Electronic trip protection device

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronically interrupting protective device comprising a current line between a first connection terminal (1) and a second connection terminal (2), an electronic interrupting unit (3) comprising at least one electronic power interrupting component, a control unit (5), a galvanic isolation mechanism (6) comprising at least one set of separable contacts (7) comprising a fixed contact (8) and a moving contact (9), a movable control member (10) connected to the moving contact (9) by a lock, a sensor (12) for detecting the position of the control member (10) characterized in that the control member (10) comprises a magnet (13), the sensor (12) is a Hall effect detection sensor configured to detect a magnetic field from the magnet (13) and transmit a detection signal to the control unit (5),and the control unit (5) is configured to control the opening of said at least one electronic switching component before the opening of at least one set of separable contacts (7), provided that a variation in the magnetic field over time, representative of the switching of the control member (10) from the on position to the off position following its actuation, is detected from the detection signal.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electronically controlled protective devices.

[0002] In electronically breaking protective devices such as, for example, solid-state circuit breakers, it must be possible to open the circuit of the electronic breaking unit by at least one electronic power breaking component, preferably of the solid-state type, before the opening of the separable contacts of the galvanic isolation mechanism during a manual trip of the circuit breaker in order to avoid the occurrence of an electric arc between the separable contacts.

[0003] In circuit breakers requiring electronic tripping, it is common to find galvanic contact position sensors. Very often, the contacts and the control mechanism, in the form of a lever or handle, are mechanically linked.

[0004] There are different ways to capture the position of the control element, for example by optical detection, but this technique is sensitive to dust, or for example by means of a mechanical switch, but this introduces additional complexity and additional friction in the opening mechanism, or for example by magnetic detection of a magnet via a Reed relay which is cumbersome to set up, or finally via a Hall effect sensor.

[0005] Publication WO2022243419A1 describes an electrical protection system comprising connection terminals, separable electrical contacts connected between the connection terminals, a switching mechanism, and at least one power switch connected in series with the separable electrical contacts. These separable electrical contacts are movable between an open and a closed state. The switching mechanism includes a movable control element that is coupled with the separable electrical contacts to switch them to the open state.The electrical protection system further comprises an electronic control circuit coupled with the power switch, wherein the electrical protection system further comprises an optical sensor coupled to the control element for measuring a position of the switching mechanism, and wherein the electronic control circuit is configured to switch said at least one power switch to a blocking state when the sensor detects that the switching mechanism reaches a position preceding a position from which the electrical contacts separate. In this disclosure, the use of a magnetic sensor is mentioned but not selected because a magnetic sensor, for example, a Hall effect sensor or a Reed relay, would not exhibit good immunity to the magnetic field created by the passage of current through the poles of the product or adjacent products.However, this solution using an optical sensor has the disadvantage of being sensitive to dust.

[0006] Publication CN202059210U describes a controller position detection circuit that includes a micro-magnet attached to the moving part of the controller and a reed switch attached to the controller's outer casing. This configuration has the disadvantage of being bulky.

[0007] Publication WO23052081A1 describes a joystick position detection module without further details.

[0008] The present invention aims to overcome at least one of these drawbacks and seeks to offer an alternative and robust solution not using an optical sensor to prevent the appearance of an electric arc when opening the separable contacts of the galvanic isolation mechanism of the electronically cut-off protective equipment by detecting the movement of the control member to open at least one electronic cut-off component before the separable contacts.

[0009] For this purpose, the invention relates to an electronically cut-off protection device according to claim 1.

[0010] 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. 1A ] there figure 1A represents a partial perspective view of an electronically controlled protective device according to the invention, [ Fig. 1B ] there figure 1B represents a partial side view of the electronically controlled protective equipment illustrated in the figure 1A , [ Fig. 2 ] there figure 2 represents a cross-sectional view of a detail of the electronically controlled protective equipment illustrated in the figure 1A , [ Fig. 3 ] there figure 3 represents a partial perspective view of the electronically controlled protective equipment illustrated in the figure 1A , [ Fig. 4 ] there figure 4 represents a perspective view of a subset of the electronically disconnected protective equipment illustrated in the figure 1A comprising a movable control element connected by a lock to two movable contacts, [ Fig. 5 ] there figure 5 represents a perspective and exploded view of the subset of the figure 4 , [ Fig. 6 ] there figure 6 represents a perspective and exploded view of the subset of the figure 4 , [ Fig. 7 ] there figure 7 represents a partial side view of the protective device according to the invention with a magnet in a first position, [ Fig. 8 ] there figure 8 represents a partial side view of the protective device according to the invention with a magnet in an intermediate position, [ Fig. 9 ] there figure 9 represents a partial side view of the protective device according to the invention with a magnet in a second position, [ Fig. 10 ] there figure 10 represents a partial side view of the protective device according to the invention with a magnet in a first position, [ Fig. 11 ] there figure 11 represents a partial side view of the protective device according to the invention with a magnet in an intermediate position, [ Fig. 12 ] there figure 12 represents a partial side view of the protective device according to the invention with a magnet in a second position, [ Fig. 13 ] there figure 13 represents a curve of the sensor detection signal as a function of the angular position of the control element when the magnet is in the first position, [ Fig. 14 ] there figure 14 represents a curve of the sensor detection signal as a function of the angular position of the control element when the magnet is in the intermediate position, [ Fig. 15 ] there figure 15 represents a curve of the sensor detection signal as a function of the angular position of the control element when the magnet is in the second position, and [ Fig. 16 ] there figure 16 represents a curve of the position of the control element as a function of time, a curve of the sensor detection signal as a function of time, a curve of the switching state of at least one electronic switching component as a function of time, a curve of the position of at least one set of separable contacts as a function of time.

[0011] The invention relates to an electronically controlled protective device comprising at least: a current line between a first connection terminal 1 and a second connection terminal 2, an electronic switching unit 3 comprising at least one power electronic switching component 4 disposed on said current line, a control unit 5 coupled to said electronic switching unit 3 configured to control the opening of said at least one electronic switching component 4, a galvanic isolation mechanism 6 comprising at least one set of separable contacts 7 comprising a fixed contact 8 and a moving contact 9 disposed on the current line in series with said at least one electronic switching component 4, and being separated from each other in an open position PO and being in contact with each other in a closed position PC,a movable control element 10 connected to the movable contact 9 by a lock 11 and configured to switch at least one set of separable contacts 7 from the closed position PC to the open position PO when it is moved respectively from the interrupted position POFF to the on position PON or vice versa, a sensor 12 for detecting the position of the control element 10 electrically connected to the control unit 5.

[0012] In accordance with the invention, the electronically controlled protective device is characterized in that: the control member 10 includes at least one magnet 13, the sensor 12 is a Hall effect sensing sensor configured to detect a magnetic field from the magnet 13 and transmit a sensing signal to the control unit 5, and the control unit 5 is configured to drive the opening of said at least one electronic switching component 4 before the opening of at least one set of separable contacts 7 provided that a change in magnetic field over time representative of the switching of the control member 10 from the on position PON to the off position POFF following its actuation, is detected from the sensing signal.

[0013] Advantageously, the invention allows the use of a magnet 13 mounted on the control member 10 and a Hall effect sensor 12 to detect the variation in magnetic field when the control member 10 begins to open the set of separable contacts 7. Indeed, the sensor 12 transmits the detection signal over time, preferably corresponding to a voltage signal over time, and it is possible to obtain from this detection signal a variation in the detection signal that is representative of the variation in magnetic field detected by the sensor 12. This variation in the detection signal can be determined and analyzed by the control unit 5. The latter will trigger the opening of at least one electronic switching component 4 before the opening of the set of separable contacts 7 if this variation in the detection signal, which is representative of the variation in magnetic field, is detected.Therefore, even if the control element 10 is actuated very rapidly, i.e., in less than 1 millisecond, the detection is confirmed, and the opening of at least one electronic switching component 4 will always occur before the set of separable contacts 7, thus preventing an electric arc. Furthermore, according to the preferred variant, analyzing the variation of the detection signal over time, for example by calculating the derivative of the signal with respect to time, which is representative of the variation in the magnetic field, makes it possible to limit the impact of electromagnetic disturbances originating from outside or inside the electronic switching protection device. Indeed, verifying the shape of the signal against an expected shape makes it possible to filter out noise or electromagnetic disturbances, most of which will not have this shape.Analyzing the signal over time is more efficient than setting a trigger threshold and does not require calibration. Alternatively, the existence of a magnetic field variation can be inferred by comparing the detection signal to a trigger threshold. This alternative, however, requires calibration. In this case, the opening of at least one electronic switching component 4 will occur after detecting this trigger threshold. This solution offers further advantages. It does not require additional frictional parts in the control unit 10, implementation costs are low, the addition of a magnet 13 does not affect the overall size, calibration, if necessary, can be performed on the product assembly line, and the solution is applicable regardless of the type or intensity of the current (AC or DC).Finally, the solution is very insensitive to climatic effects, humidity, heat and dust.

[0014] Preferably, in the closed position PC of the separable contact assembly 7, the magnet 13 is in a first position P1 and in the open position PO of the separable contact assembly 7, the magnet 13 is in a second position P2, preferably the magnet 13 being closer to the sensor 12 in the first position P1 than in the second position P2.

[0015] Advantageously, in this configuration, if the set of separable contacts 7 moves from the closed position PC to the open position PO, then the magnet 13 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2. Alternatively, and according to a variant of the invention not shown, the magnet 13 could be closer to the sensor 12 in the second position P2 than in the first position P1.

[0016] The control member 10 comprises a body 14 preferably cylindrical including a rotation axis 15 and being extended by an actuable lever 16 and the body 14 includes a housing 17 in which the magnet 13 is inserted.

[0017] In this advantageous configuration, the magnet 13 is mounted on the body 14, which limits the impact of electromagnetic interference originating from outside or inside the electronically controlled protective device and limits the induction of electromagnetic interference within the device. The mounting orientation of the magnet 13 in its housing 17 is irrelevant. The end 18 of the magnet can be a positive or negative pole. However, the mounting orientation does affect the direction of the curve S of the sensor 12's detection signal, which can be increasing or decreasing; the variation over time is always detected, whether positive or negative.

[0018] A free end 18 of the magnet 13 is positioned at a distance and opposite the sensor 12.

[0019] Advantageously, this avoids saturation of the Hall effect detection sensor 12, while ensuring sufficient proximity between the Hall effect detection sensor 12 and the magnet 13 allowing optimal detection.

[0020] The lock 11 includes a casing 19 on which the body 14 is pivotally mounted and which includes a through opening 20 preferably curvilinear 20 or a groove preferably curvilinear in which the free end 18 of the magnet 13 is mounted to slide between a first position P1 and a second position P2.

[0021] Advantageously, thanks to this configuration the shape of the envelope 19 is adapted so that it is not positioned between the Hall effect detection sensor 12 and the magnet 13. The resulting lock 11 is robust and does not attenuate the magnetic field of the magnet 13.

[0022] Preferably and without limitation, the magnet 13 preferably has a cylindrical shape and includes an axis of revolution 21 parallel to the axis of rotation 15 of the control member 10.

[0023] Preferably, the detection signal is a voltage that is a function of time.

[0024] Preferably, the electronically cut-off protection equipment includes at least one electronic card 22 to which the sensor 12 is electrically connected.

[0025] Preferably, the control unit 5 and the sensor 12 are electrically connected to a power source.

[0026] Preferably, said at least one power cutoff electronic component 4 comprises at least one power transistor and preferably at least one MOSFET and / or one JFET and / or one IGBT.

[0027] Preferably, the sensor 12 can be configured to detect a reference detection signal during a calibration operation, with the magnet 13 in the first position P1.

[0028] Advantageously, in this case it is possible to deduce the existence of a variation in the magnetic field by comparing the detection signal to a trigger threshold value after performing the calibration operation.

[0029] The electronically controlled protective device preferably comprises a housing 23. The housing 23 preferably has a generally parallelepiped shape with a first main face (not shown) and a second main face (not shown), and lateral faces, respectively rear 24, upper 25, lower 26, and front 27, extending from one of the first and second main faces to the other, and with a width, i.e., the distance between the first and second main faces, equal to an integer multiple of a predetermined distance, called the module, generally about 18 millimeters. Thanks to this advantageous arrangement, the housing 23 has a modular form factor, resulting in a modular electronically controlled protective device.

[0030] Preferably, the housing 23 contains at least the first connection terminal 1, the second connection terminal 2, the electronic cut-off unit 3, the control unit 5, the galvanic isolation mechanism 6, the lock 11, the sensor 12, and the magnet 13.

[0031] The modular electronic cut-off protection equipment can be a static modular circuit breaker of the type SCCB (Semi Conductor Circuit Breaker) or a static modular residual current circuit breaker SC-RCBO (Semi Conductor Residual current Circuit Breaker with Overload).

[0032] The electronically interrupting protective equipment may include a phase P power line, or several phase P power lines, and optionally also a neutral power line.

[0033] Electronically controlled protective equipment can be a circuit breaker and / or perform a differential protection function, but also other functionalities such as current and voltage measurement, protection against electrical arc faults in the installation.

[0034] The first connection terminal 1 may be a screw cage terminal or a spring-type or similar self-locking terminal, and / or a combination of a self-locking cage and screw type. The first connection terminal 1 is preferably located inside the housing 23 near the upper side face 25.

[0035] The second connection terminal 2 may be a screw cage terminal or a spring-type or similar self-locking terminal, and / or a combination of a self-locking cage and screw type. The second connection terminal 2 is preferably located inside the housing 23 near the lower side face 26.

[0036] Preferably, if the electronically disconnected protective equipment includes two current lines, it includes two first connection terminals 1 and two second connection terminals 2.

[0037] The control unit 5 is electrically connected to the electronic switching unit 3. The control unit 5 and the electronic switching unit 3 are preferably arranged inside the housing 23. For example, the control unit 5 may include at least one microcontroller 28 and optionally at least one power driver.

[0038] The control unit 5 and the electronic switching unit 3 can respectively comprise one or more electronic boards 22, 29.

[0039] The control unit 5 and the electronic cutoff unit 3 could alternatively comprise a single electronic board including said microcontroller 28 and said power driver and said at least one electronic power cutoff component 4.

[0040] The electronic switching unit 3 and the control unit 5 may not be grouped on the same electronic board, but on at least two separate electronic boards electrically connected to each other, namely a first electronic board 29 and the second electronic board 22.

[0041] The electronic switching unit 3 comprises the first electronic board 29 on which is mounted and preferably integrated said at least one electronic power switching component 4. According to a non-limiting example, the first electronic board 29 is preferably arranged perpendicular to the first and second main faces of the housing 23 and preferably at least partly opposite the rear face 24.

[0042] The control unit 5 preferably includes the second electronic board 22 on which the microcontroller 28 and the sensor 12 are preferably mounted. The second electronic board 22 is preferably arranged parallel to the first and second main faces of the housing 23 and extends lengthwise in a space located between the first and second connection terminals 1, 2, and is preferably arranged at least partly opposite one of the main faces.

[0043] Preferably, if the electronically disconnected protective device comprises two power lines, the galvanic isolation mechanism 6 includes two sets of separable contacts 7. Each set of separable contacts 7 comprises a fixed contact 8 and a moving contact 9 arranged on the power line in series with the two electronic disconnecting components 4, and can be separated from each other in an open position PO and can be in contact with each other in a closed position PC. In this case, preferably the moving control element 10 is connected to the two moving contacts 9 by the lock 11.

[0044] The control member 10 preferably comprises the body 14 which includes a first part 14a and a second part 14b and the operable lever 16.

[0045] Preferably, the operable lever 16 is projecting from the front face 27 of the housing 23 of the electronically cut-off protective device.

[0046] Preferably, the first part 14a of the body 14 can protrude from the front face 27 depending on the position of the control member 10 and the second part 14b of the body 14 on which the magnet 13 is located is always inside the housing 23.

[0047] The control element 10 can describe a rotational movement, as illustrated in the figures. Alternatively, in an example not shown, the control element 10 can describe a translational movement.

[0048] The control element 10 can be switched to a limit position PLIM in which the separable contact sets 7 are still in the closed position PC. If the magnetic field variation is detected by comparing the detection signal with the trigger threshold value, then it corresponds to the value of the detection signal when the control element 10 is in the PLIM position. Calibration is then performed when the control element 10 is in the on position PON.

[0049] Preferably, the microcontroller 28 and the sensor 12 are mounted and electrically connected on opposite first and second faces 30, 31 of the second electronic board 22. However, according to another possibility, the microcontroller 28 and the sensor 12 are mounted and electrically connected on the first / second face 30, 31 of the second electronic board 22, i.e. on the same side.

[0050] Preferably, the first face 30 of the second electronic board 22 carries the sensor 12 which is on the side of the through opening 20. The sensor 12 is thus inside the housing 23 and is placed on the side of the front face 27 and more particularly in the immediate vicinity of the second part of the body 14 of the control member 10. This arrangement limits the impact of electromagnetic disturbances coming from outside or inside the electronic cut-off protection equipment.

[0051] Preferably and without limitation, the second face 31 of the second electronic card 22 carries the microcontroller 28.

[0052] THE figures 1A à 12 illustrate a preferred but not limiting example of the electronically disconnected protective device according to the invention. The electronically disconnected protective device has a width of two modules with a phase current line and a neutral current line.

[0053] In this example, the electronically controlled protection device comprises two current lines. Each current line is between a first connection terminal 1 and a second connection terminal 2. The electronic switching unit 3 includes two pairs of power switching electronic components 4 in the form of power transistors. The two pairs of switching electronic components 4 are connected to a current line. The control unit 5 includes a microcontroller 28 which is electrically connected to the electronic switching unit 3. The control unit 5 is configured to control the opening of the two pairs of power switching electronic components 4, and also to control the switching of the galvanic isolation mechanism 6.In this example, the electronic switching unit 3 comprises the first electronic board 29, on which the two pairs of power switching electronic components 4 are mounted, and the control unit 5 comprises the second electronic board 22, on which the microcontroller 28 is mounted. The first electronic board 29 and the second electronic board 22 are orthogonal. The first electronic board 29 is substantially parallel to the rear face 24 of the housing 23, while the second electronic board 22 is perpendicular to it. The first electronic board 29 and the second electronic board 22 are electrically connected to each other. The galvanic isolation mechanism 6 comprises two sets of separable contacts 7.Each set of separable contacts 7 comprises a fixed contact 8 and a moving contact 9 arranged in series on the power line with the two electronic switching components 4, and can be separated from each other in an open position PO and can be in contact with each other in a closed position PC. The first connection terminals 1, the second connection terminals 2, the electronic switching unit 3, the control unit 5, the galvanic isolation mechanism 6, and the lock 11 are contained within the housing 23.

[0054] In this example illustrated in the figures 1A à 12 and more specifically in the figures 4 à 6 The movable control member 10 is connected to the two movable contacts 9 by the lock 11 and allows the two sets of separable contacts 7 to be switched from the closed position PC to the open position PO when it is moved from the open position POFF to the on position PON or vice versa. The control member 10 comprises the cylindrical body 14, which includes the axis of rotation 15 and is extended by the actuated lever 16. The control member 10 can thus pivot about the axis of rotation 15 between the open position POFF and the on position PON and assume various angular positions Θ. The control member 10 further includes a magnet 13, which is mounted on the body 14, comprising the first part 14a and the second part 14b. More specifically, the magnet 13 is mounted on the second part of the body 14.A housing 17 is provided in the second part 14b of the body 14 in which the magnet 13 is inserted. The magnet 13 has a cylindrical shape with its axis of revolution 21 parallel to the axis of rotation 15 of the control member 10. The lock 11 on which the body 14 is pivotally mounted is surrounded by the casing 19 which includes a curvilinear through opening 20 in which the free end 18 of the magnet 13 is mounted to slide between the first position P1 and the second position P2.

[0055] As shown in particular by figures 1A , 1B And 3 The operable lever 16 protrudes from the front face 27 of the housing 23 of the electronically controlled protective device. The first part 14a of the body 14 may protrude from the front face 27 depending on the position of the control element 10, and the second part 14b of the body 14, on which the magnet 13 is located, is always inside the housing 23.

[0056] In this illustrated example, the Hall effect sensor 12 for detecting the position of the control element 10 is electrically connected to the control unit 5. More specifically, the microcontroller 28 and the sensor 12 are mounted on the second electronic board 22. The microcontroller 28 and the sensor 12 are mounted on the first and second opposite faces 30, 31 of the second electronic board 22. The first face 30 of the second electronic board 22, which carries the sensor 12, faces the curved through-hole 20. The sensor 12 is thus inside the housing 23 and is positioned on the front face 27, and more specifically in the immediate vicinity of the second part 14b of the body 14 of the control element 10.The Hall effect sensor 12 detects the magnetic field from the magnet 13 and transmits the evolution of the detection signal over time to the control unit 5, and more specifically to the microcontroller 28, so that the latter can detect the occurrence of a change in the magnetic field. The free end 18 of the magnet 13 is positioned at a distance from and opposite the sensor 12. The control unit 5 is also configured to trigger the opening of at least one electronic switching component 4 before the opening of the separable contact sets 7, provided that the change in the magnetic field over time, representing the switching of the control element 10 from the on position PON to the off position POFF following its actuation, is detected from the detection signal.

[0057] THE figures 7 à 9 And 10 à 12illustrate more specifically chronologically the passage of the control unit 10 from the lit position PON to the interrupted position POFF following its actuation.

[0058] THE figures 7 And 10 They show that if the control unit 10 is in the PON position, the separable contact sets 7 are in the PC position and the magnet 13 is in the first position P1. The electronic switching components 4, which are not visible, are in the closed switching state.

[0059] THE figures 8 And 11 This shows that if the control element 10 is toggled and is in a limit position PLIM in which the separable contact sets 7 are still in the closed position PC, the magnet 13 is in the intermediate position PI. The electronic switching components 4, which are not visible, switch to the open switching state.

[0060] THE figures 9 And 12 These diagrams show that if the control element 10 is in the interrupted position POFF, the separable contact sets 7 are in the open position PO and the magnet 13 is in the second position P2. The magnet 13 is closer to the sensor 12 in the first position P1 than in the second position P2. The electronic switching components 4, which are not visible, are always in the open switching state.

[0061] THE figures 13 à 15 They show the evolution of the curve S of the detection signal of sensor 12 as a function of the angular position Θ of the control element 10. It can be observed that this curve is increasing. This curve could also be decreasing if the mounting direction of the magnet 13 in its housing 17 is reversed.

[0062] There figure 10 and the figure 13 illustrate the case where the magnet 13 is in the first position P1 and therefore the control member 10 is in the lit position PON and the curve S of the detection signal of the sensor 12 as a function of the angular position Θ of the control member 10. In this non-limiting example, when the magnet 13 is in the first position P1, the angular position is ΘON or 0 degrees and the detection signal is SV1.

[0063] There figure 11 and the figure 14 illustrate the case where the magnet 13 is in the intermediate position PI and therefore the control member 10 is in the position PLIM and the curve of the detection signal of the sensor 12 as a function of the angular position Θ of the control member 10. In this non-limiting example, when the magnet 13 is in the intermediate position PI, the angular position is ΘLIM or 32 degrees and the detection signal is SVI.

[0064] There figure 13 and the figure 15 illustrate the case where the magnet 13 is in the second position P2 and therefore the control member 10 is in the interrupted position POFF and the curve of the detection signal of the sensor 12 as a function of the angular position Θ of the control member 10. In this non-limiting example, when the magnet 13 is in the second position P2, the angular position is ΘOFF or 90 degrees and the detection signal is SV2.

[0065] We observe figures 13 à 15 The detection signal curve of sensor 12 increases rapidly between angular position ΘON and angular position ΘLIM, which is explained by the displacement of magnet 13 and therefore a variation in the magnetic field detected by sensor 12. Then, the detection signal curve of sensor 12 tends to plateau. Indeed, the further magnet 13 is from sensor 12, the higher the value of the detection signal S of sensor 12, which tends towards a ceiling equal to SV2.

[0066] There figure 16 represents from top to bottom a curve of the position of the control element P10 as a function of time t, a curve of the detection signal of the sensor 12 as a function of time t, a curve of the switching state E of at least one electronic switching component 4 as a function of time t, a curve of the position of at least one set of separable contacts P7 as a function of time t for an electronic switching protection device according to the invention.

[0067] There figure 16 This illustrates that before the control element 10 changes from the on position PON to the off position POFF, the control element 10 is in the on position PON, the S curve of the detection signal from sensor 12 is constant and at its maximum because the magnet 13 is in the first position P1 and therefore closer to sensor 12, the electronic switching components 4 are in the closed switching state E1, and the separable contact sets 7 are in the closed position PC. No variation in the magnetic field is detected by sensor 12.

[0068] Then the figure 16 This illustrates that during the transition of the control element 10 from the switched-on position PON to the switched-off position POFF following its actuation, passing through the intermediate position PLIM, the curve S of the detection signal from sensor 12 decreases between point A, corresponding to time tA (equivalent to the beginning of the movement of the control element 10), and point D, corresponding to time tD (equivalent to the end of the movement of the control element 10), because the magnet 13 moves away from the sensor 12. Indeed, at point A, the curve S is equal to SV1 and then decreases to the value SV2 at point D. Note that in the example of the figure 16 the S curve of the detection signal from sensor 12 decreases compared to the curves of figures 13 à 15Because the mounting direction of magnet 13 is not the same and has been reversed, the detection of this magnetic field variation by the control unit 5 then causes the switching electronic components 4 to transition from the closed switching state E1 to the open switching state E2 at point B, corresponding to time tB. This transition is controlled by the control unit 5. Then, the movement of the control element 10 causes the separable contact assemblies 7 to transition from the closed position PC at point C, corresponding to time tC, to the open position PO at point D, corresponding to time tD. As a result, the switching electronic components 4 open before the separable contact assemblies 7 open, thus preventing the formation of an electric arc.

[0069] 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. Electronically interrupting protective equipment comprising at least: - a power line between a first connection terminal (1) and a second connection terminal (2), - an electronic interrupting unit (3) comprising at least one power electronic interrupting component (4) disposed on said power line, - a control unit (5) coupled to said electronic interrupting unit (3) configured to control the opening of said at least one electronic interrupting component (4), - a galvanic isolation mechanism (6) comprising at least one set of separable contacts (7) comprising a fixed contact (8) and a moving contact (9) disposed on the power line in series with said at least one electronic interrupting component (4), and being separated from each other in an open position (OP) and being in contact with each other in a closed position (CP),- a movable control element (10) connected to the movable contact (9) by a lock (11) and configured to switch at least one set of separable contacts (7) from the closed position (PC) to the open position (PO) when it is operated respectively from the interrupted position (POFF) to the on position (PON) or vice versa, - a sensor (12) for detecting the position of the control element (10) electrically connected to the control unit (5), electronically disconnected protective device, characterized in that- The control member (10) comprises at least one magnet (13), - the sensor (12) is a Hall effect detection sensor configured to detect a magnetic field from the magnet (13) and transmit a detection signal to the control unit (5), - the control unit (5) is configured to trigger the opening of said at least one electronic switching component (4) before the opening of at least one set of separable contacts (7), provided that a variation in the magnetic field over time, representative of the switching of the control member (10) from the on position (PON) to the off position (POFF) following its actuation, is detected from the detection signal, - the control member (10) comprises a body (14), preferably cylindrical, comprising a rotation axis (15) and extending into an actuable lever (16), - the body (14) comprises a housing (17) into which is inserted the magnet (13),- a free end (18) of the magnet (13) is disposed at a distance and opposite the sensor (12), and - the lock (11) comprises a housing (19) on which the body (14) is pivotally mounted and which includes a through opening (20), preferably curvilinear, or a groove, preferably curvilinear, in which the free end (18) of the magnet (13) is slidably mounted between a first position (P1) and a second position (P2).

2. Electronically controlled protective device according to claim 1, characterized in that in the closed position (PC) of the separable contact assembly (7), the magnet (13) is in the first position (P1) and in that in the open position (PO) of the set of separable contacts (7), the magnet (13) is in the second position (P2), the magnet (13) being closer to the sensor (12) in the first position (P1) than in the second position (P2).

3. Electronically controlled protective equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the magnet (13) preferably has a cylindrical shape and includes an axis of revolution (21) parallel to the axis of rotation (15) of the control member (10).

4. Electronically controlled protective equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The detection signal is a voltage that is a function of time.

5. Electronically controlled protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it includes at least one electronic card (22) to which the sensor (12) is electrically connected.

6. Electronically controlled protective equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The control unit (5) and the sensor (12) are electrically connected to a power source.

7. Electronically controlled protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said at least one electronic power cut-off component (4) comprises at least one power transistor and preferably at least one MOSFET and / or one JFET and / or one IGBT.

8. Electronically controlled protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the sensor (12) is configured to detect a reference detection signal during a calibration operation, the magnet (13) being in the first position (P1).

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