JP5999300B2 - Electromagnetic switchgear - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electromagnetic switching device such as an electromagnetic relay.

  As a conventional electromagnetic switching device, for example, there is an electromagnetic relay used for a system main relay in an electric vehicle as described in Patent Document 1. The electric vehicle described in Patent Document 1 includes a motor that is a prime mover, an inverter that drives the motor, a battery that includes a storage battery, a system main relay that is inserted into an electric circuit that connects the battery and the inverter, and a motor that is connected to the inverter via the inverter. A motor ECU that controls the drive and a main ECU that controls the entire vehicle and controls the system main relay on and off are provided. Further, a current sensor that detects current (discharge current and charge current) flowing through the battery is provided between the battery and the system main relay.

  When the magnitude (current value) of the current detected by the current sensor exceeds a threshold value, the main ECU turns off the system main relay and disconnects the battery from the vehicle electrical system including the inverter.

JP 2011-42215 A

  By the way, in the electric vehicle of patent document 1, since the system main relay (electromagnetic switching device) and the current sensor were separately attached to the vehicle body, there was a problem that the installation work was troublesome. In addition, in an electric vehicle, a generator, a charger, an auxiliary machine, etc. are usually supplied with power from a battery in addition to a motor, and if an electromagnetic switching device and a current sensor are provided in pairs for each power supply system, they are attached. The work will be further increased. Here, there is an electromagnetic relay that detects a current flowing in an internal electric circuit and disconnects a contact when the detected current exceeds a threshold value (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-163939). However, since the electromagnetic relay does not have a function of outputting a detected current value to the outside, when used in the above-described electric vehicle, it is also necessary to provide a pair with an external current sensor.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable the output of the magnitude of the current flowing in the electric circuit without using an external current sensor.

The electromagnetic switching device of the present invention includes a fixed contact and a contact portion having a movable contact that contacts and separates from the fixed contact, a displacement means that displaces the movable contact to contact and separate from the fixed contact, and a current that flows through the contact portion. Current detection means for outputting a detection signal corresponding to the magnitude of the current, and processing the detection signal output from the current detection means to generate detection information indicating the magnitude of the current and providing the detection information to the outside Output information processing means , wherein the information processing means outputs a plurality of information output terminals for outputting the detection information to the outside and at least one information output terminal of the plurality of information output terminals. characterized Rukoto which have a attenuation means for attenuating the amplification means or the detection signal for amplifying the detection signal.

  In this electromagnetic switching device, it is preferable that the current detection unit detects a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through the contact portion by a magnetic sensor, and outputs the detection signal corresponding to the strength of the magnetic field from the magnetic sensor.

  This electromagnetic switchgear preferably includes an electric circuit connected to the contact portion and holding means for holding the magnetic sensor and facing the electric circuit.

  In this electromagnetic switching device, it is preferable that the current detection means includes a plurality of detection elements having at least a part of a detectable current range.

  In this electromagnetic switching device, it is preferable that the information processing means has an amplifying means for amplifying the detection signal when the detection signal output from the current detection means is below a predetermined level.

  The electromagnetic switching device preferably includes storage means for recording the number of times that the magnitude of the current flowing through the contact portion has exceeded a predetermined threshold value.

  In this electromagnetic switching device, it is preferable that the electromagnetic switching device further includes a display means for displaying that an overcurrent has flowed through the contact portion.

  The electromagnetic switching device of the present invention has an effect that it is possible to output the magnitude of the current flowing in the electric circuit to the outside without using an external current sensor.

It is a block diagram which shows Embodiment 1 of the electromagnetic switch which concerns on this invention. (a), (b) is a schematic block diagram which shows the electric current detection part in the same as the above. It is an external appearance perspective view of the holding member in the same as the above. It is a block diagram which shows Embodiment 2 of the electromagnetic switch which concerns on this invention. Embodiment 3 of the electromagnetic switchgear according to the present invention is shown, (a) is a block diagram, and (b), (c) are input / output characteristic diagrams for explaining the operation. It is another block diagram same as the above. It is a block diagram which shows Embodiment 4 of the electromagnetic switch which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows Embodiment 5 of the electromagnetic switch which concerns on this invention.

(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the electromagnetic switching device according to the present embodiment includes a contact portion 1, a drive portion 2, a current detection portion 3, an information processing portion 4, and the like. The contact portion 1 has a fixed contact 10 connected to one electric circuit 13, a fixed contact 11 connected to the other electric circuit 14, and a movable contact (movable element) 12 that contacts and separates from the fixed contacts 10 and 11. . That is, when the two fixed contacts 10 and 11 and the movable contact 12 are in contact with each other, the contact portion 1 is closed and the electric circuits 13 and 14 are conducted, and the two fixed contacts 10 and 11 and the movable contact 12 are in contact with each other. When the contact portion 1 is not open, the contacts 1 are opened, and the electrical paths 13 and 14 become non-conductive. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the terminal (for example, screw terminal) for connecting an external electric wire is provided in the edge part of the electric circuits 13 and 14, respectively.

  The driving unit 2 is a displacing means for displacing the movable contact 11 so as to make contact with and away from the fixed contacts 10 and 11, and is applied to the excitation coil 20 according to a drive signal input from the outside (for example, a main ECU in the conventional example). The movable contact 11 is displaced by an electromagnetic force generated by passing an exciting current.

  The current detection unit 3 outputs a detection signal (for example, a current signal) corresponding to the magnitude of the current flowing through the contact unit 1, and uses, for example, the Hall effect as shown in FIG. It has a magnetic sensor 30 and an annular core 31 through which the electric path 13 passes. That is, when a current flows through the contact path 1 through the electrical path 13, a magnetic field (magnetic flux) corresponding to the magnitude of the current is generated around the electrical path 13, and the generated magnetic flux is linked to the magnetic sensor 30 through the core 31. A detection signal corresponding to the strength (magnetic flux density) of the magnetic field is output from the magnetic sensor 30 to the information processing unit 4. However, the magnetic sensor 30 may be a magnetoresistive element, and in the case of a magnetoresistive element, it may be disposed in the vicinity of the electric circuit 13 without providing the core 31 as shown in FIG. If the magnetic sensor 30 is used as the current detector 3 in this way, the current flowing through the electric circuit 13 can be detected in a non-contact manner with a small number of parts, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the size can be reduced.

  Here, it is preferable to provide a holding member 15 that holds the magnetic sensor 30 and opposes the electric path 13 as shown in FIG. The holding member 15 is made of a synthetic resin material in which a pair of rectangular parallelepiped side wall portions 150 and 150 and a connecting portion 151 that connects the central portions of the side wall portions 150 and 150 arranged to face each other in the thickness direction are insulative. It is formed integrally. Further, both ends of the electric path 13 made of a metal plate are insert-molded on the side wall portions 150 and 150 above the connecting portion 151. On the other hand, below the connecting portion 151, both ends of the wiring board 32 on which the magnetic sensor 30 is mounted at the center are insert-molded on the side wall portions 150 and 150, respectively. Thus, since the magnetic sensor 30 and the electric circuit 13 are electrically opposed to each other while maintaining a certain distance by the holding member 15, the current flowing through the electric circuit 13 can be detected stably. .

  The information processing unit 4 performs detection processing (voltage signal) indicating the magnitude of the current flowing through the contact unit 1 by performing signal processing such as current / voltage conversion on the detection signal output from the current detection unit 3. Generate. Then, the information processing unit 4 outputs the generated detection information to the outside (for example, a motor ECU in a conventional example) via an information output terminal (not shown). However, the information output terminal may be a screw terminal, a screwless terminal (fast connection terminal), or a connector. Although not shown, a power supply circuit is also provided for supplying operating power from the external power source (battery or the like) to each of the units 2 to 4 except the contact unit 1.

  Thus, the electromagnetic switching device of the present embodiment detects the magnitude of the current flowing through the contact portions 1 through the electric paths 13 and 14 and outputs the detected magnitude of the current (detection information) to the outside. The magnitude of the current flowing in the electric circuit can be output to the outside without using the current sensor. In particular, when the electromagnetic switching device of the present embodiment is used in an electric vehicle, if only the electromagnetic switching device is provided in each of the power supply system from the battery to the motor and the power supply system to the generator, the charger, the auxiliary machine, The opening and closing of the electric circuit of each power feeding system and the detection of the current can be executed, and the mounting work to the vehicle body can be greatly simplified.

(Embodiment 2)
The electromagnetic switching device according to the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it includes two current detection units 3A and 3B and two information processing units 4A and 4B as shown in FIG. 1 and common. Therefore, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component as Embodiment 1, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The two current detectors 3A and 3B have different detectable current ranges at least partially. For example, one current detector 3A can detect a current in the range up to ± 200 amperes, and the other current detector 3B can detect a current in the range up to ± 1000 amperes. In order to vary the range of current that can be detected by the two current detection units 3A and 3B, for example, one current detection unit 3A is configured by a magnetic sensor 30 and a core 31 using the Hall effect, and the other current is detected. The detection unit 3B may be configured with only the magnetic sensor 30 using the Hall effect.

  The information processing units 4A and 4B generate detection information by performing signal processing on the detection signals output from the current detection units 3A and 3B, respectively, and are externally connected through dedicated information output terminals (not shown). Output detection information.

  Thus, in the electromagnetic switching device of the present embodiment, the current detection unit 3A with the narrower detectable range detects the normal current, and the current detection unit 3B with the wider detectable range detects the abnormality. Current (overcurrent) can be detected.

(Embodiment 3)
As shown in FIG. 5A, the electromagnetic switching device of the present embodiment has two information output terminals connected in parallel to the output end of the information processing unit 4, and the detection information generated by the information processing unit 4 is amplified by an amplifier 40. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the signal is output from one information output terminal after being amplified by. However, since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, common components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 5B, the current detection range (± 200 amperes) that can be detected by the current detection unit 3 is represented on the horizontal axis, and the first detection information (0.5 to 4.5 volts) output from the information processing unit 4 is represented on the vertical axis. The detection characteristics are shown. Here, when the current detected by the current detection unit 3 is in a very small range, for example, a range of ± 20 amperes, the voltage range output from the information processing unit 4 is 2.3 volts to 2.7 volts (however, 0 amperes) Sometimes 2.5 volts) (see FIG. 5C).

  In the present embodiment, when the voltage range output from the information processing unit 4 is 2.3 volts to 2.7 volts, the voltage range of 2.5 volts ± 0.2 volts is multiplied by 10 by the amplifier 40 to obtain 2.5 volts ± 2.0 volts, that is, The detection information (second detection information) in the range of 0.5 to 4.5 volts is obtained. As a result, when the absolute value of the current is small, an approximate value can be output with a low resolution.

  As shown in FIG. 6, two information processing units 4A and 4B may be provided, and an amplifier 40 may be connected to the output terminal of one information processing unit 4B.

  The two information processing units 4A and 4B have the same configuration as the information processing unit 4 in the first embodiment. Then, one information processing unit 4A performs signal processing on the detection signal output from the current detection unit 3 to generate detection information, and outputs the detection information to the outside via a dedicated information output terminal. The other information processing unit 4B performs signal processing on the detection signal output from the current detection unit 3 and amplified by the amplifier 40 to generate detection information, and detects it externally through a dedicated information output terminal Output information. However, the information processing unit 4B corresponds to a range in which the signal level of the detection signal output from the current detection unit 3 is ± 20 amperes when the current detection range of the current detection unit 3 is ± 200 amperes, for example. Detection information is generated when the value to be detected. Thus, in the present embodiment, the resolution when the absolute value of the current is small can be increased.

  If the current detection range is sufficiently narrower than ± 200 amperes, the amplifier 40 in the configuration of FIG. 6 may be replaced with an attenuator (attenuator). For example, if the output of the current detection unit 3 is attenuated to 1/10 by an attenuator, second detection information in the range of ± 20 amperes can be obtained from the information processing unit 4B.

  Further, the current detector 3 can detect a current in a range of 0 to 1000 amperes. The current detection unit 3 with the wider detectable range detects the current (overcurrent) at the time of abnormality, replaces the amplifier 40 with an (attenuator), and the normal current (± 200 amperes) from the information processing unit 4B Can also be detected.

(Embodiment 4)
The electromagnetic switching device of this embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in that a comparison unit 5, a counter 6, and a storage unit 7 are added as shown in FIG. 7, but other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component as Embodiment 1, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The comparison unit 5 compares the detection information (voltage signal) output from the information processing unit 4 with a predetermined threshold value, and outputs a count-up signal to the counter 6 when the detection information is equal to or greater than the threshold value. . Here, the threshold value compared with the detection information in the comparison unit 5 is set to a value larger than the rated value of the current flowing through the contact unit 1. That is, a count-up signal is output from the comparison unit 5 to the counter 6 when a current larger than the rated value flows.

  The counter 6 counts up the count value using the count-up signal output from the comparison unit 5 as a trigger. When the count value exceeds a predetermined value, the count of the count value exceeding the predetermined value is recorded in the storage unit 7. The storage unit 7 is composed of a rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory. The number of times recorded in the storage unit 7 is read from the outside, for example.

  Thus, in the electromagnetic switching device of the present embodiment, the number of times that the magnitude of the current flowing through the contact portion 1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value is recorded, so that overcurrent flows based on the number of times. There is an advantage that the history can be confirmed, and as a result, it is easy to determine whether or not replacement is necessary.

(Embodiment 5)
The electromagnetic switching device of this embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in that a comparison unit 5, a drive circuit 8, and a display circuit 9 are added as shown in FIG. . Therefore, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component as Embodiment 1, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The comparison unit 5 has the same configuration as that of the comparison unit 5 in the fourth embodiment, and outputs a high-level control signal when the detection information output from the information processing unit 4 is equal to or greater than a threshold value. When it is less than the threshold value, a low level control signal is output. In addition, the threshold value compared with detection information in the comparison part 5 is set to the larger value than the rated value of the electric current which flows into the contact part 1 similarly to Embodiment 4. FIG. The drive circuit 8 outputs an on drive signal when the control signal input from the comparison unit 5 changes from a low level to a high level, and outputs an off drive signal when the control signal changes from a high level to a low level. Output.

  The display circuit 9 includes a display element 90 made of a light emitting diode, a battery 91, a current limiting resistor element 92, and a normally open type latching relay 93 connected in series. The latching relay 93 is turned on when an on drive signal is output from the drive circuit 8 and is turned off when an off drive signal is output from the drive circuit 8. While the latching relay 93 is on, the display element 90 emits light (lights up) with the current flowing from the battery 91 via the latching relay 93 and the resistance element 92. Element 90 is turned off.

  That is, in the electromagnetic switching device of the present embodiment, since the display element 90 of the display circuit 9 is turned on and displayed when the overcurrent flows through the contact portion 1, it can be confirmed from the outside that the overcurrent has flowed. As a result, there is an advantage that it is easy to determine whether or not replacement is necessary.

1 Contact part 2 Drive part (displacement means)
3 Current detector (current detection means)
4 Information processing section (information processing means)
10 Fixed contact
11 Fixed contact
12 Movable contact

Claims (7)

A contact part having a fixed contact and a movable contact contacting and separating from the fixed contact, a displacement means for displacing the movable contact to contact and separate from the fixed contact, and a detection signal corresponding to the magnitude of the current flowing through the contact part Current detection means for outputting the signal, and information processing means for processing the detection signal output from the current detection means to generate detection information indicating the magnitude of the current and outputting the detection information to the outside. ,
The information processing means includes a plurality of information output terminals for outputting the detection information to the outside, and an amplification means for amplifying the detection information output from at least one of the plurality of information output terminals. or electromagnetic switching device according to claim Rukoto which have a attenuation means for attenuating the detection information.   The said current detection means detects the magnetic field produced by the electric current which flows into the said contact part with a magnetic sensor, The said detection signal according to the strength of the said magnetic field is output from the said magnetic sensor. Electromagnetic switchgear.   The electromagnetic switching device according to claim 2, further comprising: an electric circuit connected to the contact portion; and a holding unit that holds the magnetic sensor and opposes the electric circuit.   The electromagnetic switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the current detection means includes a plurality of detection elements having different detectable current ranges at least in part.   5. The information processing unit according to claim 1, further comprising an amplifying unit that amplifies the detection signal when the detection signal output from the current detection unit is below a predetermined level. The electromagnetic switchgear according to item.   The electromagnetic switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising storage means for recording the number of times that the magnitude of the current flowing through the contact portion is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.   The electromagnetic switch according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising display means for displaying that an overcurrent has flowed through the contact portion.

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