Electrical enclosure with fire-resistant separators

Abstract

Electrical enclosure with fire-resistant separators Electrical enclosure (12) comprising: - walls (16) defining an internal space (18), - a plurality of electrical and / or electronic components (20), arranged in the internal space (18), and - at least one separator (22) extending across the internal space (18) and dividing the components (20) into at least two groups (24) separated from each other. Each separator (22) is selected from the group consisting of: - a steel plate, having a thickness between 0.8 mm and 1.8 mm, - an aluminum plate, having a thickness between 1 mm and 2.8 mm, and - a composite material plate comprising fibers embedded in a matrix, having a thickness between 2 mm and 3 mm. Figure for abstract: 2

Description

Title of the invention: Electrical enclosure with fire-resistant separators

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric enclosure comprising:

[0002] - walls defining an internal space,

[0003] - a plurality of electrical and / or electronic components, arranged in space internal, and

[0004] - at least one separator extending across the internal space and dividing the components into at least two groups separated from each other.

[0005] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising such an electrical enclosure.

[0006] It is common practice to group together electrical and / or electronic components and controls of a vehicle in a closed enclosure. This makes them easier to use thanks to a centralized arrangement, but also protects them from external conditions, in particular temperature and humidity, as well as from inappropriate handling, or even vandalism. Finally, since some of these components potentially present an electrical or thermal risk, it is advisable to isolate them to prevent these risks.

[0007] As some of said components may experience high temperature increases, it is important to organize the components in the enclosures in such a way as to minimize the risks of fire spreading in the event of overheating, to avoid a fire.

[0008] It is notably known to organize the components into groups arranged so that no component at risk is located in a space extending above another component at risk, in order to avoid the propagation of overheating.

[0009] In the case of railway vehicles, for example, said space has a height of 20 cm and a width of 2 cm on either side of the component at risk, as set by the European standard EN45545.

[0010] When the electrical enclosure contains many components that may present risks, the safety spaces require an enclosure size that creates significant bulk.

[0011] In order to reduce this bulk, it is possible to separate the groups by flat, fire-resistant separators, which make it possible to at least partially overcome the minimum safety space.

[0012] The European standard EN45545 gives a fire resistance test criterion, and proposes as a separator for an electrical enclosure 2 mm thick steel plates or 3 mm thick aluminium plates.

[0013] However, these electric speakers can still be improved. Indeed, the se The filters proposed by the standard require large quantities of metallic materials, and are therefore heavy and expensive, in addition to having a significant environmental cost.

[0014] An aim of the invention is therefore to propose a lighter and less expensive electrical enclosure, having a reduced environmental impact, while retaining satisfactory safety properties.

[0015] To this end, the invention relates to an electrical enclosure comprising:

[0016] - walls defining an internal space,

[0017] - a plurality of electrical and / or electronic components, arranged in space internal, and

[0018] - at least one separator extending across the internal space and dividing the components in at least two groups separated from each other,

[0019] wherein each separator is selected from the group consisting of:

[0020] - a steel plate, having a thickness between 0.8 mm and 1.8 mm,

[0021] - an aluminum plate, having a thickness between 1 mm and 2.8 mm, And

[0022] - a plate made of composite material comprising fibers embedded in a matrix, having a thickness between 2 mm and 3 mm.

[0023] Such an electrical enclosure makes it possible to use less material for the production of separators, or lighter materials, in order to make it lighter and less expensive, as well as to reduce its environmental impact.

[0024] In particular, the inventors have found that the use of the separators defined above provides sufficient fire resistance.

[0025] According to particular embodiments, the electrical enclosure according to the invention has one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically feasible combination:

[0026] - each separator is chosen from the group consisting of:

[0027] - a steel plate, having a thickness between 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm,

[0028] - an aluminum plate, having a thickness of between 1 mm and 1.5 mm, And

[0029] - a plate made of composite material comprising fibers embedded in a matrix, having a thickness between 2 mm and 2.5 mm;

[0030] - at least one separator comprises a composite material comprising fibers of glass and a phenolic resin;

[0031] - at least one separator is made only from non-metallic materials;

[0032] - the electrical enclosure comprises at least three separators dividing the components in at least four groups separated from each other;

[0033] - at least two of the components present an electrical and / or thermal risk and are aligned in an elevation direction, at a distance of less than 20 cm from each other, the two components being separated by the or one of the separators; and

[0034] - the electrical enclosure comprises at least two separators extending at a distance less than or equal to 20 cm from each other, according to an elevation direction.

[0035] The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, comprising an electrical enclosure as described above.

[0036] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely as a non-limiting example and with reference to the appended drawings, among which:

[0037] - [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a side view of a vehicle according to the invention, and

[0038] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a sectional view of an electrical enclosure of the vehicle of the [Fig.l].

[0039] A vehicle 10 is shown in [Fig.l]. The vehicle 10 is for example a railway vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle drawing the energy necessary for its propulsion from an electrical source.

[0040] The following description is made with reference to a longitudinal direction X, a transverse direction Y and an elevation direction Z, shown in the figures. The longitudinal direction X extends along the direction of travel of the vehicle 10 in normal operation. The elevation direction Z is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X and extends substantially parallel to the local gravity. The transverse direction Y is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X and to the elevation direction Z.

[0041] By the terms “substantially parallel”, “substantially along” and “substantially perpendicular”, we mean respectively “parallel”, “along” and “perpendicular” with an angular error margin less than or equal to 10°, preferably less than 5°.

[0042] By the term "substantially equal" is meant "equal" with a margin of error less than or equal to 10% of the nominal value, preferably less than or equal to 5%.

[0043] The vehicle 10 comprises several electrical and electronic circuits participating in secondary functions, which include for example the lighting, ventilation and air conditioning of the compartments, communication between the cars and with the outside and signaling of the presence of the vehicle 10.

[0044] The vehicle 10 comprises at least one electrical enclosure 12, arranged in an internal compartment 14 of the vehicle 10.

[0045] In [Fig.l], the electrical enclosure 12 is shown in a car of the driving type of the vehicle 10.

[0046] Alternatively, the electrical enclosure 12 may be located in a non-driving car of the vehicle 10, accommodating passengers.

[0047] The electrical enclosure 12 is shown in detail in [Fig.2].

[0048] The electrical enclosure 12 comprises external walls 16 defining a space internal 18, a plurality of electrical and / or electronic components 20 arranged in the internal space 18, as well as at least one separator 22 extending through the internal space 18.

[0049] The walls 16 are plates forming a substantially parallelepiped box, isolating the internal space 18 from the exterior.

[0050] The walls 16 are intended to protect the components 20 arranged in the internal space 18 from variations in temperature and humidity as well as from incidents or vandalism. The walls 16 are also intended to isolate the components 20 contained in the internal space 18 in order to protect the passengers and personnel of the vehicle 10 from an electrical and / or thermal risk that the components 20 may represent.

[0051] The electrical components 20 are elements forming part of the secondary circuits of the vehicle 10.

[0052] The components 20 include, among others, circuit breakers, contactors, inverters, diodes, electronic cards and / or integrated circuits.

[0053] Some of the components 20 may present a risk of fire and / or smoke. This means that these components may, in the event of an incident such as a power surge, become damaged and produce flames and / or smoke. This emission is accompanied by a significant release of heat, which risks damaging components 20 that are too close to this heat source.

[0054] In particular, in the absence of a separator 22 and for each component 20 at risk, the electrical cabinet 12 must comprise a minimum safety space not comprising any other component 20, the minimum safety space extending over 2 cm around the component 20 at risk in the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y, as well as in the elevation direction Z below the component at risk 20, and over 20 cm in the elevation direction Z above the component at risk 20.

[0055] Each separator 22 is a plate extending across the internal space 18, perpendicular to the elevation direction Z, from one wall 16 to the other.

[0056] Each separator 22 divides the components 20 into at least two groups 24 separated from each other by the separator 22.

[0057] Each separator 22 prevents the propagation of flame and heat, so that at least two of the electrical components 20 presenting an electrical and / or thermal risk can be arranged substantially aligned in the elevation direction Z at a distance D of less than 20 cm from each other, the two components being separated by the separator 22.

[0058] Each group 24 comprises at least one component 20, in particular a plurality of components 20. Within the same group 24, all components 20 at risk meet the minimum safety space requirements.

[0059] The electrical enclosure 12 comprises for example at least three separators 22 separating the components 20 into at least four groups 24 separated from each other.

[0060] Increasing the number of separators 22 and groups 24 makes it possible to have a greater number of components 20 in the electrical cabinet 12 without having to increase its dimensions to meet the minimum safety space requirements.

[0061] Advantageously, the electrical enclosure 12 comprises at least two separators 22 extending at a distance D', shown in [Fig.2], from each other. The distance D' is measured along the elevation direction Z and less than 20 cm. This makes it possible to increase the number of separators 22 in the electrical enclosure 12 and to have greater flexibility in their arrangement.

[0062] In the example shown in the figures, the electrical enclosure 12 comprises four separators 22 separating the components 20 into five groups 24.

[0063] Each separator 22 is chosen from the group consisting of a steel plate having a thickness of between 0.8 mm and 1.8 mm, an aluminum plate having a thickness of between 1 mm and 2.8 mm and a composite material plate comprising fibers embedded in a resin matrix, the composite material plate having a thickness of between 2 mm and 3 mm.

[0064] The fibers are for example glass fibers and the resin is for example a phenolic resin.

[0065] Each of the plates in this group has sufficient fire and heat resistance to ensure that flames do not propagate between the components 20 located on either side of the separator 22.

[0066] The separators 22 have a reduced mass and manufacturing cost compared to those recommended by the European standard EN45545, which makes it possible to have an electrical enclosure 12 that is easier to install and handle, thus less expensive and more environmentally friendly thanks to a reduced quantity of material.

[0067] According to one embodiment, certain separators 22 are of a different type from the other separators 22. Alternatively, all the separators 22 are identical.

[0068] Advantageously, each separator 22 is chosen from the group consisting of a steel plate having a thickness of between 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm, an aluminum plate having a thickness of between 1 mm and 1.5 mm and a plate made of composite material comprising fibers embedded in a matrix, the plate having a thickness of between 2 mm and 2.5 mm.

[0069] The reduced thicknesses of the plates of this second group make it possible to further reduce the mass and manufacturing cost of the separators 22, and therefore of the electrical cabinet 12.

[0070] Advantageously, at least one of the separators 22 is made solely from non-metallic materials. This makes it possible to avoid the formation of a leakage current through the separator 22 which could disturb the components 20, or poor grounding of a metallic separator 22 which would cause electromagnetic disturbances.

[0071] The electrical enclosure 12 according to the invention uses separators 22 having sufficient thicknesses to effectively separate the components 20 into groups so as to prevent the risks of fires and smoke, while having reduced thicknesses in order to reduce their manufacturing cost and their impact on the environment.

Claims

Claims

1. Electrical enclosure (12) comprising: - walls (16) defining an internal space (18), - a plurality of electrical and / or electronic components (20), arranged in the internal space (18), and - at least one separator (22) extending across the internal space (18) and dividing the components (20) into at least two groups (24) separated from each other, characterized in that each separator (22) is chosen from the group consisting of: - a steel plate, having a thickness of between 0.8 mm and 1.8 mm, - an aluminum plate, having a thickness of between 1 mm and 2.8 mm, and - a plate of composite material comprising fibers embedded in a matrix, having a thickness of between 2 mm and 3 mm.

2. Electrical enclosure (12) according to claim 1, in which each separator (22) is chosen from the group consisting of: - a steel plate, having a thickness between 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm, - an aluminum plate, having a thickness between 1 mm and 1.5 mm, and - a plate of composite material comprising fibers embedded in a matrix, having a thickness between 2 mm and 2.5 mm.

3. An electrical enclosure (12) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one separator (22) comprises a composite material comprising glass fibers and a phenolic resin.

4. An electrical enclosure (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one separator (22) is made solely from non-metallic materials.

5. An electrical enclosure (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the electrical enclosure (12) comprises at least three separators (22) dividing the components (20) into at least four groups (24) separated from each other.

6. An electrical enclosure (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least two of the components (20) present an electrical and / or thermal hazard and are aligned in an elevation direction

7.

8. (Z), at a distance (D) less than 20 cm from each other, the two components (20) being separated by the or one of the separators (22). Electrical enclosure (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the electrical enclosure (12) comprises at least two separators (22) extending at a distance (D') less than or equal to 20 cm from each other, in an elevation direction (Z). Vehicle (10), in particular railway, comprising an electrical enclosure (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images