EP0138069B1 - Protective switch - Google Patents

Protective switch Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0138069B1
EP0138069B1 EP84110937A EP84110937A EP0138069B1 EP 0138069 B1 EP0138069 B1 EP 0138069B1 EP 84110937 A EP84110937 A EP 84110937A EP 84110937 A EP84110937 A EP 84110937A EP 0138069 B1 EP0138069 B1 EP 0138069B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
heating resistor
switch
temperature
thermal contact
thermostatic switch
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Expired
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EP84110937A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0138069A3 (en
EP0138069A2 (en
Inventor
Peter Ruppert
Heinz Schiebelhuth
Erich Horn
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Braun GmbH
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Braun GmbH
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Application filed by Braun GmbH filed Critical Braun GmbH
Publication of EP0138069A2 publication Critical patent/EP0138069A2/en
Publication of EP0138069A3 publication Critical patent/EP0138069A3/en
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    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00Contacts
    • H01H1/50Means for increasing contact pressure, preventing vibration of contacts, holding contacts together after engagement, or biasing contacts to the open position
    • H01H1/504Means for increasing contact pressure, preventing vibration of contacts, holding contacts together after engagement, or biasing contacts to the open position by thermal means

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a circuit breaker for electrically operated devices, which prevents an overheating of a temperature-sensitive component of such devices during operation and which for this purpose contains an automatic, temperature-dependent responsive circuit breaker (thermal switch) which interrupts the power supply of the device when a predetermined maximum temperature is reached and then held in its «open» position by an electrically parallel heating resistor.
  • a circuit breaker for electrically operated devices, which prevents an overheating of a temperature-sensitive component of such devices during operation and which for this purpose contains an automatic, temperature-dependent responsive circuit breaker (thermal switch) which interrupts the power supply of the device when a predetermined maximum temperature is reached and then held in its «open» position by an electrically parallel heating resistor.
  • Circuit breakers are used very frequently in technology when it is important to protect electrical devices from overheating. In the case of motor-driven electrical household appliances, there is e.g. the risk of the motor windings overheating if the devices are overloaded or even blocked. In such a case, circuit breakers automatically interrupt the power supply to the device, so that on the one hand the device itself and on the other hand the environment is protected from damage.
  • circuit breakers with a thermal switch have also become known, which automatically switch off the current when a predetermined temperature is exceeded and switch on again automatically after the device has cooled down .
  • a disadvantage of the fuses is that they have to be replaced after each trip.
  • the known thermal switches have the disadvantage that - if the operator fails to either reset the main switch to the "off" position or pull the mains plug - the device can automatically start up again at an unexpected time for the operator as soon as the overheating has subsided.
  • a circuit breaker known, for example, from DE-A 2752430 'has a heating resistor connected in parallel with a thermal switch which, after opening the thermal switch, should emit so much heat that the thermal switch only opens again can return to its initial position when the user of the device has either set its main switch to the "off" position or has pulled the mains plug.
  • a disadvantage of the circuit breaker known from the above-mentioned DE-A 2 752430 is that when triggered - i.e. opened - thermal switch on the heating resistor connected in parallel with regard to its dimensioning, two contradicting requirements must be made: On the one hand, the resistance value of the heating resistor should be so large that only one such load resistance of the device, for example the windings of a motor, is connected to it low voltage drops so that the motor cannot start again unintentionally after the reasons for the overheating of its winding or even its blocking.
  • the resistance value of the heating resistor should be so small that at the supply voltage specified by the mains voltage, a current flows in the series circuit consisting of heating resistor and load resistor, which is sufficient to generate a heating power in the heating resistor, by means of which the thermal switch can be safely opened is held, even if the device in question is located in a room where the temperature is significantly lower than the usual room temperature of 20 ° Celsius.
  • thermo switch and heating resistor is held together by a shrink tube which is made thinner in the area in thermal contact with the temperature-sensitive component than in its other areas, as a result of which the arrangement is well insulated from the outside. At the same time, however, it is in thermal contact with the temperature-sensitive component, which is still sufficient to ensure the opening of the thermal switch as a result of inadmissible heating of the temperature-sensitive component.
  • An advantageous development of the invention consists in that both the thermal switch and the heating resistor for producing good mutual thermal contact are attached to a heat conducting plate.
  • the heat-conducting sheet is designed as a metal sleeve that positively envelops the thermal switch and on the outside of which the heating resistor is pressed through the shrink tube.
  • the 1 shows a mains plug 1, via which an electric motor 2 can be supplied with electrical current by closing the mains switch 3.
  • the electric motor 2 has a stator winding 4 on which a circuit breaker 5 is attached.
  • the two electrical components belonging to it, namely the heating resistor 7 and the thermal switch 6, are electrically connected in parallel with one another.
  • the basic mode of operation of the circuit breaker 5, which is pressed onto the stator winding 4 of the electric motor 2, for example by a clip (not shown here), is as follows:
  • the electric motor 2 of the electrically operated device is switched on by closing the mains switch 3 when the mains plug 1 is connected to the electrical mains. Only a negligible current flows through the heating resistor 7 because the electrically parallel, closed thermal switch 6 has only a comparatively minimal resistance value. If the stator winding 4 of the electric motor 2 heats up, for example due to its overload or even standstill, a heat flow flows into the thermal switch 6 due to the thermal contact between the stator winding 4 and the circuit breaker 5. This then opens after a certain period of time, which is different from that of the stator winding 4 delivered heat output, depends on the thermal coupling of the thermal switch 6 to the stator winding 4 and on the special design of the thermal switch 6.
  • the thermal switch 6 By opening the thermal switch 6, the electric motor 2 is put out of operation and should only start again when the operator has previously opened the power switch 3 or has disconnected the power plug 1 from the electrical network. It is the task of the circuit breaker 5 to prevent the uncontrolled or undesired start-up when the electric motor 2 cools down, and this is caused by the fact that when the power switch 3 is closed and the power plug 1 is connected to the electrical network, the thermal switch 6 by the heat output from the heating resistor 7 is held in its open position.
  • the heating resistor 7 is connected in series with the electric motor 2.
  • the heating resistor 7 must then have such a resistance value that, on the one hand, such a large voltage drops across it that the electric motor 2 cannot start again and, if it is blocked in the stator winding 4, only a harmless heat output is generated.
  • the resistance value of the heating resistor 7 must be dimensioned such that the heating power generated by it is sufficient to hold the thermal switch 6 in the open position.
  • the exemplary embodiment of a circuit breaker 5 according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 contains a thermal switch 6 shown here only schematically in its outline, for example one of the series 15 AM motor winding protectors manufactured by Texas Instruments (Copyright Texas Instruments Holland BV 2000 / 3-82) listed thermal switch.
  • the thermal switch 6 has a largely enveloping and good heat-conducting housing 13, to which a first contact tab 12 is formed, to which an electrical line 16 leading to the power plug 1 (FIG. 1) is soldered.
  • the housing 13 thus, together with the contact lug 12, represents the electrical connection of the thermal switch on the plug side.
  • the housing 13 is surrounded by a metal sleeve 14, which is also a good heat conductor, for example made of bronze or copper sheet.
  • the metal sleeve 14 has a slot 15 so that it can be pretensioned by lateral compression and consequently rests closely and therefore with good heat and electrical conductivity on the housing 13.
  • a heating resistor 7 preferably consisting of a PTC thermistor, which has a vapor-deposited conductive layer 8 or 9, for example made of aluminum or silver, on its bottom and top.
  • the conductive layer 9 attached to the top of the PTC heating resistor 7 is electrically connected to the second contact lug 11 of the thermal switch 6 by means of an electrical line 18 soldered to it.
  • the electrical line 17 (FIG. 1) leading to the electric motor 2 is also soldered to this second contact lug 11, which represents the motor-side connection of the thermal switch 6.
  • the heating resistor 7 is thus electrically connected in parallel to the thermal switch 6 on the one hand via its lower conductive layer 8, the metal sleeve 14 and the housing 13 and on the other hand via its upper conductive layer 9, the electrical line 18 and the contact tab 11.
  • the heating resistor 7 is mechanically attached to the metal sleeve 14 by means of a so-called Shrink tube 10, which can almost completely encase the aforementioned arrangement, since only the two electrical lines 16 and 17 have to be led out.
  • the shrink tube 10 can consist, for example, of a polyester film which, after it has been heated and cooled again, is applied to the heating resistor 7 and the metal sleeve 14 under a certain voltage and therefore keeps the same in an electrically conductive connection and in good thermal contact.
  • the shrink tube encapsulating the entire circuit breaker also assumes the function of good thermal insulation of the circuit breaker to the outside, which is essential in the context of the present invention. It is thus achieved that the thermal switch 6 and the heating resistor 7 are in good thermal contact with one another, but are thermally insulated from the outside by the shrink tube 10. However, the thermal contact between the circuit breaker 5 and the stator winding 4 is still sufficient to trigger the thermal switch 6 in the event of overheating of the stator winding as a result of overloading or even standstill of the electric motor 2.
  • the shrink tube is made thinner in its area in thermal contact with the temperature-sensitive device component than in its other areas.
  • the heat balance of the circuit breaker - i.e. the ratio of heat absorption to heat emission - can be adapted in a particularly simple manner within the meaning of the present invention to the conditions of the electrical device in question and can be adjusted accordingly in terms of production technology.
  • the shrinking process when attaching the shrink tube can be controlled by local heat application in such a way that the intended wall thicknesses result from the different shrinkage and stretching ratios in some areas.
  • the heating resistor 7 only has to emit a relatively small heating power in order to hold the thermal switch 6 securely in the open position - even at room temperatures well below the usual around 20 ° Celsius.
  • a preferably used PTC heating resistor in the stationary heated state which it reaches in a few seconds, may have a relatively high resistance value.
  • the voltage drop across it is so great that only a small voltage drop at the electric motor 2, that it cannot start again and, if it is blocked in the stator winding 4, only negligible heat development occurs.
  • circuit breaker is not limited to its attachment to stator windings of electric motors. Rather, it can also be attached to electrically driven mechanical components that can run hot, or to other immovable electrical or mechanical components, provided that the cause of their overheating is eliminated by interrupting the power supply.

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  • Protection Of Generators And Motors (AREA)
  • Fuses (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft einen Schutzschalter für elektrisch betriebene Geräte, der eine während des Betriebes auftretende Überhitzung eines temperaturempfindlichen Bauteils solcher Geräte verhindert und der zu diesem Zweck einen selbsttätigen, temperaturabhängig ansprechenden Stromunterbrecher (Thermoschalter) enthält, der bei Erreichen einer vorgegebenen Maximaltemperatur die Stromversorgung des Gerätes unterbricht und anschliessend durch einen elektrisch parallelgeschalteten Heizwiderstand in seiner «Offen»-Stellung gehalten wird.The invention relates to a circuit breaker for electrically operated devices, which prevents an overheating of a temperature-sensitive component of such devices during operation and which for this purpose contains an automatic, temperature-dependent responsive circuit breaker (thermal switch) which interrupts the power supply of the device when a predetermined maximum temperature is reached and then held in its «open» position by an electrically parallel heating resistor.

Schutzschalter werden in der Technik sehr häufig eingesetzt, wenn es darauf ankommt, elektrische Geräte vor Überhitzung zu schützen. Bei motorisch angetriebenen elektrischen Haushaltsgeräten besteht z.B. die Gefahr einer Überhitzung der Wicklungen der Motoren, wenn die Geräte überlastet werden oder sogar blockiert sind. Schutzschalter unterbrechen in einem solchen Fall selbsttätig die Stromzuführung des Gerätes, so dass einerseits das Gerät selbst, andererseits aber auch die Umgebung vor Schaden bewahrt wird.Circuit breakers are used very frequently in technology when it is important to protect electrical devices from overheating. In the case of motor-driven electrical household appliances, there is e.g. the risk of the motor windings overheating if the devices are overloaded or even blocked. In such a case, circuit breakers automatically interrupt the power supply to the device, so that on the one hand the device itself and on the other hand the environment is protected from damage.

Neben Temperatursicherungen, welche sich bei einem zu hohen Stromfluss so erhitzen, dass sie durchschmelzen und dadurch die Stromzufuhr unterbrechen, sind auch schon Schutzschalter mit einem Thermoschalter bekannt geworden, welche bei Überschreiten einer vorgegebenen Temperatur selbsttätig den Strom ausschalten und nach Abkühlung des Gerätes automatisch wieder einschalten.In addition to temperature fuses, which heat up when the current flow is too high so that they melt and thereby interrupt the power supply, circuit breakers with a thermal switch have also become known, which automatically switch off the current when a predetermined temperature is exceeded and switch on again automatically after the device has cooled down .

Ein Nachteil der Schmelzsicherungen besteht darin, dass diese nach jeder Auslösung ausgewechselt werden müssen. Dagegen weisen die bekannten Thermoschalter den Nachteil auf, dass sie - sofern der Betreiber es unterlässt, entweder den Hauptschalter auf die «Aus»-Stellung zurückzustellen oder den Netzstecker zu ziehen - das Gerät zu einem für den Betreiber unerwarteten Zeitpunkt selbsttätig wieder in Betrieb setzen können, sobald die Überhitzung abgeklungen ist.A disadvantage of the fuses is that they have to be replaced after each trip. In contrast, the known thermal switches have the disadvantage that - if the operator fails to either reset the main switch to the "off" position or pull the mains plug - the device can automatically start up again at an unexpected time for the operator as soon as the overheating has subsided.

Zur Vermeidung dieses vom Betreiber nicht steuerbaren selbsttätigen Wiedereinschaltens des Gerätes weist ein beispielsweise aus der DE-A 2752430' bekannter Schutzschalter einen zu einem Thermoschalter parallelgeschalteten Heizwiderstand auf, der nach dem Öffnen des Thermoschalters so viel Wärme an diesen abgeben soll, dass dieser erst dann wieder in seine Ausgangsstellung zurückkehren kann, wenn der Benutzer des Gerätes entweder dessen Hauptschalter in die «Aus»-Stellung gebracht oder den Netzstecker gezogen hat.To avoid this automatic switch-on of the device, which cannot be controlled by the operator, a circuit breaker known, for example, from DE-A 2752430 'has a heating resistor connected in parallel with a thermal switch which, after opening the thermal switch, should emit so much heat that the thermal switch only opens again can return to its initial position when the user of the device has either set its main switch to the "off" position or has pulled the mains plug.

Ein Nachteil des aus der obengenannten DE-A 2 752430 bekannten Schutzschalters besteht darin, dass bei ausgelöstem - d.h. geöffnetem - Thermoschalter an den parallelgeschalteten Heizwiderstand hinsichtlich seiner Dimensionierung zwei sich widersprechende Anforderungen gestellt werden müssen: Einerseits soll der Widerstandswert des Heizwiderstandes so gross sein, dass an dem mit ihm in Reihe liegenden Lastwiderstand des Gerätes, beispielsweise den Wicklungen eines Motors, nur noch eine so kleine Spannung abfällt, dass der Motor nach Wegfall der eine Überhitzung seiner Wicklung oder gar seine Blockierung verursachenden Gründe nicht unbeabsichtigt wieder anlaufen kann. Andererseits soll der Widerstandswert des Heizwiderstands so klein sein, dass bei der durch die Netzspannung vorgegebenen Versorgungsspannung in der Reihenschaltung aus Heizwiderstand und Lastwiderstand ein Strom fliesst, der ausreichend ist, um im Heizwiderstand eine Heizleistung zu erzeugen, durch die der Thermoschalter sicher in der geöffneten Stellung gehalten wird, und zwar auch dann, wenn sich das betreffende Gerät in einem Raum befindet, in dem eine deutlich niedrigere Temperatur als die übliche Raumtemperatur von 20° Celsius herrscht.A disadvantage of the circuit breaker known from the above-mentioned DE-A 2 752430 is that when triggered - i.e. opened - thermal switch on the heating resistor connected in parallel with regard to its dimensioning, two contradicting requirements must be made: On the one hand, the resistance value of the heating resistor should be so large that only one such load resistance of the device, for example the windings of a motor, is connected to it low voltage drops so that the motor cannot start again unintentionally after the reasons for the overheating of its winding or even its blocking. On the other hand, the resistance value of the heating resistor should be so small that at the supply voltage specified by the mains voltage, a current flows in the series circuit consisting of heating resistor and load resistor, which is sufficient to generate a heating power in the heating resistor, by means of which the thermal switch can be safely opened is held, even if the device in question is located in a room where the temperature is significantly lower than the usual room temperature of 20 ° Celsius.

Es war daher Aufgabe der Erfindung, einen Schutzschalter mit einem Thermoschalter und einem dazu elektrisch parallelgeschalteten Heizwiderstand anzugeben, der hinsichtlich der Dimensionierung des Widerstandswertes dieses Heizwiderstandes weniger kritisch ist und der das selbsttätige Wiedereinschalten eines aufgrund einer eingetretenen Überhitzung automatisch abgeschalteten Gerätes auch bei Umgebungstemperaturen, die deutlich unterhalb der üblichen Raumtemperatur von 20° Celsius liegen, verhindert.It was therefore an object of the invention to provide a circuit breaker with a thermal switch and a heating resistor connected electrically in parallel, which is less critical with regard to the dimensioning of the resistance value of this heating resistor and which automatically switches on a device which is automatically switched off due to overheating, even at ambient temperatures which are clearly below the usual room temperature of 20 ° Celsius prevented.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäss dadurch gelöst, dass die Anordnung aus Thermoschalter und Heizwiderstand durch einen Schrumpfschlauch zusammengehalten wird, der in dem mit dem temperaturempfindlichen Bauteil in Wärmekontakt stehenden Bereich dünner ausgebildet ist als in seinen übrigen Bereichen, wodurch die Anordnung nach aussen gut wärmeisoliert ist. Gleichzeitig steht sie aber mit dem temperaturempfindlichen Bauteil in einem Wärmekontakt, der noch ausreicht, um das Öffnen des Thermoschalters infolge einer unzulässigen Erhitzung des temperaturempfindlichen Bauteils sicherzustellen.This object is achieved according to the invention in that the arrangement of thermal switch and heating resistor is held together by a shrink tube which is made thinner in the area in thermal contact with the temperature-sensitive component than in its other areas, as a result of which the arrangement is well insulated from the outside. At the same time, however, it is in thermal contact with the temperature-sensitive component, which is still sufficient to ensure the opening of the thermal switch as a result of inadmissible heating of the temperature-sensitive component.

Eine vorteilhafte Weiterbildung der Erfindung besteht darin, dass sowohl der Thermoschalter als auch der Heizwiderstand zur Erzeugung eines guten gegenseitigen Wärmekontakts auf einem Wärmeleitblech angebracht sind.An advantageous development of the invention consists in that both the thermal switch and the heating resistor for producing good mutual thermal contact are attached to a heat conducting plate.

Weiterhin ist es vorteilhaft, wenn das Wärmeleitblech als eine den Thermoschalter formschlüssig umhüllende Metallhülse ausgebildet ist, auf deren Aussenseite der Heizwiderstand durch den Schrumpfschlauch gepresst wird.Furthermore, it is advantageous if the heat-conducting sheet is designed as a metal sleeve that positively envelops the thermal switch and on the outside of which the heating resistor is pressed through the shrink tube.

In der Zeichnung ist ein Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemässen Schutzschalters dargestellt. Es zeigen:

  • Fig. 1 in schematischer Darstellung eine zum Stand der Technik gehörende Anordnung und elektrische Schaltung eines Schutzschalters für einen Elektromotor, die bezüglich des elektrischen Schaltbildes unverändert für den Einsatz des Schutzschalters gemäss der vorliegenden Erfindung übernommen werden kann;
  • Fig. 2 und 3 in schematischer Darstellung, teilweise geschnitten, einen Querschnitt bzw. Längsschnitt des erfindungsgemässen Schutzschalters.
In the drawing, an embodiment of the circuit breaker according to the invention is shown. Show it:
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a prior art arrangement and electrical circuit of a circuit breaker for an electric motor, the same with respect to the electrical circuit diagram for use the circuit breaker can be taken over according to the present invention;
  • 2 and 3 in a schematic representation, partially in section, a cross section or longitudinal section of the circuit breaker according to the invention.

Die Fig. 1 zeigt einen Netzstecker 1, über den ein Elektromotor 2 durch Schliessen des Netzschalters 3 mit elektrischem Strom versorgt werden kann. Der Elektromotor 2 weist eine Statorwicklung 4 auf, an der ein Schutzschalter 5 angebracht ist. Der Schutzschalter 5, dessen wesentliche elektrische Bauteile ein Thermoschalter 6 und ein Heizwiderstand 7 sind, ist über eine vom Netzstecker 1 ausgehende Leitung 16 und eine zum Elektromotor 2 führende Leitung 17 mit dem Elektromotor 2 elektrisch in Reihe geschaltet. Innerhalb des Schutzschalters 5 sind die beiden ihm angehörigen elektrischen Bauteile, nämlich der Heizwiderstand 7 und der Thermoschalter 6, zueinander elektrisch parallelgeschaltet.1 shows a mains plug 1, via which an electric motor 2 can be supplied with electrical current by closing the mains switch 3. The electric motor 2 has a stator winding 4 on which a circuit breaker 5 is attached. The circuit breaker 5, the essential electrical components of which are a thermal switch 6 and a heating resistor 7, is electrically connected in series with the electric motor 2 via a line 16 starting from the mains plug 1 and a line 17 leading to the electric motor 2. Within the circuit breaker 5, the two electrical components belonging to it, namely the heating resistor 7 and the thermal switch 6, are electrically connected in parallel with one another.

Die prinzipielle Funktionsweise des beispielsweise durch eine hier nicht dargestellte Klammer an die Statorwicklung 4 des Elektromotors 2 gepressten Schutzschalters 5 ist die folgende:The basic mode of operation of the circuit breaker 5, which is pressed onto the stator winding 4 of the electric motor 2, for example by a clip (not shown here), is as follows:

Unter Normalbedingungen, das heisst bei einem sich in etwa auf Raumtemperatur befindlil chen Thermoschalter 6, wird bei an das elektrische Netz angeschlossenem Netzstecker 1 der Elektromotor 2 des elektrisch betriebenen Gerätes durch Schliessen des Netzschalters 3 eingeschaltet. Durch den Heizwiderstand 7 fliesst dabei nur ein vernachlässigbarer Strom, da der elektrisch parallelgeschaltete, geschlossene Thermoschalter 6 nur einen vergleichsweise minimalen Widerstandswert aufweist. Erhitzt sich nun die Statorwicklung 4 des Elektromotors 2, beispielsweise durch dessen Überlastung oder gar Stillstand, fliesst aufgrund des Wärmekontakts zwischen der Statorwicklung 4 und dem Schutzschalter 5 ein Wärmestrom in den Thermoschalter 6. Dieser öffnet sich dann nach einer bestimmten Zeitspanne, die von der von der Statorwicklung 4 abgegebenen Wärmeleistung, von der Wärmeankopplung des Thermoschalters 6 an die Statorwicklung 4 und von der speziellen Auslegung des Thermoschalters 6 abhängt.Under normal conditions, that is to say in a thermally switch 6 located approximately at room temperature, the electric motor 2 of the electrically operated device is switched on by closing the mains switch 3 when the mains plug 1 is connected to the electrical mains. Only a negligible current flows through the heating resistor 7 because the electrically parallel, closed thermal switch 6 has only a comparatively minimal resistance value. If the stator winding 4 of the electric motor 2 heats up, for example due to its overload or even standstill, a heat flow flows into the thermal switch 6 due to the thermal contact between the stator winding 4 and the circuit breaker 5. This then opens after a certain period of time, which is different from that of the stator winding 4 delivered heat output, depends on the thermal coupling of the thermal switch 6 to the stator winding 4 and on the special design of the thermal switch 6.

Durch das Öffnen des Thermoschalters 6 wird der Elektromotor 2 ausser Betrieb gesetzt, und er soll erst dann wieder anlaufen, wenn die Bedienungsperson zuvor den Netzschalter 3 geöffnet oder den Netzstecker 1 vom elektrischen Netz getrennt hat. Es ist die Aufgabe des Schutzschalters 5, bei Abkühlung des Elektromotors 2 dessen unkontrollierte oder unerwünschte Inbetriebsetzung zu verhindern, und dies wird dadurch bewirkt, dass bei geschlossenem Netzschalter 3 und an das elektrische Netz angeschlossenem Netzstecker 1 der Thermoschalter 6 durch die vom Heizwiderstand 7 abgegebene Wärmeleistung in seiner geöffneten Stellung gehalten wird.By opening the thermal switch 6, the electric motor 2 is put out of operation and should only start again when the operator has previously opened the power switch 3 or has disconnected the power plug 1 from the electrical network. It is the task of the circuit breaker 5 to prevent the uncontrolled or undesired start-up when the electric motor 2 cools down, and this is caused by the fact that when the power switch 3 is closed and the power plug 1 is connected to the electrical network, the thermal switch 6 by the heat output from the heating resistor 7 is held in its open position.

Sobald sich der Thermoschalter 6 geöffnet hat, ist nämlich der Heizwiderstand 7 mit dem Elektromotor 2 in Reihe geschaltet. Der Heizwiderstand 7 muss dann einen solchen Widerstandswert haben, dass einerseits an ihm eine so grosse Spannung abfällt, dass der Elektromotor 2 nicht wieder anlaufen kann und im Falle seiner Blockierung in der Statorwicklung 4 lediglich eine unschädliche Wärmeleistung erzeugt wird. Andererseits muss der Widerstandswert des Heizwiderstands 7 so bemessen sein, dass die von ihm erzeugte Heizleistung ausreicht, den Thermoschalter 6 in der geöffneten Stellung zu halten.As soon as the thermal switch 6 has opened, the heating resistor 7 is connected in series with the electric motor 2. The heating resistor 7 must then have such a resistance value that, on the one hand, such a large voltage drops across it that the electric motor 2 cannot start again and, if it is blocked in the stator winding 4, only a harmless heat output is generated. On the other hand, the resistance value of the heating resistor 7 must be dimensioned such that the heating power generated by it is sufficient to hold the thermal switch 6 in the open position.

Bei bisher bekannten Schutzschaltern war diese Dimensionierung des Heizwiderstandes äusserst problematisch. Dagegen wird sie in dem Schutzschalter gemäss der vorliegenden Erfindung ohne Schwierigkeiten beherrschbar.With previously known circuit breakers, this dimensioning of the heating resistor was extremely problematic. On the other hand, it can be controlled without difficulty in the circuit breaker according to the present invention.

Das in den Fig. 2 und 3 dargestellte Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemässen Schutzschalters 5 enthält einen hier nur schematisch in seinen Umrissen wiedergegebenen Thermoschalter 6, beispielsweise einen der von Texas Instruments hergestellten, im Katalog «Motor-Wicklungs-Protektoren Serie 15 AM» (Copyright Texas Instruments Holland B.V. 2000/3-82) aufgeführten Thermoschalter. Der Thermoschalter 6 besitzt ein ihn zu einem grossen Teil umhüllendes und gut wärmeleitendes Gehäuse 13, dem eine erste Kontaktfahne 12 angeformt ist, an welcher eine zum Netzstecker 1 führende elektrische Leitung 16 (Fig. 1) angelötet ist. Das Gehäuse 13 stellt somit zusammen mit der Kontaktfahne 12 den netzsteckerseitigen elektrischen Anschluss des Thermoschalters dar. Das Gehäuse 13 ist von einer ebenfalls gut wärmeleitenden Metallhülse 14, beispielsweise aus Bronze- oder Kupferblech, umgeben. Die Metallhülse 14 weist einen Schlitz 15 auf, so dass sie durch seitliches Zusammenpressen vorgespannt werden kann und demzufolge eng und daher gut wärme- und elektrischleitend an dem Gehäuse 13 anliegt. Auf der Oberseite der Metallhülse 14 ist ein vorzugsweise aus einem Kaltleiter (PTC) bestehender Heizwiderstand 7 angeordnet, der auf seiner Unter- und Oberseite je eine, beispielsweise aus Aluminium oder Silber bestehende, aufgedampfte Leitschicht 8 bzw. 9 aufweist. Die auf der Oberseite des PTC-Heizwiderstands 7 angebrachte Leitschicht 9 ist mittels einer an ihr angelöteten elektrischen Leitung 18 mit der zweiten Kontaktfahne 11 des Thermoschalters 6 elektrisch verbunden. An dieser zweiten Kontaktfahne 11, die den motorseitigen Anschluss des Thermoschalters 6 darstellt, ist auch die zum Elektromotor 2 führende elektrische Leitung 17 (Fig. 1) angelötet.The exemplary embodiment of a circuit breaker 5 according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 contains a thermal switch 6 shown here only schematically in its outline, for example one of the series 15 AM motor winding protectors manufactured by Texas Instruments (Copyright Texas Instruments Holland BV 2000 / 3-82) listed thermal switch. The thermal switch 6 has a largely enveloping and good heat-conducting housing 13, to which a first contact tab 12 is formed, to which an electrical line 16 leading to the power plug 1 (FIG. 1) is soldered. The housing 13 thus, together with the contact lug 12, represents the electrical connection of the thermal switch on the plug side. The housing 13 is surrounded by a metal sleeve 14, which is also a good heat conductor, for example made of bronze or copper sheet. The metal sleeve 14 has a slot 15 so that it can be pretensioned by lateral compression and consequently rests closely and therefore with good heat and electrical conductivity on the housing 13. Arranged on the top of the metal sleeve 14 is a heating resistor 7, preferably consisting of a PTC thermistor, which has a vapor-deposited conductive layer 8 or 9, for example made of aluminum or silver, on its bottom and top. The conductive layer 9 attached to the top of the PTC heating resistor 7 is electrically connected to the second contact lug 11 of the thermal switch 6 by means of an electrical line 18 soldered to it. The electrical line 17 (FIG. 1) leading to the electric motor 2 is also soldered to this second contact lug 11, which represents the motor-side connection of the thermal switch 6.

Der Heizwiderstand 7 ist damit einerseits über seine untere Leitschicht 8, die Metallhülse 14 sowie das Gehäuse 13 und andererseits über seine obere Leitschicht 9, die elektrische Leitung 18 und die Kontaktfahne 11 zum Thermoschalter 6 elektrisch parallelgeschaltet.The heating resistor 7 is thus electrically connected in parallel to the thermal switch 6 on the one hand via its lower conductive layer 8, the metal sleeve 14 and the housing 13 and on the other hand via its upper conductive layer 9, the electrical line 18 and the contact tab 11.

Gemäss der Erfindung erfolgt die mechanische Befestigung des Heizwiderstandes 7 auf der Metallhülse 14 mittels eines sogenannten Schrumpfschlauches 10, der die vorgenannte Anordnung fast vollständig umhüllen kann, da nur die beiden elektrischen Leitungen 16 und 17 herausgeführt werden müssen. Der Schrumpfschlauch 10 kann beispielsweise aus einer Polyesterfolie bestehen, die nach ihrer Erwärmung und Wiederabkühlung unter einer gewissen Spannung an dem Heizwiderstand 7 und der Metallhülse 14 anliegt und dieselben daher in elektrisch leitender Verbindung und in gutem Wärmekontakt hält.According to the invention, the heating resistor 7 is mechanically attached to the metal sleeve 14 by means of a so-called Shrink tube 10, which can almost completely encase the aforementioned arrangement, since only the two electrical lines 16 and 17 have to be led out. The shrink tube 10 can consist, for example, of a polyester film which, after it has been heated and cooled again, is applied to the heating resistor 7 and the metal sleeve 14 under a certain voltage and therefore keeps the same in an electrically conductive connection and in good thermal contact.

Neben dieser rein mechanischen Wirkung, die Teile des Schutzschalters zusammenzuhalten und zusammenzupressen, übernimmt der den gesamten Schutzschalter einkapselnde Schrumpfschlauch auch die im Rahmen der vorliegenden Erfindung wesentliche Funktion der guten Wärmeisolation des Schutzschalters nach aussen. Es wird also erreicht, dass der Thermoschalter 6 und der Heizwiderstand 7 miteinander in gutem Wärmekontakt stehen, nach aussen aber durch den Schrumpfschlauch 10 wärmeisoliert sind. Dabei reicht aber der Wärmekontakt zwischen dem Schutzschalter 5 und der Statorwicklung 4 immer noch aus, um im Falle einer Überhitzung der Statorwicklung infolge Überlastung oder gar Stillstand des Elektromotors 2 den Thermoschalter 6 auszulösen.In addition to this purely mechanical effect of holding the parts of the circuit breaker together and pressing them together, the shrink tube encapsulating the entire circuit breaker also assumes the function of good thermal insulation of the circuit breaker to the outside, which is essential in the context of the present invention. It is thus achieved that the thermal switch 6 and the heating resistor 7 are in good thermal contact with one another, but are thermally insulated from the outside by the shrink tube 10. However, the thermal contact between the circuit breaker 5 and the stator winding 4 is still sufficient to trigger the thermal switch 6 in the event of overheating of the stator winding as a result of overloading or even standstill of the electric motor 2.

Beim erfindungsgemässen Schutzschalter ist der Schrumpfschlauch in seinem mit dem temperaturempfindlichen Gerätebauteil in Wärmekontakt stehenden Bereich dünner ausgebildet als in seinen übrigen Bereichen. Hierdurch kann der Wärmehaushalt des Schutzschalters - d.h., das Verhältnis der Wärmeaufnahme zur Wärmeabgabe - auf besonders einfache Weise im Sinne der vorliegenden Erfindung an die Gegebenheiten des betreffenden elektrischen Gerätes angepasst sein und fertigungstechnisch entsprechend eingestellt werden. Zur Erzielung der angegebenen Diclcenverteilung des Schrumpfschlauches kann der Schrumpfungsvorgang bei der Anbringung des Schrumpfschlauches durch lokale Wärmeanwendung so gesteuert werden, dass sich infolge der bereichsweise unterschiedlichen Schrumpf- und Reckverhältnisse die beabsichtigten Wandstärken ergeben.In the circuit breaker according to the invention, the shrink tube is made thinner in its area in thermal contact with the temperature-sensitive device component than in its other areas. As a result, the heat balance of the circuit breaker - i.e. the ratio of heat absorption to heat emission - can be adapted in a particularly simple manner within the meaning of the present invention to the conditions of the electrical device in question and can be adjusted accordingly in terms of production technology. To achieve the specified thickness distribution of the shrink tube, the shrinking process when attaching the shrink tube can be controlled by local heat application in such a way that the intended wall thicknesses result from the different shrinkage and stretching ratios in some areas.

Als Folge der durch die erfindungsgemässe Anordnung erzielten Verhältnisse hinsichtlich des Wärmeübergangs zwischen den beteiligten Bauelementen ergibt sich, dass der Heizwiderstand 7 nur eine relativ kleine Heizleistung abgeben muss, um den Thermoschalter 6 sicher in der geöffneten Stellung zu halten - und zwar auch bei Raumtemperaturen deutlich unterhalb der üblichen etwa 20° Celsius. Dies bedeutet, dass ein vorzugsweise verwendeter PTC-Heizwiderstand im stationären erhitzten Zustand, den er in wenigen Sekunden erreicht, einen relativ hohen Widerstandswert haben darf. Das hat wiederum zur Folge, dass die an ihm abfallende Spannung so gross ist, dass am Elektromotor 2 nur noch eine so kleine Spannung abfällt, dass dieser nicht wieder anlaufen kann und im Falle seiner Blockierung in der Statorwicklung 4 nur eine vernachlässigbare Wärmeentwicklung auftritt.As a result of the conditions achieved by the arrangement according to the invention with regard to the heat transfer between the components involved, it follows that the heating resistor 7 only has to emit a relatively small heating power in order to hold the thermal switch 6 securely in the open position - even at room temperatures well below the usual around 20 ° Celsius. This means that a preferably used PTC heating resistor in the stationary heated state, which it reaches in a few seconds, may have a relatively high resistance value. This in turn has the consequence that the voltage drop across it is so great that only a small voltage drop at the electric motor 2, that it cannot start again and, if it is blocked in the stator winding 4, only negligible heat development occurs.

Es ist nicht unbedingt notwendig, für den erfindungsgemässen Schutzschalter als Heizwiderstand ein PTC-Element zu verwenden. Die bekannten Vorteile eines PTC-Heizelements, nämlich die kurze Aufheizzeit und die schnelle Erhöhung der Heizleistung bei einer Temperaturerniedrigung seiner Oberfläche, ergeben aber zusammen mit den übrigen Merkmalen des erfindungsgemässen Schutzschalters eine noch grössere Sicherheit dafür, dass der erfindungsgemässe Schutzschalter die in der Beschreibungseinleitung genannte Aufgabe erfüllen kann.It is not absolutely necessary to use a PTC element as the heating resistor for the circuit breaker according to the invention. However, the known advantages of a PTC heating element, namely the short heating-up time and the rapid increase in heating power when the temperature of its surface is reduced, together with the other features of the circuit breaker according to the invention result in even greater certainty that the circuit breaker according to the invention fulfills the task mentioned in the introduction to the description can meet.

Die Verwendung des erfindungsgemässen Schutzschalters ist nicht auf dessen Anbringung an Statorwicklungen von Elektromotoren beschränkt. Er kann vielmehr auch an elektrisch angetriebenen mechanischen Bauteilen angebracht werden, die heisslaufen können, oder an anderen unbeweglichen elektrischen oder mechanischen Bauteilen, sofern durch die Unterbrechung der Stromzuführung die Ursache für deren Überhitzung beseitigt wird.The use of the circuit breaker according to the invention is not limited to its attachment to stator windings of electric motors. Rather, it can also be attached to electrically driven mechanical components that can run hot, or to other immovable electrical or mechanical components, provided that the cause of their overheating is eliminated by interrupting the power supply.

Claims (3)

1. A protective switch (5) for preventing overheating of a temperature-sensitive component (4) of an electrical device (2) in operation, which includes a thermostatic switch (6) which is in thermal contact with the temperature-sensitive component (4) and automatically cuts off the supply of current to the device (2) on attainment of a maximum permissible temperature, and a heating resistor (7) which is electrically connected in parallel with the thermostatic switch (6) and in good thermal contact therewith, said heating resistor keeping the thermostatic switch (6), after it is tripped, in the open position as long as voltage is applied to the device (2) characterized in that the arrangement comprising thermostatic switch (6) and heating resistor (7) is held together by a shrink tubing (10) whose area which is in thermal contact with the temperature-sensitive component (4) is thinner than its other areas whereby the arrangement (6, 7) has a good thermal insulation relative to the outside while its thermal contact with the temperature-sensitive component (4) is sufficient to ensure opening of the thermostatic switch (6) due to undue heating of the temperature-sensitive component (4).
2. A protective switch as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that both the thermostatic switch (6) and the heating resistor (7) are mounted on a heat conducting plate (14) for the purpose of producing a good mutual thermal contact.
3. A protective switch as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the heat conducting plate is configured as a metal sleeve (14) enclosing the thermostatic switch (6) in positive engagement therewith and having the heating resistor (7) pressed against its outside by the shrink tubing (10).
EP84110937A 1983-09-17 1984-09-13 Protective switch Expired EP0138069B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE3333620 1983-09-17
DE19833333620 DE3333620A1 (en) 1983-09-17 1983-09-17 CIRCUIT BREAKER

Publications (3)

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EP0138069A2 EP0138069A2 (en) 1985-04-24
EP0138069A3 EP0138069A3 (en) 1985-10-02
EP0138069B1 true EP0138069B1 (en) 1988-05-11

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EP84110937A Expired EP0138069B1 (en) 1983-09-17 1984-09-13 Protective switch

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DE (2) DE3333620A1 (en)

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DE3710672C2 (en) * 1987-03-31 1997-05-15 Hofsaes Geb Zeitz Ulrika Temperature monitor with a housing
BR8904916A (en) * 1989-09-28 1991-04-02 Wagner Waneck Martins COMMAND AND PROTECTION DEVICES BY QUANTIFIED ENERGETIC PULSE TECHNIQUE
FR2746225B1 (en) * 1996-03-14 1998-06-05 PROTECTION DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC MOTOR, CORRESPONDING METHOD AND DRIVE DEVICE WITH ELECTRIC MOTOR COMPRISING SUCH PROTECTION DEVICE
DE102016106558A1 (en) 2016-04-11 2017-10-12 Festool Gmbh Hand machine tool with a circuit breaker

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3471199D1 (en) 1988-06-16
DE3333620A1 (en) 1985-04-11
EP0138069A3 (en) 1985-10-02
EP0138069A2 (en) 1985-04-24

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