Electrical switching device that forms a bistable contactor

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical switching device (2), in particular a bistable contactor, with at least one electrically insulating device housing (4), with at least one first contact (6) fixed in or on the device housing (4), with at least one second contact (8) fixed in or on the device housing (4), with at least one contact piece (10) arranged in the device housing (4) which is movable at least along a joining direction (12) relative to the device housing (4), and with at least one actuating device (14) comprising at least one actuator (16) and at least one mechanically effective actuator unit (18), wherein the actuator unit (18) is fixed on the actuator (16) and indirectly or directly on the contact piece (10) and transmits a movement of the actuator (16) to the contact piece (10), wherein the actuator (16) can be arranged in a contact position (K) and fixed therein.in which the contact piece (10) touches the first contact (6) and the second contact (8) and couples them electrically, and wherein the actuator (16) can be moved into a disconnect position (T) and fixed in that position, in which the contact piece (10) is spaced apart from the first contact (6) and / or the second contact (8) without contact.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical switching device, in particular a bistable contactor.

[0002] Electrical switching devices, especially bistable contactors, play a crucial role in electromobility, particularly for galvanic isolation. These ensure the safety and reliability of electrical systems in electric vehicles.

[0003] Through the galvanic isolation provided by conventional electrical switching devices, particularly bistable contactors, different circuits are electrically isolated from one another. This prevents short circuits or reduces the risk of fault currents spreading from one circuit to another and causing short circuits.

[0004] Furthermore, electrical switching devices protect people from electric shocks by ensuring that dangerous voltages do not enter areas where they can cause damage.

[0005] In known electrical switching devices, particularly known bistable contactors, two stable states can be switched: the closed state (switched on) and the open state (switched off). This is achieved by connecting or disconnecting a contact between two contacts. Electromagnetically active solutions for moving the contacts are known in the prior art, where a continuous energy supply maintains a switching state, namely closed or open. This is ensured, for example, by an electromagnet that is continuously energized to maintain a state, such as the closed state.

[0006] With the known solutions, it has proven to be a disadvantage that electrical energy must be permanently supplied to keep the electrical switching device in a switching state.

[0007] Furthermore, the contact pieces of electrical switching devices known from the prior art are not switched quickly enough from one state to another, which can cause an arc to form between the contact piece and the contacts.

[0008] One object of an embodiment of the invention is to propose an electrical switching device, in particular a bistable contactor, which can be operated in an energy-efficient manner and in which the risk of damage to electrical components of the motor vehicle is reduced.

[0009] This problem is solved by an electrical switching device, in particular a bistable contactor, comprising at least one electrically insulating housing, at least one first contact fixed in or on the housing, at least one second contact fixed in or on the housing, at least one contact piece arranged in the housing which is movable at least along one joining direction relative to the housing, and at least one actuating device comprising at least one actuator and at least one mechanically effective actuator unit, wherein the actuator unit is fixed on the actuator and directly or indirectly on the contact piece and transmits a movement of the actuator to the contact piece, wherein the actuator can be arranged and fixed in a contact position in which the contact piece touches the first contact and the second contact and couples them electrically.and wherein the actuator can be moved into a separating position and fixed therein, in which the contact piece is spaced apart from the first contact and / or the second contact without contact.

[0010] Because the contact piece is moved via the actuator unit by a drive mechanism, the electrical switching device can be operated energy-efficiently. Energy is only required to move the drive mechanism from the contact position to the disconnect position and vice versa. No electrical energy is consumed when the drive mechanism is in its respective position.

[0011] The first and second contacts, both fixed to the device housing, allow the electrical switching device to be integrated into an electrical circuit. In this case, the contact acts as a switch, closing the electrical circuit when the actuator is in the contact position and opening the electrical circuit when the actuator is in the open position.

[0012] The actuator unit transmits the position of the actuator to the contact piece, which is thereby moved along with the actuator.

[0013] The device housing can, for example, include a contactor and is made of an electrically non-conductive, in particular insulating, material.

[0014] The actuator unit can be easily designed to transmit the positioning movement from the actuator to the contact piece if the shaft is rotatable about a shaft axis extending transversely to the joining direction and comprises at least one first crank element which is rotatably mounted at a first end eccentrically with respect to the shaft axis of the shaft on a first bearing element of the shaft and which is rotatably fixed at a second end opposite the first end to the contact piece either directly or indirectly, wherein the shaft and the actuator form a common component or wherein the shaft and the actuator comprise separate components.

[0015] Because the actuator unit comprises at least one shaft on which a first crank element is arranged, the first end of which is rotatably mounted at the first bearing element of the shaft with respect to the shaft axis, and the second end of which is rotatably mounted at the contact piece opposite the first end, a kinematic system can be ensured in which the movement transmitted to the contact piece varies in speed over one revolution when viewed parallel to the joining direction. The deflection and extension of the actuator unit parallel to the joining direction are greatest when the first and second ends of the first crank element are aligned with respect to the joining direction.

[0016] The shaft can form a single, integrated component with the actuator, or the shaft and actuator can comprise separate or separable components. In the latter case, the shaft can be connected between the actuator and the contact piece.

[0017] The different speeds transmitted to the contact piece can be further increased shortly before closing or when reopening if the actuator comprises at least one drive shaft which is rotatable about a drive shaft axis running transversely to the joining direction, and if the actuator unit comprises at least one second crank element which is rotatably mounted at a first end eccentrically with respect to the drive shaft axis of the actuator on the drive shaft of the actuator and which is rotatably mounted at a second end opposite the first end eccentrically with respect to the shaft axis of the shaft on a second bearing element of the shaft.

[0018] This allows for the kinematic creation of a four-sided joint, resulting in a very high translational velocity of the contact piece just before it makes contact with the first and second contacts, as well as a very high velocity during the subsequent separation of the contact piece from the first and second contacts. In other words, this ensures that the contact piece is quickly joined to and separated from the first and second contacts. This prevents or at least reduces the risk of arcing during contacting or separation, because the increased translational velocities rapidly reduce the distance between the contact piece and the contacts during joining and restore it very quickly during separation.

[0019] The kinematics described above can be simplified and optimized if the first bearing element on the shaft and the second bearing element on the shaft form a common bearing element, or if the first bearing element on the shaft and the second bearing element on the shaft are arranged apart from each other without contact, and / or if the first bearing element of the shaft, in the contact position of the actuator, and the second bearing element of the drive shaft, in the contact position of the actuator, have their smallest distance to the contacts.

[0020] Because the first bearing element on the shaft and the second bearing element on the shaft form a common bearing element, the actuator, shaft and contact piece are connected in such a way that the translational speeds are at their maximum shortly before and shortly after reaching the contact position or the separation position of the actuator.

[0021] In order to connect the contact piece to the actuator unit in a simple manner, it is advantageous if the actuating device has at least one coupling unit comprising at least one support element, which includes an electrically insulating material to which the contact piece is fixed, and which has at least one support element that is spaced apart from the support element without contact and is connected to the support element, which is movably fixed to or in the device housing, and to which the actuator unit is directly or indirectly fixed on a side facing away from the support element.

[0022] In a further development of the latter embodiment, it proves advantageous if the actuating device comprises at least one restoring means by which the support element is pre-tensioned into an un-deflected basic position in which the contact piece is arranged in the separating position, wherein the support element can be moved by the actuator unit from the basic position to a working position deflected towards the contacts with respect to the basic position when the actuator is moved into the contact position.

[0023] The reset mechanism ensures that the contact piece is separated from the first and second contacts when the actuator is not in the contact position.

[0024] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the electrical switching device, the coupling unit of the actuating device comprises at least one spring element which is arranged between the support element and the support element and is spaced apart from each other without contact.

[0025] This allows the distance between the load-bearing element and the support element to be reduced in the actuator's support position compared to the distance between the load-bearing element and the support element in the actuator's disconnect position. The inclusion of a spring mechanism allows the clamping force exerted by the actuator, acting directly on the support element, to be transmitted to the load-bearing element via the actuator unit.

[0026] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the adjusting device comprises at least one guide element which is fixed to the coupling unit, in particular to the support element, which is a U-shaped guide element in which two parallel webs are spaced apart from each other by a recess, wherein the recess and the webs run parallel or obliquely to the joining direction, wherein the recess on the side of the guide element facing away from the contacts is accessible from the outside via an opening and wherein the recess on the side facing the contacts is limited by a stop element, and which comprises a sliding element which is arranged in the recess and has a cross-section corresponding to, in particular complementary to, the recess and on which the first crank element is rotatably fixed at its second end.

[0027] If the positioning device includes at least one guide element, the actuator unit can be reliably guided when transmitting the positioning movement from the actuator towards the contact piece. This ensures low-wear and reliable operation of the electrical switching device over a long period of time.

[0028] It is conceivable to implement the electrical switching device in which the actuator comprises a stepper motor or a servo motor and / or in which the shaft and / or the drive shaft comprises a section of a crankshaft.

[0029] In order to ensure that the electrical switching device can be fixed in the closed position, in which the contact piece connects the first contact and the second contact, or in the open position, in which the contact piece is spaced apart from the first contact and the second contact, it is advantageous if the actuating device has at least one mechanically effective locking means by which the actuating device can be fixed in the open position and / or in the contact position of the actuator.

[0030] It is conceivable that the locking mechanism automatically locks or unlocks when the actuator is activated. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the locking mechanism can be operated manually.

[0031] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the attached patent claims, from the graphic representation and the following description of a preferred embodiment of the electrical switching device.

[0032] The drawing shows: Fig. 1 A schematic sectional view through an embodiment of the electrical switching device.

[0033] Fig. Figure 1 shows an electrical switching device, in particular a bistable contactor, designated as reference numeral 2. This contactor comprises an electrically insulating housing 4. A first contact 6 and a second contact 8 are fixed to the housing 4 and spaced apart from each other. The electrical switching device 2 can be connected to an electrical circuit via the first contact 6 and the second contact 8 to open or close the circuit.

[0034] To open and close the circuit, i.e. to connect the first contact 6 with the second contact 8, a contact piece 10 is arranged in the device housing 4, which is movable at least along a joining direction 12 relative to the device housing 4.

[0035] The electrical switching device 2 comprises an actuating unit 14. This unit includes an actuator 16 and an actuator assembly 18. The actuator assembly 18 is fixed to the actuator 16 and directly or indirectly to the contact piece 8. The actuator assembly 18 transmits a movement of the actuator 16 to the contact piece 10. The actuator 16 can be arranged and locked in a contact position K, in which the contact piece 10 touches the first contact 6 and the second contact 8 and electrically couples them. The actuator 16 can also be moved to and locked in a disconnected position T, in which the contact piece 10 is spaced apart from the first contact 6 and the second contact 8 without contact. In the disconnected position T, the electrical circuit is interrupted.

[0036] In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, a shaft 20 is arranged between the actuator 16 and the contact piece 10, and is rotatable about a shaft axis 22 extending transversely to the joining direction 12. A first crank element 24 is arranged on the shaft 20. This crank element 24 is rotatably mounted at a first end 26 on a first bearing element 28 of the shaft 20, eccentrically with respect to the shaft axis 22. At a second end 30 opposite the first end 26, the first crank element 24 is rotatably mounted on a sliding element 32.

[0037] The actuator 16 comprises a drive shaft 34, which is rotatable about a drive shaft axis 36 extending transversely to the assembly direction 12. A second crank element 38 is rotatably mounted on the drive shaft 34 eccentrically with respect to the drive shaft axis 36. Its first end 40 is rotatably fixed to the drive shaft 34, and its second end 42, opposite the first end 40, is rotatably fixed to a second bearing element 44 of the shaft 20.

[0038] At the in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the first bearing element 28 and the second bearing element 44 of the shaft 20 comprise a common, one-piece component.

[0039] In the Fig.In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the electrical switching device 2, in particular the actuating device 14, comprises a coupling unit 46, which includes a support element 48 that is electrically insulating and to which the contact piece 10 is fixed. Furthermore, the coupling unit 46 includes a support element 50, which is fixed to the device housing 4 by means of a return element 52. The return element 52 biases the support element 50 into an unactuated home position, in which the contact piece 8 is in the disconnected position T.

[0040] A spring element 54 is arranged between the support element 48 and the support element 50, by which the support element 48 and the support element 50 are connected to each other and are spaced apart from each other without contact.

[0041] To guide the movement of the sliding element 32, the actuating device 14 of the electrical switching device 2 includes a guide element 56. The sliding element 32 is an element of the guide element 56. The guide element 56 is fixed to the coupling unit 46, in particular to the support element 50. It comprises a U-shaped guide element 58 in which two parallel webs 60 are spaced apart from each other by a recess 62. The sliding element 32 is arranged in the recess 62.

[0042] The following briefly explains the operating principle of the electrical switching device 2: To connect the first contact 6 with the second contact 8, the actuator 16 is moved into contact position K. In this process, the shaft 20 is rotated about the shaft axis 22 via the second crank element 38, whereby the first crank element 24, which is arranged on the shaft 20, is also moved.

[0043] At the second end 30 of the first crank element 24, the sliding element 32 is thereby displaced within the recess 62 of the guide element 56. Upon reaching the contact position K of the actuator 16, the second end 30 of the first crank element 24 is thus positioned closest to the first contact 6 and the second contact 8. In this case, the first crank element 24 pushes the support element 50 towards the first contact 6 and the second contact 8. The support element 48, which is connected to the support element 50 via the spring element 54 and on which the contact piece 10 is arranged, thereby pushes the contact piece 10 towards the first contact 6 and towards the second contact 8, thus closing the electrical circuit.

[0044] The opposite is true when the actuator 16 is moved from the contact position K to the disconnect position T.

[0045] The features of the invention disclosed in the foregoing description, in the claims and in the drawing can be essential, both individually and in any combination, in the realization of the invention in its various embodiments within the scope of protection of the following claims. Reference symbol list 2 Switching device 4 device housings 6 first contact 8 second contact 10 contact pieces 12 Leading direction 14 Actuator 16 actuators 18 actuator units 20th wave 22 Shaft axis 24 first crank element 26 first end of the first crank element 28 first bearing element 30 second end of the first crank element 32 sliding element 34 Drive shaft 36 Drive shaft axle 38 second crank element 40 first end of the second crank element 42 second end of the second crank element 44 second bearing element 46 coupling unit 48 Support element 50 support elements 52 reserve funds 54 Spring elements 56 Management tools 58 Guide element 60 Bridge 62 recess K Contact position T separation position

Claims

Electrical switching device (2), in particular a bistable contactor, with at least one electrically insulating device housing (4), with at least one first contact (6) fixed in or on the device housing (4), with at least one second contact (8) fixed in or on the device housing (4), with at least one contact piece (10) arranged in the device housing (4) which is movable at least along a joining direction (12) relative to the device housing (4), and with at least one actuating device (14) comprising at least one actuator (16) and at least one mechanically effective actuator unit (18), wherein the actuator unit (18) is fixed on the actuator (16) and directly or indirectly on the contact piece (10) and transmits a movement of the actuator (16) to the contact piece (10), wherein the actuator (16) can be arranged in a contact position (K) and fixed therein,in which the contact piece (10) touches the first contact (6) and the second contact (8) and couples them electrically, and wherein the actuator (16) can be moved into a disconnect position (T) and fixed in that position, in which the contact piece (10) is spaced apart from the first contact (6) and / or the second contact (8) without contact. Electrical switching device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator unit (18) comprises at least one shaft (20) rotatable about a shaft axis (22) extending transversely to the joining direction (12), and at least one first crank element (24) rotatably mounted at a first end (26) with respect to the shaft axis (22) of the shaft (20) on a first bearing element (28) of the shaft (20) and rotatably mounted at a second end (30) opposite the first end (26) on the contact piece (10) either directly or indirectly, wherein the shaft (20) and the actuator (16) form a common component or wherein the shaft (20) and the actuator (16) comprise separate components. Electrical switching device (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that the actuator (16) comprises at least one drive shaft (34) rotatable about a drive shaft axis (36) extending transversely to the joining direction (12), and that the actuator unit (18) comprises at least one second crank element (38) rotatably mounted at a first end (40) eccentrically with respect to the drive shaft axis (36) of the actuator (16) on the drive shaft (34) of the actuator (16) and rotatably mounted at a second end (42) opposite the first end (40) on a second bearing element (44) of the shaft (20), either directly or indirectly. Electrical switching device (2) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the first bearing element (28) on the shaft (20) and the second bearing element (44) on the shaft (20) form a common bearing element, or that the first bearing element (28) on the shaft (20) and the second bearing element (44) on the shaft (20) are arranged apart from each other without contact, and / or that the first bearing element (28) of the shaft (20) in the contact position (K) of the actuator (16) and that the second bearing element (44) of the drive shaft (34) in the contact position (K) of the actuator (16) comprise their smallest distance to the contacts. Electrical switching device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating device (14) has at least one coupling unit (46) comprising at least one support element (48) comprising an electrically insulating material on which the contact piece is fixed, and comprising at least one support element (50) which is spaced apart from the support element (48) without contact and is connected to the support element (48), which is movably fixed on or in the device housing (4), and on which the actuator unit (18) is directly or indirectly fixed on a side facing away from the support element (48). Electrical switching device (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that the actuating device (14) comprises at least one restoring means (52) by which the support element (50) is biased into an undisplaced basic position in which the contact piece is arranged in the disconnecting position (T), wherein the support element (50) can be moved from the basic position to a working position deflected towards the contacts by the actuator unit (18) when the actuator (16) is moved into the contact position (K). Electrical switching device (2) according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the coupling unit (46) of the actuating device (14) comprises at least one spring element (54) which is arranged between the support element (48) and the support element (50) and is spaced apart from each other without contact by the support element (48) and the support element (50). An electrical switching device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating device (14) comprises at least one guide means (56) which is fixed to the coupling unit (46), in particular to the support element (50), which is a U-shaped guide element (58) in which two parallel webs (60) are spaced apart from each other by a recess (62), wherein the recess (62) and the webs (60) extend parallel or obliquely to the joining direction (12), wherein the recess (62) on the side of the guide element (58) facing away from the contacts is accessible from the outside via an opening, and wherein the recess (62) on the side facing the contacts is limited by a stop element, and which comprises a sliding element (32) which is arranged in the recess (62) and has a corresponding, in particular complementary, bearing with respect to the recess (62).cross-section and to which the first crank element (24) is rotatably fixed with its second end (30). Electrical switching device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (16) comprises a stepper motor or an actuator motor and / or that the shaft (20) and / or the drive shaft (34) comprises a section of a crankshaft. Electrical switching device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating device (14) has at least one mechanically effective locking means by which the actuating device (14) can be fixed in the disconnect position (T) and / or in the contact position (K) of the actuator (16).

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