Title of Invention

A CABINET FOR ELECTRICAL SWITCHGEAR

Abstract

A cabinet for electrical switchgear comprises a back panel 10, at least four pillars 26, 28, 30, 32 acting as support for the finishing cover plates shaped as a frame blanked off at the front by a door or a front plate. The third and fourth pillars 30, 32 arranged at the lower part are fitted onto the back panel 10 at an intermediate level to form the limits of a base 34 integrated in rigid manner on the frame 24, and comprising: -a pair of lateral gussets 36, 38 equipped with means for fixing onto the back panel 10 and the third and fourth pillars 30, 32, each gusset being coplanar with the corresponding side panel of the covering, -and a plinth 40 fixed in removable manner onto the front part of the gussets 36, 38, the rear of the base being blanked off by the back panel 10.

Full Text

The invention relates to a cabinet for electrical switchgear having a frame comprising : - a back panel formed by a rectangular sheet metal plate supporting elements for support of the switchgear, - at least four pillars, a first and second pillars of which are arranged at the top part and extend perpendicularly to the back panel to act as support for the covering panels of the cabinet in the form of a frame, comprising side panels in the form of plates with folded edges, the length of each pillar corresponding appreciably to the depth of the cabinet, - means for passing the connection cables of the cabinet, - a door and/or a front panel designed to be fixed to the front part of the frame after the switchgear has been fitted and wiring of the cabinet has been performed. A known cabinet of the kind mentioned is described in detail in the document EP-A-143,718 The side panels extend right down to the bottom of the framework, and the four pillars are arranged at the four corners of the back panel. The access for fixing such a cabinet to the ground is extremely reduced and connection of the cables via the bottom remains not easy depending on the environment of the sites where the cabinet is installed. The object of the invention is to improve the installation and connection conditions of an extendible electrical switchgear cabinet. The cabinet according to the invention is characterized in that the third and fourth pillars arranged at the bottom part are fitted onto the back panel at an intermediate level to form the limits for a base integrated in rigid manner on the frame and comprising: - a pair of lateral gussets equipped with means for fixing onto the back panel and the third and fourth pillars, each gusset being coplanar with the corresponding side panel of the covering, - and a plinth fixed in removable manner onto the front part of the gussets, the rear of the base being blanked off by the back panel. According to one feature of the invention, the third or fourth pillar presents a double structure comprising an upper element designed to receive the base of the side panel and a lower element for fixing of the corresponding gusset. The opposite edges of the plinth comprise positioning means cooperating with conjugate elements of the gussets to form an articulation device allowing pivoting of the plinth to take place when the base is assembled or disassembled. According to a preferred embodiment, the frame is provided with at least one intermediate front cross-member, formed by a V-shaped profiled section having inclined edges extended by two wings shaped as brackets, and comprising in addition: a first series of openings arranged in the edges to receive the hinges and bolt stops of the closing system equipping the door, a second series of orifices provided in the wings for fixing of the front cover plate of the switchgear, the set of openings and orifices of the profiled section being arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical mid-plane and to the horizontal mid-plane of the frame to enable lateral assembly of the extension housing and/or cabinet on the right or on the left with respect to the basic cabinet, and giving the choice of opening of the door to the left or to the right. The number of openings of the first series is smaller than that of the orifices of the second series. Accordingly the present invention provides a cabinet for electrical switchgear having a frame comprising: a back panel formed by a rectangular sheet metal plate supporting elements for support on the switchgear, at least four pillars, a first and second pillars of which are located at the top part and extend perpendicularly to the back panel to act as support for the covering panels of the cabinet in the form of a frame, comprising side panels in the form of plates with folded edges, the length of each pillar corresponding appreciably to the depth of the cabinet, means for passing the connection cables of the cabinet, a door and/or a front plate designed to be fixed to the front part of the frame after the switchgear has been fitted and wiring of the cabinet has been performed, characterized in that the third and fourth pillars located at the bottom part are fitted onto the back panel at an intermediate level to form the limits for a base integrated in rigid manner on die frame and comprising: a pair of lateral gussets equipped with means for fixing onto the back panel and the third and fourth pillars each gusset being coplanar with the corresponding side panel of the covering, and a plinth fixed in removable manner onto the front part of the gussets, the rear of the base being blanked off by the back pane!. Other advantages and features will become more clearly apparent from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention, given as a non-restrictive example only and represented in the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the back panel and of the two rear cross-members, - Figure 2 is an identical view to that of figure 1 in the position in which the rear cross-members are assembled on the back panel. - Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the frame of the basic cabinet, - Figure 4 is a perspective view of the frame, after the side and top cover panels and the plinth of the base have been removed, - Figure 5 is a detailed view on an enlarged scale of figure 3, showing assembly of a gusset of the base, - Figure 6 is an identical view to that of figure 4, after the plinth of the base has been fitted, - Figure 7 represents a perspective view of the base, when the plinth is fitted, - Figure 8 is a schematic transverse sectional view of the basic cabinet according to figure 3, - Figures 9 to 13 show different configurations of association of cabinets and housings to increase the installation and connection capacity, - Figure 14 is an elevational view of the front intermediate cross-member enabling the different configurations according to figures 9 to 13 to be achieved, - Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view along the line 15-15 of figure 14, - Figure 16 shows an exploded perspective view of the cabinet according to figure 9, - Figure 17 shows the cabinet of figure 16 in the final assembly state, - Figure 18 represents assembly of the cabinet according to figure 11. With reference to figures 1 and 2, a monoblock back panel 10 is formed by a rectangular sheet metal plate drilled along its opposing vertical edges 12, 14 with a plurality of orifices 16. Two cross-members 18, 20 are fitted by clipping onto the back panel 10 by means of assembly elements inserted in the orifices 16 in the direction of the arrows F1 {figure 1) then secured by fastening following a translational movement indicated by the arrows F2 (figure 2). This assembly principle is described in detail in the document EP-A-557,213. The back panel moreover comprises a series of pre-drillings 22 to allow access to the cables from the rear. The cross-members 18, 20 can receive a mounting plate or rails for fixing of electrical switchgear apparatuses. Figures 3 and 4 show the frame 24 of the electrical cabinet formed by assembly of removable elements for ease of wiring and maintenance operations. A first pillar 26 and a second pillar 28 are fitted at the two upper corners of the back panel 10 ; at the bottom part a third and fourth pillars 30, 32 are fitted onto the panel 10 at an intermediate level defining the base 34. The base 34 is integrated rigidly onto the frame and is formed by two lateral gussets 36. 38 comprising means for fast-on fixing on the cross-members 18, 20 of the back panel 10 and on the third and fourth pillars 30, 32. The rear of the base 34 is blanked off by the back panel 10 with extension of the cross-members 18, 20 up to the bottom of the frame 24. At the front of the base 34 there is located a removable plinth designed to be fitted onto the front part of the gussets 36, 38. Disassembly of the plinth 40 and gussets 36, 38 makes for ease of connection of the cables from below. A cable grommet plate {not represented), also removable, can be arranged at the level of the interface between the base 34 and the upper zone for housing of the switchgear. The rest of the external finishing of the cabinet comprises side panels 42, 44 made of sheet metal with folded edges allowing access in the required connection zone, and an upper plate 46 in two parts for cable input. The different pillars 26, 28, 30, 32 of the frame 24 present faces visible from outside at the level of the assembly interfaces of the different removable elements of the covering plates. Integration of the rigid base 34 to the frame 24 enables the cabinet to be transported and handled. In figure 5, the right-hand fourth pillar 32 presents a double structure identical to that of the left-hand third pillar 30 and comprising an upper element 48 designed to receive the base of the side panel 44, and a lower element 50 for fixing of the gusset 38. A first screw 52 secures the lower part of the gusset 38 to the back panel 10 after passing through an orifice of the cross-member 20. A second screw 54 connects the upper part of the gusset 38 to the lower element 50 of the pillar 32. Figure 6 shows final fitting of the base 34 on the frame 24, the assembly being monoblock and rigid. Figure 7 represents assembly of the plinth 40 on the base 34. A positioning slot 56 arranged in a folded edge of the plinth 40 is first engaged in a protuberance 58 of each gusset 36, 38 {see arrow F3) so as to form an articulation device. The plinth 40 is then moved by pivoting in the direction of the arrow F4 to blank off the front face of the base 34. Figure 8 shows a schematic transverse sectional view of the basic cabinet A of figure 3, after assembly of the finishing elements except for the door. From this framework an increased installation and connection capacity of the cabinet can be achieved by adding additional housings or cabinets. Figures 9 and 10 Illustrate association of an extension housing to the right or left of the basic cabinet A. The housing G is provided with a back panel 100 on which two cross-members 18, 20 identical to those of the basic cabinet are fixed. The width of the back panel 100 of the housing G is smaller than that of the back panel 10 of the basic cabinet A. Modular assembly of the basic cabinet A and housing G is achieved by means of an intermediate front cross-member 60 having a symmetrical monoblock structure illustrated in detail in figures 14 and 15. The intermediate cross-member 60 comprises a V-shaped profiled section whose inclined edges 62, 64 are extended by two wings 66, 68 in the form of brackets. The edges 62, 64 each comprise a series of rectangular openings 70 to receive the hinges and bolt stops of the closing system, whereas the wings 66, 68 are drilled with a plurality of orifices 72 for fixing the front plate of the switchgear. The openings 70 and orifices 72 of the Intermediate cross-member 60 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical mid-plane 74, and to the horizontal mid-plane 76. This double symmetry enables the housing G to be fitted on the right (figure 9) or on the left (figure 10), and also gives the choice of opening of the door being to the left or to the right. Figure 11 shows the assembly of figure 9 with the addition of a second basic cabinet A to the right of the housing G. The housing G is thus inserted between two basic cabinets A by means of two intermediate cross-menlbers 60. Figure 12 represents the association of two adjacent basic cabinets A and a housing G to the right. In figure 13, the housing G is located to the left of the two cabinets A. It is clear that other association configurations are possible to increase the switchgear installation and connection capacity, while using the same standard elements for external finishing and for the frame 24. Such an extension can be made before or after installation on site. Figure 16 shows an exploded perspective view of the cabinet according to figure 9, The right-hand gusset 38 is fitted on the side of the housing G, whereas assembly of the base 34 between the basic cat^net A and the housing G is achieved by means of an additional gusset 80 and pillar 82. Figure 17 shows the cabinet of figure 16 in the final erection position. Figure 18 shows assembly of the cabinet according to figure 11. A door 84 {figure 17) can be fitted to each basic cabinet A and to each housing G. The area covered by each door presents a vertical and horizontal symmetry plane. The door can be transparent or solid and can open to the right or to the left. The operating part 86 of each door 84 is located In the horizontal mid-plane. WE CLAIM: 1. A cabinet for electrical switchgear having a frame (24) comprising: a hack panel (10) formed by a rectangular sheet metal plate supporting elements for support on the switchgear, at least four pillars (26, 28, 30, 32), a first and second pillars (26, 28) of which are located at the top part and extend perpendicularly to the back panel (10) to act as support for the covering panels of the cabinet in the form of a frame, comprising side panels (42, 44) in the form of plates with folded edges, the length of each pillar corresponding appreciably to the depth of the cabinet, means (46) for passing the connection cables of the cabinet, a door (84) and/or a front plate designed to be fixed to the front part of the frame after the switchgear has been fitted and wiring of the cabinet has been performed, characterized in that the third and fourth pillars (30, 32) located at the bottom part are fitted onto the back panel (10) at an intermediate level to form the limits for a base (34) integrated in rigid manner on the frame (24) and comprising: a pair of lateral gussets (36, 38) equipped with means for fixing onto the back pane! (10) and the third and fourth pillars (30, 32) each gusset being coplanar with the corresponding side panel of the covering, and a plinth (40) fixed in removable manner onto the front part of the gussets (36, 38), the rear of the base being blanked off by the back panel (10). 2. The electrical switchgear cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third or fourth pillar (30, 32) presents a double structure comprising an upper element (48) designed to receive the base of the side panel (42, 44) and a lower element (50) for fixing of the corresponding gusset (36, 38). 3. The electrical switchgear cabinet as claimed in claim 2, wherein the opposite edges of the plinth (40) comprise positioning means cooperating with conjugate elements of the gussets (36, 38) to form an articulation device allowing pivoting of the plinth (40) to take place when the base (34) is assembled or disassembled. 4. The electrical switchgear cabinet as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 3, and able to be adjoined to a housing (G) and/or to a cabinet or enclosure for modular extension of the additional installation and connection capacity, wherein the frame (24) is provided with at least one intermediate front cross-member (60) formed by a V-shaped profiled section having inclined edges (62, 64) extended by two wings (66, 68) shaped as brackets, and comprising in addition: a first series of openings (70) arranged in the edges (62, 64) to receive the hinges and bolt stops of the closing system equipping the door, a second series of orifices (72) provided in the wings (66, 68) for fixing of the front cover plate of the switchgear, the set of openings (70) and orifices (72) of the profiled section being arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical mid-plane (74) and to the horizontal midplane (76) of the frame (24) to enable lateral assembly of the extension housing (G) on the right or on the left with respect to the basic cabinet (A), and giving the choice of opening of the door (84) to the left or to the right. 5. The electrical switchgear cabinet as claimed in claim 4, wherein the number of openings (70) of the first series is smaller than that of the orifices (72) of the second series. 6. An electrical switchgear cabinet, wherein each door (84) comprises an operating part (86) located in the horizontal mid-plane (76). 7. A cabinet for electrical switchgear, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Documents:

532-mas-1997 abstract duplicate.pdf

532-mas-1997 abstract.pdf

532-mas-1997 claims duplicate.pdf

532-mas-1997 claims.pdf

532-mas-1997 correspondecne others.pdf

532-mas-1997 correspondecne po.pdf

532-mas-1997 description (complete) duplicate.pdf

532-mas-1997 description (complete).pdf

532-mas-1997 drawings duplicate.pdf

532-mas-1997 drawings.pdf

532-mas-1997 form-1.pdf

532-mas-1997 form-26.pdf

532-mas-1997 form-4.pdf

532-mas-1997 petition.pdf