EP1992003A1

EP1992003A1 - Overcurrent switching apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP1992003A1
Application number: EP06706014A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jörg DORN
Original assignee: Siemens AG
Current assignee: Siemens AG
Priority date: 2006-02-23
Filing date: 2006-02-23
Publication date: 2008-11-19
Anticipated expiration: 2026-02-23
Also published as: US7936548B2; EP1992003B1; CA2643129C; CA2643129A1; JP4942771B2; WO2007095874A1; JP2009527878A; US20090257165A1; DE112006003862A5

Abstract

In order to form an overcurrent switching apparatus for medium-voltage or high-voltage applications with current detection means for changing over a contact system associated with them from a first state to a second state in the event of a threshold current being exceeded, the switching properties of which overcurrent switching apparatus are precise, the invention proposes that actuating means are arranged downstream of the current detection means, which are in a first current branch, via coupling means, which actuating means are designed to change over the contact system, which is in a second current branch, from the first to the second state.

Description

description

Overcurrent switching device

The invention relates to an overcurrent switching device for medium or high voltage applications with current detection means for transferring a contact system assigned to them when a threshold current is exceeded from a first state to a second state.

From regarded as state of the art international patent ^■ tentanmeldung PCT / DE 2005/001147 an electronic module with such an over-current switching device is known. In this older overcurrent switching device, a connecting conductor has a deformable section as a current

Detection on. The deformable section is deformed when a threshold current is exceeded such that a contact system is transferred from a first state to a second state. The deformable portion is also used here to form the contact system by forming the contact system together with a contact part.

Object of the present invention is to provide an overcurrent switching device that can be flexibly and precisely designed according to the particular requirements.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that actuating means are arranged downstream of the current detection means located in a first current branch via coupling means, which actuating means are designed to transfer the contact system located in a second current branch from the first to the second condition. An essential advantage of the overcurrent switching device according to the invention is that in her the current detection means and the coupling and actuating means assemblies or elements represent for themselves, and thus can be produced by itself and dimensioned accordingly; This also applies to the contact system, because it forms a system for itself, act on the actuating means. All this allows a precise adjustment and a large adjustment range of the threshold current, in which the contact system can be transferred from its first to its second state. In this case, the contact system can advantageously be used flexibly in that the first state of the contact system can be the open state and the second state can be the closed state of the contact system, or vice versa, so that in a simple manner depending on the respective requirements an opening or a closing over - Strorαschaltvorrichtung is formed. In addition, the advantageous possibility is given to effect a switching operation in the second current branch in the event of an overcurrent in the first current branch.

In a preferred embodiment, the current detection means comprise two mutually parallel conductor rail sections in which the current is guided in opposite directions and of which at least one section is deformable, wherein the deformable section can be transferred by exceeding the threshold current from a normal position to a working position. In such an embodiment, an electromagnetic force acts in an advantageous manner between the parallel conductors with opposite current conduction, so that the deformable portion is deformed when a threshold current is exceeded by this force and transferred from a normal position to a working position. The threshold current is simple and flexible adjustable over the deformability of the deformable section.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the coupling means comprise a blocking element fixedly connected to the deformable section. Such a blocking element, for example a retaining pin, is a simple way of coupling the current-detecting means with the actuating means.

In a preferred embodiment, the actuating means comprise a spring-loaded actuator having such a configuration that, in a blocking element in the normal position of the deformable portion, the actuating member is held in a cocked spring position and released in a working position of the deformable portion. Such an actuator can be released in a simple manner by the blocking element, whereby a rapid transfer of the contact system from its first to its second state is advantageously possible.

The actuator may be designed in different ways, e.g. as a pestle. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the actuating member is a movable, by means of the spring tensionable carriage with a rigidly connected

Guide rod. Such a slide is particularly durable or releasable by the blocking element.

In a further embodiment, the contact system of a rigidly connected to the actuating means moving contact to

Forming a conductive connection between a first and a second mating contact formed. The mating contacts can both be configured as a fixed contacts. Optionally, it may also be advantageous to have a mating contact to perform as a fixed contact and the other mating contact as a flexible contact, wherein the flexible contact can be obtained, for example, using a flexible connection cable. Such a contact system can be converted in a simple manner by the actuating means from its first in its second state.

In another preferred embodiment, the current detection means comprise a coil surrounding the current-carrying connection conductor. By means of a coil, the detection of an overcurrent in a precise manner possible because a current flowing in the connecting conductor current in the coil, a voltage is induced, with which the actuating means are actuated in a simple manner.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the contact system comprises an electrical switch connected to the coil via the coupling means and the actuation means, which can be transferred from the first state to the second state when the threshold current is exceeded by a voltage induced in the coil. An electrical switch advantageously has fast and precisely adjustable switching characteristics for transferring the contact system from the first to the second state, wherein the switch is configured such that it remains in this state after being transferred to the second state.

In an expedient embodiment, the electrical switch is a thyristor. A thyristor is a precise electronic switching element as an electrical switch, which can be controlled directly in a simple manner by the voltage induced in the coil. In another embodiment, the electrical switch is an electromagnetically actuated switch. With an electromagnetically actuated switch controlled by the coil, precise and fast switching is made possible in a simple manner.

In a further embodiment, the actuating means comprise a control device for the electrical switch. A control device is advantageous for a precise adjustment of the threshold current to be detected.

The invention further relates to a bridging device for an electronic module, as it is the above-mentioned prior international patent application PCT / DE 2005/001147 entnehmbar, and has set itself the task of such a bridging device for an electronic module so educate that they have a flexible structure with precisely adjustable threshold current.

According to the invention, a bridging device for an electronic module with an overcurrent switching device in one of the embodiments described above is used to achieve this object, the current detection means for transferring the contact system assigned to it from a first state when the threshold current in the electronic module has been exceeded wherein the electronic module is connected to a circuit arrangement, in a second state in which the electronic module is bridged in the circuit arrangement, are formed. This bridging device advantageously allows a flexible construction with precisely adjustable threshold current. The bridging device thus forms an advantageous application of the overcurrent switching device according to the invention and can be used, for example, advantageously for bridging an electric current. ronikmoduls according to German Patent Application DE 101 03 031 Al use.

In a further embodiment, the contact system is conductively connected to the terminal of the electronic module. As a result, the bridging of the electronic module when exceeding the threshold current is ensured by forming a conductive connection between the terminals via the contact system in a simple manner.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the current detection means detect the current of the electronic module.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing and embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

1 shows a schematic representation of an inventive overcurrent switching device in a first embodiment of a lockup device according to a first embodiment;

2 shows a schematic representation of an inventive overcurrent switching device in a second

Embodiment of a lockup device according to a second embodiment.

1 shows an overcurrent switching device ÜS1 a bridging device ÜB1 in an electronic module 1 with terminals 2 and 3, which via conductors 4 and 5 with a first mating contact 6 and a second mating contact 7, which in the embodiment as a first fixed contact 6 and second fixed contact 7 is formed are, as well as with a Schal- processing unit 8 are connected. The circuit unit 8 comprises schematically illustrated electronic components 9, for example a plurality of switching elements such as IGBTs, diodes and an intermediate circuit capacitor of an inverter, which are connected to each other via current detection means in the form of connecting conductors 10, 11 and other connections (not shown) (compare the circuit unit the above-mentioned German patent application DE 101 03 031 Al). The connecting conductors 10 and 11 are arranged in the circuit unit 8 such that an overcurrent occurring in the event of a fault flows through these connecting conductors 10 and 11. The connecting conductors 10 and 11 are designed as busbars and connected to one another at one end, so that a current flowing in the circuit unit 8 current over the busbars 10 and 11 is guided in opposite directions. With the

Conductor rail 11, which is designed as a deformable busbar, coupling means 12 and 13 in the form of a retaining pin 12 made of an insulating material as a blocking element 12 which extends through a recess 13 in the bus bar 10 therethrough. The

Coupling means 12, 13 are as actuating means 14, 15 and 18, a movable carriage 14, which is blocked by the retaining pin 12 and is biased by a spring 15 against an insulating body 16 of the electronic module, rearranged. Through a recess 17 of the insulating body 16 extends through a guide rod 18 of the carriage 14, at the end of a moving contact 19 is arranged, which forms a contact system 20 together with the first fixed contact 6 and the second fixed contact 7.

The state of the device shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to the normal operating state of the electronic module 1 in which normal operating currents flow within the electronic module 1. In case of a fault, for example by a Short circuit within the electronic module 1 or a wrong control of a switching element, can flow through the discharge of the capacitor of the circuit unit 8, a significantly higher current than the usual operating current in the electronic module nikmodul. Due to the opposing leadership of the current through the busbars 10 and 11 is formed between these due to electromagnetic interaction, a force which pushes the busbars 10 and 11, while the deformable busbar 11 is deformed such that the fixed to the busbar 11 associated retaining pin 12 in the direction of the movement arrow A moves and releases the carriage 14. The movement of the carriage 14 is guided by the guide rod 18 in the recess 17 of the insulating body 16 and by the formation of a closed contact between the moving contact 19 and the fixed contacts 6 and 7 limited. A short-circuit current in the electronic module 1 thus causes a closure of the contact system 20, so that between the terminals 2 and 3 of the electronic module 1 via the conductors 4 and 5 and the fixed contacts 6 and 7 and the moving contact 19, the remaining components of the electronic module 1 are bridged. A bridging of electronic modules in a circuit arrangement of a plurality of modules, for example in a series connection, is particularly necessary if the functionality of the circuit arrangement is to be retained in the event of the failure of a single electronic module due to a malfunction.

FIG. 2 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an overcurrent switching device US2 of a bridging device UB2 in an electronic module 21. Terminals 22 and 23 of the electronic module 21 are connected via conductors 24 and 25 with contacts 26 and 27 and connected to a circuit unit 28 with schematically represented electronic components 29, for example, figuratively not shown switching elements such as IGBTs, capacitors and diodes. Connecting conductors 30 and 31 and other connections not shown in the figures are provided for connecting the components 29. The connection conductors 30 and 31 are arranged in the circuit unit 28 such that an overcurrent occurring in the event of a fault flows through these connection conductors 30 and 31. The connecting conductors 30 and 31 are connected together at one end and together with a coil 32 current detection means 30, 31, 32. The coil 32 surrounds a portion of the connecting conductors 30, 31 and is via coupling means 33 and 34 in the form of connecting lines 33 and 34 coupled to actuating means 36 and 37. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the actuating means 36, 37 comprise a control device 36 with a control connection 37 for controlling an electrical switch 38, which forms the contact system 39 with the contacts 26 and 27.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, in the event of a failure of a semiconductor component, a short-circuit current driven by the capacitor of the circuit unit effects an induction voltage in the coil 32, which is compared in the control device 36 with a threshold value. If the induction voltage is above the threshold value, then the switch 38 is closed via the control connection 37, so that the contact system 39 is closed off of the contacts 26, 27 and the switch 38, via the connection terminals 22, 23 and the conductors 24, 25 the remaining elements of the electronic module 21 are bridged. The switch 38 is designed such that it after transferring to the second state, in the embodiment of the closed state, in remains in this state, even if after a decay of the short-circuit current, the induction voltage of the coil is no longer applied. A bridging of electronic modules in a circuit arrangement of several modules, for example a series circuit, is particularly necessary if the functionality of the series circuit is to be maintained in the event of failure of a single electronic module due to a malfunction. The switch 38 can be designed as a thyristor or E- lektromagnet, the control depending on the desired precision either directly through the. in the coil 32 induced voltage can take place or via the control device 36, which may be embodied for example as a simple trigger circuit.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

ÜB1, ÜB2 Bridging devices ÜS1, ÜS2 overcurrent switching devices

1 electronic module

2, 3 terminals

4, 5 conductors

6 First fixed contact

7 Second fixed contact

8 circuit unit

9 electronic components

10, 11 busbars

12 retaining pin

13 implementation

14 sleds

15 spring

16 insulating body

17 implementation

18 guide rod

19 moving contact

20 contact system

21 electronic module

22, 23 terminals

24, 25 conductors

26, 27 contacts

28 circuit unit

29 components

30, 31 connecting conductor

32 coil

33, 34 connecting cables

35 electrical switching device

36 control device

37 Control connection

38 switching contact Contact system movement arrows

Claims

claims

An overcurrent switching device for medium or high voltage applications comprising current detection means (10, 11, 30, 31, 32) for transferring an associated contact system (20, 39) when a threshold current is exceeded from a first state to a second state, characterized in that the current detection means (10, 11, 30, 31, 32) lying in a first current branch via coupling means

(12, 13, 33, 34) actuating means (14, 15, 18, 36, 37) are arranged downstream, which actuating means (14, 15, 18, 36, 37) for transferring the lying in a second branch circuit contact system (20, 39 ) are formed from the first to the second state.

2. overcurrent switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that the current-detecting means (10, 11) comprise two mutually parallel busbar sections (10, 11), in which the current is guided in opposite directions and of which at least a portion (11) is deformable, wherein the deformable portion (11) is convertible by exceeding the threshold current from a normal position to a working position.

3. Overcurrent switching device according to claim 2, characterized in that the coupling means (12, 13) comprise a blocking element (12) fixedly connected to the deformable section (11).

4. Overcurrent switching device according to claim 3, characterized in that the actuating means (14, 15, 18) a spring-loaded Beta- Organ with such a configuration (14) that in a blocking element (12) in the normal position of the deformable portion (11), the actuating member (14) held in a position with tensioned spring (15) and in a working position of the deformable portion (11) is released.

5. Overcurrent switching device according to claim 4, characterized in that the actuating member (14) is a movable, by means of the spring (15) tensionable carriage (14) with a rigidly connected guide rod (18).

6. Overcurrent switching device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact system (20) consists of a with the actuating means (14, 15, 18) rigidly connected moving contact (19) for forming a conductive connection between a first and a second mating contact ( 6, 7) is formed.

7. Overcurrent switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that the current detection means (30, 31, 32) comprise a coil (32) surrounding the current-carrying connecting conductor (30, 31).

8. Overcurrent switching device according to claim 7, characterized in that the contact system (39) with the coil (32) over the

Coupling means (33, 34) and the actuating means (36, 37) connected to the electrical switch (38) which, when the threshold current is exceeded by one in the coil (32) induced voltage from the first state to the second state is feasible.

9. Overcurrent switching device according to claim 8, characterized in that the electrical switch (38) is a thyristor.

10. Overcurrent switching device according to claim 8, characterized in that the electrical switch (38) is an electromagnetically actuated switch (38).

11. Overcurrent switching device according to claim 8 to 10, d a d e r c h e c e n e c e s in that the actuating means (36, 37) comprise a control device (36) for the electrical switch (38).

12. Bridging device for an electronic module (1) with an overcurrent switching device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the current detection means (10, 11, 30, 31, 32) for transferring their associated contact system (20, 39) when a threshold current in the electronic module (1) from a first state in which the electronic module (1) is connected to a circuit arrangement, in a second state in which the electronic module is bridged in the circuit arrangement, are formed.

13. Bridging device according to claim 12, characterized in that the contact system (20) is conductively connected to connection terminals (2, 3) of the electronic module (1).

14. Bridging device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the current detection means (10, 11, 30, 31, 32) detect the current of the electronic module (1).