EP3869527A1 - Switching device with at least two extinguishing areas communicating with each other - Google Patents

Abstract

Switching device 1 with closable contacts 2, 3, 4 and an extinguishing chamber assigned to the contacts, which has a first extinguishing area 5 and a second extinguishing area 6 arranged directly next to the first extinguishing area, the first extinguishing area and second extinguishing area being spatially separated from one another by a partition 13, and wherein the switching device 1 is designed in such a way that a switching arc 20 that occurs when the contacts are opened is always blown away and extinguished in one of the two extinguishing areas by means of an arc blowing device of the switching device, whereas the other of the two extinguishing areas is not extinguished is used, the partition 13 between the first extinguishing area 5 and the second extinguishing area 6 having at least one overflow opening 8, 19, which connects the first extinguishing area with the second extinguishing area in such a way that plasma, which is generated by the switching arc, from the release area in which the switching arc is extinguished can flow into the other, unused extinguishing area.

Description

The present invention relates to a switching device according to the preamble of independent claim 1. A generic switching device comprises closable contacts and an extinguishing chamber assigned to the contacts, which has a first extinguishing area and a second extinguishing area arranged directly next to the first extinguishing area, the first extinguishing area and second extinguishing area through a partition are spatially separated from one another, and the switching device is designed in such a way that a switching arc that occurs when the contacts are opened is always blown away from the place of its origin in one of the two extinguishing areas by means of an arc blowing device of the switching device and made to extinguish, whereas the other is the both deletion areas are not used for deletion.

A switching device according to the preamble of independent claim 1 is from U.S. 5,004,874 known. This document describes a bidirectional contactor in which, depending on the direction of the current, one of the two extinguishing areas is used while the other extinguishing area is not used.

Switching devices according to the preamble of independent claim 1 are used in various areas. There is a general trend towards switching devices that are becoming smaller and lighter. In order to avoid damage to neighboring parts and to be able to comply with the increasingly strict safety regulations, it must be prevented that plasma, which is generated by the switching arc inside the switching device during the switch-off process, is prevented from escaping to the outside.

The one from the pamphlet U.S. 5,004,874 known switching device is a closed contactor. In known closed contactors of compact design, however, the rated switching capacity is relatively severely limited. In the case of high switching powers, a relatively large amount of plasma and, associated with it, a high overpressure is generated inside the housing, which, without correspondingly larger dimensions, can lead to the destruction of the switching device.

Another switching device according to the preamble of independent claim 1 is from JP 63 42 724 B2 known.

The object of the present invention is to provide a switching device of the generic type which guarantees a high switching capacity with a compact design, while at the same time ensuring that the plasma generated inside the housing due to the switching arc does not escape.

The object is achieved by the features of independent claim 1. Accordingly, in a switching device according to the preamble of independent claim 1, there is an inventive solution to the object when the partition between the first extinguishing area and the second extinguishing area has at least one overflow opening which the connects the first extinguishing area to the second extinguishing area in such a way that plasma, which is generated by the switching arc, can flow from the extinguishing area in which the switching arc is extinguished into the other, unused extinguishing area.

Advantageous refinements of the present invention are the subject of the subclaims.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that each of the two extinguishing areas represents a space which has a first end that is closest to the location of the occurrence of the switching arc, a second end opposite the first end on which the switching arc is due to Action of the arc blowing device moved to a first side connecting the first end and the second end, as well as a second side opposite the first side and also connecting the first end and the second end, the partition wall forming a third side of the room and interconnecting the first end, the second end, the first side and the second side, and wherein the space further comprises a fourth side opposite the partition wall.

This achieves a compact design. The distance between the first side and the second side defines a width of the erasure area, the distance between the first end and the second end defines a height of the erase area, and the distance between the partition and the respective fourth side defines a depth of the erase area. The first end, the second end, the first side and the second side of the first erase area correspond in position to the respective ends and sides of the second erase area. This means, for example, that the first side of the first erasing area coincides with the first side of the second erasing area or is only separated from the first side of the second erasing area by the partition. The direction of movement of the switching arc in the first extinguishing area, which is predetermined due to the arc blowing device, runs essentially parallel to the direction of movement of a switching arc to be extinguished in the second extinguishing area. In other words, the arc blowing device ensures that the switching arc, regardless of whether the switching arc is in the first extinguishing area or in the second extinguishing area is made to extinguish, is always blown away in the same direction from the place of its origin. In this context, essentially parallel means a deviation of a maximum of 15 °, preferably of a maximum of 10 °, more preferably of a maximum of 5 °. More preferably, there is parallelism.

Furthermore, the arc blowing device is preferably designed in such a way that the direction of movement of the switching arc runs essentially parallel to the partition. In this context, essentially parallel also means a deviation of a maximum of 15 °, preferably of a maximum of 10 °, more preferably of a maximum of 5 ° and particularly preferably of 0 °.

Furthermore, the arc blowing device is preferably designed in such a way that a longitudinal extension of the switching arc runs essentially parallel to the partition. This embodiment also contributes to a compact design. In this context, essentially parallel also means a deviation of a maximum of 15 °, preferably of a maximum of 10 °, more preferably of a maximum of 5 ° and particularly preferably of 0 °.

The sides of each erasure area are further preferably formed by side walls.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the overflow opening is formed on the first side and / or on the second side in the partition. The overflow opening (s) is / are preferably located only on the outside on the first side and / or the second side. The middle region of the partition, viewed in the width direction, preferably has no overflow opening at least near the first end. More preferably, the middle region of the partition, viewed in the width direction, has no overflow opening at least between the first end and preferably provided extinguishing elements arranged at the second end. The middle area of the partition without overflow opening viewed in the width direction further preferably takes up at least 70% of the width measured between the first side and the second side. This ensures an effective separation between the two extinguishing areas.

It is particularly preferably provided that an overflow opening is formed in the partition wall both on the first side and on the second side. In this way a symmetrical distribution of plasma and non-ionized air is achieved.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the overflow opening is formed in a section of the partition wall facing the first end and facing away from the second end. This also contributes to an effective separation of the two extinguishing areas and leads to an advantageous flow behavior through the overflow opening.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, extinguishing elements are arranged in each of the two extinguishing areas, into which the switching arc is driven by means of the arc blowing device and thereby made to extinguish. The extinguishing elements are preferably arranged at the second end or near the second end. The extinguishing elements preferably protrude from the partition wall or extend between the partition wall and the respective opposite fourth wall of the respective extinguishing area.

It is particularly advantageous if the overflow opening, preferably as an additional overflow opening in addition to the overflow openings described above, is formed between the extinguishing elements and a cover or a housing wall of the switching device at the second end in the partition. This ensures that plasma can flow through the further overflow opening from the currently used extinguishing area into the unused extinguishing area. A counter pressure generated by the plasma is reduced or eliminated by the overflow opening, so that the switching arc can lengthen further, which leads to a higher breaking capacity. The overflow opening preferably extends essentially over the entire width of the two extinguishing areas, measured between the first side and the second side, so that the partition (13) actually ends at the level of the extinguishing elements. In this embodiment, a particularly advantageous flow behavior or a particularly advantageous gas exchange between the two extinguishing areas is achieved. Essentially over the entire width of the two erasing areas measured between the first side and the second side means in this context at least 80%, preferably 90%, particularly preferably 100% of the width of the respective erasing area.

The invention shows its advantages in particular when the switching device is designed to be closed.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that there is no dedicated outlet opening for the switching arc and / or for plasma that is generated by the switching arc is generated within the switching device, is provided, on the other hand, the switching device is not hermetically sealed, so that pressure equalization with the environment, for example through gaps in a housing of the switching device, is possible.

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the switching device is a bidirectional switching device, one of the two extinguishing areas being used depending on the direction of the current. More preferably, the switching device according to the invention is a contactor.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Schaltgeräts mit geöffneter Gehäusevorderseite und geöffneter linker Gehäusewand,

Figur 2

eine Vorderansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Schaltgeräts aus Figur 1 mit geöffneter Gehäusevorderseite,

Figur 3

einen Schnitt durch das erfindungsgemäße Schaltgerät aus den Figuren 1 und 2 entlang der in Figur 2 eingezeichneten Schnittlinie III, und

Figur 4

eine Seitenansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Schaltgeräts aus den Figuren 1 bis 3 auf die in den Figuren 1 bis 3 jeweils links gelegene Gehäuseseite bei geöffneter linker Gehäusewand.

Show it:

Figure 1

a perspective view of a switching device according to the invention with the front of the housing open and the left housing wall open,

Figure 2

a front view of the switching device according to the invention Figure 1 with the front of the housing open,

Figure 3

a section through the switching device according to the invention from the Figures 1 and 2 along the in Figure 2 section line III, and

Figure 4

a side view of the switching device according to the invention from the Figures 1 to 3 on those in the Figures 1 to 3 each side of the housing on the left with the left housing wall open.

The same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals for the following explanations. If a figure contains reference symbols that are not discussed in greater detail in the associated description of the figures, reference is made to the preceding or subsequent figure descriptions.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a switching device 1 according to the invention. In order to be able to show the features or components relevant to the invention, from FIG Figure 1 both the housing front side facing the viewer and the left housing wall are not shown. For the same reason, the front of the case is also shown in the front view in Figure 2 not shown.

The switching device 1 has two fixed contacts 2, 3, which can be electrically connected to one another by means of a contact bridge 4. The drive of the contact bridge 4 is of no importance for the present invention and was therefore also not shown further. The two fixed contacts 2, 3 protrude laterally from the housing 7 of the switching device 1 according to the invention and thus simultaneously form the connection contacts of the switching device.

When the contacts are opened, a switching arc 20 occurs, the base of which on the contact bridge side is caused to jump to the opposite fixed contact by means of an appropriately designed arc blowing device. The switching arc 20 is subsequently driven by the arc-blowing device into the extinguishing chamber above the two fixed contacts 2, 3 and extinguished there. The extinguishing chamber is divided by a partition 13 into a front, first extinguishing area 5 and a rear, second extinguishing area 6. For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that the switching device shown is a bidirectional switching device. When the contacts are opened, a switching arc occurs both between the first fixed contact 2 and the contact bridge 4 and between the second fixed contact 3 and the contact bridge 4. Due to a special design of the contact bridge 4 and a corresponding design of the arc blowing device, the base point of one of the two switching arcs jumps from the contact bridge to the respective opposite fixed contact, which leads to the extinguishing of the other switching arc. The remaining switching arc 20 is either in front of or behind the partition 13, depending on the direction of the current, so that, depending on the direction of the current, either the first extinguishing area 5 or the second extinguishing area 6 is used to extinguish the switching arc. This means that one of the two extinguishing areas is not used during the shutdown process.

The two extinguishing areas 5 and 6 of the extinguishing chamber essentially have a cuboid volume and begin above the two fixed contacts 2 and 3. The two fixed contacts 2 and 3 thus mark a lower first end 9 of the respective extinguishing area. The arc blowing device, not shown in detail, is designed in such a way that it drives the switching arc 20 starting from the first end 9 of the extinguishing area to the opposite second end 10 of the respective extinguishing area, which in turn is formed by the upper side 17 of the housing. In the Figure 2 The housing wall on the left marks a first side 11 of the two extinguishing areas, the right housing wall marks the opposite second side 12 of the two extinguishing areas. The partition 13 each forms a third side of the two erasing areas. Each erasure area 5, 6 also has one of the dividing wall opposite fourth side 14, which is formed by the respective front side or rear side of the housing, which is particularly evident in the Figures 3 and 4 is shown.

Each of the two extinguishing areas 5, 6 has several extinguishing elements into which the switching arc is driven and thereby made to extinguish. The extinguishing elements protrude from the upper end of the partition 13 or each extend between the partition and the opposite side of the housing. In the embodiment shown, on the one hand, there are simple quenching plates 15 and, on the other hand, cylindrical permanent magnets 16, each encased in a protective sleeve, attracting the switching arc and at the same time acting as quenching elements or quenching magnets. At this point it should be noted that in Figure 1 only the extinguishing plates 15 and permanent magnets 16 of the front extinguishing area 5 are clearly visible. The rear, second extinguishing area 6 also has corresponding extinguishing elements 15 and 16, which is particularly evident from Figure 4 emerges.

The extinguishing space actually used in the two extinguishing areas 5 and 6 ends at the level of the extinguishing elements 15 and 16, since the switching arc 20, unless it is extinguished on the way to the extinguishing elements, is extinguished by the extinguishing elements 15 and 16. On the housing side, housing ribs 18 are provided above the extinguishing elements 15 and 16. These protrude inward from the top of the housing and extend over the entire depth of the two extinguishing areas 5 and 6. They prevent the switching arc from being reignited above the extinguishing elements 15 and 16.

As can easily be seen from the drawings, the switching device 1 according to the invention is a closed switching device. In order to increase the switching capacity with an extremely compact design at the same time, overflow openings 8 are provided in the central partition 13 between the two extinguishing areas 5 and 6 in the switching device according to the invention. Two such overflow openings 8 are located laterally in the lower area of the partition, that is, at the lower first end 9 of the two extinguishing areas. The close proximity to the lower end and to the respective side wall 11 or 12 furthermore guarantees an effective separation of the two extinguishing areas, at least as far as unintentional spreading or displacement of the switching arc is concerned. At the same time, the overflow openings enable a certain gas exchange between the two extinguishing areas, which makes a decisive contribution to preventing the plasma, which is generated within the housing due to the switching arc, from escaping to the outside.

Between the extinguishing elements 15, 16 and the upper side 17 of the housing there is a further overflow opening 19, which extends essentially over the entire width of the two extinguishing areas, so that the partition 13 actually ends at the level of the extinguishing elements 15, 16. The further overflow opening 19 increases the positive effect described above.

List of reference symbols

1

Switching device

2

Fixed contact

3

Fixed contact

4th

Contact bridge

5

first erasure area

6th

second erasure area

7th

casing

8th

Overflow opening

9

first end of the deletion area

10

second end of the erasure area

11

first page of the erasure area

12th

second side of the erasure area

13th

Partition wall or third side of the extinguishing area

14th

fourth page of the erasure area

15th

Extinguishing element

16

Extinguishing magnet

17th

Housing top

18th

Housing ribs

19th

further overflow opening

20th

Switching arc

Claims (11)

Switching device (1) with closable contacts (2, 3, 4) and an extinguishing chamber assigned to the contacts, which has a first extinguishing area (5) and a second extinguishing area (6) arranged directly next to the first extinguishing area, the first extinguishing area and the second extinguishing area through a partition (13) are spatially separated from each other, and the switching device (1) is designed in such a way that a switching arc (20) that occurs when the contacts are opened is always blown away from the place of its origin in one of the two extinguishing areas by means of an arc blowing device of the switching device and to the Is brought to extinction, whereas the other of the two extinguishing areas is not used for extinguishing, characterized in that the partition (13) between the first extinguishing area (5) and the second extinguishing area (6) has at least one overflow opening (8, 19), which connects the first erasure area to the second erase area in such a way that plasma, which is caused by d en switching arc is generated, can flow from the extinguishing area in which the switching arc is extinguished into the other, unused extinguishing area. Switching device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that each of the two extinguishing areas (5, 6) represents a space which has a first end (9), which is closest to the place where the switching arc occurs, a first end (9 ) Opposite second end (10), towards which the switching arc moves due to the action of the arc blowing device, a first side (11) connecting the first end (9) and the second end (10), and one of the first side (11) ) has opposite and also the first end (9) and the second end (10) interconnecting the second side (12), the partition (13) each forming a third side of the space and the first end (9), the second end (10), connects the first side (11) and the second side (12) to one another, and wherein the space furthermore has a fourth side (14) opposite the partition (13). Switching device (1) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the overflow opening (8) is formed on the first side (11) and / or on the second side (12) in the partition (13). Switching device (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that an overflow opening (8) is formed in the partition (13) both on the first side (11) and on the second side (12). Switching device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the overflow opening (8) is formed in a section of the partition (13) facing the first end (9) and facing away from the second end (10). Switching device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that extinguishing elements (15, 16) are arranged at the second end (10) or near the second end (10), into which the switching arc (20) is driven by means of the arc blowing device and is thereby brought to extinction. Switching device (1) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the overflow opening (19), preferably as an additional overflow opening (19), between the extinguishing elements (15, 16) and a cover or a housing wall (17) existing at the second end (10) ) of the switching device (1) is formed in the partition (13). Switching device (1) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the overflow opening (19) extends essentially over the entire width of the two extinguishing areas (5, 6) measured between the first side (11) and the second side (12), so that the partition (13) actually ends at the level of the extinguishing elements (15, 16). Switching device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the switching device (1) is designed to be closed. Switching device (1) according to Claim 9, characterized in that no dedicated outlet opening is provided for the switching arc (20) and / or for plasma that is generated by the switching arc (20) within the switching device (1), the switching device ( 1) on the other hand is not hermetically sealed, so that pressure compensation with the environment, for example through gaps in a housing (7) of the switching device, is possible. Switching device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the switching device (1) is designed as a bidirectional switching device, one of the two extinguishing areas (5, 6) being used depending on the direction of the current.

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