Contact Arrangement for a Switching Device and Switching Device

Abstract

In an embodiment a contact arrangement includes a retaining element with a cylindrical hole having a cylinder axis configured to arrange the retaining element on a shaft and a contact bridge attached to the retaining element, wherein the contact bridge has a top side with at least one contact region and a bottom side opposite the top side, and wherein, via a rotation around the cylinder axis, the contact bridge is transferable to a locked state on the retaining element in a direction along the cylinder axis.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. A contact arrangement comprising: a retaining element with a cylindrical hole having a cylinder axis configured to arrange the retaining element on a shaft; and a contact bridge attached to the retaining element, wherein the contact bridge has a top side with at least one contact region and a bottom side opposite the top side, and wherein, via a rotation around the cylinder axis, the contact bridge is transferable to a locked state on the retaining element in a direction along the cylinder axis.

17. The contact arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the contact bridge has a hole through which an attachment part of the retaining element projects.

18. The contact arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the attachment part has at least one retaining lug configured to lock the contact bridge on the retaining element, and wherein the at least one retaining lug arranged in a region of the top side of the contact bridge in the locked state.

19. The contact arrangement according to claim 18, wherein the hole of the contact bridge has a hole wall with at least one insertion groove for the at least one retaining lug of the retaining element and the at least one insertion groove reaches from the top side of the contact bridge to the bottom side.

20. The contact arrangement according to claim 18, wherein the contact bridge has, in a hole wall, at least one retaining groove, which reaches from the top side of the contact bridge in a direction of the bottom side.

21. The contact arrangement according to claim 18, wherein the attachment part has two retaining lugs, which are arranged on mutually opposite sides of the attachment part in a direction perpendicular to the cylinder axis, and wherein the contact bridge has, in a hole wall, insertion grooves which are associated with the at least two retaining lugs.

22. The contact arrangement according to claim 21, wherein the contact bridge has, in the hole wall, retaining grooves associated with the at least two retaining lugs.

23. The contact arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the retaining element has a base part adjoining the attachment part and the cylindrical hole reaches through the attachment part and the base part.

24. The contact arrangement according to claim 16, further comprising a contact spring arranged on the bottom side of the contact bridge, the bottom side being remote from the at least one contact region.

25. The contact arrangement according to claim 24, wherein the contact spring surrounds at least part of the base part.

26. The contact arrangement according to claim 24, wherein the contact spring, in the locked state of the contact bridge on the retaining element, is in direct contact with the bottom side of the contact bridge and the bottom side of the contact bridge forms a counter bearing for the contact spring.

27. The contact arrangement according to claim 24, wherein the retaining element has a counter bearing for the contact spring on a side of the contact spring remote from the contact bridge.

28. A switching device comprising: at least one fixed contact and the contact arrangement according to claim 16 in a switching chamber, wherein the contact arrangement is movable by an armature with the shaft, and wherein the shaft is arranged in the cylindrical hole of the retaining element.

29. The switching device according to claim 28, wherein a snap ring or a riveting is configured to lock the retaining element of the contact arrangement on the shaft.

30. The switching device according to claim 28, wherein the retaining element has, in the hole of the retaining element, a thread with which the retaining element is screwed to a thread of the shaft.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Further advantages, advantageous embodiments and developments are revealed in the exemplary embodiments described below in association with the figures.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a switching device;

[0034] FIGS. 2A to 2E show schematic illustrations of a contact arrangement for a switching device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a detail of a switching device according to a further exemplary embodiment;

[0036] FIGS. 4A and 4B shows schematic illustrations of details of contact bridges according to further exemplary embodiments; and

[0037] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a contact arrangement according to a further exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0038] In the exemplary embodiments and figures, identical, similar or identically acting elements may each be denoted by the same reference signs. The elements illustrated and their mutual proportions should not be considered true to scale; instead, individual elements, for example layers, components, structural elements and regions, may be shown exaggerated in size for better illustration and/or for better understanding.

[0039] In FIG. 1, a switching device 100 is shown, which can be used, for example, for switching high electric currents and/or high electric voltages and which can be a relay or contactor, in particular a power contactor. The geometries shown should be regarded as merely exemplary and non-restrictive and may also be designed in an alternative manner.

[0040] The switching device 100 has, in a housing 1, two fixed contacts 2, 3 and a movable contact in the form of a contact bridge 4. The contact bridge 4 is designed as a contact plate. The fixed contacts 2, 3 form the switching contacts together with the contact bridge 4. Alternatively to the number of contacts shown, different numbers of fixed and/or movable contacts may also be possible. The housing 1 serves primarily as touch-protection for the components arranged in the interior and comprises or is made of a plastic, for example PBT or glass fiber filled PBT. The fixed contacts 2, 3 and the contact bridge 4 can, for example, contain or be made of Cu, a Cu alloy or a mixture of copper and at least one further metal, for example W, Ni and/or Cr.

[0041] In FIG. 1, the switching device 100 is shown in a rest state, in which the contact bridge 4 is spaced from the fixed contacts 2, 3 so that the fixed contacts 2, 3 and the contact bridge 4 are galvanically isolated from one another. The embodiment shown of the switching contacts and, in particular, the geometry thereof should be regarded as purely exemplary and non-restrictive. Alternatively, the switching contacts can also have a different design. By way of example, it may be possible that only one of the switching contacts is designed in a fixed manner.

[0042] The switching device 100 has a movable armature 5, which substantially performs the switching movement. The armature 5 has a magnetic core 6, for example containing or made of a ferromagnetic material. The armature 5 furthermore has a shaft 7, which is guided through the magnetic core 6 and is fixedly connected to the magnetic core 6 at one shaft end. At the other shaft end, which is opposite the magnetic core 6, the armature 5 has the contact bridge 4, which is connected to the shaft 7, or mounted thereon, in such a way that the contact bridge 4 reproduces the movements of the shaft 7. The shaft 7 can preferably be manufactured such that it contains or is made of high-grade steel.

[0043] The magnetic core 6 is surrounded by a coil 8. A current flow in the coil 8, which can be switched on by the control circuit, generates a movement of the magnetic core 6 and therefore the entire armature 5 in the axial direction until the contact bridge 4 contacts the fixed contacts 2, 3. In the illustration shown, the armature moves upwards. The armature 5 therefore moves from a first position which corresponds to the rest position shown and, at the same time, the isolating, i.e. non-interconnecting and therefore open, state into a second position which corresponds to the active, i.e. interconnecting and therefore closed, state. In the active state, the fixed contacts 2, 3 and the contact bridge 4 are galvanically connected to one another. If the current flow in the coil 8 is interrupted, the armature 5 is moved back into the first position by one or more springs 10. In the illustration shown, the armature 5 therefore moves downwards again. The switching device 100 is then located in the rest state again, in which the switching contacts are opened.

[0044] When the switching contacts are opened, an arc can be formed which can damage the contact surfaces. This can create the risk of at least one of the fixed contacts 2, 3 and the contact bridge 4 remaining “adhered” to one another as a result of the welding caused by the arc and no longer being isolated from one another. In this case, the switching device therefore also remains in the closed state when the current in the coil is switched off and the load circuit should therefore be isolated. In order to prevent the formation of such arcs or to at least promote the extinguishing of arcs which form, the fixed contacts 2, 3 and the contact bridge 4 are arranged in a gas atmosphere so that the switching device 100 is designed as a gas-filled relay or gas-filled contactor. To this end, the fixed contacts 2, 3 and the contact bridge 4 within a switching chamber 11 formed by a switching chamber wall 12 and a switching chamber base 13 are arranged in a gas-tight region 16 formed by a hermetically sealed part. The gas-tight region 16 surrounds the armature 5 and the switching contacts entirely, with the exception of parts of the fixed contacts 2, 3 which are provided for the external connection. The gas-tight region 16 and therefore also the switching chamber 11 are filled with a gas 14. The gas-tight region 16 is formed substantially by parts of the switching chamber 11, the yoke 9 and additional walls. The gas 14 with which the gas-tight region 16 can be filled via a gas fill nozzle (not shown) during the production of the switching device 100 can particularly preferably contain hydrogen, for example containing at least 20% or at least 50% or more H.sub.2 in an inert gas or even with 100% H.sub.2 since hydrogen-containing gas can promote the extinguishing of arcs. So-called blow magnets (not shown) can furthermore be present within or outside the switching chamber 11, i.e. permanent magnets which bring about an elongation of the arc path and can therefore improve the extinguishing of the arcs. The switching chamber wall 12 and the switching chamber base 13 can be manufactured, for example, such that they contain or are made of a metal oxide, such as Al.sub.2O.sub.3. Plastics with a sufficiently high temperature resistance are furthermore also suitable, for example a PEEK, a PE and/or a glass fiber filled PBT. Alternatively or additionally, the switching chamber 11 can also at least partially comprise a POM, in particular with the structure (CH.sub.2O).sub.n.

[0045] In order to be able to compensate height differences during the switching of the contact bridge 4 and to achieve an adequate mechanical contact between the fixed contacts 2, 3 and the contact bridge 4, a contact spring 17 is arranged below the contact bridge 4, which contact spring exerts a force on the contact bridge 4 in the direction of the fixed contacts 2, 3. A counter bearing for the end of the contact spring 17 which is remote from the contact bridge 4 is arranged in the region of the yoke 9. At the other end of the contact spring 17, a further spring bearing 18 made of an electrically insulating material is additionally arranged between the contact bridge 4 and the contact spring 17. Electrical insulation between the contact bridge 4 and further components such as the contact spring 17, the shaft 7 and other electrically conductive components can thus be achieved. Such electrical insulation is necessary since, during operation, high voltages can occur in certain applications between the load circuit and the control circuit. The insulation requirements in this regard are generally in the range of 2400 VAC to 5000 VAC or even higher voltages. Without adequate electrical insulation between the load circuit, i.e. in particular the contact bridge, and the control circuit, flashovers can occur in the control circuit network, which represents a high safety risk. Alternatively to insulation by means of an additionally applied insulating element such as the spring bearing described and/or other suitable additional insulator elements, it is also known in the prior art to cast the coil with insulation material, for example. However, the insulation measures are generally complex and increase the production and manufacturing costs.

[0046] In association with the following figures, exemplary embodiments for a contact arrangement 200 and a switching device 100 with such a contact arrangement 200 are explained, which, amongst other things, offer the advantages of simple assemblability and the use of fewer materials and fewer components. Moreover, due to the design of the contact arrangement 200, it is possible to insulate the contact bridge 4 both electrically and thermally without requiring the presence of an additional insulating spring bearing between the contact spring and the contact bridge, as explained in association with FIG. 1. The contact arrangement 200 explained below can furthermore enable a flexible bearing and a tiltability of the contact bridge 4 as well as anti-rotation protection for both the contact bridge 4 with respect to the contact arrangement 200 and the contact arrangement 200 with respect to the switching chamber 11 and the fixed contacts 2, 3.

[0047] In association with FIGS. 2A to 2E, an exemplary embodiment for the contact arrangement 200 for a switching device is shown, wherein, with the exception of the features described below, the switching device can be designed in the same way as the switching device described in association with FIG. 1. FIGS. 2A to 2C show a schematic three-dimensional illustration and mutually perpendicular schematic sectional illustrations of the contact arrangement 200 with a retaining element 20 and a contact bridge 4, whilst the retaining element 20 and the contact bridge 4 are each shown individually in a schematic three-dimensional illustration in FIGS. 2D and 2E. The description below relates equally to FIGS. 2A to 2E.

[0048] The shaft 7 of the switching device is additionally shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C in order to clarify the arrangement of the contact arrangement 200 on the shaft 7 and therefore in the switching device. The retaining element 20 has a cylindrical hole 23 with a cylinder axis A, which is provided and configured so that the retaining element 20 can be arranged on the shaft 7 and, in particular in the installed state of the contact arrangement in the switching device, is arranged on the shaft 7. In particular, in the installed state in the switching device, the shaft 7 is pushed in the cylindrical hole 23 via an upper region 70 which forms the end of the shaft 7 which is remote from the magnetic core. In this case, the shaft 7 can be pushed through the hole 23 so that the shaft 7 can project out of the hole 23 of the retaining element 20 on both sides. As can be seen in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the shaft 7 can have a smaller diameter in the region 70 than in the remaining extent of the shaft 7, wherein the diameter of the region 70 is adapted to the internal diameter of the cylindrical hole 23 and is substantially the same as this so that the shaft 7 has a step on which the retaining element 20 and therefore the contact arrangement 200 is seated after the shaft 7 has been pushed into the hole 23. In the installed state in the switching device, the retaining element 20 and therefore the contact arrangement 200 can furthermore be locked on the shaft 7, for example by means of a snap ring 19 as shown and/or by means of riveting on the shaft 7, for example. In the latter case, the shaft 7 can be deformed in the region above the snap ring 19, or a washer can be used instead. As shown, the retaining element 20 can have, in the upper region, adjoining the hole 23, a recess 26 into which the shaft 7 projects and in which the snap ring 19 and/or riveting can be arranged.

[0049] In the exemplary embodiment shown, corresponding to the design of the switching device shown in FIG. 1, the contact bridge 4 has two contact regions 40 on a top side 41 for the purpose of contacting the fixed contacts of the switching device. As can be seen in FIG. 2B, recesses can be present below the contact regions 40 on the bottom side 42 of the contact bridge 4, which is opposite the top side 41. Alternatively to this, the bottom side 42 can also be designed to be planar in these regions.

[0050] The contact bridge 4 is attached to the retaining element 20 and locked thereon, at least in the installed state of the contact arrangement 200 in the switching device, on the retaining element 20. After the attachment, the locking takes place as described below via a rotation of the contact bridge 4 around the cylinder axis A of the hole 23. That the contact bridge 4 is in a locked state means, in particular, that the contact bridge 4 is locked in a direction along the cylinder axis A and therefore cannot be pulled off the retaining element 20. In the locked state, the retaining element 20 and the contact bridge 4 can therefore no longer be separated, although the contact bridge 4 can be displaceable along the cylinder axis A of the hole 23 of the retaining element 20.

[0051] The retaining element 20 has an attachment part 21 to which the contact bridge 4 is attached. To this end, the contact bridge 4 has a hole 43 through which the attachment part 21 projects after the attachment. In particular, during the attachment of the contact bridge 4 to the retaining element 20, the contact bridge 4 is pushed onto the attachment part 21 via the hole 43 or, conversely, the attachment part 21 is pushed into the hole 43. The hole 43 of the contact bridge 4 particularly preferably has somewhat larger dimensions than the attachment part 21 so that the contact bridge 4 can be displaceably and at least partially tiltably arranged on the attachment part 21.

[0052] The attachment part 21 has at least one retaining lug 24. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the attachment part 21 has two retaining lugs 24, which are arranged on mutually opposite sides of the attachment part 21 in a direction perpendicular to the cylinder axis A. Alternatively to this, different numbers of retaining lugs are also possible. The locking of the contact bridge 4 on the retaining element 20 in a direction along the cylinder axis A is brought about by means of the retaining lugs 24. In the locked state, the retaining lugs 24 are arranged in the region of the top side 41 of the contact bridge 4. In particular, the contact bridge 4 can abut against the retaining lugs 24 in the assembled state of the contact arrangement 200. To enable the attachment of the contact bridge 4 to the attachment part 21, the hole 43 of the contact bridge 4 has, in the hole wall 430 surrounding the hole 43, one or more insertion grooves 44 corresponding to the number and position of the retaining lugs 24, which insertion grooves reach from the top side 41 of the contact bridge 4 to the bottom side 42. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the contact bridge accordingly has, in the hole wall 430, two insertion grooves 44 which are associated with the retaining lugs 24 and whereof the dimensions are such that the retaining lugs 24 can be pushed through the insertion grooves 44. During the attachment, the contact bridge 4 is aligned with respect to the retaining element 20 such that the attachment part 21 with the retaining lugs 24 can be pushed through the hole 43 with the insertion grooves 44. After the retaining lugs 24 have been pushed through entirely, the contact bridge 4 is rotated relative to the retaining element 20 around the cylinder axis A of the hole 23 of the retaining element 20 so that the insertion grooves 44 and the retaining lugs 24 are aligned offset from one another.

[0053] The contact bridge 4 in the exemplary embodiment shown furthermore has, in the hole wall 430, one or more retaining grooves 45 corresponding to the number and position of the retaining lugs 44, which retaining grooves reach from the top side 41 of the contact bridge 4 in the direction of the bottom side 42, but not as far as this bottom side. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the contact bridge 4 accordingly has two retaining grooves 45. During the locking of the contact bridge 4, this is rotated to the extent that the retaining lugs 24 can be arranged in the retaining grooves 45. Rotating of the contact bridge 4 relative to the retaining element 20 can thus be prevented. The retaining lugs 24 can be linear, rounded or angled on the side facing the bottom side 42 of the contact bridge 4 in order to promote or reduce the tiltability of the contact bridge 4 depending on the desired design. The mobility of the contact bridge 4 can therefore be suitably selected via a suitable form of the retaining lugs 24 so that the contact bridge 4 can function as a type of rocker. Height differences during switching can thus be prevented as a result of the tiltability.

[0054] On the side opposite the retaining lugs 24, the retaining element 20 has a base part 22 adjoining the attachment part 21, wherein the cylindrical hole 23 of the retaining element 20 reaches through the attachment part 21 and the base part 22. The base part 22 is shaped such that the base part 22 does not fit through the hole 43 of the contact bridge 4 so that the base part 22 restricts the freedom of movement of the contact bridge 4 in a direction along the cylinder axis A. As can be seen in particular in FIG. 2D, the attachment part 21 and the base part 22 can each be designed to be cylindrical or substantially cylindrical in terms of their outer surfaces, wherein the base part 22 has a larger diameter than the attachment part 21.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the contact arrangement 200 furthermore has a contact spring 17, which is arranged on the bottom side 42 of the contact bridge 4. In particular, the contact spring 17, in the locked state of the contact bridge 4 on the retaining element 20, can be in direct contact with the bottom side 42 of the contact bridge 4 so that the bottom side 42 of the contact bridge 4 forms a counter bearing for the contact spring 17. The retaining element 20 and, in particular, the base part 22 can furthermore have a counter bearing 25 for the contact spring 17 on a side of the contact spring 17 which is remote from the contact bridge 4. The contact spring 17 surrounds part of the base part 22 as shown.

[0056] During the assembly of the contact arrangement 200, the retaining element 20 can firstly be connected to the shaft 7 in the manner described above. The contact spring 17 can then be seated and the contact bridge 4, in the manner described above, can be pushed onto the attachment part 21, rotated through an angle of 90° with respect to the final installation position, and locked via a rotation through an angle of 90°.

[0057] The retaining element comprises an electrically insulating material. The retaining element is particularly preferably manufactured from one or more electrically insulating materials and is therefore electrically insulating as a whole. The electrically insulating material or materials can be selected from polymers and ceramic materials, for example selected from polyoxymethylene (POM, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), glass fiber filled PBT and electrically insulating metal oxides, such as Al.sub.2O.sub.3. As a result of the design shown of the retaining element 20, the retaining element 20 can electrically insulate the contact bridge 4 or preferably the contact bridge 4 and the contact spring 17 from the shaft 17. The contact bridge 4 can thus be mounted such that it is electrically insulated from the components of the magnetic drive of the switching device, i.e. in particular from the components of the armature. There is therefore no conductive contact between the contact bridge 4 and the shaft 7. All possible arc paths can be taken into account with long clearance and creepage distances. The retaining element therefore simultaneously enables mounting and locking of the contact bridge 4 as well as electrical insulation of the contact bridge 4.

[0058] In FIG. 3, a detail of a switching device 100 is shown in a sectional illustration corresponding to FIG. 2C, which can be designed in the same way as the switching device described in association with FIG. 1, wherein, in contrast to FIG. 1, the contact arrangement 200 is installed according to the previous exemplary embodiment. Components and features of the switching device which are not shown and/or described in association with FIG. 3 can be designed as described in association with FIG. 1.

[0059] The counter bearing 25 of the base part of the retaining element 20 can, as shown, additionally enable support against the switching chamber 11 as a result of the elongated design on both sides and can therefore ensure anti-rotation protection of the contact arrangement 200 in the switching device 100 since even small rotations are no longer possible. As a result of the form shown of the base part of the retaining element 20, a guidance of the entire contact arrangement 200 during the upward and downward movement during the switching procedures can therefore be enabled.

[0060] In FIGS. 4A and 4B, schematic illustrations of details of contact bridges 4 according to further embodiments are each shown in a plan view of the top side 41. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2A to 2E, in which the insertion grooves 44 and the retaining grooves 45 are arranged in the hole 43 of the contact bridge 4 such that they are offset from one another through an angle of 90°, another angle may also be possible, as shown in FIG. 4A. Purely by way of example, an angle of 45° is shown. As shown in FIG. 4B, it may also be possible that retaining grooves are not present and the retaining lugs of the retaining elements are supported on the planer top side 41 of the contact bridge 4.

[0061] In FIG. 5 a contact arrangement 200 according to a further exemplary embodiment is shown, in which, in contrast to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2A to 2E, the retaining element 20 and therefore the contact arrangement 200 can be screwed to the shaft 7. To this end, the retaining element 20 has a thread 27 in the hole 23. The switching device in which the contact arrangement 200 is installed has a shaft 7, which is likewise shown in FIG. 5 and which has, in the region 70, a corresponding thread 71 to which the retaining element 20 is screwed. During installation in the switching device, the retaining element 20 can additionally be locked on the shaft 7 as described in association with the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2A to 2E, for example by means of a snap ring, riveting or, owing to the thread 71, by means of a check nut.

[0062] The features and exemplary embodiments described in association with the figures can be combined with one another according to further exemplary embodiments, even if not all combinations have been explicitly described. The exemplary embodiments described in association with the figures can furthermore alternatively or additionally have further features according to the description in the general part.

[0063] The description based on the exemplary embodiments does not restrict the invention thereto. Instead, the invention comprises any novel feature and any combination of features, which, in particular, includes any combination of features in the claims, even if this feature or this combination itself is not explicitly specified in the claims or exemplary embodiments.