ARRANGEMENT WITH AN ELECTRONIC TRIGGER AND A CONTACT MODULE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electronic protection equipment, such as electronic protection circuit breakers, as well as the field of contact modules.

[0002] An electronic protective circuit breaker can, for example, consist of an open or air circuit breaker, also frequently referred to by the acronym ACB (Air Circuit Breaker).

[0003] It is known that this type of electronic circuit breaker can be optionally fitted with a contact module, which generally includes one or more contacts. This contact module allows at least one piece of information from the electronic circuit breaker to be relayed, for example, to a programmable logic controller (PLC).

[0004] This contact module can, as is commonly known, be presented as a sub-assembly within the electronic circuit breaker. Installing this type of contact module in the electronic circuit breaker requires disassembling various components of the circuit breaker and making several electrical connections. This solution has the disadvantage of making it difficult to add a contact module to the electronic circuit breaker.

[0005] Alternatively, the contact module can be a separate unit from the electronic circuit breaker, located outside of it, for example, on a DIN rail. This solution has the disadvantage of increasing the space around the electronic circuit breaker, such as an electrical distribution cabinet or switchboard. It also complicates the electrical connection and increases the risk of incorrect wiring.

[0006] Publication WO2016160307A1 discloses a contact module located within the connection block of the electronic protective circuit breaker. This solution also has the disadvantage of being bulky.

[0007] The present invention aims to overcome at least one of these drawbacks and seeks to provide a solution which in particular facilitates the addition or removal of a contact module to an electronic protection device.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to an assembly comprising at least one electronic protection device and a contact module, said electronic protection equipment comprising at least: at least one current line, at least one current sensor suitable and intended to measure the current flowing in said at least one current line, an electronic protection trip unit electrically connected with said current sensor, an actuator electrically connected with said electronic protection trip unit, a switching mechanism comprising at least one pair of switching contacts disposed respectively on said at least one current line and being suitable and intended to be actuated by said actuator to open said at least one pair of switching contacts, the actuator and the switching mechanism forming an electromechanical power subassembly, a switching device containing at least the electromechanical power subassembly and said at least one current sensor,said electronic protective release being mounted removably relative to said disconnecting device, said contact module comprising at least: at least one electromechanical relay arranged to relay at least one information from said electronic protective release, at least first means of electrical connection configured to be electrically connected to second means of electrical connection included in the electronic protective release, at least third means of electrical connection configured to be electrically connected to at least one output connector included in said electronic protective equipment, said contact module being a distinct and separate entity from the electronic protective release,said assembly is characterized in that: said contact module is removably mounted relative to said electronic protection release between a mounted position in which said contact module is mechanically and electrically assembled to the electronic protection release and a disassembled position in which said contact module is mechanically and electrically disassembled from said electronic protection release, and in that the contact module and the electronic protection release are arranged such that the transition from the disassembled to the mounted position of the contact module results in the electrical and mechanical assembly of the contact module to the electronic protection release and are arranged such that the transition from the mounted to the disassembled position of the contact module results in the electrical and mechanical disassembly of the contact module from the electronic protection release.

[0009] The invention relates to a contact module for electronic protection equipment comprising: at least one electromechanical relay arranged to relay at least one piece of information from said electronic protection release, at least one of the first electrical connection means configured to be electrically connected to second electrical connection means included in the electronic protection release, at least one of the third electrical connection means configured to be electrically connected to at least one output connector included in said electronic protection equipment,

[0010] said contact module is characterized in that it is arranged to be mounted in a removable manner relative to said electronic protection release between a mounted position in which said contact module is arranged to be mechanically and electrically assembled to the electronic protection release and a disassembled position in which said contact module is arranged to be mechanically and electrically disassembled from said electronic protection release.

[0011] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to several preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: [ Fig. 1 ] there figure 1 represents a perspective view of an assembly according to the invention, [ Fig. 2 ] there figure 2 represents a perspective view of the assembly according to the invention in which the electronic protection trigger is disassembled, [ Fig. 3 ] there figure 3 represents a perspective and exploded view of the assembly according to the invention, [ Fig. 4 ] there figure 4 represents a perspective view of part of the assembly according to the invention showing a contact module in a mounted position, [ Fig. 5 ] there figure 5 represents a perspective view of part of the assembly according to the invention showing the contact module in a disassembled position, [ Fig. 6 ] there figure 6 represents a perspective view of the contact module according to the invention, [ Fig. 7 ] there figure 7 represents a perspective and exploded view of the contact module according to the invention, [ Fig. 8 ] there figure 8 represents a perspective view of the front of an electronic protective trigger according to the invention and of the contact module in the mounted position, [ Fig. 9 ] there figure 9 represents a perspective view of the front of the electronic protection trigger according to the invention and of the contact module in the disassembled position, [ Fig. 10 ] there figure 10 represents a perspective view of the rear of the electronic safety release according to the invention and of the contact module in the mounted position, and [ Fig. 11 ] there figure 11 represents a perspective view of the rear of the electronic protection trigger according to the invention and of the contact module in the disassembled position.

[0012] As illustrated in the figures, an assembly includes at least one electronic protection device 1 and one contact module 2.

[0013] The said electronic protective equipment 1 comprises at least: at least one current line L, at least one current sensor (not shown) suitable and intended to measure the current flowing in said at least one current line L, an electronic protective release 3 ( figures 2 à 11 ) electrically connected with said current sensor, an actuator (not shown) electrically connected with said electronic protection release 3, a breaking mechanism (not shown), comprising at least one pair of breaking contacts (not shown) arranged respectively on said at least one current line L and, being suitable and intended to be actuated by said actuator to open said at least one pair of breaking contacts,

[0014] the actuator and the switching mechanism forming an electromechanical power subassembly, a switching device 4 containing at least the electromechanical power subassembly and said at least one current sensor, said electronic protection trigger 3 being mounted removably relative to said cutting device 4.

[0015] The said contact module 2 ( figures 6 et 7 ) includes at least: at least one electromechanical relay 18 arranged to relay at least one piece of information from said electronic protection trigger 3 ( figure 7 ), at least of the first electrical connection means 5 configured to be electrically connected to second electrical connection means 6 that comprise the electronic protection release 3 ( figures 6 et 7 ), at least of the third means of electrical connection 7 configured to be electrically connected to at least one output connector 26 included in said electronic protection equipment 1, said contact module 2 being a distinct and separate entity from the electronic protection trigger 3.

[0016] According to the invention, said assembly is characterized in that: said contact module 2 is removably mounted relative to said electronic protection release 3 between a mounted position P01 ( figures 4 , 8 And 10 ) in which said contact module 2 is mechanically and electrically assembled to the electronic protective release 3 and a disassembled position P02 ( figures 5 , 9 And 11) in which said contact module 2 is mechanically and electrically disassembled from said electronic protection release 3, and in that the contact module 2 and the electronic protection release 3 are arranged so that the passage from the disassembled position P02 to the assembled position P01 of the contact module 2 results in the electrical and mechanical assembly of the contact module 2 to the electronic protection release 3 and are arranged so that the passage from the assembled position P01 to the disassembled position P02 of the contact module 2 results in the electrical and mechanical disassembly of the contact module 2 to the electronic protection release 3.

[0017] Advantageously, in this configuration, the integration of the contact module 2 into a part of the electronic protection device 1 can be carried out either during its manufacture or subsequently in after-sales service. This configuration facilitates the mounting of the contact module 2 relative to the electronic protection device 1 and allows for a contact module 2 that is integrated into a part of the electronic protection device 1, namely the electronic protection release 3. Integrating the contact module 2 into the electronic protection release 3 facilitates access to the contact module 2, since the electronic protection release 3 is easily accessible without having to disassemble any parts of the electronic protection device 1, with the exception of its front face 13, which is removable from the said switching device 4.Furthermore, during the assembly of contact module 2—that is, when moving from the disassembled position P02 to the assembled position P01, or during disassembly—that is, when moving from the assembled position P01 to the disassembled position P02—the number of operations is limited. This is because, during the assembly of contact module 2, it is simultaneously electrically and mechanically connected to the electronic protective release 3. During the disassembly of contact module 2, it is simultaneously electrically and mechanically disconnected from the electronic protective release 3. Moreover, the assembly and disassembly of contact module 2 are carried out safely at the electrical connection point, as there is no need to handle electrical cables or make complex electrical connections.

[0018] Preferably, said contact module 2 is mounted in a removable manner relative to said electronic protection release 3 between the mounted position P01 and the dismounted position P02, so as to be accessible if the electronic protection release 3 is assembled to the cutting device 4.

[0019] This configuration improves the accessibility of the contact module 2. The contact module 2 can thus be mounted or dismounted even if the electronic protection release 3 is assembled to the switching device 4, i.e. during normal use of the protective equipment 1, without removing the electronic protection release 3. Indeed, thanks to this arrangement, it is not necessary to disassemble the electronic protection release 3 from the switching device 4 and to disconnect it electrically when mounting the contact module 2 on the electronic protection release 3.

[0020] If the electronic protection equipment 1 further includes a front face 13 which is removable from the switching device 4, then the contact module 2 is mounted in a removable manner relative to said electronic protection release 3 so as to be further accessible when the front face 13 is removed from the switching device 4.

[0021] Preferably, in the mounted position P01, said first means of electrical connection 5 are electrically connected to said second means of electrical connection 6.

[0022] Preferably, in the mounted position P01, the first electrical connection means 5 and the second electrical connection means 6 are preferably opposite each other.

[0023] Preferably, in the disassembled position P02, said first means of electrical connection 5 are electrically disconnected from said second means of electrical connection 6.

[0024] Preferably, said first electrical connection means 5 and said second electrical connection means 6 are arranged so that the passage from the disassembled position P02 to the assembled position P01 of the contact module 2 results in the electrical assembly of said first electrical connection means 5 with the second electrical connection means 6 and are arranged so that the passage from the assembled position P01 to the disassembled position P02 of the contact module 2 results in the electrical disassembly of said first electrical connection means 5 with the second electrical connection means 6.

[0025] Preferably, said first means of electrical connection 5 and said second means of electrical connection 6 are chosen from "plug and play" type electrical connectors or zero insertion force connectors or spring connectors.

[0026] Preferably, and as illustrated by the figures 2 à 11 , said electronic protection release 3 comprises a first housing 8 comprising a first accessible face f1 called front comprising at least one human machine interface, a second accessible face f2 called side which is orthogonal to the first face f1 and relative to which said contact module 2 is mounted in a removable manner and a third face f3 called mounting face which is opposite the first face f1 and is arranged to be assembled to the cutting device 4 and to be inaccessible when the electronic protection release 3 is assembled to the cutting device 4.

[0027] The "accessible" face of the electronic protection trigger 3 is a face which the user can access without dismantling the electronic protection trigger 3 from the cutting device 4 of the electronic protection equipment 1; this is the case, for example, of the first face f1.

[0028] The "accessible" face of the electronic protection trigger 3 is also understood to be a face which the user can access without dismantling the electronic protection trigger 3 from the electronic protection equipment 1 and by dismantling only the front face 13 of the electronic protection equipment 1, this is the case for example of the second face f2.

[0029] The "inaccessible" face of the electronic protection trigger 3 is a face which the user cannot access without dismantling the electronic protection trigger 3 from the cutting device 4 of the electronic protection equipment 1; this is the case, for example, of the third face f3.

[0030] Advantageously, this configuration allows access to the contact module 2 laterally via the second face f2 of the electronic protection trigger 3. This results in improved accessibility of the contact module 2. Indeed, to access or mount the contact module 2, it is sufficient to remove the front face 13.

[0031] Preferably, and as illustrated by the figures 5 And 9 , said contact module 2 is mounted movable in translation relative to said electronic protection trigger 3 between the mounted position P01 and the dismounted position P02 in an insertion direction D.

[0032] Advantageously, the mounting of the contact module 2 relative to the electronic protection release 3 is easily carried out at the mechanical assembly level by a simple translational movement along the insertion direction D, of the sliding type.

[0033] Preferably, said contact module 2 is mounted movable in translation relative to said electronic protection trigger 3 along the insertion direction D substantially perpendicular to the second face f2.

[0034] Preferably, the contact module 2 includes first linear guide means 11 arranged to cooperate with second linear guide means 12 which include the electronic protection trigger 3 so as to allow said translation of the contact module 2 between the mounted position P01 and the dismounted position P02 and so that the contact module 2 is mechanically assembled to the electronic protection trigger 3 in the mounted position P01.

[0035] Preferably, said first linear guide means 11 and second linear guide means 12 extend straight and parallel to the insertion direction D.

[0036] Preferably, said first linear guide means 11 have a shape complementary to that of the second linear guide means 12, so as to allow mechanical assembly.

[0037] Preferably, the first linear guide means 11 and the second linear guide means 12 are selected from a groove or a tongue. Preferably, the groove or the tongue extends straight and parallel to the insertion direction D.

[0038] Preferably, said first linear guidance means 11 are located on or in the first housing 8 of the electronic protection trigger 3.

[0039] Preferably, said second linear guidance means 12 are located on a second housing 9 of the contact module 2 described below.

[0040] Preferably, said contact module 2 comprises a second housing 9 containing at least said electromechanical relay 18 and the first housing 8 comprises a receiving area 10 for the second housing 9 arranged to receive at least part of said second housing 9 ( figure 11 ).

[0041] Advantageously, the receiving area 10 allows the second housing 9 of the contact module 2 to be contained in whole or in part. The contact module 2 is thus housed in whole or in part in a part of the electronic protection trigger 3. This results in a particularly compact arrangement.

[0042] Preferably, said receiving area 10 opens at least onto the second face f2 of the first housing 8.

[0043] Preferably, the first housing 8 includes at the level of the second face f2 called lateral an opening 14 giving access to the receiving area 10 and allowing the insertion of the contact module 2 into the receiving area 10 and in the insertion direction D.

[0044] Preferably, the said first linear guidance means 11 are arranged in the receiving area 10 for example at the level of a wall thereof.

[0045] Preferably, and as illustrated by the figure 11 , the first housing 8 includes at the level of the third face f3 called mounting an opening 15 giving access to the receiving area 10 but not allowing the insertion of the contact module 2.

[0046] When the contact module 2 is not mounted on the electronic protection release 3, it can be replaced by an empty box (not shown) which has the same dimensions as the second box 9 which allows the receiving area 10 to be filled and above all to protect said second means of electrical connection 6.

[0047] Preferably, the receiving area 10 includes a housing which conforms in whole or in part to the shape of the second housing 9 of the contact module 2.

[0048] Preferably, the second electrical connection means 6 of the electronic protection release 3 are protruding in said receiving area 10 ( figure 11 ).

[0049] Preferably, and as illustrated by the figures 6 And 9, the first electrical connection means 5 of the contact module 2 are salient from the second housing 9. For this purpose, the second housing 9 may include a first access hole 16 through which the first electrical connection means 5 are disposed at least in part.

[0050] Preferably, the third electrical connection means 7 of the contact module 2 are protruding from the second housing 9. For this purpose, the second housing 9 may include a second access port 17 through which the third electrical connection means 7 are disposed at least in part.

[0051] The third means of electrical connection 7 may include at least one electrical harness 19 comprising a plurality of electrical cables and at least one connector 20 which is intended to be connected to said at least one output connector 26 which is included in said electronic protection equipment 1.

[0052] The said third electrical connection means 7 are configured to be connected to said at least one output connector 26 which allows the signals from the contact module 2 and therefore from the electronic protection trip unit 3 to be retrieved and then used, for example by a PLC which is external to said electronic protection device 1. As illustrated by the figures 3 à 5 The at least one output connector 26 may consist of a first connection rail comprising a plurality of connectors. This first connection rail is usually mounted on the upper part of the switching device 4 and is located at the rear of the front panel 13. The at least one output connector 26 is therefore not accessible when the front panel 13 is mounted on the switching device 4, as illustrated by the figures 1 And 2To facilitate signal recovery, the electronic protection equipment 1 may further include a second connection rail 27 equipped with a plurality of connectors, each electrically connected to a connector on the first connection rail. This second connection rail 27 is accessible when the front panel 13 is mounted. The second connection rail 27 may be located at the top of the switching device 4, above the first connection rail. This second connection rail 27 is not located at the rear of the front panel 13, but at the rear of a cover 28 mounted on the switching device 4.

[0053] Preferably, the contact module 2 includes one or more electromechanical relays 18 to relay at least one piece of information from said electronic protection trigger 3.

[0054] The information that can be relayed consists of the operating statuses of the electronic protection trigger 3, such as pre-alarms, alarms or electrical faults detected by the electronic protection trigger 3. These statuses have a "default" operation, and can also be modified by the user depending on the version of the electronic protection trigger 3.

[0055] Preferably, the contact module 2 includes at least one monostable or bistable electromechanical relay 18.

[0056] This advantageously avoids the use of a backup power supply in order to maintain the state of the contacts after the triggering of the electronic protection equipment 1.

[0057] Preferably as illustrated by the figure 7 , the contact module 2 includes an electronic card 21 on which are connected the electromechanical relays 18, the said first means of electrical connection 5 and the third means of electrical connection 7.

[0058] The electronic protective device 1 is preferably an electronic protective circuit breaker, which may, for example, consist of an open or air circuit breaker, also frequently designated by the acronym ACB (Air Circuit Breaker), as illustrated by the figures 1 à 3 .

[0059] The invention also relates to a contact module 2 for electronic protection equipment 1 comprising: at least one electromechanical relay 18 arranged to relay at least one information from said electronic protection release 3, at least one of the first electrical connection means 5 configured to be electrically connected to second electrical connection means 6 included in the electronic protection release 3, at least one of the third electrical connection means 7 configured to be electrically connected to at least one output connector 26 included in said electronic protection equipment 1.

[0060] According to the invention, said contact module 2 is characterized in that it is arranged to be mounted in a removable manner relative to said electronic protection release 3 between a mounted position P01 in which said contact module 2 is arranged to be mechanically and electrically assembled to the electronic protection release 3 and a disassembled position P02 in which said contact module 2 is arranged to be mechanically and electrically disassembled from said electronic protection release 3.

[0061] The contact module 2 according to the invention is preferably as described above and illustrated individually in figures 6 et 7 .

[0062] Preferably, said contact module 2 includes a second housing 9 containing at least said electromechanical relay 18 and where appropriate an electronic card 21 on which are connected said at least one electromechanical relay 18, said first means of electrical connection 5 and third means of electrical connection 7.

[0063] Preferably, the first electrical connection means 5 of the contact module 2 are protruding from the second housing 9. For this purpose, the second housing 9 may include a first access hole 16 through which the first electrical connection means 5 are disposed at least in part.

[0064] Preferably, the third electrical connection means 7 of the contact module 2 are protruding from the second housing 9. For this purpose, the second housing 9 may include a second access port 17 through which the third electrical connection means 7 are disposed at least in part.

[0065] Preferably, the aforementioned second linear guidance means 12 described above are located on the second housing 9 of the contact module 2, preferably on an external face.

[0066] Preferably, the second housing 9 is formed of two half-shells 9a, 9b fixed to each other by fastening means 22, 23, for example by clipping.

[0067] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. Assembly comprising at least one electronic tripping device (1) and a contact module (2), said electronic tripping device (1) comprising at least: - at least one power line (L), - at least one current sensor able and intended to measure the current flowing in said at least one power line (L), - an electronic trip-triggering element (3) electrically connected to said current sensor, - an actuator electrically connected to said electronic trip-triggering element (3), - a cut-off mechanism comprising at least one pair of cut-off contacts respectively disposed on said at least one power line (L), and being suitable and intended for actuation by said actuator to open said at least one pair of cut-off contacts, the actuator and the cut-off mechanism forming an electromechanical power subassembly, - a cut-off device (4) containing at least the electromechanical power subassembly and said at least one current sensor, said electronic trip-triggering element (3) being removably mounted relative to said cut-off device (4), said contact module (2) comprising at least: - at least one electromechanical relay (18) designed to relay at least one item of information from said electronic trip-triggering element (3), - at least first electrical connection means (5) configured to be electrically connected to second electrical connection means (6) included in the electronic trip-triggering element (3), - at least third electrical connection means (7) configured to be electrically connected to at least one output connector (26) included in said electronic tripping device (1), said contact module (2) being a separate and distinct entity from the electronic trip-triggering element (3), said assembly is characterized in that: said contact module (2) is removably mounted relative to said electronic trip-triggering element (3) between a mounted position (P01) in which said contact module (2) is mechanically and electrically assembled with the electronic trip-triggering element (3) and a dismounted position (P02) in which said contact module (2) is mechanically and electrically disassembled from said electronic trip-triggering element (3), and in that the contact module (2) and the electronic trip-triggering element (3) are arranged so that the passage from the dismounted position (P02) to the mounted position (P01) of the contact module (2) causes the contact module (2) to be electrically and mechanically assembled with the electronic trip-triggering element (3), and are arranged so that the passage from the mounted position (P01) to the dismounted position (P02) of the contact module (2) causes the contact module (2) to be electrically and mechanically disassembled from the electronic trip-triggering element (3).

2. Assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that said contact module (2) is removably mounted relative to said electronic trip-triggering element (3) between the mounted position (P01) and the dismounted position (P02), so as to be accessible if the electronic trip-triggering element (3) is assembled with the cut-off device (4).

3. Assembly according to either one of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said electronic trip-triggering element (3) comprises a first housing (8) comprising an accessible first face (f1) called a front face, comprising at least one man-machine interface, an accessible second face (f2) called a side face, which is orthogonal to the first face (f1) and with respect to which said contact module (2) is removably mounted, and a third face (f3) called a mounting face, which is opposite the first face (f1) and is arranged to be assembled with the cut-off device (4) and to be inaccessible when the electronic trip-triggering element (3) is assembled with the cut-off device (4).

4. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said contact module (2) is mounted for translational movement relative to said electronic trip-triggering element (3) between the mounted position (P01) and the dismounted position (P02) in an insertion direction (D).

5. Assembly according to Claims 3 and 4, characterized in that said contact module (2) is mounted for translational movement relative to said electronic trip-triggering element (3) in the insertion direction (D) substantially perpendicular to the second face (f2).

6. Assembly according to either one of Claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the contact module (2) comprises first linear guide means (11) arranged to cooperate with second linear guide means (12) included in the electronic trip-triggering element (3) so as to allow said translation of the contact module (2) between the mounted position (P01) and the dismounted position (P02) and so that the contact module (2) is mechanically assembled with the electronic trip-triggering element (3) in the mounted position (P01).

7. Assembly according to Claim 6, characterized in that said first linear guide means (11) and the second linear guide means (12) are selected from a groove or a tongue.

8. Assembly according to any one of Claims 3 to 7, characterized in that said contact module (2) comprises a second housing (9) containing at least said electromechanical relay (18) and the first housing (8) comprises a receiving zone (10) for receiving the second housing (9), arranged to receive at least in part said second housing (9).

9. Assembly according to Claim 8, characterized in that said receiving zone (10) opens out at least onto the second face (f2) of the first housing (8).

10. Assembly according to either one of Claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the second electrical connection means (6) of the electronic trip-triggering element (3) protrude into said receiving zone (10).

11. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the contact module (2) comprises one or more electromechanical relays (18) each for relaying at least one item of information from said electronic trip-triggering element (3).

12. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the contact module (2) comprises at least one mono-stable or bi-stable electromechanical relay (18).

13. Contact module (2) for an electronic tripping device (1) comprising: - at least one electromechanical relay (18) designed to relay at least one item of information from said electronic trip-triggering element (3), - at least first electrical connection means (5) configured to be electrically connected to second electrical connection means (6) included in the electronic trip-triggering element (3), - at least third electrical connection means (7) configured to be electrically connected to at least one output connector (26) included in said electronic tripping device (1), said contact module (2) is characterized in that it is arranged to be removably mounted relative to said electronic trip-triggering element (3) between a mounted position (P01) in which said contact module (2) is arranged to be mechanically and electrically assembled with the electronic trip-triggering element (3) and a dismounted position (P02) in which said contact module (2) is arranged to be mechanically and electrically disassembled from said electronic trip-triggering element (3).