Low voltage switching device

A low voltage switching device comprising:

• one or more electric poles, each electric pole comprising one or more movable contacts and one or more corresponding fixed contacts adapted to be coupled to or uncoupled from each other;
• a movable contact assembly comprising said movable contacts and a main supporting and operating shaft reversibly movable between a first contact position, at which said movable contacts and said fixed contacts are uncoupled, a second contact position, at which said movable contacts and said fixed contacts are coupled, and a third contact position, at which said movable contacts and said fixed contacts are coupled and kept pressed;
• an operating assembly comprising a handle mechanism having a handle adapted to be reversibly moved by a user or a motor operated actuator (MOE) between a first, open position and a second, closed position;
• and
• a driving assembly operatively connected to said operating assembly and to said movable contact assembly and comprising a kinematic chain and at least a driving spring, said driving assembly reversibly moving said movable contact assembly following a movement of said operating assembly from said first, open position to said second, closed position, and vice-versa,
• wherein said driving assembly comprises a latching mechanism which is operatively coupled to said operating assembly and to said movable contact assembly, said latching mechanism interacting with said movable contact assembly and latching said movable contact assembly in said first contact position during a first phase of the movement of said operating assembly between said first, open position and said second, closed position, then unlatching said movable contact assembly when said operating assembly is in an intermediate position between said first, open position and said second, closed position, thereby allowing quick passage of said movable contact assembly from said first contact position to said third contact position in which said movable contacts and said fixed contacts are coupled and kept pressed,
• wherein said latching mechanism comprises a latching element movable between a first latching position and a second un-latching position,
• wherein said latching element comprises a latching lever having a first end adapted to cooperate with a first operating lever connected to said handle mechanism and a second end having a latching portion adapted to cooperate with a first driving lever operatively connected to said movable contact assembly, and
• wherein said first end of said latching lever cooperates with a shaft hinged on said first operating lever and the latching portion of the second end of said latching lever cooperates with a shaft hinged on said first driving lever.