FR2983633A1 - ELECTRICAL SWITCHING MODULE HAVING TWO COUPLING ELEMENTS OF A CONTACT HOLDER (S) WITH ITS DRIVING DEVICE, AND AN ELECTRICAL SWITCHING SYSTEM COMPRISING SUCH A MODULE - Google Patents

Abstract

The electric switching system (10) has a holder element (45) that comprises a secondary mechanical coupling element with the electric driving device in a secondary configuration of the driving device relative to the switching module (16). The holder element is mechanically coupled to the driving device through primary coupling element (60A) in the primary configuration of a control module (18) relative to the switching module, and through the secondary coupling element (60B) in the secondary configuration of the control module relative to the switching module.

Description

Electrical switching module comprising two coupling elements of a contact carrier (s) with its drive device, and electrical switching system comprising such a module The present invention relates to an electrical switching module, comprising: at least one own electrical switch to switch between an open position and a closed position, the or each electrical switch having a fixed input contact, a fixed output contact and a movable contact, the contacts being electrically conductive, the two fixed contacts being adapted to be electrically connected via the movable contact in the closed position of the electrical switch and electrically isolated from each other in the open position of the electrical switch, - a movable contact holding member, the holding member being clean to be moved by an electrical drive device between a first position corresponding to a positio n among the open and closed positions of the switch and a second position corresponding to the other one of the open and closed positions of the switch, the holding member having a first mechanical coupling element with the electrical device of driving according to a primary configuration of the driving device with respect to the switching module. The present invention also relates to an electrical switching system comprising at least one input terminal, at least one output terminal, such an electrical switching module and a control module of the switching module, in particular a three-phase inverter.

Document WO 00/33341 A1 discloses an electrical switching system comprising three input terminals, three output terminals, an electrical switching module comprising three first and three second electrical switches, as well as a control module of the control module. electrical switching. Such a switching system is intended to be fixed on a rail complying with DIN 46277 (German Deutsches Institut für Normung), also known as a DIN rail. Each input terminal is connected to a fixed input contact of a respective first switch and to a fixed input contact of a respective second switch, and each output terminal is connected to a fixed output contact of a first switch and a fixed output contact of a second switch, so as to connect the first input terminal to the first output terminal, the second input terminal to the second output terminal and the third terminal to input to the third output terminal in the closed position of the first switches, and to connect the first input terminal to the second output terminal, the second input terminal to the first output terminal and the third input terminal at the third output terminal in the closed position of the second switches. In the closed position of each switch, the two fixed contacts of the switch are electrically connected to each other via a movable contact, also called contact bridge. The switching module comprises a movable contact holding member, also called contact holder, on which are arranged the movable contacts of the first and second electrical switches. The control module comprises the electrical drive device capable of moving the contact carrier between a first position in which the first switches are closed and the second switches are open and a second position in which the first switches are open and the second switches are closed. However, such an electrical switching system is not scalable, and only allows the input and output terminals to be connected to external electrical cables with respective screw / nut assemblies. The object of the invention is therefore to propose an electrical switching module making it possible to propose several possible configurations of the switching module with respect to its control module, while minimizing the manipulations necessary to switch from one configuration to another.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is an electrical switching module of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the holding member comprises a second mechanical coupling element with the electrical drive device according to a secondary configuration of the device. drive with respect to the switching module. According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the switching module comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in any technically possible combination: the holding member is adapted to be displaced in translation in a direction of by the driving device, - the first mechanical coupling element and the second mechanical coupling element are symmetrical to one another with respect to a plane containing the driving direction, - the first coupling element mechanical and the second mechanical coupling element are symmetrical to each other with respect to a plane perpendicular to the driving direction, - the holding member comprises a transverse mechanical coupling element with the own drive device to allow the coupling of the drive device with the holding member in a direction perpendicular to the direction a drive and an axial mechanical coupling element with the drive device adapted to allow coupling of the drive device with the holding member in a direction parallel to the driving direction, and - the holding member comprises a first and a second transverse coupling element, symmetrical to each other with respect to a plane containing the driving direction, and a first and a second axial coupling element, symmetrical to each other relative to a plane perpendicular to the driving direction. The invention also relates to an electrical switching system of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the electrical switching module is as defined above, the or each input terminal being electrically connected to a fixed input contact. corresponding and the or each output terminal being electrically connected to a corresponding fixed output contact, in that the control module comprises the electrical drive device, and in that the holding member is mechanically coupled to the device of driving via the first coupling element according to the primary configuration of the control module with respect to the switching module or via the second coupling element according to the secondary configuration of the control module with respect to the switching module. According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the electrical switching system comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in any technically possible combination: each terminal comprises a fixing plate for connecting an electric cable using a screw / nut assembly and a connection pin to a printed circuit, the pin being intended to be soldered to the printed circuit, - the connection pin is integral with the fixing plate, - the module switching device comprises a plurality of electrical switches, and the movable contact holding member is adapted to be driven by the drive device between its first and second positions, so as to ensure simultaneous switching of the plurality of switches. the system comprises a plurality of input terminals, a plurality of output terminals, each input terminal, and electrically connected to a fixed input contact of a respective electrical switch and each output terminal being electrically connected to a fixed output contact of a respective electrical switch, so as to connect each input terminal to a terminal of respective output in the closed position of the switches, and electrically isolating the output terminals of the input terminals in the open position of the switches, - the system comprises first, second and third input terminals, first, second and a third output terminals, two first switches and two second switches, the first and second input terminals each being electrically connected to a fixed input contact of a respective first electrical switch and to a fixed input contact of a respective second electrical switch, and the first and second output terminals each being electrically connected only at a fixed output contact of a respective first electrical switch and at a fixed output contact of a respective second electrical switch, so as to connect the first input terminal to the first output terminal and the second output terminal. inputting to the second output terminal in the closed position of the first switches, and connecting the first input terminal to the second output terminal and the second input terminal to the first output terminal in the closed position of the second switches, the third output terminal being electrically connected to the third input terminal, and - the system comprises three first switches and three second switches, each input terminal being electrically connected to a fixed input contact of a first electrical switch respective and to a fixed input contact of a respective second electrical switch, and each output terminal being connected electrically. electrically to a fixed output contact of a respective first electrical switch and to a fixed output contact of a respective second electrical switch, so as to connect the first input terminal to the first output terminal, the second output terminal; inputting the second output terminal and the third input terminal to the third output terminal in the closed position of the first switches, and connecting the first input terminal to the second output terminal, the second input terminal at the first output terminal and the third input terminal at the third output terminal in the closed position of the second switches. These features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIGS. 1 to 4 are diagrammatic representations in perspective of an electrical switching system according to the invention, comprising a switching module and a control module, FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 representing the system according to a first, a second, a third, and a fourth configuration respectively. control module with respect to the switching module; FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view along the plane V of FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a contact carrier and a device of FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of input and output terminals and partially of the contact carrier of the switching system of FIG. 1, where The axial coupling elements of the contact carrier with the drive device are not shown; FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view along the plane VIII of FIG. 2; FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. FIG. 7 according to the second configuration of the control module with respect to the switching module; FIG. 10 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6 according to the fourth configuration of the control module with respect to the switching module; FIG. 11 is a schematic view similar to that of Figure 10 according to a second embodiment, and - Figure 12 is a view similar to that of Figure 9 according to a third embodiment. According to FIG. 1, an electrical switching system 10 comprises a first 12A, a second 12B and a third input terminal 12C, as well as a first 14A, a second 14B and a third output terminal 14C. The electrical switching system 10 comprises an electrical switching module 16, a control module 18 of the electrical switching module and a protective cover 20. The electrical switching system 10 is a modular system and has different configurations of the control module 18 relative to the switching module 16, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4. According to a first Al and a second A2 configuration, also called transverse configurations, visible respectively in FIGS. 1 and 2, the switching module 16 and the control module 18 are stacked along a vertical axis Z extending from bottom to top. According to the first configuration A1, also called primary transverse configuration, the switching module 16 is disposed above the control module 18 (Figure 1), in a conventional configuration for rail mounting. According to the second configuration A2, also called secondary transverse configuration, the switching module 16 is disposed below the control module 18 (Figure 2), in a conventional configuration for PCB mounting. According to a third A3 and a fourth A4 configurations, also called axial configurations, respectively visible in Figures 3 and 4, the switching module 16 and the control module 18 are arranged next to each other along a longitudinal axis X extending from the back to the front. According to the third configuration A3, also called primary axial configuration, the switching module 16 is behind the switching module 18 (Figure 3). According to the fourth configuration A4, also called secondary axial configuration, the switching module 16 is in front of the switching module 18 (Figure 4). The switching system 10 is adapted to be fixed on a rail according to DIN 46277, also called DIN rail in a first configuration of the input and output terminals shown in Figures 1 and 7. In addition, the system of 10 is adapted to be connected to a printed circuit board, also called PCB (English Printed Circuit Board), according to a second configuration of the input and output terminals shown in Figures 2 and 9. The system of switching 10 is adapted to allow the passage of an electric current of high intensity, in particular greater than 10 A. The switching system 10 is, for example, a three-phase inverter adapted to be connected between an electric motor and a control system. motor supply, not shown, to allow the crossing of two phases of a three-phase power supply of the electric motor, to reverse the direction of rotation of the motor ctrique. The input terminals 12A, 12B, 12C and the output terminals 14A, 14B, 14C, visible in FIGS. 5, 7 and 9, each comprise a fixing plate 22 for connecting an electric cable, not shown, by means of a screw / nut assembly 23 (FIG. 12), and a pin 24 for connection to a printed circuit, the pin 24 being intended to be soldered to the printed circuit 26 visible in FIG. 22 has a hole 28 for passage of the screw shaft of a screw / nut assembly. The connection pin 24 is integral with the fixing plate 22.

The switching module 16 comprises three first electrical switches and three second electric switches 32, each electrical switch 30, 32 being able to switch between an open position and a closed position. Each first switch 30, visible in FIGS. 5 and 7, comprises a first input contact 34A, a first output contact 34B and a first movable contact 36, the contacts 34A, 34B, 36 being electrically conductive. The first fixed contacts 34A, 34B are adapted to be electrically connected via the first movable contact 36 in the closed position of the corresponding first electrical switch 30 and electrically isolated from each other in the open position of the first switch 30. Each second electrical switch 32 includes a second input fixed contact 38A, a second output fixed contact 38B and a second movable contact 40, the contacts 38A, 38B, 40 being electrically conductive. The second fixed contacts 38A, 38B are adapted to be electrically connected via the second movable contact 40 in the closed position of the corresponding second electrical switch 32 and electrically isolated from each other in the open position of the second switch 32. In the example embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 9, each input terminal 12A, 12B, 12C is electrically connected to a first input contact 34A and a respective second input fixed contact 38A, and each output terminal 14A, 14B 14C is electrically connected to a first fixed output contact 34B and a respective second output fixed contact 38B, so that the first 12A, second 12B and third 12C input terminals are respectively connected to the first 14A, second 14B and third 14C output terminals in the closed position of the first switches 30 and that the first input terminal 12A is connected to the second output terminal 14B, the second xth input terminal 12B is connected to the first output terminal 14A, and the third input terminal 12C is connected to the third output terminal 14C in the closed position of the second switches 32.

The switching module 16 comprises a member 45 for holding the plurality of movable contacts 36, 40, also called a contact carrier, movable between a first position in which the first switches 30 are closed and the second switches 32 are open and a second position in which the first switches 30 are open and the second switches 32 are closed.

In the embodiment of Figures 5 to 10, the switching module 16 comprises six electrical switches 30, 32, namely three first electrical switches 30 to be in the closed position when the holding member 45 is in its first position and three second electrical switches 32 adapted to be in the closed position when the holding member 45 is in its second position. The switching module 16 comprises three first movable contacts 36 and three second movable contacts 40. The control module 18 comprises a device 48 for driving the holding member 45 between its first and second positions, so as to provide a switching device. simultaneous of the plurality of electrical switches 30, 32.

The protective cover 20, visible in FIGS. 1 to 4, comprises openings 50 for access to the input terminals 12A, 12B, 12C and to the output terminals 14A, 14B, 14C, said access openings 50 allowing the user to secure the lug of an electric cable to be connected to the respective terminal with a screw / nut assembly 23. The protective cover 20 is adapted to be fixed above the switching module 16 according to the first, third and fourth configurations A1, A3, A4 of the switching system, or above the control module 18 according to the second configuration A2 of the switching system. Each fixed contact 34A, 34B, 38A, 38B comprises a contact pad 52 which cooperates with a pellet 54 of the movable contact 36, 40 corresponding. Each fixed contact 34A, 34B, 38A, 38B is preferably made of copper or copper alloy. Each movable contact 36, 40 is adapted to bear against the two fixed contacts 34A and 34B, 38A and 38B of the electrical switch 30, 32 corresponding in the closed position of said switch and away from the two fixed contacts 34A and 34B 38A and 38B of the same electrical switch 30, 32 in the open position of said switch.

Each movable contact 36, 40 is in the form of a tongue arranged in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, having a transverse axis Y extending from the right to the left and the vertical axis Z, as shown in FIG. Figure 5. Each movable contact 36, 40 comprises, at each of its ends along the transverse axis Y, a pellet 54 of contact with the pellet 52 complementary to the corresponding fixed contact.

Each movable contact 36, 40 has a cross section of variable area as a function of the electrical power of the clean current to flow through the electrical switch. Each movable contact 36, 40 is preferably made of copper or copper alloy. The holding member 45 has housings 56 for receiving the movable contacts 36, 40 respectively. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 5 to 10, the holding member 45 comprises four receiving housings 56, two of the four housings receiving both a first movable contact 36 and a second movable contact 40. holding 45 comprises four mechanical coupling elements 60A, 60B, 62A, 62B with the electric drive device 48, namely a first 60A and a second 60B transverse coupling elements, and a first 62A and a second 62B axial coupling elements , each coupling element being able to ensure a mechanical connection with the drive device 48 according to a respective one of the first A1, second A2, third A3 and fourth A4 configurations of the control module 18 with respect to the switching module 16.

For each configuration A1, A2, A3, A4, the mechanical coupling between the holding member 45 and the drive device 48 is provided by means of a single mechanical coupling element 60A, 60B, 62A, 62B respectively. . Each mechanical coupling element 60A, 60B, 62A, 62B corresponds to a single configuration A1, A2, A3, A4 of the drive device 48 relative to the holding member 45 of the switching module.

The holding member 45 is movable in translation in a driving direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X and perpendicular to the plane in which the contact pads 52, 54 are disposed. The holding member 45 is movable between a rear position in which the first electrical switches 30 are closed and a front position in which the second electrical switches 32 are closed. The holding member 45 is also adapted to be disposed in an intermediate position between the front position and the rear position. In the intermediate position of the holding member 45, the switches 30, 32 are all in the open position, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9.

The retaining member 45 has, with respect to the movable contacts 36, 40, the receiving housings 56 and the transverse coupling elements 60A, 60B, a horizontal plane of symmetry P1, the said plane of symmetry P1 containing the direction of rotation. The first transverse coupling element 60A and the second coupling element 60B are symmetrical to each other with respect to said horizontal plane of symmetry. The holding member 45 is made of an electrically insulating material. The drive device 48 is able to drive the holding member 45 in translation in the driving direction, and is thus able to simultaneously drive the movable contacts 36, 40 of the plurality of electrical switches 30, 32, so as to ensure a simultaneous switching of the first switches 30 and the second switches 32. The drive device 48, visible in Figures 5 and 8, and partially in Figures 6 and 10, comprises a first 66A and a second 66B electromagnetic coils arranged successively along the longitudinal axis X, a plunger 68 adapted to slide along the longitudinal axis inside the coils 66A, 66B, each coil 66A, 66B being adapted to exert a magnetic force on the plunger 68, so as to to actuate the plunger 68 in a reciprocating translational movement along the longitudinal axis X. The drive device 48 comprises a drive lever 70 of its own to cooperate with the first transverse coupling element 60A, or respectively with the second transverse coupling element 60B, when the switching system 10 is in its first configuration A1, or respectively in its second configuration A2. The drive lever 70 mechanically connected to the plunger 68 is then able to drive the holding member 45 in translation.

The driving device 48 comprises a shaft 71 around which the driving lever 70 is rotatable, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8.

The driving device 48 comprises at each end of the plunger 68 a rod 72 extending in the driving direction and a coupling head 74 disposed at the end of the rod 72 which is not fixed to the plunger 68. The coupling head 74 is adapted to be mechanically connected via a connecting element 76 to the first axial coupling element 62A, or respectively to the second axial coupling element 62B, when the switching system 10 is in the third configuration A3, or respectively according to the fourth configuration A4. The contact pads 52, 54 are electrically conductive, preferably silver alloy. The contact pads 52, 54 are each in the form of a wafer and arranged in a plane of axes Y and Z, perpendicular to the driving direction. Each receiving housing 56 passes through the holding member 45 from side to side along the transverse axis Y. Each receiving housing 56 comprises at least one bearing surface 78 for a corresponding movable contact 36, 40. Each bearing face 78 is substantially disposed in the plane of axes Y and Z, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.

The two housings 56 at the rear of the holding member 45, illustrated on the left of FIG. 5, are receiving housings of a first movable contact 36 and a second movable contact 40, and comprises two faces. 78 support arranged next to one another. Each transverse mechanical coupling element 60A, 60B is adapted to allow coupling of the holding member 45 with the driving device 48 in a direction perpendicular to the driving direction, preferably along the vertical axis Z, according to the first and second configurations A1, A2. The first transverse coupling element 60A and the second transverse coupling element 60B are symmetrical to each other with respect to the horizontal plane P1 of X and Y axes and containing the driving direction, as shown in FIG. Each transverse coupling element 60A, 60B comprises, in the vicinity of the middle of the holding member 45 along the longitudinal axis X, two fingers 80 arranged successively in the driving direction and extending transversely with respect to the direction drive, preferably vertically. The two fingers 80 of each transverse coupling element are adapted to cooperate with a first end 82 of the driving lever 70 mechanically connected to the drive device. The fingers 80 are integral with the holding member 45. Each axial coupling element 62A, 62B is adapted to allow the coupling of the holding member 45 with the drive device 48 in a direction parallel to the direction of the drive, that is to say along the longitudinal axis X, according to the third and fourth configurations A3, A4. The first axial coupling element 62A and the second axial coupling element 62B are symmetrical to one another with respect to a plane perpendicular to the driving direction, preferably with respect to a plane P2 of axes Y and Z and passing substantially through the middle of the holding member 45 along the longitudinal axis X, as shown in Figure 6. Each axial coupling element 62A, 62B is disposed at a respective longitudinal end of the holding member and comprises a rod 84 extending in the driving direction and a coupling head 86 disposed at one end of the rod 84, the coupling head 86 being adapted to be mechanically connected to a corresponding coupling head 74 via the element The rod 84 and the coupling head 86 are integrally formed with the holding member 45. The first coil 66A comprises a casing 88A and a coil 90A coaxial with respect to the longitudinal axis. 1 X and maintained by the carcass 88A, as shown in Figure 5. The second coil 66B is identical to the first coil 66A, and has the same parts each time replacing the letter A by the letter B concerning the references of these rooms. The plunger 68, visible in FIGS. 5, 6, 8 and 10, comprises a first end portion 92A, a second end portion 92B and an intermediate portion 94 forming the connecting member of the two end portions 92A. , 92B. Each coil 66A, 66B is adapted to exert a magnetic force substantially in the direction of one of the end portions 92A, 92B. The plunger 68 has two platens 96 bearing against a second end 98 of the drive lever 70, the support plates 96 being arranged successively along the longitudinal axis X, as shown in Figure 6. The drive lever 70 is mechanically connected to the plunger 68 on the one hand and to the holding member 45 on the other hand only according to the first and second configurations A1, A2, in order to drive in translation the holding member 45 along the axis longitudinal X following the actuation of the plunger 68 in translation along the longitudinal axis X, as shown in FIG. 5. The driving lever 70 is rotatable about the shaft 71 extending parallel to the axis transverse Y and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X. The rod 72 and the coupling head 74 are fixed to each end portion 92A, 92B. The rod 72 and the coupling head 74 are integral with the plunger 68.

The connecting element 76 is a movable part of the protective cover 20, such as a breakable part. In a variant not shown, the connecting element between the holding member 45 and the plunger 68 comprises a connecting piece movable between a rest position in which it is integrated into the body of the plunger 68 and an assembly position. in which it is partially extracted from the plunger 68 to ensure a mechanical connection of the plunger 68 with the holding member 45. The connecting piece comprises a body and a head adapted to cooperate with the holding member 45. The body is for example threaded. The head has a square section so as to immobilize in rotation about the longitudinal axis X of the connecting piece, by the cooperation between the head of said connecting piece and a complementary part of the holding member 45. The connecting piece is made of metal or plastic depending on the magnetic fluxes. The connecting piece can be extracted from its rest position to its assembly position, in particular by unscrewing the connecting piece when its body is threaded. This variant allows an elementless connection arranged externally to the holding member 45 or the plunger 68, the connecting piece being in the integrated rest position in the body of the plunger 68. The end portions 92A, 92B of the core are each in the form of a cylinder and of ferromagnetic material. The ends of the end portions 92A, 92B are disk-shaped in the transverse plane of Y and Z axes. The intermediate portion 94 of the plunger has a cylindrical rod 99 and the two support plates 96 attached to the rod. The intermediate portion 94 is positioned substantially in the middle of the plunger along the longitudinal axis X. The intermediate portion 94 is arranged substantially in the center of the corresponding disk-shaped end of each end portion 92A, 92B in the plane. transverse axis Y and Z. Each support plate 96 has a rectangular portion 100 extended by two fingers 102 extending vertically, as shown in Figure 6. The control module 18 has a plane of symmetry P3 perpendicular to the driving direction, visible in FIG. 5, said plane P3 being a transverse plane of Y and Z axes passing through the middle of the control module 18 along the longitudinal axis X. The first coil 66A and the second coil 66B are symmetrical with respect to said transverse plane of symmetry P3, and the first end portion 92A and the second end portion 92B of the plunger are also symmetrical one of the other than said transverse plane of symmetry P3.

Thus, the electrical switching system 10 is particularly flexible, since the control module 18 is positionable relative to the switching module 16 in four different ways according to the four configurations A1, A2, A3, A4 visible in Figures 1 to 4. For each configuration, the holding member 45 is mechanically coupled to the driver 48 via a single coupling element among the first and second coupling members 60A, 60B and the first and second axial coupling members 62A, 62B. According to the first configuration A1, the switching module 16 is arranged above the control module 18, and the holding member 45 is mechanically coupled to the drive device 48 via the first transverse coupling element 60A and the control lever. 70, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

According to the second configuration A2, the switching module 16 is disposed below the control module 18, and the holding member 45 is mechanically coupled to the drive device 48 via the second transverse coupling element 60B and the control lever. 70, as shown in Figure 8. The passage between the two transverse configurations A1, A2 is particularly simple to achieve, since it is sufficient to separate the switching module 16 of the control module 18, to rotate the module of control 18 at an angle of 180 ° about the longitudinal axis X, so that the drive lever 70 and the plates 96 of the plunger 68 are oriented downwardly as shown in Figure 8, respectively upward (Figure 9), and finally to secure the control module 18 above, respectively below, the switching module 16. By the presence of the first and second transverse coupling elements 60A, 60B, symmetrical the transition from the first configuration A1 to the second configuration A2, and conversely from the second configuration A2 to the first configuration A1, does not require to return the holding member 45. According to the third configuration A3, illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 10, the switching module 16 is arranged behind the switching module 18, and the holding member 45 is mechanically coupled to the device of FIG. drive 48 via the first axial coupling element 62A, as shown in FIG. 10. The coupling head 86 of the first axial coupling element is then secured to the coupling head 74 of the plunger with the help of the link 76. According to this configuration, the coupling heads are movable along the longitudinal axis through orifices, not shown, formed in the corresponding walls of the switching module 16 and the module of c. order 18.

According to the fourth configuration A4, visible in FIG. 4, the switching module 16 is arranged in front of the switching module 18, and the holding member 45 is mechanically coupled to the drive device 48 via the second axial coupling element 62B . In a similar manner to the third configuration A3, the second axial coupling element 62B is then integrally coupled with a corresponding coupling head of the plunger via the connecting element 76.

By the first and second axial coupling elements 62A, 62B, symmetrical to one another with respect to a transverse plane of Y and Z axes, the passage between the two axial configurations does not require the module to be pivoted. 16 when the input terminals 12A, 12B, 12C and the output terminals 14A, 14B, 14C are connected to electrical cables via a circuit breaker 16 at an angle of 180 ° about the longitudinal axis X. screw / nut assemblies, to go from the third configuration A3 to the fourth configuration A4, or conversely from the fourth configuration A4 to the third configuration A3, without disconnecting the electrical cables. When the user wishes to move from a configuration where the input terminals 12A, 12B, 12C and output 14A, 14B, 14C are adapted to be connected to electrical cables, as shown in Figure 7 to a configuration where the input and output terminals are intended to be soldered to a printed circuit, as shown in Figure 9, it is sufficient to rotate by an angle of 180 ° around the longitudinal axis X the input terminals 12A, 12B, 12C, the output terminals 14A, 14B, 14C and the associated fixed contacts 34A, 34B, 38A, 38B.

The passage of a transverse configuration, ie a configuration among the first and second configurations A1, A2, to an axial configuration, ie a configuration among the third and fourth configurations A3, A4, is particularly simple to implement, since It suffices to dissociate the switching module 16 from the control module 18, and to fix the switching module 16 and the control module 18 one beside the other, while solidifying the coupling head 86 of the element axial coupling 62A, 62B corresponding to the corresponding coupling head 74 of the plunger with the aid of the connecting element 76. The driving lever 70, which is not necessary for the operation of the switching system in axial configuration , may be removed, or left in place to serve as an indicator of the direction of travel. Similarly, the transition from an axial configuration A3, A4 to a transverse configuration A1, A2 is also simple to implement, since it is sufficient to separate the switching module 16 from the control module 18, in particular removing the connecting element 76 which is not necessary for the operation of the switching system according to the transverse configurations A1, A2, and for fixing the switching module 16 and the control module 18 one above the other, while mechanically connecting the transverse coupling member 60A, 60B corresponding to the plunger 68 by means of the driving lever 70. The fact that the input and output terminals each comprise both a mounting plate 22 and a connection pin 24 makes it possible to pass easily from the configuration in which the terminals are connected to electrical cables to the configuration in which the terminals are connected to a printed circuit, without having to modify the input and output terminals. The operation of the electrical switching system 10 according to the invention will now be described.

In the absence of control of the electromagnetic coils 66A, 66B, the drive device 48 is in the rest position and the intermediate portion 94 of the plunger is disposed substantially midway between the coils 66A, 66B along the longitudinal axis X The holding member 45 is then in its intermediate position due to the mechanical coupling between the holding member and the driving device, and all the electric switches 30, 32 are in the open position. No electrical current then flows between the input terminals 12A, 12B, 12C and the output terminals 14A, 14B, 14C. When a coil of the first and second coils 66A, 66B is actuated by control means, not shown, said coil creates a field which attracts the corresponding end portion 92A, 92B of the plunger, and the drive device 48 then moves from its rest position to a position among its first and second work positions. The actuation of said coil then causes the displacement of the holding member 45 from its intermediate position to a position among its front and rear positions, said position being a function of the configuration of the control module 18 with respect to the switching module 16 among the first, second, third and fourth configurations A1, A2, A3, A4. The translation of the holding member 45 then causes the closing of the second electrical switches 32, the first electrical switches 30 remaining in the open position, if said position is the front position of the holding member 45, or the closing of the first electrical switches 30, the second electrical switches 32 remaining in the open position, when said position is the rear position of the holding member 45. In the case of the first configuration A1, as shown in Figure 5, when the first coil 66A creates a field that draws the first end portion 92A of the plunger backward, the drive 48 moves from its rest position to its first working position with a displacement in the direction of the arrow F1. The second end 98 of the drive lever 70 is moved rearward by the mechanical connection between the intermediate portion 94 and the second end 98, and the first end 82 of the lever is then moved forward, the lever drive 70 rotating Y-axis about the shaft 71 in the direction of the arrow F2. Actuation of the first coil 66A thus causes the displacement, in the direction of arrow F3, of the holding member 45 from its intermediate position to its forward position, in which the second electric switches 32 are in the closed position while that the first electrical switches 30 are in the open position. When the other coil among the first and second coils 66A, 66B is actuated, it creates a field that attracts the other end portion of the plunger which induces a translation of the plunger along the longitudinal axis. The drive device 48 then moves from one working position to another. The actuation of the other coil then causes the displacement of the holding member 45 which causes the opening of the electrical switches 30, 32 which were previously closed and the closing of the other electrical switches which were previously open. In the case of the first configuration A1, as shown in FIG. 5, when the second coil 66B creates a field which attracts the second end portion 92B of the plunger forward, this induces a displacement of the plunger 68 in the direction arrow F4. The drive device 48 then moves from its first working position to its second working position. The second end 98 of the drive lever 70 is moved forward by the mechanical connection between the intermediate portion 94 and the second end 98, and the first end 82 of the lever is then moved rearwardly, the lever drive 70 rotating Y-axis about the shaft 71, as shown by the arrow F5. Actuation of the second coil 66B thus causes the displacement of the holding member 45 from its front position, or its intermediate position if the second coil 66B is actuated while the drive device 48 is at rest, towards its rear position, in the direction of the arrow F6. In the rear position of the holding member 45, the first electrical switches 30 are in the closed position while the second electrical switches 32 are in the open position. The movements of the drive device 48 and the holding member 45 in the case of the second configuration A2 are similar to those described above in the case of the first configuration A1. The movements of the drive device 48 and the holding member 45 in the case of the third and fourth configurations A3, A4 are translational movements along the longitudinal axis X, a movement of the drive device 48 in one direction causing a movement of the holding member 45 in the same direction. The plunger 68 being made of a single rigid piece, the first switches 30 and the second switches 32 can not be closed simultaneously, thus avoiding a risk of short circuit. It is therefore not necessary to provide an additional system for protection against short circuits of the mechanical locking type. It is thus conceivable that the electrical switching module 16 according to the invention makes it possible to propose several configurations A1, A2, A3, A4 possible of the switching module with respect to its control module 18, while minimizing the manipulations necessary for the passage of one configuration to another. The switching system 10 according to the invention is thus particularly flexible. The switching system 10 according to the invention also makes it possible to pass very easily from the configuration in which the input and output terminals are connected to electrical cables to the configuration in which the input and output terminals are connected to a printed circuit. FIG. 11 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention for which the elements similar to the first embodiment, described above, are marked with identical references. The second embodiment illustrates a variant of the axial coupling between the holding member 45 and the drive device 48. The other elements of the first embodiment and their variants may be associated with it. According to the second embodiment, each first and second axial coupling element 62A, 62B comprise an orifice 200 for receiving a rod 202 integral with the drive device 48 and a pin 204 for holding the rod 202 in the orifice The receiving orifice 200 extends in the direction of the drive, that is to say along the longitudinal axis X. The rod 202 is integral with the end portion 92A, 92B corresponding to the diver 68. The rod 202 has a through hole 206 adapted to receive the retaining pin 204 when the axial coupling element 62A, 62B and the plunger 68 of the driving device are mechanically coupled. The holding pin 204 is intended to be inserted into through holes 208 arranged in the holding member 45 and complementary to the through hole 206, when the rod 202 is inserted into the receiving orifice 200.

The through holes 206, 208 extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, preferably along the vertical axis Z.

The axial mechanical coupling according to the second embodiment makes it possible to offer greater mechanical rigidity to the assembly formed by the holding member 45 and the drive device 48. The operation of this second embodiment is moreover identical to that of the first embodiment described above. The other advantages of this second embodiment are identical to those of the first embodiment described above. FIG. 12 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention for which elements similar to the first embodiment, described above, are marked with identical references. According to the third embodiment, the switching system 10 is a three-phase contactor adapted to open or close each electrical connection between an input terminal 12A, 12B, 12C and a corresponding output terminal 14A, 14B, 14C associated with a phase respective of a three-phase current.

The switching module 16 then comprises only the first three electrical switches 30 in the absence of a second electrical switch, and each input terminal 12A, 12B, 12C is electrically connected only to a first input fixed contact 34A, each terminal output 14A, 14B, 14C being electrically connected to the corresponding first fixed output contact 34B.

The first 12A, second 12B and third 12C input terminals are then respectively connected to the first 14A, second 14B and third 14C output terminals in the closed position of the first switches 30, and the output terminals are electrically isolated from the input terminals. in the open position of the first switches 30.

The operation of this third embodiment is also identical with regard to the drive of the holding member 45 via the electrical drive device 48 to that of the first embodiment described above. The other advantages of this third embodiment are identical to those of the first embodiment described above.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS1.- Electrical switching module (16) comprising: - at least one electrical switch (30, 32) adapted to switch between an open position and a closed position, the or each electrical switch (30, 32) having a fixed contact input (34A, 38A), a fixed output contact (34B, 38B) and a movable contact (36, 40), the contacts (34A, 34B, 36, 38A, 38B, 40) being electrically conductive, the two contacts fixed (34A, 34B, 38A, 38B) being adapted to be electrically connected via the movable contact (36, 40) in the closed position of the electrical switch (30, 32) and electrically isolated from each other in position open of the electric switch (30, 32), - a member (45) for holding the movable contact (36, 40), the holding member (45) being able to be moved by an electric drive device ( 48) between a first position corresponding to a position among the open and closed positions of the switch (30, 32) and a second position corresponding to the other one of the open and closed positions of the switch (30, 32), the holding member (45) having a first coupling member (60A, 62A) mechanical arrangement with the electric drive device (48) in a primary configuration (A1, A3) of the drive device (48) with respect to the switching module (16), characterized in that the holding member (45) comprises a second mechanical coupling element (60B, 62B) with the electrical drive device (48) in a secondary configuration (A2, A4) of the drive device (48) with respect to the switching module (16). 2. Module (16) according to claim 1, wherein the holding member (45) is adapted to be moved in translation in a drive direction (X) by the drive device (48). 3. Module (16) according to claim 2, wherein the first mechanical coupling element (60A) and the second mechanical coupling element (60B) are symmetrical to one another with respect to a plane (P1). containing the driving direction (X). 4. Module (16) according to claim 2, wherein the first mechanical coupling element (62A) and the second mechanical coupling element (62B) are symmetrical to each other with respect to a plane (P2) perpendicular to the drive direction (X). 5. Module (16) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the holding member (45) comprises a member (60A, 60B) mechanical coupling transverse with the drive device (48) clean allowing the coupling of the drive device (48) with the holding member (45) in a direction perpendicular to the driving direction (X) and an axial mechanical coupling element (62A, 62B) with the device drive (48) adapted to allow the coupling of the drive device (48) with the holding member (45) in a direction parallel to the driving direction (X). 6. Module (16) according to claim 5, wherein the holding member (45) comprises first and second transverse coupling elements (60A, 60B), symmetrical to each other with respect to a plane (P1) containing the driving direction (X), and first and second axial coupling members (62A, 62B) symmetrical to one another relative to a plane (P2) perpendicular to the direction drive (X). 7.- Electrical switching system (10) comprising at least one input terminal (12A, 12B, 12C), at least one output terminal (14A, 14B, 14C), an electrical switching module (16) and a control module (18) of the switching module, characterized in that the electrical switching module (16) is in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, the or each input terminal (12A, 12B, 12C) being connected electrically to a corresponding input fixed contact (34A, 38A) and the or each output terminal (14A, 14B, 14C) being electrically connected to a corresponding output fixed contact (34B, 38B), in that the control (18) comprises the electric driving device (48), and in that the holding member (45) is mechanically coupled to the driving device (48) via the first coupling element (60A, 62A) as follows the primary configuration (A1, A3) of the control module (18) with respect to the switching module ( 16) or via the second coupling element (60B, 62B) according to the secondary configuration (A2, A4) of the control module (18) relative to the switching module (16). 8.- System (10) according to claim 7, wherein each terminal (12A, 12B, 12C, 14A, 14B, 14C) comprises a mounting plate (22) for connecting an electric cable with the aid of a screw / nut assembly (23) and a pin (24) for connection to a printed circuit (26), the pin (24) being intended to be soldered to the printed circuit (26). 9. System (10) according to claim 8, wherein the connecting pin (24) is integral with the fixing plate (22). The system (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the switching module (16) comprises a plurality of electrical switches (30, 32), and the holding member (45). movable contacts (36, 40) is adapted to be driven by the driver (48) between its first and second positions, so as to provide simultaneous switching of the plurality of electrical switches (30, 32). The system (10) of claim 10, wherein the system (10) comprises a plurality of input terminals (12A, 12B, 12C), a plurality of output terminals (14A, 14B, 14C), each input terminal (12A, 12B, 12C) being electrically connected to an input fixed contact (34A) of a respective electrical switch (30) and each output terminal (14A, 14B, 14C) being electrically connected to a fixed output contact (34B) of a respective electrical switch (30), so as to connect each input terminal (12A, 12B, 12C) to a respective output terminal (14A, 14B, 14C) in the closed position of switches (30), and electrically isolating the output terminals (14A, 14B, 14C) of the input terminals (12A, 12B, 12C) in the open position of the switches (30). The system (10) of claim 10, wherein the system comprises a first (12A), a second (12B) and a third (12C) input terminal, a first (14A), a second (14B) and a third (14C) output terminal, two first switches (30) and two second switches (32), the first and second input terminals (12A, 12B) each being electrically connected to a fixed input contact (34A). ) a respective first electrical switch (30) and a fixed input contact (38A) of a respective second electrical switch (32), and the first and second output terminals (14A, 14B) each being electrically connected to a fixed output contact (34B) of a respective first electrical switch (30) and to a fixed output contact (38B) of a respective second electrical switch (32) so as to connect the first input terminal (12A) to the first output terminal (14A) and the second input terminal to the second output terminal (14B) in the closed position of the first switches (30), and to connect the first input terminal (12A) to the second output terminal (14B) and the second output terminal (14B). input (12B) to the first output terminal (14A) in the closed position of the second switches (32), the third output terminal (14C) being electrically connected to the third input terminal (12C). The system (10) of claim 12, wherein the system (10) comprises three first switches (30) and three second switches (32), each input terminal (12A, 12B, 12C) being electrically connected to a fixed input contact (34A) of a respective first electrical switch (30) and a fixed input contact (38A) of a respective second electrical switch (32), and each output terminal (14A, 14B); , 14C) being electrically connected to a fixed output contact (34B) of a respective first electrical switch (30) and to a fixed output contact (38B) of a respective second electrical switch (32) so as to connect the first input terminal (12A) to the first output terminal (14A), the second input terminal (12B) to the second output terminal (14B) and the third input terminal (12C) to the third output terminal (14C) in the closed position of the first switches (30), and to connect the first input terminal (12A) to the second output terminal (14B), the second input terminal (12B) to the first output terminal (14A) and the third input terminal (12C) to the third terminal of output (14C) in the closed position of the second switches (32).