Electronic cut-off protective devices

Abstract

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

Description

Title of the invention: Electronic cut-off protection device

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to an electronically controlled protective device comprising at least:

[0010] - a current line between a first connection terminal and a second connection terminal,

[0011] - an electronic switching unit comprising at least one electronic component of power cut-off device located on said power line,

[0012] - a control unit coupled to said configured electronic cutoff unit to control the opening of said at least one electronic switching component,

[0013] - a galvanic isolation mechanism comprising at least one set of separable contacts comprising a fixed contact and a moving contact arranged on the current line in series with said at least one electronic switching component, and being separated from each other in an open position and being in contact with each other in a closed position,

[0014] - a movable control element connected to the movable contact by a lock and being configured to switch at least one set of separable contacts from the closed position to the open position when operated respectively from the interrupted position to the on position or vice versa,

[0015] - a sensor for detecting the position of the control element connected electrically connected to the control unit, an electronically operated protective device characterized in that:

[0016] - the control element comprises at least one magnet,

[0017] - the sensor is a Hall effect detection sensor configured to detect a field magnetic field from the magnet and transmit a detection signal to the control unit, and

[0018] - the control unit is configured to control the opening of said at least one electronic cut-off component before opening at least one set of separable contacts provided that a variation of magnetic field over time representative of the switching of the control member from the on position to the interrupted position following its actuation, is detected from the detection signal.

[0019] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to several preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

[0020] [Fig.1A] [Fig.1A] represents a partial perspective view of an electronically controlled protective device according to the invention,

[0021] [Fig.1B] [Fig.1B] represents a partial side view of the electronically cut-off protective equipment illustrated in [Fig.1A],

[0022] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a cross-sectional view of a detail of the apparatus of electronic cut-off protection illustrated in [Fig.1A],

[0023] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a partial perspective view of the apparatus electronic cut-off protection illustrated in [Fig.1A],

[0024] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents a perspective view of a subset of the electronically controlled protective device illustrated in [Fig. 1A] comprising a movable control element connected to two movable contacts by a lock,

[0025] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] represents a perspective and exploded view of the subset of the [Fig.4],

[0026] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] represents a perspective and exploded view of the subset of the [Fig.4],

[0027] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] represents a partial side view of the apparatus protection according to the invention with a magnet in a first position,

[0028] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] represents a partial side view of the apparatus protection according to the invention with a magnet in an intermediate position,

[0029] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] represents a partial side view of the apparatus protection according to the invention with a magnet in a second position,

[0030] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] shows a partial side view of the protective device according to the invention with a magnet in a first position,

[0031] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] represents a partial side view of the apparatus protection according to the invention with a magnet in an intermediate position,

[0032] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] shows a partial side view of the protective device according to the invention with a magnet in a second position,

[0033] [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] represents a curve of the sensor detection signal as a function of the angular position of the control member when the magnet is in the first position,

[0034] [Fig. 14] [Fig. 14] represents a curve of the sensor detection signal as a function of the angular position of the control member when the magnet is in the intermediate position,

[0035] [Fig. 15] Figure 15 represents a curve of the sensor detection signal as a function of the angular position of the control member when the magnet is in the second position, and

[0036] [Fig. 16] [Fig. 16] represents a curve of the position of the control element as a function of time, a curve of the sensor detection signal as a function of time, a curve of the switching state of at least one electronic switching component as a function of time, a curve of the position of at least one set of separable contacts as a function of time.

[0037] The invention relates to an electronically controlled protective device comprising at least:

[0038] - a current line between a first connection terminal 1 and a second connection terminal 2,

[0039] - an electronic switching unit 3 comprising at least one component electronic power cut-off unit 4 disposed on said current line,

[0040] - a control unit 5 coupled to said electronic cut-off unit 3 configured to control the opening of said at least one electronic switching component 4,

[0041] - a galvanic isolation mechanism 6 comprising at least one set of separable contacts 7 comprising a fixed contact 8 and a moving contact 9 arranged on the current line in series with said at least one electronic switching component 4, and being separated from each other in an open position PO and being in contact with each other in a closed position PC,

[0042] - a movable control element 10 connected to the movable contact 9 by a lock 11 and being configured to switch at least one set of separable contacts 7 from the closed position PC to the open position PO when operated respectively from the interrupted position POFF to the on position PON or vice versa,

[0043] - a sensor 12 for detecting the position of the control element 10 connected electrically to the control unit 5.

[0044] In accordance with the invention, the electronically controlled protection device is characterized in that:

[0045] The control member 10 comprises at least one magnet 13,

[0046] The sensor 12 is a Hall effect detection sensor configured to detect a magnetic field from the magnet 13 and transmit a detection signal to the control unit 5, and

[0047] The control unit 5 is configured to control the opening of said at least one electronic switching component 4 before the opening of at least one set of separable contacts 7 provided that a variation in magnetic field over time representative of the switching of the control member 10 from the on position PON to the interrupted position POFF following its actuation, is detected from the detection signal.

[0048] Advantageously, the invention allows the use of a magnet 13 mounted on the control member 10 and a Hall effect sensor 12 to detect the variation in magnetic field when the control member 10 begins to open the set of separable contacts 7. Indeed, the sensor 12 will transmit the detection signal over time, preferably corresponding to a voltage signal over time, and it is possible to obtain from this detection signal over time a variation in the detection signal that is representative of the variation in magnetic field detected by the sensor 12. This variation in the detection signal can be determined and analyzed by the control unit 5. The latter will trigger the opening of said at least one electronic switching component 4 before the opening of the set of separable contacts 7 if this variation in the detection signal, which is representative of the variation in magnetic field, is detected.Therefore, even if the control element 10 is actuated very rapidly, i.e., in less than 1 millisecond, the detection is confirmed, and the opening of at least one electronic switching component 4 will always occur before the set of separable contacts 7, thus preventing an electric arc. Furthermore, according to the preferred variant, analyzing the variation of the detection signal over time, for example by calculating the derivative of the signal with respect to time, which is representative of the variation in the magnetic field, makes it possible to limit the impact of electromagnetic disturbances originating from outside or inside the electronic switching protection device. Indeed, verifying the shape of the signal against an expected shape makes it possible to filter out noise or electromagnetic disturbances, most of which will not have this shape.Analyzing the signal over time is more efficient than setting a trigger threshold and does not require calibration. Alternatively, the existence of a magnetic field variation can be inferred by comparing the signal. detection is triggered at a threshold value. This alternative variant, however, requires a calibration operation. In this case, the opening of at least one electronic switching component 4 will occur after this threshold value has been detected. Several other advantages emerge from this solution. The solution does not require additional friction parts in the control unit 10, implementation costs are low, the addition of a magnet 13 has no impact on the overall size, calibration, if necessary, can be performed on the product assembly line, the solution is applicable regardless of the type and intensity of the AC or DC current. Finally, the solution is highly insensitive to climatic effects, humidity, heat, and dust.

[0049] Preferably, in the closed position PC of the separable contact assembly 7, the magnet 13 is in a first position PI and in the open position PO of the separable contact assembly 7, the magnet 13 is in a second position P2, the magnet 13 being closer to the sensor 12 in the first position PI than in the second position P2.

[0050] Advantageously, in this configuration, if the set of separable contacts 7 moves from the closed position PC to the open position PO, then the magnet 13 moves from the first position PI to the second position P2. Alternatively, and according to a variant of the invention not shown, the magnet 13 could be closer to the sensor 12 in the second position P2 than in the first position PI.

[0051] Preferably, the control member 10 comprises a body 14, preferably cylindrical, comprising a rotation axis 15 and being extended by an actuable lever 16, and the body 14 comprises a housing 17 in which the magnet 13 is inserted.

[0052] In this advantageous configuration, the magnet 13 is mounted on the body 14, which limits the impact of electromagnetic interference originating from outside or inside the electronically disconnected protective device and limits the induction of electromagnetic interference within the electronically disconnected protective device. The mounting direction of the magnet 13 in its housing 17 is irrelevant. The end 18 of the magnet can be a positive or negative pole. However, the mounting direction does affect the direction of the curve S of the sensor 12's detection signal, which can be increasing or decreasing; the variation over time is always detected, whether positive or negative.

[0053] Preferably, a free end 18 of the magnet 13 is disposed at a distance and opposite the sensor 12.

[0054] Advantageously, this avoids saturation of the Hall effect detection sensor 12, while ensuring sufficient proximity between the Hall effect detection sensor 12 and the magnet 13 allowing optimal detection.

[0055] Preferably, the lock 11 comprises a casing 19 on which the body 14 is pivotally mounted and which comprises a through opening 20, preferably curvilinear 20 or a groove, preferably curvilinear, in which the free end 18 of the magnet 13 is mounted to slide between the first position PI and the second position P2.

[0056] Advantageously, thanks to this configuration the shape of the envelope 19 is adapted so that it is not positioned between the Hall effect detection sensor 12 and the magnet 13.

[0057] Preferably and without limitation, the magnet 13 preferably has a cylindrical shape and includes an axis of revolution 21 parallel to the axis of rotation 15 of the control member 10.

[0058] Preferably, the detection signal is a voltage function of time.

[0059] Preferably, the electronic cut-off protection equipment includes at least one electronic card 22 on which the sensor 12 is electrically connected.

[0060] Preferably, the control unit 5 and the sensor 12 are electrically connected to a power supply.

[0061] Preferably, said at least one power cutoff electronic component 4 comprises at least one power transistor and preferably at least one MOSFET and / or one JFET and / or one IGBT.

[0062] Preferably, the sensor 12 can be configured to detect a reference detection signal during a calibration operation, with the magnet 13 in the first position PI.

[0063] Advantageously, in this case it is possible to deduce the existence of a variation in the magnetic field by comparing the detection signal to a trigger threshold value after performing the calibration operation.

[0064] The electronically controlled protective device preferably comprises a housing 23. The housing 23 preferably has a generally parallelepiped shape with a first main face (not shown) and a second main face (not shown), and lateral faces, respectively rear 24, upper 25, lower 26, and front 27, extending from one of the first and second main faces to the other, and with a width, i.e., the distance between the first and second main faces, equal to an integer multiple of a predetermined distance, called the module, generally about 18 millimeters. Thanks to this advantageous arrangement, the housing 23 has a modular form factor, resulting in a modular electronically controlled protective device.

[0065] Preferably, the housing 23 contains at least the first connection terminal 1, the second connection terminal 2, the electronic cut-off unit 3, the control unit 5, the galvanic isolation mechanism 6, the lock 11, the sensor 12, and the magnet 13.

[0066] The modular electronic switching protection equipment can be a static modular circuit breaker of the type SCCB (Semi Conductor Circuit Breaker) or a static modular residual current circuit breaker SC-RCBO (Semi Conductor Residual current Circuit Breaker with Overload).

[0067] The electronically interrupting protection equipment may include a phase P power line, or several phase P power lines, and optionally also a neutral power line.

[0068] The electronically switching protection equipment can be a circuit breaker and / or perform a differential protection function, but also other functionalities for example current and voltage measurement, protection against electrical arc faults in the installation.

[0069] The first connection terminal 1 may be a screw cage terminal or a spring-type or similar self-locking terminal and / or a combination of a self-locking cage and screw type. The first connection terminal 1 is preferably located inside the housing 23 near the upper side face 25.

[0070] The second connection terminal 2 may be a screw cage terminal or a spring-type or similar self-locking terminal and / or a combination of a self-locking cage and screw type. The second connection terminal 2 is preferably located inside the housing 23 near the lower side face 26.

[0071] Preferably, if the electronically disconnecting protective equipment includes two current lines, it includes two first connection terminals 1 and two second connection terminals 2.

[0072] The control unit 5 is electrically connected to the electronic switching unit 3. The control unit 5 and the electronic switching unit 3 are preferably arranged inside the housing 23. For example, the control unit 5 may include at least one microcontroller 28 and optionally at least one power driver.

[0073] The control unit 5 and the electronic switching unit 3 can respectively comprise one or more electronic boards 22, 29.

[0074] The control unit 5 and the electronic switching unit 3 could alternatively comprise a single electronic board including said microcontroller 28 and said power driver and said at least one electronic power switching component 4.

[0075] The electronic switching unit 3 and the control unit 5 may not be grouped on the same electronic board, but on at least two separate electronic boards electrically connected to each other, namely a first electronic board 29 and the second electronic board 22.

[0076] The electronic switching unit 3 comprises the first electronic card 29 on which is mounted and preferably integrated said at least one electronic power switching component 4. According to a non-limiting example, the first electronic card 29 is preferably arranged perpendicular to the first and second main faces of the housing 23 and preferably at least partly opposite the rear face 24.

[0077] The control unit 5 preferably includes the second electronic board 22 on which the microcontroller 28 and the sensor 12 are preferably mounted. The second electronic board 22 is preferably arranged parallel to the first and second main faces of the housing 23 and extends lengthwise in a space located between the first and second connection terminals 1, 2, and is preferably arranged at least partly opposite one of the main faces.

[0078] Preferably, if the electronically disconnected protective device comprises two current lines, the galvanic isolation mechanism 6 comprises two sets of separable contacts 7. Each set of separable contacts 7 comprises a fixed contact 8 and a moving contact 9 arranged on the current line in series with the two electronic disconnecting components 4, and can be separated from each other in an open position PO and can be in contact with each other in a closed position PC. In this case, preferably the moving control member 10 is connected to the two moving contacts 9 by the lock 11.

[0079] The control member 10 preferably comprises the body 14 which includes a first part 14a and a second part 14b and the movable lever 16.

[0080] Preferably, the operable lever 16 is projecting from the front face 27 of the housing 23 of the electronically cut-off protective device.

[0081] Preferably, the first part 14a of the body 14 can protrude from the front face 27 depending on the position of the control member 10 and the second part 14b of the body 14 on which the magnet 13 is located is always inside the housing 23.

[0082] The control member 10 can describe a rotational movement, as illustrated in the figures. Alternatively, in an example not shown, the control member 10 can describe a translational movement.

[0083] The control element 10 can be switched to a limit position PLIM in which the separable contact sets 7 are still in the closed position PC. If the detection of the magnetic field variation is done by comparing the detection signal with the trigger threshold value, then, It corresponds to the value of the detection signal when the control unit 10 is in the PLIM position. Calibration is then performed when the control unit 10 is in the PON (on) position.

[0084] Preferably, the microcontroller 28 and the sensor 12 are mounted and electrically connected on opposite first and second faces 30, 31 of the second electronic board 22. However, according to another possibility, the microcontroller 28 and the sensor 12 are mounted and electrically connected on the first / second face 30, 31 of the second electronic board 22, i.e. on the same side.

[0085] Preferably, the first face 30 of the second electronic card 22 carries the sensor 12 which is on the side of the through opening 20. The sensor 12 is thus inside the housing 23 and is placed on the side of the front face 27 and more particularly in the immediate vicinity of the second part of the body 14 of the control member 10. This arrangement limits the impact of electromagnetic disturbances coming from outside or inside the electronic cut-off protection equipment.

[0086] Preferably and without limitation, the second face 31 of the second electronic card 22 carries the microcontroller 28.

[0087] Figures IA to 12 illustrate a preferred but not limiting example of the electronically disconnecting protective device according to the invention. The electronically disconnecting protective device has a width of two modules with a phase current line and a neutral current line.

[0088] In this example, the electronically interrupting protection device comprises two current lines. Each current line is between a first connection terminal 1 and a second connection terminal 2. The electronic interrupting unit 3 comprises two pairs of power interrupting electronic components 4 in the form of power transistors. The two pairs of interrupting electronic components 4 are associated with a current line. The control unit 5 comprises a microcontroller 28 which is electrically connected to the electronic interrupting unit 3. The control unit 5 is configured to control the opening of the two pairs of power interrupting electronic components 4, and also to control the switching of the galvanic isolation mechanism 6.In this example, the electronic switching unit 3 comprises the first electronic board 29 on which the two pairs of power switching electronic components 4 are mounted, and the control unit 5 comprises the second electronic board 22 on which the microcontroller 28 is mounted. The first electronic board 29 and the second electronic board 22 are orthogonal. The first electronic board 29 is substantially parallel to the rear face 24 of the housing 23, while the second electronic board 22 is perpendicular to it. The first electronic board 29 and the second electronic board 22 are electrically connected to each other. The galvanic isolation mechanism 6 comprises two sets of separable contacts 7. Each set of separable contacts 7 includes a fixed contact 8 and a moving contact 9 arranged in series on the current line with the two electronic switching components 4, and can be separated from each other in an open position PO and can be in contact with each other in a closed position PC. The first connection terminals 1, the second connection terminals 2, the electronic switching unit 3, the control unit 5, the galvanic isolation mechanism 6, and the lock 11 are contained within the housing 23.

[0089] In this example illustrated in Figures IA to 12 and more particularly in Figures 4 to 6, the movable control member 10 is connected to the two movable contacts 9 by the lock 11 and allows the two sets of separable contacts 7 to be switched from the closed position PC to the open position PO when it is moved respectively from the interrupted position POFF to the on position PON or vice versa. The control member 10 comprises the cylindrical body 14, which includes the axis of rotation 15 and is extended by the actuated lever 16. The control member 10 can thus pivot about the axis of rotation 15 between the interrupted position POFF and the on position PON and assume different angular positions. The control member 10 further comprises a magnet 13, which is mounted on the body 14, which comprises the first part 14a and the second part 14b.In particular, the magnet 13 is mounted on the second part of the body 14. A housing 17 is provided in the second part 14b of the body 14 into which the magnet 13 is inserted. The magnet 13 has a cylindrical shape with its axis of revolution 21 parallel to the axis of rotation 15 of the control member 10. The lock 11 on which the body 14 is pivotally mounted is surrounded by the casing 19 which includes a curvilinear through opening 20 in which the free end 18 of the magnet 13 is mounted to slide between the first position PI and the second position P2.

[0090] As Figures IA, 1B, and 3 show in particular, the operable lever 16 protrudes from the front face 27 of the housing 23 of the electronically controlled protective device. The first part 14a of the body 14 may protrude from the front face 27 depending on the position of the control member 10, and the second part 14b of the body 14, on which the magnet 13 is located, is always inside the housing 23.

[0091] In this illustrated example, the Hall effect sensor 12 for detecting the position of the control element 10 is electrically connected to the control unit 5. More specifically, the microcontroller 28 and the sensor 12 are mounted on the second electronic board 22. The microcontroller 28 and the sensor 12 are mounted on the first and second opposite faces 30, 31 of the second electronic board 22. The The first face 30 of the second electronic board 22, which carries the sensor 12, faces the curved through-hole 20. The sensor 12 is thus inside the housing 23 and is positioned on the front face 27, and more specifically in the immediate vicinity of the second part 14b of the body 14 of the control unit 10. The Hall effect sensor 12 detects the magnetic field from the magnet 13 and transmits the evolution of the detection signal over time to the control unit 5, and more specifically to the microcontroller 28, so that it can detect any change in the magnetic field. The free end 18 of the magnet 13 is positioned at a distance from and opposite the sensor 12.The control unit 5 is also configured to control the opening of said at least one electronic switching component 4 before the opening of the separable contact sets 7 provided that the variation of the magnetic field over time representative of the switching of the control member 10 from the on position PON to the interrupted position POFF following its actuation, is detected from the detection signal.

[0092] Figures 7 to 9 and 10 to 12 illustrate more particularly chronologically the passage of the control member 10 from the lit position PON to the interrupted position POFF following its actuation.

[0093] Figures 7 and 10 show that if the control member 10 is in the on position PON the separable contact sets 7 are in the closed position PC and the magnet 13 is in the first position PL The electronic switching components 4 which are not visible are in the closed switching state.

[0094] Figures 8 and 11 show that if the control member 10 is tilted and is in a limit position PLIM in which the separable contact sets 7 are still in the closed position PC, the magnet 13 is in the intermediate position PL. The electronic switching components 4, which are not visible, switch into the open switching state.

[0095] Figures 9 and 12 show that if the control member 10 is in the interrupted position POFF, the separable contact sets 7 are in the open position PO and the magnet 13 is in the second position P2. The magnet 13 is closer to the sensor 12 in the first position PI than in the second position P2. The electronic switching components 4, which are not visible, are always in the open switching state.

[0096] Figures 13 to 15 show the evolution of the curve S of the detection signal of the sensor 12 as a function of the angular position # of the control member 10. It can be observed that this curve is increasing. This curve could also be decreasing if the mounting direction of the magnet 13 in its housing 17 is reversed.

[0097] Fig. 10 and Fig. 13 illustrate the case where the magnet 13 is in the first position PI and therefore the control member 10 is in the on position PON and the curve S of the detection signal of the sensor 12 as a function of the angular position # of the control member 10. In this non-limiting example, when the magnet 13 is in the first position PI, the angular position is #ON or 0 degrees and the detection signal is SV1.

[0098] Fig. 11 and Fig. 14 illustrate the case where the magnet 13 is in the intermediate position PI and therefore the control member 10 is in the PLIM position and the curve of the detection signal of the sensor 12 as a function of the angular position # of the control member 10. In this non-limiting example, when the magnet 13 is in the intermediate position PI, the angular position is #LIM or 32 degrees and the detection signal is SVI.

[0099] Fig. 13 and Fig. 15 illustrate the case where the magnet 13 is in the second position P2 and therefore the control member 10 is in the interrupted position POFF and the curve of the detection signal of the sensor 12 as a function of the angular position # of the control member 10. In this non-limiting example, when the magnet 13 is in the second position P2, the angular position is #OFF or 90 degrees and the detection signal is SV2.

[0100] Figures 13 to 15 show that the detection signal curve of sensor 12 increases rapidly between the angular position #ON and the angular position #LIM. This is explained by the displacement of magnet 13 and therefore a variation in the magnetic field detected by sensor 12. Subsequently, the detection signal curve of sensor 12 tends to plateau. Indeed, the further magnet 13 is from sensor 12, the higher the value of the detection signal S of sensor 12, which tends towards a ceiling equal to SV2.

[0101] The [Fig. 16] represents from top to bottom a curve of the position of the control member P10 as a function of time t, a curve of the detection signal of the sensor 12 as a function of time t, a curve of the switching state E of at least one electronic switching component 4 as a function of time t, a curve of the position of at least one set of separable contacts P7 as a function of time t for an electronic switching protection device according to the invention.

[0102] Figure 16 illustrates that before the control element 10 moves from the on position PON to the off position POFF, the control element 10 is in the on position PON, the S curve of the detection signal from sensor 12 is constant and at its maximum because the magnet 13 is in the first position PI and therefore closer to sensor 12, the electronic switching components 4 are in the closed switching state El, and the separable contact sets 7 are in the closed position PC. No variation in the magnetic field is detected by sensor 12.

[0103] Figure 16 illustrates that during the transition of the control element 10 from the switched-on position PON to the switched-off position POFF following its actuation, passing through the intermediate position PLIM, the curve S of the detection signal from sensor 12 decreases between point A, corresponding to time tA, equivalent to the beginning of the movement of the control element 10, and point D, corresponding to time tD, equivalent to the end of the movement of the control element 10, because the magnet 13 moves away from the sensor 12. Indeed, at point A, the curve S is equal to SV1 and then decreases to the value SV2 at point D. It should be noted that in the example of Figure 16, the curve S of the detection signal from sensor 12 decreases compared to the curves in Figures 13 to 15 because the mounting direction of the magnet 13 is not the same and has been reversed.The detection of this magnetic field variation by the control unit 5 then causes the switching of the electronic switching components 4 from the closed switching state E1 to the open switching state E2 at point B corresponding to time tB; this switching is controlled by the control unit 5. Then, the movement of the control element 10 causes the separable contact sets 7 to move from the closed position PC at point C corresponding to time tC to the open position PO at point D corresponding to time tD. As a result, the opening of the electronic switching components 4 occurs before the opening of the separable contact sets 7, thus preventing the occurrence of an electric arc.

[0104] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. Demands Electronically controlled protective equipment comprising at least: a power line between a first connection terminal (1) and a second connection terminal (2), an electronic switching unit (3) comprising at least one electronic power switching component (4) disposed on said current line, a control unit (5) coupled to said electronic switching unit (3) configured to control the opening of said at least one electronic switching component (4), a galvanic isolation mechanism (6) comprising at least one set of separable contacts (7) comprising a fixed contact (8) and a moving contact (9) arranged on the current line in series with said at least one electronic switching component (4), and being separated from each other in an open position (PO) and being in contact with each other in a closed position (PC), a movable control member (10) connected to the moving contact (9) by a lock (11) and being configured to switch the at least one set of separable contacts (7) from the closed position (PC) to the open position (PO) when it is operated respectively from the interrupted position (POFF) to the on position (PON) or vice versa, a sensor (12) for detecting the position of the control element (10) electrically connected to the control unit (5), electronically controlled protective device characterized in that: the control element (10) comprises at least one magnet (13), the sensor (12) is a Hall effect sensing sensor configured to detect a magnetic field from the magnet (13) and transmit a sensing signal to the control unit (5), and - the control unit (5) is configured to control the opening of said at least one electronic switching component (4) before the opening of at least one set of separable contacts (7) provided that a variation in magnetic field over time representative of the switching of the control member (10) from the on position (PON) to the interrupted position (POFF) following its actuation, is detected from the detection signal.

2. Electronic cut-off protective device according to claim 1, characterized in that in the closed position (PC) of the separable contact assembly (7), the magnet (13) is in a first position PI and in that in the open position (PO) of the separable contact assembly (7), the magnet (13) is in a second position (P2), the magnet (13) being closer to the sensor (12) in the first position (PI) than in the second position (P2).

3. Electronically cut-off protective apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the control member (10) comprises a body (14) preferably cylindrical comprising an axis of rotation (15) and being extended by an actuable lever (16) and in that the body (14) comprises a housing (17) in which the magnet (13) is inserted.

4. Electronically cut-off protective apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a free end (18) of the magnet (13) is disposed at a distance and opposite the sensor (12).

5. Electronic cut-off protective apparatus according to claims 2, 3 and 4, characterized in that the lock (11) comprises a housing (19) on which the body (14) is pivotally mounted and which comprises a through opening (20) preferably curvilinear or a groove preferably curvilinear in which the free end (18) of the magnet (13) is mounted to slide between the first position (PI) and the second position (P2).

6. Electronically cut-off protective device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the magnet (13) preferably has a cylindrical shape and comprises a axis of revolution (21) parallel to the axis of rotation (15) of the control member (10).

7. Electronically cut-off protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the detection signal is a voltage function of time.

8. Electronically cut-off protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises at least one electronic card (22) to which the sensor (12) is electrically connected.

9. Electronically cut-off protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the control unit (5) and the sensor (12) are electrically connected to a power source.

10. Electronically cut-off protection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said at least one electronic power cut-off component (4) comprises at least one power transistor and preferably at least one MOSFET and / or JFET and / or IGBT.

11. Electronically cut-off protective apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the sensor (12) is configured to detect a reference detection signal during a calibration operation, the magnet (13) being in the first position (PI).

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