JP2005019105A - D.c. relay - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a D.C. relay capable of preventing occurrence of an arc although it has a relatively simple structure allowing current adjustment. <P>SOLUTION: This D.C. relay 1 is equipped with: a noncontact switch 2 capable of cutting off supply of power; and a first cutoff part 10 connected in series to the noncontact switch 2; and a second cutoff part 30 connected in parallel with the noncontact switch 2. In supplying power to a load, the noncontact switch 2 and the cutoff part 30 are turned off, the cutoff part 10 is turned on, and the noncontact switch 2 is repeatedly turned on/off for a certain period in this state to limit the power to the load. Thereafter normal supply of power is carried out by turning on the cutoff part 30. In cutting off the supply of the power, the noncontact switch 2 is turned on and the cutoff part 30 is turned off, the noncontact switch 2 is turned off, and thereafter the cutoff part 10 is turned off to prevent the occurrence of an arc. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【００２１】
配置形態の具体例を図１に示す。図１（Ａ）は配置形態５、図１（Ｂ）は配置形態６、図１（Ｃ）は配置形態２、図１（Ｄ）は配置形態７を示す。図１に示すいずれの配置形態も、第一遮断部１０は、第一入力接点１１ａ及び第一出力接点１１ｂに加え、第一連結接点１１ｃを具え、第二遮断部３０は、第二入力接点３１ａ及び第二出力接点３１ｂに加え、第二連結接点３１ｃを具える例を示す。第一連結接点１１ｃには、第一入力接点１１ａと接続又は切り離し可能な第一入力側連結接点１１ｄ、第一出力接点１１ｂと接続又は切り離し可能な第一出力側連結接点１１ｅを具える。第二連結接点３１ｃには、第二入力接点３１ａと接続又は切り離し可能な第二入力側連結接点３１ｄ、第二出力接点３１ｂと接続又は切り離し可能な第二出力側連結接点３１ｅを具える。また、第一連結接点１１ｃ及び第二連結接点３１ｃは、それぞれ別個の第一駆動部１２、第二駆動部３２により駆動される可動接点としている。なお、図１（Ｃ）は、第一入力側連結接点１１ｄと第一出力側連結接点１１ｅ間に、並列に配置した無接点スイッチ及び第二遮断部３０を具える構成である。また、いずれの遮断部においても、更に連結接点を具えて、接点対をより多く具える構成としてもよい。例えば、図１（Ｄ）は、第一連結接点１１ｃに加えて第三連結接点１３ｃを具える例である。そして、第一連結接点１１ｃを負荷よりも電源のハイサイドに配置し、第三連結接点１３ｃを負荷よりも電源のローサイドに配置している。第三連結接点１３ｃは、第三入力接点１３ａと接続又は切り離し可能な第三入力側連結接点１３ｄ、第三出力接点１３ｂと接続又は切り離し可能な第三出力側連結接点１３ｅを具える。
【００２２】
上記構成を具える本発明リレーは、負荷に電力を供給する際、無接点スイッチ及び第二遮断部をオフにしておき、第一遮断部をオンにし、次に無接点スイッチのオン／オフの繰り返しにより電流を制御し、一定時間後、第二遮断部をオンにして負荷に電力を供給し、負荷への電力供給を遮断する際、無接点スイッチをオンにしておき、第二遮断部をオフにし、次に無接点スイッチをオフにした後、第一遮断部をオフにするように構成することが好ましい。
【００２３】
この構成では、電力投入直後において無接点スイッチのスイッチングにより、電流の調整を行い、電流を制限した状態で電力を供給する。即ち、本発明リレーは、無接点スイッチによるスイッチングを利用して、負荷への電力の供給にあたり従来のリレーユニットと同様に電流の調整を行うことができる。そして、一定時間、即ち、負荷に具えるコンデンサが十分充電された後、第二遮断部をオンにすると共に、無接点スイッチのスイッチングを停止して電流の制限を停止し、負荷に通常の電力を供給する。即ち、この構成では、通常時の電力供給を第二遮断部を介して行う。第二遮断部を介して通常の電力供給を行うことで、無接点スイッチは、電力投入時の電流及び電圧に耐え得るものであれば、十分用いることができる。
【００２４】
一方、電力の供給を遮断する際は、まず無接点スイッチをオンして第二遮断部をオフにする。第二遮断部をオフにする前に予め無接点スイッチをオンにしておく、即ち、導通状態としておくことで、第二遮断部の両側に電位差がほとんど生じない状態となる。従って、第二遮断部をオフにしても、アークが発生することがほとんどない、或いは全くない。次に、アークが発生しない無接点スイッチをオフにして、回路に流れる電流をほとんどなくした後、第一遮断部をオフにする。従って、第一遮断部をオフにする際も、アークが発生することがほとんどない、或いは全くない。このように本発明リレーは、アークの発生を防止することができるため、気体密閉構造を用いない簡易な構成でありながら、短時間での遮断を実現することができる。特に、本発明では、第一遮断部に加え第二遮断部を具えて接点対を多くしていることで、無接点スイッチが故障するなどして遮断部に加えられる供給電圧の低減が十分にできなかった場合であっても、これらの遮断部を同時にオフにすると、各接点対に加わる電圧を小さくできるため、アークを効果的に防止することができる。
【００２５】
上記入力接点、出力接点や、連結接点は、銅などの導電性部材に設けるとよい。上記第一遮断部及び第二遮断部が入力接点及び出力接点のみを具える場合、一方の接点を設けた導電性部材を絶縁性材料からなるベースに配置し、このベースに各遮断部の駆動部を連結して可動接点とするとよい。上記第一遮断部及び第二遮断部が更に連結接点を具える場合、各遮断部において入力側連結接点、出力側連結接点を銅などの導電性部材に設け、これら導電性部材を絶縁性材料からなるベースに配置し、このベースに各遮断部の駆動部を連結するとよい。一つの遮断部に複数の連結接点を具える場合も上記ベースに配置して、同一の駆動部にて駆動可能なように構成するとよい。
【００２６】
接点の開閉を行う第一駆動部や第二駆動部の駆動源は、種々のものが利用できる。例えば、ソレノイドやシリンダなどの直動系駆動源、モータなどの回転系駆動源が挙げられる。直動系駆動源を用いる場合、接点を設けた導電性部材、又は接点を設けた導電性部材を配置した絶縁性のベースに直動系駆動源を連結して接点を開閉させるとよい。回転系駆動源を用いる場合は、回転運動を往復運動に変換する変換機構を介して接点の開閉を行うとよい。
【００２７】
第一遮断部及び第二遮断部のオン／オフの制御は、ＥＣＵ（Ｅｌｅｃｔｒｉｃ Ｃｏｎｔｒｏｌ Ｕｎｉｔ、電子制御装置）などのＭＰＵ（マイクロコンピュータ）を搭載した制御機器を用いて適宜行ってもよい。例えば、自動車に既存の制御装置に本発明リレーを取り付けて、この既存の制御装置に本発明リレーの駆動機能を追加して用いてもよい。このとき、リレー自体の構成部品をより低減することができると共に、既存の制御装置を用いることで、低コストにすることができる。
【００２８】
無接点スイッチのオン／オフの制御は、上記遮断部の制御と同様に、無接点スイッチへの信号の制御を行う半導体スイッチを有する制御回路を具えて行うとよい。この制御回路は、自動車などに搭載されている制御装置のＥＣＵ（Ｅｌｅｃｔｒｉｃ Ｃｏｎｔｒｏｌ Ｕｎｉｔ、電子制御装置）などのＭＰＵ（マイクロコンピュータ）と接続可能にしておく。
【００２９】
また、第一遮断部及び第二遮断部のオン／オフを制御する制御回路をも本発明リレーに具えていてもよい。このような制御回路は、例えば、信号の制御を行うＭＰＵ（マイクロコンピュータ）と、低電圧電源（例えば、１２Ｖ）に接続されると共に、ＭＰＵなどの電源となる電源回路と、駆動部への信号の制御を行う半導体スイッチやリレーとを具える構成が挙げられる。ここで、電気信号のままであると、ＭＰＵなどからノイズを受け易く、回路が誤作動する恐れがある。そこで、第一遮断部及び第二遮断部の制御回路には、電気信号を一旦光信号に変換し、再度電気信号に変換するフォトカプラを具えると、光信号に変換することでノイズの伝達を遮断することができ、好ましい。このように遮断部のオン／オフの制御及び無接点スイッチのオン／オフを行う制御回路を具えた本発明リレーは、自動車などへの取り付け作業性に優れて好ましい。
【００３０】
上記第一遮断部及び第二遮断部のオン／オフを制御する制御回路は、無接点スイッチのオン／オフを行う制御回路と別個に具えていてもよいが、両者の制御回路を一体の回路とすると、回路の占有面積をより小さくすることができて好ましい。
【００３１】
更に、短絡事故などの事故の際、過大な電流が負荷に流れて火災などの重大な事態を回避するべく、過電流が流れた際、少なくとも無接点スイッチをオフにする構成を具えることが好ましい。具体的には、例えば、負荷に供給される電流を測定する電流センサを具えておくことが挙げられる。電流センサは、例えば、ホール素子やカレントトランスなどが挙げられる。電流センサからの情報（測定データ）は、本発明リレーを取り付けた制御装置のＭＰＵや本発明リレーに具える制御回路のＭＰＵに伝達して、電流値が閾値超となった際、無接点スイッチをオフにするような回路を構成するとよい。
【００３２】
その他の構成として、例えば、無接点スイッチの制御回路を工夫することが挙げられる。例えば、無接点スイッチの電位、より具体的にはソース・ドレイン間の電位差と閾電位とを比較する比較器を具え、無接点スイッチの電位が閾電位を超えた際、無接点スイッチに過電流が流れたと判定し、無接点スイッチをオフにするように構成された制御回路を具えていてもよい。上記制御回路は、無接点スイッチに流れる電流と、ソース・ドレイン間の電位差が比例の関係にあることを利用して、比較器によりソース・ドレイン間の電位差と閾電位とを比較し、ソース・ドレイン間の電位差が閾電位を超えた場合、過電流が生じていると判定し、無接点スイッチをオフにする構成である。いわゆるラッチ回路と呼ばれる保護回路を用いてもよい。比較器としては、コンパレータなどが挙げられる。
【００３３】
上記構成を具える本発明リレーは、過電流が生じた際、無接点スイッチをオフにすることで、回路を遮断された状態にすることができる。そのため、負荷への過大な電流の投入を無くすことができる、或いは制限することができる。このように事故時などに発生する過大な電流を無くす又は制限することで、配線や負荷などが異常加熱するなどの事態を回避し易い。
【００３４】
更に、無接点スイッチに加えて、第一遮断部や第二遮断部をオフにして、電力供給を完全に断つこともできる。
【００３５】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施の形態を説明する。
図２は、本発明直流リレーの概略を示す回路図である。本例に示す直流リレー１は、負荷への電力の供給を遮断可能な無接点スイッチ２と、無接点スイッチ２と直列に接続されると共に、機械的に遮断可能な第一遮断部１０と無接点スイッチ２と並列に機械的な遮断が可能な第二遮断部３０とを具える。本例では、第一遮断部１０を負荷よりも電源Ｖの低電位側に配置し、無接点スイッチ２及び第二遮断部３０を負荷よりも電源Ｖの高電位側に配置する。以下、各構成をより詳しく説明する。
【００３６】
＜無接点スイッチ＞
本例において無接点スイッチ２は、ワイドギャップ半導体からなるＦＥＴを用いた。また、無接点スイッチ２のオン／オフの制御を行う制御回路を具えている。
【００３７】
図３は、無接点スイッチのオン／オフの制御を行う制御回路の一例を示す回路図である。無接点スイッチ２に具える制御回路としては、例えば、図３に示す構成が挙げられる。この制御回路は、無接点スイッチ２に電力の供給を行う電源回路と接続可能な電源端子２ａ、２ｃと、ＭＰＵからの無接点スイッチ２のオン／オフ信号を受ける信号端子２ｂとを具える。更に、信号端子２ｂに接続されて、無接点スイッチ２への信号の制御を行う半導体スイッチＱ_１を具える。電源端子２ａ、２ｃ間には、制御回路の電圧を一定に保つようにキャパシタＣを具える。また、無接点スイッチ２へのオン／オフの信号（電圧）を与えるための抵抗Ｒ_１、Ｒ_２と、負荷に流れる大電流系から制御回路に電流が逆流するのを防止するためのダイオードＤ_１とを具える。
【００３８】
＜第一遮断部＞
《接点》
図４は、本発明直流リレーの概略を示す上面図、図５（Ａ）は、その正面図、（Ｂ）は、その右側面図、図６は、その分解構成図である。本例に示す第一遮断部１０は、第一入力接点１１ａ及び第一出力接点１１ｂに加えて、第一連結接点１１ｃを具える構成である。第一連結接点１１ｃは、第一入力接点１１ａと接続又は切り離し可能な第一入力側連結接点１１ｄ、第一出力接点１１ｂと接続又は切り離し可能な第一出力側連結接点１１ｅを具える。従って、第一入力接点１１ａと第一入力側連結接点１１ｄとで一組の接点対をなし、第一出力接点１１ｂと第一出力側連結接点１１ｅとで一組の接点対をなし、合計二組の接点対を具える構成である。第一入力接点及び第一出力接点からなる一組の接点対のみとしてもよい。
【００３９】
第一入力接点１１ａ、第一出力接点１１ｂは、それぞれ別の導電性部材の一面に形成した。第一入力接点１１ａを設けた導電性部材には、負荷に接続可能な端子１１Ａ、第一出力接点１１ｂを設けた導電性部材には、電源Ｖに接続可能な端子１１Ｂを設けている。
【００４０】
第一入力側連結接点１１ｄは、導電性材料からなる第一連結部材１２ｂの一面の一部に設け、この第一連結部材１２ｂの同じ面において他の一部に第一出力側連結接点１１ｅを設けている。第一連結部材１２ｂは、絶縁性材料からなるベース１２ｃに配置している。
【００４１】
《第一駆動部》
第一駆動部１２の駆動源として、本例では、ソレノイド１２ａを用いている。本例では、第一連結部材１２ｂを搭載したベース１２ｃに第一駆動部１２のソレノイド１２ａを連結して、上記二組の接点対の開閉を行う。即ち、本例では、第一連結接点１１ｃを第一駆動部１２により駆動可能な可動接点とし、第一入力接点１１ａ及び第一出力接点１１ｂを固定接点とする。ソレノイド１２ａには、ソレノイド１２ａに電力の供給を行う電源端子１２ｄ、１２ｅが連結され、電流の供給／停止により適宜第一遮断部１０のオン／オフを行う。本例において第一遮断部１０のオン／オフの制御、即ち、ソレノイド１２ａへの電力の供給は、例えば、自動車に搭載される既存の制御装置に第一遮断部１０の駆動機能を追加することで行う。
【００４２】
《第二遮断部》
第二遮断部３０は、第二入力接点３１ａ及び第二出力接点３１ｂに加えて、第二連結接点３１ｃを具える構成である。第二連結接点３１ｃは、第二入力接点３１ａと接続又は切り離し可能な第二入力側連結接点３１ｄ、第二出力接点３１ｂと接続又は切り離し可能な第二出力側連結接点３１ｅを具える。従って、上記第一遮断部１０と同様に、第二入力接点３１ａと第二入力側連結接点３１ｄとで一組の接点対をなし、第二出力接点３１ｂと第二出力側連結接点３１ｅとで一組の接点対をなし、合計二組の接点対を具える構成である。即ち、第一遮断部１０と合わせて合計四組の接点対を具える。
【００４３】
第二入力接点３１ａ、第二出力接点３１ｂは、それぞれ別の導電性部材の一面に形成した。第二入力接点３１ａを設けた導電性部材には、電源Ｖに接続可能な端子１０Ａ、第二出力接点３１ｂを設けた導電性部材には、負荷に接続可能な端子１０Ｂを設けている。そして、第二入力接点３１ａを設けた導電性部材と第二出力接点３１ｂを設けた導電性部材間に無接点スイッチ２を具える。
【００４４】
第二入力側連結接点３１ｄは、導電性材料からなる第二連結部材３２ｂの一面の一部に設け、この第二連結部材３２ｂの同じ面において他の一部に第二出力側連結接点３１ｅを設けている。第二連結部材３２ｂは、絶縁性材料からなるベース３２ｃに配置している。
【００４５】
《第二駆動部》
第二駆動部３２の駆動源として、本例では、ソレノイド３２ａを用いている。本例では、第二連結部材３２ｂを搭載したベース３２ｃに第二駆動部３２のソレノイド３２ａを連結して、第二遮断部３０に具える二組の接点対の開閉を行う。即ち、本例では、第二連結接点３１ｃを第二駆動部３２により駆動可能な可動接点とし、第二入力接点３１ａ及び第二出力接点３１ｂを固定接点とする。ソレノイド３２ａには、ソレノイド３２ａに電力の供給を行う電源端子３２ｄ、１２ｅが連結され、電力の供給／停止により適宜第二遮断部３０のオン／オフを行う。本例において第二遮断部３０のオン／オフの制御、即ち、ソレノイド３２ａへの電力の供給は、上記第一遮断部１０と同様に、例えば、自動車に搭載される既存の制御装置に第二遮断部３０の駆動機能を追加することで行う。
【００４６】
＜動作説明＞
《電力投入動作》
上記構成を具える直流リレー１において、負荷に電力を供給する際の動作を説明する。まず、無接点スイッチ２及び第二遮断部３０をオフにしておき、第一遮断部１０をオンにするべく、第一入力接点１１ａと第一入力側連結接点１１ｄ、及び第一出力接点１１ｂと第一出力側連結接点１１ｅを接触させる。この状態で無接点スイッチ２のオン／オフの繰り返しを一定時間行う。無接点スイッチ２がオンの際は、電源Ｖ→（第二入力接点３１ａ）→無接点スイッチ２→（第二出力接点３１ｂ）→負荷→第一入力接点１１ａ→第一入力側連結接点１１ｄ（第一連結部材１２ｂ）→第一出力側連結接点１１ｅ（第一連結部材１２ｂ）→第一出力接点１１ｂ→電源Ｖという閉ループが形成され、無接点スイッチ２を介して負荷に電力が供給される。電力投入直後は、上記のように、無接点スイッチ２のオン／オフの繰り返しを行うことで、電流の制限を行う。
【００４７】
一定時間経過後、第二遮断部３０をオンにするべく、第二入力接点３１ａと第二入力側連結接点３１ｄ、及び第二出力接点３１ｂと第二出力側連結接点３１ｅを接触させる。即ち、第一遮断部１０及び第二遮断部３０をオンにした状態とする。この状態で、通常時の電力の供給を行う。このとき、無接点スイッチ２は、オフでもオンでもよい。
【００４８】
上記のように電力の投入開始直後には、無接点スイッチのオン／オフの繰り返しを行いながら負荷に電力を供給することで、負荷への電力を制限することができる。従って、負荷に具えるコンデンサに十分に充電させることができ、電力の投入直後に負荷に大きな電流が流れて負荷が破壊されるといった不具合を効果的に抑制することが可能である。即ち、本発明リレーは、従来のリレーユニットと同様に電流調整を行うことができる。
【００４９】
《電力遮断動作》
次に、負荷への電力を遮断する際の動作を説明する。電力供給時は、上記のように第一遮断部１０及び第二遮断部３０がオンの状態である。この状態から電力の供給を遮断する際は、まず、無接点スイッチ２をオンにする。そして、第二遮断部３０をオフにするべく、第二駆動部３２により、第二入力接点３１ａと第二入力側連結接点３１ｄ間、第二出力接点３１ｂと第二出力側連結接点３１ｅ間を切り離す。このとき、無接点スイッチ２がオンであることで、第二遮断部３０の両側において電位差がほとんどない状態で第二遮断部３０をオフにすることになる。従って、第二遮断部３０をオフにするとき、アークがほとんど生じることがない、又はアークが全く発生しない。
【００５０】
次に、無接点スイッチ２をオフにする。このとき、無接点スイッチ２は、機械的な切り離しを行わないため、アークが発生することがない。
【００５１】
それから、第一遮断部１０をオフにするべく、第一駆動部１２により第一連結部材１２ｂを駆動して、第一入力接点１１ａと第一入力側連結接点１１ｄ間、第一出力側連結接点１１ｅと第一出力接点１１ｂ間を切り離す。このとき、無接点スイッチ２を先にオフにしていることで、回路にほとんど電流が流れていない状態で第一駆動部１０をオフにすることになるため、第一遮断部１０をオフにする際は、アークが生じることがほとんどない、或いは全くない。
【００５２】
従って、本発明リレーは、電流調整を行うことができると共に、気体の密封構造を用いない簡易な構成でありながら、アークを防止して、短時間で遮断することをも実現することができる。また、本発明リレーでは、無接点スイッチが故障するなどして供給電圧の低減が十分に図れない場合であっても、第一遮断部及び第二遮断部を具えて多接点とし、これらを同時にオフすることで接点対一つ当りに加わる電圧を小さくすることができるため、アークの発生を効果的に低減することが可能である。なお、本例では、第一遮断部を負荷よりも電源の高電位側、無接点スイッチ及び第二遮断部を負荷よりも電源の低電位側に配置する場合を説明したが、その逆の配置、即ち、無接点スイッチ及び第二遮断部を負荷よりも電源の高電位側、第一遮断部を負荷よりも電源の低電位側に配置してももちろんよい。
【００５３】
［第一遮断部及び第二遮断部の制御回路を具える例１］
上記の例では、第一遮断部及び第二遮断部のオン／オフを制御する制御装置を別途設ける構成について説明したが、本発明リレーには、第一遮断部及び第二遮断部のオン／オフの制御を行う制御回路を具えていてもよい。図７は、第一遮断部及び第二遮断部のオン／オフの制御を行う制御回路の一例を示す回路図であり、半導体スイッチを具える制御回路である。
【００５４】
図７に示す制御回路は、無接点スイッチのオン／オフを制御すると共に、第一駆動部及び第二駆動部のソレノイドの動作を制御するＭＰＵと、ＭＰＵなどを駆動する電源回路と、ＭＰＵからのオン／オフ信号を受けて第一駆動部のソレノイドの駆動電流の制御を行う半導体スイッチＱ_２と、ＭＰＵからのオン／オフ信号を受けて第二駆動部のソレノイドの駆動電流の制御を行う半導体スイッチＱ_３とを具える。また、この制御回路は、フルブリッジトランスＴｒ、半導体スイッチＱ_１１、Ｑ_１２、Ｑ_１３、Ｑ_１５からなるフルブリッジ構成としており、無接点スイッチの制御回路への電力供給を行う。本例では、トランスＴｒによって、各遮断部の制御回路の電源と、無接点スイッチの制御回路の電源とを絶縁分離する。その他、この回路は、半導体スイッチＱ_１１、Ｑ_１２にＭＰＵからの駆動信号を伝えるための半導体スイッチＱ_１４、Ｑ_１６、半導体スイッチＱ_２の駆動電圧を与える抵抗Ｒ_１５、Ｒ_１６、半導体スイッチＱ_３の駆動電圧を与える抵抗Ｒ_１７、Ｒ_１８を具える。本例において半導体スイッチＱ_２、Ｑ_３は、低電圧駆動タイプ（〜４Ｖ）のＮ型チャンネル電界効果形トランジスタを用いた。
【００５５】
このような制御回路は、高電圧の電源と別に具える低電圧電源（例えば、１２Ｖ）に接続されると共に、接地される。この低電圧電源に接続される端子１２ｅ’には、第一駆動部及び第二駆動部のソレノイドの電源端子１２ｅ、半導体スイッチＱ_２と接続される端子１２ｄ’には、第一駆動部のソレノイドの電源端子１２ｄ、半導体スイッチＱ_３と接続される端子３２ｄ’には、第二駆動部のソレノイドの電源端子３２ｄがそれぞれ接続される。また、無接点スイッチの制御回路の電源端子２ａ、２ｃが、フルブリッジトランスＴｒからダイオードＤ_１１、Ｄ_１２を介して端子２ａ’、２ｃ’に接続される。無接点スイッチへの駆動信号は、ＭＰＵからフォトカプラを介して端子２ｂ’→端子２ｂ（図３参照）→半導体スイッチＱ_１（同）を経て無接点スイッチに伝えられる。
【００５６】
上記構成により、第一駆動部のソレノイド、及び第二駆動部のソレノイドは、ＭＰＵからの信号により、半導体スイッチＱ_２、Ｑ_３がそれぞれオン／オフすることで、駆動電流が制御される。また、本例に示す制御回路では、フォトカプラを具えてＭＰＵからの電気信号を一旦光信号に変換し、再び電気信号に変換して無接点スイッチに伝える構成としている。この構成により、電気的絶縁を保持しながら、高速のオン／オフ動作を可能とすることができる。
【００５７】
このように遮断部の制御回路をもリレーに具えて一体化した構成とすると、自動車などに取り付ける際の作業性がよく好ましい。
【００５８】
［第一遮断部及び第二遮断部の制御回路を具える例２］
上記例１では、半導体スイッチＱ_２、Ｑ_３を具える制御回路について説明したが、機械的な遮断を行うリレーを用いた回路でもよい。図８は、機械的な遮断を行うリレーを具える制御回路の回路図である。
【００５９】
図８に示す制御回路は、基本的構成は図７に示す回路図と同様であり、無接点スイッチのオン／オフを制御すると共に、第一駆動部及び第二駆動部のソレノイドの動作を制御するＭＰＵと、ＭＰＵなどを駆動する電源回路を具える。異なる点は、ＭＰＵからのオン／オフ信号により動作する半導体スイッチＱ_３０と、半導体スイッチＱ_３０のオン／オフにより制御されて第一駆動部のソレノイドの駆動電流の制御を行う機械的な遮断が可能なリレーＲＬＹ_１と、ＭＰＵからのオンオフ信号により動作する半導体スイッチＱ_３１と、半導体スイッチＱ_３１のオン／オフにより制御されて第二駆動部のソレノイドの駆動電流の制御を行う機械的な遮断が可能なリレーＲＬＹ_２とを具える点である。本例において半導体スイッチＱ_３０、Ｑ_３１は、ＮＰＮトランジスタを用いた。
【００６０】
機械的な遮断を行うリレーにより、第一駆動部及び第二駆動部のソレノイドを制御する制御回路とすることで、半導体スイッチＱ_２、Ｑ_３により制御を行う図７に示す制御回路よりも安価に作製することができる。
【００６１】
［無接点スイッチの制御回路と第一遮断部及び第二遮断部の制御回路とを具える例］
上記例１、２では、無接点スイッチの制御回路と第一遮断部及び第二遮断部の制御回路とを別々に具える例を説明したが、無接点スイッチの制御回路と、第一遮断部及び第二遮断部の制御回路とを一体の回路としてもよい。図９は、図３に示す無接点スイッチの制御回路と、図７や図８に示す第一遮断部及び第二遮断部の制御回路とを組み合わせた制御回路を示す回路図である。図９では、半導体スイッチＱ_２、Ｑ_３、リレーＲＬＹ_１、ＲＬＹ_２を省略している。
【００６２】
このように無接点スイッチの制御回路と、機械的な遮断を行う遮断部の制御回路とを一体の回路とすることで、回路の占有面積を小さくすることができると共に、両制御回路を別個に作製する必要が無く作業性に優れる。
【００６３】
［過電流が流れた際の対策１］
次に、短絡事故などが生じた際、無接点スイッチを遮断できる構成を具える制御回路を説明する。短絡事故などの事故が生じると、大きな電流が発生し、負荷に過電流が流れる恐れがある。そこで、本例の制御回路は、コンパレータを具え、コンパレータを利用して、過電流の際、無接点スイッチをオフにする構成である。図１０は、無接点スイッチの制御回路としてコンパレータを具える制御回路と第一遮断部及び第二遮断部の制御回路とを組み合わせた回路図である。
【００６４】
図１０に示す制御回路は、基本的構成は図３に示す無接点スイッチの制御回路と、図７又は図８に示す第一遮断部及び第二遮断部とを組み合わせた制御回路と同様である。この回路の特徴とする点は、無接点スイッチの制御回路においてコンパレータＣＯＭＰを具える点にある。以下、この点を中心に説明する。なお、図１０では、半導体スイッチＱ_２、Ｑ_３やリレーＲＬＹ_１、ＲＬＹ_２を省略している。
【００６５】
この制御回路は、コンパレータＣＯＭＰにて無接点スイッチのソース・ドレイン間の電位差と閾電位とを比較して、ソース・ドレイン間の電位差が閾電位を超えた場合、無接点スイッチに過電流が流れたと判定し、半導体スイッチＱ_２１をオンとする。半導体スイッチＱ_２１のオンに伴い半導体スイッチＱ_２０、Ｑ_１がオンになる。この半導体スイッチＱ_１がオンとなることにより、無接点スイッチ２をオフにすることができる。
【００６６】
このように短絡事故などが生じた際、少なくとも無接点スイッチをオフにするように構成しておくと、過電流が負荷にほとんど送られることがない。従って、短絡事故などによる負荷へのダメージをほとんどなくす、或いは防止することができる。また、無接点スイッチを遮断した後、更に第一遮断部や第二遮断部を遮断するように構成すると、負荷への過電流によるダメージをより確実に防止することができ、短絡事故などの事故において、負荷が損傷、破壊されることを効果的に防ぐことが可能である。
【００６７】
なお、図１０に示す回路では、ソース・ドレイン間の電位差が閾電位超になると、半導体スイッチＱ_２０がオンとなり、ダイオードＤ_２を経由して、コンパレータＣＯＭＰの出力をオンにし続けることができる。また、図１０に示す回路では、半導体スイッチＱ_１に駆動電圧を与える抵抗Ｒ_２０、Ｒ_２１、半導体スイッチＱ_１への電流を調整する抵抗Ｒ_２４及びダイオードＤ_２、半導体スイッチＱ_２０に駆動電圧を与える抵抗Ｒ_２２、Ｒ_２３、コンパレータＣＯＭＰの−側に駆動電圧を与える抵抗Ｒ_２５、Ｒ_２６、コンパレータＣＯＭＰの＋側に駆動電圧を与える抵抗Ｒ_２７、Ｒ_２８を具える。
【００６８】
［過電流が流れた際の対策２］
上記対策１では、無接点スイッチの制御回路を工夫することで、過電流が流れた際、負荷の損傷などを防止することを説明した。その他の対策としては、負荷に供給される電流を測定する電流センサ４０を具えることが挙げられる。図１１は、無接点スイッチの制御回路と第一遮断部及び第二遮断部の制御回路とを組み合わせた回路図であって、更に電流センサを具える例を示す。この制御回路は、基本的構成は図３に示す無接点スイッチの制御回路と、図７又は図８に示す遮断部とを組み合わせた制御回路と同様である。この回路の特徴とする点は、電流センサを具える点にある。なお、図１１では、半導体スイッチＱ_{２ 、}Ｑ_３やリレーＲＬＹ_１、ＲＬＹ_２を省略している。
【００６９】
本例において電流センサ４０は、ホール素子を用いた。このような電流センサ４０は、制御回路のＭＰＵに連結して、例えば、図１１に示すように無接点スイッチの近傍に流れる電流を測定できるように配置するとよい。そして、測定した電流値をＭＰＵに送り、ＭＰＵにて規定の閾値と比較して、閾値を超える電流が流れている場合、ＭＰＵは、無接点スイッチをオフにする信号を送るように構成するとよい。
【００７０】
このように電流センサを設けることでも、短絡事故などの際の過電流による不具合を効果的に防止することができる。また、電流センサを具える場合も、無接点スイッチだけでなく、第一遮断部や第二遮断部をもオフにする構成としておくと、配線や負荷などの異常加熱などといった事態をより回避し易い。
【００７１】
図１１では、無接点スイッチの制御回路と遮断部の制御回路とが一体になった回路に電流センサを具える例を示したが、図２、３に示すように無接点スイッチの制御回路のみを具える場合に電流センサ４０を設けてももちろんよい。また、図７、８に示すように遮断部の制御回路のみを具える場合に電流センサを設けてももちろんよい。
【００７２】
【発明の効果】
以上、説明したように本発明直流リレーによれば、部品点数が少なく、電力投入時の電力調整を行うことができ、簡易な構成でありながら、アークを防止することができるという優れた効果を奏し得る。特に、本発明リレーでは、従来のような複雑で高価な気体の密封構造を用いておらず、長期に亘り優れた遮断性能を維持することができる。更に、本発明リレーは、簡易な構成であることから、コストの低減も図ることが可能である。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明直流リレーの構成を模式的に示す説明図であって、（Ａ）は負荷よりも電源の高電位側に無接点スイッチ及び第二遮断部を配置し、負荷よりも電源の低電位側に第一遮断部を配置する例、（Ｂ）は負荷よりも電源の高電位側に第一遮断部を配置し、負荷よりも電源の低電位側に無接点スイッチ及び第二遮断部を配置する例、（Ｃ）は負荷よりも電源の高電位側に第一遮断部、無接点スイッチ及び第二遮断部を配置すると共に、第一遮断部の連結接点間に無接点スイッチ及び第二遮断部を配置する例、（Ｄ）は第一遮断部を多接点とし、負荷よりも電源の高電位側に無接点スイッチ及び第二遮断部、第一遮断部の接点対の一部を配置し、負荷よりも電源の低電位側に第一遮断部の接点対の残部を配置する例である。
【図２】本発明直流リレーの概略を示す回路図である。
【図３】無接点スイッチのオン／オフの制御を行う制御回路の一例を示す回路図である。
【図４】本発明直流リレーの概略を模式的に示す上面図である。
【図５】（Ａ）は、図４に示す本発明直流リレーの正面図、（Ｂ）は、その右側面図である。
【図６】図４に示す本発明直流リレーの分解構成図である。
【図７】本発明直流リレーに具える第一遮断部及び第二遮断部のオン／オフの制御を行う制御回路の一例を示す回路図であり、半導体スイッチを具える制御回路である。
【図８】本発明直流リレーに具える第一遮断部及び第二遮断部のオン／オフの制御を行う制御回路の一例を示す回路図であり、機械的な遮断を行うリレーを具える制御回路である。
【図９】本発明直流リレーに具える制御回路の一例を示す回路図であり、無接点スイッチの制御回路と、第一遮断部及び第二遮断部の制御回路とを組み合わせた制御回路である。
【図１０】本発明直流リレーに具える制御回路の一例を示す回路図であり、短絡事故時などで無接点スイッチを遮断可能な制御回路である。
【図１１】本発明直流リレーに具える制御回路の一例を示す回路図であり、電流センサを具える回路である。
【図１２】ＨＥＶに用いられている従来のリレーユニットを説明する概略回路図である。
【符号の説明】
１ 直流リレー ２ 無接点スイッチ ２ａ、２ｃ 電源端子
２ｂ 信号端子 ２ａ’、２ｂ’、２ｃ’ 端子
１０ 第一遮断部 １０Ａ、１０Ｂ、１１Ａ、１１Ｂ 端子
１１ａ 第一入力接点 １１ｂ 第一出力接点 １１ｃ 第一連結接点
１１ｄ 第一入力側連結接点 １１ｅ 第一出力側連結接点
１２ 第一駆動部 １２ａ ソレノイド １２ｂ 第一連結部材 １２ｃ ベース
１２ｄ、１２ｅ 電源端子 １２ｄ’、１２ｅ’ 端子 １３ａ 第三入力接点
１３ｂ 第三出力接点 １３ｃ 第三連結接点 １３ｄ 第三入力側連結接点
１３ｅ 第三出力側連結接点
３０ 第二遮断部 ３１ａ 第二入力接点 ３１ｂ 第二出力接点
３１ｃ 第二連結接点 ３１ｄ 第二入力側連結接点 ３１ｅ 第二出力側連結接点
３２ 第二駆動部 ３２ａ ソレノイド ３２ｂ 第二連結部材 ３２ｃ ベース
３２ｄ 電源端子
４０ 電流センサ ４０ａ 端子
１００ リレーユニット １０１ 第一リレー １０２ 第二リレー １０３ 第三リレー
１０４ 抵抗 １０５ 電源 １０６ サービスプラグ １０７ 電圧ヒューズ[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a direct current relay capable of interrupting power supply to a load. In particular, the present invention relates to a smaller DC relay that can cut off power supply without generating an arc and has a small number of components.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, automobiles that drive motors and the like with a high voltage (about 300 V) such as hybrid cars (HEV) and fuel cell cars have been developed due to environmental problems. These automobiles have a DC high-voltage power source that supplies power to electric devices (loads) such as motors, and perform mechanical connection or disconnection as a shut-off mechanism that electrically connects or disconnects the power source and the load. A relay unit using a DC relay is used.
[0003]
FIG. 12 is a schematic circuit diagram for explaining a conventional relay unit used in HEV. The relay unit 100 includes a plurality of DC relays 101 to 103 and a resistor 104 that perform mechanical disconnection. Specifically, the first relay 101 is provided on the high potential side of the power source 105, and the second relay 102 is provided in series with the power source 105 on the lower potential side of the power source 105 than the load. A third relay 103 and a resistor 104 are provided in parallel with the first relay 101. A service plug 106 and a voltage fuse 107 are provided in the vicinity of the power source 105 as means for opening circuits other than the relay unit 100.
[0004]
In supplying power to the load using the relay unit 100, immediately after the power is turned on, a current is passed through the resistor 104, and after a while, normal power is supplied through the first relay 101 and the second relay 102. . Specifically, the first relay 101 is turned off, the second relay 102 and the third relay 103 are turned on in order, and the application of power to the load via the resistor 104 is started. The relay 101 is turned on and power is supplied to the load via the first relay 101 and the second relay 102.
[0005]
When interrupting the DC high voltage as described above, unlike AC, there is no point at which the current becomes zero. Therefore, the generated arc is very large and it is very difficult to interrupt in a short time. Therefore, conventionally, as a DC relay used in a relay unit, a structure has been proposed in which a gas having a large cooling effect, such as hydrogen, is enclosed in an arc generation unit to suppress the generation of an arc (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-320411
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional relay unit has a problem that the number of parts is large and the size is increased.
[0008]
The load may have a large capacity capacitor. For this reason, immediately after the start of power supply, if current is supplied immediately through the first relay without limiting the current through the resistor, an overcurrent may flow through the load and the load may be destroyed. Therefore, immediately after the start of power supply, power is supplied through the resistor as described above so as to limit the current so that the capacitor can be sufficiently charged. Thus, in order to adjust the current immediately after the start of power application, conventionally, the relay unit has three DC relays as shown in FIG. However, these three DC relays have independent structures each having a driving mechanism such as a solenoid for opening and closing, and therefore, the number of parts of the relay unit is large and tends to be large.
[0009]
Moreover, in the structure which suppresses an arc using a gas as shown to patent document 1 as a direct current relay, it is very difficult to reduce in size, without reducing performance in the apparatus mounted in the limited space called a motor vehicle. . In the structure described in Patent Document 1, a case structure capable of completely sealing a gas is required. However, in addition to hermeticity, in consideration of heat resistance against a high-temperature arc of several thousand degrees Celsius to 10,000 degrees Celsius, In order to increase the area of the hermetic joint, the thickness of the case has to be very large, which increases the size of the case. Even if the case is made thick in this way, it is difficult to keep the gas sealed without maintenance for a long period of time.
[0010]
Furthermore, the case is made of a material such as ceramic that can withstand high temperatures of several thousand degrees C. or more, and the structure is complicated, so that the economy is poor.
[0011]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a direct current relay capable of adjusting the current immediately after the start of power supply, but having a small number of parts and eliminating arcing with a simpler configuration.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention achieves the above-mentioned object by using a combination of a breaker that can be mechanically cut off and a contactless switch.
[0013]
That is, the present invention is a direct current relay that is connected to a power source and a load and can cut off the supply of power to the load, the contactless switch that can cut off the supply of power, and the contactless switch in series A first blocking part that is connected and mechanically cut off, and a second blocking part that is connected in parallel with the contactless switch and can be cut off mechanically.
[0014]
The present invention includes a contactless switch, thereby reducing the number of driving means for opening and closing contacts such as solenoids, reducing the number of parts, and realizing miniaturization. In addition, since the contactless switch does not generate an arc when it is turned off, unlike the interruption unit that performs mechanical interruption, the contactless switch is turned off before the interruption unit when the power supply is interrupted. By doing so, the generation of the arc can be almost eliminated or the arc can be completely eliminated. Furthermore, not only the non-contact switch but also the first interrupting portion capable of mechanical disconnection is provided, so that the circuit can be reliably interrupted. In particular, in the present invention, in addition to the first blocking portion, the second blocking portion is provided to increase the number of contact pairs. When these are simultaneously turned off, the voltage applied to each contact pair is reduced, and the contactless switch Even when the supply voltage applied to the shut-off portion cannot be sufficiently reduced due to failure of the arc, it is possible to make it difficult to generate an arc. In addition, since the switching of the contactless switch can be used for adjusting the current, the current can be limited immediately after the start of power supply. Therefore, the present invention can provide a direct current relay that can reduce or improve the arc extinguishing performance of the arc and is smaller and has a current adjustment function. Moreover, since it is not the arc extinguishing structure using gas like the past, it does not become a large-sized and complicated structure, and sufficient performance can be maintained over a long period of time. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail.
[0015]
In the present invention, the contactless switch is preferably made of a semiconductor. Examples of contactless switches made of semiconductors include transistors, JFETs (junction field effect transistors), FETs (field effect transistors), bipolar transistors, thyristors, GTOs (gate turn-off thyristors), IGBTs (insulated gate bipolar transistors), and the like. Is mentioned. In particular, a material made of a wide bandgap semiconductor such as SiC or GaN is preferable to a material made of a Si-based semiconductor because it has a high withstand voltage and can carry a large current. Such a non-contact switch may be arranged on either the low potential side (low side) or the high potential side (high side) of the power supply with respect to the load.
[0016]
When a non-contact switch made of a semiconductor is used, a leakage current flows through the semiconductor even when the semiconductor is cut off. However, it is desirable to eliminate the leakage current in an automobile with limited power. The relay of the present invention is provided with a first interrupting portion that can be mechanically interrupted in series with the non-contact switch, so that the circuit can be electrically insulated completely and leakage current is effectively prevented. can do. The first blocking portion is provided with a pair of contacts that can be opened and closed. The opening and closing of the contact pair may be performed with a first drive unit described later. The contact pair of the first breaker includes a first input contact and a first output contact. Although both the first input contact and the first output contact may be movable contacts, in that case, since the number of driving units increases, it is preferable that one is a fixed contact and the other is a movable contact. In addition to the first input contact and the first output contact, the first input contact and the first output contact may be connected to or disconnected from the first connection contact, and the number of contact pairs may be increased. . The first connection contact may include a first input side connection contact that can be connected to or disconnected from the first input contact, and a first output side connection contact that can be connected to or disconnected from the first output contact. At this time, the first input contact and the first output contact may be fixed contacts, and the first connection contact may be a movable contact driven by the first drive unit. It is possible to have multiple contact pairs, such as a contact pair consisting of a first input contact and a first input side connection contact, a contact pair consisting of a first output contact and a first output side connection contact, and these can be interrupted simultaneously. It is. Therefore, even when the supply voltage applied to the interrupting part cannot be sufficiently reduced due to a failure of the contactless switch, the voltage is divided into a plurality of contact pairs when the power supply is interrupted. The generation of arc is effectively prevented by reducing the voltage applied per contact pair.
[0017]
Furthermore, in the present invention, a second cutoff part capable of mechanically shutting off the supply of electric power is provided in parallel with the contactless switch, and the electric power is normally supplied via the second cutoff part. The second blocking unit may include a contact pair that can be opened and closed in the same manner as the first blocking unit, and may include a second drive unit for performing an opening / closing operation. The second drive unit is provided separately from the drive unit that performs the opening / closing operation of the first blocking unit, so that the opening / closing of the first blocking unit and the opening / closing of the second blocking unit can be performed separately. The configuration of the contact pair may be only the second input contact and the second output contact, as in the case of the first blocking section, or may further include a second connection contact so as to have multiple contacts. The second connection contact may include a second input side connection contact that can be connected to or disconnected from the second input contact, and a second output side connection contact that can be connected to or disconnected from the second output contact.
[0018]
Of the two shut-off parts, it is preferable to arrange one shut-off part on the high potential side of the high-voltage power supply (for example, about 300 V) from the load and the other shut-off part on the low potential side of the high-voltage power supply from the load. . With this configuration, even when the electric wire on either side of the high-voltage power supply is short-circuited with the low-voltage body ground, it is possible to prevent a large current from flowing through the load. In an in-vehicle system such as a hybrid car, a high-voltage power supply and a low-voltage load are insulated and separated by a transformer, and a low-voltage battery (for example, 12V) provided in the low-voltage system is usually body-grounded. Since the body ground and the high potential side of the high voltage power supply have different potentials, either the body ground and the high potential side wire or the body ground and the low potential side wire are short-circuited. However, a large current may flow through the load. However, it is possible to effectively prevent an excessive current from flowing through the load by providing the interrupting portions on both the high potential side and the low potential side of the high voltage power source.
[0019]
Table 1 shows a specific arrangement form of the first breaker, the contactless switch, and the second breaker. In Table 1, when “non-contact” is a non-contact switch, “mechanism 1” is the first interrupting portion, and “mechanism 1 ′” is the first interrupting portion having multiple contacts, at least one of the contact pairs of the first interrupting portion. One set of contact pairs, “mechanism 2”, is the second blocking section. As the arrangement form, when the first interruption part, the non-contact switch and the second interruption part are arranged on the high side of the power supply rather than the load (arrangement forms 1 and 2), the first interruption part on the low side of the power supply rather than the load And a non-contact switch and a second interrupting part (arrangement modes 3 and 4), either the first interrupting part, the non-contact switch or the second interrupting part is arranged on the high side of the power supply rather than the load. In the case where any one of the above is arranged on the low side of the power supply rather than the load (modes 5 and 6). In any arrangement, each blocking section may be configured to include a set of contact pairs including input contacts and output contacts, or may be configured to include multiple contact pairs including connecting contacts. . In the case of multiple contacts, a certain contact pair may be arranged on the high side of the power supply with respect to the load, and the remaining contact pairs may be arranged on the low side of the power supply with respect to the load. Specifically, for example, when the first blocking part is a multi-contact, in the above arrangement modes 1 to 4, some contact pairs are arranged on the high side of the power supply rather than the load, and the remaining contact pairs are arranged from the load. Also, the case of being arranged on the low side of the power supply (modes 7 to 10) can be mentioned.
[0020]
[Table 1]

[0021]
A specific example of the arrangement form is shown in FIG. 1A shows an arrangement form 5, FIG. 1B shows an arrangement form 6, FIG. 1C shows an arrangement form 2, and FIG. In any of the arrangement forms shown in FIG. 1, the first blocking part 10 includes a first connection contact 11 c in addition to the first input contact 11 a and the first output contact 11 b, and the second blocking part 30 includes a second input contact. An example in which a second connecting contact 31c is provided in addition to 31a and the second output contact 31b is shown. The first connection contact 11c includes a first input connection link 11d that can be connected to or disconnected from the first input contact 11a, and a first output connection link 11e that can be connected to or disconnected from the first output contact 11b. The second connection contact 31c includes a second input side connection contact 31d that can be connected to or disconnected from the second input contact 31a, and a second output side connection contact 31e that can be connected to or disconnected from the second output contact 31b. The first connection contact 11c and the second connection contact 31c are movable contacts that are driven by separate first drive unit 12 and second drive unit 32, respectively. FIG. 1C shows a configuration in which a non-contact switch and a second blocking unit 30 are arranged in parallel between the first input side connecting contact 11d and the first output side connecting contact 11e. Moreover, in any interruption | blocking part, it is good also as a structure which further provides a connection contact and provides more contact pairs. For example, FIG. 1D is an example in which a third connection contact 13c is provided in addition to the first connection contact 11c. The first connection contact 11c is arranged on the high side of the power supply from the load, and the third connection contact 13c is arranged on the low side of the power supply from the load. The third connection contact 13c includes a third input side connection contact 13d that can be connected to or disconnected from the third input contact 13a, and a third output side connection contact 13e that can be connected to or disconnected from the third output contact 13b.
[0022]
The relay according to the present invention having the above-described configuration, when supplying power to the load, turns off the contactless switch and the second cutoff unit, turns on the first cutoff unit, and then turns on / off the contactless switch. The current is controlled repeatedly, and after a certain period of time, the second breaker is turned on to supply power to the load, and when the power supply to the load is cut off, the non-contact switch is turned on, and the second breaker is turned on. It is preferable that the first blocking unit is turned off after the non-contact switch is turned off.
[0023]
In this configuration, immediately after the power is turned on, the current is adjusted by switching the contactless switch, and the power is supplied in a state where the current is limited. That is, the relay of the present invention can adjust the current in the same manner as the conventional relay unit when supplying power to the load by using switching by a non-contact switch. Then, after the capacitor included in the load is sufficiently charged for a certain period of time, the second interrupting unit is turned on, the switching of the non-contact switch is stopped, the current limit is stopped, and the normal power is supplied to the load. Supply. That is, in this configuration, the normal power supply is performed via the second cutoff unit. The contactless switch can be sufficiently used as long as it can withstand the current and voltage when the power is turned on by performing normal power supply through the second blocking unit.
[0024]
On the other hand, when shutting off the supply of power, the contactless switch is first turned on to turn off the second shut-off unit. By turning on the non-contact switch in advance before turning off the second blocking part, that is, by making the conductive state conductive, a potential difference hardly occurs on both sides of the second blocking part. Therefore, even if the second blocking part is turned off, the arc hardly occurs or does not occur at all. Next, the non-contact switch that does not generate an arc is turned off to almost eliminate the current flowing in the circuit, and then the first interrupter is turned off. Therefore, there is little or no arcing when turning off the first interrupter. Thus, since the relay of the present invention can prevent the occurrence of an arc, it can be cut off in a short time while having a simple configuration without using a gas hermetic structure. In particular, in the present invention, the number of contact pairs is increased by providing the second blocking portion in addition to the first blocking portion, so that the supply voltage applied to the blocking portion is sufficiently reduced due to failure of the non-contact switch or the like. Even if it is not possible, if these breakers are turned off at the same time, the voltage applied to each contact pair can be reduced, so that arcing can be effectively prevented.
[0025]
The input contact, the output contact, and the connection contact may be provided on a conductive member such as copper. When the first blocking portion and the second blocking portion have only input contacts and output contacts, a conductive member provided with one contact is disposed on a base made of an insulating material, and the drive of each blocking portion is performed on the base. The parts may be connected to form a movable contact. In the case where the first interrupting part and the second interrupting part further include a connecting contact, an input side connecting contact and an output side connecting contact are provided on a conductive member such as copper in each interrupting part, and these conductive members are made of an insulating material. It is good to arrange | position to the base which consists of and connect the drive part of each interruption | blocking part to this base. Even when a plurality of connection contacts are provided in one interrupting portion, it is preferable to arrange them on the base so that they can be driven by the same driving portion.
[0026]
Various drive sources for the first drive unit and the second drive unit that open and close the contacts can be used. For example, a linear drive source such as a solenoid or a cylinder, or a rotary drive source such as a motor can be used. When using a linear drive source, the contact may be opened and closed by connecting the linear drive source to a conductive member provided with a contact or an insulating base provided with a conductive member provided with a contact. When using a rotary drive source, the contacts may be opened and closed via a conversion mechanism that converts rotational motion into reciprocating motion.
[0027]
The on / off control of the first blocking unit and the second blocking unit may be appropriately performed using a control device equipped with an MPU (microcomputer) such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). For example, the relay of the present invention may be attached to an existing control device in an automobile, and the drive function of the relay of the present invention may be added to the existing control device. At this time, the components of the relay itself can be further reduced, and the cost can be reduced by using an existing control device.
[0028]
The on / off control of the non-contact switch is preferably provided with a control circuit having a semiconductor switch for controlling a signal to the non-contact switch, similarly to the control of the blocking unit. This control circuit is made connectable to an MPU (microcomputer) such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of a control device mounted on an automobile or the like.
[0029]
The relay of the present invention may also include a control circuit that controls on / off of the first blocking unit and the second blocking unit. Such a control circuit is connected to, for example, an MPU (microcomputer) that performs signal control, a low-voltage power supply (for example, 12 V), and a power supply circuit that serves as a power supply for the MPU and a signal to the drive unit. A configuration including a semiconductor switch and a relay for performing the above control is included. Here, if the electrical signal remains as it is, it is easy to receive noise from the MPU or the like, and the circuit may malfunction. Therefore, if the control circuit of the first cutoff unit and the second cutoff unit includes a photocoupler that once converts an electrical signal into an optical signal and then converts it back into an electrical signal, noise is transmitted by converting it into an optical signal. Can be blocked, which is preferable. As described above, the relay of the present invention including the control circuit for controlling the on / off of the blocking unit and the on / off of the non-contact switch is preferable because it is excellent in workability for mounting on an automobile or the like.
[0030]
The control circuit for controlling the on / off of the first shut-off unit and the second shut-off unit may be provided separately from the control circuit for turning on / off the non-contact switch. This is preferable because the area occupied by the circuit can be further reduced.
[0031]
Furthermore, in the event of an accident such as a short circuit accident, a configuration may be provided in which at least the contactless switch is turned off when an excessive current flows to avoid a serious situation such as a fire due to an excessive current flowing to the load. preferable. Specifically, for example, a current sensor that measures a current supplied to a load is provided. Examples of the current sensor include a hall element and a current transformer. The information (measurement data) from the current sensor is transmitted to the MPU of the control device equipped with the relay of the present invention or the MPU of the control circuit included in the relay of the present invention, and when the current value exceeds the threshold value, the contactless switch It is preferable to configure a circuit that turns off the signal.
[0032]
Other configurations include, for example, devising a control circuit for a contactless switch. For example, it has a comparator that compares the potential of the contactless switch, more specifically, the potential difference between the source and drain and the threshold potential, and when the contactless switch potential exceeds the threshold potential, And a control circuit configured to turn off the contactless switch. The control circuit uses the fact that the current flowing through the non-contact switch and the potential difference between the source and drain are in a proportional relationship, and compares the potential difference between the source and drain with the threshold potential using a comparator. When the potential difference between the drains exceeds the threshold potential, it is determined that an overcurrent has occurred and the contactless switch is turned off. A protection circuit called a so-called latch circuit may be used. Examples of the comparator include a comparator.
[0033]
The relay of the present invention having the above configuration can turn off the circuit by turning off the contactless switch when an overcurrent occurs. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate or limit the excessive current input to the load. Thus, by eliminating or limiting an excessive current generated at the time of an accident or the like, it is easy to avoid a situation such as abnormal heating of wiring or a load.
[0034]
Further, in addition to the non-contact switch, the power supply can be completely cut off by turning off the first blocking unit and the second blocking unit.
[0035]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an outline of the DC relay of the present invention. The DC relay 1 shown in this example is connected in series with the contactless switch 2 capable of interrupting the supply of power to the load, and the first interrupting portion 10 capable of being mechanically disconnected with the contactless switch 2. The contact point switch 2 includes a second breaker 30 that can be mechanically interrupted in parallel. In this example, the 1st interruption | blocking part 10 is arrange | positioned on the low potential side of the power supply V rather than a load, and the non-contact switch 2 and the 2nd interruption | blocking part 30 are arrange | positioned on the high potential side of the power supply V rather than a load. Hereinafter, each configuration will be described in more detail.
[0036]
<Solid state switch>
In this example, the contactless switch 2 is an FET made of a wide gap semiconductor. Further, a control circuit for controlling on / off of the contactless switch 2 is provided.
[0037]
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a control circuit that performs ON / OFF control of the contactless switch. As a control circuit provided in the non-contact switch 2, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. This control circuit includes power supply terminals 2a and 2c that can be connected to a power supply circuit that supplies power to the contactless switch 2, and a signal terminal 2b that receives an ON / OFF signal of the contactless switch 2 from the MPU. Further, a semiconductor switch Q connected to the signal terminal 2b and controls the signal to the contactless switch 2₁With A capacitor C is provided between the power supply terminals 2a and 2c so as to keep the voltage of the control circuit constant. Further, a resistor R for supplying an ON / OFF signal (voltage) to the contactless switch 2₁, R₂And a diode D for preventing the current from flowing back to the control circuit from the large current system flowing in the load₁With.
[0038]
<First blocking part>
"contact"
4 is a top view schematically showing the DC relay of the present invention, FIG. 5A is a front view thereof, FIG. 4B is a right side view thereof, and FIG. 6 is an exploded configuration diagram thereof. The 1st interruption | blocking part 10 shown in this example is the structure which provides the 1st connection contact 11c in addition to the 1st input contact 11a and the 1st output contact 11b. The first connecting contact 11c includes a first input connecting contact 11d that can be connected to or disconnected from the first input contact 11a, and a first output connecting contact 11e that can be connected to or disconnected from the first output contact 11b. Accordingly, the first input contact 11a and the first input side connection contact 11d form a pair of contact pairs, and the first output contact 11b and the first output side connection contact 11e form a set of contact pairs, for a total of two This is a configuration including a pair of contact pairs. It is good also as only one set of contact pairs which consist of a 1st input contact and a 1st output contact.
[0039]
The first input contact 11a and the first output contact 11b were formed on one surface of another conductive member. The conductive member provided with the first input contact 11a is provided with a terminal 11A which can be connected to a load, and the conductive member provided with the first output contact 11b is provided with a terminal 11B which can be connected to the power source V.
[0040]
The first input side connecting contact 11d is provided on a part of one surface of the first connecting member 12b made of a conductive material, and the first output side connecting contact 11e is provided on the other part of the same surface of the first connecting member 12b. Provided. The first connecting member 12b is disposed on a base 12c made of an insulating material.
[0041]
《First drive unit》
In this example, a solenoid 12a is used as a drive source of the first drive unit 12. In this example, the solenoid 12a of the 1st drive part 12 is connected with the base 12c carrying the 1st connection member 12b, and the above-mentioned two sets of contact pairs are opened and closed. That is, in this example, the first connection contact 11c is a movable contact that can be driven by the first drive unit 12, and the first input contact 11a and the first output contact 11b are fixed contacts. The solenoid 12a is connected to power supply terminals 12d and 12e for supplying power to the solenoid 12a, and appropriately turns on / off the first blocking unit 10 by supplying / stopping current. In this example, on / off control of the first shut-off unit 10, that is, supply of power to the solenoid 12a, for example, adds a drive function of the first shut-off unit 10 to an existing control device mounted on an automobile. To do.
[0042]
《Second blocking part》
The 2nd interruption | blocking part 30 is the structure which provides the 2nd connection contact 31c in addition to the 2nd input contact 31a and the 2nd output contact 31b. The second connection contact 31c includes a second input side connection contact 31d that can be connected to or disconnected from the second input contact 31a, and a second output side connection contact 31e that can be connected to or disconnected from the second output contact 31b. Accordingly, like the first blocking section 10, the second input contact 31a and the second input side connection contact 31d form a pair of contact pairs, and the second output contact 31b and the second output side connection contact 31e. It is the structure which comprises one set of contact pairs and provides two sets of contact pairs in total. That is, a total of four contact pairs are provided together with the first blocking part 10.
[0043]
The second input contact 31a and the second output contact 31b were each formed on one surface of another conductive member. The conductive member provided with the second input contact 31a is provided with a terminal 10A connectable to the power source V, and the conductive member provided with the second output contact 31b is provided with a terminal 10B connectable with a load. The contactless switch 2 is provided between the conductive member provided with the second input contact 31a and the conductive member provided with the second output contact 31b.
[0044]
The second input side connecting contact 31d is provided on a part of one surface of the second connecting member 32b made of a conductive material, and the second output side connecting contact 31e is provided on the other part of the same surface of the second connecting member 32b. Provided. The second connecting member 32b is disposed on a base 32c made of an insulating material.
[0045]
《Second drive unit》
In this example, a solenoid 32 a is used as a drive source for the second drive unit 32. In this example, the solenoid 32a of the 2nd drive part 32 is connected with the base 32c carrying the 2nd connection member 32b, and the two pairs of contact pairs provided in the 2nd interruption | blocking part 30 are opened and closed. That is, in this example, the second connection contact 31c is a movable contact that can be driven by the second drive unit 32, and the second input contact 31a and the second output contact 31b are fixed contacts. The solenoid 32a is connected to power supply terminals 32d and 12e for supplying power to the solenoid 32a, and appropriately turns on / off the second blocking unit 30 by supplying / stopping power. In this example, the on / off control of the second blocking unit 30, that is, the supply of electric power to the solenoid 32 a, is performed in the same manner as the first blocking unit 10, for example, in an existing control device mounted on an automobile. This is done by adding a driving function of the blocking unit 30.
[0046]
<Description of operation>
<Power-on operation>
In the DC relay 1 having the above configuration, an operation when supplying power to a load will be described. First, the non-contact switch 2 and the second blocking part 30 are turned off, and the first input contact 11a, the first input side connecting contact 11d, and the first output contact 11b are set to turn on the first blocking part 10. The first output side connecting contact 11e is brought into contact. In this state, the contactless switch 2 is repeatedly turned on / off for a predetermined time. When the non-contact switch 2 is on, the power source V → (second input contact 31a) → non-contact switch 2 → (second output contact 31b) → load → first input contact 11a → first input side connection contact 11d ( A closed loop of the first connecting member 12b) → the first output side connecting contact 11e (the first connecting member 12b) → the first output contact 11b → the power source V is formed, and power is supplied to the load via the contactless switch 2. . Immediately after the power is turned on, the current is limited by repeatedly turning on / off the contactless switch 2 as described above.
[0047]
After a certain period of time, the second input contact 31a and the second input side connection contact 31d, and the second output contact 31b and the second output side connection contact 31e are brought into contact with each other in order to turn on the second blocking unit 30. That is, the first blocking unit 10 and the second blocking unit 30 are turned on. In this state, normal power is supplied. At this time, the contactless switch 2 may be off or on.
[0048]
As described above, immediately after the start of power supply, the power to the load can be limited by supplying power to the load while repeatedly turning on / off the contactless switch. Therefore, it is possible to sufficiently charge the capacitor provided in the load, and it is possible to effectively suppress a problem that a large current flows through the load immediately after the power is turned on and the load is destroyed. That is, the relay of the present invention can perform current adjustment in the same manner as a conventional relay unit.
[0049]
<Power cut-off operation>
Next, the operation when cutting off the power to the load will be described. At the time of power supply, the first blocking unit 10 and the second blocking unit 30 are on as described above. In order to cut off the power supply from this state, first, the contactless switch 2 is turned on. And in order to turn off the 2nd interruption | blocking part 30, the 2nd drive part 32 is between the 2nd input contact 31a and the 2nd input side connection contact 31d, and between the 2nd output contact 31b and the 2nd output side connection contact 31e. Separate. At this time, since the contactless switch 2 is on, the second blocking unit 30 is turned off in a state where there is almost no potential difference on both sides of the second blocking unit 30. Therefore, when turning off the second interrupting part 30, almost no arc is generated or no arc is generated at all.
[0050]
Next, the contactless switch 2 is turned off. At this time, since the contactless switch 2 does not perform mechanical disconnection, no arc is generated.
[0051]
Then, the first connecting member 12b is driven by the first driving unit 12 to turn off the first blocking unit 10, and the first output side connecting contact between the first input contact 11a and the first input side connecting contact 11d. 11e and the first output contact 11b are disconnected. At this time, since the non-contact switch 2 is turned off first, the first driving unit 10 is turned off in a state where almost no current flows in the circuit, so the first blocking unit 10 is turned off. At that time, there is little or no arcing.
[0052]
Therefore, the relay of the present invention can adjust the current and can prevent arcing and cut off in a short time while having a simple configuration that does not use a gas sealing structure. Further, in the relay of the present invention, even when the contactless switch fails and the supply voltage cannot be sufficiently reduced, the first and second cutoff portions are provided as multi-contacts, and these are simultaneously Since the voltage applied per contact pair can be reduced by turning off, it is possible to effectively reduce the occurrence of arcs. In this example, the case where the first breaker is arranged on the higher potential side of the power supply than the load, and the contactless switch and the second breaker is arranged on the lower potential side of the power supply than the load is described. That is, of course, the non-contact switch and the second cutoff part may be arranged on the higher potential side of the power source than the load, and the first cutoff part may be arranged on the lower potential side of the power source than the load.
[0053]
[Example 1 including a control circuit for the first blocking unit and the second blocking unit]
In the above example, a configuration has been described in which a control device for controlling on / off of the first blocking unit and the second blocking unit is separately provided. However, in the relay of the present invention, on / off of the first blocking unit and the second blocking unit is provided. You may provide the control circuit which performs OFF control. FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a control circuit that performs on / off control of the first blocking unit and the second blocking unit, and is a control circuit including a semiconductor switch.
[0054]
The control circuit shown in FIG. 7 controls the ON / OFF of the contactless switch, controls the operation of the solenoids of the first drive unit and the second drive unit, a power supply circuit that drives the MPU, and the like. The semiconductor switch Q which controls the drive current of the solenoid of the first drive unit in response to the ON / OFF signal of₂And a semiconductor switch Q for controlling the drive current of the solenoid of the second drive unit in response to an on / off signal from the MPU₃With. The control circuit includes a full bridge transformer Tr, a semiconductor switch Q.₁₁, Q₁₂, Q₁₃, Q₁₅The power supply to the control circuit of the contactless switch is performed. In this example, the transformer Tr insulates and isolates the power supply of the control circuit of each blocking unit from the power supply of the control circuit of the contactless switch. In addition, this circuit is a semiconductor switch Q₁₁, Q₁₂Semiconductor switch Q for transmitting drive signal from MPU to₁₄, Q₁₆, Semiconductor switch Q₂Resistance R giving drive voltage₁₅, R₁₆, Semiconductor switch Q₃Resistance R giving drive voltage₁₇, R₁₈With In this example, the semiconductor switch Q₂, Q₃Used a low voltage drive type (˜4V) N-type channel field effect transistor.
[0055]
Such a control circuit is connected to a low voltage power source (for example, 12 V) provided separately from the high voltage power source and grounded. The terminal 12e 'connected to the low voltage power source includes a power source terminal 12e for the solenoids of the first drive unit and the second drive unit, and a semiconductor switch Q.₂The terminal 12d 'connected to the power supply terminal 12d includes a solenoid power supply terminal 12d of the first drive unit, a semiconductor switch Q₃The solenoid power supply terminal 32d of the second drive unit is connected to the terminal 32d 'connected to the terminal 32d'. Further, the power supply terminals 2a and 2c of the control circuit of the contactless switch are connected from the full bridge transformer Tr to the diode D.₁₁, D₁₂To the terminals 2a 'and 2c'. The drive signal to the contactless switch is sent from the MPU through the photocoupler to the terminal 2b '→ terminal 2b (see FIG. 3) → semiconductor switch Q.₁(Same as above) is transmitted to the contactless switch.
[0056]
With the above-described configuration, the solenoid of the first drive unit and the solenoid of the second drive unit are controlled by the semiconductor switch Q in response to a signal from the MPU.₂, Q₃Each of is turned on / off to control the drive current. In the control circuit shown in this example, a photocoupler is provided so that an electrical signal from the MPU is once converted into an optical signal, converted again into an electrical signal, and transmitted to the contactless switch. With this configuration, high-speed on / off operation can be performed while maintaining electrical insulation.
[0057]
Thus, when the control circuit of the shut-off unit is also provided in the relay and integrated, the workability when attaching to an automobile or the like is good and preferable.
[0058]
[Example 2 including control circuits for the first blocking unit and the second blocking unit]
In Example 1 above, the semiconductor switch Q₂, Q₃However, a circuit using a relay that performs mechanical disconnection may be used. FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of a control circuit including a relay that performs mechanical disconnection.
[0059]
The basic configuration of the control circuit shown in FIG. 8 is the same as that of the circuit diagram shown in FIG. 7, and controls the ON / OFF of the non-contact switch and the operation of the solenoids of the first drive unit and the second drive unit. And a power supply circuit for driving the MPU and the like. The difference is that the semiconductor switch Q is operated by an on / off signal from the MPU.₃₀And semiconductor switch Q₃₀Relay RLY which is controlled by turning on / off the motor and which controls the drive current of the solenoid of the first drive unit is possible₁And a semiconductor switch Q operated by an on / off signal from the MPU₃₁And semiconductor switch Q₃₁Relay RLY which is controlled by turning on / off the motor and which controls the drive current of the solenoid of the second drive unit and which can be mechanically interrupted₂It is a point that has. In this example, the semiconductor switch Q₃₀, Q₃₁Used an NPN transistor.
[0060]
By using a control circuit that controls the solenoids of the first drive unit and the second drive unit by a relay that performs mechanical shut-off, the semiconductor switch Q₂, Q₃Thus, it can be manufactured at a lower cost than the control circuit shown in FIG.
[0061]
[Example including a control circuit for a non-contact switch and a control circuit for the first cutoff unit and the second cutoff unit]
In Examples 1 and 2 described above, the example in which the control circuit for the contactless switch and the control circuit for the first cutoff unit and the second cutoff unit are provided separately, the control circuit for the contactless switch and the first cutoff unit are described. The control circuit of the second blocking unit may be an integrated circuit. FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing a control circuit in which the control circuit for the contactless switch shown in FIG. 3 and the control circuit for the first cutoff unit and the second cutoff unit shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are combined. In FIG. 9, the semiconductor switch Q₂, Q₃, Relay RLY₁, RLY₂Is omitted.
[0062]
Thus, by making the control circuit of the non-contact switch and the control circuit of the shut-off unit that performs mechanical shut-off into an integrated circuit, the occupied area of the circuit can be reduced, and both control circuits can be separately provided. There is no need to manufacture, and it is excellent in workability.
[0063]
[Countermeasure 1 when overcurrent flows]
Next, a control circuit having a configuration capable of shutting off the contactless switch when a short circuit accident occurs will be described. When an accident such as a short-circuit accident occurs, a large current is generated, and an overcurrent may flow through the load. Therefore, the control circuit of this example includes a comparator and uses the comparator to turn off the contactless switch in the event of an overcurrent. FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram in which a control circuit including a comparator as a control circuit for a non-contact switch and a control circuit for the first cutoff unit and the second cutoff unit are combined.
[0064]
The basic configuration of the control circuit shown in FIG. 10 is the same as the control circuit in which the contactless switch control circuit shown in FIG. 3 is combined with the first cutoff unit and the second cutoff unit shown in FIG. . The feature of this circuit is that the control circuit of the contactless switch includes a comparator COMP. Hereinafter, this point will be mainly described. In FIG. 10, the semiconductor switch Q₂, Q₃And relay RLY₁, RLY₂Is omitted.
[0065]
In this control circuit, the comparator COMP compares the potential difference between the source and drain of the contactless switch and the threshold potential. If the potential difference between the source and drain exceeds the threshold potential, an overcurrent flows through the contactless switch. Semiconductor switch Q₂₁Turn on. Semiconductor switch Q₂₁Semiconductor switch Q with turning on₂₀, Q₁Is turned on. This semiconductor switch Q₁By turning on, the contactless switch 2 can be turned off.
[0066]
In this way, when a short circuit accident or the like occurs, if at least the contactless switch is turned off, overcurrent is hardly sent to the load. Therefore, damage to the load due to a short circuit accident can be almost eliminated or prevented. In addition, if the non-contact switch is shut off and then the first shut-off part and the second shut-off part are further shut off, damage due to overcurrent to the load can be prevented more reliably, and accidents such as short-circuit accidents will occur. It is possible to effectively prevent the load from being damaged or destroyed.
[0067]
In the circuit shown in FIG. 10, when the potential difference between the source and the drain exceeds the threshold potential, the semiconductor switch Q₂₀Turns on and diode D₂It is possible to continue to turn on the output of the comparator COMP via. In the circuit shown in FIG. 10, the semiconductor switch Q₁Resistor R giving drive voltage to₂₀, R₂₁, Semiconductor switch Q₁R to adjust the current to₂₄And diode D₂, Semiconductor switch Q₂₀Resistor R giving drive voltage to₂₂, R₂₃, Resistor R for applying drive voltage to the negative side of the comparator COMP₂₅, R₂₆, Resistor R for applying drive voltage to the + side of comparator COMP₂₇, R₂₈With
[0068]
[Countermeasure 2 when overcurrent flows]
In the above countermeasure 1, it has been explained that by devising the control circuit of the contactless switch, damage to the load is prevented when an overcurrent flows. Another measure is to include a current sensor 40 that measures the current supplied to the load. FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram in which the control circuit of the contactless switch and the control circuit of the first cutoff unit and the second cutoff unit are combined, and further shows an example including a current sensor. The basic configuration of this control circuit is the same as that of the control circuit combining the contactless switch control circuit shown in FIG. 3 and the blocking unit shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. The feature of this circuit is that it includes a current sensor. In FIG. 11, the semiconductor switch Q_{2 ,}Q₃And relay RLY₁, RLY₂Is omitted.
[0069]
In this example, the current sensor 40 is a Hall element. Such a current sensor 40 is preferably connected to the MPU of the control circuit so as to be able to measure the current flowing in the vicinity of the non-contact switch as shown in FIG. 11, for example. Then, the measured current value is sent to the MPU, and when the current exceeding the threshold value is flowing in the MPU, the MPU may be configured to send a signal for turning off the contactless switch. .
[0070]
Providing a current sensor in this way can also effectively prevent problems due to overcurrent in the event of a short circuit accident or the like. Even when a current sensor is provided, it is possible to avoid situations such as abnormal heating such as wiring and load, etc., by turning off the first and second interrupters as well as the non-contact switch. easy.
[0071]
Although FIG. 11 shows an example in which a current sensor is provided in a circuit in which a control circuit for a contactless switch and a control circuit for a blocking unit are integrated, only the control circuit for a contactless switch as shown in FIGS. Of course, the current sensor 40 may be provided in the case of providing the current sensor. Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when only the control circuit for the blocking unit is provided, a current sensor may be provided.
[0072]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the direct current relay of the present invention, the number of components is small, power adjustment at the time of power-on can be performed, and an excellent effect that arc can be prevented while having a simple configuration. Can play. In particular, the relay of the present invention does not use the conventional complicated and expensive gas sealing structure, and can maintain excellent breaking performance for a long period of time. Furthermore, since the relay of the present invention has a simple configuration, the cost can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of a DC relay of the present invention, in which (A) is a non-contact switch and a second interrupting unit arranged on a higher potential side of a power supply than a load, An example in which the first cutoff part is arranged on the low potential side of the power supply, (B) shows the first cutoff part arranged on the high potential side of the power supply with respect to the load, the non-contact switch and the second on the low potential side of the power supply with respect to the load. An example of disposing the interrupting part, (C) is a contactless switch between the connecting contacts of the first interrupting part, with the first interrupting part, the contactless switch and the second interrupting part being arranged on the higher potential side of the power supply than the load. And (D) is an example of a contact pair of a non-contact switch, a second cutoff part, and a first cutoff part on the higher potential side of the power source than the load. This is an example in which the remaining part of the contact pair of the first interrupting part is arranged on the lower potential side of the power supply than the load.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an outline of a DC relay of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a control circuit that controls ON / OFF of a contactless switch.
FIG. 4 is a top view schematically showing the outline of the DC relay of the present invention.
5A is a front view of the DC relay of the present invention shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 5B is a right side view thereof.
6 is an exploded configuration diagram of the DC relay of the present invention shown in FIG. 4. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a control circuit that performs on / off control of the first blocking unit and the second blocking unit included in the DC relay of the present invention, and is a control circuit including a semiconductor switch.
FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a control circuit for performing on / off control of the first cutoff unit and the second cutoff unit provided in the DC relay of the present invention, and a control including a relay that performs mechanical cutoff; Circuit.
FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a control circuit provided in the DC relay of the present invention, which is a control circuit combining a control circuit for a non-contact switch and a control circuit for a first cutoff unit and a second cutoff unit. .
FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a control circuit included in the direct current relay of the present invention, and is a control circuit capable of shutting off a contactless switch in the event of a short circuit accident or the like.
FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a control circuit provided in the DC relay of the present invention, which is a circuit provided with a current sensor.
FIG. 12 is a schematic circuit diagram for explaining a conventional relay unit used in HEV.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 DC relay 2 Solid state switch 2a, 2c Power supply terminal
2b Signal terminal 2a ', 2b', 2c 'terminal
10 First blocking part 10A, 10B, 11A, 11B Terminal
11a 1st input contact 11b 1st output contact 11c 1st connection contact
11d 1st input side connection contact 11e 1st output side connection contact
12 1st drive part 12a Solenoid 12b 1st connection member 12c base
12d, 12e Power terminal 12d ', 12e' terminal 13a Third input contact
13b 3rd output contact 13c 3rd connection contact 13d 3rd input side connection contact
13e 3rd output side connection contact
30 2nd interruption | blocking part 31a 2nd input contact 31b 2nd output contact
31c Second connection contact 31d Second input connection contact 31e Second output connection contact
32 Second drive part 32a Solenoid 32b Second connecting member 32c Base
32d power terminal
40 Current sensor 40a terminal
100 relay unit 101 first relay 102 second relay 103 third relay
104 Resistance 105 Power supply 106 Service plug 107 Voltage fuse

Claims (6)

A DC relay that is connected to a power source and a load and can cut off power supply to the load,
A contactless switch capable of shutting off the supply of power;
A first breaker that is connected in series with the non-contact switch and mechanically breakable;
A direct current relay comprising a second interrupting portion that is connected in parallel to the contactless switch and that can be mechanically interrupted. When supplying power to the load, turn on the first breaker, turn off the second breaker, and then control the current by repeatedly turning on and off the contactless switch. Turn on to supply power to the load,
When shutting off the power supply to the load, the non-contact switch was turned on, the second shut-off unit was turned off, and then the non-contact switch was turned off and then the first shut-off unit was turned off. The DC relay according to claim 2. Either one of the first shut-off part and the second shut-off part is arranged on the high potential side of the power supply with respect to the load, and the other is arranged on the low potential side of the power supply with respect to the load. The described direct current relay. Furthermore, it has at least one of the 1st control circuit which controls the opening / closing operation | movement of a 1st interruption | blocking part and a 2nd interruption | blocking part, and the 2nd control circuit which controls ON / OFF of a non-contact switch. DC relay in any one of 1-3. The second control circuit includes a comparator that compares the potential of the contactless switch with the threshold potential. When the potential of the contactless switch exceeds the threshold potential, it is determined that an overcurrent has passed through the contactless switch. The direct current relay according to claim 4, wherein the direct current relay is configured to turn off a switch. Furthermore, it has a current sensor for measuring the current supplied to the load, and is configured to turn off at least the non-contact switch when an overcurrent flows. The described direct current relay.

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