POWER SWITCH

Abstract

The present invention provides a circuit breaker comprising a housing (10), a movable contact (21), a stationary contact (22), and a gas generation unit (40). The housing (10) has a receiving cavity (11) for receiving the movable contact (21) and the stationary contact (22). The gas generation unit (40) is capable of releasing gas into the receiving cavity (11) to generate a gas flow after it has been tripped. The generated gas flow is used to extinguish an arc that is generated by the movable contact (21) and the stationary contact (22) during an interruption. The circuit breaker extinguishes the arc by means of the gas flow generated by the gas generation unit, which is advantageous for improving the arc-quenching capability of the circuit breaker and, consequently, for improving the short-circuit breaking capacity of the circuit breaker.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention application relates to the field of electrical power engineering and in particular to a circuit breaker. BACKGROUND

[0002] A short-circuit breaking capacity (also known as "short-circuit interrupting capacity" or "short-circuit disconnecting capacity") is a performance characteristic of circuit breakers that is directly related to the safe and stable operation of power supply systems. It determines the maximum current that a circuit breaker can safely and effectively interrupt in the event of a short-circuit fault.

[0003] With a conventional solution, the arc-quenching capability of the circuit breaker is reduced in high-altitude environments or in DC applications, and its short-circuit breaking capacity must be lowered, rendering it unable to meet requirements. Therefore, there is an urgent need to improve the short-circuit breaking capacity of circuit breakers. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] One objective of the present invention application is to provide a circuit breaker that is advantageous for improving short-circuit breaking capacity.

[0005] The present invention provides a circuit breaker comprising a housing, a moving contact, a stationary contact, and a gas generation unit. The housing has a receiving cavity for accommodating the moving contact and the stationary contact. The gas generation unit is capable of releasing gas into the receiving cavity to generate a gas flow after it has been tripped. The generated gas flow is used to extinguish an arc that is generated by the moving contact and the stationary contact during a break.

[0006] The circuit breaker extinguishes the arc by the gas flow generated by the gas generation unit, which is advantageous for improving the arc extinguishing capability of the circuit breaker and accordingly advantageous for improving the short-circuit breaking capability of the circuit breaker.

[0007] In another schematic embodiment of the circuit breaker, the gas generation unit includes a gas generation device. Igniting the gas generation device releases gas to create a gas flow. This solution is more cost-effective.

[0008] In yet another schematic embodiment of the circuit breaker, the gas generation unit is a gas tank. The gas tank is used to store high-pressure gas. By opening the gas tank, gas can be released to generate a gas flow. This solution can prevent the influence of ambient oxygen levels on the gas generation process.

[0009] In yet another schematic embodiment of the circuit breaker, the circuit breaker has a gas passage formed in the receiving cavity. The housing is provided with a vent hole at one end of the gas passage. A contact assembly, consisting of the moving contact and the stationary contact, is arranged between the vent hole and the gas-generating unit along the direction of expansion of the gas passage. The housing is positioned such that the gas flow generated by the gas-generating unit can pass through the contact assembly along the direction of expansion of the gas passage and then be discharged from the housing through the vent hole. This is advantageous for improving arc quenching efficiency.

[0010] In yet another schematic embodiment of the circuit breaker, the circuit breaker further includes an arc-quenching grid. The arc-quenching grid is arranged between the vent hole and the contact group along the direction of gas flow. The arc-quenching grid can quickly interrupt the arc and prevent it from reigniting. This is advantageous for improving the arc-quenching capability of the circuit breaker.

[0011] In yet another schematic embodiment of the circuit breaker, the circuit breaker further comprises a contact rotation frame. The contact rotation frame is rotatably connected to the housing. The movable contact is attached to the contact rotation frame. The contact rotation frame is capable of rotating along a break direction to achieve separation of the movable and stationary contacts. The gas passage is arranged such that the gas flow generated by the gas generation unit is able to exert a torque on the contact rotation frame along the break direction. This is advantageous for improving the separation speed of the movable and stationary contacts.

[0012] In yet another schematic embodiment of the circuit breaker, the gas-generating unit and the stationary contact are located on the same side of a rotation axis of the contact rotating frame along a vertical direction and along a longitudinal direction. The vertical direction, the longitudinal direction, and the rotation axis of the contact rotating frame are perpendicular to each other. This makes it advantageous for improving the separation speed of the moving contact and the stationary contact.

[0013] In yet another schematic embodiment of the circuit breaker, the housing is provided with a receiving groove for accommodating the gas generation unit in the receiving cavity. The receiving groove has a groove opening that faces the contact group and the contact rotation frame. This facilitates the guidance of the gas flow direction.

[0014] In yet another schematic embodiment of the circuit breaker, the housing comprises a main body and a disassembly element. The main body forms the receiving cavity and has a disassembly channel communicating with the receiving cavity. The disassembly element is detachably connected to the main body and closes the disassembly channel. The gas generation unit is connected to the disassembly element. During the process of assembling the disassembly element onto the main body, the gas generation unit is able to enter the receiving cavity from the disassembly channel. This allows the gas generation unit to be practically replaced.

[0015] In yet another schematic embodiment of the circuit breaker, the gas released by the gas generation unit is able to change the electrical strength of the gas in the receiving cavity in order to improve the dielectric recovery strength after the arc. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The following drawings are provided only for illustrative description and explanation of the present invention application and do not limit the scope of protection of the present invention application. Fig. Figure 1 is used to illustrate a schematic embodiment of a circuit breaker. Fig. 2 is a diagram of a changing state of the in Fig. 1 structure shown. Fig. Figure 3 is used to illustrate the main direction of gas flow in the interruption process of a circuit breaker. Fig. Figure 4 is an exploded view of a casing and gas generation unit located in Fig. 1 are shown. Description of the reference numbers: 10 cases 11 Receiving cavity 12 ventilation holes 13 Main body 131 Dismantling channel 14 Disassembly element 15 recordings 151 Groove opening 20 contact group 21 movable contact 22 stationary contact 40 gas generation units 50 arc quenching grids 60 contact rotary frames 70 Wiring connection F Interruption direction H Altitude L Longitudinal direction A Rotation axis of the contact rotation frame DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION FORMS

[0017] To provide a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives, and effects of the application, specific embodiments of the present application are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, identical reference numerals indicate components that are structurally identical or similar and perform the same function.

[0018] “Schematic” here means “serving as an instance, example or illustration” and any illustration or embodiment described herein as “schematic” should not be construed as a more preferred or advantageous technical solution.

[0019] To keep the drawings concise, only those parts relevant to the present application are shown schematically in each figure, and they do not represent the actual structure of the product. Furthermore, to keep the drawings concise and for better understanding, one or more structurally or functionally identical components are shown only schematically in some figures, or only one or more of these components are labeled. In addition, the accompanying drawings in the present application serve only to illustrate and facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application in any way; they are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0020] In the present patent application, nouns and pronouns relating to persons are not restricted to specific genders.

[0021] Here, terms such as "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left" and "right" are only used to indicate the positional relationship between related parts, rather than defining their absolute positions.

[0022] Here, "first", "second", etc. are only used to distinguish them from one another and do not indicate their importance or order.

[0023] Here, terms such as "parallel" and "perpendicular" are not strict mathematical and / or geometric restrictions, but also include errors that are understandable to a specialist and permissible in manufacture or use, etc.

[0024] The orientations or positional relationships specified in the description of this application are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and serve only to simplify the description of this application. They are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be designed and operated in a specific orientation, and should therefore not be construed as a limitation of this application. Specific embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] Fig. Figure 1 is used to illustrate a schematic embodiment of a circuit breaker. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the circuit breaker comprises a housing 10, a movable contact 21, a fixed contact 22, and a gas generation unit 40. Both the movable contact 21 and the fixed contact 22 are connected to external electrical equipment via wiring terminals 70. The fixed contact 22 is fixed relative to the housing 10, and the movable contact 21 is movable relative to the fixed contact 22 to close and open the circuit.

[0026] In particular, the circuit breaker in the present schematic embodiment further comprises a contact rotation frame 60. The contact rotation frame 60 is rotatably connected to the housing 10 about an axis of rotation A. The movable contact 21 is attached to the contact rotation frame 60. The contact rotation frame 60 rotates to drive the movable contact 21 to move relative to the stationary contact 22. The contact rotation frame 60 can rotate along an interruption direction F to disconnect the movable contact 21 from the stationary contact 22. Fig. Figure 1 shows a closed state of the movable contact 21 and the stationary contact 22 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a state after the movable contact 21 has been separated from the stationary contact 22. A mechanism for driving the contact rotation frame 60 to rotate during an interruption is not shown in the figure.

[0027] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the housing 10 has a receiving cavity 11. The movable contact 21, the stationary contact 22, the gas-generating unit 40, and the contact rotation frame 60 are all arranged in the receiving cavity 11. This is advantageous for protecting the internal structure of the circuit breaker, reducing environmental influences, and improving the operational stability of the circuit breaker.

[0028] The gas generation unit 40 can release gas into the receiving cavity 11 to generate a gas flow after it has been triggered. The generated gas flow is used to extinguish an arc that is generated by the moving contact 21 and the stationary contact 22 during an interruption.

[0029] For example, the tripping of the gas-generating unit 40 can be independent of the separation of the moving contact 21 and the stationary contact 22. That is, the tripping of the gas-generating unit 40 does not depend on the separation of the moving contact 21 and the stationary contact 22, and its timing can be manually adjusted as needed. This differs in terms of timing from the solution where a gas-generating material in a conventional circuit breaker must generate gas under the influence of an electric arc.

[0030] In particular, the gas generation unit 40 can, for example, comprise a gas generation device. By igniting the gas generation device, gas can be released to generate a gas flow. Alternatively, the gas generation unit 40 can, for example, be a gas tank for storing high-pressure gas. By opening the gas tank, gas can be released to generate a gas flow. The shape of the gas generation unit 40 is not limited to the two shapes above. In other schematic embodiments, the gas generation unit 40 can also be other structures capable of generating an arc-quenching gas flow. Preferably, the gas released by the gas generation unit 40 can modify the electrical strength of the gas within the receiving cavity 11 while the arc is quenched, thereby improving the dielectric recovery strength after the arc.The gas released by the gas generating unit 40 can be a single gas or a mixture of several gases, for example including, among others, one or more combinations of nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water vapor.

[0031] The circuit breaker extinguishes the arc by the gas flow generated by the gas generation unit, which is advantageous for improving the arc extinguishing capability of the circuit breaker and accordingly advantageous for improving the short-circuit breaking capability of the circuit breaker.

[0032] In a schematic embodiment, the circuit breaker has a gas passage formed within the receiving cavity 11, which guides the direction of the gas flow generated by the gas generation unit 40. Fig. Figure 3 shows the flow direction of gas generated by the gas generation unit 40 along the gas passage during the separation process of the moving contact 21 and the stationary contact 22, illustrated by a dotted line with an arrow. As shown from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, the gas passage generally extends along the vertical direction H, and the housing 10 has a vent hole 12 at one end of the gas passage (i.e., the upper end of the gas passage along the vertical direction H) (only one vent hole 12 is shown schematically in the figure). The gas generation unit 40 is located at the lower end of the gas passage along the vertical direction H. A contact group 20, consisting of the movable contact 21 and the stationary contact 22, is arranged between the vent hole 12 and the gas generation unit 40 along the direction of extension of the gas passage. The housing 10 is arranged such that the gas flow generated by the gas generation unit 40 can first pass through the contact group 20 along the direction of extension of the gas passage and then be discharged from the housing 10 through the vent hole 12.The gas passage is primarily limited by the inner surface of the housing 10 and the structure incorporated within it. It is understood that, in addition to the gas passage, the gas generated by the gas generation unit 40 can also spread in small quantities to other parts. Therefore, the structure can be arranged rationally to minimize the amount of gas, thus ensuring a sufficient gas flow to the contact group 20.

[0033] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, in a schematic embodiment, the circuit breaker also includes an arc quenching grid 50 (only one arc quenching grid 50 is shown schematically in the figure). The arc quenching grid 50 is arranged between the vent hole 12 and the contact group 20 along the direction of gas flow. The arc quenching grid 50 can quickly interrupt the arc and prevent it from reigniting. This is advantageous for improving the arc quenching capability of the circuit breaker.

[0034] In the schematic embodiment, the gas passage is arranged such that the gas flow generated by the gas generation unit 40 can exert a torque on the contact rotation frame 60 along the interruption direction F. In particular, as shown in Fig. Figure 1 shows the gas generation unit 40 and the stationary contact 22 on the same side of the rotation axis A of the contact rotation frame 60 along the vertical direction (i.e. the upper side in Fig. 1) and are located on the same side of the contact rotation frame 60 along the longitudinal direction L (i.e. the left side in Fig. 1) The vertical direction H, the longitudinal direction L, and the rotational axis A of the contact rotation frame 60 are perpendicular to each other. Accordingly, if the movable contact 21 and the stationary contact 22 are closed (i.e., the one in Fig. (state shown in Figure 1), the gas generated by the gas generation unit 40 forms a high pressure locally (i.e., in the space between the contact rotation frame 60 and the gas generation unit 40), thereby exerting a torque on the contact rotation frame 60 along the interruption direction F. In the separation process of the moving contact 21 and the stationary contact 22 (i.e., the one shown in Figure 1), the gas generated by the gas generation unit 40 forms a high pressure locally (i.e., in the space between the contact rotation frame 60 and the gas generation unit 40), thereby exerting a torque on the contact rotation frame 60 along the interruption direction F. Fig. (State 3 shown) the gas flow generated by the gas generation unit 40 can, for example, act on the contact rotation frame 60, thereby exerting a torque on the contact rotation frame 60 along the interruption direction F. This is advantageous for improving the interruption speed of the moving contact 21 and the stationary contact 22.

[0035] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, in a schematic embodiment the housing 10 is provided with a receiving groove 15 for receiving the gas generation unit 40 within the receiving cavity 11. The receiving groove 15 has a groove opening 151 which faces the contact group 20 and the contact rotation frame 60. This allows it to facilitate the guidance of the gas flow direction.

[0036] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, in a schematic embodiment the housing 10 comprises a main body 13 and a disassembly element 14. The gas generation unit 40 is connected to the disassembly element 14. Fig. Figure 4 is an exploded view of the casing and gas generation unit of the [unclear] Fig. 1 of the circuit breaker shown. As in Fig.As shown in Figure 4, the main body 13 forms a receiving cavity 11 and has a disassembly channel 131 communicating with the receiving cavity 11. The disassembly element 14 is detachably connected to the main body 13, for example by screws (not shown in the figure), and closes the disassembly channel 131. During the process of assembling the disassembly element 14 onto the main body 13, the gas generation unit 40 can enter the receiving cavity 11 through the disassembly channel 131. This allows the gas generation unit to be practically replaced.

[0037] It should be noted that relational terms, such as "first" and "second," are used here only to distinguish one entity or operation from another and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprehensive," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, procedure, article, or facility that includes a list of items includes not only those items but also other items not expressly listed or items inherent to such process, procedure, article, or facility. Without further restrictions, an item that is described by the phrase "includes a..." includes any other item or item that is not explicitly listed.“The presence of other identical elements in the process, procedure, article or facility that includes this element is not excluded.”

[0038] Finally, it should be noted that the foregoing are merely preferred embodiments of the present application, which are used only to illustrate the technical solution of the present application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application.

[0039] Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc., which are made within the idea and principles of the present application are included within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

Circuit breaker comprising a housing (10), a movable contact (21) and a stationary contact (22), wherein the housing (10) has a receiving cavity (11) for receiving the movable contact (21) and the stationary contact (22), characterized in that: the circuit breaker further comprises a gas generation unit (40), the gas generation unit (40) being able to release gas into the receiving cavity (11) after it has been triggered to generate a gas flow, and the generated gas flow being used to extinguish an arc generated by the movable contact (21) and the stationary contact (22) during an interruption. Circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas generating unit (40) comprises a gas generating means and gas can be released by igniting the gas generating means in order to generate a gas flow. Circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas generating unit (40) is a gas tank, the gas tank is used to store high-pressure gas and gas can be released by opening the gas tank to generate a gas flow. Circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that the circuit breaker has a gas passage formed in the receiving cavity (11), the housing (10) is provided with a vent hole (12) at one end of the gas passage, a contact group (20) consisting of the movable contact (21) and the stationary contact (22) is arranged between the vent hole (12) and the gas generation unit (40) along a direction of expansion of the gas passage, and the housing (10) is arranged such that the gas flow generated by the gas generation unit (40) can pass through the contact group (20) along the direction of expansion of the gas passage and then be discharged from the housing (10) through the vent hole (12). Circuit breaker according to claim 4, characterized in that the circuit breaker further comprises an arc quenching grid (50) and the arc quenching grid (50) is arranged between the vent hole (12) and the contact group (20) along the direction of expansion of the gas passage. Circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that the circuit breaker further comprises a contact rotation frame (60), the contact rotation frame (60) being rotatably connected to the housing (10), the movable contact (21) being attached to the contact rotation frame (60), the contact rotation frame (60) being able to rotate along an interruption direction (F) in order to achieve the interruption of the movable contact (21) and the stationary contact (22), and the gas passage being arranged such that the gas flow generated by the gas generation unit (40) is able to exert a torque along the interruption direction (F) on the contact rotation frame (60). Circuit breaker according to claim 6, characterized in that the gas generating unit (40) and the stationary contact (22) are located on the same side of a rotation axis of the contact rotation frame (60) along a vertical direction (H) and are located on the same side of the contact rotation frame (60) along a longitudinal direction (L), and the vertical direction (H), the longitudinal direction (L) and the rotation axis of the contact rotation frame (60) are perpendicular to each other. Circuit breaker according to claim 6, characterized in that the housing (10) is provided with a receiving groove (15) for receiving the gas generation unit (40) in the receiving cavity (11) and the receiving groove (15) has a groove opening (151) which faces the contact group (20) and the contact rotation frame (60). Circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (10) comprises: a main body (13), wherein the main body (13) forms the receiving cavity (11) and has a disassembly channel (131) communicating with the receiving cavity (11); and a disassembly element (14), wherein the disassembly element (14) is detachably connected to the main body (13) and closes the disassembly channel (131), the gas generation unit (40) is connected to the disassembly element (14), and in the process of assembling the disassembly element (14) onto the main body (13), the gas generation unit (40) is able to enter the receiving cavity (11) from the disassembly channel (131). Circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas released by the gas generation unit (40) is able to change the electrical strength of the gas in the receiving cavity (11) in order to improve the dielectric recovery strength after the arc.

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