Electrical switching element with status indicator and kit for such a device

Abstract

Electrical switching element (1), comprising - a case (3); - an armature (5) moved by a coil arrangement (7); - a contact arrangement (11) switchable into at least two switching states (31) by the armature (5); and - a magnetic field sensor (45) for outputting a magnetic field-dependent switching signal (59) in which the different switching states (31) of the switching element (1) are represented, wherein the armature (5), the contact arrangement (11) and the magnetic field sensor (45) are arranged in the housing (3) and the armature (5) is arranged between the contact arrangement (11) and the magnetic field sensor (45), wherein the housing (3) has a wall (37) projecting into the housing (3) in an extrusion direction (37b), and wherein the wall (37) forms a recess (39).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical switching element and a kit for such a switching element.

[0002] Electrical switching elements, such as relays or contactors, are known from the prior art. These usually have an armature moved by a coil arrangement and allow the setting of at least one defined sound state, preferably two defined switching states, such as the closing or opening of an electrical circuit.

[0003] When using a switching element, it is advantageous to be able to recognize or determine its switching state and possible errors that may occur.

[0004] The document DE 10 2018 120 984 A1 presents a switching device having two fixed contacts and one movable contact in a housing. The gas-tight area can be formed by parts of the switching chamber wall and the yoke in combination with additional wall parts, for example, with or made of aluminum or stainless steel. The document DE 10 2007 002 176 A1 describes a detection device for detecting the switching state of an electromagnetic switching device. The electromagnetic switching device has a housing containing a coil, an armature, a plunger, and a load contact. The document DE 10 2010 043 352 A1 is directed to a contact arrangement for a relay with two load current paths and a relay with a contact arrangement. The document DE 11 2014 003 554 T5 deals with an electromagnetic relay.The document US 2013 / 0 335 174 A1 relates to an electromagnetic opening / closing device, such as an electromagnetic relay or the like.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to design electrical switching elements that are simpler and / or more space-saving and / or cheaper than solutions from the prior art.

[0006] The invention solves the above problem for the electrical switching element mentioned at the outset in that it comprises a housing, an armature moved by a coil arrangement, a contact arrangement switchable by the armature into at least two switching states, and a magnetic field sensor for outputting a magnetic field-dependent switching signal in which the different switching states of the switching element are represented, wherein the armature, the contact arrangement and the magnetic field sensor are arranged in the housing and the armature is arranged between the contact arrangement and the magnetic field sensor.

[0007] For the kit mentioned at the outset, the invention solves the above problem in that the kit comprises a housing, an armature movable by a coil arrangement, a contact arrangement switchable by the armature into at least two switching states and a magnetic field sensor, wherein the magnetic field sensor is designed to output a magnetic field-dependent switching signal representing the different switching states of the switching element, wherein the armature, the contact arrangement and the magnetic field sensor are arranged in the housing and wherein the magnetic field sensor can be accommodated in the housing in order to form an electrical switching element according to the invention.

[0008] The electrical switching element according to the invention and the kit for such a switching element according to the invention thus have a simplified structure and a less susceptible to interference positioning of the magnetic field sensor. The magnetic field sensor can be part of a status indicator or represent such an indicator.

[0009] The electrical switching element according to the invention and the kit according to the invention can be further improved by additional, individually advantageous embodiments. Technical features of the individual embodiments can be combined with one another as desired and / or omitted, provided that the technical effect achieved by the omitted technical feature is not important.

[0010] The armature, the contact arrangement and the magnetic field sensor can in particular be enclosed by the housing.

[0011] The anchor can have any anchor geometry and can be, for example, a plunger or tilting anchor.

[0012] At least one switching state of the contact arrangement can be a stable state, into which the contact arrangement moves or in which the contact arrangement is located when the electrical switching element is not activated. Such a stable state can be achieved, for example, due to magnetic attraction or by means of a return spring. The at least one further switching state can be metastable or astable and can only be assumed upon appropriate activation of the electrical switching element. In another embodiment, the at least two switching states can both be stable.

[0013] The switching signal can be an analog or digital switching signal. This switching signal can be read out permanently or in a triggered manner. In the simplest case, the switching signal can represent a state of the switching element using an analog voltage value. Alternatively, the switching signal can also assume two different voltage values, for example, in binary form, where each voltage value can represent a switching state. In particular, the at least two switching states can each be uniquely assigned to a value of the switching signal.

[0014] The feature that the different switching states of the switching element are represented in the switching signal means that the magnetic-field-dependent switching signal can represent one of the at least two switching states, but the switching signal can also represent each switching state of all the other at least two switching states. The switching signal can represent each switching state, but only one switching state at a time and not multiple switching states together.

[0015] The state of the switching element can in particular be the switching state or functional status assumed by the contact arrangement of the switching element, as well as an error status of the electrical switching element.

[0016] The magnetic field sensor can quantitatively and / or qualitatively detect a magnetic field prevailing in the electrical switching element. Alternatively, the magnetic field sensor can detect a change in the magnetic field prevailing in the electrical switching element.

[0017] The armature is positioned between the contact assembly and the magnetic field sensor. This has the advantage of spatially separating the magnetic field sensor from the contact assembly. The magnetic field sensor can thus be positioned outside of a switching chamber in which the contact assembly is located. This has the advantage that any arcing that may occur when the contact assembly is switched cannot affect the magnetic field sensor. Furthermore, this positioning also protects the magnetic field sensor from secondary effects such as thermal cycling caused by the arcing.

[0018] A further advantage of this type of positioning is that it avoids measurement uncertainties that can occur due to so-called blowout magnets. These are used to extend the duration of arcs and thus extinguish them more quickly than would be the case without a blowout magnet. Measurement uncertainties caused by temperature changes and / or aging and / or possible demagnetization of the blowout magnets due to high short-circuit currents are also avoided by positioning the magnetic field sensor in this way.

[0019] The magnetic field sensor can be arranged or attached, in particular, to stationary parts of the electrical switching element. This avoids the need for complex attachment of the magnetic field sensor to moving elements of the electrical switching element.

[0020] The magnetic field sensor can be arranged concentrically with an axis of the armature. In particular, the magnetic field sensor can be arranged symmetrically on the axis of the armature. The axis of the armature can connect the armature to the contact arrangement, whereby the contact arrangement can move along this axis.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the electrical switching element according to the invention, the magnetic field sensor can be a distance sensor. This allows the position of the armature and / or thus the position or state of the contact arrangement to be detected without contact. The distance sensor can thus detect a distance between the sensor and the armature, whereby at least two distances can be detected, representing the at least two switching states of the contact arrangement.

[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment of the electrical switching element, the magnetic field sensor is a Hall sensor. This has the advantages, among other things, that a signal can be detected even when the magnetic field remains unchanged, and that it does not contain any magnetic materials (such as nickel or iron), thus not affecting the magnetic field of the electrical switching element.

[0023] The electrical switching element can be further improved by arranging the magnetic field sensor in an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit can thus comprise the magnetic field sensor, i.e. the magnetic field sensor is part of the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit can be encapsulated and thus protected against environmental influences. An integrated circuit has the advantage that a detected signal can be amplified and / or conditioned and / or converted and can be tapped off at the integrated circuit. If, for example, a Hall sensor is used, the integrated circuit can, using appropriate additional components, amplify and / or digitize a Hall voltage representing the strength of the magnetic field, which can be output by the Hall sensor.

[0024] In a further advantageous embodiment of the electrical switching element, the magnetic field sensor is arranged in a bushing of the armature. In particular, the bushing can be a bearing bush of the armature, which can be designed to guide the armature. The bushing of the armature can preferably be made of or made of a magnetic material, so that this enclosure of the magnetic field sensor can reduce any possible influence of the sensor on the sensor by external magnetic fields. The magnetic material is preferably a ferromagnetic material, although the bushing can alternatively or additionally contain a ferrimagnetic material.

[0025] The magnetic field sensor can thus be arranged in particular in a bushing or sleeve belonging to an iron circuit of the armature.

[0026] The magnetic field sensor can be arranged in a fixed and unchangeable position and / or orientation relative to the coil arrangement. Furthermore, the magnetic field sensor can be rigidly connected to the coil arrangement.

[0027] The magnetic field sensor can be positioned at different distances from the armature in at least two switching states. A magnetic field penetrates the magnetic field sensor. The properties of this magnetic field, such as the magnetic field strength, direction, and distance of the magnetic field lines, depend on the distance between the magnetic field sensor and the armature. These changes in the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field sensor can also occur when the contact arrangement is (unintentionally) welded by an arc, allowing a defective state of the electrical switching element to be detected.

[0028] In a further advantageous embodiment of the electrical switching element according to the invention, the magnetic field sensor has at least two sensor contacts protruding from the housing of the switching element. This embodiment facilitates contacting the magnetic field sensor and, in particular, reading the magnetic field-dependent switching signal. Furthermore, the sensor contacts can be cast into the housing or inserted into a receptacle of the housing for accommodating the sensor contacts in a gas-tight and / or watertight manner. For this purpose, a sealing element can be provided between the through-hole of the housing and the sensor contacts.

[0029] In a further advantageous embodiment, the housing has a wall that protrudes into the housing in an extrusion direction. The required installation space for the electrical switching element is not increased by the wall protruding into the housing. The extrusion direction can preferably be oriented perpendicular to a wall of the housing from which the wall extends. The extrusion direction is preferably oriented parallel to an alignment of the armature axis and perpendicular to the wall of the housing. The wall can be a collar that is at least partially circular or arcuate.

[0030] In a further embodiment, the wall can be arranged at least in sections in a circumferential direction oriented around the extrusion direction. Preferably, the wall can be closed in the circumferential direction oriented around the extrusion direction.

[0031] The wall can thus have individual wall sections, each extending in the extrusion direction, or be a continuous wall.

[0032] In a further advantageous embodiment, the wall forms a receptacle. In the case of a continuous wall, the receptacle can be cup-shaped and open inward into the housing. The receptacle is preferably cylindrical. A base of the cup-shaped receptacle can be formed by a wall of the housing. The wall is preferably formed or connected monolithically to the housing.

[0033] If the wall consists of individual wall sections, these can also form such a cup-shaped receptacle. In this case, the cup-shaped receptacle may not be completely surrounded by the wall sections in the circumferential direction, but may be partially surrounded. Viewed in the extrusion direction, the receptacle can be circular, elliptical, or rectangular. Other shapes are also conceivable.

[0034] The electrical switching element according to the invention can be further improved by at least partially fitting the socket over the wall. This allows the socket to be centered relative to the wall. Preferably, an outer contour of the wall can be complementary to an inner contour of the socket. Thus, the wall, the axis of the armature, and the socket are further preferably arranged concentrically with one another.

[0035] In a further advantageous embodiment, the magnetic field sensor can be accommodated in a sensor housing. In particular, the magnetic field sensor can be arranged with the sensor housing in the housing of the switching element. The magnetic field sensor can be attached with the sensor housing in the housing of the switching element.

[0036] The receptacle formed inside the housing of the switching element can be referred to as a receptacle pocket for the magnetic field sensor. The magnetic field sensor can be accommodated in this pocket. The receptacle can, in particular, be designed to complement the sensor housing. The receptacle and sensor housing can have a shape that allows the magnetic field sensor to be inserted into the receptacle in only one orientation. Such a poka-yoke principle can prevent the magnetic field sensor from being accommodated in the electrical switching element in an incorrect orientation. Orientation-related sign errors of the magnetic field-dependent switching signal can thus be avoided, particularly when using Hall sensors.By arranging the receptacle inside the housing, the installation space required for the electrical switching element is not increased and a known electrical switching element can be replaced by such an electrical switching element with status indicator in a simple manner and without any further modification of the receptacle of the electrical switching element.

[0037] It is therefore advantageous if, in a further embodiment, the sensor housing is accommodated in the housing's receptacle. In particular, this accommodation can be achieved with a positive fit.

[0038] The kit according to the invention can be used to obtain an electrical switching element according to one of the embodiments described above. In particular, the kit can make it possible to obtain an electrical switching element without a status indicator or, if the magnetic field sensor is installed, an electrical switching element according to the invention with a status indicator. Alternatively, existing electrical switching elements can be supplemented with a status indicator according to the invention based on a magnetic field sensor. Their functionality can thus be expanded.

[0039] The invention is explained below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawings. In accordance with the above statements, individual elements of the respective exemplary embodiment can be omitted or added to the respective exemplary embodiment, depending on whether this element is required for a specific application. For the sake of simplicity, the same reference numerals are always used in the figures for elements that correspond to one another in terms of function and / or structure. Repetition of the description of identical or similar elements in different exemplary embodiments is avoided; differences between different exemplary embodiments are explicitly pointed out where appropriate.

[0040] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of the electrical switching element according to the invention; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the assembly of the electrical switching element of the Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a further schematic representation of the assembly of the electrical switching element of the Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 an external view of the electrical switching element of the Fig. 1.

[0041] In Fig. 1 shows an electrical switching element 1 according to the invention. This comprises a housing 3, an armature 5 and a coil arrangement 7 which moves the armature 5. The Fig. 1 thus has a plunger armature 5a.

[0042] The armature 5 has an axis 9, wherein a movement of the armature 5 is transmitted through this axis 9 to a contact arrangement 11. The contact arrangement 11 comprises in the Fig. 1, the electrical switching element 1 comprises a contact bridge 13 with two contact pads 11a, which are designed to contact contact pads 11a of power terminals 15.

[0043] The electrical switching element 1 has a switching chamber 17 which is spatially separated from a coil region 19 of the electrical switching element 1 by a separating element 21 and a first iron circuit element 23a.

[0044] Furthermore, the coil region 19 has a second iron circuit element 23b in the form of a yoke 25, a third iron circuit element 23c, and a fourth iron circuit element 23d in the form of the armature 5. These iron circuit elements 23a to 23d form an iron circuit 23. The iron circuit 23 represents a closed path for a magnetic flux and can also be referred to as a magnetic circuit.

[0045] The third iron circle element 23c is in the Fig. 1, the electrical switching element 1 is designed as a bushing 27, which is arranged concentrically to the axis 9 of the armature 5. The bushing 27 is a bearing bush 27a of the armature 5. The axis 9 extends longitudinally along a direction of movement 29 of the armature 5. The direction of movement 29 is indicated by a double arrow. The coil arrangement 7 allows the armature 5 and the axis 9 connected to it to be moved in one of the two directions. In the embodiment shown, the electrical switching element 1 has two switching states 31, which correspond to the two end positions 33 of the movable system comprising the armature 5, axis 9, and contact arrangement 11. In Fig. 1, the electrical switching element 1 is shown in an open position 35.

[0046] The bushing 27 is placed over a wall 37 of the housing 3 and is further held in position by the yoke 25 and the coil assembly 7. The wall 37 can also be referred to as a cylindrical collar 37a and is described in more detail with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 described.

[0047] In Fig. 2 and Fig. For the sake of clarity, Figure 3 shows only the housing 3 of the electrical switching element 1 according to the invention in a sectional view. Other elements such as the armature 5 or the contact arrangement 11 are not shown in this figure.

[0048] The wall 37, or the cylindrical collar 37a, forms a receptacle 39 in which a sensor device 41 is received. The receptacle 39 shown is cylindrical and cup-shaped and opens towards an interior 3b of the housing 3. The wall extends from a wall 3a of the housing 3 in an extrusion direction 37b into the housing 3. The wall 37 is closed in a circumferential direction 37c, i.e., uninterrupted. A base 39a of the receptacle 39 is formed by the wall 3a of the housing. The sensor device 41 comprises a sensor housing 43, a magnetic field sensor 45, and sensor contacts 47. In embodiments of the electrical switching element according to the invention (not shown), only the magnetic field sensor 45 can be received in the receptacle 39.

[0049] The armature 5 is arranged between the sensor device 41 and thus also between the magnetic field sensor 45 and the contact arrangement 11.

[0050] The magnetic field sensor 45 can in particular be a distance sensor 45a and particularly preferably a Hall sensor 45b. The magnetic field sensor 45 is described with reference to Fig. 2 described in more detail.

[0051] An annular support elevation 49, as well as the wall 37, can be seen on a bottom 48 of the housing. The yoke 25 rests against the annular support elevation 49 (cf. Fig. 1).

[0052] The sensor device 41 is accommodated in the receptacle 39 formed by the wall 37.

[0053] As described above, the sensor device 41 comprises the sensor housing 43 (in Fig. 3 shown).

[0054] The magnetic field sensor 45 is preferably part of an integrated circuit 51, so that when a Hall sensor 45b is used as the distance sensor 45a, an integrated circuit 51 with a Hall sensor 45b, or in short a Hall IC 51a, is formed. The magnetic field sensor 45 is schematically indicated in an enlarged view in the integrated circuit 51.

[0055] The integrated circuit 51 is mechanically and electrically connected to the sensor contacts 47 by means of contact pads 57.

[0056] The Fig. The sensor device 41 shown in Figure 2 further comprises a permanent magnet 55 as the sensor magnet 53, which allows the Hall IC 51a to be operated in a linear range. In the linear range, a magnetic-field-dependent switching signal 59 is linearly dependent on the applied magnetic field strength.

[0057] The magnetic field dependent switching signal 59 is shown schematically in Fig. 3. The switching signal 59 shown is shown purely as an example and represents a voltage U plotted over time t. Purely as an example, the switching signal 59 shown represents the open position 35 twice, a contact position 61 twice, and - also purely as an example and symbolically - a fault state 63 in which the contact pads 11a of the contact arrangement 11 are unintentionally welded together.

[0058] In other embodiments of the electrical switching element according to the invention, the magnetic field-dependent switching signal 59 can be output by the sensor device 41 in a different form, for example, digital, binary, or inverted. The signal form shown here is schematic and exemplary and serves merely to demonstrate that at least two switching states 31 can be distinguished. In the case shown, a third switching state 31, here the fault state 63, can also be distinguished from the other two switching states 31, the open position 35 and the contact position 61.

[0059] In the Fig. Figure 4 shows the electrical switching element 1 according to the invention in an assembled state 65. The sensor contacts 47 of the magnetic field sensor 45 protrude from the housing 3 (concealed), so that the magnetic field-dependent switching signal 59 (not shown) can be tapped from the outside. The sensor contacts 47 can be mounted in the housing 3 and, in particular, accommodated by means of a seal 69, forming a water- and / or gas-tight electrical switching element 1.

[0060] Contact lugs 67 are used for electrical contacting of the power terminals 15 (see Fig. 1). These can also have a seal (not shown). Alternatively, the contact lugs 67 are cast into the housing 3. Reference symbol 1 electrical switching element 3 housings 3a Wall of the housing 3b Interior of the housing 5 anchors 5a Diving anchor 7 Coil arrangement 9 Axis 11 Contact arrangement 11a Contact pad 13 Contact bridge 15 Power connection 17 Switching chamber 19 coil area 21 Separator 23 Iron Circle 23a first iron circle element 23b second iron circle element 23c third iron circle element 23d fourth iron circle element 25 yoke 27 socket 27a bearing bush 29 Direction of movement 31 Switching state 33 End position 35 Disclosure 37 wall 37a cylindrical collar 37b Extrusion direction 37c Circumferential direction 39 recording 39a Floor 41 Sensor device 43 Sensor housing 45 Magnetic field sensor 45a Distance sensor 45b Hall sensor 47 Sensor contact 48 Floor 49 Circulation survey 51 integrated circuit 51a Hall IC 53 Sensor magnet 55 permanent magnet 57 contact feet 59 magnetic field dependent switching signal 61 Contact position 63 Error state 65 assembled state 67 Contact flag U voltage t time

Claims

[1] Electrical switching element (1), comprising - a housing (3); - an armature (5) moved by a coil arrangement (7); - a contact arrangement (11) switchable by the armature (5) into at least two switching states (31); and - a magnetic field sensor (45) for outputting a magnetic field-dependent switching signal (59) in which the different switching states (31) of the switching element (1) are represented, wherein the armature (5), the contact arrangement (11) and the magnetic field sensor (45) are arranged in the housing (3) and the armature (5) is arranged between the contact arrangement (11) and the magnetic field sensor (45), wherein the housing (3) has a wall (37) projecting into the housing (3) in an extrusion direction (37b), and wherein the wall (37) forms a receptacle (39). [2] Electrical switching element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field sensor (45) is a distance sensor (45a). [3] Electrical switching element (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the magnetic field sensor (45) is a Hall sensor (45b). [4] Electrical switching element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the magnetic field sensor is arranged in an integrated circuit (51). [5] Electrical switching element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the magnetic field sensor (45) is arranged in a socket (27) of the armature (5). [6] Electrical switching element (1) according to claim 5, wherein the bushing (27) is a bearing bushing (27a) of the armature (5). [7] Electrical switching element (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the socket (27) consists of a magnetic material. [8] Electrical switching element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the wall (37) is closed in a circumferential direction (37c) directed around the extrusion direction (37b). [9] Electrical switching element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the socket (27) according to one of claims 5 to 7 is at least partially slipped over the wall (37). [10] Electrical switching element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the magnetic field sensor (45) is accommodated in a sensor housing (43) and is arranged with the sensor housing (43) in the housing (3) of the switching element (1). [11] Electrical switching element (1) according to claim 10, wherein the sensor housing (43) is received in the receptacle (39) of the housing (3). [12] Electrical switching element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the magnetic field sensor (45) has at least two sensor contacts (47) projecting from the housing (3) of the switching element (1). [13] Kit for an electrical switching element (1), comprising a housing (3), an armature (5) movable by a coil arrangement (7), a contact arrangement (11) switchable into at least two switching states (31) by the armature (5), and a magnetic field sensor (45) which is designed to output a magnetic field-dependent switching signal (59) representing the different switching states (31) of the switching element (1), wherein the armature (5), the contact arrangement (11), and the magnetic field sensor (45) are arranged in the housing (3), and wherein the magnetic field sensor (45) is receivable in the housing (3) in order to form an electrical switching element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12.

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