EP2545622A1

EP2545622A1 - Surge protection element

Info

Publication number: EP2545622A1
Application number: EP11715395A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christian Depping; Ralf Lange; Viktor Horvat
Original assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2010-03-10
Filing date: 2011-03-09
Publication date: 2013-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 2031-03-09
Also published as: HK1174440A1; US8780520B2; WO2011110330A1; CN102782969A; CN102782969B; RU2012143141A; RU2543524C2; IN2012DN06613A; EP2545622B1; BR112012022565A2; DE102010010980A1; US20130003243A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a surge protection element, comprising a contact stud (10) and a contact element (12) arranged spaced apart from the contact stud (10). A connection element (14) is provided, which can be transferred into a first position and into a second position. In the first position, the connection element (14) rests against the contact stud (10) and the contact element (12) in order to connect the contact stud (10) electrically to the contact element (12), and in the second position, the connection element (14) is arranged spaced apart from the contact stud (10) and the contact element (12). In the first position, a thermally separable connection is provided between the connection element (14) and the contact stud (10) and between the connection element (14) and the contact element (12), wherein in the first position the connection element (14) at least partially surrounds the contact stud (10) and/or the contact element (12).

Description

Snubber

The invention relates to an overvoltage protection element. Overvoltage protection elements are often used to protect electrical and electronic equipment against overvoltages that can be transmitted through the electrical supply network. Such overvoltages can be caused in particular by lightning discharges, which, for example, via grounding system in the infrastructure of the

Coupling supply networks.

Such an overvoltage protection element is

For example, from EP 0 987 803 Bl in the form of a

Device for protection against overvoltages of

electrical installations to which the device is connected via connecting means comprising at least two connectors, the device further comprising a lightning protection cell, the first pole of which is directly connected to a first one of the connectors. A second pole of the cell is connected to a first conductor section. Furthermore, the device has a second

Head section on, which directly with a second of the

Connected connector. In addition, the device

Fuses on to maintain a stable slide in a working position of the device in electrical contact with the conductor portions, wherein the means serve to permanently push the slider in an open position of the device in which the slider no longer contact with the two conductor portions Has.

However, such an overvoltage protection element is only for relatively low-energy impulse loads and the resulting lower dynamic current forces

CONFIRMATION COPY suitable. This will be the dynamic current forces

largely determined by the pulse shape and in part also by the amplitude level of the surge current.

The invention is therefore based on the object, a

Overvoltage protection element to provide, by means of which both surge currents with high amplitudes

(typically 8/20 how they can arise during switching operations as well as high-energy lightning partial currents

(typically 10/350 μs pulse) can be safely dissipated.

The object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The overvoltage protection element according to the invention has a contact tongue and a contact element spaced from the contact element, wherein a

Connecting element is provided, which is convertible into a first position and in a second position, wherein in the first position, the connecting element to the

electrically connecting the contact tongue with the

Contact element on the contact tongue and on the

Contacts Clement is applied and in the second position, the connecting element of the contact tongue and the

Contact element is arranged spaced, wherein in the first position between the connecting element and the contact tongue and between the connecting element and the contact element, a thermally separable connection is provided, wherein in the first position

Connecting element, the contact tongue and / or the

Contact element at least partially surrounds. The connecting element serves to be able to establish a contact between the contact tongue and the contact element arranged at a distance from the contact tongue, wherein in the contacting state, in the first position of the connecting element, the connecting element bears against a surface of the contact tongue and against a surface of the contact element the connecting element preferably at least partially to the contour of

Contact tongue and the contour of the contact element is adjusted. The surface of the contact tongue and the surface of the contact element against which the connecting element abuts can lie in a plane relative to one another, so that the connecting element, like a kind of bridge, covers the surface of the contact tongue and the surface of the contact element

overlaps, or the surfaces may become

opposite, so that the connecting element between the contact blade and the contact element is arranged. At the adjoining surfaces of the connecting element with the contact tongue and at the adjacent

Surfaces of the connecting element with the contact element is in each case a thermally separable connection,

for example in the form of a solder, for connecting the connecting element to the contact tongue and the

Provided connecting element with the contact element. The thermally separable connection is preferably a large area between the connecting element and the

Contact tongue and the connecting element and the

Contact element applied. It can over a

large-area contact due to the larger cross section, a higher current amplitude can be transmitted. In addition, a large contact surface ensures high stability of the connection. Achieved in an overload case of the overvoltage protection element, the thermally dissociable compound reaches a temperature which is equal to the melting temperature, then melts the thermally separable connection, so that the

Connecting element is released and moves from the first position to a second position in which the

Connecting element of the contact tongue and the

Contact element is arranged spaced apart, moves. The movement of the Verbindungselernents is preferably realized in that the connecting element with a

biased spring element is connected, which at

Melting the thermally dissociable compound

is activated and the connecting element of the

The contact tongue and the contact element moved away.

The overvoltage protection element according to the invention is characterized in that in the first position

Connecting element, the contact tongue and / or the

Contact element at least partially surrounds. This makes it possible, a particularly high mechanical stability of the connection between the connecting element and the

Contact tongue and / or the connecting element and the

To reach contact element in the first position, so that it is possible over the overvoltage protection element

To derive surge currents with dynamic energetic pulse shapes, as is possible in the known from the prior art overvoltage surge protection elements. The connecting element can be U-shaped, for example, so that the connecting element at least partially surrounds one or more edge regions of the contact tongue and / or the contact element.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a clearing element is provided, wherein the clearing element between the contact tongue and the contact tongue spaced apart contact element is arranged to be movable. The clearing element is used in a separation of the

Contacting between the contact element and the

Contact tongue in the overload case of

Overvoltage protection element to remove the remaining in the gap between the contact element and the contact tongue remnants of the thermally dissociable compound to

ensure that no electrical connection can exist between the contact tongue and the contact element. For this, the reaming element is preferably moved or moved during a movement of the connecting element from the first position to the second position within the gap between the contact tongue and the contact element in order to clean the gap, preferably from the thermally separable connection. Preferably, this is the

Reaming element moves from the contact element towards the contact tongue within the gap, in order to achieve the most complete removal of the remainders of the thermally dissociable compound in the gap. The clearing element can be designed, for example, as a clearing finger or as a clearing blade. If the clearing element is designed as a clearing finger, then the clearing element is at a separation of the contact by a transfer of the

Moves connecting member from the first position to the second position within the gap, wherein upon reaching the second position, the clearing element is moved out of the gap between the contact tongue and the contact element. Is the clearing element designed as a dozer blade, so

preferably remains the clearing element in the second

Position of the connecting element within the gap between the contact element and the contact tongue and thus serves as a shield to the separation of the Contacting any resulting arcs can interrupt.

The reaming element is preferably arranged on the connecting element. The reaming element can be integrally connected to the connecting element or else arranged and attached as a separate component to the connecting element. Is the clearing element on the

Arranged Verbindungselernent, so the broaching preferably performs the same movement as that

Connecting element, so that no separate movement mechanism must be provided for the clearing element, but the clearing element, for example, also by means of the spring element, which is connected to the connecting element, can be moved.

Alternatively, it is preferably provided that the clearing element is movable independently of the connecting element. In this embodiment, for example, the

Reaming element, after the connecting element has been moved from the first position to the second position, are moved into the gap between the contact tongue and the contact element. This is a decoupling of

Movements of the connecting element and the

Clearing element possible. To realize the movement of the clearing element, for example, a second spring element or a lever may be provided which is connected to the broaching element. Further, it is preferably provided that the clearing element is formed from a non-conductive material.

Preferably, the clearing element is made of a

Plastic material formed. Due to the formation of the clearing element of a non-conductive material can possibly in the separation of the contact between the contact tongue and the contact element in case of overload

resulting arcs are interrupted.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the

Invention, the connecting element is trough-shaped

educated. The connecting element is preferably trough-shaped when the contact element and the contact tongue are arranged parallel to one another and the surface of the contact tongue and the surface of the contact element, to which the connecting element

contacted, facing each other, so the

Connecting element is arranged at least partially between the contact tongue and the contact element. If the connecting element is trough-shaped, the connecting element itself can remove the thermally separable connection from the gap between the contact tongue and the contact element during the process from the first position to the second position, without this being necessary

additional clearing element would be necessary. Such a trained connecting element can thus fulfill two functions simultaneously, on the one hand in the first position the production of an electrical contact between the contact element and the contact tongue and on the other the function as a clearing element for cleaning the gap between the contact element and the contact tongue at a separation of electrical contact and a

Movement of the connecting element from the first position to the second position.

The thermally separable compound is preferably formed from a material which can be converted into a viscous state when a melting temperature is exceeded. This can prevent the thermal separable compound when melting during the

Separation of the contacting drips uncontrollably. The thermally separable compound is preferably formed from a non-eutectic material, so that the material of the thermally separable compound at

Melting first assumes a tough or pulpy phase.

In the following, the invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings

Embodiments explained in more detail.

Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a

Overvoltage protection element according to a first embodiment in a contacting state;

Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view

Section of the shown in Fig. 1

Overvoltage protection element;

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the

Overvoltage protection element according to the first

Embodiment in a non-contacting

Status;

Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view

Section of the shown in Fig. 3

Overvoltage protection element;

Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a

Overvoltage protection element according to a second embodiment in a contacting state; Fig. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a

Section of the shown in Fig. 5

Overvoltage protection element; Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of the

Overvoltage protection element according to the second embodiment in a non-contacting state; Fig. 8 is a schematic sectional view of a

Section of the shown in Fig. 7

Overvoltage protection element;

9 is a schematic representation of a

Overvoltage protection element according to a third

Embodiment in a contacting state;

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of the overvoltage protection element shown in FIG. 9; FIG.

11 is a sectional view of that shown in FIG

Representation of the overvoltage protection element according to the third embodiment; Fig. 12 is a schematic representation of the

Overvoltage protection element according to the third embodiment in a non-contacting state; Fig. 13 is a schematic representation of a

Overvoltage protection element according to a fourth embodiment in a contacting state; a schematic plan view of the overvoltage protection element shown in Figure 13 _/ a sectional view of the representation of the overvoltage protection element according to the fourth embodiment shown in Figure 14 ..; and a schematic representation of the

Overvoltage protection element according to the fourth embodiment in a non-contacting state.

FIGS. 1-4 show an overvoltage protection element according to a first embodiment. The

Overvoltage protection element is usually arranged in a housing, not shown here. The

Overvoltage protection element has a contact tongue 10 and a spaced apart from the contact tongue 10 arranged

Contact element 12 on. For producing an electrical contact between the contact tongue 10 and the

Contact element 12, a connecting element 14 is provided, which in a contacting state, such as

For example, shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, on the

Contact element 12 and the contact tongue 10 is present. The connecting element 14 lies in the first position with one of its side surfaces 22 on a surface of the contact tongue 10 and a arranged in a plane to the surface of the contact tongue 10 surface of the

Contact element 12 on. The contact tongue 10 and the

Contact element 12 thus rest against the same side surface 22 of the connecting element 14 in the first position. The contact surface decisively determines the maximum amplitude of the surge currents that can be dissipated.

Between the side surface 22 of the connecting element 14 and the surface of the contact tongue 10 pointing in the direction of the side surface 22 and the surface of the contact element 12 facing in the direction of the side surface 22 is a thermally separable connection, preferably in the form of a solder, which the connecting element 14 in the first position on the contact element 12 and fixed the contact tongue 10 and which melts in the overload case of the overvoltage protection element when a temperature equal to the melting temperature of the material of the thermally dissociable compound, so that the fixation is released and the connecting element 14 of the

Contact tongue 10 and the contact element 12 can be moved in the direction of the second position, as can be seen in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. The movement of the

Connecting element 14 via a biased

Spring element 18 which is connected via a movable carriage 20 with the connecting element 14.

The connecting element 14 is in this embodiment designed such that it surrounds the edge regions of the

Contact element 12 and the contact tongue 10 encloses by 14 angled side parts 16 are provided on the connecting element. This allows a particularly high mechanical stability in the connection between the

Connecting element 14 and the contact tongue 10 and the

Contact element 12 can be achieved in the contacting state, whereby the overvoltage protection element for

particularly high-energy surge currents can be used. On the side surface 22 of the connecting element 14, a clearing element 24 is arranged in the form of a Räumfingers, by means of which after separation of the contact between the contact tongue 10 and the contact element 12, the gap 42 between the contact tongue 10 and the contact element 12 of Remains of the thermally dissociable compound can be released. In the first position, in the contacting state, the clearing element 24, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, is arranged in the gap 42 between the contact tongue 10 and the contact element 12. During a movement of the connecting element 14 from the first position to the second position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the reaming element 24 within the gap 42 is moved starting from the contact element 12 in the direction of the contact tongue 10 and then removed from the gap 42 ,

moved out.

FIGS. 5-8 show a second possible embodiment of the overvoltage protection element according to the invention. The overvoltage protection element shown here essentially corresponds to that shown in FIGS. 1-4

Overvoltage protection element, wherein in this case the clearing element 24 is formed as a rake shield, which also in the second position of the connecting element 14, as shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, in the gap 42 between the

Contact tongue 10 and the contact element 12 remains, so that the clearing element 24 serves as a protective element to prevent the formation of arcs in the separation between the contact tongue 10 and the contact element 12. In this second embodiment shown here, the clearing element 24 is connected via a hinge element 26 as a

separate component disposed on the connecting element 14.

9-12 show a third possible embodiment of the overvoltage protection element according to the invention, wherein in this case the contact tongue 10 and the contact element 12 are arranged opposite each other, parallel to each other, so that in the first position at least a portion of the connecting element 14 between the contact tongue 10 and Contact element 12 is arranged, wherein the

Connecting element 14, the contact tongue 10 U-shaped

surrounds, as can be seen in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, and with an angled wall 28 in addition to the

Contact element 12 partially surrounds. A thermally separable connection is respectively provided at the interfaces 34, 36, as shown in FIG. 11, between the connector 14 and the contact blade 10 and the contact member 12.

The connecting element 14 is in this case trough-shaped

formed so that the connecting element 14 itself in the process from the first position, shown in Fig. 9 - 11, in the second position, shown in Fig. 12, the thermally separable connection from the gap 42, as shown in Fig. 12 to recognize is between the contact tongue 10 and the

Can remove contact element 12, without the need for an additional clearing element would be necessary. In the second position, the connecting element 14 is completely removed from the gap 42 between the contact tongue 10 and the contact element 12.

The connecting element 14 is in this case preferably

also connected to a biased spring element, not shown here, to the movement of the

To realize connecting element 14 from the first position to the second position.

The thermally separable connection is formed, in particular in this embodiment, preferably from a material which can be converted into a viscous state when a melting temperature is reached. This can prevent the thermally separable

Melting during the separation of the Contact drops uncontrollably. The thermal

Separable connection is preferably formed of a non-eutectic material, so that the

Material of thermally dissociable compound at

Melting first takes on a tough, pulpy phase.

FIGS. 13-16 show a fourth possible embodiment of the overvoltage protection element according to the invention, wherein the overvoltage protection element shown in FIG

Essentially that shown in Figs. 9-12

Overvoltage protection element corresponds, wherein in the fourth embodiment shown here, the contact element 12 has a first KontaktSchenkel 30 and a parallel thereto guided second KontaktSchenkel 32. The

Trough-shaped connecting element 14 can be arranged between the first contact leg 30 and the second contact leg 32 of the contact element 12 in the first position, as can be seen in FIGS. 13-15, wherein the

Connecting element 14 between the first

KontaktSkelkel 30 and the second KontaktSchenkel 32 arranged contact tongue U-shaped surrounds. The thermally separable connection is arranged substantially at four boundary surfaces 34, 36, 38, 40 between the contact tongue 10, the contact legs 30, 32 and the connecting element 14, so that solely by the increased number of interfaces 34, 36, 38, 40 at which a thermally separable connection is provided, a higher

mechanical stability of the contact can be achieved and thereby higher-energy surge currents can be derived. In addition, the contact area is increased, so that surge currents can be derived with higher amplitudes. This advantage is reinforced by the distribution of the current to the two legs 30, 32 arranged parallel to one another. With that shown in Figs. 13-16

Overvoltage protection element particularly high-energy surge currents can be transmitted. Be the parallel

arranged to each other KontaktSchenkel 30, 32nd

at the same time, flowed through by current in the same direction, so the KontaktSchenkel 30, 32 attract each other by the magnetic field accompanying the current flow. This acts on the at the interfaces 34, 36, 38, 40th

provided thermally separable connections a lower mechanical load when a surge current flows because the attracting KontaktSchenkel 30, 32 the

Press connection element 14 to the contact tongue 10, so that thereby a mechanical support of the thermally separable connection in the interfaces 34, 36, 38, 40 can be realized and thereby the interfaces 34, 36, 38, 40 itself can be dimensioned smaller or the amount of on the interfaces 34, 36, 38, 40th

applied thermally dissociable compound

can be reduced.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Contact tongue 10

Contact element 12 connecting element 4

Side part 6

Spring element 18

Sled 20

Side surface 22 clearing element 24

Hinge element 26

Wall 28

First contact legs 30

Second contact leg 32 interface 34

Interface 36

Interface 38

Interface 40

Gap 42

Claims

claims

1. overvoltage protection element, with

a contact tongue (10)

and one to the contact tongue (10) spaced

arranged contact element (12),

wherein a connecting element (14) is provided, which in a first position and in a second

Position is transferable,

wherein in the first position, the connecting element (14) for electrically connecting the contact tongue (10) with the contact element (12) on the contact tongue (10) and the contact element (12) bears and

in the second position, the connecting element (14) is arranged at a distance from the contact tongue (10) and the contact element (12),

being in the first position between the

Connecting element (14) and the contact tongue (10) and between the connecting element (14) and the

Contact element (12) a thermally separable

Connection is provided

wherein in the first position, the connecting element (14) at least partially surrounds the contact tongue (10) and / or the contact element (12).

2. Overvoltage protection element according to claim 1, characterized

characterized in that a raking element (24) is provided, wherein the raking element (24) between the

Contact tongue (10) and to the contact tongue (10) spaced contact element (12) is arranged movably.

3. overvoltage protection element according to claim 2, characterized in that the clearing element (24) on the

Connecting element (14) is arranged.

4. overvoltage protection element according to claim 2, characterized in that the clearing element (24) is movable independently of the connecting element (14).

5. overvoltage protection element according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the clearing element (24) is formed of a non-conductive material.

6. overvoltage protection element according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the reaming element (24) in particular in the second position of

Connecting element (14) in a gap (42) between the contact tongue (10) and the contact element (12) remains.

7. overvoltage protection element according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element (14) is formed trough-shaped.

8. overvoltage protection element according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the thermally separable connection is formed of a material which is convertible upon reaching a melting temperature in a viscous state.

9. Overvoltage protection element according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the contact element (12) has a first contact leg! (30) and one Having parallel thereto guided second contact leg (32).

10. Overvoltage protection element according to claim 9, characterized

characterized in that the contact tongue (10) between the first contact leg (30) and the second

Contact legs (32) of the contact element (12) is arranged.

11. overvoltage protection element according to one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that the

Connecting element (14) in the first position between the first KontaktSchenkel (30) and the second

Contact leg (32) of the contact element (12)

is arranged.

12. overvoltage protection element according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the

Connecting element (14) the contact tongue (10) engages in a U-shape.

13. overvoltage protection element according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the

Connecting element (14) in the first position with the first KontaktSchenkel (30) at least one

Contact surface (34) and with the second KontaktSchenkel (32) at least one contact surface (40) and with the contact tongue (10) at least one contact surface (36) and a second contact surface (38).

14. Overvoltage protection element according to claim 13, characterized

characterized in that a thermally separable

Connection to the at least four contact surfaces (34), (36), (38) and (40) is arranged.