EP3928337B1 - Switching device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a switching device for switching an electrical load on a supply network, with a rotary cylinder which can be rotated about an axis of rotation and in which a contact bridge is accommodated.

In order to supply an electrical load (an electrical consumer) with electrical energy, it is expediently connected to an electrical supply network.

In the event of a fault in the supply network or the load, it may be necessary to (electrically) disconnect the load from the supply network. For example, the supply network has a number of direct current networks and/or alternating current networks, each of the direct current networks and the alternating current networks forming a so-called supply branch. However, if the load is to be operated permanently, it must be switched from this (first) supply branch to another in the event of a failure of the supply branch of the supply network connected to it, i.e. if this supply branch does not provide any electrical energy or only insufficient electrical energy to operate the load (second) supply branch of the supply network. For example, if an alternating current network (AC supply branch) connected to the load fails, the load is switched to a direct current network (DC supply branch) for emergency supply.

For example, the load is connected to the supply network using a power supply unit. This typically has a buffer, for example capacitors which, in the event of a failure of the supply branch connected to the load, provide sufficient electrical energy to operate the load for a comparatively short period of time, also known as the bridging time. The bridging time is around 10 ms (milliseconds).

Mechanical switches can be used to switch the load between two supply branches of the supply network. However, switching such mechanical switches requires a comparatively long period of time, which is typically longer than the bridging time that can be achieved using the buffer of the power supply. As a result, for example, the load is not sufficiently supplied with electrical energy, so that it cannot be operated reliably or its operation can even be completely interrupted.

Alternatively, semiconductor switches are used to switch the load between two supply branches. However, with these there is no galvanic isolation of the corresponding supply branch from the load. However, galvanic isolation is required for some applications, particularly due to safety requirements, so these semiconductor switches cannot be used.

From the FR 2 891 395 A1 is known a disconnect module for an electrical device having two pairs of movable contacts coupled by a rotary drive mechanism arranged to reverse the rotation of one pair with respect to the other pair.

In the US 707,505 A1 an electrical switch is known by means of which an electrical circuit can be transferred from one phase to another phase of a supply system.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a suitable switching device. In particular, the switching device should be used to switch a load and/or switch the load between at least two supply branches of a supply network as quickly as possible.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments and refinements are the subject of the subclaims.

For this purpose, the switching device has a rotary cylinder that is rotatable, i.e. rotatable, about an axis of rotation. To adjust the rotation of the rotary cylinder, the switching device also has an actuator (actuator) coupled to it. The rotary cylinder is preferably designed as a hollow cylindrical so that its moment of inertia is as low as possible.

A first contact bridge is accommodated in the rotary cylinder, which is rotationally fixed with respect to the rotary cylinder. A contact, also known as a contact piece, is arranged at the ends of the contact bridge. In particular, the contact is attached at the respective end. For example, the contact is riveted, welded or soldered to the respective end. The contacts sit in a respective recess in the lateral surface of the rotary cylinder and protrude beyond the lateral surface, in particular in a radial direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The recesses are preferably arranged in a juxtaposition in the rotary cylinder. In other words, the recesses are preferably arranged on a common straight line which is arranged perpendicular to the axis of rotation and runs through it.

Furthermore, the switching device has a receptacle for the rotary cylinder. This is introduced as a separate part in a housing of the switching device or is preferably integrated into the housing, in particular molded onto it.

A number of counter-contacts (counter-contact pieces) are arranged in the receptacle in such a way that by rotating the rotary cylinder into a corresponding rotational position (angular position), two of the counter-contacts are electrically connected by means of the first contact bridge or the counter-contacts are electrically separated. The number of mating contacts therefore includes two mating contacts or more than two mating contacts. So there are at least two counter contacts in the recording arranged. In summary, two of the mating contacts or, if only two mating contacts are present, the two mating contacts are electrically connected to one another in a corresponding rotational position by means of the first contact bridge and are electrically (galvanically) separated from one another in a different rotational position.

To switch an electrical load on a supply network, i.e. to connect the load to the supply network or to disconnect the load from the supply network, one of these two mating contacts is connected to a (first) load connection for the load. So this (load-side) mating contact is intended for connecting the load and the other (network-side) mating contact of the two mating contacts, in particular via an assigned supply network connection, is intended for connecting to the supply network.

In summary, to disconnect the load from the supply network, the rotary cylinder is rotated (rotatably adjusted) in such a way that the corresponding mating contacts are no longer electrically connected by means of the first contact bridge, i.e. are galvanically separated from one another. It is advantageous due to the galvanic isolation that the load can be disconnected from the supply network in a comparatively safe manner. Accordingly, to connect the load to the supply network, the rotary cylinder is rotated (rotatably adjusted) in such a way that the corresponding mating contacts are electrically connected by means of the first contact bridge. Advantageously, the switching of the electrical load takes place comparatively quickly based on the rotational adjustment of the rotary cylinder.

According to an advantageous development, for switching the first load connection from a first supply branch to a second supply branch of the supply network, a load-side first mating contact and a first mating contact assigned to the respective supply branch are provided for each of the supply branches. The number of mating contacts includes the first mating contacts. This aspect represents an independent invention.

The switching of the first load connection provided for the load from the first supply branch to the second supply branch is effected by a rotational adjustment of the first contact bridge. Due to the rotational adjustment, the network-side first mating contact of the first supply branch is electrically separated from the load-side first mating contact and the network-side first mating contact of the second supply branch is electrically connected to the other load-side first mating contact by means of the first contact bridge.

The same applies to switching the first load connection from the second supply branch to the first supply branch.

In summary, in this way the first load connection can be connected to the first or second supply branch, so that a corresponding electrical potential is present there. This configuration of the switching device is used in particular if the two supply networks have the same reference potential, in particular ground, and this is applied to the load.

According to an advantageous development, a second contact bridge is provided for switching a second load connection provided for the load from the first supply branch to the second supply branch of the supply network. The load can be switched and expediently also switched between the first load connection and the second load connection and thus between the first contact bridge and the second contact bridge. One of the contact bridges is connected upstream of the load and the other of the contact bridges is connected downstream of the load.

Furthermore, a load-side second mating contact and a network-side second mating contact assigned to the respective supply branch are provided for each of the supply branches. The second contact bridge is rotationally fixed with respect to the rotary cylinder, in other words, the second contact bridge rotates at the same angle and about the same axis of rotation as the rotary cylinder when adjusting its rotation. The number of mating contacts includes the second mating contacts.

In an analogous manner to switching the first load connection from the first supply branch to the second supply branch, the switching of the second load connection from the first supply branch to the second supply branch is effected by a rotational adjustment of the second contact bridge. Therefore, due to the rotational adjustment of the rotary cylinder - and thus the second contact bridge - the network-side second mating contact of the first supply branch is electrically separated from the load-side mating contact and the network-side second mating contact of the second supply branch is electrically connected to the other load-side second mating contact by means of the second contact bridge. Advantageously, the switching of the first load connection for the electrical load from the first supply branch to the second supply branch or vice versa takes place comparatively quickly based on the rotational adjustment of the first rotary cylinder. For example, the switching time required for this is less than 5 ms (milliseconds). In particular, it is thus possible to switch the first load connection before the bridging time set out at the beginning has expired.

In summary, the load is intended for connection between the first and second contact bridges.

Due to the mutually rotationally fixed arrangement of the first and second contact bridges, both the first load connection and the second load connection are switched together, i.e. synchronously, from the first supply branch to the second supply branch or vice versa. Furthermore, it is thus particularly advantageously possible to switch the load between a first supply branch designed as a direct current network and a second supply branch designed as an alternating current network or between two alternating current networks or between two direct current networks with different reference potentials.

For example, additional supply branches of the supply network can be connected to the load in an analogous manner. In particular, the switching device has one or more further contact bridges for this purpose, which are accommodated in at least one further rotary cylinder in a rotationally fixed manner with respect to the first contact bridge.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the switching device, both the first contact bridge and the second contact bridge are accommodated in the rotary cylinder, an intermediate cylinder base of the rotary cylinder being arranged between the first contact bridge and the second contact bridge, and the first contact bridge and the second contact bridge, suitably at 90 ° , are arranged rotated relative to the axis of rotation. The intermediate cylinder base and the lateral surface of the rotary cylinder are preferably formed from an electrically insulating material. Due to the inclusion of the two contact bridges in the rotary cylinder, the two contact bridges are advantageously arranged to save space. This aspect represents an independent invention.

Alternatively, the switching device has two separate rotary cylinders, the two rotary cylinders being rotationally fixed to one another.

According to an expedient embodiment, the first mating contacts and the second mating contacts are arranged in mutually parallel and spaced planes, which are oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The corresponding contact bridge is expediently arranged in each of the two levels. This avoids unintentional contacting of the first contact bridge with the second mating contacts or of the second contact bridge with the first mating contacts.

When arranging the first contact bridge, the second contact bridge and possibly further contact bridges in mutually parallel and spaced planes, it is also possible to have three-phase, for example a neutral conductor using a the contact bridges are switched, or alternatively several loads can be switched analogously to the manner shown above.

The counter contacts expediently have an equidistant angular distance from one another with respect to the axis of rotation. For two supply branches, each of which is assigned four mating contacts, the angular distance between the mating contacts is 45°.

If the load is to be switched between more than two supply branches, the distance between the mating contacts is 90° divided by the number of supply branches.

The actuator has a permanent magnet that is coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to the rotary cylinder and can be rotated about the axis of rotation, as well as a coil. The coil is expediently arranged on the side of the permanent magnet facing away from the rotating cylinder. The coil is used to generate a magnetic field that causes the rotating cylinder to rotate. The permanent magnet is disc-shaped and extends in a plane oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Furthermore, the permanent magnet is expediently designed to be circular.

Preferably, the coil axis extends perpendicular to the axis of rotation. In addition, the coil suitably comprises a soft magnetic core, at both ends of which a pole piece with a (magnetic pole) surface oriented parallel to the permanent magnet is arranged.

Furthermore, the permanent magnet has two, in particular semicircular, sectors, the magnetic polarization of the two sectors being directed in or against one parallel to the axial direction. The sectors are preferably arranged with respect to the axis of rotation in such a way that the axis of rotation runs in an imaginary separating plane between the sectors.

The permanent magnet is expediently coupled to the rotary cylinder in a rotationally fixed manner by means of a holding element. According to an advantageous development, the holding element has a cover which is arranged on the side of the permanent magnet facing away from the coil and at least partially covers this side of the permanent magnet. The cover or alternatively the entire holding element is made of a soft magnetic material. This aspect also represents an independent invention. In this way, the magnetic field is guided in the area of the permanent magnet by means of the cover and/or absorption of the magnetic flux through the cover is improved. This advantageously facilitates the displacement of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet when the coil is energized. The resulting rotational movement of the permanent magnet and thus of the rotary cylinder takes place comparatively efficiently and/or the rotation takes place comparatively quickly, i.e. at a comparatively high rotational speed.

The guidance of the magnetic field in the area of the permanent magnet and/or the absorption of the magnetic flux of the magnetic field to enable a comparatively rapid field displacement when energizing the coil are thus further improved.

The cover is expediently as flat as possible with respect to a direction along the axis of rotation. In other words, the cover has the smallest possible extent in the axial direction. In particular, the extent in the axial direction is less than half of the extent perpendicular to the axis of rotation, for example less than the radius if the cover is circular. Therefore, their moment of inertia is comparatively low. However, their extent is chosen to be so large that sufficient absorption of the magnetic flux for the rotational adjustment can be achieved

For example, the cover is step-shaped, conical, or hemispherical. Preferably, the extent of the cover increases towards the axis of rotation. The moment of inertia of the holding element is therefore comparatively low and the guidance of the magnetic field is improved.

In an expedient embodiment, the rotational movement of the holding element is limited in both directions of rotation about the axis of rotation. This aspect represents an independent invention. Preferably, in a (first end position) rotational position of the rotary cylinder, which corresponds to a maximum possible deflection or rotational adjustment in one of the two directions of rotation, the first counter-contact on the load side is connected to the first counter-contact on the network side by means of the first contact bridge connected to the first supply branch. At a (second end position) rotational position of the rotary cylinder, which corresponds to a maximum possible deflection or rotational adjustment in the other of the two directions of rotation, the other of the load-side first mating contacts is connected to the other of the network-side first mating contact for the second supply branch by means of the first contact bridge.

The same applies to the second mating contacts and the second contact bridge.

To limit the rotational movement of the holding element, according to a suitable embodiment, its cover has a (cover) recess, in particular in the shape of a segment of a circle with respect to the axis of rotation, whereby when the holding element rotates, the walls of the cover recess that delimit the cover recess in the direction of rotation provide a stop for form a stop element. Preferably, the stop element is arranged, in particular integrally formed, on a housing that accommodates the holding element. For example, the stop element is bolt-like and extends parallel to the axis of rotation. Alternatively, the stop element is wedge-shaped and engages in the cover recess in the radial direction.

The walls are expediently arranged in such a way that the maximum possible angle of rotation between the first end position and the second end position, i.e. between the maximum possible deflections of the holding element in the two directions of rotation, corresponds to the angular distances of the network-side first mating contacts or the network-side second mating contacts from one another with respect to the axis of rotation .

Furthermore, the recess is preferably arranged such that the parting plane of the sectors of the permanent magnet, which is oriented perpendicular to the permanent magnet, runs between the walls. Thus, after a rotational adjustment of the holding element, according to which the parting plane of the sectors is arranged rotated towards one of the walls relative to a plane spanned by the axis of the coil core and the axis of rotation, due to an interaction of the permanent magnet with the coil core and the pole piece arranged thereon, the permanent magnet is automatically pressed against this wall and is advantageously held stably against an undefined rotational adjustment, in particular not caused by energizing the coil.

According to an expedient embodiment, the coil of the actuator has an inductance of less than 0.5 mH (MilliHenry), in particular less than 0.2 mH and/or an ohmic resistance of less than 0.5 ohm, in particular less than 0.1 ohm. In this way, a comparatively rapid increase in a coil current and thus a comparatively rapid increase in the field strength of the magnetic field generated by the coil when it is energized is made possible. The rotational movement of the permanent magnet and correspondingly of the rotary cylinder with the contact bridges accommodated therein takes place comparatively quickly. In particular, this makes it possible to switch the respective load connections between the first supply branch and the second supply branch, i.e. from the first to the second supply branch or vice versa, before the transition time mentioned at the beginning has expired. In particular, a time required for switching is 5 ms or less, so that in the event of a failure of the supply branch connected to it, the load can and expediently is switched to the other supply branch without affecting the operation of the load.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the first contact bridge and/or the second contact bridge are designed as a leaf spring, so that the contacts attached to their ends are resiliently adjustable in the radial direction. In this way, the contact pressure of the contacts on the mating contacts is increased and a Comparatively reliable electrical contacting is realized. The lateral surface of the rotary cylinder serves as a stop for the leaf spring, so that the adjustment of the contacts in the radial direction is limited.

The contact bridges are suitably omega-shaped. In other words, they have a circular arc shape, with wings running on the outside of the circular arc shape being formed essentially concentrically with respect to this shape.

For example, the contact bridges are made of a copper alloy, in particular a copper-beryllium alloy such as CuBe, CuBe ₂ . These materials advantageously have a comparatively high spring elasticity.

The mating contacts and/or the contacts are formed, for example, from silver (Ag) or from an alloy containing silver, in particular AgSnO or AgCdO. These materials have a comparatively high electrical conductivity.

According to an advantageous development, the first contact bridge and/or the second contact bridge each have two slots, which each extend from the ends of the corresponding contact bridge in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation to form corresponding bridge legs. A contact is arranged on each of the bridge legs. This aspect represents an independent invention.

In this way, two, in particular independently, resiliently held contacts are provided for a mating contact. Contact pressure equalization is thus improved.

Suitably, the switching device further has an auxiliary spring for the first contact bridge or for the second auxiliary bridge, preferably an auxiliary spring for the first contact bridge and for the second contact bridge. The auxiliary spring acts on the ends of the first contact bridge or the second Contact bridge with a spring force in the radial direction, so that a contact pressure of the contact on the respective mating contact is further increased. This aspect represents an independent invention.

In particular, the auxiliary spring is arranged on the corresponding contact bridge or is preferably joined to it. For this purpose, the auxiliary spring has, for example, lugs which are accommodated in the slots of the associated contact bridge. Preferably, the auxiliary spring is further fastened to the ends of the respective contact bridge in a materially bonded manner, for example by soldering or welding.

In an expedient embodiment, the receptacle, which accommodates the rotary cylinder, has ribs directed radially inwards, i.e. towards the axis of rotation, in which the mating contacts are arranged on the side facing the axis of rotation. In an advantageous embodiment, the ribs of the receptacle are curved towards the axis of rotation. In this way, in the course of the rotational adjustment, the pressure of the contact against the rib or against the counter contact arranged therein advantageously grows comparatively evenly. In addition, the rotating cylinder is at least slightly braked as it rotates due to the increasing pressure and the associated friction.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the switching device has a cage-like insulating element with axial struts, i.e. extending along the axis of rotation. The ribs of the receptacle are arranged between the struts. This aspect represents an independent invention.

The struts are preferably at a greater distance from the axis of rotation than the ribs. As a result, the contacts on the struts are prevented from rubbing during the rotational movement of the rotary cylinder. The struts preferably have a comparatively smooth surface, so that if the contacts nevertheless rub against the struts, friction is comparatively small.

An annular (extinguishing) gap is formed between the rotating cylinder and the ribs and between the rotating cylinder and the struts. In a practical way The gap width, i.e. its extent in the radial direction, is between 50 µm and 200 µm.

When an arc occurs, which is generated in particular as a result of the separation of the electrical connection of one of the contact bridges from a mating contact connected to a DC voltage network, the arc extends over a comparatively large area due to the comparatively small gap width. In particular, the arc is cooled as a result and advantageously extinguishes comparatively quickly.

Furthermore, according to an expedient embodiment, the insulating element is made of a material which, upon exposure to the arc that may arise during switching, releases an extinguishing gas to extinguish the arc. Polyoxymethylene (POM), which also has a comparatively smooth surface, is particularly suitable for this.

For example, the switching device is intended for a power supply. In other words, such a power supply advantageously has the switching device in one of the variants set out above. Furthermore, the switching device is dimensioned in particular for voltages of up to 420 V for direct current or 320 V for alternating current and currents of up to 26 A for direct current and 25 A for alternating current. For example, the power supply is used in data communication applications.

Fig. 1

einen schematischen Schaltungsaufbau, wobei eine Last mittels einer Schaltvorrichtung zwischen zwei Versorgungszweigen eines Versorgungsnetzes schaltbar ist,

Fig. 2

die Schaltvorrichtung in einer perspektivischen Explosionsdarstellung, wobei die Schaltvorrichtung einen mittels eines Aktors um eine Drehachse drehantreibbaren Drehzylinder und eine Aufnahme für den Drehzylinder aufweist, wobei durch eine Drehung des Drehzylinders in der Aufnahme angeordnete Gegenkontakte mittels einer im Drehzylinder aufgenommenen ersten oder zweiten Kontaktbrücke elektrisch verbindbar sind,

Fig. 3

in einem Längsschnitt mit einer die Drehachse aufweisenden Schnittebene die Schaltvorrichtung, wobei der Aktor eine Spule sowie einen Dauermagneten aufweist, welcher mittels eines Halteelements starr mit dem Drehzylinder gekoppelt ist, wobei das Halteelement aus einem Weichmagnetischen Material gebildet ist,

Fig. 4

in einer perspektivischen Ansicht den Drehzylinder mit der darin aufgenommenen Omega-förmigen ersten Kontaktbrücke und der darin aufgenommenen Omega-förmigen zweiten Kontaktbrücke, wobei zwischen der ersten Kontaktbrücke ein Zylinderzwischenboden des Drehzylinders angeordnet ist,

Fig. 5a

in einer perspektivischen Ansicht die Aufnahme für den Drehzylinder, wobei die Aufnahme sich zur Drehachse hin erstreckende Rippen aufweist, an deren Innenseiten die Gegenkontakte angeordnet sind,

Fig. 5b

in einer perspektivischen Ansicht die Aufnahme gemäß der Fig. 5a, wobei in der Aufnahme ein Isolierteil angeordnet ist, dessen Stege zwischen den Rippen der Aufnahme angeordnet sind,

Fig. 6a

in einer perspektivischen Ansicht das am Dauermagneten rotationsfest angeordnete Halteelement, wobei das Halteelement eine Abdeckung aufweist, welche den Dauermagneten teilweise abdeckt, und wobei die Abdeckung eine kreissegmentförmige Abdeckungs-Aussparung aufweist,

Fig. 6b

in einer perspektivischen Ansicht den am Halteelement gehaltenen Dauermagneten, wobei die Spule auf der dem Halteelement abgewandten Seite des Dauermagneten angeordnet ist, und wobei eine Spulenachse der Spule parallel zum Dauermagneten verläuft,

Fig. 7

in einer perspektivischen Ansicht ein Gehäuse, in welchem das Halteelement drehbar gelagert ist, wobei das Gehäuse keilförmige Anschlagselemente für die Abdeckung-Aussparung aufweist,

Fig. 8a

schematisch einen Querschnitt der Schaltvorrichtung mit einer durch die erste Kontaktbrücke aufgespannten Schnittebene, wobei die Schaltvorrichtung für jeden der Versorgungszweige jeweils einen lastseitigen ersten Gegenkontakt und einen dem jeweiligen Versorgungszweig zugeordneten netzseitigen ersten Gegenkontakt aufweist, wobei einer der lastseitigen ersten Gegenkontakte mittels der ersten Kontaktbrücke elektrisch mit dem an den ersten Versorgungszweig angeschlossenen netzseitigen ersten Gegenkontakt verbunden ist,

Fig. 8b

schematisch einen Querschnitt der Schaltvorrichtung gemäß der Fig. 4a, wobei durch eine Rotation des Drehzylinders der andere der lastseitigen ersten Gegenkontakte mittels der ersten Kontaktbrücke mit dem an den zweiten Versorgungszweig angeschlossenen netzseitigen ersten Gegenkontakt verbunden ist, und

Fig. 8c

schematisch einen Querschnitt einer alternativen Ausgestaltung der Schaltvorrichtung, wobei lediglich ein einziger Versorgungszweig für die Last vorgesehen ist, und wobei durch eine Rotation des Drehzylinders dieser Versorgungszweig mittels der ersten Kontaktbrücke mit der Last verbindbar oder von dieser trennbar ist.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. Show in it:

Fig. 1

a schematic circuit structure, wherein a load can be switched between two supply branches of a supply network by means of a switching device,

Fig. 2

the switching device in a perspective exploded view, wherein the switching device rotates around an axis of rotation by means of an actuator rotary cylinder and a receptacle for the rotary cylinder, wherein by rotating the rotary cylinder, counter contacts arranged in the receptacle can be electrically connected by means of a first or second contact bridge accommodated in the rotary cylinder,

Fig. 3

in a longitudinal section with a cutting plane having the axis of rotation, the switching device, the actuator having a coil and a permanent magnet, which is rigidly coupled to the rotary cylinder by means of a holding element, the holding element being formed from a soft magnetic material,

Fig. 4

in a perspective view the rotary cylinder with the omega-shaped first contact bridge accommodated therein and the omega-shaped second contact bridge accommodated therein, an intermediate cylinder base of the rotary cylinder being arranged between the first contact bridge,

Fig. 5a

in a perspective view the receptacle for the rotary cylinder, the receptacle having ribs extending towards the axis of rotation, on the inside of which the counter contacts are arranged,

Fig. 5b

in a perspective view the recording according to the Fig. 5a , an insulating part being arranged in the receptacle, the webs of which are arranged between the ribs of the receptacle,

Fig. 6a

in a perspective view the holding element arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the permanent magnet, the holding element having a cover which partially covers the permanent magnet, and the cover having a cover recess in the shape of a segment of a circle,

Fig. 6b

in a perspective view of the permanent magnet held on the holding element, with the coil on the side facing away from the holding element Side of the permanent magnet is arranged, and wherein a coil axis of the coil runs parallel to the permanent magnet,

Fig. 7

in a perspective view a housing in which the holding element is rotatably mounted, the housing having wedge-shaped stop elements for the cover recess,

Fig. 8a

schematically a cross section of the switching device with a sectional plane spanned by the first contact bridge, the switching device for each of the supply branches having a load-side first mating contact and a network-side first mating contact assigned to the respective supply branch, one of the load-side first mating contacts being electrically connected to the first contact bridge by means of the first contact bridge the first network-side contact connected to the first supply branch is connected,

Fig. 8b

schematically a cross section of the switching device according to FIG. 4a, wherein by rotation of the rotary cylinder the other of the load-side first mating contacts is connected to the network-side first mating contact connected to the second supply branch by means of the first contact bridge, and

Fig. 8c

schematically a cross section of an alternative embodiment of the switching device, wherein only a single supply branch is provided for the load, and wherein this supply branch can be connected to or separated from the load by means of the first contact bridge by rotating the rotary cylinder.

Corresponding parts and sizes are always provided with the same reference numbers in all figures.

In the Fig. 1 A circuit structure is shown schematically, in which a load 4 is supplied from a first supply branch 6 by means of a switching device 2 Supply network 8 can be switched to a second supply branch 10 of the supply network 8 and vice versa. The first supply branch 6 is designed, for example, as a direct current network with a voltage of 380 V and the second supply branch 10 as an alternating current network with a voltage of 277 V. For the purpose of an improved overview, the second supply branch 10 is shown in dash-dotted lines.

The load 4 is connected between a first load connection 12 of the switching device 2 and a second load connection 14 of the switching device 2. To connect the first load connection 12 to the first supply branch 6 or to the second supply branch 10, as well as to connect the second load connection 14 to the first supply branch 6 or to the second supply branch 10, the switching device 2 each has a switch 16. The two switches 16 form a switching system and can be switched between corresponding switch positions by means of an actuator 18. The actuator 18 in turn is controlled by a control unit 20.

In order to operate the load 4 without any impairment in the event of a failure of the supply branch 6 or 10 connected to it, the switches 16 switch accordingly to the other supply branch 10 or 6. For this purpose, the switching device 2, as in particular in the Fig. 2 and the Fig. 3 can be seen, a rotary cylinder 22 which is rotatably adjustable about an axis of rotation D and has a lateral surface 24, the rotary cylinder 22 being rotatably adjustable by means of the actuator 18. Furthermore, the switching device 2 has a first contact bridge 26, which is accommodated in a rotationally fixed manner in the rotary cylinder 22, at the ends of which two contacts 28 are arranged, the contacts 28 being seated in a respective recess 30 in the lateral surface 24 of the rotary cylinder 22 and in a position perpendicular to the axis of rotation D Protrude in the radial direction R beyond the lateral surface 24.

In addition, the switching device has a second contact bridge 32, which is also accommodated in the rotary cylinder 22 ( Fig. 4 ), and two contacts 28 are arranged at both ends. Between the first contact bridge 26 and the second contact bridge 32 there is a contact to the lateral surface 24 of the Rotary cylinder 22 molded cylinder intermediate base 34 of the rotary cylinder 22 is arranged. In addition, the first contact bridge 26 and the second contact bridge 32 are rotated by 90° relative to the axis of rotation D. The contacts 28 arranged on the contact bridges 26 and 32 are thus arranged in mutually spaced and parallel (contact) planes, which are oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation D.

Furthermore, the switching device 2 has a receptacle 38 for the rotary cylinder 22 integrated into a housing 36. The receptacle 38 has radially inwardly directed ribs 40, in which counter contacts 42, 42 ', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' are arranged on the side of the respective rib 40 facing the axis of rotation D, cf. in particular Fig. 5a . To connect the first load connection 12 to the first supply branch 6, the switching device 2 has the first mating contact 42 on the load side and the first mating contact 44 on the network side. To connect the first load connection 12 to the second supply branch 10, the switching device 2 has the first mating contact 42 'on the load side and the first mating contact 44' on the network side. The mating contacts 42, 44 or 42', 44' to be connected lie opposite each other with respect to the axis of rotation D.

In an analogous manner, the switching device 2 has the load-side second mating contact 46 and the network-side second mating contact 48 for connecting the second load connection 14 to the first supply branch 6. To connect the second load connection 14 to the second supply branch 10, the switching device 2 has the load-side second mating contact 46' and the network-side second mating contact 48'. The mating contacts 46, 48 and 46', 48' to be connected are opposite each other with respect to the axis of rotation D.

In addition, a 45° angle is formed between the mating contacts 44 and 44' and between the mating contacts 48 and 48' with respect to the axis of rotation D.

The mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44' for switching the first load connection 12 are in a common (counter-contact) plane oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation D arranged, The counter contacts 46, 46 ', 48, 48' for switching the second load connection 14 are arranged in a common further (counter contact) plane parallel to this (counter contact) plane and spaced apart. These two levels correspond to the (contact) levels which have the contacts 28 of the first contact bridge 26 and the second contact bridge 32, respectively.

Like especially in the Fig. 5b can be seen, the switching device 2 has a cage-like insulating element 50, the struts 52 of which are arranged between the ribs 40 of the receptacle 38 with respect to a direction of rotation about the axis of rotation D. An annular (extinguishing) gap 54 with a gap width b, which is less than 200 μm, is formed between the rotary cylinder 22 and the ribs 40 and between the rotary cylinder 22 and the struts 52.

Due to such a small gap width b, an arc that may be generated (formed) during a switching process is expanded in the gap 54 to a comparatively large area and is thus cooled. As a result, the arc goes out more quickly.

Furthermore, the insulating element 50 to support the extinguishing of the arc that may be formed during switching is made of a material, in particular polyoxymethylene (POM), which releases an extinguishing gas when the arc is exposed to it.

Like especially in the Figures 2 and 4 can be seen, the first contact bridge 26 and the second contact bridge 32 are designed as an omega-shaped leaf spring, so that the contacts 28 are resiliently adjustable in the radial direction R. Thus, a contact pressure (contact pressure) of the contacts 28 on the mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' is increased and a comparatively reliable electrical contact is realized.

The first contact bridge 26 and the second contact bridge 32 each have two slots 56, which extend from the ends of the respective contact bridge 26 or 32, starting in a plane spanned by this and oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation D. Due to the slots 56, two mutually parallel bridge legs 58 are formed at each end of the respective contact bridges 26 and 32, with one of the contacts 28 being arranged on each of the bridge legs 58. So one of the contacts 28 is arranged on one of the bridge legs 58 and another of the contacts 28 is arranged on the other bridge leg. Consequently, there is a uniform contact pressure of the contacts 28 against the mating contacts 42, 42 ', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' even if the ribs 40 and/or the mating contacts 42, 42', 44 are uneven along the axis of rotation D , 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' possible.

To support the suspension or to increase the (spring) force acting on the contacts 28 in the radial direction R, an auxiliary spring 60 is provided for each contact bridge 26 and 32, which connects the ends of the respectively assigned contact bridge 26 and 32 with an in Radial direction R is subjected to an additional spring force. The auxiliary spring 60 is also omega-shaped and arranged concentrically to the associated contact bridge 26 or 32 and attached to it. For this purpose, the auxiliary spring 60 has lugs 62 which are accommodated in the slots 56 of the associated contact bridge 26 and 32.

The ribs 40 also have a curvature towards the axis of rotation D (see also Fig. 8a and Fig. 8b ). In other words, the distance in the radial direction R at the end of the respective rib 40 with respect to a direction of rotation about the axis of rotation D is greater than in a central (middle) region of the rib 40.

In this way, in the course of a rotational movement of the contacts 28 towards one of the mating contacts 42, 42 ', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48', a pressure of the contact 28 against the rib 40 increases uniformly, so that the rotational adjustment is braked evenly due to the associated friction between the contact 28 and the rib 40.

The actuator 18 of the switching device 2 has a disk-shaped permanent magnet 64 which extends perpendicular to the axis of rotation D is coupled (connected) in a rotationally fixed manner to the rotary cylinder 22 by means of a holding element 66, cf. in particular Figures 2 , 3 , 6a and 6b . For this purpose, the cylinder intermediate base 34 formed on the lateral surface 24 of the rotary cylinder 22 has a screw receptacle 68 for a screw 70, by means of which the rotary cylinder 22 is screw-fastened to the holding element 66. Furthermore, the holding element 66 is rotatably mounted in the housing 36 by means of bearings 72.

Furthermore, the actuator 18 has a coil 74. This serves to generate a magnetic field, which causes a rotational adjustment due to the interaction with the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 64 and due to the coupling of the rotary cylinder 22 with the contact bridges 26 and 32 accommodated therein. For this purpose, the permanent magnet 64 has two semicircular sectors 76, the magnetic polarization of which is essentially directed opposite to one another and parallel to the axis of rotation D. A parting plane T of the two sectors is parallel to the axis of rotation D, with the axis of rotation D being arranged in the parting plane.

The axis of the coil 74 extends perpendicular to the axis of rotation D. The coil 74 comprises a soft magnetic core 75, at both ends of which a pole piece 77 made of a soft magnetic material is arranged with a (magnetic pole) surface oriented parallel to the permanent magnet 64.

The holding element 66 has a cover 78 for the permanent magnet 64 made of a soft magnetic material. The cover 78 is arranged on the side of the permanent magnet 64 facing away from the coil 74 and partially covers this side in an (axial) direction parallel to the axis of rotation D. The holding element 66 and in particular its cover 78 serve to guide the magnetic field in the area of the permanent magnet 64, so that when the coil 74 is energized, a comparatively rapid field displacement of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 64 takes place, which results in a comparatively rapid rotation of the permanent magnet 64.

The extent of the cover 78 in the axial direction is less than its extent in the radial direction. The cover 78 is therefore as flat as possible with respect to a direction along the axis of rotation and its moment of inertia is reduced. To further reduce the moment of inertia, the cover 78 is designed in a step shape. The expansion increases in the axial direction towards the axis of rotation D. At most, their extension in the axial direction, i.e. parallel to the axis of rotation D, is selected such that sufficient absorption of the magnetic flux for the rotational adjustment can be achieved.

The permanent magnet 64 also has a notch 80 as an assembly aid. This is arranged in the dividing plane T of the two sectors 76.

The coil 74 has an inductance of less than 0.5 mH and/or an ohmic resistance of less than 0.5 ohm. This enables a comparatively rapid increase in coil current. Consequently, a correspondingly rapid increase in the field strength of the magnetic field generated by the coil when it is energized and thus a correspondingly rapid rotational adjustment of the permanent magnet is realized with the contact bridges 26 and 32 coupled to it in a rotationally fixed manner.

The control unit 20 has capacitors (not shown) connected to the coil 74, by means of which the coil current can be provided in a correspondingly short time.

The cover 78 has two cover recesses 82 which are opposite one another and are in the shape of a segment of a circle with respect to the axis of rotation D. When the holding element 66 rotates, the walls 84 of the cover 78, which delimit the cover recess 82 in the respective direction of rotation, act as a stop for a wedge-shaped stop element 86 formed on the housing ( Fig. 7 ). This projects in the radial direction R between the walls 84. In this way, a rotational movement of the holding element 66 and thus of the contact bridges 26 and 32 in both directions of rotation about the axis of rotation D is limited.

The walls 84 are arranged in such a way that the maximum possible angle of rotation of the holding element 66, here 45 °, between the end positions, i.e. between the maximum possible adjustment positions (deflections) of the two directions of rotation, the angular distances of the network-side first mating contacts 44 and 44 'and the network-side second mating contacts 48 and 48' correspond to each other with respect to the axis of rotation D.

The Figures 8a and 8b show schematically the switching device 2 in a cross section, with the cutting plane running perpendicular to the axis of rotation and through the first mating contacts 42, 42 ', 44, 44'. Accordingly, the second mating contacts 46, 46', 48, 48' are arranged outside this sectional plane. For the purpose of better understanding, these mating contacts 46, 46', 48, 48' are shown in dotted lines.

In the Fig. 8a is the position of the first contact bridge 26 corresponding to the first end position with respect to the corresponding direction of rotation about the axis of rotation D, in which end position further rotation in this direction of rotation is prevented by means of the stop element 86. The network-side first mating contact 44 assigned to the first supply branch 6 and the load-side first mating contact 42 are electrically connected to one another by means of the first contact bridge 26. By rotating the rotary cylinder 22 and thereby the first contact bridge 26 in the direction of rotation shown by the arrow (according to the illustration in Fig. 8a counterclockwise), the electrical connection of the first two mating contacts 42 and 44 is separated.

The Fig. 8b shows the position of the first contact bridge 26 corresponding to the second end position with respect to the corresponding direction of rotation about the axis of rotation D. Here, the network-side first mating contact 44 ', assigned to the second supply branch 10, and the load-side first mating contact 42' are electrically connected to one another by means of the first contact bridge 26. By rotating the rotary cylinder 22 and thereby the first contact bridge 26 in the direction of rotation shown by the arrow (according to the illustration in Fig. 8b in the clockwise), the electrical connection of the first two mating contacts 42' and 44' is separated.

The same applies to the second contact bridge 32 and the second mating contacts 46, 46 ', 48, 48'.

In summary, the switches 16 are each formed by means of the first contact bridge 26 and the second contact bridge 32 and the contacts 28 arranged at their ends, so that with a corresponding adjustment position by means of the first contact bridge 26 and by means of the second contact bridge 32, the network-side mating contacts 44, 44 ', 48, 48' and the corresponding load-side mating contact 42, 42 and 46, 46' are connected to one another.

In the Fig. 8c an alternative embodiment of the switching device 2 is shown. Here, the switching device 2 only has a first network-side mating contact 44 and a first load-side mating contact 42, which can be electrically connected by means of the first contact bridge 26. The statements presented above apply analogously to this embodiment of the switching device 2. In particular, the rotational movement of the holding element 66 is limited in such a way that in one of the end positions the first network-side mating contact 44 and the load-side first mating contact 42 are connected to one another by means of the first contact bridge 26. In the other end position, the two mating contacts 42 and 44 are galvanically isolated from one another. In summary, the alternative embodiment of the switching device 2 according to the Fig. 8c i.e. to disconnect or connect the (only) first supply branch 6 from or to the load 4.

Unclaimed embodiments are described below. A switching device 2 for switching an electrical load 4 on a supply network 8 is to be viewed as an independent invention, which has a rotary cylinder 22 which can be rotated about an axis of rotation D and has a lateral surface 24, an actuator 18 for adjusting the rotation of the rotary cylinder 22, and a rotary cylinder 22 which is rotationally fixed recorded first contact bridge 26, at the ends of which a contact 28 is arranged, the contacts 28 being seated in a respective recess 30 in the lateral surface 24 of the rotary cylinder 22 and protruding beyond the lateral surface 24, and a receptacle 38 for the rotary cylinder 22, in which receptacle a number of mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' are arranged, the mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' being arranged in this way are that by rotating the rotary cylinder 22, two of the counter-contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' are electrically connected by means of the first contact bridge 26 or the counter-contacts 42, 42', 44, 44' are electrically connected. , 46, 46 ', 48, 48' are electrically separated, and in order to switch a first load connection 12 provided for the load 4 from a first supply branch 6 to a second supply branch 10 of the supply network 8, a load-side connection is required for each of the supply branches 6, 10 first mating contact 42 and a network-side first mating contact 44 assigned to the respective supply branch 6, 10 are provided.

Furthermore, a switching device 2 for switching an electrical load 4 on a supply network 8 is to be viewed as an independent invention, which has a rotary cylinder 22 which is rotatably adjustable about an axis of rotation D and has a lateral surface 24, an actuator 18 for rotationally adjusting the rotary cylinder 22, and one which is rotationally fixed in the rotary cylinder 22 recorded first contact bridge 26 and a second contact bridge 32 received therein, at the ends of which a contact 28 is arranged, the contacts 28 being seated in a respective recess 30 in the lateral surface 24 of the rotary cylinder 22 and protruding beyond the lateral surface 24, and a receptacle 38 for the rotary cylinder 22, in which a number of counter-contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' are arranged, the counter-contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' are arranged in such a way that by rotating the rotary cylinder 22, two of the mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' are connected by means of the first contact bridge 26 and two more of the mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' are electrically connected by means of the second contact bridge 32 or the mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' are electrically separated are, wherein an intermediate cylinder base 34 of the rotary cylinder 22 is arranged between the first contact bridge 26 and the second contact bridge 32, and wherein the first contact bridge 26 and the second contact bridge 32 are arranged rotated relative to one another with respect to the axis of rotation D.

Furthermore, a switching device 2 for switching an electrical load 4 on a supply network 8 is to be viewed as an independent invention, which has a rotary cylinder 22 which is rotatably adjustable about an axis of rotation D and has a lateral surface 24, an actuator 18 for rotationally adjusting the rotary cylinder 22, and one which is rotationally fixed in the rotary cylinder 22 recorded first contact bridge 26, at the ends of which a contact 28 is arranged, the contacts 28 being seated in a respective recess 30 in the lateral surface 24 of the rotary cylinder 22 and protruding beyond the lateral surface 24, and a receptacle 38 for the rotary cylinder 22, in which one Number of mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' is arranged, the mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' being arranged in this way that by rotating the rotary cylinder 22, two of the mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' are electrically connected by means of the first contact bridge 26 or the mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46 ', 48, 48' are electrically separated, the actuator 18 having a permanent magnet 64 which is rotationally coupled to the rotary cylinder 22 by means of a holding element 66 made of soft magnetic material, and a coil 74 for generating a magnetic field which causes the rotary cylinder 22 to rotate, and wherein the permanent magnet 64 is disk-shaped and extends in a plane oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation D.

Furthermore, a switching device 2 for switching an electrical load 4 on a supply network 8 is to be viewed as an independent invention, which has a rotary cylinder 22 which is rotatably adjustable about an axis of rotation D and has a lateral surface 24, an actuator 18 for rotationally adjusting the rotary cylinder 22, and one which is rotationally fixed in the rotary cylinder 22 recorded first contact bridge 26, at the ends of which a contact 28 is arranged, the contacts 28 being in a respective one Recess 30 in the lateral surface 24 of the rotary cylinder 22 and protrude beyond the lateral surface 24, and a receptacle 38 for the rotary cylinder 22, in which a number of mating contacts 42, 42 ', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' is arranged, wherein the mating contacts 42, 42 ', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' are arranged such that two of the mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46 , 46', 48, 48' are electrically connected by means of the first contact bridge 26 or the mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' are electrically separated, the actuator 18 being one by means of a holding element 66 rotationally fixed to the rotary cylinder 22 coupled permanent magnet 64 and a coil 74 for generating a rotation of the rotary cylinder 22 causing a magnetic field, and wherein the holding element 66, in particular for guiding the magnetic field in the area of the permanent magnet 64, has a cover 78 formed from soft magnetic material , which is arranged on the side of the permanent magnet 64 facing away from the coil 74 and at least partially covers this side of the permanent magnet 64.

Furthermore, a switching device 2 for switching an electrical load 4 on a supply network 8 is to be viewed as an independent invention, which has a rotary cylinder 22 which is rotatably adjustable about an axis of rotation D and has a lateral surface 24, an actuator 18 for rotationally adjusting the rotary cylinder 22, and one which is rotationally fixed in the rotary cylinder 22 recorded first contact bridge 26, at the ends of which a contact 28 is arranged, the contacts 28 being seated in a respective recess 30 in the lateral surface 24 of the rotary cylinder 22 and protruding beyond the lateral surface 24, and a receptacle 38 for the rotary cylinder 22, in which one Number of mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' is arranged, the mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' being arranged in this way that by rotating the rotary cylinder 22, two of the mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' are electrically connected by means of the first contact bridge 26 or the mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46 ', 48, 48' are electrically separated, the actuator 18 having a permanent magnet 64 coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to the rotary cylinder 22 and a coil 74 for generating a magnetic field which causes the rotary cylinder 22 to rotate, the permanent magnet 64 being provided by means of a holding element 66 rotationally fixed with the rotating cylinder 22 is coupled, and wherein a rotational movement of the holding element 66 is limited in both directions of rotation about the axis of rotation D.

Furthermore, a switching device 2 for switching an electrical load 4 on a supply network 8 is to be viewed as an independent invention, which has a rotary cylinder 22 which is rotatably adjustable about an axis of rotation D and has a lateral surface 24, an actuator 18 for rotationally adjusting the rotary cylinder 22, and one which is rotationally fixed in the rotary cylinder 22 recorded first contact bridge 26, at the ends of which a contact 28 is arranged, the contacts 28 being seated in a respective recess 30 in the lateral surface 24 of the rotary cylinder 22 and protruding beyond the lateral surface 24, and a receptacle 38 for the rotary cylinder 22, in which one Number of mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' is arranged, the mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' being arranged in this way that by rotating the rotary cylinder 22, two of the mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' are electrically connected by means of the first contact bridge 26 or the mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46 ', 48, 48' are electrically separated, the first contact bridge 26 having two slots 56, each of which extends from the ends of the corresponding contact bridge 26, 32 in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation D to form corresponding bridge legs 58 , with a contact 28 being arranged on each of the bridge legs 58.

Furthermore, a switching device 2 for switching an electrical load 4 on a supply network 8 is to be viewed as an independent invention, which has a rotary cylinder 22 which is rotatably adjustable about an axis of rotation D and has a lateral surface 24, an actuator 18 for rotationally adjusting the rotary cylinder 22, and one which is rotationally fixed in the rotary cylinder 22 recorded first contact bridge 26, at the ends of which a contact 28 is arranged, the contacts 28 being seated in a respective recess 30 in the lateral surface 24 of the rotary cylinder 22 and protruding beyond the lateral surface 24, and a receptacle 38 for the rotary cylinder 22, in which one Number of mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' is arranged, the mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' being arranged in this way that by rotating the rotary cylinder 22 two of the counter contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' are electrically connected by means of the first contact bridge 26 or the mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' are electrically separated are, wherein an auxiliary spring 60 is provided, which applies a spring force to the ends of the first contact bridge 26 or the second contact bridge 32 in a radial direction R oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

Furthermore, a switching device 2 for switching an electrical load 4 on a supply network 8 is to be viewed as an independent invention, which has a rotary cylinder 22 which is rotatably adjustable about an axis of rotation D and has a lateral surface 24, an actuator 18 for rotationally adjusting the rotary cylinder 22, and one which is rotationally fixed in the rotary cylinder 22 recorded first contact bridge 26, at the ends of which a contact 28 is arranged, the contacts 28 being seated in a respective recess 30 in the lateral surface 24 of the rotary cylinder 22 and protruding beyond the lateral surface 24, and a receptacle 38 for the rotary cylinder 22, in which one Number of mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' is arranged, the mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' being arranged in this way that by rotating the rotary cylinder 22, two of the mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' are electrically connected by means of the first contact bridge 26 or the mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' are electrically separated, the receptacle 38 having radially inwardly directed ribs 40, in which the mating contacts 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48' are at the Axis of rotation D are arranged on the side facing, and axial struts 52 of a cage-like insulating element 50 are arranged between the ribs 40 of the receptacle 38.

Reference symbol list

2

Switching device

4

load

6

first supply branch

8th

supply network

10

second supply branch

12

first load connection

14

second load connection

16

Switch

18

Actor

20

Control unit

22

Rotary cylinder

24

Lateral surface

26

first contact bridge

28

Contact

30

recess

32

second contact bridge

34

Cylinder intermediate floor

36

Housing

38

Recording

40

rib

42, 42`

load-side first counter contact

44, 44'

first counter contact on the mains side

46, 46'

second counter contact on the load side

48, 48'

second counter contact on the mains side

50

Insulating element

52

strut

54

gap

56

slot

58

Bridge leg

60

Auxiliary spring

62

Nose

64

Permanent magnet

66

Holding element

68

Screw mount

70

screw

72

camp

74

Kitchen sink

75

(coil) core

76

sector

77

Pole shoe

78

cover

80

score

82

Cover recess

84

Wall

86

stop element

b

gap width

D

Axis of rotation

R

Radial direction

T

dividing plane

Claims (14)

1. Switching device (2) for switching an electrical load (4) on a supply network (8), comprising

   - a rotary cylinder (22) with a lateral surface (24), which is rotationally moveable about an axis of rotation (D),

   - an actuator (18) for rotation of the rotary cylinder (22),

   - a first contact bridge (26) accommodated in the rotary cylinder (22) in a rotationally fixed manner, at each end of which a contact (28) is arranged, the contacts (28) being seated in a respective recess (30) in the lateral surface (24) of the rotary cylinder (22) and projecting beyond the lateral surface (24), and

   - a receptacle (38) for the rotary cylinder (22), in which a number of mating contacts (42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48') are arranged in such a way that by means of a rotary displacement of the rotary cylinder (22) two of the mating contacts (42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48') are electrically connected by means of the first contact bridge (26) or the mating contacts (42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48') are electrically disconnected,
   characterized in

   - that the actuator (18) has a permanent magnet (64) coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to the rotary cylinder (22) and a coil (74) for generating a magnetic field, which causes the rotary cylinder (22) to rotate, the permanent magnet (64) being disc-shaped and extending in a plane oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation (D), and

   - that the permanent magnet (64) has two, in particular semicircular, sectors (76), the magnetic polarization of the two sectors (76) being oriented in or respectively counter to a direction running parallel to the axis of rotation (D).
2. Switching device (2) according to claim 1,
   characterized in
   that, for switching a first load connection (12) provided for the load (4) from a first supply branch (6) to a second supply branch (10) of the supply network (8), a load-side first mating contact (42) and a mains-side first mating contact (44) assigned to the respective supply branch (6, 10) are provided for each of the supply branches (6, 10).
3. Switching device (2) according to claim 2,
   characterized in
   that a second contact bridge (32) is provided for switching a second load connection (14) provided for the load (4) from the first supply branch (6) to the second supply branch (10) of the supply network (8), and for each of the supply branches (6, 10) in each case a load-side second mating contact (46) and a mains-side second mating contact (48) assigned to the respective supply branch (6, 10) are provided.
4. Switching device (2) according to claim 3,
   characterized in

   - that the second contact bridge (32) is accommodated in the rotary cylinder (22),

   - that an intermediate cylinder base (34) of the rotary cylinder (22) is arranged between the first contact bridge (26) and the second contact bridge (32), and

   - that the first contact bridge (26) and the second contact bridge (32) are arranged rotated relative to each other with respect to the axis of rotation (D).
5. Switching device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in

   - that the permanent magnet (64) is coupled to the rotary cylinder (22) in a rotationally fixed manner by means of a holding element (66), and/or

   - that the holding element (66), in particular for guiding the magnetic field in the region of the permanent magnet (64), has a cover (78) formed from a soft magnetic material, which is arranged on the side of the permanent magnet (64) facing away from the coil (74) and at least partially covers this side of the permanent magnet (64).
6. Switching device (2) according to claim 5,
   characterized in
   that a rotary movement of the holding element (66) is limited in both directions of rotation about the axis of rotation (D).
7. Switching device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in
   that the coil (74) of the actuator (18) has an inductance of less than 0.5 mH and/or an ohmic resistance of less than 0.5 ohm.
8. Switching device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7,
   characterized in
   that the first contact bridge (26) and/or the second contact bridge (32) are each designed as a leaf spring, the contacts (28) attached to the ends thereof being spring elastically moveable in the radial direction (R).
9. Switching device (2) according to claim 8,
   characterized in
   that the first contact bridge (26) and/or the second contact bridge (32) each has two slots (56), which each extend from the ends of the corresponding contact bridge (26, 32) in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation (D) forming corresponding bridge legs (58), a contact (28) being arranged on each of the bridge legs (58).
10. Switching device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 9,
    characterized by
    an auxiliary spring (60), which applies a spring force in the radial direction (R) to the ends of the first contact bridge (26) or the second contact bridge (32).
11. Switching device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 10,
    characterized in
    that the receptacle (38) has radially inwardly directed ribs (40), in which the mating contacts (42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48, 48') are arranged on their side facing the axis of rotation (D).
12. Switching device (2) according to claim 11,
    characterized in
    that the ribs (40) of the receptacle (38) are curved towards the axis of rotation (D).
13. Switching device (2) according to claim 11 or 12,
    characterized by
    a cage-like insulating element (50) with axial struts (52), between which the ribs (40) of the receptacle (38) are arranged.
14. Switching device (2) according to claim 13,
    characterized in
    that an annular gap (54) is formed between the rotary cylinder (22) and the ribs (40) and between the rotary cylinder (22) and the struts (52), the gap width (b) of which is between 50 µm and 200 µm.

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