CN219778720U

CN219778720U - Switching device

Info

Publication number: CN219778720U
Application number: CN202321066769.4U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张世鹏; 於骞; 彭大明; 郭雨扬
Original assignee: Delphi Electrical Centers Shanghai Co Ltd
Current assignee: Delphi Electrical Centers Shanghai Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-05-06
Filing date: 2023-05-06
Publication date: 2023-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 2033-05-06

Abstract

A switching device, comprising: the mechanical module comprises an electromagnetic driving sub-module, a movable contact bridge and a fixed contact piece, wherein the electromagnetic driving sub-module comprises a coil, a static iron core and a movable iron core which is excited by the energizing of the coil and can move, and the movable iron core is mechanically coupled with the movable contact bridge, so that the movable iron core can drive the movable contact bridge to move; and an electronics module electrically coupled to the electromagnetic drive sub-module of the mechanical module, the electronics module comprising: a drive control circuit configured to control energization and de-energization of the coil of the electromagnetic drive sub-module, and a current detection circuit, a contact state monitoring circuit, and/or a coil output voltage detection circuit, wherein the movable contact bridge is in contact with the fixed contact when the drive control circuit controls energization of the coil of the electromagnetic drive sub-module so that the switching device is in close; the movable contact bridge is separated from the fixed contact when the drive control circuit controls the coil of the electromagnetic drive sub-module to be powered off, so that the switching device is opened.

Description

Switching device

Technical Field

The present utility model relates to the field of electrical equipment, and more particularly to a switching device particularly suitable for use in a new energy vehicle-mounted high voltage electrical box.

Background

In recent years, with the high-speed development of the new energy automobile industry, the technology of the new energy automobile industry is mature, the cognition and the requirements of consumers on the new energy automobile are also higher, and under the background, the requirements of all whole automobile factories and automobile part companies on automobile products are also higher.

The high-voltage electric box is used as a core component of the power system of the new energy automobile, plays a vital role in motor current distribution control and electronic application, and also has the over-current protection function of an electric loop, thereby providing reliable safety for the power system of the electric automobile.

In the current high-voltage electrical box, if an overcurrent condition occurs, the fuse needs to be blown to ensure that the whole circuit is not damaged. In addition, in practical application, in order to ensure that the vehicle can continue to be used normally in the following period, the whole high-voltage electric box is usually required to be replaced, and unnecessary loss is caused for the whole vehicle in an intangible way. Under the condition, the overcurrent protection scheme which can not damage the components is particularly important, the components can be replaced while the circuit protection function is achieved, the later use is more convenient, and the safety is higher.

Because of the emerging nature of new energy automobile markets and the different demands of whole factories, the high-voltage electric boxes produced by each manufacturer have different shapes and internal arrangement forms. However, it is undeniable that with the high-speed development of the automobile market, the space requirement and the functional requirement of consumers on new energy vehicles are higher and higher, and relatively speaking, the functional and volume requirements on the whole vehicles and parts are also higher and higher. Products with small volume, light weight, comprehensive functions and intelligent integration in the future market are likely to have more competitive advantages.

Disclosure of Invention

The utility model relates to a switching device comprising: the mechanical module comprises an electromagnetic driving sub-module, a movable contact bridge and a fixed contact piece, wherein the electromagnetic driving sub-module comprises a coil, a static iron core and a movable iron core which is excited by the energizing of the coil and can move, and the movable iron core is mechanically coupled with the movable contact bridge, so that the movable iron core can drive the movable contact bridge to move; and an electronics module electrically coupled to the electromagnetic drive sub-module of the mechanical module, the electronics module comprising: a drive control circuit configured to control energization and de-energization of the coil of the electromagnetic drive sub-module, and one or more of a current detection circuit, a contact state monitoring circuit, a coil output voltage detection circuit, wherein the movable contact bridge is in contact with the fixed contact when the drive control circuit controls energization of the coil of the electromagnetic drive sub-module so that the switching device is in a closed state; and the movable contact bridge is separated from the fixed contact when the drive control circuit controls the coil of the electromagnetic drive sub-module to be deenergized, so that the switching device is in an open state.

Compared with the prior art, the utility model has the following advantages:

1) The structure is simple, the manufacturing and assembling process of parts and products is simple, and the cost of the parts and the process cost are low;

2) The function is perfect, the overcurrent protection function is realized, and the problems of overcurrent contact adhesion failure and the like of the switch structure are avoided;

3) The high-low pressure area is designed separately, the middle part is designed with an isolation structure, and the safety is high.

Drawings

To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of embodiments of the present utility model, a more particular description of preferred embodiments of the present utility model will be rendered by reference to the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the utility model and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope.

In addition, the main connection relationships or relative positional relationships of the individual components are shown in the drawings, not all of them, and the individual components and connections in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale in practice.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a switchgear of the present utility model;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the switching device of the present utility model;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the switching device of the present utility model;

fig. 4 is a schematic view of the permanent magnet arrangement in the switching device of the present utility model;

FIG. 5A is a side view of an electromagnetic drive sub-module connection of an electronic module and a mechanical module in a switchgear of the present utility model;

FIG. 5B is a schematic view of the switchgear of the present utility model including an insulator between the electronic module and the mechanical module;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the circuit connections of the switching device;

fig. 7 is a schematic flow chart of a current detection function of the switching device.

Reference numerals

10. Switching device

11. Contact bridge spring

12. Contact bridge support

13. Electronic module

132. Hall element

14. Reaction spring

15. Contact bridge

152. Contact on contact bridge

16. Spring support

17. Arc extinguishing grid

18. Magnetic steel sheet

19. Wiring row

192. Fixed contact

20. Pin pin

21. Movable iron core

22. Coil framework

23. Coil

24. Static iron core

Detailed Description

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the claimed subject matter may be practiced. It should be understood that the following detailed description is intended to describe typical examples for purposes of illustration, but should not be construed to limit the utility model; appropriate modifications and adaptations of the disclosed embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter, with full understanding of the spirit and scope of the utility model.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various described embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the various embodiments described may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments. Unless defined otherwise, terms used herein shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

The terms "first," "second," and the like in the description and in the claims, do not imply any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used solely to distinguish between different components or features.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic structural view of the switching device of the present utility model, fig. 2 shows an exploded view of the switching device of the present utility model, and fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the switching device of the present utility model. Referring to fig. 1 to 3, the switching device 10 of the present utility model includes a mechanical module and an electronic module 13. The mechanical module may include an electromagnetic driving sub-module, which mainly includes a coil 23, a stationary core 24, and a movable core 21 movable by electromagnetic force energized by the coil 23, a movable contact bridge 15, and a fixed contact 192. As described in more detail below, the plunger 21 may be mechanically coupled to the movable contact bridge 15 such that movement of the plunger 21 moves the movable contact bridge 15 to enable contact 152 on the movable contact bridge 15 to contact or separate from the stationary contact 192 to thereby place the switching device 10 in a closed or open state. In one embodiment, the material of movable contact bridge 15 may comprise copper.

The coil 23 in the electromagnetic drive sub-module may be tightly and uniformly wound around the coil bobbin 22 in the form of an enamel wire according to design parameters. The plunger 21 may at least partially pass through the hollow portion of the bobbin 22. The coil 23 may generate electromagnetic force under energization to magnetize the iron core and push the movable iron core 21 to displace in the hollow portion of the coil bobbin (for example, the movable iron core 21 may move up and down in fig. 2 and 3), and simultaneously, in association, displace the movable contact bridge 15 mechanically coupled to the movable iron core 21, thereby achieving switching on and off of the switching device.

More specifically, the movable iron core 21 is movable toward a first direction (i.e., downward direction in fig. 2) approaching the coil 23 when the coil 23 is energized to receive electromagnetic force, thereby moving the movable contact bridge 15 to be in physical and electrical contact with the fixed contact 192. When the coil 23 is de-energized and the electromagnetic force is removed, the movable iron core 21 can move in a second direction (i.e., upward direction in fig. 2) away from the coil 23 under the restoring force of the spring 14, thereby moving the movable contact bridge 15 to be separated from the fixed contact 192. In the present utility model, a stationary core 24 may be connected to the bobbin 22 to fix the bobbin 22.

In one particular embodiment, the mechanical module may further include a contact bridge holder 12, as shown in fig. 2, and the contact bridge holder 12 may include a first portion (the upper half of the contact bridge holder 12 in fig. 2). The first part may comprise a hollow part through which the movable contact bridge 15 passes, wherein the movable contact bridge 15 is at least partly fixed to the contact bridge holder 12 by means of a spring 11 (also called contact bridge spring) fixed to the top of the first part. The contact bridge holder 12 may also include a second portion (i.e., the lower half of the contact bridge holder 12 in fig. 2) extending from the first portion. The second portion comprises a two-piece structure between which the reaction spring 14 can be arranged. In addition, each of the two pieces may include a hole that may be secured to the plunger 21 by a pin 20 that passes through the hole in the plunger 21 such that movement of the plunger 21 moves the contact bridge support 12 and thus the movable contact bridge 15.

The switching device 10 of the present utility model may additionally include a housing 32 (a portion of the housing 32 is shown in fig. 1). The switching device 10 further includes a wiring harness 192 extending from the stationary contact 192 and at least partially out of the housing 32. The terminal block may be used for connection of the switching device 10 to its external circuitry.

The mechanical module may further comprise an arc extinguishing structure. The arc extinguishing structure shown in fig. 2 comprises a permanent magnet 18, an arc extinguishing gate 17. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in fig. 2, two sets of arc extinguishing structures may be located on both sides of the movable contact bridge 15 in the length direction, respectively. Each set of permanent magnets 18 may include two oppositely disposed magnetic steel sheets 18 of opposite polarity. The arc chute 17 may comprise a plurality of metal sheets. The first contact portion 172 of the arc chute 17 may be electrically coupled to the contact 152 on the movable contact bridge 15 and the second contact portion 174 of the arc chute 17 may be electrically coupled to the contact on the fixed contact 192. The arc extinguishing bars 17 may be preferably provided on the lengthwise side of the movable contact bridge 15. The permanent magnets 18 may be preferably arranged on both sides of the arc chute 17 and on both sides of the contact area of the movable contact bridge 15 and the contact area of the fixed contact 192. The permanent magnet 18 may be configured to guide a high voltage arc generated between the movable contact bridge 15 and the fixed contact 192 toward the arc chute 17. More specifically, when the contact area is broken by load to generate a high-voltage arc, the force direction of the arc in the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 18 is shown in fig. 4, the magnetic field force causes the high-voltage arc to move towards the arc extinguishing grid 17, and the high-voltage arc is cut into countless segments of low-voltage arcs through a certain number of metal sheets in the arc extinguishing grid 17, so that the arc is finally extinguished. The exemplary directions of the currents have been given in fig. 4, the permanent magnets used producing an extinguishing magnetic field that is permanently effective.

As described above, the switching device of the present utility model further includes the electronic module 13. As shown in fig. 5A, the electronic module 13 may be vertically arranged and fixed above the coil 23. More specifically, the electronic module 13 may be fixed to the top plane of the coil bobbin of the electromagnetic drive sub-module by welding, as shown in fig. 5A. In addition, as shown in fig. 5B, an insulator 502 may be included between the electronic module 13 and the mechanical module for isolating the electronic module 13 from the mechanical module, thereby improving safety. The insulator 502 may be an insulating plate.

The electronics module 13 of the switching device 10 may be electrically coupled with the electromagnetic drive sub-module of the mechanical module to control the switching of the coils of the electromagnetic drive sub-module and/or to perform one or more additional functions of the switch. Specifically, as shown in connection with fig. 6, the electronic module 13 (i.e., the low voltage region) may include: a drive control circuit 602 configured to control energization and de-energization of the coil 23 of the above-described electromagnetic drive sub-module, wherein the movable contact bridge 15 is in contact with the fixed contact 192 when the drive control circuit 302 controls energization of the coil 23 of the electromagnetic drive sub-module, so that the switching device 10 is in a closed (on) state; the movable contact bridge 15 is separated from the fixed contact 192 when the drive control circuit 602 controls the coil 23 of the electromagnetic drive sub-module to be deenergized, so that the switching device 10 is in an open (off) state.

In addition, as shown in fig. 6, the electronic module 13 may further include one or more of a current detection circuit 604, a contact state monitoring circuit 606, and a coil output voltage detection circuit 608 to respectively implement monitoring of current in the switch, monitoring of contact state, and monitoring of coil output voltage, and take action to protect when abnormality is detected. For example, the drive control circuit may be notified to power down the coil, thereby placing the switch in an off state, protecting the connected circuitry as well as the switching device itself, as described in more detail below.

The current detection circuit 604 may include a Hall (Hall) element 132, and the Hall element 13 may be configured to monitor the value of the current flowing through the switching device 10 in real time. The current detection circuit 604 may be configured to send a signal to the drive control circuit 602 when the value of the current flowing through the switching device 10 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, such that the drive control circuit 605 de-energizes the coil 23 of the electromagnetic drive sub-module, thereby opening the switching device 10.

The hall element 132 is preferably a non-contact hall pick-up chip. As shown in fig. 4, the noncontact hall sensor chip 132 may be disposed on the electronic module 13 and close to the movable contact bridge 15 but not in physical contact with the movable contact bridge 15. When the movable contact bridge 15 is electrified, a magnetic field is generated around the movable contact bridge due to electromagnetic effect, and the current value in the loop can be obtained by monitoring the magnetic field intensity through the calculation processing of the Hall chip, so that the current can be monitored.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic flow chart of the current detection circuit 604 for implementing the current detection function of the switching device 10. At block 702, flow begins. At block 704, the coil may be energized or powered up to cause the circuit loop to which the switching device 10 is connected to conduct. At block 706, the current detection circuit 604 may monitor the current flowing through the switching device 10 in response to the conduction of the loop. At block 708, if the current detection circuit 604 detects that the current flowing through the switching device 10 is not greater than the threshold, current monitoring continues. If the current is monitored to be greater than the threshold, the drive circuit 602 is signaled at block 710 such that the drive circuit 602 de-energizes or powers down the coil 23. At 712, in response to the coil 23 being de-energized or de-energized, the switching device 10 is disconnected such that the connected loop is broken. At 714, the flow ends. Therefore, the utility model can realize an overcurrent protection scheme without damaging components and parts, and can avoid the problems of switch failure and the like caused by contact adhesion generated by overcurrent of a switch structure.

The electronic module 13 may additionally and/or alternatively include a contact status monitoring circuit 606. The contact status monitoring circuit 606 may be configured to: the state of the contacts is judged by collecting the voltage drops of the contacts on the movable contact bridge 15 and the contacts on the fixed contact 192 in real time, and after determining that the state of the contacts is not abnormal, the driving control circuit 602 is signaled, so that the driving control circuit 602 controls the energization of the coil 23 to close the switching device 10. When the contact state abnormality is detected, fault information can be fed back to the automobile battery management system.

The electronic module 13 may additionally and/or alternatively include a coil output voltage detection circuit 608. The coil output voltage detection circuit 608 may be configured to detect the output voltage of the coil 23 and output an alarm signal when an over-voltage or under-voltage condition is detected.

Furthermore, the electronic module 13 may additionally comprise a power supply circuit 610. The power circuit 610 may be configured to provide power to other circuits.

In a preferred embodiment of the utility model, the drive control circuit 602 in the electronics module 13 may comprise two switching tubes, which may be electrically connected to the coils 23 of the electromagnetic drive sub-module, respectively, for driving the actuation and release of the electromagnetic coils. In one embodiment, the switching transistor may be a suitable transistor, such as a MOS transistor or the like. Preferably, the driving control circuit 602 may generate a PWM signal and simultaneously drive the opening and closing of the two switching tubes by the PWM signal. The two switching tubes output two power supplies, one of which is directly powered by the battery and provides a brief start-up voltage and current, and the other of which is a hold-up voltage and current provided by the driver chip 602. The two paths of power supplies are connected with the electromagnetic coil so as to drive the electromagnetic coil to be attracted, held and released. In the present utility model, the coil 23 may be configured to be energized only when two switching tubes are simultaneously closed, thereby preventing the switch from closing the conductive circuit by false triggering of energization of the coil in the event that one switching tube fails (e.g., sticking occurs) when only one switching tube is used. This further improves safety.

Since the switching device of the present utility model has the safety monitoring function of one or more of the above, the switching device according to the present utility model can protect the safety of the implemented circuit without a fuse. Meanwhile, the utility model does not need to replace components such as a fuse, and the like, so that the utility model is more convenient and has higher safety in later use.

In addition, the switch device has simple and compact structure and simple manufacturing and assembling process of parts and products, so that the cost of the parts and the process cost are lower.

Although described primarily in the context of a new energy vehicle-mounted high voltage electrical power box, it should be understood that this is for convenience of description only. The switching device of the present utility model is particularly suitable for use in a new energy vehicle-mounted high voltage electrical box, but the switching device of the present utility model may be adapted for other application fields without departing from the spirit and scope of the present utility model.

It should be understood that the description of the location, orientation, and so forth in this specification is made in connection with the particular embodiments illustrated in the drawings and is, therefore, a relative positional description. In embodiments where the orientation of the device, apparatus is reversed or different from that shown, these positional descriptions may be varied accordingly. In addition, "coupled", "connected", and the like in this specification may be direct or indirect.

Accordingly, appropriate modifications and adaptations of the embodiments specifically described above may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the utility model. It is intended, therefore, that the claimed subject matter not be limited to the particular examples disclosed, but that such claimed subject matter may also include all implementations falling within the scope of the appended claims, and equivalents thereof.

The following are some examples of the utility model:

example 1. A switching device, comprising:

the mechanical module comprises an electromagnetic driving sub-module, a movable contact bridge and a fixed contact piece, wherein the electromagnetic driving sub-module comprises a coil, a static iron core and a movable iron core which is excited by the energizing of the coil and can move, and the movable iron core is mechanically coupled with the movable contact bridge, so that the movable iron core can drive the movable contact bridge to move; and

an electronics module electrically coupled to an electromagnetic drive sub-module of the mechanical module, the electronics module comprising:

a drive control circuit configured to control energization and de-energization of the coil of the electromagnetic drive sub-module, and

one or more of a current detection circuit, a contact state monitoring circuit, a coil output voltage detection circuit,

wherein the movable contact bridge is in contact with the fixed contact when the drive control circuit controls the coil of the electromagnetic drive sub-module to be energized, so that the switching device is in a closed state; and is also provided with

The movable contact bridge is separated from the fixed contact when the drive control circuit controls the coil of the electromagnetic drive sub-module to be powered off, so that the switching device is in an open state.

Example 2. The switching device of example 1, wherein,

the current detection circuit comprises a Hall element, the Hall element is configured to monitor the current flowing through the switching device in real time, the current detection circuit is configured to send a signal to a drive control circuit when the current flowing through the switching device exceeds a preset threshold value, so that the drive control circuit cuts off the power of the coil of the electromagnetic drive sub-module, and the switching device is disconnected;

the contact state monitoring circuit is configured to: judging the state of the contact by collecting the voltage drops of the contact on the movable contact bridge and the contact on the fixed contact in real time, and signaling the driving control circuit after determining that the state of the contact is not abnormal, so that the driving control circuit controls the energizing of the coil to close the switching device;

the coil output voltage detection circuit is configured to detect an output voltage of the coil and output an alarm signal when an overvoltage or undervoltage condition is detected.

Example 3. The switching device of any one of the above examples, wherein the hall element includes a non-contact hall pick-up chip disposed on the electronic module and proximate to, but not in physical contact with, the movable contact bridge.

Example 4. The switching device of any one of the above examples, wherein the drive control circuit in the electronic module includes two switching tubes electrically connected to the coils of the electromagnetic drive sub-module, respectively,

the drive control circuit is configured to generate a PWM signal and simultaneously control the opening and closing of the two switching tubes by the PWM signal,

the coil is configured to be energized only when the two switching tubes are simultaneously closed.

Example 5. The switching device of any of the above examples, wherein the electronic module further comprises a power circuit configured to provide power to other circuitry,

the two switching tubes output two paths of power supplies, wherein one path is short starting voltage and current provided by a battery, and the other path is holding voltage and current provided by the driving control circuit.

Example 6. The switching device of any of the above examples, wherein the mechanical module further comprises an arc extinguishing structure comprising a permanent magnet, an arc chute,

the first contact part of the arc-extinguishing gate is electrically coupled with the contact on the movable contact bridge, the second contact part of the arc-extinguishing gate is electrically coupled with the contact on the fixed contact piece, the arc-extinguishing gate is arranged on the side surface of the movable contact bridge in the length direction,

the permanent magnets are arranged on both sides of the arc chute and on both sides of the contact areas of the movable contact bridge and the fixed contact, the permanent magnets being configured for guiding a high voltage arc generated between the movable contact bridge and the fixed contact in the direction of the arc chute.

Example 7. The switching device of any one of the above examples, wherein the permanent magnet includes two magnetic steel sheets arranged opposite to each other, and the arc extinguishing grid includes a plurality of metal sheets.

Example 8. The switching device of any of the above examples, wherein the electronic module is vertically disposed and secured above the coil, and an insulation is included between the electronic module and the mechanical module for isolating the electronic module from the mechanical module.

Example 9. The switching device of any of the above examples, wherein,

the electromagnetic drive sub-module further includes a bobbin around which the coil is wound;

the static iron core in the electromagnetic driving sub-module is connected with the coil framework to fix the coil framework;

the movable iron core in the electromagnetic driving sub-module at least partially penetrates through the hollow part of the coil framework, so that the movable iron core can move towards a first direction approaching to the coil when the coil is electrified to receive electromagnetic force, and the movable contact bridge is driven to move to be in physical and electrical contact with the fixed contact piece; and the movable iron core can move towards a second direction away from the coil under the action of restoring force of a first spring connected with the movable iron core when the coil is powered off and electromagnetic force is eliminated.

Example 10. The switching device of any of the above examples, wherein the mechanical module further comprises a contact bridge bracket comprising a first portion comprising a hollow portion through which the movable contact bridge passes, the movable contact bridge being secured at least in part by a second spring secured to a top of the first portion;

the contact bridge carrier further comprises a second portion extending from the first portion, the second portion comprises two pieces of structures, the first spring is arranged between the two pieces of structures, each of the two pieces of structures comprises a hole, the holes are fixed with the movable iron core through pins penetrating through the holes in the movable iron core, and therefore the movable iron core can drive the contact bridge carrier to move, and then the movable contact bridge is driven to move.

Example 11. The switching device of any of the above examples, wherein the switching device comprises a housing, and the switching device further comprises a wire row extending from the stationary contact and at least partially outside the housing, the wire row for connection of the switching device to a circuit external to the switching device.

Example 12. The switching device of any of the above examples, wherein the switching device does not include a fuse.

Claims

1. A switching device, comprising:

2. The switching device of claim 1, wherein,

3. The switching device of claim 2, wherein the hall element comprises a non-contact hall pick-up chip disposed on the electronic module and proximate to, but not in physical contact with, the movable contact bridge.

4. A switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the drive control circuit in the electronic module comprises two switching tubes, which are electrically connected to the coils of the electromagnetic drive sub-module, respectively,

5. The switching device of claim 4, wherein the electronic module further comprises a power circuit configured to provide power to other circuitry,

6. The switching device according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the mechanical module further comprises an arc extinguishing structure comprising a permanent magnet, an arc chute,

7. The switching device of claim 6, wherein the permanent magnet comprises two magnetic steel sheets oppositely disposed, and the arc extinguishing grid comprises a plurality of metal sheets.

8. A switching device according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the electronic module is arranged and fixed vertically above the coil and an insulation is included between the electronic module and the mechanical module for isolating the electronic module from the mechanical module.

9. A switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein,

10. The switching device of claim 9, wherein the mechanical module further comprises a contact bridge bracket comprising a first portion comprising a hollow portion through which the movable contact bridge passes, the movable contact bridge being secured at least in part by a second spring secured to a top of the first portion;

11. A switching device according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the switching device comprises a housing, and the switching device further comprises a wiring harness extending from the stationary contact and at least partially outside the housing, the wiring harness being for connection of the switching device to a circuit external to the switching device.

12. A switching device according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the switching device does not comprise a fuse.