EP2230678B1 - Arc welding resistant contactor - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a contactor for DC and AC operation with at least one contact point with a fixed contact and a movable contact, which forms an arc when opening the contacts, and with an arc quenching device for extinguishing the arcs.

Such contactors are used for example in railway operation for switching loads and for interrupting circuits with high currents or high voltages. In the switching operation, i. When opening the contact points, an arc is created between the fixed contact and the movable contact. This arc maintains the flow of current between the contacts. In addition, the arc releases a large amount of heat, which leads to the burning of the contacts and thus can reduce the life of the contactor. In addition, the entire area affected by the influence of the arc is subjected to very high thermal loads. It is therefore a quick extinction of the arc required.

Depending on the application, various methods for arc extinguishing are known. A contactor for use in DC operation with a constant current direction usually has permanent magnetic blowing fields, which are arranged so that their field direction is perpendicular to the arc. The Blasfelder exert on the arc of a force, the Lorentz force, through which the arc is driven towards an extinguishing device. That's how it shows DE 10 2007 023 326 B4 an electrical switching device with a switching contact and two adjacent to the switching contact arranged magnetic body. The magnetic bodies drive arcs generated during switching into an arc quenching device.

For AC operation, due to the alternating current direction of the arcs, no purely permanent magnetic fields can be used. In this area, therefore, the use of so-called blinding coils is common, which generate an electromagnetic blow field whose field direction is determined by the current direction. Regardless of the current direction, a correctly directed force effect on the arc is achieved in each case.

The use of coils, however, brings a number of disadvantages. If the coil is switched into the circuit and therefore flows through permanently high currents, as is common in the railway sector, so there is a strong heating of the coil.

Therefore, it is known, the coil only at the turn-off, i. when opening the contactor, activate and turn on the circuit. Since the inductances of the puff coils counteract sudden increases in current, the current transfer through the puff coils takes place with a time delay (E-function). The electromagnetic field is also built up with a time delay. This prolongs the residence time of the arcs in the contact zone of the contactor.

The DE 10 2006 035 844 B4 shows a contactor for DC and AC operation. The contactor comprises adjacent to the contact points arranged permanent magnets and coils that drive the arcs generated during switching in a quenching device. The coils are activated by the arcs.

From the GB 2152755 An electromagnetic contactor is known. Here, the fixed contact and the movable contact are arranged vertically opposite each other. Disposed behind the arc extinguishing chamber is an absorbing member through which the high-temperature gas formed in the operation of the contactor and molten metal particles are passed, so that the molten metal particles adhere to the absorbing member. In order to improve this structure, a shielding plate is additionally provided on the absorbing member, which has a plurality of through holes through which the particles of molten metal penetrate into the pores of the absorbing member. Most particles of molten metal should adhere to the absorption part.

Also the DE 298 23 717 U1 discloses a switch having a pad associated therewith a permanent magnet and a blow coil that blow and extinguish an arc generated during switching. Again, the coil is activated by the switching arc.

Another problem with high-voltage switchgear is that during operation, interfering particles are generated which can influence the operational safety. In the EP 1 569 313 B1 is therefore described to arrange a particle trap below the switching path. In this case, it is still possible that the interference particles, such as burned particles, fall on the contact points of the device and thus the ability to transmit electricity is disturbed.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a contactor, in which a contamination of the contact point is avoided and has a long life.

For this purpose, the invention provides that the contactor has a double break, wherein the two contact points of the double break are constructed mirror-symmetrical to each other and the movable contacts are arranged on a contact bridge and that between the arc extinguishing device and the arc guide or on the contact bridge a catcher for by the switching arcs Arranged in the contactor burned particles is arranged.

If the switching arcs are blown into the arc quenching device, they produce burnup particles there. These burnup particles can fall on the contact points of the contactor, whereby the contact and thus the ability to transmit electricity is disturbed. This leads to unacceptably high thermal loads on the contact points, which can ultimately damage the contactor. By the collecting device, which is arranged between the arc quenching device and the contact bridge, the falling Abbrandpartikel be collected so that they can not fall on the contact points. It will therefore

Dirt at the contact points and thus damage to the contactor avoided.

The contactor further comprises a second contact point which is identical to the first contact point and also has a fixed contact, a movable contact, an arc guide plate associated with one of the contacts, and a blow coil. As a result, a simple and space-saving design of the contactor is possible.

Conveniently, it can be provided that the collecting device is designed as a collecting trough superior to the contact points. This enables a safe collection of burn-off particles, especially in large shooters with high switching load.

In a particularly preferred variant, provision may be made for the collecting trough to be designed to taper in a V-shaped manner on its underside facing the contact bridge. The drip pan is thus designed to be very narrow at the bottom, so that switching arcs at the contact points are blown through the blower fields on the drip pan on both sides in the direction of the extinguishing devices. The switching arcs do not linger on the underside of the tank.

In yet another embodiment, it may be provided that the drip pan is arranged protected by metal elements on the side walls of the housing of the contactor. Since the arcs can overflow such metal elements, without damaging them, a secure attachment of the tub on the side walls of the housing of the contactor is possible. For example, the trough may have attachment pins that are secured in the sidewalls of the housing. The mounting pins are surrounded by the metal elements and so protected from the arcs.

However, it can also be provided to form the collecting device as a U-shaped deflecting plate, wherein the U-shaped deflecting plate is arranged on the contact bridge, so that the legs of the U-shaped deflecting plate extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the contact bridge. This deflector has only a small footprint, so it is also in small shooters with smaller air and Creepage distances can be used easily. As a result, a protection of the contact points from falling Abbrandpartikeln can also be made possible here. The burned particles strike the inside area of the deflector plate and drop sideways past the deflector plate out of the area of the contact bridge.

Appropriately, it may be provided that the distance between the legs of the U-shaped Abweisblechs is slightly larger than the distance between the contact points facing the ends of the arc guide. Thus, it is possible that the legs of the U-shaped Abweisblechs come to rest in the closed state of the contactor, in which the movable contacts and the fixed contacts of the contact points to lie in the air gaps between the arc guide and the respective associated fixed contact. As a result, a secure closing of the protection is possible despite the U-shaped Abweisblechs.

Yet another embodiment provides that the region in which a switching rod of a drive of the contact bridge emerges from the drive is provided with a protective covering. Separate protection is also claimed for this and the following embodiments. Due to the resulting when opening the contact points of the contactor switching arcs is produced in the interior of the contactor, for example in an arc quenching device in which the arcs are blown by means of the Blasfelder combustion. In order to prevent the burnup falling into the sliding bearing of the shift rod, the protective sheath is provided. For example, a bellows may be mounted around the exit area of the shift rod. This is especially relevant for a horizontal installation of the contactor, in which the arc quenching device is arranged over the contact points.

The contactor may further comprise at least one blow coil for generating an electromagnetic blow field and a protective cover made of an arc-resistant material, e.g. Ceramic, wherein the blow coil is disconnected in the closed state of the contactor from the circuit of the contactor and when opening the contactor in the circuit of the contactor is switched on and the protective cover in the area of the contactor, in which when opening the contacts and when connecting the blinding coil forms an arc is arranged.

The protective cover can be used to prevent damage to the contactor due to the lingering arcing. As a result, no damage is caused to the contactor and the service life of the blower coil during the time that the electromagnetic blower field of the blower coil is being built up Contactor can be extended. When using ceramic, such as steatite or cordierite, as a material for the protective lining a simple design and good protection against arc damage is possible.

In a preferred embodiment it can be provided that an arc guide plate is arranged adjacent to one of the contacts, which is separated by an air gap from the contact, the blow coil is electrically conductively connected to the arc guide plate and the contact, so that the blow coil by commutation of a switching arc can be activated on the arc guide plate, and the protective cover is arranged in the region of the air gap. In this way, a very simple activation of the blow coil by commutation of the switching arc is possible. Since the current is passed through the blow coil only gradually (after an E-function), the differential currents to the main circuit total current are realized by parallel to the coil forming current paths. This results in short-lived arcs that span the air gap between the arc guide plate and the associated contact. The protective cover located in this area prevents damage to the contactor. At the time of full current transfer through the puff coils, the arcs in the area of the ceramic protective cover will be extinguished.

In yet another variant, it can be provided that the arc guide plate and the associated contact are arranged in a V-shape with each other, wherein the arc guide plate forms a first leg of the Vs and the associated contact of the second leg of the Vs, so that the air gap adjacent to the tip of the Vs is arranged, the blower coil is disposed between the arc guide plate and the associated contact and the protective cover between the air gap and the blow coil is arranged. This creates the arc in an area in which no sensitive components are arranged. The blow coil is protected by the arc guide plate, the associated contact and the protective cover.

A simple commutation of the switching arc to activate the coil can be made possible by the fact that between the arc guide plate and the associated contact adjacent to the air gap a Primärblaseinrichtung is arranged, which is at least partially surrounded by the protective cover. As a primary blowing means, for example, a permanent magnet or a permanent current-carrying coil can be used. Since the Primärblaseinrichtung is adjacent to the air gap and thus located very close to the contact point, it can immediately on a resulting Acting arc and thereby enable the commutation of the arc on the arc guide plate. Due to the protective lining, the primary blowing device is well protected from the switching arc and the arc which arises in the air gap.

Yet another variant provides that the arc guide plate is arranged adjacent to the fixed contact of the contact point and the blow coil is arranged between the fixed contact and the arc guide plate. As a result, a simple embodiment of the contactor is made possible, since in the configuration of the arc guide plate, the movements of the movable contact need not be considered.

Advantageously, it can be provided that the protective cover has a groove, which engages in a guide rail of a housing of the contactor, and that the protective cover is attached to the housing. By the cooperation of the groove in the protective cover and the guide rail on the housing of the contactor, which is preferably arranged on the side wall of the housing, the position of the protective cover is fixed to the housing of the contactor. The protective cover can thus not be mounted in a wrong position. In addition, a simple attachment of the protective cover to the housing of the contactor is possible. For example, the guide rail of the housing can be glued to the groove of the protective cover.

Appropriately, it can be provided that the side walls of a housing of the contactor are provided in the region of at least one contact point with a reinforcement of an arc-resistant material. For example, if the contactor is in the critical current range, i. operated at low currents but high voltages and thus small driving forces for the arcs, the arcs are not immediately blown away from the contact point. It can then happen that the arcs burn in the housing wall and cause damage. The reinforcement avoids these damages. Preferably, reinforcing plates of arc-resistant materials, such as ceramics such as steatite or cordierite, are provided.

Fig. 1

perspektivische Teilansicht eines Schützes im Schnitt im Öffnungsmoment,

Fig. 2

perspektivische Teilansicht eines Schützes im Schnitt nach Aktivierung der ersten Blasspule,

Fig. 3

perspektivische Teilansicht eines Schützes im Schnitt nach Aktivierung beider Blasspulen,

Fig. 4

vergrößerte Darstellung des Bereiches um einen Festkontakt,

Fig. 5a

dreidimensionale vergrößerte Darstellung der Schutzverkleidung,

Fig. 5b

Schutzverkleidung von hinten,

Fig. 6

vergrößerte Darstellung der Befestigung der Schutzverkleidung an einem Gehäuse des Schützes,

Fig. 7

Teilschnitt einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines Schützes mit einer Abbrandauffangvorrichtung,

Fig. 8

vergrößerte Darstellung des Details VIII aus Fig. 7,

Fig. 9

Darstellung einer Kontaktbrücke eines Schützes mit einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer Abbrandauffangvorrichtung und

Fig. 10

vergrößerte Darstellung der Kontaktstellen eines Schützes mit der Abbrandauffangvorrichtung aus Fig. 9.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

partial perspective view of a contactor in section at the moment of opening,

Fig. 2

partial perspective view of a contactor in section after activation of the first blow coil,

Fig. 3

partial perspective view of a contactor in section after activation of both blow coils,

Fig. 4

enlarged view of the area around a fixed contact,

Fig. 5a

three-dimensional enlarged representation of the protective covering,

Fig. 5b

Protective cover from the back,

Fig. 6

enlarged view of the attachment of the protective cover to a housing of the contactor,

Fig. 7

Partial section of another embodiment of a contactor with a burn-up device,

Fig. 8

enlarged view of detail VIII Fig. 7 .

Fig. 9

Representation of a contact bridge of a contactor with another embodiment of a Abbrandauffangvorrichtung and

Fig. 10

enlarged view of the contact points of a contactor with the Abbrandauffangvorrichtung from Fig. 9 ,

In Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the interior of a contactor 1 is shown. The contactor comprises two contact points 2, 3, each with a fixed contact 4, 5 and a respective movable contact 6, 7. The movable contacts 6, 7 of the two contact points are arranged on a common contact bridge 8. The contact bridge 8 can be moved by a magnetic drive (not shown) and from a closed state of the contactor 1, in which the movable contacts 6, 7, the fixed contacts 4, 5 touch and thus the contact points 2, 3 are closed, are transferred to an open position , In the open position, the movable contacts 6, 7 are separated from the fixed contacts 4, 5. Due to the high currents and high voltages that are connected to the contactor, when opening the contact points switching arcs 15, 16, which extend between the respective fixed contact 4, 5 and the associated movable contact 6, 7.

Adjacent to the fixed contacts 4, 5, an arc guide plate 9, 10 is arranged at each contact point 2, 3. The arc guide plates 9, 10 are each insulated by an air gap 11, 12 of the respective fixed contact 4, 5. The arc guide plates 9, 10 are bent, so that they form a V-shaped arrangement with the contact rail of the respective fixed contact 4, 5. The arc guide plates 9; 10 are formed so that they form between the contact points 2, 3 a Lichtbogenleitschacht 19 which extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the contact bridge 8 and through which the arcs 15 or 16 (depending on the arc direction) by means of the Blasfelder the Primärblaseinrichtung and the bladders 17th , 18 are blown toward an arc quenching device 24. Following the arc duct 19, the arc guide plates 9 expand; 10. Adjacent to the arc guide plates 9; 10, the arc quenching device 24 is arranged.

Between the respective fixed contact 4, 5 and the associated arc guide plate 9, 10, a primary blowing device 13, 14 is arranged at each of the contact points 2, 3. In the illustrated case, the Primärblaseinrichtungen 13, 14 are formed as permanent magnets. It would also be conceivable, however, to use permanent current-carrying blow coils instead of the permanent magnets. The primary blowing devices 13, 14 are arranged in the contactor such that their magnetic field is perpendicular to the switching arcs 15, 16 arising when the contact points 2, 3 are opened and perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the contact bridge 8.

The contactor 1 further comprises two blower coils 17, 18, which are also arranged in the V-shaped region between the respective fixed contact 4, 5 and the associated arc guide plate 9, 10. Preferably, the blow coils 17, 18 are further from the contact point than the respective primary blower 13, 14. The first blow coil 17, which is associated with the first contact point 2, is electrically conductive with the fixed contact 4 of the contact point 2 and the arc guide plate 9 arranged adjacent thereto connected. Since the contactor is preferably mirror-symmetrical to a perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the contact bridge 8 between the two contact points 2, 3 extending plane, the contact point 3 has the same components as the contact point 2. Therefore, the second blow coil 18 is electrically conductive with the fixed contact. 5 the second contact point 3 and connected to the associated arc guide plate 10. Again, the primary blowing device 14 is preferably located closer to the contact point 3 than the blow coil 18th

In order to obtain a homogeneous blowing field, the primary blowing device 13 arranged at the contact point 2 is assigned a pole plate pair 20. The two pole plates of the Polplattenpaars 20 are located on opposite sides of the contact bridge. 8

Since the contactor 1 is designed essentially mirror-symmetrically, the second primary blowing device 14 is also assigned a pair of pole plates 21 whose pole plates are located on opposite sides of the contact bridge 8. In Fig. 1 is at each of the contact points 2, 3 only one pole plate of the Polplattenpaare 20; 21 to see. The pole plates of the pole plate pairs 20; 21 are made of magnetizable material and are polarized by the Primärblaseinrichtungen 13, 14 and generate a Primärblasfeld. The pole plate pairs 20; 21 are formed so that the magnetic fields generated by them penetrate the region of the contact points 2, 3.

Also, the first blow coil 17 and the second blow coil 18 is each a Polplattenpaar 22; 23 assigned. The pole plates of the pole plate pairs 22; 23 are shaped so that they especially the area of the arc guide shaft 19 and the arc guide 9; 10 overreach. Since the puffing coils 17, 18 are activated only when an arc root point of an arc jumps over one of the arc guide plates 9, 10, the electromagnetic blowing fields must act primarily in this area.

At each of the two contact points 2; 3 is adjacent to the air gap 11; 12 a protective cover 25, 26 are arranged. The protective cover 25, 26 is disposed between the air gap 11, 12 and the other components of the contactor 1, so the Primärblaseinrichtungen 13, 14 and the blow coils 17, 18 and extends from the respective fixed contact 4, 5 upwards to the respective arc guide plate. 9 , 10, so that a closed space is formed by the protective coverings 25, 26, the fixed contacts 4, 5 and the respective arc guide plates 9, 10.

In Fig. 4 the area around the air gap 12 is shown enlarged. Adjacent to the fixed contact 5, the associated arc guide plate 10 is arranged so that between the end of the fixed contact 5 and the end of the arc guide plate 10, the air gap 12 is formed. The protective cover 26 extends between the fixed contact 5 and the arc guide plate 10. The fixed contact 5, the arc guide plate 10 and the protective cover 26 thus form a cavity into which an arc 12 emerging upon activation of the blow coil 18 can penetrate and remain without causing any damage , The protective cover 26 is thus arranged between the air gap 12 and the Primärblaseinrichtung 15 and may surround the Primärblaseinrichtung 14 partially. As a result, good protection of the primary blowing device 14 is made possible.

Fig. 5a shows a perspective enlarged view of a protective cover 25, 26. The protective cover 25, 26 is formed of an arc-resistant material. Preferably, a ceramic material is used for this purpose, for example steatite or cordierite. These materials have a certain porosity, so that they are relatively stable even at temperature shocks. This is particularly necessary because the arc temperature is up to 20,000 Kelvin. Both the edge region 30 of the protective cover 25; 26, which is associated with the arc guide plate, as well as the edge region 31 of the protective cover 25; 26, which is assigned to the associated fixed contact, is reinforced. If an arcing 28, 29 arising when the puff coils are connected in the direction of the protective covering 25; 26 blown and there widened, so come the end portions of the arc 28, 29 on the respective edge regions 30, 31 of the protective cover 25; 26 to lie. Since the end regions of the arc are particularly destructive, the edge regions 30, 31 of the protective covering 25; 26 be formed reinforced. In addition, the protective cover 25; 26 laterally projecting arms 32, 33. The arms 32, 33 serve in addition to protect the behind the protective cover 25; 26 arranged components. In addition, the protective cover 25, 26 connected by means of the arms 32, 33 with a side wall of the housing or with a projection on the side wall of the housing of the contactor, for example, be glued.

As in Fig. 5b is shown, a groove 49 is provided on the back 48 of each protective cover 25, 26. Via the groove 49, the protective cover 25, 26 are fixed and positioned in the housing of the contactor. For this purpose, a guide strip is formed on the housing of the contactor, whose shape corresponds to the shape of the groove 49 of the protective cover 25, 26. The protective cover 25, 26 can thus be plugged onto the guide bar of the housing, so that the guide bar engages in the groove 49.

Fig. 6 shows a section through the contact point 2 of a contactor. The protective cover 25 is disposed between the fixed contact 4 and the arc guide plate 9 and protects the underlying components of the contactor, such as the Primärblaseinrichtung 13. At the back of the protective cover 25, the groove 49 is provided, into which a guide rail of the housing 34 of the contactor 1 inserted is. The guide rail 32 is preferably formed on a projection 35 of the side wall of the housing 34, wherein the projection 35 projects into the interior of the contactor. The protective cover 25 is arranged in the housing 34 of the contactor 1 that the arm 32 abuts the projection 35. The protective cover 25 is glued to the arm 32 and the groove 49 with the projection 35 and the guide rail. The attachment of the protective covering 25 thus takes place via the housing 34 of the contactor 1. The protective cover 26 of second contact point 3 of the contactor 1 is analogously attached to the housing 34 of the contactor 1.

Fig. 7 shows a portion of another embodiment of a contactor in partial section. Separate protection is also claimed for this embodiment and the embodiments of the contactor shown in the following figures. Contactor 1 'has essentially the same structure as the contactor already described. For identical components, therefore, the same reference numerals are used. In the following, only the differences are shown.

Fig. 7 shows essentially only the deletion area of the contactor 1 ', for the sake of clarity, the contact bridge was omitted with the movable contacts arranged thereon. The contactor 1 'is again designed as a contactor with double interruption and comprises two fixed contacts 4, 5. Adjacent to each of the fixed contacts 4, 5, an arc guide plate 9, 10 is arranged. The ends of the arc guide plates 9, 10 are arranged slightly spaced from the respective fixed contacts 4, 5, so that between the ends of the fixed contact 4 and the associated end of the arc guide plate 9, an air gap 11 is formed. Likewise, the end of the fixed contact 5 is spaced from the corresponding end of the arc guide 10, so that there is an air gap 12 is formed. Between the fixed contact 4 and the arc guide plate 9, a protective covering 25 is arranged, which shields the other components of the contactor, for example, a first Primärblaseinrichtung 13 and a first blow coil 17 of the air gap 11. The attachment of the protective cover 26 via the housing 34 of the contactor 1 '. Likewise, a second protective cover 26 is arranged between the second fixed contact 5 and the associated second arc guide plate 10, which shields the second primary blowing device 14 and the second blowing coil 18 with respect to the air gap 12. In the region of the two contact points, ie behind the fixed contact 4 and the fixed contact 5 34 reinforcements 36 are arranged on the side walls of the housing of an arc-resistant material. As reinforcement 36, a ceramic plate is preferably used. Suitable materials are steatite or cordierite. The ceramic plates can be glued to the housing wall, for example.

As in Fig. 7 clearly visible, the arc guide plates 9, 10 in the region of the contact points, that is adjacent to the fixed contact 4 and the fixed contact 5 are formed substantially parallel to each other. The arc guide plates form a Lichtbogenleitschacht there 19 out. Subsequent to the arc guide shaft 19, the distance between the arc guide plate 9 and the arc guide plate 10 widens, so that an arc between the arc guide plates 9, 10 is stretched. Above the arc guide plates 9, 10, the arc quenching device 24 of the contactor 1 'is arranged. Between the arc quenching device 24 and the arc guide plates 9, 10 a collecting trough 37 is arranged. The drip pan 37 is thus arranged above the contact bridge. The collecting trough 37 is preferably made of a plastic material, for example a duroplastic. About four pins 38, the drip tray 37 is attached to the side wall of the housing 34. In this case, a gap is formed between the side wall of the housing 34 and the collecting trough 37. Switching arcs arising at the contact points are blown through the blower devices 13, 14, 17, 18 through the arc guide shaft 19 in the direction of the extinguishing device 24 of the contactor 1 '. The arcs are widened at the Lichtbogenleitblechen 9, 10, run past the drip pan 37 and are finally brought to extinction in the extinguishing device 24. In the process, burn-up particles which can cause considerable damage when they fall into the contact points regularly arise, in particular in the extinguishing device 24. This is critical especially in the case of a horizontal installation position of the contactor 1 ', in which the extinguishing device 24 is arranged above the contact points. Therefore, a collecting device for the combustion particles in the form of the collecting trough 37 is provided. The drip pan 37 is preferably so large that it projects beyond the contact points. From the quenching device 24 falling combustion particles are therefore collected in the sump 37. The burn-off particles, which fall past the drip pan 37, no longer meet the contact bridge, but accumulate in the region of the drive of the contact bridge. The collecting trough 37 is preferably V-shaped in cross section. The drip pan 37 thus tapers at its underside facing the contact bridge and tapers to a point. This ensures that the arcs on both sides of the drip pan 37 over in the direction of the arc quenching device 34 run and not dwell on the drip pan 37.

Fig. 8 shows an enlarged view of the area VIII Fig. 7 , In this area, the attachment of the sump 37 is shown on the side wall of the housing 34. It can be clearly seen that the drip pan 37 is V-shaped in cross section, so that arcs are driven past the side walls of the drip pan 37 in the direction of the extinguishing device 24 and do not dwell on the underside of the drip pan 37. The drip pan 37 has pins 38 which are received in recesses 40 of the side wall of the housing 34. It arises between the respective Side wall of the housing 34 and the collecting trough 37, a gap 41. To protect the pins 38 from the arcs, the region of the pins 38, which is arranged in the gap 41, surrounded by a metal element 39. For example, a bronze sleeve can be used for this purpose. The metal elements 39 are not damaged by the arcs. The collecting trough 37 is positioned symmetrically directly above the contact bridge in the region of the arc line between the arc guide pieces 9, 10. The width of the formed between the sump 37 and the two side walls of the housing 34 air gaps 41 is about 4 mm. The switching arcs move due to the blowing fields through these air gaps 41 at random on both sides of the sump 37 in the upper region of the quenching chamber. After circulating the drip tray 37, the arc unfolding and the arc extinguishing takes place in the arc quenching device 24. Due to the high arc speed of the drip tray 37, which preferably consists of a thermosetting plastic, not damaged even at high switching cycles. The switching characteristics of the contactor are not significantly changed by the collecting trough 37 in any area.

Fig. 9 shows a further embodiment of a collecting device for burn-up. The structure of the contactor with this collecting device for the burn-up substantially corresponds to the shooter already described. For identical components, therefore, the same reference numerals are used. In the following, only the differences are shown.

In Fig. 9 only the contact bridge 8 of a contactor with a contact bridge drive 42 is shown. On the contact bridge 8, a U-shaped deflector 43 is arranged. This deflector 43 serves as Abbrandauffangvorrichtung for shooters with smaller air and creepage distances, in which no space can be used for space reasons. By Abweisblech 43 is prevented, as well as by the drip tray, that arise in the contactor Abbrandpartikel on the contact points and thereby cause that no stable contact is made, which can cause high thermal loads in the contactor. The U-shaped deflection plate 43 is arranged on the side facing away from the contact points of the contact bridge 8, so that the legs 44, 45 of the Abweisblechs 43 extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the contact bridge 8 and protrude from the contact bridge to the outside in the direction of the arc quenching device. The legs 44, 45 are arranged adjacent to the respective movable contact 6, 7. Originating burnup is therefore in Inside the U-shaped Abweisblechs 43 collected or falls laterally past the contact bridge. To protect the drive 42 of the contact bridge 8 from contamination is therefore provided that at the point at which a shift rod 46 of the drive 42 exits the drive and enters the contactor, a protective sheath is arranged. For example, a bellows 47 can be used. This protective sheath or the bellows 47 is preferably also used in shooters in which a drip pan is provided. By the bellows 47 prevents the burned particles fall into the sliding bearing of the shift rod 46 and thus block the drive of the contact bridge 8.

Fig. 10 shows the region of the contact points 2, 3 of a contactor with a U-shaped deflection plate in the closed state. The U-shaped deflection plate 43 is arranged in the middle of the contact bridge 8. The distance between the legs 44, 45 of the U-shaped Abweisblechs 43 is chosen so that it is slightly larger than the distance between the contact points 2, 3 facing ends of the Lichtbogenleitbleche 9, 10. In the closed position of the contactor come Leg 44, 45 of the Abweisblechs 43 in the air gaps 11, 12 to lie between the respective fixed contact 4; 5 and the associated arc guide plate 9; 10 are formed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the contactor 1 has a double break with two contact points 2, 3. But it would also be possible to form the contactor as a simple interrupting contactor, which then has only one contact point. This one contact point may be formed as one of the two contact points described above.

The following are now based on the Fig. 1 to 3 the operations in the contactor 1 when opening the contact points 2, 3 described. In the other embodiment of the contactor, these processes are essentially the same. In Fig. 1 the contactor 1 is shown in the opening moment. About the magnetic drive (not shown) or via another actuator, the contact bridge 8 is moved downward, so that the movable contacts arranged thereon 6, 7 are separated from the fixed contacts 4, 5. The two contact points 2, 3 are thus opened. In this case, arise at the contact points 2, 3 switching arcs 15, 16, each between the fixed contact 4; 5 and the associated movable contact 6; 7 extend. The primary blowing field generated by the primary blowing devices 13, 14 acts immediately on the switching arcs 15, 16. In the case shown, the primary blowing means 13, 14 are permanent magnets formed, which are polarized in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the contact bridge 8 opposite to each other. As a result, the two switching arcs 15, 16 are blown to the left. This is in Fig. 2 shown. The left switching arc 15 is stretched, the right arc 16 commutes from the fixed contact 5 on the arc guide plate 10. A foot of the arc 16 thus skips the air gap 12. This activates the second blow coil 18. The inductance of this blow coil 18 counteracts a sudden increase in current. The current transfer through the blow coil 18 is increasing according to an E-function. Therefore, a second arc 28 forms at the air gap 12. By this parallel to the blow coil 18 forming the current path, the differential current to the main circuit total current is realized. In order to protect the area around the air gap 12 against any arc damage by the arc 28, the protective cover 26 is disposed between the arc guide plate 10 and the fixed contact 5.

The circuit in the contactor 1 is now still closed and the current flows from the fixed contact 4 via the arc 15, the contact bridge 8, the arc 16, the arc guide plate 10 and the second blow coil 18 for fixed contact 5. Parallel to the current path over the second Blass coil 18 is formed by the arc 28, a second current path. If the current is fully taken over by the blow coil 18, so this arc extinguished 28. There is then only one more current path. Since the blow coil 18 is now activated, it generates an electromagnetic blow field, which acts on the arc 16. This causes the second arc root of the arc 16 from the contact bridge 8 on the arc guide plate 9 skips (see Fig. 3 ). The arc 15 goes out.

Since the first blow coil 17 due to the inductance of the blow coil can take over the current only gradually (increasing according to an E-function), also forms a parallel current path by the air gap 11, a secondary arc 29 is formed. By the protective cover 25, the components of the second contact point 2 are protected from the secondary arc 29. This secondary arc 29 extinguished at the time full power takeover by the blowout coil 17th

The still existing arc 16 is blown in the direction of the arc quenching device 24, widened and finally extinguished by the blowing fields of the first blowing coil 17 and the second blowing coil 18. By the ceramic protective linings 25, 26 ensures that the secondary arcs 28, 29, the activation the two blow coils 17, 18 arise, cause no arcing damage in the contactor. The protective panels 25, 26 must therefore be arranged in the area in which an arc is created when the puff coils are switched on.

In order to protect the contact points 2, 3 even with a horizontal mounting position, in which the arc quenching device 24 is disposed over the contact points 2, 3, before Abbrandpartikeln, Abbrand-catching devices, such as a drip pan 37 or a deflector 43, between the contact bridge 8 and the Arc quenching device 24 may be provided.

Claims (7)

1. Contactor for DC and AC operation with at least one contact point (2, 3) with a fixed contact (4; 5) and a moveable contact (6; 7), in which upon opening of the contacts (4, 6; 5, 7) an arc is formed, and with an arc extinguishing device (24) for erasing the arc, wherein the contactor (1) comprises a double interruption, and the two contact points (2, 3) of the double break are constructed mirror symmetrically to each other and the moveable contacts (6, 7) are arranged on a contact bridge (8), characterized in that between the arc quenching device (24) and the arc guide plates (9, 10) or on a contact bridge (8) a collecting through (37, 43) is arranged for the erosion particles generated by the switching arc in the contactor.
2. Contactor according to claim 1, characterized in that the collecting device is formed as a said at least one contact point (2, 3) outreaching collecting trough (37).
3. Contactor according to claim 2, characterized in that the collecting trough (37) is provided with a V-shaped tapering design on its underside, which is facing the contact bridge (8).
4. Contactor according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the collecting trough (37), protected by the metal elements (39), is arranged on the side walls of the housing (37) of the contactor.
5. Contactor according to claim 1, characterized in that the collecting device is constructed as a U-shaped deflector plate (43) and the U-shaped deflector plate (43) is arranged on the contact bridge (8), so that the legs (44,45) of the U-shaped deflector plates (43) are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the contact bridge (8).
6. Contactor according to claim 6, characterized in that the distance between the legs (44, 45) of the U-shaped deflector plate (43) is slightly greater than the distance between the ends of the arc guide plates (9, 10), which are facing the contact points (2, 3).
7. Contactor according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the area in which a selector rod (46) of a drive (42) of the contact bridge (8) immerges from the drive (42), is provided with a protective casing (47).

Images