ELECTRICAL DISCONNECTION SWITCH WITH A TUBE-SHAPED DISTINGUISHING ELEMENT WITH VARIOUS WALL THICKNESS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical interruption switching element, in particular for interrupting high currents at high voltages, having the features of patent claim 1.

[0002] Such interruption switches are used, for example, in power plant and automotive technology, as well as in general mechanical and electrical engineering in control cabinets of machines and systems, as well as in electromobility in electric and hybrid vehicles, and also in electrically powered helicopters and aircraft for the defined and rapid disconnection of high-voltage electrical circuits in an emergency. One requirement for such switches is that no hot gas, particles, projectiles, or plasma escape from them. Furthermore, such switches must ensure the insulation resistance after disconnection.

[0003] Other areas of application include the electrical isolation of a component from the vehicle electrical system in the event of a short circuit in the component in question, for example in an electric auxiliary heater or an electric brake, as well as the emergency shutdown of a lithium battery, as used today in electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as in aircraft. These batteries have a small footprint and a high terminal voltage of up to 1200 V with extremely low internal resistance. Both of these result in a possible short-circuit current of up to 5000 A, sometimes and briefly even up to 30 kA, without the source voltage dropping significantly, which can lead to the battery igniting or exploding after just a few seconds. The interrupting switching element presented here is also very well suited for the emergency shutdown of individual solar cell modules or entire solar cell fields in an emergency, because it can be designed to be controllable or remotely controlled.

[0004] All of the applications listed here generally involve the interruption of direct current, which, unlike alternating current, does not have a zero crossing. Normally, only the operating voltage is present in an interrupting switch. However, the moment a direct current circuit is interrupted in an interrupting switch, the collapse of the magnetic field of the external circuit causes the voltage to rise so sharply that an arc usually forms between the separated ends of an isolating element of an interrupting switch. A relatively high voltage is generally required to generate an arc. However, much lower voltages are sufficient to maintain it, which is generally the case with typical operating voltages of around 450 V.

[0005] To ensure that the arc is extinguished even after the voltage peak drops to the operating voltage, switching elements with a contact tube with a separating area in the form of a hollow cylinder are already being used. To separate the circuit, the hollow cylinder is completely torn, melted, or broken along its cross-sectional area, and both ends of the hollow cylinder are mechanically separated. An activatable drive located in the hollow cylinder's cavity is often used to tear or break the hollow cylinder.However, it has been found that the ignition of the activatable drive or the creation of the arc and the associated pressure build-up due to evaporation of the surrounding extinguishing medium often causes relatively large parts of the isolating area to be torn off, which can then trigger a short circuit in other parts of the interrupting switching element by undesired bridging of two live areas.

[0006] DE20 2017 106 260 U1 discloses an electrical interruption switching element according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0007] Based on this prior art, the object of the invention is to provide an interrupting switching element, in particular for interrupting high direct currents at high voltages, in which, during the transition from the conducting position to the isolating position, as few as possible or only small conductive fragments are released inside which could cause a short circuit.

[0008] The invention solves this problem with the features of patent claim 1.

[0009] The interrupting switching element according to the invention can be transferred from a conducting position to an isolating position. If the interrupting switching element according to the invention is integrated into a circuit, the circuit is closed in the conducting position. In the isolating position, the circuit is interrupted. The interrupting switching element according to the invention has a housing which encompasses a contact unit defining the current path through the interrupting switching element, i.e. the contact unit is surrounded by the housing. The contact unit has a first and a second connection contact and an isolating region. The contact unit is designed such that a current can be supplied to it via the first connection contact and discharged from it via the second connection contact, or vice versa.The separation region is configured as a tubular element whose axial extension runs along an axis X. The tubular element can be separated into two parts along a plane perpendicular to the axis X, thereby interrupting the current between the first and second connection contacts. The tubular element has two opposite end regions along the extension direction of the axis X.

[0010] The interruption switching element according to the invention is characterized in that the tubular element has a minimum wall thickness in a region between the end regions, which increases in each direction towards the end regions, preferably excluding the regions of the tubular element in which the cross-sections increase radially towards the end regions (hereinafter referred to as "radially extending cross-sectional transitions"). In other words, the tubular element has a region with a tapered wall thickness between the end regions, in particular not only between the end regions, but also in a region between the radially extending cross-sectional transitions. Therefore, the tubular element preferably has a minimum wall thickness in a region between the radially extending cross-sectional transitions adjacent to the respective end regions, which increases in each direction towards the cross-sectional transitions.

[0011] By increasing the wall thickness, unlike with a constant wall thickness, the tearing of parts of the isolating area during the transition from the conducting position to the isolating position can be largely prevented, so that no larger electrically conductive parts are available within the interrupting switching element to electrically bridge unwanted areas. The risk of an internal short circuit occurring in the interrupting switching element according to the invention can thus be minimized or even completely prevented.

[0012] This does not result in any large parts being torn out of the tubular connecting element, but rather the material is essentially flanged or rolled up at the separation point towards the thicker wall thickness or towards the end areas, and thus remains attached to the tubular end pieces even after the separation.

[0013] The tubular element preferably has a ring-shaped, closed cross-sectional area, which is preferably perpendicular to the axial extension direction (axis X). The cross-sectional area can have any desired shape, for example, circular, elliptical, any ring shape with or without one or more corners, triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, or polygonal, with a circular cross-sectional area being preferred.

[0014] The increase in wall thickness can be continuous or discontinuous in the axial extent of the tubular element, e.g. step-like, with a continuous increase being preferred. The continuous increase can be linear or progressive. According to the invention, the wall thickness increases conically in the direction of the end regions of the tubular element. Furthermore, it is preferred that the tubular element is designed such that it has a cross-sectional area of ​​the same shape in each plane perpendicular to the X-axis. Furthermore, the increase in wall thickness can be different or the same, e.g. mirror-symmetrical, in the two directions towards the end regions of the tubular element, the mirror plane being arranged perpendicular to the X-axis.The mirror-symmetrical increase in both directions is preferred according to the invention, as this has a particularly strong effect in preventing torn-off parts. It is also preferred that the cross-sectional transitions toward the respective end regions of the tubular element run radially, i.e., are provided with specific radii, in order to avoid high notch stresses that could undesirably break or fracture the tubular element at these points, particularly under mechanical loads or vibrations of the assembly or connecting element.

[0015] The region of minimum wall thickness of the tubular element can be formed as a region with a constant wall thickness. It is preferred that the cross-sectional transitions from the region with minimum wall thickness to the regions in which the wall thickness increases run radially, i.e., are provided with specific radii. In one embodiment, such a region with a constant wall thickness can also be omitted, i.e., the regions in which the wall thickness increases meet in the region of minimum wall thickness, also preferably with a radial cross-sectional transition.

[0016] The two opposite end regions of the tubular element preferably each merge into flanges which extend in the direction of the housing and perpendicular to the X axis.

[0017] In one embodiment, the interruption switching element according to the invention has at least one chamber which is at least partially delimited by the isolating region. The at least one chamber is preferably filled with an extinguishing agent, such that the isolating region is in contact with the extinguishing agent. The at least one chamber is preferably located within the cavity of the tubular element of the isolating region, i.e. is enclosed by the isolating region. Furthermore, the interruption switching element according to the invention can have a further chamber which adjoins the outer region of the tubular element of the isolating region. In other words, the tubular element delimits the at least one chamber from the further chamber. The further chamber is preferably delimited in its outer periphery by the housing of the interruption switching element. The further chamber is preferably also filled with an extinguishing agent.

[0018] However, the hollow space of the tubular element can also be omitted; in this case, only the additional chamber outside the tubular connecting element is filled with an extinguishing agent. However, for very small currents to be separated in conjunction with very small circuit inductances, the extinguishing agent can be omitted entirely; in this case, the enclosed air is sufficient for the separation process.

[0019] The extinguishing agent can be a solid, powdered, or liquid medium. The extinguishing agent is preferably a vaporizable or gasifiable medium (e.g. boric acid; this powder changes directly from the powdered phase into a gas when exposed to an arc, absorbing energy and thus depleting the arc). The extinguishing agent is preferably a liquid medium which, upon reaching the boiling or vaporization temperature, changes completely or partially into a gaseous state. At the same time, it is preferred that the extinguishing agent also has good electrical insulating properties so that the arc can be extinguished after sufficient removal of the two separated parts of the separation area and there is then sufficient insulation between the separated contacts against any undesired current flow. The extinguishing agent is preferably an oil with or without a thickener, for example silicone oil, or a silane orPolysiloxane, for example hexasilane or pentasilane with as little or even better no carbon atom content as possible.

[0020] In one embodiment, the interruption switch according to the invention has a sabot that can be moved from an initial position to an end position, wherein in the end position of the sabot, an insulating distance is achieved between the first and second connection contacts. The sabot has the task of separating the two separate parts of the isolating area from each other by applying pressure and performing a mechanical movement that removes one part of the isolating area from the other part of the isolating area. In this way, a safety distance is established between the two separate parts of the isolating area.

[0021] The triggering of the interruption switching element according to the invention, ie the process of transition from the control position to the disconnected position, can be passive or active.

[0022] If the interruption switching element according to the invention is to be triggered actively, it is preferred that the interruption switching element comprises an activatable material. The activatable material is preferably arranged such that, upon ignition of the pyrotechnic material, the separation area is subjected to a gas pressure or shock wave generated by the activatable material, such that the separation area is torn open, dented, or separated. The sabot is preferably designed such that, upon ignition of the activatable material, it is subjected to a gas pressure or shock wave generated thereby, such that the sabot moves in the housing in one direction of movement from the starting position to the end position, and the separation area is torn open, dented, or separated.

[0023] The activatable material can be a pyrotechnic material with a detonating or deflagrating effect. The pyrotechnic material is preferably present in the interrupting switching element according to the invention in a so-called mini-detonator or a primer or squib, but can also be incorporated in another form.

[0024] If the interruption switching element according to the invention is to be triggered passively, ie without an activatable material for the initial severing of the isolating area, it is preferred that the isolating area, the sabot and the extinguishing agent are designed in such a way that the isolating area can be separated into at least two parts by the supplied current when a threshold current is exceeded by heating at or above the melting point of the material of the connecting element, wherein an arc created between the two parts of the isolating area evaporates the extinguishing agent, so that a gas pressure acting on the sabot is created, wherein the sabot is moved again in the housing in a direction of movement from the starting position to the end position.

[0025] Furthermore, the separation area can also have one or more predetermined breaking points, which can be in the form of a constriction, notch, groove, or bore. Preferably, the predetermined breaking point is in the form of a bore through the wall of the tubular element of the separation area. In this way, the bore connects the at least one chamber with the further chamber. This makes it easier to fill an extinguishing agent into the at least one chamber within the tubular element during manufacture of the interruption switching element according to the invention.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the contact unit can have a compression region. The compression region can be designed such that it surrounds a further chamber. The compression region can be designed such that it is compressed during the separation process of the separation region. It is preferred that the material of the compression region be a readily deformable, possibly also soft-annealed material, in order to improve the folding behavior of the compression region. The compression region can be designed in terms of material and geometry such that the wall of the compression region is folded, preferably folded in a meandering shape, as a result of the compression movement.

[0027] In one embodiment of the invention, the compression region can be designed such that it is compressed during the movement of the sabot from the starting position to the end position, wherein the compression region is preferably designed as a tubular or rod-shaped element whose axial extension direction runs along an axis X, wherein the tubular or rod-shaped element can have one or more tapers in its cross-sectional diameter, wherein the cross-sectional diameter is defined perpendicular to the axis X. The compression region, like the separation region of the connecting element, can therefore be present as a tubular element. All preferred embodiments with regard to the tubular element of the separation region also apply to the tubular element of the compression region.The compression zone can also be designed as a rod-shaped element, whose outer surface can, in principle, be shaped in the same way as if it were a tubular element. In other words, the rod-shaped element can have one or more tapers relative to its cross-sectional diameter. By linearly or stepwise changing the wall thickness or diameter along the X-axis of the compression zone, excessive tearing of the material with the corresponding splintering effect can be prevented. In this way, the formation of splinters can be avoided.Due to the one or more tapers, unlike with a cross-sectional area that remains constant along the X axis, the tearing off of splinters of the compression area during the transition from the control position to the disconnected position can be largely avoided, so that the already disconnected contact of the interruption switching element cannot be electrically contacted to the housing, so that no short circuit can occur within the switch.

[0028] This is particularly advantageous or important when using materials for the fastener that are not as ductile as the commonly used E-copper. For example, machining aluminum as the fastener material requires a hard aluminum, which would immediately break into many small splinters during the folding process, even after annealing the fastener after its manufacture.

[0029] The changes in the cross-sectional areas in the compression zone shown are chosen to allow the length L of the compression zone to become longer or to be able to use it before the compression zone would not compress but buckle due to the compressive load, which would be completely undesirable here: According to the fourth Euler buckling case (both ends of the buckling bar firmly clamped and compressive load on the bar), the critical buckling load is calculated as F crit = 4 * pi 2 < / L 2 < * E * I with the clamped length L, the elastic modulus of the bar material E and the axial area moment of inertia I of the bar cross-section. When the critical buckling load is reached, the bar would buckle in the middle, or bulge in the case of hollow bodies - which is completely undesirable here and must be avoided at all costs because it would short-circuit a contact of the circuit breaker against the housing and bypass an insulator.

[0030] On the other hand, the greatest possible compression length L is desired in order to be able to plastically convert as much of the energy introduced into the assembly / disconnector as possible.

[0031] Due to the shown changes in the cross-sectional areas in the compression area, the available compression length L is divided into several smaller compression sections, the compression areas of which are then determined by the cross-sectional changes.

[0032] The processes described above apply analogously to all compression bodies, regardless of whether their cross-section is completely filled (here only buckling occurs) or whether a tube-like compression element is present (here buckling and bulging can occur)!

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the yet further chamber of the upsetting region can also be completely filled with an extinguishing agent. In this case, it is preferred that a connection in the form of a channel is present between the yet further chamber and the at least one chamber. Due to the movement of the sabot and / or the upsetting process of the upsetting region, the volume of the yet further chamber is reduced in such a way that the extinguishing agent is injected through the channel between the at least two parts of the separating region. As a result, the extinguishing agent can be pressed from the yet further chamber via the channel into the at least one chamber during the upsetting process and thus effectively suppresses or cools any arc that may still be present in the separating region. At the same time, the arc that may still be present in the at least one chamber isAlready partially decomposed extinguishing agent is diluted by the newly flowing extinguishing agent, thus also improving the insulating properties of the "stressed" extinguishing agent. In this embodiment of the invention, it may also be preferred that only one chamber and the further chamber, as well as the connecting channel, are filled with an extinguishing agent. Here, it may be preferred that the further chamber not contain any extinguishing agent.

[0034] Further embodiments of the invention also emerge from the subclaims. The features of the interruption switching element according to the invention presented in the aforementioned embodiments can be combined in any way according to the invention, provided they are not mutually exclusive.

[0035] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings. All individual features described in the figures can also be used independently of one another in an interruption switch according to the invention—provided they are technically feasible. Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an interrupting switching element according to the invention prior to the separation of the isolating region (control position), which is in the form of a tubular element with varying wall thickness. Figs. 2a and 2b show sections of a contact unit of an interrupting switching element according to the invention in the region of the isolating regions. Figs. 3a and 3b show sections of a contact unit of an interrupting switching element according to the invention in the region of the compression regions.

[0036] The Fig. 1 The illustrated embodiment of an interruption switching element 1 according to the invention comprises a housing 2 in which a contact unit 3 is arranged. The housing 2 is designed such that it can withstand a pressure generated within the housing 2, which is generated, for example, during a pyrotechnic triggering of the interruption switching element 1, without there being any risk of damage or even bursting. The housing 2 can in particular be made of a suitable material, preferably steel. In the illustrated embodiment, the contact unit 3 is designed as a switching tube that can be pressed by the sabot 9 in the compression region 12, so that it is designed as a tube in the isolating region 6 and compression region 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the contact unit 3 has a first connection contact 4.The first connection contact 4 is adjoined by a radially outwardly extending flange which is supported on an annular insulator element made of an insulating material, for example a plastic, in such a way that the contact unit 3 cannot be moved out of the housing 2 in the axial direction. The contact unit 3 has a compression region 12 adjoining the flange in the axis of the contact unit 3. The wall thickness of the contact unit in the compression region 12, which has a predetermined axial extent, is selected and matched to the material such that when the interruption switching element 1 is triggered, a plastic deformation of the contact unit 3 in the compression region 12 results in a shortening of the compression region 12 in the axial direction by a predetermined distance.

[0037] Adjacent to the compression region 12 in the axial direction of the contact unit 3 is a flange 13, on which a sabot 9 sits in the illustrated embodiment. The sabot 9 is designed as an electrically insulating element, for example, made of a suitable plastic, preferably ceramic. This element surrounds the contact unit 3 in such a way that an insulating region of the sabot 9 engages between the outer circumference of the flange 13 and the inner wall of the housing 2. If pressure is applied to the surface of the sabot 9, a force is generated that compresses the compression region 12 of the contact unit 3 via the flange 13.This force is selected such that during the tripping process of the interrupting switching element 1, the compression area 12 is compressed, whereby the sabot 9 is moved from its initial position (status before the tripping of the interrupting switching element 1 = control position) into an end position (after completion of the switching process = disconnected position).

[0038] As from Fig. 1 As can be seen, the sabot 9 can be selected so that its outer diameter essentially corresponds to the inner diameter of the housing 2, so that an axial guidance of the flange 13 and thus also an axially guided compression movement is achieved during the switching process.

[0039] After the pressing process, the noses of the insulator element and the sabot 9 located near the housing 2 fully engage one over the other, so that the compression region 12, which is pushed together in a meandering shape after the release and the compression process, is fully enclosed by electrically insulating materials.

[0040] A separating area 6 is connected to the sabot 9 or the flange 13 of the contact unit 3. The second connecting contact 5 is then connected to this side of the contact unit 3.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, the sabot 9 is pushed onto the contact unit 3 from the side of the connecting contact 5 during assembly of the interrupting switching element 1. This is split for this purpose (not shown). If the second connecting contact 5 is not split or is made in one piece, identical to the contact unit 3, as shown, the sabot 9 must either be molded onto the contact unit or be constructed in multiple parts in order to be able to assemble it.

[0042] An activatable material 10 can be provided in the axial end of the contact unit 3 in the area of ​​the second connection contact 5, often housed in a mini-detonator or a detonator screw (drive). Electrical connection lines for the drive can be routed to the outside through an opening in the interior of the contact unit 3. The drive is preferably provided in a chamber 7 within the tubular element of the separation area 6. A further chamber 8 is located between the outer wall of a separation area 6 and the housing 2.

[0043] The separating area 6 is dimensioned such that it is at least partially ruptured by the generated gas pressure or the generated shock wave of a drive, but preferably completely ruptured, so that the pressure or the shock wave can also spread from the chamber 7 into the outer chamber 8, which is preferably designed as a surrounding annular space. The chambers 7 and 8 are thus connected to one another to form a single volume. The internal pressure required for compressing the contact unit 3 can also be generated such that, at a certain threshold current intensity, the separating area 6 melts and an arc forms between them, which evaporates an extinguishing agent located in the chambers 7 and / or 8. To facilitate rupturing, the wall of the contact unit 3 in the separating area 6 can also have one or more openings or bores and / or grooves (not shown in Fig. 1 ). It must be ensured that the material of the separation area 6 separates the operating current well, i.e., taking heat dissipation into account, does not become too hot in order to prevent the material from aging too quickly or too severely.

[0044] When the interrupting switching element 1 is activated, a pressure or even a shock wave is generated on the side of the sabot 9 facing away from the compression region 12, whereby the sabot 9 is subjected to a corresponding axial force. This force is selected by appropriately dimensioning the activatable material 10 such that the contact unit 3 is plastically deformed or pressed in in the compression region 12, but not torn open, and the sabot 9 is then moved towards the first connection contact 4. The activatable material 10 is dimensioned such that after the separation region 6 is broken open or pressed in, the movement of the sabot 9 moves the two separation halves sufficiently far apart, in conjunction with the evaporation of an extinguishing agent, even to an end position.

[0045] Immediately after the activation of the activatable material 10, the separation area 6 is at least partially torn open or indented, preferably completely torn open. If the tearing or indentation does not occur before the axial movement of the sabot 9 begins over the entire circumference of the separation area 6, a remaining portion of the separation area 6, which still causes electrical contact, is completely torn open by the axial movement of the sabot 9, amplified by the very rapid heating of the then only small residual cross-section of the conductor due to the high electric current flowing there.

[0046] The interruption switching element 1 according to Fig. 1 is basically structured in the same way as in Fig. 1 shown interruption switching element of DE 10 2017 123 021 A1, with the difference according to the invention that the isolating region 6 does not represent a tubular element with a consistently uniform wall thickness, but that the tubular element has a minimum wall thickness in a region between the flange-side end regions, which increases in the direction of the flange-side end regions. Fig. 1 the wall thickness increases essentially linearly, and both areas in which the wall thickness increases are mirror-symmetrical to each other, as is the case, for example, in Fig. 2b is shown.

[0047] The Fig. 2a und 2b show the partial area of ​​a contact unit 3 in which the separation area and the adjoining flanges 14 and 15 are present. The length L is the extension of the separation area in the direction of the axis X. The separation area has an area with a minimum wall thickness, which increases in the direction of the flange-side end areas, i.e. towards the flanges 14 and 15. The radii R1 and R2 represent the radii of the cross-sectional transitions between the separation area and the adjoining flanges 14 and 15. The radius R3 in Fig. 2b represents the radius of the cross-sectional transition in the area of ​​minimum wall thickness to the areas of increasing wall thickness. The same applies to the radii R4 and R5 in the Fig. 2a . As in Fig. 2a As shown, the area of ​​minimum wall thickness can also be cylindrical in a length z and only then transition into the areas of increasing wall thickness. Fig. 2b shows an embodiment in which such a cylindrical area is not present. The thickness s in Fig. 2a indicates the minimum wall thickness in the cylindrical area. As in Fig. 2a As shown, the angles w3 and w4 can be different, ie the increase in wall thickness towards the two flange-side ends of the separation area does not have to be the same on both sides. The increase in wall thickness can also be uniform towards both flange-side ends of the separation area, as shown in Fig. 2b shown. Here, the angles w1 and w2 are therefore equal. Fig. 2a shows a hole as a predetermined breaking point 11 in the separation area with the diameter d.

[0048] The Fig. 3a and 3bshow the partial area of ​​a contact unit 3 in which the compression area 12 and the adjoining flanges 13 and 17 are present. The length L2 is the extension of the compression area in the direction of the axis X. The compression area has an area with minimal wall thickness, which increases in the direction of the flange-side end areas, i.e. towards the flanges 13 and 17. The radii R1 and R2 represent the radii of the cross-sectional transitions between the compression area and the adjoining flanges. The radii R3 in Fig. 3 represent the radii of the cross-sectional transitions in the area of ​​minimum wall thickness to the areas of increasing wall thickness. As in Fig. 3b As shown, the area of ​​minimum wall thickness can also be cylindrical over a length t and only then transition into the areas of increase or decrease in wall thickness. Fig. 3a However, Figure 1 shows an embodiment in which such a cylindrical region is not present. The thickness s again indicates the minimum wall thickness in the cylindrical region. As in Fig. 3 As shown, the angles w3 and w4 can again be different (not shown here), ie the increase in wall thickness towards the two flange-side ends of the upsetting area does not have to be the same on both sides. The increase in wall thickness can also be uniform towards both flange-side ends of the upsetting area, as in Fig. 3 shown. Here, the angles w1 and w2 are therefore equal. List of reference symbols:

[0049] 1 Break contact 2 Housing 3 Contact unit 4 First connection contact 5 Second connection contact 6 Separation area 7 Chamber 8 Further chamber 9 Sabot 10 Activated material 11 Predetermined breaking point 12 Upsetting area 13 Flange on the upsetting area for pressurization by the sabot 14 Flange on the separation area 15 Flange on the separation area 17 Flange on the upsetting area d Diameter of a bore L Length of the extension of the separation area in the direction of the X axis L2 Length of the extension of the upsetting area in the direction of the X axis R1-R5 Radii of the cross-sectional transitions s Thickness of the area of ​​minimum wall thickness t Length of the cylindrical areas with minimum wall thickness in the upsetting area w1-w4 Angle of the linear increase in wall thickness X Axis X z Length of the cylindrical area with minimum wall thickness in the separation area

Claims

1. Electrical interruption switch (1), in particular for interrupting high currents at high voltages, (a) comprising a housing (2) which encloses a contact unit (3) defining the current path through the interruption switch (1), and (b) wherein the contact unit (3) has a first and a second connection contact (4, 5) and a separation region (6), (c) wherein the contact unit (3) is designed such that a current can be supplied thereto via the first connection contact (4) and can be discharged therefrom via the second connection contact (5), or vice versa, (d) wherein the separation region (6) is designed as a tubular element, the axial extension direction of which extends along an axis X, wherein the tubular element is separable into two parts along a plane perpendicular to the axis X, as a result of which the current between the first and the second connection contact (4, 5) is interrupted, (e) wherein the tubular element has two opposite end regions along the extension direction of the axis X, which end regions transition into flanges which extend in the direction of the housing perpendicularly to the axis X, wherein between the separation region and the flanges there are cross-sectional transitions which are provided with certain radii, (f) wherein the tubular element has a minimum wall thickness in a region between the end regions, characterized in that (g) the wall thickness increases in the direction of the end regions up to the cross-sectional transitions.

2. Interruption switch (1) according to claim 1, wherein the wall thickness increases conically toward the end regions.

3. Interruption switch (1) according to claim 2, wherein the increase in the wall thickness in the direction of the end regions is mirror-symmetrical, wherein the mirror plane is arranged perpendicularly to the axis X in the region of the minimum wall thickness.

4. Interruption switch (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one chamber (7) in the interruption switch (1), which is at least partially delimited by the separation region (6), is filled with an extinguishing agent, so that the separation region (6) is in contact with the extinguishing agent.

5. Interruption switch (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the interruption switch has a sabot (9) which is movable from a starting position to an end position, wherein in the end position of the sabot (9), an insulation distance between the first and the second connection contact (4, 5) is achieved.

6. Interruption switch (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the interruption switch (1) comprises an activatable material (10) which is arranged such that when the activatable material (10) is ignited, the separation region (6) is subjected to a gas pressure or shock wave generated by the activatable material (10), so that the separation region (6) is torn open, pressed in or separated.

7. Interruption switch (1) according to claim 6, wherein the sabot (9) is designed in such a way that when the activatable material (10) is ignited, it is subjected to a gas pressure or shock wave generated by the activatable material such that the sabot (9) moves in the housing (2) in a direction of movement from the starting position to the end position and the separation region (6) is torn open, pressed in or separated.

8. Interruption switch (1) according to either claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the separation region (6), the sabot (9) and the extinguishing agent are designed such that the separation region (6) can be separated into at least two parts by the supplied current when a threshold current strength is exceeded, wherein an arc formed between the two parts of the separation region (6) vaporizes the extinguishing agent so that a gas pressure acting on the sabot (9) is produced, wherein the sabot (9) is moved in the housing (2) in a direction of movement from the starting position to the end position.

9. Interruption switch (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the separation region (6) has a predetermined breaking point (11), which is preferably in the form of a bore through the wall of the tubular element.

10. Interruption switch according to any of claims 5 to 9, wherein the contact unit (3) has a compression region (12) which is designed such that it is compressed during the movement of the sabot (9) from the starting position to the end position, wherein the compression region is designed as a tubular or rod-shaped element, the axial extension direction of which extends along an axis X, wherein the tubular or rod-shaped element has one or more tapers in its cross-sectional diameter, wherein the cross-sectional diameter is in a plane perpendicular to the axis X.