ES2958360T3 - Switching device - Google Patents

Abstract

A switching device (1) has a housing-mounted contact (6), a movable contact (4) and a switch lock (2) with a latch (20), a latch holder (22) and a locking location. latch, in which the switching device (1) further has a switching lever (7) and a connecting rod (10) is movably mounted on the latch bracket (22), the connecting rod (10) comprises a portion end that rests against a first projection (11) of the switching lever (7) when the switching lever (7) is arranged in a fixed ON position, the connecting rod (10) further comprises a drive shoulder (29) which rests against a second projection (30) of the switching lever (7).) when the manual switching lever (7) is in the non-stationary ON position, when operating the switching lever (7) to separate the contacts (4, 6) the connecting rod (10) moves and with this the interlock is released. from latch bracket (22) to latch (20). (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Switching device

The present description refers to a switching device according to claim 1.

In low voltage switching devices with a manual control button, that is, having a manually operated element to close the switched contacts and establish a conductive current path through the switching device, it is common for there to be a movable switched contact , which is mechanically connected to the manual control button, and which, as the manual control button is operated, continually moves closer to a switching contact mounted in the housing until both switching contacts are mechanically connected. The opening of the contact, i.e. the switching off of the switching device, takes place according to the movement of the corresponding manual control button in the corresponding direction, which results in continuous disconnection of the contacts. The possibility exists that a user could hold the manual control button in an arbitrary intermediate position, while maintaining the contacts in a correspondingly intermediate position.

If the switching device in question is under electrical potential, an electric arc can occur at a certain distance between the closing switching contacts. With a sufficiently low voltage and with electricity users requiring only small amounts of current to be carried through the switching device, no problems are usually created as a result.

At higher voltages and currents, for example, 600 V and 100 A, such arcing, which occurs due to excessively slow manual separation of the contacts, can lead to significant damage to the affected switching device. If consequently there is a high current flowing through the switching device in question when disconnection takes place, slow manual opening of the contacts can lead to an electrical arc which can lead not only to a complete loss of the switching device in issue, but also to a fire.

There are known devices with a so-called jump shutdown function. With this, the change-over contacts are quickly separated when manually disconnecting, regardless of the way and speed with which the operator operates the manual control button. However, such jump switching functions are common mainly in the field of large circuit breakers, such as those used in electrical substations. Such switching devices have separately charged spring-loaded accumulators, which are used when opening or closing the contacts, where the use of this technology in compact switching devices is hardly possible, since an integration of the necessary components is not possible. in compact housings accordingly.

Applicant US 9953777 B2 describes a switching device with a jump shutdown function in a compact design. Although the mechanism according to US 9953777 B2 works perfectly under most conditions, it tends to fail in a special case. This special case can only occur in the phase in which the contacts were closed by operating the manual switching lever. Sometimes the contacts may already be closed, but the connecting rod mating area does not rest against the projection of the manual switch lever. The reason for this situation is an unfinished movement of the manual switch lever. An additional movement of the manual switch lever a few degrees in the direction to close the contacts would cause the mating area of the connecting rod to contact the boss. If the coupling area is in contact with the projection of the manual switching lever, it is not possible to open the contacts slowly.

However, if the manual switch lever is not moved in the direction to close the contacts to the extreme, and instead is moved in the opposite direction to open the contacts the jump shutdown function according to US 9953777 B2 does not would work. In this special case it would be possible to bring the contacts to any intermediate position between open and closed by moving the manual switching lever. Since the contacts were already closed before, arcing would occur between the contacts. Because the contacts open slowly or remain fixed at a nearly constant distance this arc will not be extinguished. As a result, the switch would burn out in less than a second, probably injuring at least the person operating the manual switching lever.

Document US 2017/229260 A1 describes a switching device according to the preamble of claim 1.

WO 2015/177144 A1 shows a switching device with a contact that is fixed to the housing and to a movable contact. The switching device further comprises a switch lock having a latch and a latch holder.

EP 0091 040 A2 shows a residual current circuit switch comprising an operating element for manual on/off and a rocker lever element, which is hinged at the inner end of the housing of the operating element.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art by providing a compact switching device with a jump shutdown function that switches reliable currents regardless of the manner and speed with which the operator operates the control button. manual.

According to the invention, this objective is solved by the characteristics of claim 1.

As a result, safe disconnection of the switching device and thus safe contact separation can be achieved, regardless of the manner and speed with which the user operates the manual switching lever. The jump shutdown function will be activated in each case where the respective manual switching lever of the manual control button is rotated in one direction to open the contacts, after the manual switching lever has overstepped a predefined position. This preset position is not a stationary position of the manual shift lever.

Therefore, the described switching device may have a compact design, with a small number of parts required.

The dependent claims describe additional preferred embodiments of the invention.

The invention is described with reference to the drawings. The drawings show only preferred embodiments.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the proposed switching device in the off state without the upper housing;

Figure 2 the switching device as shown in Figure 1 in the on state;

Figure 3 a vertical view of the arrangement of the switch lock, contact arm and switching lever of the switching device as shown in Figure 2, in the on state;

Figure 4 the arrangement as shown in Figure 3, in the off state;

Figure 5 is the view according to Figure 4 with a section of the connecting rod;

Figure 6 the arrangement as shown in Figure 3, where the manual switching lever moves in the on direction and is maintained in a first state;

Figure 7 is the view according to Figure 6 with a section of the connecting rod;

Figure 8 the arrangement as shown in Figure 3, where the manual switching lever is moved in the on direction and maintained in a second state;

Figure 9 is the view according to Figure 8 with a section of the connecting rod;

Figure 10 a detail of Figure 9 in an enlarged view;

Figure 11 shows a part of the switching lever with the connecting rod in an axonometric view;

Figure 12 the connecting rod according to Figure 11 in a first axonometric view; and

Figure 13 the connecting rod according to Figure 11 in a second axonometric view.

Figures 1 and 2 show a particularly preferable embodiment of a switching device 1 - in particular, a safety switching device - comprising:

- a movable contact 4, placed on a contact arm 3, movably attached to the switching device 1, the movable contact 4 being configured to contact a contact 6 mounted on the housing and configured to establish a conductive current path through of the switching device 1, - a switch lock 2, connected to the contact arm 3, the switch lock 2 including a latch 20 and a latch bracket 22, the latch bracket 22 including a latch location configured to fix the latch 20 to the latch bracket 22,

- a manual switching lever 7, configured to contact the movable contact 4 with the contact 6 mounted on the housing, the manual switching lever 7 being connected to the contact arm 3, - a connecting rod 10, movably mounted on the latch support 22, an end portion 12 of the connecting rod 10 resting against a first projection 11 of the manual switching lever 7 when the manual switching lever 7 is in a stationary position in which the movable contact 4 and contact 6 mounted on the housing are in contact,

- the connecting rod 10 further comprises an operating shoulder 29, with the operating shoulder 29 bearing against a second projection 30 of the manual switching lever 7 when the manual switching lever 7 is in a non-stationary position in the that the moving contact 4 and the housing-mounted contact 6 are in contact,

- wherein an actuation of the manual switching lever 7, to separate the moving contact 4 from the contact 6 mounted in the housing, moves the connecting rod 10 and therefore releases the engagement of the latch bracket 22 to the latch 20 .

As a result, a safe shutdown of the switching device 1, and therefore a safe separation of the contacts 4, 6, can be achieved, regardless of the manner and speed with which the user operates the manual switching lever 7. The jump shutdown function will be activated in each case where the respective manual switching lever 7 of the manual control button is turned in one direction to open contacts 4, 6, after the manual switching lever 7 has overstepped one predefined position. This predefined position is not a stationary position of the manual switching lever 7.

Therefore, the described switching device 1 may have a compact design, with a small number of parts required.

Figures 3 to 13 show details of the described switching device 1.

The present invention relates to an electrical switching device 1, wherein it is preferable that the switching device 1 is designed as a safety switching device or a so-called automatic switch. It is preferable that the switching device 1 is designed as a safety circuit breaker or a circuit switch. It is preferable that the switching device 1 is designed as a compact low voltage safety switching device. According to the preferred design, the switching device 1 includes at least one release 33. Figures 1 and 2 show an electromagnetic release 33, such as a short-circuit release. Additionally, a typically designed thermal release may be provided, such as a bimetallic release for overcurrent release. Furthermore, it may be provided that the triggers 33 concerned are combined.

The switching device 1 has a housing 14 made of an insulating material, preferably designed as a two-piece part, with two housing halves or covers. Figures 1 and 2 show the lower housing half of housing 14. The upper housing half is not shown.

The switching device 1 has at least one moving contact 4 and at least one contact 6 mounted on the housing. According to the illustrated preferred embodiment, the switching device 1 has a so-called double break, whereby it is provided with two moving contacts 4 and two contacts 6 mounted on the housing, which are, however, assigned to a single switching path.

If the at least one moving contact 4 has an electrically conductive connection with at least one contact 6 mounted in the housing, an electrically conductive current path exists through the switching device 1. The switching device 1 has two connection terminals 18, 19. If there is no such electrically conductive connection through the switching device 1, it is considered to be off, that is, in an off state. If there is such an electrically conductive connection, the switching device is considered on, that is, in an on state. As usual, the transitions between the two states are accordingly called the switching on and off of the switching device 1. Similarly, the tag closed contacts 4, 6 can also be used to refer to the on state, while the open contacts 4, 6 can be used for the off state.

The at least one movable contact 4 is arranged on a movable contact arm 3. According to the preferred embodiment configuration, the contact arm 3 has two movable contacts 4, which are located in the corresponding parallel bifurcated extensions of the contact arm 3, which in this embodiment can also be called contact or switching bridges. Forked extensions are not shown in the figures.

The switching device 1 has a so-called switch lock 2. The switch lock 2 is a mechanical component that controls the movements of the contact arm 3. In the preferred and presented design, in addition to the contact arm 3, the switch lock 2 also has a latch 20 and a latch holder 22. Figures 3 to 10 show the corresponding assemblies in different views, in separation from the other components of the switching device 1.

In the representative switch lock 2, the switching lever 7 is connected to the contact arm 3 through a first clamp 5 and a bracket 8 fixed to the first clamp 5. The first clamp 5 is guided through a slot 9 of the rotatably mounted latch guide 20.

The switching device 1 has a jump shutdown mechanism for manually operated rapid separation of the contacts 4, 6. Until this jump shutdown mechanism, the current switch lock 2 coincides (according to the preferred execution configuration) with the switch lock 2 as presented in EP 680661 B1. The switch lock with the basic embodiment of the connecting rod is shown in US 9953777 B2.

The switch lock 2 has two essentially parallel base plates 25 between which the individual components are mounted. Only one of the base plates is shown in Figure 1. The latch bracket 22 is provided with a latch location - not shown - to which the latch 20 can engage to form a so-called latch. The latch bracket 22 is mounted between the two base plates 25 in a manner that allows it to rotate. The latch 20 should preferably be a metal part and is secured between the base plates 25, also in a manner that allows it to rotate. In the latch 20, which is provided with side arms - not shown -, a guide groove 9 is placed, by means of which a part of the first reinforcement 5 (preferably U-shaped) is attached. Between the two side arms of the latch 20, and in the part of the first clamp 5, the bracket 8 is located, which is connected to the movable contact arm 3.

A connecting rod 10 is mounted on the latch bracket 22, allowing movement. If the switching lever 7 is set to the stationary position in which the contacts 4, 6 are in contact, the connecting rod 10 is placed in a first projection 11 of the switching lever 7. It should be noted at this point that the switching lever 7 can also take this position without the contacts 4, 6 actually being in contact, for example, if the so-called non-tripping mechanism of a sealed manual switching lever 7 leads to a release of the switching device 1 and separation of contacts 4, 6.

It is preferable that the first clamp 5 is mounted on or in the first projection 11 of the switching lever 7, as shown. The manual switching lever 7 is rotated to switch the switching device 1. As a result, the position of the first projection 11 within the switching device 1 also changes. It is preferable that the switching lever 7 is designed to have multiple components, and the first projection 11 is a part of an internal part of the switching lever 7.

As soon as the switching lever 7 is set to the stable or stationary on position, the connecting rod 10 rests against the projection 11. The stationary position is reached if a further movement of the manual switching lever 7 in the direction of Closing contact is not possible with respect to the limitation by the housing. The connecting rod 10 has a length that is suitable for this purpose. The connecting rod 10 is mounted on the latch bracket 22 and can rotate in this position. Furthermore, the connecting rod 10 is attached to the latch bracket 22, preferably under spring tension, where the so-called connecting rod spring 13, which is preferably mounted on the latch bracket 22 itself, impinges on the connecting rod 10. connection in the direction towards the switching lever 7.

The connecting rod 10 is preferably designed as a plastic component and has, according to the present preferred embodiment, two arms, extending from the support point to the coupling area 12, which therefore extend over a space.

In the stationary power-on state of the switching device 1, an end portion 12 of the connecting rod 10 bears against the first projection 11 of the switching lever 7, between the switching lever 7 and the latch bracket 22. The connecting rod 10 is provided to move from this position by operating or rotating the switching lever 7. The connecting rod 10 then moves the latch bracket 22, displacing it in a manner that releases the engagement between the latch bracket 22 and the latch 20, resulting in a “release” of the switch lock 2 and, therefore, the separation of contacts 4, 6, specifically through switch lock 2. The use of the switching lever 7 to maintain the moving contact 4 in a position close to the contact 6 mounted in the housing is therefore no longer possible. It should be mentioned for the sake of completeness that, from the on position, an activation or rotation of the switching lever 7 is possible in only one direction, which leads to the separation of the contacts 4, 6.

The manual switching lever 7 further comprises a second projection 30, which is preferably arranged on the first projection 11 of the manual switching lever 7. The second projection 30 is especially formed as an integral elongation of the first projection 11. The second projection 30 can be better seen in Figures 10 and 11.

The connecting rod 10 further comprises an operating shoulder 29, with the operating shoulder 29 bearing against the second projection 30 of the manual switching lever 7 when the manual switching lever 7 is in a non-stationary position in which the moving contact 4 and the contact 6 mounted in the housing are in contact or almost in contact. The drive boss 29 can be better seen in Figures 10 to 13. According to the preferred embodiment, the drive boss 29 is provided on the connecting rod 10 between the end portion 12 of the connecting rod 10 and the movable assembly of the connecting rod 10.

The drive boss 29 allows the jump mechanism to operate even in cases where the end portion of the connecting rod does not engage the first projection. This situation may occur if the switching lever 7 is in a non-stationary position near the on position of the switching lever 7. By moving the switching lever 7 from the off position to the on position, the second projection 30 will move the operating boss 29 to a position of the switching lever 7. After passing the operating shoulder 29, it is not possible to move the switching lever 7 in the direction to open the contacts without activating the jump mechanism. This ensures that it is not possible to generate and maintain an arc between contacts 4, 6.

Figures 6 and 7 show the switch lock 2 with the switching lever 7 in a position immediately before the second projection 30 passes the operating shoulder 29.

Figures 8, 9 and 10 show the switch lock 2 with the switching lever 7 moving a few degrees further, compared to Figures 6 and 7. In this position, the second projection 30 engages the actuation boss 29. Figure 10 shows an enlarged portion of this detail outside of figure 9.

The length of the connecting rod 10 must be such that it allows a release of the latch before the contacts 4, 6 separate. Only figures 2 and 3 show the steady-on state.

The end portion 12 of the connecting rod 10 has a concave coupling area 31 for engaging the first projection 11 of the manual switching lever 7. It is preferable that the first projection 11 has a recess, to prevent premature displacement of the connecting rod 10.

Contact separation occurs in a representative switching device 1, in which the latch is released. As the switching lever 7 is moved back to the off position, the latch 20 moves back under the latch bracket 22, creating a new latch, which is necessary to keep the contacts 4, 6 connected.

Therefore, it is preferable that the housing 14 of the switching device 1 has a housing projection - not shown - in the area of the latch holder 22, and that the connecting rod 10, particularly in the area of its placement in the latch support 22 - have a striking pad 16 to support the latch support 22 in the housing projection after release of the latch. Therefore, the first projection 11 cannot push the connecting rod 10 - and, with it, the latch bracket 22 - too far from the latch 20. Therefore, it can be ensured that, when the switching lever 7 is moved back to the off position, the latch 20 again forms an engagement with the latch bracket 22.

It has been found advantageous that the affected housing projection limits a - not shown - trigger housing opening for connecting the switch lock 2 with an external trigger. The switching devices 1 often have openings in the side walls of the housing 14 for functionally connecting several such switching devices 1. Production costs can be reduced by supporting the connecting rod 10 in a housing projection, which serves an auxiliary function.

It should be noted that, in the context of the so-called non-trigger mechanism, the present switching device 1 can be activated even if the switching lever 7 is set to the position corresponding to the on state, with the resulting separation of the contacts 4, 6. The jump shutdown mechanism presented and described here refers to the manually triggered separation of the initially closed contacts 4, 6 by operating the switching lever 7. Despite the term "manual", the actuation can take place via an external mechanical actuator, which moves the manual switching lever 7.

Claims (13)

1. A switching device (1), comprising: - a movable contact (4), placed on a contact arm (3), movably connected to the switching device (1), the movable contact (4) being configured to contact a contact (6) mounted on the housing and configured to establish a conductive current path through the switching device (1), - a switch lock (2), connected to the contact arm (3), the switch lock (2) including a latch (20) and a latch support, the latch support (22) including a latch location configured to fix the latch (20) to the latch support (22), -a manual switching lever (7), configured to contact the moving contact (4) with the contact (6) mounted on the housing, the lever being connected (7) manual switching with contact arm (3), -a connecting rod (10), movably mounted on the latch support (22), an end portion (12) of the connecting rod (10) resting against a first projection (11) of the lever (7). ) manual switching when the manual switching lever (7) is in a stationary position in which the moving contact (4) and the contact (6) mounted on the housing are in contact, -where an operation of the manual switching lever (7), to separate the moving contact (4) from the contact mounted (6) in the housing, moves the connecting rod (10) and, therefore, releases the latch from the latch bracket (22) to the latch (20), characterized by -the connecting rod (10) further comprises an actuation projection (29), with the actuation projection (29) resting against a second projection (30) of the manual switching lever (7) when the lever (7) ) manual switching is in a non-stationary position in which the moving contact (4) and the mounted contact (6) in the housing are in contact. 2. The switching device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second projection (30) of the manual switching lever (7) is arranged on the first projection (11) of the manual switching lever (7). 3. The switching device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuation projection (29) is arranged on the connecting rod (10) between the end portion (12) of the rod (10) of connection and the movable assembly of the connection rod (10). 4. The switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the switching device (1) further comprises a first clamp (5), mounted on the first projection (11) of the lever (7). ) manual switching. 5. The switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the end portion (12) is made as a concave coupling area (31) configured to engage the first projection (11) of the switching lever (7). 6. The switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the connecting rod (10) is mounted on the latch support (22) and can rotate in this position. 7. The switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the switching device (1) further comprises a connecting rod spring (13), mounted on the latch support (22), affecting the connecting rod spring (13) on the connecting rod (10) in a direction towards the switching lever (7). 8. The switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the switching device (1) further comprises a housing (14) including a housing projection (15) in an area of the support (22). ) of latch, wherein the connecting rod (10) includes a striking pad (16) configured to support the latch support (22) in the housing projection (15). 9. The switching device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the housing projection (15) limits a trigger housing opening (17) configured to connect the switch lock (2) with an external trigger. 10. The switching device (1) according to one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the switching lever (7) is connected to the contact arm (3) through the first clamp (5) and a support (8). ) fixed to the first clamp (5), and where the first clamp (5) is guided through a guide groove of the latch (20). 11. The switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the switching device (1) is configured as a safety switching device including the contact (6) mounted on the housing and the contact mobile (4). 12. The switching device (1) according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the striking pad (16) is arranged in an area for placing the connecting rod (10) in the latch support (22). . 13. The switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the latch (20) is pivotally mounted.