EP2315225A9 - Switch - Google Patents

Abstract

Switch (10), in particular high-power switch, with a contact element (1) and a contact surface (2), along which the contact element (1) in at least two positions (I, II, III) is displaceable, wherein in a first position (I) a first switching state (21) and in a second position (II) of the contact element (1) a second switching state (22) is achievable, and a drive (3) for moving the contact element (1) between the first ( I) and the second position (II).

The invention provides that the contact element and the contact surface have magnetic elements, so that the contact element (1) and the contact surface (2) magnetic elements (4), so that the contact element (1) in the first (I) and in the second position (II) rests reliably on the contact surface (2), whereby at least two stable switching states (21,22,23) are realized without current.

Description

description

The invention relates to a switch, in particular a high-power switch, with a contact element and a contact surface along which the contact element is displaceable in at least two positions, wherein in a first position of the contact element, a first switching state and in a second position of the contact element, a second switching state is achievable , and a drive for moving the contact element between the first and the second position.

It is known that an electrically conductive connection between two circuits can be switched. A switch is from the patent DE 10 2004 062 358 A1 known, which has at least one switching element and arranged on the switching element magnet or sensor, as well as a at one Board attached and associated with the switching element sensor or magnet. This known from the prior art switch includes a slider which can be brought into a plurality of slide positions via an actuating element.

Disadvantageously, it has been found that the structure of such a switch is complex and expensive. Since the switching connection between the switching element and the corresponding element takes place on the board via air, no high currents can be passed through it. In addition, it has been found that a contactless connection between the switching element and the respective element on the board can be unstable. In addition, the switching states of the switch can be realized exclusively powered.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a switch in which the disadvantages mentioned are avoided, in particular to provide a switch which has a simple construction, wherein, without energizing the switch, stable switching states can be realized.

The invention is solved with the features of claim 1. In the dependent claims possible embodiments are described.

According to the invention, it is provided that the contact element and the contact surface have magnetic elements, so that the contact element reliably rests on the contact surface in the first and in the second position, whereby at least two stable switching states can be realized without current. By integrating magnetic elements both on the contact element and on the contact surface stable switching states of the switch can be achieved without the switch is energized. This means that solely by the acting magnetic forces, the displaceable contact element is reliably held in its respective position on the contact surface. The magnetic elements thus allow a high contact pressure between the contact element and the contact surface arise. In addition, the switch according to the invention is characterized by a low electrical contact resistance, whereby high currents can be switched. This means that the switch has a high current carrying capacity, wherein at the same time the respective switching states can be kept safe without requiring energy for this.

According to the invention it is provided that the contact surface has at least two contact plates, which are arranged in particular spaced from each other. In a possible switching state, the contact element has a first position, in which it rests only on a contact plate and is in contactless contact with the adjacent contact plate. In a second switching state, the contact element may have a second position, in which it touches both contact plates.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the contact surface has three contact plates, wherein a first outer contact plate, a second outer contact plate each with a third inner contact plate can close a circuit when a contact element connects them accordingly: the first outer contact plate with the third inner Contact plate or the second outer contact plate with the third inner contact plate.

Advantageously, the magnetic elements integrated in the contact plates and the contact element are designed as permanent magnets, which can be arranged in particular in such a double row that the north pole or south pole of the permanent magnet in the contact element when touching the contact surface at a south pole or north pole of one of the integrated permanent magnets in the contact surface is applied.

According to the invention, the contact element and the contact plates each have at least one magnetic element, wherein the magnetic element of the contact element is assigned to the magnetic element of one of the contact plates. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the magnetic element of the contact element contacts the associated magnetic element of one of the contact plates in each switching state of the switch.

Advantageously, it is provided that the magnetic elements of the contact element and the magnetic elements of the contact plates are arranged to each other such that the contact element is securely held in each stable switching state of the switch on at least one of the contact plates by the attractive force of the magnetic elements. To this This ensures that the circuits that terminate at the contact plates are reliably closed by the contact element. Due to the direct contact of the contact element on the contact plates is also achieved that high-intensity currents can be passed through a closed circuit. The contact surface and the contact element can be dimensioned geometrically and material-technically so that electrical currents between 50A and 400A, in particular between 100A and 200A are switchable. The thickness of the contact element and the contact plates can vary from 2 to 10 mm.

Advantageously, the contact element is moved by a drive. The drive can be, for example, a spindle drive, an induction drive, an electric motor, a piezomotor, a linear motor or a magnetic switch. In a preferred embodiment, the drive has a connecting element which is arranged on the contact element and thus produces the operative connection between the drive and the contact element in order to move the contact element by the drive.

In a measure improving the invention, a protective circuit is provided in order to derive voltage peaks when switching between the switching states. In particular, the protection circuit comprises a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor operating as a voltage-controlled resistor. If current-conducting switch contacts are opened or closed, electrical overvoltages can occur, whereby a part of the contact material can be damaged by overheating, fusion or combustion. According to the present invention, the protection circuit is provided to prevent unwanted effects of this kind, in particular by dissipating unnecessary voltage spikes.

In the switch contacts high electrical currents must be interrupted in a short time, this must have the contact materials, among other things, high electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity. According to the invention, the contact element and the contact surface of the switch can be made of copper or nickel. Advantageously, the closure of the switching contact is effected by a direct contact of the contact element to at least one of the contact plates, which among other things prevents the formation of switching arcs.

It can be expediently provided that the drive and / or the contact element and / or the contact surface and / or the protective circuit are arranged on a carrier board. As a result, a simple and compact construction of the switch is achieved.

In a particular embodiment, each stable switching state can be released by a force triggered by the drive. The force of the drive may, for example, act perpendicular to the force of attraction of the magnetic elements and be directed parallel to the geometric extent of the board on which the individual components of the switch are arranged. The strength of magnetic attractions is particularly high in the direction from pole to pole. It has advantageously been shown that only a small force of the drive, which is directed perpendicular to the attraction of the magnetic elements, is necessary to effect a displacement of the contact element from a first switching state to a second switching state. Thus, the drive can be operated at a relatively low power to move the contact element between its possible positions. In addition, this can be achieved by switching quickly into the respective switching state. This means that the switch according to the invention is characterized by short switching times.

According to the invention, a control unit is provided which determines the position of the contact element. The control unit controls the drive to move the contact element into its corresponding position after the desired circuit closure. Furthermore, a detection unit may be provided to register the position of the contact element, wherein the detection unit may comprise an optical, a Hall or a touch sensor. Detection unit and control unit are preferably in data communication.

Preferably, in each stable switching state, the magnetic element of the contact surface lies just below the magnetic element of the contact element. This means that the magnetic element of the contact surface are in contact with the magnetic element of the contact element. In one possible embodiment, three stable switching states can be realized, wherein a first outer contact plate, a second outer contact plate and a third contact plate are provided, which lies between the first and the second contact plate. The first and second contact plates have a first number of magnetic elements. The third contact plate may have a second number of magnetic elements that is twice as large as the first number. In this case, the contact element may have the second number of magnetic elements. For example, the outer contact plates may each have two integrated magnetic elements, wherein the third contact plate and the contact element each comprise four magnetic elements. It has advantageously been shown that a secure and energy-free maintenance of the respective switching state can be easily achieved by such a numerical selection of magnetic elements.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the contact element is in a first switching state in a first position, in which the contact element contacts the first and the third inner contact plate. In the first switching state, a circuit can be closed via the contact element, which runs through the first outer and third inner contact plate. In a second switching state, the contact element is in a second position, in which the contact element contacts the second and the third contact plate. In this switching state, the contact element can close a circuit which extends through the second outer and third inner contact plate. In the first and second switching state, the circuit requires no power supply of the contact element. In a third switching state, the contact element is in a third position, in which the contact element rests on the third contact plate, without being in contact with the first and the second contact plate. It is conceivable that the contact element is supplied with power to conduct a current to a consumer through the third inner contact plate can. Alternatively, the third switching state can also be realized without current.

Advantageously, it can be provided that at least one of the mutually facing surfaces of the contact element and the contact surface have a coating, whereby a low coefficient of friction between the contact element and the contact surface can be achieved. After overcoming the friction between the contact element and the contact surface, a slight displaceability of the contact element along the contact surface can be achieved.

The switch according to the invention can be used for a rechargeable battery unit which has a plurality of cells provided in a cell network in order to separate individual cells from the cell network via the switch and to introduce them into the cell network via the switch.

Figur 1

eine mögliche Ausführungsalternative des erfindungsgemäßen Schalters in einer perspektivischen Ansicht,

Figur 2

den Schalter aus Figur 1 in einer Draufsicht,

Figur 3

den Schalter gemäß Figur 1, der sich in einem ersten Schaltzustand befindet und

Figur 4

den Schalter gemäß Figur 1, der sich in einem zweiten Schaltzustand befindet.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description in which an embodiment of the invention is described with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may each be essential to the invention individually or in any desired combination. Show it:

FIG. 1

a possible alternative embodiment of the switch according to the invention in a perspective view,

FIG. 2

the switch off FIG. 1 in a plan view,

FIG. 3

the switch according to FIG. 1 which is in a first switching state and

FIG. 4

the switch according to FIG. 1 which is in a second switching state.

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 a switch 10 is shown. The switch 10 has a contact element 1 and a contact surface 2, wherein the contact surface 2 comprises three contact plates 2a, 2b, 2c, a first outer contact plate 2a, a second outer contact plate 2c and a third inner contact plate 2b, which is disposed between the first outer 2a and the second outer 2c contact plate is located. The contact plates 2a, 2b, 2c are positioned spaced from each other. The switch 10 has, inter alia, a drive 3, which is in operative connection via a connecting element 5 with the contact element 1 in order to move the contact element 1 along the contact surface 2. The connecting element 5 has a receptacle 5a which holds the projection 1a attached to the contact element 1. The receptacle 5a is configured open on one side in the following embodiment, in which protrudes the projection 1a of the contact element 1. The Fixing the projection 1a in the receptacle 5a can be made positive and / or non-positive and / or cohesive. The drive 3 is in the illustrated embodiment, a spindle drive which drives a rod 3a. About a rotational movement of the rod 3a, the connecting element 5 is simultaneously moved in a translational movement, wherein the translational movement with a double arrow according to FIG. 1 is shown. The rod 3a is designed as a threaded spindle, which has a not explicitly shown thread, whereby a rotational movement in the rod 3a can be introduced. At the same time a linear movement of the connecting element 5 can be achieved via the corresponding pitch of the thread. By means of this linear movement of the connecting element 5, a corresponding movement of the contact element 1 fastened thereto takes place. In addition, the drive 3 has two housing parts 3b, 3c. In one of the two housing parts 3b, 3c is a motor which provides for a corresponding drive of the rod 3a. Alternative drives for the linear movement of the contact element 1 are conceivable.

In addition, a protection circuit 6 is provided in order to derive voltage peaks when switching between the switching states. The protective circuit 6 is designed here as a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor. As Figures 1 and 2 show, the drive 3, the contact surface 2 and the protective circuit 6 is arranged on a carrier board 20. In FIG. 1 a control unit 7 is shown schematically, which controls three possible switching states 21, 22, 23 of the switch 10, the in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are shown. In addition, in FIG. 2 a detection unit 8, which may be for example an optical, a Hall or a touch sensor. The detection unit 8 determines the respective position I, II, III of the contact element 1, wherein the positions I, II, III in FIGS. 3 and 4 are shown.

Each contact plate 2a, 2b, 2c and the contact element 1 have integrated magnetic elements 4, which are arranged to each other such that the contact element 1 in each stable switching state 21, 22, 23 on at least one of the contact plates 2a, 2b, 2c by the attraction B the magnetic elements 4 is securely held. The attraction B is simplified in FIGS. 1 . 3 and 4 shown. The magnetic elements 4 are designed as permanent magnets. The attractive force B of the magnetic elements 4 acts perpendicular to the geometric extent of the carrier board 20 and to the rod 3a. The first outer contact plate 2a and the second outer contact plate 2c each have two integrated magnetic elements 4, wherein the third inner contact plate 2b and the contact element 1 each have four integrated magnetic elements 4.

The FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a second stable switching state 22 of the switch 10. In the second stable switching state 22, the contact element 1 is in the second position II, wherein it rests on the second outer 2c and the third inner contact plate 2b. In this case, the two left magnetic elements 4 of the contact element 1 touch the two right magnetic elements 4 of the third inner contact plate 2b and the two right magnetic elements 4 of the contact element 1 touch the two magnetic elements 4 of the second outer contact plate 2c.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 schematically show three possible positions I, II and III of the contact element 1. The dashed lines indicate the integrated in the contact element 1 and in the contact plates 2a, 2b, 2c magnetic elements 4 at. In this front view, the magnetic elements 4 are in pairs one behind the other.

In FIG. 3 is the first position I of the contact element 1 illustrated. In this case, the contact element 1 is located on the first outer contact plate 2a and the third inner contact plate 2b. The two left integrated magnetic element 4 of the contact element 1 are located directly above the two magnetic elements 4 of the first outer contact plate 2a. The two right integrated magnetic elements 4 of the contact element 1 are above the two left magnetic elements 4 of the inner contact plate 2a. The FIG. 4 shows the second position II of the contact element 1, wherein the contact element 1 rests on the second outer contact plate 2c and the inner contact plate 2b. The two left-hand integrated magnet elements 4 of the contact element 1 are located directly above the two right-hand magnet elements 4 of the inner contact plate 2b and the two right-hand integrated magnet elements 4 of the contact element 1 are above the two magnet elements 4 of the second outer contact plate 2c.

In FIG. 4 In addition, the third possible stable switching state 23 is indicated, in which the contact element 1 rests on the inner contact plate 2b and touches neither the first outer 2a nor the second outer contact plate 2c. Again, the touch Magnetic elements 4 of the contact element 1 with the associated magnetic elements 4 of the inner contact plate 2b.

As in the FIGS. 3 and 4 is shown, the contact element 1 can be moved along the contact surface 2 in the direction of the double arrow. The movement of the contact element 1 is carried out by the drive 3 FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , In this case, the contact element 1 is moved from the contact plate 2a to the contact plate 2c in the second position II to realize the second switching state 22 of the switch 10. The contact element 1 is moved from the contact plate 2 c to the contact plate 2 a back to the first position I to reach the first switching state 21. The third position III of the contact element 1 can be reached from the first position I by a movement in the direction from the contact plate 2a to 2b or from the second position II by a movement in the direction from the contact plate 2c to 2b. The contact element 1 in the third position III implements the third switching state 23 of the switch 10.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

I

first position of the contact element

II

second position of the contact element

III

third position of the contact element

1

contact element

1a

head Start

2

contact area

2a

first outer contact plate

2 B

third inner contact plate

2c

second outer contact plate

3

drive

3a

pole

3b, 3c

housing parts

4

magnetic element

5

connecting element

5a

admission

6

protection circuit

7

control unit

8th

detection unit

10

switch

20

carrier board

21

first stable switching state

22

second stable switching state

23

third stable switching state

A

Force (drive)

B

Attraction (Magnet)

Claims (15)

Switch (10), in particular high-power switch, with
a contact element (1) and a contact surface (2), along which the contact element (1) in at least two positions (I, II, III) is displaceable, wherein in a first position (I) of the contact element (1) a first switching state ( 21) and in a second position (II) of the contact element (1), a second switching state (22) can be reached, and
a drive (3) for moving the contact element (1) between the first (I) and the second position (II),
characterized,
in that the contact element (1) and the contact surface (2) have magnetic elements (4), so that the contact element (1) reliably rests on the contact surface (2) in the first (I) and in the second position (II), whereby at least two stable switching states (21,22,23) can be realized without current. Switch (10) according to claim 1,
characterized,
in that the contact surface (2) has at least two contact plates (2a, 2b, 2c), in particular that the contact plates (2a, 2b, 2c) are arranged at a distance from one another. Switch (10) according to claim 1 and 2,
characterized,
that the magnetic element (4) is designed as a permanent magnet, which is integrated in the contact element (1) and in the contact surface (2). Switch (10) according to Claims 2 and 3,
characterized,
that the contact element (1) and the contact plates (2a, 2b, 2c) each having at least one magnetic element (4), wherein the magnetic element (4) of the contact element (1) the magnetic element (4) of the contact plate (2a, 2b, 2c) assigned. Switch (10) according to Claims 2 to 4,
characterized,
in that the magnetic elements (4) of the contact element (1) and the magnetic elements (4) of the contact plates (2a, 2b, 2c) are arranged relative to one another in such a way that the contact element (1) is connected to at least one of them in each switching state (21, 22, 23) the contact plates (2a, 2b, 2c) by the attraction force (B) of the magnetic elements (4) is held securely. Switch (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the drive (3) has a connecting element (5) which is arranged on the contact element (1), in particular that the drive (3) is a spindle drive, an electric drive, a piezo drive, a linear drive, an induction drive, a Bimetallantrieb or a magnetic drive is , Switch (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that a protective circuit (6) is provided in order to derive voltage peaks in the event of a change between the switching states (21, 22, 23), in particular that the protective circuit (6) has a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor. Switch (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the drive (3) and / or the contact element (1) and / or the contact surface (2) and / or the protective circuit (6) to a support board (20) are arranged. Switch (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that each switching state (21, 22, 23) is releasable by a force (A) triggered by the drive (3), the force (A) being perpendicular to the attractive force (B) of the magnetic elements (4) parallel to the geometrical extent of the carrier plate ( 20) acts. Switch (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that a control unit (7) is provided, the switching states (21,22,23) of the switch (10), especially the drive (3) controls and / or that a detection unit (8) is provided, the position of the contact element (1 ) certainly. Switch (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that in each switching state (21,22,23), the magnetic element (4) of the contact surface (2) below the magnetic element (4) of the contact element (1). Switch (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that three stable switching states (21, 22, 23) can be realized, a first outer contact plate (2a), a second outer contact plate (2c) and a third contact plate (2b) being provided between the first (2a) and the second Contact plate (2c) is lying. Switch (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the first (2a) and the second (2c) contact plate having a first number of magnetic elements (4),
the third contact plate (2b) has a second number of magnetic elements (4) which is twice as large as the first number,
and the contact element (1) has the second number of magnetic elements (4), wherein in particular in a first switching state (21) the contact element (1) is in a first position (I), in which the contact element (1) is the first ( 2a) and the third contact plate (2b) contacted,
in a second switching state (22) the contact element (1) in a second position (II) is located, wherein the contact element (1) the second (2c) and the third contact plate (2b) contacts, and
in a third switching state (23), the contact element (1) in a third position (III) is located, wherein the contact element (1) on the third contact plate (2b) rests without any contact with the first (2a) and the second contact plate (2c) consists. Switch (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that at least one of the mutually facing surfaces of the contact element (1) and the contact surface (2) have a coating, whereby a low coefficient of friction between the contact element (1) and the contact surface (2) can be achieved and / or that the contact surface (2) and the contact element (1) are geometrically and material-technically dimensioned such that electrical currents between 50A and 400A, in particular between 100A and 200A are switchable. Accumulator having a plurality of cells provided in a cell network, wherein individual cells from the cell assembly via the switch (10) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 14 are separable and in the cell assembly via the switch (10) can be introduced.

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