EP3555900B1 - Electrical interruption switch, in particular for interrupting high currents at high voltages - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an electrical interrupting switching element, in particular for interrupting high currents at high voltages, having the features of the preamble of patent claim 1.

Such switching elements are used, for example, in power plant and motor vehicle technology, as well as in general mechanical and electrical engineering in switch cabinets of machines and systems, as well as in the context of electromobility in electric and hybrid vehicles, but also in electrically operated helicopters and aircraft for defined and quick disconnection of high power electrical circuits in emergency use. The requirement for such a switching element is that its tripping and interrupting function must be reliably guaranteed even after up to 20 years without maintenance. Furthermore, such a switching element must not emanate any additional hazard potential from hot gas, particles, projectiles or escaping plasma.

A possible area of application in automotive technology is the defined irreversible disconnection of the on-board wiring from the car battery or drive battery shortly after an accident or generally after a short-circuit process caused by other means, for example a defective unit or a defective electric motor, in order to avoid sources of ignition caused by sparks and To avoid plasma that occurs when, for example, cable insulation has been chafed by body sheet metal penetrating during the accident or loose cable ends press against each other or against sheet metal parts and chafe. If petrol escapes at the same time as an accident, such ignition sources can ignite flammable petrol-air mixtures that collect under the hood, for example. Other areas of application are the electrical disconnection of an assembly from the vehicle electrical system in the event of a short circuit in the assembly in question, for example in an electric parking heater or in an electric brake, as well as the emergency shutdown of a lithium battery, such as those used today in electric and hybrid vehicles and in aircraft for apply. These batteries have a high terminal voltage of up to 1200V with a small construction volume extremely low internal resistance. Both result in a possible short-circuit current of up to 5000A, sometimes even up to 30kA for a short time, without the source voltage dropping sharply, which can lead to the battery igniting or exploding after just a few seconds. The interrupting switching element presented here is also very well suited for the emergency shutdown of individual solar cell modules or entire solar cell arrays in an emergency, because it can be designed to be controllable or remote-controllable. Furthermore, it can additionally or instead be designed in such a way that it triggers passively, that is to say it can take over the function of a conventional safety fuse at the same time.

All of the applications listed here usually involve switching off direct current, which, unlike alternating current, does not have a zero crossing. This means that an arc, once it has occurred in or on the switch, does not extinguish by itself, but remains stable and vaporizes all materials in its effective area due to its extremely high temperature of several 1000°C and in addition to its extreme thermal effect and emitted radiant energy it also generates highly toxic gaseous substances.

Separating high-voltage direct currents is therefore much more difficult than isolating or switching off high-voltage alternating currents and also more difficult the higher the line inductance and the smaller the effective line resistance at the moment of the circuit.

In the prior art, pyrotechnic fuses are known which are actively controlled to trigger. For example, describes the DE 2 103 565 a circuit breaker, which comprises a metallic housing which is connected to two terminal areas that are spaced apart from one another, each having a conductor end of a conductor to be protected. The current path runs through the housing. A pyrotechnic element, which is formed by an explosive charge, is provided in the housing. The explosive charge can be activated by an electrical detonator, which includes an ignition element that is vaporized by a supply current. The housing is filled with an insulating liquid. The axially extended housing has a circumferential groove along which the housing tears open when the explosive charge is ignited. The The housing is broken into two electrically separate parts so that the relevant circuit is separated. With this circuit breaker, the plasma that occurs when a circuit is opened with a very high current intensity is extinguished by the atomized insulating liquid. In a motor vehicle, for example, it can be triggered by the signal from a shock sensor.

A self-triggering to disconnect the circuit when the conductor to be protected is overloaded is not provided in this known device, because the entire sleeve would have to be heated to the triggering temperature and then a detonative reaction would not be reliably achieved. Because an explosive can hardly be ignited by simply heating the case, ie brought to the detonative conversion. However, this would be the case, for example, in the DE 2 103 565 described housing shape necessary.

It should be mentioned that in pyrotechnics worldwide a detonative conversion is spoken of when flame front speeds of more than 2000 m/s are reached, by definition.

Another disadvantage of this known device is the problem of approval for devices that have assemblies filled with explosives or even detonators and have external effects. For this reason, devices of this type have hitherto not been used commercially. They are only used very occasionally in research institutes for special experiments. The reasons for this are also the very low handling safety and the extremely high risk potential that is very difficult to limit.

Furthermore, in many cases there is a requirement for a self-triggering function of such a switch or a safety device, for example to protect a cable from overload without additional expense for overload sensors, or in the event of failure of the triggering sensors or triggering circuit. A corresponding switching element should therefore not only have a controllable tripping option, but also the function of a conventional high-current fuse in the form of a fuse have that can be handled safely by anyone, as is the case with conventional fuses.

Such high-current fuses have the disadvantage of a switch-off time that fluctuates within a large bandwidth after the rated current of the fuse has been reached. A cable protected in this way can therefore only be utilized to a very small extent, e.g. 30%, in terms of its current-carrying capacity, since otherwise, for example, a cable fire can occur in the event of an overload. The most serious disadvantage of fuses, however, is the fact that when very small overcurrents are switched off, they form a conductive channel internally around the fuse element, with the result that although the fuse element melts, the current is still not switched off afterwards because the Current flows through the conductive channel.

From the DE 197 49 133 A1 an emergency stop switch for electrical circuits is known, which enables both self-triggering and triggerable triggering. For this purpose, an electrical conductor is used, which has a pyrotechnic core. This can consist of a pyrotechnic material, for example. On the one hand, the pyrotechnic core can be ignited by the heating of the electrical conductor when a permissible current intensity (rated current intensity) is exceeded. On the other hand, provision is made for the pyrotechnic core to be ignited by a controllable ignition device, for example in the form of a glow wire. The DE 197 49 133 A1 However, FIG. Because the production of a conductor with such a pyrotechnic core requires considerable effort. In addition, even with such an emergency shutdown switch, a safe, rapid disconnection of the conductor can only be guaranteed if a detonative explosive is used. In the case of deflagrating, ie non-detonatively converting substances, such as thermite or nitrocellulose powder, the conductor only bursts open and the remaining gas escapes, without the conductor being completely separated. Complete disconnection is then at best achieved by the conductor melting through as a result of the current flowing through the fuse. However, this would at higher voltages, especially at switching voltages of more than 100V, inevitably lead to ion generation and thus plasma formation in the fuse and thus prevent the circuit from being broken with a high degree of probability.

From the DE 100 28 168 A1 The applicant is aware of an electrical switching element, in particular for switching high currents, which can be configured to be activated both actively, ie by means of a controllable ignition device, and passively, ie via the current intensity of the current to be switched off. The switching element has a housing which includes a contact unit, the contact unit having two connection contacts which are connected to the housing in a stationary manner or are formed in one piece therewith for the supply and removal of an electric current to be switched, and the two connection contacts in the initial state of the switching element within the housing are electrically connected. An activatable material is provided in the housing which, after activation, generates a gas pressure to act upon the contact unit, the electrically conductive connection being broken by the actuation of the gas pressure. The contact unit comprises a contact element that can be moved relative to the stationary connection contacts when the gas pressure generated is applied, which is moved in the direction of the axis of the contact unit from its starting position to an end position by the application of the gas pressure generated, in which the electrical connection via the contact unit is interrupted is.

This switching element is designed in such a way that no outward movement of parts occurs. In addition, no hazardous gases or fragments of any kind escape when activated. Another switching unit from the prior art is from DE 10 2014 107853 A1 known.

However, it has been found that switching units of this type are only suitable to a limited extent for switching off very high direct currents at higher voltages, since the interruption of the isolating area as a result of the circuit being opened always causes an arc to be drawn here, which as a result of the inductance in the line at the moment of the The energy stored in the magnetic field and released at the moment the circuit is separated cannot be prevented from being separated. Try to use an extinguishing agent that leaves the separation area in its original state surrounding before activation have shown that this alone does not achieve the desired result, namely avoiding the occurrence of an arc or safely extinguishing an arc that already exists.

In known pyrotechnic drives, whether integrated into any device or as an independent device, the activatable material, which is provided for generating the pressure or the pressure surge (hereinafter also referred to as shock wave), is introduced into a combustion chamber. The volume of the combustion chamber is usually also the volume of the powder chamber and usually includes the volume that the pyrotechnic material requires for storage in the assembly before it is triggered. However, if only a small amount of the activatable material is required, depending on the liveliness or burning rate of the pyrotechnic material, or if as little activatable material as possible is to be contained in the assembly for reasons of maximum safety in the event of an accident, there is often the problem that the combustion chamber cannot be made small enough, or that the activatable material, which is often in solid, for example pressed form, cannot be manufactured with the required tolerance to fill the entire combustion chamber. The remaining volume of the combustion chamber, which is not occupied by the activatable material, and the air or gas present therein limits in particular the steepness of the pressure increase, which is generated after the activation of the activatable material, requires additional energy that the actual breaking process of the so-called separating zone and then the acceleration process of the diaphragm or piston and also dampens any type of shock wave that could have been used to rupture the separating zone with minimal use of pyrotechnic mass. The residual volume filled with air or a gas thus reduces the transmission of a rapid mechanical impulse to the drive element of the pyrotechnic drive device (hereinafter also referred to as the sabot).

Also with regard to safety aspects, both the smallest possible mass of pyrotechnic material and at the same time the smallest possible empty volume in the assembly are desirable: every empty volume can be destroyed by the pyrotechnic reaction are depressed by the resulting gaseous reaction products, i.e. an energy reservoir is created after ignition, which is discharged if, for example, the assembly was overloaded and breaks. The "high-pressure gas reservoir" created in this way would then be discharged with a corresponding bang and parts being thrown around - which cannot happen if there are no empty volumes in the assembly or no gas-filled volumes after the assembly has been triggered.

At this point it should be pointed out that in the context of this description any material that converts to deflagration or detonation (for example burning up) is referred to as an activatable material. This also includes deflagrating mixtures of substances, such as thermite mixtures or tetrazene. A deflagrating material generates, among other things, gaseous reaction products and an increase in pressure or a pressure wave, the propagation speed of which is less than or equal to the speed of sound of the medium in question. A detonatively converting material, on the other hand, also generates a pressure change in the medium in question, referred to as a pressure surge or shock wave, the propagation speed of which is greater than the speed of sound in the loaded medium.

This essentially results in two different types of pyrotechnic propulsion devices:
If a deflagrating, ie relatively slowly reacting, activatable material is used, then there is a relatively slow increase in pressure or a relatively slow change in pressure or pressure wave in the surrounding medium in the millisecond range. If this relatively “slow” pressure increase acts on a sabot or a tube segment, for example, then this is deformed or moved. Both effects on the sabot or a pipe segment are also possible. Such a relatively slow increase in pressure is usually used to increase the volume of the combustion chamber.

If an activatable material that converts detonatively is used, the pressure surge generated or the shock wave emanating from it should be used in order to first tear open a component segment, in this case a pipe segment or the separation area, i.e. in this case the electrical conductor, quickly and violently and thereafter to generate the output power of the pyrotechnic material.

Here, the property of detonative materials is used to be able to generate a significantly higher energy density in comparison to deflagrating materials, the effect of which can be implemented more effectively at the desired location while at the same time using significantly less material. Of particular importance here, however, is the coupling of the detonative material or the shock wave generated by it to the desired site of action.

Furthermore, it is desirable to keep the amount of pyrotechnic material in such interrupting switching elements as small as possible, so that not only detonatively converting pyrotechnic materials but also deflagratingly converting pyrotechnic materials can be used, and an adequate separation of the current path is nevertheless achieved. Furthermore, it is also desirable for safety and cost reasons to minimize the amount of pyrotechnic material.

Proceeding from this prior art, the object of the invention is to create a pyrotechnical interrupting switching element, in particular for interrupting high currents at high voltages, in which high currents at high voltages can also be switched off by avoiding or at least effectively damping a current sustained by an arc is assured. The amount of pyrotechnic material to be used should be as small as possible and still ensure the shutdown. In addition, a switching element is to be created which is largely unobjectionable in terms of safety and can be produced in a simple and cost-effective manner.

The invention solves this problem with the features of patent claim 1.

In the electrical interrupting switching element according to the invention, a pyrotechnic material can be used in such a small amount for carrying out the switching process that the shock wave generated does not damage the housing of the interrupting switching element, but can still interrupt high currents at high voltages. Not only deflagrating pyrotechnic materials can be used here, but also advantageously detonative pyrotechnic materials that generate shock waves.

The electrical circuit breaker according to the invention thus has a housing which surrounds a contact unit defining the current path through the circuit breaker. A pyrotechnic material is provided, which is a gas-generating and/or shock-wave-generating, activatable material. The contact unit has a first and second connection contact and a disconnection area. The pyrotechnic material and the contact unit are designed in such a way that a current to be interrupted can be fed to it via the first connection contact and removed from it via the second connection contact (or vice versa) and that when the pyrotechnic material is ignited, the separating area is connected to a material that can be activated by the material generated gas pressure and / or shock wave is applied, so that the separation area is torn open or pressed and thereby separated. The insulation distance is selected so that it is well sufficient for the voltage to be switched in each case to keep the source voltage safe, i.e. discharge-free, after separation. At least one chamber in the interrupting switching element is at least partially delimited by the isolating area and is essentially completely filled with a filling material, preferably silicone oil. In this way, the separation area is in contact with the filling material.

“Substantially completely filled” is understood to mean that, apart from the unavoidable gas bubbles that are present, for example, due to the surface tension of the filling material or due to difficulties during filling, the entire space in the respective chamber is filled with the filling material.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the separating area can be designed in such a way that it at least partially surrounds a chamber, preferably a combustion chamber, ie the wall of the separating area delimits one chamber at least partially.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the separating area can separate one chamber from another chamber. This further chamber surrounds the separating area, preferably in the form of a ring. If not only one chamber is filled with filling material, but also the space of the other chamber, the separating process of the separating area takes place completely in the filling material, so that an arc that forms at the first opening is extinguished immediately or quickly and further discharge phenomena are well prevented can. According to one embodiment of the invention, one chamber can be connected to the other chamber when the separation area is separated. According to one embodiment of the invention, both the one chamber and the other chamber can be essentially completely filled with the filling material.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the pyrotechnic material can be located in the chamber filled with the filling material. In this way, the shock wave can act directly through the filling material with its specific, usually very low, shock wave resistance.

The pyrotechnic material is preferably provided with a protective layer, preferably of natural rubber and/or epoxy resin, which prevents the filler material from inactivating the pyrotechnic material before it is activated. The pyrotechnic material is preferably present in the interrupting switching element according to the invention in the form of a so-called mini detonator or an ignition or ignition pellet, but it can also be introduced in another form.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the pyrotechnic material is located in one chamber, ie one chamber is then the combustion chamber. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which the pyrotechnic material is provided in the further chamber, for example in an outer area of the further chamber within the housing (see Fig 11 ) or even outside the housing, whereby the generated energy or the pressure or the shock wave is transmitted via a pressure line (see 12 ). acts on the separation area and the sabot.

The filling material preferably has an electrically good insulating material. It preferably contains a material that itself breaks down into an insulator when exposed to energy or when it decomposes. However, both properties can also be fulfilled by one material alone, as is the case with silicone oils: The electrically insulating oil is decomposed, e.g. by the influence of electric arcs, and in the process it becomes silicon dioxide, which is also a good electrical insulator.

The pyrotechnic material is usually housed in one chamber, but embodiments are also conceivable that house the pyrotechnic material in the outer area of the other chamber within the housing (see Fig 11 ) or even outside the housing via a pressure line (see 12 ) and in this way feeds the pressure or the shock wave to the separation area. Here, too, all the empty volumes can be filled with fluid, as can be seen in the two figures. In both of the last-mentioned cases, the web material in the separation area would either be pressed inwards after the separation or would simply be torn lengthwise.

The presence of a filling material in at least one of the chambers also has the advantage that the surface, for example of the mini detonator, is electrically well insulated from the inner or outer wall of the separating area. The presence of a filling material in one chamber or the other chamber also has the advantage that the proportion of gas in it can be greatly reduced, so that with a small amount of gas generated by the mini detonator, high pressure can be exerted on the separation area and any sabot. So much pressure can be generated very effectively, i.e. with little gas or converted pyrotechnic mass, that even a separating area of the contact unit made of thick material tears open and then also presses any sabot that may be present and thus compresses or compresses any compression area that may be present . Due to the reduced gas volume in the chamber and/or the further chamber due to the filling material, it is also possible to store little pressure energy so that no major undesired external effect occurs when the housing of the interrupting switching element bursts open after the assembly is overloaded. Only in a gas volume could appreciable energy are stored, which could then show up explosively when the housing of the interrupting contact element opens. Furthermore, the shock wave resistance in one chamber or the other chamber is greatly reduced by the filling material, or the separating area is quasi-acoustically coupled to the mini detonator. Here, pressures of far more than 1 kbar are reached in the shock wave front. The migration of this pressure disturbance or the pressure energy in the direction of the wall of the separation area would be impeded, weakened or dampened by a gas volume. By filling in a filling material with a lower shock wave resistance than a gas, the energy generated by the mini detonator, for example, can be used as undiminished as possible for the destruction of the separation area and for the impact of any sabot that may be present, and not for the heating and suppression of the gas. When using silicone oils, for example, there is an improvement or amplification of the shock wave compared to air between 1000x and 4000x.

When the pyrotechnic material is ignited, the presence of the filler material allows the shock wave to propagate with much less attenuation, so that the separating region can be ruptured and the sabot depressed much more effectively than in the presence of a gaseous material. As a result, the interrupting switching element according to the invention can switch much more efficiently and quickly compared to a switching element that has a gaseous filling material. It has also been found that by using a filling material according to the invention, the thickness of the separating area can also be greatly increased without having to use a larger amount of pyrotechnic material, which is otherwise usual, for successful separation. In this way, the interrupting switching element according to the invention can be used for far higher currents at higher voltages, without the isolating region being heated to an impermissible extent.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the contact unit can have a compression area. The swage area can be designed to enclose yet another chamber. The compression area can be designed in such a way that it is compressed during the process of separating the separation area. It is preferred that the material of the upset area is a readily deformable, possibly also soft-annealed material in order to to improve the folding behavior of the upset area.

In tests with such an assembly, it has also been shown that after the separation area has been separated and the arc has formed, a small amount of the filling material evaporates so that energy is withdrawn from the arc, but at the same time an additional amount of gas is generated, which affects the separation area and the arc Sabot acts and depresses it effectively. As a result, the separation and compression of the compression area becomes faster and more effective, the higher the current to be switched off and thus the arc initially generated. This is a very welcome effect, which means that the interrupting switching element according to the invention can still be used in the case of extremely high currents to be separated.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the still further chamber of the compression area can also be completely filled with the filling material. The movement of the sabot and/or the upsetting process of the upsetting area reduces the volume of the further chamber in such a way that the vaporizable medium is injected through the at least one channel between the at least two parts of the separating area. In this case it is preferred that the further chamber is connected to the one chamber via a bore (channel). As a result, the filling material can be pressed from the still further chamber via the channel during the upsetting process into one chamber and thus further effectively suppresses or cools any arc that may still be present in the separating region. At the same time, the extinguishing agent that may have already partially decomposed in one chamber is diluted by the new medium flowing in, thus also improving the insulating properties of the "stressed" extinguishing agent. In this embodiment of the invention, it can also be preferred that only the one chamber and the further chamber as well as the connecting channel are filled with a filling material. It can be preferred here that the further chamber does not contain any filling material.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the upsetting area can be designed in terms of material and geometry such that the wall of the upsetting area is folded as a result of the upsetting movement, preferably folded in a meandering shape.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compression area can have at least one perforation, which enables a connection between the still further chamber with a volume surrounding the still further chamber. In this way, additional filling material can be made available during the upsetting process, and the volume of one chamber and the other chamber, which volume increases as a result of moving the sabot, can be refilled with filling material. As a result, more quenching agent is available for the switching arc and additional work options are available for the magnetic energy stored in the circuit inductance at the moment the separating area is separated, so that the material of the upset area can be better formed. With more extinguishing agent available, the arc occurring in the separation area can be better cooled or disrupted. Furthermore, it is also possible to prevent a gas space from forming in the chamber volume around the separating area. The amount of gas in the pressurized space can also be kept as low as possible after triggering, and the risk of explosion associated with a highly pressurized gas space can thus be minimized. Furthermore, in this way the filling material partially converted by the arc can be diluted by the newly injected filling material. This achieves better insulation values. The extinguishing time is also lengthened by the delay in the upsetting process due to the filling of the still further chamber. This ensures that the power cut-off also works with larger time constants from circuit inductance and circuit resistance: The upsetting time determines the time in which the filling material is injected into one chamber and another chamber and thus particularly effectively cools, disrupts and penetrates the arc located there Material conversion or evaporation can work. If the time constant from the load resistance and the circuit inductance is greater than the time that is available during or as a result of the compression, the interrupting switching element can no longer cool the current that is still flowing after the end of the disconnection process and thus the arc that is still there . As a result, the internal pressure increases due to vaporized filling material, and the interrupting contact element can be destroyed or explode in an undesired manner. The magnetic energy stored in the circuit inductance at the time when the switching element is switched off or triggered must be converted into other forms of energy. According to the invention, the following options are available for this conversion:
Heating and ultimately the evaporation of the filling material or its at least partial chemical conversion when it comes into contact with an arc, compression of the material of the contact element in the compression area, heating of the filling material due to flow resistance during the compression of the compression area (through the correct design of the overflow surfaces, the compression time can be reduced to the maximum or actually existing time constant from circuit inductance and load resistance according to the equation tau = L * R).

The introduction of a perforation in the compression area has the advantage that its size means that the flow resistance of the liquid flowing over here when the compression area is compressed is large enough or can be set optimally for the switching process. As a result, the filling material can better absorb the magnetic energy stored in the circular inductance at the time of separation or convert it into other forms of energy.

In one embodiment of the invention, thermite can be introduced into the filling material. All configurations are conceivable here: the admixture of thermites in the filling material of one chamber, the further chamber and/or the still further chamber. In one embodiment, the further chamber can also contain thermite in powder form.

The at least one channel can be designed like a nozzle. In particular, the channel can be aligned in such a way that its extension direction is directed towards the stationary severed end of the separating area.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the separating area can be hollow-cylindrical and preferably ring-shaped in cross-section. In this case, one chamber is located in the interior of the hollow cylinder and is thus partially delimited by it. The additional chamber preferably surrounds the compression area in a ring shape.

The compression area can also be hollow-cylindrical and preferably ring-shaped in cross-section. The filling material can thus be introduced inside the hollow cylinder become. A ring-shaped cross-section favors a uniform folding of the hollow cylinder wall during the upsetting process, seen over the circumference.

The length of the hollow cylinder in the separation area/the length of the switching land is preferably in the range from 3 mm to 15 mm, more preferably in the range from 5 mm to 10 mm and even more preferably in the range from 6 mm to 8 mm. For special cases, however, web widths of 1mm are also advantageous, especially if switching is to be carried out particularly quickly. The wall thickness of the hollow-cylindrical separating area/the material thickness of the switching bridge can be up to 1000 μm, the range from 400 μm to 700 μm being preferred here. In the case of previous interrupting switching elements without filling material in the combustion chamber or the other chamber, the wall thickness had to be reduced to as much as 150 µm here, since this was the only way to ensure separation in the separation area without the amount of pyrotechnic material having to be undesirably increased. Despite the now very large material thickness of the switching bridge, the amount of pyrotechnic material can be kept very low. According to the invention, only about 30 mg to 100 mg of an activatable material are necessary. With earlier interrupter switching elements without filling material in the combustion chamber or the other chamber, up to five times the amount of activatable material had to be used so that the isolating area was safely severed. According to one embodiment of the invention, the separating area can be formed from a metal that can form an alloy with a soft solder material. Here, the effect that an alloy has a far lower melting point compared to the metal in the non-alloy state is utilized. In this way, a temperature can be reached from a certain threshold current strength at which, in combination with the exposure time to this temperature, alloy formation begins, with the effect that the melting temperature of the separation area is drastically reduced at this point. Due to the reduction in the melting temperature, the isolating area is separated much earlier and the arc is formed between the two ends of the isolating area. The module can therefore switch passively even at lower currents or simply open the circuit earlier/quicker after the effects of an overcurrent . The soft solder material is preferably arranged on the surface of the metal of the separation area. In this case, in the case of a hollow-cylindrical or hollow-prismatic configuration of the separating area, the soft solder material can be applied all around. Furthermore--regardless of the design of the separating area--the soft solder material can also be applied to one or more limited areas. However, the soft solder material can also completely wet the separation area. The application of the soft solder material can take place thermally, by pressing or other suitable methods. The base material of the separating area can consist of copper, for example. In this case, for example, tin can be used as the soft solder material. However, all combinations of materials from which an alloy can be formed are also conceivable for the base material and the soft solder material. Two or more different soft solder materials can also be used in combination. When the threshold current is reached, the solder atoms can penetrate into the base material and create an intercrystalline area there, in which the melting temperature is reduced. For example, the melting temperature of a copper used for the contact unit can be reduced from 1075° C. to just 175° C. while the contact unit is being heated by the current flowing through it. This effect is well known, it is already used in some safety fuses - and can also be used successfully in the protective element described here.

In one embodiment of the invention, the separating area is preferably designed in such a way that it has predetermined breaking points, for example in the form of constrictions, notches, bores or cross-sectional jumps. In this way, the separating area can be designed in such a way that it is more easily separated into at least two parts, and as a result the interrupting switching element opens the circuit faster and cleaner, i.e. releasing as few as possible and, if unavoidable, at least as small particles as possible and shuts down. According to this embodiment of the invention, one chamber can be connected to the other chamber when the separation area is separated. It is preferred here that both the one chamber and the other chamber are filled with the filling material. However, the additional chamber can also contain a medium that is in powder form or in the form of an oil-moist powder. Here the powder can be made from all conceivable types of rock (preferably as powdered rock), cements, chamottes, clays, ground or sintered silicates or corundums. Is it a oil-moist powder, silicone oil is preferably used here.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the hollow-cylindrical separating area can have one or more grooves, which are preferably circumferential grooves. The separating area can, for example, have a circumferential groove in the middle of the outside with respect to its width, in order to ensure that, when the interrupting switching element is triggered or shortly after it is triggered, it also breaks open early due to the use of relatively little pyrotechnic material and the two severed ends roll up/flare up almost well. This ensures that no larger scraps of material are created. At the same time, both of the resulting contact ends are reinforced by the flanging, thus preventing the arc that also occurs here from evaporating too much material from the relatively thin web of the isolating area and thus being fed further.

However, the hollow-cylindrical separating area can also have two circumferential grooves, preferably one near the geometric start of the separating area (e.g. at the end of the radius of the cross-sectional jump) and one near the end of the separating area (e.g. at the end of the radius of the cross-sectional jump). This ensures that when the pyrotechnic material is triggered or after it has been activated, a sufficiently large part of the web of the isolating region breaks off, is thrown away inside the fuse and is thus no longer vaporized by the arc that is or has been created. As a result, significantly less conductive material is generated inside the interrupting switching element by the arc, so that the insulating behavior after the function or disconnection process is drastically improved and the arc is additionally weakened, i.e. fuel is withdrawn from it.

Furthermore, the hollow-cylindrical separating area can also have further circumferential grooves. If the width of the grooves is selected to be sufficiently narrow in relation to the length of the hollow-cylindrical separating area in the direction of extension of the hollow cylinder, then the grinding resistance is not increased by these grooves, but they only have the desired mechanical effect.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the hollow-cylindrical separating area can also have a circumferential thickening, for example in the form of a lump. Such a cuddle acts as a heat sink and as a stiffener. The hollow-cylindrical separating area preferably has two circumferential grooves on both sides of the cuddle. Such an arrangement ensures that the separating area is separated at the grooves and two smaller arcs are formed, which can be cooled or extinguished more easily.

If the pyrotechnic material is accommodated in one chamber, a wall of the combustion chamber opposite the pyrotechnic material, preferably the mini detonator, can be shaped in such a way that shock waves are deflected, as is shown in 10 can be seen above and below.

Explosives, in particular detonative substances, e.g. in particular silver azide, are preferably suitable as activatable (pyrotechnic) material in the combustion chamber and can be reacted by heating or electrical discharge. Silver azide is particularly preferably used, it reacts detonatively and is free of heavy metals. However, combustible gases, in particular liquid gases or other fuels, can also be used together with liquid, solid or gaseous oxidizers, which can be reacted by igniters, electrical discharges, hot wires or explosive wires.

In general, the term "pyrotechnical material" in the sense of the present description is understood to mean that it includes all substances or mixtures of substances that, after activation, generate gases or vapors or shock waves in any way that break up the separation area and the desired one on any sabot that may be present can exert pressure or the desired shock wave.

The filling material, which has a lower shock wave resistance than a gas, is preferably a liquid, gel-like, paste-like, soft rubber-like or granular material. The filler material is preferably a liquid material, for example an oil, in particular silicone oil, or silanes, in particular hexasilane. The choice of silicone oil has the advantage over many other oils that when it comes into contact with converted into solid silicon dioxide by the hot arc that breaks down the molecules of the oil. In this way, the formation of mostly electrically conductive smoke or torn molecular chains of liquid or solid substances containing carbon can be avoided. The silicone oil is preferably a low-viscosity silicone oil with a dynamic viscosity of less than 150 cp, preferably less than or equal to 100 cp.

In particular, in order to improve the insulation strength or insulation properties between the two connection contacts after separation, in one embodiment of the invention the filling material can be filled with a substance for trapping or oxidizing elemental carbon or which may also be caused by the direct contact of the arc with the filling material or the surrounding materials - also part of the material of the sabot, the inner insulation, the housing and also the contact unit itself evaporate here - are added or mixed in. This has the advantage that the materials decomposed into electrically conductive substances or elements by the arcing contact, such as the elementary carbon from the decomposition of a silicone oil used as a filling material, are themselves (= electrically conductive) captured or become electrically non-conductive or only extremely weakly conductive substances be oxidized to prevent the electrical conductivity of the filling material from being increased. For example, highly disperse silicic acid (HDK) can be added to trap elemental carbon. For example, perchlorates or better permanganates, such as KMnO ₄ , KClO ₄ , KClO ₃ or zirconium potassium perchlorate (ZPP) can be used as substances for oxidizing elementary carbon. At the same time, all the substances mentioned have the property that they react exothermically during oxidation. In this way, the distance between the two separated parts of the separation area can be increased faster, which leads to faster extinguishing of the arc. In other words, in one embodiment of the invention, a substance can be added to the filling material, which reacts exothermally when the arc is created or releases additional energy for additional heating and evaporation of the filling material.

In one embodiment of the invention, a substance can be added to the filling material that increases the capacity of the filling material to absorb mechanical energy.

In this way, the energy that can penetrate the liquid can be effectively dissipated.

In a further embodiment of the invention, one or more substances can also be added to the filling material, which increase the insulating strength between the two separated parts of the separation area by being able to dissipate very large amounts of energy through their heating, melting and evaporation, without at the same time - as in the case of silicone oil - to release electrically conductive substances. For example, all conceivable types of rock, cement, clay, chamotte, ground or sintered silicates or corundum, preferably dispersed in powder form (rock flour) in the extinguishing medium, can be used or mixed in here.

In one embodiment of the invention, a material can be added in one of the chambers of the interrupting switching element, for example in the still further chamber, which locally weakens the influence of the shock waves occurring when the interrupting switching element is triggered, in order to prevent defined and local damage to the materials used . Such a material can, for example, be rubber, preferably in the form of a rubber ball. Preferably, this rubber is placed within the contact assembly on the side of the swage area to prevent tearing of the swage area shortly after initiation of the pyrotechnic material. For this purpose, for example, a rubber ball can be inserted or placed on the inside of a hollow screw that closes the interrupting switching element on the side mentioned.

The at least one channel can be closed by a membrane that can be destroyed during the tripping process of the interrupting switching element. This is necessary at least when the filling material is to be present only in one chamber but not in the other chamber, or vice versa.

However, the at least one channel can also be omitted if the tube of the upset area is not to be or does not need to be filled with filling material. Here the contact unit has neither a channel nor a membrane.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the interrupting switching element can have a sabot that, when the pyrotechnic material is ignited, is acted upon by a gas pressure and/or shock wave generated by the activatable material in such a way that the sabot in the housing moves in a direction of movement from an initial position to an end position and in the process the upset area is plastically deformed, the separating area being completely severed and an insulating distance between the severed ends of the separating area being reached in the end position of the sabot.

The contact unit may have a straight longitudinal axis along which the sabot is displaceable. The separation area can then be provided adjacent to the sabot and lying in the longitudinal axis. Likewise, the at least one channel—if present—can lie in the longitudinal axis. The contact unit is preferably constructed in such a way that it has a flange between the upsetting area and the separating area, into which the sabot engages and the movement of which can upset the upsetting area.

If there is a channel and if this or the other chamber is filled with filling material, the extinguishing of an arc or the impeding of an arc formation is also supported by the fact that after the separation process of the separation area and the beginning movement of the sabot, a violent flow of liquid occurs forms, which flows over the fractured separation area.

The contact unit can be made of an electrically conductive material, preferably copper or aluminum or brass, with copper or aluminum being preferred.

However, switching elements are also conceivable in which the sabot of the contact unit can move in a more or less curved housing, so that switching elements can be produced in which both power connections are at an angle between 1° and 300°, preferably under 30° , 45°, 90°, 120° or 180°. With a housing bent by 180°, the sabot would therefore move in a semicircle in the housing after the triggering and the breaking of the isolating area, so that both power connections come to rest on the same side.

The separating area and the pyrotechnic material can be designed in such a way that the separating area is torn open or at least partially torn open when the pyrotechnic material is ignited and is completely and further separated by a displacement movement of the sabot. For example, the pyrotechnic material can be arranged at least partially within the separation area. When the pyrotechnic material is ignited, the separating area is completely or at least partially torn open over the circumference. In the case of a partial tearing, the complete separation takes place through the displacement movement of the sabot and the part of the separation area still connected to it after the separation, whereby the compression area is compressed at the same time.

However, the separating area can also be designed in such a way that when the pyrotechnic material is ignited, two parts of the separating area that can be separated non-destructively are pulled apart by a displacement movement of the sabot.

In one embodiment of the invention, concentric copper strips can be embedded on the inner insulation, i.e. the inner insulated side of the housing, or copper laminations or copper discs can be embedded in the sabot. In this way, the arc can transfer energy quickly and easily to them via heat conduction and temporarily store heat/energy here. As a result, the resulting arc is extremely cooled upon contact or energy is quickly withdrawn from the arc or the circuit inductance. This effect can be intensified if the arc is pushed in the direction of these copper strips or copper laminations by an external magnetic field. The strong permanent magnets available today are just as suitable for generating the strong magnetic fields required here as are coils through which the current to be switched flows in series - but here again with the disadvantage that they increase the line inductance, which is actually undesirable.

In one embodiment of the invention, it is preferred that the one chamber, the further chamber and the still further chamber are filled with a filling material, it being possible for the filling material in the various chambers to be the same or different. It is preferred that the filling material in the other chamber is different from the filling material in the one chamber and the still further chamber. “Different” is also to be understood as meaning filling materials whose base material is the same but can contain one or more of the same or different substances in different concentrations. A medium with a higher viscosity is preferably used in the further chamber than in the other two chambers. If silicone oil is used as the base material, to which a substance for capturing or oxidizing elemental carbon is added, it is preferable for the silicone oil in the other chamber to have a higher concentration of said substance than the silicone oil in one and the still other chamber . Here, it is preferred that the concentration is at least 5 times higher, more preferably at least 10 times higher. Highly disperse silicic acid (HDK) is preferably used as such a substance. In a highly preferred embodiment, the concentration of HDK in the further chamber is in a range from 30 g/L to 70 g/L silicic acid, more strongly 45 g/L to 55 g/L silicic acid.

In one embodiment of the invention, the interrupting switching element can also have a magnet. Such a magnet should be designed in such a way that the arc is deflected. By deflecting the arc, the undesired flow of current between the two severed ends of the separating region can at least be reduced. Such a magnet can be arranged outside or inside the housing of the interrupting contact element. Either permanent magnets or coils can be used for this. When arranging a magnet outside the housing, a permanent magnet is preferred. If the magnet is a coil, this is preferably arranged in series with the current flow through the interrupting switching element. The latter would have the advantage that the magnetic field would also increase with increasing overcurrent and would deflect the arc more strongly. However, such a magnet also has the advantage that the effect of a U-shaped conductor loop could be compensated for when the interrupting switching element is connected. If the interrupting switching element is part of such a U-shaped conductor loop, then the arc occurring in the interrupting switching element would be pushed away from the current loop by its own field. In order not to destroy the internal insulation of the interrupting switching element, such a magnet can be used to prevent this being pushed away. However, such a coil or coil arrangement would also increase the circuit inductance, which is undesirable in principle.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the interrupting switching element according to the invention can be connected in an arrangement in parallel with a safety fuse. In other words, the present invention also relates to a device in which an interrupting switching element according to the invention is connected in an arrangement in parallel with one or more safety fuses. In such a circuit, the interrupting switching element only has the task of switching off the partial current through itself when the switching voltages are then only very low here (only the voltage is present at the interrupting switching element here, which is caused by the current flow via the fuse(s) connected in parallel to it). whose internal resistance drops), so that a corresponding overcurrent then flows through the safety fuse and switches it off. After the fuse(s) have been switched, the interrupting switching element only has to hold the applied source voltage, which is not a problem, however, because switching does not have to be carried out while current is flowing. With such an arrangement, the switching capacity of the arrangement can be drastically increased, in particular in the direction of medium-voltage applications up to 10kV and currents of up to 50kADC and above, and can then also be used in particular for line protection with very high circuit inductances.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the interrupting switching element according to the invention can be connected in an arrangement in series with one or two safety fuses. In other words, the present invention also relates to a device in which an interrupting switching element according to the invention is connected in an arrangement in series with one or two safety fuses. Two fuses are preferably used in these embodiments. The two safety fuses are preferably connected before and after the interrupting switching element, ie connected to the negative and positive terminals of the interrupting switching element, in order to be able to protect both connection poles, since a short circuit can occur both in the negative and in the positive circuit loop. In such an arrangement, the fuses have the task of forming a series resistance for the interrupting switching element in the event of severe overloading and thus above all the voltage present at the isolating area due to the voltage in the fuses to limit the voltage dropping to the arc voltage. In this way, the turning off of the interrupting switching element can be ensured more securely.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the interrupting switching element according to the invention can be connected in series with one or two relays in an arrangement. In other words, the present invention also relates to a device in which an interrupting switching element according to the invention is connected in an arrangement in series with one or two relays. Preferably two relays are used in these embodiments. In this way, the switching capacity of the interrupting switching element can be increased. In addition to their function as normal operating switches, the relays have the task of limiting the overcurrent in the overload range to such an extent that the current can be safely switched off by the interrupting switching element. The relays preferably have electrodynamic lifting contacts (levitating contacts) in the event of an overload. By lifting the contacts in the event of an overload, the increase in voltage measured at the moment the separation area is separated is reduced to just above the operating voltage and, similar to the described safety fuses in series with the interrupting switching element, the voltage present or effective on the module at the moment of the separation process is reduced reduced. Without such contacts, the voltage would increase by up to three times the operating voltage due to the discharging of the inductance on the load side. This would ignite a powerful arc that would be much more difficult to extinguish.

In a further embodiment, line clips or line brackets are electrically and mechanically connected to one or both contacts of the interrupting switching element in such a way that the interrupting switching element can be simply screwed or placed on a flat plate and contact blocks no longer have to be used. This is particularly important in aviation and the automotive sector, because it can save a lot of weight.

In a further embodiment of the interrupting switching element, this is designed as part of a slide with or without a handle, which is so easy in an existing circuit can be inserted or removed again. Simple safety measures can also be integrated here, for example to switch off the circuit when the slide is pulled using a closed circuit, which, for example, causes a contactor to drop out before the switching element is finally separated from the circuit when it is pulled out, so that it is safe when the module is pulled out force de-energized state.

The internal insulation can be formed as a hard anodized layer on an aluminum housing or as a ceramic or AVC coating on a steel housing. Most O-rings can be injected into or molded onto the plastic parts, so they no longer have to be pulled on individually and can then no longer be forgotten. All non-moving electrically insulating parts, i.e. all except for the housing and the sabot, can also be overmoulded on the contact unit. In this way, the number of individual parts and assembly steps and, as a result, the manufacturing costs of the assembly can be drastically reduced.

In one embodiment of the invention, the interrupting switching element can have one or more heat sinks. Heat sinks can be applied in the further chamber, for example on the sabot, and/or on the inner insulation of the housing. Cu, Ag, brass or steel can be used as material for heat sinks. In this case, it is preferred that the heat sinks are coated with Ni in order to prevent corrosion and thus poorer heat transfer. Heat sinks can absorb energy and thereby cool the interrupting contact element or the arc.

In one configuration of the invention, the contact element can have a first connection contact area with the first connection contact and a second connection contact area with the second connection contact, with the first connection contact area lying in the longitudinal axis and adjoining the compression area and the second connection contact area being arranged in the longitudinal axis and adjoining the isolating area can be.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first terminal contact area can be configured as a hollow cylinder and preferably ring-shaped in cross section. In this way, the electrical interrupting switch element of the invention can have a third connection contact or sensor which is mechanically and/or electrically actuated while the sabot is being moved towards the end position. In this way, the third connection contact or sensor can serve as a detection means for a tripping of the interrupting switching element. The third connection contact can be electrically connected to the first connection contact. In this way, voltages can also be reduced via the third connection contact, see here Fig.9 .

The third connection contact (also called center electrode) is preferably designed as a wire, rod or spring, preferably as a copper or brass wire/rod or copper spring, which preferably extends in the interior space formed by the first connection contact area along the longitudinal direction of the contact unit, and preferably extends from the outside of the interrupting contact element to the chamber surrounded by the compression area. In this way it can be ensured that during the upsetting process of the upset area, the upset upset area comes into contact with the rod, wire or spring of the third connection contact, as a result of which the first and the third connection contact can be conductively connected to one another. The use of a spring has the advantage that it counteracts the compression process less than a stiff wire or rod. If the third connection contact is in the form of a rod or wire, it is therefore preferred that its end which projects into the interrupting switching element is split into at least two parts.

This so-called center electrode can be used to short-circuit the magnetic energy stored in the inductance of the load circuit at the moment of switching after the connection element has been disconnected outside of the disconnection point and thus relieve the disconnection point in terms of energy, see here Fig.9 .

However, this center electrode can also only be used to give the higher-level system feedback about a module that has been triggered once or a connecting element that has been opened once.

A further embodiment of the present invention is also directed to an electrical interrupting switching element according to the invention--as described above--which has the third connection contact. In this embodiment, the interrupting switching element according to the invention can have no filling material in the combustion chamber or the further chamber. In other words, the present invention is also directed to an electrical circuit breaker according to claim 16, which does not have feature (g) of claim 1. All (preferred) features associated with the embodiments of the invention having a filler material may also be features of this further embodiment in which there is no filler material.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the upset region can also be designed as a region which is solid, i.e. has no further chamber, i.e. in this case the sabot is pressurised, but is stationary even after ignition of the pyrotechnic material. Here the sabot is referred to as the impingement element. All (preferred) features in connection with the embodiments of the invention with an upset area can also be features of this further embodiment (with the exception of the third connection contact), in which this area is present as a solid area.

All configurations of the interrupting switching element of the invention, which have a third connection contact, can be used to ground energy stored in the load (e.g. electric motor). In this case, the interrupting switching element is installed via the first and the second connection contact in an electric circuit which has a current source and any consumer. In this case, the first connection contact is preferably connected to any consumer and the second connection contact is connected to the power source. If the circuit is interrupted by the switching of the interrupting contact element, the energy stored in the consumer can result in the formation of an arc between the separated parts of the isolating area of the interrupting contact element. If the third connection contact is connected to the other side of any consumer than the first connection contact, then when the interrupting switching element according to the invention is switched, the resulting connection of the first and third connection contact, the energy stored in the consumer is dissipated to ground. In this way, the resulting arc can be "starved out" so to speak, because the energy outside the separation point is then short-circuited. This means that the third connection contact or the so-called middle electrode is used as a short-circuit electrode in this case.

As an alternative to this, the interrupting switching element according to the invention with a third connection contact can also be used as a sensor for an interrupting switching element that has already been tripped. To do this, only the resistance between the second connection contact and the third connection contact needs to be measured. If the resistance is close to zero ohms, then the interrupting switching element has already been triggered. However, other button designs (sensors) can also be used here, e.g. to enable isolated feedback.

In order to create an interrupting switching element which implements a serial multiple interruption, the contact unit can have at least two partial contact units, each of which has a compression area, a disconnection area and a sabot. The partial contact units can then each be designed in such a way that when the pyrotechnic material is ignited, each sabot is subjected to a gas pressure or shock wave generated by the gas-generating or shock-wave-generating activatable material in such a way that the relevant sabot in the housing moves in a direction of movement from a starting position in moves to an end position and the associated compression area is plastically deformed, the relevant separating area being completely severed and in the end position of the relevant sabot an insulating distance between the severed ends of the relevant separating area is reached.

Such a serial multiple interruption has the advantage that during a simultaneously occurring interruption process only a proportional voltage is present between the ends of the separation areas to be separated and the energy converted in a partial arc is correspondingly reduced in each case and the partial arcs can be dampened more effectively and more quickly.

In a preferred embodiment, two sub-contact units are provided and the contact unit and the housing are mirror-symmetrical with respect to a central plane, with the separating areas and the sabots preferably being provided outside the compression areas arranged between them. In addition to the serial separation, there is the advantage here that the mechanical movements run in opposite directions and thus at least largely compensate each other to the outside.

According to one embodiment of the invention, each partial contact unit can be assigned a separate pyrotechnic material and a controllable device can be provided for the active and essentially simultaneous ignition of the separate pyrotechnic materials. This makes it possible to ensure in a simple manner that the advantage of the isolating regions arranged in series, namely the occurrence of only half the voltage at the ends of the isolating regions during the switch-off process, can also be used. It is therefore preferred that such an apparatus has two combustion chambers within two separation regions, both of which may include the features described above.

According to the invention, the interrupting switching element is non-reactive to the outside. No exhaust gases, no light and no plasma escape, the triggering noise can only be heard as a soft click and the two electrical connections of the interrupting contact element can be firmly clamped, since no movement of one or the other connection is necessary for the function of the contact element.

The housing itself can be provided as a tube with covers screwed in or flanged on both sides, preferably made of a pot-like part into which a cover is screwed together with the entire contact unit. The housing can also be designed in one piece, provided that its material can be easily deformed, for example by flanging or bending. The housing can also be assembled from several parts to form a one-piece housing, for example by gluing or welding the individual parts.

An integral arrangement of one or more contact units in a higher-level collective housing or in a higher-level useful assembly is also possible.

The mini detonator or the triggering element, for example, can be completely screwed in as a detonator screw, or just pushed in and then firmly connected to the contact unit at the end of the contact unit by rolling, clinching or flanging.

The break contact elements according to the invention are preferably covered with a so-called shrink tube, which is insulated from the outside and sits over the housing of the break contact element. The shrink tube can preferably consist of a good insulating, preferably transparent, material, for example polyolefin. This protects the housing/assembly from corrosion and at the same time prevents the metal housing, which is shown here in the examples, from short-circuiting live parts. Labels or inscriptions can also be permanently protected with it and also against aggressive media.

Of course, the housing can also be made of a non-conductive material, for example ceramic, POM, PA6 or ABS. In all these cases there is no need to use shrink tubing.

Further configurations of the invention emerge from the dependent claims.

Fig. 1

zeigt einen Längsschnitt durch ein erfindungsgemäßes Unterbrechungsschaltglied im Ausgangszustand, wobei das Verbindungselement keinen Kanal aufweist, und die eine Kammer und die weitere Kammer mit dem Füllmaterial gefüllt sind;

Fig. 2

zeigt einen Längsschnitt durch ein erfindungsgemäßes Unterbrechungsschaltglied im Ausgangszustand wie in Fig. 1, wobei ein dritter Anschlusskontakt, die sogenannte Mittelektrode, im ersten Kontaktbereich vorgesehen ist;

Fig. 3

zeigt einen Längsschnitt durch ein erfindungsgemäßes Unterbrechungsschaltglied im Ausgangszustand mit einem dritten Anschlusskontakt, wobei das Verbindungselement keinen Kanal aufweist, und nur die Brennkammer mit dem Füllmaterial gefüllt ist;

Fig. 4

zeigt einen Längsschnitt durch ein erfindungsgemäßes Unterbrechungsschaltglied im Ausgangszustand mit einem dritten Anschlusskontakt, wobei das Verbindungselement keinen Kanal aufweist, und nur die weitere Kammer mit dem Füllmaterial gefüllt ist;

Fig. 5

zeigt einen Längsschnitt durch ein erfindungsgemäßes Unterbrechungsschaltglied im Ausgangszustand mit einem dritten Anschlusskontakt, wobei das Verbindungselement hier einen Kanal aufweist, und sowohl die eine Kammer, die weitere Kammer, der Kanal und das Rohr des Stauchbereichs (die noch weitere Kammer) mit dem Füllmaterial gefüllt sind;

Fig. 6

zeigt einen Längsschnitt durch die Ausführungsform in Fig. 5 im ausgelösten Zustand; der Trennbereich ist aufgerissen, der Treibspiegel hat das Rohr des Stauchbereichs mäanderförmig zusammengeschoben und damit die Trennstrecke zwischen den beiden Kontaktstellen des Trennbereichs deutlich vergrößert;

Fig. 7

zeigt einen Längsschnitt durch eine weitere Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Unterbrechungsschaltglieds im Ausgangszustand, wobei der Treibspiegel als festes Beaufschlagungselement installiert ist, es gibt hier keinen Stauchbereich;

Fig. 8

zeigt einen Längsschnitt durch ein erfindungsgemäßes Unterbrechungsschaltglied im Ausgangszustand wie in Fig. 1, wobei ein dritter Anschlusskontakt vorgesehen ist, und in dem keine der Kammern mit einem Füllmittel gefüllt ist;

Fig. 9

zeigt exemplarisch das Schaltbild eines Stromkreises mit einer Stromquelle (Batt 1) und einem beliebigen Verbraucher R2, in den das erfindungsgemäße Unterbrechungsschaltglied eingebaut ist. Gezeichnet ist der Zustand des Unterbrechungsschaltglieds vor seiner Auslösung, der erste Kontaktbereich (dick) ist mit dem zweiten Kontaktbereich (dünn) noch verbunden. Hieraus ist auch die Wirkung der Mittelelektrode als Kurzschlusselement erkennbar, sofern sie eingesetzt wird;

Fig. 10

zeigt die mögliche Ausgestaltung der dem beispielhaft hier eingesetzten Minidetonator gegenüberliegenden Brennkammerwand zur Stoßwellenlenkung: Oben konkav geformt, unten konvex geformt; anstelle der gezeichneten Kegelspitzen sind auch Kuhlen bzw. Rundungen möglich und sinnvoll;

Fig. 11

zeigt das Einbringen des pyrotechnischen Materials in den Raum über der früher so bezeichneten Brennkammer bzw. dem Schaltsteg, beide Volumina sind hier wieder mit Füllmaterial gefüllt;

Fig. 12

zeigt das Bedrücken des Treibspiegels bzw. des Trennbereichs durch die Reaktion des pyrotechnischen Materials, das nun außerhalb des Gehäuses untergebracht ist und bei der die Druckenergie über ein Verbindungsrohr in das Gehäuse einbringt;

Fig. 13

zeigt ein erfindungsgemäßes Unterbrechungsschaltglied vor der Auslösung des pyrotechnischen Materials, das spiegelsymmetrisch aufgebaut ist, und somit zwei Trennbereiche und zwei Stauchbereiche auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten aufweist;

Fig. 14

zeigt das Unterbrechungsschaltglied aus Fig. 13 nach der Auslösung der Anzündvorrichtung.

Fig. 15

zeigt eine Anordnung, in der ein erfindungsgemäßes Unterbrechungsschaltglied parallel zu einer Schmelzsicherung geschaltet ist.

Fig. 16

zeigt eine Anordnung, in der ein erfindungsgemäßes Unterbrechungsschaltglied in Serie mit zwei Schmelzsicherungen geschaltet ist.

Fig. 17A

zeigt einen Trennbereich eines erfindungsgemäßen Unterbrechungsschaltglieds mit zwei umlaufenden Nuten.

Fig. 17B

zeigt ein erfindungsgemäßes Unterbrechungsschaltglied mit einem Trennbereich gemäß Fig. 17A.

Fig. 18A

zeigt einen Trennbereich eines erfindungsgemäßen Unterbrechungsschaltglieds mit einer umlaufenden Verdickung (Knuddel).

Fig. 18B

zeigt ein erfindungsgemäßes Unterbrechungsschaltglied mit einem Trennbereich gemäß Fig. 18A.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. All features described in relation to a specific figure can also be transferred to the interrupting circuit elements of the other figures, provided that this is technically feasible:

1

shows a longitudinal section through a circuit breaker according to the invention in the initial state, the connecting element having no channel and one chamber and the other chamber being filled with the filling material;

2

shows a longitudinal section through an interrupting switching element according to the invention in the initial state as in FIG 1 , wherein a third connection contact, the so-called center electrode, is provided in the first contact region;

3

shows a longitudinal section through an interrupting switching element according to the invention in the initial state with a third connection contact, the connecting element having no channel and only the combustion chamber being filled with the filling material;

4

shows a longitudinal section through an interrupting switching element according to the invention in the initial state with a third connection contact, the connecting element having no channel and only the further chamber being filled with the filling material;

figure 5

shows a longitudinal section through an interrupting switching element according to the invention in the initial state with a third connection contact, with the connecting element having a channel here, and both the one chamber, the additional chamber, the channel and the tube of the compression area (the still additional chamber) are filled with the filling material ;

6

shows a longitudinal section through the embodiment in FIG figure 5 in the tripped state; the separating area is torn open, the sabot has pushed the tube of the compression area together in a meandering shape and thus significantly increased the separating distance between the two contact points of the separating area;

7

shows a longitudinal section through a further embodiment of a breaker element according to the invention in the initial state, wherein the sabot is installed as a fixed urging element, there is no compression area here;

8

shows a longitudinal section through an interrupting switching element according to the invention in the initial state as in FIG 1 wherein a third terminal contact is provided and in which none of the chambers is filled with a filler;

9

shows an example of the circuit diagram of a circuit with a current source (Batt 1) and any consumer R2, in which the interrupting switching element according to the invention is installed. The state of the interrupting switching element before it was triggered is drawn, the first contact area (thick) is still connected to the second contact area (thin). This also shows the effect of the center electrode as a short-circuit element, provided it is used;

10

shows the possible configuration of the combustion chamber wall opposite the mini detonator used here as an example for shock wave guidance: concave at the top, convex at the bottom; instead of the drawn cone tips, depressions or curves are also possible and useful;

11

shows the introduction of the pyrotechnical material into the space above the previously designated combustion chamber or the switching bridge, both volumes are here again filled with filling material;

12

Figure 13 shows the depressing of the sabot or separating area by the reaction of the pyrotechnic material now housed outside of the housing and in which the depressing energy is introduced into the housing via a connecting tube;

13

shows an interrupting switching element according to the invention before the pyrotechnic material is triggered, which has a mirror-symmetrical structure and thus has two isolating areas and two upsetting areas on opposite sides;

14

shows the break contact element 13 after triggering the ignition device.

15

shows an arrangement in which an interruption switching element according to the invention is connected in parallel with a safety fuse.

16

shows an arrangement in which an interrupting switching element according to the invention is connected in series with two safety fuses.

Figure 17A

shows a separating area of an interrupting switching element according to the invention with two circumferential grooves.

Figure 17B

shows an interrupting switching element according to the invention with an isolating area according to FIG Figure 17A .

18A

shows a separating area of a circuit breaker according to the invention with a peripheral thickening (cuddling).

Figure 18B

shows an interrupting switching element according to the invention with an isolating area according to FIG 18A .

In the 1 The illustrated embodiment of an interrupting switching element 1 according to the invention comprises a housing 3 in which a contact unit 5, also known as a connecting element, is arranged. The housing 3 is designed in such a way that it withstands a pressure generated inside the housing, which is generated when the interrupting switching element 1 is triggered pyrotechnically, without there being any risk of damage or even bursting open. The housing 3 can in particular consist of a suitable metal, preferably steel. In this case, an insulating layer 7 can be provided on the inner wall of the housing 3, which consists of a suitable insulating material, for example a plastic. Polyoxymethylene (POM), for example, can be used here as the plastic for this. As a result, at higher voltages, flashovers or an electrical contact between the contact unit 5, which is of course made of a conductive metal, for example made of copper, and the housing 3 is avoided, in particular during and after the tripping of the interrupting contact element 1. However, electrically non-conductive materials such as ceramics, POM, PA6 or ABS are also possible as the housing material here, but these are usually suitable, for example, with ribs need to be stiffened. In these cases, the wall thickness of the housing 3 is usually thicker than in the case of a metallic housing.

In the 1 Drawn protective cap 85 is only present if the housing 3 is closed by a lock nut 21. If the housing is pressed after it has been released, the diameter of the housing tube 3 would expand here (the flow of force is interrupted here) and the thread would be disengaged here, causing the assembly to burst open. The protective cap 85 prevents this opening and is omitted if the housing 3 is in one piece or is welded on both sides to the annular disc 21 and the closure 31 that are then present here.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the contact unit 5 is designed as a switching tube 9 pressed by the sabot 25b in the compression area, so that it is designed as a tube only in the separating 27 and the compression area 23 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, the switching tube 9 has a first connection contact 11 with a larger diameter and a second connection contact 13 with a smaller diameter. A radially outwardly extending flange 15 connects to the first connection contact 11, which is supported on an annular insulator element A 17, which consists of an insulating material, for example a plastic, in such a way that the switching tube 9 does not protrude in the axial direction the housing 3 can be moved out. The plastic used for this can be polyoxymethylene, ABS or nylon, but ceramics are also possible and useful in special cases. For this purpose, the insulator element A 17 has an annular shoulder on which the flange 15 of the switching tube 9 is supported. In addition, the insulator element A 17 insulates the housing 3 from the switching tube 9 . This achieves a sealing effect which is reinforced by an additional annular sealing element 19, for example an O-ring becomes. The insulator element A 17 can also be connected to the switching tube 9 via a press fit or sprayed onto it. The insulator element A 17 and thus the switching tube 9 or the contact unit 5 is held in the housing 3 by means of a lock nut 21 or a welded-in washer 21 on the relevant end face of the interrupting switching element 1 and is fixed in the housing 3 in this way. The locking nut 21 or the washer 21 can be made of metal, preferably steel. This also ensures that the switching tube cannot exit the housing 3 if the plastic parts of the interrupting contact element 1 soften or burn, even if the interrupting contact element 1 is still triggered in this state. Because the outer diameter of the flange 15 is larger than the inner diameter of the lock nut 21.

Of course, the housing 3 can also be attached to the in 1 The end face shown on the left can be deformed during assembly of the interrupting switching element 1 in such a way that a part of the housing 3 that extends radially inwards fixes the insulator element 17 . If the housing 3 is made of plastic, the insulator element 17 can also be omitted.

The switching tube 9 has a compression area 23 adjoining the flange 15 in the axis of the switching tube 9 . The wall thickness of the switching tube 9 in the upset area 23, which has a predetermined axial extent, is selected and matched to the material such that when the interrupting switching element 1 is tripped as a result of plastic deformation of the switching tube 9 in the upset area 23, the upset area 23 is shortened in the axial direction Direction by a predetermined distance results.

A flange 25a adjoins the compression area 23 in the axial direction of the switching tube 9, on which a sabot 25b is seated in the exemplary embodiment shown. The sabot 25b, which in the illustrated embodiment is made of an insulating material, for example a suitable plastic, surrounds the switching tube 9 with its part 25b in such a way that an insulating area of the sabot 25b engages between the outer circumference of the flange 25a and the inner wall of the housing 3. When a pressure acts on the surface of the sabot 25b, a force generated, which compresses the upset area 23 of the switching tube 9 via the flange 25a. This force is selected in such a way that during the tripping process of the interrupting switching element 1 there is a compression of the upsetting area 23, with the sabot 25b being moved from its initial position (status before the tripping of the interrupting switching element 1) to an end position (after the end of the switching process).

How out 1 As can be seen, the sabot part 25b can be selected so that its outer diameter essentially corresponds to the inner diameter of the housing 3, so that an axial guidance of the flange 25a and thus also an axially guided upsetting movement is achieved during the switching process.

After the pressing process, the lugs of the insulator 17 and the sabot 25b, which are close to the housing 3, fully overlap one another, so that the upset area 23, which has been pushed together in a meandering manner after the release and the upsetting process, is completely surrounded by electrically insulating materials.

The sabot 25b or the flange 25a of the switching tube 9 or the contact unit 5 is adjoined by a separating region 27 which in turn is preferably adjacent to a flange 29 of the switching tube 9 in the axial direction. The second connection contact 13 of the switching tube 9 is then connected to the flange 29 . The flange 29 in turn serves to securely fix the switching tube 9 or the contact unit 5 in the axial direction in the housing 3 . A radially inwardly extending ring area of the housing 3 (not provided with a reference number) and a closure 31, which is provided between a corresponding stop surface of the flange 29, the inner wall of the end-side ring area 3a of the housing 3 and the axial inner wall of the housing 3, are used for this purpose and which surrounds the second connection contact of the switching tube 9 in the form of a ring. The flange 29 can - as in 1 shown - engage in the axial direction in the closure 31. Alternatively, it can also be placed on the closure 31 in the axial direction (see Figures 3 to 6 ). The closure 31 can be made of metal, in particular steel.

If the shutter 31 is not made of metal or ceramics, but of plastic, then after the flange 29, a metal disc with a diameter larger than the right opening of the case must be introduced to prevent in the event of a fire - in the event of a fire are yes the plastic parts are no longer there - that parts leak out of the housing.

If the housing 3, the closure 31 and the closure nut/washer 21 are made of steel, it is possible to join these parts together by electron beam or ultrasonic welding. A connection by laser beam is also possible.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the sabot 25b is pushed onto the switching tube 9 from the side of the connection contact 13 during the assembly of the interrupting switching element 1 and must therefore be dimensioned such that its inner diameter is greater than or equal to the outer diameter of the flange 29.

The closure 31 is designed as an annular component which has an outer diameter which essentially corresponds to the inner diameter of the housing 3 and an inner diameter which essentially corresponds to the outer diameter of the flange 29 or the second connection contact 13 .

In the axial end of the switching tube 9 in the area of the second connection contact 13 there is an ignition device 35 with pyrotechnic material, often referred to here as a mini detonator or ignition screw. The outer circumference of the ignition device 35 is sealed against the inner wall of the switching tube 9 or the second connection contact 13 with a sealing element (dark circular element in a recess), for example an O-ring. A small shoulder can be provided in the inner wall of the switching tube 9 or the second connection contact 13 for axially fixing the igniting device 35, with the igniting device being pushed into the switching tube 9 up to the shoulder when the interrupting switching element 1 is installed. A closure element 39 is then screwed into the second connection contact 13 for axially fixing the ignition device 35 . The electrical connection lines 41 of the ignition devices 35 can be routed to the outside through an opening in the ring-shaped closure 31 . For full The interior of the closure element 39 can be sealed and fixed, in particular with a suitable epoxy resin. This then simultaneously serves to relieve the strain on the connecting lines 41. In the area where the connecting lines 41 open into the ignition device 35, the connecting lines can be fixed with a casting compound 57. The closure element 39 is in the 1 provided with a thread so that it can be screwed into the second connection contact 13 of the switching tube 9, but later in a series version of the assembly it is only pushed into the second connection contact 13, which is preferably designed as a tube part, and then flanged, clinched or rolled in for reasons of cost.

The closure 31 can be made of a metal, in particular steel. This has the advantage of the potential connection of the housing 3 to the second connection contact 13. In this way "the housing knows where it belongs in terms of potential". The latter is important in high-voltage circuits in order to avoid unwanted arcing with non-potential-connected parts. In addition, the case 3 shields the inner portion of the breaker switch 1 from electromagnetic radiation such as a radar beam.

The separating area 27 is dimensioned in such a way that it is at least partially ruptured by the gas pressure generated or the shock wave generated by the mini detonator 35, so that the pressure or the shock wave also escapes from one chamber (combustion chamber 61) into the other chamber designed as a surrounding annular space 63 can spread. To facilitate tearing open, the wall of the switching tube 9 in the separating area 27 can also have one or more openings or bores. In addition, an ignition mixture 43 can also be provided in the separating area 27 on the side of the further chamber 63 . The openings and the ignition mixture are preferably coated with a protective lacquer 55 (shown as an example in figure 5 ) overdrawn. The ignition mixture 43 can also be covered with a layer of natural rubber to protect against the influences of the filling material. The ignition mixture 43 can be used to cause passive shutdown if the mini detonator 35 fails to be activated, i.e. to separate the isolating area 27 without the ignition device 35 having been actively triggered quickly and ignites when it reaches the Ignition temperature, the ignition mixture, which then again suitably ignites the ignition device 35 or the pyrotechnic material.

The igniting mixture 43 can also be an igniting mixture which, when heated up to its ignition temperature, generates a shock wave on its own and thus already ruptures the separating area--in this case inwards--and then depresses the sabot. Cooperation or joint ignition of the ignition device 35 or the mini detonator would therefore not be necessary in this case. If one does not want to actively trigger the assembly, this ignition mixture would already be sufficient to separate the switching bridge and to compress the compression area 23 of the switching tube 9 .

The ignition device 35 for igniting the pyrotechnic material (ignition device) can consist of a simple glow wire that can be heated up quickly. The ignition device can be activated by a corresponding electrical control. Of course, the ignition device 35 can also be designed in any other way that activates the pyrotechnic material, including in the form of a conventional igniter, an ignition pill, a squib or a mini detonator.

In addition or instead, passive activation of the interrupting switching element 1 can be provided. For this purpose, the temperature increase of the material of the switching tube 9 in the separating area 27 is used. In this case, there should be as direct contact as possible between the pyrotechnic material and the inner wall and/or outer wall of the switching tube 9 in the separating area 27 . In addition, a material that can be activated more easily, in particular an ignition or ignition mixture 43, can be provided in the immediate vicinity of or applied to the inner wall and/or outer wall of the separation area.

1 shows such a layer of an ignition mixture 43 which is applied in paste form to the outer wall of the separating area. If a filling material is filled in, this ignition mixture must be protected on all sides against the filling material, for example by a layer of epoxy resin or natural rubber.

The electrical resistance and thus also the thermal behavior of the separating area 27 can be reduced by providing openings in the wall of the separating area 27 (of course in connection with the wall thickness of the separating area and the dimensioning of the radii at the transitions of the separating area, which significantly reduce the heat dissipation from the determine the separation area and its tearing behavior) can be influenced. As a result, the current-time integral can be defined or set at which the interrupting switching element 1 passively trips. The inertia can also be influenced by such a dimensioning.

When the interrupting switching element 1 is activated by means of the ignition device 35 or by means of passive activation, a pressure or a shock wave is generated on the side of the sabot 25b facing away from the compression area 23, as a result of which the sabot is subjected to a corresponding axial force. This force is selected by suitably dimensioning the pyrotechnic material so that the switching tube 9 is plastically deformed, torn open or pressed in the compression area 23 and the sabot is then moved in the direction of the first connection contact 11 . The pyrotechnic material is dimensioned in such a way that after the separating area 27 of the switching tube 9 has been broken open or pressed in, the movement of the sabot 25b into the in 6 shown end position takes place.

Immediately after the activation of the pyrotechnic material, the separating area 27 is at least partially torn open or pressed in. If the tearing or pressing does not take place before the beginning of the axial movement of the sabot 25b over the entire circumference of the separating area 27, a remainder of the separating area, which still causes an electrical contact, is completely torn open by the axial movement of the sabot 25b.

Depending on the dimensions of the separating area and the pyrotechnic material, it is also conceivable that the separating area does not initially tear open after activation, but that the gas pressure only acts through corresponding openings in the wall of the separating area also in the ring area surrounding the separating area 27 . The tearing of the separation area 27 can then essentially only by the axial Force done on the sabot 25b, which also leads to its axial movement.

The break-up behavior can also be further controlled by appropriate selection of the pyrotechnic material and, if applicable, the ignition mixture it contains.

In particular, the gas pressure generated by the combustion or the shock wave generated can be well controlled by introducing easily gassable liquids or solids into the space in which the pyrotechnic material is contained or into which the generated hot gases penetrate. Water in particular, dissolved in the filling material or in the form of microcapsules, gels, etc., increases the gas pressure considerably. An increase in the gas pressure caused in this way can be even more extreme if the water introduced into the combustion chamber is caused to retard boiling, in particular because the strongly heated water experiences a drop in pressure when the separating area 27 is broken open.

in the in 1 In the embodiment shown, there is a filling material 45 in the combustion chamber 61 and in the further chamber 63, which promotes the propagation of the shock wave during the detonation or deflagration of the pyrotechnic material, so that less activatable material has to be used in this way and the walls of the separating area 27 are sufficient can be kept thick, so that the module can also be used at high operating currents. The filling material is preferably at the same time an extinguishing material, so that after switching of the interrupting switching element, this can prevent the formation of an arc between the separated ends of the isolating region 27 - if not completely prevent it - but can dampen and cool it or extinguish it.

To fill the filling material 45 into the further chamber 63, the interrupting switching element can have a housing bore 71 and a threaded bore 73, the threaded bore 73 being present in the closure 31 and adjoining the housing bore, so that a passage through the housing and the closure 31 can be passed from the outside in the further chamber 63 is present. After filling the other Chamber, the holes are sealed with a screw, for example. Of course, these openings can also be closed by another conventional method, such as pressing in a ball, by soldering or welding. By using a membrane here, a kind of overload valve could also be created, which opens when the assembly is overloaded, ie when the pressure in the housing 3 builds up too much, before the housing 3 is destroyed. In this case, one would possibly also provide more than one bore or membrane in the closure in order to ensure the necessary escaping mass flow of fluid and gas in the event of an overload. In other words, the interrupting switching element according to the invention can have an overload valve which is provided between the outside of the housing 3 and the further chamber 63 .

2 shows an interrupting switching element 1 according to the invention, which is essentially identical to the interrupting switching element 1 in 1 but inside the switching tube 9 on the axial side facing the first connection contact 11 has an insulator element B 53 as a filler piece, through which a third connection contact 81, the so-called center electrode, runs from the outer space of the interrupting switching element into the still further chamber 65 which preferably has a fanned out or split end 83. The insulator element B 53 also serves as a closure for the further chamber 65. The insulator element B 53 is preferably designed as a cylindrical part. The insulator member B 53 may be made of a plastic such as PEEK, polyoxymethylene, ABS, or nylon. The cylindrical insulator element B 53 is pressed into the hollow-cylindrical first connection contact 11 . The insulator element B 53 preferably has recesses 37 for accommodating sealing elements, which bring about a seal between the axial outer wall of the insulator element B 53 and the inner wall of the first connection contact 11 . in the in 2 In the embodiment shown, the combustion chamber 61 and the still further chamber 63 are filled with the filler material 45, while the still further chamber 65 is not filled with the filler material 45. However, it is also conceivable according to the invention to also fill the still further chamber 65 with the filling material 45 . It is also conceivable according to the invention that none of the chambers 61, 63 and 65 is filled with a filling material 45. It is also conceivable that only a sealing screw (not shown) is used instead of the center electrode 81 .

The 3 shows an interrupting switching element 1 according to the invention, which is essentially identical to the interrupting switching element 1 of FIG 2 is constructed. in the in 3 embodiment shown, only the combustion chamber 61 is filled with the filling material 45 . In contrast to the in 2 In the embodiment shown, there is no filling material 45 in the additional chamber 63. If the detonation or deflagration of the pyrotechnic material causes the separating area 27 to rupture, the filling material 45 from the combustion chamber 61 can also be distributed in the additional chamber 65. In this way, the filling material 45 can also function as an extinguishing agent and prevent or at least greatly impede the formation of an arc between the two separate ends of the isolating region 27 . For the sake of completeness, it should also be mentioned that the flange 29 in 3 shown embodiment placed on the closure 31 and not as in the embodiment of FIG 2 sunk.

In the 4 The embodiment shown is essentially identical to that in FIG 3 shown embodiment, with the only difference that no filling material 45 in the combustion chamber 61, but filling material 45 only in the other chamber 63 is present. As a result of the detonation or deflagration of the pyrotechnic material, pressure builds up in the combustion chamber 61, so that the separating area 27 is completely or partially torn open in the direction of the further chamber 63, so that a shock wave can then propagate through the filling material 45. which acts on the sabot 25b. At the same time, filling material 45 can also penetrate into the area of the combustion chamber 61, so that it can serve as an extinguishing agent to prevent or impede an arc between the separated ends of the separating area.

In the figure 5 The embodiment shown shows an interrupting switching element 1 according to the invention, which has a channel 49 of the contact unit 5, which extends below the sabot 25b, in particular in the flange 25a, preferably centrally in the axial direction and connects the combustion chamber 61 to the still further chamber 65. Thus, the contact unit 5 is further designed as a continuous switching tube 9 in the illustrated embodiment. In this embodiment, both the combustion chamber 61, the channel 49, the still further chamber 65 and the further chamber 63 with be filled with the filling material 45 . All other configurations of the in figure 5 shown embodiment are essentially identical to those in FIGS Figures 2 to 4 embodiments shown. The channel 49 ensures that when the interrupting switching element 1 is triggered and the associated movement of the sabot 25 from the starting position to the end position, the increasing volume in the area of the combustion chamber 61 and the further chamber 63 is also refilled with filling material 45. The movement of the sabot 25 from the starting position to the end position compresses filling material 45 in the further chamber 65 and sprays it through the channel 49 in the direction of the area of the combustion chamber 61 and here directly onto the separation point 27 . In this way it is ensured that no arc occurs between the separated parts of the separating region 27 or is at least strongly dampened.

How out 6 As can be seen, which represents the final state of the contact unit 5 or the switching tube 9 after tripping of the interrupting switching element 1, the compression area 23 of the contact unit 5 is preferably designed in such a way that the wall of the contact tube 9 is folded in a meandering shape in the compression area 23. The meandering folds should preferably take place predominantly outside of the further chamber 65 in order to prevent a folded area from being placed in front of the inlet opening of the channel 49 and preventing the filling agent 45 from being pressed out. However, folding in a region outside the accommodation volume is preferred anyway due to the internal pressure of the filler 45 resulting from the compression of the switching tube 9, without additional measures such as predetermined kinks or the like having to be provided for this purpose. Of course, however, the desired folding properties can be generated or optimized by such additional measures. In particular, predetermined buckling points can be introduced by appropriate structuring of the compression area 23 on the outer and/or inner wall. The axial projections of the insulator element A 17 and of the second sabot part 25b, which engage in one another in the final state, are also designed with regard to their axial length in such a way that during the upsetting process and in the final state, they prevent the radially outer parts of the folded region of the wall of the switching tube 9 from touching the inner wall of the housing 3 is prevented. This prevents damage to the insulating layer 7 when such is provided on the inner wall of the housing 3.

In the case of variants without such an insulating layer 7, this also prevents a metallic housing 3 from being unintentionally placed at the same electrical potential as the first connection contact 11 after it has been triggered.

The 6 shows only an example of the final state of a break switching element figure 5 . Apart from the minor changes in structure (lack of channel 49), the end state of the interrupting switching elements is as per FIG Figures 2 to 4 identical.

In the 7 The illustrated embodiment of an interrupting switching element 1 according to the invention comprises, like the previously described embodiments, a housing 3 in which a contact unit 5 is arranged. The housing 3 is designed in such a way that it withstands a pressure generated inside the housing, which is generated when the interrupting switching element 1 is triggered pyrotechnically, without there being any risk of damage or even bursting open. The housing can in particular consist of a suitable metal. In this case, an insulating layer 7 made of a suitable insulating material, for example a plastic, can be provided on the inner wall of the housing. In this way, at higher voltages, flashovers or electrical contact between the contact unit 5, which of course consists of a conductive metal, for example copper, and the housing 3 are avoided, in particular during and after the tripping of the interrupting contact element 1. The housing can also be completely an insulating material, in particular ceramic or a suitable plastic. In this case, the wall thickness of the housing 3 will usually be thicker than in the case of a metal housing, and stiffening ribs must then generally be introduced here.

However, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the contact unit 5 is solid in the area of the first connection contact 11, in the area 23 and in the area of the actuating element 25, in contrast to the previously explained embodiments. Only in the separation area 27 is the contact unit 5 as in the previous ones described embodiments formed as a tube.

The advantage of this embodiment, in which there is no upsetting of the earlier upsetting area 23, is that after the rupture of the separating area, no fluid is withdrawn from the separating area by the movement of the sabot 25b, so the entire switching process is quasi stationary. This completes the shutdown process more quickly. Another advantage is that the loop-in resistance of the module, i.e. the ohmic resistance between the connection contact areas 11 and 13, is minimal here and, even with high operating currents, significantly less heat loss is generated that would have to be dissipated - this is the case with the other versions of the module relatively thin material in the compression area 23 is solid metal here. The disadvantage here is the relatively small separation distance after the assembly has been triggered and the relatively small movement of the filling material during the switching process.

In the 8 The illustrated embodiment of an interrupting switching element 1 according to the invention comprises a housing 3 in which a contact unit 5, also known as a connecting element, is arranged. The housing 3 is designed in such a way that it withstands a pressure generated inside the housing, which is generated when the interrupting switching element 1 is triggered pyrotechnically, without there being any risk of damage or even bursting open. The housing can in particular consist of a suitable metal, preferably steel. In this case, an insulating layer 7 made of a suitable insulating material, for example a plastic, can be provided on the inner wall of the housing. Polyoxymethylene, for example, can be used here as the plastic for this. In this way, at higher voltages, flashovers or electrical contact between the contact unit 5, which of course consists of a conductive metal, for example copper, and the housing 3 are avoided, in particular during and after the tripping of the interrupting switching element 1. However, the housing material here is electrically non-conductive materials such as ceramics, POM, PA6 or ABS are also possible, but these usually have to be suitably reinforced with ribs, for example. In these cases, the wall thickness of the housing 3 is usually thicker than in the case of a metallic housing.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the contact unit 5 is designed as a switching tube 9 pressed by the sabot 25b in the compression area, so that it is designed as a tube only in the separating 27 and the compression area 23 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, the switching tube 9 has a first connection contact 11 with a larger diameter and a second connection contact 13 with a smaller diameter. A radially outwardly extending flange 15 connects to the first connection contact 11, which is supported on an annular insulator element A 17, which consists of an insulating material, for example a plastic, in such a way that the switching tube 9 does not protrude in the axial direction the housing 3 can be moved out. The plastic used for this can be polyoxymethylene, ABS or nylon, but ceramics are also possible and useful in special cases. For this purpose, the insulator element A 17 has an annular shoulder on which the flange 15 of the switching tube 9 is supported. Insulator element A 17 also insulates the housing from switching tube 9 . Ring-shaped insulator element A 17 has an inner diameter in an axially outer area that essentially corresponds to the outer diameter of switching tube 9 in the area of first connection contact 11 . This achieves a sealing effect which is reinforced by an additional annular sealing element 19, for example an O-ring. The insulator element A 17 can also be connected to the switching tube 9 via a press fit or sprayed onto it. The insulator element A 17 and thus the switching tube 9 or the contact unit 5 is held in the housing 3 by means of a lock nut 21 or a welded-in washer 21 on the relevant end face of the interrupting switching element 1 and is fixed in the housing 3 in this way. The locking nut 21 or the washer 21 can be made of metal, preferably steel. This also ensures that the switching tube cannot escape from the housing if the plastic parts of the interrupting contact element 1 soften or burn, even if the interrupting contact element 1 is still triggered in this state. Because the outer diameter of the flange 15 is larger than the inner diameter of the lock nut 21.

Of course, the housing 3 can also be attached to the in 8 The end face shown on the left can be shaped during assembly of the interrupting switching element 1 in such a way that a radially inwardly extending part of the housing is the insulator element 17 fixed. If the housing is made of plastic, the insulator element 17 can also be omitted.

The switching tube 9 has a compression area 23 adjoining the flange 15 in the axis of the switching tube 9 . The wall thickness of the switching tube 9 in the upset area 23, which has a predetermined axial extent, is selected and matched to the material such that when the interrupting switching element 1 is tripped as a result of plastic deformation of the switching tube 9 in the upset area 23, the upset area shortens in the axial direction by a predetermined distance.

A flange 25a adjoins the compression area 23 in the axial direction of the switching tube 9, on which a sabot 25b is seated in the exemplary embodiment shown. The sabot 25b, which in the illustrated embodiment is made of an insulating material, for example a suitable plastic, surrounds the switching tube 9 with its part 25b in such a way that an insulating area of the sabot 25b engages between the outer circumference of the flange 25a and the inner wall of the housing 3. If pressure acts on the surface of the sabot 25b, a force is generated which compresses the upset area 23 of the switching tube 9 via the flange 25a. This force is selected in such a way that during the tripping process of the interrupting switching element 1 there is a compression of the upsetting area 23, with the sabot 25b being moved from its initial position (status before the tripping of the interrupting switching element 1) to an end position (after the end of the switching process).

How out 8 As can be seen, the sabot part 25b can be selected so that its outer diameter essentially corresponds to the inner diameter of the housing 3, so that an axial guidance of the flange 25a and thus also an axially guided upsetting movement is achieved during the switching process.

After the pressing process, the lugs of the insulator 17 and the sabot 25b, which are close to the housing, fully overlap, so that after the release and the upsetting process is completely surrounded by electrically insulating materials.

The sabot 25b or the flange part 25a of the switching tube 9 or the contact unit 5 is adjoined by a separating region 27 which in turn is preferably adjacent to a flange 29 of the switching tube 9 in the axial direction. The second connection contact 13 of the switching tube 9 is then connected to the flange 29 . The flange 29 in turn serves to securely fix the switching tube 9 or the contact unit 5 in the axial direction in the housing 3 . A radially inwardly extending ring area of the housing 3 (not provided with a reference number) and a closure 31, which is provided between a corresponding stop surface of the flange 29, the inner wall of the end-side ring area 3a of the housing 3 and the axial inner wall of the housing 3, are used for this purpose and which surrounds the second connection contact of the switching tube 9 in the form of a ring. The flange can - as in 8 shown - engage in the axial direction in the closure 31. Alternatively, it can also be placed on the closure 31 in the axial direction (see Figures 3 to 6 ). The closure 31 can be made of metal, in particular steel.

If the shutter 31 is not made of a metal or ceramics, but of a plastic material, then after the flange 29 it is necessary to put a metal disc with a diameter larger than the right opening of the case to prevent in case of fire - in case of fire the plastic parts are no longer there - that parts escape from the housing.

If the housing 3, the closure 31 and the closure nut/washer 23 are made of steel, it is possible to join these parts together by electron beam or ultrasonic welding. A connection by laser beam is also possible.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the sabot 25b is pushed onto the switching tube 9 from the side of the connection contact 13 during the assembly of the interrupting switching element 1 and must therefore be dimensioned such that its inner diameter is greater than or equal to the outer diameter of the flange 29.

The closure 31 is designed as an annular component which has an outer diameter which essentially corresponds to the inner diameter of the housing 3 and an inner diameter which essentially corresponds to the outer diameter of the flange 29 or the second connection contact 13 .

In the axial end of the switching tube 9 in the area of the second connection contact 13 there is an ignition device 35 with pyrotechnic material, often referred to here as a mini detonator or ignition screw. The outer circumference of the ignition device 35 is sealed against the inner wall of the switching tube 9 or the second connection contact 13 with a sealing element (dark circular element in a recess), for example an O-ring. A small shoulder can be provided in the inner wall of the switching tube 9 or the second connection contact 13 for axially fixing the igniting device 35, with the igniting device being pushed into the switching tube 9 up to the shoulder when the interrupting switching element 1 is installed. A closure element 39 is then screwed into the second connection contact 13 for axially fixing the ignition device 35 . The electrical connection lines 41 of the ignition devices 35 can be routed to the outside through an opening in the ring-shaped closure 31 . For complete sealing and fixing, the interior of the closure element 39 can be cast, in particular with a suitable epoxy resin. This then simultaneously serves to relieve the strain on the connecting lines 41. In the area where the connecting lines 41 open into the ignition device 35, the connecting lines can be fixed with a casting compound 57. The closure element 39 is in the 8 provided with a thread so that it can be screwed into the second connection contact 13 of the switching tube 9, but later in a series version of the assembly it is only pushed into the second connection contact 13, which is preferably designed as a tube part, and then flanged, clinched or rolled in for reasons of cost.

The closure 31 can be made of a metal, in particular steel. This has the advantage of the potential connection of the housing 3 to the second connection contact 13. In this way "the housing knows where it belongs in terms of potential". The latter is important in high-voltage circuits in order to avoid unwanted arcing with non-potential-connected parts. Also, it shields Housing 3 from the inner region of the interrupting switching element 1 against electromagnetic radiation, such as a radar beam.

The separating area 27 is dimensioned in such a way that it is at least partially ruptured by the gas pressure generated or the shock wave generated by the mini detonator 35, so that the pressure or the shock wave also escapes from one chamber (combustion chamber 61) into the other chamber designed as a surrounding annular space 63 can spread. To facilitate tearing open, the wall of the switching tube 9 in the separating area 27 can also have one or more openings or bores. In addition, an ignition mixture 43 can also be provided in the separating area 27 on the side of the further chamber 63 . The openings and the ignition mixture are preferably coated with a protective lacquer 55 (shown as an example in figure 5 ) overdrawn. The ignition mixture 43 can also be covered with a layer of natural rubber to protect against the influences of the filling material. The ignition mixture 43 can be used to cause passive shutdown if the mini detonator 35 fails to be activated, i.e. to separate the isolating area 27 without the ignition device 35 having been actively triggered quickly and ignites the ignition mixture when the ignition temperature is reached, which then again suitably ignites the ignition device 35 or the pyrotechnic material.

The igniting mixture 43 can also be an igniting mixture which, when heated up to its ignition temperature, generates a shock wave on its own and thus already ruptures the separating area--in this case inwards--and then depresses the sabot. Cooperation or joint ignition of the ignition device 35 or the mini detonator would therefore not be necessary in this case. If one does not want to actively trigger the assembly, this ignition mixture would already be sufficient to separate the switching bridge and to compress the compression area 23 of the switching tube 9 .

The ignition device 35 for igniting the pyrotechnic material (ignition device) can consist of a simple glow wire that can be heated up quickly. The ignition device can be activated by a corresponding electrical control. Of course, the ignition device 35 can also be of any type be designed in any other way that causes activation of the pyrotechnic material, also in the form of a conventional igniter, an igniter pill, a squib or a mini detonator.

In addition or instead, passive activation of the interrupting switching element 1 can be provided. For this purpose, the temperature increase of the material of the switching tube 9 in the separating area 27 is used. In this case, there should be as direct contact as possible between the pyrotechnic material and the inner wall and/or outer wall of the switching tube 9 in the separating area 27 . In addition, a material that can be activated more easily, in particular an ignition or ignition mixture, can be provided in the immediate vicinity of or applied to the inner wall and/or outer wall of the separating area.

8 shows such a layer of an ignition mixture 43 which is applied in paste form to the outer wall of the separating area. If a filling material is filled in, this ignition mixture must be protected on all sides against the filling material, for example by a layer of epoxy resin or natural rubber.

The electrical resistance and thus also the thermal behavior of the separating area 27 can be reduced by providing openings in the wall of the separating area 27 (of course in connection with the wall thickness of the separating area and the dimensioning of the radii at the transitions of the separating area, which significantly reduce the heat dissipation from the determine the separation area and its tearing behavior) can be influenced. As a result, the current-time integral can be defined or set at which the interrupting switching element 1 passively trips. The inertia can also be influenced by such a dimensioning.

When the interrupting switching element 1 is activated by means of the ignition device 35 or by means of passive activation, a pressure or a shock wave is generated on the side of the sabot 25b facing away from the compression area 23, as a result of which the sabot is subjected to a corresponding axial force. This force is selected by a suitable dimensioning of the pyrotechnic material so that the switching tube 9 is plastically deformed in the compression area 23 and consequently the Sabot is moved in the direction of the first connection contact 11. The pyrotechnic material is dimensioned in such a way that after the separating area 27 of the switching tube 9 has been broken open, the movement of the sabot 25b into the in 6 shown end position takes place.

Immediately after the activation of the pyrotechnic material, the separating area 27 is at least partially torn open. If the tearing does not occur before the start of the axial movement of the sabot 25b over the entire circumference of the separating area 27, a remainder of the separating area, which still causes electrical contact, is completely torn open by the axial movement of the sabot 25b.

Depending on the dimensions of the separating area and the pyrotechnic material, it is also conceivable that the separating area does not initially tear open after activation, but that the gas pressure only acts through corresponding openings in the wall of the separating area also in the ring area surrounding the separating area 27 . The separating area 27 can then essentially only be torn open by the axial force on the sabot 25b, which also leads to its axial movement.

The break-up behavior can also be further controlled by appropriate selection of the pyrotechnic material and, if applicable, the ignition mixture it contains.

In particular, the gas pressure generated by the combustion or the shock wave generated can be well controlled by introducing easily gassable liquids or solids into the space in which the pyrotechnic material is contained or into which the generated hot gases penetrate. Water in particular, dissolved in the filling material or in the form of microcapsules, gels, etc., increases the gas pressure considerably. An increase in the gas pressure caused in this way can be even more extreme if the water introduced into the combustion chamber is caused to retard boiling, in particular because the strongly heated water experiences a drop in pressure when the separating area 27 is broken open.

This in 8 The interrupting switching element shown has an interior of the switching tube 9 on the axial side facing the first connecting contact 11 as an insulator element B 53 as a filler piece, through which a third connecting contact 81, the so-called center electrode, can be connected from the outer space of the interrupting switching element to the still further chamber 65 can be performed, which preferably has a fanned or split end 83. The insulator element B 53 also serves as a closure for the further chamber 65. The insulator element B 53 is preferably designed as a cylindrical part. The insulator member B 53 may be made of a plastic such as PEEK, polyoxymethylene, ABS, or nylon. The cylindrical insulator element B 53 is pressed into the hollow-cylindrical first connection contact 11 . The insulator element B 53 preferably has recesses 37 for accommodating sealing elements, which bring about a seal between the axial outer wall of the insulator element B 53 and the inner wall of the first connection contact 11 . in the in 2 In the embodiment shown, the combustion chamber 61 and the still further chamber 63 are filled with the filler material 45, while the still further chamber 65 is not filled with filler material. However, it is also conceivable according to the invention to also fill the still further chamber 65 with the filling material 45 . It is also conceivable according to the invention that none of the chambers 61, 63 and 65 is filled with a filling material. It is also conceivable that only a sealing screw (not shown) is used instead of the center electrode 81 .

In the 8 shown embodiment is simpler than in the Figures 2 to 5 embodiments shown. However, only material thicknesses in the separation range of up to approx. 200 µm can be broken up here with 5 to 10 times the amount of pyrotechnic material required. The switching limit of this simple version is only approx. 1000 A direct current at 800V. In contrast, the switching limit in embodiments with filling material is approximately 30kA direct current at 1/5 of the pyrotechnic material used.

9 shows an example of a circuit diagram of a circuit before activation, in which an interruption switching element S1 according to the invention is integrated. The first connection contact (thick) is connected to the load circuit consisting of R2, L1, C2 and R5, the second connection contact (thin) is connected to the positive pole of the power source, for example (Batt 1). The third connection contact (the so-called center electrode) is connected here to the ground or the negative pole of the power source or to the negative terminal of the consumer. If the circuit is now interrupted by the switching of the interrupting switching element - the switch contact shown flips from "thin" to the connection of the "middle electrode in thick" -, shortly after the start of the compression process in the assembly, the capacitance in C2 becomes electric and, above all, the mechanical energy stored in the entire inductance of the load circuit L1 is dissipated or short-circuited to ground, bypassing the separation point via the center electrode, which acts as a short-circuit electrode here. In this way, the actual separation point in the assembly is relieved and the formation of an arc there is greatly weakened or dampened, the separation point in the assembly has to dissipate significantly less energy and the high switching voltage generated here when switching off is also significantly reduced.

L2 is the inductance of the power source (Batt 1) and the wiring up to the interrupting switching element, R1 is the internal resistance of the power source, and C3 is the capacitance of the power source. R3 is the loss resistance of the wiring to the break contact. R2 is the load resistance and L1 is the inductance of the load circuit including the wiring to the break contact. C2 is the capacitance of the entire load circuit and R5 is the loss resistance of the wiring up to the break contact. C1 and R4 are an RC combination, i.e. a so-called spark quenching combination for switching contacts that open, as is usually used for relay contacts, but it does not necessarily have to be present in the circuit when using the module, and this is usually not done for cost reasons .

10 shows in the upper part a part of a switching tube 9 in the region of the combustion chamber 61 with a concave configuration of the combustion chamber wall, which is opposite the pyrotechnic mass, while in the lower part of this combustion chamber wall is convex. However, the cone tips drawn here can also have a different shape, for example be rounded accordingly. In particular, if the combustion chamber 61 is filled with filling material, preferably silicone oil, and the pyrotechnic mass is a mini detonator, shock wave deflection occurs here. which, at the optimum angle α - this is highly dependent on the combustion chamber material, the distance between the minidetonator and the wall, the filling material and the type of pyrotechnic material - significantly increases the mechanical effect of the shock wave generated and thus breaks up even thicker web material with a minimum of pyrotechnic mass. In the lower part of the picture shows 10 also a part of a switching tube 9, with a convex configuration of the combustion chamber wall.

In 11 if the ignition device 35 is not housed in the previous chamber 61 but in the chamber 63, the electrical connections of the ignition device are routed out of the top of the housing. The sequence is similar to that of the in Figures 1 to 5 described embodiments, only here the separating area 27 is not torn open from the inside, but is compressed from the outside and the sabot 25b is already pressed beforehand. The arc suppression or obstruction at the point of separation is again effected by the filling material flowing around, preferably the silicone oil.

This embodiment is to be used for very large assemblies in which the required pyrotechnic mass can no longer be accommodated in chamber 63 - in this case, for example, the mini detonator would also become a normal-sized detonator.

In 12 the ignition device 35 is located directly outside the housing: The pressure energy required for the pressurization of the separating area 27 and the sabot 25b would be introduced here, for example, with fluid coupling from the outside via a pipe system into the assembly. This embodiment would be suitable for particularly large assemblies or circuit breakers - for all these cases, however, other pressure generators would also have to be considered, such as compressed gas storage tanks, CO2 cartridges, chemical gas generators or vaporizers, but also carburetors of all kinds.

All sealing elements 19 (or O-rings) in the Figures 1 to 8 and Figures 11 to 12 , which may be present in the recesses 37, may be nitrile butadiene rubber, Viton or silicone, with nitrile butadiene rubber being preferred.

13 shows an interrupting switching element according to the invention with two isolating areas 27 on opposite sides in the state before the ignition device 35 is triggered. Essentially how each mirror symmetric part works is as to 1 described. The chamber 61 and/or the further chamber 63 and/or the still further chamber 65 can be filled with a filling material (not shown). 14 shows the break contact element 13 after triggering the ignition device 35.

15 shows an arrangement in which an interrupting switching element 1 according to the invention is connected in parallel with a safety fuse 87, as described above. The current I is divided by the parallel connection into the partial currents I ₁ and I ₂ , I ₁ being the current of the safety fuse 87 and I ₂ being the current of the interrupting switching element 1 .

16 shows an example of an arrangement in which an interrupting switching element 1 according to the invention is connected in series with two safety fuses 87 to which the current I is applied. The two safety fuses 87 are in this case connected before and after the interrupting switching element 1, ie connected to the negative and positive terminals of the interrupting switching element 1. In such an arrangement, the fuses have the task mentioned above.

Furthermore, the 15 and 16 each a breaking switch comprising a rubber ball 89 as an example of the above material, which locally mitigates the influence of shock waves generated when the breaking switch trips. For this purpose, the rubber ball 89 is preferably attached to the inside of the hollow nut 33 .

Figure 17A shows a hollow-cylindrical separating area 27 with two circumferential grooves 91—as generally described above. Figure 17B shows an interrupting switching element 1 according to the invention with an isolating area 27 - as in Figure 17A shown.

18A shows a hollow-cylindrical separating area 27 with a circumferential thickening (cuddling) 93—as generally described further above. Furthermore, the in 18A Separation area 27 shown on the left and right of the circumferential thickening 93 each have a circumferential groove 91 . Figure 18B shows an interrupting switching element 1 according to the invention with an isolating area 27 - as in 18A shown.

The interruption switching element 1 in the Figure 17B and 18B also has a heat sink 1 95 and and a heat sink 2 97 - as generally described above. The heat sinks 95 and 97 are shown in these figures only by way of example and can be combined with any other embodiment of the invention. The heat sink 1 95 is preferably mounted in the further chamber on the sabot, and the heat sink 2 97 on the inner insulation of the housing 3 . In this case, the heat sink 1 95 can be circumferential, ie tubular, or lamellar. The heat sink 2 97 preferably runs circumferentially on the inside of the housing 3 or its internal insulation, ie it is tubular.

Reference list:

1

Break contact, circuit isolator, assembly

3

Housing

5

contact unit

7

insulating layer

9

shift tube, connecting element

11

first connection contact

13

second connection contact

15

flange

17

Insulator Element A

19

sealing element (O-ring)

21

locking nut/washer

23

upset area/area

25a

flange

25b

sabot

27

separation area

29

flange

31

closure

33

hollow nut/lock

35

Igniter with pyrotechnic material, mini detonator, igniter

37

Recesses for sealing elements

39

closure element

41

electrical connection lines

43

lighter mixture

45

filling material

49

channel

53

insulator element B

57

potting compound

61

chamber/combustion chamber

63

another chamber

65

another chamber

71

housing bore

73

threaded hole

81

third connection contact

83

split end of the third connection contact

85

Protective cap is not required if the housing 3 is welded in one piece or on both sides.

87

fuse

89

rubber ball

91

circumferential grooves

93

Circumferential thickening (cuddly)

95

heat sink 1

97

heat sink 2

I

Electricity

I1

partial flow

I2

partial flow

S1

Interruption switching element with first, second and third connection contact

thick

first connection contact of the break contact element

thin

second connection contact of the break contact element

Batt1

power source

R1

internal resistance of the power source

C3

capacity of the power source

L2

Inductance from power source and wiring to break contact

R3

Loss resistance of the wiring up to the interrupting contact element

R2

load resistance

L1

Inductance of the load circuit including wiring up to the interrupting contact element

C2

Capacity of the entire load circuit

R5

Loss resistance of the wiring up to the interrupting contact element

C1+R4

RC combination, so-called spark extinguishing combination for switching contacts that open

center electrode

Third connection contact of the interrupting contact element, sensor unit if the status of the circuit breaker is only to be reported back, or short-circuiting electrode.

Claims (14)

1. An electrical interruption switch (1), in particular for interrupting high currents at high voltages,

   (a) comprising a casing (3) that encloses a contact unit (5) defining the current path through the interruption switch (1), and

   (b) comprising a pyrotechnic material (35) that comprises a gas-generating and/or shock-wave-generating, activatable material,

   (c) the contact unit having a first and a second connection contact (11, 13) and a separation region (27),

   (d) the pyrotechnic material (35) and the contact unit (5) being designed such that a current to be interrupted can be supplied to said unit via the first connection contact (11) and can be discharged therefrom via the second connection contact (13), or vice versa, and such that, when the pyrotechnic material (35) is ignited, the separation region (27) is exposed to a gas pressure and/or shock wave generated by the activatable material, such that the separation region (27) is torn open, caved in or separated,
   characterized in that

   (e) the separation region (27) is designed such that it at least partially surrounds a chamber (61), which is a combustion chamber, and the separation region (27) separates the one chamber (61) from a further chamber (63), which surrounds the separation region, at least one of the chambers (61, 63) in the interruption switch (1), which chamber is at least partially delimited by the separation region (27), being substantially completely filled with a filler material (45) such that the separation region (27) is in contact with the filler material (45).
2. The electrical interruption switch (1) according to claim 1,
   characterized in that the further chamber (63) annularly surrounds the separation region (27).
3. The electrical interruption switch (1) according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that in the separation of the separation region (27), the one chamber (61) is connected to the further chamber (63).
4. The electrical interruption switch (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that both the one chamber (61) and the further chamber (63) are substantially completely filled with the filler material (45).
5. The electrical interruption switch (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the contact unit (5) has a compression region (23).
6. The electrical interruption switch (1) according to claim 5,
   characterized in that the compression region (23) is designed such that it surrounds a yet further chamber (63).
7. The electrical interruption switch (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the separation region (27) is hollow-cylindrical and is preferably annular in cross section.
8. The electrical interruption switch (1) according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the compression region (23) is hollow-cylindrical and is preferably annular in cross section.
9. The electrical interruption switch (1) according to any of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that it has a sabot (25b) which, when the pyrotechnic material (35) is ignited, is exposed to a gas pressure and/or shock wave generated by the activatable material in such a way that the sabot (25b) is moved in the casing (3) in a movement direction from a starting position into an end position and in the process the compression region (23) is plastically deformed, the separation region (27) being completely separated, and in the end position of the sabot (25b) an insulation distance being achieved between separated ends of the separation region (27).
10. The electrical interruption switch (1) according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the contact unit (5) has a first connection contact region with the first connection contact (11) and a second connection contact region with the second connection contact (13), which regions are arranged on opposite sides of the separation region (27).
11. The electrical interruption switch (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the first connection contact region is arranged adjacent to the compression region (23) in the longitudinal axis and the second connection contact region is arranged adjacent to the separation region (27) in the longitudinal axis.
12. The electrical interruption switch (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the first connection contact region is hollow-cylindrical and is preferably annular in cross section.
13. The electrical interruption switch (1) according to any of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that a third connection contact (81) or a sensor is present which, when the sabot (25b) is moved in the direction of the end position, is mechanically and/or electrically actuated and thus serves as a means for detecting completed tripping of the interruption switch (1).
14. The electrical interruption switch (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the third connection contact (81) is designed as a wire, rod or spring, preferably a copper or brass wire/rod or copper spring, which extends, in the inner space formed by the first connection contact region, in the longitudinal direction of the contact unit (5), and preferably extends from the outer region of the interruption switch (1) into the yet further chamber (65) surrounded by the compression region (23).

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