Arc extinguishing chamber, circuit breaker and arc extinguishing method

Abstract

The invention discloses an arc extinguish chamber, a circuit breaker and an arc extinguish method.The arc extinguish chamber comprises a plurality of first arc extinguish grid pieces and a plurality of second arc extinguish grid pieces, the first arc extinguish grid pieces and the second arc extinguish grid pieces are alternately arranged at intervals in the first direction, and gaps are formed between the adjacent first arc extinguish grid pieces and second arc extinguish grid pieces; each of the first arc-extinguishing grid plate and the second arc-extinguishing grid plate comprises an arc division part, the end part, close to the inlet of the arc-extinguishing chamber, of each arc division part is an arc inlet end, and the distance from the arc inlet end of the first arc-extinguishing grid plate to the inlet of the arc-extinguishing chamber is smaller than the distance from the arc inlet end of the second arc-extinguishing grid plate to the inlet of the arc-extinguishing chamber. After entering the arc extinguish chamber, an arc firstly passes through the arc inlet ends of the first arc extinguish grid sheets and is cut into a plurality of longer short arcs by the arc cutting parts of the plurality of first arc extinguish grid sheets, and the distance between two adjacent first arc extinguish grid sheets is relatively large, so that the entering resistance of the arc is relatively small, the arc inlet is facilitated, and the arc extinguish speed is further improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of low-voltage electrical equipment, and in particular to an arc extinguishing chamber, a circuit breaker and an arc extinguishing method. Background Art

[0002] During the circuit breaker's opening process, an arc is generated between the moving and stationary contacts. Since arcs are conductive, if they are not extinguished promptly, they will directly affect the circuit breaker's current-limiting capability and reduce its breaking capacity, further shortening its service life and even endangering personal safety. Therefore, to ensure electrical safety, circuit breakers are typically equipped with arc-extinguishing grids and arc-extinguishing chambers to extinguish arcs and ensure the safe operation of electrical equipment.

[0003] The arc extinguishing principle of the arc-extinguishing grid arc-extinguishing chamber is as follows: the magnetic field generated by the contact conductive circuit drives the arc into the arc-extinguishing chamber. The arc-extinguishing grids in the arc-extinguishing chamber divide the long arc into multiple short arc segments. Each short arc segment forms a near-electrode voltage drop (approximately 10-20V) between the cathode and anode. The total voltage drop increases significantly with the number of grids. When the total voltage drop exceeds the power supply voltage, the arc is extinguished due to insufficient energy.

[0004] Research has shown that the greater the number of arc-quenching grids, the shorter the distance between adjacent arc-quenching grids, and the better the arc extinguishing effect. However, the shorter the distance between adjacent arc-quenching grids, the more difficult it is to introduce the arc between the two adjacent arc-quenching grids, which affects the arc extinguishing speed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides an arc extinguishing chamber, a circuit breaker and an arc extinguishing method, which are beneficial to arc entry and thus improve the arc extinguishing speed.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an arc extinguishing chamber, comprising a plurality of first arc extinguishing grids and a plurality of second arc extinguishing grids, wherein the first arc extinguishing grids and the second arc extinguishing grids are alternately arranged along a first direction, and gaps are provided between adjacent first arc extinguishing grids and second arc extinguishing grids;

[0007] The first arc-extinguishing grid and the second arc-extinguishing grid each include an arc dividing portion, wherein the end of the arc dividing portion close to the arc extinguishing chamber entrance is an arc entrance end;

[0008] The distance from the arc-entry end of the first arc-extinguishing grid to the arc-extinguishing chamber entrance is smaller than the distance from the arc-entry end of the second arc-extinguishing grid to the arc-extinguishing chamber entrance.

[0009] Optionally, a portion of the arc dividing portion of the first arc-extinguishing grid close to the arc-extinguishing chamber entrance is provided with a high-temperature resistant layer.

[0010] Optionally, a portion of the arc dividing portion of the first arc extinguishing grid that extends beyond the arc dividing portion of the second arc extinguishing grid in the second direction is an arc striking portion, the high temperature resistant layer covers a surface of the arc striking portion, and the second direction is a moving direction of the arc.

[0011] Optionally, a plurality of protrusions are provided on the surfaces of the first arc-extinguishing grid and the second arc-extinguishing grid.

[0012] Optionally, the protrusions on the surface of the first arc-extinguishing grid and the protrusions on the surface of the second arc-extinguishing grid are arranged alternately.

[0013] Optionally, the first arc-extinguishing grid and the second arc-extinguishing grid each further include grid legs symmetrically arranged at the arc-entry end, and an arc-striking notch is formed between the two symmetrically arranged grid legs.

[0014] Optionally, the arc extinguishing chamber further includes an arc extinguishing hood, and the first arc extinguishing grid and the second arc extinguishing grid are fixed in the arc extinguishing hood through the grid legs.

[0015] In the second aspect, the present invention also provides a circuit breaker, comprising an arc extinguishing chamber as provided in the first aspect of the present invention, and also comprising a status sensor, a controller, a locking mechanism and a contact assembly arranged in the arc extinguishing chamber, the status sensor and the locking mechanism being electrically connected to the controller, the status sensor being used to collect arc status data and upload it to the controller, and the locking mechanism being used to lock the opening and closing functions of the contact assembly.

[0016] In a third aspect, the present invention further provides an arc extinguishing method, which is applied to the circuit breaker provided in the second aspect of the present invention, comprising:

[0017] Acquire arc status data collected by status sensors;

[0018] determining whether the circuit breaker has reached a critical life based on the arc status data;

[0019] If so, the locking mechanism is controlled to lock the opening and closing functions of the contact assembly.

[0020] Optionally, the arc status data includes arc intensity, number of closing times, and arc duration, and determining whether the circuit breaker has reached a critical life based on the arc status data includes:

[0021] Determine whether the current arc intensity is greater than a preset intensity, whether the arc duration is greater than a preset duration, and whether the number of closing times of the circuit breaker is greater than a preset number;

[0022] When the current arc intensity is greater than a preset intensity, the arc duration is greater than a preset duration, and the number of closing times of the circuit breaker is greater than a preset number, it is determined that the circuit breaker has reached a critical life.

[0023] The arc extinguishing chamber provided by the present invention includes a plurality of first arc extinguishing grids and a plurality of second arc extinguishing grids. The first arc extinguishing grids and the second arc extinguishing grids are alternately arranged in a first direction, with gaps provided between adjacent first arc extinguishing grids. The first arc extinguishing grids and the second arc extinguishing grids each include an arc dividing portion, the end of the arc dividing portion near the arc extinguishing chamber entrance being an arc entry end. The distance between the arc entry end of the first arc extinguishing grid and the arc extinguishing chamber entrance is shorter than the distance between the arc entry end of the second arc extinguishing grid and the arc extinguishing chamber entrance. After entering the arc extinguishing chamber, the arc first passes through the arc entry end of the first arc extinguishing grid and is cut into a plurality of longer short arcs by the arc dividing portions of the plurality of first arc extinguishing grids. Since the spacing between two adjacent first arc extinguishing grids is relatively large, the resistance to the arc entering is relatively small, which is conducive to arc entry and thus improves the arc extinguishing speed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples.

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of an arc extinguishing chamber provided by the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial enlarged view of area A in the middle;

[0027] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of a first arc-extinguishing grid provided by the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a second arc-extinguishing grid provided by the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 The present invention provides a flow chart of an arc extinguishing method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] To make the technical problems solved, the technical solutions adopted, and the technical effects achieved by the present invention more clearly understood, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is apparent that the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "connected," "connected," and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integration; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal communication between two components or interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention in specific circumstances.

[0032] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or may include the first and second features being in contact not directly but through another feature between them. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "above" and "above" the second feature includes the first feature being directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. The first feature being "below", "below" and "below" the second feature includes the first feature being directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish in description and have no special meaning.

[0033] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of an arc extinguishing chamber provided by the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial enlarged view of area A in the middle. Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of a first arc-extinguishing grid provided by the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of a second arc-extinguishing grid provided by the present invention, referring to Figure 1-Figure 4 The arc extinguishing chamber includes a plurality of first arc extinguishing grids 110 and a plurality of second arc extinguishing grids 120. The first arc extinguishing grids 110 and the second arc extinguishing grids 120 are alternately arranged along the first direction X, and gaps are provided between adjacent first arc extinguishing grids 110 and second arc extinguishing grids 120. The first arc extinguishing grids 110 and the second arc extinguishing grids 120 are perpendicular to Figure 1 For example, the first arc-extinguishing grid 110 and the plurality of second arc-extinguishing grids 120 may be metal arc-extinguishing grids, which may be made of materials having high temperature resistance, high thermal conductivity, and low magnetic resistance, such as steel sheets, carbon steel plus tungsten, or molybdenum alloy, which is not limited in the present invention.

[0034] Both the first arc-extinguishing grid 110 and the second arc-extinguishing grid 120 include arc splitters (arc splitter 111 and arc splitter 121, respectively) for splitting a long arc into several shorter arcs. The end of arc splitter 111 near the arc extinguishing chamber entrance 101 is an arc entry end 1111, and the end of arc splitter 121 near the arc extinguishing chamber entrance 101 is an arc entry end 1211.

[0035] The distance L1 between the arc-entry end 1111 of the first arc-extinguishing grid 110 and the arc-extinguishing chamber entrance 101 is shorter than the distance L2 between the arc-entry end 1211 of the second arc-extinguishing grid 120 and the arc-extinguishing chamber entrance 101. Because the distance L1 between the arc-entry end 1111 of the first arc-extinguishing grid 110 and the arc-extinguishing chamber entrance 101 is shorter than the distance L2 between the arc-entry end 1211 of the second arc-extinguishing grid 120, i.e., the arc-entry end 1111 of the first arc-extinguishing grid 110 protrudes more than the arc-entry end 1211 of the second arc-extinguishing grid 120, upon entering the arc-extinguishing chamber, the arc first passes through the arc-entry end 1111 of the first arc-extinguishing grid 110 and is cut into multiple long short arcs by the arc-splitting portions 111 of the first arc-extinguishing grid 110. Since the distance between adjacent first arc-extinguishing grids 110 is relatively large, the resistance to arc entry is relatively small, which facilitates arc entry and thereby increases arc extinguishing speed. As the arc continues to move in the second direction Y, when it reaches the arc entrance end 1211 of the second arc-extinguishing grid 120 , the arc is cut into a plurality of shorter arcs by the first arc-extinguishing grid 110 and the second arc-extinguishing grid 120 .

[0036] The arc extinguishing chamber provided by the present invention includes a plurality of first arc extinguishing grids and a plurality of second arc extinguishing grids. The first arc extinguishing grids and the second arc extinguishing grids are alternately arranged in a first direction, with gaps provided between adjacent first arc extinguishing grids. The first arc extinguishing grids and the second arc extinguishing grids each include an arc dividing portion, the end of the arc dividing portion near the arc extinguishing chamber entrance being an arc entry end. The distance between the arc entry end of the first arc extinguishing grid and the arc extinguishing chamber entrance is shorter than the distance between the arc entry end of the second arc extinguishing grid and the arc extinguishing chamber entrance. After entering the arc extinguishing chamber, the arc first passes through the arc entry end of the first arc extinguishing grid and is cut into a plurality of longer short arcs by the arc dividing portions of the plurality of first arc extinguishing grids. Since the spacing between two adjacent first arc extinguishing grids is relatively large, the resistance to the arc entering is relatively small, which is conducive to arc entry and thus improves the arc extinguishing speed.

[0037] In some embodiments of the present invention, a high-temperature resistant layer 112, such as graphite, is provided on the portion of the arc-splitting portion 111 of the first arc-extinguishing grid 110 near the arc-extinguishing chamber entrance 101. This layer is not limited in the present invention. After the arc enters the arc-extinguishing chamber, it first passes through the arc-entry end 1111 of the first arc-extinguishing grid 110 and is cut into multiple long short arcs by the first arc-extinguishing grids 110. At this time, since the number of short arcs is relatively small (half the final number of short arcs), the total arc voltage is relatively small, and the total arc current is relatively large, causing the first arc-extinguishing grid 110 to generate a large amount of heat. Therefore, a high-temperature resistant layer 112 is required on the portion of the arc-splitting portion 111 of the first arc-extinguishing grid 110 near the arc-extinguishing chamber entrance 101 to prevent the portion of the arc-splitting portion 111 of the first arc-extinguishing grid 110 near the arc-extinguishing chamber entrance 101 from being burned.

[0038] In some embodiments of the present invention, the portion of the arc dividing portion 111 of the first arc extinguishing grid 110 that extends beyond the arc dividing portion 121 of the second arc extinguishing grid 120 in the second direction Y is the arc striking portion, and the high-temperature resistant layer 112 covers the surface of the entire arc striking portion to prevent the arc striking portion of the first arc extinguishing grid 110 from being burned by high temperature.

[0039] In some embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of protrusions 102 are provided on the surfaces of the first arc-extinguishing grid 110 and the second arc-extinguishing grid 120. The protrusions 102 act as a flow turbulent, which can timely disperse the energy in the arc-extinguishing chamber. At the same time, the contact area between the arc-extinguishing grid and the air is increased, which has a good heat dissipation effect, promotes the reduction of arc temperature, and improves the arc extinguishing speed.

[0040] In some embodiments of the present invention, the protrusions 102 on the surface of the first arc-quenching grid 110 and the protrusions 102 on the surface of the second arc-quenching grid 120 are arranged in a staggered manner.

[0041] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first arc-extinguishing grid 110 further includes grid legs 113 symmetrically disposed at the arc-entry end 1111, with an arc-striking notch 114 formed between the two symmetrically disposed grid legs 113. Similarly, the second arc-extinguishing grid 120 further includes grid legs 123 symmetrically disposed at the arc-entry end 1211, with an arc-striking notch 124 formed between the two symmetrically disposed grid legs 123. The arc-striking notches 114 and 124 can be U-shaped or V-shaped, which is not limited herein. The arc-striking notches can reduce the resistance of the arc entering the grid, thereby increasing the arc-extinguishing speed.

[0042] In some embodiments of the present invention, the arc extinguishing chamber further includes an arc extinguishing hood 130, wherein the first arc extinguishing grid 110 is fixed in the arc extinguishing hood 130 via grid legs 113, and the second arc extinguishing grid 120 is fixed in the arc extinguishing hood 130 via grid legs 123. Exemplarily, the arc extinguishing hood 130 includes four side walls and a top plate, with an open bottom, wherein two opposing side walls are provided with fixing structures, such as slots, buckles, etc., for fixing the grid legs 113 of the first arc extinguishing grid 110 and the grid legs 123 of the second arc extinguishing grid 120.

[0043] The present invention further provides a circuit breaker comprising an arc extinguishing chamber as provided in any of the aforementioned embodiments of the present invention, and further comprising a status sensor, a controller, a locking mechanism, and a contact assembly disposed within the arc extinguishing chamber. The status sensor and the locking mechanism are both electrically connected to the controller. The status sensor is configured to collect arc status data and upload it to the controller. The locking mechanism is configured to lock the opening and closing functions of the contact assembly. The status sensor may include an arc intensity sensor, a counter, and an arc duration sensor. The arc intensity sensor is configured to collect arc intensity, the counter is configured to count the number of times the circuit breaker is closed, and the arc duration sensor is configured to collect arc duration.

[0044] The present invention also provides an arc extinguishing method. Figure 5 This is a flow chart of an arc extinguishing method provided by the present invention, which is applied to the circuit breaker provided by the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 5 As shown, the arc extinguishing method includes the following steps:

[0045] S101. Acquire arc status data collected by a status sensor.

[0046] In an embodiment of the present invention, when the contact assembly is actuated (closing or opening), the controller acquires arc status data collected by the status sensor. Exemplarily, the arc status data includes the arc intensity, the number of times the circuit breaker is closed, and the arc duration of the arc.

[0047] S102: Determine whether the circuit breaker has reached a critical life based on the arc status data.

[0048] In an embodiment of the present invention, whether a circuit breaker has reached its critical lifespan is determined based on arc status data. For example, the determination is made as to whether the current arc intensity is greater than a preset intensity, whether the arc duration is greater than a preset duration, and whether the number of circuit breaker closings is greater than a preset number. If the current arc intensity is greater than the preset intensity, the arc duration is greater than the preset duration, and the number of circuit breaker closings is greater than a preset number, the circuit breaker is determined to have reached its critical lifespan.

[0049] S103. Control the locking mechanism to lock the opening and closing functions of the contact assembly.

[0050] When it is determined that the circuit breaker has reached its critical life, the locking mechanism is controlled to lock the opening and closing functions of the contact assembly. At the same time, the information can be reported to the staff in a timely manner. The staff needs to repair or replace it before the next opening or closing can be completed, avoiding safety accidents caused by the failure of the circuit breaker to open or close the next time.

[0051] When it is determined that the circuit breaker has not reached the critical life, the process continues to wait for the next opening or closing of the circuit breaker and returns to executing S101 to monitor the arc status data.

[0052] In the description of this document, it should be understood that the terms "up", "down", "left", "right", and other orientations or positional relationships are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of description and simplification of operation, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0053] In this specification, reference to terms such as "one embodiment" or "example" means that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in conjunction with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example.

[0054] In addition, it should be understood that although this specification is described in terms of implementation methods, not every implementation method contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative method of the specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other implementation methods that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0055] The technical principles of the present invention have been described above with reference to specific embodiments. These descriptions are intended solely to illustrate the principles of the present invention and are not to be construed in any way as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. Based on the explanations herein, those skilled in the art will readily conceive of other specific embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort, and such embodiments will fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An arc extinguishing chamber, characterized in that: The arc-extinguishing grid comprises a plurality of first arc-extinguishing grids and a plurality of second arc-extinguishing grids, wherein the first arc-extinguishing grids and the second arc-extinguishing grids are alternately arranged along a first direction, and gaps are provided between adjacent first arc-extinguishing grids and adjacent second arc-extinguishing grids; The first arc-extinguishing grid and the second arc-extinguishing grid each include an arc dividing portion, wherein the end of the arc dividing portion close to the arc extinguishing chamber entrance is an arc entrance end; The distance from the arc-entry end of the first arc-extinguishing grid to the arc-extinguishing chamber entrance is smaller than the distance from the arc-entry end of the second arc-extinguishing grid to the arc-extinguishing chamber entrance.

2. The arc extinguishing chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that: A portion of the arc dividing portion of the first arc extinguishing grid close to the arc extinguishing chamber entrance is provided with a high temperature resistant layer.

3. The arc extinguishing chamber according to claim 2, characterized in that: A portion of the arc dividing portion of the first arc-extinguishing grid extending beyond the arc dividing portion of the second arc-extinguishing grid in the second direction is an arc striking portion, the high temperature resistant layer covers a surface of the arc striking portion, and the second direction is a moving direction of the arc.

4. The arc extinguishing chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of protrusions are provided on the surfaces of the first arc-extinguishing grid and the second arc-extinguishing grid.

5. The arc extinguishing chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protrusions on the surface of the first arc-extinguishing grid and the protrusions on the surface of the second arc-extinguishing grid are arranged alternately.

6. The arc extinguishing chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The first arc-extinguishing grid and the second arc-extinguishing grid each include grid legs symmetrically arranged at the arc-entry end, and an arc-starting notch is formed between the two symmetrically arranged grid legs.

7. The arc extinguishing chamber according to claim 6, characterized in that: An arc extinguishing hood is also included, and the first arc extinguishing grid and the second arc extinguishing grid are fixed in the arc extinguishing hood through the grid legs.

8. A circuit breaker, characterized in that: It includes an arc extinguishing chamber as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, and also includes a status sensor, a controller, a locking mechanism and a contact assembly arranged in the arc extinguishing chamber, the status sensor and the locking mechanism are electrically connected to the controller, the status sensor is used to collect arc status data and upload it to the controller, and the locking mechanism is used to lock the opening and closing functions of the contact assembly.

9. An arc extinguishing method, characterized in that: The circuit breaker according to claim 8, comprising: Acquire arc status data collected by status sensors; determining whether the circuit breaker has reached a critical life based on the arc status data; If so, the locking mechanism is controlled to lock the opening and closing functions of the contact assembly.

10. The arc extinguishing method according to claim 9, characterized in that: The arc status data includes arc intensity, number of closing times, and arc duration. Determining whether the circuit breaker has reached a critical life based on the arc status data includes: Determine whether the current arc intensity is greater than a preset intensity, whether the arc duration is greater than a preset duration, and whether the number of closing times of the circuit breaker is greater than a preset number; When the current arc intensity is greater than a preset intensity, the arc duration is greater than a preset duration, and the number of closing times of the circuit breaker is greater than a preset number, it is determined that the circuit breaker has reached a critical life.

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