Contactor and main contact mechanism and main contact assembly thereof

Abstract

The utility model relates to a contactor and a main contact mechanism and a main contact assembly thereof. The main contact assembly comprises a housing which defines an opening and an internal channel communicated with the opening, a first end and an opposite second end of the internal channel close to the opening are respectively provided with a pair of cylindrical surfaces, and each pair of cylindrical surfaces protrude towards each other. The axis of the cylindrical surface is transverse to the extension direction of the inner channel; the static contact is arranged on the shell; the contact support is movably arranged in the inner channel of the shell and extends out of the opening, and the contact support is clamped between the paired cylindrical surfaces at the first end and the second end of the inner channel respectively; and the moving contact is arranged on the contact support and can be connected with or separated from the static contact under the driving of the contact support.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to a switch device, especially to a contactor and its main contact mechanism and main contact assembly. BACKGROUND

[0002] A contactor is a widely used switch device, which utilizes electromagnetic, pneumatic or hydraulic principle to realize the on-off of main circuit through control circuit. The contactor has the advantages of strong current breaking capacity, rapid action, safe operation, frequent operation and remote control, and can control various power loads such as electric motor. The contactor usually comprises a main contact assembly, a driving mechanism and a biasing mechanism, wherein the driving mechanism can drive the moving contact in the main contact assembly to move to engage with the stationary contact, and the biasing mechanism applies a biasing force to the moving contact away from the stationary contact.

[0003] In the main contact assembly of the conventional contactor, the moving contact assembly is installed in the shell and forms surface contact with the inner wall of the shell. During the movement of the moving contact assembly, sliding friction occurs between the moving contact assembly and the shell. Since the moving direction of the moving contact assembly is not constant during the normal operation of the contactor, there will be a certain deviation, and the coefficient of sliding friction is large, so the contact surface between the moving contact assembly and the shell is easy to produce abnormal wear, and the wear is unbalanced. With the accumulation of time, the unbalanced wear will cause the moving contact assembly to deviate from the initial position, and even cause obvious jamming during the movement, thereby greatly reducing the normal service life of the contactor.

[0004] Therefore, there is a certain demand in the industry to improve the main contact assembly of the contactor to reduce abnormal wear and improve the service life of the contactor. UTILITY MODEL CONTENTS

[0005] The utility model aims at providing a main contact assembly of a contactor, which can at least solve part of the above technical problems.

[0006] The utility model also aims at providing a main contact mechanism using the improved main contact assembly.

[0007] The utility model further aims at providing a contactor using the improved main contact mechanism.

[0008] According to one aspect of the utility model, provide a kind of main contactor component of contactor, the main contactor component includes: shell, define opening and the internal passage being communicated with the opening, wherein in the first end and the opposite second end of the internal passage near the opening, each pair of cylindrical surface is configured with, each pair of cylindrical surface protrudes towards each other, and the axis of cylindrical surface is transverse to the extension direction of the internal passage;Static contact, installed in the shell;Contact support, movably arranged in the internal passage of the shell and from the opening, wherein the contact support is respectively clamped between each pair of cylindrical surface in the first end and the second end of the internal passage;Moving contact, installed in the contact support and can be engaged or separated with the static contact due to the driving of the contact support.

[0009] According to the main contactor component provided by the scheme, the pair of cylindrical surfaces transverse to the internal passage form linear contact between the contact support moving along the internal passage and the shell, effectively reducing the contact surface between the shell and the contact support. The contact support is clamped between the pair of cylindrical surfaces, which also constitutes a guide for the movement of the contact support, preventing the contact support from moving off. This scheme can significantly reduce the uneven and abnormal wear generated during the movement of the contact support and the shell, thereby greatly improving the service life of the contactor.

[0010] In some embodiments, a pair of arc-shaped protrusions are formed at at least one of the first end and the second end of the internal passage of the shell, and the surfaces of the pair of arc-shaped protrusions facing each other are configured as the pair of cylindrical surfaces.

[0011] In some embodiments, two protrusions are formed in the shell near the opening, the interval between the two protrusions constitutes a part of the internal passage, and the side surfaces of the two protrusions facing each other are configured as the pair of arc-shaped protrusions.

[0012] In some embodiments, a plurality of pairs of arc-shaped protrusions are formed on the side surfaces of the two protrusions facing each other.

[0013] In some embodiments, a pair of rollers are arranged at at least one of the first end and the second end of the internal passage of the shell, and the surfaces of the pair of rollers facing each other are configured as the pair of cylindrical surfaces. According to the main contactor component provided by the scheme, the rollers form rolling friction during the movement of the contact support, greatly reducing the friction coefficient of the contact support during movement and avoiding uneven and abnormal wear.

[0014] In some embodiments, the inner wall of the shell is formed with two columns arranged opposite at the second end of the internal passage, and the pair of rollers are sleeved on the two columns and can rotate around the central axes of the corresponding columns.

[0015] In some embodiments, the pair of rollers is removably fitted to the two posts.

[0016] In some embodiments, the inner wall of the housing is formed with two opposing ribs, the space between the two ribs constituting at least a portion of the internal passage between the first end and the second end.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present application, there is provided a main contact mechanism comprising a plurality of main contact assemblies arranged side by side, wherein at least one of the main contact assemblies is the aforementioned main contact assembly.

[0018] According to yet another aspect of the present application, there is provided a contactor comprising: a base; a main contact mechanism mounted to the base; a drive mechanism mounted to the base and drivingly connected to the main contact mechanism; wherein the main contact mechanism is the aforementioned main contact mechanism.

[0019] Some of the other features and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the specification, and from the claims, which appear hereinafter. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] Embodiments of the present application will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a main contact assembly according to an embodiment of the present application, with a portion of the housing removed to show the internal layout;

[0022] Figure 2 is a schematic view of a housing of a main contact assembly according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 3 is an exploded schematic view of a main contact assembly according to an embodiment of the present application, with a portion of the housing removed to show the internal layout.

[0024] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] 1 - main contact assembly; 2 - housing; 201 - front side; 202 - rear side; 203 - upper side; 204 - lower side; 21 - internal passage; 22 - post; 23 - protrusion; 24 - arcuate ridge; 25 - opening; 2

[0026] 6 - rib; 3 - contact carrier; 4 - movable contact; 5 - support member; 6 - biasing member; 7 - roller

[0027] 6 - rib; 3 - contact carrier; 4 - movable contact; 5 - support member; 6 - biasing member; 7 - roller DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Reference will now be made to the drawings, in which the exemplary aspects of the contactor, its main contact mechanism and main contact assembly are shown. While the drawings can be presented in the form of exemplary implementations, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and certain features can be exaggerated, removed, or partially sectioned to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure. Portions of the devices in the drawings can be shown in positions that are adjusted according to actual needs without affecting the technical effects. The phrase "in the drawings" or similar language appearing in the specification is not necessarily referring to all of the drawings or examples.

[0029] Certain directional terms used in describing the drawings below, such as "inner", "outer", "above", "below", and other directional terms, will be understood to have their normal meanings and refer to those directions involved when viewing the drawings normally. Unless otherwise indicated, the directional terms described in the specification are generally in accordance with the conventional directions as understood by those skilled in the art.

[0030] The terms "first", "the first", "second", "the second", and similar terms used in the present disclosure do not indicate any order, number, or importance in the present disclosure, but are used to distinguish one component from other components.

[0031] Figures 1 to 3 A main contact assembly for a contactor according to the present disclosure is exemplarily shown. The contactor can include a base and functional devices mounted on the base, including a main contact mechanism, a drive mechanism, and a biasing mechanism, etc. The main contact mechanism is composed of multiple main contact assemblies, which can be arranged side by side and fixed to the base by means of bolts or buckles, etc. connection means, for connecting the contactor to the main circuit. A single main contact assembly can be modularly designed, facilitating mutual replacement, thereby simplifying the installation and maintenance of the contactor.

[0032] A single main contact assembly can integrate multiple functional devices within the housing, such as a stationary contact, a movable contact mechanism, an arc extinguishing mechanism, etc. Figures 1 to 3 The internal layout of a main contact assembly according to the present disclosure is exemplarily shown. As shown, the housing 2 of the main contact assembly 1 can be a two-piece structure enclosed by two half-shells, which can be joined together by means of bolts or buckles, etc. to form the internal accommodating space of the housing 2. The two half-shells can be structurally identical. Figure 1 The example shown is that after one half-shell is omitted, the remaining half-shell is assembled with other functional devices of the main contact assembly. The housing 2 not only provides protection and support for the other functional devices installed inside, but also can cooperate with the base to provide better interphase insulation effect for the main circuit.

[0033] One end of the fixed contact (not shown in the figure) is fixed in the housing 2 and is provided with a fixed contact point at this end, while the other end of the fixed contact extends out of the housing 2 and is configured as a terminal. The fixed contact can also be connected to the base by means of the extended end of the fixed contact by means of bolts or the like. Figure 1 The front side 201 of the housing 2, the rear side 202 opposite the front side, the upper side 203 and the lower side 204 are identified with reference to the direction shown. The two fixed contacts can be arranged opposite each other in the housing 2 near the front side 201, with the ends of the two fixed contacts close to each other being fixed in the housing 2 and being provided with fixed contact points, and the ends of the two fixed contacts away from each other extending out of the upper side 203 and the lower side 204 of the housing 2, respectively, and being configured as terminals.

[0034] The movable contact mechanism is movably mounted in the housing 2 and can move relative to the housing 2 and the fixed contacts. The movable contact mechanism mainly comprises a contact support 3 and movable contacts 4, wherein the movable contacts 4 are supported by the contact support 3, and the contact support 3 can move in the front-rear direction of the housing 2 perpendicular to the extension direction of the fixed contacts. Part of the contact support 3 is located in the housing 2 to support the movable contacts 4, and one end of the contact support 3 extends out of the opening 25 of the housing 2 at the front side 207 for the operation of the drive mechanism. For this purpose, the extended end of the contact support 3 can be formed with an engagement structure for engaging the drive mechanism. The movable contacts 4 are fixedly mounted on the contact support 3 and can move with the contact support 3. The movable contacts 4 can extend in the same direction as the fixed contacts, and are adapted to the two fixed contacts, and two symmetrical movable contacts 4 can extend out of the upper side and the lower side of the contact support 3. When the contact support 3 moves in the front-rear direction of the housing 2, the movable contacts 4 can be brought close to and engaged with the fixed contacts, or separated from the fixed contacts, thereby achieving the closing or opening of the main circuit of the contactor.

[0035] A support 5 can be provided on the side of the movable contact 4 away from the fixed contact, which can extend substantially across the entire length direction of the movable contact 4. In order to ensure that the movable contact 4 is stably engaged with the fixed contact, a biasing member 6 can be arranged between the movable contact 4 and the contact support 3, which always applies a biasing force to the movable contact 4 directed towards the fixed contact, thereby stably pressing the movable contact 4 against the fixed contact during the closing of the main circuit, preventing the movable contact from accidentally shifting and causing the main circuit to be unstable. In the case where the support 5 is provided on the back of the movable contact 4, the biasing member 6 can also abut between the support 5 and the inner wall of the contact support 3. The biasing member 6 can be any suitable elastic structure that can be extended and retracted, such as a spring.

[0036] The movement of the contact support 3 is driven by a drive mechanism. This drive mechanism can be an electromagnetic drive mechanism mounted on the base. For example, the moving iron core can be directly connected to the contact support 3, or the moving iron core can be mounted on a movable frame, which is then connected to the contact support 3. The stationary iron core and the coil can be fixedly mounted on the base. When the coil is energized, the moving iron core is driven by electromagnetic attraction and moves closer to the stationary iron core, thereby pulling the contact support 3 and the moving contact 4 to move, thus engaging the moving contact 4 with the stationary contact. To separate the moving contact from the stationary contact after the coil is de-energized, a biasing element can be provided. This biasing element constantly applies a force to the moving iron core or the contact support 3, causing the moving contact to move away from the stationary contact. The biasing element can be any suitable stretchable elastic structure, such as a spring. When the coil is energized, closing the main circuit, the biasing element stores energy under pressure. Once the coil is de-energized, the biasing element releases energy to push the contact support 3, causing the moving contact 4 to move away from the stationary contact, thus disconnecting the main circuit.

[0037] The movement of the contact support 3 is carried out along the internal channel 21 set inside the housing 2. The "internal channel" referred to here does not necessarily refer to a groove structure defined by a complete and continuously extending uniform edge. It can also be a passage defined by multiple different types of components that are connected to each other intermittently or continuously. The contact support 3 can be accommodated in the passage and its direction of movement is restricted by the passage.

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown, an internal channel 21 is formed along the front-rear direction of the housing 2, starting from the opening 25 through which the contact support 3 extends from the housing 2. The first end of the internal channel 21 is close to the opening 25, and the second end is away from the opening 25 and close to the rear side 202 of the housing 2. In the illustrated embodiment, two opposing protrusions 23 are formed inside the housing 2 near the front side 201, and the opening 25 is defined between these two protrusions 23. Each of the two protrusions 23 has a certain volume, thus constructing opposing surfaces on their sides facing each other. An arcuate ridge 24 is formed on the surface of each protrusion 23 facing the other protrusion. This arcuate ridge 24 can be considered as a portion of the surface layer axially cut from a cylinder. The apex of each arcuate ridge 24 faces the opposite protrusion, and the axis of the virtual cylinder containing each arcuate ridge 24 is transverse to the front-rear direction of the housing 2. Thus, a gap for the contact support 3 to pass through is defined between a pair of arcuate ridges 24 formed on the two vertically opposed protrusions 23, which also constitutes part of the internal channel 21, or its first end. After passing through the pair of arcuate ridges 24, the contact support 3 extends directly from the housing 2 through the opening 25. The corresponding arcuate ridges 24 on the two protrusions 23 can be vertically aligned or staggered.

[0039] The arc-shaped convex edges 24 change the surface contact between the housing 2 and the contact holder 3 into line contact, which greatly reduces the friction between the housing 2 and the contact holder 3 and reduces the abrasion. In addition, the two opposite arc-shaped convex edges 24 can more accurately limit the movement direction of the contact holder 3 and prevent the contact holder 3 from deviating to cause imbalance and abnormal abrasion. Along the front-rear direction of the housing 2, a plurality of pairs of arc-shaped convex edges 24 can be arranged, for example, two pairs of arc-shaped convex edges 24 are shown in the figure.

[0040] At a position close to the rear side 202 of the housing 2, two upper and lower opposite rollers 7 are arranged, each of which can rotate relative to the housing 2 about its central axis. The outer cylindrical surfaces of the two rollers 7 define a gap for the contact holder 3 to pass through, which also constitutes a part of the internal passage 2 or the second end.

[0041] Reference Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, two upper and lower opposite columns 22 can be formed on the inner wall of the housing 2, and the axis of each column 22 is transverse to the front-rear direction of the housing 2. A roller 7 is sleeved on each column 22, so that the roller 7 can rotate about the central axis of the column 22, but cannot move axially and radially relative to the column 22. When the contact holder 3 moves between the rollers 7, a rolling friction is formed with the contact holder 3, which greatly reduces the friction coefficient of the contact holder 3 during movement and reduces abrasion, thereby greatly improving the service life of the contactor. In addition, the upper and lower opposite rollers 7 also act as guides for the contact holder 3, preventing the contact holder 3 from deviating to cause imbalance and abnormal abrasion. The two upper and lower rollers 7 can be aligned or staggered.

[0042] As described above, arranging pairs of arc-shaped convex edges 24 at the first end of the internal passage 21 and arranging pairs of rollers 7 at the second end of the internal passage 22 helps to guide the movement of the contact holder 3 and reduce abrasion. It can be understood that the arc-shaped convex edges and the rollers are only presented as specific examples and are not intended to limit the technical solution of forming a pair of cylindrical surfaces at opposite ends of the internal passage 21 for guidance and reducing friction. In other embodiments, the arc-shaped convex edges and the rollers can be deformed or adjusted in position to achieve the same purpose. For example, rollers can also be arranged at the first end of the internal passage 21, and arc-shaped convex edges can be arranged at the second end of the internal passage 21. In addition, rollers can also be arranged at both ends of the internal passage 21, or arc-shaped convex edges can also be arranged at both ends of the internal passage 21.

[0043] In addition to the two ends of the internal passage 21 being defined by the arcuate ribs 24 and the rollers 7, the orientation of the passage can be further defined between the two ends. In the embodiment shown, two ribs 26 are formed on the inner wall of the housing 2, which are arranged opposite each other in the up-down direction. A section of each rib 26 extends between the protrusion 23 and the roller 7 in the front-rear direction of the housing 2, so that the section of the two ribs 26 opposite each other defines a middle section of the internal passage 21.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 2, the contact support 3 extends through the gap between the two arcuate ribs 24 opposite each other and protrudes from the opening 25 at one end, and extends through the gap between the two rollers 7 opposite each other at the other end, so that the entire contact support 3 can move along the orientation defined by the internal passage 21. Figure 1

[0045] It should be understood that although the present specification is described in terms of various embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution, and the description of the specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be combined appropriately to form other embodiments that those skilled in the art can understand.

[0046] The above description is only a specific embodiment of the present application, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. Any equivalent changes, modifications and combinations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the concept and principles of the present application shall fall within the scope of the present application.​

Claims

1. A main contact assembly of a contactor, characterized by, The main contact assembly comprises: a housing (2) defining an opening (25) and an internal passage (21) communicating with the opening (25), wherein a pair of cylindrical surfaces are respectively configured at a first end and an opposite second end of the internal passage (21) near the opening (25), each pair of cylindrical surfaces protruding towards each other, and the axes of the cylindrical surfaces being transverse to the extension direction of the internal passage (21); a stationary contact mounted in the housing (2); a contact holder (3) movably arranged in the internal passage (21) of the housing (2) and extending out of the opening (25), wherein the contact holder (3) is clamped between the pair of cylindrical surfaces at the first end and the second end of the internal passage (21), respectively; a movable contact (4) mounted on the contact holder (3) and capable of engaging or disengaging with the stationary contact due to the driving of the contact holder (3).

2. The main contact assembly of a contactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, A pair of arc-shaped ribs (24) are formed at at least one of the first end and the second end of the internal passage (21) of the housing (2), the surfaces of the pair of arc-shaped ribs (24) facing each other are configured as the pair of cylindrical surfaces.

3. The main contact assembly of a contactor according to claim 2, wherein Two protrusions (23) are formed in the housing (2) near the opening (25), the two protrusions (23) are oppositely arranged, the interval between the two protrusions (23) constitutes a part of the internal passage (21), and the side surfaces of the two protrusions (23) facing each other are configured as the pair of arc-shaped ribs (24).

4. The main contact assembly of a contactor according to claim 3, wherein A plurality of pairs of arc-shaped ribs (24) are formed on the side surfaces of the two protrusions (23) facing each other.

5. The main contact assembly of a contactor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, A pair of rollers (7) are arranged at at least one of the first end and the second end of the internal passage (21) of the housing (2), the surfaces of the pair of rollers (7) facing each other are configured as the pair of cylindrical surfaces.

6. The contactor main contact assembly of claim 5, wherein, Two columns (22) are formed on the inner wall of the housing (2) at the second end of the internal passage (21), the pair of rollers (7) are sleeved on the two columns (22) and can rotate around the central axes of the corresponding columns (22), respectively.

7. The main contact assembly of claim 6, wherein, The pair of rollers (7) are detachably sleeved on the two columns (22).

8. The main contact assembly of a contactor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Two ribs (26) are formed on the inner wall of the housing (2), the interval between the two ribs (26) constitutes at least a part of the internal passage (21) between the first end and the second end.

9. A main contact mechanism comprising a plurality of main contact assemblies (1) arranged side by side, characterized in that At least one main contact assembly (1) is the main contact assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A contactor comprising: a base; a main contact mechanism mounted on the base; a driving mechanism mounted on the base and drivingly connected to the main contact mechanism; characterized in that the main contact mechanism is the main contact mechanism according to claim 9.

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