Earthing switches and switchgear

Abstract

The present invention relates to a grounding switch and a switch device. Specifically, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a grounding switch, comprising a stationary contact, a moving contact capable of rotating around a rotation axis to selectively contact and separate from the stationary contact, a drive shaft attached to the moving contact and rotating with the moving contact, and an actuator adapted to receive input from a user and rotate to rotate the drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft is configured to separate from the drive shaft after the actuator rotates a predetermined circumferential angle, so that the rotation of the actuator and the movement of the drive shaft are decoupled. An embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a grounding switch, comprising a grounding device at least partially in contact with the moving contact. An embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a switch device comprising the grounding switch as described above.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a grounding switch and related switchgear. Background Art

[0002] A grounding switch is a mechanical grounding device used in switchgear that discharges static electricity or residual charges in equipment and circuits during maintenance or other situations. Usually, even after the isolator is operated, there may be some residual charges on the busbars, which may harm the personnel performing maintenance. Therefore, before starting maintenance, the isolated busbars must be grounded to avoid any dangerous events. That is, the grounding switch must ground the conductor section before maintenance.

[0003] The grounding switch can withstand a certain amount of current under abnormal conditions (such as short circuit). The grounding switch generally includes a stationary contact and a moving contact arranged in each phase of the switchgear. In order to maintain the grounding performance of the grounding switch, good contact conditions between the stationary contact and the moving contact should be ensured.

[0004] During operation, the grounding switch is closed by rotating the moving contact. However, when the moving contact starts to rotate at high speed, the moving contact must be separated from the transmission component to prevent the moving contact from driving the components outside the switch device housing to move together, which may damage the transmission component and cause harm to the operator outside the switch device. In the existing grounding switch, a complex structure is used to achieve the separation of the drive shaft and the moving contact, which requires a large number of components. These components of the prior art occupy a large internal space, and due to the large number of components, the probability of failure and safety problems also increases.

[0005] In addition, during use, the multi-phase moving contact needs to be connected to the main grounding circuit of the switch device. The connection device for grounding in the prior art is realized by grounding the wire outside the moving contact. After a large number of tests, it has been proved that the wire is one of the most prone to failure of the grounding switch. For example, the wire may be melted when subjected to abnormally large current, thereby causing safety problems. Summary of the invention

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems in the prior art, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a grounding switch and a switch device.

[0007] According to a first aspect, a grounding switch for a switchgear is provided. The grounding switch includes a stationary contact; a moving contact capable of rotating about a rotation axis to selectively contact and separate from the stationary contact; a drive shaft attached to the moving contact and configured to rotate with the moving contact; and an actuator adapted to receive input from a user and rotate to drive the drive shaft to rotate a predetermined circumferential angle from an initial position, wherein the drive shaft is configured to separate from the drive shaft after the actuator rotates the predetermined circumferential angle, so that the rotation of the actuator and the movement of the drive shaft are decoupled. In this way, the grounding switch of the present invention can achieve rapid decoupling of the actuator from the drive shaft, thereby improving safety and effectively preventing damage to transmission components.

[0008] In some embodiments, the actuator may include an axial hole extending along the direction of the rotation axis, the drive shaft extends through the axial hole, and the actuator and the drive shaft achieve motion coupling and decoupling with each other through radial shape coupling. In this way, the actuator of the grounding switch of the present invention can drive the drive shaft to rotate and can be separated from the drive shaft when needed, thereby improving safety and effectively preventing damage to the transmission components.

[0009] In some embodiments, the drive shaft may include a radial recess extending along the circumference of the drive shaft, and the actuator includes a radial protrusion extending along the circumference of the shaft hole and suitable for engaging with the radial recess. In this way, the radial recess of the drive shaft and the radial protrusion of the actuator can effectively cooperate to achieve motion coupling and decoupling between each other.

[0010] In some embodiments, the profile of the radial recess is larger than the profile of the radial protrusion to allow the motion decoupling of the radial recess and the radial protrusion. Due to the difference in the profile of the radial recess and the radial protrusion, the motion coupling and decoupling between them is achieved.

[0011] In some embodiments, the radial recess and the radial protrusion can be decoupled in motion due to the speed difference. The difference in speed between the radial recess and the radial protrusion enables motion coupling and decoupling between each other.

[0012] In some embodiments, the radial recess may include a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface spaced circumferentially apart, and the radial protrusion may include a first matching portion and a second matching portion spaced circumferentially apart. When the drive shaft rotates in a first rotational direction around the rotation axis, the first matching portion can engage with the first engagement surface to achieve motion coupling of the radial recess and the radial protrusion along the first rotational direction. When the drive shaft rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction around the rotation axis, the second matching portion can engage with the second engagement surface to achieve motion coupling of the radial recess and the radial protrusion along the second rotational direction. In this way, the grounding switch of the present invention achieves motion coupling in two rotational directions, that is, motion coupling in the rotational direction toward the closed position and motion coupling in the rotational direction toward the open position, thereby achieving the basic function of the grounding switch.

[0013] In some embodiments, the radial protrusion may include a convex profile extending protrudingly from the radial outer side toward the radial inner side, wherein the convex profile includes a first matching surface and a second matching surface spaced apart in the circumferential direction, the surface of the first matching surface is used as the first matching portion, and the surface of the second matching surface is used as the second matching portion. Implementing the matching portion in the form of a matching surface can achieve surface-to-surface contact to effectively and reliably transmit the rotational force.

[0014] In some embodiments, the radial protrusion may include a trapezoidal convex profile, wherein the convex profile includes a shape that tapers from the radial outer side toward the radial inner side. The trapezoidal convex profile of the radial protrusion may match the corresponding profile shape of the radial recess to effectively and reliably transmit the rotational force.

[0015] In some embodiments, the grounding switch may further include an energy storage device, the energy storage device including an energy storage spring and configured to drive the moving contact to rotate at a first speed via the energy storage spring when the moving contact is at a predetermined rotational position, wherein the first speed is greater than the rotation speed caused by the actuator receiving input from the user. The energy storage device of the grounding switch may provide the moving contact with further rotational power, so that the moving contact may quickly rotate to a closed position or an open position, thereby realizing the short-circuit closing capability of the grounding switch.

[0016] In some embodiments, the moving contact is coupled with the stationary contact through radial shape coupling, which can make the engagement between the moving contact and the stationary contact more secure, thereby improving the safety and stability of grounding.

[0017] In some embodiments, the actuator may include a gear, which is adapted to receive an input from a user and rotate, thereby enabling the user to perform a closing and opening operation of the grounding switch through an external input.

[0018] In a second aspect, a grounding switch is provided, which may further include a base and a grounding device fixedly mounted to the base, wherein the grounding device at least partially maintains contact with the moving contact, thereby achieving safer and more reliable grounding of the moving contact.

[0019] In some embodiments, the grounding device may include a pair of mounting plates including a through hole adapted to receive the drive shaft, wherein the grounding device is fixed to the base via the mounting plates, wherein the moving contact is at least partially clamped and held between the pair of mounting plates. Through the mounting plates, the grounding device can be securely mounted, thereby achieving stable grounding.

[0020] In some embodiments, the grounding device may further include an elastic contact portion disposed on the mounting plate, through which the movable contact is kept in contact with the grounding device. The elastic contact portion can ensure that the movable contact is always in contact with the grounding device, thereby achieving stable grounding.

[0021] In some embodiments, the elastic contact portion may include a plurality of elastic arms protruding from the mounting plate and a contact extending from each elastic arm, wherein the plurality of elastic arms are distributed around the through hole, wherein the contact maintains contact with the moving contact. Thus, the moving contact can always maintain contact with the grounding device, thereby achieving stable grounding, and at the same time, the through hole of the grounding device does not affect the rotation of the drive shaft.

[0022] In some embodiments, the grounding device may further include a limit pin for limiting the rotation position of the moving contact. The limit pin can effectively limit the position of the moving contact, thereby ensuring that the moving contact is in place at the correct position.

[0023] In some embodiments, the grounding switch may include a plurality of stationary contacts and a plurality of movable contacts configured in pairs, wherein the number of stationary contacts and movable contacts corresponds to the number of phases of the grounding switch, wherein the plurality of movable contacts are arranged along a drive shaft and driven via the drive shaft. The present invention can be used for any number of movable contacts and stationary contacts with any number of phases.

[0024] In a third aspect, a switchgear is provided which may include a user input adapted to receive input from a user and an earthing switch as described above, wherein the user input is configured to actuate the actuator via a gear transmission. The earthing switch of the present invention may be used in any suitable switchgear.

[0025] It should be understood that the present invention content is not intended to identify the key or essential features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become easy to understand through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent through a more detailed description of example embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals generally represent like components in example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 1 A perspective view of a grounding switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, wherein the grounding switch is in a closed state;

[0028] Figure 2 A perspective view of a grounding switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, wherein the grounding switch is in an open state;

[0029] Figure 3 A perspective view of a moving contact assembly of a grounding switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0030] Figure 4A A side view of a moving contact of a grounding switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0031] Figure 4B A combined diagram of a moving contact, a reinforcing plate and a driving shaft according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0032] Figure 4C A combined diagram of a moving contact, a reinforcing plate and a driving shaft according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0033] Figure 5A A perspective view showing a driving shaft of a grounding switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 5B A perspective view showing a driving shaft of a grounding switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 5C A partial enlarged view of a driving shaft of a grounding switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0036] Fig. 6A A perspective view showing a driving shaft and an actuating member of a grounding switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 6B-6D A perspective view showing an actuating member of a grounding switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure from different viewing angles;

[0038] Figures 7A-7C A schematic diagram showing the working process of the actuator and the drive shaft according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 8 A simplified view showing the working process of the actuator and the drive shaft according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] Fig. 9AA perspective view of a grounding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0041] Fig. 9B A side view of a grounding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0042] Figures 10A-10D Figures showing different perspectives of a grounding device and a base according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0043] Figures 11A-11B The figures show the grounding device and the moving contact according to the embodiment of the present disclosure from different perspectives.

[0044] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numbers are used to refer to the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The present disclosure will now be discussed in conjunction with several exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the purpose of discussing these embodiments is only to enable those skilled in the art to better understand and further implement the present disclosure, rather than implying any limitation on the scope of the subject matter.

[0046] As used herein, the term "including" and its variations should be understood as open terms, meaning "including but not limited to". The term "based on" should be understood as "based at least in part on". The terms "one embodiment" and "embodiment" should be understood as "at least one embodiment". The term "another embodiment" should be understood as "at least one other embodiment". The terms "first", "second", etc. may refer to different or the same objects. Other explicit and implicit definitions may be included below. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the definitions of terms are consistent throughout the specification.

[0047] An earthing switch is a mechanical earthing device that discharges static electricity or residual charge in equipment and circuits during maintenance or other situations. An earthing switch generally includes a stationary contact and a moving contact arranged in each phase of the switchgear. When the stationary contact is in contact with the moving contact, the earthing switch is closed. When the stationary contact is disengaged from the moving contact, the earthing switch is disconnected. The contact and disconnection of the stationary contact and the moving contact can be achieved by fixing the stationary contact and rotating the moving contact.

[0048] Figure 1 The grounding switch 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, wherein the grounding switch 100 is in a closed position. Figure 2 FIG. 2 shows a grounding switch 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the grounding switch 100 is in an open position. Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the grounding switch 100 generally includes a plurality of stationary contacts 101 and a plurality of moving contacts 102. Each stationary contact 101 and the corresponding moving contact 102 are arranged in one phase of the switchgear. In one embodiment, a three-phase circuit is arranged in the switchgear, and each phase circuit requires at least one pair of stationary contacts 101 and moving contacts 102. Conductive bars 103 are fixed to the moving contacts 102 of the plurality of phases for conductively connecting the moving contacts 102 of the plurality of phases. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the embodiment, the moving contacts 102 of multiple phases are connected together by two conductive bars 103, thereby achieving short circuit between the multiple moving contacts.

[0049] During operation, when the stationary contact contacts the moving contact, the grounding switch is closed. When the stationary contact and the moving contact are separated, the grounding switch is disconnected. The contact and separation of the stationary contact and the moving contact can be achieved by fixing the stationary contact and rotating the moving contact. That is, the moving contact can be rotated to the closed position in contact with the stationary contact to achieve the closing of the grounding switch; the moving contact can also be rotated to the disconnected position separated from the stationary contact to achieve the disconnection of the grounding switch.

[0050] Figure 3 The grounding switch 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, wherein one conductive strip 103 is used. In other embodiments, a different number of conductive strips may be used.

[0051] In the grounding switch 100 of the present invention, the movable contact 102 can rotate around the rotation axis of the drive shaft 105 to selectively contact and separate with the stationary contact 101, wherein the movable contact 102 can be engaged with the stationary contact 101 through radial shape coupling. The drive shaft 105 is connected with a plurality of movable contacts so that the drive shaft 105 and the movable contact 102 can rotate together. The rotation of the drive shaft 105 can be started by the actuator 400.

[0052] like Figure 1 and 2As shown, the actuator 400 may be in the form of a driving wheel. The actuator 400 has teeth (not shown) on its circumference, and the teeth of the actuator 400 may mesh with the teeth of the bevel gear 410. For example, the actuator 400 may include a gear, which is adapted to receive input from the user and rotate. The user's input is transmitted to the bevel gear 410 from the outside of the switch device through a transmission component (not shown), and the bevel gear in turn transmits the force from the user input to the actuator 400. The actuator 400 rotates due to receiving the input from the user, thereby driving the drive shaft 105 to rotate from the initial position. The rotation of the actuator 400 driven by the user's input, thereby driving the drive shaft 105, can cause the drive shaft 105 to rotate by a predetermined circumferential angle. After the drive shaft 105 rotates by the predetermined circumferential angle via the actuator 400, the actuator 400 can be separated from the drive shaft 105, thereby achieving the decoupling of the rotation of the actuator and the movement of the drive shaft.

[0053] like Figure 1-3 As shown, the grounding switch 100 further includes an energy storage device 140, which may include a connector 141, a connecting rod 144, an energy storage spring 142 and a pivot 143. The energy storage device 140 may be connected to the moving contact 102 via a connector on the connecting rod, and the energy storage device 140 may rotate around the pivot 143, so that the energy storage spring 142 provides power for the rotation of the moving contact 102 to the closed position or the disconnected position. During the rotation of the moving contact from the disconnected position to the closed position (or from the closed position to the disconnected position), at the beginning of the rotation, the energy storage device 140 is driven by the passive contact and rotates at a rotation speed caused by the input received from the user by the actuator 400. During this process, the energy storage spring 142 is compressed from a relaxed state to a compressed state to store energy. When rotating to a certain extent, the energy storage spring 142 is compressed to the maximum extent and reaches the spring stationary point. When passing the spring stationary point, the energy storage spring 142 begins to release and recovers from a compressed state to a relaxed state to release energy. That is to say, when the moving contact 102 is at a predetermined rotational position, the energy storage spring 142 begins to release to provide power for the rotation of the moving contact 102, so that the moving contact 102 rotates at a first speed driven by the energy storage spring 142, and the first speed is greater than the rotation speed caused by the actuator receiving input from the user. The speed difference between the two allows the moving contact to disengage from the actuator.

[0054] Figure 4AThe moving contact 102 of the grounding switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The moving contact 102 includes a contact segment 1021, a support segment 1022, and a root segment 1023. The contact segment 1021 is attached to the support segment 1022, and the contact segment 1021 can be clamped by the stationary contact in a closed position to close the grounding circuit, and can be detached from the stationary contact to disconnect the grounding circuit. In one embodiment, the contact segment 1021 that contacts the stationary contact to carry current can be made of copper material to obtain good conductive properties. An axial hole 1024 is provided on the root segment 1023 for the drive shaft to pass therethrough. The axial hole 1024 is non-circular, and there is an internal protrusion 1025 on the axial hole 1024, and the internal protrusion 1025 extends radially inward from the wall of the axial hole 1024.

[0055] In one embodiment, the inner protrusion 1025 has a generally fan-shaped shape. In another embodiment, the inner protrusion 1025 has a generally fan-shaped shape, and the vertex of the fan is truncated or chamfered, so as to facilitate the passage of the drive shaft 1025 and save material. In other embodiments, other shapes of the inner protrusion 1025 are also feasible. For example, the inner protrusion 1025 may include one or more sawtooth or rectangular small protrusions. Correspondingly, the drive shaft 105 may include one or more small grooves with corresponding shapes.

[0056] Return to reference Figure 3 The driving shaft 105 is provided with a groove 1051, which runs through the entire length of the driving shaft 105. In one embodiment, the groove 1051 is a fan-shaped groove, and the central angle of the fan-shaped groove is about 90 degrees. The internal protrusion 1025 matches the shape of the groove 1051 of the driving shaft 105, so that the moving contact 102 and the driving shaft 105 rotate synchronously.

[0057] Figure 4B The combination of the moving contact 102, the reinforcing plate 107 and the drive shaft 105 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The grounding switch 100 includes one or more pairs of reinforcing plates 107 for clamping the root section of the moving contact 102. The reinforcing plate 107 can be fixed to the root section of the moving contact 102 by any suitable means (such as fasteners, welding, etc.). Each reinforcing plate 107 may include an axial hole, which is non-circular, and there is an internal protrusion on the axial hole, and the internal protrusion of the reinforcing plate extends radially inward from the wall of the axial hole of the reinforcing plate. In one embodiment, the internal protrusion of the reinforcing plate has a generally fan-shaped shape. In another embodiment, the internal protrusion of the reinforcing plate has a generally fan-shaped shape, and the vertex of the fan is truncated or chamfered, so as to facilitate the passage of the drive shaft and save material. In other embodiments, other shapes of the internal protrusion of the reinforcing plate are also feasible. For example, the internal protrusion of the reinforcing plate may include one or more sawtooth or rectangular small protrusions. Correspondingly, the drive shaft may include one or more small grooves with corresponding shapes.

[0058] The inner protrusion of the reinforcing plate matches the shape of the groove of the driving shaft 105, so that the moving contact 102 rotates synchronously with the driving shaft 105. In one embodiment, the shaft hole of the reinforcing plate and the shaft hole of the root section of the moving contact are the same in shape, and the inner protrusion of the reinforcing plate and the inner protrusion of the root section of the moving contact are also the same in shape. The reinforcing plate and the root section are abutted together, and the driving shaft passes through the reinforcing plate and the root section and rotates synchronously with the reinforcing plate and the root section.

[0059] The reinforcing plate 107 can strengthen the strength of the root section of the moving contact to prevent deformation of the root section when the torque is too large. In addition, the energy storage device 140 can be connected to the reinforcing plate 107 to facilitate the connection of the energy storage device 140. Specifically, the energy storage device 140 can be connected to the reinforcing plate 107 to provide power for the rotation of the moving contact to the closed position or the open position. In one embodiment, the reinforcing plate and the energy storage device can be provided at the outermost two-phase moving contacts, and the reinforcing plate and the energy storage device can be not provided at the central moving contact. Figure 4C As shown, the driving shaft 105 passes through the three moving contacts 102 in sequence and can rotate synchronously with the three moving contacts 102. In other embodiments, a reinforcing plate and an energy storage device can also be provided at any one or more moving contacts of the moving contacts of multiple phases.

[0060] Figure 5A and 5B The driving shaft 105 of the grounding switch according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The driving shaft 105 is provided with a groove, such as a fan-shaped groove. The driving shaft 105 may also include a radial recess 1052 extending along the circumference of the driving shaft. The radial recess 1052 may be located near the end of the driving shaft 105. In one embodiment, the radial recess 1052 may be formed by continuing to provide a matching groove 1052 on the groove 1051. Correspondingly, the actuator may include a radial protrusion, which may extend along the circumference of the shaft hole of the actuator, and the radial protrusion may be suitable for engaging with the radial recess. The specific structure of the radial protrusion of the actuator will be described in detail later in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0061] Figure 5CA partial enlarged view of the drive shaft 105 of the grounding switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The radial recess 1052 may be in the form of a mating groove 1052, which has a first engagement surface 1053, a second engagement surface 1055, and a transition surface 1054 between the first engagement surface 1053 and the second engagement surface 1055. In one embodiment, the radial recess 1052 may include a concave profile extending concavely from the radial outer side toward the radial inner side, wherein the concave profile includes a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface that are circumferentially spaced apart. In one embodiment, the radial recess 1052 may have a shape similar to an upper portion of a trapezoid, that is, the radial recess 1052 may include a concave profile of a trapezoid, wherein the concave profile of the trapezoid may include a shape that tapers from the radial outer side toward the radial inner side. For example, the first joint surface 1053, the second joint surface 1055, and the transition surface 1054 of the radial recess 1052 can form an isosceles trapezoid, wherein the transition surface 1054 is similar to the upper base of the isosceles trapezoid, and the first joint surface 1053 and the second joint surface 1055 are similar to the two waists of the isosceles trapezoid. In other embodiments, the shape of the radial recess 1052 can also be a non-isosceles trapezoid or other any suitable shape. As shown in the figure, the opening of the radial recess 1052 is greater than the opening of the groove 1051.

[0062] Fig. 6A A combination of a drive shaft 105 and an actuator 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 6B-6D An actuator 400 of a grounding switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. As shown in the figure, the actuator 400 can be in the form of a driving wheel 400, and the actuator 400 can include a wheel portion 401 and a neck portion 402. In one embodiment, the wheel portion 401 is roughly fan-shaped, wherein the vertex angle of the fan is rounded. The side of the wheel portion 401 facing the moving contact can be a flat surface, and the side facing away from the moving contact can be provided with teeth on the periphery. The teeth of the wheel portion 401 can mesh with the bevel gear, so that the bevel gear can drive the wheel portion to rotate, wherein the components outside the switch device can rotate the bevel gear through the transmission component, and the rotation of the bevel gear in turn drives the wheel portion to rotate.

[0063] Continue to refer to Figures 6A-6D , a through shaft hole 4011 is provided on the wheel portion 401 and the neck portion 402, and the shaft hole 4011 extends axially from one end of the wheel portion 401 close to the moving contact to one end of the neck portion 402 away from the moving contact, that is, the shaft hole 4011 extends in the direction of the rotation axis, so that the drive shaft 105 can extend through the shaft hole 4011. A radial protrusion 4012 is provided on the wheel portion 401. The radial protrusion 4012 includes a first matching portion 4013 and a second matching portion 4015, and the first matching portion 4013 and the second matching portion 4015 are arranged to be spaced apart in the circumferential direction. Figures 6A-6DIn an embodiment, the first matching portion and the second matching portion may be in the form of matching surfaces. Specifically, the radial protrusion 4012 may include a first matching surface 4013, a second matching surface 4015, and a transition surface 4014 between the first matching surface 4013 and the second matching surface 4015. The first matching surface 4013, the second matching surface 4015, and the transition surface 4014 of the radial protrusion 4012 may form a convex profile extending protrudingly from the radial outer side toward the radial inner side, wherein the circumferentially spaced first matching surface 4013 and the second matching surface 4015 of the convex profile serve as the first matching portion 4013 and the second matching portion 4015, respectively. In an embodiment, the radial protrusion 4012 has a shape similar to an upper portion of a trapezoid, that is, the radial protrusion 4012 may include a convex profile of a trapezoid, wherein the convex profile includes a shape that decreases from the radial outer side toward the radial inner side. For example, the first matching surface 4013, the second matching surface 4015, and the transition surface 4014 of the radial protrusion 4012 form an isosceles trapezoid, wherein the transition surface 4014 is similar to the upper base of the isosceles trapezoid, and the first matching surface 4013 and the second matching surface 4015 are similar to the two waists of the isosceles trapezoid. In other embodiments, the shape of the radial protrusion 4012 can also be a non-isosceles trapezoid or any other suitable shape.

[0064] In other embodiments, the first matching portion 4013 and the second matching portion 4015 of the radial protrusion 4012 may be in the form of radial protrusions. Specifically, the first radial protrusion 4013 is used as the first matching portion 4013, and the second radial protrusion 4015 is used as the second matching portion 4015. The first radial protrusion 4013 and the second radial protrusion 4015 are circumferentially spaced apart.

[0065] In order to achieve better engagement between the actuator and the drive shaft, when the actuator 400 is engaged with the drive shaft 105, the first matching portion 4013 of the radial protrusion 4012 is designed to fit tightly with the first engagement surface 1053 of the radial recess 1052. For example, the shape and area of ​​the first matching portion 4013 of the radial protrusion 4012 can match the shape and area of ​​the first engagement surface 1053 of the radial recess 1052, and the inclination angle and direction of the first matching portion 4013 of the radial protrusion 4012 can match the inclination angle and direction of the first engagement surface 1053 of the radial recess 1052. When the actuator 400 is engaged with the drive shaft 105, the second matching portion 4015 of the radial protrusion 4012 is designed to fit tightly with the second engagement surface 1055 of the radial recess 1052. For example, the shape and area of ​​the second matching portion 4015 of the radial protrusion 4012 may match the shape and area of ​​the second joint surface 1055 of the radial recess 1052, and the inclination angle and direction of the second matching portion 4015 of the radial protrusion 4012 may match the inclination angle and direction of the second joint surface 1055 of the radial recess 1052. In the embodiment where the first matching surface 4013 serves as the first matching portion 4013 and the second matching surface 4015 serves as the second matching portion 4015, the first matching surface 4013 may match and fit closely with the first joint surface 1053, and the second matching surface 4015 may match and fit closely with the second joint surface 1055. In the embodiment where the first radial protrusion 4013 is used as the first matching portion 4013 and the second radial protrusion 4015 is used as the second matching portion 4015, one surface of the first radial protrusion 4013 may match and fit closely with the first joint surface 1053, and one surface of the second radial protrusion 4015 may match and fit closely with the second joint surface 1055. Alternatively, in other embodiments, any other suitable shapes, sizes, angles, and directions of the first matching portion 4013, the second matching portion 4015, the first joint surface 1053, and the second joint surface 1055 may be used, as long as the actuator can drive the rotation of the drive shaft, all of which will fall within the concept and scope of the present invention.

[0066] In order to achieve timely disengagement of the drive shaft from the actuator, the profile of the radial recess 1052 of the drive shaft 105 is larger than the profile of the radial protrusion 4012 of the actuator 400. For example, the shape (e.g., trapezoidal) of the radial recess 1052 is larger than the shape (e.g., trapezoidal) of the radial protrusion 4012. Alternatively, the shape (e.g., trapezoidal) of the radial recess 1052 can include the shape (e.g., trapezoidal) of the radial protrusion 4012 in the shape of the radial recess 1052. By making the profile of the radial recess larger than the profile of the radial protrusion, it is possible to allow the motion decoupling of the radial recess and the radial protrusion.

[0067] The size of the shaft hole 4011 of the actuator is adapted to the size of the drive shaft 105. For example, the inner diameter of the shaft hole 4011 of the actuator can be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the drive shaft 105. Except for the radial protrusion 4012, other parts of the shaft hole 4011 of the actuator 400 will not hinder the rotation of the drive shaft 105 therein.

[0068] Refer to the following Figures 7A-7C Describe the process of engagement and disengagement of the drive shaft and the actuator. Please note that the directions and angles of the drive shaft and the actuator shown in the drawings are only for the purpose of convenience and do not represent the actual directions and angles of the drive shaft and the actuator in use.

[0069] As described above, the radial recess 1052 includes the circumferentially spaced first and second engagement surfaces 1053 and 1055, and the radial protrusion 4012 includes the circumferentially spaced first and second matching portions 4013 and 4015. The drive shaft 105 can rotate around the rotation axis in the first rotation direction or the second rotation direction, the first rotation direction being opposite to the second rotation direction.

[0070] When rotating in the first rotation direction, the first matching portion 4013 can be engaged with the first engagement surface 1053 to achieve motion coupling of the radial recess and the radial protrusion in the first rotation direction. And when rotating in the first rotation direction to a certain extent, there may be a rotation speed difference between the first engagement surface 1053 and the first matching portion 4013, and the rotation speed of the first engagement surface 1053 is higher than the rotation speed of the first matching portion 4013, thereby achieving motion decoupling of the radial recess and the radial protrusion in the first rotation direction.

[0071] When rotating in the second rotation direction, the second matching portion 4015 can engage with the second engagement surface 1055 to achieve motion coupling of the radial recess and the radial protrusion in the second rotation direction. And when rotating to a certain extent in the second rotation direction, there may be a rotation speed difference between the second engagement surface 1055 and the second matching portion 4015, and the rotation speed of the second engagement surface 1055 is higher than the rotation speed of the second matching portion 4015, thereby achieving motion decoupling of the radial recess and the radial protrusion in the second rotation direction.

[0072] The specific working process is described as follows.

[0073] In the first stage, the actuator 400 is Fig. 7A Starting from the initial position (open position or closed position) shown in FIG. 1 , the actuating member 400 rotates along the arrow direction A (first rotation direction) until it is in a position engaged with the drive shaft 105, as shown in FIG. Figure 7B shown.

[0074] In the second stage, the actuator 400 continues to rotate along the arrow direction A. The first matching portion 4013 of the actuator 400 engages the first engagement surface 1053 of the drive shaft 105, and the actuator 400 drives the drive shaft 105 to start rotating. That is, in the second stage, the actuator 400 rotates synchronously with the drive shaft 105. In the second stage, since the drive shaft keeps rotating synchronously with the moving contact, the rotation of the moving contact compresses the spring of the energy storage device, so that the spring changes from a relaxed state to a compressed state, thereby storing energy in the spring.

[0075] In the third stage, when the rotation reaches a certain extent, the spring passes through the stationary point (at which the spring is compressed to the maximum extent), and the spring recovers from the compressed state to the relaxed state, thereby generating power to push the moving contact to the closed position or the open position. The force of the spring provides high-speed rotation, so the drive shaft must be disengaged from the actuator to prevent damage to the transmission components or injury to the operator. In the process of the spring pushing the moving contact to rotate, the rotation speed of the first mating surface 1053 is higher than the rotation speed of the first matching portion 4013, so that the first mating surface 1053 disengages from the first matching portion 4013 and continues to rotate in the direction of arrow A, thereby achieving the disengagement of the first mating surface 1053 from the first matching portion 4013, thereby achieving the disengagement of the drive shaft 105 from the actuator 400, as shown in FIG. Figure 7C shown.

[0076] In the fourth stage, the first engagement surface 1053 of the drive shaft 105 continues to rotate along the arrow direction A until the moving contact is synchronously driven by the drive shaft to the closed position or the open position. When the moving contact reaches the closed position or the open position, the drive shaft 105 stops rotating.

[0077] In the fifth stage, the actuator 400 continues to rotate under the action of the transmission component until the first matching portion 4013 engages with the first engagement surface 1053 again, thereby achieving the function of limiting and keeping the moving contact in the closed position or the open position.

[0078] The above process shows the process of the actuator driving the drive shaft (and thereby driving the moving contact) to change from the open position to the closed position (or from the closed position to the open position). Obviously, the actuator 400 and the drive shaft 105 can also rotate in the direction opposite to the arrow direction A to achieve the change from the closed position to the open position (or from the open position to the closed position).

[0079] Refer to the following Figure 8 Describe the process of engagement and disengagement of the drive shaft and the actuator. Please note that the directions and angles of the drive shaft and the actuator shown in the drawings are only for the purpose of convenience and do not represent the actual directions and angles of the drive shaft and the actuator in use.

[0080] In stage A, the second matching portion of the actuating member is engaged with the second engaging surface of the driving shaft (or the first matching portion is engaged with the first engaging surface), and the moving contact is in the open position (or the closed position).

[0081] In stage B, the actuator starts to rotate, the second matching part of the actuator disengages from the second engagement surface of the drive shaft (or the first matching part disengages from the first engagement surface), and the first matching part of the actuator rotates toward the first engagement surface of the drive shaft (or the second matching part rotates toward the second engagement surface).

[0082] In stage C, the first mating portion of the actuator is rotated to engage the first engagement surface of the drive shaft (or the second mating portion is rotated to engage the second engagement surface).

[0083] In stage D, the first matching portion of the actuator rotates synchronously with the first engaging surface of the drive shaft (or the second matching portion rotates synchronously with the second engaging surface).

[0084] In stage E, when the spring starts to push the moving contact to rotate, the rotation speed of the first mating surface (or the second mating surface) is higher than the rotation speed of the first matching part (or the second matching part), thereby the first mating surface disengages from the first matching part (or the second mating surface disengages from the second matching part) and continues to rotate until the moving contact reaches the closed position (or the open position).

[0085] In stage F, the first matching part (or second matching part) of the actuator continues to rotate under the action of the transmission component until the first matching part (or second matching part) engages with the first mating surface (or second mating surface) again, thereby achieving the function of limiting and keeping the moving contact in the closed position or the open position.

[0086] From the above discussion, it can be known that by utilizing the above arrangement of the grounding switch, the drive shaft can be disengaged from the actuator in time, thereby realizing the timely disengagement of the moving contact from the transmission component. Compared with the technical solution of the prior art in which the moving contact can be disengaged from the drive shaft and then from the transmission component, the present invention keeps the moving contact and the drive shaft rotating synchronously at all times, and the drive shaft can be disengaged from the transmission component. The technical solution of the present invention can more effectively prevent damage to the transmission component and prevent harm to operators outside the switch device. Moreover, the technical solution of the present invention can simplify the structure, reduce the number of components, save internal space, and reduce the probability of failure. In addition, the technical solution of the present invention can also improve the control accuracy, and can also play a role in limiting and keeping the moving contact in place in the closed position or the open position.

[0087] In addition, the grounding in the prior art is achieved by grounding a conductor drawn from the outside of the moving contact. A large number of tests have shown that the conductor is one of the most prone locations for grounding switches to fail.

[0088] The present invention uses Fig. 9A and 9B The grounding device 500 shown replaces the wire in the prior art. The grounding device 500 is fixedly mounted to the base 104 of the grounding switch so that the grounding device 500 at least partially maintains contact with the moving contact during the rotation of the moving contact. Specifically, the grounding device 500 may include a pair of mounting plates 501, a plurality of elastic contact portions 502 and a plurality of contacts 503. The mounting plate 501 has a plurality of mounting holes for mounting the mounting plate 501 to the base of the grounding switch, and the mounting holes are also used to install the stop pins. A plurality of elastic contact portions 502 are provided on the mounting plate 501, and the elastic contact portions are used to keep the moving contact in contact with the grounding device. The plurality of elastic contact portions 502 may be in the form of a plurality of protrusions 502, which protrude inwardly from the plane of the mounting plate 501. The elastic contact portion 502 may include a plurality of elastic arms 5020 protruding from the mounting plate 501 and an extended contact protruding from each of the elastic arms 5020. The mounting plate 501 of the grounding device 500 has a through hole to allow the drive shaft to pass through without affecting the rotation of the drive shaft. A plurality of elastic arms 5020 are distributed around the through hole. The grounding device 500 is fixed to the base via a pair of mounting plates 501, so that the moving contact can be at least partially clamped and held between the pair of mounting plates, wherein the contact point remains in contact with the moving contact.

[0089] In one embodiment, a step-shaped protrusion that is higher than the plane of the mounting plate is formed on the mounting plate as an elastic arm. Each elastic arm 502 has a raised portion 5021 and a platform portion 5022. The raised portion 5021 extends inwardly from the plane of the mounting plate 501 obliquely to form a certain height. The platform portion 5022 is a platform located at the height, and the platform surface is parallel to the root section of the moving contact. A plurality of contacts 503 are arranged on the platform portions 5022 of the plurality of elastic arms 502. Preferably, each platform portion 5022 has a contact 503. In other embodiments, a plurality of contacts may be arranged on a platform portion, or no contact may be arranged on some platform portions. The two groups of elastic arms 502 of the paired grounding device 500 and the contacts thereon clamp the root section of the moving contact inward, so that the grounding device 500 forms an interference fit with the moving contact, thereby achieving a stable and firm electrical connection.

[0090] like Fig. 10A and 10BAs shown, the mounting plate 501 of the grounding device 500 is provided with a plurality of mounting holes, and the base 104 of the grounding switch is also provided with a plurality of mounting holes 1041. The positions and shapes of the plurality of mounting holes of the mounting plate correspond to the plurality of mounting holes of the base, so that the plurality of mounting holes of the mounting plate and the plurality of mounting holes of the base can form through mounting holes for fasteners to pass through. For example, the fasteners can be bolts, screws, etc. In one embodiment, the mounting plate has 4 mounting holes, and the base also has 4 mounting holes. The mounting plate 501 and the base 104 overlap together to form 4 through mounting holes. Two of the 4 through mounting holes are used to fix the grounding device 500 to the base 104. As shown in FIG. Fig. 10A As shown, the base is secured to the chassis 106 via a plurality of fasteners 1042 (eg, bolts, screws, nuts, etc.).

[0091] The base 104 has a lower portion 1043 close to the base 106 and an upper portion 1044 away from the base 106. The upper portion 1044 has two through-holes, one of which is in the path of the moving contact rotation. The through-hole in the upper portion 1044 in the path of the moving contact rotation is used to receive a fastener to fix the grounding device 500 to the base 104, and the installation of the fastener does not affect the rotation of the moving contact. The other through-hole in the upper portion 1044 is not in the path of the moving contact rotation, and the through-hole is used to install a limit pin 5013, and the limit pin 5013 is used to limit the rotation position of the moving contact.

[0092] There are two through-holes at the lower part 1043, one of which is in the path of the moving contact rotation. The through-hole in the lower part 1043 in the path of the moving contact rotation is used to install a limit pin, which is used to limit the position of the moving contact. The other through-hole in the lower part 1043 is not in the path of the moving contact rotation, and is used to receive a fastener to fix the grounding device 500 to the base 104. That is, there are two limit pins at the diagonal position between the two groups of grounding devices and the base, and there are two fasteners at the diagonal position between each group of grounding devices and the base, with a total of 2 limit pins and 4 fasteners.

[0093] Fig.11A and 11B The moving contact is shown to be clamped by a pair of grounding devices. As shown in the figure, the moving contact is in close contact with the grounding device. The grounding device has an opening that allows the drive shaft to pass through without hindering the rotation of the drive shaft.

[0094] Return to reference Figure 1-3, an energy storage device can be provided at the outermost two phases of the three-phase moving contacts, and a grounding device can be provided at the moving contact of the middle phase. Since the conductive bars connect the three-phase moving contacts, only one grounding device is required to ground the three-phase moving contacts at the same time. Figure 1-3 The embodiments are only exemplary and may have other numbers of phases and other numbers of moving contacts. The energy storage device may be provided at any one or more moving contacts, and the grounding device may also be provided at any one or more moving contacts. The energy storage device and the grounding device may be provided at different moving contacts or at the same moving contact. The number of stationary contacts and moving contacts is not limited to Figure 1-3 The three phases shown may include a plurality of stationary contacts and a plurality of movable contacts configured in pairs, wherein the number of the stationary contacts and the movable contacts corresponds to the number of phases of the grounding switch, and wherein the plurality of movable contacts are arranged along a driving shaft and driven via the driving shaft.

[0095] The grounding device can be made of a material with good conductivity, such as copper. The grounding device is fixed to the base and is conductively connected to the base, the base is fixed to the base and is conductively connected to the base, the base is grounded, and thus the grounding of the moving contact is achieved through the grounding device.

[0096] It can be known from the above discussion that, by utilizing the above arrangement of the grounding switch, the technical solution of the present invention achieves grounding with higher safety and reliability.

[0097] It should be understood that the above detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to illustrate or explain the principles of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Therefore, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, any modification, equivalent replacement and improvement, etc. should be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure. At the same time, the claims attached to the present disclosure are intended to cover all variations and modifications that fall within the scope and boundaries of the claims or the equivalent forms of the scope and boundaries.

Claims

1. A grounding switch (100), comprising: Stationary contact (101); A moving contact (102) capable of rotating about a rotation axis to selectively contact and separate from the stationary contact (101); a drive shaft (105) attached to the moving contact (102) and configured to rotate together with the moving contact (102); as well as an actuator (400) adapted to receive an input from a user and rotate to drive the drive shaft (105) to rotate from an initial position to a predetermined circumferential angle, wherein the drive shaft (105) is configured to separate from the drive shaft (105) after the actuator (400) rotates to the predetermined circumferential angle, so that the rotation of the actuator (400) and the movement of the drive shaft (105) are decoupled, The actuator (400) comprises an axial hole (4011) extending in the direction of the rotation axis, the drive shaft (105) extends through the axial hole (4011), and the actuator (400) and the drive shaft (105) achieve motion coupling and decoupling with each other through radial shape coupling. The drive shaft (105) includes a radial recess (1052) extending along the circumference of the drive shaft (105), and the actuator (400) includes a radial protrusion (4012) extending along the circumference of the shaft hole (4011) and suitable for engaging with the radial recess (1052). wherein the profile of the radial recess (1052) is larger than the profile of the radial protrusion (4012) to allow decoupling of the motion of the radial recess (1052) and the radial protrusion (4012), The radial recess (1052) includes a first engagement surface (1053) and a second engagement surface (1055) that are circumferentially spaced apart, and the radial protrusion (4012) includes a first matching portion (4013) and a second matching portion (4015) that are circumferentially spaced apart. wherein when the drive shaft (105) rotates around the rotation axis in a first rotation direction, the first matching portion (4013) can engage with the first engagement surface (1053) to achieve motion coupling between the radial recess (1052) and the radial protrusion (4012) in the first rotation direction; When the drive shaft (105) rotates around the rotation axis in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, the second matching portion (4015) is capable of engaging with the second engagement surface (1055) to achieve motion coupling of the radial recess (1052) and the radial protrusion (4012) along the second rotation direction.

2. The grounding switch (100) according to claim 1, wherein the radial recess (1052) and the radial protrusion (4012) can be decoupled in motion due to a speed difference.

3. The grounding switch (100) according to claim 1, wherein the radial protrusion (4012) comprises a convex profile extending protrudingly from the radial outer side toward the radial inner side, wherein the convex profile comprises a first matching surface and a second matching surface spaced circumferentially apart, a surface of the first matching surface is used as the first matching portion (4013), and a surface of the second matching surface is used as the second matching portion (4015).

4. The grounding switch (100) according to claim 3, wherein the radial protrusion (4012) comprises a trapezoidal convex profile, wherein the convex profile comprises a shape that tapers from the radial outer side toward the radial inner side.

5. The grounding switch (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an energy storage device (140), the energy storage device (140) comprising an energy storage spring (142) and configured to drive the moving contact (102) to rotate at a first speed via the energy storage spring (142) when the moving contact (102) is in a predetermined rotational position, wherein the first speed is greater than a rotation speed caused by the actuator (400) receiving an input from a user.

6. The grounding switch (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the moving contact (102) is coupled with the stationary contact (101) by radial shape coupling.

7. The grounding switch (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the actuating member (400) comprises a gear, and the gear is adapted to rotate in response to receiving an input from a user.

8. The grounding switch (100) according to claim 1, wherein the grounding switch (100) further comprises: Base (104); and A grounding device (500) is fixedly mounted to the base (104), wherein the grounding device (500) at least partially maintains contact with the moving contact (102).

9. The grounding switch (100) according to claim 8, wherein the grounding device (500) comprises a pair of mounting plates (501), comprising a through hole suitable for receiving the drive shaft (105), wherein the grounding device (500) is fixed to the base (104) via the mounting plates (501), and wherein the moving contact (102) is at least partially clamped and retained between the pair of mounting plates (501).

10. The grounding switch (100) according to claim 9, wherein the grounding device (500) further comprises an elastic contact portion (502) arranged on the mounting plate (501), and the movable contact (102) is kept in contact with the grounding device (500) through the elastic contact portion (502).

11. The grounding switch (100) according to claim 10, wherein the elastic contact portion (502) protrudes from the mounting plate (501) to form a plurality of elastic arms (5020) and an extended contact (503) protruding from each of the elastic arms (5020), wherein the plurality of elastic arms (5020) are distributed around the through hole, wherein the contact (503) maintains contact with the moving contact (102).

12. The grounding switch (100) according to claim 8, wherein the grounding device (500) further comprises a limit pin for limiting the rotation position of the moving contact (102).

13. The grounding switch (100) according to any one of claims 1-4 and 8-12, comprises a plurality of stationary contacts (101) and a plurality of moving contacts (102) configured in pairs, wherein the number of the stationary contacts (101) and the moving contacts (102) corresponds to the number of phases of the grounding switch (100), wherein the plurality of moving contacts (102) are arranged along the drive shaft (105) and driven via the drive shaft (105).

14. A switch device comprising: A user input unit, adapted to receive input from a user; as well as The earthing switch (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the user input is configured to actuate the actuating member (400) via a gear transmission.

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