Contactor arrangement

Abstract

Contactor arrangement (1) with at least two contactors (3, 4), each contactor (3, 4) having at least one contact bridge (9, 10) arranged to be movable back and forth between a closed position and a maximum open position, the two contactors (3, 4) being designed and arranged relative to one another in such a way that the contact bridges (9, 10) move towards one another during simultaneous movements into their maximum open positions and away from one another during simultaneous movements into their closed positions, or vice versa, characterized by at least one damping device (18) which is designed and arranged in such a way that the contact bridges (9, 10) can be braked in a damped manner when they reach their closed positions or their maximum open positions, at least one damping element (21, 22) being arranged on each contact bridge (9, 10), the damping device (18) having at least one elastically designed damping element (19),which is designed and arranged such that it cooperates with the damping elements (21, 22) for damped braking of the contact bridges (9, 10) when the contact bridges (9, 10) reach their closed positions or their maximum open positions, wherein the damping element (19) is arranged between the contact bridges (9, 10).

Description

Prior ArtIn electrically drivable motor vehicles, for example hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles, a rechargeable battery, which is usually produced on a lithium basis, generally serves as the main energy source. In such accumulators, as a rule, up to one hundred accumulator cells are connected in series, whereby electrical voltages of approximately 400 volts and currents of several hundred amperes can be generated, which flow, for example, during full acceleration of the motor vehicle or during braking of the same.A rechargeable battery is connected to the vehicle network via contactors. The contactors are conventionally designed to be relatively large and heavy in order to be able to withstand the large electrical currents and to be able to switch these currents.The contactors are switched when a motor vehicle is started and shut down, which is usually associated with a relatively loud switching noise which, depending on the mounting of the contactors, can be further amplified by vibrating components. Since electrically drivable motor vehicles are operated almost noiseless, in particular in the stationary state, the undesired switching noises are particularly noticeable to a user of such a motor vehicle. The loud switching noises can interfere with the concentration of a user of such a motor vehicle, which is associated with a reduction in the driving comfort associated with the motor vehicle.Document JP 2010-238 632 A discloses a mounting device for relays that reduces vibrations of the bracket when switching the relay. Two relays are mounted on a bracket so that their armatures move on the same axis but in opposite directions. When both relays switch simultaneously, the impact forces cancel each other out, thereby minimizing the vibrations of the holder.Document JP 2009-193 721 A discloses a design for connecting contactor housings which reduces the vibrations produced by switching electromagnetic switches. This is achieved by a special holder which connects the contactor housings to the housing. The holder consists of two plates which are at a certain angle to one another. This arrangement changes the direction of the vibrations and dampens their propagation to the housing.Document DE 10 2010 040 269 A1 discloses a toe-in actuator which is used in starter devices for internal combustion engines. The toe-in actuator serves to engage the pinion of the starter in the ring gear of the engine. In order to reduce the noise generation during the actuation of the toe-in actuator, damping elements are provided on the armature and / or armature return.Document DE 42 09 967 A1 discloses a switch-on relay for the starter of internal combustion engines. The relay comprises a metal ring through which the magnetic field of the relay winding passes. Eddy currents in this ring dampen the movement of the armature, preventing bouncing of the contacts and thus increasing the reliability and life of the relay.Disclosure of the InventionThe subject matter of the invention is a contactor arrangement with at least two contactors, wherein each contactor has at least one contact bridge which is arranged such that it can be moved back and forth between a closed position and a maximum open position, wherein the two contactors are designed and arranged relative to one another in such a way that the contact bridges move away from one another during simultaneous movements into their maximum open positions towards one another and during simultaneous movements into their closed positions, or vice versa, characterized by at least one damping device which is designed and arranged in such a way that the contact bridges can be braked in a damped manner when they reach their closed positions and / or their maximum open positions.The damping device and the damped braking of the contact bridges that can be generated therewith when they reach their closed positions or open positions significantly reduce the switching noises occurring during switching of the contactors, as a result of which the driving comfort associated with a vehicle equipped with a corresponding contactor arrangement is improved. In particular, the driver using a corresponding motor vehicle is not concerned with switching noises of the contactors, as is the case with conventional contactor arrangements.The damping element is arranged between the contact bridges. This represents a constructionally simple and cost-effective implementation of the damping device. In addition, it can be achieved that the forces acting on the damping element through the contact bridges cancel one another out. In this way, in particular, a transmission of forces to further components of the motor vehicle, which could lead to undesired oscillations of the components, can be avoided.A further advantageous embodiment provides that the contactors and the damping device are arranged in a common, sound-absorbing housing. As a result, the switching noises associated with switching the contactors can be reduced further. This additionally represents a very compact configuration of the contactor arrangement. In particular, a separate housing does not have to be provided and mounted for each contactor, which simplifies the structural design of the contactor arrangement overall.In a further advantageous embodiment, the contactors are arranged on a common holding unit. Due to the movements of the contact bridges of the contactors in opposite directions to switch the contactors, the forces transmitted from the contactors to the common holding unit preferably cancel one another out, which is likewise associated with a reduction in the switching noises connected to the contactors.The invention furthermore relates to a method for reducing switching noises connected to a contactor arrangement having at least two contactors each with at least one contact bridge, wherein each contact bridge of a contactor is moved back and forth between a closed position and a maximum open position for switching this contactor, wherein the contact bridges move away from one another during simultaneous movements into their maximum open positions relative to one another and during simultaneous movements into their closed positions, or vice versa, characterized in that the contact bridges are braked in a damped manner by means of a damping element arranged between the contact bridges when their closed positions and / or their maximum open positions are reached.This method correspondingly combines the advantages mentioned above with respect to the contactor arrangement.In the following, the invention is explained by way of example with reference to the attached figures on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments, wherein the features shown below can represent an aspect of the invention both taken alone and in various combinations with one another. They show FIG. 1 : shows a circuit diagram of an accumulator connected to an electric vehicle network of a motor vehicle, FIG. 2 : shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a contactor arrangement according to the invention, FIG. 3 : shows a schematic illustration of a further exemplary embodiment of a contactor arrangement according to the invention, and FIG. 4 : shows a schematic illustration of a further exemplary embodiment of a contactor arrangement according to the invention.FIG. 1 shows a circuit diagram of an accumulator 2 connected to an electric vehicle network of a motor vehicle. The accumulator 2 is connected via the main contactors 3 and 4 to the connection points 5 and 6, which continue to lead to the high-voltage vehicle network of the motor vehicle. In parallel with the main contactor 3, on the accumulator plus pole side, a precharge contactor 7 is connected in series with the precharge resistor 8.When the motor vehicle is switched on, the contactor 4 on the secondary battery side only closes. The precharge contactor 7 then closes. Thus, electrical loads and inverters (and any capacitances contained therein) on the high-voltage grid are first brought to voltage via the precharge resistor 8. Only after a certain time delay does the contactor 3 close and the pre-charging contactor 7 opens again, after which the motor vehicle is ready for operation. This switching sequence results in a driver of the motor vehicle receiving acoustic feedback that the motor vehicle is ready for operation. When the motor vehicle is switched off, contactors 3 and 4 open simultaneously.FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a contactor arrangement 1 according to the invention. The contactor arrangement 1 comprises two contactors 3 and 4, wherein each contactor 3 or 4 has at least one contact bridge 9 or 10 which is arranged such that it can be moved back and forth between a closed position and a maximum open position. The two contactors 3 and 4 are designed and arranged relative to one another in such a way that the contact bridges 9 and 10 move away from one another during simultaneous movements in their maximum open positions and / or move towards one another during simultaneous movements into their closed positions. FIG. 2 shows the contact bridges 9 and 10 in their maximum open positions.Each contact bridge 9 or 10 is connected to a tie rod 11 or 12, which are connected to actuators, not shown, for moving the contact bridges 9 or 10.The contactors 3 and 4 are arranged on a common holding unit 13 designed as a base plate. As a result of the movement of the contact bridges 9 and 10 in the opposite direction during the opening or closing of the contactors 3 and 4, virtually no oscillations are transmitted to the holding unit 13.The contactors 3 and 4 are arranged in a common, sound-absorbing housing 14.FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a further exemplary embodiment of a contactor arrangement 1 according to the invention with two contactors 3 and 4. each contactor 3 or 4 has a contact bridge 9 or 10 arranged such that it can be moved back and forth between a closed position and a maximum open position. The two contactors 3 and 4 are designed and arranged relative to one another in such a way that the contact bridges 9 and 10 move towards one another during simultaneous movements into their maximum open positions and away from one another during simultaneous movements into their closed positions.The contactor arrangement 1 comprises a sound-absorbing common housing 14, on which main contacts 15 are arranged, via which a rechargeable battery 2 can be connected to a high-voltage vehicle network of the motor vehicle. The tie rods 11 and 12 each cooperate with an electric coil 16 or 17 in order to be able to move the contact bridges 9 or 10. On each contact bridge 9 or 10, an attenuator 21 or 22 formed by the tie rods 11 or 12 is arranged.The contactor arrangement 1 has a damping device 18 which is designed and arranged in such a way that the contact bridges 9 and 10 can be braked with them in a damped manner when their maximum open positions are reached. The damping device 18 has an elastically designed damping element 19 which is designed and arranged in such a way that it interacts with the damping members 21 and 22 for the damped braking of the contact bridges 9 and 10 when the contact bridges 9 and 10 reach their maximum open positions. The damping element 19 is arranged between the contact bridges 9 and 10. The contact bridges 9 and 10 are in their closed positions in FIG. 3. In these closed positions, the contact bridges 9 and 10 are acted upon by force in the direction of their maximum open positions by compression springs 20.FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a further exemplary embodiment for a contactor arrangement 1 according to the invention. This exemplary embodiment differs in particular from the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3 in that the contact bridges 9 and 10 move away from one another during simultaneous movements into their maximum open positions and move towards one another during simultaneous movement into their closed positions. A further difference is that the damping members 21 and 22, which are connected to the contact bridges 9 and 10, are not formed by the tie rods 11 and 12 but as separate components. Furthermore, the compression springs 20 cooperate with the tie rods 11 and 12 in such a way that the contact bridges 9 and 10 are acted upon by force in their closed position shown in the direction of the closed positions via the compression springs 20.

Claims

Contactor arrangement (1) with at least two contactors (3, 4), wherein each contactor (3, 4) has at least one contact bridge (9, 10) which is arranged such that it can be moved back and forth between a closed position and a maximum open position, wherein the two contactors (3, 4) are designed and arranged relative to one another in such a way that the contact bridges (9, 10) move away from one another during simultaneous movements into their maximum open positions towards one another and during simultaneous movements into their closed positions, or vice versa, characterized byat least one damping device (18) which is designed and arranged in such a way that the contact bridges (9, 10) can be braked with them in a damped manner when they reach their closed positions or their maximum open positions, wherein at least one damping element (21, 22) is arranged on each contact bridge (9, 10), wherein the damping device (18) has at least one elastically designed damping element (19) which is designed and arranged in such a way, that it interacts with the damping members (21, 22) for the damped braking of the contact bridges (9, 10) when the contact bridges (9, 10) reach their closed positions or their maximum open positions, wherein the damping element (19) is arranged between the contact bridges (9, 10).Contactor arrangement (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the contactors (3, 4) and the damping device (18) are arranged in a common, sound-absorbing housing (14).Contactor arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contactors (3, 4) are arranged on a common holding unit (13).Method for reducing switching noises connected to a contactor arrangement (1) having at least two contactors (3, 4) each with at least one contact bridge (9, 10), wherein each contact bridge (9, 10) of a contactor (3, 4) is moved back and forth between a closed position and a maximum open position for switching this contactor (3, 4), wherein the contact bridges (9, 10) move towards one another during simultaneous movements into their maximum open positions and away from one another during simultaneous movements into their closed positions, or vice versa, characterized in that the contact bridges (9, 10) are braked in a damped manner by means of a damping element (19) arranged between the contact bridges (9, 10) when their closed positions or their maximum open positions are reached.

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