Chassis arrangement for a draw-out type electrical switching device and assembly including such an arrangement - Patents.com

Abstract

The present invention relates to a chassis device for a draw-out type electrical switching device, said device comprising a chassis (C) capable of receiving a draw-out type electrical switching device (D), a transmission mechanism (1), a removable operating member (2) for actuating said transmission mechanism, a main locking mechanism (4) comprising a second movable locking member (4b) manually movable between a first position for blocking a first locking member (4a) in a closed position preventing insertion of the operating member (2) and a second position for releasing said locking member, and an insertion system comprising an additional locking mechanism (5). The second locking member can cooperate with the additional locking mechanism, and when the first locking member is in an open position allowing insertion of the operating member, said second locking member can be manually moved to a third position by actuating the additional locking mechanism (5) to place said locking mechanism in an unlocked state, due to said cooperation.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electrical switching devices, more particularly to draw-out type electrical switching devices such as draw-out type circuit breakers, as well as chassis arrangements for draw-out type electrical switching devices, and assemblies comprising said chassis arrangements and such switching devices. [Background technology]

[0002] A draw-out type electrical switching device of the draw-out type circuit breaker type (hereinafter referred to as the switching device) is designed and constructed so that it is inserted into the internal space of a fixed chassis when it is functionally, i.e. mechanically and electrically connected, and is removed from said fixed chassis after it is mechanically and electrically isolated. Summary of the Invention

[0003] For this purpose, the fixed chassis has a box or frame shape including a rear part with main connection terminals for electrical connection to the power distribution network and secondary connection terminals for electrical connection to a low-voltage power supply. The front part of the fixed chassis includes an entrance opening for inserting the switching device into the fixed chassis by a sliding movement. The switching device has a main connector for connection to the main connection terminals and a secondary connector for connection to the secondary connection terminals when said switching device is functionally inserted into the chassis.

[0004] In order to slide the switching device into the chassis, the aforementioned chassis comprises a side wall provided with slides on its inner surface for supporting and guiding the switching device using sliding or rolling means such as rollers in translation between an extraction position outside the chassis and an insertion position within the chassis.

[0005] The chassis further comprises a plug-in system including a transmission mechanism comprising a primary or driving shaft, a secondary or driven shaft and a transmission connecting said shafts, such that rotation of the driving shaft causes rotation of the driven shaft via said transmission. The driven shaft is located at the rear of the chassis and extends perpendicular to the side wall on which the driving shaft and the slide are provided. The transmission comprises, firstly, a gear (pinion) axially connected to the driven shaft, and, secondly, a worm screw that is integral with the driving shaft or fixed to the driving shaft and thereby meshes with the gear, such that rotation of the drive shaft drives rotation of the worm screw and the gear, which in turn rotates the driven shaft, which is rigidly connected to the gear.

[0006] The plug-in system also includes a removable crank-type operating member for operating the transmission mechanism, for which purpose a crank is inserted into an operating opening in the front of the chassis along with the drive shaft, and when the crank is operatively inserted into said operating opening, said crank is operatively connected to the drive shaft such that rotation of the crank causes rotation of the drive shaft to operate the transmission mechanism.

[0007] The driven shaft is connected to a switching device inserted in the chassis via a connecting means such as a cam so as to convert the rotational movement of the driven shaft into a translational movement of the switching device within and relative to said chassis along an axis of translation perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the driven shaft and parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft, the translational movement being made possible by the presence of a slide in the side wall of the chassis.

[0008] When the crank which operates the transmission mechanism is rotated, the switching device operatively inserted in the chassis is moved within the chassis between three positions or states, namely a connected or plugged-in position or state in which the draw-out type circuit breaker is connected to the main and secondary connecting terminals of the chassis, an isolated position or state called an isolated or pulled-out position or state in which the draw-out type circuit breaker is not connected to either the main or secondary connecting terminals and can therefore be removed from the chassis, and an intermediate position or state called a test position or state in which the state of the switching device can be tested or inspected and the switching device is connected only to the secondary connecting terminals, i.e. the switching device is not connected to the main connecting terminals.

[0009] The plug-in system further comprises a main locking mechanism comprising a first locking member in the form of a plate extending along a vertical axis, which can be moved vertically, i.e. perpendicular to the drive shaft and to the driven shaft when said shafts are in a horizontal plane. The first locking member is mounted at the front of the chassis and can be moved to a lower position, called the closed position, which closes the operating opening and prevents a crank from being inserted into said operating opening when it is held blocked in said closed position, and to a higher position, called the open position, which allows the insertion of said crank. The first locking member is automatically returned to the closed position by a spring and, after being released from the closed position, is brought to the open position by the cooperation of said crank with a ramp-like or cam-like element or surface incorporated in the lower part of the first locking member, if a crank is inserted into the operating opening.

[0010] The main locking mechanism comprises firstly a second generally key-shaped locking member, with a head enabling an operator to grasp said locking member, and a rod extending essentially perpendicular to the first locking member into the chassis, capable of cooperating with the first locking member. The cooperation of the rod of the first locking member with the plate of the first locking member is achieved by cooperation between the walls of a notch or orifice formed in said first and second locking members. The head is provided with an eyelet designed to receive the ring of a conventional padlock. The rod can also cooperate with a slide provided in the chassis to allow the second locking member to move horizontally with a movement parallel to the drive shaft.

[0011] The second locking member can therefore, by means of said cooperation, be moved to a first position blocking the first locking member in the closed position, and to a second position releasing said locking member from the closed position so that the first locking member can be moved to the open position. In the open position of the first locking member, which corresponds to the second position of the second locking member, said cooperation prevents the second locking member from moving to the first position. The first position of the second locking member also allows the padlock to be inserted into the eyelet, due to the extracted position of the head including the eyelet. The first position of the second locking member with the padlock therefore prevents the actuation of the drive shaft by the crank, since the crank cannot be inserted into the operating opening closed by the first locking member blocked in the closed position, and prevents the first locking member blocked by the padlock from moving to the second position, thereby securing the chassis.

[0012] Finally, to enhance the safety of the chassis, the plug-in system also comprises an additional locking mechanism which prevents kinematic movements of the transmission mechanism in a locked state and allows said movements in an unlocked state, said additional locking mechanism generally comprising a locking button arranged below an operating opening which can be manually pressed into a depressed position in the chassis, which, via a connection and drive mechanism, places the additional locking mechanism in an unlocked state.

[0013] One such assembly comprising such a chassis device and a switching device is described and shown, for example, in document FR2773648.

[0014] However, in such a chassis device, the additional locking mechanism may be activated and therefore unlocked when the first key-shaped locking member is in the first position, i.e. the padlock lock position, or even when it is in the second position, which does not provide optimal security. Furthermore, the additional locking mechanism operated by a lock button provided in addition to the first and second locking members increases the cost of the system and complicates the operation of the additional locking mechanism.

[0015] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by providing a chassis device for a draw-out type electrical switching device, which simplifies the operation of the additional locking mechanism and reduces costs while ensuring optimal safety.

[0016] For this purpose, a chassis arrangement for a draw-out type electrical switching device comprises a chassis designed to receive a draw-out type electrical switching device and a plug-in system mounted on the chassis, the plug-in system comprising a mechanical transmission mechanism functionally connected to such a switching device inserted in said chassis and designed to be operated in several transmission positions, each corresponding to a functional position of the switching device, a removable operating member for operating the transmission mechanism when functionally inserted in an operating opening of the chassis, a first locking member movable between a closed position preventing the insertion of the operating member into the operating opening and an open position allowing said insertion, and a first position blocking the first locking member in the closed position and a second position blocking said locking member in the closed position. and an additional locking mechanism movable to each transmission position, the additional locking mechanism being firstly movable to a locked state preventing kinematic movement of the transmission mechanism when the first locking member is in one of the first and second positions, and secondly movable to an unlocked state allowing said movement, the second locking member being capable of cooperating with the additional locking mechanism, and being manually movable to a third position when the first locking member is in the open position which, by said cooperation, activates the additional locking mechanism to place said locking mechanism in an unlocked state.

[0017] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a chassis arrangement and a draw-out type electrical switching device, said chassis arrangement comprising a chassis for receiving said draw-out type electrical switching device and a plug-in system mounted on the chassis, characterised in that the chassis arrangement is a chassis arrangement according to the invention.

[0018] The invention can be better understood from the following description of preferred embodiments given as non-limiting examples and illustrated with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a chassis arrangement according to the present invention, in a configuration in which the second locking member is in a second position, i.e. pushed in, and the first locking member is in an open position by an operating member operatively inserted in the operating opening, and in which the transmission mechanism is successively movable to three transmission positions corresponding respectively to a disconnected position, a test position or a connected position of a draw-out type electrical switching device operatively inserted in the chassis, said transmission mechanism being shown in a transmission position corresponding to the test position, its kinematic movement being blocked by an additional locking mechanism in a locked state. [Diagram 2] 2 is a plan view of the chassis arrangement shown in FIG. 1 in a configuration in which there is no operating member inserted in the operating opening, the first locking member is in a closed position by the action of a spring, the transmission mechanism is in a transmission position corresponding to the disengaged position, and its kinematic movement is blocked by the additional locking mechanism in a locked state. [Diagram 3] 3 is a detailed perspective view of the first and second locking members of the chassis device shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3 shows the chassis arrangement of FIG. 2 with the second locking member moved to the first position, in an unlocked state, and no longer in contact with the linkage assembly; [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of the chassis device shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 3 shows the chassis arrangement of FIG. 2 with the operating member inserted into the operating opening and the first locking member moved to an open position as a result of the insertion of the locking member; [Figure 7] 7 is a detailed view of the chassis arrangement of FIG. 6 showing cooperation between a rod of the second operating member and the first operating member preventing the second operating member from moving to the first position. [Figure 8] 7 is a plan view of the chassis arrangement of FIG. 6 in a configuration in which the second locking member has been manually moved / pushed into a third position to place the additional locking mechanism in an unlocked state. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a detailed view of the chassis device shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 8 in a configuration in which the additional locking mechanism is in an unlocked state and the transmission mechanism has been actuated by an operating member and is between the transmission position shown in FIG. 8 corresponding to the disconnected position and the next transmission position shown in FIG. 1 corresponding to the test position. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a detailed view of the chassis device shown in FIG. 10. [Figure 12] 11 shows the chassis arrangement of FIG. 10 in a transmission position corresponding to a test position and in a locked state of the additional locking mechanism at the same time that the second locking member has been automatically moved from the third position to the second position by the actuation of the coupling assembly by the return means. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a chassis device according to the present invention without an operating member; [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an assembly according to the invention, comprising the chassis arrangement shown in FIG. 10 and a pull-out type electrical switching device designed to be functionally inserted into the interior space of the chassis of said chassis arrangement. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a plug-in system of the chassis device; [Figure 16] 16 shows the plug-in system of FIG. 15 from a different angle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The figure shows a chassis arrangement according to the invention for a draw-out type electrical switching device, said chassis arrangement comprising a chassis C designed to receive a draw-out type electrical switching device D (hereinafter referred to as switching device D) and a plug-in system mounted on the chassis C.

[0021] The plug-in system is a mechanical transmission mechanism 1 functionally connected to such a switching device D after insertion into said chassis C and designed to move between several transmission positions, each of which corresponds to a functional position of the switching device D inserted into the chassis C; a removable operating member 2, which, when functionally inserted into an operating opening 3 of the chassis C, enables the transmission mechanism 1 to be actuated; a main locking mechanism 4 comprising, firstly, a first locking member 4a which can be moved between a position called closed position, preventing the insertion of the operating member 2 into the operating opening 3, and a position called open position, allowing said insertion, and, secondly, a second movable locking member 4b which can be manually moved between a first position blocking the first locking member 4a in the closed position, and a second position releasing said locking member; - in each transmission position, an additional locking mechanism 5 which can be put, firstly, in a locked state preventing kinematic movements of the transmission mechanism 1 when the first locking member 4a is in either the first or second position, and secondly, in an unlocked state allowing said movements; Equipped with.

[0022] According to the invention, the second locking member 4b can cooperate with an additional locking mechanism 5 and, when the first locking member 4a is in the open position, can be manually moved to a third position which, by said cooperation, activates the additional locking mechanism 5 to place said locking mechanism in an unlocked state.

[0023] The transmission mechanism 1 may be connected to the switching device D using known connection means, which are not shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0024] 13 and 14 show, in a known manner, that the fixed chassis C may have a box or frame shape including a rear part with main connection terminals (not shown) for electrical connection to the power distribution network and secondary connection terminals 6 for electrical connection to a low-voltage power supply. The front part of the fixed chassis is provided with an entrance opening C2 for inserting a switching device D into a receiving space C3 of the fixed chassis. The switching device D, for example a draw-out type circuit breaker, has a main connector for connection to the main connection terminals and a secondary connector for connection to the secondary connection terminals when said switching device D is functionally inserted into the chassis C.

[0025] Thus, in a known manner, by rotating the operating member 2, for example a crank, and actuating the transmission mechanism 1, the switching device D, which is functionally inserted in the chassis C, can be moved therein between several functional positions, preferably three functional positions, namely in particular a connected or plugged-in position, in which the switching device D is connected to the main connecting terminals and to the secondary connecting terminals 6, a pulled-out or disconnected position, in which the switching device D is not connected to either the main connecting terminals or the secondary connecting terminals and can therefore be removed from the chassis C, as well as a test or intermediate position, which allows testing or inspection of the state of the switching device D and in which said switching device D is only connected to the secondary connecting terminals, i.e. in which the switching device D is not connected to the main connecting terminals.

[0026] In order to insert the switching device D into the chassis C, the aforementioned chassis may, like known chassis, be provided with a side wall C10 extending vertically and provided with slides 7 on its inner surface for supporting and guiding the draw-out type electrical switching device D by means of sliding or rolling means such as rollers in its translational movement between an extraction position outside the chassis and an insertion position within the chassis C.

[0027] According to the invention, the additional locking mechanism 5 is - a movable block assembly 5a, 5b, 5c designed to be put into a blocked state preventing kinematic movements of the transmission mechanism 1 by putting the additional locking mechanism 5 into a locked state, and to be put into a released state allowing said kinematic movements by putting the additional locking mechanism 5 into an unlocked state; - a coupling assembly 5d, 5e designed to cooperate with the second locking member 4b and coupled to the aforementioned block assemblies 5a, 5b, 5c; -Return means 5f and

[0033] Said coupling assemblies 5d, 5e can be actuated firstly by the second locking member 4b to put said block assemblies 5a, 5b, 5c into a released state when moving to the third position, and secondly by the return means 5f to put said block assemblies 5a, 5b, 5c into a blocked state.

[0028] The blocking state of the blocking assemblies 5a, 5b, 5c is achieved automatically in each transmission position, as known from existing devices, and the transmission position can be changed by manual release.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting assemblies 5d, 5e cooperate with the second locking member 4b such that after actuation of the connecting assemblies 5d, 5e which place the blocking assemblies 5a, 5b, 5c in a blocking state, the second locking member 4b is automatically moved from the third position to the second position by the return means 5f.

[0030] In a known embodiment, the transmission mechanism 1 may comprise a drive shaft 1a extending along the axis of the operating opening 3, designed to be connected to an operating member 2 when said operating member is functionally inserted into the operating opening 3, a driven shaft 1b having an axis of rotation X1 perpendicular to the axis of rotation X2 of the drive shaft 1a, allowing a functional connection to a draw-out type electrical switching device D, and a transmission 1c connecting the drive shaft 1a to the driven shaft 1b such that the rotation of the drive shaft 1a, when actuated by the operating member 2, causes a rotation of the driven shaft 1b.

[0031] Also, in a known manner, the driven shaft 1b can be connected to the switching device D using connection means such as a cam 8 so as to convert the rotational movement of the driven shaft 1b, when inserted into the chassis of the switching device, into a translational movement of the switching device D in and relative to said chassis along an axis of translation perpendicular to the axis of rotation X1 of the driven shaft 1b and parallel to the axis of rotation X2 of the drive shaft 1a. The translational movement is made possible by the presence of a slide 7 in the chassis C.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the transmission mechanism 1 according to the present invention, the block assemblies 5a, 5b, 5c may be configured to prevent rotation of the driven shaft 1b and / or rotation of the drive shaft 1a when in a blocked state and to allow such rotation when in a released state.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment of the block assemblies 5a, 5b, 5c, the block assemblies are at least one first block part 5a bound to rotate with the driven shaft 1b and provided with a number of recesses 50a, 51a, 52a, each of which is indexed to one of the transmission positions, and / or a second block part 5b bound to rotate with the drive shaft 1b and provided with a number of recesses 50b, each of which is indexed to one of the transmission positions; at least one blocking lever 5c cooperating with the first blocking part 5a or with one of the first blocking parts 5a and the second blocking part 5b and provided with a first blocking element 50c and / or a second blocking element 51c; may include.

[0034] The or each first blocking element 50c and / or the or each second blocking element 51c may be, for example, a lug, a tooth, or a hook.

[0035] The or each blocking lever 5c may be connected to the aforementioned linkage assemblies 5d, 5e so as to be driven by the actuation of the linkage assemblies 5d, 5e, in a first transfer position for blocking the block assemblies 5a, 5b, 5c, the first block element 50c is inserted into one of the recesses 50a, 51a, 52a of the first block part 5a or of one of the first block parts 5a and / or the second block element 51c is inserted into one of the recesses 50b, 51b, 52b of the second block part 5b; In the second movement position, which places the block assemblies 5a, 5b, 5c in a released state, the first block element 50c is withdrawn from the corresponding recess 50a, 51a, 52a and / or the second block element 51c is withdrawn from the corresponding recess 50b, 51b, 52b.

[0036] In a known manner, the transmission 1c may comprise a worm screw 10c rigidly connected to the drive shaft 1a, and a pinion 11c or other similar member such as a gear 11c rigidly connected to the driven shaft 1b. Furthermore, the block assembly 5a, 5b, 5c may comprise a pair of block levers 5c extending on either side of the pinion 11c, and a pair of first block parts 5a extending on either side of the transmission 1c, so that one of the block levers 5c cooperates with one of the first block parts 5a and the other lever 5c cooperates with the other first block part 5a.

[0037] Preferably, the or each blocking lever 5c is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis X3 parallel to the rotation axis X1 of the driven shaft 1b and is located between the drive shaft 1a and the second locking member 4b. Furthermore, the or each blocking lever 5c may include two blocking ends located on either side of said pivot axis X3, one of said blocking ends including a first blocking element 50c and the other including a second blocking element 51c.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the first block part 5a may be disk-shaped or cylindrical with its axis coinciding with the axis of rotation X1 of the driven shaft 1b and the second block part 5b may be disk-shaped or cylindrical with its axis coinciding with the axis of rotation X2 of the drive shaft 1a. Furthermore, the or each recess 50a, 51a, 52a of the first block part 5a may be formed in its circumferential surface and the or each recess 50a, 51a, 52a of the second block part 5b may be formed in a surface of the second block part 5b perpendicular to the axis of rotation X2 of the drive shaft 1a.

[0039] 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 show that in a preferred embodiment of a coupling assembly 5d, 5e according to the invention, said coupling assembly may comprise a star-shaped rotating part 5d having a rotating central body 50d mounted for rotation about a rotation axis X4, preferably parallel to the rotation axis X1 of the driven shaft 1b, and a transmission element 5e. The rotating central body 50d has at least two connecting arms 51d, 52d, 53d extending radially from said rotating central body 50d, in particular a first connecting arm 51d is connected to the block assembly 5a, 5b, 5c by means of a transmission element 5e, and a second connecting arm 52d is designed to cooperate by contacting with the second locking member 4b, so that a movement of said locking member 4b to the third position can rotate the rotating central body 50d in a first direction R1 and drive the block assembly 5a, 5b, 5c to the release position. Furthermore, the return means 5f may be capable of rotating the star-shaped rotating part 5d in a second rotational direction R2 opposite to the aforementioned first rotational direction R1 so as to automatically drive the blocking assemblies 5a, 5b, 5c into the blocking position.

[0040] The first locking member 4a may be movable in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axes X1, X2 of the drive and driven shafts 1a, 1b, and the second locking member 4b may be movable in a direction parallel to the rotation axis X2 of the drive shaft 1a.

[0041] The chassis C may comprise a mounting wall C1 perpendicular to the driven shaft 5b, on which the transmission mechanism 1 is mounted. This mounting wall may form one side, preferably the inner side, of the side wall of the chassis C that comprises the slide 7. The transmission mechanism 1 is more particularly mounted on the outer surface of said mounting wall C10, opposite the inner side of the mounting wall C10 that comprises the slide.

[0042] Furthermore, the second locking member 4b is preferably slidably mounted in a sliding slot C10 formed in the aforementioned mounting wall C1 and extending parallel to the drive shaft 5a, thereby allowing it to move to a first, second and third position relative to the fixed chassis C. Thus, compared to existing chassis providing sliding slots for only the first and second positions, the sliding slot C10 of the chassis C according to the present invention is designed to allow the second locking member 4b to slide to the third position.

[0043] The return means 5f may be or may comprise, for example, a tension or compression spring, as shown in figures 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11 and 12. In this case, as shown in the figures, the rotation centre 50d according to the invention may have a third arm 53d connected to said return means 5f comprising a tension or compression spring fixed to the chassis C and, where appropriate, to the mounting wall C1. In another embodiment, not shown in the accompanying drawings, the return means 5f may consist of a torsion spring connected to the rotation centre 50d and directly stressing said rotation centre. In this last embodiment, in which the return means 5f comprises a torsion spring, the rotation centre 50d does not need such a third arm 53d. In another embodiment (not shown), the return means 5f may be gravity, but this requires that the mounting wall C1 of the chassis C is vertically oriented.

[0044] The second locking member 4b may be key-shaped having a head 40b provided with an eyelet 400b and a rod 41b which can cooperate with the first locking member 4a and the additional locking mechanism 5, where applicable the linking assemblies 5d, 5e and, where applicable, the second linking arm 52d as defined in claim 9.

[0045] The eyelet 400b enables the second locking member 4b to be locked in the first position (FIGS. 4 and 5) to prevent translational movement from the first position to the second position, for example using a conventional padlock (not shown) placed through the eyelet 400b.

[0046] When the padlock is removed, the second locking member 4b can move to the second position. However, in this second position (FIGS. 2 and 3), the second locking member 4b is blocked by the first locking member 4a when in the closed position, which prevents the second locking member 4b from moving to a third position that allows the unlocking of the additional locking mechanism 5. The translation of the second locking member 4b can be prevented by the first locking member 4a using a stop 410b on its rod 41b that catches on the first locking member 4a. In the open position of the first locking member 4a (FIGS. 1, 6, and 7), the first locking member 4b can move to the second and third positions. Indeed, as shown in Figures 1, 6 and 7, in the open position of the first locking member 4a, the through hole 40a made in said first locking member 4a is positioned opposite the stop 410 such that said stop can pass through said through hole 40a, allowing the second locking member 4b to translate to the third position.

[0047] The first locking member 4a can be provided with an operating member 2 inserted in an operating opening 3 of the chassis C and can be moved from the closed position to the open position by means of a ramp or cam 41a which cooperates with the operating member 2 such that a movement of the operating member 2 on insertion into the chassis C moves the first locking member 4a towards the open position (Figs. 1, 6, 8, 7, 10, 9, 12). The first locking member 4a can be returned to the closed position by means of a spring 42a, for example a tension spring, when the operating member 2, which blocks it in the open position, is withdrawn from the operating opening 3 (Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5). This principle is known in the prior art and will not be described in more detail.

[0048] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a chassis arrangement and a draw-out type electrical switching device D, said chassis arrangement comprising a chassis C for receiving said draw-out type electrical switching device D, and a plug-in system mounted on said chassis C.

[0049] According to the invention, in such an assembly, the chassis arrangement comprises a chassis arrangement according to the invention as described above.

[0050] During operation, an operator who wishes to change the position of the transmission mechanism, for example from a transmission position corresponding to a disconnected position, to a next position corresponding to a test position, performs the following steps, starting from the configuration of the chassis device in which, after removal of the padlock and before the insertion of the operating member 2 into the operating opening 3, the second locking member 4b is in the first position (Figures 4 and 5) and in the disconnected position the blocking element(s) 50c and / or 51c of the blocking lever(s) 5c are inserted into the recesses 50a and / or 51a, respectively (Figures 2, 4 and 6): - first (FIG. 2), an operator who wishes to insert the operating member 1 into the operating opening 3 to activate the transmission mechanism 1 and change the transmission position first manually moves the second operating member 4b to a second position allowing the first locking member 4a to move from a closed position closing the operating opening 3 to an open position, the movement of the second locking member 4b to a third position being prevented by a stop 410b of the second locking member 4b which catches on the first locking member 4a in the closed position, subsequently (FIGS. 6 and 7), the operator inserts the operating member 2 into the operating opening 3, which moves the first operating member 4a towards the open position via the ramp 41a, clearing the way for the stop 410b of the second locking member 4b, allowing said member to move to a third position and allowing the operating member 2 to be inserted into the operating opening 3 along the drive shaft 1a so as to allow a functional connection with said drive shaft 1a, subsequently (FIGS. 8 and 9), the operator manually moves the second locking member 4b into a third position, which, by cooperation by pressing the contact between the rod 41b of the second locking member 4b and the connecting arm 52d of the star rotating part 5d of the connecting assembly 5d, 5e, rotates said star rotating part 5d in a first rotational direction R1, more particularly in a counterclockwise direction, and pivots the blocking lever(s) 1c, more particularly the pair of blocking levers 1c, in a pivot direction via the connecting rod 5e of said connecting assembly 5d, 5e, and withdraws the blocking elements 50c and 51c of said blocking lever(s) 1c from the respective recesses 50a, 50b, thereby putting the additional locking mechanism 5 into an unlocked state and allowing a kinematic movement of the transmission mechanism 1, - subsequently, in this unlocked state of the additional locking mechanism 5, the operator can operate the operating member 2 to drive the transmission mechanism 1, allowing its kinematic movement to the next transmission position corresponding to the test position (figures 1 and 12). During this transition from one position to the other (figure 10), the or each blocking element 51c comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the disk-shaped blocking part 5a, moving the blocking lever(s) 5c to the blocking position under the influence of return means 5f which move the star-shaped rotating part 5d in the reverse direction R2. When the or each blocking element 51c reaches the recess 51a of the blocking part 5a corresponding to the test position and enters said recess 51a, the blocking position is reached and the rotation of the star-shaped rotating part 5d in said reverse direction R2 also automatically moves the second locking member 4b to the second position, the operator can then either move the second locking member 4b to the first position in order to change the transmission position back to the previous transmission position corresponding to the disconnected position or to the next transmission position corresponding to the connected position, or leave said locking member waiting in the second position, or move said locking member again to the third position to unlock the additional locking mechanism 5.

[0051] in particular, - FIG. 2 shows that the first locking member 4a has been moved to the closed position by the tension spring 42a, that the second locking member 4b has been moved to an initial position corresponding to the second position, that the star-shaped rotating part 5d is in contact with the free end of the rod 41b of the second locking member 4b via its second connecting arm 52d, and that the block assemblies 5a, 5b, 5c are in a blocking state preventing a kinematic movement of the transmission mechanism 1 and locking the additional locking mechanism 5 by inserting the two blocking elements of each block lever 5c into the corresponding recesses 50a, 50b of the respective block parts 5a, 5b, said recesses 50a, 50b being indexed with respect to a transmission position corresponding to the disengaged position, FIG. 3 shows that the stop 410b of the second locking member 4b, with said locking member in the second position, catches on the first locking member 4a in the closed position (vertically oriented, low position), which prevents the second locking member from moving to the third position; - figures 4 and 5 show that the second locking member 4b is moved backwards into the first position and is used in the first position to block the first locking member 4a in the closed position, thereby preventing the operating member 2 from being inserted into the operating opening 3; - Figures 6 and 7 show that the operating member 2 is inserted into the operating opening 3 by pushing the first locking member 4a towards the open position (high position in vertical orientation) using the ramp 41a cooperating with the first locking member 4a, the open position of the first locking member 4a clearing the way for the second locking member 4b to move to the third position to allow the additional locking mechanism 5 to be unlocked, the open position of the first locking member 4a also preventing the movement (or exit) of the second locking member 4b to the first position by means of a surface 411b provided on the rod 41b of the second locking member 4b in contact with a wall 43a (Figure 7) provided on the first locking member 4a.

[0052] Such a chassis device according to the present invention therefore makes it possible to lock the second locking member 4b in a first position, for example using a conventional padlock, to prevent the operating member 2 from being inserted into the operating opening 3, regardless of the transmission position of the transmission mechanism, for example in any of the transmission positions corresponding to the disconnected position, the test position and the connected position, or to insert the operating member 2 and unlock the transmission mechanism 1 using the second locking member 4b.

[0053] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, in order to ensure access to the main connection terminals (not shown in the accompanying drawings) on the rear face of the chassis C, when the switching device is not plugged or inserted into the chassis C, the rear of the chassis C may be provided with a window 9 facing the main connection terminals, and a shutter 10 movable in a known manner between a closed position enabling said window to be closed to prevent access to the main connection terminals, and an open position of said window providing access to said main connection terminals.

[0054] 13 and 14 show that in one particular embodiment commonly used in this type of chassis device, the main connection terminals are mounted at the rear with two rows of multi-layer main connection terminals, an upper row and a lower row. In this case, upper shutters 10 are provided for the windows 9 of the upper row of main connection terminals and lower shutters 10 are provided for the windows of the lower row of main connection terminals. The shutters 10 are movable within the wall shutter support 9a in which the windows 9 are formed.

[0055] In a known manner, these chassis devices fitted with such safety shutters 10 may further comprise a system for controlling said shutters, comprising a movable push-button control part 11, usually T-shaped and guided in a translational movement between a rear-pushed position and a withdrawn position in the receiving space C3 of the chassis C (Figures 13 and 14). The movement of the control part 11 from the withdrawn position to the pushed-in position is achieved by pressing the switching device D against said control part when the switching device slides from a test position towards the rear into the receiving space C3 of the chassis C to bring said switching device into a connected position. The control part 11 can move automatically from the pushed-in position to the withdrawn position by means of return means when sliding the circuit breaker into a test or disconnected position, i.e. withdrawing said circuit breaker from the receiving space of the chassis. The control system may comprise a cam (not shown) connecting the control part 11 to the shutter 10 and driven by the movement of said control part 11. The locking system makes it possible to lock the shutter by blocking said control part 11 in the extracted position using a padlock (not shown) engaged in an opening 11a made in the control part 11, thereby preventing it from being pushed in.

[0056] Each shutter 10 generally comprises two perforated panels that can slide in opposite directions and that are aligned one behind the other to allow an opening in one of the panels to be covered by the non-perforated portion of the other panel when the shutter is in the closed position and to be located opposite the opening in the other panel when the shutter is in the open position, said opening forming an access window to the main connection terminals. In another known embodiment, each shutter 10 comprises a perforated panel that can slide behind a fixed perforated panel, said panels being aligned one behind the other to allow an opening in one of the panels to be covered by the non-perforated portion of the other panel when the shutter is in the closed position and to be located opposite the opening in the other panel when the shutter is in the open position, said opening forming an access window to the main connection terminals.

[0057] In the prior art, in addition to the second locking member 4b, the system also requires a button for unlocking the additional locking mechanism. Furthermore, with the chassis device according to the invention, the additional locking mechanism 5 cannot be unlocked if the second locking member 4b is in the first or second position, in contrast to existing systems which always allow actuation of the button regardless of the position of the second locking member 4b.

[0058] Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings: modifications can be made to the invention, in particular with regard to the configuration of different elements, i.e. by the substitution of technical equivalents, without thereby going outside the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. A chassis arrangement for a draw-out type electrical switching device, said chassis arrangement comprising a chassis (C) designed to receive a draw-out type electrical switching device (D) and a plug-in system mounted on said chassis (C), said plug-in system comprising a mechanical transmission mechanism (1) functionally connected to such a switching device (D) inserted in said chassis (C) and designed to be operated in several transmission positions each corresponding to a functional position of said switching device (D), a removable operating member (2) for operating said mechanical transmission mechanism (1) when functionally inserted in an operating opening (3) of said chassis (C), a first locking member (4a) movable between a closed position preventing the insertion of said operating member (2) into said operating opening (3) and an open position allowing said insertion, and a first position blocking said first locking member (4a) in the closed position and a second position blocking said first locking member (4a) in the closed position. a main locking mechanism (4) comprising a second locking member (4b) manually movable between a first position and a second position for releasing said locking member; and an additional locking mechanism (5) movable to each transmission position, the additional locking mechanism (5) being movable, first, to a locked state preventing kinematic movement of said mechanical transmission mechanism (1) when said first locking member (4a) is in one of said first and second positions, and second, to an unlocked state allowing said movement, characterized in that said second locking member (4b) is capable of cooperating with said additional locking mechanism (5) and, when said first locking member (4a) is in an open position, is manually movable to a third position for actuating said additional locking mechanism (5) to put said locking mechanism into an unlocked state by said cooperation.

2. 2. The chassis arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the additional locking mechanism (5) comprises a movable block assembly (5a, 5b, 5c) designed to be put into a blocked state preventing a kinematic movement of the mechanical transmission mechanism (1) by putting the additional locking mechanism (5) into a locked state and to be put into a released state allowing the kinematic movement by putting the additional locking mechanism (5) into an unlocked state, a coupling assembly (5d, 5e) capable of cooperating with the second locking member (4b) and connected to the movable block assembly (5a, 5b, 5c), and a return means (5f), characterized in that the coupling assembly (5d, 5e) is firstly actuated by the second locking member (4b) to put the movable block assembly (5a, 5b, 5c) into an unlocked state when moving to the third position, and secondly actuated by the return means (5f) to put the movable block assembly (5a, 5b, 5c) into a blocked state.

3. 3. The chassis arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the coupling assembly (5d, 5e) cooperates with the second locking member (4b) in such a way that, after an actuation of the coupling assembly (5d, 5e) which places the movable blocking assembly (5a, 5b, 5c) in a blocking state, the second locking member (4b) is automatically moved from the third position to the second position by the return means (5f).

4. 4. The chassis arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the mechanical transmission mechanism (1) comprises a drive shaft (1a) extending along the axis of the operating opening (3) designed to be connected to the operating member (2) when the operating member is functionally inserted into the operating opening (3), a driven shaft (1b) having a rotation axis (X1) perpendicular to the rotation axis (X2) of the drive shaft (1a) allowing a functional connection to a draw-out type electric switching device (D), and a transmission (1c) connecting the drive shaft (1a) to the driven shaft (1b) such that a rotation of the drive shaft (1a) causes a rotation of the driven shaft (1b) when actuated by the operating member (2), the movable block assembly (5a, 5b, 5c) being designed to prevent a rotation of the driven shaft (1b) and / or a rotation of the drive shaft (1a) when in a blocked state and to allow said rotation when in a released state.

5. The coupling assembly (5d, 5e) comprises a star-shaped rotating part (5d) having a central body of rotation (50d) mounted for rotation around a rotation axis (X4) parallel to the rotation axis (X1) of the driven shaft (1b), and a transmission element (5e), ​​the central body of rotation (50d) having at least two coupling arms (51d, 52d, 53d) extending radially from the central body of rotation (50d), in particular a first coupling arm (51d) being connected to the movable block assembly (5a, 5b, 5c) by the transmission element (5e) and a second coupling arm (52d) being connected to the movable block assembly (5a, 5b, 5c) by the transmission element (5e).

5. The chassis device according to claim 4, characterized in that it is designed to cooperate by coming into contact with the second locking member (4b), so that a movement of the locking member (4b) to the third position can actuate a rotation of the rotation centre (50d) in a first direction (R1) to drive the mobile block assembly (5a, 5b, 5c) to a release position and the return means (5f) can rotate the star-shaped rotating part (5d) in a second rotation direction (R2) opposite to the first rotation direction (R1), so as to automatically drive the mobile block assembly (5a, 5b, 5c) to a blocking position.

6. 6. The chassis device according to claim 5, characterized in that the return means (5f) comprises a tension spring or a compression spring, and the rotating center body (50d) has a third arm (53d) connected to the return means (5f) fixed to the chassis (C), or the return means (5f) comprises a torsion spring connected to the rotating center body (50d) and directly driving the rotating center body, or the return means (5f) is constituted by gravity.

7. The chassis device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the first locking member (4a) is movable in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axes (X1, X2) of the drive shaft (1a) and the driven shaft (1b), and the second locking member (4b) is movable in a direction parallel to the rotation axis (X2) of the drive shaft (1a).

8. 8. The chassis device according to claim 7, wherein the chassis (C) comprises a mounting wall (C1) perpendicular to the driven shaft (1b), and the second locking member (4b) is slidably mounted in a sliding slot (C10) formed in the mounting wall (C1) and extending parallel to the drive shaft (1a), thereby moving to the first, second and third positions relative to the chassis (C).

9. A chassis device according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the second locking member (4b) comprises a head (40b) which is key-shaped and provided with an eyelet (400b) and a rod (41b) which can cooperate with a coupling assembly (5d, 5e) of the first locking member (4a) and the additional locking mechanism (5).

10. The connecting assembly (5d, 5e) comprises a star-shaped rotating part (5d) having a rotation center body (50d) mounted so as to rotate around a rotation axis (X4), and a transmission element (5e), ​​the rotation center body (50d) having at least two connecting arms (51d, 52d, 53d) extending radially from the rotation center body (50d), specifically, a first connecting arm (51d) is connected to the movable block assembly (5a, 5b, 5c) by the transmission element (5e), ​​and a second connecting arm (52d) is connected to the second locking member (4b).

4. The chassis device according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking member (4b) is designed to cooperate by contacting with the star-shaped rotating part (5d) so that a movement of the locking member (4b) to the third position activates a rotation of the rotation centre (50d) in a first direction (R1) to drive the mobile block assembly (5a, 5b, 5c) to a release position and the return means (5f) is capable of rotating the star-shaped rotating part (5d) in a second rotation direction (R2) opposite to the first rotation direction (R1) so as to automatically drive the mobile block assembly (5a, 5b, 5c) to a blocking position.

11. A chassis device as described in claim 5, characterized in that the second locking member (4b) has a key-shaped head (40b) provided with a small hole (400b), and a rod (41b) capable of cooperating with a connecting assembly (5d, 5e) and the second connecting arm (52d) of the first locking member (4a) and the additional locking mechanism (5).

12. Assembly comprising a chassis arrangement and a draw-out type electrical switching device, characterized in that the chassis arrangement comprises a chassis (C) for receiving the draw-out type electrical switching device (D) and a plug-in system mounted on the chassis (C), the chassis arrangement being the chassis arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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