Contactor with external control module

Abstract

The contactor with the external control module comprises at least one contactor and the control module, the contactor comprises a contactor shell and a built-in element installed in the contactor shell, the built-in element comprises a contact mechanism and an action mechanism used for driving the contact mechanism to be closed and disconnected, and the action mechanism comprises a coil. The control module comprises a module shell and a plug located outside the module shell, the module shell is installed outside the contactor shell, the plug of the control module is electrically connected with the built-in element through a socket, and the socket is arranged in the contactor shell, at least electrically connected with the coil and matched with the plug in an inserted mode. According to the contactor with the external control module, the control module is arranged outside the contactor shell, so that the control module is not influenced by internal heating of the contactor, and the reliability is greatly improved; moreover, the control module is electrically connected with the socket arranged in the contactor through the plug, so that the control module is easy to disassemble, overhaul and replace, the magnet yoke and the coil do not need to be replaced, and the cost and resources are saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of low-voltage electrical appliances, and particularly relates to a contactor with an external control module. Background Art

[0002] A contactor is an electrical appliance used for remotely and frequently connecting and disconnecting AC and DC main circuits and large-capacity control circuits. Its main control object is a motor, and it can also control other electrical loads, such as electric heaters, lighting lamps, electric welders, capacitor banks, etc. With the development of the new energy industry, in recent years, high-current contactors have been widely used in the grid-connected AC side of inverters in the wind power industry. In particular, vacuum contactors have their contact systems and arc extinguishing systems integrated in a vacuum arc extinguishing chamber, which have the advantages of no external spray of arcs, high withstand voltage level, strong breaking capacity, and long electrical life, and are especially suitable for harsh environments. However, vacuum contactors also have some disadvantages. For example, the contacts are sealed in a vacuum cavity, and heat can only be conducted out through the conducting rods, resulting in low heat dissipation efficiency, easy heat accumulation, and the accumulated heat radiating to the control module, often causing the control module to overheat and fail. Especially for high-current vacuum contactors, the phenomenon of overheating and burning of the control module is more likely to occur. The reasons are as follows: 1. Under the condition that users have strict restrictions on the product size, the vacuum arc extinguishing chambers used in high-current vacuum contactors usually reach the limit in current-carrying capacity, that is, the heat generation during normal use is very serious, and the heat radiating to the control module is very large; 2. In order to achieve the functions of wide voltage and low power consumption, the control modules of high-current vacuum contactors generally contain a variety of electronic components. Due to the relatively high power consumption of high-current vacuum contactors, the heat generation of these electronic components during normal operation is also relatively large. If the heat radiated from the vacuum arc extinguishing chamber is superimposed, the electronic components are easily damaged by overheating and burning.

[0003] The technical solutions of existing contactors to solve the above disadvantages are usually as follows: 1. Install large-sized or high-heat-dissipating heat sinks on the electronic components. Although the heat sinks can assist in heat dissipation, they can only be installed on individual larger components and cannot cover all components; 2. Integrate the control module, coil, and yoke into a drawer-type component. When the control module is damaged by overheating, the drawer-type component can be pulled out as a whole for replacement. However, this solution is only a remedial measure after a failure and cannot solve the problem at the root. Moreover, when replacing, the two parts that are not easily damaged, namely the coil and the yoke, need to be replaced together, resulting in high costs and waste of resources. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the utility model is to overcome at least one defect of the prior art and provide a contactor with an external control module.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the utility model adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] Contactor with an external control module, comprising at least one contactor and a control module. The contactor includes a contactor housing and built-in components installed within the contactor housing. The built-in components include a contact mechanism and an operating mechanism for driving the contact mechanism to close and open. The operating mechanism includes a coil. The control module includes a module housing and a plug located outside the module housing. The module housing is installed outside the contactor housing. The plug of the control module is electrically connected to the built-in components through a socket. The socket is arranged within the contactor housing, electrically connected to at least the coil and in plug-in cooperation with the plug.

[0007] Optionally, the socket is electrically connected to the built-in components through a wire. The side wall of the contactor housing for installing the control module is provided with a receiving cavity for accommodating the socket and a perforation for the plug to pass through. The receiving cavity communicates with the outside of the contactor housing through the perforation.

[0008] Optionally, a wiring structure for placing the wires between the socket and the built-in components is provided within the contactor housing. A plurality of spaced-apart vertical plates are provided within the contactor housing. The vertical plates are provided with notches, and the notches on the plurality of vertical plates are opposite to form the wiring structure.

[0009] Optionally, a clamping groove is provided on the side wall of the contactor housing for installing the control module, and a clamping buckle that is in clamping engagement with the clamping groove is provided on the outer side of the module housing.

[0010] Optionally, a supporting cross beam for supporting the clamping buckle is provided on the side wall of the contactor housing for installing the control module. The clamping groove is provided at the top of the supporting cross beam. The clamping buckle is an L-shaped inverted buckle structure. One end of the clamping buckle connected to the module housing is placed on the supporting cross beam, and the other end of the clamping buckle is snapped into the clamping groove.

[0011] Optionally, the built-in components include a coil, a PLC switch terminal, and an A1A2 switch terminal. The socket includes a first socket, a second socket, and a third socket. The plug includes a first plug, a second plug, and a third plug. The first socket is electrically connected to the coil through a wire and is in plug-in cooperation with the first plug. The second socket is electrically connected to the PLC switch terminal through a wire and is in plug-in cooperation with the second plug. The third socket is electrically connected to the A1A2 switch terminal through a wire and is in plug-in cooperation with the third plug.

[0012] Optionally, the PLC switch terminal and the A1A2 switch terminal are installed on both sides of the side wall of the contactor housing away from the control module.

[0013] Optionally, two contactors are provided. One contactor serves as the main contactor with the control module installed, and the other contactor is an auxiliary contactor. The coils of the main contactor and the auxiliary contactor are respectively electrically connected to the first socket of the main contactor.

[0014] Optionally, the two contactors are mounted in a row on a base plate.

[0015] Optionally, the plug includes at least one pin and an insulating block for separating the pins, the insulating block is provided with a hook, and the socket is provided with a hole corresponding to the pin, and when the pin of the plug is inserted into the hole of the socket, the hook of the plug hooks on the block of the socket.

[0016] The contactor with an external control module of the utility model is arranged on the outside of the contactor housing, so it will not be affected by the heat inside the contactor, and the reliability is greatly improved; moreover, the control module is electrically connected with the socket arranged inside the contactor through a plug, and it is easy to disassemble, repair and replace while realizing the control function, and there is no need to replace the yoke and the coil, saving costs and resources.

[0017] In addition, the module housing of the control module and the contactor housing are fixed by means of clips and slots, which facilitates disassembly and assembly; and the clip is designed as an L-shaped inverted structure, the supporting beam plays a supporting role, and the slot plays a limiting and fixing role, making the installation stable.

[0018] In addition, an external control module can be used to control at least two contactors. Only one external control module is required for the two contactors, which not only saves costs but also has higher consistency and reliability than two control modules controlling the two contactors separately. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view of the contactor of the utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the contactor of the utility model;

[0021] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of the base part of the contactor of the utility model;

[0022] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of the contactor base and the pedestal part of the utility model;

[0023] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the control module of the utility model.

[0024] Contactor 1; Contactor housing 11; Base 111; Cavity 1111; Accommodating cavity 1112; Perforation 1113; Vertical plate 1114; Notch 1115; Base 112; Card slot 1121; Support cross beam 1122; Upper cover 113; Socket 12; First socket 12a; Second socket 12b; Third socket 12c; Jack 121; Card block 122; Vacuum arc extinguishing chamber 13; Vacuum housing 131; First conductive rod 132; Second conductive rod 133; Flexible connection 134; Incoming line row 14; Outgoing line row 15; Coil skeleton 16; Coil 17; PLC switch terminal 18; A1A2 switch terminal 19; Control module 2; Cover housing 21; Cover 22; Snap fastener 221; Through hole 222; Plug 23; First plug 23a; Second plug 23b; Third plug 23c; Pin 231; Insulating block 232; Hook 233; Base plate 3; Conductor connection surface a; Conductor connection surface b; Conductor connection surface c; Conductor connection surface d. Specific embodiments

[0025] The following embodiments given in conjunction with the drawings further illustrate the specific embodiments of the contactor with an external control module of the present utility model. The contactor with an external control module of the present utility model is not limited to the description of the following embodiments.

[0026] As Figure 1 And Figure 2 As shown, the contactor 1 generally includes a contactor housing 11, an operating mechanism, a vacuum arc extinguishing chamber 13, a control module 2, an incoming line row 14, an outgoing line row 15, a coil skeleton 16, and a coil 17 sleeved on the coil skeleton 16. The contactor housing 11 includes a base 111, a base 112, and an upper cover 113 that are stacked and installed in sequence. A cavity 1111 is provided in the base 111 of the contactor housing 11 on one side of the coil 17. The vacuum arc extinguishing chamber 13 is installed in the base 112 of the contactor housing 11 and is located above the coil 17 and the cavity 1111. The vacuum arc extinguishing chamber 13 generally includes a vacuum housing 131, a first conductive rod 132, and a second conductive rod 133. One ends of the first conductive rod 132 and the second conductive rod 133 are arranged opposite to each other and are located inside the vacuum housing 131. The first conductive rod 132 and the second conductive rod 133 respectively serve as a moving contact and a static contact to form the contact mechanism of the contactor 1. The other end of the second conductive rod 133 is electrically connected to the outgoing line row 15. The other end of the first conductive rod 132 is electrically connected to the incoming line row 14 through a flexible connection 134. The other end of the first conductive rod 132 is in driving cooperation with the operating mechanism, and the operating mechanism can drive the first conductive rod 132 to close or disconnect the first conductive rod 132 from the second conductive rod 133. The operating mechanism includes the coil 17, and the control module 2 can control the power supply of the coil 17 to generate electromagnetic force to drive the operating mechanism to move the first conductive rod 132.

[0027] When the contactor 1 is in the working state, that is, the first conductive rod 132 is closed with the second conductive rod 133, the current flows in from the incoming line row 14, and successively passes through the flexible connection 134, the first conductive rod 132, and the second conductive rod 133, and flows out from the outgoing line row 15. As is well known, heat is generated when current flows through a conductor. Especially when there is a contact resistance at the conductor connection surface, compared with the resistance of the conductor itself, the contact resistance is much larger. Therefore, the heat generated at the conductor connection surface is the main source of heat generation. There are four conductor connection surfaces in the figure, namely the conductor connection surface a between the first conductive rod 132 and the second conductive rod 133, the conductor connection surface b between the first conductive rod 132 and the flexible connection 134, the conductor connection surface c between the second conductive rod 133 and the outgoing line row 15, and the conductor connection surface d between the flexible connection 134 and the incoming line row 14. There are two heat dissipation paths. The first one: The heat generated at the conductor connection surface a is conducted to the conductor connection surface c, and then the heat generated at the conductor connection surface c is superimposed and conducted to the outgoing line row 15, and then radiates and convects heat to the outside. The second one: The heat generated at the conductor connection surface a is conducted to the conductor connection surface b, and then the heat generated at the conductor connection surface b is superimposed and conducted to the conductor connection surface d, and then the heat generated at the conductor connection surface d is superimposed and conducted to the incoming line row 14, and then radiates and convects heat to the outside. There are three conductor connection surfaces a, b, and d in the second heat dissipation path. The heat generated at these three places converges to the conductor connection surface d. Most of the heat is conducted to the incoming line row 14, and a part of it radiates to the surrounding. In the prior art, the control module 2 (not shown in the figure) is installed in the cavity 1111. The cavity 1111 is located inside the contactor 1 and is a closed space. Most of the heat radiated from the above-mentioned conductor connection surface d to the surrounding will act on the control module 2, resulting in overheating and failure of the control module 2. It should be noted that the heat generated inside the contactor is not limited to the above description, and the structure of the contactor is not limited to the above description.

[0028] The improvement of this application lies in, as Figures 2 - 5As shown in the figure, the contactor with an external control module according to this embodiment includes at least one contactor 1 and a control module 2. The contactor 1 includes a contactor housing 11 and built-in components installed in the contactor housing 11. The control module 2 includes a module housing, an electronic circuit board (not shown in the figure), and a plug 23 with a wire located outside the module housing. The module housing includes a cover shell 21 and a cover 22 that are covered with each other. The electronic circuit board is located in the cover shell 21. The wire of the plug 23 is connected to the electronic circuit board through a through hole 222 of the cover shell 21. The module housing is installed outside the contactor housing 11. The plug 23 of the control module 2 is electrically connected to the built-in components through a socket 12. The socket 12 is arranged in the contactor housing 11, electrically connected to the built-in components and inserted and matched with the plug 23. The built-in components at least include a contact mechanism and an operating mechanism for driving the contact mechanism to close and break. The contact mechanism includes a moving contact and a static contact. The operating mechanism includes a coil 17. The control module 2 is connected to the coil 17 and can control the power supply of the coil. For the contactor with an external control module according to this embodiment, since the control module 2 is arranged outside the contactor housing 11, it will not be affected by the internal heat generation of the contactor 1, and the reliability is greatly improved. Moreover, the control module 2 forms an electrical connection through the plug 23 and the socket 12 arranged inside the contactor 1. While realizing the control function, it is easy to disassemble, repair and replace, and there is no need to replace the yoke and the coil, saving costs and resources.

[0029] As Figure 1 and Figure 3 shown, the side wall of the contactor housing 11 for installing the control module 2 is close to the coil 17 and far away from the cavity 1111, and is also close to the outgoing line row 15 and far away from the incoming line row 14. Since there are only two conductor connection surfaces at a and c in the first heat dissipation path, the heat generated at these two places is conducted to the outgoing line row 15, and the heat of the outgoing line row 15 is directly radiated and convected to the outside. Therefore, the influence on the control module 2 is significantly smaller, and there will be no problem of overheating and failure.

[0030] As Figure 3 shown, the socket 12 is electrically connected to the built-in components through a wire. The side wall of the contactor housing 11 for installing the control module 2 is provided with a receiving cavity 1112 for receiving the socket 12 and a through hole 1113 for the plug 23 to pass through. The receiving cavity 1112 is communicated with the outside of the contactor housing 11 through the through hole 1113. Further, a wiring structure for placing the wire between the socket 12 and the built-in components is provided in the base 111 of the contactor housing 11. A plurality of spaced vertical plates 1114 are provided in the contactor housing 11. The vertical plates 1114 are provided with notches 1115. The notches 1115 on the plurality of vertical plates 1114 are opposite to form the wiring structure. So as to facilitate the neat arrangement of the wire between the socket 12 and the built-in components.

[0031] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the mounting structure between the module housing of the control module 2 and the contactor housing 11 of this embodiment, the side wall of the contactor housing 11 for mounting the control module 2 is provided with a slot 1121, and the outer side of the cover 22 of the module housing is provided with a buckle 221 that is engaged with the slot 1121. The side wall of the contactor housing 11 for mounting the control module 2 is provided with a supporting beam 1122 for supporting the buckle 221, the top of the supporting beam 1122 is provided with the buckle 221, the buckle 221 is an L-shaped inverted buckle structure, one end of the buckle 221 connected to the module housing is placed on the supporting beam 1122, and the other end of the buckle 221 is snapped into the slot 1121. The module housing of the control module 2 and the contactor 1 are fixed by the buckle 221 and the slot 1121, which is convenient for disassembly and assembly; and the buckle 221 is designed as an L-shaped inverted buckle structure, the support beam 1122 plays a supporting role, and the slot 1121 plays a limiting and fixing role, so that the installation is stable. In this embodiment, preferably two buckles 221 and slots 1121 are provided, and of course one, three or more can also be provided. The module housing of the control module 2 and the contactor housing 11 of this embodiment are also reinforced by screws (not shown in the figure).

[0032] like Figures 3 - 5 As shown, the matching structure between the plug 23 and the socket 12 of this embodiment, the plug 23 includes at least one pin 231 and an insulating block 232 for separating the pin 231, the insulating block 232 is provided with a hook 233, and the socket 12 is provided with a socket 121 corresponding to the pin 231. When the pin 231 of the plug 23 is inserted into the socket 121 of the socket 12, the hook 233 of the plug 23 hooks the block 122 of the socket 12. The connection is simple and easy to operate, and the hook 233 and the block 122 cooperate to make the connection firm.

[0033] like Figures 3 - 5As shown, the built-in components of this embodiment include a coil 17, a PLC switch terminal 18 and an A1A2 switch terminal 19, and the PLC switch terminal 18 and the A1A2 switch terminal 19 are installed on both sides of the side wall of the contactor housing 11 away from the control module 2. The socket 12 includes a first socket 12a, a second socket 12b and a third socket 12c, and the plug 23 includes a first plug 23a, a second plug 23b and a third plug 23c. The first socket 12a is electrically connected to the coil 17 through a wire and plugged with the first plug 23a, the second socket 12b is electrically connected to the PLC switch terminal 18 through a wire and plugged with the second plug 23b, and the third socket 12c is electrically connected to the A1A2 switch terminal 19 through a wire and plugged with the third plug 23c. It should be noted that the A1A2 switch terminal 19 directly controls the on / off of the coil 17, and the PLC switch terminal 18 indirectly controls the on / off of the coil 17 by controlling the on / off of the PLC inside the circuit board when the A1A2 switch terminal 19 is powered. This is the prior art and will not be described in detail here.

[0034] Optionally, the present embodiment is provided with two contactors 1, the two contactors 1 are installed in a row on the base plate 3, one of the contactors 1 is used as a main contactor installed with a control module 2, and the other contactor 1 is an auxiliary contactor, and the coil 17 of the main contactor and the coil 17 of the auxiliary contactor are respectively electrically connected to the first socket 12a of the main contactor. The control module 2 can control one contactor 1 to close by means of the coil 17, and at the same time control the other contactor to open, switching the normal power supply or the backup power supply. The external control module 2 can be used to control at least two contactors 1, and only one external control module 2 is required for the two contactors 1, which not only saves costs, but also has higher consistency and reliability than two control modules 2 controlling two contactors 1 separately.

[0035] The installation process of the control module 2 of this embodiment is as follows: connect the second plug 23b to the second socket 12b, connect the first plug 23a to the second socket 12b, connect the third plug 23c to the third socket 12c, and then buckle the buckle 221 into the slot 1121, and then use screws (not shown in the figure) to fix the control module 2 to the base 111 and the base 112 of the contactor housing 11. At this point, the control module 2 is electrically connected to the coil 17 of the main contactor and the coil 17 of the auxiliary contactor, as well as the PLC switch terminal 18 and the A1A2 switch terminal 19, so that the control module 2 can play the function of controlling the contactor 1.

[0036] During actual use, if the contactor 1 fails to work properly and the control module 2 needs to be repaired or replaced, the process of disassembling the control module 2 is as follows: Remove the screws, then pull the buckle 221 out of the slot 1121, and then pull out the second plug 23b from the second socket 12b, the first plug 23a from the second socket 12b, and the third plug 23c from the third socket 12c. Thus, the control module 2 is conveniently disassembled.

[0037] It should be noted that in the description of the present utility model, the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which it is usually placed during use. It is only for convenience of description and does not indicate that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation to the present utility model. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are only used for distinguishing descriptions and cannot be construed as indicating relative importance.

[0038] The above content is a further detailed description of the present utility model in combination with specific preferred embodiments. It cannot be determined that the specific implementation of the present utility model is only limited to these descriptions. For those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present utility model belongs, without departing from the concept of the present utility model, several simple deductions or replacements can still be made, and all should be regarded as belonging to the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. Contactor with an external control module, comprising at least one contactor (1) and a control module (2), said contactor (1) including a contactor housing (11) and built-in components installed within the contactor housing (11), said built-in components including a contact mechanism and an operating mechanism for driving the contact mechanism to close and open, said operating mechanism including a coil (17), characterized in that: The control module (2) comprises a module housing and a plug (23) located outside the module housing, the module housing being mounted outside the contactor housing (11), the plug (23) of the control module (2) being electrically connected to the built-in component via a socket (12), the socket (12) being arranged in the contactor housing (11), being electrically connected to at least the coil (17) and being plug-matched with the plug (23).

2. The contactor with an external control module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The socket (12) is electrically connected to the built-in component via a wire, and a side wall of the contactor housing (11) for mounting the control module (2) is provided with a receiving cavity (1112) for receiving the socket (12) and a through hole (1113) for the plug (23) to pass through, and the receiving cavity (1112) is connected to the outside of the contactor housing (11) via the through hole (1113).

3. The contactor with an external control module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The contactor housing (11) is provided with a wiring structure for placing wires between the socket (12) and the built-in components. The contactor housing (11) is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart vertical plates (1114), the vertical plates (1114) are provided with notches (1115), and the notches (1115) on the plurality of vertical plates (1114) correspond to each other to form the wiring structure.

4. The contactor with an external control module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The side wall of the contactor housing (11) for mounting the control module (2) is provided with a slot (1121), and the outer side of the module housing is provided with a buckle (221) that is engaged with the slot (1121).

5. The contactor with an external control module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The side wall of the contactor housing (11) for mounting the control module (2) is provided with a supporting crossbeam (1122) for supporting the buckle (221); the top of the supporting crossbeam (1122) is provided with the buckle slot (1121); the buckle (221) is an L-shaped inverted buckle structure; one end of the buckle (221) connected to the module housing is placed on the supporting crossbeam (1122), and the other end of the buckle (221) is snapped into the buckle slot (1121).

6. The contactor with an external control module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The built-in element comprises a coil (17), a PLC switch terminal (18) and an A1A2 switch terminal (19); the socket (12) comprises a first socket (12a), a second socket (12b) and a third socket (12c); the plug (23) comprises a first plug (23a), a second plug (23b) and a third plug (23c); the first socket (12a) is electrically connected to the coil (17) via a wire and is plugged into and matched with the first plug (23a); the second socket (12b) is electrically connected to the PLC switch terminal (18) via a wire and is plugged into and matched with the second plug (23b); the third socket (12c) is electrically connected to the A1A2 switch terminal (19) via a wire and is plugged into and matched with the third plug (23c).

7. The contactor with an external control module according to claim 6, characterized in that: The PLC switch terminal (18) and the A1A2 switch terminal (19) are mounted on both sides of the side wall of the contactor housing (11) away from the control module (2).

8. The contactor with an external control module according to claim 6, characterized in that: There are two contactors (1) provided, one of the contactors (1) being the main contactor equipped with a control module (2), and the other contactor (1) being the auxiliary contactor. The coil (17) of the main contactor and the coil (17) of the auxiliary contactor are respectively electrically connected to the first socket (12a) of the main contactor.

9. The contactor with an external control module according to claim 8, wherein: The two contactors (1) are mounted side by side on the base plate (3).

10. The contactor with an external control module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plug (23) includes at least one pin (231) and an insulating block (232) for separating the pins (231). The insulating block (232) is provided with a hook (233). The socket (12) is provided with a jack (121) corresponding to the pin (231). When the pin (231) of the plug (23) is inserted into the jack (121) of the socket (12), the hook (233) of the plug (23) hooks onto the catch block (122) of the socket (12).

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