Contact closing device for a switch

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a contact closing device for a switch.

[0002] Electrical switches are known which use mechanisms that allow to open and close a plurality of movable contacts in parallel and synchronously by operating an external handle that can be accessed by the user and by the automatic intervention of the protection devices provided in the switch.

[0003] Some switches are provided with devices that allow to render the contact closure speed independent of the speed of operation of the handle.

[0004] It is in fact preferable that the contacts close instantaneously, to prevent dangerous effects such as the onset of an electric arc between the approaching contacts.

[0005] FR-2717617 and EP2061060 disclose electrical switches provided with systems that ensure a rapid contact closure.

[0006] FR2686453 discloses a differential switch having a rapid-disengaging mechanism in a box, between an operating handle and a contact support.

[0007] The two constant problems in the design of these switches are the complexity of the mechanisms and the dimensions.

[0008] There is a constant need of simplifying the mechanisms, from the constructive standpoint, in order to make production economical and it is also very important to make the assembling simple and automated.

[0009] Another fundamental problem is to improve the performance of switches while maintaining small dimensions and in any case within standards.

[0010] The aim of the present invention is to provide a device for closing the contacts of a switch that ensures a rapid closure that is independent of the operating speed of the operating handle, with a structure that is simple and that can be produced economically.

[0011] Within the scope of this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a contact closure device that can be used in safety switches such as residual current circuit breakers and magneto-thermal circuit breakers.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which, by virtue of its particular constructive characteristics, is capable of giving the greatest assurances of reliability and safety in use.

[0013] This aim, these objects and others that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a contact closing device for a switch comprising at least one movable contact and at least one fixed contact, said movable contact being operated by means of a mechanism actuated by an operating handle; a contact holder lever supporting one or more movable contacts; said contact holder lever having a rotational motion between an open contact position and a closed contact position; each of said movable contacts having an oscillating motion within a respective seat formed in said contact holder lever; a tripping lever associated with said contact holder lever and adapted to actuate the oscillating motion of each movable contact; said closing device being characterized in that each movable contact is fitted in said respective seat together with a respective spring and a respective trip blade; each trip blade being engaged by said trip lever during a portion of said rotational motion of said trip lever from said open contact position to said closed contact position; during said portion of rotational motion said trip blade blocking at least partially the movement of said movable contact and said spring undergoing a compression; at the end of said portion of rotational motion, said trip blade disengages from said trip lever, thus leaving said movable contact free to contact said fixed contact by the action of said spring; said trip blade is fitted inside said seat of said contact holder lever and has an end adapted to be engaged by said trip lever fitted on said contact holder lever.

[0014] Further characteristics and advantages will become better apparent from the description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side view of a residual current circuit breaker, shown in the open contact condition;

Figure 2 is a view, similar to the preceding one, showing the breaker in a contact closure step;

Figure 3 is a view, similar to the preceding one, showing the breaker in the closed contact condition;

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the closure device according to the present invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the closure device in the assembled condition.

[0015] With reference to the cited figures, the contact closing device, according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, is described here within a residual current circuit breaker, generally designated by the reference numeral 100, which includes a residual current circuit 101, constituted by a relay and a differential transformer. The residual current circuit 101 is adapted to actuate the movement of at least one movable contact 3 with respect to a fixed contact 103, by virtue of a free tripping mechanism 104, in order to close or open the circuit between two input and output terminals 105.

[0016] The breaker 100 has an actuation handle 106 for the manual actuation of the mechanism 104.

[0017] The mechanism 104 includes the closing device 1, which has at least one contact holder lever 2. A movable contact 3 is fitted in the holder lever 2 and a contact pad 102 is fixed on the movable contact 3.

[0018] The movable contact 3 is constituted by a contact holder arm 31 that blends into a supporting arm 32 by means of a curved portion 33.

[0019] The supporting arm 32 is provided with a slot 34 and a tab 35.

[0020] The movable contact 3 can oscillate within a respective seat 21 formed in the lever 2, in contrast with a spring 5, which is interposed between the contact holder arm 31 and a spring support 6, which is fitted within the seat 21 of the lever 2.

[0021] The spring support 6 has a protrusion 61 which engages an end of the spring 5. The spring support 6 also has a recess 62 provided with an internal tooth 63 which engages the slot 34 of the movable contact 3.

[0022] A notch 64, provided at the recess 62, engages the tab 35 of the movable contact 3.

[0023] A trip blade 7 is mounted inside the seat 21 of the lever 2 and is provided with an end 71 that is adapted to be engaged by a trip lever 8 fitted on the lever 2.

[0024] The trip lever 8 is provided with a protrusion 81 for each trip blade 7.

[0025] The trip lever 8 also has a trip tab 82 that is moved by a cam 9 that is fitted on the rotation axis of the contact holder lever 2.

[0026] The contact holder lever 2 may include one or more movable contacts, for example two, as in the illustrated example, or four or more.

[0027] The trip lever 8 is a single lever and allows to temporarily lock the moving contacts and to release them at a given instant.

[0028] Each movable contact is provided with a trip blade 7, which engages the trip lever 8, during the closure maneuver, blocking the movement of the respective movable contact 3 in the direction of the fixed contact 103 but releasing the movable contact 3 at a given instant.

[0029] In this step, the upper end of each trip blade 7 is engaged in the respective protrusion 81 of the trip lever 8.

[0030] During the closure maneuver, while the contact holder lever 2 rotates and the movement of the movable contact 3 is blocked, the spring 5 is compressed.

[0031] Upon tripping, i.e., when the trip blade 7 disengages from the trip lever 8, the spring is extended and generates an instantaneous motion of the movable contact 3 toward the fixed contact 103, closing the electric circuit between the terminals on the power supply side and those on the load side.

[0032] Figures 1-3 illustrate the sequence of the movements of the device in passing from the open contact position to the closed contact position due to the maneuver induced by the operating handle 106.

[0033] In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, providing a device for closing the contacts of a switch that ensures a contact closure that is independent of the operating speed of the handle of the switch.

[0034] The device according to the present invention is structurally simple and can be produced easily and economically, at the same time ensuring high reliability and durability.

Claims

1. A contact closing device (1) for a switch (100) comprising at least one movable contact (3) and at least one fixed contact (103), said movable contact (3) being operated by means of a mechanism (104) actuated by an operating handle (106); a contact holder lever (2) supporting one or more movable contacts (3); said contact holder lever (2) having a rotational motion between an open contact position and a closed contact position; each of said movable contact (3) having an oscillating motion within a respective seat (21) formed in said contact holder lever (2); a trip lever (8) associated with said contact holder lever (2) and adapted to actuate the oscillating motion of each movable contact (3); said closing device (1) being characterized in that each movable contact (3) is fitted in said respective seat (21) together with a respective spring (5) and a respective trip blade (7); each trip blade (7) being engaged by said trip lever (8) during a portion of said rotational motion of said trip lever (8) from said open contact position to said closed contact position; during said portion of rotational motion said trip blade (7) blocking at least partially the movement of said movable contact (3) and said spring (5) undergoing a compression; at the end of said portion of rotational motion, said trip blade (7) disengages from said trip lever (8), thus leaving said movable contact (3) free to contact said fixed contact (103) by the action of said spring (5); said trip blade (7) is fitted inside said seat (21) of said contact holder lever (2) and has an end (71) adapted to be engaged by said trip lever (8) fitted on said contact holder lever (2).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said movable contact (3) is constituted by a contact holder arm (31) that is blended into a supporting arm (32) by a curved portion; said supporting arm (32) comprising a slot (34) and a tab (35).

3. The device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said movable contact (3) oscillates in said seat (21) formed in said contact holder lever (2) in contrast with said spring (5); said spring (5) being interposed between said contact holder arm (31) and a spring support (6) fitted within said seat (21).

4. The device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that it said spring support (6) is provided with a protrusion (61) that engages an end of said spring (5), and a recess (62) provided with an inner tooth (63); said inner tooth (63) engaging said slot (34) of said movable contact (3); a notch (64) being provided at said recess (62); said notch (64) engaging said tab (35) of said movable contact (3).

5. The device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said trip lever (8) comprises one or more protrusions (81) for each of said trip blades (7).

6. The device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said trip lever (8) comprises a trip tab (82) that is moved by a cam (9) fitted on the axis of rotation of said contact holder lever.

Ansprüche

1. Eine Kontaktschließvorrichtung (1) für einen Schalter (100), die mindestens einen beweglichen Kontakt (3) und mindestens einen festen Kontakt (103) umfasst, wobei der bewegliche Kontakt (3) durch einen Mechanismus (104) betätigt wird, der durch einen Bediengriff (106) angetrieben wird; einen Kontakthaltehebel (2), der einen oder mehrere bewegliche Kontakte (3) trägt; wobei der Kontakthaltehebel (2) eine Drehbewegung zwischen einer Position des offenen Kontakts und einer Position des geschlossenen Kontakts hat; wobei jeder der beweglichen Kontakte (3) eine oszillierende Bewegung innerhalb eines entsprechenden Sitzes (21) hat, der in dem Kontakthaltehebel (2) geformt ist; einen Schalthebel (8), der mit dem Kontakthaltehebel (2) verbunden und ausgebildet ist, um die oszillierende Bewegung jedes beweglichen Kontakts (3) zu anzutreiben; wobei die Schließvorrichtung (1) dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass jeder bewegliche Kontakt (3) in den entsprechenden Sitz (21) gemeinsam mit einer entsprechenden Feder (5) und einer entsprechenden Schaltklinke (7) eingesetzt ist; wobei jede Schaltklinge (7) von dem Schalthebel (8) während eines Teils der Drehbewegung des Schalthebels (8) aus der Position offenen Kontakts in die Position geschlossenen Kontakts in Eingriff gebracht wird; wobei während des Teils der Drehbewegung die Schaltklinge (7) die Bewegung des beweglichen Kontakts (3) und der Feder (5), die einer Kompression unterzogen ist, zumindest teilweise blockiert; wobei am Ende des Teils der Drehbewegung die Schaltklinge (7) sich von dem Schalthebel (8) löst und so den beweglichen Kontakt (3) frei lässt, den festen Kontakt (103) durch die Wirkung der Feder (5) zu kontaktieren; wobei die Schaltklinge (7) in den Sitz (21) des Kontakthaltehebels (2) eingesetzt ist und ein Ende (71) hat, das ausgebildet ist, um von dem Schalthebel (8) in Eingriff gebracht zu werden, der auf den Kontakthaltehebel (2) aufgesetzt ist.

2. Die Vorrichtung (1) gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der bewegliche Kontakt (3) in einem Kontakthaltearm (31) besteht, der in einem gekrümmten Abschnitt in einen Tragarm (32) übergeht, wobei der Tragarm (32) einen Schlitz (34) und eine Nase (35) umfasst.

3. Die Vorrichtung (1) gemäß Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der bewegliche Kontakt (3) in dem Sitz (21) oszilliert, der in dem Kontakthaltehebel (2) geformt ist, in Kontrast zu der Feder (5), wobei die Feder (5) zwischen dem Kontakthaltearm (31) und einer Federstütze (6) angebracht ist, die in den Sitz (21) eingesetzt ist.

4. Die Vorrichtung (1) gemäß Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Federstütze (6) mit einem Versprung (61) versehen ist, der in ein Ende der Feder (5) eingreift, und einer Vertiefung (62), die mit einem inneren Zahn (63) versehen ist; wobei der innere Zahn (63) in den Schlitz (34) des beweglichen Kontakts (3) eingreift und eine Kerbe (64) an der Vertiefung (62) angebracht ist, wobei die Kerbe (64) die Nase (35) des beweglichen Kontakts (3) hält.

5. Die Vorrichtung (1) gemäß Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schalthebel (8) einen oder mehrere Vorsprünge (81) für jede der Schaltklingen (7) umfasst.

6. Die Vorrichtung (1) gemäß Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schalthebel (8) eine Schaltnase (82) umfasst, die von einem Nocken (9) bewegt wird, der auf die Drehachse des Kontakthaltehebels aufgesetzt ist.

Revendications

1. Dispositif de fermeture de contact (1) pour un commutateur (100) comprenant au moins un contact mobile (3) et au moins un contact fixe (103), ledit contact mobile (3) étant commandé au moyen d'un mécanisme (104) actionné par une poignée de manoeuvre (106) ; un levier de support de contact (2) supportant un ou plusieurs contacts mobiles (3) ; ledit levier de support de contact (2) ayant un mouvement de rotation entre une position de contact ouvert et une position de contact fermé ; chacun desdits contacts mobiles (3) ayant un mouvement d'oscillation à l'intérieur d'un logement respectif (21) formé dans ledit levier de support de contact (2) ; un levier de déclenchement (8) associé audit levier de support de contact (2) et adapté pour actionner le mouvement d'oscillation de chaque contact mobile (3) ; ledit dispositif de fermeture (1) se caractérisant en ce que chaque contact mobile (3) est ajusté dans ledit logement (21) respectif ensemble avec un ressort (5) respectif et une lame de déclenchement (7) respective ; chaque lame de déclenchement (7) étant en prise grâce audit levier de déclenchement (8) pendant une partie dudit mouvement de rotation dudit levier de déclenchement (8) depuis ladite position de contact ouvert jusqu'à ladite position de contact fermé ; pendant ladite partie de mouvement de rotation, ladite lame de déclenchement (7) bloquant au moins partiellement le mouvement dudit contact mobile (3) et ledit ressort (5) étant soumis à une compression ; à la fin de ladite partie de mouvement de rotation, ladite lame de déclenchement (7) annulant la prise avec ledit levier de déclenchement (8) en laissant ainsi ledit contact mobile (3) libre d'entrer en contact avec ledit contact fixe (103) grâce à l'action dudit ressort (5) ; ladite lame de déclenchement (7) étant ajustée à l'intérieur dudit logement (21) dudit levier de support de contact (2) et ayant une extrémité (71) adaptée pour être en prise grâce audit levier de déclenchement (8) ajusté sur ledit levier de support de contact (2).

2. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit contact mobile (3) est formé par un bras de support de contact (31) qui est intégré dans un bras de support (32) grâce à une partie courbe ; ledit bras de support (32) comprenant une fente (34) et une patte (35).

3. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que ledit contact mobile (3) oscille dans ledit logement (21) formé dans ledit levier de support de contact (2) en contraste avec ledit ressort (5) ; ledit ressort (5) étant intercalé entre ledit bras de support de contact (31) et un support de ressort (6) ajusté à l'intérieur dudit logement (21) .

4. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que ledit support de ressort (6) est muni d'une protubérance (61) qui se met en prise avec une extrémité dudit ressort (5) et d'un creux (62) muni d'une dent intérieure (63) ; ladite dent intérieure (63) se mettant en prise avec ladite fente (34) dudit contact mobile (3) ; une encoche (64) étant fournie au niveau dudit creux (62) ; ladite encoche (64) se mettant en prise avec ladite patte (35) dudit contact mobile (3).

5. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que ledit levier de déclenchement (8) comprend une ou plusieurs protubérances (81) pour chacune desdites lames de déclenchement (7).

6. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que ledit levier de déclenchement (8) comprend une patte de déclenchement (82) qui est mue par une came (9) ajustée sur l'axe de rotation dudit levier de support de contact.

Drawing