Arrangement with circuit breaker

Abstract

An apparatus (5) includes a circuit breaker (10), a switch (20), a first signal line (30), a first current connection line (33), and a first power port (35). The circuit breaker (10) comprises a first circuit breaker terminal (11) and a second circuit breaker terminal (12). The switch (20) is embodied as a disconnector or contactor and comprises a first contact terminal (21) and a second contact terminal (22). The first signal line (30) is coupled to the circuit breaker (10) and to the switch (20). A first current connection line (33) is coupled to the first circuit breaker terminal (11) and to the first contact terminal (21). The first power port (35) is coupled to the first current connection line (33).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device having a circuit breaker and an electric vehicle including the device having the circuit breaker. Background Art

[0002] An electric vehicle generally comprises a battery, a plug for supplying power to or from the battery, and an electric motor coupled to the battery. In the event of an overcurrent, the flow of current must be stopped. The connection to the plug is switched to a conducting state for charging the battery. During an operating phase in which no power flows through the plug, the connection to the plug is switched to a non-conducting state. Summary of the invention

[0003] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus having a circuit breaker and an electric vehicle including the apparatus having a circuit breaker requiring only a small number of parts.

[0004] These objects are achieved by the subject-matter of the independent claims. Further developments and embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0005] A device is provided, including a circuit breaker, a switch, a first signal line, a first current connection line, and a first power port. The circuit breaker includes a first circuit breaker terminal and a second circuit breaker terminal. The circuit breaker is configured to open and close a path between the first circuit breaker terminal and the second circuit breaker terminal. The switch is implemented as an isolating switch or a contactor and includes a first contact terminal and a second contact terminal. The switch is configured to open and close a path between the first contact terminal and the second contact terminal. The first signal line couples the circuit breaker to the switch. The first current connection line is coupled to the first circuit breaker terminal of the circuit breaker and to the first contact terminal of the switch. The first power port is coupled to the first current connection line.

[0006] Advantageously, the second breaker terminal of the circuit breaker is connected to a battery, for example. Thus, in the event of a short circuit or an overcurrent of the current flowing through the circuit breaker (e.g., from or to the battery), the circuit breaker is configured to detect the short circuit or overcurrent and to set the path between the first breaker terminal and the second breaker terminal to a non-conducting state. Advantageously, the second contact terminal of the switch is connected to a plug, for example. Thus, the switch allows control of whether electricity can flow through the switch. The first power port is coupled to the battery via the circuit breaker. The first power port is configured to be coupled or connected to a motor, for example.

[0007] In an embodiment of the device, after a fault of the device is detected, the magnetic drive assembly of the circuit breaker and the magnetic drive assembly of the switch are de-energized simultaneously or substantially simultaneously.

[0008] In an embodiment of the device, after a fault of the device is detected, the circuit breaker is configured to immediately disconnect the path between the first circuit breaker terminal and the second circuit breaker terminal, and the circuit breaker is configured to control the switch so that the path between the first contact terminal and the second contact terminal of the switch is immediately disconnected.

[0009] In an embodiment of the apparatus, the circuit breaker comprises a current sensor configured to measure a load current flowing through a path between the first circuit breaker terminal and the second circuit breaker terminal.

[0010] In one embodiment of the device, the switch has no current sensor.

[0011] In an embodiment of the device, when the load current is greater than a predetermined current value, the magnetic drive assembly of the circuit breaker and the magnetic drive assembly of the switch are de-energized simultaneously or substantially simultaneously.

[0012] In an embodiment of the device, the first signal line is connected to a coil of the switch. The magnetic drive assembly of the switch comprises the coil. Thus, the circuit breaker is configured to directly control the coil of the switch and thus the magnetic drive assembly of the switch.

[0013] In an embodiment of the device, the switch comprises mirror contacts.The device comprises a second signal line connecting the circuit breaker and the mirror contacts of the switch.

[0014] In an embodiment of the device, the circuit breaker comprises a control unit connected to the first signal line.The circuit breaker is configured to electrically control the switch to switch during normal operation and in case of a fault.

[0015] In an embodiment of the apparatus, the circuit breaker is implemented as a master device and the switch is implemented as a slave device.

[0016] In an embodiment of the device, the switch has no blow-out opening for pressure relief.

[0017] In an embodiment, the device comprises a battery management unit and another signal line. The other signal line is coupled to the battery management unit and the circuit breaker.

[0018] In an embodiment of the device, during normal operation of the device, the circuit breaker or the battery management unit is configured to control the switch so that the path between the first contact terminal and the second contact terminal of the switch is closed with a closing delay after the path between the first circuit breaker terminal and the second circuit breaker terminal of the circuit breaker has been closed.

[0019] In an embodiment of the device, the closing delay is in the range of 50 ms to 300 ms, or alternatively, in the range of 100 ms to 200 ms.

[0020] In an embodiment of the device, during normal operation of the device, the circuit breaker or the battery management unit is configured to control the switch so that the path between the first contact terminal and the second contact terminal of the switch is disconnected with a disconnection delay after the path between the first circuit breaker terminal and the second circuit breaker terminal of the circuit breaker has been disconnected.

[0021] In an embodiment of the device, the disconnection delay is in the range of 50 ms to 300 ms, or alternatively, in the range of 100 ms to 200 ms.

[0022] In an embodiment of the device, the circuit breaker is configured to protect a drive path and a load path of an electric vehicle. The switch is inserted only into the load path. The switch is not inserted into the drive path.

[0023] In an embodiment, an electric vehicle includes a device, a battery coupled to a second breaker terminal of a circuit breaker, a motor coupled to a first power port, and a plug coupled to a second contact terminal of a switch.

[0024] In an embodiment, the device implements a circuit breaker master-slave concept. For example, the device is implemented for automotive applications.

[0025] In an example, the switch is implemented as a disconnect switch, a contactor, a further circuit breaker, a charging switch, a charge disconnect switch, a slave load contactor or a slave load disconnect contactor. The circuit breaker is implemented, for example, as an overload protection device or a charging circuit breaker.

[0026] In the example, the switch is completely controlled by the electronics of the circuit breaker. The device enables, for example, coordination of the circuit breaker and the switch in the event of an overload. The circuit breaker and the switch are identical in construction and have almost identical dynamics during contact suspension in the event of a short circuit. The drive systems of the circuit breaker and the switch perform simultaneous rapid disconnection. In the event of an overload, the circuit breaker and the switch are coordinated.

[0027] In the example, the circuit breaker and the switch form a system. The activation of the switch is performed by the circuit breaker. The commands from the battery management unit or battery management system (abbreviated as BMS) are processed by the circuit breaker and the switch is activated accordingly. The switch is first switched on and then the circuit breaker is switched on. The circuit breaker is first switched off and then the switch is switched off. The switch performs no-load switching. In the example, the switch has an emergency switching feature. The switch has a connector interface.

[0028] In the example, the connection between the circuit breaker and the switch is realized by a 4-pin plug (2*coil+2*mirror contact). Therefore, the first signal line includes two wires connected to the coil of the switch. The second signal line has another two wires connected to the mirror contact of the switch. The two wires and the other two wires connect the control unit of the circuit breaker with the coil of the switch and the mirror contact of the switch.

[0029] In the example, the connection between the circuit breaker and the switch is realized via an 8-pin plug for the circuit breaker (additional enable input and diagnostic input, abbreviated DIA, mirror contacts for the switch or circuit breaker). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The following description of the drawings of the embodiments can further illustrate and explain various aspects of the device and the electric vehicle. Components and devices having the same structure and the same effect are respectively represented by the same reference numerals. In different drawings, if the components or devices correspond to each other in terms of their functions, they will not be described repeatedly in the following drawings.

[0031] Figure 1 An example of a device with a circuit breaker is shown,

[0032] Figure 2 Another example of an apparatus having a circuit breaker is shown, and

[0033] Figure 3 An example of an electric vehicle is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Figure 1 An example of a device 5 having a circuit breaker 10 is shown. The circuit breaker 10 includes a first circuit breaker terminal 11 and a second circuit breaker terminal 12. The circuit breaker 10 opens and closes a path between the first circuit breaker terminal 11 and the second circuit breaker terminal 12. The circuit breaker 10 includes a third circuit breaker terminal 13 and a fourth circuit breaker terminal 14. The circuit breaker 10 opens and closes a path between the third circuit breaker terminal 13 and the fourth circuit breaker terminal 14 simultaneously with the opening and closing of the path between the first circuit breaker terminal 11 and the second circuit breaker terminal 12.

[0035] The switch 20 of the device 5 is implemented as an isolating switch or a contactor. The switch 20 includes a first contact terminal 21 and a second contact terminal 22. The switch 20 opens and closes the path between the first contact terminal 21 and the second contact terminal 22. The switch 20 includes a third contact terminal 23 and a fourth contact terminal 24. While the first contact terminal 21 and the second contact terminal 22 are opened and closed, the switch 20 opens and closes the path between the third contact terminal 23 and the fourth contact terminal 24.

[0036] The device 5 comprises a first signal line 30 coupled to the circuit breaker 10 and the switch 20. A first current connection line 33 of the device 5 couples the first circuit breaker terminal 11 to the first contact terminal 21. The first current connection line 33 directly and permanently connects the first circuit breaker terminal 11 to the first contact terminal 21. A second current connection line 34 of the device 5 couples the third circuit breaker terminal 13 to the third contact terminal 23. The second current connection line 34 directly and permanently connects the third circuit breaker terminal 13 to the third contact terminal 23.

[0037] The first power port 35 of the device 5 is connected to the first current connection line 33, the first breaker terminal 11 or the first contact terminal 21. The second power port 36 of the device 5 is connected to the second current connection line 34, the third breaker terminal 13 or the third contact terminal 23.

[0038] The circuit breaker 10 comprises a current sensor 39 which measures a load current flowing through a path between the first circuit breaker terminal 11 and the second circuit breaker terminal 12 or flowing through the first circuit breaker terminal 11 or the second circuit breaker terminal 12. The first signal line 30 is connected to a coil 37 of the switch 20. Furthermore, the circuit breaker 10 comprises a control unit 38 connected to the first signal line 30. The control unit 38 electrically controls the switch 20 to switch during normal operation and in the event of a fault. The control unit 38 is implemented, for example, as a microprocessor or a microcontroller.

[0039] The switch 20 comprises mirror contacts (not shown). The device 5 comprises a second signal line 31 connecting a control unit 38 of the circuit breaker 10 and the mirror contacts of the switch 20 .

[0040] Furthermore, the device 5 comprises a battery management unit 40 and a further signal line 32. The further signal line 32 couples the battery management unit 40 to the circuit breaker 10. In the example, the device 5 has no signal line connecting the battery management unit 40 directly to the switch 20.

[0041] Electric vehicle 50 (e.g. Figure 3 ) includes: a device 5; a battery 51, coupled to the second circuit breaker terminal 12 and the fourth circuit breaker terminal 14; a motor 52, coupled to the first power port 35 and the second power port 36; and a plug 53, coupled to the second contact terminal 22 and the fourth contact terminal 24 of the switch 20.

[0042] In addition, the electric vehicle 50 includes a voltage converter 54, which is coupled to the first power port 35 and coupled to the motor 52. The voltage converter 54 couples the first power port 35 and the second power port 36 to the motor 52. A DC voltage is provided between the first power port 35 and the second power port 36. The motor 52 operates with an AC voltage. The voltage converter 54 is implemented as a converter that converts a DC voltage into an AC voltage provided to the motor 52, or converts an AC voltage generated by the motor 52 into a DC voltage for storing power in the battery 51 in the case of recovery operation. The voltage converter 54 is implemented, for example, as an inverter or a frequency converter.

[0043] After detecting the failure of the device 5, the magnetic drive assembly of the circuit breaker 10 and the magnetic drive assembly of the switch 20 are de-energized simultaneously or substantially simultaneously. After detecting the failure of the device 5, the circuit breaker 10 immediately disconnects the path between the first circuit breaker terminal 11 and the second circuit breaker terminal 12, and the circuit breaker 10 controls the switch 20 so that the path between the first contact terminal 21 and the second contact terminal 22 of the switch 20 is immediately disconnected.

[0044] When the load current is higher than a predetermined current value, the magnetic drive assembly of the circuit breaker 10 and the magnetic drive assembly of the switch 20 are de-energized simultaneously or substantially simultaneously.

[0045] The circuit breaker 10 is implemented as a master device, and the switch 20 is implemented as a slave device.

[0046] During normal operation of the device 5, the circuit breaker 10 or the battery management unit 40 controls the switch 20 so that the path between the first contact terminal 21 and the second contact terminal 22 of the switch 20 is closed after the path between the first circuit breaker terminal 11 and the second circuit breaker terminal 12 of the circuit breaker 10 is closed. During normal operation of the device 5, the circuit breaker 10 or the battery management unit 40 controls the switch 20 so that the path between the first contact terminal 21 and the second contact terminal 22 of the switch 20 is opened after the path between the first circuit breaker terminal 11 and the second circuit breaker terminal 12 of the circuit breaker 10 has been opened.

[0047] Figure 2 Another example of a device 5 having a circuit breaker 10 is shown, wherein the circuit breaker 10 is Figure 1 The switch 20 is a further development of the example shown in . The switch 20 does not have a current sensor. The switch 20 does not have a blow-out opening or blow-out openings for pressure relief. The switch 20 does not have a microprocessor or microcontroller. Advantageously, the manufacturing cost of the switch 20 is lower than the manufacturing cost of the circuit breaker 10.

[0048] In an example, the magnetic drive assembly of the circuit breaker 10 and the magnetic drive assembly of the switch 20 are identical or nearly identical. Therefore, the timing characteristics of the circuit breaker 10 and the switch 20 are identical or nearly identical. In an example, the metal parts of the circuit breaker 10 and the metal parts of the switch 20 are identical or nearly identical. Both the circuit breaker 10 and the switch 20 include, for example, identical or nearly identical first fixed contacts, second fixed contacts, and contact bridges.

[0049] In the example, the circuit breaker 10 and the switch 20 are arranged on a common carrier (not shown) of the device 5. The carrier is, for example, a fluid-cooled carrier. The carrier is, for example, a busbar.

[0050] Advantageously, the switch 20 performs no-load switching on and off. Optionally, the switch 20 has an emergency switching feature. The control of the switch 20 is performed by the battery management unit 40 via the circuit breaker 10. No control electronics are required inside the switch 20, because the control is implemented via the circuit breaker 10. The switch 20 implements a safe galvanic isolation of, for example, the plug 53 to other electrical components of the electric vehicle 50. The isolation distance of the switch 20 and the circuit breaker 10 is the same.

[0051] The switch 20 is designed to be weld-free: after reaching the tripping current, a simultaneous rapid demagnetization of the circuit breaker 10 and the switch 20 is performed. Thus, welding of the fixed contacts to the contact bridge is avoided. The current paths inside the switch 20 and inside the circuit breaker 10 are identical. The pole impedances of the switch 20 and the circuit breaker 10 are identical. The mirror contacts of the switch 20 are configured to monitor the main contacts of the switch 20.

[0052] Figure 3 Shown include Figure 1 and Figure 2 An example of an electric vehicle 50 of the device 5 is shown. The electric vehicle 50 includes the device 5, a battery 51 coupled to the second breaker terminal 12 of the circuit breaker 10, a motor 52 coupled to the first power port 35, and a plug 53 coupled to the second contact terminal 22 of the switch 20.

[0053] The device 5 implements a coordinated system between the circuit breaker 10 and the switch 20 by simultaneously de-energizing their drive systems in the event of a fault. The internal current measurement of the circuit breaker 10 is used for simultaneous de-energizing of the drive systems of the circuit breaker 10 and the switch 20 after exceeding a defined threshold.

[0054] The battery management unit 40 and the circuit breaker 10 are electrically coupled, for example, via another signal line 32. The circuit breaker 10 and the switch 20 are electrically coupled, for example, via first and second signal lines 30 and 31 and first and second current connection lines 33 and 34.

[0055] The switching of the switch 20 is ensured by the switching sequence of the battery management unit 40. The load, such as the battery 51, is first switched on by the switch 20 and subsequently by the circuit breaker 10. The load is switched off by the circuit breaker 10 and the switch 20 is disconnected without load. The electrical control of the switch 20 is implemented in the circuit breaker 10 for operating the switching and in the event of a fault. The switch 20 does not have a blow-out opening for pressure relief.

[0056] The circuit breaker 10 simultaneously protects both the driving and charging paths or branches of the electric vehicle 50. The switch 20 is arranged only in the charging path or branch. The switch 20 forms a series circuit with the circuit breaker 10.

[0057] As stated, in Figures 1 to 3 The embodiments shown in the figures represent examples of the improved device 5 and the electric vehicle 50. Therefore, they do not constitute a complete list of all embodiments according to the improved device 5 and the electric vehicle 50. For example, the actual device 5 and the electric vehicle 50 may differ from the illustrated embodiments in terms of components, structure and shape.

[0058] Reference numerals

[0059] 5. Installation

[0060] 10 Circuit Breaker

[0061] 11-14 Circuit breaker terminals

[0062] 20 switches

[0063] 21-24 circuit terminals

[0064] 30-32 signal line

[0065] 33, 34 current connection line

[0066] 35, 36 Power port

[0067] 37 coils

[0068] 38 Control Unit

[0069] 39 Current sensor

[0070] 40 Battery Management Unit

[0071] 50 Electric vehicles

[0072] 51 Battery

[0073] 52 Electric Motor

[0074] 53 plug

[0075] 54 Voltage converter.

Claims

1. A device (5), comprising: - a circuit breaker (10) having a first circuit breaker terminal (11) and a second circuit breaker terminal (12), wherein the circuit breaker (10) is configured to open and close a path between the first circuit breaker terminal (11) and the second circuit breaker terminal (12), - a switch (20) implemented as an isolating switch or a contactor and comprising a first contact terminal (21) and a second contact terminal (22), wherein the switch (20) is configured to open and close a path between the first contact terminal (21) and the second contact terminal (22), - a first signal line (30), coupled to the circuit breaker (10) and to the switch (20), - a first current connection line (33) coupled to the first circuit breaker terminal (11) and to the first contact terminal (21), and - a first power port (35), coupled to the first current connection line (33).

2. The device (5) according to claim 1, in, After a fault in the device (5) is detected, the magnetic drive assembly of the circuit breaker (10) and the magnetic drive assembly of the switch (20) are de-energized simultaneously or substantially simultaneously.

3. The device (5) according to claim 1 or 2, in, After detecting a failure of the device (5), the circuit breaker (10) is configured to immediately open a path between the first circuit breaker terminal (11) and the second circuit breaker terminal (12), and The circuit breaker (10) is configured to control the switch (20) so that the path between the first contact terminal (21) and the second contact terminal (22) is immediately disconnected.

4. The device (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in, The circuit breaker (10) comprises a current sensor (39) configured to measure a load current flowing through a path between the first circuit breaker terminal (11) and the second circuit breaker terminal (12), Wherein, when the load current is greater than a predetermined current value, the magnetic drive component of the circuit breaker (10) and the magnetic drive component of the switch (20) are de-energized simultaneously or approximately simultaneously.

5. The device (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in, The first signal line (30) is connected to the coil (37) of the switch (20).

6. The device (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in, The circuit breaker (10) comprises a control unit (38) connected to the first signal line (30) and configured to electrically control the switch (20) to switch during normal operation and in case of a fault.

7. The device (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in, The switch (20) comprises mirror-image contacts, and The device (5) comprises a second signal line (31) connecting the circuit breaker (10) and the mirror contact of the switch (20).

8. The device (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in, The circuit breaker (10) is implemented as a master device and the switch (20) is implemented as a slave device.

9. The device (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in, The switch (20) has no blow-out opening for pressure relief.

10. The device (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in, The device (5) comprises a battery management unit (40) and another signal line (32), The other signal line (32) is coupled to the battery management unit (40) and coupled to the circuit breaker (10).

11. The device (5) according to claim 10, in, During normal operation of the device (5), the circuit breaker (10) or the battery management unit (40) is configured to control the switch (10) so that the path between the first contact terminal (21) and the second contact terminal (22) is closed with a closing delay after the path between the first circuit breaker terminal (11) and the second circuit breaker terminal (12) has been closed.

12. The device (5) according to claim 11, in, The closing delay is in the range of 50 ms to 300 ms.

13. The device (5) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, in, During normal operation of the device (5), the circuit breaker (10) or the battery management unit (40) is configured to control the switch (20) so that the path between the first contact terminal (21) and the second contact terminal (22) is disconnected with a disconnection delay after the path between the first circuit breaker terminal (11) and the second circuit breaker terminal (12) has been disconnected.

14. The device (5) according to claim 13, in, The disconnection delay is in the range of 50 ms to 300 ms.

15. The device (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, in, The circuit breaker (10) is configured to protect a driving path and a load path of an electric vehicle (50), and the switch (20) is inserted into the load path.

16. An electric vehicle (50), comprising: - a device (5) according to one of claims 1 to 15, - a battery (51), coupled to the second circuit breaker terminal (22), - an electric motor (52), coupled to the first power port (35), and - a plug (53) coupled to the second contact terminal (22).

Images