Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
  • H01H71/04—Means for indicating condition of the switching device
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H36/00—Switches actuated by change of magnetic field or of electric field, e.g. by change of relative position of magnet and switch, by shielding
  • H01H2036/0093—Micromechanical switches actuated by a change of the magnetic field
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H50/00—Details of electromagnetic relays
  • H01H50/005—Details of electromagnetic relays using micromechanics
  • H01H2050/007—Relays of the polarised type, e.g. the MEMS relay beam having a preferential magnetisation direction
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
  • H01H71/04—Means for indicating condition of the switching device
  • H01H2071/042—Means for indicating condition of the switching device with different indications for different conditions, e.g. contact position, overload, short circuit or earth leakage
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
  • H01H71/04—Means for indicating condition of the switching device
  • H01H2071/048—Means for indicating condition of the switching device containing non-mechanical switch position sensor, e.g. HALL sensor
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H47/00—Circuit arrangements not adapted to a particular application of the relay and designed to obtain desired operating characteristics or to provide energising current
  • H01H47/002—Monitoring or fail-safe circuits

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a device for detecting the three states, "On”, “Off” and “Triggered” of an electric circuit breaker.
• Document US Pat. No. 4,969,063 discloses a device for detecting and signaling the three states “On", “Off” and “Triggered” of an electric circuit breaker.
• This device comprises a three-position switch mechanically coupled with the operating member of the circuit breaker.
• the three-position switch is embodied by three electrical tracks each assigned to one of the positions of the actuating member and cooperating with a movable electrical contact integral with the actuating member. Depending on the position of the actuator, the switch turns on a first LED of a first color, a second LED of a second color or both LEDS at the same time to mix their colors.
• This type of device operates by mechanical contact between the actuating member and the electrical tracks. These tracks can wear out as switching of the actuating member, ultimately affecting the quality of the electrical connections. In addition, if in one of its positions, the actuator has play, the electrical connection between the movable contact and the corresponding magnetic track may be deficient.
• the object of the invention is to provide a tri-state detection device of a circuit breaker that is reliable, accurate, compact, and whose electrical connections do not risk premature wear.
• a device for detecting the three states of an electric circuit breaker characterized in that it comprises: a mobile magnetic device, movable between three positions corresponding to the three states of the circuit breaker and comprising at least one permanent magnet, two microswitches controllable by magnetic effect by the permanent magnet, and in that: each microswitch has a movable element adapted to align with an orientation of the magnetic field lines to take an open position or a closed position, in each position of the magnetic device, the two microswitches are controlled in position opening or closed position to form a particular combination representative of one of the three states of the circuit breaker.
• the magnetic device is mechanically coupled to an actuator of the circuit breaker adapted to take three positions corresponding to the three states of the circuit breaker.
• the magnetic device is actuated in translation.
• the magnetic device comprises a symmetrical part made of ferromagnetic material.
• the ferromagnetic part has for example two U-shaped branches and the permanent magnet is mounted symmetrically on the ferromagnetic part, between the two branches.
• the ferromagnetic part may also have three branches to form an E, a permanent magnet each occupying one of the two recesses formed by the three branches of the ferromagnetic part.
• the magnetic device is actuated in rotation.
• the permanent magnet of the magnetic device is for example mounted on a frame pivotally actuated by a rod mechanically coupled to the actuating member.
• the movable element is for example a ferromagnetic membrane capable of pivoting under the magnetic effect.
• the detection device comprises a signaling device responsible for indicating each of the three states of the circuit breaker according to the position of the microswitches.
• the signaling device is for example mounted on the housing of the circuit breaker or remote relative to the circuit breaker.
• the invention also relates to an electric circuit breaker comprising a detection device as defined above and to a monitoring system of a plurality of circuit breakers of this type.
• the monitoring system comprises, for example, a communication bus to which the circuit breaker detection. This communication bus is connected to a central terminal responsible for processing, centralizing the received signals and displaying the state of each of the circuit breakers connected on the bus as a function of these signals.
• the display can be made on a light board or on a screen of the terminal.
• FIGS. 1A to 1C show a side view of a circuit breaker electrical three-position, respectively in the state “Off”, “On” and “Triggered” and provided with a detection device according to the invention.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a mobile plate of the detection device of the invention.
• Figure 3 shows, in perspective, a magnetic device according to a first embodiment.
• FIG. 4 shows the field lines of the magnetic field generated by the magnets of the magnetic device of FIG. 3. This figure also shows two microswitches at rest.
• FIGS. 5A to 5C show in side view, in three different positions, the magnetic device of FIG. 3 and show the influence of the magnetic fields generated by its permanent magnets on the state of the two microswitches.
• Figure 6 shows a top view of a second embodiment of the movable plate of the detection device of the invention.
• Figure 7 shows a magnetic device according to a second embodiment.
• FIG. 8 shows the field lines of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet of the magnetic device of FIG. 7.
• FIG. 8 also shows two microswitches at rest.
• FIGS. 9A to 9C show a side view of the magnetic device of FIG. 7 in three different positions and show the influence of the magnetic field generated by its permanent magnet on the state of the two microswitches.
• - Figure 10 shows a variant of the detection device according to the invention implanted in a circuit breaker.
• FIGS. 11A to 11C illustrate the operating principle of the detection device of FIG. 10.
• Figure 12 shows a microswitch as used in the detection device of the invention.
• Figures 13A and 13B show the microswitch of Figure 12 respectively in the open position and in the closed position, actuated by a permanent magnet.
• FIG. 14 shows an exemplary configuration of a signaling device controlled by two microswitches.
• a circuit breaker 1 comprises a housing 10 on which is mounted an actuating member consisting for example of a lever 1 1 pivoting or rotating.
• the lever has the shape of a pivoting lever but it should be understood that it can also take the form of a rotary knob.
• the lever 11 can be set in motion between three positions, an "On” position (M), an “Off” position (A) and a “Triggered” position (D) located halfway between the “On” position ( M) and the “Off” position (A).
• the movement of the lever from the "On” position (M) to the "Triggered” position (D) is achieved automatically when an electrical fault such as a short circuit is detected.
• the circuit breaker In each of the three positions (M, A, D) of the joystick 11, the circuit breaker is respectively in the On (On), Off (“Off”) or Triggered ("Trip”) state.
• the detection device comprises at least two microswitches 2a, 2b (referenced also 2) adjacent mounted on an electrical signaling circuit C and intended to detect the state of the circuit breaker 1.
• Each of these microswitches 2a, 2b can be switched by an actuator between two positions, an open position ( Figure 13A) and a closed position ( Figure 13B).
• microswitches 2a, 2b are controlled by magnetic effect.
• Each of these microswitches 2a, 2b is sensitive to the orientation of the field lines L of a magnetic field generated by a magnetic actuator.
• This type of microswitch 2 is for example manufactured in MEMS technology (for "Micro-Electro-Mechanical System”).
• FIGS. 12 to 13B An exemplary configuration of a microswitch 2 sensitive to the orientation of the field lines L is shown in FIGS. 12 to 13B.
• a microswitch 2 sensitive to the orientation of the field lines L comprises a deformable ferromagnetic movable membrane 20 which can be actuated in rotation about an axis of rotation (R) by the magnetic actuator.
• the membrane 20 is for example Fer-Nickel.
• the membrane 20 has a longitudinal axis (A) and is connected, at one of its ends, via connecting arms 22a, 22b, to one or more anchoring studs 23 integral with a substrate 3.
• the membrane 20 is pivotable relative to the substrate 3 along its axis (R) of rotation perpendicular to its longitudinal axis (A).
• the link arms 22a, 22b form an elastic connection between the membrane 20 and the anchor pad 23 and are biased in bending during the pivoting of the membrane 20.
• the two microswitches 2a, 2b are for example made on the same substrate 3.
• the membrane 20 At its end distal to its axis of rotation, the membrane 20 carries a movable contact 21. By pivoting, the membrane 20 can take at least two predetermined positions, an open position (FIG. 13A) in which two electrical tracks 31 , 32 fixed on the substrate 3 are disconnected or a closed position ( Figure 13B) in which the two tracks 31, 32 are interconnected by the movable contact 21 carried by the membrane 20.
• One of the modes of actuation of the membrane 20 is to apply a magnetic field created by a permanent magnet 4.
• the ferromagnetic membrane 20 moves between its two positions by aligning with the field lines L of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 4.
• the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 4 has field lines L whose orientation generates a magnetic component BP 0 , BP 1 in a ferromagnetic layer of the membrane 20 along its longitudinal axis (AT).
• This magnetic component BP 0 , BP 1 generated in the membrane 20 generates a magnetic torque imposing on the membrane 20 to take one of its closed positions (FIG. 13B) or the open position (FIG. 13A).
• This actuation principle is used in the detection device according to the invention.
• the detection device comprises a plate 5 movable in translation, for example of plastic material, mechanically coupled to the handle 1 1 and adapted to take three positions corresponding to the three states of the circuit breaker 1.
• this plate 5 is for example mounted on a sliding rail and can take a low position (Figure 1A) when the handle 1 1 is in the "Off" position (A), a high position ( Figure 1 B) when the handle 1 1 is in "On” position (M) or a middle position (Figure 1C), located between the high position and the low position, when the handle 1 1 is in the "Triggered” position (D).
• the movable plate 5 carries a magnetic device 40, 41 to one or two permanent magnets, for actuating the microswitches 2a, 2b between their two positions.
• FIG 3 shows a magnetic device 40 according to a first embodiment, comprising two permanent magnets 400, 401 identical.
• This magnetic device consists of a symmetrical part 402 having an E-shaped longitudinal section and a ferromagnetic material.
• This ferromagnetic piece 402 has two recesses each occupied by a permanent magnet 400, 401 flush with the upper surface and the lateral surfaces of the ferromagnetic part 402.
• the magnetic device 40 On its upper face, the magnetic device 40 has successively a first ferromagnetic portion of end, a first magnetic portion constituted by the first permanent magnet 400, a second central ferromagnetic portion, a second magnetic portion constituted by the second permanent magnet 401 and a third ferromagnetic end portion.
• the arrangement of the permanent magnets 400, 401 in the ferromagnetic part 402 allows to confine the field lines of the magnetic fields generated by the two permanent magnets 400, 401 around the magnetic device 40 ( Figure 4).
• FIG. 7 shows a magnetic device 41 according to a second embodiment comprising a single permanent magnet 410.
• This magnetic device also comprises a symmetrical piece 412 made of ferromagnetic material, for its part having a U-shaped longitudinal section.
• FIG. 8 shows the field lines L of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 410 in this magnetic device
• the presence of the ferromagnetic part 412 also makes it possible to confine the field lines L around the magnetic device 41 (FIG. 8).
• the magnetic device 41 On its upper face, the magnetic device 41 according to this second embodiment has successively a first ferromagnetic end portion, a hollow, a central magnetic portion constituted by the permanent magnet 410, a second hollow and a second ferromagnetic portion of end.
• the microswitches 2a, 2b enclosed in a housing 24 are mounted on a printed circuit 25 fixed vis-à-vis the movable plate 5 ( Figures 1A to 1C).
• the microswitches 2a, 2b are positioned so that their axes of rotation (R) are parallel to the plane of translation of the movable plate 5 and perpendicular to the direction of translation of the mobile plate 5.
• the mobile plate 5 carries the magnetic device 40 with two permanent magnets 400, 401.
• the two microswitches 2a, 2b are for example oriented in the same direction.
• the membranes 20 of the two microswitches 2a, 2b are both aligned according to the same orientation of the field lines of the second permanent magnet 401, imposing an open position.
• the membranes 20 of the two microswitches 2a, 2b are opposite the central ferromagnetic part of the magnetic device 40.
• the membrane 20 of the first microswitch switch 2a is aligned in an orientation of the field lines of the first permanent magnet 400 imposing a closed position and the membrane 20 of the second microswitch 2b is aligned in an orientation of the field lines of the second permanent magnet 401 imposing a position opening.
• the mobile plate 5 carries the magnetic device 41 to a single permanent magnet 410.
• the two microswitches 2a, 2b are for example oriented in a different direction, for example backed relative to one another. to the other according to their axis of rotation (R).
• R axis of rotation
• the membranes 20 of the two microswitches 2a, 2b are aligned in the same orientation of the field lines of the permanent magnet 410, imposing a closed position on the diaphragm 20 of the first microswitch 2a and an opening position on the diaphragm 20 of the second microswitch 2b.
• the membranes In the high position of the movable plate 5 (FIG. 9C), the membranes
• the 20 of the two microswitches 2a, 2b are aligned in the same orientation of the field lines of the permanent magnet 410, this orientation being reversed relative to that of the field lines seen by the membranes 20 when the plate 5 is in position low.
• the first microswitch 2a is then in the open position and the second microswitch 2b is in the closed position.
• the two microswitches 2a, 2b are positioned symmetrically on either side of the axis of symmetry of the magnetic device 41 so that their membranes 20 are each aligned according to the two different orientations of the Field lines of the permanent magnet 410.
• the two microswitches 2a, 2b backed are therefore in an open position.
• the two microswitches 2a, 2b are controlled to form, in each position of the wafer 5, a combination different opening and / or closing of their membranes 20 and thus each time generate a different signal representative of the position of the wafer 5 and therefore the position of the joystick January 1 and the state of the circuit breaker 1.
• the magnetic device consists of a single permanent magnet 43 fixedly mounted on a frame 60 actuated in rotation about an axis by a rod 61 mechanically coupled with the lever 11 directly or indirectly via a mechanism cooperating on the one hand with the handle 1 1 and on the other hand with a trigger (not shown).
• this rod 61 is movable in translation to take three positions: an "on” position, a “stop” position and a “triggered” position, depending on the state of the mechanism, to respectively represent the state " Circuit breaker “ON”, its "OFF” state and its "Triggered” state.
• This type of device is described more extensively in patents FR 2 834 379 and FR 2 827 703.
• the magnetic device is not actuated in translation but in rotation about an axis. A combination of translational and rotational movement of the magnetic device can also be envisaged.
• the permanent magnet 43 subjects the two microswitches 2a, 2b, for example enclosed in their housing 24, to a magnetic field having field lines L of different orientations to impose their open or closed position. .
• the permanent magnet 43 is driven in a rotational movement, above the microswitches 2, about an axis parallel to the rotational axes (R) of the membranes 20 and in the same direction.
• the microswitches 2a, 2b are for example oriented in the same direction and are positioned on either side of the axis (A1) of the magnet 43 so that when the permanent magnet 43 is parallel to the substrate 3 carrying the microswitches 2a, 2b, the membrane 20 of the first microswitch 2a, aligned in an orientation of the field lines L of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 43, is in the open position and the membrane of the second microstrip switch 2b, aligned in an inverse orientation of the field lines L, is in the closed position (FIG.
• the permanent magnet 43 is inclined in the counterclockwise direction so that the membrane 20 of the first microswitch 2a is aligned in an orientation of the field lines L imposing on it an open position and that the membrane 20 of the second microswitch 2b is aligned in an orientation of the field lines L also imposing an open position.
• the permanent magnet 43 is inclined in a clockwise direction so that the membrane 20 of the first microswitch 2a is aligned in an orientation of the field lines L of the permanent magnet 43 imposing on it a position of closing and the membrane 20 of the second microswitch 2b is aligned in an orientation of the field lines L of the permanent magnet 43 also imposing a closed position.
• a different signal can be emitted by a signaling device 7 (FIGS. 1A to 1C) comprising the electrical signaling circuit C represented in FIG. 14 and controlled by the two microswitches. switches 2a, 2b.
• the diagram shown in FIG. 14 is only an example and is in no way limiting.
• the signaling device 7 can be mounted on the housing 10 of the circuit breaker or be offset relative thereto.
• the signaling device shown in FIG. 14 is adapted to operate when, in a first state of circuit-breaker 1, the two microswitches 2a, 2b are open, in a second state of circuit-breaker 1 the first microswitch 2a is open and the second microswitch switch 2b is closed and in a third state of the circuit breaker, the first microswitch 2a is closed and the second microswitch 2b is open.
• This electrical circuit C comprises for example four branches C1, C2, C3, C4 in parallel.
• Two branches C1, C2 are each controlled by one of the microswitch 2a, 2b.
• a diode D1, D2 is connected in series with each of the microswitches, one being directed and the other blocking.
• the other two parallel branches C3, C4 of the circuit C each carry an LED L1, L2 (for "Light Emitting Diode” or LEDs for Electroluminescent Diode), one being directed and the other blocking.
• the signaling device 7 can be deported and can be integrated into a monitoring system for monitoring the state of several circuit breakers mounted on the same board or dispersed in different premises.
• the electrical signals obtained at the output of a detection device of a circuit breaker 1 are for example sent on a communication bus connected for example to a central computer terminal responsible for processing the received signals and displaying the states of all the circuit breakers thus connected to the bus.
• the display can be realized via a LEDS led panel or the terminal screen.

Landscapes

• Breakers (AREA)
• Keying Circuit Devices (AREA)
• Switches That Are Operated By Magnetic Or Electric Fields (AREA)
• Gas-Insulated Switchgears (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=37672467

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (8)

Families Citing this family (5)

Family Cites Families (12)

• 2006
  • 2006-05-31 FR FR0651970A patent/FR2901912B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2007
  • 2007-05-15 WO PCT/EP2007/054675 patent/WO2007137938A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2007-05-15 BR BRPI0711854-6A patent/BRPI0711854A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2007-05-15 RU RU2008151776/07A patent/RU2404475C2/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2007-05-15 EP EP07729127.6A patent/EP2022069B1/de not_active Not-in-force
  • 2007-05-15 CN CN2007800280000A patent/CN101496124B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2007-05-15 US US12/302,838 patent/US7915982B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2008
  • 2008-12-22 NO NO20085351A patent/NO20085351L/no unknown

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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