Technical area :
The present invention relates to a control module for a modular electrical switchgear device obtained by juxtaposition of said control module and at least one switching module, said switching module comprising a switching housing which accommodates at least one fixed contact and a movable contact coupled to a rotatable transmission mechanism about an axis of rotation and provided with two coupling ends accessible from the sides of the cut-off housing, said control module comprising a control housing in which is housed a mechanism rotary actuation about an axis of rotation arranged to be coincident with the axis of rotation of said gear mechanism when said control module and said at least one switching module are juxtaposed, said actuating mechanism being also provided with two coupling ends accessible from the sides of the control unit, arranged to be complementary to said ends of e coupling said at least one switching module and aligned with them on the same axis of rotation allowing their axial engagement when said control module and said at least one switching module are juxtaposed, said control module further comprising a control rod coupled on the one hand to said operating mechanism through a panel of the controller housing and secondly to an external operating member to said control unit, said actuating mechanism being provided with an accessible front inlet from the front of said control unit for receiving an end of said control rod and achieve a frontal control of said at least one control switching module.

The present invention also relates to a modular electrical switchgear device obtained by juxtaposition of said control module and at least one switching module.

PRIOR ART

The electrical switching devices are commonly called switches, fuse switches, changeover switches, etc. and to open and close electrical circuits in electrical installations to control industrial equipment, machine tools, etc. Modular switching devices are constituted of a minimum breaking module corresponding to a pole or a phase of the electrical network, and a control module for opening and closing said switching module. The modularity of the switchgear is popular because it allows mixing according to various desired features breaking modules variants different variants of control modules.

The switches can be controlled manually by an operating member, which may be a rotatable handle placed either at the front and it is called "front handle", or on the side and is called "side handle" or by a lever tilting generally placed in front. These switching devices may also be, as appropriate, automatically controlled by a motor coupled to the control rod is in front or on the side. The choice between a front control and a right or left side control is dependent on the configuration of electrical cabinets and switchgear assembly options. Therefore, the actuating mechanism of the control module differs depending on the front or side control mode. Generally, in front handle, said actuating mechanism comprises a bevel gear which converts the rotational movement of the handle transmitted to the control rod along a first axis of rotation, in a rotational movement of the mechanism

actuator according to a second axis of rotation perpendicular to the first. An example of front control in control module is described in the publication EP 1709652 Bl. In order side, this actuating mechanism is coupled to the handle by the control rod.

Furthermore, it is known to couple the operating mechanism with springs to create a rapid actuation device which, independently of the speed of rotation of the handle or tilting of the lever makes it possible to accelerate the speed at engagement and / or to trigger the switching module. This rapid actuation device further complicates the control module to make versatile, that is to say which can be controlled as well by an end command by a right side and left control.

Therefore, manufacturers are obliged to provide various control module templates based on the front or side control mode, which increases significantly the number of references of products to manage both the industrial plan commercially. Thus, in the same range of current, a switching device model, or model corresponding to its control and switching modules, is available in different versions depending on whether the command is front or side. Moreover, the choice of model or version must generally be made when ordering, requiring the end user to precisely define its terms of implementation of its switchgear.

Some manufacturers offer versatile said switching devices and arranged to respond to both modes of frontal and lateral control, like those described in the publications CN 105 336 519 A, US 2010/0326810 Al, WO 02/49053 Al, EP 0823720 al and EP 1648008 Bl. However, these versatile switchgear are modular in design and include mechanisms of complex operation and transmission and expensive given the number of

major parts, the mechanical reliability is suboptimal especially in terms of service life, and whose size is penalizing.

Disclosure of the invention:

The present invention aims to overcome these disadvantages by providing a versatile said control module, universal or standard that can meet all operating modes: front, side right, left side, which is designed with a minimum of parts that it is simple, economical, reliable mechanically, compact, said control module being designed to allow the manufacture of modular switchgear can meet a wide range of assembly configurations regardless of the number of switching modules.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a control module of the kind indicated in the preamble, characterized in that the actuating mechanism comprises two lateral inlets accessible from the sides of said control housing, aligned with the axis of rotation said operating mechanism, and arranged to receive one end of said control rod and achieve a right side or a left side command control of said at least one control switching module in accordance with the same operating direction to right and left of said module control.

The particular arrangement of the control according to the invention having standard three way inlet module including a front inlet port and two lateral entry orifices, allows to leave the choice to the end customer of the configuration of its breaking device and its control mode, without the need specified in the order, the selected control mode, which greatly simplifies the management of manufacturing, inventory and orders.

The coupling end pieces can be integrated actuating mechanism or formed in separate coupling parts and separated from the actuating mechanism arranged to fit between the actuating mechanism of the control module and the transmission mechanism of said at least one switching module when said modules are juxtaposed.

In a preferred embodiment, the coupling parts form a male coupling part and a female coupling part, one of the coupling parts comprising a male coupling piece and the other coupling part having a female coupling piece , said male and female coupling ends being arranged to be complementary respectively to the female coupling and male ends of said at least one switching module when said modules are juxtaposed.

The actuating mechanism and the coupling parts preferably comprise complementary driving means for their coupling in rotation about the axis of rotation.

The complementary driving means are preferably arranged for providing an angular clearance between the control rod and the actuating mechanism, and comprise at least one drive tooth provided on the coupling piece or the corresponding end of actuating mechanism, and at least one receiving slot provided at the corresponding end of the actuating mechanism or the coupling piece, the light receiving extending over an angular sector greater than that of the driving tooth for household said angular play.

The coupling parts and said control unit may further comprise keying means for each coupling part corresponds to a side of said control box.

The control module preferably includes at least one spring coupled to the control unit and arranged actuating mechanism to form an actuation device sudden movable contacts of said at least one switching module when said modules are juxtaposed.

In the preferred embodiment, the actuating mechanism comprises a bevel gear formed at least one input gear and an output gear integral with said actuating mechanism, and an additional inlet part comprising said front inlet, placed in the input gear by the complementary driving means for their coupling in rotation along an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the actuator mechanism and being arranged for providing an angular clearance between the control rod and the actuating mechanism in forward order.

These complementary drive means may comprise at least one drive tooth provided on the additional input part or input gear, and at least one receiving notch provided on the input gear or the input part additional, said receiving slot extending over an angular sector greater than that of the driving tooth for said household angular play.

In the preferred form of the invention, the actuating mechanism comprises a hollow shaft comprises two coaxial shaft parts and assembled axially together by connecting arms for securing a central recess in which is housed at least in part said bevel. The link arms advantageously are limit switches with fixed parts of said control module to define the extreme angular positions that can occupy the actuating mechanism and which correspond to the switched on and off positions of said at least one switching module when said modules are juxtaposed.

For this purpose also, the invention relates to a kind of the breaking device mentioned in the preamble, characterized in that the actuating mechanism of the control module comprises two lateral entry orifices, accessible from the sides of said control housing, aligned on the axis of rotation of the actuating mechanism, and arranged to receive one end of the control rod and achieve a right side or a left side command control of said control module in accordance with the same operating direction to the right and left said control module.

According to alternative embodiments, the coupling ends of the actuating mechanism said control module can be integrated to said operating mechanism, or formed in separate coupling parts and separated from said actuation mechanism and arranged to be inserted between the mechanism for actuating said control module and the transmission mechanism of said at least one switching module.

Said coupling parts preferably form a male coupling part and a female coupling part, the male coupling part having a male coupling piece and the female coupling part comprising a female coupling connector, said male and female coupling ends being complementary respectively to the female coupling and male ends of said at least one switching module.

In a first embodiment, the switching device comprises at least one switching module juxtaposed to one side of said control module. In this case, the control rod can be coupled to the front inlet of the control module for performing a front control of said switching device, or to the side inlet of the free side of the control module carrying out a lateral control of said switching device.

In a second embodiment, the switching device comprises at least one switching module juxtaposed on either side of said control module. In this case, the control rod is coupled to the front inlet of the control module for performing a front control of said switching device.

Alternatively, the switching device may comprise a lateral control accessory, having an accessory housing with an additional coupling piece having at one of its ends an additional side inlet for receiving the end a control rod and at the other end with complementary engagement means to those of the actuation mechanism of said control module.

Brief description of drawings:

The present invention and its advantages appear better in the following description of an embodiment given as a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a modular switching device according to the invention obtained by juxtaposition of two share breaking modules and sides of a central control module via two coupling parts left and right,

Figure 2 is an overview in perspective of the Figure 1 switching device,

- Figures 3A and 3B are views of a modular switching device according to the invention obtained by juxtaposition of a switching module to the left of the control module, respectively in front perspective view and plan view of the right side ,

4A and 4B are views of a modular switching device according to the invention obtained by juxtaposition of a switching module to the right of the control module, respectively in front perspective view and plan view of the left side,

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the control module of Figure 1,

- Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of a switchgear module of Figure 1,

7A to 7D are detail views of the coupling piece on the left of Figure 1 respectively in a perspective front, rear perspective view, front view and rear view,

- Figures 8 A to 8D are detailed views of the right coupling piece of figure 1 respectively in a perspective front, rear perspective view, front view and rear view,

Figures 9, 9A, 9B and 9C are views of the Figure 5 control module, respectively in front view, in section AA, BB and CC cutting section, - Figure 10 is a perspective view of a switch obtained by juxtaposition of two side by side switching devices according to the invention having two central and adjacent control modules,

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a switch obtained by juxtaposition one behind the other of two switching devices according to the invention, comprising two lateral and adjacent control modules,

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the breaking device of Figure 3A provided with a lateral control accessory,

Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of the lateral control accessory, and

- Figure 14 is a perspective view of the breaking device of Figure 4A laterally controlled without control accessory.

Illustrations of the invention and best way to achieve it:

In the embodiments shown, the elements or identical parts bear the same reference numbers.

Referring to Figures, the control module 10 according to the invention is intended to equip a switching device 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E modular electrical, which is obtained by juxtaposition of a control module 10 and at least one switching module 20 according to the number of phases of the electrical installation to be switched and the functionality of the switching device 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E: switches, switch fuses, switches, inverters, etc. . The breaking modules 20 are generally identical and the individual modules by phase, that is to say they are arranged to cut a single phase installation. Of course, the invention is not limited to this case and may be considered for breaking modules arranged to cut more than one phase. They are commonly called breaking poles and can be juxtaposed side by side and coupled together by coupling ends 21, 22 described below. The control module 10 is generally a common module to several breaking modules 20 which can be juxtaposed with one or two breaking modules 20 and coupled to one and / or each other by coupling ends 11, 12 additional the coupling ends 21, 22 of the breaking modules 20. the assembly of the modules 10, 20 between them is an assembly by axial insertion of said coupling end pieces 11, 12; 21, 22, held in place by fasteners such as tie rods passing through the modules 10, 20 from one side in the through holes provided for this purpose and not shown in the figures. The switching device 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E obtained is then designed to be fixed on rails or the like in an electrical cabinet or other electrical cabinet. The modules 10, 20 comprise in addition to the centering pins 29 provided on the sides of the modules 10, 20 facilitate alignment of the modules 10, 20 between them.

The control module 10 according to the invention is further adapted to respond to all possible control modes according to the assembly of the switchgear 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E: front operating mechanism (Fig 1, 2. , 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 10, 11

and 12), right side actuator (Fig. 3A, 3B, 12) and left lateral control (Fig. 4A and 4B). In addition, in all possible control modes, the control module 10 of the invention enables compliance with an operating direction imposed to move from a disengaged position (0) to an engaged position (I), namely a rotational movement of a quarter of a turn clockwise to a front order and from bottom to top for lateral control, this lateral operating either right or left. When this command is manual, it is performed by an operating member such as a handle 2 provided at the end of an operating rod 3, a swing lever, a remote control on the door of an electrical cabinet, or any other equivalent means. This command can also be mechanized by a motorized actuator.

An exemplary cut-off module 20 according to the invention is shown in exploded view in Figure 6 and comprises a cut-off housing 23 in which are housed a pair of fixed contacts 24 and a pair of movable contacts 25 coupled to a transmission mechanism 26 rotatable about an axis of rotation A. Each fixed contact 24 of electrically conductive material is supported by a connecting pad 24a extending outside the housing 23 for connection to an electrical conductor of the installation. Each moving contact 25 includes two blades 25a of electrically conductive material, parallel and integral with a rotating bar 26a to form pivoting sliding contacts arranged, in the engaged or closed position, to grip either side fixed contact 24 corresponding . The rotating bar 26a comprises at its ends two coupling ends 21, 22 and form the transmission mechanism 26 which could be different depending on the configuration of the fixed contacts 24 and movable contacts 25. Indeed, the movable contacts may be contacts pressure. In this case, the transmission mechanism 26 is designed to convert a rotational movement about the axis of rotation A in a translational movement of the movable contacts. The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. The coupling ends 21, 22 are designed to fit axially with other complementary coupling bits

21, 22; 11, 12 provided either on another switching module 20 either on the control module 10. To this end, a coupling end-pieces 21 is provided a male end of the left side of cutoff housing 23 seen from the front (in left in the figures) and the other coupling piece 22 is provided a socket on the right side of the housing 23 cut (right in the figures). Of course, the male coupling end-pieces 21 and female 22 can be reversed, the pin connector may be provided on the right side and the female end of the left cut-off housing side 23. They each have a landform crosswise to the male coupling piece 21 and a hollow cross to the female coupling hub 22 permitting axial interlocking with other complementary coupling ends 21, 22; 11, 12 along the axis of rotation A and a rotary drive without play around said rotation axis A. Of course, any other form of coupling end pieces producing the same functions can be envisaged, provided that each device manufacturer failure usually has its own coupling caps.

The switching box 23 of the switching module 20 has a parallelepipedal shape, made of an electrically insulating material, consisting of two half-shells assembled along a central parting plane P (see Fig. 9 on the control module 10). It defines a front wall 23a forming the front of the housing, a rear wall 23b, two side walls 23c, 23d forming the sides of the housing and two transverse walls 23e, 23f. The side walls 23c, 23d of the cut-off housing 23 comprises a guide hole 27 for passage of the coupling end-pieces 21, 22 and the guiding in rotation of the rotating bar 26a along the axis of rotation A. The transverse walls 23e, 23f cutoff housing 23 includes a slot 28 for the passage and retention of the connection terminals 24a of the fixed contacts 24. the side walls 23c, 23d of the cut-off housing 23 respectively comprise two centering pins 29a and two corresponding centering holes 29b (see fig. 9C relative to the control module 10 and fig. 12 on the device 1B), diametrically opposite with respect to the axis of rotation A, to facilitate centering of the modules 10, 20 with each other during their assembly side by side in juxtaposition.

The number of pins and centering holes 29a, 29b may be limited to one or greater than two. Similarly, other means of centering equivalent may be considered.

The control module 10 according to the invention is shown in exploded view in Figure 5 and includes a control box 13 in which is housed a rotary actuating mechanism 14 around an axis of rotation coincident with the axis of rotation a transmission mechanism 26 when the control module 10 and at least one switching module 20 are juxtaposed, said rotation axis also being referenced A. the actuating mechanism 14 comprises a hollow shaft consists of two shaft parts 15 16 substantially cylindrical, coaxial and axially joined together by connecting arms 15a, 16a for securing a central recess E in which is housed at least in part a bevel gear 17. the connecting arms 15a, 16a are, in the example shown, two in number and parallel to each other, arranged on two ears 15b, 16b provided on the shaft parts 15, 16 diametrically opposite. These connecting arms 15a, 16a also have a limit function since they come into abutment against fixed parts (visible 13g boss in Figures 9A and 9B) of the control module 10 to define the extreme angular positions that can occupy the mechanism actuator 14 and which correspond to the switched on and off positions of the switching module 20. in the example shown, the extreme angular positions of the actuating mechanism 14 are separated by an angle substantially equal to 60 °, this value n ' being limiting. For this purpose, the control unit 13 includes a boss 13g integral with the rear wall 13b whose external shape defines two fixed stops defining the engaged position and the disengaged position in conjunction with one and the other connecting arm 15a, 16a.

The bevel gear 17 includes a bevel gear consisting of an input pinion 18 of axis B perpendicular to the axis of rotation A meshing an output pinion 19 with an axis A provided on one of the parts shaft 15. the input gears 18 and outlet 19 are defined by two angular segments covering a little over a quarter turn, which is sufficient for operating the transmission mechanism 26 of the switching module 20 by rotating 2 on the handle a quarter turn or 90 °. However, these gears could be complete. Of course, any equivalent embodiment of the bevel gear 17 is possible. The input gear 18 has a front inlet port 30 accessible from the front of the control box 13 for receiving a control rod 3. Generally, the control rod 3 has at least at one end a square section , whose fingerprint is reproduced in the front inlet port 30 to ensure axial engagement along the axis B and the driving in rotation without play of the bevel gear 17 by the control rod 3 itself driven by a handle 2 or similar. In this example, the frontal inlet 30 is formed in a piece of additional input 31 accommodated in the input gear 18, this piece of additional input 31 is not necessarily required. However, it allows to introduce an angular clearance J (Fig. 5) explained below. Indeed, in the example shown, the additional inlet part 31 comprises drive means 32 complementary drive means 33 provided in the input gear 18 of the bevel gear 17. They consist of driving teeth 32 three in number, this number not being limiting, it being specified that a tooth drive might suffice but three drive teeth 32 are used to balance the training efforts. In correspondence, the complementary drive means provided in the input gear 18 includes three receiving slots 33. The receiving slots 33 extend over an angular sector greater than that of the drive teeth 32 for providing an angular clearance J (fig. 5) between the control rod and the actuating mechanism 14 in order to separate the actuation mechanism 26 of the switching module 20 of the operating rod over a predetermined angular stroke. Indeed, in the case where the actuating mechanism 26 is associated with a rapid actuation device 36 described later, this angular clearance J allows to decouple the rapid actuation device 36 of the control rod allowing it to liberate potential energy it has accumulated during part of the rotation of the control rod for controlling the transmission mechanism 26 of the switching module 20 and quickly switch the movable contacts 25 to their released position to their engaged position and vice versa.

The actuating mechanism 14 of the control module 10 comprises at its ends two other lateral inlets 34, 35 accessible from the sides of the control housing 13 and having the same footprint as the front inlet port 30 for receiving one end of the control rod 3. These lateral inlets 34, 35 are provided in the shaft parts 15, 16 and centered on the axis of rotation A. the actuating mechanism 14 also includes two end caps coupling 11, 12 accessible from the sides of the control unit 13, identical to the coupling end-pieces 21, 22 of the switching module 20, aligned with the axis of rotation A so that their respective axial engagement when the control module 10 is juxtaposed one or two breaker modules 20.

The actuating mechanism 14 further comprises two springs 36, which are in the example shown the torsion springs whose free ends are respectively received in a receiving hole 37, 38 provided in the control housing 13 and the shaft parts 15, 16. Any other type of spring may be suitable such as for example compression springs. These springs 36 allow for the storage of potential energy upon rotation of the control rod 3, and then to cause a quick tilting of the movable contacts 25 by return of the stored energy. These springs 36 form a rapid actuation device ensuring engagement and rapid release of the breaking modules 20, irrespective of the operating speed of the control rod 3. Of course, this embodiment of the actuating device abrupt n ' is not limited and extends to any other form of equivalent device. Similarly, two springs 36 are shown, but only one spring 36 may be sufficient according to the load torque to develop, the two springs 36 for multiplying by two potential energy and to balance the operating forces.

The control unit 13 of the control module 10 has a parallelepipedal shape substantially identical to the cut-off housing 23, made of electrically insulating material, consisting of two half-shells assembled along a central parting plane P (Fig. 9). It defines a front wall 13a forming the front of the housing, a rear wall 13b, two side walls 13c, 13d forming the sides of the housing and two transverse walls 13e, 13f. The side walls 13c, 13d of the control unit 13 includes a guide hole 39 for passage of the coupling ends 11, 12 and the guiding in rotation about the axis of rotation A of the shaft parts 15, 16 of the mechanism actuator 14. the front wall 13a of the control unit 13 includes a guide hole 40 for the passage and guidance of the additional inlet part 31 having the front inlet port 30 of the actuating mechanism 14. As for the cleavage housing 23, the side walls 13c, 13d of the control unit 13 each have two centering pins 29a and two corresponding centering holes 29b (fig. 9C), diametrically opposite with respect to the axis of rotation A, to facilitate centering of the modules 10, 20 between them when they are assembled side by side in juxtaposition.

In the example shown, the coupling ends 11, 12 of control module 10 are formed on the coupling parts 110, 120 separate and distinct from the shaft of the actuating mechanism 14. They form two differentiated parts, namely a male coupling part 110 (fig. 7A to 7D) and a female coupling part 120 (fig. 8A to 8D). Of course, these coupling adapters 11, 12 could be integrated into the shaft parts 15, 16, and stacked to the side inlets 24, 25. The advantage of providing the coupling ends 11, 12 on pieces of coupling 110, 120 separate to add an angular play J 'to decouple the control rod 3 of the actuation mechanism 14, as explained above with reference to the angular play J present at the inlet port front 30. therefore, the embodiment illustrated and described coupling ends 11, 12 should not be limiting.

The male coupling part 110 illustrated in detail in Figures 7A-7D includes a cylindrical body 111 provided on the left side of the male coupling piece 11 and the drive means 112 arranged to the right side s' fit in Additional drive means 113 provided in the corresponding end of the shaft of the actuating mechanism 14. in the example shown, the drive means consist of drive teeth 112 three in number, this number n 'is not limited to being specified that a driving tooth might suffice but three drive teeth are used to balance the training efforts. In correspondence, the complementary drive means provided in the end of the shaft part 15 includes three receiving lights 113. The lights 113 receiving extend over an angular sector greater than that of the drive teeth 112 household angular play J '(fig. 9B) between the control rod 3 and the actuator mechanism 14 having the same function as the angular play J present at the frontal inlet 30. the teeth drive 112 and the receiving lights 113 are distributed irregularly over the circumference of the male coupling part 110 and the shaft member 15 to form corresponding keying means, that is to say that the male coupling part 110 can be fitted as the left side of the control module 10. of course, if the coupling ends 11, 12; 21, 22 of the different modules 10, 20 are reversed, then the male coupling part 110 will fit on the right side of the control module 10.

The female coupling part 120 illustrated in detail in Figures 8 A to 8D comprises a cylindrical body 121 provided with the right of the female coupling end side 12 and left side drive means 122 arranged to fit into the Additional drive means 123 provided in the corresponding end of the shaft of the actuating mechanism 14. in the example shown and as for the male coupling part 110, the drive means consist of three teeth of drive 122, and the driving means

Further provided in the end of the shaft part 16 includes three receiving lights 123. The lights 123 receiving extend over an angular sector greater than that of the drive teeth 122 to also arrange a angular play J 'between the control rod 3 and the actuator mechanism 14 having the same function as the angular play J present at the frontal inlet 30 and the lateral inlet opening 34. the drive teeth 122 and the reception of lights 123 are distributed irregularly over the circumference of the female coupling part 120 and the corresponding shaft 16 piece to form polarizing means, that is to say so that the piece of female coupling 120 can s' that fit the right side of control module 10. as stated above, if the coupling ends 11, 12; 21, 22 of the different modules 10, 20 are reversed, then the female coupling part 120 will fit on the left side of the control module 10.

Industrial Applicability:

The control module 10 according to the invention is versatile since it allows to perform all switching devices configurations, it can be juxtaposed with one or more switching modules 20 a and / or the other of its ratings. If juxtaposed to a switching module 20 with one of its sides, whereas the operating rod 3 can be introduced as well in the frontal inlet 30 to perform front control, as in the opening d ' side inlet 34, 35 on the free side of the control module 10 for performing a lateral control. Figures 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 11 and 12 illustrate different switching device 1B, 1C, 1E obtained by the lateral connecting method comprising either a switching module 20 for the devices 1B, 1C of Figs 3 A, 3B , 4A, 4B and 12 forming switches single phase or more than one switching module and, for example eight switching modules 20 to the apparatus 1E of Figure 11 forming a polyphase switch or multipole two floors. Indeed, Figure 11 illustrates a switch obtained by superposing, one behind the other of the same two switching devices provided with four switching modules 20, corresponding to two four-phase switches, interconnected by their control module 10 via a connecting rod (not shown).

If the control module 10 is juxtaposed to a switching module 20 with both sides thereof, then the control rod 3 can only be inserted in the front entry port 30 for performing a front operating mechanism. Figures 1, 2 and 10 illustrate different switching device 1A, 1D obtained by this central assembly mode having either two switching module for the device 1A of Figs 1, 2 forming a two-phase switch, or more than two modules cut and cut for example eight modules 20 for 1D apparatus of Figure 11 forming a polyphase switch by assembly side by side of two four-phase switches. In this case, the front inlet opening 30 of one of the control modules 10 is doomed.

The switching device 1B of Figure 12 corresponds to that of Figures 3A and 3B completed by a lateral control accessory 50 allowing for example to consider direct lateral operating and / or control of auxiliary contacts (not shown) for provide information on the shift position of the switching device 1B by an electrical signal. This lateral control accessory 50 is illustrated in greater detail in Figure 13 and comprises an accessory housing 51 in which is housed an additional coupling piece 52 provided with an additional lateral inlet 53 for receiving the corresponding end a control rod 3. This additional lateral inlet port 53 has therefore the same footprint to that provided in the front inlet port 30 and into the lateral inlet ports 34, 35 of control module 10 .

The accessory case 51 is narrower than the control units 13 and 23 cut as it contains only a few parts. It has a parallelepipedal shape, made of an electrically insulating material, formed of an open shell which is closed by a closure plate by means of fastening screws 51g. It is intended to be attached to a side face 13c, 13d of the control unit 13 by 51h screws. It defines a front wall 51a, a rear wall 51b, two side walls 51c, 51d forming the sides of the housing and two transverse walls 51, 5 lf. The side walls 51c, 51d of the accessory housing 51 includes a guide hole 54 for the passage and guidance in rotation about the axis of rotation A of the additional coupling part 52. The additional coupling piece 52 comprises a body 55 provided with a cylindrical shoulder 56 bearing against the inner face of the right side wall 51d of the accessory housing 51, and defining the right side of the additional side inlet port 53 and the left driving means 57 arranged for s' fit into drive means 123 further provided in the corresponding end of the shaft of the actuating mechanism 14. in the example shown and as for the coupling parts 110, 120, the means drive consist of three drive teeth 57 corresponding to the three reception lights 123 provided in the shaft part 16. the drive teeth 57 extend over a sector ang ular lower than that receiving lights 123 to preserve the angular play J 'between the control rod 3 and the actuating mechanism 14. The drive teeth 57 together with the receipt of light polarizing means 123, so that lateral control accessory 50 can fit that the right side of the control module 10. of course, another side control accessory 50 can be made specifically to max out the left side of the control module 10.

The 1C of Figure 14 breaking device corresponds to that of Figures 4A and 4B which has no lateral accessory controller 50 and allows a lateral offset command on a door of the control cabinet. In this configuration, the handle 2 is disposed outside of a wall 4 belonging to the electrical cabinet (not shown) and is coupled to control module 10 by a control rod 3 passing through the wall 4 provided with a 5 corresponding orifice. This

handle 2 is locked axially by any stop means provided on both sides of the wall 4 but not shown.

It is clear from this description that the invention achieves the goals, ie offer a control module 10 for modular switching device that is versatile, simple and reliable design to meet all the features that requested it, including:

A switching direction of the switching modules 20 imposed, that is to say, a rotation from bottom to top to close the breaking modules 20 when the operator is facing the switching device 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D 1E,

A rotatable front control,

A rotatable right side order,

A rotatable left side order,

A control module 10 centered when the breaking modules 20 are coupled on each side,

Direct or remote control on a cabinet door,

A coupling of two switches to achieve a multipole switch side by side (Fig. 10) or one behind the other (Fig. 11),

Coupling a plurality of control modules 10 for multiplying the number of switching modules 20 driven (Fig. 10),

Auxiliary contacts via the integrated side control accessory 50.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but extends to any modification and variation obvious to a skilled person.

claims
1. A control module (10) for a switching device (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E) modular electrical obtained by juxtaposition of said control module (10) and at least one switching module (20), said breaking module (20) having a cut-off housing (23) in which are housed at least one fixed contact (24) and a movable contact (25) coupled to a transmission mechanism (26) rotatable about an axis of rotation (a) and provided with two coupling pieces (21, 22) accessible from the sides of the cut-off housing (23), said control module (10) having a control box (13) in which is housed a mechanism actuating (14) rotatable about an axis of rotation arranged to be coincident with the axis of rotation (a) of said transmission mechanism (26) when said control module (10) and said at least one switching module (20 ) are juxtaposed, said actuating mechanism (14) being provided with two coupling pieces (11, 12) accessible by the co sides of the control housing (13), arranged to be complementary to said coupling end pieces (21, 22) of said at least one switching module (20) and aligned with them on the same axis of rotation (A) for their axial engagement when said control module (10) and said at least one switching module (20) are juxtaposed, said control module (10) further comprising a control rod (3) coupled on the one hand to said actuating mechanism (14 ) through a panel of the controller housing (13) and secondly to a drive member (2) external to said control housing (13), said actuating mechanism (14) being provided with an orifice frontal inlet (30) accessible from the front of said control unit (13) for receiving an end of said control rod (3) and achieve a frontal control of said control module (10), characterized in that said actuating mechanism (14) comprises two lateral inlets (34, 35) accessible from the sides of said control housing (13), aligned on the axis of rotation (A) of said actuation mechanism (14) and arranged to receive one end of said control rod (3) and carrying out a lateral control right or left lateral control of said control module (10) according to the same operating direction to right and left of said control module (10).

2. Control unit according to claim 1, characterized in that said coupling end pieces (11, 12) of the actuating mechanism (14) are integrated to said operating mechanism (14).

3. Control unit according to claim 1, characterized in that said coupling end pieces (11, 12) of the actuating mechanism (14) are formed on the coupling pieces (110, 120) of said distinct and separate mechanism actuating (14) arranged to fit between the actuating mechanism (14) of said control module (10) and the transmission mechanism (26) of said at least one switching module (20) when said modules (10, 20) are juxtaposed.

4. Control module according to Claim 3, characterized in that said coupling parts form a male coupling part (110) and a female coupling part (120), one of the coupling parts comprising a male coupling piece (11) and the other coupling part having a female coupling connector (12), said male coupling end pieces (11) and female (12) being arranged to be complementary with respectively female coupling pieces (22) and male ( 21) of said at least one switching module (20) when said modules (10, 20) are juxtaposed.

5. A control module according to claim 3, characterized in that said actuating mechanism (14) and coupling parts (110, 120) comprise drive means (112, 113; 122, 123) complementary to their coupling in rotation about the axis of rotation (A).

6. A control module according to claim 5, characterized in that said drive means (112, 113; 122, 123) further is arranged to

household angular clearance (J ') between the control rod (3) and the actuating mechanism (14).

7. A control module according to claim 6, characterized in that said complementary driving means comprise at least a drive tooth (112, 122) provided on the coupling piece (110, 120) or to the corresponding end the actuating mechanism (14), and at least one receiving light (113, 123) provided at the corresponding end of the actuating mechanism (14) or on the coupling piece (110, 120), light receiving (113, 123) extending over an angular sector greater than that of the driving tooth for said household angular clearance (J ').

8. Control unit according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that said coupling parts (110, 120) and said control unit (13) include keying means for each coupling part corresponds to one side of said control housing (13).

9. Control unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one spring (36) coupled to the control housing (13) and actuating mechanism (14) arranged to form a device sudden actuation of the movable contacts of said at least one switching module (20) when said modules (10, 20) are juxtaposed.

10. Control unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuating mechanism (14) comprises a bevel gear (17) formed from at least one input pinion (18) and an output pinion (19) integral with said actuating mechanism (14), and an additional inlet part (31) having said frontal inlet (30) received in said input gear (18) drive means (32, 33) complementary to their

coupling in rotation about an axis (B) perpendicular to the axis of rotation (A) of said actuating mechanism (14).

11. A control module according to claim 10, characterized in that said drive means (32, 33) complementary to the additional input part

(31) are arranged for providing an angular clearance (J) between the control rod (3) and the actuating mechanism (14) in front order.

12. A control module according to claim 11, characterized in that said complementary driving means of the additional input member (31) comprise at least one driving tooth (32) provided on the additional input part ( 31) or the input gear (18), and at least one receiving slot (33) provided on the input gear (18) or the additional input component (31), said receiving slot (33) extending over a greater angular area than the drive tooth (32) for household said angular play (J).

13. Control unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuating mechanism (14) comprises a hollow shaft consists of two shaft parts (15, 16) coaxial and axially assembled together by of the link arms (15a, 16a) for securing a central recess (E).

14. A control module according to claim 13, characterized in that said link arms (15a, 16a) are limit switches with fixed parts of said control module (10) to define the extreme angular positions that can occupy the mechanism actuating (14) and which correspond to the switched on and off positions of said at least one switching module (20) when said modules (10, 20) are juxtaposed.

15. Switching device (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E) modular obtained by juxtaposition of a control module (10) according to any preceding claim and at least one switching module (20), said switching module (20) having a cut-off housing (23) in which are housed at least one fixed contact (24) and a movable contact (25) coupled to a transmission mechanism (26) rotatable about an axis rotation (a) and provided with two coupling pieces (21, 22) accessible from the sides of the cut-off housing (23), said control module (10) having a control box (13) in which is housed a mechanism actuating (14) rotatable about said axis of rotation (A) and provided with two coupling pieces (11, 12) accessible from the sides of the control housing (13), complementary to said coupling end pieces (21, 22) of said at least one switching module (20) and aligned on the same axis of rotation (a), and said control module (10) comprising further a control rod (3) coupled on the one hand to said actuating mechanism (14) through a panel of the controller housing (13) and secondly to a drive member (2) external to said housing control means (13), said actuating mechanism (14) being provided with a front inlet orifice (30) accessible from the front of said control unit (13) for receiving an end of said control rod (3) and realize a front control of said control module (10), characterized in that the actuating mechanism (14) of said control module (10) comprises two lateral inlets (34, 35) accessible from the sides of said housing control (13), aligned on the axis of rotation (a) of said actuating mechanism (14) and arranged to receive one end of said control rod (3) and achieve a right side order or a left side control said control module (10) according to a same direction of operation right and left of said control module (10).

16. Switching device according to claim 15, characterized in that said coupling end pieces (11, 12) of the actuating mechanism (14) of said control module (10) are integral with said actuating mechanism (14).

17. Switching device according to claim 15, characterized in that said coupling end pieces (11, 12) of the actuating mechanism (14) of said control module (10) are formed on the coupling pieces (110, 120) separate and

separated from said actuation mechanism (14) and arranged to be inserted between the actuating mechanism (14) of said control module (10) and the transmission mechanism (26) of said at least one switching module (20).

18. Switching device according to claim 17, characterized in that said coupling parts (110, 120) form a male coupling part (110) and a female coupling part (120), the male coupling part (110) comprising a male coupling element (11) and the female coupling part (120) having a female coupling connector (12), said male coupling end pieces (11) and female (12) being complementary respectively to the female coupling pieces ( 22) and male (21) of said at least one switching module (20).

19. Switching device according to any one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that it comprises at least one switching module (20) juxtaposed to one side of said control module (10), and in that the control rod (3) is coupled to the front inlet port (30) of the control module (10) to achieve front control of said switching device, or to the lateral inlet port (34, 35) the free side of control module (10) for performing a lateral control of said switching device.

20. Switching device according to any one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that it comprises at least one switching module (20) juxtaposed on either side of said control module (10) and in that the rod control (3) is coupled to the front inlet port (30) of the control module (10) to achieve front control of said switching device.

21. Switching device according to any one of claims 15 to 20, characterized in that it further comprises a lateral control accessory (50) having an accessory housing (51) provided with a coupling piece additional (52) comprising at one of its ends an additional lateral inlet (53) for receiving the end of a control rod (3) and at the other end of

interlocking means (57) complementary to those of the actuating mechanism (14) of said control module (10).