Switching device for opening and closing current path

Abstract

The invention relates to a switching device (1) for opening and closing a current path. The switching device (1) comprises a lever (5) which can be rotated about a fulcrum (3) between a first end position and a second end position, the first end position of the lever (5) being defined by a stop (9), in which a lever arm (13) of the lever (5) rests. A switching element (7) movable by rotation of the lever (5) is coupled to the lever (5), through which switching element the current path is closed in a first end position of the lever (5) and is open in a second end position of the lever (5). The magnetic unit (47) prevents the lever arm (13) from rebounding by the stopper (9) after the lever arm (13) is stopped on the stopper (9) by magnetic force and fixes the lever (5) in the first end position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a switching device for opening and closing a current path. The switching device comprises a lever rotatable about a fulcrum between a first end position and a second end position, to which a switching element movable by rotation of the lever is coupled, by means of which the current path is closed in the first end position of the lever and is opened in the second end position of the lever. The first end position of the lever is thus defined by the switched-on position of the switching element. Background Art

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a switching device for fast switching, such as a fast grounding device or a fast disconnector, in which a drive device quickly rotates a lever to a first end position. In this switching device, the first end position of the lever is defined by a stopper, and the lever arm of the lever abuts against the stopper in the first end position. The following problem occurs here, that is, after being quickly stopped on the stopper, the lever arm may be rebounded by the stopper, for example due to the elastic effect of the stopper and / or the component of the lever. Through this rebound of the lever arm by the stopper, the lever leaves the first end position again at least for a short time. Leaving the first end position for a short time may already be technically problematic because the switch element thus leaves its defined on position. In addition, the following situation may occur, that is, the lever no longer returns to the first end position after being rebounded by the stopper, for example because the drive device for rotating the lever does not apply enough driving force for this. In this case, the lever stops at a position between the two end positions after being rebounded by the stopper, at which position the switch element is not in its defined on position and endangers the function of the switching device. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a switching device of the type described above, in which a rebound of the lever by the stop element is excluded and the lever is reliably held in the first end position.

[0004] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a switching device having the features of claim 1 .

[0005] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0006] A switching device for opening and closing a current path according to the present invention comprises:

[0007] a lever rotatable about a fulcrum between a first end position and a second end position, wherein the first end position of the lever is defined by a stop against which the lever arm of the lever bears in the first end position,

[0008] a switching element coupled to the lever and movable by rotation of the lever, by means of which the current path is closed in a first end position of the lever and is opened in a second end position of the lever, and

[0009] A magnetic unit which, by means of magnetic force, prevents the lever arm from rebounding from the stop after being abutted against the stop and fixes the lever in the first end position.

[0010] The invention therefore provides that the lever is prevented from rebounding by the stop after being abutted against the stop by the magnetic force of the magnetic unit, which also holds the lever in the first end position.

[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, the magnetic unit has a magnet and a magnetic or magnetizable coupling element, which is magnetically attracted by the magnet in the first end position of the lever. In this embodiment of the invention, the lever does not need to be completely magnetic or magnetizable, but the magnet or the coupling element can be arranged, for example, on a non-magnetic or non-magnetizable lever arm of the lever.

[0012] For example, the magnet is a component of the lever and the coupling element is arranged in a fixed position relative to the stop. In particular, the coupling element can be a component of the stop. That is to say, in this embodiment of the invention, the lever has a magnet. For example, the magnet is arranged on a lever arm of the lever, which in the first end position of the lever rests on the stop. In addition, the magnet can, for example, rest on a coupling element that forms a component of the stop in the first end position of the lever.

[0013] Alternatively, the coupling element is a component of the lever and the magnet is arranged in a fixed position relative to the stop. In particular, the magnet can be a component of the stop. That is, in this embodiment of the invention, the lever has a coupling element. For example, the coupling element is arranged on a lever arm of the lever, which in the first end position of the lever rests on the stop. In addition, the coupling element can, for example, rest on a magnet that forms a component of the stop in the first end position of the lever.

[0014] The magnet is, for example, a permanent magnet. Alternatively, the magnet is an electromagnet and the switching device is designed, for example, to switch the electromagnet on before the lever arm comes into contact with the stop. The embodiment of the magnet as an electromagnet has the advantage, in particular, that the electromagnet can be switched off in the second end position when the lever is rotated from the first end position to the second end position.

[0015] The stopper for example has a cushioning element that can be elastically deformed, and this cushioning element cushions the rebound of the lever arm on the stopper. Thus, when the lever arm rebounds on the stopper, the stopper and the lever can be advantageously protected from large loads.

[0016] Furthermore, the switch device has, for example, a drive device which is designed to rapidly rotate the lever between its end positions. The drive device is, for example, a spring energy storage drive device, a pneumatic drive device or a magnetic drive device.

[0017] The switching device is, for example, a rapid disconnector, ie a disconnecting switch which disconnects rapidly, or a rapid grounding device, ie a grounding switch which grounds rapidly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention described above and their implementation methods will become clearer and easier to understand in conjunction with the following description of the embodiments, which will be described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 An embodiment of a switching device for opening and closing a current path is shown in a first end position of a lever of the switching device,

[0020] Figure 2 The lever of the switching device is shown in the second end position. Figure 1 The switching device shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An embodiment of a switch device 1 for opening and closing a current path is schematically shown. The switch device 1 is, for example, a fast disconnector or a fast earthing device.

[0022] The switching device 1 comprises a lever 5 rotatable between a first end position and a second end position about a fulcrum 3. A switching element 7 movable by rotation of the lever 5 is coupled to the lever 5, by means of which the current path is closed in the first end position of the lever 5 and is opened in the second end position of the lever 5.

[0023] Figure 1 The switching device 1 is shown in a first end position of the lever 5. The first end position of the lever 5 is defined by a first stop 9, against which an end region 11 of a first lever arm 13 of the lever 5 rests in the first end position.

[0024] The first stop member 9 comprises a first stop element 15, a first buffer element 17 and a magnet 19. The first stop element 15 is arranged in a fixed position with respect to the fulcrum 3 of the lever 5. The first buffer element 17 is arranged on the side of the first stop element 15 facing the lever 5. The magnet 19 comprises a first magnet segment 21, a second magnet segment 22 and a third magnet segment 23, wherein the first magnet segment 21 is arranged on the side of the first stop element 15 facing away from the lever 5; the second magnet segment 22 is arranged on the side of the first buffer element 17 facing the lever 5; the third magnet segment 23 connects the first magnet segment 21 and the second magnet segment 22 and is guided through an opening 25 in the composite structure of the first stop element 15 and the first buffer element 17.

[0025] The end region 11 of the first lever arm 13 has a magnetic or magnetizable coupling element 27 which, in the first end position of the lever 5 , rests against the second magnet section 22 of the magnet 19 and is attracted by the magnet 19 .

[0026] The switch element 7 is coupled to the second lever arm 29 of the lever 5. In the first end position of the lever 5, the switch element 7 connects the two electrical contacts 31, 33, thereby closing the current path. The first electrical contact 31 is a sliding contact, which is electrically connected to the switch element 7 in any position of the lever 5. The electrical connection of the switch element 7 to the first electrical contact 31 is established, for example, by a first contact element 35, which is pressed against the switch element 7 in a spring-loaded manner. The second electrical contact 33 is a moving-in contact, into which the switch element 7 moves when the lever 5 is rotated into the first end position. In the first end position, the switch element 7 is electrically connected to the second electrical contact 33, for example, by a second contact element 37, which is pressed against the switch element 7 in the first end position of the lever 5 in a spring-loaded manner.

[0027] Figure 2 The switching device 1 is shown in the second end position of the lever 5. The second end position of the lever 5 is defined by a second stop 39, against which the end region 11 of the first lever arm 13 of the lever 5 abuts in this second end position.

[0028] The second stopper 39 comprises a second stop element 41 and a second buffer element 43. The second stop element 41 is arranged in a fixed position with respect to the fulcrum 3 of the lever 5. The second buffer element 43 is arranged on a side of the second stop element 41 facing the lever 5.

[0029] The lever 5 can be driven by a drive device 45, which is designed to quickly rotate the lever 5 between its end positions. The drive device 45 is, for example, a spring energy storage drive device. Alternatively, the drive device 45 is, for example, a pneumatic drive device or a magnetic drive device.

[0030] The magnet 19 is, for example, a permanent magnet.

[0031] Alternatively, the magnet 19 is an electromagnet. In the case where the magnet 19 is an electromagnet, the switch device 1 is designed, for example, to switch on the electromagnet before the first lever arm 13 is stopped on the first stop 9, and to switch off the electromagnet in the second end position of the lever 5 when the lever 5 is rotated from the first end position to the second end position. For example, switching on and off the electromagnet can be coupled with activation of the drive device 45, so that the electromagnet is switched on when the drive device 45 rotates the lever 5 to the first end position, and the electromagnet is switched off when the drive device 45 rotates the lever 5 to the second end position.

[0032] The magnet 19 and the coupling element 27 form a magnetic unit 47 which is designed such that the magnetic force between the magnet 19 and the coupling element 27 prevents the first lever arm 13 from bouncing back from the first stop 9 after the first lever arm 13 has been stopped on the first stop 9. In addition, the magnetic force fixes the lever 5 in the first end position.

[0033] The damping elements 17, 43 of the stops 9, 39 are elastically deformable and dampen the rebound of the first lever arm 13 on the respective stop 9, 39. For example, the damping elements 17, 43 are respectively made of rubber.

[0034] In accordance with Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the embodiment of the switching device 1 described, the magnet 19 is a component of the first stop 9 and the coupling element 27 is a component of the lever 5. In other embodiments, the magnet 19 can be a component of the lever 5 and the coupling element 27 can be a component of the first stop 9. For example, in such an embodiment, the end region 11 of the first lever arm 13 has the magnet 19 and the coupling element 27 is connected to the end region 11 of the first lever arm 13. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The magnet 19 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is similarly connected to the stop element 15 and the buffer element 17 of the first stop 9 .

[0035] Although the present invention has been further shown and described in detail by preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed examples, and those skilled in the art may derive other variations therefrom without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A switching device (1) for opening and closing a current path, the switching device (1) comprising: - a lever (5) which is rotatable about a fulcrum (3) between a first end position and a second end position, wherein the first end position of the lever (5) is defined by a stop (9) against which the lever arm (13) of the lever (5) abuts, a switching element (7) coupled to the lever (5) and movable by rotation of the lever (5), by means of which the current path is closed in a first end position of the lever (5) and is opened in a second end position of the lever (5), and A magnetic unit (47) which prevents the lever arm (13) from rebounding by the stop (9) after the lever arm (13) has been stopped on the stop (9) by means of magnetic force and fixes the lever (5) in the first end position.

2. The switch device (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The magnetic unit (47) has a magnet (19) and a magnetic or magnetizable coupling element (27) which is magnetically attracted by the magnet (19) in a first end position of the lever (5).

3. The switch device (1) according to claim 2, wherein: The magnet (19) is a component of the lever (5), and the coupling element (27) is arranged in a fixed position relative to the stop (9).

4. The switch device (1) according to claim 3, wherein: The coupling element (27) is a component of the stop (9).

5. The switch device (1) according to claim 2, wherein: The coupling element (27) is a component of the lever (5), and the magnet (19) is arranged in a fixed position relative to the stop (9).

6. The switch device (1) according to claim 5, wherein: The magnet (19) is a component of the stop element (9).

7. The switch device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein: The magnet (19) is a permanent magnet.

8. The switch device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein: The magnet (19) is an electromagnet. 9 . The switching device ( 1 ) according to claim 8 , which is designed to switch on the electromagnet before the lever arm ( 13 ) comes into contact with the stop element ( 9 ).

10. The switchgear (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The stop (9) has an elastically deformable buffer element (17) which buffers the rebound of the lever arm (13) on the stop (9).

11. The switching device (1) according to claim 1, comprising a drive device (45) which is designed to rapidly rotate the lever (5) between its end positions.

12. The switch device (1) according to claim 11, wherein: The driving device (45) is a spring energy storage driving device.

13. The switch device (1) according to claim 11, wherein: The drive device (45) is a pneumatic drive device.

14. The switch device (1) according to claim 11, wherein: The drive device (45) is a magnetic drive device.

15. The switchgear (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which is a fast disconnector or a fast earthing device.

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