EP0378030B1 - Inviolable regulating device for an electrical apparatus - Google Patents

Inviolable regulating device for an electrical apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0378030B1
EP0378030B1 EP19890420487 EP89420487A EP0378030B1 EP 0378030 B1 EP0378030 B1 EP 0378030B1 EP 19890420487 EP19890420487 EP 19890420487 EP 89420487 A EP89420487 A EP 89420487A EP 0378030 B1 EP0378030 B1 EP 0378030B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
knob
setting device
shell
adjustment
locking
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
EP19890420487
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0378030A1 (en
Inventor
Jacques Buisson
Jean-Pierre Bertrand
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.)
Merlin Gerin SA
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Merlin Gerin SA
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Publication date
Application filed by Merlin Gerin SA filed Critical Merlin Gerin SA
Publication of EP0378030A1 publication Critical patent/EP0378030A1/en
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Publication of EP0378030B1 publication Critical patent/EP0378030B1/en
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H69/00—Apparatus or processes for the manufacture of emergency protective devices
    • H01H69/01—Apparatus or processes for the manufacture of emergency protective devices for calibrating or setting of devices to function under predetermined conditions
    • 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
    • H01H71/7463—Adjusting only the electromagnetic mechanism

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an adjustment device for adjusting a characteristic value for the control and / or triggering of an electrical appliance with molded insulating housing, comprising a rotary adjustment knob having a cylindrical lateral surface, and a means for blocking intended to immobilize in rotation the button after adjustment of said value,
  • the engagement piece comprises a triangle portion which engages in a hollow in a groove to block the rotary button.
  • the engagement piece is urged elastically towards the hollow of a groove.
  • the setting can be readjusted by the customer at any time.
  • immobilization in rotation takes place by means of a lug inserted in a circular orifice, formed by the facing of two conjugated semi-circular notches, belonging respectively to the housing and to the button.
  • Such an adjustment device has a limited number of positions, corresponding exactly to the number of notches in the housing, and is not suitable for precise continuous adjustment.
  • the factory setting of the trigger threshold electromagnetic associated with miniature circuit breakers can also be carried out by means of the choice of the hardness of the return spring of the mobile core.
  • Each trigger curve is assigned a predetermined spring, the opposing force of which determines the trigger threshold. This type of known triggers generates storage and manufacturing management problems.
  • the tripping threshold of certain electromagnetic tripping devices is adjustable by the user by means of a button ensuring either a variation of the air gap or an adjustment of the spring tension reminder. After adjustment, the button is immobilized in rotation, and at the same time displays the triggering threshold.
  • a client adjustment system cannot be inviolable, since the button must be operational at all times to modify the trigger characteristics.
  • the object of the invention is to improve the factory setting of an electrical appliance with a rotary button.
  • the adjustment device is characterized in that the locking means comprises a first mechanical locking pin arranged to be pressed along the lateral surface of the button independently of its angular position of adjustment, the button and the pin locking being made with materials of different hardness allowing an incrustation effect during the insertion phase, to make the adjustment device inviolable.
  • the locking means may include a second pin centered on the axis of the rotary button with a predetermined angular offset relative to the first pin.
  • the adjustment phases of the button and pushing in of the two pins can be carried out by an automatic machine at the end of assembly of the circuit breaker, and after closing of the molded case.
  • the two locking pins can come from molding with the second half-shell while remaining attached to the latter by breakable zones.
  • the two locking pins protrude from the large lateral face of the second half-shell, and are angularly distributed around a circular orifice, in which the actuating head of the adjustment button adapts when the assembly of the two half-shells.
  • This adjustment system can be used to adjust the trigger threshold of an electromagnetic trip device, by adjusting the preload of the return spring associated with the movable core.
  • a miniature electric circuit breaker 10 is housed in a molded insulating casing 12 formed by the assembly of two half-shells 11,13 delimiting a front face 14 crossed by a lever 16, a rear face 18 equipped with a snap-on base 20 for mounting on a fixing rail, and two large side faces 22,24.
  • the circuit breaker 10 comprises a pair of connection terminals 26, 28 (FIG. 3) and a separable contact device (not shown), the movable contact of which is actuated by a control mechanism of the type described in French patents FR-A- 8708037 and FR-A-2,605,454.
  • thermomagnetic trip device having a bimetallic strip (not shown) and an electromagnetic trip device 30 (FIGS. 3 and 9) sensitive respectively to overload and short-circuit currents.
  • the electromagnetic trip device 30 is formed by an electromagnet with a plunging core comprising a cylindrical coil 32, mounted coaxially on a tubular insulating sheath 34, inside of which moves in translation a movable core 36 cooperating with a fixed core 38.
  • the movable core 36 is provided with a trigger rod 40 passing through an axial bore of the fixed core 38.
  • the end of the rod 40 is shaped as striker 42 intended to cooperate with the trigger lever to ensure unlocking of the coupling, and with the contact arm to cause rapid movement of the movable contact to the open position in the event of a short circuit.
  • the sleeve 34, coil 32 and core 36, 38 assembly is positioned on a U-shaped ferromagnetic yoke 43.
  • the movable core 36 Opposite the trigger rod 40, the movable core 36 includes an annular notch 44 for housing a strand 46 of return spring 48 (FIG. 9).
  • the coil 32 When the circuit breaker 10 is in service, the coil 32 is continuously traversed by the nominal current flowing between the two terminals 26,28. The opposing force of the return spring 48 outweighs the electromagnetic attraction force exerted in the air gap 50 for separating the two cores 36, 38.
  • the movable core 36 is urged into engagement against a stop 52 of the half-shell 11, and the striker 42 remains inactive in this position away from the core 36.
  • the excitation current of the coil 32 increases, and causes the attraction of the mobile core 36 against the fixed core 38, as soon as the magnetic tripping threshold is exceeded.
  • the striker 42 is rapidly propelled to the right in the attracted position of the movable core 36, to control the triggering of the mechanism (see dotted lines in FIG. 9).
  • the adjustment button 58 is mounted on the axis 54, and comprises an actuating head 60 of circular shape, which fits like a plug in a conjugate orifice 62 opening onto the lateral face 24 of the second half-shell 13
  • the circumferential periphery of the adjustment plug or knob 58 is equipped with ridges 64 capable of cooperating with two locking pins 66,68, so as to block the rotation of the adjustment plug 54 after adjusting the tension of the return spring. 48.
  • the actuating head 60 is provided with a blind hole 67 of polygonal or cruciform section (FIG. 7).
  • a striking action on the pins 66,68 causes the breakable zones 70 to break, followed by the penetration of the pins 66,68 in the housing 12, in the direction of insertion indicated by the arrows F1 (figure 7). This results in immobilization in rotation of the adjustment plug 58, due to the notching effect of the locking pins 66, 68 made of flexible material, with the ridges 64 of the plug 58 made of hard material.
  • the insertion precision of the locking pins 66, 68 results from the presence of guide grooves 72, 74 (FIG. 6) in the half-shell 13.
  • the two locking pins 66,68 are substantially centered on the axis 54, with a predetermined angular offset, in particular between 90 and 180 degrees.
  • the insertion of the two pins 66, 68 generates a resulting radial force F2 (FIG. 8), which urges the plug 58 against a bearing surface 78 of a fixed boss 76 belonging to the half-shell 13.
  • the return spring 48 of the trip device 30 is threaded on the axis 54 with insertion of the strand 46 into the notch 44 of the movable core 36.
  • the adjustment plug 58 is then introduced on the axis 54 above the spring 48, followed by the coupling with the control tab 56.
  • the other half-shell 13 serving as a cover is attached to the half-shell 11, and rivets 80 , two of which are shown in FIG. 1, ensure the final assembly of the circuit breaker 10.
  • the head 60 for actuating the adjustment plug 58 is engaged in the circular orifice 62 of the half-shell 13.
  • the strand 46 urges the movable core 36 into engagement against the stop 52, and the adjustment button 58 is in an initial position corresponding to a minimum value of the magnetic trip threshold.
  • the adjustment of said threshold to a predetermined value is effected by rotation of the head 60 of the plug 58 in a clockwise direction (see arrow F3, FIG. 9) to a desired adjustment position.
  • the incrustation of the ridges in the locking pins 66, 68 allows precise continuous adjustment of the adjustment plug 58, regardless of its immobilized position.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Breakers (AREA)
  • Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)

Description

L'invention est relative à un dispositif de réglage pour ajuster une valeur de caractéristique pour la commande et/ou le déclenchement d'un appareil électrique à boîtier isolant moulé, comprenant un bouton rotatif de réglage ayant une surface latérale cylindrique, et un moyen de blocage destiné à immobiliser en rotation le bouton après réglage de ladite valeur,The invention relates to an adjustment device for adjusting a characteristic value for the control and / or triggering of an electrical appliance with molded insulating housing, comprising a rotary adjustment knob having a cylindrical lateral surface, and a means for blocking intended to immobilize in rotation the button after adjustment of said value,

Il est connu d'immobiliser une vis ou un bouton rotatif de réglage d'un disjoncteur au moyen d'une matière d'enrobage, notamment de la colle ou du mastic durcissable, recouvrant la tête du bouton après l'opération de réglage. Un tel système est opéré en usine, mais n'est pas totalement inviolable, car l'utilisateur à la possibilité de faire sauter la matière d'enrobage pour accéder au bouton, et modifier le réglage.It is known to immobilize a screw or a rotary knob for adjusting a circuit breaker by means of a coating material, in particular glue or curable mastic, covering the head of the knob after the adjustment operation. Such a system is operated in the factory, but is not completely inviolable, because the user has the possibility of blowing up the coating material to access the button, and modify the setting.

Selon le document GB-A-2169139, la pièce d'engagement comporte une portion en triangle qui s'engage dans un creux d'une strie pour bloquer le bouton rotatif. Un tel agencement ne permet pas un réglage continu précis du bouton, car la position angulaire sur l'arête saillante entre deux stries successives est impossible.According to document GB-A-2169139, the engagement piece comprises a triangle portion which engages in a hollow in a groove to block the rotary button. Such an arrangement does not allow precise continuous adjustment of the button, since the angular position on the projecting edge between two successive striations is impossible.

La pièce d'engagement est d'autre part sollicité élastiquement vers le creux d'une strie. Il en résulte que le réglage peut être réajusté à tout moment par le client.On the other hand, the engagement piece is urged elastically towards the hollow of a groove. As a result, the setting can be readjusted by the customer at any time.

Selon le document US-A-3831120, l'immobilisation en rotation intervient au moyen d'un ergot inséré dans un orifice circulaire, formé par la mise en regard de deux encoches conjuguées semi-circulaires, appartenant respectivement au boîtier et au bouton. Un tel dispositif de réglage possède un nombre limité de positions, correspondant exactement au nombre d'encoches dans le boîtier, et n'est pas adapté à un réglage continu précis.According to document US-A-3831120, immobilization in rotation takes place by means of a lug inserted in a circular orifice, formed by the facing of two conjugated semi-circular notches, belonging respectively to the housing and to the button. Such an adjustment device has a limited number of positions, corresponding exactly to the number of notches in the housing, and is not suitable for precise continuous adjustment.

Le réglage usine du seuil de déclenchement des déclencheurs électromagnétiques associés à des disjoncteurs miniatures peut encore être effectué au moyen du choix de la dureté du ressort de rappel du noyau mobile. A chaque courbe de déclenchement est affecté un ressort prédéterminé, dont la force antagoniste détermine le seuil de déclenchement. Ce type de déclencheurs connus engendre des problèmes de stockage et de gestion de fabrication.The factory setting of the trigger threshold electromagnetic associated with miniature circuit breakers can also be carried out by means of the choice of the hardness of the return spring of the mobile core. Each trigger curve is assigned a predetermined spring, the opposing force of which determines the trigger threshold. This type of known triggers generates storage and manufacturing management problems.

Dans les disjoncteurs à boîtiers moulés de calibres supérieurs à 100 Ampères, le seuil de déclenchement de certains déclencheurs électromagnétiques est réglable par l'utilisateur au moyen d'un bouton assurant soit une variation de l'entrefer, soit un ajustage de la tension du ressort de rappel. Après réglage, le bouton est immobilisé en rotation, et affiche en même temps le seuil de déclenchement. Un tel système de réglage client ne peut être inviolable, car le bouton doit être opérationnel à tout moment pour modifier les caractéristiques de déclenchement.In circuit-breakers with molded boxes of ratings greater than 100 Amperes, the tripping threshold of certain electromagnetic tripping devices is adjustable by the user by means of a button ensuring either a variation of the air gap or an adjustment of the spring tension reminder. After adjustment, the button is immobilized in rotation, and at the same time displays the triggering threshold. Such a client adjustment system cannot be inviolable, since the button must be operational at all times to modify the trigger characteristics.

L'objet de l'invention consiste à améliorer le réglage usine d'un appareil électrique à bouton rotatif.The object of the invention is to improve the factory setting of an electrical appliance with a rotary button.

Le dispositif de réglage selon l'invention est caractérisé en ce que le moyen de blocage comporte un premier pion de verrouillage mécanique agencé pour être enfoncé le long de la surface latérale du bouton indépendemment de sa position angulaire de réglage, le bouton et le pion de verrouillage étant réalisés avec des matériaux de duretés différentes autorisant un effet d'incrustation pendant la phase d'enfoncement, pour rendre le dispositif de réglage inviolable.The adjustment device according to the invention is characterized in that the locking means comprises a first mechanical locking pin arranged to be pressed along the lateral surface of the button independently of its angular position of adjustment, the button and the pin locking being made with materials of different hardness allowing an incrustation effect during the insertion phase, to make the adjustment device inviolable.

Le moyen de blocage peut comporter un deuxième pion centré sur l'axe du bouton rotatif avec un décalage angulaire prédéterminé par rapport au premier pion.The locking means may include a second pin centered on the axis of the rotary button with a predetermined angular offset relative to the first pin.

Il suffit alors de tourner le bouton jusqu'à la position de réglage prédéterminée, puis d'enfoncer les deux pions de verrouillage pour bloquer le bouton dans cette position. Les phases de réglage du bouton et d'enfoncement des deux pions peuvent être effectuées par une machine automatique en fin de montage du disjoncteur, et après fermeture du boîtier moulé.It then suffices to turn the knob to the predetermined adjustment position, then to depress the two locking pins to lock the knob in this position. The adjustment phases of the button and pushing in of the two pins can be carried out by an automatic machine at the end of assembly of the circuit breaker, and after closing of the molded case.

Les deux pions de verrouillage peuvent venir de moulage avec la deuxième demi-coquille en restant attachés à cette dernière par des zones brisables. Les deux pions de verrouillage se trouvent en saillie par rapport à la grande face latérale de la deuxième demi-coquille, et sont angulairement répartis autour d'un orifice circulaire, dans lequel s'adapte la tête d'actionnement du bouton de réglage lors de l'assemblage des deux demi-coquilles.The two locking pins can come from molding with the second half-shell while remaining attached to the latter by breakable zones. The two locking pins protrude from the large lateral face of the second half-shell, and are angularly distributed around a circular orifice, in which the actuating head of the adjustment button adapts when the assembly of the two half-shells.

Ce système de réglage peut être utilisé pour régler le seuil de déclenchement d'un déclencheur électromagnétique, par ajustage de la précontrainte du ressort de rappel associé au noyau mobile.This adjustment system can be used to adjust the trigger threshold of an electromagnetic trip device, by adjusting the preload of the return spring associated with the movable core.

D'autres applications sont possibles, notamment le réglage de la position d'une bilame ou d'un commutateur rotatif nécessitant une grande précision de réglage.Other applications are possible, in particular the adjustment of the position of a bimetallic strip or a rotary switch requiring high adjustment precision.

Les avantages et des caractéristiques additionnelles ressortiront plus clairement de la description qui va suivre d'un mode de réalisation de l'invention donné à titre d'exemple non limitatif, et représenté aux dessins annexés, dans lesquels:

  • la figure 1 est une vue en élevation d'un disjoncteur miniature en position de réglage du déclencheur électromagnétique;
  • la figure 2 montre une vue en coupe selon la ligne II-II de la figure 1;
  • la figure 3 représente la disposition du déclencheur électromagnétique sur la première demi-coquille du disjoncteur de la figure 1, après retrait de la deuxième demi-coquille servant de couvercle;
  • la figure 4 montre une vue de profil de la deuxième demi-coquille du boîtier isolant;
  • la figure 5 est une vue en élévation de la deuxième demi-coquille;
  • la figure 6 est une vue de dessous de la figure 5;
  • la figure 7 représente le principe d'immobilisation du bouton rotatif de réglage;
  • la figure 8 est une vue de détail de la figure 6 après enfoncement des deux pions de verrouillage;
  • la figure 9 est une vue de détail à échelle agrandie du déclencheur électromagnétique de la figure 3, la position d'attraction du noyau mobile étant représenté en traits pointillés.
The advantages and additional characteristics will emerge more clearly from the description which follows of an embodiment of the invention given by way of nonlimiting example, and represented in the appended drawings, in which:
  • Figure 1 is an elevational view of a miniature circuit breaker in the electromagnetic trip setting position;
  • Figure 2 shows a sectional view along line II-II of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 shows the arrangement of the electromagnetic trip device on the first half-shell of the circuit breaker of Figure 1, after removal of the second half-shell serving as a cover;
  • Figure 4 shows a side view of the second half-shell of the insulating housing;
  • Figure 5 is an elevational view of the second half-shell;
  • Figure 6 is a bottom view of Figure 5;
  • FIG. 7 represents the principle of immobilization of the rotary adjustment button;
  • Figure 8 is a detail view of Figure 6 after depressing the two locking pins;
  • Figure 9 is a detail view on an enlarged scale of the electromagnetic trip device of Figure 3, the position of attraction of the movable core being shown in dotted lines.

Sur les figures, un disjoncteur 10 électrique miniature est logé dans un boîtier 12 isolant moulé, formé par l'assemblage de deux demi-coquilles 11,13 délimitant une face avant 14 traversée par une manette 16, une face arrière 18 équipée d'un socle d'encliquetage 20 pour le montage sur un rail de fixation, et deux grandes faces latérales 22,24.In the figures, a miniature electric circuit breaker 10 is housed in a molded insulating casing 12 formed by the assembly of two half-shells 11,13 delimiting a front face 14 crossed by a lever 16, a rear face 18 equipped with a snap-on base 20 for mounting on a fixing rail, and two large side faces 22,24.

Le disjoncteur 10 comporte une paire de bornes de raccordement 26,28 (figure 3) et un dispositif de contacts séparables (non représentés), dont le contact mobile est actionné par un mécanisme de commande du type décrit dans les brevets français FR-A-8708037 et FR-A-2.605.454.The circuit breaker 10 comprises a pair of connection terminals 26, 28 (FIG. 3) and a separable contact device (not shown), the movable contact of which is actuated by a control mechanism of the type described in French patents FR-A- 8708037 and FR-A-2,605,454.

Le mécanisme est piloté manuellement par la manette 16 et automatiquement par un déclencheur magnétothermique ayant une bilame (non représentée) et un déclencheur électromagnétique 30 (figures 3 et 9) sensibles respectivement à des courants de surcharge et de court-circuit.The mechanism is controlled manually by the lever 16 and automatically by a thermomagnetic trip device having a bimetallic strip (not shown) and an electromagnetic trip device 30 (FIGS. 3 and 9) sensitive respectively to overload and short-circuit currents.

Le déclencheur électromagnétique 30 est formé par un électro-aimant à noyau plongeur comprenant une bobine 32 cylindrique, montée coaxialement sur un fourreau 34 isolant tubulaire, à l'intérieur duquel se déplace à translation un noyau mobile 36 coopérant avec un noyau fixe 38. Le noyau mobile 36 est doté d'une tige de déclenchement 40 traversant un alésage axial du noyau fixe 38. L'extrémité de la tige 40 est conformée en percuteur 42 destiné à coopérer avec le levier de déclenchement pour assurer le déverrouillage de l'accrochage, et avec le bras de contact pour provoquer le déplacement rapide du contact mobile vers la position d'ouverture en cas de court-circuit.The electromagnetic trip device 30 is formed by an electromagnet with a plunging core comprising a cylindrical coil 32, mounted coaxially on a tubular insulating sheath 34, inside of which moves in translation a movable core 36 cooperating with a fixed core 38. The movable core 36 is provided with a trigger rod 40 passing through an axial bore of the fixed core 38. The end of the rod 40 is shaped as striker 42 intended to cooperate with the trigger lever to ensure unlocking of the coupling, and with the contact arm to cause rapid movement of the movable contact to the open position in the event of a short circuit.

L'ensemble fourreau 34, bobine 32 et noyau 36,38 est positionné sur une culasse 43 ferromagnétique en forme de U.The sleeve 34, coil 32 and core 36, 38 assembly is positioned on a U-shaped ferromagnetic yoke 43.

A l'opposé de la tige de déclenchement 40, le noyau mobile 36 comporte une encoche 44 annulaire de logement d'un brin 46 de ressort de rappel 48 (figure 9). Lorsque le disjoncteur 10 est en service, la bobine 32 est parcourue en permanence par le courant nominal circulant entre les deux bornes 26,28. La force antagoniste du ressort de rappel 48 l'emporte sur la force d'attraction électromagnétique s'exerçant dans l'entrefer 50 de séparation des deux noyaux 36,38. Le noyau mobile 36 est sollicité en engagement contre une butée 52 de la demi-coquille 11, et le percuteur 42 reste inactif dans cette position écartée du noyau 36.Opposite the trigger rod 40, the movable core 36 includes an annular notch 44 for housing a strand 46 of return spring 48 (FIG. 9). When the circuit breaker 10 is in service, the coil 32 is continuously traversed by the nominal current flowing between the two terminals 26,28. The opposing force of the return spring 48 outweighs the electromagnetic attraction force exerted in the air gap 50 for separating the two cores 36, 38. The movable core 36 is urged into engagement against a stop 52 of the half-shell 11, and the striker 42 remains inactive in this position away from the core 36.

En cas de court-circuit, le courant d'excitation de la bobine 32 augmente, et provoque l'attraction du noyau mobile 36 contre le noyau fixe 38, dès que le seuil de déclenchement magnétique est dépassé. Le percuteur 42 est propulsé rapidement vers la droite dans la position attirée du noyau mobile 36, pour commander le déclenchement du mécanisme (voir traits en pointillé sur figure 9).In the event of a short circuit, the excitation current of the coil 32 increases, and causes the attraction of the mobile core 36 against the fixed core 38, as soon as the magnetic tripping threshold is exceeded. The striker 42 is rapidly propelled to the right in the attracted position of the movable core 36, to control the triggering of the mechanism (see dotted lines in FIG. 9).

Le seuil de déclenchement magnétique du déclencheur électromagnétique 30 dépend de la précontrainte du ressort de rappel 48 qui détermine la force de rappel antagoniste à la force d'attraction magnétique du noyau mobile 36. Le ressort de rappel est formé par un ressort de torsion enfilé sur un axe de positionnement 54 solidaire de la première demi-coquille 11. A l'opposé du brin 46 de maintien du noyau mobile 36 contre la butée 52, le ressort 48 est équipé d'une patte de commande 56 introduite dans une entaille d'entraînement ménagée dans un bouton de réglage 58 rotatif.The magnetic trigger threshold of the trigger electromagnetic 30 depends on the preload of the return spring 48 which determines the return force antagonistic to the magnetic attraction force of the movable core 36. The return spring is formed by a torsion spring threaded on a positioning axis 54 integral with the first half-shell 11. Opposite the strand 46 for holding the movable core 36 against the stop 52, the spring 48 is equipped with a control tab 56 introduced into a drive notch formed in an adjustment knob 58 rotary.

Le bouton de réglage 58 est monté sur l'axe 54, et comporte une tête 60 d'actionnement de forme circulaire, qui s'adapte comme un bouchon dans un orifice 62 conjugué débouchant sur la face latérale 24 de la deuxième demi-coquille 13. Le pourtour circonférentiel du bouchon ou bouton de réglage 58 est équipé de stries 64 susceptibles de coopérer avec deux pions de verrouillage 66,68, de manière à assurer un blocage en rotation du bouchon de réglage 54 après ajustage de la tension du ressort de rappel 48. La tête 60 d'actionnement est dotée d'un trou 67 borgne à section polygonale ou cruciforme (figure 7).The adjustment button 58 is mounted on the axis 54, and comprises an actuating head 60 of circular shape, which fits like a plug in a conjugate orifice 62 opening onto the lateral face 24 of the second half-shell 13 The circumferential periphery of the adjustment plug or knob 58 is equipped with ridges 64 capable of cooperating with two locking pins 66,68, so as to block the rotation of the adjustment plug 54 after adjusting the tension of the return spring. 48. The actuating head 60 is provided with a blind hole 67 of polygonal or cruciform section (FIG. 7).

Le bouton de réglage 58 est réalisé par moulage d'un matériau plastique très dur, tandis que le boîtier 12 isolant est moulé avec un matériau plastique plus souple. A titre d'exemple, le matériau du bouchon de réglage 58 est un polyarylamide avec une charge à base de fibres de verre. La matériau du boîtier 12 est un polyamide avec addition d'une charge minérale.The adjustment button 58 is made by molding a very hard plastic material, while the insulating housing 12 is molded with a more flexible plastic material. By way of example, the material of the adjustment plug 58 is a polyarylamide with a filler based on glass fibers. The material of the housing 12 is a polyamide with the addition of a mineral filler.

Les deux pions de verrouillage 66,68 viennent directement de moulage avec la demi-coquille 13 (voir figures 4 à 6) du boîtier 12. Les deux pions 66,68 se trouvent en saillie en s'étendant perpendiculairement à la face 24, et restent attachés à la demi-coquille 13 par des zones brisables 70 (figure 2 et 6).The two locking pins 66,68 come directly from molding with the half-shell 13 (see FIGS. 4 to 6) of the housing 12. The two pins 66,68 are projecting by extending perpendicular to the face 24, and remain attached to the half-shell 13 by breakable zones 70 (FIGS. 2 and 6).

Une action de frappe sur les pions 66,68 provoque la cassure des zones brisables 70, suivi de la pénétration des pions 66,68 dans le boîtier 12, selon le sens d'enfoncement indiqué par les flèches F1 (figure 7). Il en résulte une immobilisation en rotation du bouchon de réglage 58, due à l'effet de crantage des pions de verrouillage 66,68 en matériau souple, avec les stries 64 du bouchon 58 en matériau dur. La précision d'enfoncement des pions de verrouillage 66,68 résulte de la présence de rainures de guidage 72,74 (figure 6) dans la demi-coquille 13.A striking action on the pins 66,68 causes the breakable zones 70 to break, followed by the penetration of the pins 66,68 in the housing 12, in the direction of insertion indicated by the arrows F1 (figure 7). This results in immobilization in rotation of the adjustment plug 58, due to the notching effect of the locking pins 66, 68 made of flexible material, with the ridges 64 of the plug 58 made of hard material. The insertion precision of the locking pins 66, 68 results from the presence of guide grooves 72, 74 (FIG. 6) in the half-shell 13.

Dans l'état bloqué du bouchon de réglage 58, les deux pions de verrouillage 66,68 se trouvent sensiblement centrés sur l'axe 54, avec un décalage angulaire prédéterminé, notamment compris entre 90 et 180 degrés. L'enfoncement des deux pions 66,68 engendre une force radiale résultante F2 (figure 8), qui sollicite le bouchon 58 contre une surface d'appui 78 d'un bossage 76 fixe appartenant à la demi-coquille 13.In the locked state of the adjustment plug 58, the two locking pins 66,68 are substantially centered on the axis 54, with a predetermined angular offset, in particular between 90 and 180 degrees. The insertion of the two pins 66, 68 generates a resulting radial force F2 (FIG. 8), which urges the plug 58 against a bearing surface 78 of a fixed boss 76 belonging to the half-shell 13.

Le mode de réglage du déclencheur électromagnétique 30 s'effectue de la manière suivante:The setting mode of the electromagnetic trip device 30 is carried out as follows:

Après montage des organes constitutifs du disjoncteur 10 sur la demi-coquille 11, le ressort de rappel 48 du déclencheur 30 est enfilé sur l'axe 54 avec insertion du brin 46 dans l'encoche 44 du noyau mobile 36. Le bouchon de réglage 58 est ensuite introduit sur l'axe 54 au-dessus du ressort 48, suivi de l'accouplement avec la patte de commande 56. L'autre demi-coquille 13 servant de couvercle est rapportée sur la demi-coquille 11, et des rivets 80, dont deux sont représentés sur la figure 1, assurent l'assemblage définitif du disjoncteur 10.After mounting of the constituent parts of the circuit breaker 10 on the half-shell 11, the return spring 48 of the trip device 30 is threaded on the axis 54 with insertion of the strand 46 into the notch 44 of the movable core 36. The adjustment plug 58 is then introduced on the axis 54 above the spring 48, followed by the coupling with the control tab 56. The other half-shell 13 serving as a cover is attached to the half-shell 11, and rivets 80 , two of which are shown in FIG. 1, ensure the final assembly of the circuit breaker 10.

A la fin de l'opération d'assemblage, la tête 60 d'actionnement du bouchon de réglage 58 est engagée dans l'orifice 62 circulaire de la demi-coquille 13. Le brin 46 sollicite le noyau mobile 36 en engagement contre la butée 52, et le bouton de réglage 58 se trouve dans une position initiale correspondant à une valeur minimum du seuil de déclenchement magnétique. L'ajustage dudit seuil à une valeur prédéterminée s'opère par rotation de la tête 60 du bouchon 58 dans le sens des aiguilles d'une montre (voir flèche F3, figure 9) jusqu'à une position de réglage désirée.At the end of the assembly operation, the head 60 for actuating the adjustment plug 58 is engaged in the circular orifice 62 of the half-shell 13. The strand 46 urges the movable core 36 into engagement against the stop 52, and the adjustment button 58 is in an initial position corresponding to a minimum value of the magnetic trip threshold. The adjustment of said threshold to a predetermined value is effected by rotation of the head 60 of the plug 58 in a clockwise direction (see arrow F3, FIG. 9) to a desired adjustment position.

Durant cette première phase de réglage, l'entrefer 50 entre les deux noyaux 36,38 reste invariable, seule est modifiée la tension du ressort 48 de torsion.During this first adjustment phase, the air gap 50 between the two cores 36, 38 remains invariable, only the tension of the torsion spring 48 is modified.

L'immobilisation du bouchon 58 dans sa position de réglage, s'effectue ensuite durant une deuxième phase, par enfoncement des deux pions de verrouillage 66,68, engendrant une incrustation des stries 64 dans les faces verticales des pions 66,68. L'opération d'ajustage et de blocage du bouchon 58 de réglage est faite en usine, et se prête bien à l'automatisation. Le dispositif de réglage du bouchon 58 est inviolable après enfoncement des deux pions 66,68.The immobilization of the plug 58 in its adjustment position is then carried out during a second phase, by driving in the two locking pins 66,68, generating an inlay of the ridges 64 in the vertical faces of the pins 66,68. The adjustment and blocking operation of the adjustment plug 58 is carried out at the factory, and lends itself well to automation. The plug adjustment device 58 is tamper-proof after the two pins 66,68 have been inserted.

Les organes du déclencheur électromagnétique 30 sont standards pour une gamme de disjoncteurs ayant différentes courbes de déclenchement. Il suffit d'adapter en fin de montage le seuil de déclenchement magnétique grâce à un tarage prédéterminé du ressort de rappel 48.The electromagnetic trip units 30 are standard for a range of circuit breakers having different tripping curves. It suffices to adapt the magnetic tripping threshold at the end of assembly by means of a predetermined calibration of the return spring 48.

Selon une variante, un nombre différent de pions de verrouillage 66,68 peuvent être utilisés pour bloquer le bouchon de réglage 58 en rotation. Ces pions peuvent être agencés sur une pièce distincte mise en place automatiquement par la machine en fin d'opération de réglage du bouchon 58.Alternatively, a different number of locking pins 66,68 can be used to lock the adjustment plug 58 in rotation. These pins can be arranged on a separate piece set up automatically by the machine at the end of the plug 58 adjustment operation.

L'incrustation des stries dans les pions de verrouillage 66,68 autorise un réglage continu précis du bouchon de réglage 58, indépendamment de sa position d'immobilisation.The incrustation of the ridges in the locking pins 66, 68 allows precise continuous adjustment of the adjustment plug 58, regardless of its immobilized position.

Le dispositif de réglage inviolable selon l'invention peut également être utilisé pour le réglage des bilames et dans d'autres appareils électriques à boîtiers isolants moulés, notamment les relais ou contacteurs équipés de sélecteurs ou commutateurs rotatifs de réglage.The tamper-resistant adjustment device according to the invention can also be used for adjusting bimetallic strips and in other electrical devices with molded insulating housings, in particular relays or contactors fitted with rotary adjustment selectors or switches.

Claims (10)

  1. A setting device to adjust a value of a characteristic for operation and/or tripping of an electrical apparatus with a moulded insulating case (12), comprising a rotary adjustment knob (58) having a cylindrical lateral surface, and a locking means designed to immobilize the knob (58) in rotation after said value has been set, characterized in that the locking means comprise a first mechanical locking pin (66) arranged to be driven in along the lateral surface of the knob (58) regardless of its angular adjustment position, the knob (58) and locking pin (66) being made from materials of different hardnesses enabling an incrustation effect during the drive-in phase, to make the setting device tamperproof.
  2. The setting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lateral surface of the knob (58) is equipped with serrations (64) extending in the direction of penetration of the locking pin (66).
  3. The setting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the knob (58) has a greater hardness than that of the locking pin (66).
  4. The setting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the knob (58) has a lesser hardness than that of the locking pin (66).
  5. The setting device according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the locking means comprise a second pin (68) centred on the spindle (54) of the rotary knob (58) with a predetermined angular offset with respect to the first pin (66).
  6. The setting device according to claim 5, the case (12) being formed by assembly of a first half-shell (11) and a second half-shell (13), characterized in that the spindle (54) of the adjustment knob (58) is securedly united to the first half-shell (11), and that the two locking pins (66, 68) are cast with the second half-shell (13) and remain attached to the latter by breakable zones (70).
  7. The setting device according to claim 6, characterized in that the two locking pins (66, 68) protrude out with respect to the large side panel (24) of the second half-shell (13), and are angularly staggered around a circular orifice (62), in which the actuating head (60) of the adjustment knob (58) fits when the two half-shells (11, 13) are assembled, the internal wall of the second half-shell (13) comprising facing each breakable zone (70), a groove (72, 74) extending in the direction of the serrations (64), to guide the locking pins (66, 68) in the direction of penetration during the incrustation phase.
  8. The setting device according to claim 5, characterized in that the internal wall of the half-shell (13) is provided with a boss (76) having a bearing surface (78) against which the knob (58) is urged when the two locking pins (66, 68) are driven in.
  9. The setting device according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the adjustment knob (58) serves the purpose of adjusting the prestressing of a return spring (48) associated with a movable armature, notably a core (36) or blade, of an electromagnetic trip device (30) with excitation coil (32).
  10. The setting device according to claim 9, characterized in that the return spring (48) is formed by a torsion spring wound onto the positioning spindle (54) of the adjustment knob (58), and having a strand (46) housed in an annular notch (44) to maintain the moving core (36) against a stop (52), when the tripping threshold of the electromagnetic trip device (30) has not been exceeded, and that the spring (48) comprises an operating lug (56) inserted in a notch of the rotary adjustment knob (58).
EP19890420487 1989-01-11 1989-12-12 Inviolable regulating device for an electrical apparatus Expired - Lifetime EP0378030B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8900352 1989-01-11
FR8900352A FR2641644B1 (en) 1989-01-11 1989-01-11 DEVICE FOR ADJUSTMENT OF AN ELECTRICAL DEVICE

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0378030A1 EP0378030A1 (en) 1990-07-18
EP0378030B1 true EP0378030B1 (en) 1994-04-27

Family

ID=9377684

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19890420487 Expired - Lifetime EP0378030B1 (en) 1989-01-11 1989-12-12 Inviolable regulating device for an electrical apparatus

Country Status (4)

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EP (1) EP0378030B1 (en)
DE (1) DE68914970T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2055144T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2641644B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2677807B1 (en) * 1991-06-14 1993-09-03 Merlin Gerin ELECTROMAGNETIC TRIGGER WITH PERCUTOR.
DE19946206A1 (en) * 1999-09-27 2000-11-23 Siemens Ag Over-current release especially for power switch
US6667675B2 (en) * 2002-05-01 2003-12-23 Eaton Corporation Adjustable magnetic trip assembly for circuit breaker
DE10359985A1 (en) * 2003-12-19 2005-07-21 Siemens Ag Protective switching device with adjustable characteristic
CN101677046B (en) * 2008-09-18 2011-09-14 上海工程技术大学 Integrated screw-nut regulating locking device
CN103632899B (en) * 2012-08-22 2016-11-09 西门子公司 Miniature circuit breaker
CN104916503A (en) * 2015-06-18 2015-09-16 温州市新蓝天电器有限公司 Moving contact component assembly device of circuit breaker
CN115763163B (en) * 2022-12-05 2023-09-29 苏州司巴克自动化设备股份有限公司 Miniature circuit breaker handle torsion spring assembly process and equipment thereof

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE814312C (en) * 1949-04-02 1951-09-20 Kloeckner Moeller Elek Zitaets Arrangement for calibrating thermal releases, e.g. B. for electrical switches
DE1026838B (en) * 1956-09-19 1958-03-27 Felten & Guilleaume Carlswerk Arrangement for the calibration of thermal tripping elements, especially bimetal relays
US3593234A (en) * 1970-02-09 1971-07-13 Cutler Hammer Inc Trip adjustment means for instantaneous trip circuit breaker
GB1401181A (en) * 1971-10-19 1975-07-16 Crabtree & Co Ltd J A Circuit breakers and the like electrical products
US3831120A (en) * 1973-11-08 1974-08-20 Gen Electric Trip unit having improved trip adjustment indicator and circuit breaker incorporating same
JPH0218510Y2 (en) * 1984-12-06 1990-05-23

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE68914970T2 (en) 1994-10-13
FR2641644A1 (en) 1990-07-13
ES2055144T3 (en) 1994-08-16
DE68914970D1 (en) 1994-06-01
EP0378030A1 (en) 1990-07-18
FR2641644B1 (en) 1996-05-10

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