Opening rebound suppression device for switching equipment, switching equipment and vacuum recloser

Abstract

This utility model relates to a device for suppressing rebound during circuit breaking of a switchgear, a switchgear, and a vacuum recloser. The switchgear has an operating mechanism, a moving contact, and a transmission mechanism connecting the operating mechanism and the moving contact. The device for suppressing rebound during circuit breaking includes: a base frame; a limiting hook pivotally mounted on the base frame, the limiting hook being driven by the transmission mechanism to rotate in a first direction to a first position during the opening of the moving contact, and to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction to a second position, wherein in the first position, the limiting hook forms a stop with the transmission mechanism, and in the second position, the limiting hook releases the transmission mechanism; and a biasing member abutting against the limiting hook and applying a biasing force to the limiting hook to cause it to pivot in the second direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to smart power distribution network safety protection technology, and in particular to a device for suppressing rebound during switching, a switching device, and a vacuum recloser. Background Technology

[0002] Reclosers are key devices in smart distribution networks, capable of automatically detecting faults, isolating faulty sections, and restoring power to non-faulty areas, thereby significantly improving the reliability and automation level of the power grid. Vacuum reclosers employing permanent magnet mechanisms offer advantages such as fewer moving parts, high reliability, short energy storage time (capacitor energy storage), and fast response time, enabling multiple rapid reclosing operations in a very short period. Permanent magnet vacuum reclosers demonstrate significant value in improving power supply reliability, reducing operation and maintenance costs, and supporting the integration of renewable energy sources. With the advancement of smart grids and the "dual-carbon" goals, highly reliable and environmentally friendly reclosers will become a key focus for future power grid upgrades.

[0003] To ensure the reliable interruption of fault current by the recloser and to achieve rapid and safe isolation of faulty sections, higher requirements are placed on mechanical parameters such as switch opening distance and opening speed in product design. However, high opening speed can lead to high opening rebound, and excessive opening rebound can cause adverse effects such as arc reignition, insulation failure, and reduced breaking capacity, thereby having a multi-dimensional impact on the electrical performance, mechanical life and system reliability of the switch.

[0004] Therefore, suppressing tripping rebound is an important aspect of recloser design. Currently, most methods for suppressing tripping rebound employ buffering devices such as oil dampers and springs to absorb tripping kinetic energy and reduce the amplitude of contact rebound. However, these existing devices all have certain drawbacks. Oil dampers are significantly affected by ambient temperature, resulting in poor buffering performance at low temperatures, and they are also costly. Spring buffers are affected by spring force decay, and after their mechanical lifespan, rebound suppression often fails to meet design requirements.

[0005] Therefore, the industry has proposed a new approach of using a purely mechanical structure to suppress tripping rebound, hoping to reduce rebound through mechanical hard limiting and avoid problems similar to those of oil buffers, springs and other buffer devices. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a device for suppressing the rebound of circuit breaking in switching equipment, which can at least solve some of the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0007] This invention also aims to provide a switching device that applies the above-mentioned improved tripping rebound suppression device.

[0008] This utility model also aims to provide a vacuum recloser that applies the above-mentioned improved tripping rebound suppression device.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a tripping rebound suppression device for a switchgear is provided, the switchgear having an operating mechanism, a moving contact, and a transmission mechanism connected between the operating mechanism and the moving contact, the tripping rebound suppression device comprising: a base frame; a limiting hook pivotally mounted on the base frame, the limiting hook being configured to be driven by the transmission mechanism to rotate in a first direction to a first posture during tripping of the moving contact, and to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction to a second posture, wherein in the first posture, the limiting hook forms a stop with the transmission mechanism, and in the second posture, the limiting hook releases the transmission mechanism; and a biasing member abutting against the limiting hook and applying a biasing force to the limiting hook to pivot it in the second direction.

[0010] The tripping rebound suppression device provided in this solution consists of two main operating stages. The first stage occurs during the tripping process, where a component of the transmission mechanism (such as a pivot) impacts a limit hook, causing the limit hook to rotate and engage with that component, thus forcibly restricting the movement of the moving contact and reducing overshoot and rebound. The second stage occurs when or after the tripping is complete, when an elastic biasing element automatically resets the limit hook, disengaging it from the transmission mechanism component, ensuring that subsequent closing operations are not affected and preventing the mechanism from jamming. This purely mechanical, hard-limiting method directly and physically blocks rebound, offering higher reliability and stronger anti-interference capabilities compared to methods relying on current regulation or buffer materials. Furthermore, the mechanical structure is simple and requires no electronic control or electromagnetic regulation, avoiding the complexity of traditional closed-loop control systems. Mechanical components (such as the limit hook and biasing element) can be integrated into existing switchgear, such as the housing of a permanent magnet vacuum recloser, requiring virtually no modification to the original switchgear design. Purely mechanical components offer long lifespan and are maintenance-free, making them particularly suitable for high-frequency operation scenarios where tripping reliability is critical, such as automatic reclosing in smart distribution networks.

[0011] In some embodiments, the transmission mechanism includes a link connected to a pivot and rotatable about the pivot. In the first posture, the limiting hook forms a stop with the pivot, and in the second posture, the limiting hook releases the pivot.

[0012] In some embodiments, the limiting hook includes: a hook shank having an opening through which a pin for mounting to the base passes, wherein the limiting hook is pivotally mounted to the base about the pin; a hook body connected to the hook shank and having a hook tail opposite the hook shank, the hook body forming an arcuate hook surface extending between the hook tail and the hook shank, the arcuate hook surface being configured such that during the opening of the moving contact, the pivot of the linkage can abut against the arcuate hook surface to drive the limiting hook to rotate in the first direction.

[0013] In some embodiments, when the limiting hook is in the first posture, the movement of the pivot due to the rebound of the moving contact is limited within the range of the arc-shaped hook surface.

[0014] In some embodiments, the base frame has a pair of lugs spaced apart, each lug having a hole through which the pin passes, and at least a portion of the limiting hook is clamped in the gap between the pair of lugs.

[0015] In some embodiments, the biasing element is configured as a spring, one end of which abuts against the base frame and the other end of which abuts against the limiting hook.

[0016] In some embodiments, the base frame is plate-shaped and adapted to be detachably fixed to the housing of the switching device, or the base frame is part of the housing.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, a switching device is provided, including an operating mechanism, a moving contact, and a transmission mechanism connected between the operating mechanism and the moving contact, wherein the switching device further includes the aforementioned tripping rebound suppression device.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vacuum recloser is provided, comprising: an operating mechanism; a vacuum interrupter having a sealed cavity and a stationary contact and a moving contact disposed within the sealed cavity; and a permanent magnet drive mechanism connected between the operating mechanism and the moving contact; wherein the vacuum recloser further comprises the aforementioned tripping rebound suppression device, wherein in a first posture, the limiting hook forms a stop with the permanent magnet drive mechanism, and in a second posture, the limiting hook releases the permanent magnet drive mechanism.

[0019] In some embodiments, the permanent magnet transmission mechanism includes a transmission rod controlled to be connected to the operating mechanism and a connecting rod pivotally connected to the transmission rod via a pivot, the connecting rod being driven to the moving contact. In a first posture, the limiting hook forms a stop with the pivot, and in a second posture, the limiting hook releases the pivot.

[0020] Other features and advantages of this invention will partly be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this application, and partly will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the detailed description. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 This is an overall schematic diagram of the circuit breaker rebound suppression device according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a partially exploded schematic diagram of the circuit breaker rebound suppression device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the first posture of the circuit breaker rebound suppression device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the second posture of the circuit breaker rebound suppression device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0027] 1-Base frame; 11-Lumber; 12-Hole; 2-Pin; 3-Stop; 31-Retaining ring; 32-Stop catch; 4-Limit hook; 41-Hook handle; 42-Hook body; 43-Hook tail; 44-Arc-shaped hook surface; 45-Hole opening; 5-Eccentric pressure component; 51-First support leg; 52-Second support leg; 6-Connecting rod; 61-Pivot Detailed Implementation

[0028] The schematic solutions of the technical solutions disclosed in this utility model are now described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the drawings are provided to illustrate some embodiments of this utility model, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to the dimensions of the specific embodiments, and certain features may be enlarged, removed, or partially cut to better illustrate and explain the disclosure of this utility model. Some components in the drawings may be repositioned according to actual needs without affecting the technical effect. The phrase "in the drawings" or similar terms appearing in the specification do not necessarily refer to all drawings or examples.

[0029] Certain directional terms used in the description of the accompanying drawings below, such as “inner,” “outer,” “above,” “below,” and other directional terms, will be understood to have their normal meaning and refer to those directions as normally viewed in the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the directional terms used in this specification are generally in accordance with the conventional directions understood by those skilled in the art.

[0030] The terms “first,” “first,” “second,” “second,” and similar terms used in this utility model do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are used to distinguish one component from other components.

[0031] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An exemplary embodiment is shown, wherein a tripping rebound suppression device is provided. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall circuit breaker rebound suppression device. Figure 2This is a partially exploded diagram of a tripping rebound suppression device. This device is suitable for switchgear, such as reclosers or circuit breakers. The switchgear can be equipped with an operating mechanism, contact system, transmission mechanism, and arc-extinguishing system. The operating mechanism can be manual or electrical. The contact system includes stationary and moving contacts. The moving contact, controlled by the operating mechanism, can approach and engage with the stationary contact to close the switchgear, or move away from the stationary contact to open the switchgear. The transmission mechanism connects the operating mechanism and the moving contact to transmit force. A suitable transmission mechanism is a linkage mechanism. In switchgear, to meet the opening speed requirements, a fast-opening mechanism, such as a spring energy storage mechanism, can be designed for the moving contact. However, high-speed opening introduces the problem of significant rebound of the moving contact, necessitating a tripping rebound suppression device to automatically suppress the rebound and automatically reset and disengage to meet the normal opening and closing requirements of the switchgear.

[0032] As shown in the figure, the tripping rebound suppression device uses base frame 1 as its mounting base. Base frame 1 can be any suitable shape, including not only the flat plate configuration shown in the figure, but also frame configurations, curved surface configurations, etc. Base frame 1 can exist independently of the switchgear's own housing and can be mounted to components such as walls or partitions of the housing via detachable connectors. Alternatively, base frame 1 itself can be part of the switchgear's housing.

[0033] According to the illustrated embodiment, a flat base 1 has a pair of lugs 11, with a certain gap between the two lugs 11 in each pair. The lugs 11 can be integrally formed on the base 1, or fixed to the base 1 by a suitable process such as welding or bonding. Each lug 11 has a hole 12, and the holes 12 of the paired lugs 11 are aligned to allow the pin 2 to pass through. A limiting hook 4 is clamped in the gap between the two lugs 11 in each pair and sleeved on the pin 2. The limiting hook 4 can rotate around the pin 2. By clamping the limiting hook 4 in the gap between the two lugs 11, the structure of the tripping rebound suppression device is made more compact and space-saving. To limit the axial movement of the pin 2 in the hole 12 of the lug 11, a stop 3 can be installed on the pin 2. The stop 3 can be sleeved on the pin 2 from the side of the first lug 11 facing away from the second lug 11 and fixed to the pin 2. In one embodiment, the stop 3 includes a retaining ring 31 embedded in the circumferential groove of the pin 2 and a retaining clip 32 engaged outside the retaining ring 31. A mating stop is formed on the side of the second lug 11 of a pair of lugs 11 facing away from the first lug 11, in conjunction with the stop 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the mating stop may be a circumferential flange formed at the end of the pin 2 itself. In other embodiments not shown, the mating stop may also be one or both of the retaining ring and the retaining clip detachably mounted on the pin 2.

[0034] The limiting hook 4 includes a hook shank 41 and a hook body 42 extending from the hook shank 41 at an arc. The end of the hook body 42 away from the hook shank 41 is configured as a hook tail 43, which can be opposite to the hook shank 41. The hook shank 41 has an opening 45. The limiting hook 4 can be pivotally connected to the base frame 1 by passing a pin 2 through the opening 45. The hook shank 41 and the hook body 42 can be integrally formed components of the limiting hook 4.

[0035] The hook face of the limit hook 4 extends from the hook shank 41 to the hook tail 43 and is constructed in an arc shape. This arc-shaped hook face 44 can cooperate with the transmission mechanism of the switchgear to limit the rebound of the moving contact when opening, which will be described in detail later.

[0036] The limiting hook 4 can rotate around the pin 2 in the first direction (e.g.) Figure 3 and Figure 4 The counterclockwise direction shown) and the second direction opposite to the first direction (e.g.) Figure 3 and Figure 4 The limit hook 4 rotates (clockwise as shown). Rotation of the limit hook 4 in the first direction is caused by the action of the transmission mechanism responding to the opening of the moving contact, while rotation of the limit hook 4 in the second direction is caused by the biasing member 5. The biasing member 5 is elastically deformable and abuts against the limit hook 4. When the limit hook 4 rotates in the first direction, the biasing member 5 deforms and stores energy until the force driving the limit hook 4 to rotate in the first direction disappears or is insufficient to counteract the biasing member, at which point the limit hook 4 can automatically reset in the second direction under the drive of the biasing member 5. The biasing member 5 can be any suitable elastic element; in the illustrated embodiment, it is specifically a torsion spring. The torsion spring is sleeved on the pin 2, with the first leg 51 abutting against the base 1 and the second leg 52 abutting against the limit hook 4. In other embodiments not shown, the biasing member 5 can be a helical spring.

[0037] Figure 3 and Figure 4 The working principle of the tripping rebound suppression device is shown, in which... Figure 3 The first operating stage of the tripping rebound suppression device (i.e., the automatic rebound suppression stage) is shown, while Figure 4 The second working stage (i.e., the automatic reset stage) of the tripping rebound suppression device is shown.

[0038] like Figure 3As shown, the transmission mechanism of the switchgear uses a linkage mechanism, wherein the end of the linkage 6 is connected to a pivot 61. The linkage 6 can be connected to other linkages or transmission rods via the pivot 61 and can rotate around the pivot 61. During the opening of the switchgear, the action of the transmission mechanism allows the pivot 61 to apply pressure to the limit hook 4. The configuration design of the arc-shaped hook surface 44 of the limit hook 4, in conjunction with the stroke of the transmission mechanism, ensures that when the switchgear is opened, the pivot 61 can strike the arc-shaped hook surface 44, causing the limit hook 4 to rotate in the first direction. As the limit hook 4 rotates in the first direction, it adjusts to a first posture. In this first posture, the reverse movement of the pivot 61 caused by the rebound of the moving contact is prevented by the limit hook 4, thereby rigidly reducing the rebound amplitude.

[0039] After the switchgear is in the open position, the transmission mechanism stops operating, and the limit hook 4 rotates and resets in the second direction under the action of the biasing component 5, freeing the pivot 61 and ensuring that the switchgear can perform the next closing-opening operation normally.

[0040] As mentioned above, the tripping rebound suppression device of this invention can be applied to various switching equipment. The following section uses a vacuum recloser as an example to illustrate its application.

[0041] The vacuum recloser includes a housing defining an inner cavity. A permanent magnet drive mechanism is mounted within the housing and connected to an intelligent control unit integrating an operating mechanism. This permanent magnet drive mechanism uses high-performance permanent magnets (such as neodymium iron boron) and controls the opening and closing actions via pulsed current. The permanent magnet drive mechanism includes a linearly movable drive rod, on which a connecting rod is pivotally connected via a pivot. A vacuum interrupter is mounted to the housing from the outside. The vacuum interrupter includes an insulating outer shell defining a sealed cavity, and a stationary contact and a moving contact disposed within the sealed cavity. The stationary contact is connected to an incoming conductor extending from the insulating outer shell. The moving contact is connected to a linearly movable pull rod, which is connected to a connecting rod within the housing. Thus, the permanent magnet drive mechanism connects the operating mechanism and the moving contact. The outgoing conductor of the vacuum recloser is connected to the moving contact. The base 1 of the opening rebound suppression device is fixed within the inner cavity of the housing, and the arc-shaped hook surface 44 of the limiting hook 4 is adapted to the stroke of the pivot pivotally connected between the drive rod and the connecting rod. When the vacuum recloser opens, the transmission rod of the permanent magnet drive mechanism moves under the drive of the opening spring, causing the pivot between the transmission rod and the connecting rod to strike the arc-shaped hook surface 44 of the limit hook 4. This forces the limit hook 4 to rotate in the first direction until it reaches a first posture that can form a rebound stop with the pivot. At this time, because the pivot is hooked by the limit hook 4, the rebound action of the moving contact is suppressed. Next, as the vacuum recloser opens to the final position, the movement of the moving contact and the drive mechanism stops, and the pivot between the transmission rod and the connecting rod of the permanent magnet drive mechanism moves to a second posture that disengages from the limit hook 4. At this time, the limit hook 4 can automatically reverse and reset under the action of the biasing element 5, without affecting the next closing action of the vacuum recloser.

[0042] It should be understood that although this specification describes various embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This way of describing the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other implementation methods that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0043] The above description is merely an illustrative embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. Any equivalent changes, modifications, and combinations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the concept and principles of this utility model should fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A tripping rebound suppressing device for a switching device having an operating mechanism, a movable contact, and a transmission mechanism connected between the operating mechanism and the movable contact, characterized by, The tripping rebound suppression device includes: Base frame (1); A limiting hook (4) is pivotally mounted on the base frame (1). The limiting hook (4) is configured to be driven by the transmission mechanism to rotate in a first direction to a first posture during the opening of the moving contact, and to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction to a second posture. In the first posture, the limiting hook (4) forms a stop with the transmission mechanism, while in the second posture, the limiting hook (4) releases the transmission mechanism. The biasing member (5) abuts against the limiting hook (4) and applies a biasing force to the limiting hook (4) to pivot it in the second direction.

2. The opening rebound suppressing device for a switching device according to claim 1, characterized by The transmission mechanism includes a connecting rod (6) connected to a pivot (61) and rotatable about the pivot (61). In the first posture, the limiting hook (4) forms a stop with the pivot (61). In the second posture, the limiting hook (4) releases the pivot (61).

3. The tripping rebound suppression device for switchgear according to claim 2, characterized in that, The limiting hook (4) includes: The hook handle (41) has an opening (45) through which a pin (2) for mounting to the base frame (1) passes, wherein the limiting hook (4) is pivotally mounted to the base frame (1) about the pin (2). The hook body (42) is connected to the hook shank (41) and has a hook tail (43) opposite to the hook shank (41). The hook body (42) is formed with an arcuate hook surface (44) extending between the hook tail (43) and the hook shank (41). The arcuate hook surface (44) is constructed such that during the opening of the moving contact, the pivot (61) of the connecting rod (6) can abut against the arcuate hook surface (44) to drive the limiting hook (4) to rotate in the first direction.

4. The tripping rebound suppression device for switchgear according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the limiting hook (4) is in the first posture, the movement of the pivot (61) due to the rebound of the moving contact is limited within the range of the arc-shaped hook surface (44).

5. The tripping rebound suppression device for switchgear according to claim 3, characterized in that, The base frame (1) has a pair of lugs (11) spaced apart, each of the pair of lugs (11) having a hole through which the pin (2) passes, and at least a portion of the limiting hook (4) is clamped in the gap between the pair of lugs (11).

6. The tripping rebound suppression device for switchgear according to claim 1, characterized in that, The biasing element (5) is constructed as a spring, with one end of the spring abutting against the base frame (1) and the other end of the spring abutting against the limiting hook (4).

7. The tripping rebound suppression device for switchgear according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base frame (1) is configured as a plate and is adapted to be detachably fixed to the housing of the switching device, or the base frame (1) is part of the housing.

8. A switching device, comprising an operating mechanism, a moving contact, and a transmission mechanism connected between the operating mechanism and the moving contact, characterized in that, The switching equipment further includes the tripping rebound suppression device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A vacuum recloser, comprising: Operating mechanism; A vacuum interrupter chamber has a sealed cavity and a stationary contact and a moving contact are provided within the sealed cavity; A permanent magnet drive mechanism is connected between the operating mechanism and the moving contact; The vacuum recloser is characterized in that it further includes a tripping rebound suppression device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein in the first posture, the limiting hook (4) forms a stop with the permanent magnet transmission mechanism, and in the second posture, the limiting hook (4) releases the permanent magnet transmission mechanism.

10. The vacuum recloser according to claim 9, characterized in that, The permanent magnet transmission mechanism includes a transmission rod controlled to be connected to the operating mechanism and a connecting rod (6) pivotally connected to the transmission rod via a pivot (61). The connecting rod (6) is driven to be connected to the moving contact. In the first posture, the limiting hook (4) forms a stop with the pivot (61). In the second posture, the limiting hook (4) releases the pivot (61).

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