Contact assembly for switching device and switching device

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a contact assembly of a switching device and the switching device. The contact assembly comprises a pair of power supply side static contacts, each power supply side static contact comprises a connecting section coupled to a first power supply and a second power supply, a bending section and a coupling section, and the coupling section extends from the bending section; the moving contact is suitable for rotating around a rotating axis so as to be switched among a first closing position, a second closing position and an opening position, the moving contact is coupled to the coupling section at the first closing position and the second closing position, and the moving contact is separated from the coupling section at the opening position; the arc blowing block is arranged at the end part, close to the bending section, of the connecting section and is positioned between the connecting section and the coupling section; and a pair of magnetic conductive blocks respectively arranged adjacent to the moving contacts at the first and second closing positions. By arranging the magnetic conductive block and effectively controlling the size of the arc blowing block, the electric repulsive force acting on the moving contact during closing can be reduced, so that the short-circuit tolerance performance of the switching device is remarkably improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of electrical equipment, and particularly to a contact assembly for a switching device and a switching device. Background Art

[0002] An automatic transfer switch device (ATS) is a key component for emergency or standby power systems. The automatic transfer switch device can automatically switch the load from the main power supply to the standby power supply when the main power supply fails, ensuring continuous power supply. Traditional double-power transfer switches have problems such as low short-circuit withstand performance and thus poor safety and reliability. In addition, there are also problems that the product temperature rise performance and electrical performance requirements of some double-power transfer switches cannot be effectively guaranteed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a contact assembly for a switching device. The contact assembly includes: a pair of power-side static contacts, each having a bent structure and including a connection section respectively coupled to a first power supply and a second power supply, a bent section bent from one end of the connection section, and a coupling section extending from the bent section in a thickness direction perpendicular to the bent section; a moving contact adapted to rotate about a rotation axis to switch between a first closing position, a second closing position, and a breaking position between the first closing position and the second closing position, in the first closing position and the second closing position, the moving contact is respectively coupled to the coupling sections of the pair of power-side static contacts, and in the breaking position, the moving contact is separated from the coupling sections of the pair of power-side static contacts; an arc-blowing block disposed at an end of the connection section adjacent to the bent section and located between the connection section and the coupling section; and a pair of magnetic conduction blocks respectively disposed adjacent to the moving contact in the first closing position and the second closing position, the minimum distance between the magnetic conduction block and the moving contact being less than a predetermined threshold but not zero.

[0004] In some embodiments, the coupling section includes: a pair of coupling arms disposed at a predetermined distance apart in the width direction of the connection section, each coupling arm of the pair of coupling arms including a coupling portion extending from the bent section and an introduction portion extending at a predetermined angle with respect to the coupling portion from an end of the coupling portion.

[0005] In some embodiments, at least a part of the edge of the introduction portion close to the connection section is parallel to the connection section, and the edge of the introduction portion away from the connection section extends from the coupling portion toward the connection section.

[0006] In some embodiments, the moving contact includes: a bracket; and two pairs of moving contact plates, each pair of moving contact plates of the two pairs of moving contact plates being disposed in the bracket at a predetermined distance apart and partially, in the first closing position or the second closing position, each pair of moving contact plates clamping one coupling arm of a pair of coupling arms of the corresponding power-side static contact.

[0007] In some embodiments, the contact assembly further includes: a load-side stationary contact, including a first section and a second section coupled to a load, the first section being partially inserted into the bracket to be coupled to the moving contact.

[0008] In some embodiments, the second section includes a first end coupled to the load and a second end opposite the first end and coupled to the first section.

[0009] In some embodiments, the first section includes a pair of coupling arms extending from the second end of the second section in the thickness direction of the second section.

[0010] In some embodiments, the thickness of the coupling arms is less than the thickness of the second section.

[0011] In some embodiments, the contact point of the load-side stationary contact and the moving contact is radially offset from the rotation axis of the moving contact.

[0012] In some embodiments, the load-side stationary contact is integrally formed.

[0013] In some embodiments, the arc-blowing block is arranged to be aligned with the lower half section of the introduction part adjacent to the coupling part.

[0014] In some embodiments, the contact assembly further includes: an arc extinguishing chamber, arranged between the coupling sections of a pair of power-side stationary contacts and including a plurality of grid plates spaced apart by a predetermined distance.

[0015] In some embodiments, the arc-blowing block and the magnetic conduction block are magnetic.

[0016] According to a second aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a switching device is provided. The switching device includes: a housing; and a contact assembly according to any one of claims 1-12, partially arranged in the housing.

[0017] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, by providing a magnetic conduction block and effectively controlling the size of the arc-blowing block, the electric repulsive force acting on the moving contact during closing can be reduced, thereby significantly improving the short-circuit withstand performance of the switching device.

[0018] It should be understood that the content described in this part is not intended to define the key features or important features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become easily understood through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In combination with the accompanying drawings and with reference to the following detailed description, the above and other features, advantages and aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure will become more obvious. In the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements, where:

[0020] Figure 1Shows a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a contact assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 2 Shows a simplified front view schematic diagram of a contact assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, where the moving contact is in the open position;

[0022] Figure 3 Shows a simplified front view schematic diagram of a contact assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, where the moving contact is in the first or second closed position;

[0023] Figure 4 Shows a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a static contact on the power supply side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 5 Shows a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a static contact on the load side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 6 Shows a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a static contact on the load side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0026] Figure 7 Shows a schematic diagram of the connection between a static contact and a moving contact on the load side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed implementation manners

[0027] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided to more thoroughly and completely understand the present disclosure. It should be understood that the drawings and embodiments of the present disclosure are only for exemplary purposes and are not used to limit the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0028] It should be noted that the titles of any sections / subsections provided herein are not restrictive. Various embodiments are described throughout this document, and any type of embodiment can be included under any section / subsection. In addition, the embodiments described in any section / subsection can be combined with any other embodiments described in the same section / subsection and / or different sections / subsections in any manner.

[0029] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the term "including" and its like terms should be understood as open inclusion, that is, "including but not limited to". The term "based on" should be understood as "at least partially based on". The term "one embodiment" or "the embodiment" should be understood as "at least one embodiment". The term "some embodiments" should be understood as "at least some embodiments". There may be other explicit and implicit definitions hereinafter. The terms "first", "second", etc. may refer to different or the same objects. There may be other explicit and implicit definitions hereinafter.

[0030] In a traditional dual-power transfer switch, during the closing process of the moving contact towards the static contact on one side of the power source under the drive of the mechanism, the direction of the electrodynamic force on the moving contact is towards the direction of contact opening. In the case where the connected line includes multiple poles, there will be a closing process for the corresponding moving contact and static contact for each pole. In this case, if the mechanism cannot withstand the electric repulsive force of the four-pole breaking, the moving contact will be opened, resulting in poor short-circuit performance of the product.

[0031] In addition, in some traditional solutions, the coupling point of the load-side static contact and the moving contact is concentric with the rotation center of the contact support, and the position of the coupling point remains unchanged during the closing and opening processes, which may lead to poor contact at the coupling point and cause the failure of some functions.

[0032] To solve or at least partially solve the above problems or other potential problems existing in the traditional switching device, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a contact assembly for a switching device and a corresponding switching device. The following will be described in conjunction with Figures 1 to 7 to describe the concept according to the present disclosure. The switching device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a dual-power transfer switch. For example, the switching device may be one pole in a dual-power transfer switch. The dual-power transfer switch may include multiple poles, and each pole corresponds to a switching device. It should be understood that the switching device may also be other switching devices. In this article, the dual-power transfer switch will be mainly used as an example to describe the concept of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the same applies to other switching devices with similar structures, and will not be separately described hereinafter.

[0033] Figure 1 Fig. shows a perspective view of a contact assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 2 Fig. shows a front view of the contact assembly 100, where the moving contact 102 is in the open position, and Figure 3 Fig. shows a front view of the contact assembly 100, where the moving contact 102 is in the closed position (hereinafter also referred to as the first closed position or the second closed position).

[0034] As Figures 1 to 3 shown, generally, the contact assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a pair of power-source side static contacts 101, a moving contact 102, an arc-blowing block 103, and a pair of magnetic-conducting blocks 104. As will also be mentioned hereinafter, the contact assembly 100 may further include a load-side static contact 105. The pair of power-source side static contacts 101 are respectively coupled to a first power source (such as the main power source) or a second power source (such as the standby power source) to allow the switching device to switch between the main power source and the standby power source. Figure 4 Fig. shows a perspective view of one of the power-source side static contacts 101. As Figures 2 to 4As shown, the static contact 101 on the power supply side generally has a bent structure and generally includes three sections, namely: a connection section 1011 adapted to be coupled to the first power supply or the second power supply respectively, a bent section 1012 bent from one end of the connection section 1011 (the end far from the end coupled to the first or second power supply), and a coupling section 1013.

[0035] The angle between the bent section 1012 and the connection section 1011 can be greater than 90° and less than 180°. For example, the angle between the two is between 120° and 160°. The coupling section 1013 extends from the bent section 1012 in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the bent section 1012. In some embodiments, as Figure 4 shown, the coupling section 1013 can include a pair of coupling arms arranged to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the width direction of the connection section 1011. Each coupling arm includes a coupling portion 1014 extending from the bent section 1012 and a guiding portion 1015 extending from the end of the coupling portion 1014 at a predetermined angle with respect to the coupling portion 1014. The predetermined angle can be any suitable angle between 90° and 180°, so that the distances from the guiding portions 1015 of the pair of coupling arms 1054 to the connection section 1011 are equal.

[0036] In some embodiments, the guiding portion 1015 can be triangular in shape, and the edge close to the connection section 1011 is parallel to and spaced apart from the connection section 1011 by a predetermined distance. The edge of the guiding portion 1015 far from the connection section 1011 gradually approaches the connection section 1011 in the extending direction from the coupling portion 1014 to the end of the guiding portion 1015, and forms an acute angle with the edge close to the connection section 1011 at the end of the guiding portion 1015, thus forming an arcing angle. In this way, the guiding portion 1015 is generally in a structure extending towards the connection section 1011, so as to be able to pull open the gap, elongate the arc, and this is beneficial to arc extinction. In some embodiments, the edge of the guiding portion 1015 far from the connection section 1011 can have a chamfer structure to facilitate the coupling of the moving contact 102 and the static contact 101 on the power supply side.

[0037] Returning to Figures 1 to 3 Between a pair of static contacts 101 on the power supply side, an arc extinguishing chamber 106 can also be provided. For example, the arc extinguishing chamber 106 is arranged between the coupling sections 1013 of a pair of static contacts 101 on the power supply side and includes grid plates 1061 spaced apart by a predetermined distance. Since the guiding portions 1015 of the coupling sections 1013 of a pair of static contacts 101 on the power supply side are not parallel, the arrangement of the plurality of grid plates 1061 can also be in an arc-shaped arrangement, and a non-zero angle is formed between adjacent two grid plates 1061, so that the plurality of grid plates 1061 can be evenly transitioned between the guiding portions 1015 of the coupling sections 1013 of the two static contacts 101 on the power supply side, thus being beneficial to effective arc extinction.

[0038] The moving contact 102 of the contact assembly 100 can be driven to rotate about the rotation axis A so as to switch between a first closing position, a second closing position, and a breaking position between the first closing position and the second closing position. In the first closing position, the moving contact 102 is coupled to the coupling section 1013 of the power-side static contact 101 coupled to the first power source, so as to facilitate turning on the loop from the first power source to the load. In the second closing position, the moving contact 102 is coupled to the coupling section 1013 of the power-side static contact 101 coupled to the second power source, so as to facilitate turning on the loop from the second power source to the load. In the breaking position, the moving contact 102 is separated from the coupling sections 1013 of a pair of power-side static contacts 101.

[0039] In some embodiments, as Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, the moving contact 102 may include a bracket 1021 and two pairs of moving contact plates 1022. The bracket 1021 may be made of a non-conductive material. Each pair of moving contact plates 1022 is spaced apart by a predetermined distance and is partially disposed in the bracket 1021. When the moving contact 102 is in the first closing position or the second closing position, each pair of moving contact plates 1022 clamps one coupling arm 1054 in the corresponding power-side static contact 101, thereby realizing the coupling between the moving contact 102 and the power-side static contact 101.

[0040] At the moment when the power-side static contact 101 and the moving contact 102 are about to be coupled, a current will be formed from the connection section 1011, via the bent section 1012, the coupling section 1013, and via an arc to be connected to the moving contact 102 and then to the load. For the sake of easy understanding, the loop current is divided into several segments. Among them, the Lorentz force of the magnetic field generated by the current from the coupling portion 1014 of the coupling section 1013, through the introduction portion 1015 to the moving contact 102 on the arc is upward (i.e., prompting it to enter the arc extinguishing chamber 106), and the Lorentz force of the magnetic field generated by the current from the connection section 1011, through the bent section 1012 on the arc is downward (hindering it from entering the arc extinguishing chamber 106).

[0041] The end of the connection section 1011 and the bent section 1012 are far from the arc formed between the moving contact 102 and the power-side static contact 101, and the influence on the arc is not obvious. However, the magnetic field near the end of the connection section 1011 close to the bent section 1012 hinders the arc strongly. Therefore, referring back to Figure 2 and Figure 3, in order to facilitate the arc to enter the arc extinguishing chamber 106, an arc blowing block 103 is provided at the end of the connecting section 1011 adjacent to the bending section 1012. The arc blowing block 103 is located between the connecting section 1011 and the introducing part 1015 of the coupling section 1013 and has magnetism. In this way, the arc blowing block 103 can shield most of the magnetic field generated by the current near the end of the connecting section 1011 adjacent to the bending section 1012, thereby effectively reducing the hindrance effect of the current at this place on the arc.

[0042] In some embodiments, the arc blowing block 103 is arranged to be aligned with the lower half section of the introducing part 1015 adjacent to the coupling part 1014. That is to say, the dimension of the arc blowing block 103 in the extending direction of the connecting section 1011 is basically only half of the length of the introducing part 1015 in this direction.

[0043] Continue to refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , a pair of magnetic conduction blocks 104 are respectively arranged adjacent to the moving contact 102 in the first closing position and the second closing position and have magnetism. The magnetic conduction blocks 104 are arranged as close as possible to the moving contact 102 without contacting each other. That is to say, the minimum distance between the magnetic conduction blocks 104 and the moving contact 102 is less than a predetermined threshold but not zero. For example, the magnetic conduction blocks 104 can be fixed near the moving contact 102 through non-conductive fixing parts, so that the magnetic conduction blocks 104 and the moving contact 102 are separated by a predetermined distance through the fixing parts and the wall of the bracket 1021.

[0044] In some embodiments, a single magnetic conduction block 104 can be a complete block or a laminated component. The shape of the magnetic conduction block 104 can be regular as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 or can be irregular. By arranging the magnetic conduction blocks 104 and effectively controlling the size of the arc blowing block 103, the electric repulsive force acting on the moving contact 102 during closing can be reduced, thereby significantly improving the short-circuit withstand performance of the switching device.

[0045] Figure 5 A perspective view of the load-side static contact 105 mentioned above is shown. As shown in Figure 5 , the load-side static contact 105 includes a first section 1053 and a second section coupled to the load. The first section 1053 is partially inserted into the bracket 1021 of the moving contact 102 to be coupled with the moving contact 102, as shown in Figure 6 . The second section includes a first end 1051 coupled to the load and a second end 1052 opposite to the first end 1051. The second end 1052 is bent by a predetermined angle with respect to the other parts of the second section, and the predetermined angle is in the range of 95° to 175°.

[0046] In some embodiments, the first section 1053 is generally U-shaped and includes a pair of first arms. The pair of first arms extend from the second end 1052 of the second section in the thickness direction of the second section (i.e., perpendicular to the second section) and are respectively inserted between a corresponding pair of moving contact plates 1022 to be coupled to the moving contact 102, as Figure 7 shown.

[0047] Figure 5 It is shown in Figure 2 that the load-side static contact 105 generally adopts an asymmetric structure. In this case, the magnetic conduction block 104 on the eccentric side of the second end 1052 (e.g., the left side in Figure 2 and Figure 3 ) can be larger in size than the magnetic conduction block 104 on the other side, so as to further optimize the short-circuit withstand performance of the switching device.

[0048] In some embodiments, the load-side static contact 105 may also adopt other structures different from those shown in Figure 5 . For example, in some embodiments, the second section of the load-side static contact 105 may extend perpendicularly from the middle of the bottom wall of the U-shaped first section 1053 in the opposite direction of the first arm. In this case, the load-side static contact 105 generally forms a symmetric fork-shaped structure.

[0049] In some embodiments, the thickness of the first arm may be less than the thickness of the second section. For example, in some embodiments, the thickness of the first arm may be in the range of 7 mm to 9 mm, such as 8 mm, and the rear section of the second section is in the range of 9 mm to 11 mm, such as 10 mm. In some embodiments, the thickness of the first arm may also be equal to the thickness of the second section. In addition, the load-side static contact 105 may be integrally formed, for example, by stamping process or any other suitable process. In this way, while effectively saving the part cost, the product temperature rise and electrical performance requirements of the switching device can be ensured.

[0050] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 7 , the contact point C between the load-side static contact 105 and the moving contact 102 (i.e., the contact point C where the first arm is inserted between the corresponding pair of moving contact plates 1022) is radially offset from the rotation axis A of the moving contact 102. In this way, during the rotation of the moving contact 102 around the rotation axis A, the contact point C can rotate around the rotation center, which is equivalent to the load-side static contact 105 sliding along an arc relative to the moving contact 102. This sliding design can ensure that there is always sliding at the contact position between the moving contact 102 and the load-side static contact 105, avoid the contact state of the contact being affected by foreign objects at the contact position, and ensure the reliability of the switching device.

[0051] ​​​​​​​​The various implementations of the present disclosure have been described above. The above description is exemplary, not exhaustive, and is not limited to the disclosed implementations. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described implementations. The choice of terms used herein is intended to best explain the principles of the implementations, the practical application, or the improvement of the technology in the market, or to enable other ordinary skill in the art to understand the various implementation manners disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A contact assembly for a switching device, comprising: A pair of power - side stationary contacts (101), each having a bent structure and including a connection section (1011) respectively coupled to a first power source and a second power source, a bent section (1012) bent from one end of the connection section (1011), and a coupling section (1013), the coupling section (1013) extending from the bent section (1012) in a thickness direction perpendicular to the bent section (1012); A moving contact (102), adapted to rotate about a rotation axis (A) to switch between a first closing position, a second closing position, and an opening position between the first closing position and the second closing position. In the first closing position and the second closing position, the moving contact (102) is respectively coupled to the coupling sections (1013) of the pair of power - side stationary contacts (101). In the opening position, the moving contact (102) is separated from the coupling sections (1013) of the pair of power - side stationary contacts (101); An arc - quenching block (103), arranged at an end of the connection section (1011) adjacent to the bent section (1012) and located between the connection section (1011) and the coupling section (1013); and A pair of magnetic - conducting blocks (104), respectively arranged adjacent to the moving contact (102) in the first closing position and the second closing position, the minimum distance between the magnetic - conducting block (104) and the moving contact (102) being less than a predetermined threshold but not zero.

2. The contact assembly according to claim 1, wherein the coupling section (1013) comprises: A pair of coupling arms, arranged to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the width direction of the connection section (1011), each coupling arm of the pair of coupling arms including a coupling portion (1014) extending from the bent section (1012) and an introducing portion (1015) extending from an end of the coupling portion (1014) at a predetermined angle with respect to the coupling portion (1014).

3. The contact assembly according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of the introducing portion (1015) near the edge of the connection section (1011) is parallel to the connection section (1011), and The edge of the introducing portion (1015) away from the connection section (1011) extends from the coupling portion (1014) towards the connection section (1011).

4. The contact assembly according to any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein the moving contact (102) comprises: A bracket (1021); and Two pairs of moving contact plates (1022), each pair of moving contact plates (1022) of the two pairs of moving contact plates (1022) being spaced apart by a predetermined distance and partially arranged in the bracket (1021). In the first closing position or the second closing position, each pair of moving contact plates (1022) clamps one coupling arm of a pair of coupling arms of the corresponding power - side stationary contact (101).

5. The contact assembly according to claim 4, further comprising: The load-side static contact (105) includes a first section (1053) and a second section coupled to the load, and the first section (1053) is partially inserted into the bracket (1021) to be coupled to the moving contact (102).

6. The contact assembly according to claim 5, wherein the second section includes a first end (1051) coupled to the load and a second end (1052) opposite the first end (1051) and coupled to the first section (1053).

7. The contact assembly according to claim 6, wherein the first section (1053) includes a pair of coupling arms (1054) that extend from the second end (1052) of the second section in the thickness direction of the second section.

8. The contact assembly according to claim 7, wherein the thickness of the coupling arm (1054) is less than the thickness of the second section.

9. The contact assembly according to any one of claims 5-8, wherein the contact point (C) between the load-side static contact (105) and the moving contact (102) is radially offset from the rotation axis (A) of the moving contact (102).

10. The contact assembly according to any one of claims 5-8, wherein the load-side static contact (105) is integrally formed.

11. The contact assembly according to any one of claims 1-3 and 5-8, wherein the arc-blowing block (103) is arranged to be aligned with the lower half section of the introduction portion (1015) adjacent to the coupling portion (1014).

12. The contact assembly according to any one of claims 1-3 and 5-8, further comprising: An arc-extinguishing chamber (106) arranged between the coupling sections (1013) of the pair of power-side static contacts (101) and including a plurality of grid plates (1061) spaced apart by a predetermined distance.

13. The contact assembly according to any one of claims 1-3 and 5-8, wherein the arc-blowing block (103) and the magnetic-conducting block (104) are magnetic.

14. A switching device, comprising: A housing; And The contact assembly according to any one of claims 1-13, which is partially arranged in the housing.

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