Switching chamber for electrical switch

Abstract

The invention relates to a switching chamber for an electrical switch, the switching chamber comprising electrical contacts for switching a current in the switching chamber, at least one outlet being arranged on the switching chamber, a turbulence chamber being arranged at the outlet of the switching chamber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a switch chamber for an electrical switch. Background Art

[0002] Typically, current-limiting switchgear, in particular current-limiting circuit breakers, for example in the form of MCCBs (Molded Case Circuit Breakers), are used in widely branched distribution networks. The selective hierarchical arrangement is usually operated using the smallest rated current spacing of the switchgear involved. Here, depending on the connected electrical consumers, each branch level can be protected with a correspondingly dimensioned switchgear to prevent overloads and short circuits.

[0003] Here, for example, the switchgear arranged closest to the consumer (which is usually referred to as the switchgear arranged close to the consumer or downstream) is designed for the lowest rated current. If the short-circuit current now flows through the switchgear close to the consumer and through the switchgear arranged above the switchgear close to the consumer in the hierarchy of the power distribution network (which is usually referred to as the switchgear arranged far from the consumer or upstream), only the switchgear close to the consumer should be disconnected. In other words, in the event of a fault (short circuit), only the switchgear closest to the event should interrupt the current flow.

[0004] The switch contact pairs of the switchgears close to the consumer and far from the consumer arc when disconnected, wherein the disconnection width of the switch contact pairs and the arc energy are higher for the switchgear close to the consumer due to the lower mass moment of inertia of its movable current track including the switch contacts. This possible disconnection of only one pole must be followed by the switching off of all poles of the switchgear close to the consumer. The switchgear far from the consumer must not be switched off in order to avoid isolating other consumers from the power distribution network. However, the switchgear far from the consumer can play an auxiliary role by briefly lifting the switch contacts, i.e., for example, by limiting the current, which helps to switch off the switchgear close to the consumer.

[0005] Switchgear that acts in this hierarchical manner in a power distribution network exhibits selectivity. To achieve this selectivity, the switchgear closest to the fault must interrupt the current path of all switching poles faster than the upper-level switchgear.

[0006] DE 691 10 540 T2 and DE 692 17 441 T2 respectively disclose an electrical switching device in the form of a circuit breaker with an insulating material housing, each switching pole of which includes two switching contacts, which are elastically pressed against each other in the on position of the circuit breaker. When the current flowing through the switch contacts exceeds a certain threshold value, the switch contacts can be separated by the action of an electric recoil force, thereby achieving the limitation of the current.

[0007] The circuit breaker disclosed in the document comprises an overload and / or short circuit acquisition member for applying a disconnection mechanism causing the circuit breaker to automatically disconnect in the event of a fault. In addition, the circuit breaker disclosed in the document comprises an actuation member responsive to an overvoltage generated in the separation zone of the switch contacts by an arc drawn in the electromotive recoil of said switch contacts to effect the disconnection mechanism of the circuit breaker.

[0008] Further pressure triggers are also disclosed in DE 10 2009 015 126 A1, DE 10 2011 077 359 A1 and DE 10 2018211995 B4.

[0009] The arc during the opening of the switch contact pair causes the gas to ionize and form a plasma. This plasma, for example by burning the switch contacts, produces dirt that is deposited in the switch chamber of the electrical switch, but also in the downstream pressure release and can also cause its failure. During overload or short-circuit switching, the fouling of subsequent components due to the burning of contact material prevents the reliable functionality of the electrical switch. Summary of the invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a switch chamber which prevents subsequent or downstream components from becoming contaminated.

[0011] According to the present invention, the above technical problem is solved by the switch chamber according to the present invention. The present invention also provides alternative embodiments.

[0012] The switching chamber for an electrical switch according to the invention comprises electrical contacts for switching an electric current in the switching chamber, wherein at least one outlet is arranged at the switching chamber, wherein a turbulence chamber is arranged at the outlet of the switching chamber.

[0013] The advantage here is that the switch chamber according to the invention with a turbulence chamber can perform a filtering function without an additional filter element. This saves components and reduces costs, since fewer parts need to be installed, ensures that the dirt remains within the specified range and ensures better functioning of the subsequent dirt-reducing components.

[0014] In one embodiment of the switching chamber according to the invention, the turbulence chamber has a gas inlet which is connected in terms of flow to an outlet of the switching chamber.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the switching chamber according to the invention, the turbulence chamber fulfills the filtering function by means of a complex geometry without an additional filter element being required.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the switching chamber according to the invention, the turbulence chamber with its complex geometry has the shape of a semi-ellipsoid or a cone.

[0017] In another embodiment of the switch chamber according to the invention, the geometry of the turbulence chamber is subdivided into a turbulence zone and a lateral calm zone. The lateral calm zone serves to receive dirt.

[0018] In a further embodiment, the gas inlet into the turbulence chamber is arranged eccentrically with respect to the turbulence chamber.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the switching chamber according to the invention, the outlet opening of the turbulence chamber is arranged at the end of the turbulence zone having the smallest radius.

[0020] In a further embodiment, the outlet opening of the turbulence chamber leads indirectly or directly to a pressure trigger in order to detect the triggering of the electrical switch by the pressure increase.

[0021] In another design of the switch chamber according to the present invention, the turbulence chamber is a part of the switch chamber. Here, the turbulence chamber can be formed in the housing wall of the switch chamber. Alternatively, the turbulence chamber is an independent component installed at the switch chamber. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The above characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention and the manner of achieving them will become clearer and easier to understand with reference to the description of the embodiments explained in more detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 An electrical switch having a switch chamber and electrical contacts is shown;

[0024] Figure 2A and Figure 2B Shown are previous solutions for reducing fouling at the outlet of a switch chamber;

[0025] Figure 3A and Figure 3B Shown are previous solutions for reducing fouling at the outlet of a switch chamber;

[0026] Figure 4A and Figure 4B Different views of a switch chamber with a turbulence chamber according to the invention are shown;

[0027] Figure 5A and Figure 5B shows different cross-sectional planes of a switch chamber with a turbulence chamber according to the invention; and

[0028] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B Different further sectional planes of the switch chamber according to the invention are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Figure 1 An electrical switch 1000 having a switch chamber 100 is shown. The switch chamber 100 comprises electrical contacts 1010; 1020 or 1010'; 1020' for switching current in an open path 1500; 1500'. Figure 1 In the illustration of FIG. 1 , a double-contact breaker having two contact pairs 1010 ; 1020 and 1010 ′; 1020 ′ and two open paths 1500 ; 1500 ′ is shown. Similarly, the switch chamber 100 may have at least one pair of electrical contacts 1010 ; 1020 and at least one open path 1500 .

[0030] The switching chamber 100 has an outlet 1510 , so that a pressure increase from the switching chamber 100 can be transferred fluidically via the outlet 1510 to the pressure trigger.

[0031] Figure 2A and Figure 2B , a detail of a switch chamber 100 is shown, in which an additional component 999 is provided, which enables flow guidance in such a way that dirt cannot directly reach downstream components.

[0032] Figure 3A and Figure 3B Parts of the switch chamber 100 and additional components 999 are also shown. Figure 3B The flow path along the additional component 999 is shown in FIG; due to the labyrinth-like guidance of the gas, deposits of dirt may occur. This principle needs to be improved.

[0033] Figure 4A 1 shows a switch chamber 100 according to the invention of an electrical switch 1000. For this purpose, a turbulence chamber 150 is arranged at an outlet 1510 of the switch chamber 100 ( Figure 1 and Figure 5A The turbulence chamber 150 has a gas inlet 158 ​​which is connected in terms of flow to an outlet 1510 of the switching chamber 100 .

[0034] The turbulence chamber 150 satisfies the filtering function by means of a complex geometric structure without the need for an additional filter element. To this end, the turbulence chamber 150 with a complex geometric structure has a shape of a semi-ellipsoid or a cone.

[0035] The geometry of the turbulence chamber 150 is subdivided into turbulence zones 151 and lateral calm zones 152. These lateral calm zones 152 serve to receive dirt.

[0036] Figure 4BAnother view of a switch chamber 100 according to the invention is shown. Gas enters the turbulence chamber 150 from the switch chamber 100 via a gas inlet 158. The turbulence chamber 150 has a turbulence region 151 and a lateral calm region 152. The gas inlet 158 ​​into the turbulence chamber 150 is arranged eccentrically to the turbulence chamber 150.

[0037] The outlet 159 of the turbulence chamber 150 is arranged at the end of the turbulence zone 151 having the smallest radius.

[0038] exist Figure 5A and Figure 5B FIG. 4 shows a switching chamber 100 according to the invention in different sectional views. Figure 5A The switch chamber 100 is shown with an open path 1500 and its outlet 1510 leading to the turbulence chamber 150 .

[0039] Figure 5B The further cross-sectional view of 150 shows the gas inlet 158 ​​into the turbulence chamber 150 as well as the turbulence zone 151 and the lateral calm zone 152. The outlet 159 of the turbulence chamber 150 is arranged at the end of the turbulence zone 151 having the smallest radius.

[0040] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B A further section through the switching chamber 100 according to the invention is shown. Fig. 6A A gas inlet 158 ​​is shown arranged eccentrically from the turbulence chamber 150 . Fig. 6A Also shown is a switch chamber 100 according to the invention, which has a turbulence chamber 150 , a turbulence zone 151 and a lateral calm zone 152 .

[0041] Figure 6B The turbulence chamber 150 is shown again with its outlet 159. A pressure trigger can be arranged indirectly or directly at the outlet 159 of the turbulence chamber 150 for detecting the triggering of the electrical switch 1000 by a pressure increase.

[0042] according to Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Fig. 6A and Figure 6B , the turbulence chamber 150 may be part of the switch chamber 100. For example, the turbulence chamber may be formed in a housing wall of the switch chamber.

[0043] Alternatively, the turbulence chamber 150 may be a separate component installed at the switch chamber 100 .

[0044] The exhaust gas generated during overload and / or short-circuit shutdown causes dirt in the switch chamber. Since the turbulence chamber 150 according to the present invention is located between the switch chamber 100 and the subsequent components, the dirt is retained in the turbulence chamber 150. For example, the dirt can be deposited in the lateral calm area 152, thereby preventing them from escaping from the outlet 159 of the turbulence chamber 150.

[0045] The switch chamber according to the invention satisfies the filtering function by means of a complex geometric structure in the component without the need for additional filter elements. For example, the complex geometric structure has the shape of a semi-ellipsoid or a cone. The geometric structure is subdivided into a turbulent zone 151 and a lateral calm zone 152. The calm zone 152 is used to accommodate dirt. The gas inlet 158 ​​entering the turbulent chamber 150 should be designed to enter the turbulent chamber 150 eccentrically. The outlet 159 of the turbulent chamber 150 is located at the end of the turbulent zone 151 with the smallest radius.

[0046] Advantages here include the saving of components, the saving of costs due to the saving of parts and assembly costs, the keeping of dirt within limits defined for this purpose and the subsequent better functioning of the dirt-reducing assembly.

Claims

1. A switch room (100) for an electrical switch (1000), wherein: The switch chamber (100) comprises electrical contacts (1010; 1020) for switching an electric current in an open path (1500), wherein at least one outlet (1510) is arranged at the switch chamber (100), It is characterized in that A turbulence chamber (150) is arranged at the outlet (1510) of the switch chamber (100).

2. The switch room (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The turbulence chamber (150) has a gas inlet (158) which is fluidically connected to an outlet (1510) of the switching chamber (100).

3. The switch room (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The turbulence chamber (150) satisfies the filtering function through a complex geometric structure without the need for additional filtering elements.

4. The switch room (100) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein: The turbulence chamber (150) with a complex geometric structure has a shape of a semi-ellipsoid or a cone.

5. The switch chamber (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The geometric structure of the turbulence chamber (150) is subdivided into a turbulent zone (151) and a lateral calm zone (152).

6. The switch room (100) according to claim 5, wherein: The calm area (152) is used to contain dirt.

7. The switch chamber (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: A gas inlet (158) into the turbulence chamber (150) is disposed eccentrically from the turbulence chamber (150).

8. The switch chamber (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The outlet (159) of the turbulence chamber (150) is arranged at the end of the turbulence zone (151) having the smallest radius.

9. The switch room (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The outlet opening (159) of the turbulence chamber (150) leads indirectly or directly to a pressure trigger for detecting the triggering of the electrical switch (1000) by a pressure increase.

10. The switch chamber (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The turbulence chamber (150) is a part of the switch chamber (100).

11. The switch room (100) according to claim 10, wherein: The turbulence chamber (150) is formed in a housing wall of the switch chamber (100).

12. The switch room (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The turbulence chamber (150) is an independent component installed at the switch chamber (100).

Images