EP0258124B1 - Adjusting device for the thermal current of a bimetal thermal tripping device, and protective switch having such a device - Google Patents

Adjusting device for the thermal current of a bimetal thermal tripping device, and protective switch having such a device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0258124B1
EP0258124B1 EP87401839A EP87401839A EP0258124B1 EP 0258124 B1 EP0258124 B1 EP 0258124B1 EP 87401839 A EP87401839 A EP 87401839A EP 87401839 A EP87401839 A EP 87401839A EP 0258124 B1 EP0258124 B1 EP 0258124B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
axis
wheel
thermal
lever
hook
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 - Lifetime
Application number
EP87401839A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0258124A1 (en
Inventor
Raymond André Ingrain
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Telemecanique SA
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La Telemecanique Electrique SA
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Publication of EP0258124A1 publication Critical patent/EP0258124A1/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
    • 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
    • H01H71/74—Means for adjusting the conditions under which the device will function to provide protection
    • H01H71/7427—Adjusting only the electrothermal mechanism
    • 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
    • H01H71/74—Means for adjusting the conditions under which the device will function to provide protection
    • H01H2071/7481—Means for adjusting the conditions under which the device will function to provide protection with indexing means for magnetic or thermal tripping adjustment knob
    • 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
    • H01H71/50—Manual reset mechanisms which may be also used for manual release
    • H01H71/52—Manual reset mechanisms which may be also used for manual release actuated by lever
    • H01H71/527—Manual reset mechanisms which may be also used for manual release actuated by lever making use of a walking beam with one extremity latchable, the other extremity actuating or supporting the movable contact and an intermediate part co-operating with the actuator

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a circuit breaker-type protection switch comprising a bimetal thermal trip unit in an insulating housing, and more particularly relates to a device making it possible to adjust the value of the thermal current which causes the tripping of the circuit breaker in the event of electrical overload. , i.e. for the passage of a current exceeding the nominal value of the circuit breaker.
  • the rocker arm carries a pivoting hook with an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the rocker arm, which hook has, on the one hand, a head cooperating with a spoiler provided at one end of an auxiliary trigger lever and, on the other hand, a tail spaced from the bimetallic strip by a given distance as a function of the chosen value of the thermal current.
  • the bimetallic strip urges the hook and forces it to pivot in order to release it from the spoiler of the tripping lever, which switches so as to cause the tripping of the circuit breaker.
  • a rotation of the flange in the same direction as above rotates the hook around its fulcrum on the bimetallic strip, so that the hook head disengages from the spoiler of the lever, causing the circuit breaker to trip.
  • the position of the flange which has just produced the tripping of the circuit breaker defines a so-called zero reference position from which the flange is then made to rotate in the opposite direction by a predetermined angle so as to move the tail of the hook over a corresponding predefined distance.
  • at the bimetallic strip travel for the graduation corresponding to the minimum value of the thermal current initially indexed when the wheel is locked. The factory setting is therefore complete and the thumbwheel is then released and secured to the flange by means of the gear member.
  • the object of the present invention is to remedy this drawback and to improve this type of adjustment mechanism used both in the factory and by the user, while retaining its simplicity of design while giving it a small footprint.
  • the mother idea of the invention consists in separating the hook from the adjustment rocker arm in order to henceforth maintain the hook in a pseudo-fixed position during the factory adjustment, and in making an appropriate kinematic connection between the various parts. used to ensure, during the factory setting, the pivoting of the hook exerting the same force to cause the tripping of the circuit breaker.
  • a device for adjusting the thermal current of the type described above, in which the hook is pivotally mounted about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the rocker arm, is according to the invention characterized in that it also comprises a lever which is articulated in its middle part by means of an axis on the hook so as to constitute with the latter a broken connecting rod, and which cooperates at a first end by means of a connecting part with the rocker arm, the lever having a second free end intended to be located relative to the bimetal thermal trip device at a distance depending on a selected value of the thermal current.
  • the invention also relates to a protective switch of the circuit breaker type comprising such a device for adjusting the thermal current, the tripping of the circuit breaker being effected by the bimetallic strip once adjusted via a lock, following an electrical overload.
  • the protection switch partially illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a modular circuit breaker with insulating housing 10 equipped with a device for adjusting the thermal trip current, designated by the general reference 30.
  • the circuit breaker has a pair of separable contacts, namely a fixed contact CF and a movable contact CM arranged on a current path provided between two terminals (not shown) of the housing.
  • the housing 10 comprises a bimetal thermal trip device 11 capable of actuating a lock 13 by means of a broken connecting rod constituted by a hook 31 and a lever 35 articulated to each other, in order to separate the movable contact CM of the fixed contact CF following an electrical overload appearing at the downstream terminals of the housing.
  • the electromagnetic trip device housed in the circuit breaker box and capable of also actuating the lock to separate the movable contact from the fixed contact has not been illustrated, following a fault such as a short circuit.
  • the lock 13 comprises a lever 15 in the form of a cradle having two parallel longitudinal arms connected transversely to one another, on the one hand, at a first end, by a pin 16 and, on the other hand, at a second end, by a so-called tripping part 17 having a spoiler 17a in which comes to bear one end of the hook 31 when the circuit breaker is in the engaged position (FIG. 1).
  • a part 18 known as a support for the movable contact CM is mounted on a fixed axis A1 and is constituted, on the one hand, by a rigid sole 18a carrying the movable contact and ending in a rigid folded branch 18b, and on the other hand , by an elastic branch forming a spring 18c capable of abutting on the end of the branch 18b.
  • the pin 16 of the lever 15 bears on the spring branch 18c and exerts on it a downward force f1 when the circuit breaker is in the engaged position ( Figure 1).
  • a so-called voluntary tripping member such as, for example, a pivoting lever 19, is associated with the front face 20 of the case 10 of the circuit breaker, and is conventionally stressed by a spring which tends to rotate it according to the arrow f2 ( figure 1).
  • the lever 19 is connected to the lever 15 by a toggle link 22 which ends in a seat 22a fixed on the lever and capable of sliding in a guide slot (not shown) formed in the housing 10.
  • the lever 15 is on the other hand subject to a pin spring 24 mounted on the fixed axis A1 and of which the two free ends (not shown) respectively come into abutment on the underside of two cleats, only one of which is visible at 25 in Figures 1 and 2, respectively mounted transversely on the two arms of the lever; these spring ends are capable of exerting on the tabs of the lever 15 an upward force f3 ( Figure 1).
  • the spring 24 has a branch 24a folded transversely and resting on a stop 26 provided in the housing 10.
  • the circuit breaker shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and equipped with its device for adjusting the thermal current, operates in the following manner, placing itself in the case where the thermal trip current has already been adjusted using said device.
  • the lever 19 occupies the position on the left in this figure, and the movable contact CM is applied to the fixed contact CF under the effect of the force produced by the pin 16, according to the arrow f1, on the spring branch 18c of the support piece 18.
  • the head of the hook 31 is supported in the spoiler 17a of the triggering piece 17, while the lever 35 is disposed relative to the bimetallic strip 11 at a distance data d which is defined, as is known, as a function of the chosen value of the thermal trip current.
  • the adjusting device 30 firstly comprises an insulating wheel 32 in the form of a ring provided with an internal toothing 33, and an insulating flange 34, of generally circular shape, mounted inside the wheel and coaxial with it.
  • the flange 34 is hollowed out with a groove 36 of eccentric shape with respect to its axis A2 and is hollowed out to form at its periphery an arm 37 ending in a finger 38 meshing with the teeth 33 of the thumb wheel.
  • the section of the arm 37 is determined so as to offer sufficient elasticity while retaining a certain stiffness necessary for the rotational drive of the flange by the wheel during the so-called user adjustment which will be explained later.
  • the toothed wheel as well as the grooved and hollowed flange advantageously both come from molding in a plastic material of the polyamide type for example; in in addition, the teeth of the wheel can be produced either on the entire inner periphery of the wheel, or preferably on only part of it.
  • the wheel assembly 32 - flange 34 is disposed at a side face 40 of the housing 10, bimetal side 11, being centered in a bore formed in this face of the housing.
  • the flange 34 is hollowed out in its center with a blind hole 42 accessible from outside the housing for the introduction of a tool such as, for example, a screwdriver .
  • FIG. 4 shows the part of the thumbwheel 32 which is accessible from the outside of the housing by opening a rectangular opening 43 formed in the front face 20 of the housing.
  • the wheel 32 carries a set of graduations which correspond to relative values of the thermal current and which can be brought successively, by turning the wheel, opposite an index 45 carried by the front face of the circuit breaker housing .
  • dial can also be graduated in direct values of the thermal current.
  • the adjustment device 30 also includes a rocker part 48 capable of being rotated about an axis A3 perpendicular to the axis of rotation A2 of the wheel 32, via d 'A drive member constituted by a spherical finger 50 mounted engaged in the groove 36 of the flange 34.
  • the rocker arm 48 has a general U-shape, the bottom 48a of which carries the drive finger 50 and one of the two side walls 48b of which extends by a vertical tab 48c transversely projecting, near its free end, a lug or pawn 51 serving to support the lever 35; the rocker arm 48 carries, on its two external lateral walls, two identical pins 52 coaxially aligned, of axis A3 fixed relative to the housing.
  • the hook 31 is pivotally mounted on an axis A4 fixed relative to the housing and is articulated to the lever 35 by means of an axis A5.
  • the hook 31 is in the form of a pallet suspended inside the U rocker between two identical transverse pins 55 coaxially aligned, with a fixed axis A4 parallel to the 'axis of rotation A3 of the rocker arm 48, and mounted so as to pivot in the casing through freely, that is to say without play, two coaxial orifices 57 formed respectively in the two side walls 48b of the rocker arm 48.
  • the hook 31 has a generally rounded head 31a which is intended to rest in the spoiler 17a of the triggering piece 17 (FIG. 1), the center of the rounded head of the hook then being placed by construction on the axis of A3 rotation of rocker arm 48.
  • the lever 35 has a generally flat and elongated shape, the middle part of which is articulated on the hook 31 and the two opposite ends of which are formed respectively by two fingers 61, 62 extending in a direction transverse to the 'axis of articulation A5 and being located on either side of this axis.
  • the finger 61 rests on the lug 51 carried by the lug 48c of the rocker arm 48, while the finger 62 is intended to be acted upon by the bimetal thermal trip device in the event of electrical overload.
  • the tripartite hook 31 - lever 35 - rocker arm 48 assembly is arranged in a triangular formation capable of being deformed under the action of the bimetallic strip, the lever 35 being, on the one hand, connected to the rocker arm 48 via the lug 51 and, on the other hand, secured to the hook 31 by means of the hinge pin A5.
  • the wheel 32 In a first initial stage, the wheel 32 is positioned so that its graduation corresponding to the minimum value of the thermal current is opposite the index carried by the housing, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The wheel 32 is then locked or immobilized in this position, relative to the housing, for example by means of a pin (not shown).
  • the arm 37 (FIG. 3) of the flange carrying the finger meshing with the teeth of the wheel has sufficient elasticity to allow the flange to be driven in rotation.
  • the circuit breaker is put into the engaged position in which the head 31a of the hook 31 bears, under the action of a spring (not shown), against the spoiler 17a of the tripping part 17, as it appears in FIG. 5.
  • the center of the rounded head 31a of the hook is placed on the axis of rotation A cul of the rocker arm 48; as for the lever 35, its finger 61 cooperates with the lug 51 of the rocker arm, while its other finger 62 is located at any distance d ⁇ from the bimetallic strip 11.
  • the flange 34 is rotated in the appropriate direction around its axis A2 (FIG. 5), by means of a tool inserted in the blind hole 42, so as to drive in rotation the rocker arm 48 clockwise according to arrow f5 in Figure 5.
  • the drive finger 50 engaged in the eccentric groove 36 of the flange moves downward along the arrow f6 in Figure 5.
  • the lug 51 carried by the rocker arm therefore drives clockwise the lever 35 which swings around the axis A5 to come into contact, by its finger 62, against the bimetallic strip 11, as illustrated in FIG. 6.
  • the position of the flange 34 which has just caused the tripping of the circuit breaker constitutes a position called zero reference for the adjustment of the bimetallic strip in the factory.
  • the flange 34 is turned in the opposite direction (FIG. 7) by a predetermined angle so as to move the finger 62 of the lever 35 over a predefined distance equal to the travel of the bimetallic strip for the graduation corresponding to the minimum value of the thermal current and initially placed opposite the index of the housing during the locking of the thumb wheel.
  • the predetermined angle can be replaced by a counting, also predetermined, of the number of teeth jumped by the gear finger of the flange.
  • the finger 50 moves upwards along the arrow f11 in FIG. 7 and drives the rocker arm 48 in rotation around its axis A3 in the direction counterclockwise according to arrow f12 (figure 7); the lever 35 mounted in abutment on the lug 51 of the rocker arm also pivots counterclockwise to move further away from the bimetallic strip.
  • the user has, on the wheel, a scale graduated in direct or relative values of the thermal current, which he can bring successively, by turning the wheel, opposite the index carried by the housing.
  • the graduations are distributed on the wheel so that by turning the wheel to go from one graduation to another, the lever moves by a corresponding known value.
  • the arm of the flange carrying the finger meshing with the teeth of the wheel has a sufficient stiffness to allow the flange to be driven in rotation with the wheel when the latter is rotated. this.
  • the rotation of the thumb wheel performed manually by the user to bring the graduation corresponding to this current value, facing the index carried by the housing causes through the rocker arm 48 driven by the finger 50, a movement of the finger 62 of the lever 35 over a distance corresponding, relative to the zero reference, to the travel of the bimetallic strip for this chosen value of the thermal trip current.
  • FIGS. 9 the position of the finger 62 of the lever 35 is illustrated relative to the bimetallic strip 11 for the minimum value of the thermal current chosen by the user, the circuit breaker being returned to its engaged position as illustrated in FIG. 1 ; of course, this particular choice of the value of the thermal current is given only by way of illustration and without limitation.
  • the circuit breaker passes from its latched position (FIG. 9) to its position tripped by action of the bimetallic strip, according to the same process described previously with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

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  • Thermally Actuated Switches (AREA)
  • Mechanisms For Operating Contacts (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne un interrupteur de protection du genre disjoncteur comportant dans un boîtier isolant un déclencheur thermique à bilame, et elle a plus particulièrement pour objet un dispositif permettant de régler la valeur du courant thermique qui provoque le déclenchement du disjoncteur en cas de surcharge électrique, c'est-à-dire pour le passage d'un courant dépassant la valeur nominale du disjoncteur.The present invention relates to a circuit breaker-type protection switch comprising a bimetal thermal trip unit in an insulating housing, and more particularly relates to a device making it possible to adjust the value of the thermal current which causes the tripping of the circuit breaker in the event of electrical overload. , i.e. for the passage of a current exceeding the nominal value of the circuit breaker.

On connaît déjà, d'après la demande de brevet FR-2 585 180 publiée pour la première Fois le 23.01.87 soit aprés le 14.08.86 date de priorité de la présente demande mais avant le 07.08.87 date de dépôt de la présente demande, un mécanisme qui permet de régler, aussi bien en usine que par l'utilisateur, le courant de déclenchement thermique d'un disjoncteur par action d'un bilame. Ce mécanisme de réglage comporte :

  • une molette accessible de l'extérieur du boîtier de disjoncteur et pourvue d'une denture intérieure, la molette portant des graduations qui correspondent à des valeurs directes ou relatives de courant et qui peuvent être amenées, en tournant la molette, en regard d'un index porté par le boîtier ;
  • un flasque intérieur centré sur la molette, susceptible d'être entraîné en rotation, pourvu d'un organe d'engrenage avec la denture de la molette, et creusé d'une rainure de forme excentrique par rapport à l'axe de rotation de la molette ;
  • une pièce formant culbuteur monté dans le boîtier et susceptible de se déplacer en rotation autour d'un axe perpendiculaire à l'axe de rotation de la molette par l'intermédiaire d'un organe d'entraînement engagé dans la rainure du flasque, l'axe de rotation du culbuteur étant fixe par rapport au boîtier.
We already know, from patent application FR-2 585 180 published for the first time on 23.01.87 or after 14.08.86 priority date of this application but before 07.08.87 date of filing of this request, a mechanism which makes it possible to adjust, both in the factory and by the user, the thermal trip current of a circuit breaker by the action of a bimetallic strip. This adjustment mechanism includes:
  • a wheel accessible from the outside of the circuit breaker box and provided with an internal toothing, the wheel carrying graduations which correspond to direct or relative current values and which can be brought, by turning the wheel, opposite a index carried by the case;
  • an inner flange centered on the wheel, capable of being driven in rotation, provided with a gear member with the teeth of the wheel, and hollowed out with a groove of eccentric shape with respect to the axis of rotation of the scroll wheel ;
  • a rocker part mounted in the housing and capable of moving in rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the wheel by means of a drive member engaged in the groove of the flange, the axis of rotation of the rocker arm being fixed relative to the housing.

Selon la demande précitée, le culbuteur porte un crochet pivotant d'axe parallèle à l'axe de rotation du culbuteur, lequel crochet présente, d'une part, une tête coopérant avec un becquet prévu à une extrémité d'un levier auxiliaire de déclenchement et, d'autre part, une queue espacée du bilame d'une distance donnée fonction de la valeur choisie du courant thermique. En cas de surcharge électrique, le bilame vient solliciter le crochet et contraint celui-ci à pivoter afin de le dégager du becquet du levier de déclenchement, lequel bascule de manière à provoquer le déclenchement du disjoncteur.According to the aforementioned application, the rocker arm carries a pivoting hook with an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the rocker arm, which hook has, on the one hand, a head cooperating with a spoiler provided at one end of an auxiliary trigger lever and, on the other hand, a tail spaced from the bimetallic strip by a given distance as a function of the chosen value of the thermal current. In the event of an electrical overload, the bimetallic strip urges the hook and forces it to pivot in order to release it from the spoiler of the tripping lever, which switches so as to cause the tripping of the circuit breaker.

Pour effecteur le réglage en usine du courant de déclenchement thermique du disjoncteur à l'aide du mécanisme décrit ci-dessus, on commence par bloquer la molette dans une position d'indexation de sa graduation correspondant à la valeur minimale du courant thermique, et on met le disjoncteur en position enclenchée dans laquelle la tête du crochet est en prise avec le becquet du levier de déclenchement. A partir de ces positions initiales, on fait tourner dans un sens convenable uniquement le flasque pour provoquer la rotation de l'ensemble culbuteur-crochet, via l'organe d'entraînement engagé dans la rainure du flasque, jusqu'à ce que la queue du crochet vienne en contact contre le bilame. Dès lors, une rotation du flasque dans le même sens que précédemment fait pivoter le crochet autour de son point d'appui sur le bilame, de telle sorte que la tête du crochet se dégage du becquet du levier, provoquant alors le déclenchement du disjoncteur. La position du flasque qui vient de produire le déclenchement du disjoncteur définit une position dite de référence zéro à partir de laquelle on fait ensuite tourner le flasque en sens inverse d'un angle prédéterminé de manière à déplacer la queue du crochet sur une distance prédéfinie correspondant à la course du bilame pour la graduation correspondant à valeur minimale du courant thermique initialement indexée lors du blocage de la molette. Le réglage usine est donc terminé et la molette est alors débloquée et rendue solidaire du flasque par l'intermédiaire de l'organe d'engrenage.To carry out the factory setting of the thermal trip current of the circuit breaker using the mechanism described above, we first block the thumbwheel in an indexing position of its graduation corresponding to the minimum value of the thermal current, and we puts the circuit breaker in the latched position in which the hook head is engaged with the spoiler of the trip lever. From these initial positions, only the flange is rotated in a suitable direction to cause the rocker-hook assembly to rotate, via the drive member engaged in the groove of the flange, until the tail of the hook comes into contact against the bimetallic strip. Therefore, a rotation of the flange in the same direction as above rotates the hook around its fulcrum on the bimetallic strip, so that the hook head disengages from the spoiler of the lever, causing the circuit breaker to trip. The position of the flange which has just produced the tripping of the circuit breaker defines a so-called zero reference position from which the flange is then made to rotate in the opposite direction by a predetermined angle so as to move the tail of the hook over a corresponding predefined distance. at the bimetallic strip travel for the graduation corresponding to the minimum value of the thermal current initially indexed when the wheel is locked. The factory setting is therefore complete and the thumbwheel is then released and secured to the flange by means of the gear member.

Toutefois, la mise en oeuvre de ce processus de réglage présente un inconvénient majeur. En effet, étant donné que le crochet pivotant est porté par le culbuteur de réglage, celui-ci peut occuper initialement par rapport au becquet du levier de déclenchement une position qui est différente d'un disjoncteur à l'autre en position enclenchée ; dans ces conditions, au cours du réglage usine, l'effort exercé par le bilame sur le crochet afin de dégager ce dernier hors du becquet du levier en vue de provoquer le déclenchement du disjoncteur, varie selon la position initiale prise par le crochet, ce qui conduit inévitablement à une certaine imprécision sur le réglage final.However, the implementation of this adjustment process has a major drawback. Indeed, since the pivoting hook is carried by the adjustment rocker arm, this can initially occupy, relative to the spoiler of the trip lever, a position which is different from one circuit breaker to the other in the engaged position; under these conditions, during the factory setting, the force exerted by the bimetallic strip on the hook in order to release the latter out of the spoiler of the lever in order to cause tripping of the circuit breaker, varies according to the initial position taken by the hook, this which inevitably leads to a certain imprecision on the final adjustment.

La présente invention a pour but de remédier à cet inconvénient et de perfectionner ce type de mécanisme de réglage utilisé tant en usine que par l'utilisateur, en conservant sa simplicité de conception tout en lui donnant un faible encombrement.The object of the present invention is to remedy this drawback and to improve this type of adjustment mechanism used both in the factory and by the user, while retaining its simplicity of design while giving it a small footprint.

A cet effet, l'idée mère de l'invention consiste à désolidariser le crochet du culbuteur de réglage afin de maintenir désormais le crochet dans une position pseudo-fixe au cours du réglage usine, et à réaliser une liaison cinématique appropriée entre les diverses pièces utilisées afin d'assurer, au cours du réglage usine, le pivotement du crochet en exerçant le même effort pour provoquer le déclenchement du disjoncteur.To this end, the mother idea of the invention consists in separating the hook from the adjustment rocker arm in order to henceforth maintain the hook in a pseudo-fixed position during the factory adjustment, and in making an appropriate kinematic connection between the various parts. used to ensure, during the factory setting, the pivoting of the hook exerting the same force to cause the tripping of the circuit breaker.

Un dispositif de réglage du courant thermique du type décrit précédemment, dans lequel le crochet est monté pivotant autour d'un axe parallèle à l'axe de rotation du culbuteur, est selon l'invention caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend également un levier qui est articulé dans sa partie médiane au moyen d'un axe sur le crochet de manière à constituer avec ce dernier une bielle brisée, et qui coopère à une première extrémité au moyen d'une pièce de liaison avec le culbuteur, le levier ayant une seconde extrémité libre destinée à être située par rapport au déclencheur thermique à bilame à une distance fonction d'une valeur choisie du courant thermique.A device for adjusting the thermal current of the type described above, in which the hook is pivotally mounted about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the rocker arm, is according to the invention characterized in that it also comprises a lever which is articulated in its middle part by means of an axis on the hook so as to constitute with the latter a broken connecting rod, and which cooperates at a first end by means of a connecting part with the rocker arm, the lever having a second free end intended to be located relative to the bimetal thermal trip device at a distance depending on a selected value of the thermal current.

L'invention vise également un interrupteur de protection du genre disjoncteur comportant un tel dispositif de réglage du courant thermique, le déclenchement du disjoncteur étant effectué par le bilame une fois réglé via une serrure, consécutivement à une surcharge électrique.The invention also relates to a protective switch of the circuit breaker type comprising such a device for adjusting the thermal current, the tripping of the circuit breaker being effected by the bimetallic strip once adjusted via a lock, following an electrical overload.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront mieux dans la description détaillée qui suit et se réfère aux dessins annexés donnés uniquement à titre d'exemple et dans lesquels :

  • Les figures 1 et 2 représentent schématiquement, en élévation, une partie d'un disjoncteur en position enclenchée et respectivement déclenchée en cas de surcharge électrique, avec son dispositif de réglage du courant thermique conforme à l'invention ;
  • La figure 3 représente en perspective le dispositif de réglage du courant thermique dans sa position illustrée figure 1 ;
  • La figure 4 représente une vue selon la flèche IV de la figure 1 ;
  • Les figures 5 à 8 représentent, en élévation, le dispositif de réglage respectivement dans diverses positions prises au cours du réglage, avec arrachement de certains constituants du disjoncteur ; et
  • La figure 9 représente, en élévation, le dispositif de réglage associé au disjoncteur en position enclenchée telle qu'illustrée figure 1, après réglage du courant thermique et avec arrachement de certains constituants du disjoncteur.
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly in the detailed description which follows and which refers to the appended drawings given solely by way of example and in which:
  • Figures 1 and 2 schematically show, in elevation, a portion of a circuit breaker in the on and off position respectively in the event of an electrical overload, with its device for adjusting the thermal current according to the invention;
  • FIG. 3 shows in perspective the device for adjusting the thermal current in its position illustrated in FIG. 1;
  • Figure 4 shows a view along arrow IV of Figure 1;
  • Figures 5 to 8 show, in elevation, the adjusting device respectively in various positions taken during the setting, with cutaway of some components of the circuit breaker; and
  • FIG. 9 shows, in elevation, the adjustment device associated with the circuit breaker in the latched position as illustrated in FIG. 1, after adjusting the thermal current and with parts of the circuit breaker torn away.

L'interrupteur de protection illustré de façon partielle sur les figures 1 et 2 est un disjoncteur modulaire à boîtier isolant 10 équipé d'un dispositif de réglage du courant de déclenchement thermique, désigné par le repère général 30.The protection switch partially illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a modular circuit breaker with insulating housing 10 equipped with a device for adjusting the thermal trip current, designated by the general reference 30.

Le disjoncteur présente une paire de contacts séparables, à savoir un contact fixe CF et un contact mobile CM disposés sur un chemin de courant prévu entre deux bornes (non figurées) du boîtier.The circuit breaker has a pair of separable contacts, namely a fixed contact CF and a movable contact CM arranged on a current path provided between two terminals (not shown) of the housing.

Le boîtier 10 comprend un déclencheur thermique à bilame 11 susceptible d'actionner une serrure 13 par l'intermédiaire d'une bielle brisée constituée d'un crochet 31 et d'un levier 35 articulés l'un à l'autre, afin de séparer le contact mobile CM du contact fixe CF consécutivement à une surcharge électrique apparaissant aux bornes aval du boîtier.The housing 10 comprises a bimetal thermal trip device 11 capable of actuating a lock 13 by means of a broken connecting rod constituted by a hook 31 and a lever 35 articulated to each other, in order to separate the movable contact CM of the fixed contact CF following an electrical overload appearing at the downstream terminals of the housing.

Dans un souci de simplification, on n'a pas illustré le déclencheur électromagnétique logé dans le boîtier du disjoncteur et susceptible d'actionner également la serrure pour séparer le contact mobile du contact fixe, suite à une défaut tel qu'un court-circuit.For the sake of simplification, the electromagnetic trip device housed in the circuit breaker box and capable of also actuating the lock to separate the movable contact from the fixed contact has not been illustrated, following a fault such as a short circuit.

La serrure 13 comporte un levier 15 en forme de berceau ayant deux bras longitudinaux parallèles reliés transversalement l'un à l'autre, d'une part, à une première extrémité, par un tourillon 16 et, d'autre part, à une seconde extrémité, par une pièce dite de déclenchement 17 présentant un becquet 17a dans lequel vient prendre appui une extrémité du crochet 31 lorsque le disjoncteur est en position enclenchée (figure 1).The lock 13 comprises a lever 15 in the form of a cradle having two parallel longitudinal arms connected transversely to one another, on the one hand, at a first end, by a pin 16 and, on the other hand, at a second end, by a so-called tripping part 17 having a spoiler 17a in which comes to bear one end of the hook 31 when the circuit breaker is in the engaged position (FIG. 1).

Une pièce 18 dite de support du contact mobile CM est montée sur un axe fixe A₁ et est constituée, d'une part, par une semelle rigide 18a portant le contact mobile et se terminant par une branche rigide repliée 18b, et d'autre part, par une branche élastique formant ressort 18c susceptible de venir en butée sur l'extrémité de la branche 18b. Le tourillon 16 du levier 15 prend appui sur la branche ressort 18c et exerce sur celle-ci une force descendante f₁ lorsque le disjoncteur est en position enclenchée (figure 1).A part 18 known as a support for the movable contact CM is mounted on a fixed axis A₁ and is constituted, on the one hand, by a rigid sole 18a carrying the movable contact and ending in a rigid folded branch 18b, and on the other hand , by an elastic branch forming a spring 18c capable of abutting on the end of the branch 18b. The pin 16 of the lever 15 bears on the spring branch 18c and exerts on it a downward force f₁ when the circuit breaker is in the engaged position (Figure 1).

Un organe dit de déclenchement volontaire tel que, par exemple, une manette pivotante 19, est associé à la face avant 20 du boîtier 10 du disjoncteur, et est sollicité de façon classique par un ressort qui tend à le faire pivoter selon la flèche f₂ (figure 1).A so-called voluntary tripping member such as, for example, a pivoting lever 19, is associated with the front face 20 of the case 10 of the circuit breaker, and is conventionally stressed by a spring which tends to rotate it according to the arrow f₂ ( figure 1).

La manette 19 est reliée au levier 15 par une liaison à genouillère 22 qui se termine par une portée 22a fixée sur le levier et susceptible de coulisser dans une fente de guidage (non représentée) pratiquée dans le boîtier 10.The lever 19 is connected to the lever 15 by a toggle link 22 which ends in a seat 22a fixed on the lever and capable of sliding in a guide slot (not shown) formed in the housing 10.

Le levier 15 est d'autre part assujetti à un ressort en épingle 24 monté sur l'axe fixe A₁ et dont les deux extrémités libres (non figurées) viennent respectivement en butée sur le dessous de deux taquets, dont un seul est visible en 25 sur les figures 1 et 2, respectivement montés transversalement sur les deux bras du levier ; ces extrémités de ressort sont susceptibles d'exercer sur les taquets du levier 15 une force ascendante f₃ (figure 1). De plus, le ressort 24 possède une branche 24a pliée transversalement et reposant sur une butée 26 prévue dans le boîtier 10.The lever 15 is on the other hand subject to a pin spring 24 mounted on the fixed axis A₁ and of which the two free ends (not shown) respectively come into abutment on the underside of two cleats, only one of which is visible at 25 in Figures 1 and 2, respectively mounted transversely on the two arms of the lever; these spring ends are capable of exerting on the tabs of the lever 15 an upward force f₃ (Figure 1). In addition, the spring 24 has a branch 24a folded transversely and resting on a stop 26 provided in the housing 10.

Le disjoncteur représenté sur les figures 1 et 2, et équipé de son dispositif de réglage du courant thermique, fonctionne de la manière suivante en se plaçant dans le cas où le courant de déclenchement thermique a déjà été réglé à l'aide dudit dispositif.The circuit breaker shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and equipped with its device for adjusting the thermal current, operates in the following manner, placing itself in the case where the thermal trip current has already been adjusted using said device.

Dans la position enclenchée de la figure 1, la manette 19 occupe la position à gauche sur cette figure, et le contact mobile CM est appliqué sur le contact fixe CF sous l'effet de l'effort produit par le tourillon 16, selon la flèche f₁, sur la branche ressort 18c de la pièce support 18. De plus, la tête du crochet 31 est en appui dans le becquet 17a de la pièce de déclenchement 17, tandis que le levier 35 est disposé par rapport au bilame 11 à une distance donnée d qui est définie, comme cela est connu, en fonction de la valeur choisie du courant de déclenchement thermique.In the engaged position of FIG. 1, the lever 19 occupies the position on the left in this figure, and the movable contact CM is applied to the fixed contact CF under the effect of the force produced by the pin 16, according to the arrow f₁, on the spring branch 18c of the support piece 18. In addition, the head of the hook 31 is supported in the spoiler 17a of the triggering piece 17, while the lever 35 is disposed relative to the bimetallic strip 11 at a distance data d which is defined, as is known, as a function of the chosen value of the thermal trip current.

Lorsqu'il apparaît une surcharge électrique aux bornes aval du boîtier du disjoncteur, le bilame 11 est chauffé par le courant de surcharge et subit une déflexion d'amplitude d vers le levier 35 de le bielle brisée pour pousser ledit levier qui pivote en sens antihoraire en entraînant le crochet 31 ; ce dernier pivote en sens horaire et se dégage du becquet de la pièce de déclenchement 17 (figure 2). Une fois le crochet 31 libéré de la pièce 17, et sous l'effet des efforts conjugués f₃ et de la réaction à f₁ (figure 1), le levier 15 bascule en sens horaire autour de la portée 22a du mécanisme à genouillère 22 ; le tourillon 16 du levier 15 pivote donc dans le même sens, ce qui a pour effet de détendre la branche ressort 18c qui vient en butée sur l'extrémité de la branche 18b de la pièce porte-contact 18 (figure 2). A ce moment, la réaction à f₁ de la branche ressort 18c s'annule, seul l'effort f₃ contribuant au pivotement du levier 15. En pivotant, le tourillon 16 du levier 15 vient donc en butée sur la branche 18b et provoque dès lors le basculement en sens horaire de la pièce porte-contact 18 autour de son axe A₁, ce qui a pour effet de séparer le contact mobile CM du contact fixe CF.When an electrical overload appears at the downstream terminals of the circuit breaker box, the bimetallic strip 11 is heated by the overload current and undergoes a deflection of amplitude d towards the lever 35 of the broken connecting rod to push said lever which pivots counterclockwise by driving the hook 31; the latter pivots clockwise and emerges from the spoiler of the triggering part 17 (FIG. 2). Once the hook 31 released from the part 17, and under the effect of the combined forces f₃ and the reaction to f₁ (FIG. 1), the lever 15 swings clockwise around the seat 22a of the toggle mechanism 22; the journal 16 of the lever 15 therefore pivots in the same direction, which has the effect of relaxing the spring branch 18c which abuts on the end of the branch 18b of the contact-carrying part 18 (FIG. 2). At this time, the reaction to f₁ of the spring branch 18c is canceled, only the force f₃ contributing to the pivoting of the lever 15. By pivoting, the pin 16 of the lever 15 therefore abuts on the branch 18b and therefore causes the clockwise tilting of the contact-carrying part 18 around its axis A₁, which has the effect of separating the movable contact CM from the fixed contact CF.

On observera qu'au cours du pivotement du levier 15, la portée 22a de la genouillère se déplace dans la fente pratiquée dans le boîtier, et, sous l'effet de son propre ressort d'assistance, la manette 19 pivote de gauche à droite selon la flèche f₂ de la figure 1 ; la genouillère 22 provoque donc une levée du levier 15, le tourillon 16 de ce dernier venant se glisser, à l'ouverture du contact mobile, sur le fond replié de la branche 18b de la pièce porte-contact 18 (figure 2).It will be observed that during the pivoting of the lever 15, the bearing surface 22a of the toggle moves in the slot made in the housing, and, under the effect of its own assistance spring, the lever 19 pivots from left to right according to the arrow f₂ in Figure 1; the toggle switch 22 therefore causes the lever 15 to be lifted, the pin 16 of the latter coming to slide, at the opening of the movable contact, on the folded bottom of the branch 18b of the contact-carrying part 18 (FIG. 2).

On va maintenant décrire en détail la structure proprement dite du dispositif 30 de réglage du courant thermique, en référence aux figures 3 et 4.We will now describe in detail the actual structure of the device 30 for adjusting the thermal current, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

Sur la figure 3, le dispositif de réglage 30 comporte tout d'abord une molette isolante 32 en forme de bague pourvue d'une denture intérieure 33, et un flasque isolant 34, de forme générale circulaire, monté à l'intérieur de la molette et coaxial à celle-ci.In FIG. 3, the adjusting device 30 firstly comprises an insulating wheel 32 in the form of a ring provided with an internal toothing 33, and an insulating flange 34, of generally circular shape, mounted inside the wheel and coaxial with it.

Le flasque 34 est creusé d'une rainure 36 de forme excentrique par rapport à son axe A₂ et est évidé pour former à sa périphérie un bras 37 se terminant par un doigt 38 engrenant avec les dents 33 de la molette. La section du bras 37 est déterminée de manière à offrir une élasticité suffisante tout en conservant une certaine raideur nécessaire à l'entraînement en rotation du flasque par la molette lors du réglage dit utilisateur que l'on expliquera plus loin.The flange 34 is hollowed out with a groove 36 of eccentric shape with respect to its axis A₂ and is hollowed out to form at its periphery an arm 37 ending in a finger 38 meshing with the teeth 33 of the thumb wheel. The section of the arm 37 is determined so as to offer sufficient elasticity while retaining a certain stiffness necessary for the rotational drive of the flange by the wheel during the so-called user adjustment which will be explained later.

On notera que la molette dentée ainsi que le flasque rainuré et évidé viennent avantageusement tous deux de moulage en une matière plastique du type polyamide par exemple ; en outre, les dents de la molette peuvent être réalisées soit sur tout le pourtour intérieur de la molette, soit de préférence sur une partie seulement de celui-ci.It will be noted that the toothed wheel as well as the grooved and hollowed flange advantageously both come from molding in a plastic material of the polyamide type for example; in in addition, the teeth of the wheel can be produced either on the entire inner periphery of the wheel, or preferably on only part of it.

Comme le montrent les figures 1 et 2, l'ensemble molette 32 - flasque 34 est disposé au niveau d'une face latérale 40 du boîtier 10, côté bilame 11, en étant centré dans un alésage pratiqué dans cette face du boîtier. D'autre part, figures 1 et 2, on voit que le flasque 34 est creusé en son centre d'un trou borgne 42 accessible de l'extérieur du boîtier pour l'introduction d'un outil tel que, par exemple, un tournevis.As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the wheel assembly 32 - flange 34 is disposed at a side face 40 of the housing 10, bimetal side 11, being centered in a bore formed in this face of the housing. On the other hand, Figures 1 and 2, we see that the flange 34 is hollowed out in its center with a blind hole 42 accessible from outside the housing for the introduction of a tool such as, for example, a screwdriver .

La figure 4 représente la partie de la molette 32 qui est accessible de l'extérieur du boîtier en débouchant d'une lumière rectangulaire 43 ménagée dans la face avant 20 du boîtier. Sur cette figure 4, la molette 32 porte un ensemble de graduations qui correspondent à des valeurs relatives du courant thermique et qui peuvent être amenées successivement, en tournant la molette, en regard d'un index 45 porté par la face avant du boîtier du disjoncteur.FIG. 4 shows the part of the thumbwheel 32 which is accessible from the outside of the housing by opening a rectangular opening 43 formed in the front face 20 of the housing. In this FIG. 4, the wheel 32 carries a set of graduations which correspond to relative values of the thermal current and which can be brought successively, by turning the wheel, opposite an index 45 carried by the front face of the circuit breaker housing .

Il est à noter que la molette peut également être graduée en valeurs directes du courant thermique.It should be noted that the dial can also be graduated in direct values of the thermal current.

Comme le montre la figure 3, le dispositif de réglage 30 comporte également une pièce formant culbuteur 48 susceptible d'être entraînée en rotation autour d'un axe A₃ perpendiculaire à l'axe de rotation A₂ de la molette 32, par l'intermédiaire d'un organe d'entraînement constitué par un doigt sphérique 50 monté engagé dans la rainure 36 du flasque 34.As shown in Figure 3, the adjustment device 30 also includes a rocker part 48 capable of being rotated about an axis A₃ perpendicular to the axis of rotation A₂ of the wheel 32, via d 'A drive member constituted by a spherical finger 50 mounted engaged in the groove 36 of the flange 34.

Le culbuteur 48 présente une forme générale de U dont le fond 48a porte le doigt d'entraînement 50 et dont l'une des deux parois latérales 48b se prolonge par une patte verticale 48c portant transversalement en saillie, près de son extrémité libre, un ergot ou pion 51 servant d'appui au levier 35 ; le culbuteur 48 porte, sur ses deux parois latérales externes, deux tourillons identiques 52 coaxialement alignés, d'axe A₃ fixe par rapport au boîtier.The rocker arm 48 has a general U-shape, the bottom 48a of which carries the drive finger 50 and one of the two side walls 48b of which extends by a vertical tab 48c transversely projecting, near its free end, a lug or pawn 51 serving to support the lever 35; the rocker arm 48 carries, on its two external lateral walls, two identical pins 52 coaxially aligned, of axis A₃ fixed relative to the housing.

Le crochet 31 est monté pivotant sur un axe A₄ fixe par rapport au boîtier et est articulé au levier 35 au moyen d'un axe A₅. Dans l'exemple de réalisation illustré à la figure 3, le crochet 31 se présente sous la forme d'une palette suspendue à l'intérieur du culbuteur en U entre deux tourillons transversaux identiques 55 coaxialement alignés, d'axe fixe A₄ parallèle à l'axe de rotation A₃ du culbuteur 48, et montés pivotants dans le boîtier en traversant librement, c'est-à-dire sans jeu, deux orifices coaxiaux 57 ménagés respectivement dans les deux parois latérales 48b du culbuteur 48.The hook 31 is pivotally mounted on an axis A₄ fixed relative to the housing and is articulated to the lever 35 by means of an axis A₅. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the hook 31 is in the form of a pallet suspended inside the U rocker between two identical transverse pins 55 coaxially aligned, with a fixed axis A₄ parallel to the 'axis of rotation A₃ of the rocker arm 48, and mounted so as to pivot in the casing through freely, that is to say without play, two coaxial orifices 57 formed respectively in the two side walls 48b of the rocker arm 48.

Le crochet 31 présente une tête 31a de forme générale arrondie qui est destinée à prendre appui dans le becquet 17a de la pièce de déclenchement 17 (figure 1), le centre de la tête arrondie du crochet étant alors placé par construction sur l'axe de rotation A₃ du culbuteur 48.The hook 31 has a generally rounded head 31a which is intended to rest in the spoiler 17a of the triggering piece 17 (FIG. 1), the center of the rounded head of the hook then being placed by construction on the axis of A₃ rotation of rocker arm 48.

Comme le montre la figure 3, le levier 35 présente une forme générale plate et allongée dont la partie médiane est articulée au crochet 31 et dont les deux extrémités opposées sont formées respectivement par deux doigts 61, 62 s'étendant dans une direction transversale à l'axe d'articulation A₅ et étant situés de part et d'autre de cet axe. Le doigt 61 repose en appui sur l'ergot 51 porté par la patte 48c du culbuteur 48, tandis que le doigt 62 est destiné à être sollicité par le déclencheur thermique à bilame en cas de surcharge électrique. Sur la figure 1, on voit que l'ensemble tripartite crochet 31 - levier 35 - culbuteur 48 est agencé en une formation triangulaire susceptible d'être déformée sous l'action du bilame, le levier 35 étant, d'une part, relié au culbuteur 48 par l'intermédiaire de l'ergot 51 et, d'autre part, solidaire du crochet 31 au moyen de l'axe d'articulation A₅.As shown in FIG. 3, the lever 35 has a generally flat and elongated shape, the middle part of which is articulated on the hook 31 and the two opposite ends of which are formed respectively by two fingers 61, 62 extending in a direction transverse to the 'axis of articulation A₅ and being located on either side of this axis. The finger 61 rests on the lug 51 carried by the lug 48c of the rocker arm 48, while the finger 62 is intended to be acted upon by the bimetal thermal trip device in the event of electrical overload. In FIG. 1, it can be seen that the tripartite hook 31 - lever 35 - rocker arm 48 assembly is arranged in a triangular formation capable of being deformed under the action of the bimetallic strip, the lever 35 being, on the one hand, connected to the rocker arm 48 via the lug 51 and, on the other hand, secured to the hook 31 by means of the hinge pin A₅.

On va maintenant expliquer la manière d'effectuer le réglage du courant de déclenchement thermique, d'abord en usine puis par l'utilisateur, à l'aide du dispositif décrit précédemment, en se référant aux figures 5 à 8.We will now explain how to adjust the thermal trip current, first in the factory and then by the user, using the device described above, with reference to Figures 5 to 8.

Réglage usineFactory setting

Dans un premier stade initial, la molette 32 est positionnée de telle sorte que sa graduation correspondant à la valeur minimale du courant thermique soit en regard de l'index porté par le boîtier, comme illustré à la figure 4. La molette 32 est ensuite bloquée ou immobilisée dans cette position, par rapport au boîtier, au moyen par exemple d'une broche (non figurée).In a first initial stage, the wheel 32 is positioned so that its graduation corresponding to the minimum value of the thermal current is opposite the index carried by the housing, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The wheel 32 is then locked or immobilized in this position, relative to the housing, for example by means of a pin (not shown).

On indiquera que la molette étant en position bloquée, le bras 37 (figure 3) du flasque portant le doigt engrenant avec les dents de la molette, présente une élasticité suffisante pour permettre au flasque d'être entraîné en rotation.It will be indicated that the wheel being in the locked position, the arm 37 (FIG. 3) of the flange carrying the finger meshing with the teeth of the wheel, has sufficient elasticity to allow the flange to be driven in rotation.

Après ce blocage de la molette, le disjoncteur est mis en position enclenchée dans laquelle la tête 31a du crochet 31 prend appui, sous l'action d'un ressort (non figuré), contre le becquet 17a de la pièce de déclenchement 17, comme il apparaît sur la figure 5. Dans cette position illustrée à la figure 5, par construction, le centre de la tête arrondie 31a du crochet se trouve placé sur l'axe de rotation A₃ du culbuteur 48 ; quant au levier 35, son doigt 61 coopère avec l'ergot 51 du culbuteur, tandis que son autre doigt 62 se trouve situé à une distance quelconque dʹ du bilame 11.After this locking of the thumbwheel, the circuit breaker is put into the engaged position in which the head 31a of the hook 31 bears, under the action of a spring (not shown), against the spoiler 17a of the tripping part 17, as it appears in FIG. 5. In this position illustrated in FIG. 5, by construction, the center of the rounded head 31a of the hook is placed on the axis of rotation A cul of the rocker arm 48; as for the lever 35, its finger 61 cooperates with the lug 51 of the rocker arm, while its other finger 62 is located at any distance dʹ from the bimetallic strip 11.

Dans un second stade, la molette étant toujours en position bloquée, on fait tourner dans le sens convenable le flasque 34 autour de son axe A₂ (figure 5), au moyen d'un outil introduit dans le trou borgne 42, de manière à entraîner en rotation le culbuteur 48 dans le sens horaire suivant la flèche f₅ sur la figure 5. A cet effet, lors de la rotation du flasque, le doigt d'entraînement 50 engagé dans la rainure excentrique 36 du flasque se déplace vers le bas suivant la flèche f₆ sur la figure 5. Au cours de la rotation du culbuteur 48, l'ergot 51 porté par le culbuteur entraîne donc dans le sens horaire le levier 35 qui bascule autour de l'axe A₅ pour venir en contact, par son doigt 62, contre le bilame 11, comme illustré à la figure 6.In a second stage, the wheel being always in the locked position, the flange 34 is rotated in the appropriate direction around its axis A₂ (FIG. 5), by means of a tool inserted in the blind hole 42, so as to drive in rotation the rocker arm 48 clockwise according to arrow f₅ in Figure 5. For this purpose, during rotation of the flange, the drive finger 50 engaged in the eccentric groove 36 of the flange moves downward along the arrow f₆ in Figure 5. During the rotation of the rocker arm 48, the lug 51 carried by the rocker arm therefore drives clockwise the lever 35 which swings around the axis A₅ to come into contact, by its finger 62, against the bimetallic strip 11, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

A partir de cette position d'appui du levier 35 contre le bilame 11 (figure 6), la poursuite de la rotation du culbuteur 48 dans le sens horaire (flèche f₅) provoque la rupture de la bielle constituée par le crochet 31 et le levier 35 ; le crochet 31 pivote en sens horaire (flèche f₉) autour de son axe A₄ et se dégage, au niveau de sa tête 31a, du becquet 17a de la pièce de déclenchement 17. On a représenté sur la figure 7 la position occupée par le levier 35 et le crochet 31 une fois libéré de la pièce 17.From this position of support of the lever 35 against the bimetallic strip 11 (FIG. 6), the continued rotation of the rocker arm clockwise (arrow f₅) causes the connecting rod constituted by the hook 31 and the lever to rupture 35; the hook 31 pivots clockwise (arrow f₉) around its axis A₄ and emerges, at its head 31a, from the spoiler 17a of the trigger piece 17. The position occupied by the lever is shown in FIG. 7 35 and the hook 31 once released from the part 17.

Dès que le crochet 31 se trouve libéré de la pièce 17 (figure 7), cette dernière provoque alors le déclenchement du disjoncteur sous l'action de la serrure ; le doigt 62 du levier 35 se trouve donc situé à une distance dʺ du bilame 11 (figure 7).As soon as the hook 31 is released from the part 17 (FIG. 7), the latter then causes tripping of the circuit breaker under the action of the lock; the finger 62 of the lever 35 is therefore located at a distance dʺ from the bimetallic strip 11 (FIG. 7).

A ce stade, la position du flasque 34 qui vient de provoquer le déclenchement du disjoncteur (figure 7) constitue une position dite de référence zéro pour le réglage du bilame en usine.At this stage, the position of the flange 34 which has just caused the tripping of the circuit breaker (FIG. 7) constitutes a position called zero reference for the adjustment of the bimetallic strip in the factory.

Ainsi, dans un troisième stade, la molette étant toujours en position bloquée et en partant de la position dite de référence zéro obtenue précédemment, on fait tourner le flasque 34 en sens inverse (figure 7) d'un angle prédéterminé de manière à déplacer le doigt 62 du levier 35 sur une distance prédéfinie égale à la course du bilame pour la graduation correspondant à la valeur minimale du courant thermique et initialement mise en regard de l'index du boîtier lors du blocage de la molette.Thus, in a third stage, the wheel being still in the locked position and starting from the so-called zero reference position obtained previously, the flange 34 is turned in the opposite direction (FIG. 7) by a predetermined angle so as to move the finger 62 of the lever 35 over a predefined distance equal to the travel of the bimetallic strip for the graduation corresponding to the minimum value of the thermal current and initially placed opposite the index of the housing during the locking of the thumb wheel.

On notera que l'angle prédéterminé peut être remplacé par un comptage, également prédéterminé, du nombre de dents sautées par le doigt d'engrenage du flasque.It will be noted that the predetermined angle can be replaced by a counting, also predetermined, of the number of teeth jumped by the gear finger of the flange.

Plus en détail, lors de la rotation en sens inverse du flasque selon l'angle prédéterminé, le doigt 50 se déplace vers le haut suivant la flèche f₁₁ sur la figure 7 et entraîne en rotation autour de son axe A₃ le culbuteur 48 dans le sens antihoraire suivant la flèche f₁₂ (figure 7) ; le levier 35 monté en appui sur l'ergot 51 du culbuteur pivote également en sens antihoraire pour s'éloigner davantage du bilame.In more detail, during the rotation in the opposite direction of the flange according to the predetermined angle, the finger 50 moves upwards along the arrow f₁₁ in FIG. 7 and drives the rocker arm 48 in rotation around its axis A₃ in the direction counterclockwise according to arrow f₁₂ (figure 7); the lever 35 mounted in abutment on the lug 51 of the rocker arm also pivots counterclockwise to move further away from the bimetallic strip.

On a représenté sur la figure 8 la position finale prise par le doigt 62 du levier 35 qui a été déplacé d'une distance prédéfinie d par rapport à sa position précédente dite de référence zéro partiellement illustrée en traits mixtes sur cette figure 8. Cette distance d correspond donc à la course du bilame pour la valeur minimale du courant thermique qui provoquera le déclenchement du disjoncteur en cas de surcharge électrique. A ce stade, le réglage usine est terminé ; la molette 32 est alors débloquée et rendue solidaire du flasque 34 par l'intermédiaire du doigt d'engrenage 38 (figure 3).There is shown in Figure 8 the final position taken by the finger 62 of the lever 35 which has been moved by a predefined distance d relative to its previous position called zero reference partially illustrated in phantom in this figure 8. This distance d therefore corresponds to the travel of the bimetallic strip for the minimum value of the thermal current which will cause the tripping of the circuit breaker in the event of electrical overload. At this point, the factory setting is complete; the wheel 32 is then released and secured to the flange 34 by means of the gear finger 38 (FIG. 3).

Réglage utilisateurUser setting

L'utilisateur dispose, sur la molette, d'une échelle graduée en valeurs directes ou relatives du courant thermique, qu'il peut amener successivement, en tournant la molette, en regard de l'index porté par le boîtier.The user has, on the wheel, a scale graduated in direct or relative values of the thermal current, which he can bring successively, by turning the wheel, opposite the index carried by the housing.

D'autre part, comme on connaît la valeur de la course du bilame en fonction de chaque valeur du courant thermique, les graduations sont réparties sur la molette de telle sorte qu'en tournant la molette pour passer d'une graduation à une autre, le levier se déplace d'une valeur connue correspondante.On the other hand, as we know the value of the travel of the bimetallic strip as a function of each value of the thermal current, the graduations are distributed on the wheel so that by turning the wheel to go from one graduation to another, the lever moves by a corresponding known value.

On indiquera que la molette étant désormais en position débloquée, le bras du flasque portant le doigt engrenant avec les dents de la molette, présente une raideur suffisante pour permettre au flasque d'être entraîné solidairement en rotation avec la molette lorsqu'on tourne celle-ci.It will be indicated that the wheel being henceforth in the unlocked position, the arm of the flange carrying the finger meshing with the teeth of the wheel, has a sufficient stiffness to allow the flange to be driven in rotation with the wheel when the latter is rotated. this.

Dans ces conditions, selon la valeur choisie du courant thermique, la rotation de la molette effectuée manuellement par l'utilisateur pour amener la graduation correspondant à cette valeur de courant, face à l'index porté par le boîtier, provoque par l'intermédiaire du culbuteur 48 entraîné par le doigt 50, un déplacement du doigt 62 du levier 35 sur une distance correspondant, par rapport à la référence zéro, à la course du bilame pour cette valeur choisie du courant de déclenchement thermique.Under these conditions, according to the chosen value of the thermal current, the rotation of the thumb wheel performed manually by the user to bring the graduation corresponding to this current value, facing the index carried by the housing, causes through the rocker arm 48 driven by the finger 50, a movement of the finger 62 of the lever 35 over a distance corresponding, relative to the zero reference, to the travel of the bimetallic strip for this chosen value of the thermal trip current.

Sur la figures 9, on a illustré la position du doigt 62 du levier 35 par rapport au bilame 11 pour la valeur minimale du courant thermique choisie par l'utilisateur, le disjoncteur étant remis dans sa position enclenchée telle qu'illustrée à la figure 1 ; bien entendu, ce choix particulier de la valeur du courant thermique est donné uniquement à titre illustratif et non limitatif.In FIGS. 9, the position of the finger 62 of the lever 35 is illustrated relative to the bimetallic strip 11 for the minimum value of the thermal current chosen by the user, the circuit breaker being returned to its engaged position as illustrated in FIG. 1 ; of course, this particular choice of the value of the thermal current is given only by way of illustration and without limitation.

Ainsi, lors de l'enclenchement du disjoncteur (figure 9), le crochet 31 vient reprendre sa position en appui contre le becquet de la pièce de déclenchement 17, tandis que le doigt 62 du levier 35 articulé sur le crochet est désormais situé à la distance d du bilame 11. Cette distance d est donc égale à la course du bilame pour la valeur minimale du courant thermique choisie par l'utilisateur, dans cet exemple.Thus, when the circuit breaker is engaged (FIG. 9), the hook 31 comes back to its position in abutment against the spoiler of the tripping part 17, while the finger 62 of the lever 35 articulated on the hook is now located at the distance d from the bimetallic strip 11. This distance d is therefore equal to the travel of the bimetallic strip for the minimum value of the thermal current chosen by the user, in this example.

En cas de surcharge électrique, le disjoncteur passe de sa position enclenchée (figure 9) à sa position déclenchée par action du bilame, selon le même processus décrit précédemment en référence aux figures 1 et 2.In the event of an electrical overload, the circuit breaker passes from its latched position (FIG. 9) to its position tripped by action of the bimetallic strip, according to the same process described previously with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Claims (4)

  1. A device for adjusting the thermal current of a thermal bimetallic strip tripping device (11) housed in a case, including in the case :
    - a wheel (32) accessible from outside the case and having inner toothing (33), the wheel carrying graduations which correspond to direct or relative current values and which may be brought, by rotating said wheel, opposite an index carried by the case ;
    - an inner flange (34) centered on the wheel, adapted to be driven in rotation, having a member (38) meshing with the teeth of the wheel, and formed with a groove (36) of excentric shape with respect to the axis of rotation of the wheel ;
    - a piece forming a tumbler (48) rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the wheel through a drive member (50) engaged in the groove of the flange, the axis of rotation of the tumbler being fixed with respect to the case ;
    - a hook (31) mounted for pivoting about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the tumbler (48) and capable of cooperating with a so called tripping piece mounted in the case ;


    characterized in that said device further includes a lever (35) which is pivotally mounted in its median part on the hook (31) by means of a pin (A₅) so as to form a broken link therewith, and which cooperates at one end with the tumbler (48) through a connection piece (51), the lever having a second free end intended to be situated with respect to the thermal bimetallic strip tripping device at a distance depending on the chosen value of the thermal current.
  2. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said tumbler (48) has substantially the shape of a U in which the external face of the bottom carries the drive member engaged in the groove of the flange, and one of the two side walls of which is extended by a vertical lug (48c), in that said connecting piece includes a stud (51) carried by the lug near its free end, and in that the two ends of said lever are formed respectively by two fingers (61,62) one (61) of which rests in abutment on the stud and the other (62) of which is intended to cooperate with the thermal bimetallic strip tripping device, the two fingers extending in a direction transversal to the pivoting axis (A₅) of the lever with the hook and being situated on each side of this axis.
  3. The device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the two side walls (48b) of the U shaped tumbler are pierced respectively with two coaxial orifices (57) allowing the free passage of two transverse coaxially aligned swivels (55) between which the hook (31) is suspended, said swivels being mounted for pivoting on a shaft which is fixed with respect to the case and their axis defining the pivoting axis of the hook.
  4. A protection switch including in an insulating case (10) a switchable current path in which is disposed at least one pair of cooperating contacts, one (CF) of which is fixed and the other (CM) of which is mobile in response to the actuation of a thermal bimetallic strip tripping device (11) via a lock (13), which includes a tripping piece (17) cooperating with a mobile contact support and being controlled by the action of the bimetallic strip thermal tripping device, characterized in that said switch includes a device (30) for adjusting the thermal current of the bimetallic strip thermal tripping device such as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims.
EP87401839A 1986-08-14 1987-08-07 Adjusting device for the thermal current of a bimetal thermal tripping device, and protective switch having such a device Expired - Lifetime EP0258124B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8611738A FR2602910A1 (en) 1986-08-14 1986-08-14 DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING THE THERMAL CURRENT OF A BILAMIC THERMAL ACTUATOR AND PROTECTION SWITCH COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE
FR8611738 1986-08-14

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0258124A1 EP0258124A1 (en) 1988-03-02
EP0258124B1 true EP0258124B1 (en) 1991-11-27

Family

ID=9338303

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP87401839A Expired - Lifetime EP0258124B1 (en) 1986-08-14 1987-08-07 Adjusting device for the thermal current of a bimetal thermal tripping device, and protective switch having such a device

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US4763096A (en)
EP (1) EP0258124B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS6351023A (en)
KR (1) KR900005885B1 (en)
BR (1) BR8704214A (en)
DE (1) DE3774800D1 (en)
ES (1) ES2027310T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2602910A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5392016A (en) * 1993-11-08 1995-02-21 General Electric Company Molded case circuit breaker mechanical rating plug
DE19739821A1 (en) * 1997-09-11 1999-03-18 Abb Patent Gmbh Device for adjusting a thermal release, in particular for a circuit breaker
JP3899754B2 (en) * 1999-12-01 2007-03-28 富士電機機器制御株式会社 Thermal overload relay
US6661329B1 (en) * 2002-06-13 2003-12-09 Eaton Corporation Adjustable thermal trip assembly for a circuit breaker
KR100881365B1 (en) * 2007-08-07 2009-02-02 엘에스산전 주식회사 Trip sensitivity adjusting method for thermal overload protection apparatus
KR100905021B1 (en) * 2007-08-07 2009-06-30 엘에스산전 주식회사 Thermal overload trip apparatus and trip sensitivity adjusting method for the same
JP2010232058A (en) * 2009-03-27 2010-10-14 Fuji Electric Fa Components & Systems Co Ltd Thermal overload relay
JP4706772B2 (en) * 2009-03-27 2011-06-22 富士電機機器制御株式会社 Thermal overload relay
JP4906881B2 (en) * 2009-03-27 2012-03-28 富士電機機器制御株式会社 Thermal overload relay
CN103474303B (en) * 2013-08-13 2015-12-16 德力西电气有限公司 A kind of breaker of plastic casing with hinge-type draw bar
CN104465247B (en) * 2014-12-30 2016-05-11 上海电科电器科技有限公司 The hot type adjustable tripping device of miniature circuit breaker

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1542264A (en) * 1966-11-12 1968-10-11 Licentia Gmbh Device for triggering a snap-in mechanism, in particular a locking device for a switching device
US4023132A (en) * 1973-10-04 1977-05-10 Dorman Smith Switchgear Limited Electrical circuit breakers
FR2585180A1 (en) * 1985-07-19 1987-01-23 Telemecanique Electrique Device for adjusting the thermal current of a thermal trip member with bimetallic strip and protective interrupt apparatus containing such a device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR880003359A (en) 1988-05-16
US4763096A (en) 1988-08-09
JPS6351023A (en) 1988-03-04
DE3774800D1 (en) 1992-01-09
EP0258124A1 (en) 1988-03-02
KR900005885B1 (en) 1990-08-13
ES2027310T3 (en) 1992-06-01
FR2602910A1 (en) 1988-02-19
BR8704214A (en) 1988-04-12

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