Control unit for an electrical circuit breaker and associated electrical circuit breaker

Abstract

Control unit for an electric circuit breaker and associated electric circuit breaker This control unit (20) has a front face (22) extending over a front plane (P22) where a connection housing (301) opens, closable by a cover (308) and which is configured to receive a connection module (300) in the assembled position. Contact pads (36) are arranged at the bottom of the housing. The connection module has a front face (311A) with an output connector (316). In the assembled position, the closed cover extends a creepage distance between the output connector and the front plane beyond a class 1 insulation distance under a voltage less than or equal to 690V. In the absence of the connection module, the closed cover extends a distance in the air between each contact pad and the front plane (P22) beyond a class 2 insulation distance under a voltage greater than 690V. Figure for the abstract: figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Control unit for an electrical circuit breaker and associated electrical circuit breaker

[0001] The present invention relates to a control unit for an electric circuit breaker, as well as to an electric circuit breaker comprising such a control unit.

[0002] Electrical circuit breakers are known, in particular from EP-0 843 332-A1, comprising a cut-off unit and an electronic control unit. Such a control unit is typically configured to measure in real time an operating state of the circuit breaker and to control the opening of the cut-off unit in the event of a malfunction of the circuit breaker. The control unit is received, reversibly, in a receptacle provided in the cut-off unit and is located on a front face of the circuit breaker, so that a user can read and / or adjust certain operating parameters of the electrical circuit breaker. The control unit is removable, so that a user can replace the control unit in the event of a malfunction, without having to disconnect the cut-off unit from the rest of the electrical installation.

[0003] Depending on the applications, the electrical circuit breaker operates under voltages of several hundred or even thousands of Volts, and under currents of up to several thousand Amperes. The electrical circuit breaker in general, and the control unit in particular, must have sufficient electrical insulation to guarantee the safety of people. For example, the IEC 947-1:2019 standard - tables 13 and 15 - defines insulation classes, which correspond to minimum distances to be respected between electrified points - or likely to be electrified - and the user. The insulation distances depend in particular on the insulation class sought, and the electrical voltage under which the electrical circuit breaker operates.In the context of this description, two electrical voltage intervals are mainly considered, with a first interval corresponding to a voltage less than or equal to 690V, and a second interval corresponding to a voltage strictly greater than 690V. For a voltage greater than 690V, insulation class 1 requires a distance in the air greater than 7 mm, and creepage lines greater than 10 mm. Insulation class 2 doubles these distances. For a voltage less than 690 V, insulation class 2 requires a distance in the air greater than 10 mm.

[0004] EP 3 290 935-A1 describes, for example, a control unit comprising a housing made of an insulating material, in which several components are received, such as an electronic card, voltage division components, etc. With the evolution of technologies and needs, it is advantageous to propose, if necessary, a wired connection interface, so that the user can transfer data from and / or to the control unit. A connection interface is on the one hand connected to the electronic board of the control unit, and which on the other hand offers the user a connector, for example a connector in USB format, in particular USB-C, or a connector of another format, on which the user can connect an electronic device capable of communicating with the control unit.

[0005] We are interested here in connection interfaces which are modular, that is to say which are part of a connection module which can be connected or disconnected from the control unit.

[0006] It is known to connect to the control unit a connection module comprising a connection cable with an input connector, and a box with an output connector. To guarantee the insulation distances, the connection cable is connected to the control unit from the rear, while the box is fixed on the front face of the circuit breaker. Such a solution is impractical, because it requires removing the control unit from its receptacle to make the connection. In addition, the box fixed on the circuit breaker is bulky and risks being damaged.

[0007] It is these needs that the invention more particularly intends to address, by proposing a control unit which allows the installation of a connection module without interruption of service, while guaranteeing the protection of people and remaining compact.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a control unit for an electrical circuit breaker, the control unit comprising a front face, which has a generally planar shape and which is geometrically carried by a front plane, the front face being orthogonal to a depth axis and defining a front direction oriented towards the user when the control unit is in a normal configuration of use, the control unit comprising: - a housing, which is made of an insulating material and in which a connection housing is provided, the connection housing being provided set back from the front plane and opening onto the front plane, - an electronic card, which comprises a connection area associated with the connection housing, the connection area being located in a bottom of the connection housing and comprising several electrical contact pads, - a connection module, which is configured to be received in the connection housing in an assembled position of the connection module, the control unit then being in an assembled configuration, the connection module comprising: • a body, which is made of an electrically insulating material, and which comprises attachment means for holding the connection module in the assembled position, the body comprising a rear face, which is located in facing the connection area when the control unit is in the assembled configuration, and a front face, which is oriented opposite the rear face, • an input connector, which opens onto the rear face and which is configured to be connected to one or more of the contact pads of the connection zone, • an output connector, which is connected to the input connector and which opens onto the front face of the connection module, the output connector being able to receive an additional connector so that a user can exchange data with the control unit,

[0009] in which: - the contact pads are located set back from the front plane and are distant from the front plane by a distance, measured along the depth axis, greater than a first predetermined threshold, - the first threshold is chosen so that a distance in the air between each contact pad and the front plane is greater than a class 2 insulation distance under a voltage greater than 690V, the distance in the air and the class 2 insulation distance being according to standard IEC 947-1:2019, - the control unit also comprises a cover, which is hinged relative to the rest of the control unit and which is movable between a closed position, where the cover closes the connection housing, a rear face of the cover being oriented towards the connection housing, and an open position, where the cover does not prevent access to the connection housing, - when the connection module is in the assembled position: • the output connector is located set back from the front plane, such that a front face of the cover is substantially aligned with the front plane, the front face of the cover being oriented opposite the rear face of the cover, • the cover in the closed position prevents access to the output connector, so that a creepage distance between the output connector and the front plane is greater than a class 1 insulation distance under a voltage less than or equal to 690V, the creepage distance being according to standard IEC947-1:2019.

[0010] Thanks to the invention, when the envisaged operating voltage is less than or equal to 690V, it is possible to equip the control unit with a connection module while guaranteeing the safety of the user by a sufficient isolation distance, both when the connection module is present, the isolation distance being measured from the output connector, or when the connection module is absent, the isolation distance being measured from the contact pads. The connection module connection is mounted from the front, without having to disassemble the control unit, and is received in the control unit housing, which thus remains compact.

[0011] According to advantageous but not obligatory aspects of the invention, such a control unit may incorporate one or more of the following features taken in isolation or in any technically admissible combination: - The connection housing is delimited, towards the rear, by a bottom wall, which is part of the housing, which is arranged set back from the front plane in the front direction and in which openings are provided, the openings opening into the connection housing, and

[0012] the electrical contact pads are located on a rear side of the bottom wall and are accessible from the connection housing through the openings. - Each opening has a profile that meets an IP3x protection rating as defined in the IEC 60529:2013 standard. - The input connector comprises telescopic pins, each telescopic pin being configured to be connected to a respective contact pad, whereas in the assembled configuration of the connection module, the rear face of the connection module rests against the back wall. - The housing comprises a peripheral wall, which delimits the connection housing radially to the depth axis, while the housing comprises a groove, which is formed in a hollow in the peripheral wall and which opens into the connection housing, the groove extending parallel to the depth axis, that the body comprises a protuberance, which is configured to be received in the groove when the connection module is in the assembled position, and that the protuberance and the groove cooperate to form a keying member of the control unit. - The control unit comprises, in addition to the connection housing, a second housing, which is provided in the casing and which opens onto the front face of the control unit, while the groove opens into the second housing, and that the control unit also comprises a shim, which is configured to be inserted into the second housing in an inserted position, the shim comprising a second protrusion, preferably a tab, which at least partially closes the groove when the shim is in the inserted position, preventing assembly of the connection module in the connection housing. - The wedge in the inserted position cannot be removed.

[0013] The shim is advantageously put in place when the intended operating voltage is greater than 690V; preventing the connection module from being put in place in the control unit. The safety of the user is thus guaranteed by a sufficient insulation distance from the contact pads.

[0014] The invention also relates to an electrical circuit breaker, comprising: - a cut-off unit, comprising at least one cut-off device and an actuator, - a copy of the control unit as described above,

[0015] in which: - the cut-off unit has a receptacle, which opens onto a front face of the cut-off unit, - the control unit is received in the receptacle, so that the front face of the control unit is substantially aligned with the front face of the cut-off unit.

[0016] 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 control unit and an electrical circuit breaker, in accordance with its principle, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0017] - [Fig.l] [Fig.l] represents respectively, on two inserts a) and b), a view in perspective and a partially exploded perspective view of an electrical circuit breaker according to the invention, the electrical circuit breaker comprising a control unit, also according to the invention;

[0018] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the control unit of [Fig.l];

[0019] - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents, on two inserts a) and b), a perspective view of the control unit of [Fig.2] in two different configurations, the control unit being shown with an insert connection module a) and without the insert connection module b);

[0020] - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents respectively, on two inserts a) and b), a view perspective of the connection module of [Fig.3], observed from two opposite directions,

[0021] - [Fig.5] [Fig.5] represents, on three inserts a), b) and c), a section of a housing provided in the control unit and configured to receive the connection module, the control unit being shown in three different configurations;

[0022] - [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a section of the control unit of [Fig.2] according to a plane VI- VI, the connection module being hidden;

[0023] - [Fig.7] [Fig.7] represents, on three inserts a), b) and c), a perspective view of the control unit of [Fig.2] and an element of the control unit, and

[0024] - [Fig.8] [Fig.8] represents respectively, on two inserts a) and b), a view in perspective and a section of the control unit.

[0025] An electrical circuit breaker 10 is shown in [Fig.l]. The electrical circuit breaker 10, also simply called circuit breaker 10, is here a multi-pole circuit breaker, in particular a three-pole circuit breaker. The number of poles of the circuit breaker 10 is not limiting. In a known manner, a multi-pole electrical circuit breaker comprises, for each electrical pole, input and output power terminals, which are respectively connected or electrically isolated from each other by a circuit breaker cut-off device. The cut-off device comprises, for example, separable movable contacts, which are received in a cut-off chamber of the electrical circuit breaker 10 and whose movements are controlled by an actuator. Thus, the cut-off device can be triggered by the actuator. The cut-off chambers are here materialized by three grids 12 visible on an upper face of the circuit breaker 10, the other elements of the cut-off device not being shown..

[0026] The electrical circuit breaker 10 is intended to be used within an electrical installation, for example to control the power supply of a machine tool. In a normal configuration of use, the electrical circuit breaker 10 is generally placed within an electrical cabinet, the electrical circuit breaker 10 having a front face 14, which is oriented towards the user standing in front of the electrical cabinet. The electrical cabinet is not shown.

[0027] The electrical circuit breaker 10 comprises a cut-off unit 16, which in particular comprises each of the cut-off chambers, as well as the cut-off device and the associated actuator.

[0028] The electrical circuit breaker 10 advantageously comprises a faceplate 18, which is removable from the cut-off unit 16. The faceplate 18 is made of an electrically insulating material and extends generally along a front plane P14, which defines a portion of the front face 14 of the electrical circuit breaker 10, and by extension of the cut-off unit 16. The faceplate 18 thus serves to protect the user of the circuit breaker 10. In [Fig.l] a), the faceplate 18 is shown assembled to the cut-off unit 16, which corresponds to a normal usage configuration of the circuit breaker 10. In [Fig.l] b), the faceplate 18 is distant from the cut-off unit 16, this configuration being found for example during maintenance of the cut-off unit 16

[0029] The electrical circuit breaker 10 also comprises a control unit 20. The control unit 20 is configured to analyze states of the cut-off unit 16 and is configured to trigger the actuator according to the results of these analyses, thus separating the separable contacts.

[0030] The control unit 20 comprising a front face 22. The front face 22 has a generally planar shape and is geometrically carried by a front plane P22, which is orthogonal to a depth axis A22 of the control unit 20. The front face 22 is oriented towards the user when the control unit 20 is in a normal configuration of use. The front face 22 thus defines a front direction D22, which is parallel to the depth axis A22. The front direction D22 is represented by an arrow. The notions of directions such as “front”, “back”, “up”, “down”, etc., are defined in relation to the elements as represented in the drawings, knowing that it may be otherwise in reality.

[0031] The faceplate 18 comprises a window 19, through which the front face 22 of the cutting unit 20 is visible. The window 19 is preferably closed by a transparent flap. The flap is not shown.

[0032] The control unit 20 is assembled to the cut-off unit 16 in a reversible manner. In the example of figures 1a) and 1b), the control unit 20 is shown in the configuration assembled to the cut-off unit 16. The control unit 20 is shown in isolation in [Fig.2].

[0033] The cut-off unit 16 provides a receptacle, which opens onto a front face 14 of the cut-off unit 16 and in which the control unit 20 is received, so that the front face 22 of the control unit 20 is substantially aligned with the front face 14 of the cut-off unit 16, as illustrated in particular in [Fig.l] a). The receptacle is not shown.

[0034] The control unit 20 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0035] The control unit 20 comprises a housing 30, which is made of an insulating material and which forms a volume for receiving various components of the control unit 20. The housing 30 houses in particular an electronic card 32, which is partially visible in [Fig. 3]. The electronic card 32 comprises a printed circuit and several electronic components such as a microprocessor, a light-emitting diode, etc.

[0036] In the illustrated example, the electronic card 32 comprises several portions, which are here connected to each other by communication buses. The communication buses are not shown. Optionally, one or more portions of the electronic card 32 are flexible. Alternatively, the electronic card 32 includes several portions which are not connected to each other by communication buses. Alternatively, the electronic card 32 is in one piece.

[0037] The housing 30 includes a front subassembly 100. By extension, the subassembly 100 belongs to the control unit 20. The front subassembly 100 comprises a central portion 102, which is generally planar, which has a front side 102A and a rear side 102B opposite the front side 102A. The central portion 102 is here configured to receive at least one human-machine interface element 104. The front side 102A of the central portion 102 is preferably oriented in the front direction D22. A human-machine interface is also designated by its acronym HMI, or MHI in English. The human-machine interface elements 104 are also simply referred to as “HMI elements” 104. In the illustrated example, the central portion 102 comprises several HMI elements 104. The HMI elements 104 here include three indicator lights 104A, a transparent portion 104B, through which a screen can be observed, and four buttons 104C. These examples are not limiting, the type, number and arrangement of the HMI elements 104 can be changed when designing the front subassembly 100.

[0038] The front subassembly 100 is assembled to the rest of the control unit 20, in particular to the housing 30, in a reversible manner. It is thus possible to replace the front subassembly 100 in the event of a malfunction. The central portion 102 thus forms a portion of the front face 22 of the control unit 120.

[0039] The control unit 20 comprises a connection module 300, which is received in a connection housing 301 provided in the remainder of the control unit 20, in an assembled position of the connection module 300. By extension, the control unit 20 is in a so-called assembled configuration. The connection housing 301 is provided set back from the front plane P22 and opens onto the front face 22.

[0040] The connection module 300 is configured to be received reversibly in the connection housing 301, the connection module 300 being configured to be inserted into the connection housing 301 according to an insertion movement, which is a translation movement parallel to the depth axis A22 and oriented in a rear direction, that is to say in a direction opposite to the front direction D22.

[0041] The control unit 20 comprises a cover 308, which is hinged relative to the housing 30 and which closes the connection housing 301. The cover 308 is shown in a closed position in [Fig.2], and in an open position in [Fig.3], revealing the connection housing 301. In [Fig.3] a), the connection module 300 is shown in the connection housing 301, while in [Fig.3] b), the connection module is absent, revealing the connection housing 301.

[0042] The cover 308 is here articulated in rotation relative to the housing 30 around a hinge axis A308 parallel to the front plane P22. The cover 208 is thus captive. The cover 308 has a generally planar shape and comprises a front face 309A and a rear face 309B, which is oriented opposite the front face 309A. When the cover 308 is in the closed position, the front face 309A is oriented in the front direction D22, while the rear face 309B is oriented towards the bottom wall 304.

[0043] The connection module 300 and the associated connection housing 301 will now be described. The connection housing 301 is shown in perspective in [Fig. 3] b) and in section in [Fig. 5]. The second connection module 300 is shown in isolation in [Fig. 4] and in assembled configuration in Figures 5 b) and 5 c).

[0044] The connection housing 301 has a substantially cylindrical shape along an axis parallel to the depth axis A22. The connection housing 301 is delimited by a peripheral wall 302, which delimits the connection housing 301 radially to the depth axis A22. In the example illustrated, the connection housing 301 also comprises a bottom wall 304, which delimits the connection housing 301 from the rear. In a variant not shown, the bottom wall is absent. The peripheral wall 302 and the bottom wall 304 are therefore here part of the housing 30. The bottom wall 304 is arranged set back from the front plane P22 along the front direction D22, and opens onto the front plane P22.

[0045] A portion of the electronic card 32 is located set back from the connection housing 301, here on the rear side of the bottom wall, and comprises a connection zone 34, the connection zone 34 comprising at least one contact pad 36. Each contact pad 36 comprises a substantially flat conductive element located on the surface of the electronic card 32, each contact pad 36 being suitable for being electrically connected to a respective complementary connector belonging to the connection module 300, each complementary connector bearing on the corresponding contact pad 36. Advantageously, the contact pads 36 are part of the printed circuit of the electronic card 32, in other words are manufactured at the same time as the electronic card 32. In the example illustrated, the connection zone 34 comprises five contact pads 36.

[0046] The connection housing 301 here comprises openings 306, which are arranged in the bottom wall 304 and which open into the battery housing 301. The connection zone 34 and the associated contact pads 36 are located on a rear side of the bottom wall 304 and are accessible from the connection housing 301 through the openings 306. The five contact pads 36, and by extension the second connection zone 34B, are thus associated with the second connection housing 301.

[0047] In the example illustrated, the second connection zone 34B comprises five contact pads 36, which are located on a rear side of the bottom wall 304 and which are accessible from the connection housing 301 through the openings 306.

[0048] Each opening 306 has a profile with an inscribed circle of diameter strictly less than 2.5 mm, preferably less than 2.0 mm, so as to comply with an IP3x protection index as defined in the IEC 60529:2013 standard. In the example illustrated, for each of the openings 306, the diameter of the inscribed circle is equal to 1.9 mm. This reduces the risks of accidental introduction of objects through the openings, reducing the risks of electrical accidents. Each of the openings 36 is preferably circular.

[0049] Each contact pad 36 of the second connection zone 34B is located set back from the front plane P22 and is distant from the front plane P22 by a distance such that, when the cover 308 is in the closed position, a clearance distance between each contact pad 36 and the plane 22 is greater than a first predetermined threshold SI. The first threshold SI is chosen so that a clearance distance between each contact pad 36 and the front plane P22 is greater than a class 2 insulation distance under a voltage greater than 690V, the clearance distance and the class 2 insulation distance being according to the IEC947-L2019 standard. The clearance distance is called "clearance distance" in English. The first threshold SI is advantageously chosen to be greater than or equal to 14 mm.

[0050] The connection module 300 is now described. The connection module 300 comprises a body 310, which is made of an electrically insulating material. The body 310 here has a generally parallelepiped shape and comprises a front side 31 IA, which is oriented towards the user when the connection module 300 is in the assembled position, and a rear side 31 IB, which is oriented opposite the side, in other words which is located opposite the second connection zone 34B when the control unit 20 is in the assembled configuration. The body 310 also comprises two lateral faces 31 IC, which are oriented opposite one another and which connect the front face 31 IA to the rear face 31 IB. The body 310 also comprises an upper face 311D and a lower face 311E, which are oriented opposite each other and which connect, on the one hand, the front face 31 IA to the rear face 31 IB and, on the other hand, the side faces 31 IC to each other.

[0051] The body 310 comprises attachment means 312 for holding the connection module 300 in the assembled position. The attachment means 312 are here two elastic clips, which extend from each of the lateral faces 311C. The attachment means 312 are advantageously reversible, so that a user can extract the connection module 300 from the connection housing 301, for example to replace the connection module 300 in the event of malfunction.

[0052] The connection module 300 also comprises an input connector 314, which opens onto the rear side 31 1B and which is configured to be connected to one or more of the contact pads 36 of the second connection zone 34B.

[0053] The input connector 314 advantageously comprises pins 315, preferably telescopic pins - also called "pogo-pin" in English -, each pin 315 being configured to be connected to a respective contact pad 36 according to a translational movement. Each pin 315 is thus a complementary connector of the connection module 300, configured to be connected to a respective contact pad 36. In the assembled configuration of the connection module 300, the rear face 31 1B preferably bears against the bottom wall 304. The telescopic pins 315 make it possible to accommodate dimensional clearances when the connection module 300 is in the assembled position. This reduces the size of the unit. control 20, while ensuring good electrical contact between the input connector 314 and the associated contact pads 36.

[0054] The connection module 300 also comprises an output connector 316. The output connector 316 is connected to the input connector 314 through the body 310 and opens onto the front face, the output connector 316 being able to receive a complementary connector so that a user can exchange data with the control unit 20. The complementary connector is not shown. The connection module 300 is thus a wired connection module. In the example illustrated, the output connector is advantageously in the so-called USB Type-C format. Other types of connectors are of course possible, provided that the space constraints are respected.

[0055] When the connection module 300 is in the assembled position, the cover 308 in the closed position prevents access to the output connector 316, the rear face 309B of the cover 308 being located opposite the output connector 316.

[0056] The output connector 316 is located set back from the front plane P22, so that when the cover 308 is in the closed position, the front face 309A is geometrically carried by the front plane P22. A creepage distance between the output connector 316 and the front plane P22 is greater than a class 1 insulation distance under a voltage less than or equal to 690V, the creepage distance being according to the standard IEC947-1:2019. The creepage distance is called "creepage distance" in English. The creepage distance between the output connector 316 and the front plane P22 is thus greater than 10mm. When the cover 308 is closed, an air distance between the output connector 316 and the front plane P22 is greater than a class 1 insulation distance under a voltage less than or equal to 690V, the air distance being according to standard IEC947-1:2019.The distance in the air between the output connector 316 and the front plane P22 is thus greater than 8 mm.

[0057] In the illustrated example, the creepage distance between the output connector 316 and the front plane P22 is equal to 11.5 mm, the cover 308 being closed, while the distance in the air is equal to 11.5 mm.

[0058] When the connection module 300 is absent, a distance in the air between the contact pads 36 of the second connection zone 34B and the front plane P22 is greater than 14 mm, while a creepage distance between the contact pads 36 of the second connection zone 34B and the front plane P22 is greater than 20 mm, the cover 308 being in the closed position.

[0059] In the example illustrated, the connection housing 301 is delimited by the bottom wall 304, while the electronic card 32 is located on a rear side of the bottom wall 304.

[0060] More generally, and with reference to [Fig.6], the housing 30 comprises advantageously preferably an intermediate wall 38, which is generally parallel to the front plane P22 and which is set back from the front plane P22, the electronic card 32 being located on a rear side of the intermediate wall 38. The bottom wall 304 delimiting the connection housing 301 is advantageously a portion of the intermediate wall 38. When it is necessary to provide an opening through a portion of the intermediate wall 38 to connect another functional module, different from the connection module 300, to another connection zone provided on the electronic card 32, this portion of the intermediate wall 38 is preferably located set back from the front plane P22 and is distant from the front plane P22 by a distance, measured along the depth axis A22, greater than the first threshold SL. This guarantees a sufficient isolation distance between the connection zone and the user.

[0061] According to another aspect of the invention illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the housing 30 advantageously comprises a groove 320, which is formed in a hollow in the peripheral wall 302 and which opens into the connection housing, the groove 320 extending parallel to the depth axis A22.

[0062] The body 310 of the connection module 300 comprises a protrusion 322, for example a tab, which is configured to be received in the groove 320 when the connection module is in the assembled position, as illustrated in [Fig.3] a). The protrusion 322 projects from the body 310, here on the upper face 311D of the body 310. The protrusion 322 and the groove 320 cooperate to form a keying member for the control unit 20, the keying member being configured to allow the insertion of the connection module 300 into the connection housing 301 in only one position.

[0063] Advantageously, the control unit 20 comprises, in addition to the connection housing 301, a second housing 324, which is arranged in the housing 30 set back from the front plane P22 and which opens onto the front face 22 of the control unit 20. The groove 320 also opens into the second housing 324. In other words, the groove 320 forms a passage between the connection housing 301 and the second housing. The control unit 20 also comprises a shim 340, which is configured to be received in the second housing 324 in an inserted position.

[0064] The shim 340 comprising a second protuberance 342, preferably a tongue, which at least partially closes the groove 320 when the shim is in the inserted position, so as to prevent the assembly of the connection module 300 in the connection housing 300 when the shim 340 is previously received in the second housing 324.

[0065] When the shim 340 is in the inserted position, the shim 340 is advantageously non-removable, that is to say that it is not possible to remove the shim 340 from the second housing 324 without damaging the shim 340 or without removing the control unit 20 from its receptacle in the cut-off unit 16, to then disassemble the control unit. For this purpose, the wedge 340 comprises clipping members 344, here two elastic tabs, which cooperate with recesses 326 formed in the hollow of the second housing 324. The insertion of the wedge 340 into the second housing 324 is advantageously done by hand and without tools.

[0066] Thus, when the control unit 20 is intended to operate under voltages greater than 690 V, the prior placement of the shim 340 in the second housing 324 makes it possible to prevent any subsequent attempt to place the connection module 300 in the connection housing 301, which would risk exposing the user to a risk since the distances and / or the insulation classes would no longer be respected.

[0067] The embodiments and variants mentioned above can be combined with each other to generate new embodiments of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Control unit (20) for an electrical circuit breaker (10), the control unit (20) comprising a front face (22), which has a generally planar shape and which is geometrically carried by a front plane (P22), the front face (22) being orthogonal to a depth axis (A22) and defining a forward direction oriented towards the user when the control unit (20) is in a normal configuration of use, the control unit (20) comprising: a housing (30), which is made of an insulating material and in which a connection housing (301) is provided, the connection housing (301) being provided set back from the front plane (P22) and opening onto the front plane (P22), an electronic card (32), which comprises a connection zone (32) associated with the connection housing (301), the connection zone (32) being located in a bottom of the connection housing (301) and comprising several electrical contact pads (36), a connection module (300), which is configured to be received in the connection housing (301) in an assembled position of the connection module (300), the control unit (20) then being in an assembled configuration, the connection module (300) comprising: • a body (310), which is made of an electrically insulating material, and which comprises attachment means (312) for holding the connection module (300) in the assembled position, the body (310) comprising a rear face (311B), which is located opposite the connection zone (32) when the control unit (20) is in the assembled configuration, and a front face (311A), which is oriented opposite the rear face (311B), • an input connector (314), which opens onto the rear face (31 IB) and which is configured to be connected to one or more of the contact pads (36) of the connection zone (32), • an output connector (316), which is connected to the input connector (314) and which opens onto the face front (311 A) of the connection module (300), the output connector (314) being able to receive a complementary connector so that a user can exchange data with the control unit (20), in which: • the contact pads (36) are located set back from the front plane (P22) and are distant from the front plane (P22) by a distance, measured along the depth axis (A22), greater than a first predetermined threshold (SI), • the first threshold (SI) is chosen so that a distance in the air between each contact pad (36) and the front plane (P22) is greater than a class 2 insulation distance under a voltage greater than 690V, the distance in the air and the class 2 insulation distance being according to standard IEC 947-1:2019, • the control unit (20) also comprises a cover (308), which is hinged relative to the rest of the control unit (20) and which is movable between a closed position, where the cover (308) closes the connection housing (301), a rear face (309B) of the cover being oriented towards the connection housing (301), and an open position, where the cover (308) does not prevent access to the connection housing (301), • when the connection module (300) is in the assembled position: • the output connector (316) is located set back from the front plane (P22), so that a front face (309A) of the cover (308) is substantially aligned with the front plane (P22), the front face (309A) of the cover (308) being oriented opposite the rear face (311B) of the cover (308), • the cover (308) in the closed position prevents access to the output connector (316), so that a creepage distance between the output connector (316) and the front plane (P22) is greater than a class 1 insulation distance under a voltage less than or equal to 690V, the creepage distance being according to standard IEC947-1:2019.

2. Control unit (20) according to claim 1, in which: • the connection housing (301) is delimited, towards the rear, by a bottom wall (304), which is part of the housing (30), which is arranged set back from the front plane (P22) in the front direction (D22) and in which openings (306) are provided, the openings opening into the connection housing (301), • the electrical contact pads (36) are located on a rear side of the bottom wall (304) and are accessible from the connection housing (301) through the openings (306).

3. Control unit (20) according to claim 2, in which: • each opening (306) has a profile complying with an IP3x protection index as defined in the IEC 60529:2013 standard.

4. Control unit (20) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, in which: • the input connector (314) comprises telescopic pins (315), each telescopic pin being configured to be connected to a respective contact pad (36), • in the assembled configuration of the connection module (300), the rear face (31 IB) of the connection module (300) bears against the bottom wall (304).

5. Control unit (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which: • the housing (30) comprises a peripheral wall (302), which delimits the connection housing (301) radially to the depth axis (A22), • the housing (30) comprises a groove (320), which is formed in a hollow in the peripheral wall (302) and which opens into the connection housing (301), the groove (320) extending parallel to the depth axis (A22), • the body (310) comprises a protrusion (322), which is configured to be received in the groove (320) when the connection module (300) is in the assembled position, • the protrusion (322) and the groove (322) cooperate to form a keying member for the control unit (20).

6. Control unit (20) according to claim 5, wherein: • the control unit (20) comprises, in addition to the connection housing (301), a second housing (324), which is arranged in the housing (30) and which opens onto the front face (22) of the control unit (20), • the groove opens (320) into the second housing (324), • the control unit (20) also comprises a shim (340), which is configured to be inserted into the second housing (340) in an inserted position, the shim (340) comprising a second protuberance (342), preferably a tab, which at least partially closes the groove (320) when the shim (340) is in the inserted position, preventing the assembly of the connection module (300) in the connection housing (301).

7. Control unit (20) according to claim 6, in which: • the wedge (340) in the inserted position is non-removable.

8. An electrical circuit breaker (10), comprising: • a cut-off unit (16), comprising at least one cut-off device and an actuator, • an example of the control unit (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which: • the cut-off unit (16) provides a receptacle, which opens onto a front face (14) of the cut-off unit, • the control unit (20) is received in the receptacle, so that the front face (22) of the control unit (20) is substantially aligned with the front face (14) of the control unit (20), cut (16).

Images