WO2017148640A1

WO2017148640A1 - Release device and electro-mechanical protective switchgear

Info

Publication number: WO2017148640A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/052009
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernhard Franz; Thomas Rieger; Winfried Vierling
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2016-03-03
Filing date: 2017-01-31
Publication date: 2017-09-08
Also published as: DE102016203506B4; DE102016203506A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a release device (100) for an electro-mechanical protective switchgear (1), in particular for a circuit breaker or a power switch, comprising a short circuit release device, which is designed to act directly on a switch mechanism of the protective switchgear (1) in the event of a short circuit current occurring above a first release threshold, in order to release same. The release device also comprises an overload release device which is designed to act on the short circuit release device in the event of an overload state, in order to thereby indirectly release the switch mechanism. The short circuit release device is constructionally configured in such a way that it acts directly on a switch mechanism of the protective switchgear (1) in the event of an electrical current occurring having a current strength exceeds the first release threshold, e.g. in the event of a short circuit current, in order to release same and to thereby interrupt the current flow. In contrast, the overload release device is constructionally configured in such a way that it does not act directly on the switch mechanism, but rather acts indirectly via the short circuit release device. In this way, it is possible to integrate the functionality of the overload release device into the already existing short circuit release device, whereby a compact release device can be created which is particularly advantageous for compact rail-mounted devices.

Description

description

The invention relates to a tripping device for an electromechanical protective switching device, for example a circuit breaker or circuit breaker, which has a short-circuit tripping device and an overload tripping device. Furthermore, the invention relates to an electro-mechanical protection device with such a triggering device.

Various protective switching devices are known from the prior art: Circuit breakers are designed especially for high currents. A circuit breaker (so-called circuit breaker) is an overcurrent protection device used in electrical installations and is used in particular in the area of low-voltage networks. Circuit-breakers and miniature circuit-breakers guarantee a safe shutdown in the event of a short circuit and protect consumers and electrical equipment from overload, for example, from damage to the cables due to excessive heating due to excessive electrical current. Circuit breaker and circuit protection switches are used in particular as switching and safety elements in electrical energy supply networks and serve to monitor and secure an electrical circuit.

For this purpose, the protective switching device is electrically connected via two terminals with an electrical line of the circuit to be monitored in order to interrupt the current flowing in this line, if necessary. The protective switching device in this case has a switching contact with a fixed contact arranged in a housing of the protective switching device fixed contact and a movable relative to moving contact. The moving contact is actuated via a switching mechanism of the protective switching device, so that the Switching contact using the switching mechanism can be opened and closed. In this way, when a predefined state, for example a short circuit or an electrical overload, occurs, the switching contact is opened in order to disconnect the monitored circuit from the electrical line network. Such protective switching devices are known in the field of low-voltage technology as DIN rail mounted devices. From the patent DE 10 2004 040 288 B4 a circuit breaker is known, which has a first triggering device for detecting and switching off a short circuit and a second triggering device for detecting and switching off an overload condition. Furthermore, the circuit breaker has a switching contact with a fixed contact and a moving contact that is movable relative thereto. The switching mechanism of the circuit breaker further comprises a release lever which is coupled to both the first triggering device and the second triggering device such that upon release of the first triggering device and / or the second triggering device of the trigger lever is actuated and thus the switching contact is opened. When the switch contact is opened, an arc initially occurs between the fixed contact and the moving moving contact, which arc is extinguished in the further course in order to definitively interrupt the flow of current.

In order to interrupt the current flow when a short circuit occurs quickly, the first triggering device is usually designed as a magnetic trip system. Such a magnetic release system has a magnetic coil and a relatively movable armature plunger assembly. The current path of the electric current, which flows from one of the terminals to the switching contact of the protective switching device, thereby leads via the magnetic coil, which exerts an electromagnetic force on the armature plunger assembly in the energized state. With a rapid increase in electrical current, as it occurs in the event of a short circuit, the magnetic coil of the magnetic trip system is energized with the high short-circuit current. Due to the resulting electromagnetic field, a force is exerted on the armature, which pulls this into the coil. The armature plunger assembly is thereby moved from its rest position to its triggered position. Also, the plunger firmly connected to the armature is thereby moved from its rest position to its triggered position, wherein it meets the release lever, which is thereby also moved. By actuating the release lever, the switching mechanism of the protective switching device is released, whereby the coupled with the switching mechanism moving contact is moved away from the fixed contact to open the switch contact and thus interrupt the flow of current through the switch contact. In this way, a first trip chain, consisting of plunger, trip lever and moving contact is realized.

The second triggering device is usually designed as a thermal tripping system to interrupt the flow of current when an overload condition occurs. The thermal trip system usually has a tripping element made of a bimetal or a shape memory alloy, which deforms when the temperature changes. This change in shape is by means of a mechanical transfer member on the

Switching mechanism - for example, on the release lever - transmitted, whereby the triggering of the switching mechanism is initiated. As a result, the switching contact is opened, thus interrupting the flow of current. In this way, a second release chain, consisting of thermal release element, trip lever / switching mechanism and moving contact is realized.

Particularly in the case of compact DIN rail mounted devices, the space-saving arrangement of the individual components of the protective switching device presents a great challenge. It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an improved Soldering device and provide an improved electro-mechanical protection device, which are characterized by a particularly compact design.

This object is achieved by the tripping device according to the invention and the electromechanical protective switching device according to the invention according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The tripping device according to the invention for an electromechanical protective switching device, in particular for a circuit breaker or a circuit breaker, has a short-circuit tripping device which is designed to act directly on a switching mechanism of the protective switching device when a short-circuit current occurs above a first tripping threshold to trigger this. Furthermore, the tripping device has an overload tripping device, which is designed to act upon the occurrence of an overload condition on the short-circuit tripping device in order thereby to indirectly trigger the switching mechanism.

The short-circuit tripping device is structurally designed such that when an electric current whose current strength is above the first tripping threshold occurs - for example in the case of a short-circuit current - it acts directly, ie directly on a switching mechanism of the protective switching device, in order to trigger it and thus the tripping mechanism Interrupt current flow. On the other hand, the overload release device is constructively designed so that it does not act directly on the switching mechanism, but only indirectly, ie indirectly. In other words, the overload tripping device is designed in such a way that upon occurrence of an overload state it acts on the short-circuit tripping device in such a way that the first tripping threshold value is reduced, thereby triggering the short-circuit tripping device. direction and thus indirectly trigger the switching mechanism.

The term "indirect" is to be understood in this context to the effect that the overload tripping device not directly, for example via a coupling bracket on the

Switching mechanism acts, but acts on the short-circuit tripping device on the occurrence of a second trigger threshold, which is relevant for the overload condition to bring them by the lowering of the first tripping threshold to trip. In this way it is possible to integrate the functionality of the overload tripping device in the already existing short-circuit tripping device, whereby a compact tripping device can be realized, which is particularly advantageous for compact DIN rail mounted devices.

In an advantageous development of the tripping device, the short-circuit tripping device has a magnetic coil and an armature-ram assembly with an armature and a plunger, which can be moved by energizing the magnetic coil with the short-circuit current from a rest position to a tripped position. Furthermore, the triggering device has a holding device, which is coupled to the armature and acts thereon in order to keep it at electrical currents below a predefined first Auslöseschwellwertes with a predefined holding force in its rest position. The overload trip device is coupled to the holding device such that when the overload condition occurs, the holding force is reduced to the extent that this causes a tripping of the short-circuit tripping device is effected.

The design of the short-circuit release device with a magnetic coil and a relative thereto movably mounted anchor-plunger assembly, which is also referred to as a hammer anchor, represents a common implementation in the field of Electromagnetic circuit breakers. The triggering of the short-circuit release device is carried out by a movement of the armature plunger assembly from its rest position to its tripped position, with a strong electromagnetic force from the energized solenoid to the armature plunger assembly acts which this in the tripped position.

Normally, such electromagnetic triggers have an armature spring which holds the armature plunger assembly in its rest position against the electromagnetic force generated by the magnetic coil in electrical currents below the first Auslöseschwellwer-. This function is now taken over by the holding device according to the invention. The predefined holding force exerted by the holding device on the armature plunger assembly is dimensioned such that it corresponds to the current value of the first tripping threshold value, ie. adapted or coordinated therewith. In the event of overload tripping, this holding force is reduced by means of the overload tripping device to such an extent that the electromagnetic force acting on the armature plunger assembly by the solenoid energized by the overload current is greater than the counteracting, reduced holding force. As a result, the anchor-plunger assembly can not be held by the retainer in the rest position, so that it comes to trigger the short-circuit release device. In this way, even in the presence of an overload condition, i. at an electric current below the first tripping threshold, tripping the short-circuit tripping device achieved.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the triggering device, the armature has at its distal end at least one coupling point, which cooperates with a coupling element of the holding device to form a mechanical coupling. Here are the coupling point as a locking groove and the Coupling element as a resilient locking element, which engages in the rest position in the locking groove formed.

With the help of the coupling point of the anchor is fixed, but releasably coupled to the holding device. In this way, in the coupled state-below the first triggering threshold-a predefined force, which counteracts the movement of the armature plunger assembly from its rest position to its released position, can be transmitted from the holding device to the armature, whereas in the uncoupled state - Above the first triggering threshold - no force of the movement of the armature from the rest position to the released position counteracting force is exerted by the holding device on the armature. Thus, no armature spring is required to hold the armature plunger assembly in its rest position. The armature plunger assembly is completely released after triggering, so that the holding device no longer acts on the armature plunger assembly, which would urge it against its release movement to the rest position. The term "distal end" is to be understood as the rear end of the armature in a direction of movement from the rest position to the released position.

A latching connection represents a simple and cost-effective possibility for realizing a positive but releasable mechanical coupling between the holding device and the armature. The armature is conventionally rotationally symmetrical. The latching groove formed at the anchor can be adapted to the resilient latching element formed on the holding device both in sections and peripherally, for example as a circumferential groove. In the rest position, the resilient latching element engages in the latching groove in order to keep the armature-and thus the armature-plunger assembly in its rest position at electric currents below the predefined first trigger threshold value against the magnetic force of the energized solenoid coil. About the spring stiffness of the resilient latching element as well a defined by the interaction of locking element and locking groove geometric line of action is the tripping characteristic of the triggering device to a certain, predefined maximum holding force - and thus to the predefined first tripping threshold - adjustable.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the triggering device, the latching element is designed as a leaf spring, one free end of which engages in the rest position in the latching groove.

A leaf spring provides a simple and inexpensive way to constructive design of the locking element. In the rest position, the free end of the leaf spring engages in the locking groove formed on the anchor to hold the anchor in the rest position. Instead of a single leaf spring, it is also possible to use a plurality of leaf springs in order to set and meter the maximum holding power of the holding device more accurate.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the tripping device, the latching element is designed as a U-shaped bent spring element, the two free ends of which engage in the rest position in the latching groove

The U-shaped bent spring element has two spring legs and a connecting web connecting the two spring legs. In the rest position of the armature or the armature plunger assembly, the two free ends of the two spring legs engage in the locking groove to hold the armature in its rest position. The detent groove may be circumferentially or in sections, with two sections for the two free ends of the two spring legs, be formed.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the triggering device, the overload triggering device on a triggering element for overload tripping, which consists of a Thermobimetal1 or a shape memory alloy and mechanically deformed above a predefined, decisive for the overload tripping second tripping threshold value.

Under a bimetallic strip or a shape memory material materials are to be understood, which change their shape in a defined manner with a change in temperature. Thermo-mechanical or shape-memory materials are used in electromechanical circuit-breakers in order to trigger the protective switching device in the event of an overload current. The overload current flowing over a long period heats the bimetallic strip or the shape-memory material and deforms in a predefined manner. This change in shape is transferred to the switching mechanism, whereby a triggering of the switching mechanism - and thus the protective switching device - is realized.

In the present case, however, the change in shape is not transmitted directly to the switching mechanism, but indirectly, by reducing the holding force of the holding device is caused by the change in shape of the trigger element, which ultimately leads to the triggering of the short circuit tripping device. By means of the holding force, the triggering device can thus be adapted to the predefined second triggering threshold, which determines the overload tripping.

By using a bimetallic strip or a shape memory alloy for the triggering element, the functionality of the thermal overload release in the short circuit tripping device according to the invention can be integrated - a separate overload tripping device is thus unnecessary. In this way, an extremely compact design of the protective switching device is achieved. In a further advantageous development of the triggering device, the triggering element exerts a force on the holding device below a predefined second triggering threshold that determines the overload triggering, which contributes to the holding force, whereas the triggering element no longer exerts any force on the holding device above the second triggering threshold due to its deformation exercises.

In a further advantageous development of the triggering device, the triggering element exerts no force on the holding device below a predefined second triggering threshold that determines the overload triggering, whereas the triggering element exerts a force on the holding device above the second triggering threshold due to its deformation, which exerts the force on the holding device reduced holding force acting on the armature plunger assembly.

In principle, the reduction of the holding force by the change in shape of the trigger element can be achieved in two ways: Either the trigger element acts as a clamp, which exerts a force on the holding means below the second trigger threshold, which contributes to the holding force, whereas this force above the second trigger threshold through the Shape change of the trigger element is reduced to the value zero. Alternatively, the triggering element exerts no force on the holding device below the second triggering threshold, but is coupled with the holding device in such a way that a force is exerted on the holding device above the second triggering threshold as a result of the change in shape of the triggering element, which counteracts the holding force, ie that of the holding device on the armature plunger assembly applied holding force is reduced accordingly. The two options described thus represent equivalent alternatives to the structural design of the triggering device. In a further advantageous embodiment of the tripping device, the tripping element can be heated directly or indirectly.

The trigger element reacts in a predefined temperature range to a temperature change with a corresponding deformation. The heating required for this purpose can be done by direct or indirect heating of the trigger element. The term "directly heatable" is to be understood as meaning that the triggering element is directly, ie directly, flowed through by the electric current and is thereby heated due to its electrical resistance Alternatively, the triggering element can also be heated indirectly, ie it is not directly from the electrical current flows through, but only indirectly heated by the electric current, for example by means of a heating element, which is arranged in the vicinity of the trigger element and flows through the electric current Tripping characteristic of the trigger element varies depending on the selected type of heating, the trigger element is structurally adapted to the particular type of heating.

In a further advantageous development of the tripping device, the overload tripping device has a mechanical adjustment element for adaptation to the predefined tripping threshold for overload tripping.

With the aid of the adjustment element, the triggering device can be adapted by setting the holding force to the predefined second triggering threshold value. Furthermore, the triggering device with the aid of the adjustment element can also be adapted to different triggering threshold values. In this way, one and the same trip device for protective switching devices with different tripping characteristics can be used. The adjustment element can, for example, be configured as an adjusting screw. be formed - this provides a simple and inexpensive way to constructively realize the

By adjusting the adjusting screw, the force exerted by the triggering element on the holding device, exactly adjustable, which allows the most accurate adaptation to the predefined second triggering threshold value.

In a further advantageous development, the release device has a mechanical energy store which urges the armature plunger assembly in the direction of its released position.

With the help of the additional force accumulator, the reaction time of the tripping device - and thus the switching capacity of the protective switching device - is further improved. The energy storage is, for example, as a spring, which is supported against a fixed part of the protective switching device - for example, the housing or another, stationary in the housing assembly - realized, and causes the anchor - and thus the armature plunger assembly - is accelerated in a tripping in addition to the electromagnetic force of the magnetic coil in the direction of its tripped position. In a further advantageous development, the triggering device has a rear part device, which is designed to reset the armature plunger assembly after release from its released position back to its rest position.

With the help of the rear part device ensures that the triggering device - and thus the protective device - is spent after tripping back into a ready to trip state. Advantageously, the restoring device is realized mechanically; However, non-mechanical implementation options are not excluded per se. The electromechanical protective switching device according to the invention, which is designed for example as a circuit breaker or as a circuit breaker, comprises a housing, a fixed contact and a moving contact comprehensive

Switching contact, a switching mechanism for opening and closing the switch contact, as well as a triggering device of the type described above. In this case, the short-circuit release device is designed for direct action on the switching mechanism in order to open the switching contact (6) when a short-circuit current occurs. The overload trip device, however, is designed for indirect action on the switching mechanism to open the switch contact in the event of an overload condition.

With regard to the advantages of the electromechanical protective device according to the invention, reference is made to the above statements on the advantages of the tripping device according to the invention.

Embodiments of the tripping device or of the electromechanical protective switching device will be explained in more detail below with reference to the attached figures. In the figures are:

characters

1 and 2 are schematic representations of the invention

Tripping device or the inventive electro-mechanical protection device in a first switching state;

characters

3 and 4 are schematic representations of the tripping device and of the electro-mechanical protective switching device in a second switching state; characters

5 and 6 are schematic representations of the tripping device or of the electromechanical protective switching device in a third switching state.

In the various figures of the drawing, like parts are always provided with the same reference numerals. The description applies to all drawing figures in which the corresponding part can also be recognized.

In Figures 1 and 2, a first switching state of the tripping device 100 according to the invention or of the inventive electro-mechanical protection switching device 1 is shown schematically. FIG. 1 shows the opened protective switching device 1 in a side view; in the corresponding figure 2, the corresponding tripping device 100 is shown in detail in the corresponding side view schematically. The protective switching device 1 has a housing 2, in which the individual components of the protective switching device 1 are received and supported. About a mounting side 12, the housing 2 on a holding element - for example, a support or top hat rail - fastened. On one of the attachment side 12 opposite front side 11 of the housing 2, the protective switching device 1 has a rotatably mounted actuating element 3 for manual actuation of the protective switching device 1. The actuating element 3 is mechanically coupled via a coupling bracket 7 to a switching mechanism of the protective switching device 1. With the switching mechanism, a moving contact carrier 8 is also mechanically coupled. At the Bewegkontaktträger 8 a moving contact 5 is arranged, which together with a fixedly arranged in the housing 2 fixed contact 4 a

Switching contact 6 forms. With the help of Bewegkontaktträgers 8, the moving contact 5 can be moved relative to the fixed contact 4, whereby the switching contact 6 can be opened or closed. Furthermore, in the housing 2, an input terminal 9 and an output terminal 10 is arranged, via which the protective switching device 1 is connectable to an electrical line to interrupt the current flow in this line in the event of a short circuit or overload.

Further, in the housing 2, a quenching chamber 14 is arranged, which is formed from a plurality of mutually parallel and mutually spaced quenching plates 15. The quenching chamber 14 serves to extinguish an arc which arises during the opening of the energized switching contact 6 by moving away the moving contact 5 from the fixed contact 4. If the switching contact 6, which is also arranged in Vorkammerbereich 18, opened, so the arc burns first between the fixed contact 4 and the moving away movement contact 5. With increasing distance of the moving contact 5 from the fixed contact 4, the voltage of the arc continues to increase until the arc commutes from the moving contact 5 to a likewise arranged in the antechamber 18 guide rail 17, ie skips. On the side of the fixed contact 4, the arc travels along a contact horn 16 arranged below the fixed contact 4 in the direction of the extinguishing chamber 14. When it strikes the extinguishing chamber 14, the arc is transformed into a plurality in succession, i. Partial arcs connected electrically in series, which burn between the individual quenching plates 15, are divided. As a result, the arc voltage continues to increase until the arc finally stops and goes out.

To trigger the protective switching device 1 in the case of a short circuit or an overload condition, the protective switching device 1 has a tripping device 100. This in turn has a short-circuit tripping device to cause in the case of a short circuit, a triggering of the switching mechanism and thus opening of the switching contact 6. The short-circuit release device has for this purpose a magnetic coil 101, which is electrically conductively connected at its one end to the input terminal 9. Furthermore, the short-circuit tripping device has an armature-plunger assembly consisting of an armature 102 and a plunger 103 firmly connected to the armature. The armature plunger assembly is slidably mounted relative to the solenoid 101 and movable by energizing the solenoid 101 from a rest position to a released position. During the movement of the armature plunger assembly in the tripped position of the plunger 103 hits with its distal, the armature 102 remote from the end of a trigger lever 19 of the switching mechanism, whereby the switching mechanism is triggered and the switching mechanism coupled with the switching contact 6 is opened. The short-circuit tripping device has a holding device 110, which is arranged stationary in the housing and mechanically coupled to the armature 102. In the present case, the holding device 110 is designed as a U-shaped bent spring element and has two spring legs 111 and a connecting web 112 connecting the two spring legs 111 to one another. At their free end, the two spring legs 111 each have a coupling element 114, which are each coupled to an armature 102 formed, the respective coupling element 114 associated coupling point 104. The coupling points 104 are formed as a kind of locking groove, in which the two engage at the free ends of the spring legs 111 formed as locking nubs coupling elements 114. In this way, a form-fitting coupling between the holding device 110 and the armature 102 is realized, which is structurally designed such that the armature 102 - and thus the armature-tappet assembly - at electric currents below a predefined first tripping threshold in his / her rest position against a force exerted by the energized solenoid coil on the armature plunger assembly electromagnetic force is positively held. When the predefined first tripping threshold value is exceeded, for example when an electrical short-circuit occurs, the electromagnetic force which is exerted on the armature-ram assembly by the magnetic coil 101 energized by the short-circuit current and acts in the direction of the released position is greater than the holding force exerted by the holding device 110 on the armature 102 and acting in the opposite direction. As a result, the positive connection between the armature plunger assembly and the retainer 110 is released by the U-shaped retainer 110 is bent by the resultant force. In this case, the coupling elements 114 designed as latching nubs are pulled out of the coupling points 104 assigned to them, which are designed as latching grooves, whereby the positive locking effect until then acting in the direction of movement of the armature plunger assembly is resolved. The anchor is thus completely released, ie the holding device 110 no longer exerts any force on the armature plunger assembly, which would push back this towards its rest position.

In order to trigger the protective switching device 1 in the event of an overload condition, the tripping device 100 further comprises an overload tripping device, in order to trigger the switching mechanism and thus an opening of the switching contact 6 when an electrical overload condition occurs. The overload tripping device has a tripping element 130, which is formed from bimetallic strip or a shape memory material. The triggering element 130 has a U-shaped configuration and is arranged in the housing 2 in such a way that it encompasses the likewise U-shaped holding device 110. For the mechanical coupling of the holding device 110 with the trigger element 130, a hook-shaped extension 113 is integrally formed on each of the spring legs 111 of the holding device 110 on its outside, into which the two ends of the U-shaped trigger element 130 engage in a form-fitting manner. The ends of the U-shaped trigger element 130 are substantially parallel to each other and parallel to the spring legs 111 the holding device 110 is oriented, wherein between the respective end of the trigger element 130 and its associated spring leg 111 is left a game to te in the event of a short-circuit tripping an expansion of the U-shaped holding device 110 and thus a release of the anchor ram To enable assembly.

This clearance realized between the ends of the triggering element 130 and the respectively associated spring leg 111 also serves to ensure that the bimetal does not exert any force on the U-shaped holding device 110, even when the ends of the triggering element 130 are in the direction of low temperatures the spring leg 111 should bend. In this way, it is ensured that the tripping characteristic for the magnetic tripping is not influenced, for example when a short circuit occurs.

Below a predefined second release threshold, which determines the overload release, the triggering element 130 has the shape shown in the figures. In the case of an overload condition, ie when exceeding the decisive for the overload tripping second tripping threshold, the trigger element 130 is deformed due to the associated increase in temperature such that its original U-shaped shape expands, ie, the two ends of the trigger element 130 are bent apart. Due to the realized by means of the two extensions 113 form-fitting coupling of the trigger element 130 with the holding device 110, a force is exerted on the retaining device 110 by the change in shape of the tripping element 130, which pulls the two spring legs 111 apart. As a result, we reduced the holding force exerted by the holding device 110 on the armature plunger assembly so far that it is no longer sufficient to hold the armature plunger assembly against the force exerted by the energized magnetic coil 101 electromagnetic force in its rest position. For exact adjustment of the decisive for the overload tripping second tripping threshold, the overload tripping device has an adjusting screw 131, which is supported against the housing 2. By tightening the screw-in screw 131, a pressure is exerted on a connecting region of the triggering element 130, whereby its originally widening U-shaped shape expands, ie, the two ends of the triggering element 130 are pressed apart. In this way, the force which is exerted by the trigger element 130 on the spring legs 111 of the holding device 110, metered adjustable, so that an adjustment of this force to the second trigger threshold is possible.

In the figures of the drawing, the triggering element 130 is shown directly heated. For this purpose, a first end or a first leg of the triggering element 130 is electrically conductively connected to the input terminal 9 of the protective switching device 1 via a first stranded wire 13-1. The second end or the second limb of the triggering element 130 is electrically conductively connected to the magnet coil 101 via a second stranded wire 13-2. In this way, the tripping element 130 formed from a bimetallic strip or a shape memory material is flowed through by an operating current flowing through the protective switching device 1 and thus heated directly. Instead of flexible strands, the electrically conductive connections o.ä. By rigid conductors. realizable.

Furthermore, the triggering device 100 shown in the figures of the drawing has an additional mechanical power storage in the form of a compression spring 106 which is supported against the housing 2. By the compression spring 106, an additional force is exerted on the armature plunger assembly in its rest position, which after triggering trigger 100, ie after the armature plunger assembly has been released by the holding device 110, the armature plunger assembly in addition accelerated towards their triggered position. Because the movement of the anchor tappets Assembly is supported during this entire release movement by the compression spring 106, the movement is faster, the pulse to the switching contact 6 is increased. This can be opened faster. The switching mechanism is triggered earlier, so that the short-circuit current can not rise so much. The protective switching device 1 is thermally less stressed, whereby smaller I ² t values and a higher switching capacity can be achieved. The compression spring 106 may, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, be formed as a helical spring. The use of other spring designs, such as disc springs, however, is also possible. For the basic mode of operation of the triggering device 100, however, such an additional mechanical force accumulator is not absolutely necessary. The triggering device 100 can also be structurally designed and dimensioned such that only the electromagnetic force of the magnet coil 101, which acts on the armature 102, is sufficiently dimensioned to ensure adequate triggering.

The first switching state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is characterized in that the actuating element 3 is in an ON position and the switching contact 6 is closed accordingly. The armature plunger assembly is accordingly in its rest position, the triggering device 100 is thus ready to trip. In this switching state, a current passing through the protective circuit device 1 current path leads from the input terminal 9 via the tripping device 100 to the closed switch contact 6 and further via the Bewegkontaktträger 8 and another strand 20 to the output terminal 10th

FIGS. 3 and 4 schematically show a second switching state of the tripping device 100 according to the invention and the electromechanical protective switching device 1 according to the invention. FIG. 3 again shows the opened one Protective switching device 1 in a side view; in the corresponding figure 4, the corresponding tripping device 100 is shown in detail. The second switching state, which can also be referred to as a "triggered state", describes or shows the protective switching device 1 or the tripping device 100 immediately after the tripping device 100 has tripped, even before the switching mechanism has responded to this tripping Assembly was thereby moved from its rest position to its released position, whereby the switching contact 6 has already been opened a little way by the plunger 103. The triggering of the switching mechanism was triggered by the movement of the armature plunger assembly from its rest position into its The switching mechanism itself has not yet responded to this due to their inertia, which is why the actuating element 3 is still in its ON position Switching contact 6 as shown in Figure 5 dargest ellt - fully opened and spent the actuator 3 via the coupling bracket 7 in its OFF position.

FIG. 4 clearly shows how the distal end of the plunger 103 facing away from the armature 102 actuates the triggering lever 19 and thus initiates the triggering of the switching mechanism. Behind the release lever 19, a first end of a return device 120 can be seen. The rear part device 120, whose second end is mechanically coupled to the actuating element 3, serves to return the armature plunger assembly to its rest position after it has been released from its released position. The rear part device 120 is rotatably mounted in the housing 2 of the protective switching device 1 and formed in the illustrations of Figures 1 to 6 L-shaped. However, this shaping is not mandatory for the basic mode of operation of the rear-part device 120, other shapes are also possible. A first leg of the L-shaped rear part device 120 stands in Active connection with the distal end of the plunger 103, wherein the rear part of the device 120 no force is exerted on the plunger 103. The other, second leg is in operative connection with a rotary roller of the actuating element 3. In this way, an automatic return of the armature plunger assembly is realized in its rest position by the movement of the actuating element 3 in its OFF position.

Alternatively, the rear part device, which serves to return the armature plunger assembly from its released position to its rest position, also differently - for example, as a weakly dimensioned return spring, instead of a strong armature spring, the provision of the armature plunger assembly takes over, be trained. In this case, the he-like back device 120, as shown in the figures of the drawing, could be dispensed with.

FIGS. 5 and 6 schematically show a third switching state of the tripping device 100 according to the invention and of the electromechanical protective switching device 1 according to the invention. FIG. 5 again shows the opened protective switching device 1 in a side view; the corresponding triggering device 100 is shown in detail in Figure 6. The third switching state is characterized in that the actuating element 3 is now in its OFF position and the switching contact 6 is completely open. The current path between the input terminal 9 and the output terminal 10 is interrupted accordingly. The movement of the actuating element 3 from its ON position to its OFF position is initiated by the switching mechanism of the protective switching device 1 via the coupling bracket 7 and realized by means of a rotational movement about 100 ° counterclockwise about an axis of rotation of the actuating element 3. When the actuating element 3 is rotated into its OFF position, the second leg of the L-shaped rear-part device 120 is replaced by a carrier formed on the actuating element 3. entrained, whereby the back part device 120 is moved from the position shown in Figures 3 and 4 back into the position shown in Figures 5 and 6. Upon return of the return device 120 in the position shown in Figures 5 and 6, the first leg of the rear part 120 exerts a restoring force on the distal end of the plunger 103, whereby the armature plunger assembly of the triggers shown in Figures 3 and 4 Position is returned to its rest position.

With the help of the rear part device 120 is a provision of the triggering device 100 from its tripped position in its rest position - and thus again in a tripping ready state - realized. In this case, it is achieved that the movement of the armature plunger assembly from the rest position into the released position counteracts no spring force caused by the armature spring , To this

Way, the reaction time of the tripping device - and thus the switching capacity of the protective device - significantly improved.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 protective device

2 housings

3 actuator

4 fixed contact

5 moving contact

6 switching contact

7 coupling bracket

8 moving contact carrier

9 input terminal

10 output terminal

11 front

12 mounting side

13-1 first strand

13-2 second strand

14 Arc quenching chamber

15 plate

16 contact horn

17 Guardrail

18 antechamber area

19 release lever

20 strand

100 triggering device

101 solenoid

102 anchors

103 pestles

104 coupling point

106 compression spring

110 holding device

111 spring legs

112 connecting bridge

113 extension

114 coupling element

120 rear part device

130 trigger element

131 Adjusting screw

Claims

Tripping device (100) for an electromechanical protective switching device (1), in particular a circuit breaker or circuit breaker, with

a short-circuit tripping device, which is designed to act directly on a switching mechanism of the protective switching device (1) when a short-circuit current occurring above a first tripping threshold value occurs, in order to trigger it,

- An overload tripping device, which is designed to act upon the occurrence of an overload condition on the short-circuit release device, thereby indirectly trigger the switching mechanism.

Tripping device (100) according to claim 1,

- wherein the short-circuit tripping device comprises a magnetic coil (101) and an armature plunger assembly with an armature (102) and a plunger (103), which by energizing the magnetic coil (101) with the short-circuit current from a rest position to a tripped Position is movable,

- With a holding device (110) which is coupled to the armature (102) and acts thereon to keep it at electrical currents below the first Auslöseschwellwertes with a predefined holding force in its rest position,

- Wherein the overload trip device with the holding device (110) is coupled such that when the overload condition occurs, the holding force is reduced to the extent that this causes a tripping of the short-circuit tripping device is effected.

3. triggering device (100) according to claim 2,

- Wherein the armature (102) at its distal end at least one coupling point (104), which with a Coupling element (114) of the holding device (110) cooperates to form a mechanical coupling,

- Where the coupling point (104) as a latching groove and the coupling element (114) as a resilient latching element, which engages in the rest position in the latching groove, are formed.

Tripping device (100) according to claim 3,

wherein the locking element is designed as a leaf spring, whose one free end engages in the rest position in the locking groove.

Tripping device (100) according to claim 3,

wherein the latching element is designed as a U-shaped bent spring element (111, 112), whose two free ends engage in the rest position in the latching groove.

Tripping device (100) according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein the overload tripping device comprises a tripping element (130) for overload tripping, which consists of a bimetallic strip or a shape memory alloy and mechanically deforms above a predefined tripping threshold for overload tripping.

Tripping device (100) according to claim 6 in conjunction with one of claims 2 to 5,

- Wherein the trigger element (130) below a predefined, for the overload triggering authoritative second Auslöseschwellwertes a force on the holding device (110) exerts, which contributes to the holding force, and

- The triggering element above the second trigger threshold due to its deformation no longer exerts force on the holding device (110).

8. triggering device (100) according to claim 6 in conjunction with one of claims 2 to 5,

- Wherein the trigger element (130) below a predefined, for the overload triggering authoritative second Auslöseschwellwertes no force on the holding device (110) exerts, and

- Wherein the trigger element (130) above the second Auslöseschwellwertes due to its deformation, a force on the holding device (110) exerts, which reduces the force acting on the armature plunger assembly holding force.

9. triggering device (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the triggering element (130) is directly or indirectly heated.

10. triggering device (100) according to any one of claims 6 to

9, wherein the overload tripping device comprises a mechanical adjustment element (131) for adaptation to the predefined triggering threshold for overload tripping.

11. triggering device (100) according to one of claims 2 to

10, with a mechanical energy accumulator (106) urging the armature plunger assembly toward its released position.

12. Tripping device (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 11, with a rear part device (120) which is adapted to reset the armature plunger assembly after triggering from its tripped position back to its rest position.

13. Electromechanical circuit breaker (1), such as circuit breaker or circuit breaker, with

a housing (2),

a switching contact (6) comprising a fixed contact (4) and a moving contact (5), a switching mechanism: for opening and closing the switching contact (6),

- a triggering device (100), which is designed according to one of claims 1 to 11,

- Wherein the short-circuit tripping device of the tripping device (100) is designed to act directly on the switching mechanism to open the switching contact (6) when a short-circuit current occurs, and

- The overload-triggering device of the triggering device (100) is designed for indirect action on the switching mechanism to open the switching contact (6) when an overload condition occurs.