Contactor

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model provides a contactor, and the contactor comprises an electromagnetic assembly which comprises a supporting part and a movable iron core, and the supporting part is connected with the movable iron core and can move along with the movable iron core; the moving contact assembly is connected to the supporting piece and can move along with the supporting piece so as to be switched between a switching-on position and a switching-off position; the matching piece is arranged on one of the supporting piece and the moving contact assembly and comprises a first locking hole and a second locking hole; the locking assembly is adjacent to the matching piece and comprises a locking piece and a driving piece, the driving piece can drive the locking piece to stretch into or draw out of the first locking hole or the second locking hole, and under the condition that the moving contact assembly is located at the closing position, the locking piece stretches into the first locking hole; and under the condition that the moving contact assembly is located at the opening position, the locking piece extends into the second locking hole.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the technical field of electrical equipment, and more particularly, to contactors. BACKGROUND

[0002] Contactors are widely used in industrial automation and power systems, which control the movement of a drive mechanism by energizing and de-energizing an electromagnetic coil, so as to drive a movable contact assembly connected with the drive mechanism to switch between a closed position and an open position.

[0003] However, conventional contactors do not have the functions of locking the closed position and locking the open position. Therefore, how to lock the contactor in the closed position and the open position is a technical problem to be solved at present. CONTENT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a contactor to at least partially solve the above problems.

[0005] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a contactor is provided, which includes an electromagnetic assembly including a support and a movable core, the support being connected with the movable core and being capable of moving with the movable core; a movable contact assembly connected to the support and being capable of moving with the support to switch between a closed position and an open position; a mating member provided on one of the support and the movable contact assembly and including a first locking hole and a second locking hole; and a locking assembly adjacent to the mating member and including a locking piece and a driving piece, the driving piece being capable of driving the locking piece to extend into or withdraw from the first locking hole or the second locking hole, wherein the locking piece extends into the first locking hole when the movable contact assembly is in the closed position, and the locking piece extends into the second locking hole when the movable contact assembly is in the open position.

[0006] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, when the locking piece extends into the first locking hole, the movable contact assembly can be locked in the closed position. When the locking piece is withdrawn from the first locking hole, the movable contact assembly can be switched from the closed position to the open position. Since the mating member is capable of moving synchronously with the movable contact assembly, and the second locking hole is capable of moving to a position aligned with the locking piece, the locking piece can extend into the second locking hole to lock the movable contact assembly in the open position.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first locking hole and the second locking hole are arranged along the moving direction of the movable core.

[0008] In some embodiments, the driving piece includes a driving coil and a magnetic enhancement portion, the magnetic enhancement portion wrapping the driving coil, a portion of the locking piece being located in the driving coil, the driving coil being capable of being energized to drive the locking piece.

[0009] In some embodiments, the driving member further comprises a guide portion located in the driving coil and comprising a first through hole, and the locking member comprises a locking shaft, an outer surface of the locking shaft being in contact with an inner surface of the first through hole.

[0010] In some embodiments, the guide portion further comprises a second through hole in communication with the first through hole, a diameter of the second through hole being greater than that of the first through hole and the second through hole being closer to the fitting member than the first through hole, the driving member further comprises an elastic portion located in the second through hole, and the locking member comprises a limiting portion located in the second through hole, one end of the elastic portion abutting against a side of the limiting portion adjacent to the first through hole, and the other end of the elastic portion abutting against an inner surface of the second through hole.

[0011] In some embodiments, the driving member further comprises a blocking portion adjacent to an end of the second through hole away from the first through hole, the locking member being capable of passing through the blocking portion, and the blocking portion being capable of blocking the limiting portion.

[0012] In some embodiments, the magnetic enhancement portion comprises a first portion away from the fitting member, the first portion being capable of blocking the locking member.

[0013] In some embodiments, the contactor further comprises a mounting base and a plurality of buffer pads, the plurality of buffer pads being disposed on the mounting base adjacent to the support member and being capable of contacting the support member.

[0014] In some embodiments, the plurality of buffer pads are protrudingly disposed on the mounting base.

[0015] It should be understood that the description in this section is not intended to define key or important features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] The above and other features, advantages and aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like references refer to like elements, and in which:

[0017] Figure 1 A structural schematic diagram of a contactor according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0018] Figure 2 A partial structural schematic diagram of a contactor according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0019] Figure 3A cross-sectional view of a locking assembly is shown according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] Reference signs:

[0021] 100 is a contactor;

[0022] 1 is an electromagnetic assembly, 11 is a support, 12 is a moving iron core;

[0023] 2 is a moving contact assembly;

[0024] 3 is a mating piece, 31 is a first locking hole, 32 is a second locking hole;

[0025] 4 is a locking assembly, 41 is a locking piece, 411 is a limiting portion, 42 is a driving piece, 421 is a driving coil, 422 is a magnetic enhancement portion, 4221 is a first portion, 423 is a guide portion, 4231 is a first perforation, 4232 is a second perforation, 424 is an elastic portion, 425 is a blocking portion;

[0026] 5 is a mounting seat; 6 is a buffer pad; 7 is an upper shell;

[0027] X is the moving direction of the moving iron core. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. Although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited by the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure is more thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0029] The term "comprising" and variations thereof as used in this document shall mean "including but not limited to". Unless otherwise specified, the term "or" shall mean "and / or". The term "based on" shall mean "based at least in part on". The terms "one example embodiment" and "an embodiment" shall mean "at least one example embodiment". The term "another embodiment" shall mean "at least one additional embodiment". The terms "first", "second", etc. can refer to different or same objects.

[0030] As described above, conventional contactors do not have a closed position locking function and an open position locking function. Therefore, how to lock the contactor in the closed position and the open position is a technical problem that needs to be solved at present. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a contactor 100 to at least partially solve the above problems. In the following, the contactor 100 will be described in combination with the accompanying drawings. Figures 1 to 3 The principles of the present disclosure are described.

[0031] Figure 11 shows a schematic structural diagram of a contactor 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 1 The contactor 100 in the figure has a portion of its housing removed to better show the mating piece 3 and the locking assembly 4 . Figure 2 FIG. 1 shows a partial structural diagram of a contactor 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figures 1 to 2 As shown, the contactor 100 described herein generally includes an electromagnetic assembly 1, a movable contact assembly 2, a mating piece 3, a locking assembly 4, a mounting base 5, a buffer pad 6, and an upper shell 7. The upper shell 7 covers the mounting base 5 and forms an internal cavity with the mounting base 5. The electromagnetic assembly 1, the movable contact assembly 2, the mating piece 3, the locking assembly 4, and the buffer pad 6 are all located in the mounting cavity.

[0032] Continue to refer Figures 1 to 2 In some embodiments, the electromagnetic assembly 1 is located on one side of the mounting base 5. The electromagnetic assembly 1 may include a support member 11 and a moving iron core 12. The support member 11 is connected to the moving iron core 12, for example, the support member 11 and the moving iron core 12 are connected by a pin. Obviously, when the electromagnetic assembly 1 is energized, the moving iron core 12 can drive the support member 11 to move toward the static iron core, and the return spring can be compressed. In addition, when the electromagnetic assembly 1 is de-energized, the return spring can release energy and cause the moving iron core 12 and the support member 11 to move away from the static iron core.

[0033] Continue to refer Figures 1 to 2 Furthermore, the movable contact assembly 2 is connected to the support member 11 and can pass through the mounting seat 5. As a result, when the movable iron core 12 and support member 11 move toward the stationary iron core, the movable contact assembly 2 can follow the movable iron core 12 and support member 11 to switch from the open position to the closed position. And when the movable iron core 12 and support member 11 move away from the stationary iron core, the movable contact assembly 2 can follow the movable iron core 12 and support member 11 to switch from the closed position to the open position.

[0034] Figure 3 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a locking assembly 4 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the mating member 3 can be provided on the support member 11, or the mating member 3 can also be provided on the moving contact assembly 2, so that the mating member 3 can move synchronously with the moving contact assembly 2. The mating member 3 includes a first locking hole 31 and a second locking hole 32. Correspondingly, the locking assembly 4 can be adjacent to the mating member 3 to facilitate mating with the mating member 3. The locking assembly 4 includes a locking member 41 and a driving member 42. The driving member 42 can drive the locking member 41 to extend into or out of the first locking hole 31 or the second locking hole 32. Obviously, when the moving contact assembly 2 is in the closed position, the locking member 41 can extend into the first locking hole 31. When the moving contact assembly 2 is in the open position, the locking member 41 can extend into the second locking hole 32.

[0035] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the locking piece 41 extends into the first locking hole 31, the movable contact assembly 2 can be locked in the closed position. When the locking piece 41 is extracted from the first locking hole 31, the movable contact assembly 2 can be switched from the closed position to the open position. Since the cooperating piece 3 can move synchronously with the movable contact assembly 2, and the second locking hole 32 can move to a position aligned with the locking piece 41, the locking piece 41 can extend into the second locking hole 32 to lock the movable contact assembly 2 in the open position.

[0036] It should be noted that the cooperating piece 3 can be arranged on any component that moves synchronously with the movable contact assembly 2 or directly on the movable contact assembly 2, and the embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit this. Since the movable contact assembly 2 can generate an arc in the breaking case, for safety considerations, preferably, the cooperating piece 3 can be arranged on the support 11.

[0037] Referring back to Figure 2 In some embodiments, the first locking hole 31 and the second locking hole 32 can be arranged along the moving direction X of the moving iron core 12, so that the arrangement direction of the first locking hole 31 and the second locking hole 32 is the same as the moving direction of the movable contact assembly 2. Further, the distance between the first locking hole 31 and the second locking hole 32 is equal to the distance moved by the movable contact assembly 2 during switching between the closed position and the open position. Thus, no matter whether the movable contact assembly 2 is in the closed position or the open position, the locking piece 41 can extend into the locking hole.

[0038] Specifically, the locking assembly 4 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can be various types of locking assemblies 4 currently known or available in the future, as long as the driving piece 42 can drive the locking piece 41 to extend into or extract from the locking hole, and the embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit this. For example, in some embodiments, the locking assembly 4 can include a servo motor. In other embodiments, the locking assembly 4 can also include a magnetic drive motor.

[0039] In the following, the principles of the present disclosure will be mainly exemplarily described with the locking assembly 4 including a magnetic drive motor, and the principles are the same or similar for the locking assembly 4 including a servo motor, which will not be repeated here.

[0040] Referring back to Figure 3In some embodiments, the driving member 42 is capable of driving the locking member 41 to move. The driving member 42 can include a driving coil 421 and a magnetizing part 422. A portion of the locking member 41 can be located within the driving coil 421, and the driving coil 421 is capable of generating a magnetic field and driving the locking member 41 to move when the driving coil 421 is energized. The magnetizing part 422 can wrap around the driving coil 421. The magnetizing part 422 is capable of changing the distribution of the magnetic field, thereby increasing the magnetic induction intensity, so as to increase the electromagnetic force that the locking member 41 receives in the magnetic field, facilitating the movement of the locking member 41.

[0041] With continued reference to Figure 3 Further, the driving member 42 can further include a guide part 423 for guiding the locking member 41. Preferably, the guide part 423 can be located within the driving coil 421 and include a first through hole 4231. The locking member 41 can include a locking shaft, and an outer surface of the locking shaft can be in contact with an inner surface of the first through hole 4231, so as to enable the locking shaft to move along the guide part 423.

[0042] With continued reference to Figure 3 Further, the guide part 423 can further include a second through hole 4232 in communication with the first through hole 4231. The second through hole 4232 can have a diameter greater than that of the first through hole 4231, and the second through hole 4232 is closer to the mating member 3 than the first through hole 4231. The driving member 42 can further include an elastic part 424 located within the second through hole 4232, and the locking member 41 can further include a limiting part 411 located within the second through hole 4232, the limiting part 411 being capable of pressing the elastic part 424. One end of the elastic part 424 can abut against a side of the limiting part 411 adjacent to the first through hole 4231, and the other end of the elastic part 424 can abut against an inner surface of the second through hole 4232.

[0043] With the above configuration, when the driving coil 421 is de-energized, the locking member 41 is capable of extending out of the driving member 42 under the action of the elastic part 424. When the driving coil 421 is energized, the locking member 41 is capable of moving away from the mating member 3 under the action of the electromagnetic force, and the locking member 41 is capable of pressing the elastic part 424 through the limiting part 411.

[0044] The elastic part 424 according to embodiments of the present disclosure can be various types of elastic parts 424 currently known or available in the future, and embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited in this regard. For example, in some embodiments, the elastic part 424 can be a spring.

[0045] With continued reference to Figures 1 to 3Further, the driving member 42 can further include a blocking portion 425. The blocking portion 425 can be adjacent to an end of the second through hole 4232 which is away from the first through hole 4231. The locking member 41 can pass through the blocking portion 425, and the blocking portion 425 can block the limiting portion 411. Thus, during the movement of the locking member 41 towards the cooperating member 3, the blocking portion 425 can limit the movement distance of the locking member 41 to avoid the locking member 41 from falling off the driving member 42.

[0046] With reference back to Figures 1 to 3 Further, the magnet increasing portion 422 can include a first portion 4221 which is away from the cooperating member 3. The first portion 4221 can block the locking member 41. Thus, during the movement of the locking member 41 away from the cooperating member 3, the first portion 4221 can limit the movement distance of the locking member 41.

[0047] With reference back to Figure 2 In some embodiments, the plurality of buffer pads 6 can be arranged on the mounting seat 5 adjacent to the supporting member 11, and the plurality of buffer pads 6 can be arranged protruding on the mounting seat 5. Thus, during the movement of the moving iron core 12 and the supporting member 11 to switch the moving contact assembly 2 to the open position, the supporting member 11 can contact and hit the plurality of buffer pads 6 to avoid the supporting member 11 hitting the plane of the mounting seat 5, thereby avoiding the rebound of the moving contact assembly 2.

[0048] In other embodiments, the plurality of buffer pads 6 are flush with the surface of the mounting seat 5, and the supporting member 11 is provided with a plurality of protrusions. Thus, during the movement of the moving iron core 12 and the supporting member 11 to switch the moving contact assembly 2 to the open position, the plurality of protrusions of the supporting member 11 can contact and hit the plurality of buffer pads 6 to avoid the supporting member 11 hitting the plane of the mounting seat 5, thereby avoiding the rebound of the moving contact assembly 2.

[0049] The control logic and working principle of the contactor 100 of the present disclosure will be described below. Figures 1 to 3 The control logic and working principle of the contactor 100 of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0050] When the moving contact assembly 2 of the contactor 100 is in the open position, the locking member 41 extends into the second locking hole 32. The driving coil 421 of the driving member 42 is energized, and the electromagnetic force drives the locking member 41 to retract from the second locking hole 32, and the elastic portion 424 is compressed. The electromagnetic assembly 1 is energized, and the moving contact assembly 2 of the contactor 100 is switched to the closed position, and the cooperating member 3 moves synchronously with the moving contact assembly 2. When the moving contact assembly 2 reaches the closed position, the driving coil 421 of the driving member 42 is de-energized, and the elastic portion 424 drives the locking member 41 to extend into the first locking hole 31. The electromagnetic assembly 1 is de-energized, and the moving contact assembly 2 is locked in the closed position, achieving the effect of energy saving.

[0051] When the moving contact assembly 2 of the contactor 100 is in the closed position, the locking member 41 extends into the first locking hole 31. The electromagnetic assembly 1 is energized, so that the cooperating member 3 moves upward by a small distance, reducing the friction encountered when the locking member 41 is extracted from the first locking hole 31. The drive coil 421 of the drive member 42 is energized, and the electromagnetic force drives the locking member 41 to extract from the first locking hole 31, and the locking member 41 compresses the elastic portion 424. The electromagnetic assembly 1 is de-energized, and the reset spring can drive the moving contact assembly 2 to switch to the open position, and the cooperating member 3 moves synchronously with the moving contact assembly 2. When the moving contact assembly 2 reaches the open position, the drive coil 421 of the drive member 42 is de-energized, and the elastic portion 424 drives the locking member 41 to extend into the second locking hole 32. The moving contact assembly 2 is locked in the open position, so that in the case of mis-energization of the contactor 100, the moving contact assembly 2 cannot switch to the closed position, and the isolation effect is achieved.

[0052] The locking design according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to various contactors to at least partially solve the above problems. It should be understood that the locking design according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to other electrical components, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0053] The above has described various embodiments of the present disclosure, and the above description is exemplary, not exhaustive, and is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and changes are obvious to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The selection of the terms used herein is intended to best explain the principles, practical application, or technical improvement in the market of the embodiments, or to enable other ordinary skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A contactor (100) characterized by, The contactor (100) comprises: An electromagnetic assembly (1) comprising a support (11) and a moving iron core (12), the support (11) being connected with the moving iron core (12) and capable of moving following the moving iron core (12); A moving contact assembly (2) connected to the support (11) and capable of moving following the support (11) to switch between a closed position and an open position; A matching piece (3) provided on one of the support (11) and the moving contact assembly (2) and comprising a first locking hole (31) and a second locking hole (32); and A locking assembly (4) adjacent to the matching piece (3) and comprising a locking piece (41) and a driving piece (42), the driving piece (42) being capable of driving the locking piece (41) to extend into or withdraw from the first locking hole (31) or the second locking hole (32), wherein the locking piece (41) extends into the first locking hole (31) when the moving contact assembly (2) is in the closed position, and the locking piece (41) extends into the second locking hole (32) when the moving contact assembly (2) is in the open position.

2. The contactor (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that The first locking hole (31) and the second locking hole (32) are arranged along a moving direction (X) of the moving iron core (12).

3. The contactor (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that The driving piece (42) comprises a driving coil (421) and a magnetic enhancement part (422), the magnetic enhancement part (422) wrapping the driving coil (421), a part of the locking piece (41) being located in the driving coil (421), the driving coil (421) being capable of being energized to drive the locking piece (41).

4. The contactor (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that The driving piece (42) further comprises a guide part (423) located in the driving coil (421) and comprising a first through hole (4231), the locking piece (41) comprising a locking shaft, an outer surface of the locking shaft being in contact with an inner surface of the first through hole (4231).

5. The contactor (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that The guide part (423) further comprises a second through hole (4232) in communication with the first through hole (4231), a diameter of the second through hole (4232) being greater than a diameter of the first through hole (4231) and being closer to the matching piece (3) than the first through hole (4231), the driving piece (42) further comprising an elastic part (424) located in the second through hole (4232), the locking piece (41) comprising a limiting part (411) located in the second through hole (4232), one end of the elastic part (424) abutting against a side of the limiting part (411) adjacent to the first through hole (4231), and the other end of the elastic part (424) abutting against an inner surface of the second through hole (4232).

6. The contactor (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that The driving piece (42) further comprises a blocking portion (425) adjacent to one end of the second through hole (4232) away from the first through hole (4231), the locking piece (41) can pass through the blocking portion (425), and the blocking portion (425) can block the limiting portion (411).

7. The contactor (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that The magnetic enhancement portion (422) comprises a first portion (4221) away from the matching piece (3), and the first portion (4221) can block the locking piece (41).

8. The contactor (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that The contactor (100) further comprises a mounting seat (5) and a plurality of buffer pads (6), the plurality of buffer pads (6) are arranged on the mounting seat (5) adjacent to the supporting piece (11) and can contact the supporting piece (11).

9. The contactor (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that The plurality of buffer pads (6) are protrudingly arranged on the mounting seat (5).

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