Arc suppression device

Abstract

An arc extinguishing device, especially an arc extinguishing device suitable for extinguishing arcs of multiple electrical contacts, which includes a first switch (S1). The arc extinguishing power supply is connected to the electrodes (1, 2, 3, 4) that need arc extinguishing through the first switch (S1). The number of the electrodes (1, 2, 3, 4) and the first switch (S1) is two or more, and the first switch (S1) is an uncontrollable switch. This solution has the advantage of low cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an arc extinguishing device, in particular to a low-cost arc extinguishing device suitable for extinguishing arcs on multi-path electrodes (electric contacts). Background Art

[0002] At present, in electric control systems such as new energy vehicles, rail transportation, ships, aviation, and automatic control, electrical contacts (contacts and electrodes of switches) of relays (contactors) are commonly used to frequently connect and disconnect various loads. Due to the disconnection of arcs, the electrical contacts have the disadvantage of short electrical life. Therefore, there are also some arc extinguishing devices for the purpose of solving arc problems, such as patent number: 2018107919477. Its technical solution is to use multiple semi-controlled devices as selection switches to achieve arc extinguishing of multiple electrical contacts, but it has the disadvantages of complex control, large size and high cost. Especially under working conditions with small current and a large number of electrical contacts, the problem of high cost is particularly prominent. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the shortcomings of the existing arc extinguishing device and provide a low-cost arc extinguishing device.

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0005] An arc extinguishing device includes a first switch, an arc extinguishing power supply is connected to an electrode required for arc extinguishing via the first switch, the number of the electrodes and the first switches is two or more, and the first switch is an uncontrollable switch.

[0006] Working principle: When an arc appears on the electrode to be extinguished, or an arc is about to appear, the arc extinguishing power supply supplies power to the load end of the electrode through the first switch to eliminate the arc generated by the electrode or extinguish the arc of the electrode.

[0007] The present invention has the advantages of reasonable design and low cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 This is a circuit diagram of Example 1 of the arc extinguishing device of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a circuit diagram of Example 2 of the arc extinguishing device of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a circuit diagram of the third embodiment of the arc extinguishing device of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a circuit diagram of the fourth embodiment of the arc extinguishing device of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Embodiment 1 of the arc suppression device of the present invention is as follows Figure 1 shown:

[0013] An arc suppression device includes a first switch S1. The arc suppression power supply input from the P2 terminal (provided by the second switch S2) is connected (electrically connected) to the electrodes (1, 2, 3, 4) that need arc suppression through the first switch S1. The second switch S2 is connected to the power supply input from the power supply terminal PA of the mechanical switch K; the electrode 1 (normally closed contact), the electrode 2 (normally open contact), the electrode 3 (normally closed contact), and the electrode 4 (normally open contact) are the contacts of the mechanical switch K, and are respectively connected to the loads R1. The electrodes A1 (A2) and the electrodes 1 (3), the electrodes 2 (4) form a single-pole double-throw switch (as Figure 1 shown, it is a single-pole double-throw switch with two-way linkage). The series circuit composed of the second switch S2 and the first switch S1 is connected in parallel with this single-pole double-throw switch (optionally, directly in parallel, or indirectly in parallel through other switches); the common terminal (P1 terminal) of the electrodes (1, 2, 3, 4) and the load R1 is connected to the arc suppression power supply provided by the second switch S2 through the first switch S1, that is, the switch (single-pole double-throw switch) that needs arc suppression is connected in series with the load R1, and the common terminal of this switch and the load R1 is connected to the arc suppression power supply through the first switch S1.

[0014] Working principle: When the electrodes A1 (A2) and the electrodes 1 (3) or the electrodes 2 (4) are disconnected, the second switch S2 is turned on, and the arc suppression power supply provided by the P2 terminal supplies power to the load R1 (P1 terminal) through the first switch S1. The voltage of the load R1 (P1 terminal) rises, and the potential difference between the electrodes A1 (A2) and the electrodes 1 (3) or the electrodes 2 (4) decreases, realizing the break of no arc or micro arc, achieving the effect of eliminating the generation or extinguishing of the arc, and then the second switch S2 is turned off.

[0015] Embodiment 2 of the arc suppression device of the present invention is as follows Figure 2 shown:

[0016] As Figure 2 in Embodiment 1 Figure 1On the basis of [the above], a third switch S3, a fourth switch S4, and a fifth switch S5 are added. As an arc extinguishing device for non-polar (bidirectional) DC or AC arc extinguishing purposes, the anode of the third switch S3 is connected to the cathode of the first switch S1. The common terminal where the third switch S3 is connected to the first switch S1 is connected to the electrodes (1, 2, 3, 4). The cathode of the third switch S3 and the anode of the first switch S1 are respectively connected to both ends of the second switch S2. The cathode of the third switch S3 is connected to the cathode of the fourth switch S4. The anode of the fifth switch S5 is connected to the anode of the first switch S1. The anode of the fourth switch S4 and the cathode of the fifth switch S5 are connected to the PA terminal power supply. The second switch S2 is connected to the power supply through the fourth switch S4 (the fifth switch S5). The third switch S3, the fourth switch S4, and the fifth switch S5 are unidirectional conduction devices (preferably diodes), and are uncontrollable switches. The working principle is the same as that of the first embodiment, and will not be elaborated here.

[0017] Embodiment 3 of the arc extinguishing device of the present invention is as Figure 3 shown:

[0018] As Figure 3 For adding a sixth switch S6, a seventh switch S7, and a control unit A on the basis of Embodiment 1 Figure 1 The control signal of the second switch S2 is provided by the control unit A. The voltage signal of the electrode 1 (3) is transmitted to the control unit A through the sixth switch S6 for detecting the disconnection between the electrode A1 (A2) and the electrode 1 (3); the voltage signal of the electrode 2 (4) is transmitted to the control unit A through the seventh switch S7 for detecting the disconnection between the electrode A1 (A2) and the electrode 2 (4); the number of the sixth switch S6 and the seventh switch S7 is two or more. The sixth switch S6 and the seventh switch S7 are unidirectional conduction devices (preferably diodes), and are uncontrollable switches. Each of the sixth switches S6 is connected in common cathode (or common anode can also be used), and each of the seventh switches S7 is connected in common cathode (or common anode can also be used). The common terminal of the second switch S2 and the first switch S1 is connected to the control unit A. The use of the sixth switch S6 and the seventh switch S7 can reduce the voltage acquisition ports of the control unit A and simplify the circuit (selecting the sixth switch S6 and the seventh switch S7 as the preferred example. When not selected, just add the corresponding voltage acquisition ports of the control unit A). The control signal of the mechanical switch K can also be optionally provided by the control unit A, or the control signal of the mechanical switch K is provided to the control unit A. Before the electrode A1 (A2) and the electrode 2 (4) are closed, the second switch S2 (using a current limiting switch or connecting a current limiting element in series) is controlled to conduct to pre-energize the load (such as a capacitive load). J1 is a control port and J2 port is a communication port, which are selected according to needs.

[0019] Working principle: When the control unit A detects the disconnection between the electrode A1 (A2) and the electrode 1 (3) or the electrode 2 (4), it controls the second switch S2 to conduct. The arc extinguishing power supply provided at the P2 terminal supplies power to the load terminal through the first switch S1. The voltage at the load terminal rises, and the potential difference between the electrode A1 (A2) and the electrode 1 (3) or the electrode 2 (4) drops, achieving arc-free or micro-arc disconnection, playing the role of eliminating the generation or extinguishing of the arc, and then the second switch S2 is cut off.

[0020] In this embodiment, the control unit A that can be adjusted by the user to control the conduction time of the second switch S2 can be adopted to expand the application scope of the present invention. The control unit A incorporates a programmable device (such as a microcontroller or a programmable logic device, etc.).

[0021] Embodiment 4 of the arc extinguishing device of the present invention is as Figure 4 shown:

[0022] The above embodiments 1, 2, and 3 are for the convenience of understanding and description to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 connect the electrode A1 and the electrode A2 together. In actual use, for the convenience of connecting other switches (such as the switch K1) to complete various logical controls, the electrode A1, the electrode A2, and the P3 terminal (power supply terminal) do not need to be connected together. Multiple switches can be connected in series or parallel (equivalent to the switch K1) to the electrode A1 or the electrode A2, and the present invention can also achieve arc extinguishing for the switch K1.

[0023] In the above embodiments, the first switch S1 is a unidirectional conduction switch, which is a semiconductor device (preferably a diode). Each unidirectional conduction switch S1 is connected to the arc extinguishing power supply (provided by the second switch S2) in common anode. When the circuit polarity changes, each unidirectional conduction switch S1 can be changed to common cathode and connected to the arc extinguishing power supply (provided by the second switch S2, and the polarity of the second switch S2 can also be changed). In actual use, according to the working conditions, an arc extinguishing power supply with a positive pulse or a negative pulse is selected. The first switch S1 adopts an uncontrollable type switch that does not require control, which has the advantages of low cost and strong overload capacity.

[0024] In the above embodiments, the arc extinguishing power supply can also be provided by a series circuit composed of a capacitor and the second switch S2. The charging current or discharging current of the capacitor through the first switch S1 and the load R1 (preferably, optional) is used as the arc extinguishing current. The pulse width of the arc extinguishing current is limited by the capacitance of the capacitor or the control pulse width of the second switch S2. The arc extinguishing power supply connected to the P2 terminal is a pulse power supply.

[0025] In the above embodiments, the electrodes (1, 2, 3, 4) can also be electrodes at the arc extinguishing breakpoints required for any object that needs arc extinguishing, such as fuses, wires, connectors, etc.; the common end where the second switch S2 is connected to the first switch S1 is connected to a voltage limiting component VT (composed of a diode and a Zener diode in series, or a transient suppression diode can also be used, or a varistor can be used, or a diode can be used, or composed of a resistor and a capacitor in series); the voltage limiting component VT can be connected in parallel with the load through the first switch S1, or can be connected in parallel with the second switch S2 to suppress overvoltage when the load is inductive.

[0026] In the above embodiments, during the operation (connection or disconnection) of the electrode A1 or the electrode A2, the first pulse (which can be a single pulse or multiple pulses, and it is preferably that the single pulse width or the total pulse width is not greater than 1 millisecond and not less than 50 microseconds) can be used to control the conduction of the second switch S2 to achieve arc extinguishing for the electrode, and then the second pulse controls the conduction of the second switch S2 to achieve arc extinguishing for the other closed electrode (optional, which can be a single pulse or multiple pulses, and it is preferably that the single pulse width or the total pulse width is not greater than 1 millisecond and not less than 50 microseconds), so that the conduction time of the second switch S2 is shorter, and it can prevent the pulse from driving the load (such as relays, solenoid valves, etc.) from causing misoperation. When the electrode A1 moves relative to the electrode 1 (2) or the electrode A2 moves relative to the electrode 3 (4) and an opening distance is generated, the first pulse or the second pulse is provided, and a narrower pulse can be used to achieve arc extinguishing; or a single pulse is used to control the conduction of the second switch S2 to achieve arc extinguishing for the disconnected electrode and the other closed electrode (mainly used in occasions where the load is not sensitive to the pulse width); the second switch S2 is preferably a semiconductor switch, preferably a fully controlled switch such as a triode, a field effect transistor, an IGBT, etc., which has the advantage of unlimited number of operations and can make the pulse width of the arc extinguishing pulse current stable and controllable; to improve safety, it is recommended that the second switch S2 adopt a current limiting switch (a current limiting switch circuit composed of a semiconductor circuit, including a constant current switch circuit, etc. Since the circuit is simple, it will not be exemplified here) to limit the driving current; the mechanical switch K is a relay, or a contactor, or a manual switch, which at least includes two electrical contacts (any two, or three, or all of the electrodes 1, 2, 3, 4, or more, such as a mechanical switch including a four-way single-pole double-throw switch); the electrode A1 (A2) and the electrode 1 (3) or the electrode 2 (4) form the electrical contacts of the switch; in the above-mentioned drawings, when the electrode A1 (A2) is the power supply end, it can also be changed to the load end (the load is one path or multiple paths; the load end provides an arc extinguishing power supply through the second switch S2), then at this time, the electrodes 1, 2, 3, 4 are changed to the power supply end (which can be used for power supply switching, or other switches are connected in series), and the working principle is the same.

[0027] The present invention is particularly applicable to switches with multiple electrical contacts (electrodes) (i.e., switches with a common drive mechanism for multiple electrical contacts, such as relays with multiple electrical contacts, etc., which can minimize the impact of electrical pulses of the arc extinguishing power supply on the load and is preferred), and is used in occasions where the total arc extinguishing current (the maximum pulse current provided by the arc extinguishing power supply) is not greater than 100 amperes.

[0028] Since the circuit of the present invention is simple, multiple (two or more) low-cost uncontrollable switches are used as the first switch to share an arc extinguishing power supply, which can greatly reduce the volume, weight and cost of the arc extinguishing device. The first switch uses an uncontrollable switch (device), which has lower cost, stronger overload capacity and simpler circuit (the first switch does not require control) compared with semi-controlled switches (devices) and fully-controlled switches (devices). In occasions such as automobiles, locomotives, and airplanes where there are a large number of arc extinguishing electrodes (electrical contacts) required, the advantages of the present invention in terms of volume, weight, reliability and cost are particularly obvious.

[0029] In summary, the present invention has the advantage of low cost.

Claims

1. An arc suppression device, which includes a first switch, and an arc suppression power supply is connected to an electrode that needs arc suppression through the first switch. The number of the electrodes and the first switches is two or more. It is characterized in that: The first switch is a non-controllable switch, and the first switch is a unidirectional conduction switch. Each of the unidirectional conduction switches is connected in common cathode or common anode. The common node of each of the unidirectional conduction switches is connected to the arc suppression power supply. The unidirectional conduction switch is a semiconductor device. A second switch is further included. The arc suppression power supply is provided by the second switch, and the second switch is a fully controllable switch.

2. The arc suppression device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The semiconductor device is a diode.

3. The arc suppression device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The arc suppression power supply is a pulse power supply.

4. The arc suppression device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: Each of the electrodes is connected to each load, and each of the electrodes is a contact of a mechanical switch.

5. The arc suppression device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The contact includes a normally open contact, or a normally closed contact, or a normally open contact and a normally closed contact.

6. The arc suppression device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The mechanical switch is a relay, or a contactor, or a manual switch.

7. The arc suppression device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The arc suppression power supply is provided by a series circuit composed of the second switch and a capacitor.

8. The arc suppression device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The common end where the first switch is connected to the second switch is connected to a voltage limiting device.

9. The arc suppression device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A third switch, a fourth switch, and a fifth switch are further included. The anode of the third switch is connected to the cathode of the first switch. The common end where the third switch is connected to the first switch is connected to the electrode. The cathode of the third switch and the anode of the first switch are respectively connected to both ends of the second switch. The cathode of the third switch is connected to the cathode of the fourth switch. The anode of the fifth switch is connected to the anode of the first switch. The anode of the fourth switch and the cathode of the fifth switch are connected to a power supply. The second switch is connected to the power supply through the fourth switch or the fifth switch. The third switch, the fourth switch, and the fifth switch are unidirectional conduction devices and are non-controllable switches.

10. The arc suppression device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A control unit is further included. The control signal of the second switch is provided by the control unit, and the voltage signal of the electrode is transmitted to the control unit.

11. The arc suppression device according to claim 10, characterized in that: A sixth switch is further included. The voltage signal is transmitted to the control unit through the sixth switch. The number of the sixth switches is two or more. The sixth switch is a unidirectional conduction device and is a non-controllable switch. Each of the sixth switches is connected in common cathode or common anode.

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