CN112242273A

CN112242273A - Switching device

Info

Publication number: CN112242273A
Application number: CN202010639332.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: B·斯普利特泽多弗; R·齐穆埃尔
Original assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Ltd
Current assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Ltd
Priority date: 2019-07-16
Filing date: 2020-07-06
Publication date: 2021-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 2040-07-06
Also published as: GB2585836A; EP3767660A1; CN112242273B; GB201910160D0; ES2958360T3; AU2020204320A1; EP3767660B1; DK3767660T3

Abstract

A switching device (1) has a contact (6) mounted on a housing, a movable contact (4) and a switch lock (2) with a latch (20), a latch support (22) and a latching position, wherein the switching device (1) further has a switch lever (7) and the linkage (10) is movably mounted on the latch support (22), the linkage (10) comprising an end portion which abuts against a first projection (11) of the switch lever (7) when the switch lever (7) is arranged in the fixed on-position, the linkage (10) further comprising an actuation shoulder (29) which abuts against a second projection (30) of the switch lever (7) when the manual switch lever (7) is in the non-fixed on-position, actuation of the switch lever (7) for separating the contacts (4, 6) moves the link (10), thereby releasing the latching of the latch support (22) to the latch (20).

Description

Switching device

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a switching device according to claim 1.

Background

In low-voltage switching devices with a manual control button, i.e. with a manually operated element for closing the switching contacts and establishing a conductive current path via the switching device, there is usually a movable switching contact which is mechanically connected to the manual control button and, when the manual control button is actuated, is continuously moved close to the switching contact mounted on the housing until the two switching contacts are mechanically connected. The opening of the contacts (i.e. the switching off of the switching device) takes place in accordance with the movement of the respective manual control button in the respective direction, which results in a continuous opening of the contacts. There is a possibility that the user can hold the manual control button in any intermediate position and thereby hold the contacts in the corresponding intermediate position.

If the switching device is under potential, an arc may occur at a distance between the closed switching contacts. At sufficiently low voltages and for users who only need power conducting a small amount of current via the switching device, no problems generally arise.

At higher voltages and currents (e.g., 600V and 100A), such arcing due to too slow manual separation of the contacts can result in severe damage to the affected switchgear. If a correspondingly large current flows through the switching device when switching off, a slow manual opening of the contacts can lead to an arc, which not only leads to a complete loss of the switching device, but also to a fire.

There are known devices having a so-called trip cut-off function. Thus, upon manual opening, the switch contacts quickly separate regardless of the manner and speed with which the operator actuates the manual control button. However, such a trip breaking function is common mainly in the field of very large circuit breakers (such as those used in substations). Such switching devices have separately charged spring-loaded accumulators which are used when the contacts are opened or closed, wherein it is virtually impossible to use this technique in compact switching devices, since it is not possible to integrate the necessary components in a correspondingly compact housing.

The applicant's US 9953777B 2 describes a switching device with trip cut-off function of compact design. Although the mechanism according to US 9953777B 2 works perfectly in most cases, it still fails in a special case. This special case can only occur during the phase of closing the contacts by actuating the manual switch lever. Sometimes the contacts may already be closed but the engagement area of the link does not abut against the protrusion of the manual switch lever. This occurs because the movement of the manual switch lever is not completed. Further movement of the manual switch lever by a few degrees in the direction to close the contacts will bring the engagement area of the link into contact with the projection. If the engagement area comes into contact with the projection of the manual switch lever, it is impossible to slowly open the contact.

However, if the manual switch lever is not moved in a direction towards closing the contacts up to the end, but in the opposite direction to open the contacts, the trip cut-off function according to US 9953777B 2 will not work. In this particular case, the contacts can be placed in any intermediate position between open and closed by moving the manual switch lever. Arcing between the contacts occurs because the contacts have been previously closed. This arc will not extinguish when the contacts slowly open or remain fixed at a nearly constant distance. The switch will burn in less than one second and may at least injure the person actuating the manual switch lever.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a compact switching device with a trip cut-off function, which reliably cuts off the current, irrespective of the way and speed with which the operator actuates the manual control button.

According to the invention, this object is solved by the features of claim 1.

As a result, a safe cut-off of the switching device, and thus a safe contact separation, can be achieved, irrespective of the way and speed with which the user actuates the manual switch lever. After the manual switch lever has crossed the predetermined position, the trip breaking function will be activated each time the manual switch lever of the corresponding manual control button is turned in the direction for opening the contacts. The predetermined position is not a fixed position of the manual switch lever.

The described switching device can therefore have a compact design with a small number of necessary components.

The dependent claims describe further preferred embodiments of the invention.

Drawings

The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show only preferred embodiments.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the proposed switching device in the switched-off state without the upper housing shell;

FIG. 2 is the switching device as shown in FIG. 1 in an on state;

fig. 3 is a vertical view of the arrangement of the switch latch, contact arm and switch lever of the switching device as shown in fig. 2 in the on state;

FIG. 4 is the arrangement shown in FIG. 3 in a shut-off state;

FIG. 5 is a view according to FIG. 4 with a portion of the link cut away;

fig. 6 is the arrangement as shown in fig. 3, in which the manual switch lever is moved in the on direction and held in the first state;

FIG. 7 is a view according to FIG. 6 with a portion of the link cut away;

fig. 8 is the arrangement as shown in fig. 3, in which the manual switch lever is moved in the on direction and held in the second state;

FIG. 9 is a view according to FIG. 8 with a portion of the link cut away;

FIG. 10 is a detail from FIG. 9 in an enlarged view;

fig. 11 is a part of the switch lever with the link in isometric view;

fig. 12 is a connecting rod according to fig. 11 in a first isometric view; and

fig. 13 is the connecting rod according to fig. 11 in a second axonometric view.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 and 2 show a particularly preferred embodiment of a switching device 1, in particular a safety switching device, comprising:

a movable contact 4 located on a contact arm 3 movably attached to the switching device 1, the movable contact 4 being configured to contact a contact 6 mounted on the housing and configured to establish a conductive current path through the switching device 1,

a switch lock 2 connected with the contact arm 3, the switch lock 2 comprising a latch 20 and a latch support 22, the latch support 22 comprising a latching position configured to latch the latch 20 to the latch support 22,

a manual switch lever 7 configured to bring the movable contact 4 into contact with the contact 6 mounted on the housing, the manual switch lever 7 being connected with the contact arm 3,

a link 10 movably mounted on the latch support 22, an end portion 12 of the link 10 abutting against the first projection 11 of the manual switch lever 7 when the manual switch lever 7 is in a fixed position in which the movable contact 4 is in contact with the contact 6 mounted on the housing,

the link 10 further comprises an actuation shoulder 29, the actuation shoulder 29 abutting against a second projection 30 of the manual switch lever 7 when the manual switch lever 7 is in an unset position in which the movable contact 4 is in contact with the contact 6 mounted on the housing,

wherein actuation of the manual switch lever 7 for separating the movable contact 4 from the contact 6 mounted on the housing moves the linkage 10 and thus releases the latching of the latch support 22 to the latch 20.

As a result, a safe disconnection of the switching device 1 and thus a safe separation of the contacts 4, 6 can be achieved, irrespective of the way and speed with which the user actuates the manual switch lever 7. After the manual switch lever 7 has passed the predetermined position, the trip breaking function will be activated each time the manual switch lever 7 of the respective manual control button is turned in the direction for opening the contacts 4, 6. The predetermined position is not a fixed position of the manual switch lever 7.

The described switching device 1 can thus have a compact design with a small number of necessary components.

Fig. 3 to 13 show details of the described switching device 1.

The invention relates to an electrical switching device 1, wherein the switching device 1 is preferably designed as a safety switching device or as a so-called automatic switch. The switching device 1 is preferably designed as a safety circuit breaker or circuit switch. The switching device 1 is preferably designed as a compact low-voltage safety switching device. According to a preferred design, the switching device 1 comprises at least one trigger 33. Fig. 1 and 2 show an electromagnetic trigger 33, for example a short-circuit trigger. In addition, a thermal trigger of typical design, such as a bimetallic trigger for overcurrent release, may be provided. Furthermore, it can be provided that the flip-flops 33 are combined.

The switching device 1 has a housing 14 made of insulating material, which is preferably designed as a two-part component having two housing halves or covers. Fig. 1 and 2 show the lower housing half of the housing 14. The upper housing half is not shown.

The switching device 1 has at least one movable contact 4 and at least one contact 6 mounted on the housing. According to the preferred embodiment shown, the switching device 1 has a so-called double break point, and therefore two movable contacts 4 and two contacts 6 mounted on the housing are provided, but assigned to a single switching path.

If the at least one movable contact 4 has an electrically conductive connection with the at least one housing-mounted contact 6, there is an electrically conductive current path through the switching device 1. The switching device 1 has two

connection terminals

18, 19. If there is no such conductive connection through the switching device 1, it is considered to be switched off, i.e. in a switched-off state. If such an electrically conductive connection is present, the switching device is considered to be on, i.e. in the on-state. Conventionally, the transition between the two states is therefore referred to as switching on and off of the switching device 1. Analogously, the marking of the closed contacts 4, 6 can also be used to indicate the switched-on state, while the open contacts 4, 6 can be used to indicate the switched-off state.

At least one movable contact 4 is arranged on the movable contact arm 3. According to a preferred implementation configuration, the contact arm 3 has two movable contacts 4 which are located on respective parallel fork-like extensions of the contact arm 3, which may also be referred to as contact or switch bridges in this embodiment. The forked extensions are not shown in the figures.

The switching device 1 has a so-called switch lock 2. The switch lock 2 is a mechanical part that controls the movement of the contact arm 3. In the preferred and proposed design, the switch lock 2 has, in addition to the contact arm 3, a latch 20 and a latch support 22. Fig. 3 to 10 show the respective components in different views, separately from the other components of the switching device 1.

In the representative switch lock 2, a switch lever 7 is connected to the contact arm 3 via a first bracket 5 and a bracket 8 fixed to the first bracket 5. The first bracket 5 is guided via the guide slot 9 of the pivotally mounted latch 20.

The switching device 1 has a trip cut-off mechanism for manual actuation of the quick separation of the contacts 4, 6. Up to this trip cut-off mechanism, the current switch lock 2 (according to the preferred implementation configuration) matches the switch lock 2 as proposed in EP 680661B 1. The switch lock of the basic embodiment with the link is shown in US 9953777B 2.

The switch lock 2 has two substantially parallel base plates 25 between which the individual components are mounted. Only one substrate is shown in fig. 1. The latch support 22 is provided with a latching position, not shown, into which the latch 20 can be snapped to form a so-called latch. The latch support 22 is mounted between two base plates 25 in a manner that allows rotation thereof. The latch 20 should preferably be a metal part and also be secured between the base plates 25 in a manner that allows it to rotate. On the latch 20, which is provided with two side arms, not shown, a guide slot 9 is located, by means of which a part of the first (preferably U-shaped) bracket 5 is engaged. Between the two side arms of the latch 20 and on a portion of the first bracket 5 is a bracket 8, which is connected to the movable contact arm 3.

The linkage 10 is mounted on a latch support 22, allowing movement. If the switch lever 7 is disposed at a fixed position where the contacts 4, 6 are in contact, the link 10 is located on the first projection 11 of the switch lever 7. It should be noted in this connection that the switch lever 7 can also be in this position without the contacts 4, 6 actually touching, for example if a so-called automatic breaking mechanism, which seals the manual switch lever 7, results in the release of the switching device 1 and the separation of the contacts 4, 6.

As shown, the first bracket 5 is preferably mounted on or in the first protrusion 11 of the switch lever 7. The manual switch lever 7 is rotated to turn on the switching device 1. As a result, the position of the first protrusion 11 inside the switch device 1 also changes. The switch lever 7 is preferably designed with a plurality of parts, and the first protrusion 11 is part of the inner part of the switch lever 7.

The link 10 abuts against the projection 11 once the switch lever 7 is set to a stable or fixed on position. The fixed position is reached if the manual switch lever 7 is restrained by the housing against further movement in the direction of closing contact. The connecting rod 10 has a length suitable for the purpose. The link 10 is mounted on the latch support 22 and can rotate in this position. Furthermore, the link 10 is preferably attached to the latch support 22 under spring tension, wherein a so-called link spring 13, preferably mounted on the latch support 22 itself, strikes the link 10 in a direction towards the switch lever 7.

The connecting rod 10 is preferably designed as a plastic component and, according to a currently preferred implementation configuration, has two arms which extend from the support point to the joining region 12, thus spanning the gap.

In the fixed on-state of the switching device 1, the end portion 12 of the link 10 abuts against the first projection 11 of the switch lever 7 between the switch lever 7 and the latch support 22. The link 10 is arranged to be moved from this position by actuating or rotating the switch lever 7. The linkage 10 then moves the latch support 22 so that it is displaced in such a way as to release the latch between the latch support 22 and the latch 20, resulting in a "release" of the switch lock 2 and thus in a separation of the contacts 4, 6, in particular by means of the switch lock 2. The use of the switch lever 7 to hold the movable contact 4 in a position close to the contact 6 mounted on the housing is therefore no longer possible. For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that from the on position described, an actuation or rotation of the switch lever 7 is only possible in one direction which leads to a separation of the contacts 4, 6.

The manual switch lever 7 further comprises a second protrusion 30, which is preferably arranged on the first protrusion 11 of the manual switch lever 7. The second projection 30 is formed in particular as an integral extension of the first projection 11. The second protrusion 30 can best be seen in fig. 10 and 11.

The linkage 10 further comprises an actuation shoulder 29, the actuation shoulder 29 abutting against a second projection 30 of the manual switch lever 7 when the manual switch lever 7 is in an unsecured position in which the movable contact 4 is in contact or nearly in contact with the contact 6 mounted on the housing. The actuating shoulder 29 can best be seen in fig. 10 to 13. According to a preferred embodiment, an actuation shoulder 29 is arranged on the link 10 between the end portion 12 of the link 10 and the movable mounting of the link 10.

The actuating shoulder 29 enables the trip mechanism to operate even in the case where the end portion of the link is not engaged with the first projection. This may occur if the switch lever 7 is in an unsecured position near the on position of the switch lever 7. By moving the switch lever 7 from the off position to the on position, the second protrusion 30 will pass the actuation shoulder 29 in one position of the switch lever 7. After passing the actuating shoulder 29, the switching lever 7 cannot be moved in the direction of opening the contacts without activating the trip mechanism. This ensures that it is not possible to create and maintain an arc between the contacts 4, 6.

Fig. 6 and 7 show the switch lock 7 with the switch lever 7 in a position just before the second projection 30 passes the actuating shoulder 29.

Fig. 8, 9 and 10 show the switch lock 2, wherein the switch lever 7 is moved a few degrees further compared to fig. 6 and 7. In this position, the second projection 30 engages the actuation shoulder 29. Fig. 10 shows an enlarged portion of this detail from fig. 9.

The length of the link 10 must be such that it allows the latch to be released before the contacts 4, 6 are separated. Only fig. 2 and 3 show the fixed on state.

The end portion 12 of the link 10 has a recessed engagement area 31 for engaging the first projection 11 of the manual switch lever 7. Preferably, the first protrusion 11 has a depression in order to avoid premature displacement of the connecting rod 10.

Contact separation occurs in the exemplary switching device 1, wherein latching is released. When the switch lever 7 is moved back to the switched-off position, the latch 20 is displaced again below the latch support 22, thus creating a new latch, which is necessary for keeping the contacts 4, 6 connected.

It is therefore preferred that the housing 14 of the switching device 1 has (not shown) a housing projection in the region of the latch support 22 and that the linkage 10, in particular in its placement region on the latch support 22, has a strike pad 16 for supporting the latch support 22 on the housing projection after releasing the latch. Therefore, the first protrusion 11 cannot push the link 10 (and consequently the latch support 22) too far away from the latch 20. It can thus be ensured that the latch 20 again forms a latch with the latch support 22 when the switch lever 7 is moved back into the switched-off position.

It has proven advantageous if the affected housing projection delimits a not shown trigger housing opening for connecting the switch lock 2 with an external trigger. The switching device 1 usually has an opening in a side wall of the housing 14 in order to functionally connect several such switching devices 1. By supporting the link 10 on the case protrusion having the auxiliary function, the production cost can be reduced.

It should be noted that in the case of a so-called automatic breaking mechanism, even if the switch lever 7 is set in a position corresponding to the on state, the switching device 1 of the present invention can be triggered, with the result that the contacts 4, 6 are separated. The trip disconnect mechanism introduced and described herein involves the separation of the initially closed contacts 4, 6 which is manually triggered by actuating the switch lever 7. Although the term "manual", the actuation may be performed by an external mechanical actuator moving the manual switch lever 7.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. It will be understood that changes and modifications may be effected by one of ordinary skill in the art within the scope of the following claims. In particular, the invention encompasses other embodiments having any combination of features from the different embodiments described above and below. Moreover, the statements herein reciting the present invention are examples of the invention and not necessarily all examples.

Claims

1. A switching device (1) comprising:

-a movable contact (4) on a contact arm (3) movably attached to the switching device (1), the movable contact (4) being configured to contact a contact (6) mounted on a housing and to establish a conductive current path through the switching device (1),

-a switch lock (2) connected with the contact arm (3), the switch lock (2) comprising a latch (20) and a latch support (22), the latch support (22) comprising a latching position configured to latch the latch (20) to the latch support (22),

-a manual switch lever (7) configured to bring the movable contact (4) into contact with the housing-mounted contact (6), the manual switch lever (7) being connected with the contact arm (3),

-a link (10) movably mounted on said latch support (22), an end portion (12) of said link (10) abutting against a first protrusion (11) of said manual switch lever (7) when said manual switch lever (7) is in a fixed position in which said movable contact (4) is in contact with said housing-mounted contact (6),

-said link (10) further comprising an actuation shoulder (29), said actuation shoulder (29) abutting against a second projection (30) of said manual switch lever (7) when said manual switch lever (7) is in an unsecured position in which said movable contact (4) is in contact with said housing-mounted contact (6),

-wherein actuation of the manual switch lever (7) for separating the movable contact (4) from the housing-mounted contact (6) moves the linkage (10) and thus releases the latching of the latch support (22) to the latch (20).

2. The switching device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the second protrusion (30) of the manual switch lever (7) is arranged on the first protrusion (11) of the manual switch lever (7).

3. The switching device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuation shoulder (29) is arranged on the link (10) between an end portion (12) of the link (10) and the movable mounting of the link (10).

4. The switching device (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the switching device (1) further comprises a first bracket (5) mounted on a first protrusion (11) of the manual switch lever (7).

5. The switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the end portion (12) is embodied as a recessed engagement region (31) configured to engage at a first protrusion (11) of the switch lever (7).

6. The switching device (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the link (10) is mounted on the latch support (22) and can be rotated in this position.

7. The switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the switching device (1) further comprises a link spring (13) mounted on the latch support (22), the link spring (13) striking the link (10) in a direction towards the switch lever (7).

8. The switching device (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the switching device (1) further comprises a housing (14) comprising a housing protrusion (15) in the area of the latch support (22), wherein the link (10) comprises a strike pad (16) configured to support the latch support (22) on the housing protrusion (15).

9. The switching device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the housing protrusion (15) defines a trigger housing opening (17) configured to connect the switch lock (2) with an external trigger.

10. The switching device (1) according to one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the switch lever (7) is connected to the contact arm (3) via the first bracket (5) and a bracket (8) fixed to the first bracket (5), and wherein the first bracket (5) is guided via a guide slot of the latch (20).

11. The switching device (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the switching device (1) is configured as a safety switching device comprising the housing-mounted contact (6) and the movable contact (4).

12. The switching device (1) according to one of the claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the impact pad (16) is arranged in the placement area of the link (10) on the latch support (22).

13. Switching device (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the latch (20) is pivotably mounted.