Contactor and electrical control cabinet including the same

Abstract

A contactor includes a frame; a stationary contact; a moving contact that can move between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the moving contact and the stationary contact are engaged, so that the contactor is closed, and in the open position the moving contact is disengaged from the stationary contact, so that the contactor is open; and a reset mechanism, including a reaction spring, the reaction spring is a torsion spring, used to bias the moving contact toward the open position, wherein the torsion spring is an integral component, including a body with a longitudinal axis, an intermediate leg extending from the body, and a torsion arm located at both ends of the body, the torsion arm being arranged on opposite sides of the moving contact. An electrical control cabinet including the contactor is also provided. This solution enables the contactor to achieve a more balanced action and improve the problem of phase asynchronism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a contactor and an electrical control cabinet including the contactor. Background Art

[0002] In a broad sense, a contactor refers to an electrical appliance in industrial electricity that uses a coil to generate a magnetic field and close the contacts to control the load. Contactors are used in power, power distribution and other power applications. In electrical engineering, because they can quickly cut off the AC and DC main circuits and can frequently connect and disconnect high-current control circuits, they are often used to control motors. They can also be used to control power loads such as factory equipment, electric heaters, machine tools and various power units. Contactors can not only connect and disconnect circuits, but also have low-voltage release protection. Contactors have large control capacity and are suitable for frequent operations and remote control. They are one of the important components in automatic control systems.

[0003] When the contactor coil is de-energized, the reset device of the contactor returns the contactor to the disconnected state. A commonly used reset device is a reset spring, which is a compression spring installed between the moving contact assembly and the stationary contact assembly of the contactor, providing a biasing force toward the disconnected position. When the contactor coil is de-energized, the biasing force of the reset spring causes the moving contact assembly of the contactor to move to the disconnected position; and when the contactor coil is energized, the electromagnetic force overcomes the biasing force of the reset spring and causes the moving contact assembly to enter the closed position in contact with the stationary contact assembly. In one existing product, the compression spring can be a centrally arranged compression spring; in another existing product, the compression spring is two compression springs arranged symmetrically on the left and right. Regardless of the arrangement method, it is necessary to leave space in the middle or side of the magnet to install the compression spring, thereby requiring additional width or depth to install the compression spring. Moreover, for AC contactors, they are usually used in three-phase AC circuits, and when the contactor is closed and disconnected, three-phase synchronization is required. However, for the above-mentioned products that use compression springs to disconnect the contactor, it is often difficult to achieve three-phase balance, so the first phase and the third phase are particularly out of sync. For smaller contactors, this phenomenon is not very obvious. However, for large contactors, due to the large restoring force and magnetic gravity, the three-phase asynchronism problem will be more obvious.

[0004] Another existing high-power contactor uses a torsion spring. The moving contact assembly includes a moving contact, which is mounted on a bracket with a pivot so that it can pivot between a closed position and an open position. Two torsion springs are respectively arranged on both sides of the bracket, and the legs of the torsion springs extend to the joints on both sides of the bracket, thereby providing a biasing force for the bracket to pivot toward the open position. The two torsion springs are installed in two coaxial sleeves, and when they are installed, their fixed ends located between the two sleeves are positioned relative to each other, so that the two torsion springs provide substantially the same biasing force to the bracket on both sides of the bracket. Thus, when the contactor coil is de-energized, the biasing force of the two torsion springs causes the contactor moving contact assembly to move to the open position. However, there are problems with this arrangement. First, the installation is relatively complicated, especially the non-visual installation and mutual positioning of the two torsion springs in the sleeve; second, the symmetry of such a device cannot be guaranteed, and sometimes there is still a certain imbalance problem, that is, the three-phase asynchronous problem. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to overcome or at least partially alleviate the above problems, the present invention is proposed.

[0006] According to a first aspect, the present invention discloses a contactor, comprising: a frame; a stationary contact; a moving contact, which can move between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position, the moving contact and the stationary contact are engaged, so that the contactor is closed, and in the open position, the moving contact is disengaged from the stationary contact, so that the contactor is open; and a reset mechanism, comprising an elastic element, for biasing the moving contact toward the open position, wherein the elastic element is an integral component, comprising a body and elastic force output components located at both ends of the body, and the elastic force output components are arranged on opposite sides of the moving contact. By using an integral elastic element to output elastic force on opposite sides of the moving contact, a more balanced movement is achieved.

[0007] Preferably, the elastic element is a torsion spring and the elastic force output component is a torsion arm, the torsion spring has a body with a longitudinal axis, a middle leg extending from the body and torsion arms at both ends of the body, and the torsion arms are arranged on opposite sides of the moving contact. Since an integrated reaction force spring with torsion arms on both sides is used, the installation of the spring is easier, and the reaction forces of the torsion arms on both sides are more balanced, thereby improving the problem of phase asynchronism.

[0008] Preferably, the torsion arms extend parallel to each other in the same direction. Preferably, the contactor further comprises an actuating mechanism, the actuating mechanism comprising a coil, when the coil is energized, the actuating mechanism causes the movable contact to overcome the biasing force applied by the reset mechanism and move to the closed position, when the coil is de-energized, the reset mechanism causes the movable contact to return to the open position.

[0009] Preferably, the reset mechanism further comprises a rotating arm, the rotating arm comprises a pivot axis coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the body of the torsion spring, so that the rotating arm can pivot around the pivot axis, the rotating arm can pivot between a first position and a second position, the pivoting of the rotating arm drives the moving contact to move, the first position corresponds to the closed position, and the second position corresponds to the open position, and the elastic force applied by the elastic force output component biases the rotating arm toward the second position. The rotating arm is driven by the integrated elastic element, and the moving contact is further driven to move, thereby achieving a more reliable and balanced force distribution and moving contact movement.

[0010] Preferably, the rotating arm includes a recess facing downward, and the body of the elastic element can be at least partially accommodated in the recess. Therefore, under such a structure, the torsion spring can be simply placed upward into the recess, simplifying the installation steps and eliminating the problem of blind installation and difficulty in installation in the prior art.

[0011] Preferably, the recess is arc-shaped, and the length of the recess is at least equal to the length of the body. Preferably, the recess is semicircular. The shape of the recess corresponds to the generally circular shape of the torsion spring body, which can better match the shape of the torsion spring, achieve better installation and limit functions, thereby providing a stable, reliable and balanced force output mechanism, and further improving the problem of phase asynchronism.

[0012] Preferably, the contactor further comprises a moving contact support, on which the moving contact is mounted to move relative to the stationary contact together with the moving contact support, and the moving contact support is pivotally mounted to the rotating arm, and the pivot axis of the moving contact support is parallel to and spaced from the pivot axis of the rotating arm. Thus, the movement of the moving contact is formed by the superposition of double pivoting, the support has a high degree of freedom of movement, and can provide the effect of providing full cooperation for the guide member. Preferably, a guide is provided on the frame, and the moving contact support is provided with a matching guide to guide the movement of the moving contact support between the closed position and the open position. The provision of the guide makes the movement of the moving contact more balanced and controllable, and further improves the problem of three-phase asynchronous. Preferably, the guide is one of an elongated slot and a pin provided in the elongated slot, and the matching guide is the other of the elongated slot and the pin provided in the elongated slot. Preferably, the guide is one of a track and a slider moving on the track, and the matching guide is the other of the track and the slider moving on the track.

[0013] Preferably, the body comprises a first body and a second body, the first body and the second body have the same longitudinal axis, and the support leg is located between the first body and the second body. The support leg located in the middle further provides symmetrical and balanced motion output, further improving the problem of phase asynchronism.

[0014] Preferably, a support portion is provided on the frame, and the middle leg of the torsion spring abuts against the support portion. Preferably, the rotating arm has a main body and arms extending from both sides of the main body, and the output portion of the elastic element is snapped into the snap-fitting portion on the inner side of the corresponding arm. Thus, the torsion spring is supported at three positions, namely, the snap-fitting positions of the two torsion arms and the middle leg, and is limited at the recess facing downward by the cooperation between the recess and the body, thereby realizing reliable positioning of the torsion spring.

[0015] Preferably, the angle formed by the projections of the torsion arm and the support leg in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body of the torsion spring is not less than 90 degrees. This angle can achieve reliable support of the torsion spring at the torsion arm and the support leg, help provide sufficient torsion force and prevent the torsion spring from falling due to gravity, impact, etc.

[0016] In a second aspect, the present invention provides an electrical control cabinet comprising a contactor as described in any of the preceding paragraphs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection. For ordinary technicians in this field, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0018] Figure 1 A top view showing a portion of a contactor according to the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 A perspective view of a torsion spring according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0020] Figure 3 shows a front view of a torsion spring according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of a contactor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the matching relationship between the torsion spring and the rotating arm;

[0023] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the matching relationship between the rotating arm and the moving contact bracket;

[0024] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram showing the matching relationship between the moving contact bracket and the frame.

[0025] Reference numerals list

[0026] 10Contactor 131 perforation

[0027] 12 reaction spring (torsion spring) 132 slider

[0028] 13 moving contact bracket 142 recess

[0029] 14 Rotating arm 143 Recessed portion

[0030] 15 axis 144 perforation

[0031] 16 frame 146 short axis

[0032] 121 first body 148 clamping portion

[0033] 122 second body 161 long hole

[0034] 123 first torsion arm 163 support surface

[0035] 124 second torsion arm 162 support portion

[0036] 125 middle support 164 track

[0037] 165 mounting holes DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure clearer, the technical solution of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of the embodiments. For example, those skilled in the art may understand that the features in the various embodiments of the present disclosure may be combined with each other, and the combined implementation methods still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Based on the described embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0039] Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used in the present disclosure should be understood by people with ordinary skills in the field to which the present disclosure belongs. The "first", "second" and similar words used in the present disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. "Include" or "comprise" and similar words mean that the elements or objects appearing before the word cover the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. "Up", "down", "left", "right" and the like are only used to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0040] Figure 1A top view of a portion of a contactor 10 according to an embodiment is shown. The portion shown in the figure is a portion including a moving contact and a mechanism related to its action. As shown in the figure, the contactor 10 includes a frame 16 and a moving contact bracket 13 and a rotating arm 14 mounted on the frame. The moving contact is mounted on a linkage member of the moving contact bracket 13. The moving contact bracket 13 can move the moving contact between a closed position and an open position. The rotating arm 14 is pivotally mounted on the frame 16 and includes a main body and arm portions extending from both sides of the main body.

[0041] Figure 2 and Figure 3 The torsion spring 12 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The torsion spring 12 includes a first body 121 (as shown in the right body) and a second body 122 (as shown in the left body). The first body 121 and the second body 122 are the power storage mechanism of the torsion spring, which are cylindrical coiled wires in this embodiment, as shown in the figure. The first body 121 defines a longitudinal axis L, which is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second body 122. The first body 121. The middle leg 125 is arranged between the first and second bodies 121, 122. The middle sides of the first body 121 and the second body 122 are connected together by the middle leg 125. The first torsion arm 123 (as shown in the right torsion arm) and the second torsion arm 124 (as shown in the right torsion arm) are respectively arranged on the ends of the first body 121 and the second body 122 away from the middle side. The first torsion arm 123 and the second torsion arm 124 are of the same length and are arranged symmetrically with each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the first torsion arm 123 and the second torsion arm 124 extend at the same angle, so that the first torsion arm 123 and the second torsion arm 124 are parallel to each other. The various parts of the torsion spring 12 together form an integral one-piece structure. In addition, as shown in the figure, the various parts of the torsion spring 12 are arranged in a left-right symmetrical manner relative to a plane A that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the first and second body portions 121, 122 and bisects the connecting portion. That is, the left and right halves of the connecting portion 125 are symmetrical relative to plane A, the first body portion 121 and the second body portion 122 are arranged symmetrically relative to plane A, and the first torsion arm 123 and the second torsion arm 124 are arranged symmetrically relative to plane A.

[0042] Figure 4A schematic diagram of a portion of the contactor is shown, in which the mounting relationship of the torsion spring 12 is shown. The rotating arm is pivotally mounted on the frame 16 via a pivot 146. The rotating arm 12 has a semicircular recess 142 facing downward for accommodating the first and second body portions 121, 122 of the torsion spring 12. In fact, it can be seen that the semicircular recess 142 only accommodates substantially half of the first and second body portions 121, 122. The middle leg 125 extends from the rear of the rotating arm 14 (if the arm extension direction of the rotating arm is taken as the front) and abuts against the support surface 163 of the support portion 162 on the frame. A snap-fit ​​portion 148 is provided on the inner side of the arm portion, which has a recess open upward. The torsion arms 123, 124 of the torsion spring 12 extend along the inner side of the arm portion of the rotating arm 14 and are fixed to the arm portion 148 by snapping into the recess on the snap-fit ​​portion 148 provided on the inner side of the arm portion. The clip 148 fixes the lateral position of the torsion arm while supporting the torsion arm from below. The recess 142 prevents the torsion spring from moving by shape fit. However, the recess 142 alone allows the torsion spring 12 to move downward, so the recess 142 also allows the torsion spring 12 to be simply installed upward into place. The support 162 supports the support leg 125 to prevent it from falling. The torsion spring 12 is thus held in place by the clip 148 on the rotating arm 14, the recess 142 and the support 162 on the frame 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the torsion arms 123, 124 of the torsion spring 12 are in contact with the support legs. Figure 4 The angle formed from the perspective of the rotating arm 14 (i.e., in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis of the rotating arm 14) is 110°. This ensures that the support foot 125 and the two clamping parts 148 provide three-point support for the torsion spring 12, while the recess 142 limits the torsion spring 12.

[0043] like Figure 4 As shown, a through hole 144 is also provided on the free end of the arm portion of the rotating arm 14. Figure 6 As shown, the movable contact support 13 is provided with a corresponding through hole 131, and the shaft 15 passes through the through hole 131 and the through hole 144, so that the movable contact support is hinged to the rotating arm 14 through the shaft 15. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the rotating arm 14 has a semicircular recess facing downward, and the torsion spring 12 is mounted to the rotating arm 14 from below. Figure 7As shown, the end of the shaft 15 extends into the long hole 161 on the frame 16, so as to ensure that the long hole 161 guides the end of the shaft 15 to move in the long hole 161 when the moving contact support 13 moves between the closed position and the open position. A track 164 is also provided on the frame, and a slider 132 is provided on the moving contact support. The slider 132 is mounted on the track 164, so that the track 164 guides the movement of the slider, thereby guiding the movement of the moving contact support 13. The pivot of the rotating arm 14 is a short shaft 146 located on both sides of the main body, which can be pivotally mounted in a corresponding receptacle on the frame. In addition, it can be noted that there is a recessed portion 143 at a position corresponding to the middle leg on the rear side of the main body of the rotating arm 14. Since the middle leg 125 abuts against the support portion and cannot move further, when the rotating arm 14 moves toward the middle leg 125, the recessed portion 143 can be used to at least partially accommodate the middle leg 125. Such a structure can prevent the rotating arm 14 from being pressed against the middle support leg 125 and / or blocked by the middle support leg 125 during the pivoting process.

[0044] In this embodiment, when installing the torsion spring 12, it is only necessary to insert the body of the torsion spring 12 upward from the bottom into the semicircular recess 142. This process is visually visible and therefore very easy. Then, the two torsion arms 123 and 124 are respectively inserted into the clamping portions 148 on both sides, and then the short shaft 146 of the rotating arm 14 is installed into the corresponding receptacle on the frame, which is the mounting hole 165 in this embodiment. At this time, the middle leg 125 of the torsion spring 12 abuts against the supporting surface 163 of the supporting portion 162 and is appropriately deformed.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, a torsion spring is used as the elastic element, but other elastic elements are also possible as long as the elastic element is an integrated component, including a main body and symmetrical elastic force output components located at both ends of the main body, such as a leaf spring with such a structure, etc. Such a structure can allow the integrated elastic element to apply elastic force from both sides of the moving contact, making the movement more balanced.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the torsion arm of the torsion spring is clamped into the notch of the clamping portion by clamping from top to bottom, however, any other appropriate structure is acceptable, as long as the torsion arm can be stably supported from below so that the torque applied by the torsion arm can drive the entire rotating arm to rotate, for example, the clamping portion can be located on the rotating arm 14, or directly on the shaft 15. The short shaft 146 can also be replaced by a long through shaft that passes through 14.

[0047] The recess in the illustrated embodiment is semicircular to accommodate the substantially circular torsion spring body. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the recess surface does not need to be complete, but may be partially hollowed out, as long as it can accommodate the torsion spring body and achieve a certain degree of position limiting function. In addition, the recess may not be semicircular, but may be an arc less than 180°, as long as such an arc structure can partially accommodate the torsion spring body and achieve a certain position limiting function, or may be greater than 180°, for example slightly greater than, as long as the torsion spring can be inserted into the space from the bottom without blind installation. Therefore, preferably, the angle subtended by the arc recess may be between 150° and 200°.

[0048] In the embodiment shown, the angle between the leg and the torsion arm of the torsion spring is 110°, however any angle that can achieve three-point support to prevent the torsion spring from falling is possible. Preferably, the angle between the leg and the torsion arm of the torsion spring in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body of the torsion spring is not less than 90°. Preferably, the angle between the two is between 90° and 145°. More preferably, the angle is between 100° and 120°.

[0049] In the embodiment shown, the support portion is formed by a boss formed on the frame, but this is not necessary, and the support portion can be any structure such as a frame wall, as long as it has a suitable support surface. Preferably, the angle of the support surface is not less than 90° to achieve support with at least a partial upward component.

[0050] The scope of the present disclosure is not limited by the above-described embodiments but by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A contactor, comprising: frame; Stationary contact; a movable contact movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the movable contact engages with the stationary contact so that the contactor is closed, and in the open position the movable contact disengages from the stationary contact so that the contactor is open; as well as The reset mechanism comprises an elastic element for biasing the movable contact toward the disconnected position, wherein the elastic element is an integrated component, comprising a body and elastic force output components located at both ends of the body, and the elastic force output components are arranged on opposite sides of the movable contact. wherein the elastic element is a torsion spring and the elastic force output component is a torsion arm, the torsion spring has a body with a longitudinal axis, a middle leg extending from the body and torsion arms located at both ends of the body, and the torsion arms are arranged on opposite sides of the moving contact; and A supporting portion is provided on the frame, and the middle leg of the torsion spring abuts against the supporting portion.

2. The contactor of claim 1, wherein the torque arms extend parallel to each other in the same direction.

3. The contactor as described in claim 1, wherein the contactor further comprises an actuating mechanism, the actuating mechanism comprising a coil, when the coil is energized, the actuating mechanism causes the moving contact to overcome the biasing force applied by the reset mechanism and move to the closed position, when the coil is de-energized, the reset mechanism causes the moving contact to return to the open position.

4. A contactor as described in any one of claims 1-3, wherein the reset mechanism also includes a rotating arm, the rotating arm includes a pivot axis coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the body, so that the rotating arm can pivot around the pivot axis, the rotating arm can pivot between a first position and a second position, the pivoting of the rotating arm drives the moving contact to move, the first position corresponds to the closed position, and the second position corresponds to the open position, and the elastic force applied by the elastic force output component biases the rotating arm toward the second position.

5. The contactor of claim 4, wherein the rotating arm includes a downwardly facing recess, the body of the resilient element being at least partially received in the recess.

6. The contactor of claim 5, wherein the recess is arc-shaped, and a length of the recess is at least equal to a length of the body.

7. The contactor of claim 6, wherein the recess is semicircular.

8. The contactor as claimed in claim 4, wherein the contactor further comprises a moving contact holder, the moving contact is mounted on the moving contact holder so as to move relative to the stationary contact together with the moving contact holder, the moving contact holder is pivotally mounted to the rotating arm, and the pivot axis of the moving contact holder is parallel to and spaced apart from the pivot axis of the rotating arm.

9. The contactor according to claim 8, wherein the frame is provided with a guide member, and the movable contact support is provided with a matching guide member, so as to guide the movement of the movable contact support between the closed position and the open position.

10. The contactor as claimed in claim 9, wherein the guide is one of an elongated slot and a pin disposed in the elongated slot, and the mating guide is the other of the elongated slot and the pin disposed in the elongated slot.

11. The contactor as claimed in claim 9, wherein the guide member is one of a rail and a slider moving on the rail, and the mating guide member is the other of the rail and the slider moving on the rail.

12. The contactor of claim 1 or 2, wherein the body comprises a first body and a second body, the first body and the second body have a same longitudinal axis, and the leg is located between the first body and the second body.

13. The contactor according to any one of claims 4, wherein the rotating arm comprises a main body and arm portions extending from both sides of the main body, and the elastic force output component is snapped into a snap-fit ​​portion on the inner side of the corresponding arm portion.

14. The contactor of claim 1 or 2, wherein the angle formed by the projections of the torsion arm and the leg in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body of the torsion spring is not less than 90 degrees.

15. An electrical control cabinet, comprising the contactor according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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