Electrical cutoff device

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical switching device (1) comprising a fixed contact (2) and a moving contact (3), each comprising a first spark arrestor zone (4) arranged to collect electric arcs (6) that form with each change of position of said device (1), and a second permanent contact zone (5) arranged to ensure electrical contact in the engaged position. The device is configured such that: - during the transition from an engaged to an disengaged position of the device, there is a transition period during which the distance between the spark arrestor zones (4) is less than the distance between the permanent contact zones (5), and - the distance between the spark arrestor zones (4) is non-zero. The invention also relates to a method for transitioning from the engaged position of a device (1) according to the invention to a disengaged position. Figure for the abstract: Fig 1

Description

Title of the invention: Electrical cut-off device technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electrical equipment. More particularly, it concerns an electrical disconnection device. The invention notably makes it possible to increase the durability of electrical disconnection devices and reduce the energy required to activate or deactivate them. Previous technique

[0002] The electrical switching devices covered by the present invention include, in particular, switches, fusible switches, circuit breakers, and any single-phase or multi-phase electrical switching device used to distribute and control the electrical power of an installation from a few tens to a few thousand amperes. It is well known that, in these switching devices, the formation of electric arcs with each change of state of the device is inevitable. The effects generated by these electric arcs are also well known, namely: a non-instantaneous interruption of the electrical circuit, degradation of electrical contacts by micro-melting (material torn away) and risks of welding, high thermal stresses (arc temperature from a few thousand to several tens of thousands of degrees) with risks of burns to persons and fire to equipment, stray waves, UV radiation, etc.This results in premature wear of the electrical contact areas, particularly the mechanical contact points, leading to significant mechanical energy requirements for switching and parasitic effects during transient states. A widely adopted solution is to considerably reduce the duration of transient states by coupling the moving contact actuator to a snap-action mechanism. Another widely adopted solution is to equip the switching devices with breaking or fractionating chambers near the fixed contacts to break the electric arc and reduce its duration and therefore its effects. However, these solutions are insufficient to resolve the problems mentioned above. Description of the invention

[0003] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by providing an electrical switching device comprising at least one fixed contact and at least one moving contact, said at least one moving contact being movable between at least one engaged position in which said at least one moving contact is in contact with said at least one fixed contact and the electrical circuit is closed, and a disengaged position in which said at least one moving contact is not in contact with said at least one fixed contact and the electrical circuit is open.

[0004] The switching device according to the invention is particular in that said at least one moving contact and said at least one fixed contact each comprise at least two distinct zones, a first zone called a spark arrestor arranged to recover at least part of the electric arcs that form during the transition of said device from the engaged position to the disengaged position, and a second zone called a permanent contact, arranged to ensure clean and optimal electrical contact in the engaged position along a permanent contact plane, and in that the geometry of said at least one fixed contact and / or said at least one moving contact is configured so that: - during the transition of the device from the engaged position to the disengaged position, there is a transition period,during which the distance between the spark-arresting zones of said at least one moving contact and said at least one fixed contact is less than the distance between the permanent contact zones of said at least one moving contact and said at least one fixed contact, and, - when the device is in the engaged position, disengaged position, and when it moves from the engaged position to the disengaged position, there is permanently a non-zero distance between the spark-arresting areas of said at least one fixed contact and said at least one moving contact.

[0005] Thanks to these arrangements, the electric arc generated at triggering in the transient phases is located for the most part in areas of the fixed and moving contacts which are not made to come into mechanical contact, which prevents areas degraded by the metallic arc from interfering with the movement of the moving contact.

[0006] The spark-arresting areas of said at least one fixed contact and of said at least one moving contact may be flat areas, included in distinct planes, both coincident or parallel to the permanent contact plane, which is a simple and effective embodiment of the invention.

[0007] Said electrical disconnection device may include at least two movable or fixed contacts, forming a clamp intended to grip a fixed or movable contact when the device is in the engaged position, which improves the reliability of the circuit closure in the engaged position.

[0008] At least one of the fixed or moving contacts may have a leading edge comprising a chamfer, configured to facilitate docking with the other of the moving or fixed contacts when moving from the triggered position to the engaged position, which may reduce the energy required for the transitions from one position of the device to the other.

[0009] The permanent contact area of ​​one of the moving or fixed contacts may have a boss extending towards the permanent contact area of ​​the other moving or fixed contacts in the engaged position, which has the advantage of offsetting the spark arrestor area from the permanent contact area, and of creating a softer chamfer for the abutment of the moving contact on the fixed contact.

[0010] Said permanent contact area provided on the other of the fixed or mobile contacts can be flat, which is a simple and effective embodiment of the invention.

[0011] At least a part of the permanent contact area and the spark-arresting area of ​​at least one of the moving or fixed contacts can be offset along an axis perpendicular to the permanent contact plane, so that in the engaged position, there can be contact between the permanent contact areas of the moving and fixed contacts, and a spacing between the spark-arresting areas of the moving and fixed contacts, which is a simple and effective embodiment of the invention.

[0012] The movement of the moving contact can be a rotational movement, and for the fixed contact and the moving contact, the spark-arresting areas can be further from the axis of rotation of the moving contact than the permanent contact areas, which makes it possible to reduce the energy required for the triggering and engaging operations.

[0013] The spark-arresting zone and the permanent contact zone of at least one of said fixed or moving contacts can be offset from each other according to the direction of movement of the moving contact, so that when passing from one position of the device to another, there is a time offset between the alignment of the spark-arresting zones of the fixed contact and the moving contact, and the alignment of the permanent contact zones of the fixed contact and the moving contact, which makes it possible to increase the time during which the electric arc is at the level of the spark-arresting zones, and thus to decrease the time during which the electric arc is at the level of the permanent contact zones.

[0014] Said electrical breaking device may include at least one breaking chamber, the spark arrestor areas of the fixed contact and the moving contact being closer to the breaking chamber than the permanent contact areas of the fixed contact and the moving contact, the breaking chamber being configured to split the electric arc generated during a change of position of the breaking device, which allows better control of the position of the electric arc during switching on and off, and reduces its effects.

[0015] The spark arrestor zone and the permanent contact zone of the fixed contact may be offset from each other according to the direction of movement of the moving contact, the fixed contact possibly including a horn extending from the end of the spark arrestor zone furthest from the permanent contact zone, in a transverse direction to the movement of the moving contact, towards the breaking zone, the horn can be configured to direct the electric arc generated during a change of position of the breaking device towards the breaking chamber, which makes it possible to increase the time of presence of the electric arc in the breaking chamber, and thus to optimally benefit from the advantages related to the breaking chamber.

[0016] At least part of the spark-arresting areas of the fixed contact and / or the moving contact can be made of a refractory metal, which allows this part to suffer less degradation due to the presence of the electric arc.

[0017] The moving contact can be movable in translation along an axis perpendicular to the permanent contact plane, said device being able to include a return means configured to generate pressure from the permanent contact area of ​​the moving contact on the permanent contact area of ​​the fixed contact when the device is in the engaged position, and at least one stop configured to limit the stroke of the moving contact in order to avoid contact between the spark-arresting areas of the fixed contact and the moving contact when the device passes from the engaged position to the disengaged position, which makes it possible to obtain a reliable permanent contact, while avoiding contact between the spark-arresting areas, and thus retaining the advantages described above arising from this absence of contact.

[0018] The present invention also relates to a method for transitioning a switching device according to the invention from an engaged position to an unengaged position, comprising the following steps: - movement of the moving contact until contact is lost between the permanent contact areas of the moving contact and the fixed contact, the loss of this contact generating an electric arc between the permanent contact areas of the moving contact and the fixed contact, - as the moving contact continues to move, the permanent contact areas of the moving contact and the fixed contact continue to move apart, until the distance between the permanent contact areas of the moving contact and the fixed contact is greater than the distance between the spark-arresting areas of the moving contact and the fixed contact, generating a displacement of the electric arc from the permanent contact areas to the spark-arresting areas of the moving contact and the fixed contact.

[0019] Thanks to these arrangements, the electric arc is located for the most part in areas of the fixed and moving contacts which are not made to come into mechanical contact, which prevents areas degraded by the metallic arc from interfering with the movement of the moving contact. Brief description of the drawings

[0020] The present invention and its advantages will become more apparent from the following description of several embodiments given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a perspective view of an electrical disconnection device according to a first embodiment of the invention, in the triggered position,

[0022] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the device of [Fig.1], in position engaged,

[0023] [Fig. 3] [Fig. 3] is a perspective view of an electrical disconnection device according to a second embodiment of the invention, in the engaged position,

[0024] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the device of [Fig.3], in position triggered,

[0025] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] is a sequential front view of a triggering method of the device in [Fig.1],

[0026] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of the process of [Fig.5],

[0027] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a front view of an electrical disconnection device according to a third embodiment of the invention, currently being triggered.

[0028] [Fig. 8] [Fig. 8] is a perspective view of an electrical disconnection device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, in the triggered position,

[0029] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a perspective view of an electrical disconnection device according to a fifth embodiment of the invention, in the triggered position. Description of the implementation methods

[0030] In the illustrated embodiments, identical elements or parts bear the same reference numbers. Furthermore, the geometric positions indicated in the description and claims, such as "perpendicular," "parallel," and "symmetrical," are not limited to the strict sense defined in geometry, but extend to geometric positions that are close, that is, that allow a certain tolerance within the technical field considered, without affecting the result obtained. This tolerance is notably introduced by the adverb "substantially," without this term necessarily being repeated before each adjective.

[0031] The present invention relates to an electrical switching device 1 of the type switch, fusible switch, circuit breaker, or similar, not shown as such. The switching device 1 may include a control member 14 which may be manual and provided with a handle or automated and provided with an actuator, or a combination of both.

[0032] With reference to the figures, the switching device 1 comprises at least one fixed contact 2 and at least one moving contact 3. The moving contact 3 is movable between an engaged position, in which it is in contact with the fixed contact, and the circuit The electrical contact is closed, and there is a triggered position, in which it is not in contact with the fixed contact and the electrical circuit is open.

[0033] The fixed contact 2 is preferably connected to a connection terminal 15, illustrated by way of example in figures 1 to 4 and 9.

[0034] The movements of the moving contact 3 are preferably either rotational movements, about an axis of rotation R, as illustrated for example in Figures 1 to 7 and 9, or translational movements, about an axis of translation T, as illustrated for example in [Fig. 8]. In the following description, the direction of the movement of the moving contact 3 therefore designates either the axis of translation T of the moving contact 3, or an arc of a circle whose center lies on the axis of rotation R of the moving contact 3, the arc of a circle being inscribed in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation R of the moving contact 3. Furthermore, whether it is a rotational or translational movement, the transition from an engaged to an disengaged position occurs through a simple movement of the moving contact 3, that is to say, either a rotation about the same axis and in the same direction of rotation, or a translation about the same axis and in the same direction of translation.

[0035] As illustrated by way of example in Figures 7 and 9, the switching device 1 may comprise two fixed contacts 2 and two moving contacts 3. The electrical circuit is then closed when both pairs of fixed and moving contacts are in the closed position. The movements of the moving contacts 3 are preferably synchronized, so that the two pairs of moving and fixed contacts are always in the same positions and a single command is required to open the circuit.

[0036] As illustrated by way of example in Figures 3 and 4, the switching device 1 may include a fixed contact 2 cooperating with two movable contacts 3 arranged on either side of the fixed contact 2 in the closed position. The switching device 1 may also include two fixed contacts 2, each cooperating with two movable contacts 3. In other embodiments, the switching device 1 may include a movable contact 3 cooperating with two fixed contacts 2 arranged on either side of the movable contact 3 in the closed position. The switching device 1 may also include two movable contacts 3, each cooperating with two fixed contacts 2.

[0037] In the following description, unless otherwise stated, a pair consisting of a fixed contact 2 and a movable contact 3 will be described, and therefore only a fixed contact 2 and a movable contact 3 will be referred to. The following description can be generalized to a device 1 comprising two pairs of fixed contacts 2 and movable contacts 3, in which the two pairs are identical or not, or to a device 1 comprising at least one fixed contact 2 cooperating with two movable contacts 3, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0038] The fixed contact 2 and the moving contact 3 each have at least two distinct zones: a spark arrestor zone 4 and a permanent contact zone 5.

[0039] The permanent contact areas 5 of the fixed contact 2 and the moving contact 3 are arranged to ensure clean and optimal electrical contact between the fixed contact 2 and the moving contact 3, along a permanent contact plane, when the switching device 1 is in the engaged position. The permanent contact plane is preferably parallel to the movements of the moving contact 3.

[0040] The permanent contact areas 5 of the fixed contacts 2 and mobile contacts 3 preferably have flat faces, extending mainly along planes parallel to the movements of the mobile contact 3 and sliding one on the other when they come into contact, thus forming the permanent contact plane.

[0041] The spark arrestor zones 4 of the fixed contact 2 and the moving contact 3 are arranged to recover at least part of the electric arcs which form between the fixed contact 2 and the moving contact 3 at each passage of the device from the engaged position to the disengaged position.

[0042] The geometry of the fixed contact 2 and the moving contact 3 is configured so that when moving from an engaged position of the device 1 to an unengaged position, there is a transition period during which the spark-arresting areas 4 of the fixed contact 2 and the moving contact 3 are closer together than the permanent contact areas 5, the spark-arresting areas 4 of the fixed contact 2 and the moving contact 3 never coming into contact with each other.

[0043] Thus, upon triggering, the switching device 1 goes through the following stages, from the switching position, in which the permanent contact areas 5 of the fixed contacts 2 and moving contacts 3 are in contact with each other (see figures 5 and 6, stage A): - movement of the moving contact 3, until loss of contact between the permanent contact areas 5 of the moving contact 3 and the fixed contact 2. The loss of this contact then generates an electric arc 6 between the permanent contact areas 5 of the moving contact 3 and the fixed contact 2 (see figures 5 and 6, step B), - continuing the movement of the moving contact 3, the permanent contact areas 5 of the moving contact 3 and the fixed contact 2 continue to move apart, until the distance between the permanent contact areas 5 of the moving contact 3 and the fixed contact 2 is greater than the distance between the spark-arresting areas 4 of the moving contact 3 and the fixed contact 2. The electric arc 6 is then displaced from the permanent contact areas 5 towards the spark-arresting areas 4 of the moving contact 3 and the fixed contact 2 (see figures 5 and 6, steps C and D), - where applicable, following the movement of the moving contact 3, the fixed contacts 2 and moving contacts 3 continue to move apart (see figures 5 and 6, step E), until the electric arc 6 is extinguished when the current is zero.

[0044] In this way, the electric arc 6, whose presence is inevitable, is confined as much as possible to the spark arrestor zones 4 of the fixed contact 2 and moving contact 3. Since the spark arrestor zones 4 are not areas coming into contact during the movements of the moving contact 3, the degradation of the spark arrestor zones 4 due to the presence of the electric arc 6 will cause less difficulty when the fixed contacts 2 and moving contacts 3 are brought into contact, and in particular when these contacts are brought together by sliding.

[0045] As in the examples illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, 6, 8, and 9, the moving contact 3 and fixed contact 2 preferably each comprise at least one electrically conductive blade extending primarily along planes parallel to the permanent contact plane. In the context of the present invention, the term "blade" refers to a single-piece component, one dimension of which is substantially smaller than the other two dimensions. More specifically, the dimension of the blades of the moving contact 3 and fixed contact 2 in the direction perpendicular to the permanent contact plane is much smaller than the other two dimensions. For example, the dimension of the blades of the moving contact 3 and fixed contact 2 in the direction perpendicular to the permanent contact plane is less than 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm, while it is greater than 20 mm, preferably greater than 30 mm, in the other two dimensions.

[0046] The spark arrestor zones 4 and permanent contact zones 5 are preferably integrated into these blades.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the movable contacts 3 and fixed contacts 2 are each made of an electrically conductive blade.

[0048] In a particular embodiment, an example of which is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the device 1 comprises two movable contacts 3, configured to form a clamp for gripping a fixed contact 2 when the switching device 1 is in the engaged position. The fixed and movable contacts preferably comprise electrically conductive blades, and the two movable contacts 3 may be connected by return means to generate this clamping effect. Similarly, the device 1 may comprise two fixed contacts 2, configured to form a clamp for gripping a movable contact 3 when the switching device 1 is in the engaged position. In these embodiments, the contact gripped by the clamp may have two identical faces, each comprising a spark-arresting area 4 and a permanent contact area 5, and cooperating with a spark-arresting area 4 and a permanent contact area 5 on each side of the clamp.

[0049] The spark-arresting zones 4 of the fixed contact 2 and the moving contact 3 are preferably planar zones, lying in distinct parallel planes, preferably parallel to the permanent contact plane, although it is possible that the plane of one of them may coincide with the permanent contact plane. Thus, when the spark-arresting zones 4 of the fixed contact 2 and the moving contact 3 are opposite each other, i.e., when the projection of one onto the other along an axis perpendicular to them overlaps, their distance is fixed and easily configurable, and the position of the electric arc 6 during the switching movements is more reliably predictable. It is therefore easier to define a transition zone in which the electric arc 6 extends between the spark-arresting zones.

[0050] When the moving contact 3 and / or fixed contact 2 has an electrically conductive blade, the spark-arresting area of ​​the moving contact 3, respectively fixed contact 2, can correspond to the surface of a portion of this blade.

[0051] When they are opposite each other, i.e. when their spacing is minimal, the spacing between the spark arrestor zones 4 is preferably between 0.5 and 5 mm.

[0052] At least one of the fixed contacts 2 or movable contacts 3 has at least one leading edge comprising a chamfer 7. The chamfer 7 facilitates engagement with the other movable contact 2 or fixed contact 3 during the transition from the actuation position to the engagement position. In particular, to ensure reliable permanent contact of the permanent contact areas 5, it is necessary that at least one of the permanent contact areas 5 exert a certain pressure on the other. When the permanent contact areas 5 are not in contact, this pressure can generate a slight offset between the permanent contact areas 5, for example, along an axis perpendicular to the permanent contact plane. During engagement, if the leading edge, i.e., the point of initial contact, or actuation, between the fixed contacts 2 and movable contacts 3, forms a right angle, this offset can produce a stop effect.This stop effect can, if it is sufficiently weak, be overcome by forcing, but this at the cost of significant energy consumption compared to a solution using a chamfer 7. The fixed contact 2 or moving contact 3 can have two chamfers 7, if the moving contact 3 can abut the fixed contact 2 on two opposite sides, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 and 9. As illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 and 9, the chamfer(s) 7 can be located on either side of the fixed contact 2 or moving contact 3 if it is intended to be clamped by a clamp formed by a pair of moving contacts 3 or fixed contacts 2.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the movable contact 3 can be translationally movable along an axis perpendicular to the permanent contact plane. The device 1 then includes a return means tending to push the movable contact 3 along this axis, in a direction such that when the device is in the engaged position, the permanent contact area of ​​the moving contact exerts a certain pressure on the permanent contact area of ​​the fixed contact. This ensures reliable electrical contact in the engaged position. In this embodiment, to prevent this return means from pushing the spark-arresting area 4 of the moving contact 3 until it comes into contact with the spark-arresting area 4 of the fixed contact 2, the device 1 preferably includes a stop 14, configured to limit the travel of the moving contact 3 during this translation.

[0054] The permanent contact area 5 of one of the fixed contacts 2 or movable contacts 3 preferably has a boss 8. In the engaged position, the boss 8 extends in the direction and up to the permanent contact area 5 of the other movable contact 3 or fixed contact 2. The permanent contact area 5 of the other movable contact 3 or fixed contact 2 may then be flat, or also have a corresponding boss 8.

[0055] When the moving contact 3 and / or fixed contact 2 has an electrically conductive blade, the boss 8 can correspond to a boss formed by the surface of a portion of this blade.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, an example of which is illustrated in Figures 1 to 9, at least a part of the permanent contact area 5 of at least one of the movable contacts 3 or fixed contacts 2 is offset with respect to the spark-arresting contact area 4 of this same movable contact 3 or fixed contact 2, along an axis perpendicular to the permanent contact plane. This offset is configured so that in the engaged position, there is contact between the permanent contact areas 5 of the moving contact 3 and the fixed contact 2, while there is no contact, i.e. a non-zero gap, between the spark-arresting areas 4 of the moving contact 3 and the fixed contact 2. This offset is obtained, for example, by means of a slope 9, or a notch, located between the spark-arresting areas 4 and the permanent contact area 5. The slope 9 can be located on the moving contact, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 8, or on the fixed contact, as illustrated in [Fig. 9].

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, an example of which is illustrated in Figures 1 to 9, the spark arrestor zone 4 and the permanent contact zone 5 of at least one of said fixed contact 2 or moving contact 3 are offset from each other along the direction of movement of the moving contact 3. This offset is configured so that when the device transitions from one position to another, there is a time lag between the alignment of the spark arrestor zones 4 of the fixed contact 2 and the moving contact 3, and the alignment of the permanent contact zones 5 of the fixed contact 2 and the moving contact 3. "Alignment" here refers to the moment when the zones are facing each other along an axis perpendicular to the permanent contact plane. More precisely, when transitioning from an engaged position to an disengaged position, the permanent contact zones 5 are initially facing each other, and then the spark arrestor zones 4 are aligned.

[0058] The fixed contact 2 or moving contact 3, whose spark-arresting zone 4 and permanent contact zone 5 are offset from each other according to the direction of movement of the moving contact 3, can then comprise two spark-arresting zones 4, each offset in a possible direction of movement of the moving contact 3, symmetrically around the permanent contact zone 5, as illustrated in figures 1 to 7 and 9.

[0059] To achieve this offset, the spark arrestor area is located for example in an advance 10 of the fixed contact 2 or moving contact 6. Figures 1 to 8 illustrate an example in which the advance 10 is located on the fixed contact 2.

[0060] When the fixed contact 2 or movable contact 6 has an electrically conductive blade, the advance 10 is preferably achieved by an extension of this blade.

[0061] When the movement of the moving contact 3 is a rotational movement, as in the examples illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 and 9, the spark-arresting zones 4 are preferably located further from the axis of rotation R of the moving contact 3 than the permanent contact zones 5. Indeed, since the spark-arresting zones 4 are never in contact, it is at the permanent contact zones 5 that mechanical resistance to the movement of the moving contact 3 can occur, especially in the event of material degradation on the surface of these zones. It is therefore advantageous, in terms of energy consumption, to place the permanent contact zones 5 as close as possible to the axis of rotation R.

[0062] The breaking device 1 preferably comprises a breaking chamber 11. The breaking chamber 11 is arranged so as to be beyond the spark-arresting areas 4 of the fixed contacts 2 and moving contacts 3 with respect to the permanent contact areas 5. Thus, upon triggering, after the electric arc 6 has been moved to the level of the spark-arresting areas 4, it is directed towards the breaking chamber 11 so as to move away from the permanent contact areas 5.

[0063] The breaking chamber 11, which includes, for example, a plurality of breaking plates, is configured to maintain the arc in a position away from the permanent contact zone. Furthermore, it has the effect of breaking the electric arc 6, as illustrated in [Fig. 7], thereby increasing the voltage of the electric arc 6 and cooling its plasma.

[0064] The cutting chamber 11 therefore allows for more reliable management of the electric arc 6 and a reduction in material degradation due to the electric arc 6.

[0065] In the case where the spark-arresting zone 4 and the permanent contact zone 5 of the fixed contact 2 are offset from each other along the direction of movement of the moving contact 3, particularly when a projection 10 is provided for this purpose on the fixed contact 2, the fixed contact 2 may have, at the end of the spark-arresting zone 4 furthest from the permanent contact zone 5, or, where applicable, at the end of the projection 10, a horn 12. The horn 12, shown by way of example in [Fig. 7], extends in a direction transverse to the movement of the moving contact, for example, primarily in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the moving contact. The horn 12 is oriented so that its end opposite the spark-arresting zone 4 is, relative to the spark-arresting zone 4, further from the permanent contact zone 5, and therefore closer to the breaking chamber 11 than the spark-arresting zone 4. These arrangements allow the electric arc 6 from the spark-arresting zone 4, passing through the horn 12, to be directed towards the breaking chamber 11.

[0066] When the fixed contact 2 or mobile contact 6 has an electrically conductive blade, the horn 12 is preferably made by an extension of this blade.

[0067] At least part of the spark-arresting areas 4 of the fixed contact 2 and / or the moving contact 3 is preferably made of a conductive material, in order to allow the arc to move through it.

[0068] At least part of the spark-arresting areas 4 of the fixed contact 2 and / or the moving contact 3 may be made of a refractory metal, for example, iron, nickel, or tungsten. When the fixed contact 2 or moving contact 6 has an electrically conductive blade, the refractory metal may partially cover said blade. The refractory metal has the advantage of degrading less rapidly under the effect of the electric arc 6. However, it is not advisable to use a refractory metal on one of the permanent contact areas 5, because it generally has high resistivity, which impairs current transmission when the circuit is closed.

[0069] As illustrated in figures 1 to 4 and 7 to 9, the switching device 1 can be arranged in a housing 13.

[0070] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described but extends to any modification and variant obvious to a person skilled in the art, within the limits of the appended claims. Furthermore, the technical features of the various embodiments and variants mentioned above may be combined, in whole or in part.

Claims

Demands

1. An electrical circuit switching device (1) comprising at least one fixed contact (2) and at least one moving contact (3), said at least one moving contact (3) being movable between at least one engaged position in which said at least one moving contact (3) is in contact with said at least one fixed contact (2) and the electrical circuit is closed, and an un-engaged position in which said at least one moving contact (3) is not in contact with said at least one fixed contact (2) and the electrical circuit is open, characterized in that said at least one moving contact (3) and said at least one fixed contact (2) each comprise at least two distinct zones, a first spark arrestor zone (4) arranged to recover at least a portion of the electric arcs (6) that form during the passage of said device (1) from the engaged position to the un-engaged position, and a second permanent contact zone (5),arranged to ensure clean and optimal electrical contact in the engaged position according to a permanent contact plane, and in that the geometry of said at least one fixed contact (2) and / or said at least one moving contact (3) is configured such that:, - during the transition of the device from the engaged position to the disengaged position, there is a transition period during which the distance between the spark-arresting zones (4) of said at least one moving contact and said at least one fixed contact is less than the distance between the permanent contact zones (5) of said at least one moving contact and said at least one fixed contact, and - when the device is in the engaged position, disengaged position, and when it moves from the engaged position to the disengaged position, there is permanently a non-zero distance between the spark arrestor areas (4) of said at least one fixed contact (2) and said at least one moving contact (3).

2. Electrical disconnection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the spark-arresting areas (4) of said at least one fixed contact (2) and of said at least one moving contact (3) are planar areas, contained in distinct planes parallel to the permanent contact plane.

3. Electrical disconnection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that it comprises at least two movable (3) or fixed (2) contacts, forming a clamp intended to grip a fixed (2) or movable (3) contact, when the electrical disconnection device (1) is in the engaged position.

4. Electrical disconnection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one of the fixed (2) or movable (3) contacts has a leading edge comprising a chamfer (7), configured to facilitate docking with the other of the movable (3) or fixed (2) contacts when passing from the triggered position to the engaged position.

5. Electrical disconnection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the permanent contact area (5) of one of the movable (3) or fixed (2) contacts has a boss (8) extending towards the permanent contact area (5) of the other fixed (2) or movable (3) contacts in the engaged position.

6. Electrical disconnection device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said permanent contact area (5) of the other of the fixed (2) or movable (3) contacts is flat.

7. Electrical disconnection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least a part of the permanent contact area (5) and the spark arrestor area (4) of at least one of the moving (3) or fixed (2) contacts are offset along an axis perpendicular to the permanent contact plane, so that in the engaged position there is contact between the permanent contact areas (5) of the moving (3) and fixed (2) contacts, and a gap between the spark arrestor areas (4) of the moving (3) and fixed (2) contacts.

8. Electrical switching device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the movement of the moving contact (3) is a rotational movement, and for the fixed contact (2) and the moving contact (3), the spark arrestor areas (4) are further away from the axis of rotation (R) of the moving contact (3) than the permanent contact areas (5).

9. An electrical disconnection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the spark-arresting area (4) and the permanent contact area (5) of at least one of said fixed (2) or movable (3) contacts are offset from each other along the direction of movement of the movable contact (3), so that when passing from one position of the device to device, there is a time lag between the alignment of the spark arrestor zones (4) of the fixed contact (2) and the moving contact (3), and the alignment of the permanent contact zones (5) of the fixed contact (2) and the moving contact (3).

10. Electrical disconnection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises at least one disconnection chamber (11), the spark arrestor areas (4) of the fixed contact (2) and the moving contact (3) being closer to the disconnection chamber (11) than the permanent contact areas (5) of the fixed contact (2) and the moving contact (3), the disconnection chamber (11) being configured to split the electric arc (6) generated during a change of position of the electrical disconnection device (1).

11. Electrical switching device (1) according to claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the spark-arresting area (4) and the permanent contact area (5) of the fixed contact (2) are offset from each other in the direction of the movement of the moving contact (3), the fixed contact (2) further comprising a horn (12) extending from the end of the spark-arresting area (4) away from the permanent contact area (5), in a direction transverse to the movement of the moving contact (3), in the direction of the switching chamber (11), the horn (12) being configured to direct the electric arc (6) generated during a change of position of the switching device towards the switching chamber (11).

12. Electrical switching device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that at least a part of the spark-arresting areas (4) of the fixed contact (2) and / or the moving contact (3) is made of a refractory metal.

13. An electrical disconnection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the moving contact (3) is movable in translation along an axis perpendicular to the permanent contact plane, said device comprising a return means configured to generate pressure from the permanent contact area (5) of the moving contact (3) on the permanent contact area (5) of the fixed contact (2) when the device (1) is in the engaged position, and at least one stop to limit the stroke of the moving contact (3) in order to avoid contact between the spark arrestor areas (4) of the fixed contact (2) and the moving contact (3) when the device (1) moves from the engaged position to the disengaged position.

14. A method for transitioning an electrical disconnecting device (1) from an engaged position to an unengaged position according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising the following steps: - movement of the moving contact (3), until loss of contact between the permanent contact areas (5) of the moving contact (3) and the fixed contact (2), the loss of this contact generating an electric arc (6) between the permanent contact areas (5) of the moving contact (3) and the fixed contact (2), - as the movement of the moving contact (3) continues, the permanent contact areas (5) of the moving contact (3) and the fixed contact (2) continue to move apart, until the distance between the permanent contact areas (5) of the moving contact (3) and the fixed contact (2) is greater than the distance between the spark-arresting areas (4) of the moving contact (3) and the fixed contact (2), generating a displacement of the electric arc (6) from the permanent contact areas (5) to the spark-arresting areas (4) of the moving contact (3) and the fixed contact (2).

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