SWITCHING DEVICE WITH A MODULAR AUXILIARY SWITCHING UNIT

Abstract

A switching device includes a base module equipped with an electromagnetic drive that has a yoke, a coil and an armature arranged movably relative to the yoke, and that has a switching contact that includes a stationary switching piece and a movable switching piece arranged opposite the stationary switching piece, wherein the switching contact is switchable between an “open” position and a “closed” position via movement of the armature, where the switching device also includes a modular auxiliary switching unit equipped with a contact system that consists of a stationary switching piece and a movable switching piece arranged opposite the stationary switching piece such that the coupling between the base module and the modular auxiliary switching unit is configured such that different distances in the contact system of the auxiliary switching unit are transferrable during a trigger event via an elastic element regardless of the auxiliary switching unit in use.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A switching device, comprising: a base module including an electromagnetic drive comprising a yoke, a coil and an armature arranged in a moveable manner relative to the yoke, and including a switching contact comprising a stationary switching piece and a moveable switching piece arranged opposite the stationary switching piece, switching between an “open” position and a “closed” position be achieved via movement of the armature; a modular auxiliary switching unit including a contact system consisting of a stationary switching piece and a moveable switching piece arranged opposite the stationary switching piece; wherein a coupling of the base module to the modular auxiliary switching unit is configured such that, in cases of a trip, regardless of an auxiliary switching unit used, different paths are transferable to the contact system of the auxiliary switching unit via an elastic element.

12. The switching device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the elastic element comprises a pressure spring.

13. The switching device as claimed in claim 11 further comprising: a coil terminal integrated into the modular auxiliary switching unit and arranged ahead of main current circuits.

14. The switching device as claimed in claim 12, further comprising: a coil terminal integrated into the modular auxiliary switching unit and arranged ahead of main current circuits.

15. The switching device as claimed claim 11, wherein the modular auxiliary switching unit is configured as one of (i) a standard auxiliary module, (ii) an auxiliary communications module and (iii) an auxiliary capacitor switching contactor module.

16. The switching device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the modular auxiliary switching unit is configured with one of (i) screw terminal technology, (ii) spring contact technology and (iii) ring cable lug terminal technology.

17. The switching device as claimed in claim 11, wherein a design of the switching device including the base module and a modular auxiliary switching unit is reconfigurable with one of (i) base modules of different dimensions and (ii) modular auxiliary switching units with different functions.

18. The switching device as claimed in claim 11, wherein damping elements are directly retrofittable to the coil terminal.

19. The switching device as claimed in claim 11, further comprising: a cable duct arranged between the coil terminal and the auxiliary contacts.

20. The switching device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the modular auxiliary switching unit is fitted with at least one of (i) auxiliary NC contacts and (ii) auxiliary NO contacts.

21. The switching device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the switching device is a contactor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention are described hereinafter with reference to an exemplary embodiment and with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a switching device in accordance with the invention, with a base module and a modular auxiliary switching unit;

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of a switching device in accordance with the invention, with a base module and a further modular auxiliary switching unit;

[0034] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a switching device in accordance with the invention, with an electromagnetic drive in the open position; and

[0035] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a switching device in accordance with the invention, with an electromagnetic drive in the closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a switching device in accordance with the invention, specifically a contactor.

[0037] The switching device in accordance with the invention is of a two-part configuration, and comprises a base module 1, preferably of quadrilateral configuration, and having an upper side 2, an underside 3 and four side elements 4, 5, 6, 7. A connection region 8 for electrical conductors is preferably arranged on the side element 4. A separate modular auxiliary switching unit 9 is detachably arranged on the upper side of the base module 1. The modular auxiliary switching unit 9 can be configured as a standard auxiliary module, an auxiliary communications module, or an auxiliary capacitor switching contactor module. The modular auxiliary switching unit 9 is preferably of quadrilateral configuration, having an upper side 10, an underside 11, and four side elements 12, 13, 14, 15. The modular auxiliary switching unit 9 can be mounted on the base module 1, preferably in a recess on the base module 1. An external coupling point 16 for fittings, a cable duct 17 and a coil terminal 18 are preferably arranged on the upper side 10 of the modular auxiliary switching unit 9.

[0038] FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a switching device in accordance with the invention with a base module 1, and a further exemplary embodiment of a modular auxiliary switching unit 9.

[0039] From FIG. 3, it can be seen that a magnetic drive, comprised of a coil 19, a yoke 20 and an armature 21 arranged in a moveable manner relative to the yoke 21, is arranged in the base module 1. Moreover, the base module 1 is equipped with a switching contact, comprising a stationary switching piece and a moveable switching piece arranged opposite the stationary switching piece, where switching between an “open” position and a “closed” position can be achieved via a movement of the armature 21. FIG. 3 shows the electromagnetic drive in the open position.

[0040] In addition to the armature 21, return pressure springs 22 are arranged in the base module 1, which exert a vertical upward force F1 in the direction of the auxiliary switching unit 9. A contact carrier 23 is arranged above the electromagnetic drive of the contactor. A contact carrier 24 is also arranged in the auxiliary switching unit 9, which is configured in a form-fitting arrangement to the contact carrier 23 of the base module 1. An elastic element 25, preferably a pressure spring, is arranged in the contact carrier 24 of the auxiliary switching unit 9. The elastic element 25 exerts a vertical downward force F2 in the direction of the electromagnetic drive of the base module 1. The force F1 of the return pressure spring is greater here than the force F2.

[0041] Moreover, an integral hinge-mounted flap 26 is arranged on the upper side 10 of the auxiliary switching unit 9. The flap 26 can be opened, in order to insert into the underlying recess a damping element, for example, in the form of a diode, a varistor or an RC element, connected in parallel to the coil.

[0042] FIG. 4 shows the electromagnetic drive of the switching device in accordance with the invention in the closed position. Here, the elastic element 25 exerts a downward force F2 in the direction of the base module 1. In the auxiliary switching unit, a path S2 is traversed, thus transferring a path S1 to the base module 1. As S1 is greater than S2, a difference X results, which is bridged by the elastic element 25.

[0043] The present invention is characterized by a variable configuration of the device, associated with the use of a base module and a modular auxiliary switching unit. By the corresponding configuration of the modular auxiliary switching unit, via the replacement or fitting of devices in a manufacturing process, various switching device configurations can be produced in a simple manner. This advantageously leads to a reduction of component variance, by the modular employment of individual components or individual subassemblies. This generates an associated cost reduction in the design of devices, associated with automation, specifically in the manufacture of small switching device production runs.

[0044] Thus, while there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those element steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.