Contact monitoring device for vacuum circuit breaker and vacuum circuit breaker having the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a contact monitoring device for a vacuum circuit breaker and a vacuum circuit breaker having the same, wherein the contact monitoring device is capable of monitoring the amount of contact wear inside a vacuum interrupter, and the vacuum circuit breaker is capable of correcting the error of the contact monitoring device. The contact monitoring device for a vacuum circuit breaker of the present invention monitors the amount of contact wear in real time by using an optical sensor, thereby being able to determine an appropriate maintenance time point. In addition, the contact monitoring device for a vacuum circuit breaker of the present invention minimizes the position error of the optical sensor or the push rod that may occur due to the sensor itself or the setting state by using two optical sensors, thereby being able to accurately detect the amount of contact wear.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a contact monitoring device for a vacuum circuit breaker, which can monitor the contact wear amount inside a vacuum interrupter and correct the error of the contact monitoring device, and a vacuum circuit breaker having the same. Background Art

[0002] A vacuum circuit breaker is an electrical protector that uses the dielectric strength of a vacuum to protect load equipment and lines from fault current when a circuit fault such as open circuit or grounding occurs.

[0003] Vacuum circuit breakers are used for power transmission control and protection of power systems. Vacuum circuit breakers have a large breaking capacity and high reliability and stability. In addition, since vacuum circuit breakers can also be installed in a smaller installation space, their application range has expanded from medium voltage to high voltage.

[0004] The vacuum circuit breaker includes a vacuum interrupter as a core component for cutting off current, a power transmission device for transmitting power to the vacuum interrupter, and a push rod that reciprocates up and down through the power transmission device to close or open the contacts in the vacuum interrupter. An example of a vacuum interrupter as a core component of a vacuum circuit breaker has been disclosed in Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1860348 (registration date 2018.05.16).

[0005] The existing vacuum interrupter 100 includes an insulating container 190, a fixed electrode 110, a movable electrode 150 and an arc shield 210. The fixed electrode 110 and the movable electrode 150 respectively have a fixed contact 130 and a movable contact 170. According to the up and down movement of the movable electrode 150, the movable contact 170 contacts or separates from the fixed contact 130.

[0006] When the current disconnection actions of the fixed contact 130 and the movable contact 170 are repeated, the problem of contact wear will occur. When the contact is worn to a certain extent, it needs to be repaired or replaced. If the contact is not repaired or replaced in time, the short-time performance, short-circuit performance and power-on performance of the vacuum interrupter may deteriorate. Therefore, a method for accurately detecting the wear state of the contact is required.

[0007] In addition, the contact wear amount needs to be measured with high precision in millimeters. However, when using a sensor to detect the wear state of the contact, external factors such as the measurement error of the sensor itself, the error occurring during the setting process, or the error caused by the tolerance of the sensor assembly itself may affect the measurement result of the sensor. Therefore, when using a sensor to determine the contact wear amount, the reliability of the sensor may be reduced. Therefore, a method is needed to minimize the error of the sensor, or to correct the error even if it occurs and detect the accurate contact wear amount. Summary of the invention

[0008] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a contact monitoring device for a vacuum circuit breaker, which can monitor the contact wear amount inside a vacuum interrupter and correct the error of the contact monitoring device, and a vacuum circuit breaker having the same.

[0010] The purpose of the present invention is not limited to the above purpose, and other purposes and advantages of the present invention that are not mentioned can be understood through the following description and will be more clearly understood through the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the purposes and advantages of the present invention can be achieved by the means shown in the claims and their combinations.

[0011] Technical solutions to the problem

[0012] The present invention provides a contact monitoring device for a vacuum circuit breaker, wherein the vacuum circuit breaker has a push rod assembly, and the push rod assembly is combined with a movable electrode of a vacuum arc chamber to raise or lower the movable electrode, wherein the contact monitoring device comprises: a plurality of sensor assemblies, which are arranged adjacent to the push rod assembly, and detect the displacement of the push rod assembly in its height direction or in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the height direction; and a data processing device, which communicates with the plurality of sensor assemblies, and compares and analyzes the output signals of the plurality of sensor assemblies to detect the contact wear of the fixed contacts and the movable contacts of the vacuum arc chamber, and compensate for the error caused by the horizontal displacement of the push rod assembly.

[0013] The invention is characterized in that the plurality of sensor assemblies are arranged toward one side of the cylindrical rod housing of the push rod assembly and are set at different heights from each other.

[0014] The invention is characterized in that the plurality of sensor assemblies are arranged toward one side of the cylindrical rod housing of the push rod assembly and are set at the same height as each other.

[0015] The invention is characterized in that the plurality of sensor assemblies are respectively arranged toward one side and the other side of the cylindrical rod housing of the push rod assembly, are set at the same height as each other, and are arranged so that the sensing directions are orthogonal to each other.

[0016] It also includes an identification sticker, which is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical rod housing of the push rod assembly and has a plurality of areas arranged along the moving direction of the push rod assembly and with different reflectivity.

[0017] The plurality of sensor components respectively include an optical sensor module, wherein the optical sensor module has: a light emitting portion, which is arranged in a direction facing the identification sticker and emits light toward the identification sticker; a light receiving portion, which is arranged in a direction facing the identification sticker and receives light reflected from the identification sticker; and a circuit portion, which is combined with the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion and outputs an output signal according to the amount of light received by the light receiving portion.

[0018] The data processing device pre-stores reference data of the displacement value of the push rod assembly in the height direction detected by each of the plurality of optical sensor modules, compares the reference data of the displacement value with the displacement values ​​detected by the plurality of optical sensor modules, determines the error of the optical sensor module and corrects the error.

[0019] The reference data of the displacement value includes an open position value corresponding to an initial detection position before the contacts of the vacuum circuit breaker are closed, a height displacement of the push rod assembly according to the number of contact closures, an allowable error range of the height displacement of the push rod assembly, and a maximum closed position value corresponding to a maximum contact wear amount of the vacuum circuit breaker.

[0020] If the vertical displacement of the push rod assembly detected by the plurality of optical sensor modules exceeds the allowable error range, the data processing device determines that an error occurs in the corresponding optical sensor module.

[0021] It is characterized in that if the output values ​​of the plurality of optical sensor modules become different from each other, the data processing device determines that an error has occurred in the horizontal position of the push rod assembly or an error has occurred in any one of the plurality of optical sensor modules, and outputs a notification signal about the error.

[0022] It is characterized in that if the output values ​​of the plurality of optical sensor modules become different from each other and it is determined that the horizontal position of the push rod assembly is erroneous, the data processing device adds or subtracts the increase or decrease in the output value based on the initial output values ​​of the plurality of optical sensor modules to compensate for the error of the push rod assembly.

[0023] In addition, the present invention provides a vacuum circuit breaker, comprising: a vacuum arc chamber, having a fixed electrode and a movable electrode, the fixed electrode being fixed in an insulating container and having a fixed contact arranged at one end thereof, the movable electrode being arranged at one end thereof with a movable contact that contacts or separates from the fixed contact and being arranged in the insulating container in a manner that can be raised or lowered; a push rod assembly, combined with the other end of the movable electrode to raise or lower the movable electrode; and a contact monitoring device, having a data processing device and a plurality of sensor assemblies arranged adjacent to the push rod assembly, the plurality of sensor assemblies detecting the displacement of the push rod assembly in its height direction or in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the height direction, the data processing device comparing and analyzing the output signals of the plurality of sensor assemblies by communicating with the plurality of sensor assemblies to detect the contact wear of the fixed contact and the movable contact, and to compensate for the error caused by the horizontal displacement of the push rod assembly.

[0024] It is characterized in that the plurality of sensor assemblies are arranged toward one side of the cylindrical rod housing of the push rod assembly and are set at the same height or different heights, or are set at the same height and arranged so that the sensing directions are orthogonal to each other.

[0025] It also includes an identification sticker, which is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical rod shell of the push rod assembly and has a plurality of areas arranged along the moving direction of the push rod assembly and with different reflectivities. The plurality of sensor assemblies respectively include an optical sensor module, and the optical sensor module has: a light-emitting part, which is arranged in a direction facing the identification sticker and emits light toward the identification sticker; a light-receiving part, which is arranged in a direction facing the identification sticker and receives light reflected from the identification sticker; and a circuit part, which is combined with the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part and outputs an output signal according to the amount of light received by the light-receiving part.

[0026] It is characterized in that if the output values ​​of the plurality of optical sensor modules become different from each other, the data processing device determines that an error has occurred in the horizontal position of the push rod assembly or an error has occurred in any one of the plurality of optical sensor modules, and outputs a notification signal about the error.

[0027] Effects of the Invention

[0028] The contact monitoring device for a vacuum circuit breaker of the present invention monitors the wear amount of the contact in real time by using an optical sensor, so that an appropriate maintenance time point can be determined.

[0029] In addition, the contact monitoring device for a vacuum circuit breaker of the present invention can determine the contact wear amount before the contact wear amount reaches a limit value or more by using an optical sensor, thereby improving the reliability and performance of the vacuum circuit breaker.

[0030] In addition, the contact monitoring device for vacuum circuit breaker of the present invention can detect the contact wear amount with vertical displacement by using the optical sensor with horizontal sensing direction. Therefore, the contact monitoring device for vacuum circuit breaker can accurately detect the contact wear amount to determine the appropriate maintenance time point.

[0031] In addition, the contact monitoring device for a vacuum circuit breaker of the present invention minimizes position errors of the optical sensors or the push rod that may occur due to the sensors themselves or setting conditions by using two optical sensors, thereby being able to accurately detect the amount of contact wear.

[0032] In addition to the above-described effects, specific effects of the present invention will be described below while describing specific details for implementing the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a vacuum circuit breaker to which the contact monitoring device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0034] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of the setting state of the contact monitoring device.

[0035] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of an optical sensor of a contact monitoring device.

[0036] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the identification sticker of the contact monitoring device.

[0037] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of the operating status of the contact monitoring device.

[0038] Figure 6 1 is a plan view showing an installation state of a contactor monitoring device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 7 Is to show when an error occurs Figure 6 A plan view of the setting status of the contact monitoring device.

[0040] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 It shows when an error occurs Figure 6 Graph of the output of a contact monitoring device as a function of distance.

[0041] Fig.10 1 is a plan view showing an installation state of a contactor monitoring device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Fig.11 1 is a plan view showing an installation state of a contactor monitoring device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The above-mentioned objects, features and advantages will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs will be able to easily implement the technical ideas of the present invention. When describing the present invention, if it is determined that the detailed description of the known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. Below, the preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to represent the same or similar constituent elements.

[0044] Hereinafter, any configuration "arranged on the "top (or bottom)" of a constituent element" or "above (or below)" a constituent element means that any configuration is configured to be in contact with the top surface (or bottom surface) of the constituent element. Furthermore, it may mean that other configurations are inserted between the constituent element and any configuration arranged above (or below) the constituent element.

[0045] In addition, when describing that one constituent element is “connected,” “combined” or “linked” to another constituent element, these constituent elements may be directly connected or linked to each other, but it should be understood that other constituent elements may also be “inserted” between the various constituent elements, or the various constituent elements may be “connected,” “combined” or “linked” through other constituent elements.

[0046] Figure 1 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a vacuum circuit breaker to which the contact monitoring device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of the setting state of the contact monitoring device. Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of an optical sensor of a contact monitoring device. Figure 4 It is shown Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the identification sticker of the contact monitoring device. Figure 5 It is shown Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of the operating status of the contact monitoring device.

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown, a contact monitoring device B for a vacuum circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present invention is disposed at the lower side of a main circuit portion 100 of a vacuum circuit breaker A to monitor contact wear of a vacuum interrupter 130 .

[0048] The main structure of the vacuum circuit breaker A is briefly described as follows (the structure of the vacuum circuit breaker will only be briefly described for the structure required to describe the present invention. For convenience, the height direction of the push rod assembly is defined as the vertical direction, and the direction perpendicular to the height direction is defined as the horizontal direction).

[0049] The vacuum circuit breaker A comprises: a main circuit portion 100 including a vacuum interrupter 130; a push rod assembly 200 and a main shaft 300 for transmitting power to the contacts of the vacuum interrupter 130; and a mechanism assembly 400 generating a driving force and connected to the main shaft 300 to transmit the driving force.

[0050] The main circuit unit 100 is provided with a vacuum interrupter 130 inside the housing 110. The vacuum interrupter 130 includes: an insulating container 132, which forms a storage space; a fixed electrode 134, which is fixed to the upper inner portion of the insulating container 132; a fixed contact 134a, which is provided at the end of the fixed electrode 134; a movable electrode 136, which is provided at the lower inner portion of the insulating container 132 so as to be movable up and down; and a movable contact 136a, which is provided at the end of the movable electrode 136. The insulating container 132 contains an arc shield 132a that forms a vacuum, and the arc shield 132a surrounds the fixed electrode 134 and the fixed contact 134a, as well as the movable electrode 136 and the movable contact 136a. The movable contact 136a is in contact with the fixed contact 134a (closed state) or separated from the fixed contact 134a (opened state) through the movable electrode 136. The movable electrode 136 is raised or lowered by the push rod assembly 200.

[0051] The push rod assembly 200 closes or opens the movable electrode 136. The push rod assembly 200 is composed of a plurality of shafts and springs that transmit the power of the main shaft 300 to the movable electrode 136. Part of the contact monitoring device B described later is provided in the rod housing 210 of the push rod assembly 200. The main shaft 300 is connected to the lower end of the push rod assembly 200.

[0052] The main shaft 300 is connected to the mechanism assembly 400 to transmit the power generated by the mechanism assembly 400 to the push rod assembly 200 .

[0053] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, a contact monitoring device B of an embodiment of the present invention includes: a plurality of sensor assemblies 500, 500', which are arranged on the lower side of the main circuit part 100; an identification sticker 700, which is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rod housing 210; and a data processing device 800, which is used for signal processing and control. The plurality of sensor assemblies 500, 500' are configured and utilized differently in the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, or directions orthogonal to each other. In the following, an embodiment in which the two sensor assemblies 500, 500' are configured to be stepped in the vertical direction is first described. Since the two sensor assemblies 500, 500' have the same structure, for convenience, the detailed structure is described with reference to the first sensor assembly 500.

[0054] The first sensor assembly 500 includes: a first optical sensor module 510 for detecting the position of the identification sticker 700; a first sensor bracket 530 for accommodating the first optical sensor module 510; and a first sensor bracket 550 for coupling the first sensor bracket 530 to the lower side of the main circuit part 100.

[0055] The first optical sensor module 510 includes a first light emitting portion 512 and a first light receiving portion 514, and a first circuit portion 516 that processes signals of the first light emitting portion 512 and the first light receiving portion 514. The first light emitting portion 512 and the first light receiving portion 514 are arranged side by side on one surface of the first circuit portion 516. The first optical sensor module 510 is arranged so that the first light emitting portion 512 and the first light receiving portion 514 face the rod housing 210 of the push rod assembly 200. The meaning of the arrangement direction of the first optical sensor module 510 will be described later.

[0056] The first light sensor module 510 is a light sensor in which a first light emitting unit 512 emits light and a first light receiving unit 514 detects the amount of light returned after the emitted light is reflected on the surface of the identification sticker 700 .

[0057] Since a photocurrent proportional to the intensity of the light detected by the first light receiving unit 514 flows through the first circuit unit 516, the greater the amount of light that returns after reflection, the greater the amount of current generated. Since the first light sensor module 510 detects the amount of light incident after reflection from the light emitted from the first light emitting unit 512, the amount of light incident on the first light receiving unit 514 after reflection decreases as the distance from the first light sensor module 510 increases. When the amount of incident light decreases, the photocurrent decreases, so the data processing device 800 can know the distance between the first light sensor module 510 and the detection object based on the signal of the first circuit unit 516.

[0058] Therefore, the direction of the emitted light and the reflected light is the sensing direction of the first light sensor module 510. The first light sensor module 510 can detect the movement displacement in the same direction as the sensing direction.

[0059] The first circuit unit 516 can process the photocurrent and output a signal to the outside. The output signal decreases or increases according to the detected light amount, and the light amount changes according to the displacement. Therefore, by processing the signal output by the first circuit unit 516, the moving displacement can ultimately be calculated. The signal output by the first circuit unit 516 can be transmitted to an external data processing device or the smart terminal of an administrator, etc. In the present invention, it is described by taking the setting of the data processing device 800 to be responsible for various signal processing and control as an example.

[0060] The first sensor bracket 530 houses the first optical sensor module 510. The first sensor bracket 530 can have a box shape with one side open. The first light emitting part 512 and the first light receiving part 514 of the first optical sensor module 510 are exposed on the open side of the first sensor bracket 530. The first sensor bracket 530 can be provided with a coupling part 532 on the other side or the side surface opposite to the open side, and this coupling part 532 is coupled to the first sensor bracket 550. The coupling part 532 can be set in a hole shape for inserting a bolt.

[0061] The first sensor bracket 530 can also have a "┏" shape, a "┓" shape or a "匚" shape and other frame shapes instead of a box shape, as long as the first optical sensor module 510 can be inserted into the first sensor bracket 530 without falling off.

[0062] The first sensor bracket 550 is installed on one side of the lower part of the housing 110 that forms the appearance of the main circuit unit 100. The shape of the first sensor bracket 550 is not limited as long as it can support the first sensor bracket 530. However, in the present invention, the installation position of the first optical sensor module 510 needs to face the rod housing 210. Therefore, the first sensor bracket 550 has an inverted "┏" shape, and the first sensor bracket 530 is coupled to the surface of the first sensor bracket 550 that extends downward from the housing 110 of the main circuit unit 100. A plurality of fastening holes for fastening the first sensor bracket 530 and a plurality of fastening holes for fastening to the housing 110 can be formed on the plate surface of the first sensor bracket 550. The first sensor bracket 550 can be coupled to the first sensor bracket 530 and the housing 110 by means of bolt coupling or the like.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the case where the first sensor bracket 530 and the first sensor bracket 550 are separately provided is illustrated. However, if the first optical sensor module 510 can be housed and coupled to the housing 110 of the main circuit unit 100, a single fixing mechanism can be used. The first optical sensor module 510 arranged in this way is used to measure the displacement in a direction different from the sensing direction by using the identification sticker 700.

[0064] On the other hand, similar to the first sensor assembly 500, the second sensor assembly 500' includes a second optical sensor module 510', a second sensor bracket 530', and a second sensor bracket 550'. In the second sensor assembly 500', the second optical sensor module 510' may be disposed at a stepped position slightly higher or lower than the position where the first optical sensor module 510 is disposed. In the present invention, it is exemplified that the second optical sensor module 510' is disposed lower than the first optical sensor module 510.

[0065] The first optical sensor module 510 of the sensor assembly 500 and the second optical sensor module 510' of the sensor assembly 500' are arranged to be stepped with each other in the vertical direction and work separately, so that when an error occurs between the first optical sensor module 510 and the second optical sensor module 510', the error can be corrected (compensated). This error correction method will be described later.

[0066] like Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the identification sticker 700 is a sticker attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rod housing 210. The identification sticker 700 is in a rectangular shape with a predetermined size. The identification sticker 700 is attached in a direction facing the optical sensor module 510. Figure 4 As a reference, the identification sticker 700 can be formed in a gradient form from black to white from the upper end to the lower end in the vertical direction. Conversely, the identification sticker 700 can also be formed in a gradient form from black to white from the lower end to the upper end. That is, the identification sticker 700 is formed so that the reflectivity in the specified area is different from the reflectivity in another area, so that the optical sensor module 510 can distinguish and detect it.

[0067] The top of the identification sticker 700 is black and the bottom is white in order to clearly define the boundary with the surrounding part to which the identification sticker 700 is attached so as not to be affected by the surrounding colors. It is also possible to form black and white areas at approximately 10% of the top and bottom of the identification sticker 700, with the remaining areas formed as gradients. However, the identification sticker 700 may also be formed as a gradient in the entire area including the top and bottom ends (in this case, the initial detection position or the attachment position may be adjusted so that detection can be performed within a range that is not affected by the surrounding colors). The attachment position of the identification sticker 700 is adjusted so that the detection area of ​​the optical sensor module 510 exists in the gradient area of ​​the identification sticker 700 other than black and white.

[0068] As described above, when the identification sticker 700 is configured in a gradation form, the current value of the reflected light gradually changes when passing through the boundaries of each area.

[0069] In the present invention, the identification sticker 700 is a sticker used to identify whether the wear of the fixed contact 134a and the movable contact 136a reaches a specified amount or more, resulting in a change in the height of the push rod 230 (in the present invention, the term "contact wear amount" is defined as the displacement of the push rod caused by the wear of the fixed contact and the movable contact due to closing. Since it is difficult to directly measure the lifting displacement of the push rod, the displacement of the push rod is indirectly measured by attaching an identification sticker to the rod housing).

[0070] In the contact disconnected state, the identification sticker 700 Figure 2 and Figure 5 The open position Po of the identification sticker 700 may be set as an area reflecting the light emitted from the optical sensor module 510. In addition, in the contact closed state, the closed position Pc1 of the identification sticker 700 may reflect the light emitted from the optical sensor module 510.

[0071] The contacts are worn each time they are closed, so that the push rod assembly 200 gradually rises, and thus the identification sticker 700 also gradually rises. Therefore, the detection position of the first optical sensor module 510 moves toward the lower end side of the identification sticker 700. The detection position where the contact wear amount reaches a predetermined maximum value is defined as the maximum closing position Pcm.

[0072] Before the contact wear amount reaches a maximum value, when the contacts are closed, the detection position exists between the initial closing position Pc1 and the maximum closing position Pcm.

[0073] Before setting up the contact monitoring device on site, it can be predetermined which part of the identification sticker 700 will be the sensing position of the first light sensor module 510 and the position where the contact wear is the greatest.

[0074] The detection position may be set after the second optical sensor module 510' is set in the same manner as described above. The second optical sensor module 510' is set further below the first optical sensor module 510. Therefore, the detection position of the second optical sensor module 510' is located further below the detection position of the first optical sensor module 510. That is, the opening position Po', the initial closing position Pc1', and the maximum closing position Pcm' of the second optical sensor module 510' move downward corresponding to the setting height difference between the first optical sensor module 510 and the second optical sensor module 510'.

[0075] The second optical sensor module 510' is used to detect the contact wear amount similarly to the first optical sensor module 510. In addition, the first optical sensor module 510 and the second optical sensor module 510' are used together to detect and correct errors or abnormalities of the optical sensors.

[0076] The output signals output from the first optical sensor module 510 and the second optical sensor module 510 ′ are transmitted to a data processing device 800 provided outside the vacuum circuit breaker A.

[0077] like Figure 2 As shown, the data processing device 800 is arranged outside the vacuum circuit breaker A to communicate with the optical sensor modules 510, 510'. The data processing device 800 grasps the position of the push rod assembly 200 through the data measured by the optical sensor modules 510, 510'. In addition, the data processing device 800 determines the contact wear amount and determines whether to alert the user based on the position of the push rod assembly 200. The data processing device 800 is also used to set the contact wear amount judgment standard required for judging the contact wear amount and correct it according to the temperature.

[0078] In the contact monitoring device of an embodiment of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, a method of using the optical sensor module to detect the contact wear amount is first described in detail as follows.

[0079] Since the push rod assembly 200 is Figure 2 The push rod assembly 200 works in the vertical direction, so it always remains in the same position when the contacts are open. In the first closed state, the push rod assembly 200 exhibits a predetermined amount of vertical displacement. However, when the contacts are worn, the push rod assembly 200 rises in the vertical direction corresponding to the amount of wear. That is, the vertical displacement of the push rod assembly 200 is the amount of contact wear.

[0080] In order to measure the movement amount of the push rod assembly 200, it is necessary to detect the vertical displacement of the push rod assembly 200. For this purpose, it is preferable to set a sensor capable of detecting the vertical displacement on the lower side of the push rod assembly 200. However, since the main shaft 300 is combined with the lower side of the push rod assembly 200 and there are lower components of the vacuum circuit breaker A, it is difficult to ensure a space sufficient to set the sensor.

[0081] Therefore, the first optical sensor module 510 of the present invention is disposed adjacent to the outer peripheral surface of the rod housing 210 and is disposed on a side parallel to the vertical moving direction of the push rod assembly 200. At this time, the sensing direction of the first optical sensor module 510 is a direction perpendicular to the vertical moving direction of the push rod assembly 200. In addition, in order to minimize interference with the surrounding parts, the first optical sensor module 510 is disposed at the lower end of the housing 110 of the main circuit unit 100 close to the outer side.

[0082] Since the push rod assembly 200 is displaced only in the vertical direction and does not move in the horizontal direction, even if the first optical sensor module 510 is set on one side, the vertical displacement of the push rod assembly 200 cannot be detected. In order to solve this problem, in this embodiment, the identification sticker 700 is applied to produce an effect similar to converting the vertical displacement of the push rod assembly 200 into the horizontal displacement, so that the first optical sensor module 510 can be used.

[0083] like Figure 2 As shown, the identification sticker 700 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rod housing 210 facing the direction of the first optical sensor module 510. At this time, in the position before the rod housing 210 is closed, the positions of the first light emitting unit 512 and the first light receiving unit 514 of the first optical sensor module 510 are located at the disconnected position Po of the identification sticker 700. The state before the disconnected position Po is closed is the sensing position of the first optical sensor module 510. Even if the contact closure is repeated and the contact wear amount gradually increases, when it is less than the predetermined limit value, the sensing position of the first optical sensor module 510 can be closer to the closed position Pc1 of the identification sticker 700.

[0084] When the closing is repeated and the contact wear increases, such as Figure 5 As shown, the rod housing 210 is gradually raised. As the rod housing 210 is raised, the identification sticker 700 is also raised. Since the positions of the first light emitting unit 512 and the first light receiving unit 514 of the first optical sensor module 510 are fixed, as the identification sticker 700 is raised, the light emitting and light receiving positions are gradually lowered.

[0085] When the contact wear gradually increases, the rod housing 210 gradually rises. When the contact wear reaches a predetermined limit value, the light emitting and light receiving positions of the first optical sensor module 510 move away from the disconnection position Po and toward the maximum closing position Pcm.

[0086] In the present embodiment, the amount of reflected light that re-enters after emitting light to the disconnected position Po of the identification sticker 700 is much less than the amount of reflected light that re-enters from the maximum closed position Pcm. Since black is a color that absorbs light, the closer to black, the less the amount of reflected light. Therefore, the magnitude of the photocurrent generated when the sensing position of the first light sensor module 510 is located at the maximum closed position Pcm close to white of the identification sticker 700 is greater than when it is located at the disconnected position Po. Therefore, the output signal output from the first light sensor module 510 is different, so the data processing device 800 can calculate the vertical displacement of the rod housing 210 based on the output signal.

[0087] Since the vertical displacement of the rod housing 210 is the contact wear amount, the data processing device 800 can determine whether the contact wear amount reaches a predetermined limit value by analyzing the signal output from the first optical sensor module 510 .

[0088] Although the first optical sensor module 510 cannot directly detect the vertical displacement perpendicular to the sensing direction, it can convert the vertical displacement into the horizontal displacement according to the change of the reflectivity of the light and dark change of the identification sticker 700. Therefore, the data processing device 800 can indirectly monitor and detect the contact wear by applying the first optical sensor module 510.

[0089] The first optical sensor module 510 can monitor the contact wear in real time or at a predetermined time period. Therefore, the contact wear can be determined before the contact wear exceeds the limit value, so that the appropriate maintenance time point can be known. In addition, the reliability and performance of the vacuum circuit breaker are improved.

[0090] By the same method, the second optical sensor module 510 ′ can also determine the contact wear amount.

[0091] In the contact monitoring device of a vacuum circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, a method for compensating for errors or faults of the optical sensor module is described as follows (hereinafter, even if not specifically stated, the subject of judgment or control is the data processing device).

[0092] The data processing device 800 pre-stores “reference data of displacement values” of the push rod assembly 200 detected by the first optical sensor module 510 and the second optical sensor module 510 ′.

[0093] The reference data of the displacement value includes information about the initial detection position before setting the vacuum circuit breaker A, that is, the disconnection position Po (disconnection position value), the vertical displacement of the push rod assembly 200 according to the number of contact closures, the allowable error range of the vertical displacement of the push rod assembly 200, and information about the maximum closing position Pcm corresponding to the maximum contact wear amount (closing position value), etc. In addition, the reference data of the displacement value are stored separately based on the respective positions of the first optical sensor module 510 and the second optical sensor module 510'.

[0094] For example, the data processing device 800 can store reference data of the following displacement values ​​based on the detection positions of the first optical sensor module 510 and the second optical sensor module 510' (the following numerical values ​​represent the distance from the top to each detection position based on the total height of the identification sticker of 50 mm).

[0095]

Table 1

[0096]

[0097] At this time, the allowable error range of the vertical displacement of the push rod assembly 200 can be set to ±0.02mm. That is, when the displacement of the push rod assembly 200 detected by the first optical sensor module 510 when the contact is closed once is within the range of 24.8 to 25.2mm, it can be judged to be within the range of normal displacement. Similarly, when the displacement of the push rod assembly 200 detected by the second optical sensor module 510' when the contact is closed once is within the range of 29.8 to 30.2mm, it can be judged to be within the range of normal displacement. That is, the data processing device 800 analyzes the output signals of the first optical sensor module 510 and the second optical sensor module 510' when the contact is closed once. If the vertical displacement of the push rod assembly 200 corresponds to 24.8 to 25.2mm / 29.8 to 30.2mm respectively, it is judged that the first optical sensor module 510 and the second optical sensor module 510' are operating normally.

[0098] However, if the output signal analysis result of the first optical sensor module 510 is different from the output signal analysis result of the second optical sensor module 510', the data processing device 800 may determine that an abnormality has occurred in the optical sensor module on the side that displays the result exceeding the allowable error range. When the data processing device 800 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the optical sensor module, an error occurrence signal (alarm sound, screen output, etc.) may be output to notify the user that an error has occurred.

[0099] As described above, by using two optical sensor modules 510, 510', not only the displacement of the push rod assembly 200 can be accurately measured to detect the contact wear, but also even if one of the sensors fails or errs, the contact wear can be detected based on the other sensor that is functioning normally.

[0100] The allowable error range of the vertical displacement of the push rod assembly 200 is merely an example, and the recorded numerical value is not an absolute value.

[0101] As described above, by setting the two optical sensor modules 510 and 510' at different heights in the vertical direction, it can also be used as a notification standard for the maximum contact wear amount. That is, the second optical sensor module 510' can be set at a position showing the maximum contact wear amount. Thereafter, the detection value of the second optical sensor module 510' is set as a threshold value or an alarm value, and when the detection value of the first optical sensor module 510 is equal to the threshold value or the alarm value, the data processing device 800 can notify the operator to replace and inspect.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the optical sensor module is provided at a position parallel to the rod housing of the push rod assembly. However, it can also be provided at the lower side of the push rod assembly as long as interference with the surrounding parts can be avoided. In this case, since the sensing direction of the optical sensor module is the same as the moving direction of the push rod assembly, the vertical displacement, i.e., the contact wear amount, can be directly detected by the optical sensor without the need to identify the sticker.

[0103] In addition, the error caused by the left-right position change of the push rod assembly can also be corrected by using a plurality of optical sensor modules. Hereinafter, a contact monitoring device according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described (the detailed description of the same structure as the above embodiment will be omitted, and the drawings not shown below will be described with reference to the drawings of the first embodiment).

[0104] Figure 6 1 is a plan view showing an installation state of a contactor monitoring device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 Is to show when an error occurs Figure 6 A plan view of the setting status of the contact monitoring device. Figure 8 and Fig. 9 It shows when an error occurs Figure 6 Graph of the output of a contact monitoring device as a function of distance.

[0105] like Figure 6 As shown, in the contact monitoring device B of the second embodiment of the present invention, the first optical sensor module 510a and the second optical sensor module 510a' can be arranged side by side at the same height. At this time, the first optical sensor module 510a and the second optical sensor module 510a' can be arranged toward one side of the rod housing 210 (for convenience, only the rod housing in the push rod assembly is shown as a representative in the figure). An identification sticker can be attached to the position of the rod housing 210 facing the first optical sensor module 510a and the second optical sensor module 510a'.

[0106] The first optical sensor module 510a has a light emitting portion 512a, a light receiving portion 514a and a circuit portion 516a (for convenience, the sensor bracket and the sensor holder are omitted). The second optical sensor module 510a' has a light emitting portion 512a', a light receiving portion 514a' and a circuit portion 516a'.

[0107] At this time, in order to obtain accurate measurement results, the light-emitting portion 512a of the first optical sensor module 510a can be symmetrically configured with the light-emitting portion 512a' of the second optical sensor module 510a', and the light-receiving portion 514a of the first optical sensor module 510a can be symmetrically configured with the light-receiving portion 514a' of the second optical sensor module 510a'.

[0108] The contact monitoring device B can use the first optical sensor module 510a and the second optical sensor module 510a' to detect the contact wear amount, and notify the user when an error occurs in the left and right direction position of the push rod assembly and correct the error (here, the left and right direction refers to Figure 6 Since the method of detecting the contact wear amount is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0109] The method of correcting the position error of the push rod assembly in the left and right directions is described in detail as follows.

[0110] like Figure 6 As shown, the first optical sensor module 510a and the second optical sensor module 510a' are arranged at the same height, and the first optical sensor module 510a and the second optical sensor module 510a' are spaced at the same interval from each other with the imaginary center point L of the rod housing 210 as the center. At this time, the distance from the imaginary center point L to the center point of the first optical sensor module 510a and the second optical sensor module 510a' can be defined as d1 and d2, respectively. Here, d1 and d2 are the same.

[0111] When the first optical sensor module 510a and the second optical sensor module 510a' are arranged as above, the distance D between the object to be detected (not shown in the figure, referred to as the detection object hereinafter) is the same. Therefore, when the outputs of the first optical sensor module 510a and the second optical sensor module 510a' are measured, the same output is displayed.

[0112] If the rod housing 210 moves to the right due to external force or the like in the above-mentioned setting state, Figure 7 As shown, the distance D1 between the first optical sensor module 510a and the detection object and the distance D2 between the second optical sensor module 510a' and the detection object become different from each other. When the rod housing 210 moves to the right, D1 will be greater than D2, and d1 will also be greater than d2. Therefore, the outputs of the first optical sensor module 510a and the second optical sensor module 510a' become different from each other. Similarly, when the rod housing 210 moves to the left, D1 will be less than D2, and d1 will also be less than d2. At this time, d1 and d2 increase or decrease according to the left and right movement of the rod housing.

[0113] exist Figure 8 In FIG. 1 , the X-axis is the distance that the rod housing 210 moves from the center point to the right, and the Y-axis is the output value of the first optical sensor module 510a and the second optical sensor module 510a'. Therefore, when the rod housing 210 moves to the right, the output values ​​of the first optical sensor module 510a and the second optical sensor module 510a' may be as follows: Figure 8Similarly, when the rod housing 210 moves from the center point to the left, the outputs of the first optical sensor module 510a and the second optical sensor module 510a' may be as shown. Fig. 9 Shape shown.

[0114] Therefore, the data processing device 800 can use the output values ​​of the first optical sensor module 510a and the second optical sensor module 510a' when the push rod assembly does not move as a reference, and respectively add or subtract the increase or decrease amount to correct the error when the push rod assembly moves.

[0115] Fig.10 1 is a plan view showing an installation state of a contactor monitoring device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0116] In the second embodiment, the contact monitoring device B is described by taking the example that the first optical sensor module 510a and the second optical sensor module 510a' are separately provided. Fig.10 As shown, the contact monitoring device B according to the third embodiment of the present invention may have a structure in which an optical sensor module 510b has two pairs of light emitting parts 512b, 512b' and light receiving parts 514b, 514b', and the two pairs of light emitting parts 512b, 512b' and light receiving parts 514b, 514b' share a circuit part 516b.

[0117] In this case, the error correction and the contact wear amount monitoring can also be performed according to the position of the push rod assembly by the same method as the second embodiment.

[0118] Fig.11 1 is a plan view showing an installation state of a contactor monitoring device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0119] Or, if Fig.11 As shown, the two optical sensor modules may also be arranged in directions orthogonal to each other. In the contact monitoring device B of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the first optical sensor module 510c and the second optical sensor module 510c' may be arranged at the same height, and the sensing directions facing the detection object may be arranged in directions orthogonal to each other. In this case, the distance D between the first optical sensor module 510c and the second optical sensor module 510c' and the detection object is also set to be the same as each other.

[0120] In this embodiment, any one of the first optical sensor module 510c and the second optical sensor module 510c' can be used to detect the amount of contact wear, and the other can be used to correct the error of the left-right movement of the push rod assembly. Alternatively, the first optical sensor module 510c and the second optical sensor module 510c' can detect the amount of contact wear. At the same time, the first optical sensor module 510c can be used to correct the left-right movement of the push rod assembly based on the imaginary center line L1 (based on the left-right movement of the push rod assembly). Fig.11 The second optical sensor module 510c′ can be used to correct the movement error of the push rod assembly occurring in the vertical direction with the imaginary center line L2 as the reference.

[0121] For those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs, various substitutions, modifications and changes can be made without departing from the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Therefore, the present invention described above is not limited to the above embodiments and drawings.

Claims

1. A contact monitoring device for a vacuum circuit breaker, the vacuum circuit breaker having a push rod assembly, the push rod assembly being combined with a movable electrode of a vacuum interrupter to raise or lower the movable electrode, wherein: The contact monitoring device comprises: A plurality of sensor assemblies, adjacent to the push rod assembly and arranged at the same height as each other, detecting the displacement of the push rod assembly in its height direction or in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the height direction; a data processing device, communicating with the plurality of sensor assemblies, comparing and analyzing output signals of the plurality of sensor assemblies to detect contact wear of the fixed contacts and the movable contacts of the vacuum interrupter, and compensating for errors caused by horizontal displacement of the push rod assembly; and The identification sticker is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical rod housing of the push rod assembly and has a plurality of areas arranged along the moving direction of the push rod assembly and having different reflectivity.

2. The contact monitoring device for a vacuum circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of sensor assemblies are arranged toward one side of the cylindrical rod housing of the push rod assembly.

3. The contact monitoring device for a vacuum circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of sensor assemblies are respectively arranged toward one side and the other side of the cylindrical rod housing of the push rod assembly, and are arranged so that sensing directions thereof are orthogonal to each other.

4. The contact monitoring device for a vacuum circuit breaker according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The plurality of sensor components respectively include a light sensor module, and the light sensor module has: A light emitting unit is arranged in a direction facing the identification sticker and emits light toward the identification sticker; A light receiving unit is arranged in a direction facing the identification sticker and receives light reflected from the identification sticker; as well as The circuit unit is combined with the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, and outputs an output signal according to the amount of light received by the light receiving unit.

5. The contact monitoring device for a vacuum circuit breaker according to claim 4, wherein: The data processing device pre-stores reference data of the displacement value of the push rod assembly in the height direction detected by each of the plurality of optical sensor modules, and judges the error of the optical sensor module and corrects the error by comparing the reference data of the displacement value with the displacement value detected by the plurality of optical sensor modules.

6. The contact monitoring device for a vacuum circuit breaker according to claim 5, wherein: The reference data of the displacement value includes an open position value corresponding to an initial detection position before the contacts of the vacuum circuit breaker are closed, a height displacement of the push rod assembly according to the number of contact closures, an allowable error range of the height displacement of the push rod assembly, and a maximum closed position value corresponding to a maximum contact wear amount of the vacuum circuit breaker.

7. The contact monitoring device for a vacuum circuit breaker according to claim 6, wherein: If the vertical displacement of the push rod assembly detected by the plurality of optical sensor modules exceeds the allowable error range, the data processing device determines that an error occurs in the corresponding optical sensor module.

8. The contact monitoring device for a vacuum circuit breaker according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: If the output values ​​of the plurality of sensor assemblies become different from each other, the data processing device determines that an error has occurred in the horizontal position of the push rod assembly or an error has occurred in any one of the plurality of sensor assemblies, and outputs a notification signal regarding the error.

9. The contact monitoring device for a vacuum circuit breaker according to claim 8, wherein: If the output values ​​of the plurality of sensor assemblies become different from each other and it is determined that an error has occurred in the horizontal position of the push rod assembly, the data processing device increases or decreases the output value based on the initial output values ​​of the plurality of sensor assemblies to compensate for the error of the push rod assembly.

10. A vacuum circuit breaker, wherein: include: A vacuum interrupter, comprising a fixed electrode and a movable electrode, wherein the fixed electrode is fixed in an insulating container and is provided with a fixed contact at one end thereof, and the movable electrode is provided with a movable contact at one end thereof which contacts or separates from the fixed contact and is provided in the insulating container in a manner of being raised or lowered; A push rod assembly, coupled to the other end of the movable electrode, so as to raise or lower the movable electrode; as well as A contact monitoring device comprises a data processing device, an identification sticker, and a plurality of sensor assemblies adjacent to the push rod assembly and arranged at the same height as each other, the plurality of sensor assemblies detecting the displacement of the push rod assembly in the height direction or in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the height direction, the data processing device compares and analyzes the output signals of the plurality of sensor assemblies by communicating with the plurality of sensor assemblies to detect the contact wear of the fixed contacts and the movable contacts and compensate for the error caused by the horizontal displacement of the push rod assembly, the identification sticker is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical rod shell of the push rod assembly and has a plurality of areas arranged along the moving direction of the push rod assembly and with different reflectivity.

11. The vacuum circuit breaker according to claim 10, wherein: The plurality of sensor assemblies are arranged toward one side of the cylindrical rod housing of the push rod assembly, or the plurality of sensor assemblies are arranged toward one side and the other side of the cylindrical rod housing of the push rod assembly respectively and arranged so that the sensing directions are orthogonal to each other.

12. The vacuum circuit breaker according to claim 10, wherein: The plurality of sensor components respectively include a light sensor module, and the light sensor module has: A light emitting unit is arranged in a direction facing the identification sticker and emits light toward the identification sticker; A light receiving unit is arranged in a direction facing the identification sticker and receives light reflected from the identification sticker; as well as The circuit unit is combined with the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, and outputs an output signal according to the amount of light received by the light receiving unit.

13. The vacuum circuit breaker according to claim 12, wherein: If the output values ​​of the plurality of optical sensor modules become different from each other, the data processing device determines that an error has occurred in the horizontal position of the push rod assembly or an error has occurred in any one of the plurality of optical sensor modules, and outputs a notification signal regarding the error.

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