EP2881966A1 - Release device for a switching device and switching device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a triggering device for a switching device with an electronically controllable trigger (10) having a magnetic release (12) with adjustable triggering function, and an electronic trigger control (14) which controls the electronically controllable trigger depending on a set triggering function.

Description

The invention relates to a tripping device for a switching device and a switching device with such a tripping device.

In tripping devices for switching devices, in particular circuit breakers, with electronically controllable triggers magnetic triggers are usually used to trigger a lock chain. The triggering can be done by energizing a coil of the magnetic release whose magnetic field de-energizes the magnetic field of a permanent magnet, so that an anchor held thereby can be pressed by a spring into a release position. Due to the electronic control of the magnetic release is also referred to as electronic or electronically controlled trigger (E-trigger).

In order to expand the field of application and functionality, switchgear with electric triggers can also be equipped with modules which triggers with applied voltage by so-called working (current) trigger (A-trigger) or with decreasing voltage by so-called undervoltage release (U-trigger ) cause. An A-trigger is mainly used for remote triggering, for example, if a power interruption should not lead to an automatic shutdown. A U-trigger operates at a too low voltage or a power interruption a triggering device, for example, to prevent the automatic restart of electric motors.

Since the space is limited in the usual switching devices, and the mechanical connection of the E-trigger to the switching drive already requires some space, currently only a very limited number of such additional modules can be used, usually even only a single module.

Object of the present invention is therefore to propose an improved tripping device for a switching device and an improved by such a tripping device switching device.

This object is solved by the subject matters of the independent claims. Further embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

An idea on which the present invention is based is to integrate the function of an A and / or a U trigger into an E trigger of a tripping device for a switching device. This is achieved according to the invention by providing an E-trigger with a magnetic trigger with adjustable trigger function, and the E-trigger from an electronic trigger control according to a desired, i. set trigger function is controlled. In its basic function, the E-trigger can be set to an E-trigger function. If now the function of a U-release is needed, the release control controls the E-trigger so that the corresponding release function of the magnetic release is set to U-release. The integration according to the invention makes it possible to use the space normally required for an A or U release module for other functions. In addition, the electronic trip control and adjustable trip function of the E-Shutter allow for more flexible use, as various trip functions such as an A- and a U-trip can be integrated together with an E-trigger.

An embodiment of the invention relates to a tripping device for a switching device with an electronically controllable trigger having a magnetic release with adjustable triggering function, and an electronic trigger control that controls the electronically controllable trigger depending on a set triggering function. The triggering function can be set, for example electronically via appropriate signals depending on the design of the magnetic release on E, A and / or U-trigger, whereby the trigger control adjusts the magnetic release of the E-trigger to the desired function.

The magnetic release with adjustable triggering function may, for example, an armature, a permanent magnet, a spring, an electrical coil and an adjustment unit, by which the triggering function can be adjusted.

The adjusting unit may for example comprise a mechanical device with which the armature, spring, permanent magnet and electric coil existing release chain can be adjusted such that either the armature on the Permanent magnet is pressed into a latching position and energized by energizing the electric coil, the magnetic field of the permanent magnet, so that the armature can be pressed by the spring in a release position, or the armature is held by energizing the electric coil in the latching position and a voltage drop the voltage applied to the electrical coil of the armature is pressed by the spring in the release position.

The mechanical device may also include a permanent magnet shifter that can move the permanent magnet from a first electronically controlled trip position to a second undervoltage trip position and vice versa. For example, in the first position of the armature can be pressed by the permanent magnet against the force of the spring, and energized the coil to trigger so that the resulting coil magnetic field deenergized the magnetic field of the permanent magnet and the spring can push the armature in a release position. In the second position, the permanent magnet can be far enough away from the armature that it has no influence on this and the armature is pressed by a corresponding magnetic field of the coil against the spring, so that when a drop of the coil voltage, the spring push the armature in the release position can.

The mechanical device may also include a clamping unit for holding the anchor in a first clamping position for an electronically controlled trip or a second clamping position for an undervoltage trip.

Furthermore, the mechanical device may comprise a spring adjusting unit for adjusting the spring for an electronically controlled release or for an undervoltage release.

The electronic trip control can be housed in a separate module which can be connected to the electronically controllable trigger.

A further embodiment of the invention relates to a switching device, in particular a circuit breaker, with a plurality of switching contacts, a switching drive for opening and closing the switching contacts, and a tripping device according to the invention and how described herein, which is mechanically coupled to the switching drive such that when triggered, the switching contacts can be opened.

Further advantages and possible applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

In the description, in the claims, in the abstract and in the drawings, the terms and associated reference numerals used in the list of reference numerals recited below are used.

• Fig. 1 ein Schaltungsdiagramm eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Auslösevorrichtung für ein Schaltgerät gemäß der Erfindung; und
• Fig. 2 eine Explosionsdarstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Magnetauslösers gemäß der Erfindung.

The drawings show in

• Fig. 1 a circuit diagram of an embodiment of a tripping device for a switching device according to the invention; and
• Fig. 2 an exploded view of an embodiment of a magnetic release according to the invention.

In the following description, identical, functionally identical and functionally connected elements may be provided with the same reference numerals. Absolute values are given below by way of example only and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.

Fig. 1 shows the circuit diagram of a tripping device according to the invention with an E-trigger 10 and a microcontroller 14 for controlling the E-trigger 10 via an NPN transistor 32, the load path between a supply voltage 34 and a supply voltage terminal of the E-trigger 10 is connected. Microcontroller 14 and E-trigger 10 are further connected to a reference potential 36.

The microcontroller 14 is configured by a firmware for driving the E-trigger 10. In principle, the microcontroller 14 controls the E-trigger 10 via the transistor 32 so that it triggers at a state defined according to the E-trigger function. Additional trip functions can be provided via an A-trigger input 38 and a U-trigger input 40 are set on the microcontroller 14. The microcontroller 14 implements an electronic trigger control for the E-trigger, with which the E-trigger can also be operated as U or A trigger. The electronic trip control 14 may be housed in a separate module that may be coupled to switchgear having an e-trigger suitable for actuation by the electronic trip control 14.

The E-trigger 10 has a magnetic release, such as the in Fig. 2 An armature 16 of the magnetic release 12 is pressed against a spring 20 on a holder 24, behind which a permanent magnet 18 is arranged, by the magnetic field, the spring 20th under mechanical tension and the armature 16 is held in a latching position. To release the stored energy in the tensioned spring 20, the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 18 can be de-energized by an electrical coil 22 to redirect it via an air gap to the housing 30 and the holder 24. Due to the thus weakened magnetic field of the permanent magnet 18, which pulls the armature 16 towards the holder 24, the force acting on the armature 16 of the spring 20 is stronger and can push it away from the holder 24, so that one end of the armature 16 from the housing 30 is pushed out and can cause a trigger. The de-excitation of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 18 is electronically controlled by the microcontroller 14, which energizes the coil 22 for an electronically controlled triggering by driving the transistor 32 accordingly.

According to the invention, the tripping function of the E-trigger 10 can be adjusted by the E-trigger function described above via a (not shown) adjusting to a U-trigger function. In the U-trigger function of the E-trigger 10 is so adjusted or adjusted that the armature 16 remains energized only when energized with reverse current flow direction relative to the E-trigger function coil 22. For example, the microcontroller 14 at a voltage applied to its U-trigger input 40 corresponding adjustment signal, the energization of the coil 22 in contrast to the E-trigger function, so that the armature by the magnetic field generated by the coil 22, which is now the opposite Direction to the magnetic field generated in the E-trigger function has pressed against the pressure of the spring 20 on the holder 24 and is held by this magnetic field in the latching position. At the same time ensures that the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 18 is too weak to hold the armature 16 in this position, for example, by pivoting the permanent magnet 18 away from the latching position of the armature 16. The energy for supplying the coil 22 can by an additional line, an integrated Module or provided by a switching device.

For use as an A-trigger, the triggering function of the E-trigger 10 is set to the E-trigger function. A triggering is set via a corresponding signal at the A-trigger input 38, for example by a remote trigger signal, by which the microcontroller 14 controls the E-trigger 10 such that it initiates an immediate release by the magnetic release 12. The microcontroller 14 can either be self-powered or operated by the signal at the A-trigger input 38.

In general, the adjustment of the E-trigger 10 by a mechanical, electronic or pneumatic solution, or by influencing the spring force of the spring 20, the permanent magnet 18 or by different clamping positions. In the following some implementations of the adjustment will be explained. The explanations here are not to those in Fig. 2 shown embodiment of a magnetic release limited, but may also be provided for implementation with another structure of a magnetic release. However, essential elements of the magnetic release such as armature and coil are required for implementation with the described adjustment units.

The adjustment unit can have a mechanical device (not shown) which can set the release chain consisting of armature 16, spring 20, permanent magnet 18 and electrical coil 22 to the E-trigger or the U-trigger function. For example, the mechanical device may include a slider (not shown) that can move the permanent magnet 18 from a first position for the E-trigger function as far from the armature 16 to a second position for the U-trigger function that the magnetic field of the Permanent magnet 18 is too weak to move the armature 16 in the latching position and to hold therein. The mechanical device may also include a tensioning unit (not shown) that holds the armature 16 in a first tensioning position for an E-triggering function or in a second tensioning position for a U-triggering function. The armature 16 may, for example, manually be brought into the first or second clamping position. In the first clamping position, the armature 16 can be held by the permanent magnet 18. In contrast, in the second clamping position, the armature 16 can be held by the magnetic field of the coil 22. Finally, the mechanical device may also include a spring adjusting unit (not shown) for adjusting the spring for electronically controlled trip or for undervoltage trip. For example, the spring force can be changed by the Federeinstelleinheit, so that at a set U-trigger function, the spring force is so great that the tightening force of the permanent magnet 18 is too low to hold the armature 16 and the coil 22 additionally energized accordingly must to hold the anchor 16. In a set E-trigger function, however, the spring force is selected and adjusted so that the tightening force of the permanent magnet 18 is sufficient to hold the armature 16, and for triggering the coil 22 must be energized as described above in accordance with the so generated magnetic field to de-energize the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 18 and to allow the spring force is sufficient to push the armature 16 in the release position.

The adjustment unit can also have an electronic adjuster (not shown), which can be implemented, for example, directly in the microcontroller 14 and controls the energization of the coil 22 as a function of the set tripping function. In particular, the electronic phaser may energize the coil 22 such that the magnetic field it generates is strong enough to hold the armature 16 in a position for a tripping function. In the event of an undervoltage, the electronic adjuster can then energize the coil 22 in such a way that the orientation of the magnetic field changes and the armature 16 is brought into a triggering position by the changed magnetic field. Here, the positioning of the armature 16 can be supported by other mechanical elements such as a spring.

reference numeral

10

E-timer

12

magnetic release

14

microcontroller

16

anchor

18

permanent magnet

20

feather

22

electric coil

24

Bracket and shunt

26

baseplate

28

compensation ring

30

Housing and shunt

32

npn transistor

34

supply voltage

36

reference potential

38

A trigger input

40

U-trigger input

Claims (7)

Tripping device for a switching device with an electronically controllable trigger (10) having a magnetic release (12) with adjustable triggering function, and an electronic trigger control (14) which controls the electronically controllable trigger depending on a set triggering function, characterized in that the magnetic release (12) with adjustable triggering function an armature (16), a permanent magnet (18), a spring (20), an electrical coil (22) and an adjusting unit, by which the triggering function can be adjusted. Tripping device according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting unit comprises a mechanical device with which the armature, spring, permanent magnet and electric coil existing release chain can be adjusted so that either the armature is pressed onto the permanent magnet in a latching position and by energizing the electric coil, the magnetic field of the permanent magnet is de-energized so that the armature can be pressed by the spring in a release position, or the armature is held by energizing the electric coil in the latching position and at a voltage drop of the voltage applied to the electric coil voltage of the armature is pressed by the spring in the release position. Trip device according to claim 2, characterized in that the mechanical device comprises a permanent magnet shifter capable of moving the permanent magnet from a first position for electronically controlled release to a second position for undervoltage release and vice versa. Tripping device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the mechanical device comprises a clamping unit for holding the armature in a first clamping position for an electronically controlled release or in a second clamping position for an undervoltage release. Tripping device according to claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the mechanical device comprises a spring adjusting unit for adjusting the spring for an electronically controlled release or for an undervoltage release. Tripping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic trigger control is housed in a separate module which can be connected to the electronically controllable trigger. Switchgear, in particular circuit breaker, with • several switch contacts, • a switching drive for opening and closing the switching contacts, and • A triggering device according to one of the preceding claims, which is mechanically coupled to the switching drive such that in the case of release, the switching contacts can be opened

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