Electrical device with movable hard locking member

Abstract

A contactor device is provided that includes a movable contact configured to selectively open / close an electrical circuit. The movable contact is coupled to the shaft, and the shaft is retained in the closed position by the latch. The movable member is biased away from the latch. During an event, a biasing force that biases the movable member away from the latch is overcome. The movable member disengages the latch from the shaft, allowing the shaft to move to the open position. In an example, a movable member is disposed over an opening of a housing of the contactor device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to electrical switching devices, such as electric fuse devices, and more specifically, to improved passive and / or active fuse devices with movable hard stop elements. Background Technology

[0002] Many conventional devices for selectively switching electrical installations on or off are known. Electrical contactors (e.g., high-voltage DC contactors) and fuses (e.g., electrical fuses and / or pyrotechnic fuses) are conventionally available in electrical systems. Contactors can be configured to interrupt or connect circuits to control power to and / or from the installation.

[0003] In many conventional systems, fuses are configured as a type of switch, for example, to selectively allow / disallow the flow of current. In some instances, fuses include movable contacts coupled to a shaft. In normally closed fuses, the shaft is typically positioned such that the movable contact contacts one or more fixed contacts. In these instances, the shaft (and the movable contact) can be biased away from the fixed contacts, for example, to “open” the fuse and prevent current from flowing through the contactor. For example, a return spring can bias the shaft to the open position. Thus, in a closed configuration, the movable contact is held against the biasing force of the return spring.

[0004] In some conventional examples, the shaft and / or movable contact can be held against the biasing force of a spring by mechanical features. In these examples, during events such as surges, overcurrent events, short circuits, etc., the mechanical features can be reconfigured (e.g., moved or damaged) to stop holding the shaft / movable contact. However, in these conventional fuse devices, the actuation of the mechanical features may be unreliable, relatively expensive to manufacture, and / or may have other disadvantages.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need in the art for improved fuse devices and methods for manufacturing and assembling these devices. There is also a need in the art for improved devices with higher reliability and / or lower complexity and / or lower cost. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This technology relates to improved electrical devices and methods of manufacturing and using these devices. In examples, aspects of this disclosure relate to improved fuse devices that reliably disconnect circuits by passive triggering (e.g., self-triggered by the device) and / or active triggering (e.g., remote triggering). For example, aspects of this disclosure may relate to features and / or systems using movable hard stops to position the rest angle of an armature assembly, and / or features and / or systems capable of moving during triggering (e.g., by a pyrotechnic actuator). The movable hard stop can be more reliable than conventional designs employing fixed hard stops. Devices including mechanical hard stops are also easier to manufacture, for example, because they eliminate the need for one or more fasteners. In some instances, devices employing the features and techniques described herein can be more easily reused. Attached Figure Description

[0007] To make it easier for those skilled in the art to understand how to manufacture and use the disclosed systems and technologies, please refer to the following figures.

[0008] Figure 1A This is a perspective view of an electrical device (e.g., a fuse device) according to aspects of this disclosure, which includes a housing and electrical components.

[0009] Figure 1B Based on the aspects of this disclosure Figure 1A Along the multiple parts of the electrical device in Figure 1A The three-dimensional cross-section diagram is obtained by cutting the cross-section line BB in the figure.

[0010] Figure 2A Based on the aspects of this disclosure Figure 1A and Figure 1B A partial cross-sectional view of the electrical device, showing the normally closed state of the electrical device.

[0011] Figure 2B Based on the aspects of this disclosure and Figure 2A The view corresponds to a partial cross-sectional view, which shows the triggered disconnected state of the electrical device. Detailed Implementation

[0012] This technology overcomes many existing technical problems related to electrical devices. In short, this technology provides an improved electrical device, whose fuse design offers improved performance compared to other conventional fuse devices. In an example, the electrical device may have two independent operating states, namely a first operating state and a second operating state. In the first operating state, the device is closed, allowing current (e.g., from a high-voltage source) to flow through it. In the second operating state, the device is open, for example, allowing no current or voltage to flow through it.

[0013] In aspects of this disclosure, the electrical device may include an actuator configured to selectively move a fuse from a closed operating state to an open operating state. In the examples described herein, the actuator is configured to selectively apply force to a latch to reconfigure the latch from a holding state or holding configuration to a released state or release configuration. In the holding state, the latch holds the shaft and / or movable contacts in a closed position, for example, in which the movable contacts are in contact with fixed contacts. In the released state, the latch disengages from the shaft to allow the shaft / movable contacts to move away from the fixed contacts, thereby disconnecting the device.

[0014] In this example, the actuator acts on the latch via a movable member. For example, the movable member may be a movable hard stop disposed within the housing of the electrical device. This movable hard stop may be configured to position, position, and / or otherwise configure aspects of the device. For example, the movable hard stop may be configured to set a rest angle for the armature assembly. The movable hard stop may also be configured to move when the device is triggered to disconnect, for example, by a force applied by the actuator. For example, the movable hard stop may be biased by a biasing member (such as one or more springs) in a direction away from the latch and / or toward the actuator. To disconnect the device, the actuator may apply a force to the movable hard stop to overcome the biasing force of the biasing member and move the movable hard stop toward the latch. In an example of this disclosure, this movement of the movable hard stop moves the latch to a released position, thereby allowing the shaft to move to the disconnected position.

[0015] In embodiments of this disclosure, the apparatus may further include a plunger disposed between the movable member and the latch. Movement of the movable member described above will cause a corresponding movement of the plunger, which will then contact the latch (and move the latch).

[0016] Some conventional devices may include a fixed hard stop, on which a force is applied to disconnect the device. In these devices, the applied force deforms or breaks the hard stop, which subsequently moves the movable contact. However, because conventional hard stops are fixed, the force required to disconnect the device can be relatively large, and / or the deformation of the fixed hard stop can consume a significant amount of energy. Therefore, these conventional devices may be unreliable. Furthermore, some of these conventional devices may be unusable when designed to be passively triggered at relatively high current levels, for example, because these devices have high preload forces. For instance, when the device is designed to be passively triggered at 1500 amperes or higher, these conventional devices may be unreliable and / or unusable.

[0017] In contrast, in this disclosure, the hard stop resists movement by the biasing force of the biasing member. The biasing force is known, therefore the force required by the actuator can be reduced and / or achieved in a more reliable manner. Furthermore, the components of the device including the movable hard stop can be manufactured and / or assembled more easily or economically, for example, by eliminating the fasteners required in conventional devices to secure the hard stop. For example, by eliminating fasteners in conventional devices, the device and configuration described herein can be manufactured using automated production processes.

[0018] The apparatus according to this disclosure can be used by passive triggering and / or active triggering. For example, the apparatus described herein may include one or more components of the apparatus itself configured to generate a trigger signal that causes an actuator to disconnect the apparatus. In a non-limiting example, the apparatus described herein may include a reed switch disposed near movable and / or fixed contacts. The reed switch may be configured to generate a signal corresponding to a magnetic field around the contacts. The strength of the magnetic field will vary based on the current flowing through the apparatus, thus the reed switch may be configured to generate a signal in response to the current reaching or exceeding a threshold current. In other examples, the apparatus described herein may include functionality for receiving signals from external sources (e.g., an operator, a centralized computing system, etc.). For example, as an emergency or safety feature, a remote source may transmit a signal to actively trigger the electrical apparatus.

[0019] Without limitation, the devices and techniques described herein can provide improved electrical devices that are less complex, less expensive to manufacture and / or use, and / or may offer improved safety and / or enhance system protection compared to similar conventional systems. For example, as described above, the use of the movable hard stop detailed herein can improve and / or make the triggering of electrical devices more reliable. In some instances, including a movable hard stop can also, or alternatively, make devices easier to manufacture and / or assemble than conventional devices.

[0020] While aspects of the invention may be particularly useful in specific applications, such as fuses for high-voltage electrical systems, the systems and techniques described herein can also be used in any electrical device incorporating movable contact components that facilitate selective disconnection / closure.

[0021] The aspects of this disclosure will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] Figure 1A This is a 3D view of electrical device 100. Figure 1B It is along Figure 1A The cross-sectional view of the electrical device 100 is shown by section line BB. In embodiments of this disclosure, the electrical device 100 may be a fuse or a switching device. The electrical device 100 may be a hybrid device, for example, which includes a fuse or a disconnecting device (such as a pyrotechnic disconnecting device) and may have contactor and / or switching functions. As will be understood from this disclosure, aspects of this disclosure can be used in any device incorporating a movable contact that can be selectively moved to contact and space from one or more fixed contacts.

[0023] In the illustrated example, the electrical device 100 includes an electrical device housing 102. The housing 102 includes a housing base 104 (e.g., a can-like structure) and a housing cover 106. In the example of FIG1, the housing cover 106 is configured to mate with the housing base 104. In this example, portions of the housing cover 106 and the housing base 104 may be metal portions (e.g., steel portions) welded together. The housing 102 at least partially defines a housing volume portion 108 (e.g., ...). Figure 1B (As shown in the diagram). In some instances, the housing volume 108 may be a hermetically sealed volume. The housing volume 108 may contain an electronegative gas. This hermetically sealed configuration can help mitigate or prevent arcing between adjacent conductive elements and, in some embodiments, helps provide electrical isolation between conductive contacts. In some instances, the housing volume 108 may be in a vacuum state and may be hermetically sealed using known methods for manufacturing hermetically sealed electrical devices.

[0024] In the illustrated example, the housing base 104 is generally rectangular, having a bottom and four side walls, thus defining a rectangular upper opening. The housing cover 106 may be a cover with a corresponding rectangular shape, which is attached to the housing base 104 to close the upper opening, thereby forming the housing volume portion 108. Although in the illustrated example, the housing 102 is generally formed as a rectangular prism, in other examples, the housing 102 may also have other shapes, including but not limited to cylinders, cubes, or other shapes.

[0025] The housing 102 is generally configured to support and / or retain the features of the electrical device 100. For example, Figure 1A The view shows two retaining contacts 110 connected to the housing cover 106. The retaining contacts 110 partially protrude from the housing cover 106. Although in Figure 1A and Figure 1B While not visible, the fixed contact 110 partially extends into the housing volume 108, for example, extending through the cover 106. The fixed contact 110 is configured to electrically connect internal components of the electrical device 100 to an external circuit system, such as an electrical system or electrical device. For example, the fixed contact 110 may be a terminal configured to facilitate connecting a first electrical lead (not shown) from a voltage source to a second electrical lead (also not shown) associated with a load powered by the voltage source.

[0026] Electrical device 100 also includes movable contact 112, in Figure 1B As can be seen in the text. As further detailed herein, the movable contact 112 is movable between a first position (e.g., a closed position) in contact with the fixed contact 110 and a second position (e.g., an open position) spaced apart from the fixed contact 110. The first position is in Figure 1B As shown, the movable contact 112 can be moved downwards (along) from the position shown. Figure 1B (The orientation in the middle) moves to the second position.

[0027] In the example shown, the movable contact 112 is a generally elongated component, which is in... Figure 1B The first position shown can simultaneously contact both fixed contacts 110. Therefore, the movable contact 112 can selectively connect the two fixed contacts 110 to facilitate the flow of current between the fixed contacts 110, thereby flowing through the electrical device 100.

[0028] In electrical device 100, a movable contact 112 is coupled to a shaft 114. Shaft 114 is movable to facilitate selectively opening and closing of electrical device 100, for example, by facilitating selective contact and disengagement of the movable contact 112 with a fixed contact 110. In an example, shaft 114 extends along axis 120 from a first end 116 (at...) Figure 1B The orientation is at the upper end) extending to the second end 118 (in the direction of the upper end) extending to the second end 118 (in Figure 1B (The orientation is at the lower end). In Figure 1B In one example, the movable contact 112 is connected to the shaft 114 between the first end 116 and the second end 118.

[0029] As described above, shaft 114 and movable contact 112 are movable to configure electrical device 100 to be in an open or closed configuration. A closed configuration is shown. In this configuration, as further detailed herein, latch 122 contacts shaft 114 near a first end 116 of the shaft. In this example, latch 122 holds shaft 114 against a biasing force associated with return spring 124. Return spring 124 is a biasing member configured to bias shaft 114 and movable contact 112 away from fixed contact 110. That is, return spring 124 biases electrical device to the open configuration. Therefore, in Figure 1B In one example, latch 122 contacts shaft 114 to keep electrical device 100 in a closed configuration.

[0030] As further detailed herein, latch 122 can Figure 1B The holding position shown (e.g., the position engaged with shaft 114) and the release position spaced apart from shaft 114 (e.g.) Figure 2B The latch 122 moves between the points shown and further described below. In the released position, the latch 122 no longer resists the biasing force of the return spring 124 to hold the shaft 114. Therefore, when the latch 122 is configured in the released position, the return spring 124 biases the shaft 114 and the movable contact 112 into a disengaged configuration, for example, in which the movable contact 112 is spaced apart from the fixed contact 110. As shown, the latch 122 moves laterally, for example, at a 90-degree angle relative to the axis 120. In other instances, the latch 122 may move along different paths, including along a linear path set at an angle other than 90 degrees. Without limitation, various aspects of the electrical device 100 may be positioned to set the alignment angle of the latch 122.

[0031] In this example, latch 122 is biased by latch spring 126. Figure 1B The latch spring 126 is a biasing member that applies force to the latch 122 to bring it into contact with the shaft 114. Without limitation, the latch spring 126 may be formed of a metal strip (such as spring steel strip) configured (e.g., bent or wound) to apply a biasing force to the latch 122. Other biasing members will also be understood by those skilled in the art with the benefit of this disclosure.

[0032] As described above, latch 122 is positioned in a holding position to selectively hold shaft 114 in a closed position, for example, in which movable contact 112 contacts fixed contact 110. Latch 122 is biased to the holding position by latch spring 126. However, during events such as overcurrent events or short circuits, it may be necessary to configure electrical device 100 to suppress current flow. To facilitate this disconnection of electrical device 100, latch 122 is moved against the force of latch spring 126 to a release position (see below). Figure 2B (Further discussion).

[0033] Figure 1A and Figure 1B Actuator 128 is shown, which is configured to selectively move latch 122 to a released position. Although a specific example of actuator 128 is shown, other actuators may also be used.

[0034] In the illustrated example, actuator 128 includes a pyrotechnic actuator, which typically includes an actuator housing 130 that houses an electrical interface 132, a pyrotechnic charge 134, and a movable piston 136. The actuator housing 130 is shown as generally cylindrical, although this shape is not required. The electrical interface 132 may include plugs, ports, or other features through which signals (e.g., electrical signals) can be transmitted to the pyrotechnic charge 134, for example, to selectively detonate the pyrotechnic charge 134. In some instances, the electrical interface 132 may be coupled to an electrical system used with the electrical device 100, for example, to receive information related to events requiring a change in the state of the electrical device 100. In other instances, the electrical interface 132 may be coupled to a control system through which a user can interact with actuator 128, for example, to detonate the pyrotechnic charge 134 (manually or remotely).

[0035] The detonation of the pyrotechnic charge 134 causes the movable piston 136 to move. Specifically, the force generated by detonating the pyrotechnic charge 134 causes the movable piston 136 to move within the actuator housing 130 in a direction away from the pyrotechnic charge 134. In an embodiment of this disclosure, the actuator 128 is configured to selectively force the latch 122 to bring it into a released position. More specifically, the movable piston 136 is configured to cause the latch 122 to move against the latch spring 126 to disengage the latch from the shaft 114 upon detonation of the pyrotechnic charge 134. In an embodiment of this disclosure, an opening 138 is formed in the sidewall of the housing base 104, and the actuator 128 is aligned with this opening. Therefore, the actuator 128 is configured to apply force to the latch 122 through the opening 138.

[0036] In an example of this disclosure, the force of the movable piston 136 is transmitted to the latch 122 via one or more of a movable member 140 and a plunger 142 disposed in the volume 108. In this example, the movable member 140 is a hard stop configured to close an opening 138 formed in the sidewall of the housing 102. The movable member 140 is biased against the sidewall of the housing 102 to close the opening 138. In this example, the plunger 142 is configured to contact the side of the movable member 140 opposite to the sidewall 202 of the housing 102. In this example, the plunger 142 is biased against the movable member 140 by a biasing member 144. The biasing member 144 is shown as two compression springs configured to bias the plunger 142 away from the latch 122, for example, in the direction of travel of the latch 122. The biasing of the plunger 142 accordingly biases the movable member 140 (e.g., a movable hard stop) against the inner surface of the sidewall of the housing 102.

[0037] In the illustrated example, the electrical device 100 also includes an inner housing 146 disposed within a volume portion 108. As shown, the inner housing 146 has an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion defines an opening through which the shaft 114 extends. The inner housing 146 may also support a biasing member 144. For example, the biasing member may extend between the inner housing 146 and a plunger 142, for example, to bias the plunger 142 away from the inner housing 146. In the illustrated example, the inner housing 146 includes two protrusions 148, for example, a first protrusion associated with the upper portion and a second protrusion associated with the lower portion. A spring including the biasing member 144 may be disposed on the protrusions 148, for example, to position and / or retain the biasing member 144 relative to the inner housing 146. Although the biasing member 144 is shown as including two springs, in other examples, more or fewer springs may be used, and / or the biasing member may include springs other than compression springs. Any arrangement that biases the plunger 142 and / or the movable member 140 away from the latch 122 may be used. Additional details regarding the operation and configuration of the movable member 140, plunger 142, inner housing 146, and related features are referenced below. Figure 2A and Figure 2B Further details.

[0038] During an event (such as a detected event or a user-initiated event), actuator 128 can be controlled or triggered to disconnect electrical device 100. In the illustrated example, the event may detonate pyrotechnic charge 134, causing pyrotechnic piston 136 to accelerate toward movable member 140. Pyrotechnic piston 136 strikes movable member 140, for example, through opening 138, and exerts a force on movable member 140 (and plunger 142) against biasing force of biasing member 144. This causes biasing member 144 to be compressed until plunger 142 contacts latch 122 and exerts a force on latch against biasing force of latch spring 126. The force exerted by plunger 142 on latch 122 is sufficient to overcome biasing force of latch spring 126, thereby moving latch to the aforementioned release position.

[0039] Therefore, in Figure 1A and Figure 1B In this design, both the movable member 140 and the plunger 142 are movable within the housing volume 108 to selectively move the latch 122 to the release position. In some conventional examples, a hard stop may be provided fixed to the housing 102 (e.g., the sidewall of the lower housing portion 104). In these examples, the actuator 128 can act on the fixed hard stop, requiring deformation of the hard stop to disconnect the conventional device. For example, in these conventional examples, the fixed hard stop must be sufficiently deformed (e.g., fail or be damaged) to move the latch to the release position. Controlling this deformation has proven difficult and / or unreliable, potentially causing these conventional devices to fail to disconnect properly, resulting in unsafe situations. Furthermore, these types of conventional devices require securing the hard stop relative to the device, for example, using one or more fasteners. The inclusion of fasteners increases assembly steps and / or assembly complexity.

[0040] Compared to the conventional device described above, this disclosure provides a movable hard stop (e.g., movable member 140) that closes the opening 138 and moves relative to the latch 122 against the biasing force of the biasing member 144. The properties of the biasing member 144 will directly determine the force required to disconnect the device 100, thus forming a more reliable device. Furthermore, since the movable member 140 is not fastened to the electrical device 100, assembly is simpler. For example, without restrictions, during assembly, the cover 106 can be removed, and the movable member 140 can be manually inserted between the side wall of the lower housing 104 and the plunger 142, wherein the plunger 142 and / or the biasing member 144 hold the movable member 140 in place.

[0041] Figure 2A and Figure 2B Aspects of the electrical device 100 are shown in more detail. Specifically, Figure 2AThis is a cross-sectional view of the electrical device 100 in a closed state, for example, in which the latch 122 is in the holding position, while the shaft 114 and the movable contact 112 are in the closed position. Therefore, Figure 2A Roughly corresponding to Figure 1B The configuration shown. Figure 2B This is a cross-sectional view of the electrical device 100 in the disconnected state, for example, in which the actuator has been triggered and the latch 122 has moved to the released position. Figure 2A and Figure 2B middle, Figure 1A and Figure 1B The same reference numerals used in these references denote the same parts.

[0042] As mentioned above, Figure 2A The above is shown Figure 1B Same configuration. However, Figure 2A An opening 138 formed in the sidewall 202 of the housing base 104 is shown more clearly. An actuator 128 is disposed near the opening 138, and a pyrotechnic piston 136 extends at least partially into the opening 138. A movable member 140 (e.g., a hard stop) is generally pressed against the inner surface of the sidewall 202. In this example, a biasing member 144 biases a plunger 142 against the movable member 140 to press the movable member 140 against the sidewall 202. In this example, the piston 136 associated with the actuator 128 can contact the movable member 140 through the opening 138.

[0043] The movable member 140 and the plunger 142 may include one or more features that facilitate engagement and / or positioning of those features. For example, the movable member 140 is shown as including a recess 204 configured to receive at least a portion 206 of the plunger 142. In the illustrated example, the portion 206 of the plunger 142 is an angled or tapered portion, and the recess 204 of the movable member 140 is similarly angled. Angled surfaces may engage to position the movable member 140 and the plunger relative to each other, for example, in the axial direction. Although the recess 204 and the portion 206 are shown as tapered, any arrangement that positions or otherwise engages the movable member 140 and the plunger 142 may be used.

[0044] Figure 2A It is also shown that the movable member 140 may include one or more additional positioning features. For example, the movable member 140 may include an upper lateral protrusion 208 and / or a lower axial protrusion 210. In embodiments of this disclosure, the protrusions 208, 210 may be configured to engage with corresponding features on the inner housing 146 and move relative to corresponding features on the inner housing.

[0045] Figure 2AThe inner housing 146 is shown in more detail. The inner housing 146 is generally fixed relative to the housing 102. As shown and as described above, the inner housing 146 may include an upper portion 212 and a lower portion 214. These portions may be formed as a single piece, such as a molded polymer part, or these portions may be independent pieces fixed relative to each other (and relative to the housing 102). In an example, the individual pieces in the upper portion 212 and / or the lower portion 214 may also be formed from multiple pieces. Thus, without limitation, the inner housing 146 may be any number of structures or components that position and / or support features of the electrical device 100 as described herein.

[0046] In the illustrated example, the upper portion 212 of the inner housing 146 includes an upper surface 216. The upper surface 216 is a generally horizontal surface. The upper surface 216 may be configured to mate with an upper lateral protrusion 208 of the movable member 140. Specifically, the upper lateral protrusion 208 may rest on the upper surface 216 of the inner housing 146, for example, to position the movable member in the axial direction. During movement of the movable member 140, the upper lateral protrusion 208 may slide along the upper surface 216, as further described herein.

[0047] The lower portion 214 of the inner housing 146 is shown to include a slotted opening 217. The slotted opening 217 may be configured to receive a lower axial protrusion 210 of the movable member 140. The lower axial protrusion 210 is movable relative to the slotted opening 217, for example during the triggering of the actuator 128, as detailed herein.

[0048] Although not shown in the figure, the inner housing 146 may also be configured to support one or more passive triggering components, such as reed switches. Since the inner housing 146 is fixed relative to the housing 102, the passive triggering components can provide consistent electromagnetic actuation in a passive overcurrent response. However, in an active triggering response, the movable member 140 reduces the energy required to move the latch 122, thereby allowing for simultaneous passive and active triggering at high current levels, such as 1500 amperes or more.

[0049] Figure 2A Also shown are posts or protrusions 148, on which biasing members 144 are disposed. The protrusions 148 are spaced apart from each other by a distance, for example in the axial direction, to at least partially define the area in which the latch 122 extends. As in Figure 2AAs can be seen more clearly, latch 122 is an elongated member extending from a first end generally located near plunger 142 to a second end that contacts latch spring 126. In the illustrated example, the second end of latch 122 may be forked or otherwise shaped to define a slot configured to receive a portion of latch spring 126. Latch 122 also includes a slot-shaped opening 218. Slot-shaped opening 218 is configured to receive a first end 116 of shaft 114 and provide clearance to that first end.

[0050] In the illustrated example, the end of the slotted opening 218 closest to the latch spring 126 forms an edge that contacts the shaft 114, for example, to hold the shaft 114 in the illustrated position. In this example, the shaft 114 includes a cutout 220 that is generally formed as a narrow or tapering region near the first end 116 of the shaft 114. As shown, the latch spring 126 (in Figure 2A The latch 122 is biased to the left in the orientation, such that the latch 122 is positioned in the cutout 220. Therefore, the latch 122 prevents the shaft 114 from moving downward, as discussed herein.

[0051] In this configuration, latch 122 resists axial (in) Figure 2A The shaft is held in place by a biasing force applied downwards to shaft 114. Figure 2A As shown in the example, shaft 114 also includes a flange 222 formed as a lateral protrusion at one location along the length of shaft 114. Return spring 224 is configured to apply an axial force to shaft 114 at flange 222. In the illustrated example, return spring 224 is held in return spring retainer 226, and return spring retainer 226 is disposed on flange 222. In this example, the lower portion 214 of inner housing 146 includes an opening through which shaft 114 extends, and return spring 224 is configured to bias shaft 114 away from the lower portion 214 of inner housing 146.

[0052] From the above description, in Figure 2A In the closed configuration, shaft 114 is held against the force of return spring 224 to keep movable contact 112 and fixed contact 110 (a portion of a fixed contact in...) Figure 2A (See image) Contact. At the contact surface between the slotted opening 218 of the latch and the cutout 220 of the shaft 114, the latch 122 holds the shaft 114 in the closed position. The latch 122 is biased and held in the held position by the latch spring 126. Furthermore, in the closed configuration, the plunger 142 and the movable member 140 are biased away from the latch 122, for example, by the biasing member 144, such that the movable member 140 contacts the sidewall 202.

[0053] Figure 2B The electrical device 100 is shown from Figure 2A The closed state transitions to the open state. In this example, pyrotechnic charge 134 is detonated. For example, pyrotechnic charge 134 can be triggered actively or passively. Pyrotechnic charge 134 can be triggered actively by the user, for example, regardless of the current state of the system. For example, active triggering could be a remote safety disconnect. In other instances, pyrotechnic charge 134 can be triggered passively, for example, in response to a current level in the system reaching or exceeding a certain current level.

[0054] When the pyrotechnic charge 134 is detonated, the pyrotechnic piston 136 is forced away from the pyrotechnic charge 134, for example toward the volume 108 defined by the housing 104. The pyrotechnic piston 136 extends through the opening 138 and applies a force to the movable member 140. The force on the movable member 140 causes the plunger 142 to push against (e.g., compress) the biasing member 144. This movement is generally indicated by arrow 228.

[0055] When the movable member 140 and the plunger 142 move in the direction of arrow 228 under the action of the explosive force, the plunger 142 contacts the latch 122 and accordingly moves the latch. Specifically, the latch moves in the direction of arrow 228, causing the slotted opening 218 to disengage from the cutout 220. As described above, the slotted opening 218 is sized to form a clearance fit with the shaft 114. Therefore, the shaft 114 is no longer held against the biasing force of the return spring 224. As indicated by arrow 230, the return spring 224 moves the shaft 114 (downward in the figure) to disengage the movable contact 112 from the fixed contact 110, thereby disconnecting the electrical device 100. In this example, the force exerted on the shaft 114 by the biasing member 224, the weight of the shaft 114, the weight of the biasing member 224, and / or the weight of other components associated with the shaft 114 may be sufficient to prevent the shaft 114 from moving axially upward, for example, preventing the movable contact 112 from contacting the fixed contact 110 to “re-close” the electrical device 100.

[0056] In some instances, after the pyrotechnic charge 134, as described above, is detonated and the electrical device 100 is disconnected, the biasing member 144 can cause the movable member 140 and the plunger 142 to return to their original positions. Figure 2A In the position shown, for example, the movable member 140 is pressed against the side wall 202. That is, after the energy associated with the explosion dissipates, the biasing member 144 will act on the plunger 142 and the movable member 140 to return them to the position associated with the closed orientation. Furthermore, the latch spring 126 can bias the latch 122 in the direction opposite to arrow 228.

[0057] As described above, in the embodiments of this disclosure, shaft 114 can be held in the open position by biasing member 224. Shaft 114 can also, or alternatively, be held in the open position by one or more additional features. For example, as shaft 114 is removed from the travel path of latch 122, for example, shaft 114 can be located below latch 122, latch 122 can be moved to a position greater than... Figure 2A The position shown is further away (to the left in the figure). Therefore, the slotted opening 218 will no longer be axially aligned with the shaft 114, and the latch 122 can effectively function as a cover or stop to prevent or prohibit axial upward movement of the shaft 114. Thus, by preventing upward movement of the shaft 114, the latch 122 maintains a distance between the movable contact 112 and the fixed contact 110. In other words, in some non-limiting embodiments, the latch spring 126 can position the latch 122 in a locked position on the electrical device 100. In other non-limiting embodiments, the electrical device 100 may also include a snap-fit ​​structure, for example, disposed within the housing volume 108, configured to hold the movable contact 112 in a position spaced apart from the fixed contact 110.

[0058] In some instances, after the electrical device 100 is disconnected as described above, it can be reused. For example, without limitations, the actuator 128 or a portion thereof can be replaced, the latch 122 can be manually repositioned to axially align the slotted opening 218 with the shaft 114, and the shaft 114 can be manually moved against the return spring 224. Figure 2A The closed position is shown in the diagram. This may differ from conventional devices, which do not include a movable component 140 but instead use a fixed rigid restraint that is destroyed during an explosion and must be replaced entirely.

[0059] Although the actuator 128 is a pyrotechnic actuator in the example described herein, this is not necessary. Pyrotechnic actuators may be advantageous because they provide a large force for a relatively short time, but other types of actuators may also be used. For example, without limitation, the actuator may be mechanical, electromechanical, and / or any other actuator that can selectively apply force to the movable member 140 and move it as described above.

[0060] Other modifications to the above description are also expected. For example, although both movable member 140 and plunger 142 are shown, a single component may be used in other instances. For example, when plunger 142 is omitted, biasing member 144 may act directly on movable member 140. Conversely, when movable member 140 is omitted, plunger 142 may be pressed against sidewall 202, and / or actuator may act directly on plunger 142, for example, directly on plunger through opening 138.

[0061] Furthermore, although the electrical device 100 is shown and described as a normally closed fuse device, the features of this disclosure can be used with other configurations and / or devices. For example, the movable member 140 of this disclosure can be used in a normally open device. In this device, the movable contact 112 can be biased toward the fixed contact 110 (e.g., in a biasing direction opposite to the biasing direction of the return spring), and the latch can be configured to hold the shaft 114 in a position that spaces the movable contact 112 from the fixed contact 110. Therefore, triggering the normally open device will cause the latch 122 to release the shaft 114, such that the shaft 114 moves under biasing force in the direction that brings the movable contact 112 into contact with the fixed contact 110.

[0062] Although the present invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily understand that various changes and / or modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from its spirit or scope. For example, each claim may be dependent on any or all claims by multiple dependent means, even if not so drafted in the initial claims.

Claims

1. A switching device, comprising: Shell, defining the volume; One or more fixed contacts are disposed at least partially within the volume defined by the housing; Movable contacts are provided in the volume section; A shaft is connected to the movable contact and is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the switching device is configured in a closed configuration where the movable contact is in contact with one or more fixed contacts, and in the second position, the switching device is configured in an open configuration where the movable contact is spaced apart from one or more fixed contacts. A spring is used to apply a biasing force that biases the shaft toward the second position; A latch is movable between a holding position and a releasing position, in which the latch holds the shaft against the biasing force and in which the shaft is movable by the biasing force in the releasing position; A first biasing member is used to bias the latch to the holding position; Movable components; A second biasing member is used to bias the movable member away from the latch; as well as An actuator is configured to selectively resist the force exerted by the second biasing member on the movable member, so that the latch moves against the first biasing member to the release position.

2. The switching device according to claim 1, further comprising: A plunger is disposed between the movable member and the latch. The second biasing member biases the plunger away from the latch and into contact with the movable member.

3. The switching device according to claim 2, wherein: The movable member includes a recess configured to retain at least a portion of the plunger.

4. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein, The second biasing member includes a plurality of compression springs.

5. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein, The second biasing member biases the movable member against the inner surface of the housing.

6. The switching device according to claim 5, wherein: The housing includes an opening; The second biasing member biases the movable member against the inner surface of the housing to close the opening; and The actuator is at least partially disposed at a location outside the housing to apply force to the movable member through the opening.

7. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein: The shaft moves axially between the first position and the second position; and The latch moves at an angle relative to the axial direction between the held position and the released position.

8. The switching device according to claim 7, wherein, The latch moves between the held position and the released position at an angle of approximately 90 degrees relative to the axial direction.

9. The switching device according to claim 7, wherein: The shaft includes a radial cut; and The latch engages with the radial cut in the holding position.

10. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein: The actuator is a pyrotechnic actuator comprising a pyrotechnic charge and a movable piston, and The detonation of the pyrotechnic charge causes the movable piston to come into contact with the movable member, thereby resisting the force exerted on the movable member by the second biasing member.

11. An electrical device comprising: Shell, defining the volume; Fixed contacts are connected to the housing and extend into the volumetric portion; axis; Movable contacts are connected to the shaft; A latch is configurable between a holding position and a releasing position, wherein in the holding position the latch contacts the shaft to hold the shaft in a closed position where the movable contact contacts the fixed contact, and in the releasing position the latch is spaced apart from the shaft; The movable component is biased away from the latch; as well as An actuator is configured to selectively apply force to the movable member toward the latch and move the latch to the released position.

12. The electrical apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: A plunger is disposed between the movable member and the latch, and A biasing member biases the plunger away from the latch and into contact with the movable member.

13. The electrical apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: An inner housing, disposed within the volume portion, defines a shaft opening into which the shaft extends at least partially. The biasing member extends between the inner housing and the plunger.

14. The electrical device according to claim 13, wherein, The inner housing includes a column, and the biasing member is disposed on the column.

15. The electrical device according to claim 12, wherein: The movable member includes a recess configured to retain at least a portion of the plunger.

16. The electrical device according to claim 12, wherein, The biasing member includes a plurality of compression springs that bias the plunger into the movable member.

17. The electrical device according to claim 12, wherein, The biasing member biases the movable member to abut against the inner surface of the housing.

18. The electrical apparatus according to claim 12, wherein: The housing includes an opening; The biasing member biases the movable member against the inner surface of the housing to close the opening; as well as The actuator is at least partially disposed at a location outside the housing to apply force through the opening to move the movable member.

19. The electrical device according to claim 18, wherein: The shaft moves axially between the closed position and the open position; and The latch moves at an angle relative to the axial direction between the held position and the released position.

20. The electrical device according to claim 11, wherein, The actuator is a pyrotechnic actuator.

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