) and a second (72b, 82b) arc guide bonded to a base (71, 81), the first (72a, 82a) and second arc guides (72b, 82b) each extending in a direction between the first and second movable contacts (2a, 2b) respectively of the bridge (2) towards the corresponding fin block (4, 5).

6. The contactor (30) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the fins (100) of each fin block (4, 5) each comprise two portions of the two distinct extinction zones of the corresponding fin block (4, 5), each of the two portions comprising the groove (102) and in that for each of the pairs of arc guides (7, 8), the arc guides (72a, 72b, 82a, 82b) extend from the base (71, 81) of the arc guide plate towards the grooves (102) of the fins of the fin blocks (4, 5).

7. The contactor (30) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the four arc guides (7, 8) extending from the movable contacts (2a, 2b) are connected into an assembly, the assembly is a plate comprising four arc guides (72, 82) bonded to a base (71, 81), each arc guide (72, 82) extends from the movable contacts (2a, 2b) towards the fin blocks (4, 5).

8. The contactor (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the fins (100) of the fin block (4, 5) each comprise a receiving surface and in that some of the receiving surfaces are offset towards the fixed contact (1) with respect to the other receiving surfaces aligned in a same plane.

9. The contactor (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each arc guide (7, 8) is fixed to the first end (42, 52) of the fin block (4, 5).