Contact assembly

Abstract

A contact assembly for an electrical circuit breaker, a circuit connector or an electrical switch, the contact assembly comprising a first contact member electrically connected to a first electrical terminal, a second contact member electrically connected to a second electrical terminal (5), and a third contact member movable to come into contact with and out of contact with the second contact member. An elastically deformable fourth contact member ensures electrical contact between the first contact member and the second contact member, and the contact assembly is configured such that when the third contact member is moved toward the second contact member, the second contact member is moved toward the third contact member. The fourth contact member is gradually compressed between the respective abutment surfaces of the first contact member and the third contact member, thereby elastically deforming the fourth contact member. Furthermore, an electrical circuit breaker and an electrical switch, each comprising such a contact assembly. Further, a vacuum interrupter comprising such an electrical circuit breaker.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a contact assembly for an electrical circuit breaker or an electrical switch. Background Art

[0002] Electrical circuit breakers, such as vacuum interrupters, typically include electrical contacts, at least one of which is movable relative to another to open and close a gap, thereby making or breaking electrical contact. Each movable electrical contact is typically electrically connected to a corresponding electrical terminal fixed to a frame or housing of the electrical circuit breaker, and the electrical connection between the movable electrical contact and the fixed terminal is enabled using a flexible cable terminated with a cable lug fixed to the electrical terminal or frame using nuts, washers and / or bolts. The use of such cables introduces an increase in the number of components required for the electrical circuit breaker. In addition, over time, the cables tend to wear and break, resulting in contamination of surrounding electrical components and ultimately failure of the electrical circuit breaker.

[0003] US4052577 relates to a magnetically driven ring arc runner for a circuit interrupter. This device is complex.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved contact assembly for an electrical switch or an electrical circuit breaker, thereby achieving a compact design with fewer parts, reduced wear and lower risk of failure. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, this and other objects are achieved by a contact assembly as defined in the attached independent claim 1. Alternative embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0006] The contact assembly includes a first contact member, the first contact member is electrically connected to the first electrical terminal through a cable, through the first contact member being integrally formed with the first electrical terminal, or through the first contact member being directly connected to the first electrical terminal. The contact assembly also includes a second contact member electrically connected to the second electrical terminal. The contact assembly also includes a third contact member, the third contact member is guided to move along the first longitudinal axis at least between a first contact position and a non-contact position, the movement being achieved by the third contact member moving a first predetermined distance away from the first contact position along the first longitudinal axis, in the first contact position, the third contact member physically contacts the second contact member, and in the non-contact position, the third contact member is physically separated from the second contact member. The contact assembly also includes an elastically deformable and conductive fourth contact member, the fourth contact member being arranged between the first abutment surface of the first contact member and the second abutment surface of the third contact member.

[0007] The first abutment surface and the second abutment surface are configured so that when the third contact member moves away from the second contact member in the direction along the first longitudinal axis, the distance between the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface increases, and when the third contact member moves in the direction toward the second contact member, the distance between the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface decreases. In addition, the fourth contact member is configured so that at least when the third contact member is in the first contact position, the fourth contact member physically contacts the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface.

[0008] The second contact member and the third contact member are movable relative to each other to form or disconnect electrical contact with each other according to their relative positions. The relative movement between the second contact member and the third contact member is achieved by the movability of the third contact member along the first longitudinal axis. The electrical contact between the first electrical terminal and the third contact member is established by the first contact member and the fourth contact member. By setting the first abutment surface of the first contact member and the second abutment surface of the third contact member so that the distance between them changes with the movement of the third contact member, electrical contact can be established between the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface by different degrees of compression of the elastically deformable fourth contact member, and basically no sliding movement between the fourth contact member and the corresponding abutment surface is required. By reducing the sliding between the fourth contact member and the abutment surface, the wear of the contact assembly is reduced. In addition, the size of the contact member can be reduced to fill only the required gap between the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface, so that the electrical isolation between the second contact member and the third contact member can be achieved when the third contact member is in its non-contact position. This enables compact design of the contact assembly, thereby achieving compact design of a circuit breaker or switch using the contact assembly.

[0009] The third contact member may comprise a protrusion surrounded by a circumferential frame forming the second abutment surface, wherein the fourth contact member is a ring arranged around the protrusion.

[0010] When the ring is biased between the first and third contact members, the ring rests on the circumferential frame, and when the third contact member moves relative to the first contact member, the fourth contact member provided in the form of a ring around the projection provides improved positioning of the fourth contact member and uniform loading and deformation of the contact members.

[0011] The loop may be a closed loop.

[0012] Although the ring may be formed with a gap, i.e. not a closed ring, providing a closed ring is advantageous because it improves the distribution of forces around the ring when the ring is compressed and promotes uniform deformation of the ring, thereby correspondingly reducing the tendency for slippage between the ring and the first and second abutment surfaces, as the closed ring has no free ends.

[0013] The ring may comprise a helical spring. Providing the ring in the form of a helical spring provides a large number of contact points or contact areas between the ring and the first and second abutment surfaces, respectively. Providing more contact points / contact areas reduces the risk of poor electrical contact and reduces the risk of local arcing, thereby reducing wear and contamination of the contact assembly.

[0014] Although coil springs are widely used to provide elasticity along the longitudinal extent of the coil spring, it should be understood that the "coil spring" referred to herein is designed to be compressed transversely to the longitudinal extent of the coil spring. In fact, the term "coil spring" can also be replaced by the term "elastic member, including a wound wire for forming a plurality of coils around the central path of the elastic member". The wire is wound similar to the helical coils of a standard coil spring, but the cross-sectional shape of each coil can vary, such as Figure 6-9 shown.

[0015] The helical spring may include a wire formed into a coil so that a cross-section of the helical spring has a first ridge facing the first abutment surface and a second ridge facing the second abutment surface. The first ridge is radially offset from the second ridge relative to the first longitudinal axis. The radial offset between the positions of the first ridge and the second ridge makes the fourth contact member more easily deformable due to the increased momentum on each coil caused by the radial offset.

[0016] The helical spring may include a wire formed into a coil so that the helical spring includes a substantially rhombus cross-sectional shape with rounded corners. The rhombus cross-sectional shape provides a substantially straight portion of the wire of each coil. The substantially straight portion enables a larger contact surface between the abutting surfaces, thereby reducing the risk of poor electrical contact and reducing the risk of local arcing, thereby reducing wear and contamination of the contact assembly. The rhombus cross-sectional shape makes the fourth contact member more easily deformable.

[0017] Each coil may respectively include two substantially straight parallel first wire portions and two substantially straight parallel second wire portions inclined with respect to the first wire portions, the first wire portions facing the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface.

[0018] The contact assembly may further include a fifth contact member electrically connected to the third electrical terminal. The third contact member is movable along the first longitudinal axis a second predetermined distance away from the first contact position through the non-contact position to a second contact position, in which the third contact member physically contacts the fifth contact member. The fourth contact member is biased between the first contact member and the third contact member throughout the range of movement from the first contact position to the second contact position.

[0019] The first contact member may include a cylinder having a central through hole. Furthermore, the third contact member may include a protrusion extending through the central through hole of the first contact member.

[0020] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, it is suggested to provide an electrical circuit breaker comprising the above-mentioned contact assembly.

[0021] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, it is suggested to provide a circuit breaker including the above-mentioned contact assembly.

[0022] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, it is suggested to provide an electrical switch comprising the above-mentioned contact assembly, wherein the aforementioned contact assembly comprises a fifth contact member.

[0023] According to a fifth aspect, it is proposed to provide a vacuum circuit breaker comprising the above-mentioned electrical circuit breaker.

[0024] As will be apparent to anyone of ordinary skill in the art, the above-described aspects, the attached claims and / or examples disclosed above and below may be appropriately combined with each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1-3 FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a contact assembly according to the present disclosure. Figure 1 In the embodiment of the present invention, the contact assembly is in a first contact position with electrical contact between the first electrical terminal and the second electrical terminal. Figure 2 In the embodiment of the present invention, the contact assembly is in a non-contact position where there is no electrical contact between the first electrical terminal and the second electrical terminal. Figure 3 In the embodiment, the contact assembly is in a second contact position with electrical contact between the first electrical terminal and the third electrical terminal. Figure 1-3 An embodiment of a contact assembly useful in an electrical switch is shown. In other embodiments, the third electrical terminal and the fifth contact member may alternatively be omitted, where the contact assembly would be useful in an electrical circuit breaker.

[0026] Figure 4 Shows Figure 1-3 . The contact assembly is substantially axisymmetric about the first longitudinal axis, but otherwise corresponds to Figure 1-3 The contact assembly in.

[0027] Figure 5 A vacuum interrupter is shown comprising an embodiment of an electrical circuit breaker having a Figure 2 Indicated by the dashed line of reference numeral 20, Figure 1-4 The contact assembly in the vacuum interrupter is similar to the electrical circuit breaker portion. However, the contact assembly 1 in the vacuum interrupter uses the same Fig.10The illustrated embodiment corresponds to another embodiment of a fourth switching device.

[0028] Figure 6-9 Schematic diagrams showing four different embodiments of the cross-sectional shape of a ring used as the fourth contact member.

[0029] Fig.10 Specifically shown is Figure 8 Different views of rings having similar cross-sectional shapes are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] With reference to the accompanying drawings, following is a more detailed description of embodiments of the present disclosure cited as examples.

[0031] As stated above, the object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved contact assembly 1 for an electrical switch or an electrical circuit breaker, thereby achieving a compact design with fewer parts, reduced wear and lower risk of failure.

[0032] This and other objects are achieved by Figure 1-3 The contact assembly 1 of the exemplary embodiment shown is implemented.

[0033] The contact assembly 1 comprises a first contact member 2, which is electrically connected to the first electrical terminal 3 by a cable, by the first contact member 2 being integrally formed with the first electrical terminal 3, or by the first contact member 2 being directly connected to the first electrical terminal 3. The contact assembly 1 further comprises a second contact member 4 electrically connected to the second electrical terminal 5. The contact assembly 1 further comprises a third contact member 6, which is guided to move along a first longitudinal axis 7 between at least a first contact position CP1 and a non-contact position NCP, the movement being achieved by the third contact member 6 moving along the first longitudinal axis 7 away from the first contact position CP1 by a first predetermined distance D1, in which the third contact member 6 physically contacts the second contact member 4, and in which the third contact member 6 is physically spaced apart from the second contact member 4 in the non-contact position NCP. The first predetermined distance D1 should be selected to be large enough to provide electrical insulation when the third contact member is in the non-contact position NCP. The contact assembly 1 further comprises an elastically deformable and electrically conductive fourth contact member 8 , which is disposed between the first abutment surface 9 of the first contact member 2 and the second abutment surface 10 of the third contact member 6 .

[0034] The first abutment surface 9 and the second abutment surface 10 are configured so that when the third contact member 6 moves away from the second contact member 4 in the direction along the first longitudinal axis 7, the distance between the first abutment surface 9 and the second abutment surface 10 increases, and when the third contact member 6 moves in the direction toward the second contact member 4, the distance between the first abutment surface 9 and the second abutment surface 10 decreases. In addition, the fourth contact member 8 is configured so that at least when the third contact member 6 is in the first contact position CP1, the fourth contact member 8 physically contacts both the first abutment surface 9 and the second abutment surface 10. The second contact member 4 and the third contact member 6 can move relative to each other to make or break electrical contact with each other according to their relative positions. The relative movement between the second contact member 4 and the third contact member 6 is enabled by the movability of the third contact member 6 along the first longitudinal axis 7, but in this embodiment, the second contact member 4 is fixed. The electrical contact between the first electrical terminal 3 and the third contact member 6 is established by the first contact member 2 and the fourth contact member 8. By arranging the first abutment surface 9 of the first contact member 2 and the second abutment surface 10 of the third contact member 6 so that the distance between them changes with the movement of the third contact member 6, electrical contact can be established between the first abutment surface 9 and the second abutment surface 10 by means of different degrees of compression of the elastically deformable fourth contact member 8, and substantially no sliding movement between the fourth contact member 8 and the corresponding abutment surface is required. By reducing the sliding between the fourth contact member 8 and the abutment surface, the wear of the contact assembly 1 is reduced. In addition, the size of the contact member can be reduced to fill only the required gap between the first abutment surface 9 and the second abutment surface 10, so that when the third contact member 6 is in its non-contact position NCP, the second contact member 4 and the third contact member 6 can be electrically isolated. This enables a compact design of the contact assembly 1, and thus a circuit breaker or switch in which the contact assembly 1 is used.

[0035] Any suitable conductive material may be used for the fourth contact member 8. Furthermore, any suitable design may be used for the fourth contact member 8, as long as the design provides the required toughness and elasticity, enabling the contact pressure on the first abutment surface 9 and the second abutment surface 10 to be sufficient to provide good electrical contact between the fourth contact member 8 and the first contact member 2 and the third contact member 6, respectively, while also enabling the third contact member 6 to travel at least the first predetermined distance D1. Such a material may be steel, copper or some suitable metal alloy.

[0036] Although the illustrated embodiment also includes a fifth contact member 15 and a third terminal 19 to enable the contact assembly to be used in an electrical switch, if the contact assembly 1 is used only as an electrical circuit breaker, the fifth contact member 15 and the third electrical terminal 19 may alternatively be omitted in other embodiments discussed herein.

[0037] The first abutment surface 9 and the second abutment surface 10 may have any suitable shape, such as planar or curved, as long as the distance D between the first abutment surface 9 and the second abutment surface 10 varies as described above. Although the schematically shown embodiment has a first abutment surface 9 and a second abutment surface 10 that are planar and oriented perpendicular to the first longitudinal direction 7, it should be understood that the orientation of the first abutment surface 9 and the second abutment surface 10 may be changed. For example, the first abutment surface 9 and the second abutment surface 10 may be arranged obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis. However, the abutment surfaces 9, 10 should not be parallel to the first longitudinal axis, because such sliding between the contact member 8 and the corresponding abutment surfaces 9, 10 should be avoided in order to reduce the wear of the fourth contact member 8 and the corresponding abutment surfaces 9, 10, which will lead to contamination due to wear particles.

[0038] In some embodiments, for example Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, the third contact member 6 comprises a projection 11 surrounded by a circumferential frame 12 forming a second abutment surface 10, wherein the fourth contact member 8 is a ring arranged around the projection 11. Other features of these embodiments are similar to Figure 1-3 Features of an embodiment.

[0039] When biased between the first contact member 2 and the third contact member 6, the ring rests on the circumferential frame 12, and providing the fourth contact member 8 in the form of a ring around the protrusion 11 provides improved positioning of the fourth contact member 8 and uniform loading and deformation of the contact members when the third contact member 6 moves relative to the first contact member 2.

[0040] The ring is a closed ring, but in other embodiments may alternatively be replaced by an open ring, ie a ring having two free ends and a gap between the free ends.

[0041] Although the ring may be formed with a gap, i.e. not a closed ring, providing a closed ring is advantageous because it improves the distribution of forces around the ring when the ring is compressed and promotes uniform deformation of the ring, thereby correspondingly reducing the tendency for slippage between the ring and the first and second abutment surfaces 10, as the closed ring has no free ends.

[0042] The ring includes a helical spring.

[0043] Providing the ring in the form of a helical spring accordingly provides a large number of contact points or contact areas between the ring and the first and second abutment surfaces 10. Providing more contact points / contact areas reduces the risk of poor electrical contact and reduces the risk of local arcing, thereby reducing wear and contamination of the contact assembly 1.

[0044] The coil spring includes a wire formed into a coil such that the coil spring includes a cross-section having a cross-sectional shape.

[0045] The hollow interior of the coil spring allows the coil spring to be moved relative to the center path (in Fig.10 The coil spring is compressed in the normal direction of the coil spring (shown by dotted lines in the lower view of the coil spring), and when the coil spring is manufactured, the coil spring is wound along the center path.

[0046] The cross-sectional shape of the coil spring may be any suitable shape, and some alternative shapes are Figure 6-9 shown.

[0047] like Figure 7-10 As shown, the cross-sectional shape of these embodiments provides the helical spring with a first ridge 16 facing the first abutment surface 9 and a second ridge 17 facing the second abutment surface.

[0048] The first ridge 16 is radially offset from the aforementioned second ridge 17 with respect to the first longitudinal axis 7 .

[0049] The radial offset between the positions of the first ridge 16 and the second ridge makes it easier for the fourth contact member 8 to deform due to the increased momentum on each coil caused by the radial offset.

[0050] In other words, the helical spring may include a wire formed into a coil so that the helical spring includes a substantially rhombus cross-sectional shape with rounded corners. The rhombus cross-sectional shape provides a substantially straight portion of the wire of each coil. The substantially straight portion enables a larger contact surface between the abutment surfaces, thereby reducing the risk of poor electrical contact and reducing the risk of local arcing, thereby reducing wear and contamination of the contact assembly 1. The rhombus cross-sectional shape enables the fourth contact member 8 to be deformed more easily.

[0051] For example Figure 7 As shown, each coil can therefore respectively include two substantially straight and parallel first wire portions 13a, 13b, and two substantially straight and parallel second wire portions 14a, 14b inclined relative to the first wire portions 13a and 13b, the aforementioned first wire portions 13, 13b facing the first abutment surface 9 and the second abutment surface 10.

[0052] If the contact assembly is to be used as an electrical switch 21, the contact assembly 1 may further include a fifth contact member 15 electrically connected to the third electrical terminal 19 (see Figure 1-4 The third contact member 6 can move a second predetermined distance D2 away from the first contact position CP1 along the first longitudinal axis 7, passing through the non-contact position NCP to reach the second contact position CP2, in which the third contact member 6 physically contacts the fifth contact member 15. The fourth contact member 8 is biased between the first contact member 2 and the third contact member 6 throughout the entire movement range from the first contact position CP1 to the second contact position CP2.

[0053] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the first contact member 2 may include a cylindrical body having a central through hole 18. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the third contact member 6 may include a protrusion 11 extending through the central through hole 18 of the first contact member 2 .

[0054] It is proposed to provide an electrical circuit breaker comprising the contact assembly 1 described above.

[0055] In addition, it is suggested to provide a circuit breaker including the contact assembly 1. In addition, it is suggested to provide an electrical switch including the contact assembly 1, wherein the contact assembly 1 includes a fifth contact member 15.

[0056] Furthermore, it is proposed to provide a vacuum interrupter 22, which comprises the electrical circuit breaker 20 according to the above-described embodiment of the contact assembly 1. Figure 5An exemplary embodiment of such a vacuum interrupter 22 is schematically shown in FIG. The vacuum interrupter 22 includes a housing 24, and the third contact member 6 includes a portion extending through an opening of the housing. The vacuum interrupter includes a sealing device (not shown) for an airtight seal between the housing 24 and the third contact member 6, so that the vacuum inside the housing 24 can be maintained over time, while allowing an actuator 23 attached to the housing 24 outside the housing 24 to control the movement of the third contact member 6 along the first longitudinal axis 7. In other embodiments, the actuator may alternatively be arranged in the housing 24, wherein the third contact member will not need to extend through the opening of the housing. In another embodiment, the actuator 23 may be omitted, wherein the third contact member 6 is instead manually operated. The first electrical terminal 3 and the second electrical terminal 5 are configured so that they are accessible from the outside of the housing 24. The first electrical terminal 3 is electrically connected to the first contact member 2 by a cable, but any other device for providing electrical contact between the first contact member 2 and the first electrical terminal 3 may also be used. For example, the first electrical terminal 3 may be integrally formed with the first contact member 2 or directly attached to the first contact member 2. The first contact member 2 and the second contact member 4 are fixed to the housing 24. As discussed above, the fourth member 8 includes Fig.10 The helical spring has a cross-sectional shape providing a first ridge 16 facing the first abutment surface 9 and a second ridge 17 facing the second abutment surface 10. The first ridge 16 is radially offset from the second ridge 17 relative to the first longitudinal axis 7.

[0057] Reference numeral table

[0058] 1 Contact assembly 2 First contact member 3 First electrical terminal 4 Second contact member 5 Second electrical terminal 6 The third contact member 7 first longitudinal axis 8 Fourth contact member 9 First abutment surface 10 Second abutment surface 11 Protrusion 12 Circumferential frame 13a,13b First line part 14a,14b Second line part 15 Fifth contact member 16 First ridge 17 Second ridge 18 Center through hole 19 Third electrical terminal 20 Electrical circuit breakers 21 Electrical switches 22 Vacuum circuit breaker 23 Actuator 24 case CP1 First contact position CP2 Second contact position D1 The first predetermined distance D2 The second predetermined distance NCP Non-contact position

Claims

1. A contact assembly (1) for an electrical circuit breaker, a circuit breaker or an electrical switch, the contact assembly (1) comprising: a first contact member (2), the first contact member (2) being electrically connected to the first electrical terminal (3) by a cable, by the first contact member (2) being integrally formed with the first electrical terminal (3), or by the first contact member (2) being directly connected to the first electrical terminal (3), a second contact member (4) electrically connected to a second electrical terminal (5), a third contact member (6), the third contact member (6) being guided to move along a first longitudinal axis (7) between at least a first contact position (CP1) and a non-contact position (NCP), the movement being achieved by moving the third contact member (6) along the first longitudinal axis (7) away from the first contact position (CP1) by a first predetermined distance (D1), in the first contact position (CP1) the third contact member (6) physically contacts the second contact member (4), and in the non-contact position (NCP) the third contact member (6) is physically separated from the second contact member (4), The contact assembly (1) further comprises a fourth contact member (8) which is elastically deformable and electrically conductive, wherein the fourth contact member (8) is arranged between a first abutting surface (9) of the first contact member (2) and a second abutting surface (10) of the third contact member (6). wherein the first abutment surface (9) and the second abutment surface (10) are configured such that when the third contact member (6) moves away from the second contact member (4) in a direction along the first longitudinal axis (7), the distance (D) between the first abutment surface (9) and the second abutment surface (10) increases, and when the third contact member (6) moves in a direction toward the second contact member (4), the distance (D) between the first abutment surface (9) and the second abutment surface (10) decreases, and The fourth contact member (8) is configured such that at least when the third contact member (6) is in the first contact position (CP1), the fourth contact member (8) physically contacts the first abutment surface (9) and the second abutment surface (10).

2. The contact assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The third contact member (6) comprises a projection (11) surrounded by a circumferential frame (12) forming the second abutment surface (10), wherein the fourth contact member (8) is a ring arranged around the projection (11).

3. The contact assembly (1) according to claim 2, wherein: The ring is a closed ring.

4. The contact assembly (1) according to any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein: The ring comprises a helical spring.

5. The contact assembly (1) according to claim 4, wherein: The helical spring comprises a wire formed into a coil so that a cross section of the helical spring has a first ridge (16) facing the first abutment surface (9) and a second ridge (17) facing the second abutment surface (10), the first ridge (16) being radially offset from the second ridge (17) relative to the first longitudinal axis (7).

6. The contact assembly (1) according to claim 4, wherein: The coil spring includes a wire formed into a coil such that the coil spring includes a substantially diamond-shaped cross-sectional shape with rounded corners.

7. The contact assembly (1) according to claim 4, wherein: Each coil comprises two substantially straight parallel first wire portions (13a, 13b) and two substantially straight parallel second wire portions (14a, 14b) inclined relative to the first wire portions (13a, 13b), the first wire portions (13a, 13b) facing the first abutment surface (9) and the second abutment surface (10).

8. The contact assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a fifth contact member (15) electrically connected to the third electrical terminal (19), wherein: The third contact member (6) is movable along the first longitudinal axis (7) from the first contact position (CP1) through the non-contact position (NCP) to a second contact position (CP2), wherein the third contact member (6) physically contacts the fifth contact member (15), The fourth contact member (8) is biased between the first contact member (2) and the third contact member (6) throughout the entire range of movement from the first contact position (CP1) to the second contact position (CP2).

9. The contact assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first contact member (2) comprises a cylindrical body having a central through hole (18), and wherein the third contact member (6) comprises a protrusion (11) extending through the central through hole (18) of the first contact member (2).

10. An electrical switch (20) comprising a contact assembly (1) according to any one of claim 8 or claim 9 as dependent on claim 8, or an electrical circuit breaker (21) comprising a contact assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, or a circuit breaker comprising a contact assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

11. A vacuum interrupter comprising the electrical circuit breaker according to claim 10.

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