Device for positioning a frame of an electrical cabinet and associated electrical cabinet

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100) for positioning a frame (40) of an electrical cabinet (10) relative to a reinforcement (20) of this cabinet, the device comprising a bracket (102) which is configured to be fixed along a fitting (26) of an upper frame (24) of the reinforcement along an adjustment axis (X10) and which provides a stop portion (120) which is configured to restrict the movement of the frame in a rearward direction, parallel to the adjustment axis, when the frame is in a mounting position facing the stop portion. According to the invention, the positioning device comprises a non-return device carried by the bracket and configured to: - restrict the movement of the frame in a mounting position in a forward direction opposite the rearward direction; and - move the frame in the rearward direction toward the stop portion until the frame is in the mounting position.

Description

[0001] TITLE: Device for positioning an electrical cabinet chassis, and associated electrical cabinet

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for positioning an electrical cabinet chassis, as well as an electrical cabinet comprising such a positioning device.

[0003] It is known to manufacture electrical cabinets from a frame, most often metal, on which are added panels which close the faces of this cabinet and which delimit an internal volume of the cabinet. The frame is formed of an assembly of fittings and corner connectors. The frame has a parallelepiped shape, with a low frame, which comprises four low fittings assembled to four corner connectors, forming a rectangle and which is intended to be placed on the ground, of a high frame, which is formed of four high fittings assembled to four corner connectors, forming a rectangle and which is arranged opposite and at a distance from the low frame. Each corner connector of the high frame is connected, by a respective upright, to a respective corner connector of the low frame. A front face of the cabinet is generally equipped with a door hinged on the frame. The panels are generally metal sheets.

[0004] Some electrical devices housed in the internal volume of the electrical cabinet, especially heavy electrical devices such as transformers, etc., are mounted on a metal plate called a chassis, which is arranged vertically in the internal volume and fixed to the frame. One face of the chassis, called the mounting face, is oriented towards the front of the cabinet, so that the electrical devices fixed on the mounting face are visible when the door of the electrical cabinet is open.

[0005] For example, depending on the dimensions of the chassis, the latter has a mass of several tens of kilograms, ranging for example from 40 kg to 80 kg. Once the various equipment is mounted on the chassis, the entire equipment has a total load of up to several hundred kilograms, for example from 400 kg to 600 kg. The chassis is therefore a heavy part, the assembly of which to the frame is an operation requiring attention to prevent accidents.

[0006] A known way of fixing the chassis to the frame of an electrical cabinet is to position a lower edge of the chassis relative to the lower frame to a predetermined position, identified for example by lower stops previously positioned along slides fixed to the lower frame. Brackets are also previously fixed to the upper frame and form upper stops, which are vertically aligned with the lower stops. A top edge of the chassis, opposite the bottom edge, is then placed against the upper stops. The chassis is then in a vertical position. The chassis is finally secured to the upper frame by screwing the chassis to the upper stops, and possibly to the lower stops, in particular depending on the total load expected to be supported by the chassis. As long as the chassis is not secured to the upper frame, there remains a risk of the chassis tipping over.One person must therefore constantly hold the frame opposite the upper stops while another person screws the frame to the upper stops.

[0007] DE-93 07 1 13-U1, EP-0 901 207-A1 and DE-14 65 775-A1 each describe examples of known positioning devices.

[0008] It is these problems that the invention aims to address more specifically by proposing a chassis positioning device which allows for easy and secure assembly of the chassis of the electrical cabinet.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a device for positioning an electrical cabinet chassis relative to a frame of the electrical cabinet, this positioning device comprising a bracket which comprises: an attachment portion, configured to be fixed along a fitting of an upper frame of the frame along an adjustment axis, and a stop portion, arranged orthogonally to the adjustment axis and configured to limit movements of the chassis in a rear direction, parallel to the adjustment axis, when the chassis is in a mounting position, opposite the stop portion.

[0010] According to the invention, the positioning device comprises a non-return member, which is carried by the bracket and which is configured to:

[0011] - limit the movements of the chassis in a forward direction, opposite to the rearward direction, when the chassis is in the mounting position, and allow the movements of the chassis in the rearward direction towards the stop portion, until the chassis is in the mounting position.

[0012] Thanks to the invention, once the chassis is in abutment against the stop portion, the non-return member ensures that the chassis is held opposite this stop portion, avoiding the risk of the chassis tipping over. It is no longer necessary for one person to hold the chassis in position while another person secures the chassis to the frame. A single person is thus sufficient to assemble the chassis to the frame, which is economical. Advantageously, the non-return member is implemented automatically, which is particularly practical. According to advantageous but not mandatory aspects of the invention, such a positioning device may incorporate one or more of the following features taken in isolation or in any technically admissible combination:

[0013] - the non-return member comprises a plate mounted to tilt relative to the bracket, the plate being movable, in an unlocking movement, between:

[0014] • a stop position, in which the pad is arranged opposite the stop portion and at a distance from the stop portion, the pad in the stop position being configured to limit movements of the chassis in the forward direction when the chassis is in the mounting position, and

[0015] • a raised position, in which the pad does not prevent the chassis from moving in the forward direction.

[0016] The insert tends to move from its raised position to its stop position by gravity. The positioning device includes a return member, which tends to push the insert from its raised position to its stop position.

[0017] The attachment portion extends along a mean plane and is configured to be fixed to the upper frame by means of fixing members, for example screws, while the plate comprises a fixing part, which is assembled to the attachment portion in such a way that the unlocking movement is a rotational movement of the plate relative to the fixing portion, around an unlocking axis orthogonal to the mean plane, and the fixing part comprises a bearing zone, configured to bear on the fixing members when the plate is in the locking position.

[0018] The plate comprises a stop portion, which is arranged to limit movements of the chassis in the forward direction when the chassis is in the mounting position, while the stop portion bears against the bracket when the plate is in the raised position.

[0019] The invention will be better understood, and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of an embodiment of a positioning device, an electrical cabinet and a mounting method, in accordance with its principle, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0020] - [Fig 1] Figure 1 is a perspective of an electrical cabinet according to the invention, comprising a chassis held in a mounting position by means of a positioning device, also according to the invention; - [Fig 2] Figure 2 represents respectively, on two inserts a) and b), a larger-scale view of the frame II in Figure 1 and an exploded perspective of the positioning device of Figure 1, and

[0021] - [Fig 3] Figure 3 represents, on three inserts a), b) and c), three successive stages of an assembly sequence of the electrical cabinet of Figure 1, observed according to arrow III in Figure 2.

[0022] An electrical cabinet 10 is shown in Figure 1. The electrical cabinet 10 comprises a frame 20, which has a generally parallelepiped shape and which delimits an internal volume V20 of the electrical cabinet. The electrical cabinet 10 thus comprises a lower face 12, which rests on a floor 11, an upper face 14, which is parallel to the lower face 12, and four lateral faces 16. By extension, the lower 12, upper 14 and lateral 16 faces of the electrical cabinet 10 are also lower 12, upper 14 and lateral 16 faces of the frame 20.

[0023] The floor 11 is assumed to be horizontal, the electrical cabinet 10 being shown in a normal position of use. For convenience, a height axis Z10 is defined, which is orthogonal to the floor 11, i.e. vertical here. A depth axis X10 and a transverse axis Y10 are defined, which are arranged so that the three axes of depth X10, transverse Y10 and height Z10 together form a direct reference. The depth axis X10 and the transverse axis Y10 are therefore parallel to the floor 11 and are horizontal here.

[0024] The electrical cabinet 10 generally comprises panels, which are fixed to the frame 20 so as to close the faces 12, 14 and 16, in order to physically and electrically separate the electrical devices received in the internal volume V20 from the exterior of the electrical cabinet 10. The panels are not shown. The panels are generally manufactured by folding and / or cutting a metal sheet, typically having a thickness of between 1.5 mm and 2 mm.

[0025] One of the side faces 16, called the front face 16A, is generally closed by a hinged panel, so as to form an access door to the internal volume V20. By extension, the front face 16A is also a face In the example of Figure 1, the front face 16A is orthogonal to the depth axis X10. A front direction is defined as being a direction parallel to the depth axis X10 and oriented towards a user standing in front of the front face 16A. A rear direction is a direction opposite to the front direction. In the figures, the front direction is therefore oriented to the left, while the rear direction is oriented to the right. This description is given with reference to the orientation of the various elements of the electrical cabinet 10 in the figures, knowing that these elements may be oriented differently in reality.The frame 20 has a generally symmetrical shape with respect to a sagittal plane S10, which is orthogonal to the transverse axis Y10. The frame 20 comprises a low frame 22, which borders the low face 12, and a high frame 24, which borders the high face 14. The low frame 22 and the high frame 24 are each formed by an assembly of four fittings 26 with four corner connectors 28, so as to form a rectangle. Each corner connector 28 of the low frame 22 is connected to a respective corner connector 28 of the high frame 24 by a respective upright 30. The frame 20 therefore comprises four uprights 30, which are parallel to the height axis Z10.

[0026] The electrical cabinet 10 comprises a chassis 40, which is received in the internal volume V20 and which is fixed to the frame 20. The chassis 40 is here produced by folding and cutting a metal plate, preferably made of steel, typically having a thickness of between 2 mm and 3 mm. The chassis 40 is thus considered rigid and non-deformable. The chassis 40 is configured to receive various electrical devices such as contactors, circuit breakers, transformers, fuse boxes, etc., depending on the use for which the electrical cabinet 10 is intended. The electrical devices are not shown.

[0027] In Figures 1, 2a) and 3c), the chassis 40 is shown in a so-called “mounting” position relative to the frame 20, which is a normal position of use. The chassis 40 has a generally rectangular shape and extends along a fixing plane P40. The chassis 40 comprises a front face 40A and a rear face 40B, oriented opposite the front face 40A. In the mounting position, the fixing plane P40 is orthogonal to the depth axis X10, the front face 40A being oriented forward, while the rear face 40B is oriented rearward. The chassis 40 comprises a bottom edge 42 and a top edge 44, opposite the bottom edge 42. In the mounting position, the bottom edge 42 is located near the bottom frame 22, while the top edge 44 is located near the top frame 24.In the illustrated example, the lower edge 42 is carried by two slides 23A, which are fixed to the lower frame 22 parallel to the depth axis X10, while the upper edge 44 is held in position relative to the upper frame 24 by two positioning devices 100, which are each fixed to one of the fittings 26 of the upper frame 24, these fittings being parallel to the slides 23A. The slides 23A define a mounting direction of the chassis 40, the mounting direction here being parallel to the depth axis X10. By extension, the depth axis X10 is also a mounting direction for the fittings 26 on which the positioning devices 100 are fixed, and for these positioning devices 100.

[0028] The two positioning devices 100 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the sagittal plane S10 and have a shape symmetrical with respect to each other. What is valid for one of the positioning devices 100 is transposable to the other positioning device. The one of the two positioning devices 100 located on the swath of FIG. 1 will now be described with the aid of FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0029] The fitting 26 on which the positioning device 100 is fixed comprises indexing holes 27A, which here each have a square shape and which are distributed along the fitting 26 at regular intervals, here every 25 mm. Fixing holes 27B are also provided along the fitting 26. In the example illustrated, the fixing holes 27B are circular in shape and are provided between each indexing hole 27A.

[0030] The positioning device 100 comprises a bracket 102 and a non-return member, produced here by means of a plate 140.

[0031] The bracket 102 is made by bending and cutting a metal plate, preferably steel, and is considered rigid and non-deformable. The bracket 102 comprises a fastening portion 104, and a stop portion 120.

[0032] The attachment portion 104 comprises a main portion 106, which is substantially planar and which extends along a mean plane P106. Holes 108 are provided in the main portion 106, for fixing the attachment portion 104 to the corresponding fitting 26, in other words to the upper frame 24, to the fixing member means, which are here two screws 110 each cooperating with a respective hole 108 of the main portion and with a fixing hole 27B. The holes 108 are oblong, parallel to the adjustment axis, so as to accommodate dimensional clearances when fixing the positioning device 100 to the corresponding fitting 26.

[0033] The attachment portion 104 advantageously comprises a tab 112, which projects out of the mean plane P106 and which is configured to cooperate with one of the indexing holes 27A - in particular by engagement of the tab 112 in the indexing hole 27A chosen by the user - so as to position the bracket 102 along the corresponding fitting 26 before placing the main portion 106 in abutment against the fitting 26 and then fixing this bracket 102 by means of the fixing members 110.

[0034] When the attachment portion 104 is fixed to the corresponding fitting 26, as shown in FIG. 2 a), the stop portion 120 is arranged orthogonally to the adjustment axis, opposite the top edge 44 of the chassis 40 and the side of the rear face 40B of the chassis 40. Thus, the stop portion 120 is configured to limit movements of the chassis 40 towards the rear when the chassis 40 is in its mounting position. In other words, the stop portion 106 - and by extension the bracket 102 - forms a rear stop for the chassis 40 in the mounting position.

[0035] An orifice 122 is advantageously provided in the stop portion 120. This orifice 122, here rectangular in shape, is provided to receive a cage capturing a nut, mounted floating relative to the cage, to secure the chassis 40 in the mounting position at the bracket 102 with fixing members such as screws. The cage and the floating nut are not shown.

[0036] The bracket 102 also comprises an intermediate portion 124, which connects the stop portion 120 to the attachment portion 104. The intermediate portion 124 extends here in a plane orthogonal to the height axis Z10, in other words here a horizontal plane. When the chassis 40 is in the mounting position, the intermediate portion 124 extends opposite the top edge 44.

[0037] The plate 140 is manufactured by folding and cutting a metal plate. The plate 140 is assembled to the bracket 102 by means of a fixing member, here a rivet 142, so that the plate 140 is mounted tilting relative to the bracket 102 around a so-called “unlocking” axis A140, which is here parallel to the transverse axis Y10.

[0038] The plate 140 comprises a fixing part 144, which is assembled to the attachment portion 106 by means of the rivet 142, and a stop part 146, which is located at a distance from the release axis A140.

[0039] The plate 140 is movable between two positions, namely a so-called “stop” position - as shown in particular in Figure 3 c) - and a so-called “raised” position - as shown in particular in Figure 3 b) -.

[0040] In the stop position, the stop portion 146 is arranged opposite the stop portion and at a distance from the stop portion 120 of the bracket 102, providing a receiving volume V140 for the upper edge 44 of the chassis 40 in the mounting position. Thus, the plate 140 in the stop position is configured to limit the movements of the chassis 40 in the forward direction when the chassis is in the mounting position. The positioning device 100 is then in a stop configuration.

[0041] In the raised position, the stop portion 146 is not opposite the stop portion 120. In other words, the receiving volume V140 is open towards the front, and the plate 140 does not prevent the chassis 40 from moving forward. The positioning device 100 is then in a raised configuration.

[0042] The transition from the stop position to the defined raised position is an unlocking movement illustrated by the arrow R140, which is here a rotational movement centered on the unlocking axis A140. A reverse movement of the unlocking movement R140 is therefore a blocking movement, illustrated by the arrow R'140.

[0043] When the plate 140 is moved from its stop position following the unlocking movement R140, the unlocking movement R140 continues until the stop portion 146 comes to bear against the intermediate portion 124 of the bracket 102. When the positioning device 100 is fixed to the corresponding fitting 26, the plate 140 is configured to move from its raised position to its stop position by gravity, as illustrated in FIG. 3 c). In other words, the locking movement R'140 is done by gravity, and the stop configuration is a natural configuration of the positioning device 100. The positioning device 100 thus automatically allows the chassis 40 to be held in the mounting position, which provides the user with passive safety when assembling the chassis 40 to the frame 20.

[0044] In a variant not shown, the positioning device 100 comprises a return member, for example a spring, which tends to push the plate 140 from its raised position towards its stop position.

[0045] The fixing part 144 comprises a support zone 148, which is configured to come to bear on one of the fixing screws 110 when the plate 140 is in the stop position, as in FIGS. 2 a), 3 a) and 3 c), so as to limit an angular amplitude of the locking movement R'140 of the plate 140 and to maintain the stop part 146 opposite the stop portion 120 of the bracket 102.

[0046] In a variant not shown, the support zone 148 is configured to come into contact with a projection provided on the attachment portion 106, for example by stamping.

[0047] A method of mounting the electrical cabinet 10 is now described.

[0048] The frame 20 is pre-assembled, including the slides 23A and the positioning devices 100. Lower stops are attached to the slides 23A, to index a position of the chassis 40 along the slides 23A, the positioning devices 100 being attached to the corresponding fittings 26 so as to be vertically aligned with the lower stops. The lower stops are not shown. Each plate 140 is initially held, by gravity, in the stop position.

[0049] Initially, the chassis 40 is introduced inclined by the front face 16A, by placing the lower edge 42 on the slides 23A. The lower edge 42 of the chassis 40 is moved on the slides 23A to the position indexed by the lower stops.

[0050] Then, the upper edge 44 is gradually brought closer to the stop portion 120 according to a lifting movement R40 of the chassis 40. Schematically, the lifting movement R40 is a rotational movement about an axis A40 parallel to the transverse axis Y10 and located at the level of the lower edge 42. The electrical cabinet 10 is then in the configuration of figure 3 a). During the lifting movement R40, the movement of the upper edge 44 comprises a vertical and upwardly oriented component, and a horizontal, rearwardly oriented component. While the lifting movement R40 continues, the upper edge 44 comes to bear against the stop portion 146 of the plate 140 and pushes the plate 140 towards its raised position, as in figure 3 b). In other words, the frame 40 pushes the plate 140 from its locking position to its raised position according to the unlocking movement R 140.The plate 140 retracting towards its raised position, the plate 140 allows the movements of the upper edge 44 - and by extension of the chassis 40 - in the rear direction.

[0051] As the lifting movement R40 continues, the upper edge 44 of the chassis 40 comes to a stop in front against the stop portion 120. The chassis 40 is then in its mounting position. The plate 140 returns to its stop position by gravity, according to the locking movement R'140. Thus the plate 140 - and by extension the non-return member - limits the movements of the chassis 40 in the forward direction. The positioning device 100 is then in its stop configuration, as in Figure 3 c), in which the non-return member holds the chassis 40 in the mounting position.

[0052] Thanks to the positioning device 100 according to the invention, the chassis 40 is automatically held in its mounting position, eliminating the risk of the chassis 40 tipping over. The plate 40 being riveted to the bracket 102, the non-return member is integrated into the positioning device 100, in other words captive.

[0053] From the mounting configuration, an operator can then safely secure the chassis 40 to the brackets 102. Conversely, if the operator wishes to dismantle the chassis 40 from the frame 20, the operator must first press, for example with his fingers, on the plate 140 to move it according to the unlocking movement R140 and move the positioning device 100 into the raised configuration. Then, the operator tilts the chassis 40 according to a movement opposite to the lifting movement R40.

[0054] In the illustrated example, the chassis 40 is held in position by two positioning devices 100. In a variant not illustrated, the chassis 40 is held in position by a single positioning device 100, the configuration with two positioning devices 100 being however preferred because it offers greater safety.

[0055] In the example illustrated, the non-return member is produced by means of the plate 120, mounted so as to tilt relative to the bracket 102 around an axis of rotation parallel to the transverse axis Y10. This arrangement, produced here simply by means of the rivet 142, is easy and inexpensive to implement. Other arrangements are of course possible. In a variant not illustrated, the plate is mounted on a hinge around an axis of rotation parallel to the depth axis X10, the shape of the support zone being adapted accordingly to form the front stop when the plate is in the locking position.

[0056] According to yet another variant, the plate is replaced by a non-return device of another type, for example a ratchet, mounted to slide and armed by a spring, like a door bolt.

[0057] Whatever the configuration chosen, the non-return member is carried by the bracket 102 and is configured to limit the movements of the chassis 40 towards the front, when the chassis is in the mounting position, and to allow the movements of the chassis 40 towards the rear until the chassis 40 is in the mounting position, during the assembly of the chassis 40 to the frame 20.

[0058] The embodiments and variations mentioned above can be combined with each other to generate new embodiments of the invention.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Positioning device (100) for an electrical cabinet chassis (40) (10) relative to a frame (20) of the electrical cabinet (10), said positioning device (100) comprising a bracket (102) which includes: a fastening portion (104), configured to be fixed along a fitting (26) of an upper frame (24) of the frame (20) along an adjustment axis (X10), and a stopping portion (120), arranged orthogonally to the adjustment axis (X10) and configured to limit movement of the chassis (40) in a rearward direction, parallel to the adjustment axis (X10), when the chassis (40) is in a mounting position, opposite the stopping portion (120), characterized in that the positioning device (100) includes a backstop, which is carried by the bracket (102) and which is configured to: limit the movements of the chassis (40) in a forward direction, opposite to the rear direction, when the chassis (40) is in the mounting position,and allow the chassis (40) to move in the rear direction towards the stopping portion (120) until the chassis (40) is in the mounting position.

2. Positioning device (100) according to claim 1, in which the anti-return member comprises a plate (140) mounted to tilt relative to the bracket (102), the plate (140) being movable, according to a release movement (R140), between: a stop position, in which the plate (140) is arranged opposite the stop portion (120) and at a distance from the stop portion (120), the plate (140) in the stop position being configured to limit the movements of the chassis (40) in the forward direction when the chassis (40) is in the mounting position, and a raised position, in which the plate (140) does not prevent the movements of the chassis (40) in the forward direction.

3. Positioning device (100) according to claim 2, in which the plate (140) tends to move from its raised position to its stop position by gravity.

4. Positioning device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the positioning device (100) includes a return member, which tends to push the plate (140) from its raised position towards its stop position.

5. Positioning device (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: the attachment portion (106) extends along a mean plane (P106) and is configured to be fixed to the upper frame (24) by means of fasteners (110), for example screws, the plate (140) comprises a fixing portion (144), which is assembled to the attachment portion (104) such that the unlocking movement (R140) is a rotational movement of the plate (140) relative to the attachment portion (106), around a unlocking axis (A140) orthogonal to the mean plane (P106), and the fixing portion (144) comprises a bearing area (148), configured to bear against the fixing members (110) when the plate (140) is in the locked position.

6. Positioning device (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein: the plate (140) includes a stop portion (146), which is arranged to limit the movements of the chassis (40) in the forward direction when the chassis (40) is in the mounting position, the stop portion (146) is in contact with the bracket (102) when the plate (140) is in the raised position.

7. Electrical cabinet (10), comprising a frame (20) delimiting an internal volume (V20) of the electrical cabinet (10) and a chassis (40), configured to receive electrical equipment, in which the chassis (40) is held in the internal volume (V20) by at least one positioning device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. Method of mounting an electrical cabinet (10) according to claim 7, the mounting method comprising the following successive steps: a) moving the chassis (40), in the rear direction, towards the stop portion (120) of each positioning device (100), until the chassis (40) is in the mounting position, then b) implementing each anti-return device, so as to maintain the chassis (40) in the mounting position.

9. Method of mounting an electrical cabinet (10) according to claim 8, wherein: each positioning device (100) is according to claim 3, in step a), the chassis (40) pushes the plate (140) from its locking position to its raised position, and in step b), the plate (140) returns to its stop position by gravity.

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