WO2023046290A1

WO2023046290A1 - Device for tripping an electrical switch, voltage tripping device and undervoltage tripping device having such a device, and sales unit having such a device

Info

Publication number: WO2023046290A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/076339
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexander Fanderl; Ekkehard Plechinger
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2021-09-24
Filing date: 2021-09-24
Publication date: 2023-03-30

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for tripping an electrical switch, comprising a tripping lever which is movable between a neutral position and a tripping position, wherein the device comprises an actuator with a first shaping and a second shaping and a control element that is moved by the actuator due to its shaping, which control element directly or indirectly moves the tripping lever, wherein the actuator having the first shaping moves the tripping lever into the tripping position and the actuator having the second shaping moves the tripping lever into the neutral position, and wherein the actuator is a shape memory alloy actuator.

Description

Device for triggering an electrical switch, voltage release and undervoltage release with such a device and sales unit with such a device

The invention relates to a device for triggering an electrical switch, a voltage release with such a device, an undervoltage release with such a device and a sales unit with such a device.

The main task of today's circuit breakers is the switching on or off of current and voltage in a system section, as well as the automatic tripping of the circuit breaker in the event of an overload or a short circuit.

In addition, there is a customer requirement to trip a circuit breaker by changing the voltage state in a customer constructed current loop. For this purpose, trip assemblies are used in internal circuit breaker accessory pockets, which are typically located to the right and left of the breaker operating lever (handle). These trigger assemblies are connected to the current loop set up by the customer. When there are changes in the voltage in the current loop, these tripping modules activate a plunger (also tripping lever), which trips the circuit breaker via a tripping shaft in the circuit breaker and thus opens its contacts.

There are essentially two types of tripping assemblies:

1 . Shunt trip: the trip loop is in the normal state (neutral state) de-energized. Only when the customer has a button or switch in the release loop feeds in the appropriate voltage, the shunt release trips.

2 . Undervoltage release: a voltage is present across the release loop in the normal state (neutral state). The undervoltage release only trips when the customer interrupts the voltage in the tripping loop using a button or switch. So-called emergency stop circuits are set up in this system.

Typical trip assemblies contain coils each with a magnetic plunger that releases mechanical energy stored in a spring accumulator when tripped. In both cases of a typical voltage or undervoltage release, the width of the mechanical construction of the tripping assemblies is essentially determined by the diameter of the coils. A trigger assembly typically requires three slots in the respective accessory pockets. Depending on the design of the circuit breaker, it can also only have three slots each in the left and right accessory pocket, so that when it is equipped with a tripping module, it is no longer possible to equip other accessories such as auxiliary switches.

Tripping assemblies, which serve as safety-relevant assemblies, since they are sometimes built into emergency stop loops, are very complex structures with many, sometimes filigree, components that have to withstand a correspondingly large amount of mechanical work and sometimes reach the limits of their resilience. The requirements to comply with the forces and paths of the interface data sheet are still managed today in production with a certain amount of effort.

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a device for tripping an electrical switch which reduces the complexity described above many times over. ed and is compact and functional with a simple mechanical and electrical structure.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the device for tripping an electrical switch according to patent claim 1 . Advantageous configurations of the device according to the invention are specified in dependent claims 2 to 5 . The object is also achieved according to the invention by the voltage release according to patent claim 6 , by the undervoltage release according to patent claim 7 and by the sales unit according to patent claim 8 .

The device for tripping an electrical switch according to claim 1 comprises a trip lever which is movable between a neutral position and a trip position, the device having an actuator with a first shape and a second shape and a moved by the actuator by means of its shape Control element comprises, which directly or indirectly moves the release lever, wherein the actuator in its first shape moves the release lever to the release position, wherein the actuator moves the release lever to the neutral position in its second shape, and wherein the actuator is a shape memory alloy actuator is .

It is advantageous here that the device according to the invention does not, for example, have a tension spring in the energy store for rotating a release wheel, and therefore no loads transversely to this tension spring. In typical trip assemblies, this additional stress on the tension spring can result in breakage at very high switching cycles. By designing trip assemblies with shape memory alloy actuators, tension springs can be replaced so that they only load in the direction of tension they were originally designed for and spring breakage can be avoided. Furthermore, with the device according to the invention, mechanically narrower assemblies can be realized with a small construction volume while exhausting all reserves of power and travel. Large forces are possible, which also allow large distances with appropriate translations. With smaller and stronger shape memory alloy actuators, it will be possible to design assemblies so slim that they only occupy an accessory pocket. This makes it possible to store additional accessories in the other accessory pockets.

Typical coils that are installed today are very dependent on manufacturing parameters in terms of their magnetic and mechanical behavior. Spools from the same production batch can behave very differently. Sometimes these coils have to be measured and combined with certain other mechanical parts in order to produce triggers with the same behavior. These coils can be replaced by using shape memory alloy actuators.

A typical trigger must be reset after triggering. This is typically done by the customer pulling the trigger back up using the switch handle via a mechanical connection. The shape memory alloy actuator can reset the trigger by energizing it and no reset lever is necessary.

Overall, a simpler construction can be achieved with the device according to the invention with fewer parts, which has more power and travel reserves, which is more stable and cheaper and which can be produced with less manufacturing effort and development support effort.

In one embodiment of the device according to the invention, the actuator is in its first shape by connecting cables energized, and the actuator is not energized in its second shape through the connection cable or vice versa.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the control element is designed as a control pin which is mounted in a guide between the release position and the neutral position.

In one embodiment, the control pin in the guide undergoes a linear movement between the release position when the control pin is extended and the neutral position when the control pin is retracted, or between the release position when the control pin is retracted and the neutral position when the control pin is extended . The control pin can be moved by the actuator against the force of a control pin spring.

The object of the invention is also achieved by the voltage release according to claim 6, which comprises a device according to the invention and a deflection lever and a spring, the release lever being driven indirectly by the device by means of the deflection lever and the spring acting on the release lever in the direction of the neutral position.

The object of the invention is also achieved by the undervoltage release according to patent claim 7, wherein the undervoltage release comprises a device according to the invention, a deflection lever and a spring, the release lever being driven directly by the device and the spring moving the release lever by means of the deflection lever in the direction of the release position applied .

The object of the invention is also achieved by the sales unit according to patent claim 8, wherein the sales unit consists of a device according to the invention, a spring, a deflection lever and a housing with two pairs of breakpoints, with the first pair having one breakpoint fixed to the housing and the other breakpoint at Reversing lever is arranged and in the second pair one breakpoint is fixed to the housing and the other breakpoint to the release lever, with the spring being hung in the housing on the first pair of breakpoints and the device being hung on the second pair of breakpoints for an undervoltage release or the spring and device being hung in reverse for a voltage release.

The properties, features and advantages of this invention described above, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more clearly understandable in connection with the following description of the embodiments, which are explained in more detail in connection with the figures.

Show :

Fig. 1A and 1B : typical shunt trip and more typical

Under tension he released;

Fig. 2A and 2B: Shunt release according to the invention and under-voltage release according to the invention;

Fig. 3 : sales unit ;

Fig. 4A and 4B: Actuator, control pin in guide and

Control pin spring for a default extended control pin; and

Fig. 5A and 5B : Actuator, control pin in guide and

Control pin spring for a default retracted control pin.

A shunt trip 2100 is shown in FIG. 1A. The voltage release 2100 includes a coil 2102 and a magnetic plunger 2103 . When triggered, the coil 2102 is magnetized via a voltage increase in a current loop and fe attracts the magnetic plunger 2103 . The magnetic plunger 2103 tears open the holding element 2105 of the spring accumulator 2104 . The spring accumulator 2104 releases its energy and pushes the trip plunger 2106 out of the assembly so that it can trip a circuit breaker. If the spring 2104 in the spring accumulator breaks in the course of the life of the trigger assembly 2100, the function of the trigger assembly 2100 fails.

FIG. 1B shows an undervoltage release 2200 in which, when triggered, the coil 2202 is demagnetized via the voltage drop in a current loop. As a result, the magnetic plunger 2203 is no longer held. The magnetic plunger 2203 releases the holding element 2205 of the spring accumulator 2204 . The energy stored in the spring can be discharged in the spring accumulator. The 2206 trip plunger is pushed out of the assembly and can in turn trip a circuit breaker. If the spring 2204 in the spring accumulator breaks in the course of the life of the trigger assembly 2200, the function of the trigger assembly 2200 fails.

In both cases of Figures 1A and 1B, the mechanical width of the construction of the trip assemblies 2100; 2200 substantially by the diameter of the coils 2102; 2202 determined . Typical trip assemblies 2100; 2200 require three slots in a circuit breaker accessory pocket.

FIG. 2A shows a voltage release according to the invention for an electrical switch 1000 . The voltage release comprises a device 100 for triggering an electrical switch 1000 and a release lever 190 which can be moved between a neutral position and a release position.

This device 100 according to the invention is shown in more detail in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The device 100 includes an actuator 110 having a first shape and a second shape and a through the actuator 110 by means of its Shape moving control element 120, which directly or indirectly moves the release lever 190. According to the illustration in FIG. 4A, this control element 120 protrudes from a guide 150 with a length D1. In FIG. 4A, the device 100 is shown in the tripping position for tripping an electrical switch 1000 if the tripping lever 190 is driven directly by the device 100. The actuator 110 is in its first shape and thus the control element 120 is in the release position.

The actuator 110 can assume a second shape, as shown in FIG. 4B. The control element 120 is pulled to the right against the force of a control pin spring 160 by the actuator 110 as shown in FIG. 4B. The control element 120 is in a neutral position where it does not interfere with or trip the electrical switch. The state of the electrical switch 1000 is not influenced by the neutral position. The actuator has pulled the control element 120 to the right, so that the control element 120 only protrudes from the guide 150 with the length D2, which is less than the length D1.

Actuator 110 is a shape memory alloy actuator capable of assuming a first shape and a second shape. Shape memory alloys have the property that they remember their original shape at certain, higher temperatures. This makes it possible to construct shape memory alloy actuators that are constrained to a different position or length at a low temperature. If you bring the actuators to this specific, higher temperature, which is set by the alloy components, the actuators suddenly assume their learned shape. The shape memory alloys can be heated via the environment by means of a heating element, which means indirect heating, or in that current flows through the shape memory alloy itself, which corresponds to direct heating.

Shape memory alloy actuators can be designed as a wire that contracts at a higher temperature, as a metal strip that buckles at the higher temperature, as a cuboid that changes volume at the higher temperature, or as any shaped geometry that fits optimally in the fits into the available installation space and which changes its volume in a specific, desired direction at the higher temperature.

According to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the actuator 110 is designed as a wire. In its first configuration as in FIG. 4A, the wire is longer than in its second configuration as in FIG. 4B.

Connection cables 115; 116 are provided, which make it possible to energize the actuator 110. For example, the actuator 110 in its first shape can be replaced by the connecting cables 115; 116 must not be energized and in its second shape through the connecting cables 115 ; 116 are energized as shown in Figures 4A and 4B. A reverse procedure is also possible, that is, the actuator 110 is energized in its first shape and not in its second shape.

The actuator 110 is heated directly by the energizing; it is also possible for the actuator 110 to be heated by a heating element, which is heated by means of a power cable 115; 116 is supplied with electricity, is heated indirectly.

Control element 120 can be designed as a control pin, which is mounted in a guide 150 and can be moved between the release position and the neutral position, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The control pin ft runs through the guide 150 between a linear movement the release position as an extended control pin as in FIG. 4A and the release position as a retracted locking pin as in FIG. 4B. The device 100 can also be in the neutral position when the control pin is extended and in the release position when the control pin is retracted, depending on whether the release lever 190 is driven directly or indirectly by the device 100 according to the invention.

The control element 120 is pushed to the left in the direction of the release position by the control pin spring 160 as shown in FIG. 4A.

An alternative embodiment of the device 100 according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In the first shape of the actuator 110 according to FIG. 5A, the control element 120 projects out of the guide 150 by the control pin spring 160 with a length D2. If the actuator 110 now changes from the first shape to the second shape according to FIG. 5B, the actuator 110 is shortened and the control element 120 is moved to the right against the force of the control pin spring 160 as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The control element 120 now has a protruding length D1 and can trigger an electrical switch 1000, for example. The length Dl is greater than the length D2.

In FIG. 2A, in addition to the device and the release lever 190, a deflection lever 191; 192 shown with a first leg 191 and a second leg 192 . At the first end of the release lever 190 is a holding point P4 on which a spring 180 is hooked. The spring 180 is a tension spring. The other end of the spring 180 is fixed to the housing 199 at a stopping point P2. The spring 180 acts on the release lever 190 in the direction of the neutral position, which means that the release lever 190 is retracted into the housing 199 to the left as far as possible, as shown in FIG. 2A. On the deflection lever 191 ; 192 a breakpoint P3 is provided which interacts with the device 100 . The first leg 191 of the deflection lever 191; 192 is mounted in an axis of rotation R. At the holding point P3 of the second leg 192 of the deflection lever 191; 192 is the control 120 is mounted. The other end of the device 100 is fixedly attached to the housing 199 at a mounting point PI.

By moving the control element 120 to the left as shown in FIG. 2A, the second leg 192 of the deflection lever 191; 192 is moved to the left and the first leg 191 of the deflection lever 191; 192 rotated counterclockwise . As a result, the release lever 190 is moved to the right, as shown in FIG. 2A, into the release position for releasing an electrical switch 1000 .

FIG. 2B shows an undervoltage release for an electrical switch, also with a device 100 according to the invention and a deflection lever 191; 192 with a first leg 191 and a second leg 192 and a spring 180 . Here the spring 180 is fixed to the housing 199 at a holding point P1 and to the second leg 192 of the reversing lever 191 at a holding point P3; 192 is hung and the device 100 is fixed to the housing 199 at a holding point P2 and to the release lever 190 at a holding point P4. The spring 180 acts on the release lever 190 in the direction of the release position. The release lever 190 is held in the neutral position by the control element 120 of the device 100 . When the shape memory alloy actuator is not powered by the lead wires 115; 116 is energized, the control element 120 is moved to the right as shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a sales unit consisting of a device 100 according to the invention, a spring 180, a deflection lever 191; 192 and a housing 199 with two pairs of holding points PI, P3; P2 , P4 shown .

In the case of the first pair P1, P3, the holding point PI is fixed to the housing 199 and the other holding point P3 to the first leg 191 of the deflection lever 191; 192 is arranged, and in the second pair P2, P4, one holding point P2 is fixed to the housing 199 and the other holding point P4 is arranged on the release lever 190.

Depending on how the housing 199 is equipped with the device 100 according to the invention and the spring 180 , an undervoltage release or a voltage release can be manufactured by the customer. If the spring 180 is hung on the first pair of holding points P1, P3 and the device 100 is hung on the second pair of holding points P2, P4, an undervoltage release is produced. If the device 100 is hung on the first pair of holding points P1, P3 and the spring is hung on the second pair of holding points P2, P4, a tension release is provided.

ADJUSTED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA/EP

Claims

Patent claims :

1. Device (100) for triggering an electrical switch (1000), comprising a trigger lever (190) which can be moved between a neutral position and a trigger position, which means that the device (100) has an actuator (110) with it a first shape and a second shape and a control element (120) which is moved by the actuator (110) by means of its shape and which directly or indirectly moves the release lever (190), the actuator (110) in its first shape moving the release lever (190 ) moves to the release position, wherein the actuator (110) in its second configuration moves the release lever (190) to the neutral position, and wherein the actuator (110) is a shape memory alloy actuator.

2. Device (100) according to Patent Claim 1, in which the actuator (110) in its first configuration is energized by connecting cables (115; 116), and in which the actuator (110) in its second configuration is energized by the connecting cables (115; 116 ) is not energized or vice versa.

3. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control element (120) is designed as a control pin which is mounted in a guide (150) movable between the release position and the neutral position.

4. The device (100) according to claim 3, wherein the control pin in the guide (150) has a linear movement between the release position when the control pin is extended and the neutral position when the control pin is retracted or transitions between the release position when the control pin is retracted and the neutral position when the control pin is extended. The device (100) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the control pin is moved by the actuator (110) against the force of a control pin spring (160). Voltage release for an electrical switch (1000) with a device (100) according to one of the preceding claims and a deflection lever (191; 192) and a spring (180), the release lever (190) being indirectly controlled by the device (100) by means of the deflection lever (190; 191) is driven and the spring (180) acts on the release lever (190) in the direction of the neutral position. Undervoltage release for an electrical switch

(1000) with a device (100) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5 and a deflection lever (191; 192) and a spring (180), the release lever (190) being driven directly by the device (100) and the spring (180) acts on the release lever (190) by means of the deflection lever (191; 192) in the direction of the release position. sales unit

- from a device (100) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5,

- from a spring (180) ,

- From a reversing lever (191; 192), and

- From a housing (199) with two pairs of breakpoints (PI, P3; P2, P4), with the first pair (PI, P3) a breakpoint (PI) fixed to the housing (199) and the other breakpoint (P3) on the deflection lever (191; 192) and in the second pair (P2, P4) one breakpoint (P2) is fixed to the housing (199) and the other breakpoint (P4) to the release lever (190), 15 being in the housing (199) at the first pair of breakpoints

(P1, P3) the spring (180) and the device (100) are hung on the second pair of breakpoints (P2, P4) for an undervoltage release or spring (180) and device (100) are vice versa hung for a Voltage release .