EP1284489A1 - Contactor with braidfree current conduction with simple interruption - Google Patents

Abstract

The contactor (1) has two or more spaced fixed contacts (2,3), and a movable contact bridge (9) electrically conductive at least in sections, with at least two contact points (8), allocated to the fixed contacts. The contact bridge is movable by a switching force, generated by an actuating set, into a switching position and into a rest position by a biasing force (V), generated by a biasing spring (13), basically opposite to the switching force. One contact (2) is located between the other contact (3) and an engagement point of the biasing force at the contact bridge.

Description

The invention relates to a contactor, as is commonly used to two with lines connected contacts to a switching signal electrically conductive toward each other connect or disconnect.

If there is no switching signal, the contactor is in a rest position, in each depending on the type of contactor, the two contacts either, in a closed position, conductive interconnected or, in an open position, are separated from each other. If the switching signal is applied to the contactor, then this moves from the rest position in the switching position, for example, from the closed position to the open position.

In particular, for switching high currents, it is known, contactors with flexible strands to use. However, such strands are expensive, require space and have only one insufficient life on.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of producing a cost-effective Contactor with high durability and small dimensions.

This object is achieved by a contactor with at least two from each other spaced fixed contacts and an at least partially electrically conductive, movable contact bridge associated with at least two fixed contacts Contact points solved, wherein the contact bridge by one of an actuating means generated switching force in a switching position and by one of a biasing means generated, the switching force substantially counteracting biasing force in a rest position is movable, and wherein the one contact between the other contact and a point of application of the biasing force is arranged on the contact bridge.

This solution is simple and inexpensive. The contact arrangement according to the invention allows a strand-free design and leads to a smaller footprint and for increased mechanical stability and service life: For conductive connection the contacts in the contactor according to the invention with a movable contact bridge Provided contact points, which are assigned to the fixed contacts and via which the conductive connection of the contacts is made in the closed position. This is the contact bridge at least electrically conductive between the contact points. In the Closed position, current flows from the one contact via the contact associated with this Contact point, the contact bridge and the other contact point to the other Contact point associated contact.

To the switching movement of the contact bridge from the rest position to the switching position to effect, in the contactor according to the invention an actuating means is provided, which is activated by the switching signal. When activated actuator is a Switching force generated by which the contact bridge is moved to the switching position.

To the contact bridge with deactivated actuator from the switching position in the Resting position to move, a biasing means is provided, which is one of the switching force opposite biasing force generated.

Due to the location of the force application point beyond the two contact points results a particularly favorable distribution of the biasing force on the two contact points, the leads to a safer switching process.

Particular advantages arise when in a further embodiment, the contactor as a simply interrupting contactor is configured, in which in the open position of the Contact bridge at least one contact point by the biasing force to the assigned Contact is pressed. In this embodiment, the contactor has a constantly with the associated contact contact point and a switching contact on the Contact bridge on. Due to the switching force is in this embodiment, only the Switching contact connected to electrically conductively connect the two contacts.

Since in this embodiment, only a single contact must be switched, the switching force can be reduced compared to double-break contactors. This leads to smaller dimensions in the actuator. In addition, arises with a simply breaking contactor an arc only at one contact, the switching contact, the contact resistance during switching is therefore smaller as with double-breakers. The reduced contact resistance leads when switching high currents or in a variety of switching operations to a lesser Heating the contactor.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the contact bridge a bearing point form around which they are pivoted from the rest position to the switching position is stored. Due to the pivotal mounting of the contact bridge is a compact Construction possible.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the bearing point of one of Be formed contacts and a contact associated with this contact. at This configuration is a contact constantly closed and serves as a warehouse while the other contact forms a switching contact, realized by the switching process becomes. The pivoting switching movement of the contact bridge is characterized by the reference the bearing opposite force application points of switching force and biasing force reached.

Due to the opening force at the switch contact, the contact bridge is away from the contact in the open position moves, at the same time the contact at the bearing point to the contact point pressed. The switching force applied by the actuator acts on the opening force opposite and generates a torque around the bearing point, the torque the opening force is opposite. In this arrangement can be at the contact points achieve high contact forces, when switching the directions of the Switching force and the biasing force are the same. Add to the contact points then these two forces.

In a development, the biasing means as a spring, for example as a in the open position on train or pressure stressed coil spring, or as a Spiral spring or leaf spring be configured.

In order to achieve the smoothest possible switching operation, it is according to another Embodiment of advantage, when the actuating means one resilient with the contact bridge connected anchor plate, via which the closing force to the contact bridge is headed. The resilient connection between anchor plate and contact bridge leads to a well-defined, for example on the spring hardness of the biasing means and the Actuator adjustable switching force. In particular, the resilient connection between anchor plate and contact bridge via at least one leaf spring done.

A space-saving construction is possible if the contact bridge essentially made is constructed at two angles to each other leg, wherein the force application point the biasing force is disposed at one end of a leg. Especially the contact bridge may be lever-shaped and have an L-shaped configuration. In the embodiment of the contact bridge with two at an angle to each other Thighs can have a favorable distribution of contact points and force application points of opening force the necessary closing force for switching by leverage be lowered without affecting the size of the contactor.

In some applications it is advantageous if the switching operation of the contactor is monitored or if synchronous to the switching operation of the contactor further switching operations occur. This is particularly desirable when strong over the contactor Currents are switched to the power supply of large electrical consumers, the only with a high metrological effort and with a significant safety Effort can be monitored.

In such shooters is provided according to a further advantageous embodiment, that the actuating means is connected to an additional switch, which is connected to the Movement of the contact bridge is coupled synchronously switchable. This can be done in one Training the anchor plate form an operating section, with the additional switch interacts with its operation.

According to a further embodiment, by the likewise a space-saving construction is possible, one leg of the contact bridge extends substantially parallel to the anchor plate.

The contactor according to the invention may in particular comprise an actuating means which generates a closing force based on a magnetic field.

In the following, the invention will be explained by way of example with reference to two exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 1

ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Schützes in einer perspektivischen Ansicht und

Fig. 2

ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Schützes in einer perspektivischen Ansicht.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a first embodiment of a contactor according to the invention in a perspective view and

Fig. 2

A second embodiment of a contactor according to the invention in a perspective view.

First, a construction of the first embodiment of FIG. 1 will be described.

Fig. 1 shows a contactor 1 with a first contact 2 and one of the first contact spaced second contact 3. Each of the two contacts 2, 3 has a connection piece 4 with a connection screw 5 on which electrical cable (not shown) with their wires (not shown) are electrically connected can. The connecting pieces of the two contacts 2, 3 are connected via line plates 6 with Contact plate 7 connected to the bottom of the circuit boards. The contact plates 7 are each contact points 8 opposite, like the contact plate from a are made electrically conductive material. Each contact plate 7 is one Fixed contacts 2 and 3 assigned a contact point 8.

The contact points 8 are arranged on a contact bridge 9 and over the contact bridge 9, in the present embodiment, completely made of an electrically conductive Material is produced, connected to each other electrically conductive. In an alternative Embodiment may also only the portion of the contact bridge 9 between the be made of an electrically conductive material two contact points 8.

The contact bridge 9 is in the form of a lever and has two legs 10, 11, which are at an angle α to each other. Thus, the contact bridge 9 a essentially L-shaped shape.

At an end portion 12 of the one leg 11 of the contact bridge 9 is a biasing means 13 arranged. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the biasing means 13 designed in the form of a compression coil spring extending between a housing portion 14, which is indicated only schematically in Fig. 1, and the contact bridge 9 is supported. By the biasing means 13 is at the end of the one leg 11 of the Contact bridge 9 generates a biasing force V, which the contact bridge 9 in the in Fig. 1 shown converted open position. In the open position, the two contacts 2, 3 not electrically connected to each other by the contact bridge 9.

The contactor according to the invention can also have more than two contacts 2, 3, the by one or more contact bridges 9 independently or synchronously with each other can be switched. For this purpose, then an appropriate assignment of contact pads the contacts to the contact points of the respective contact bridge necessary. In this embodiment of the contactor can be more complex switching operations with a Perform a large number of contacts.

In the contactor 1 shown in FIG. 1, the rest position corresponds to the open position, the biasing force accordingly an opening force, the switching position of the closed position and the switching force of a closing force.

The switching or closing force B engages the end region 15 of the other leg 10 of the Contact bridge 9 on. The effective direction of the closing force B is the effective direction of the opening force V opposite, so that the closing force B, a movement of the contact bridge effected in the direction of arrow 15 in the closed position. In the closed position are the contact points 8 of the contact bridge 9 electrically conductive to the contact plate 7 of the contacts 2, 3, so that over the contact bridge and the contact points a electrically conductive connection between the fixed contacts 2, 3 exists. The relationship the closing force B to the opening force V must be such that the contact bridge 9 can be converted against the action of the opening force V in the closed position. If no closing force B is generated, then the contact bridge returns under the effect of the opening force V back to the rest position.

The closing force B is generated by an actuating means, the simplicity in Fig. 1 is not shown half.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a contactor is shown in which the rest position of Open position corresponds. By simple structural measures, the contactor of FIG. 1, however, be converted into a contactor whose rest position corresponds to the closed position and which is transferred by the switching operation in the open position. Through this kinematic reversal will retain all the benefits of easy-break, strand-free Contactor 1 received. For this variant, the compression spring is arranged so that it develops around the bearing point a torque that the contact bridge in the Closed position moves. For this purpose, an additional bearing point for supporting the Contact bridge (not shown) may be necessary.

In the following, the operation of the contactor according to the invention will be described with reference to FIG Embodiment of Fig. 1 explained.

In the rest position, as shown in Fig. 1, no closing force B acts on the End 15 of the leg 10. In the embodiment of Fig. 1 generates the biasing means 13 permanently the opening force V, on the end 12 of the leg 11th the contact bridge 9 acts while the contact point 8 against the contact plate. 7 of the fixed contact 2 presses. As a result, forms at this contact a bearing point to around the contact bridge 9 is pivotally mounted. The acting as a contact force Biasing force V generates a secure and permanent electrically conductive connection between the contact bridge 9 and the contact 2. The switching operation in the contactor takes place exclusively at the other contact 3, which serves as a switching contact.

Due to the location of their point of application of force relative to the contact points generates the Pretension V a torque around the bearing point, the contact bridge 9 in their Rest position, in Fig. 1, this is the open position, moves. In the open position is at the the end region 12 facing side of the leg 11, the other contact point. 8 from the contact plate 7 of the fixed contact 3, the switching contact, pivoted away and the electrical connection between the fixed contacts 2, 3 via the contact bridge. 9 interrupted. By the pivoting movement due to the opening force V to the contact 2, the switching operation by opening and closing of only one contact reached. This reduces the formation of an arc on the switching contact, the Transition resistance of the contactor is reduced and the contactor does not heat up like this strong.

If, in the rest position, a shift force B is applied in the direction of the arrow of FIG. 1, Thus, this switching force generates a torque around the trained as a support Contact point of the fixed contact 2, which opposes the effect of the biasing force is.

In the embodiment of Fig. 1, this means that in the presence of the switching force the contact bridge 9 moves from the open to the closed position: exceeds the Closing force B a predetermined value, so the torque is around the bearing the contact bridge due to the closing force greater than the torque due to Opening force V and the contact bridge 9 moves to the closed position, until finally the contact point 8 abuts the contact plate 7 and the electrically conductive connection between the two fixed contacts 2, 3 produces.

If the closing force B falls away, for example, if no more switching signal on the contactor. 1 is applied, the contact bridge 9 moves back to the rest position, as they Fig. 1 is shown.

In the following, the structure of a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2 described. In Fig. 2 are for components that in terms of function and structure already known from the embodiment of FIG. 1, the same reference numerals used. In Fig. 2, a contactor is again shown, in which the rest position of Open position corresponds.

In Fig. 2, a plurality of contact bridges 9 are installed in parallel and are connected in parallel. Each contact bridge 9 is associated with a biasing means in the form of a compression spring 13. The structure of the contact bridges 9 and the contacts 2, 3 in FIG. 2 corresponds the structure of the contact bridge 9 and the contacts 2, 3 of the embodiment FIG. 1.

Furthermore, an actuating means for generating a switching force is shown in Fig. 2. The Actuating means comprises two coils 17, which are part of a magnetic circuit, on one side of the coils a fixed yoke plate 18 and on the other side a movable, in particular pivotable anchor plate 19 includes. The coils 17 are (not shown) connected to a circuit through which the switching signal to the coils is placed, whereupon the coil generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field acts on the Anchor plate 19 and pulls them towards the coils. As a result, the anchor plate 19 performs a Switching movement off.

The anchor plate 19 has an actuating portion 20 which is provided with an additional switch 21 interacts. The additional switch 21 is provided with contact terminals 22, which in turn are connected to a circuit, not shown.

The anchor plate 19 is spring elements 23, in Fig. 2 are spring elements as leaf springs 23, connected to the contact bridges 9, respectively. There is every contact bridge 9 of the contactor 1 of FIG. 2 each associated with a leaf spring. On the website the armature plate 19 are all leaf springs together to form a spring plate in one piece connected.

The embodiment of the contactor 1 according to the second embodiment shown in Fig. 2 enables a particularly space-saving construction within a small space Housing 24, which the biasing means, the actuating means and the contact bridges surrounds. Thus, the actuating means 17, 18, 19, 23 of the L-shaped configured Contact bridge surrounded. Contact bridge and anchor plate 19 form three sides an articulated parallelogram in which the coils are accommodated. this leads to a very good space utilization. The conduit plates 6 may also be part of the housing be designed.

The additional switch 21 allows monitoring of the switching operation of the contactor 2 without major design effort. Especially when high currents or high Voltages over the contacts 2, 3 are to be switched, a monitoring of by the contact bridge 9 directly flowing current due to the necessary insulation very expensive. About the synchronous operation of the additional switch 21 can therefore the Switching be monitored inexpensively. As an additional switch 21, for example commercially available microswitches are used.

Finally, in the vicinity of the switching contact 3, a blowing magnet 25 is provided be.

The operation of the embodiment of FIG. 2 corresponds to the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 1. Only the direction of the closing force runs due to the acting on the end faces of the ends of the leg 10 leaf springs 23 in the longitudinal direction of the leg 10, i. perpendicular to the direction of the closing force B in Fig.1.

By the leaf springs 23 are also at strong operating forces or strong Magnetic forces that pull the armature plate 19 to the coil 17, excessively strong Forces on the switch contact avoided. In addition, the leaf spring 23 serve as a synchronization means, by the switching movement of the anchor plate at the same time on all contact bridges is transferable.

Due to the parallel arrangement of a plurality of contact bridges 9 is a high reliability guaranteed, since it is sufficient for a successful shift, if at least one contact bridge 9, the two contacts 2, 3 with each other combines. When the anchor plate 19 is pulled toward the coils 17 upon activation is at the same time, the additional switch 21 by the operating portion 20 of Anchor plate 19 is actuated.

The contactor shown in Fig. 2, in particular for switching high currents, for example between 400 A and 600 A, even above it.

Claims (16)

Contactor (1) with at least two spaced fixed contacts (2, 3) and an at least partially electrically conductive, movable contact bridge (9) with at least two contact points assigned to the fixed contacts (2, 3) (8), wherein the contact bridge (9) by one of an actuating means (17, 18, 19, 23) generated switching force (B) in a switching position and by one of a Biasing means (13) generated, the switching force (B) substantially counteracting Biasing force (V) is movable into a rest position, and wherein the one Contact (2) between the other contact (3) and a point of application of the prestressing force (V) is arranged on the contact bridge (9). Contactor (1) according to claim 1, wherein in an open position of the contact bridge (9), in the contacts (2, 3) are electrically isolated from each other, at least one contact point (7) connected by the biasing force (V) with the associated contact (2) is. Contactor (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contact bridge (9) has a bearing point (7, 8) forms around them from the rest position to the switching position is pivotally mounted. Contactor (1) according to claim 3, wherein the bearing point (7, 8) of one of the contacts (2) and a contact associated with this contact point (8) is formed. Contactor (1) according to one of the above claims, wherein the biasing means (13) is designed as a spring. Contactor (1) according to one of the above claims, wherein the actuating means (17, 18, 19, 23) one with the contact bridge (9) resiliently connected anchor plate (19), via which the switching force (B) to the contact bridge (9) is passed. Contactor (1) according to claim 6, wherein the contact bridge (9) via at least one Leaf spring (23) with the anchor plate (19) is connected. Contactor (1) according to one of the above claims, wherein the contact bridge (9) essentially consists of two legs at an angle (α) to each other (10, 11) is constructed and wherein the force application point of the biasing force (V) at one end (12) of a leg (11) of the contact bridge (9) is arranged. Contactor (1) according to one of the above claims, wherein the actuating means (17, 18, 19, 23) is connected to an additional switch (21) associated with the movement the contact bridge (9) via a connecting means (20) synchronously switchable is coupled. Contactor (1) according to claim 9, wherein the connecting means (20) on the anchor plate is trained. Contactor (1) according to one of the above claims, wherein a limb (11) the contact bridge (9) extends substantially parallel to the armature plate (19). Contactor (1) according to one of the above claims, wherein a plurality of Contact bridges (9) each arranged with at least two contact points (8) in the contactor are. Contactor according to claim 12, wherein a synchronization means (23) is provided, by the plurality of contact bridges (9) substantially synchronously switchable coupled together. Contactor (1) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein each contact bridge (9) is a separate one Biasing means (13) is assigned. Contactor (1) according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein each contact bridge (9) a Is associated spring element (23). Contactor (1) according to one of the above claims, wherein in the switching position the at least two contacts (2, 3) via the contact bridge and the contact points (7) conductively connected to each other and separated in the rest position are.

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