EP1198809B1 - Fuse combination unit and fuse plug comprising a contact-guide element - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a fuse combination unit (1), comprising a housing (2) and an operating rocker (30) for receiving a fuse cartridge (20), or a fuse plug (10) which contains a recessed area for a fuse cartridge. The operating rocker (30) is mounted in the housing (2) so that it can be pivoted between an on-position and an off-position and a sprung-loaded contact device (40) comprising a contact element (41) is located in the housing (2), in such a way that when the operating rocker is in the on-position, the contact element (41) makes contact with the fuse cartridge via a counter-contact whilst being subjected to a potential load. The operating rocker (30) and/or the contact device (40) have at least one contact-guide element (45) which maintains the contact element (41) at a defined, relative distance from the counter-contact (51) in accordance with the position of the operating rocker (30), whereby the distance is only substantially zero when the operating rocker (30) is in the on-position, so that the contacts do not abrade each other (41, 51) during the displacement of said operating rocker (30). The invention also relates to a fuse plug, comprising a corresponding contact-guide element.

Description

The present invention relates to a circuit breaker unit according to the preamble of the claim 1 and a safety plug according to the preamble of Claim 20.

Known switch fuse units have a housing, a Switch rocker for holding a fuse link or one Fuse plug with a receiving area for a fuse link, the rocker switch in the housing between an on position and an off position back and forth is pivotally mounted. In the housing of one Switch fuse unit is a spring-loaded contact device arranged with a contact element so that the Contact element in the switch rocker on position Contact of the fuse link under a voltage load contacted.

Such switch fuse units are in particular also used the circuit, especially when necessary Repairs to the associated electrical devices and Machines to reliably interrupt manually. For this, the Shift paddle that plugs the fuse with the appropriate one Fuse insert contains and between a switch-on position and a switch-off position swiveling in one Housing of the switch fuse unit is stored in its Switch-off position moved. The circuit is interrupted so that in particular repairs to electrical machines and devices operated safely can be.

When switching the rocker switch between its off position and the on position is the contact of the Fuse link at least over a portion of the Contact element of the spring-loaded contact device guided. In particular due to the spring pressure and the thereby caused stress load, which for a secure contact connection between the two contacts necessary the surfaces of the contacts are ground in and damaged. This can quickly become one poor contact between the contact elements cause what to increased contact resistance, the occurrence of switching arcs and to blow the fuse link or to damage the entire switch fuse unit can lead.

From DE 38 40 511 A1 an electrical fuse switch is known, the one Includes swivel mount for fuse links, which is in the off position Swiveling receptacle can be inserted into the receiving shaft. The swivel mount can in addition to the bottom of the receiving shaft one in the axial direction protruding from the floor Have projection, the one when pivoting the pivot mount force applied to adjacent housing contact on its contact side. Thereby will be the case contact from its contact system in the course of the pivoting process lifted off the fuse link, but the housing contact then rubs with its contact side on the swivel mount.

From GB 360 519 A an electrical rotary switch with a fuse is also known. This rotary switch has sliding contacts, which depending on the position of the switch on contact elements or rest on insulating elements.

Starting from the prior art described above, it is therefore an object of the present Invention, a circuit breaker unit and corresponding components available to provide both permanent, reliable contact between a fuse link and a contact element of a rocker switch as well as wear minimize the contacts or other components even with frequent switching operations and thus the service life of both the switch fuse unit and the elements used in it increase.

This object is achieved by a switch fuse unit according to claim 1 and a fuse plug solved according to claim 20. Claims 2 to 19 describe particularly advantageous Embodiments of the switch fuse unit according to the invention.

According to the invention, the rocker switch and / or the contact device has at least one Contact guide element. The contact guide element holds the contact element in the Housing depending on the position of the rocker switch in a defined, relative Distance from both the mating contact and the rocker switch, the distance between the contact element and counter contact essentially only in the switch-on position Switch rocker is zero and a contact is made so that the contact element is ground on the mating contact or on the rocker switch while pivoting the rocker switch is avoided.

This ensures that the interacting contacts Only touch when the rocker switch is in its switched-on position located. The contact element of the contact device follows the rocker when swiveling Off position in its on position and vice versa. through the contact guide element defined path, so that Contact element of the contact device by the spring action the contact device only then placed on the mating contact and thereby connected to it when the contacts in the. essentially aligned with each other, i.e. when the rocker switch is essentially in its on position. On Grinding the contacts against each other is avoided, so that the surfaces of the contacts do not wear out, a reliable one Permanent contact with low contact resistance is ensured and switching arcs or a blow of the fuse link are largely avoided. The spring-loaded contact device ensures a firm and reliable contact.

Lifespan and switching reliability are ensured by the invention Switch fuse unit significantly increased without the Manufacturing costs of a circuit breaker unit significantly need to increase.

There are various possibilities, an inventive one Contact guide element on both the rocker switch and on to arrange the contact device. It is important, as explained above, that a relative movement between the contact element the contact device and the counter contact when swiveling the rocker switch defined by the contact guide element is. Areas of the contact guide element are included Areas of the rocker switch and / or the contact device in mechanical contact so that the desired relative movement is ensured. The areas in contact will be also shown below as guide surfaces.

The contact guide element can, for example, on the rocker switch and / or the contact device, it can glued or screwed or integral with one of these Elements be formed. It is also possible that the rocker switch and the contact device each have a contact guide element exhibit.

It is particularly preferred that the contact guide element on the contact device is attached. It is advantageous that the contact guide element is designed such that it pushed or clamped onto the contact device will, so that a secure connection without additional fasteners is achieved.

The contact guide element is preferably at least on several, advantageously on all sides of the Contact element, wherein an opening for the contact element in the contact guide element is provided so that the contact is made possible with the fuse link. This will make the The distance between the contacts is precisely defined because tilting of the elements relative to one another is avoided.

In one embodiment, the contact guide element at least one triangular guide structure in cross section with two guide surfaces. This will distinguish between the on position and the off position of the rocker switch a point of maximum compression of the spring-loaded Contact device set. Will the rocker switch from this Point out just slightly in one direction or the other pivoted, the spring force leads to the guide surfaces the triangular guide structure pushes to that the rocker switch automatically in one of its limit switch positions is pressed. Undefined intermediate switching positions the rocker switch, which leads to incorrect assessments of the Switch state of the switch fuse unit, are reliably avoided.

In addition, an increased force must be applied to to pivot the rocker switch from its limit switch positions, so that, as it were, "rasterized" limit switch positions are generated become.

A first guide surface preferably has relative to the Contact guide element amount less gradient on as a second guide surface. This allows the necessary Forces selected to switch the rocker switch and be coordinated. The guide surface of the contact guide element, the in the switch-on position the rocker switch is effective, preferably has a larger one Incline. This will make an increased force necessary swivel the rocker switch away from its on position, causing an accidental switching off or disconnection of the Contact is avoided.

A steep slope in this area also leads to the fact that when swiveling the rocker switch from its switched-on position out the contact element of the contact device immediately clear is lifted from the contact of the fuse link, to reliably grind the contacts against each other avoid. The switching process is therefore largely "hand-independent", i.e., a safe and precise switching process regardless of the speed of manual operation the rocker switch.

It is advantageous that between the two guide surfaces lying edge of the at least one guide structure rounded trained to make smooth transitions in the management of the Ensure contacts relative to each other. A rounded one Edge also reduces the signs of wear of the contact guide element in this area.

The contact guide element preferably has two identical ones Guide structures on both sides of the contact element. This ensures a reliable management process, in which a tilting of the contact guide element with possible Avoided effects on the position of the contact element. becomes.

The at least one guide structure of the contact guide element protrudes in the area of a preferred embodiment of the contact element beyond this. This leads to the contact element, as it were towered over by the management structure or is enclosed by several structures. The contact element is therefore shielded by the management structure and protected.

The rocker switch advantageously has guide surfaces, with at least one of the guide surfaces both in the switch-on as well as in the off position with the corresponding guide surface of the contact guide element run essentially parallel. Because the leadership areas then be in contact with each other over a larger area, the pressure per area is reduced, wear becomes of the guide surfaces is reduced and the service life of the Overall system increased.

A comparable parallel course of the guide surfaces can of course also with any other design of the contact guide element be provided, especially also when the contact guide element is attached to the rocker switch is or is integrally formed with this.

A contact guide element can in particular be designed in this way be that a compression force in the turn-off and in Switch-on position is maximum. Is under compression force thereby for the spring compression in the contact device existing spring necessary force during swiveling the rocker switch in every position. A high compression force therefore leads to a pivoting of the Rocker switch against the pressure of the spring of the contact device is difficult. The on position and the off position the rocker switch can therefore be specially secured. A "screening", as already explained above, is therefore in the switch-on and switch-off positions of the rocker switch particularly pronounced.

In addition to a contact guide element arranged on the contact device it is particularly advantageous as above explains that a contact guide element on the rocker switch is arranged, which is preferably integral with this is trained.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, there is a contact guide element both on the contact device as well formed on the rocker switch, the two contact guide elements are coordinated and together the define the relative distance between the contacts.

The at least one contact guide element is preferred made of insulating material, e.g. made of plastic. There is the contact guide element preferably made of the same materials like the housing and / or like the rocker switch of the switch fuse unit. The manufacture of the switch fuse unit or the rocker switch is significantly simplified.

In a further embodiment, the rocker switch also has a contact protection device for the fuse link on. Such a contact protection device is as it were an intermediate contact between the contact of the fuse link and the contact element of the contact device, the wear, in particular of the fuse link, e.g. caused by a switching arc, largely avoids. Such a contact protection device can e.g. on a fuse link or a fuse plug be provided, the rocker switch then being designed in this way. is that they use this fuse or fuse plug can record. If a contact protection device is provided, so is by the contact guide element according to the invention Distance between the carbon protection device forming the counter contact and the contact element of the contact device in the switch fuse unit. Is not a contact protection device provided, takes the place of the contact protection device directly the counter contact of the fuse link.

A contact protection device preferably consists of good conductive material, so that additional contact resistance be avoided and the performance of the switch fuse unit is not diminished.

Preferred as contacts of the switch fuse unit Resilient contact used to ensure safe contacting of the To ensure fuse link. In particular the spring-loaded Contact device is in one embodiment as resilient contact strip provided, the movements of the Contact device can follow.

The invention also relates to a safety plug with a receiving area for a fuse link in a switch fuse link, the fuse plug according to the invention has a contact guide element, that in its form and mode of operation essentially the same as above described contact guide element corresponds to the Switch rocker and / or the contact device is provided.

A particular advantage of attaching the contact guide element on the fuse plug is that the Contact guide element relatively simple to the special Embodiment of a fuse link can be adapted can. There can be different safety plugs for different ones Fuse links are provided without further changes or adjustments to the switch fuse unit can be used and used.

Fig. 1

eine Querschnittsansicht einer Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Schaltersicherungseinheit, wobei sich die Schaltwippe in der Ausschaltstellung befindet;

Fig. 2

eine Querschnittsansicht der in Fig. 1 gezeigten Ausführungsform, wobei sich die Schaltwippe in einer Zwischenstellung befindet;

Fig. 3

eine Querschnittsansicht der in den Fig. 1 und 2 dargestellten Ausführungsform, wobei sich die Schaltwippe in der Einschaltstellung befindet; und

Fig. 4

einen Querschnitt durch die erfindungsgemäße Schaltersicherungseinheit entlang der Linie.A-A in Fig. 3.

Further advantages and features are described in more detail by the accompanying drawings, which schematically show a preferred embodiment of the circuit breaker unit according to the invention. Show it:

Fig. 1

a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a switch fuse unit according to the invention, wherein the rocker switch is in the off position;

Fig. 2

a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, wherein the rocker switch is in an intermediate position.

Fig. 3

a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, wherein the rocker switch is in the ON position. and

Fig. 4

3 shows a cross section through the switch fuse unit according to the invention along the line AA in FIG. 3.

In Fig. 1 is the structural structure of an inventive Switch fuse unit 1 with a rocker switch 30 and a Fuse plug 10 into which a fuse link 20 is inserted is presented, layed out.

The switch fuse unit 1 comprises a housing 2 in which the rocker switch 30 is pivotally mounted so that it between the off position shown in Fig. 1 and in Fig. 3 shown switch position is pivotable.

In the rocker switch 30 is a safety plug 10 with a Fuse link 20 inserted. The rocker switch 30 includes the embodiment shown also a contact protection device 50 to protect the contact 21 of the fuse link 20. The contact 21 consists of the fuse link shown a main cap 25 with a sand filling hole and one the sand filling hole sealing cap 26, the contact protection device to avoid contact resistance between Main cap 25 and cap 26 contacted only the main cap 25.

The contact protection device 50 is relative in the longitudinal direction to the rocker switch 35 movably mounted and with a spring 55 biased against this (up in Fig. 1), so that the Contact protection device by the spring force against the contact 21 of the fuse link is pressed. The contact protection device has a contact point made of particularly conductive and resistant contact material 51.

In the switch fuse unit 1 there is a contact device 40 provided which has a contact element 41, the Contact element 41 is biased by a spring 42. The Contact device 40 is connected via a flexible current wire 39 an input contact 7 of the switch fuse unit 1, so that the circuit through the input contact 7, the flexible current wire 39, the contact element 41, the fuse link 20, the also flexible contact 5 and the output contact 8 can be closed.

The contact device 40 comprises a contact guide element 45 with a management structure 48. The management structure 48 points two guide surfaces 46 and 47. The contact guide element 45 is with a clamping device 49 on the contact device. reliably attached.

In the switch-off position of the rocker switch shown in FIG. 1 30 becomes the guide surface 46 of the contact guide element 45 pressed against the guide surface 31 of the rocker switch 30, wherein the guide surfaces 31 and 46 almost parallel to each other run.

The contact element 41 of the contact device 40 is not included the rocker switch in contact, but is through the contact guide element 45 held at a distance from the rocker switch, see above that grinding and damage to the components, in particular of the contact element 41 is avoided.

2 shows the fuse unit 1 shown in FIG. 1, the rocker switch 30 in an intermediate position located. An edge between the two guide surfaces 46 and 47 of the contact guide element 45 is with a Edge between the guide surfaces 31 and 33 of the rocker switch in contact. The contact device is in this position in its most retracted position, i.e. the spring 42 is maximally compressed. The contact element 41 of the contact device 40 is still with no element the rocker switch or the mating contact or the contact protection device in contact.

In this position, the rocker switch 30 is already engaged Contact 5 of the switch fuse unit 1 to a second one Contact 22 of fuse link 20. The circuit is but due to the lack of contact between the contact element 41 and the contact 21 of the fuse link 20 or the contact protection device 50 with the contact material 51 not yet closed.

3 finally shows the switch fuse unit 1 a rocker switch 30 in its on position. The contact element 41 of the contact device 40 is now through the contact protection device 50 and the contact material 51 formed counter contact and the contact 21 with the fuse link 20 in contact, the contact 41 through the Guide surface 47 of the contact guide element 45 along the Guide surface 33 of the rocker switch 30 on the counter contact 50, 51 has been performed. The guide surfaces 33 and 47 run substantially parallel to each other, note is that the gap shown in Fig. 3 between the Guide surfaces 33 and 47 are shown enlarged for clarity is. The gap is actually extremely thin or cooked not available, i.e. the guide surfaces 33 and 47 are located also in the switched-on position of the rocker switch 30 in Contact. In order to. it is ensured that the contact element 41st the contact device 40 when pivoting the rocker switch 30 from its on position immediately from the counter contact 50, 51 is lifted off.

The circuit is now over contact 5 of the switch fuse unit 1, contacts 22 and 21 of the fuse link 20, through the contact protection device 50 and the contact material 51 formed counter contact and the contact element 41 the contact device 40 closed.

4 shows, in particular to clarify the structure of the Contact guide element 45, a section through the switch fuse unit 1 along the line A-A in FIG. 3.

The two guide structures 48 are clearly visible in FIG. 4 right and left of the contact element 41 of the contact device 40. The management structures 48 extend over the upper edge of the contact element 41 and shield thus the contact element 41, which provides special protection of the contact element 41 is reached. 3, run the guide surfaces 46 of the contact guide element 45 parallel to the guide surfaces 33 of the rocker switch 30. Also in Fig. 4 is the gap between the guide surfaces 33 and 46 shown enlarged for clarity.

The contact between contact element 41 of the contact device. and contact material 51 of the contact protection device 50 by the spring loading of the spring 42 of the contact device 40 causes sure.

In addition to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, as explained above, an embodiment without a contact protection element 50 possible. The contact then becomes direct between the contact element 41 of the contact device 40 and the contact 21 of the fuse link serving as counter contact manufactured. For the analog design of the contact guide element 45 is then the distance between the contact element 41 and contact 21 are decisive.

It is again pointed out that the drawings are only schematic, especially the proportions are not drawn to scale, so that from this no restrictions with regard to the size ratios of the invention Components can be derived.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Switch unit

2

casing

5

Contact (switch fuse unit)

7

Input contact (switch fuse unit)

8th

Output contact (switch fuse unit)

10

fuse plug

20

fuse link

21

Contact (fuse link)

22

Contact (fuse link).

25

Main cap (contact 21)

26

Cap (contact 21).

30

rocker

31, 33

Guide surfaces (rocker switch)

39

flexible contact (fuse link)

40

contact device

41

contact element

42

feather

45

Contact guide element

46, 47

Guide surfaces (contact guide element)

48

Management structure (contact guidance element)

49

Clamping device (contact guide element)

50

Contact protector

51

Contact material

55

feather

Claims (20)

1. Switch fuse unit (1) with a housing (2), a switching rocker (30) to receive a fuse insert (20) or a fuse plug (10) with a receiving region for a fuse insert (20), wherein the switching rocker (30) is mounted in the housing (2) so as to rock between an on position and an off position and wherein a spring-loaded contact device (40) with a movable contact element (41) is disposed in the housing (2) so that in the on position of the switching rocker (30) the contact element (41) contacts the fuse insert (20) via a matching contact under a mechanical potential load, characterised in that the switching rocker (30) and/or the contact device has/have at least one contact guide element (45) which is constructed in such a way that, depending upon the position of the switching rocker (30), it holds the contact element (41) at a defined relative distance not only from the matching contact (50, 51) but also from the switching rocker (30), wherein the distance between the contact element (41) and the matching contact (50, 51) is substantially zero only in the on position of the switching rocker (30) and contact is produced so that abrasion of the contact element (41) on the matching contact (50, 51) or on the switching rocker (30) during rocking of the switching rocker (30) is avoided.
2. Switch fuse unit as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the contact guide element (45) is fitted onto the contact device (40).
3. Switch fuse unit as claimed in Claim 2, characterised in that the contact guide element (45) has an opening for the contact element (41).
4. Switch fuse unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the contact guide element (45) has at least one guide structure (48) which is triangular in cross-section and has two guide surfaces (46, 47).
5. Switch fuse unit as claimed in Claim 4, characterised in that a first guide surface (46) is inclined by a lesser amount relative to the contact guide element (45) than a second guide surface (47).
6. Switch fuse unit as claimed in either Claim 4 or Claim 5, characterised in that the edge of the at least one guide structure (48) lying between the two guide surfaces (46, 47) is rounded.
7. Switch fuse unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the contact guide element (45) has two substantially identical guide structures (48) on both sides of the contact element (41).
8. Switch fuse unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in the region of the contact element (41) the at least one guide structure (48) of the contact guide element (45) projects beyond the said element.
9. Switch fuse unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the switching rocker (30) has guide surfaces (31, 33), of which one guide surface (31, 33) in each case extends substantially parallel to the corresponding guide surface (46, 47) of the contact guide element (48) both in the on position and in the off position.
10. Switch fuse unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one contact guide element (45) is constructed so that a compression force is at maximum in the off position and the on position.
11. Switch fuse unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a contact guide element is constructed integrally with the switching rocker (30).
12. Switch fuse unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one contact guide element (45) is made from insulating material.
13. Switch fuse unit as claimed in Claim 12, characterised in that the at least one contact guide element (45) is made from plastics material.
14. Switch fuse unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the switching rocker (30) includes a contact protection device (50) for the fuse insert (20).
15. Switch fuse unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the switching rocker (30) is constructed in such a way that a fuse insert (20) with a contact protection device or a fuse plug (10) with a contact protection device can be inserted.
16. Switch fuse unit as claimed in either Claim 14 or Claim 15, characterised in that the contact protection device (50) is made from material which is a good conductor.
17. Switch fuse unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the spring-loaded contact device (40) is connected to an input contact (7) or an output contact (8) of the switch fuse unit (1) by way of a flexible conductor (39).
18. Switch fuse unit as claimed in Claim 17, characterised in that the flexible conductor is formed as a cable (39) from flexible material which is at least partially conductive.
19. Switch fuse unit as claimed in Claim 17, characterised in that the flexible conductor is a resilient spring made from conductive material.
20. Fuse plug with a receiving region for a fuse insert (20) for insertion into the switching rocker (30) having a matching contact (50, 51) in a switch fuse unit (1), wherein the fuse plug can be toggled in the switch fuse unit (1) between an off position and an on position, characterised in that the fuse plug has at least one contact guide element which is constructed in such a way that, depending upon the position of the switching rocker (30), it holds the contact element (41) at a defined relative distance not only from the matching contact (50, 51) but also from the switching rocker (30), wherein the distance between the contact element (41) and the matching contact (50, 51) is substantially zero only in the on position of the switching rocker (30) and contact is produced so that abrasion of the contact element (41) on the matching contact (50, 51) or on the switching rocker (30) during rocking of the switching rocker (30) is avoided.

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