EP0956578B1 - Fast connection switching device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a switching device with fast activation of the contacts, in order to reduce contact consumption, and thus extend the serviceable life. In accordance with the invention, the latching mechanism (1) of the switching device is fitted with a blocking device (11), which, for the closing process, is first locked, in order to create a free space between a switching element (10) and a switching lever (6) for the travel for the closing process, which is begun by the unlocking of the blocking device (11).

Description

The invention relates to a switching device with a lever system with switch lever for opening and closing fixed contacts with moving contacts and with a moving one Switch element, its movement with opening and closing the fixed contacts and movable contacts are coupled.

Such a switching device has been on the electrical market for some time Time available. According to FIG. 5, it has a contact slide 21 with coupled moving contact pieces 22 on that brought into contact with fixed contact pieces 23 can be. In the conductor track to a fixed contact 23 there is a bimetallic release 24 which is in the event of a current overload responds and contacts 22,23 opens. This is the switching device is equipped with a lever system, the Switch lever 25 engages at the upper end of the contact slide 21 and this to open the contacts 22,23 against Effect of a contact load spring acting on the lower end 26 pushes down. The latter causes the contacts to close 22,23 after a relief from the shift lever 25 of the contact slide 21 takes place. Such a solution is in DE 92 06 137 U1 discloses. DE 195 26 591 A1 also disclosed an electrical switch with a spring loaded Lever system that here on a contact lever with movable Contact for switching on works. When switching on there remains the coupling between the lever system and the contact lever consist. The contact point becomes a main contact force due to the reduced force of the lever system closed.

EP 0 242 664 A1 describes a lever system of a switching device with a switching lever and one acting on a contact bridge Pressure plunger disclosed, which has a guide groove in the Shift lever is actuated. The pressure tappet is with a Provide locking lug that locks in the OFF position of the contacts is. The contacts are closed by turning of the switching lever of the pressure plunger via the switch-on edge first released from the catch in the guide groove. After the pressure ram has exceeded its dead center position, the leading end of the pressure plunger can be freely in front of it slide the guide groove. To close the contact only the contact bridge and the pressure tappet accelerated become.

The known switching devices are usually circuit breakers for switching and protecting motors and other consumers. They are available in different sizes, i.e. manufactured with different switching capacities. The operation, i.e. the switching on or off of the circuit breakers different sizes depending on the version with manual or remote control via rocker or rocker arm or rotary knob. It must be when switching on or turn off the power from the actuator via the Switch lock can be transferred to the moving contact. When actuated, the slow opening or closing of the movable Contact due to increased contact erosion and the resulting shortening of the service life prevented become. To solve this problem have been in circuit breakers Switch locks for higher switching capacities built with snap characteristics, through which the contacts can be closed or opened quickly. In circuit breakers structurally simpler for smaller switching capacities Switch locks installed without snap characteristics. Fast switching is achieved here in that the key switch is released from actuation. Here is for the rapid deactivation of the excess force of the opening springs in the switch lock compared to the force level through the contact load springs crucial. A quick turn on will achieved in these circuit breakers in that with the Actuator, e.g. the rocker arm, before closing the Contacts a steep increase in torque must be overcome. The disadvantage here is that, depending on the actuating element, the type of actuation and the actuation speed is no longer guaranteed.

The invention is therefore based on the object of a switching device of the above kind to improve that Switch on regardless of the actuator, the type of actuation and the operating speed on the rocker arm the rocker or rotary knob quickly closes the contacts become.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by a lock, the switch element to close the contacts locked to between the shift lever and the switch element a free space for the complete movement stroke for the Closing process by unlocking the lock is initiated.

Advantageous developments of the invention are the subclaims 2 and 3.

FIG 1

ein Schaltschloß eines Schaltgeräts in Schaltstellung AUS,

FIG 2

das Schaltschloß gemäß FIG 1 mit noch geöffneten Kontakten beim Schließvorgang,

FIG 3

das Schaltschloß gemäß FIG 1 in entriegelter Schaltstellung bei geschlossenen Kontakten und

FIG 4

das Schaltschloß gemäß FIG 1 in der Schaltstellung EIN.

An embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to a drawing. Show it:

FIG. 1

a switch lock of a switching device in the OFF position,

FIG 2

1 with the contacts still open during the closing process,

FIG 3

the switch lock according to FIG 1 in the unlocked switching position with closed contacts and

FIG 4

the key switch according to FIG 1 in the ON position.

FIG. 1 shows a switch lock 1 of an electrical switching device, e.g. a contactor or circuit breaker. That for ON and OFF switching of contacts, not shown here serving switch lock 1 is shown in the OFF position. The switch lock 1 is essentially made of one Circuit board 2, a rocker switch 3 as an actuator and a lever system that is operatively connected to this composed that a pawl 4, a ratchet lever 5, a Shift lever 6 with a torsion spring 7 and a tension spring 8 includes as an opening spring. In the OFF position shown the pawl lever 5 is unlocked, i.e. he is not engaged with the pawl 4. The tension spring 8 interacts with the torsion spring 7, the shift lever 6 in the illustrated Position in which a link lever 10 as a switch element for opening and closing the movable contacts in the OFF position, d, h, is held in the lower position. Instead of of the link lever 10 can e.g. a contact slide is used become.

In addition to the so far known switch lock 1 is according to the invention one rotatably mounted on the circuit board 2 Lock 11 available to which a return spring 12 engages. With the lever system, a roller 13 is connected, which in a Backdrop 14 is guided. When the rocker 3 in The lever system moves the shift lever towards the ON position 6 in the position shown in Figure 2, in which a certain Distance a between the link lever 10 and the Shift lever 6 exists. Up to this position, the lock was 11 about its axis of rotation 14 through the tap on the roller 13 rotated so that the link lever 10 shortly before unlocking stands. In this position, the contacts are still open. When the lock 11 is turned further, the articulation lever 10 unlocked and under the action of the contact load spring, not shown moved up to the position shown in Figure 3.4, in which the contacts are closed.

Figure 4 shows the final position after the end of Switch-on process in which the return spring 12 is biased is, so that when the switching lock 1 is triggered, the lock 11 returned to the previously described position according to FIG. 1 becomes.

The distance a is dimensioned such that the link lever 10 and with him the movable contacts after unlocking the lock 11 driven by the contact load springs unhindered and regardless of the operating speed and lock mechanism be closed quickly.

Although the present invention with reference to the in of the accompanying drawing illustrated embodiment is, it should be borne in mind that this is not intended is, the invention only to the illustrated embodiment to limit, but all possible changes, Modifications and equivalent arrangements insofar as they are from Contents of the claims are covered.

Claims (3)

1. Switching device with a lever system with switch lever (6) for opening and closing of fixed contacts with movable contacts and with a movable switch element (10) the movement of which is coupled to the opening and closing of the fixed contacts and movable contacts, characterised in that a latch (11) which for closing of the contacts initially latches the switch element (10), in order to create free space between switch lever (6) and the switch element (10) for the complete movement travel for the closing process which is initiated through the unlatching of the latch (11).
2. Switching device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the switch element is a link lever (10).
3. Switching device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the unlatching of the latch (11) takes place through contact at a roller (13) which is link-borne in a switch plate (2).

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