EP3028290B1 - Contactor with replaceable contact piece assembly - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a switching device having a switching chamber, in which a fixedly positioned switching piece is arranged opposite to a movable contact piece.

Switching devices such as large contactors are designed purely mechanically for a service life of 10 million switching cycles. If these contactors are used electrically at their rated limit, the switching contacts are already worn much earlier, for example at 1 million switching cycles. Even today, manufacturers of cost-intensive shooters offer replacement contact pieces. A customer can change the worn contact pieces in the contactor, instead of completely replacing the costly contactor, which is associated with cost savings.

However, the functionality of the exchangeable contact pieces requires special design requirements. Thus, for example, by the arcs at the switching point, which arise during operational switching, the switching chamber walls are thermally very heavily loaded. As a result, for example, no thermoplastics can be used in the switching point, as these melting and could be damaged.

However, especially the use of thermoplastics for the switching chamber is particularly attractive, since by using this special plastic, the switching chamber filigree and can be built smaller and thus the entire contactor can be made more compact.

In the prior art, various switching devices with removable contact units are already known. From the EP 0 834 894 B2 For example, there is an electric current switching device that includes a switching device having a body electrically insulating material and a first and a second stationary contact, which are attached to the body. The switching device further includes a movable contact that is movably coupled to the body and selectively contacts the first and second stationary contacts, respectively, for engaging an electrical connection with them. Furthermore, the switching device includes an actuator assembly having an enclosure or housing that includes an electrically actuated drive that includes a member releasably coupled to the movable contact for alternately actuating the movable contact in engagement with the first and second stationary contacts or out of the surgery.

In this case, the switch assembly is sealingly secured to the actuator assembly to prevent arcs generated between the movable contact and the first and second stationary contacts from leaking from the electric current switch apparatus, the switch assembly being a single unit the actuator assembly is removable for repair and replacement.

From the DE 1 094 851 is known a contact device with exchangeable contact unit, in which the connecting pieces of the electrical supply line are fixed to a base, which communicates with the contact unit such that when removing the contact unit from the base, the supply lines do not need to be solved. In this case, the replaceable contact unit, which is preferably made of a contact body with a fixed contact and an actuating part with movable contacts, mechanically fixed by releasable, cooperating with the fittings of the socket fasteners on the base. By means of these fastening means, the electrical connection of the contact unit to the supply lines is produced at the same time.

The disadvantage of the known from the prior art solutions is that they require a large volume of construction and / or the customer must change in his sole discretion next to the switching pieces other items that can be replaced only by competent personnel.

The US 2 969 444 A discloses a switching device with a switching chamber, in which a fixedly positioned switching piece is arranged opposite to a movable contact piece, wherein the fixedly positioned contact piece is mounted on a plastic support member and this combination of components is made interchangeable. A switching device according to the preamble of claim 1 is from the US Pat. No. 3,215,800 out.

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a switching device with a switching chamber, which allows easy replacement of the contact pieces despite the compact design of the switching device.

This object is achieved by a switching device having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and developments, which can be used individually or in combination with each other, are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a switching device with a switching chamber, in which a fixedly positioned contact piece is arranged opposite to a movable contact piece. The invention is characterized in that the fixedly positioned switching piece is plugged onto a plastic carrier and this component combination of fixedly positioned switching piece and plastic carrier part is designed as an exchangeable switching piece assembly.

Thus, according to the invention, the fixedly positioned switching piece in a switching device, preferably in a contactor on a Plugged plastic carrier part and forms together with this a switching chamber insert. It can be provided that the parts of the switching chamber are formed with the plastic carrier part, which are drawn during operational switching affected.

This assembly of contact piece and plastic carrier part is designed so that it can be easily replaced by the customer who can buy this switching chamber insert as a spare part.

The movable contact pieces are mounted in a contact carrier and can also be replaced with. The contact carrier and the switching chamber are designed or shielded so that they are not damaged by switching arcs. In alternative embodiments, arc quenching means such as quenching plates or extinguishing baskets or metallic shields with various functions can be integrated in the switching chamber insert. These arc extinguishing agents are depending on the rated operating current and rated operating voltage for the shutdown of currents, for example, in a contactor required.

According to the invention, the switching chamber insert is constructed such that it contains all the wear points. Since all wear points of a switching chamber are integrated in the chamber insert, it is structurally not necessary that other housing parts of the switching device with respect to the arc resistance meet further requirements. This results in fewer restrictions in the selection of the material and in the structural design. This results overall in a more filigree design of the switching device, whereby a compact design is made possible. The customer must only exchange the switching chamber inserts which comprise the movable contact pieces and the plastic support member in the switching device according to the invention with exchangeable contact piece subassembly.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention can be provided that the plastic carrier part has two parallel side surfaces formed, which are connected to each other via a first further side surface. These three side surfaces are generally U-shaped and allow the recording of the fixedly positioned contact piece. The fixedly positioned switching piece is preferably U-shaped with two legs and a connecting centerpiece. It is structurally provided that one of the legs of the fixedly positioned contact piece comes to rest on the first connecting side surface.

It can also be provided that a second connecting side surface is arranged at a distance from and parallel to the first connecting side surface, so that a recess is formed between the first and the second connecting side surface into which a leg of the U-shaped fixedly positioned contact piece is insertable. Through the first connecting side surface and the second connecting side surface disposed thereover, a guide slot results, in which a leg of the U-shaped fixedly positioned contact piece can be inserted.

In a special embodiment of the invention, a further concept may consist in that recesses formed parallel to each other for receiving quenching plates are formed on the side surfaces formed parallel to each other. The integration of various functions in the plastic support member allows a wide application of these components, so that even at higher rated currents and higher rated operating voltages, resulting in the switching off of currents in a switching device, arc extinguishing agent can be placed on the plastic support member.

In a further specific embodiment of the invention, a further concept may consist in that two guide grooves arranged parallel to one another for receiving a deletion basket are arranged on the mutually parallel side surfaces. These receiving means are designed to make the plastic carrier part also accessible for higher rated operating currents and higher rated operating voltages.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a technical continuation of the inventive concept consist in that the plastic carrier part is made of a high temperature thermoplastic.

In a special embodiment of the invention can be provided that the plastic support member is made of thermosetting plastic.

The feature combinations described above can be used in particular in a contactor. However, it is also conceivable that the present invention is used in particular in its preferred embodiment as a circuit breaker. In addition, the present invention may also be designed as a compact motor branch.

The switching device according to the invention has a switching chamber in which fixedly positioned switching pieces are arranged opposite lying to movable contact pieces. The fixedly positioned switching pieces are each arranged in the plastic carrier part. On the switching device can be arranged laterally terminal blocks. The switching chamber is covered by a switching chamber cover. For replacement of the exchangeable contactor assembly, the interrupter cover is removed, and the contactor assemblies are pulled away to the right and left, respectively, and replaced.

The positioning of the plastic carrier parts in the switching device is preferably carried out via a guide rail-groove construction. It is also possible that the movable contact pieces are also mounted in a contact carrier and can also be replaced.

The plastic carrier part according to the invention preferably has two side surfaces formed parallel to one another, which are connected to one another via a first further side surface. Spaced from and parallel to the first connecting side surface is preferably arranged a second connecting side surface in such a way that between the first and the second connecting side surface a recess forms, in which a leg of a U-shaped fixedly positioned contact piece is inserted.

Preferably, mutually parallel recesses for receiving quenching plates are formed on the mutually parallel side surfaces. Furthermore, parallel to each other positioned guide grooves for receiving a splitter tray can be arranged on the side surfaces formed parallel to each other. The plastic carrier part according to the invention is preferably manufactured as a high-temperature thermoplastic. In particular, the plastic carrier part can be made of duroplastic.

Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will be explained below with reference to embodiments and with reference to the drawing.

• Fig. 1 in einer perspektivischen Darstellung ein Schaltgerät aus dem Stand der Technik mit einer Schaltkammer, in welcher fest positionierte und gegenüber liegend dazu bewegliche Schaltstücke angeordnet sind;
• Fig. 2 in einer perspektivischen Darstellung ein erfindungsgemäßes Schaltgerät mit wechselbaren Schaltstückbaugruppen;
• Fig. 3 in einer perspektivischen Explosionsdarstellung eine erfindungsgemäße Schaltstückbaugruppe;
• Fig. 4 in einer perspektivischen Darstellung eine erfindungsgemäße zusammengebaute Schaltstückbaugruppe.

Here are shown schematically:

• Fig. 1 in a perspective view of a switching device of the prior art with a switching chamber, in which fixedly positioned and opposite thereto movable switching pieces are arranged;
• Fig. 2 in a perspective view of an inventive switching device with exchangeable contact piece assemblies;
• Fig. 3 in a perspective exploded view of a switching piece assembly according to the invention;
• Fig. 4 in a perspective view of an assembled switch piece assembly according to the invention.

In Fig. 1 a switching device of the prior art is shown with a switching chamber 100, in which fixedly positioned switching pieces 200 are arranged opposite to movable contact pieces 300. On the switching device terminal clamping blocks 400 are arranged laterally. The switching device is covered by an arc chamber 500. The switching chamber walls, which have been affected by the switching arc are housed in the arc chamber 500, which must also be changed when the switching pieces are changed.

Fig. 2 shows a switching device according to the invention, which has a switching chamber 1, in which fixedly positioned contact pieces 2 are arranged opposite to movable contact pieces 3. The fixedly positioned contact pieces 2 are each arranged in plastic carrier parts 4. The switching device can be arranged laterally terminal blocks 5. The switching chamber 1 is covered by a switching chamber cover 6. For replacement of the exchangeable contactor assembly, the interrupter chamber cover 6 is removed and the contactor assemblies are pulled away and replaced to the right and to the left, respectively. The positioning of the plastic carrier parts 4 in the switching device is preferably carried out via a guide rail-groove construction. It may additionally be provided that the movable contact pieces 3 are also mounted in a contact carrier and also replaced.

In Fig. 3 a switching piece assembly according to the invention is shown in individual parts. The contact piece assembly according to the invention has a plastic support 4, which preferably has two side surfaces 7, 8 which are formed parallel to one another and which are connected to one another via a first further side face 9. Spaced from and parallel to the first connecting side surface 9, a second connecting side surface 10 is arranged, so that between the first and the second connecting side surface 9, 10 forms a recess 11, in which a leg 12 of a U-shaped fixedly positioned contact piece. 2 is insertable. At the mutually parallel side surfaces 7, 8 are preferably formed parallel to each other recesses 13 for receiving quenching plates 14. In addition, at the side surfaces formed parallel to each other 7, 8 of the plastic carrier 4 two parallel to each other positioned guide grooves 15, 16 may be arranged for receiving a fire extinguisher 17.

Fig. 4 shows the assembled switch piece assembly according to the invention with attached quenching plates 14 and attached quenching basket 17th

The switching device according to the invention with exchangeable contact piece assembly is characterized by easy handling during replacement and also allows a compact design.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

switching chamber

200

firmly positioned contact pieces

300

movable contact pieces

400

Terminal Blocks

500

Arc chamber

1

switching chamber

2

firmly positioned contact pieces

4

Plastic carrier parts

5

Anschussklemmblöcke

6

Switching chamber cover

7, 8

faces

9

connecting side surface

10

connecting side surface

11

recess

12

leg

13

recess

14

splitters

15, 16

guide

17

extinguishing basket

Claims (8)

1. Switching device with a switching chamber (1), which is covered by a switching chamber cover (6) and in which two stationary switching pieces (2) are arranged opposite a moveable switching piece (3), wherein the stationary switching pieces (2) are each fitted to a plastic carrier part (4), and this component combination of stationary switching piece (2) in the plastic carrier part (4) is configured as an exchangeable switching piece assembly, wherein, in order to exchange the exchangeable switching piece assembly, the switching chamber cover (6) is removed in a first direction, characterized in that the switching piece assemblies are withdrawn to the right and to the left in directions which are in each case perpendicular to the first direction, and are exchanged.
2. Switching device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the plastic carrier part (4) is configured with two mutually parallel sides (7, 8), which are interconnected by means of a first further side (9).
3. Switching device according to Claim 2, characterized in that, at a distance from and parallel to the first connecting side (9), a second connecting side (10) is arranged such that, between the first and second connecting sides (9, 10), a recess (11) is formed, into which one arm (12) of a U-shaped stationary switching piece (2) may be inserted.
4. Switching device according to either of Claims 2 and 3, characterized in that mutually parallel recesses (13) for the accommodation of arc splitters (14) are configured on the mutually parallel sides (7, 8).
5. Switching device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the plastic carrier part (4) is manufactured from a high-temperature thermoplastic material.
6. Switching device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the plastic carrier part (4) is manufactured from Duroplast.
7. Switching device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the switching device is a contactor.
8. The switching device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the switching device is a power circuit-breaker.

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