EP1061542B1 - Electromagnetic multipolar switch - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a multipolar electromagnetic switching module intended to be associated by source terminals to a main multipole electromagnetic switch device and by charging terminals to at least one motor and having, between these terminals, in a housing several lines of power supply provided with switching poles with always alternately closed contacts, controlled by a switching electromagnet controlled by a control circuit, each of the switching poles being constituted by a movable contact holder between two conductors carrying the fixed contacts.

It is known to make a motor control diagram (reversing direction, starting star-delta, shifting, ..) by combining several devices (contactors, etc.) interconnected power level and control level based of the desired scheme. This type of construction is bulky.

Patent FR 2 758 903 or patent FR 2 761 521 discloses an inverter type module making it possible to pass a motor from a running operation to a reverse running operation and vice versa. This module is also bulky.

The object of the invention is to provide an electromagnetic switching module provided with a switching chamber and single-switching switching poles with improved electromagnetic properties. The switching poles always remain closed outside the switching operations and this is particularly effective because of the electromagnetic properties of these poles and the arrangement of the switching chamber.

The switching module according to the invention is characterized in that, for each pole, the movable contact holder comprises two parallel conductors in the form of loops joined to a terminal and that the two pieces of fixed contacts are in the form of loops and joined together at terminals.

• la figure 1 est un schéma du circuit puissance d'un module de commutation de type inverseur, associé à un appareil interrupteur principal ;
• la figure 2 est un schéma du circuit puissance d'un module de commutation de type étoile-triangle, associé à un appareil interrupteur principal ;
• la figure 3 est un schéma du circuit puissance d'un module de commutation de type distributeur, associé à un appareil interrupteur principal ;
• la figure 4 est un schéma du circuit puissance d'un module de commutation de type changement de vitesse, associé à un appareil interrupteur principal ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective éclatée montrant l'agencement interne du module selon l'invention;
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective de la partie basse du module, réalisant la commutation sur le circuit de puissance;
• la figure 7 est un schéma d'un pôle de commutation du module ;
• la figure 8 est une vue de détail du pôle, la ligne de courant d'un des contacts fixes n'étant pas représentée ;
• la figure 9 est une coupe selon P de la figure 8 ;
• la figure 10 est un schéma d'un mode de réalisation du circuit de commande de l'électroaimant du module.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to embodiments given by way of example and represented by the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a diagram of the power circuit of a switching type of switching module associated with a main switch device;
• FIG. 2 is a diagram of the power circuit of a switching module of FIG. star-delta type, associated with a main switch device;
• Figure 3 is a circuit diagram of the power circuit of a distributor type switching module associated with a main switch device;
• Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of the power circuit of a switching module type shift, associated with a main switch device;
• Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal arrangement of the module according to the invention;
• Figure 6 is a perspective view of the lower part of the module, performing the switching on the power circuit;
• Figure 7 is a diagram of a switching pole of the module;
• Figure 8 is a detail view of the pole, the current line of one of the fixed contacts not being shown;
• Figure 9 is a section along P of Figure 8;
• Figure 10 is a diagram of an embodiment of the control circuit of the electromagnet of the module.

The electromagnetic switching module according to the invention, marked M in the drawings, is intended to be associated with a multipolar electromagnetic switch device Ap which can be provided with a motor protection function, such as a contactor or a contactor-circuit breaker. It can be integrated, in association with devices such as Ap, in classic schemes such as: reverse direction, star-delta start, distribution, shifting.

The main switch device Ap houses, in a housing, polar current lines arranged between source terminals L1, L2, L3 connecting to the phases of the alternating network and charging terminals T1, T2, T3 that can connect to the module. switching circuit M. Each current line has a switch or pole I1 or I2 or I3 controlled by a main electromagnet E whose coil B is supplied with electric current by two power terminals marked A1 and A2.

The switching module M is housed in a box Bo provided on the back of a fixing base P, substantially flat, for fixing it on a rail or a plate. It has source (power) terminals t1, t2, t3 connected directly to the downstream terminals T1, T2, T3 of the main apparatus AP and the output or load terminals (power) U, V, W of a part u, v, w on the other hand that are connected to the (x) motor (s).

The switching module M can be mounted directly under the apparatus Ap or it can be deported.

On the current lines between the source terminals t1, t2, t3 and the output or load terminals, switching poles C1, C2, C3 of the single-breaking and bistable type are arranged. These poles C1, C2, C3 are actuated by a bistable electromagnet E1 provided with a coil Bb and their contacts are always alternately closed except during switching. The module M does not have an arc extinguishing device and can not be operated under load. The number of terminals t1, t2, t3 is equal to the number of terminals T1, T2, T3, the number of poles C1, C2, C3 itself being equal to or less than this number of terminals.

The poles C1, C2, C3 and the internal wiring Sc of the associated current lines perform a conventional motor control function: inverter, star-delta or distribution, low speed-high speed. The wiring of the circuit of the power circuit of the module M depends on the control function performed by this module.

In the embodiment for reversing direction which is illustrated in Figure 1, the source terminal t3 is connected directly to the charging terminal W. The source terminals t1 and t2 are connected (direct) to the terminals charging U and V by the poles C1, C2 and after switching of these same poles (reverse operation), terminals V and U, which achieves the usual crossing phases.

In the embodiments which are illustrated in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 and which are respectively for star-delta starting, distribution and shifting, the source terminals t1, t2, t3 are arranged on one side of the module while the charging terminals U, V, W (delta starting or first motor or high speed) and the charging terminals u, v, w (star start or second motor or small speed) are arranged on the opposite side. The terminals U, V, W on the one hand, u, v, w on the other hand are offset relative to each other.

The electromagnet El of bistable type housed in the switching module M and actuating the movable contacts of the switching poles C1, C2, C3 is equipped with a permanent magnet so as to reduce the power consumption. This electromagnet El is controlled by an internal control circuit Cc shown in Figure 10. The movable magnetic part of the electromagnet El which has a reciprocating rectilinear movement maneuvers the switching poles C1, C2, C3 by a slider Ra. Preferably, the axis of displacement of this electromagnet is parallel to the plane of attachment Pf and to the terminals.

The switching module M is arranged so that the switching poles C1, C2, C3 and the associated power circuits and the pole control assembly formed by the electromagnet El and the control circuit Cc are offset. or spaced in a direction perpendicular to the rear face Pf for fixing the module and that the width L of the module is substantially equal to the width of the associated main apparatus Ap. The width L is therefore reduced when compared to conventional apparatus performing similar functions. The switching poles C1, C2, C3 and the conductors Sc of the wiring diagram (inverter, etc.) are housed towards the rear, the electromagnet El and the associated control circuit Cc being housed towards the front.

Each switching pole C1 or C2 or C3 illustrated schematically in FIG. 6 is of the inverter type (contacts always closed) and is constituted by a mobile contact carrier Pc carrying two parallel conductors Cm1, Cm2 in the form of loops and carrying respectively the moving contacts. P1 and P2. These conductors are joined to a terminal t1, t2, t3. The contact carrier Pc oscillates around a pin Ax and an axis A-A 'between two conductors Cf1, Cf2 carrying the fixed contacts P3 and P4. These conductors are themselves in the form of a loop and joined to one or two terminals U, V, W. In the embodiment shown, the axes are perpendicular to the rear fixing plane Pf.

The movable contact carrier Pc oscillates around the axis A-A ', from a first working position, closed contacts, to a second working position, closed contacts also. The current flowing in a moving conductor Cm1 or Cm2 and in the corresponding fixed conductor Cf1 or Cf2, in parallel directions, induces a magnetic attraction force. This loop effect makes it possible to obtain a contact pressure proportional to the current flowing in the pole. The poles are never operated under load, which makes it possible to reduce the nominal contact pressure, the size of the electromagnet being reduced.

The moving parts of the electromagnet actuate a slider Ra movable in translation parallel to the rear fixing plane Pf and acting on each pole spring Rp via a piece Pi.

The fixed conductors Cf1, Cf2 realize with extensions or complementary conductors terminating at the charging terminals (power) U, V, W etc, one of the control schemes Sc of the motor or engines. These extensions or complementary conductors are housed in the box Bo, on the side of the charging terminals.

The mobile conductors Cm1, Cm2 of the contact carrier PC are distant relative to each other, so that a magnetic core No is housed between them. This magnetic core No cooperates with counterplates Cp1, Cp2 fixed inside the switching chamber housing the pole. The moving contact parts Cm1, Cm2 are connected by a flexible electrical connection Tr and a conductor such as Co3 to a source terminal such that t3.

The input and output terminals for control are arranged forward. The input terminals A2, A1, A1 ', B1, B1' are intended to receive the motor control commands and the output terminals SA1, S21, S22 cooperate with the associated main apparatus Ap.

The main apparatus Ap comprises a locking contact Ve operated by the moving part of the electromagnet E and connected to two terminals 21 and 22 which can be connected to the terminals SA1 and SA2 of the module M.

The coil Bb of the electromagnet E1 is fed so as to be biased in either direction. This control can be performed by two auxiliary inverter contacts 1a and 1b actuated by the movable part of the bistable electromagnet E1 and associated with diodes 7a, 7b. The switching module M may comprise other auxiliary contacts such as 3 and 6 also actuated by the moving part of the electromagnet El.

To carry out the application, the terminals A1, A'1, B1, B'1 of the switching module M are connected on the one hand with the contacts Bp1 controlling the operation in the "one direction" and on the other hand with the contacts Bp2 controlling the operation in the "two direction". One-way operation is defined as one of the two modes of operation of the module, ie direct operation for the inverter or star for the star-delta. The second mode is called "direction two" operation, ie the reverse or triangle operation.

The operation of the switching module will now be explained.

In the position of FIG. 10, the electromagnet E1 of the main apparatus Ap is powered via the ON / OFF switch MA, the contacts Bp1, Bp2 and 6. The poles of power 11, 12 and 13 of the main apparatus Ap are in the operating position "direction one". Switching switches such as C1, C2 of the switching module M are in the position corresponding to this operating mode "direction one" (these poles are always in the closed position).

To enter the "two way" operating mode, the operator opens a contact Bp2 and closes the associated contact Bp2. The opening of the contact interrupts the supply of the coil B of the main apparatus Ap. The power switches 11 to 13 of the main apparatus Ap open.

The closing of the contact Bp2 causes the supply of the coil Bb of the module M which causes the commutation of the switching contacts such as C1, C2. The auxiliary contacts of the module M switch and the current is sent on the electromagnet E of the main apparatus Ap so as to operate the power switches 11-13.

The electromagnet E1 of the switching module M can only switch when the power contacts 11 to 13 are open. This safety function is provided by the locking contact V. On the other hand, the power contacts 11 to 13 close when the contacts of the switching module M are in the correct position.

In order not to cut the supply voltage during the travel of the electromagnet El, the auxiliary contacts must change position after the electromagnet El has run or a significant part of its travel. A state change delay device may be associated with these three contacts.

It is understood that one can without departing from the scope of claims imagine variants and refinements of detail and even consider the use of equivalent means.

Alternatively one could avoid using in the control scheme Cc semiconductors (diodes or small protective components).

Claims (7)

1. Multipolar electromagnetic switching module designed to be connected by line connections (t1, t2, t3) to a main electromagnetic switching device (AP) and by load connections (U, V, W, u, v, w) to at least one motor and having, in a unit (Bo), between said connections, several load paths fitted with switching poles whose contacts are always alternately closed and controlled by a switching electromagnet (EI) driven by a control circuit, each of the switching poles (C1, C2, C3) consisting of a movable contact holder (Pc) between two conductors (Cf1, Cf2) bearing fixed contacts characterized in that, for each pole, the movable contact holder (Pc) comprises two parallel loop-shaped conductors (Cm1, Cm2) connected to a connection (T1, T2, T3) and that the two fixed contact components (Cf1, Cf2) are loop-shaped and connected to connections (U, V, W).
2. Module according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductors (Cm1, Cm2) of the contact holder are far enough apart from one another to enable a magnetic core (No) to be housed between them.
3. Module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the magnetic core (No) operates in conjunction with counterplates (Cp1, Cp2) fastened inside the switching chamber housing the pole.
4. Module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the movable contact components (Cm1, Cm2) are connected by a flexible electrical link (Tr) to a connection.
5. Module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the module is of the reverser type and comprises on one side line connections (t1, t2, t3) and on the other load connections (U, V, W).
6. Module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the module is of the star-delta starter, distribution or speed-changer type and comprises on one side line connections (t1, t2, t3) and on the other load connections (U, V, W) for a first type of operation and load connections (u, v, w) for the second type of operation.
7. Module according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the contact holder (PC) is fitted with a pin- or U-shaped pole spring (Rp) and operated by a slider (Ra) moved by an electromagnet (EI).

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