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
  • H01H71/10—Operating or release mechanisms
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H50/00—Details of electromagnetic relays
  • H01H50/54—Contact arrangements
  • H01H50/546—Contact arrangements for contactors having bridging contacts
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
  • H01H3/22—Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism
  • H01H3/30—Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism using spring motor
  • H01H3/3031—Means for locking the spring in a charged state
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
  • H01H3/32—Driving mechanisms, i.e. for transmitting driving force to the contacts
  • H01H3/46—Driving mechanisms, i.e. for transmitting driving force to the contacts using rod or lever linkage, e.g. toggle
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H5/00—Snap-action arrangements, i.e. in which during a single opening operation or a single closing operation energy is first stored and then released to produce or assist the contact movement
  • H01H5/04—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members
  • H01H5/06—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members by compression or extension of coil springs
  • H01H5/10—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members by compression or extension of coil springs one end of spring being fixedly connected to the stationary or movable part of the switch and the other end reacting with a movable or stationary rigid member respectively through pins, cams, toothed or other shaped surfaces
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H50/00—Details of electromagnetic relays
  • H01H50/54—Contact arrangements
  • H01H50/56—Contact spring sets
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H50/00—Details of electromagnetic relays
  • H01H50/64—Driving arrangements between movable part of magnetic circuit and contact
  • H01H50/643—Driving arrangements between movable part of magnetic circuit and contact intermediate part performing a rotating or pivoting movement
  • H01H50/644—Driving arrangements between movable part of magnetic circuit and contact intermediate part performing a rotating or pivoting movement having more than one rotating or pivoting part
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H73/00—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches in which excess current opens the contacts by automatic release of mechanical energy stored by previous operation of a hand reset mechanism
  • H01H73/02—Details
  • H01H73/04—Contacts
  • H01H73/045—Bridging contacts

Definitions

• TITLE ELECTRIC CONTACTOR COMPRISING A QUICK CONTACT DRIVE SPRING
• the invention relates to an electrical contactor comprising an electromagnetic actuator making it possible to move movable contacts towards fixed contacts and a system for rapidly driving the movable contacts to quickly open the contactor.
• the invention relates more particularly to an electrical contactor for which the rapid drive system comprises a drive spring.
• An electrical contactor comprises moving contacts, fixed contacts and means for driving the moving contacts.
• These drive means include in particular an actuator which is designed to drive the movable contacts moving towards the fixed contacts for closing the contactor, or away from the fixed contacts for opening the contactor.
• the contactor can also operate in a circuit breaker mode, when a short-circuit current appears.
• the energy of the electric arc is particularly large, which means that the electric arc must be cut off as quickly as possible.
• the electric contactor also includes means for driving the mobile contacts making it possible to have a high speed of separation of the contacts, in order to have a rapid breaking of the electric arc.
• a first embodiment of the high-speed drive means comprises a pyrotechnic device. An example of such a device is described in document US10388477. This pyrotechnic device comprises a charge which is ignited by a firing device and which acts on a piston driving the mobile contacts.
• a second embodiment comprises a compression spring, which releases the potential energy that it stores for driving the mobile contacts.
• a loaded spring is arranged in the axis of movement of the movable contacts.
• the dimensions of the spring are large in relation to the total dimensions of the electrical contactor, in particular for an electrical contactor which is intended to be mounted in a aircraft.
• the object of the invention is to propose an electrical contactor comprising means for driving the mobile contacts at high speed which do not present the disadvantages presented previously.
• the invention proposes an electrical contactor comprising fixed contacts and movable contacts which are movable relative to the fixed contacts between a position of contact with the fixed contacts and a position at a distance from the fixed contacts, an actuator for driving the movable contacts in moving relative to the fixed contacts towards either the position of contact with the fixed contacts and the position away from the fixed contacts, a linkage for driving the movable contacts moving from the contact position towards the remote position independently of the actuator, characterized in that the linkage comprises a drive spring and a linkage locking system which is disengageable.
• the spring is a tension spring.
• the linkage comprises a crank mounted to pivot relative to a fixed axis which is capable of being rotated by the spring and which is capable of driving a connecting rod for driving the movable contacts.
• a first end of the spring is connected to a fixed axis and a second end of the spring is connected to a movable end of the crank.
• the blocking system comprises two articulated links which are interposed between a fixed axis and the movable end of the crank, and which are capable of blocking the crank in movement, against the action of the spring.
• the blocking system comprises a control lever against which a link rests when the blocking system is in a blocking position.
• control lever is able to be rotated by a pusher to drive the locking system towards a crank unlocking position.
• a disengageable connection is interposed between the output axis and the beam.
• the electrical contactor comprises support rods supporting the movable contacts and an affirmation spring system interposed between each movable contact the support rod which is associated with the movable contact.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic representation in front view of an electrical contactor comprising a linkage according to the invention.
• FIG. 2 is a top view of the electrical contactor shown in Figure 1.
• FIG. 3 is a side view of the electrical contactor shown in Figures 1 and 2.
• FIG. 5 are views similar to that of Figure 3, showing two other states of the linkage.
• FIG. 6 is a detail in partial section showing the disengageable connection between the output axis and the support beam of the mobile contacts.
• the figures show an electrical contactor 10 comprising a pair of fixed contacts 12 and a pair of movable contacts 14. Each fixed contact 12 is connected to a terminal of an electrical circuit.
• the movable contacts 14 are electrically connected to each other and they are capable of electrically connecting the fixed contacts 12 to one another to close the electrical circuit.
• the movable contacts 14 are mounted movable in translation relative to the fixed contacts 12 along an axial direction Al between a disconnection position corresponding to an open configuration of the electrical contactor 10, in which the movable contacts 14 are located at an axial distance predefined with respect to the fixed contacts 12 and a connection position corresponding to a closed configuration of the electrical contactor 10, in which the movable contacts 14 are in electrical contact with the fixed contacts 12 and in which the movable contacts connect the fixed contacts 12 one with the other.
• the electrical contactor 10 also includes an actuator 16 for driving the movable contacts 14 in translation along the axial direction Al between their disconnection position and their connection position.
• the actuator 16 preferably, but not limited to, consists of an electromagnetic actuator comprising an output axis 18 extending in the axial direction Al and which is movable in translation along the axial direction Al.
• the output axis 18 carries at its free axial end a beam 20 extending perpendicular to the output axis 18.
• the free end of the output axis is connected to a middle of the beam 20.
• the connection between the read end of the output axis 18 and the beam 20 is disengageable, that is to say that the connection can be broken.
• the beam 20 has two lateral ends 22, each of which carries a support rod 24 parallel to the axial direction Al.
• each support rod 24 carries a movable contact 14.
• an affirmation spring system 26 is interposed between each movable contact 14 and the free end of the support rod 24 to exert a supporting force of the movable contact 14 against the fixed contact associated with it.
• a closing phase of the contactor 10 consists, from a disconnection position of the movable contacts 14, in putting the actuator 16 into operation to cause an output of the output axis 18.
• the output axis 18 drives the beam 20, the support rods 24 and therefore the mobile contacts 14.
• the output axis 18 continues its axial translation, further driving the beam 20 and the support rods 24.
• the affirmation spring system 26 is then requested to allow axial movement of the support rods 24 beyond the position corresponding to the intermediate instant.
• the output axis 18 is in an extreme position extended from the actuator 16, the movable contacts 14 are in contact with the fixed contacts 12 and the affirmation spring system 26 is requested, making it possible to maintain the mobile contacts 14 in contact with the fixed contacts 12 whatever the operating conditions of the contactor 10.
• An opening phase of the contactor 10 consists, from the extreme closing position for which the movable contacts 14 are in contact with the fixed contacts 12 and the asserting spring system 26 is requested, to put the contact into operation. actuator 16 to cause retraction of the output axis 18.
• the output axis 18 then performs a reverse movement firstly allowing the affirmation spring system 26 to no longer be stressed and then a separation of the mobile contacts 14 from the fixed contacts 12.
• the contactor 10 also has an operating mode called a circuit breaker which consists, from the extreme closed position, in driving the movable contacts 14 to quickly separate them from the fixed contacts 12.
• the contactor 10 includes a linkage 30 for driving the mobile contacts 14 independently of the actuator 16.
• the spring 32 is a tension spring whose stiffness and the length along which the spring 32 is elongated are predefined to produce a force which will be transmitted by the rest of the linkage 30 and the shock blade 34 to the beam 20 for driving the mobile contacts.
• the set of connecting rods and cranks is designed to obtain, from the action of the spring 32, a sufficiently high speed of movement of the mobile contacts 14.
• the linkage 30 is also doubled, that is to say it comprises two sets of connecting rods and cranks as well as two springs 32, which are distributed on either side of the actuator 16. This doubling of the linkage 30 makes it possible to balance the mechanical forces coming into play in the contactor 10.
• the spring 32 has a first end 40 which is connected to a first fixed axis 38 and a second end 42 which is connected to a first movable axis 44.
• the linkage 30 comprises a first crank 46, a first end 48 of which is articulated relative to the second fixed axis 38 and a second end is articulated to the first movable axis 44.
• the first crank 46 carries a second movable axis 50 located along the first crank 46 between the second fixed axis 38 and the first movable axis 44.
• the linkage 30 comprises a first connecting rod 52, a first end 54 of which is connected to the second movable axis 50, and therefore to the first crank 46, and a second end 56 of which is connected to the shock blade 34 via a third movable axis 58.
• the fixed and movable axes are arranged in the linkage so that when the linkage 30 is in a loaded position, that is to say before operation in circuit breaker mode, the first movable axis 44 is offset relative to a straight line passing through the two fixed axes. Also, in this loaded position of the linkage, the spring 32 is preloaded in traction. The spring 32 exerts on the first movable axis 44 a driving force from the first movable axis 44 towards the first fixed axis 38, so that the first movable axis 44 comes into alignment with the two fixed axes 38, which would result in a rotation of the first crank 46 around the second fixed axis 38.
• the fixed axes and the movable axes are also arranged in the linkage 30 to have a reduction in the movement of the first movable axis 44 relative to the first fixed axis 38 and thus to have a significant movement speed of the third movable axis 58.
• the linkage 30 also includes a system for blocking the first crank 46 and the first connecting rod 52 in the loaded position. This blocking system can be disengaged to achieve the circuit breaker mode of contactor 10.
• the blocking system comprises a first link 60 of which a first end 62 is connected to a third fixed axis 64 and a second end 66 is connected to a fourth movable axis 68.
• the blocking system comprises a second link 70 of which a first end 72 is connected to the fourth movable axis 68 and a second end 74 is connected to the first movable axis 44.
• the third fixed axis 64 is substantially aligned with the first fixed axis 38 and the first movable axis 44.
• the fourth movable axis 68 is offset relative to the line passing through the third fixed axis 64 and the first movable axis 44.
• the first movable axis 44 is driven to move towards the first fixed axis 38 by the spring 32. Due to the position of the fourth movable axis 68, the action of the spring also tends to bring the first movable axis 44 of the third fixed axis 64.
• the blocking system is maintained in the position which is described by the cooperation of a control lever 76 with a stop bar 78 which is fixed to the second link 70.
• the control lever 76 here has the shape of an L, it comprises a first branch 80 of vertical orientation in Figure 3, one free end of which is articulated relative to a support bar 36 around a fourth fixed axis 82 and it comprises a second branch 84 of horizontal orientation in Figure 3, a first end of which is connected to the second end of the first branch 80 and the second end is free and is connected to a pusher 86.
• the control lever 76 further comprises a tongue 88 located at the level of the connection angle of the two branches 80, 84 and the free end of which cooperates with the free end of the stop bar 78.
• the stop bar 78 is connected to the second link 70 at the level of the first movable axis 44 and it bears against the tongue of the control lever 76 in a direction corresponding to an approach of the first movable axis 44 towards the first fixed axis and the third fixed axis 64.
• the blocking system maintains the first movable axis 44 in its position farthest from the first fixed axis 38 and therefore in a loaded position of the linkage 30.
• the electrical contactor 10 is shown in the closed position for which the movable contacts 14 are in electrical contact with the fixed contacts. An electric current can then flow through it.
• the output axis 18 is in the extreme extended position.
• the linkage 30 is in the loaded position, that is to say that the spring 32 is in extension and the locking system is in the locking position of the first movable axis 44.
• the pusher 86 is activated, then driving the control lever 76 in rotation around the fourth fixed axis 82.
• the control lever 76 drives the second link 70 by the cooperation of the tongue 88 on the free end of the stop bar 78.
• the second link 70 is then pivoted so that the fourth movable axis 68 crosses the line passing through the third fixed axis 64 and the first movable axis 44.
• the blocking system is then deactivated, thus releasing the first crank 46 and the first connecting rod 52.
• the first movable axis 44 is driven in the direction of the first fixed axis 38, the crank 46 pivots around the second fixed axis 38, driving the first connecting rod 52 which in turn drives the beam 20 and the contacts mobile.
• the fourth movable axis 68 has passed to the other side of the line passing through the third fixed axis 64 and the first movable axis 44, that is to say that the system blocking is disabled.
• the crank 46 has started to pivot around the second fixed axis 38 driving the beam 20.
• the beam 20 has moved a certain distance corresponding to the movement of the beam 20 and the support rods 24 relative to the mobile contacts allowed by the affirmation spring systems 26.
• the first crank 46 is still pivoted by the spring 32, therefore driving the first connecting rod 52 and the beam 20. Its pivoting speed makes it possible to have a speed of movement of the beam 20, the support rods 24 and mobile contacts 14 thanks to the linkage 30 sufficiently large for the electric arc to be quickly cut.
• the movable contacts 14 are at a sufficiently large separation distance from the fixed contacts 12, the electrical contactor 10 is fully open.
• the actuator 16 When implementing the circuit breaker operating mode of the electrical contactor 10, the actuator 16 is in an activated configuration for which the output shaft 18 is fully extended.
• a disengageable connection 90 shown in Figure 6 is interposed between the output axis 18 and the beam 20.
• This disengageable connection 90 consists here of a spring-loaded ball connection.
• the output axis 18 has a peripheral groove 92 and the beam 20 has two housings 94 oriented radially with respect to the output axis 18 and which open into a central orifice of the beam 20 which is crossed by the axis of outlet 18.
• a ball 96 and a thrust spring 98 are arranged in each housing
• Each ball 96 is intended to be received partially in the groove 92 of the output axis and the thrust spring 98 associated with this ball 96 exerts on the ball 96 a force to maintain the ball 96 in the groove 92.
• the driving force of the beam 20 by the linkage 30 causes the balls 96 to exit the groove 92. Once the balls 96 have exited the groove 92, the balls 96 are in contact with the external cylindrical surface of the output axis, the resistance to the relative movement of the beam 20 relative to the output axis 18 is then negligible.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• Contacts (AREA)
• Mechanisms For Operating Contacts (AREA)
• Driving Mechanisms And Operating Circuits Of Arc-Extinguishing High-Tension Switches (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=84053122

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 2022
  • 2022-08-05 FR FR2208128A patent/FR3138731B1/fr active Active
• 2023
  • 2023-08-03 WO PCT/FR2023/051240 patent/WO2024028560A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2023-08-03 CN CN202380057439.5A patent/CN119678238A/zh active Pending
  • 2023-08-03 EP EP23761561.2A patent/EP4566082A1/de active Pending

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