EP0118334B1 - Current-limiting switch - Google Patents

Current-limiting switch Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0118334B1
EP0118334B1 EP84400205A EP84400205A EP0118334B1 EP 0118334 B1 EP0118334 B1 EP 0118334B1 EP 84400205 A EP84400205 A EP 84400205A EP 84400205 A EP84400205 A EP 84400205A EP 0118334 B1 EP0118334 B1 EP 0118334B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
screen
current limiting
contact
limiting switch
edge
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP84400205A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0118334A1 (en
EP0118334B2 (en
Inventor
Elie Belbel
Christian Blanchard
Louis Fechant
André Haury
Michel Lauraire
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Telemecanique SA
Original Assignee
La Telemecanique Electrique SA
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Application filed by La Telemecanique Electrique SA filed Critical La Telemecanique Electrique SA
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Publication of EP0118334B1 publication Critical patent/EP0118334B1/en
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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/30—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H9/32—Insulating body insertable between contacts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H77/00—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches operated by excess current and requiring separate action for resetting
    • H01H77/02—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches operated by excess current and requiring separate action for resetting in which the excess current itself provides the energy for opening the contacts, and having a separate reset mechanism
    • H01H77/10—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches operated by excess current and requiring separate action for resetting in which the excess current itself provides the energy for opening the contacts, and having a separate reset mechanism with electrodynamic opening
    • H01H77/107—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches operated by excess current and requiring separate action for resetting in which the excess current itself provides the energy for opening the contacts, and having a separate reset mechanism with electrodynamic opening characterised by the blow-off force generating means, e.g. current loops
    • H01H77/108—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches operated by excess current and requiring separate action for resetting in which the excess current itself provides the energy for opening the contacts, and having a separate reset mechanism with electrodynamic opening characterised by the blow-off force generating means, e.g. current loops comprising magnetisable elements, e.g. flux concentrator, linear slot motor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/30—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H9/44—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts using blow-out magnet
    • H01H9/446—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts using blow-out magnet using magnetisable elements associated with the contacts

Definitions

  • the invention relates to limit switches comprising, in a housing: at least one movable lever subjected to the action of an elastic member which applies against each other contact pads placed at the respective ends of the lever arm carrying the movable contact and a contact support roughly parallel to said arm; a thin insulating screen placed between said lever arm and the support so that its edge is inserted between the contact pads, maintaining the insulation between the lever and the support when the latter separate from one another due to the circulation of short-circuit currents in the switch.
  • the invention therefore proposes to provide in an extremely simple manner, to a limit switch whose general constitution corresponds to that which is mentioned above, improvements aimed at reducing the energy dissipated during a low to high intensity short-circuit current cut and to simplify the structure of the extinguishing chambers so as to radically reduce the volume of the device.
  • the aim is achieved thanks to the fact that the ends of the supports where the contact pads are placed, move relative to each other in the immediate vicinity of an insulating surface of the housing, preferably , substantially perpendicular to the plane of movement of the levers, so that the path of the arc is essentially tangential, the movement of said edge towards and against this insulating surface first causing shearing of the arc and then total electrical isolation and sealed between the two opposite chambers that the screen separates inside the internal volume of the housing.
  • the document FR-A-1 541 810 describes an electrical appliance with rapid cut-off in which an insulating screen is inserted between two contacts and then engages in a groove formed on a wall of the box enclosing the appliance.
  • the two chambers formed by the movement of the screen are not completely separated from each other.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates the reduction in size which can be obtained, for the same device size, with the present invention.
  • the limiting switch 1 (FIG. 1) comprises an insulating housing 2 constituted for example by association of two symmetrical half-housings 3, 4, along a joint plane PP 'which is that of the figure.
  • a first internal region 5 ′ of the housing placed below a plane QQ ′ defined below, contains two contact levers 6 and 7, the arms 8 and 9 of which are roughly parallel to each other and whose lower ends 10, 11 are pivoted around respective parallel axes 12, 13. These lower ends are connected by conductive braids 14, 15 to connection terminals 16, 17 placed outside the housing to establish connections, on the one hand with a supply line and, on the other hand, with a load, possibly with the interposition of another protective device such as a circuit breaker.
  • the upper ends 18, 19 of the levers are equipped with contact pads 20, 21: these are placed directly at these ends, which therefore do not have extensions or arc horns such as may be encountered on certain devices. with similar applications.
  • This force must be sufficient to maintain a pressure between the pellets such that any risk of welding is eliminated when currents of the order of 10 to 15 times the nominal current of the switch cause electro-dynamic forces between the arms of the levers. opposite direction to those of the springs.
  • these springs exert their actions in the plane QQ ', which passes substantially through the contact pads.
  • grooves 30. 31 in which the arms of the levers can move angularly in the direction of the bottoms 32, 33 of the U-shaped parts.
  • a system of guide grooves 36, 37, 38, (see also Figure 2) whose path passes through the opposite parallel walls 39 , 40 of the housing and by a partition 41 perpendicular to the plane of the figure; this partition, the root 42 of which joins the bottom 43 of the housing, rises to an upper edge 44 placed between the pivots 12, 13 and the contact pads 20, 21.
  • a side wall 45 of this partition possibly more higher than the other, can serve as a support for one of the levers, for example the lever 6, to give it a well-defined position in cooperation with a compression of the spring 22 slightly greater than that of the other spring 23.
  • an upper edge 50 of the screen is applied to the edge of at least one of the contact pads by compression springs 51, 52 placed in housings 53, 54 opening opposite the lower edge 47 of the screen (see also FIG. 2); these springs 51, 52 bear, in opposite direction to the edge 50 on a wall near the bottom 43 of the housing or on the latter (see FIG. 4).
  • Each half-housing has, in a 5 "region, placed above the plane QQ 'an insulating transverse wall 103, 103' which extends substantially parallel to the plane QQ , and has a surface 104 directed towards the end of the two levers ; these two walls are applied one on the other along the plane PP "when the half-housings 3, 4 are assembled.
  • the surface 104 is placed in the immediate vicinity of the ends, 18, 19 with sufficient play so as not to hinder their movement; it itself constitutes the bottom of a corridor 55 whose width, measured parallel to the axis of the pivots of the levers , is slightly greater than the width "e" of the contact pads (see Figure 4).
  • the region 56 'of the surface 104 which is placed opposite the upper edge 50' of the screen is continuous; this region can be flat (see FIG. 5a), or have slight undulations 56 "(see FIG. 5b), or even have prismatic grooves 56" (see FIG. 5c).
  • the profiles of the upper edges 50 '. 50 ", 50"' have, in these cases, complementary shapes visible in these figures.
  • the surface 104 has, facing the upper edge 50 of the screen, a slot or notch 57 up to the bottom of which the latter penetrates during the opening of the switch.
  • this groove 57 is advantageously connected either to channels 58, 59 which open on its sides, or to a channel 60 which opens in the extension of the groove, or to a multiplicity of channels of each of the two kinds .
  • These channels communicate in turn with a decompression circuit comprising channels 61, 62, 63, placed between the walls 103, 39, 40 and side walls 64, 65, 66 of the housing, to lead to the atmosphere by two vents 67, 68 neighbors of the terminals.
  • These channel portions 61, 63 can advantageously bypass housings 69, 70 in which the contact pressure springs are guided.
  • the gases which appear at the time of the bursting of the arc can be evacuated along the corridor 55, in the direction of the vents 68, 67 and their pressure is balanced thanks to the presence of channels 61, 62, 63.
  • the gases can escape, not only through one of the channels 58, 59, 60 and join the vents through the channels 61, 62, 63 which bypass housings guide 69, 70 of the springs 22, 23, but also by indentations 96, 97 of attached sleeves 69, 70 containing the springs and connecting the passage 55 to the vents 68, 67.
  • the speed of movement of the screen is sufficient to avoid a certain stagnation of the arc which would risk damaging the contacts: it is not, however, such that the rise of the arcing voltage is too sudden and causes the generation of shock waves that can explode the housing.
  • the relatively high speed with which the screen is propelled towards the surface 104 could raise fears of rebounds of the latter, which could cause a re-ignition of the arc, due to the restoration of the continuity of an ionized atmosphere, therefore conductive.
  • Damping means suitable for preventing such twists and using, for example friction, are therefore associated with the screen to prevent a backward movement after percussion.
  • damping means When the screen enters a groove such as 57, these damping means can be placed inside the latter; it can be seen, in FIG. 7, that the upper edge 71 of the screen 72 has the shape of a bevel capable of cooperating with a sheet or elastic layer 73 whose shape corresponds to that of the bevel and which is, if necessary, associated with lateral pressure means 74, 75.
  • the damping means can be arranged in the partition 41 to prevent a possible retreat of the screen (see FIG. 8); a blade, clamp or elastic thread 76 is disposed at the bottom of the groove 37, so as to present at least one end 77, movable against a face 78 of the screen 49 when the latter is at rest, and to maintain this screen in the upper working position, by cooperation with its lower edge 47.
  • the upper edge 84 of the screen 85 has in its plane the shape of a trapezium whose inclined sides 86, 87 are applied on two inclined side walls 88, 89 of the housing, so as to cause a slight wedging effect which holds the screen and prevents it from bouncing; the end part 90 and the lateral parts 92, 93 of this upper edge can advantageously engage in notches 91, 94, 95 to establish baffles, because it is, in this case, difficult to manufacture two exactly identical profiles which are capable of operating in total isolation between the two parts of the switch; it goes without saying that baffles could also be arranged opposite the inclined sides, as indicated by dotted lines in the figure.
  • the contacts can either come to bear elastically on the opposite faces of the screen, or be kept away from the latter by hooking means capable of retaining the contact levers, for example using springs with neutral passage, or using hooks, not illustrated in the figures.
  • Figure 9 shows. schematically how, using a flat pusher 80 slidably disposed in the plane RR ', it is possible to rearm the screen 49 by exerting a vertical action of direction F on its upper edge 84; this pusher has the form of a fork having two arms 81, 82 in order to release the contact region from the contact pads.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Arc-Extinguishing Devices That Are Switches (AREA)
  • Breakers (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)

Description

L'invention se rapporte aux interrupteurs limiteurs comprenant, dans un boîtier : au moins un levier mobile soumis à l'action d'un organe élastique qui applique l'une contre l'autre des pastilles de contact placées aux extrémités respectives du bras de levier portant le contact mobile et d'un support de contact grossièrement parallèle audit bras ; un écran isolant mince placé entre ledit bras de levier et le support pour que son bord s'intercale entre les pastilles de contact, en maintenant l'isolement entre le levier et le support lorsque ces derniers s'écartent l'un de l'autre par suite de la circulation de courants de court-circuit dans l'interrupteur.The invention relates to limit switches comprising, in a housing: at least one movable lever subjected to the action of an elastic member which applies against each other contact pads placed at the respective ends of the lever arm carrying the movable contact and a contact support roughly parallel to said arm; a thin insulating screen placed between said lever arm and the support so that its edge is inserted between the contact pads, maintaining the insulation between the lever and the support when the latter separate from one another due to the circulation of short-circuit currents in the switch.

De tels interrupteurs, qui sont avantageusement utilisés pour protéger notamment les lignes d'alimentation d'appareils consommateurs d'électricité de toute nature, par exemple en combinaison avec des disjoncteurs, peuvent être illustrés par la demande de brevet européen EP-A-0 074 288 (état de la technique selon l'article 54 (3) de la CBE). Dans l'interrupteur qui fait l'objet de la demande susvisée, des mesures sont prises pour que l'arc apparaissant entre les pastilles de contact situées au voisinage des extrémités ou cornes de deux leviers qui constituent les supports des contacts lorsque ces derniers s'écartent l'un de l'autre sous l'effet des forces électro-dynamiques qui apparaissent entre eux, soit étiré radialement par rapport aux axes des leviers, non seulement par l'effet de la boucle de courant formée par cet arc, mais encore par le mouvement rapide du bord de l'écran, qui allonge l'arc afin de le conduire dans une région comprise entre deux chambres d'extinction pourvues d'ailettes de fractionnement dans lesquelles cet arc s'éteindra.Such switches, which are advantageously used to protect in particular the supply lines of devices consuming electricity of all kinds, for example in combination with circuit breakers, can be illustrated by European patent application EP-A-0 074 288 (state of the art according to Article 54 (3) of the EPC). In the switch which is the subject of the abovementioned request, measures are taken so that the arc appearing between the contact pads situated in the vicinity of the ends or horns of two levers which constitute the contact supports when the latter move away from each other under the effect of the electro-dynamic forces which appear between them, or stretched radially with respect to the axes of the levers, not only by the effect of the current loop formed by this arc, but also by the rapid movement of the edge of the screen, which lengthens the arc in order to lead it into a region between two extinguishing chambers provided with fractionating fins in which this arc will extinguish.

L'étude des performances d'un tel interrupteur connu, à savoir : son faible temps de coupure, le courant de crête qu'il limite à des valeurs réduites et la faible énergie dissipée, a montré que la technique employée était particulièrement intéressante dans une gamme de courants de court-circuit d'intensités comprises entre des valeurs faibles et moyennes, car, dans ces conditions, les effets d'allongement et de refroidissement de l'arc provoqués par l'écran sont prépondérants. Par contre, si l'on désire conserver ces performances à la gamme des intensités plus élevées, avec la technique connue, on constate que la vitesse de séparation des contacts et le gonflement naturel de l'arc provoqués par les forces électro-dynamiques sont tels que l'écran n'a pas le temps de produire les effets souhaités ; on constate notamment lorsque la disjonction est opérée pour ces valeurs élevées d'intensité, qu'une énergie d'arc relativement importante est dégagée au moment de la coupure.The study of the performances of such a known switch, namely: its short breaking time, the peak current which it limits to reduced values and the low dissipated energy, has shown that the technique employed was particularly interesting in a range of short-circuit currents of intensities between low and medium values, because, under these conditions, the effects of elongation and cooling of the arc caused by the screen are preponderant. On the other hand, if one wishes to keep these performances at the range of higher intensities, with the known technique, one notes that the speed of separation of the contacts and the natural swelling of the arc caused by the electro-dynamic forces are such that the screen does not have time to produce the desired effects; it is noted in particular when the disjunction is operated for these high intensity values, that a relatively large arc energy is released at the time of the cut.

L'invention se propose, par suite, d'apporter de façon extrêmement simple, à un interrupteur-limiteur dont la constitution générale correspond à celle qui est mentionnée ci-dessus, des perfectionnements visant à réduire l'énergie dissipée au cours d'une coupure de courant de court-circuit d'intensité faible à élevée et à simplifier la structure des chambres d'extinction de façon à diminuer radicalement le volume de l'appareil.The invention therefore proposes to provide in an extremely simple manner, to a limit switch whose general constitution corresponds to that which is mentioned above, improvements aimed at reducing the energy dissipated during a low to high intensity short-circuit current cut and to simplify the structure of the extinguishing chambers so as to radically reduce the volume of the device.

Selon l'invention, le but visé est atteint grâce au fait que les extrémités des supports où les pastilles de contact sont placées, se déplacent l'une par rapport à l'autre au voisinage immédiat d'une surface isolante du boîtier, de préférence, sensiblement perpendiculaire au pian de déplacement des leviers, de façon telle que le trajet de l'arc soit essentiellement tangentiel, le mouvement dudit bord vers et contre cette surface isolante provoquant d'abord un cisaillement de l'arc et ensuite un isolement électrique total et étanche entre les deux chambres opposées que l'écran sépare à l'intérieur du volume interne du boîtier. On connaît déjà, par les documents DE-C-1010 618 et FR-A-1238660, un interrupteur dans lequel un écran isolant vient s'intercaler entre deux pastilles de contact portées chacune par un levier, et où un bord de cet écran vient coopérer avec une surface isolante pour opérer un laminage de l'arc. Toutefois, un cisaillement complet de l'arc n'est ni obtenu, ni recherché, l'effet recherché étant un allongement de l'arc principalement dans une direction radiale, effet qui ne peut pas faire augmenter suffisamment rapidement la tension d'arc. Aucune mesure n'est prévue pour établir un isolement total des volumes amont et aval dans lesquels se trouvent placés les leviers respectifs, de sorte qu'un réamorçage d'arc parasite peut être craint lorsque l'interrupteur s'ouvre au moment où un courant de court-circuit le traverse. Par ailleurs, l'ouverture de cet interrupteur est provoquée par une action mécanique de l'écran sur les leviers et ne résulte pas d'un écartement de ces derniers consécutif à l'apparition de courants de court-circuit : une métallisation rapide de l'écran par frottement sur un métal fondu, donc une perte de l'isolement, peut en résulter. Le document FR-A-1 541 810 décrit un appareil électrique à coupure rapide dans lequel un écran isolant vient s'intercaler entre deux contacts et s'engage ensuite dans une rainure formée sur une paroi du boîtier renfermant l'appareil. Toutefois, les deux chambres formées par le mouvement de l'écran ne sont pas complètement séparées l'une de l'autre. D'autres particularités, ainsi que les avantages de l'invention, apparaîtront clairement à la lecture de la description ci-après.According to the invention, the aim is achieved thanks to the fact that the ends of the supports where the contact pads are placed, move relative to each other in the immediate vicinity of an insulating surface of the housing, preferably , substantially perpendicular to the plane of movement of the levers, so that the path of the arc is essentially tangential, the movement of said edge towards and against this insulating surface first causing shearing of the arc and then total electrical isolation and sealed between the two opposite chambers that the screen separates inside the internal volume of the housing. We already know, from documents DE-C-1010 618 and FR-A-1238660, a switch in which an insulating screen is inserted between two contact pads each carried by a lever, and where an edge of this screen comes cooperate with an insulating surface to operate a rolling of the arc. However, complete shearing of the arc is neither obtained nor sought, the effect sought being an elongation of the arc mainly in a radial direction, an effect which cannot cause the arc voltage to increase rapidly enough. No measure is planned to establish a total isolation of the upstream and downstream volumes in which the respective levers are placed, so that a re-ignition of parasitic arc can be feared when the switch opens at the moment when a current short circuit through it. Furthermore, the opening of this switch is caused by a mechanical action of the screen on the levers and does not result from a separation of the latter following the appearance of short-circuit currents: rapid metallization of the 'screen by friction on a molten metal, therefore a loss of insulation, can result. The document FR-A-1 541 810 describes an electrical appliance with rapid cut-off in which an insulating screen is inserted between two contacts and then engages in a groove formed on a wall of the box enclosing the appliance. However, the two chambers formed by the movement of the screen are not completely separated from each other. Other particularities, as well as the advantages of the invention, will become clear on reading the description below.

Aux dessins annexés :

  • la figure 1 représente un interrupteur limiteur conforme à un mode d'exécution préféré de l'invention, vue en coupe par le plan PP' qui contient les deux leviers de contact ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue de dessus partielle de cet interrupteur en coupe par le plan TT' de la figure 1 ;
  • la figure 3 montre, en élévation, un détail de la figure 1, localisé dans la zone de contact de l'interrupteur ;
  • la figure 4 représente, en vue de côté et en coupe partielle, un détail de réalisation de la figure 1, localisé dans une région où se déplacent un contact mobile et l'écran ;
  • les figures 5a, 5b, 5c illustrent, en élévation, diverses formes d'exécution de la surface du boîtier avec laquelle coopère l'extrémité supérieure de l'écran ;
  • la figure 6 représente, en élévation, une autre forme d'exécution des moyens recevant l'extrémité de l'écran ;
  • les. figures 7, 8 et 10 montrent trois modes de réalisation de moyens d'amortissement des rebonds de l'écran, en fin de course, la figure 10 étant une vue de côté partielle coupée par le plan RR' et les figures 7 et 8 des coupes locales par le plan PP' ; et la figure 9 illustre, en vue de côté coupée par le plan RR', un mode de réalisation des moyens de réarmement de l'interrupteur.
In the accompanying drawings:
  • Figure 1 shows a limiter switch according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, seen in section through the plane PP 'which contains the two contact levers;
  • Figure 2 is a partial top view of this switch in section through the plane TT 'of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 shows, in elevation, a detail of the Figure 1, located in the contact area of the switch;
  • 4 shows, in side view and in partial section, a detail of embodiment of Figure 1, located in a region where move a movable contact and the screen;
  • Figures 5a, 5b, 5c illustrate, in elevation, various embodiments of the surface of the housing with which the upper end of the screen cooperates;
  • Figure 6 shows, in elevation, another embodiment of the means receiving the end of the screen;
  • the. FIGS. 7, 8 and 10 show three embodiments of means for damping the rebounds of the screen, at the end of the race, FIG. 10 being a partial side view cut by the plane RR 'and FIGS. 7 and 8 of local cuts by the PP 'plan; and Figure 9 illustrates, in side view cut by the plane RR ', an embodiment of the reset means of the switch.

La figure 11 illustre la réduction d'encombrement qui peut être obtenue, pour un même calibre d'appareil, avec la présente invention.FIG. 11 illustrates the reduction in size which can be obtained, for the same device size, with the present invention.

L'interrupteur limiteur 1 (figure 1) comprend un boîtier isolant 2 constitué par exemple par association de deux demi-boîtiers symétriques 3, 4, le long d'un plan de joint PP' qui est celui de la figure.The limiting switch 1 (FIG. 1) comprises an insulating housing 2 constituted for example by association of two symmetrical half-housings 3, 4, along a joint plane PP 'which is that of the figure.

Une première région interne 5' du boîtier, placée au-dessous d'un plan QQ' défini plus loin, contient deux leviers de contact 6 et 7, dont les bras 8 et 9 sont grossièrement parallèles entre eux et dont les extrémités inférieures 10, 11 sont pivotées autour d'axes parallèles respectifs 12, 13. Ces extrémités inférieures sont reliées par des tresses conductrices 14, 15 à des bornes de raccordement 16, 17 placées à l'extérieur du boîtier pour établir des liaisons, d'une part avec une ligne d'alimentation et, d'autre part, avec une charge, éventuellement avec interposition d'un autre appareil de protection tel qu'un disjoncteur.A first internal region 5 ′ of the housing, placed below a plane QQ ′ defined below, contains two contact levers 6 and 7, the arms 8 and 9 of which are roughly parallel to each other and whose lower ends 10, 11 are pivoted around respective parallel axes 12, 13. These lower ends are connected by conductive braids 14, 15 to connection terminals 16, 17 placed outside the housing to establish connections, on the one hand with a supply line and, on the other hand, with a load, possibly with the interposition of another protective device such as a circuit breaker.

Les extrémités supérieures 18, 19 des leviers sont équipées de pastilles de contact 20, 21 : celles-ci sont placées directement à ces extrémités, qui ne présentent donc pas de prolongements ou cornes d'arc tels qu'on peut en rencontrer sur certains appareils de coupure ayant des applications analogues.The upper ends 18, 19 of the levers are equipped with contact pads 20, 21: these are placed directly at these ends, which therefore do not have extensions or arc horns such as may be encountered on certain devices. with similar applications.

Deux ressorts de pression de contact 22, 23, par exemple hélicoïdaux, exercent sur les leviers de contact des efforts antagonistes, de façon à appliquer les pastilles de contact l'une contre l'autre avec une force convenable. Cette force doit être suffisante pour conserver entre les pastilles une pression telle que tout risque de soudure soit écarté lorsque des courants de l'ordre de 10 à 15 fois le courant nominal de l'interrupteur provoquent entre les bras des leviers des forces électro-dynamiques de sens opposé à celles des ressorts. De façon avantageuse, ces ressorts exercent leurs actions dans le plan QQ', lequel passe sensiblement par les pastilles de contact.Two contact pressure springs 22, 23, for example helical, exert on the contact levers of the opposing forces, so as to apply the contact pads against each other with a suitable force. This force must be sufficient to maintain a pressure between the pellets such that any risk of welding is eliminated when currents of the order of 10 to 15 times the nominal current of the switch cause electro-dynamic forces between the arms of the levers. opposite direction to those of the springs. Advantageously, these springs exert their actions in the plane QQ ', which passes substantially through the contact pads.

Entre les ressorts et les pivots sont placées des pièces magnétisables feuilletées 24, 25 en forme de U, à l'entrée des branches 27, 29 et 26, 28 desquelles sont placés les bras des leviers au repos.Between the springs and the pivots are placed laminated magnetizable pieces 24, 25 in the shape of a U, at the entrance to the branches 27, 29 and 26, 28 of which the arms of the levers are placed at rest.

Entre ces branches se trouvent des rainures 30. 31 dans lesquelles les bras des leviers peuvent se déplacer angulairement en direction des fonds 32, 33 des pièces en U. Des contours de matière. tels que 34, 35, appartenant aux demi-boîtiers, donnent à ces pièces magnétiques une position stable. Dans un plan RR' perpendiculaire à PP' et passant de façon sensiblement symétrique entre les leviers, est disposé un système de rainures de guidage 36, 37, 38, (voir aussi la figure 2) dont le trajet passe par les parois opposées parallèles 39, 40 du boîtier et par une cloison 41 perpendiculaire au plan de la figure ; cette cloison, dont la racine 42 rejoint le fond 43 du boîtier, s'élève jusqu'à un bord supérieur 44 placé entre les pivots 12, 13 et les pastilles de contact 20, 21. Une paroi latérale 45 de cette cloison, éventuellement plus haute que l'autre, peut servir d'appui à l'un des leviers, par exemple au levier 6, pour lui donner une position bien définie en coopération avec une compression du ressort 22 légèrement supérieure à celle de l'autre ressort 23.Between these branches are grooves 30. 31 in which the arms of the levers can move angularly in the direction of the bottoms 32, 33 of the U-shaped parts. Contours of material. such as 34, 35, belonging to the half-housings, give these magnetic parts a stable position. In a plane RR 'perpendicular to PP' and passing substantially symmetrically between the levers, is disposed a system of guide grooves 36, 37, 38, (see also Figure 2) whose path passes through the opposite parallel walls 39 , 40 of the housing and by a partition 41 perpendicular to the plane of the figure; this partition, the root 42 of which joins the bottom 43 of the housing, rises to an upper edge 44 placed between the pivots 12, 13 and the contact pads 20, 21. A side wall 45 of this partition, possibly more higher than the other, can serve as a support for one of the levers, for example the lever 6, to give it a well-defined position in cooperation with a compression of the spring 22 slightly greater than that of the other spring 23.

Dans le plan RR' est placé un écran isolant mince 49 dont les bords 46, 47, 48 se trouvent engagés avec un faible jeu dans les rainures de guidage 36, 37, 38 (voir aussi figure 2).In the plane RR 'is placed a thin insulating screen 49 whose edges 46, 47, 48 are engaged with a slight clearance in the guide grooves 36, 37, 38 (see also Figure 2).

Dans la position de repos de l'interrupteur. représenté à la figure 1 et à la figure 3, un bord supérieur 50 de l'écran, sensiblement perpendiculaire au plan PP', est appliqué sur la tranche d'au moins l'une des pastilles de contact par des ressorts de compression 51, 52 placés dans des logements 53, 54 débouchant en regard du bord inférieur 47 de l'écran (voir aussi la figure 2) ; ces ressorts 51, 52 s'appuient, en sens opposé au bord 50 sur une paroi voisine du fond 43 du boîtier ou sur ce dernier (voir la figure 4).In the rest position of the switch. represented in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 3, an upper edge 50 of the screen, substantially perpendicular to the plane PP ', is applied to the edge of at least one of the contact pads by compression springs 51, 52 placed in housings 53, 54 opening opposite the lower edge 47 of the screen (see also FIG. 2); these springs 51, 52 bear, in opposite direction to the edge 50 on a wall near the bottom 43 of the housing or on the latter (see FIG. 4).

Chaque demi-boîtier comporte dans une région 5", placée au-dessus du plan QQ' une paroi transversale isolante 103, 103' qui s'étend sensiblement parallèlement au plan QQ, et présente une surface 104 dirigée vers l'extrémité des deux leviers; ces deux parois s'appliquent l'une sur l'autre le long du plan PP" lorsque les demi-boîtiers 3, 4 sont assemblés.Each half-housing has, in a 5 "region, placed above the plane QQ 'an insulating transverse wall 103, 103' which extends substantially parallel to the plane QQ , and has a surface 104 directed towards the end of the two levers ; these two walls are applied one on the other along the plane PP "when the half-housings 3, 4 are assembled.

La surface 104 est placée au voisinage immédiat des extrémités, 18, 19 avec un jeu suffisant pour ne pas gêner leurs déplacements elle constitue elle-même le fond d'un couloir 55 dont la largeur, mesurée parallèlement à l'axe des pivots des leviers, est légèrement supérieure à la largeur « e »des pastilles de contact (voir la figure 4).The surface 104 is placed in the immediate vicinity of the ends, 18, 19 with sufficient play so as not to hinder their movement; it itself constitutes the bottom of a corridor 55 whose width, measured parallel to the axis of the pivots of the levers , is slightly greater than the width "e" of the contact pads (see Figure 4).

Dans un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention, la région 56' de la surface 104 qui est placée en regard du bord supérieur 50' de l'écran est continue ; cette région peut être plane (voir la figure 5a), ou présenter de légères ondulations 56" (voir la figure 5b), ou encore comporter des rainures prismatiques 56'" (voir la figure 5c). Les profils des bords supérieurs 50'. 50", 50"' présentent, dans ces cas, des formes complémentaires visibles sur ces figures.In a first embodiment of the invention, the region 56 'of the surface 104 which is placed opposite the upper edge 50' of the screen is continuous; this region can be flat (see FIG. 5a), or have slight undulations 56 "(see FIG. 5b), or even have prismatic grooves 56" (see FIG. 5c). The profiles of the upper edges 50 '. 50 ", 50"' have, in these cases, complementary shapes visible in these figures.

Dans un second mode de réalisation, représenté à la figure 6, la surface 104 présente, en regard du bord supérieur 50 de l'écran, une fente ou encoche 57 jusqu'au fond de laquelle celui-ci pénètre en cours d'ouverture de l'interrupteur. Dans ce dernier cas, cette rainure 57 est avantageusement reliée, soit à des canaux 58, 59 qui débouchent sur ses côtés, soit à un canal 60 qui débouche dans le prolongement de la rainure, soit à une multiplicité de canaux de chacune des deux sortes. Ces canaux communiquent à leur tour avec un circuit de décompression comprenant des canaux 61, 62, 63, placé entre les parois 103, 39, 40 et des murs latéraux 64, 65, 66 du boîtier, pour déboucher à l'atmosphère par deux évents 67, 68 voisins des bornes. Ces portions de canaux 61, 63 peuvent avantageusement contourner des logements 69, 70 dans lesquels sont guidés les ressorts de pression de contact.In a second embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, the surface 104 has, facing the upper edge 50 of the screen, a slot or notch 57 up to the bottom of which the latter penetrates during the opening of the switch. In the latter case, this groove 57 is advantageously connected either to channels 58, 59 which open on its sides, or to a channel 60 which opens in the extension of the groove, or to a multiplicity of channels of each of the two kinds . These channels communicate in turn with a decompression circuit comprising channels 61, 62, 63, placed between the walls 103, 39, 40 and side walls 64, 65, 66 of the housing, to lead to the atmosphere by two vents 67, 68 neighbors of the terminals. These channel portions 61, 63 can advantageously bypass housings 69, 70 in which the contact pressure springs are guided.

Lorsque des courants d'intensité relativement importante traversent l'interrupteur, tels que ceux qui se présentent par exemple lorsque la ligne alimente un moteur ayant un démarrage difficile ou apparaissent à l'occasion de court-circuits impédants, les forces électro-dynamiques qui se développent entre les bras des leviers ne sont pas suffisantes pour vaincre les efforts appliqués par les ressorts et les contacts restent fermés.When currents of relatively high intensity cross the switch, such as those which occur for example when the line supplies a motor having a difficult starting or appear on the occasion of impedant short-circuits, the electro-dynamic forces which develop between the arms of the levers are not sufficient to overcome the forces applied by the springs and the contacts remain closed.

Lorsque, par contre, des courants d'intensité excessive, tels que ceux qui apparaissent brutalement à l'occasion de court-circuits francs, circulent dans les leviers de contact, les forces électro-dynamiques développées entre ces leviers produisent des efforts de répulsion tels que ceux-ci sont écartés l'un de l'autre. En même temps, apparaissent des forces d'attraction provenant de l'interaction entre les courants circulant dans chaque levier et des champs induits dans les pièces magnétiques 24, 25 ; ces dernières forces, qui attirent chaque levier dans la fente 30, 31 de chaque pièce magnétique, s'ajoutent aux précédentes pour provoquer une séparation extrêmement rapide des pastilles de contact.When, on the other hand, currents of excessive intensity, such as those which appear suddenly during short-circuits, circulate in the contact levers, the electro-dynamic forces developed between these levers produce repulsion forces such that these are separated from each other. At the same time, attractive forces arise from the interaction between the currents flowing in each lever and fields induced in the magnetic parts 24, 25; these latter forces, which attract each lever in the slot 30, 31 of each magnetic piece, are added to the previous ones to cause extremely rapid separation of the contact pads.

Dès que les pastilles de contact 20, 21 s'écartent, l'écran 49, qui était retenu par au moins l'une d'elles, est propulsé vers le haut de la figure en direction de la surface 104. L'arc électrique qui jaillit entre les pastilles de contact au moment de leur séparation se développe tangentiellement entre ces pastilles en raison de la proximité de la surface 104 qui lui interdit tout déplacement radial.As soon as the contact pads 20, 21 move apart, the screen 49, which was retained by at least one of them, is propelled towards the top of the figure in the direction of the surface 104. The electric arc which springs between the contact pads at the time of their separation develops tangentially between these pads due to the proximity of the surface 104 which prevents it from moving radially.

Le rapprochement très rapide du bord supérieur 50 de l'écran vers la surface 104 contre laquelle il vient s'appliquer, produit, au cours de ce développement, un cisaillement complet de la section de l'arc. L'expérience a montré qu'il en résulte une augmentation surprenante du gradient de la tension d'arc, de sorte que celui-ci s'éteint très rapidement. Ce phénomène d'extinction rapide d'un arc par cisaillement complet de sa section est expliqué plus complètement dans la demande de brevet européen EP-A-0 118 333, déposée le même jour par la Demanderesse.The very rapid approach of the upper edge 50 of the screen towards the surface 104 against which it is applied, produces, during this development, complete shearing of the section of the arc. Experience has shown that this results in a surprising increase in the gradient of the arc voltage, so that it extinguishes very quickly. This phenomenon of rapid extinction of an arc by complete shearing of its section is explained more fully in European patent application EP-A-0 118 333, filed the same day by the Applicant.

La séparation étanche ou l'isolement qui sont partiellement établis entre la moitié amont et la moitié aval de l'interrupteur, grâce aux chicanes créées par les rainures de guidage 36, 37, 38, sont complétés par l'arrivée de l'écran contre la surface 104, ce qui évite des réamorçages de l'arc. Cette étanchéité est encore améliorée par des dispositions représentées aux figures 5a, b, -c ou mieux encore, par celle représentée à la figure 6. où une chicane supplémentaire est établie au niveau du bord supérieur lorsque l'écran pénètre dans la rainure 57.The sealed separation or isolation which is partially established between the upstream half and the downstream half of the switch, thanks to the baffles created by the guide grooves 36, 37, 38, are completed by the arrival of the screen against the surface 104, which avoids re-strikes of the arc. This tightness is further improved by the arrangements shown in FIGS. 5a, b, -c or better still, by that shown in FIG. 6. where an additional baffle is established at the upper edge when the screen enters the groove 57.

On voit, à la figure 8, qu'après ouverture de l'interrupteur, le volume de celui-ci est divisé en deux chambres opposées 100, 101 totalement . étanches.We see in Figure 8, after opening the switch, the volume thereof is divided into two opposite chambers 100, 101 completely. waterproof.

On remarquera que l'isolement est également garanti dans la région inférieure de l'interrupteur grâce au fait que, au cours du déplacement de l'écran, son bord 47 ne quitte pas la rainure 37 dans laquelle il est guidé.It will be noted that the insulation is also guaranteed in the lower region of the switch thanks to the fact that, during the movement of the screen, its edge 47 does not leave the groove 37 in which it is guided.

Lorsque l'on adopte le mode de réalisation selon l'une des figures 5a à 5c, les gaz qui apparaissent au moment de l'éclatement de l'arc peuvent être évacués le long du couloir 55, en direction des évents 68, 67 et leur pression est équilibrée grâce à la présence des canaux 61, 62, 63.When adopting the embodiment according to one of FIGS. 5a to 5c, the gases which appear at the time of the bursting of the arc can be evacuated along the corridor 55, in the direction of the vents 68, 67 and their pressure is balanced thanks to the presence of channels 61, 62, 63.

Lorsque l'on adopte le mode de réalisation selon la figure 6, les gaz peuvent s'échapper, non seulement par l'un des canaux 58, 59, 60 et rejoindre les évents par les canaux 61, 62, 63 qui contournent des logements de guidage 69, 70 des ressorts 22, 23, mais encore par des échancrures 96, 97 de fourreaux rapportés 69, 70 contenant les ressorts et reliant le couloir 55 aux évents 68, 67.When adopting the embodiment according to Figure 6, the gases can escape, not only through one of the channels 58, 59, 60 and join the vents through the channels 61, 62, 63 which bypass housings guide 69, 70 of the springs 22, 23, but also by indentations 96, 97 of attached sleeves 69, 70 containing the springs and connecting the passage 55 to the vents 68, 67.

Dans l'appareil tel qu'il est décrit, la vitesse de déplacement de l'écran est suffisante pour éviter une certaine stagnation de l'arc qui risquerait d'endommager les contacts : elle n'est cependant pas telle que la montée de la tension d'arc soit trop brutale et entraîne la génération d'ondes de choc susceptibles de faire exploser le boîtier. La rapidité relativement grande avec laquelle l'écran est propulsé vers la surface 104 pourrait faire craindre des rebondissements de celui-ci, pouvant entraîner un réamorçage de l'arc, en raison du rétablissement de la continuité d'une atmosphère ionisée, donc conductrice.In the device as described, the speed of movement of the screen is sufficient to avoid a certain stagnation of the arc which would risk damaging the contacts: it is not, however, such that the rise of the arcing voltage is too sudden and causes the generation of shock waves that can explode the housing. The relatively high speed with which the screen is propelled towards the surface 104 could raise fears of rebounds of the latter, which could cause a re-ignition of the arc, due to the restoration of the continuity of an ionized atmosphere, therefore conductive.

Des moyens d'amortissement propres à empêcher de tels rebondissements et utilisant par exemple le frottement, sont donc associés à l'écran pour empêcher un mouvement de recul après percussion.Damping means suitable for preventing such twists and using, for example friction, are therefore associated with the screen to prevent a backward movement after percussion.

Lorsque l'écran pénètre dans une rainure telle que 57, ces moyens d'amortissement peuvent être placés à l'intérieur de celle-ci ; on voit, à la figure 7, que le bord supérieur 71 de l'écran 72 présente la forme d'un biseau apte à coopérer avec une feuille ou couche élastique 73 dont la forme correspond à celle du biseau et qui est, si nécessaire, associée à des moyens de pression latéraux 74, 75.When the screen enters a groove such as 57, these damping means can be placed inside the latter; it can be seen, in FIG. 7, that the upper edge 71 of the screen 72 has the shape of a bevel capable of cooperating with a sheet or elastic layer 73 whose shape corresponds to that of the bevel and which is, if necessary, associated with lateral pressure means 74, 75.

Lorsque l'écran 49 vient buter directement contre la surface 104, les moyens d'amortissement peuvent être disposés dans la cloison 41 pour empêcher un recul possible de l'écran (voir figure 8) ; une lame, pince ou fil élastique 76 est disposée au fond de la rainure 37, de façon à présenter au moins une extrémité 77, mobile contre une face 78 de l'écran 49 lorsque celui-ci est au repos, et à maintenir cet écran en position supérieure de travail, par coopération avec son bord inférieur 47.When the screen 49 abuts directly against the surface 104, the damping means can be arranged in the partition 41 to prevent a possible retreat of the screen (see FIG. 8); a blade, clamp or elastic thread 76 is disposed at the bottom of the groove 37, so as to present at least one end 77, movable against a face 78 of the screen 49 when the latter is at rest, and to maintain this screen in the upper working position, by cooperation with its lower edge 47.

Dans une variante d'exécution des moyens d'amortissements (voir la figure 10), le bord supérieur 84 de l'écran 85 présente dans son plan la forme d'un trapèze dont les flancs inclinés 86, 87 viennent s'appliquer sur deux parois latérales inclinées 88, 89 du boîtier, de façon à provoquer un léger effet de coincement qui maintient l'écran et évite son rebondissement ; la partie d'extrémité 90 et les parties latérales 92, 93 de ce bord supérieur peuvent avantageusement s'engager dans des encoches 91, 94, 95 pour établir des chicanes, car il est, dans ce cas, difficile de fabriquer deux profils exactement identiques qui soient susceptibles d'opérer un isolement total entre les deux parties de l'interrupteur ; il va de soi que des chicanes pourraient également être disposées en regard des flancs inclinés, comme cela est indiqué en pointillés sur la figure.In an alternative embodiment of the damping means (see FIG. 10), the upper edge 84 of the screen 85 has in its plane the shape of a trapezium whose inclined sides 86, 87 are applied on two inclined side walls 88, 89 of the housing, so as to cause a slight wedging effect which holds the screen and prevents it from bouncing; the end part 90 and the lateral parts 92, 93 of this upper edge can advantageously engage in notches 91, 94, 95 to establish baffles, because it is, in this case, difficult to manufacture two exactly identical profiles which are capable of operating in total isolation between the two parts of the switch; it goes without saying that baffles could also be arranged opposite the inclined sides, as indicated by dotted lines in the figure.

Après une ouverture automatique de l'interrupteur, les contacts peuvent, soit, venir s'appuyer élastiquement sur les faces opposées de l'écran, soit être maintenus éloignés de ce dernier par des moyens d'accrochage aptes à retenir les leviers de contact, par exemple à l'aide de ressorts à passage de point mort, ou à l'aide de crochets, non illustrés sur les figures.After an automatic opening of the switch, the contacts can either come to bear elastically on the opposite faces of the screen, or be kept away from the latter by hooking means capable of retaining the contact levers, for example using springs with neutral passage, or using hooks, not illustrated in the figures.

Bien que des moyens, manuels ou autres, pour réarmer l'interrupteur et/ou l'écran après une ouverture automatique n'aient pas été représentés en détail, il doit être bien compris que de tels moyens sont associés au boîtier et à l'écran pour redonner à celui-ci, après une ouverture automatique et la disparition du défaut qui a provoqué l'ouverture, une position de repos correspondant à celle représentée à la figure 1.Although means, manual or otherwise, for resetting the switch and / or the screen after automatic opening have not been shown in detail, it should be understood that such means are associated with the housing and the screen to restore it, after an automatic opening and the disappearance of the fault which caused the opening, a rest position corresponding to that shown in Figure 1.

Ces moyens, qui doivent naturellement vaincre les frottements communiqués à l'écran par les moyens d'amortissement, exercent sur cet écran une action verticale dans le sens de la flèche F, pour ramener le bord supérieur de l'écran au-dessous du niveau des pastilles de contact, lesquelles reprennent alors leur position fermée d'origine (voir par exemple la figure 9).These means, which must naturally overcome the friction communicated to the screen by the damping means, exert on this screen a vertical action in the direction of arrow F, to bring the upper edge of the screen below the level contact pads, which then return to their original closed position (see for example Figure 9).

La figure 9 représente. schématiquement comment, à l'aide d'un poussoir plat 80 disposé de façon coulissante dans le plan RR', il est possible de réarmer l'écran 49 en exerçant une action verticale de sens F sur son bord supérieur 84 ; ce poussoir présente la forme d'une fourche ayant deux bras 81, 82 afin de dégager la région de contact des pastilles de contact.Figure 9 shows. schematically how, using a flat pusher 80 slidably disposed in the plane RR ', it is possible to rearm the screen 49 by exerting a vertical action of direction F on its upper edge 84; this pusher has the form of a fork having two arms 81, 82 in order to release the contact region from the contact pads.

Bien que l'invention ait été illustrée à l'aide d'un mode de réalisation préféré comportant deux leviers de contacts mobiles, de très bons résultats sont encore obtenus lorsque l'un des leviers de contact est remplacé par un support fixe et grossièrement parallèle au levier de contact mobile.Although the invention has been illustrated using a preferred embodiment comprising two movable contact levers, very good results are still obtained when one of the contact levers is replaced by a fixed and roughly parallel support to the movable contact lever.

Des résultats d'essais comparatifs ont montré que l'ouverture automatique d'un interrupteur. lors de l'apparition des courants de court-circuits ayant un niveau présumé de 25 kA sous une tension triphasée de 420 V, est opérée avec une énergie d'arc trois fois moins élevée sur les appareils limiteurs actuels comparables.Comparative test results have shown that the automatic opening of a switch. when short-circuit currents appearing with a presumed level of 25 kA at a three-phase voltage of 420 V, is operated with an arc energy three times lower on comparable current limiting devices.

Par ailleurs des essais effectués sur des interrupteurs selon l'invention pour de bas calibres d'intensité ont montré que la limitation de courants de court-circuit était comparable à celle obtenue à l'aide de fusibles, voire meilleure.Furthermore, tests carried out on switches according to the invention for low intensity ratings have shown that the limitation of short-circuit currents was comparable to that obtained using fuses, or even better.

Il est possible de constater, à l'examen de la figure 11, où les traits pointillés indiquent les dimensions d'un appareil conforme à l'art antérieur, le gain de volume procuré par la mise en oeuvre des mesures selon l'invention, voir les traits pleins.It is possible to note, on examining FIG. 11, where the dotted lines indicate the dimensions of an apparatus according to the prior art, the gain in volume obtained by the implementation of the measures according to the invention, see the solid lines.

Claims (10)

1. A current limiting switch comprising, in a case (2) : at least one mobile lever subject to the action of a resilient member (22, 23) which applies one against the other separable contact pieces (20, 21) placed at the respective ends of the lever arm (8, 9) carrying the mobile contact and a contact support (6, 7) roughly parallel to said arm ; a thin electrically insulating screen (49) which is placed between the lever arm and the support so that its edge is inserted between the contact pieces (20, 21) while maintaining the insulation between the lever and the support, when these latter move away from each other following short circuit currents flowing in the switch, characterized in that the ends (18, 19) of said contact supports (7, 6), where said contact pieces (20, 21) are placed, are situated in the immediate vicinity of an insulating surface (104) of the case (2), so that the path of the arc is essentially tangential with respect to the movement of the mobile contact, the movement of said edge (50, 84) towards and against this insulating surface causing first of all shearing of the arc and then establishing complete and sealed electric insulation between the two opposite chambers (100, 101) which the screen separates within the internal volume of the case.
2. The current limiting switch as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the conducting. supports of said contacts (7-6) are moved away from each other by an electrodynamic repulsion action which appears with a short circuit and the screen, normally retained upstream of the contacts, is propelled between said contact pieces as soon as these latter have begun to move away from each other.
3. The current limiting switch as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said insulating surface (104) is situated roughly in a plane substantially perpendicular to the one which contains the supports for the contacts.
4. The current limiting switch as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the mobile contact or contacts move with a slight play in a tangential passage (55) whose bottom is formed by said wall, whereas said screen (49) is guided with a slight play in grooves (36, 38) formed in the faces of the case parallel to the plane of said contact supports.
5. The current limiting switch as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said insulating surface has corrugations (56", figure 5b) or prismatic grooves (56"', figure 5c) and the surface facing the edge of said screen (49) has a complementary shape.
6. The current limiting switch as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said insulating surface has a slot or notch (57, figure 6) to the bottom of which said edge of said screen (49) penetrates, air evacuation channels ending in this groove or notch.
7. The current limiting switch as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that damping means are provided for preventing said screen (49) from bouncing on said insulating surface (104).
8. The current limiting switch as claimed in claims 6 and 7, characterized in that said damping means comprise a bevelled shape (71) given to the edge of said screen and an elastic layer of complementary shape (73) lining said slot or notch (57).
9. The current limiting switch as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said damping means comprise a resilient member (76) cooperating with the edge of the screen opposite the one which comes into contact with said insulating surface (104).
10. The current limiting switch as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said damping means comprise an arrangement of the edge (85, 86, 87) of said screen (49) and of the facing portion (88-89) of said insulating surface such that a jamming effect is produced.
EP84400205A 1983-02-04 1984-01-31 Current-limiting switch Expired - Lifetime EP0118334B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8301750A FR2540666B1 (en) 1983-02-04 1983-02-04 LIMIT SWITCH
FR8301750 1983-02-04

Publications (3)

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EP0118334A1 EP0118334A1 (en) 1984-09-12
EP0118334B1 true EP0118334B1 (en) 1986-08-20
EP0118334B2 EP0118334B2 (en) 1992-01-29

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US (1) US4536630A (en)
EP (1) EP0118334B2 (en)
JP (1) JPS59146127A (en)
BR (1) BR8400457A (en)
CA (1) CA1201468A (en)
DE (2) DE3460492D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2540666B1 (en)
ZA (1) ZA84601B (en)

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FR2573913B1 (en) * 1984-11-26 1987-01-09 Telemecanique Electrique ELECTRICAL SWITCH WITH SCREEN
FR2573912B1 (en) * 1984-11-26 1987-01-09 Telemecanique Electrique ELECTRICAL SWITCH WITH SCREEN
FR2581476B1 (en) * 1985-05-06 1987-06-19 Telemecanique Electrique CIRCUIT BREAKER APPARATUS FOR MEDIUM VOLTAGE NETWORK
FR2596196B1 (en) * 1986-03-21 1988-08-26 Telemecanique Electrique PROTECTIVE SWITCHING DEVICE PROVIDED WITH AN ARC SHUT-OFF SCREEN
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2540666B1 (en) 1986-10-10
BR8400457A (en) 1984-09-11
EP0118334A1 (en) 1984-09-12
DE118334T1 (en) 1984-12-20
ZA84601B (en) 1984-09-26
CA1201468A (en) 1986-03-04
DE3460492D1 (en) 1986-09-25
US4536630A (en) 1985-08-20
EP0118334B2 (en) 1992-01-29
JPS59146127A (en) 1984-08-21
FR2540666A1 (en) 1984-08-10

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