Pyrotechnic circuit breaker

Abstract

The invention relates, among other things, to a pyrotechnic current separator (1) with a gas generator (70), a separating piston (90) movable in a firing channel (80), an electrical conductor (50), and a filter device (200), wherein the conductor (50) penetrates the firing channel (80) in the initial state before the gas generator (70) is triggered and is interrupted by the separating piston (90), which, after the gas generator (70) is triggered, moves from an upper channel area above the conductor (50) to a lower channel area below the conductor (50), punching out a coin (53) and forming a first conductor electrode (51) and a second conductor electrode (52) separated from the first conductor electrode (51), and wherein the filter device (200) is or can be briefly subjected to an electric arc (L1, L2) immediately after the conductor (50) is interrupted, if the conductor (50) is in The current-carrying state is interrupted.According to the invention, the filter device (200) extends from a first near area (201) of the filter device (200) near the first conductor electrode (51) to a second near area (202) of the filter device (200) near the second conductor electrode (52) and, after the interruption of the electrical conductor (50), enables a current path that extends from the first conductor electrode (51) via a first arc (L1) to the first near area (201), along the filter device (200) to the second near area (202) and from there via a second arc (L2) to the second conductor electrode (52).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a pyrotechnic current separator, in particular for use in a vehicle.

[0002] A pyrotechnic electrical disconnector comprising a gas generator, a separating piston movable in a firing channel, and an electrical conductor which, in the initial state before the gas generator is triggered, penetrates the firing channel and is interrupted by the separating piston after the gas generator is triggered, is known, for example, from European patent EP 4 004 958 B1. The previously known electrical disconnector includes a filter device intended to absorb energy released by an electric arc during the disconnection process.

[0003] The invention is based on the objective of providing a pyrotechnic current separator with a design that allows for particularly efficient energy absorption through a filter device.

[0004] This problem is solved according to the invention by a current isolator with the features according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the current isolator according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0005] According to the invention, the filter device extends from a first near-area of ​​the filter device near the first conductor electrode to a second near-area of ​​the filter device near the second conductor electrode and, after the interruption of the electrical conductor, enables a current path that extends from the first conductor electrode via a first arc to the first near-area, along the filter device to the second near-area and from there via a second arc to the second conductor electrode.

[0006] A significant advantage of the current isolator according to the invention lies in the fact that, due to the design and arrangement of the filter device, arcs can interact directly with the filter device. Specifically, the filter device itself is designed to allow current flow between the conductor electrodes, namely through the filter device. This measure significantly improves the energy absorption by the filter device compared to conventional current isolators that do not provide for such current flow through the filter device, thereby considerably reducing the duration of the arcs or at least their energy release.

[0007] It is considered advantageous if the first near area of ​​the filter device (meaning the area or section that is close to the first conductor electrode) is spaced away from the first conductor electrode and the second near area of ​​the filter device (meaning the area or section that is close to the second conductor electrode) is spaced away from the second conductor electrode.

[0008] The current path preferably excludes the coin.

[0009] The filter device is preferably ring-shaped when viewed from above along the direction of movement of the separating piston.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the current path comprises a first partial path in which the current can flow clockwise in the plane perpendicular to the firing channel, and a second partial path in which the current can flow counterclockwise in the plane perpendicular to the firing channel.

[0011] The filter device preferably comprises at least one ring-shaped filter element.

[0012] Alternatively or additionally, it can advantageously be provided that the filter device, viewed from above along the direction of movement of the separating piston, has at least one ring-segment-shaped filter element extending from a region near the first conductor electrode to a region near the second conductor electrode and covering a ring angle range that is as large as, or approximately as large as, the gap rotation angle of the gap separating the first from the second conductor electrode after the coin has been punched out, or larger than this gap rotation angle. Such a ring-segment-shaped filter element can also enable the current flow between the conductor electrodes described above, including the filter device.

[0013] In the latter embodiment, with regard to the formation of two partial paths, it is considered advantageous if the filter device, viewed from above along the direction of movement of the separating piston, has two ring-segment-shaped filter elements, each extending from a region near the first conductor electrode to a region near the second conductor electrode and each covering a ring angle range that is as large as or approximately as large as the gap rotation angle of the gap that separates the first from the second conductor electrode after the coin has been punched out, or larger than this gap rotation angle, wherein each of the ring-segment-shaped filter elements enables a current path extending from the first conductor electrode via a first arc to the respective ring-segment-shaped filter element.along the respective ring-segment-shaped filter element in the direction of the second conductor electrode and via a second arc to the second conductor electrode.

[0014] The ring-shaped filter element(s) are preferably arranged above one or more lower additional filter elements of the filter device.

[0015] Each of the ring-segment-shaped filter elements is preferably arranged above one or more lower, individually assigned additional filter elements.

[0016] The ring-shaped or ring-segment-shaped filter element(s) are preferably cylindrical, wherein the longitudinal axis of the cylinder is coaxial to the longitudinal axis or central axis of the shot channel in the case of a ring-shaped filter element and parallel to it in the case of a ring-segment-shaped filter element.

[0017] The lower additional filter elements are preferably structurally separated from each other by housing sections of a lower housing part of the current separator; such a structural separation increases the stability of the lower housing part, especially with regard to the high mechanical stress during the separation process.

[0018] Each of the lower additional filter elements is preferably in electrical contact with the ring-shaped or ring-segment-shaped filter element located above it.

[0019] The lower additional filter elements are preferably ring-segment shaped when viewed from above along the direction of movement of the separating piston.

[0020] The lower additional filter elements are preferably cylindrical with a ring segment-shaped base, wherein the longitudinal axes of the cylinders are preferably arranged parallel to the longitudinal or central axis of the shot channel.

[0021] The ring-shaped or ring-segment-shaped filter element(s) of the filter device, or at least one of them, is preferably formed by a metal mesh.

[0022] The lower additional filter elements are preferably each formed by a metal mesh.

[0023] The invention also relates to a vehicle. According to the invention, this vehicle is equipped with a current disconnector as described above.

[0024] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments; the following are shown as examples: Fig. 1 An embodiment of a current separator according to the invention in a three-dimensional view taken obliquely from the side, Fig. 2-4 Cross-sectional views of the current separator according to Fig. 1 before, during and at the end of the separation process, and Fig. 5-8 Examples of filter devices used for the current separator according to Fig. 1. are suitable, in more detail.

[0025] For the sake of clarity, the same reference symbols are always used in the figures for identical or comparable components.

[0026] The Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a pyrotechnic current disconnector 1 according to the invention in a three-dimensional representation. An upper housing part 10 can be seen, which together with a lower housing part, hereinafter referred to as the base part 20, and an upper cover 30, forms a housing 40 of the current disconnector 1.

[0027] A conductor 50 extends through the housing 40 and can be interrupted by a disconnecting mechanism located in the housing 40, so that a conductor 50 is not interrupted. Fig. 1 left section of conductor 50 forming a first conductor electrode 51 from one in the Fig. 1. The right section of the conductor 50 can be electrically separated by forming a second conductor electrode 52.

[0028] An electrical interface 60 in the form of a connector plug or socket extends through the upper cover 30, which is connected to a gas generator 70 located inside the housing 40 and enables the input of a trigger signal, for example an electrical trigger signal, to trigger the gas generator 70.

[0029] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a cross-section through the current separator 1 according to Fig. 1. Before the gas generator 70 is triggered. The gas generator 70, a separating piston 90 movable in a firing channel 80, and the electrical conductor 50 are visible. The conductor 50, in its initial state before the gas generator 70 is triggered, extends through the firing channel 80 and is interrupted by the separating piston 90 after the gas generator 70 is triggered. The interruption of the conductor 50 is achieved by a kind of punching out of a conductor segment, which is also referred to technically as a coin 53, thereby electrically separating the two conductor electrodes 51 and 52 from each other.

[0030] A section of the firing channel 80 facing the gas generator 70 is formed by a guide tube 100, which guides the separating piston 90 towards the conductor 50 after ignition of the gas generator 70.

[0031] The upper housing part 10 has a hole 110 into which a guide tube 100 extends. The guide tube 100 is a component of a plastic part 120 that partially embeds the conductor 50. The plastic part 120 can, for example, be an injection-molded part. In the Fig. Figure 2 also shows a seal 130, which is, however, only optional.

[0032] A receiving section of the firing channel 80 is arranged in the base section 20 and serves to catch or receive the coin 53 when the separating piston 90 - driven by the gas of the gas generator 70 - is in the Fig. 2 is moved downwards. To slow down the downward moving coin 53, it can be equipped with a through-hole that can be impaled by an upwardly projecting braking element 53b.

[0033] In the area below (viewed along the firing direction of the firing channel) the electrical conductor 50, there is a filter device 200, which is electrically conductive and can be formed, for example, by an electrically conductive mesh or wire mesh. The filter device 200 can thus absorb air or another gas as a kind of buffer, particularly, for example, in the event of a pressure increase, and cool the absorbed air and absorb arc energy, thereby helping to extinguish an arc located nearby or involving the filter device 200.

[0034] The filter device 200 extends from a first near-area 201 (section near the first conductor electrode 51 of the electrical conductor 50) of the filter device 200 to a second near-area 202 (section near the second conductor electrode 52 of the electrical conductor 50) of the filter device 200. The first near-area 201 of the filter device 200 is spaced apart from the first conductor electrode 51 and the second near-area 202 of the filter device 200 is spaced apart from the second conductor electrode 52.

[0035] The distances between the two near areas and the respective adjacent conductor electrodes are chosen such that, after the current disconnector 1 is triggered, 200 arcs L1 and L2 (see figure) are generated between the conductor electrodes and the filter device. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) can form, which are then extinguished by the filter device 200 due to the described air buffering and cooling effect of the filter device 200.

[0036] The figures assume, by way of example, that before and during the triggering of the current disconnector 1, the first conductor electrode 51 is supplied with a positive potential “+” and the second conductor electrode 52 with a negative potential “-”, and that before and immediately afterwards a current I will flow from the first conductor electrode 51 to the second conductor electrode 52.

[0037] The Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 show cross-sections of the in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown current separator 1 after the triggering of the gas generator 70, namely in a first phase (cf. Fig. 3), in which the coin 53 is still electrically in close proximity to the conductor electrodes 51 and 52, and a second phase (cf. Fig. 4), in which the coin 53 has reached its final position.

[0038] In the Fig. In the first phase shown in 3, two arcs L1 and L2 still allow a current flow I between the left conductor electrode 51 and the right conductor electrode 52, including the coin 53, since its distance to the two conductor electrodes 51 and 52 is still very small.

[0039] In the Fig. In the second phase shown in Figure 4, the arcs L1 and L2 jump to the filter device 200, as it is electrically conductive, resulting in a current flow between the left conductor electrode 51 and the right conductor electrode 52, excluding the coin 53. This jump of the arcs L1 and L2 is possible because the filter device 200 extends from the first conductor electrode 51 to the second conductor electrode 52 and can thus ensure a further current flow between the two conductor electrodes 51 and 52 without involving the coin 53. In this embodiment, the current I flows in the plane perpendicular to the firing channel 80 or perpendicular to the direction of movement B of the separating piston 90, in a ring shape around the separating piston 90, as shown by ⊗ and ⊙ in the Fig. 4 is indicated.

[0040] The Fig. Figure 5 shows in more detail a first embodiment of a filter device 200, which is used in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. The 4 shown current separators 1 can be used.

[0041] The filter unit 200 according to Fig. Viewed from above along the direction of movement of the separating piston, 5 is ring-shaped and comprises an upper ring-shaped filter element 210 and lower additional filter elements 220 located below it. The upper ring-shaped filter element 210 and the lower additional filter elements 220 located below it are each formed by a metal mesh.

[0042] In the exemplary embodiment, the ring-shaped filter element 210 and the lower additional filter elements 220 located below it are connected to each other in one piece and are formed by the same metal mesh or interconnected metal meshes.

[0043] The upper annular filter element 210 is cylindrical, with the longitudinal axis of the cylinder being arranged coaxially to the central axis of the shot channel 80.

[0044] The lower additional filter elements 220, viewed from above along the direction of movement of the separating piston, are each annular segment-shaped and structurally separated from one another by housing sections of the base part 20 of the current separator 1, with each of the lower additional filter elements 220 being in electrical contact with the annular filter element 210 located above it. The lower additional filter elements 220 are each cylindrical with an annular segment-shaped base, the longitudinal axes of the cylinders preferably being arranged parallel to the central axis of the shot channel 80.

[0045] The upper annular filter element 210 enables a current path that includes a first partial path T1, in which the current can flow clockwise in the plane perpendicular to the firing channel, and a second partial path T2, in which the current can flow counterclockwise in the plane perpendicular to the firing channel.

[0046] The one in Fig. The current marked with reference numeral I can therefore be used in the design of the filter element 200 according to Fig. 5 flow on both sub-paths T1 and T2 and are composed of two sub-streams I1 and I2.

[0047] The Fig. Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of a filter device 200, which is used in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. The 4 shown current separators 1 can be used, explained in more detail below.

[0048] The filter unit 200 according to Fig. 6 corresponds to the filter unit 200 according to Fig. 5 with the difference that the upper ring-shaped filter element 210 and the lower additional filter elements 220 are not connected as a single unit, but form separate units which are only in electrical contact with each other when the current separator 1 is assembled.

[0049] Furthermore, the above statements apply in connection with the Fig. 5 for the embodiment according to Fig. 6 accordingly.

[0050] The Fig. Figure 7 shows a third embodiment of a filter device 200, which is used in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. The 4 shown current separators 1 can be used, explained in more detail below.

[0051] The filter unit 200 according to Fig. 7 corresponds to the filter unit 200 according to Fig. 6 with the difference that instead of the upper annular filter element 210, there are two annular segment-shaped filter elements 211, each extending from an area near the first conductor electrode 51 to an area near the second conductor electrode 52 and each covering an annular angle range that is as large as or approximately as large as the gap rotation angle of the gap separating the first from the second conductor electrode after the coin 53 has been broken out, or larger than this gap rotation angle.

[0052] Each of the ring-segment-shaped filter elements 211 enables a partial path T1 or T2, which extends from the first conductor electrode 51 via a first arc L1 (see Fig. 4) to the respective ring-segment-shaped filter element 211 along the respective ring-segment-shaped filter element 211 in the direction of the second conductor electrode 52 and via a second arc L2 (see Fig. 4) extends to the second conductor electrode 52.

[0053] In this embodiment, the filter device 200 is formed by two filter modules, each of which comprises an upper ring-segment-shaped filter element and two associated, lower ring-segment-shaped additional filter elements 220.

[0054] Furthermore, the above statements apply in connection with the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 for the embodiment according to Fig. 7 accordingly.

[0055] The Fig. Figure 8 shows a fourth embodiment of a filter device 200, which is used in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. The 4 shown current separators 1 can be used, explained in more detail below.

[0056] The filter unit 200 according to Fig. 8 corresponds to the filter unit 200 according to Fig. 7 with the difference that the upper two ring-segment-shaped filter elements 211 are firmly connected to their four ring-segment-shaped additional filter elements 220 located below them or can be formed by one and the same metal mesh.

[0057] Furthermore, the above statements apply in connection with the Fig. 5, Fig. 6 to Fig. 7 for the embodiment according to Fig. 8 accordingly.

[0058] Finally, it should be mentioned that the features of all the embodiments described above can be combined with each other in any way to form further embodiments of the invention.

[0059] Furthermore, all features of dependent claims can be combined individually with each of the subordinate claims, either individually or in any combination with one or more other dependent claims, to obtain further embodiments. Reference symbol list 1 circuit breaker 10 upper housing part 20 Base section 30 top cover 40 cases 50 ladders 51 first conductor electrode 52 second conductor electrode 53 coins 53b Brake element 60 electrical interface 70 Gas generator 80-shot channel 90 separating pistons 100 guide tubes 110 holes 120 plastic parts 130 Seal 200 filter unit 201 first close range 202 second close range 210 upper ring-shaped filter element 211 ring-segment-shaped filter elements 220 lower additional filter elements B Direction of movement I Electricity I1 Partial current I2 partial current L1 arc L2 arc T1 first subpath T2 second sub-path QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 4 004 958 B1

[0002]

Claims

Pyrotechnic current separator (1) comprising a gas generator (70), a separating piston (90) movable in a firing channel (80), an electrical conductor (50), and a filter device (200), wherein the conductor (50) penetrates the firing channel (80) in the initial state before the gas generator (70) is triggered and is interrupted by the separating piston (90), which, after the gas generator (70) is triggered, moves from an upper channel area above the conductor (50) to a lower channel area below the conductor (50), punching out a coin (53) and forming a first conductor electrode (51) and a second conductor electrode (52) separated from the first conductor electrode (51), and wherein the filter device (200) is briefly subjected to an electric arc (L1, L2) immediately after the conductor (50) is interrupted, or can be subjected to it if the conductor (50) is interrupted while carrying current. is characterized by this,that the filter device (200) extends from a first near-area (201) of the filter device (200) near the first conductor electrode (51) to a second near-area (202) of the filter device (200) near the second conductor electrode (52) and, after the interruption of the electrical conductor (50), enables a current path which extends from the first conductor electrode (51) via a first arc (L1) to the first near-area (201), along the filter device (200) to the second near-area (202) and from there via a second arc (L2) to the second conductor electrode (52). Current separator (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that- the first near area (201) of the filter device (200) is spaced away from the first conductor electrode (51) and the second near area (202) of the filter device (200) is spaced away from the second conductor electrode (52) and- the current path excludes the coin (53). Current separator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter device (200) is ring-shaped when viewed from above along the direction of movement of the separating piston (90). Current separator (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the current path comprises a first partial path (T1) in which the current (I) can flow clockwise in the plane transverse to the firing channel (80), and a second partial path (T2) in which the current (I) can flow counterclockwise in the plane transverse to the firing channel (80). Current separator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter device (200) comprises at least one annular filter element (210). Current separator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter device (200) has, in plan view along the direction of movement of the separating piston (90), at least one ring segment-shaped filter element (211) which extends from a region near the first conductor electrode (51) to a region near the second conductor electrode (52) and covers a ring angle region which is as large as or approximately as large as the gap rotation angle of the gap which, after punching out the coin (53), separates the first from the second conductor electrode (51, 52), or is larger than this gap rotation angle. Current separator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter device (200) has, in plan view along the direction of movement of the separating piston (90), two ring-segment-shaped filter elements (211) which each extend from a region near the first conductor electrode (51) to a region near the second conductor electrode (52) and each cover a ring angle region which is as large as or approximately as large as the gap rotation angle of the gap which, after punching out the coin (53), separates the first from the second conductor electrode (51, 52), or is larger than this gap rotation angle, wherein each of the ring-segment-shaped filter elements (211) enables a current path which extends from the first conductor electrode (51) via a first arc (L1) to the respective ring-segment-shaped filter element (211),along the respective ring-segment-shaped filter element (211) in the direction of the second conductor electrode (52) and via a second arc (L2) to the second conductor electrode (52). Current separator (1) according to one of the preceding claims 6 to 7, characterized in that the ring-shaped filter element(s) (210) are arranged above one or more lower additional filter elements (220) and / or each of the ring-segment-shaped filter elements (211) is arranged above one or more lower individually assigned additional filter elements (220). Current separator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the annular or annular segment-shaped filter element(s) (210, 211) are cylindrical, wherein the longitudinal axis of the cylinder is coaxial to the longitudinal axis of the shot channel (80) in the case of an annular filter element (210) and parallel to it in the case of an annular segment-shaped filter element (211). Current separator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower additional filter elements (220) are structurally separated from each other by housing sections of a lower housing part (20) of the current separator (1). Current separator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the lower additional filter elements (220) is in electrical contact with the annular or ring-segment-shaped filter element (210, 211) located above it. Current separator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower additional filter elements (220) are each ring-segment shaped when viewed from above along the direction of movement of the separating piston (90). Current separator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower additional filter elements (220) are each cylindrical with a ring segment-shaped base surface, wherein the longitudinal axes of the cylinders are preferably arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shot channel (80). Current separator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the ring-shaped or ring-segment-shaped filter elements (210, 211) of the filter device (200) or at least one of these is formed by a metal mesh and / or - the lower additional filter elements (220) are each formed by a metal mesh. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle is equipped with a current separator (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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