Double-bridge type large-current direct-current contactor

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of electrical switches, and provides a double-bridge type large-current direct-current contactor which comprises a contact assembly, an arc extinguishing assembly and an electromagnetic driving assembly, the contact assembly is fixedly installed above the electromagnetic driving assembly, the arc extinguishing assembly covers the contact assembly and is in sealed butt joint with the contact assembly, and the contact assembly comprises a moving contact assembly. The electromagnetic driving assembly comprises an upper iron core, the moving contact assembly is connected with the upper iron core, and axial linear motion of the upper iron core is converted into synchronous linear motion of a moving contact strip so as to achieve closing and breaking of a circuit. According to the invention, safe and reliable breaking of a large-current direct-current circuit can be realized, arc ablation is effectively reduced, and the electrical life of the contactor is prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electrical switch technology, and more particularly to a double-bridge high-current DC contactor. Background Technology

[0002] As underwater equipment continues to evolve towards higher power and longer endurance, its power supply system is gradually shifting from low-voltage DC to high-voltage DC architecture. Against this backdrop, high-current DC contactors, as core control components performing power distribution and load protection in the system, directly affect the safety and long-term operation of the entire power supply system and even the equipment itself, due to their reliability, operational stability, and arc suppression capabilities. Therefore, improving the comprehensive performance of contactors under high-voltage and high-current conditions has significant engineering application value.

[0003] Currently, contactors designed for traditional low-voltage DC environments often exhibit significant drawbacks when facing high-voltage, high-current breaking conditions. Particularly at the moment of contact separation, a strong and difficult-to-extinguish electric arc is easily generated. This sustained arc leads to severe erosion of the contact surface material, increasing contact resistance, deteriorating conductivity, and causing localized overheating. This not only shortens the mechanical and electrical life of the contactor but, in severe cases, can cause contact welding or insulation breakdown, resulting in permanent damage to the device and threatening the operational safety of the entire system.

[0004] Chinese Patent CN209401569U discloses an arc-extinguishing system for a DC contactor. This device generates a transverse magnetic field by placing two permanent magnets on the connecting line between two stationary contacts. This causes the arc to be rapidly blown away from the contact surface by the Lorentz force when the contact is broken, achieving non-polarity and rapid arc extinguishing. This solves the problems of large size and complex magnetization operation of DC contactor arc-extinguishing systems. However, this arc-extinguishing system still has limitations in guiding the arc and cooling efficiency. Under high-current breaking conditions, the arc may not be sufficiently elongated and broken. Its arc-extinguishing speed and contact protection capability need to be further improved, making it difficult to meet the stringent requirements for breaking reliability and electrical life under high-voltage and high-current environments.

[0005] Therefore, how to provide a dual-bridge high-current DC contactor with strong arc extinguishing capability, long mechanical life and stable and reliable engagement characteristics to meet the challenge of safe disconnection under harsh high-voltage DC operating conditions has become a key technical problem that urgently needs to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this, in order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention aims to provide a dual-bridge high-current DC contactor.

[0007] This invention provides a double-bridge high-current DC contactor. The device includes a contact assembly, an arc-extinguishing assembly, and an electromagnetic drive assembly. The contact assembly is fixedly installed above the electromagnetic drive assembly. The arc-extinguishing assembly covers the contact assembly and is sealed to it. The contact assembly includes a moving contact assembly. The electromagnetic drive assembly includes an upper iron core. The moving contact assembly is connected to the upper iron core. The axial linear motion of the upper iron core is converted into the synchronous linear motion of the moving contact bar to realize the closing and opening of the circuit.

[0008] Optionally, the double-bridge high-current DC contactor of the present invention further includes a base on which an insulating baffle is provided.

[0009] Optionally, the double-bridge high-current DC contactor of the present invention further includes a positive stationary contact and a negative stationary contact in the contact assembly. The positive stationary contact and the negative stationary contact are symmetrically mounted on the upper surface of the base, and an insulating baffle is placed between the positive stationary contact and the negative stationary contact to achieve electrical isolation.

[0010] Optionally, the double-bridge high-current DC contactor of the present invention further includes four permanent magnets in the contact assembly, which are disposed in grooves in the base below the positive stationary contact and the negative stationary contact.

[0011] Optionally, in the dual-bridge high-current DC contactor of the present invention, the arc extinguishing assembly includes an arc extinguishing cover, which has an open structure at the bottom and is fitted over the contact assembly to seal and connect with it.

[0012] Optionally, the dual-bridge high-current DC contactor of the present invention further includes a first arc-extinguishing partition and a second arc-extinguishing partition, which are stacked and arranged in the surrounding cavity inside the arc-extinguishing cover.

[0013] Optionally, the electromagnetic drive assembly of the dual-bridge high-current DC contactor of the present invention further includes a housing and a magnetic yoke, with the magnetic yoke mounted at the open end of the housing.

[0014] Optionally, the electromagnetic drive assembly of the dual-bridge high-current DC contactor of the present invention further includes a lower iron core, which is fixedly installed at the bottom of the inner cavity of the housing, and the upper iron core is connected to the lower iron core through a switch rod.

[0015] Optionally, the electromagnetic drive assembly of the dual-bridge high-current DC contactor of the present invention further includes a coil assembly, which is coaxially mounted on the outside of the upper and lower iron cores.

[0016] Optionally, the electromagnetic drive assembly of the double-bridge high-current DC contactor of the present invention further includes a switch rod, a spring, and a switch. The upper end of the switch rod is fixedly connected to the upper iron core, and its lower end passes through the lower iron core. The spring is sleeved on the switch rod and abuts between the upper and lower iron cores. The switch is disposed on the housing and located on the axial movement path of the switch rod.

[0017] The present invention provides a double-bridge high-current DC contactor, which has the following beneficial technical effects: 1. Highly efficient arc suppression and contact protection: By forming a transverse magnetic blowing field in the contact area through permanent magnets, the arc is rapidly elongated and guided to the arc extinguishing shroud, significantly reducing contact surface erosion and effectively extending contact service life.

[0018] 2. Improved arc extinguishing speed and breaking reliability: The asymmetrically arranged arc extinguishing diaphragms form an asymmetrical arc extinguishing channel, which extends the arc path and cools it down quickly, greatly improving the arc extinguishing efficiency and operational reliability when breaking large currents.

[0019] 3. Enhanced mechanical life and operational stability: The dual-bridge contact structure, combined with optimized electromagnetic drive, reduces arc erosion and mechanical impact, resulting in minimal contact ablation, stable resistance, and significantly improved mechanical and electrical life. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is an example diagram of a dual-bridge high-current DC contactor structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is an example diagram of the contact assembly structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of a contact assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is an example diagram of the arc extinguishing component structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is an example diagram of the structure of an electromagnetic drive component according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] In the figure, 1-contact assembly, 2-arc extinguishing assembly, 3-electromagnetic drive assembly, 11-base, 12-positive stationary contact, 13-negative stationary contact, 14-moving contact assembly, 15-permanent magnet, 21-arc extinguishing cover, 22-first arc extinguishing partition, 23-second arc extinguishing partition, 31-shell, 32-magnetic yoke, 33-coil assembly, 34-upper iron core, 35-lower iron core, 36-switch rod, 37-spring, 38-switch, 111-insulating baffle, 341-first stepped hole, 351-second stepped hole. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "front end," "rear end," "both ends," "one end," and "the other end," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0025] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "equipped with," "connected," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can be a connection within two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0026] Figure 1 This is an example diagram of a dual-bridge high-current DC contactor structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown below. Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, a dual-bridge high-current DC contactor includes a contact assembly 1, an arc-extinguishing assembly 2, and an electromagnetic drive assembly 3. The contact assembly 1 is fixedly installed above the electromagnetic drive assembly 3, and the arc-extinguishing assembly 2 covers the contact assembly 1 and is sealed to it.

[0027] The electromagnetic drive assembly 3, through its internal structure, works in conjunction with the contact assembly 1 to realize the closing and opening of the circuit, while the arc extinguishing assembly 2 is used to extinguish the generated arc during the circuit breaking process, ensuring safe and reliable breaking.

[0028] Figure 2 This is an example diagram of the contact assembly structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, such as... Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the contact assembly 1 includes a base 11, a positive stationary contact 12, a negative stationary contact 13, two sets of moving contact assemblies 14, and four permanent magnets 15. The base 11 is made of insulating material, and the positive stationary contact 12 and the negative stationary contact 13 are symmetrically mounted on its upper surface. An insulating baffle 111 is provided on the base 11 to achieve electrical isolation. The two sets of moving contact assemblies 14 are respectively mounted above the base 11, with both ends of the moving contact assemblies 14 aligned with the positive stationary contact 12 and the negative stationary contact 13, respectively. The four permanent magnets 15 are respectively embedded in the slots of the base 11 below the positive stationary contact 12 and the negative stationary contact 13, and are arranged according to a preset polarity direction to generate a transverse magnetic blowing magnetic field during disconnection.

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of a contact assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, such as... Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the permanent magnet 15 forms a transverse magnetic field in the gap region between the positive stationary contact 12 and the negative stationary contact 13. When the moving contact assembly 14 separates from the positive stationary contact 12 and the negative stationary contact 13 and generates an electric arc, the magnetic field acts on the arc, subjecting it to a Lorentz force. The arc is rapidly elongated and blown towards the corner of the arc extinguishing assembly 2 in a preset direction, thereby preventing the arc from remaining on the contact surface and causing ablation.

[0030] Figure 4 This is an example diagram of the arc extinguishing component structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, such as... Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the arc-extinguishing assembly 2 includes an arc-extinguishing cover 21, a first arc-extinguishing partition 22, and a second arc-extinguishing partition 23. The arc-extinguishing cover 21 has an opening at the bottom and is installed above the contact assembly 1. The first arc-extinguishing partition 22 and the second arc-extinguishing partition 23 are stacked in the cavity around its interior.

[0031] In practical applications, the first arc-extinguishing partition 22 and the second arc-extinguishing partition 23 are consistent in material and thickness, both made of special materials with high temperature resistance and high thermal conductivity. They can effectively absorb and conduct arc heat, suppress the temperature rise inside the arc-extinguishing cavity, and prevent the insulating material from aging due to overheating. The main difference between the two lies in their shape design. The first arc-extinguishing partition 22 and the second arc-extinguishing partition 23 are arranged in the same way at diagonal positions on the arc-extinguishing cover 21. The first arc-extinguishing partition 22 is the first piece at one diagonal opening, while the second arc-extinguishing partition 23 is the first piece at the other diagonal opening. This asymmetrical arrangement structure causes the arc to be subjected to asymmetrical magnetic field distribution and electric field action at the edge of the partition after entering the arc-extinguishing channel, resulting in multiple deflections and reflections. This significantly increases the arc's travel length and its contact area with the partition surface, thereby greatly improving the arc's cooling and energy dissipation efficiency.

[0032] Figure 5 This is an example diagram of the structure of an electromagnetic drive component according to an embodiment of the present invention, such as... Figure 5As shown, in this embodiment, the electromagnetic drive assembly 3 includes a housing 31, a magnetic yoke 32, a coil assembly 33, an upper iron core 34, a lower iron core 35, a switch rod 36, a spring 37, and a switch 38. The housing 31 constitutes the main support and protection structure of the assembly. The lower iron core 35 is fixedly installed at the bottom of the inner cavity of the housing 31. The upper iron core 34 is disposed above the lower iron core 35, and the two are connected and power transmitted through the switch rod 36. The upper end of the switch rod 36 is fixedly connected to the upper iron core 34, and its lower end passes through the first stepped hole 341 of the upper iron core 34 and the second stepped hole 351 of the lower iron core 35 in sequence, and can slide axially. The spring 37 is sleeved on the switch rod 36, and its two ends abut against the corresponding stepped surfaces of the first stepped hole 341 and the second stepped hole 351, respectively, to provide a reset spring force. The switch 38 is disposed on the housing 31 and located on the movement path of the switch rod 36. The coil assembly 33 is coaxially mounted on the outside of the upper iron core 34 and the lower iron core 35, and is housed in the internal cavity of the housing 31. The magnetic yoke 32 is mounted on the open end of the housing 31 and covers the ends of the upper iron core 34 and the lower iron core 35, together with the upper iron core 34 and the lower iron core 35 forming a closed magnetic circuit structure.

[0033] It should be noted that, in practical applications, the conductive winding on the coil assembly 33 is formed by connecting a thick coil and a thin coil in series on an insulating sleeve, with the two coils coaxially arranged along the sleeve's axis. The thick coil has a larger conductor cross-sectional area, while the thin coil has a smaller wire diameter and a greater number of turns. The upper and lower ends of the coil assembly 33 are fixed by a magnetic yoke 32 and an insulating plate.

[0034] It should be noted that in practical applications, when the upper iron core 34 moves downward to contact the lower iron core 35, the switch rod 36 can actuate the switch 38. When the switch 38 is triggered, the state of its internal contacts changes, thereby outputting a corresponding electrical signal. At the same time, this state transition is also used to change the electrical connection relationship between the thick and thin coils inside the coil assembly 33, so that they work in series after the contacts are attracted, providing a continuous electromagnetic holding force with a lower current, which helps to reduce coil heating.

[0035] According to an optional example, in this embodiment, the base 11 of the contact assembly 1 is fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the magnetic yoke 32 of the electromagnetic drive assembly 3. The moving contact assembly 14 is connected to the upper iron core 34 of the electromagnetic drive system. In practical applications, the axial linear motion of the upper iron core 34 is converted into the synchronous linear motion of the moving contact assembly 14, thereby achieving reliable contact and separation between the two ends of the moving contact assembly 14 and the positive stationary contact 12 and the negative stationary contact 13, completing the on / off control of the main circuit.

[0036] The operating principle of this device is as follows: 1. Closing process When the control circuit supplies power to the coil assembly 33 of the electromagnetic drive assembly 3, the magnetic field generated in the coil assembly 33 forms a closed magnetic circuit through the upper iron core 34, the lower iron core 35, and the magnetic yoke 32, generating an electromagnetic attraction. This attraction overcomes the restoring force of the spring 37, driving the upper iron core 34 to move downward axially. The switch rod 36, which is fixedly connected to the upper iron core 34, moves downward along with it. The downward movement of the upper iron core 34 is transmitted through the transmission rod connected to it, thereby driving the two sets of moving contact assemblies 14 mounted on the base 11 to move downward synchronously until the two ends of the moving contact assembly 14 make reliable contact with the positive stationary contact 12 and the negative stationary contact 13, respectively, and the main circuit is thus turned on. During this process, the insulating baffle 111 on the base 11 ensures electrical isolation between the positive stationary contact 12 and the negative stationary contact 13.

[0037] 2. Segmentation process When the circuit needs to be disconnected, the control circuit cuts off the power supply to the coil assembly 33, and the electromagnetic attraction disappears. At this time, the spring 37 releases its stored elastic energy, pushing the upper iron core 34 and the switch rod 36 to return to their original position. This, in turn, drives the two sets of moving contact assemblies 14 to move upward rapidly through the transmission rod, separating them from the positive stationary contact 12 and the negative stationary contact 13.

[0038] 3. Arc extinguishing process At the instant the moving contact assembly 14 separates from the positive stationary contact 12 and the negative stationary contact 13, an electric arc is generated in the contact gap. Simultaneously, four permanent magnets 15, pre-installed with specific polarities within the base 11 and located below the positive and negative stationary contacts 12 and 13, establish a transverse magnetic blowing field in the region between the positive and negative stationary contacts 12 and 13. This magnetic field generates a Lorentz force on the electric arc, forcing it to rapidly elongate and detach from the contact surface and be blown into the cavity of the arc-extinguishing assembly 2 covering the contact assembly 1.

[0039] The electric arc enters the arc-extinguishing channel formed by the arc-extinguishing chamber 21, the first arc-extinguishing partition 22, and the second arc-extinguishing partition 23. Within the channel, the arc is subjected to asymmetrical magnetic and electric fields, causing its path to deflect and reflect multiple times, thus significantly elongating and segmenting it. This process greatly increases the contact area and heat exchange time between the arc and the first and second arc-extinguishing partitions 22 and 23, which are made of high-temperature resistant and high-thermal-conductivity materials. This allows the arc energy to be rapidly absorbed and dissipated, resulting in a sharp drop in temperature and ultimately achieving reliable and rapid arc extinguishing, ensuring the safety of the breaking process and the long lifespan of the contact system.

[0040] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A double-bridge high-current DC contactor, characterized in that, The circuit includes a contact assembly (1), an arc extinguishing assembly (2), and an electromagnetic drive assembly (3). The contact assembly (1) is fixedly installed above the electromagnetic drive assembly (3). The arc extinguishing assembly (2) covers the contact assembly (1) and seals it together. The contact assembly (1) includes a moving contact assembly (14). The electromagnetic drive assembly (3) includes an upper iron core (34). The moving contact assembly (14) is connected to the upper iron core (34). The axial linear motion of the upper iron core (34) is converted into the synchronous linear motion of the moving contact assembly (14) to realize the closing and opening of the circuit.

2. The double-bridge high-current DC contactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The contact assembly (1) also includes a base (11) on which an insulating baffle (111) is provided.

3. The double-bridge high-current DC contactor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The contact assembly (1) further includes a positive stationary contact (12) and a negative stationary contact (13). The positive stationary contact (12) and the negative stationary contact (13) are symmetrically mounted on the upper surface of the base (11). An insulating baffle (111) is placed between the positive stationary contact (12) and the negative stationary contact (13) to achieve electrical isolation.

4. The double-bridge high-current DC contactor according to claim 3, characterized in that, The contact assembly (1) also includes four permanent magnets (15), which are located in the grooves of the base (11) below the positive stationary contact (12) and the negative stationary contact (13).

5. The double-bridge high-current DC contactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The arc extinguishing assembly (2) includes an arc extinguishing cover (21), which has an opening at the bottom and is fitted over the contact assembly (1) to seal and connect with it.

6. The double-bridge high-current DC contactor according to claim 5, characterized in that, The arc extinguishing assembly (2) further includes a first arc extinguishing partition (22) and a second arc extinguishing partition (23), which are stacked in the surrounding cavity inside the arc extinguishing cover (21).

7. The double-bridge high-current DC contactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electromagnetic drive assembly (3) also includes a housing (31) and a magnetic yoke (32), with the magnetic yoke (32) mounted on the open end of the housing (31).

8. The double-bridge high-current DC contactor according to claim 7, characterized in that, The electromagnetic drive assembly (3) also includes a lower iron core (35), which is fixedly installed at the bottom of the inner cavity of the outer shell (31), and the upper iron core (34) is connected to the lower iron core (35) through a switch rod (36).

9. The double-bridge high-current DC contactor according to claim 8, characterized in that, The electromagnetic drive assembly (3) also includes a coil assembly (33), which is coaxially mounted on the outside of the upper iron core (34) and the lower iron core (35).

10. The double-bridge high-current DC contactor according to claim 8, characterized in that, The electromagnetic drive assembly (3) also includes a switch rod (36), a spring (37) and a switch (38). The upper end of the switch rod (36) is fixedly connected to the upper iron core (34), and its lower end passes through the lower iron core (35). The spring (37) is sleeved on the switch rod (36) and abuts between the upper iron core (34) and the lower iron core (35). The switch (38) is located on the outer shell (31) and is located on the axial movement path of the switch rod (36).

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