SAFETY DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a safety device for interrupting an electrical connection, comprising an electrical conductor with at least a first and a second connection contact, wherein the conductor changes its direction of travel several times between the first and the second connection contact, so that the conductor has at least two tear-off sections to be interrupted, arranged geometrically next to one another and electrically connected in series. The safety device further comprises a housing in which at least the two tear-off sections of the conductor to be interrupted are accommodated. It further comprises a disconnection actuator which is designed and arranged relative to the conductor in such a way as to disconnect the conductor by tearing it off at least at the two tear-off sections when the disconnection actuator is triggered.

[0002] When an electrical circuit is interrupted, a so-called arc can form above a certain current and / or voltage. This occurs when the electrical potential difference (voltage) and current density are sufficiently high due to impact ionization between the two conductor ends, which are interrupted or separated. The electric current then flows through the gas (e.g., air) between the separated conductor ends, which is ionized in the process. The ionization of the particles (atoms or molecules) makes the gas electrically conductive. Current density is generally defined as the ratio of the current intensity to the cross-sectional area available for the current.An arc (in the field of the invention, a negative phenomenon in the sense of an arc fault) can therefore, for example, maintain an electrical connection in an electrical circuit even though the two conductor ends are no longer actually directly (physically) connected to one another, since the conductor ends are already separated from one another, for example, by a gap essentially filled with air. The higher the current and / or voltage in an electrical circuit, the more energetic the arc created upon separation becomes. Spark quenching (arc quenching) is even more important with direct current, since there is no so-called zero-voltage transition, as with alternating current, which can extinguish the arc on its own.

[0003] The phenomenon of arcing becomes particularly problematic when the electrical circuit has to be interrupted for health-threatening reasons, for example in the event of an accident to prevent further consequential damage.

[0004] For example, maintaining the connection between a battery or accumulator and an electric motor in the event of an accident can pose a significant health risk (including to those involved) due to electric shock. To prevent this, a variety of different safety and isolation systems are already known.

[0005] For example, WO 2017 / 032362 A1 describes a circuit breaker with the features mentioned above. In this design, the connecting elements that establish a connection between a first and a second contact are located together with an insulating medium and other components in a common interior of the housing. As a result, the entire interior will be contaminated or soiled with the insulating medium after tripping. Furthermore, parts of the insulating medium could also be located outside the housing after the circuit breaker has tripped. This increases the risk of surrounding components becoming contaminated and—even if other accident damage to the vehicle would in principle allow this—simply replacing the circuit breaker is not sufficient, for example, to restore the vehicle to operation.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve such a safety device.

[0007] This object is achieved by a safety device according to patent claim 1 and a method for producing the safety device according to patent claim 13.

[0008] As mentioned at the beginning, the safety device according to the invention for interrupting an electrical connection, for example, an electrical circuit, comprises an electrical conductor with at least a first and a second connection contact. The connection contacts are the electrical contacts, e.g., two end sections of the conductor, by means of which the safety device is connected in series with the other electrical components of an electrical circuit. For example, in the simplest case, a battery as a power source and an electric motor can form a closed electrical circuit.

[0009] The conductor changes its direction several times between the first and second connection contacts, so that the conductor has at least two breakable sections to be interrupted, arranged geometrically next to one another and electrically connected in series. In the simplest case, a breakable section can be just a section along the length of the conductor in question, at or in which section the conductor is preferentially torn off or severed, for example, if, as explained later, a predetermined breakable point has been incorporated.

[0010] For example, the course of the conductor between the first and the second connection contact can run in a loop-like manner in at least one section or have at least one U-shaped section in which the two legs of the U-shaped section are preferably arranged substantially parallel to one another and geometrically next to one another.

[0011] Furthermore, the safety device has a housing in which at least the two tear-off sections of the conductor to be interrupted are accommodated.

[0012] Furthermore, the safety device comprises a separation actuator, preferably a pyrotechnic separation actuator, which is designed and arranged relative to the conductor in such a way as to separate the conductor by tearing it off at least at the two tear-off sections when the separation actuator is triggered, preferably upon receipt of a trigger signal. This means that the separation actuator is arranged relative to the conductor in such a way that when the separation actuator is triggered, the conductor is torn off in at least one tear-off section, but preferably in both tear-off sections simultaneously, due to the action of the separation actuator.

[0013] According to the invention, the safety device is designed in such a way that an arc which occurs when the conductor is torn off in a torn-off section necessarily runs essentially into the extinguishing material.

[0014] According to the invention, the safety device can preferably comprise at least two sealed arc quenching chambers. These are each arranged at least in the region of the two break-off sections of the conductor. They are designed to seal (shield) any arc that may arise in a free space (i.e., between the two conductor sections separated by the break-off) from the outside environment of the arc quenching chamber. "Sealed from the environment of the arc quenching chamber" is to be understood in such a way that potentially occurring processes within the arc quenching chamber during the break-off process have as little damaging effect as possible outside the arc quenching chamber.

[0015] Furthermore, this should also prevent any extinguishing material from escaping. The extinguishing material is preferably a substance or material that has electrically insulating properties and is, if possible, hardly flammable or combustible. A more detailed description of the extinguishing material and its function is provided below. It is located at least in and / or around the area of ​​the breakaway sections within the arc extinguishing chambers. The arc extinguishing chamber is preferably filled with the extinguishing material essentially up to the conductor itself.

[0016] In the construction according to the invention, the conductor is initially in a first position, or "initial position," as usual—i.e., before the isolating actuator is triggered. In this initial position (or "normal operating position"), the undamaged conductor is, as mentioned above, integrated, for example, into an electrical circuit in the form of a series connection via the first and second connecting contacts, so that (in "normal operating mode") a closed circuit is created, for example, between the battery and the electric motor. Thus, in normal operating mode, the current flows through the electrical conductor of the safety device as intended, with the current flow not being impaired.

[0017] After successful separation—after triggering the isolating actuator—the torn-off, moving conductor section is in a second position, or "disconnected position." In this disconnected position, the electrical circuit between a first and a second connection contact is interrupted as intended. For example, to interrupt the electrical circuit, a movable, tear-off section of the conductor between the connection contacts can be torn out. This can preferably be moved into the disconnected position in a specially provided release chamber in the housing, separate from the arc-quenching chambers, as will be explained later.

[0018] Due to the multiple changes in its direction of travel, the conductor can be interrupted simultaneously at several geometrically adjacent break sections during the break-off movement. This advantageously ensures that only a fraction of the total voltage applied is present at each of the individual break sections. The total voltage applied to the conductor is divided according to the number of break sections used. This means that, for example, if a total of two break sections are used, only half the total voltage is applied to each of the two break sections upon break-off. This weakens any potential arcs that may occur between the separated conductor sections or even prevents an arc from forming.Because the conductor now runs through an additionally sealed, separate arc quenching chamber in the housing, at least in the area of ​​the break-off sections, it can be ensured that the electrical arc is contained within the arc quenching chamber and can be extinguished particularly well and quickly using the extinguishing material located there. Because these arc quenching chambers are arranged as sealed, separate chambers within the housing, the probability of extinguishing material escaping from the housing in the event of a triggering is further reduced. If other accident damage to the vehicle therefore permits this in principle, the vehicle can be put back into operation immediately by simply and quickly replacing the safety device. In particular, cleaning the surrounding area would not be necessary.

[0019] A method according to the invention for producing (manufacturing method) a safety device for interrupting an electrical connection comprises at least the following steps: Firstly, an electrical conductor with at least a first and a second connection contact is provided or produced, wherein the conductor changes its direction of travel several times between the first and the second connection contact, so that the conductor has at least two tear-off sections to be interrupted, which are arranged geometrically next to one another and are electrically connected in series.The conductor is bent and / or shaped in such a way that a predetermined break point is created at a defined location in each of the break sections. The shaping of the conductor's path simultaneously ensures that these break sections, at which the conductor is separated during a break movement in the event of a fuse being triggered, are electrically connected in series (in the simplest case, these can only be sections of the same conductor), but are geometrically arranged next to one another. This ensures that, as mentioned above, during a break movement, the two break sections are separated essentially simultaneously, so that only half the total voltage is present in each of the two break sections.

[0020] Furthermore, a housing with at least two arc extinguishing chambers is provided or manufactured and the electrical conductor is inserted into the housing so that at least the two tear-off sections of the conductor to be interrupted are received in the housing, wherein the two tear-off sections of the conductor each run through an arc extinguishing chamber which is sealed from the environment.

[0021] The housing is therefore manufactured or shaped in such a way that it accommodates or encloses the electrical conductor in such a way that at least the two breakaway sections of the conductor are located in arc-quenching chambers, which are separated from the other areas within the housing by walls. At the points where the conductor enters or exits the arc-quenching chambers, seals are arranged in front of and behind the breakaway sections to be interrupted to seal the passage through the walls. Possible shapes and types of seals are explained in more detail below.

[0022] Furthermore, the housing advantageously encloses the conductor in such a way that the conductor runs predominantly within the housing, with the connection contacts of the conductor, for example, running out of the housing or protruding out of it and thus being very easy to integrate in series into an electrical circuit.

[0023] In addition, a disconnect actuator is provided or manufactured. This is arranged relative to the conductor, e.g., mounted in or on the housing, in such a way that the conductor is disconnected by tearing off at least at the two breakaway sections when the disconnect actuator is triggered (upon receipt of a trigger signal in the event of a fuse blow).

[0024] For example, the isolation actuator can be installed in the housing in a specially formed "isolation actuator chamber." The isolation actuator could preferably be a separate purchased part and purchased and installed ready for assembly. This will be explained later.

[0025] During assembly, the two arc-quenching chambers formed by the housing are filled with an extinguishing material. The housing is preferably closed afterward. For example, it can be sealed by connecting a housing base, into which the aforementioned components are previously mounted and filled with the extinguishing material, to a housing cover. This allows the extinguishing material located in the arc-quenching chambers to be held captive within the arc-quenching chamber and prevents accidental leakage, e.g., during installation of the safety device.

[0026] The order of the previously described process steps for assembling the individual components of the safety device is arbitrary, provided the individual components have been previously prepared or manufactured so that they are available for assembly. Likewise, the components can also be provided already at least partially assembled. For example, the conductor can be pre-formed with seals already attached, provided with pre-determined tear-off points, and prepared for insertion into the housing.

[0027] In the housing base body described above, all interior walls or partition walls are preferably already pre-formed. For example, the "separation walls" of the arc-quenching chambers from the other areas in the housing, e.g., an isolating actuator chamber, can be formed or formed in a single operation during the housing's manufacture, e.g., using an injection molding process. Alternatively, individual partition walls could also be added later if this appears advantageous from a production perspective. These are then provided, for example, as separate individual parts and can be inserted into the housing or mounted in the housing in at least one further process step of the manufacturing process (before filling).

[0028] The described manufacturing process can also include a number of additional process steps. For example, the housing base body can be sealed with the cover element after filling, thus preventing subsequent improper opening by a third party, for example, for tampering purposes. The seals can also be provided or delivered in a pre-prepared state. Preferably, however, the seals can also be injected or foamed in-situ directly around or on the conductor in an additional process step using a so-called "formed in-place" (or "formed in-place foam gasket" (FIPFG)) method, or the conductor can be overmolded. The seals can also be inserted in-situ using the "form-in-place" method or directly into the housing using a 2K injection molding process. This will be explained in more detail later.

[0029] The inventive use of a safety device according to the invention in an electrically powered vehicle (electric car or electric vehicle, B(EV) for short) can, in particular, interrupt an electrical connection between the power-requiring components of the vehicle, in particular the vehicle's electric motor or electric drive, and a battery storage system or other current / voltage sources. This can prevent an unwanted current flow emanating from a battery storage system, preferably immediately after an accident. For example, this can prevent a current flow to a battery storage system from continuing, which could potentially create a spark that could, for example, ignite a flammable liquid leaking out as a result of the accident.

[0030] The fuse device is advantageously designed to be suitable for high direct and alternating currents at high voltages, such as those found in modern electric vehicles. In particular, the fuse device can be designed for voltages above 100 V and also for interrupting direct currents. The design is also such that the current can be safely interrupted, preferably with a current greater than 2000 A, particularly preferably with a current greater than 10000 A. The fuse device's design also allows it to be used for electrical connections designed for medium voltages as defined by VDE regulations, namely for voltages of more than 1 kV.

[0031] In order for the safety device mentioned at the beginning to be triggered when it is supposed to be triggered, it could, for example, be coupled to a signal generator (or sensor) for a safety device installed in the vehicle, so that if triggered in the event of an accident, it is triggered at the same time as or immediately after the safety device.

[0032] A vehicle according to the invention has at least one electric motor for driving the vehicle and a safety device according to the invention. The vehicle can be any electric car, an electric truck, an electric motorcycle, an electric boat, an aircraft (or flying machine), or the like. However, the safety device is not limited to use in one of the aforementioned electrically powered vehicles, but can generally be used to interrupt an electrical circuit with any battery storage system, e.g., a battery or accumulator, thus preferably also in a machine or a robot, or a battery storage system that simply serves generally for an energy supply for intermediate storage, such as, e.g., as a local storage system for a solar power system.

[0033] Further, particularly advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims and the following description, wherein the independent claims of one claim category can also be developed analogously to the dependent claims and embodiments of another claim category and, in particular, individual features of different embodiments or variants can be combined to form new embodiments or variants.

[0034] In principle, the electrical conductor of the safety device could have any cross-section transverse to its direction of travel, e.g., a round, solid cross-section.

[0035] Preferably, however, the conductor is designed as a "flat conductor." In other words, it has a substantially flat cross-section. This means that the cross-section of the flat conductor comprises a shorter and a longer side. For the sake of simplicity, a flat conductor will also be referred to simply as a "conductor" below. The conductor is bent several times along its length, preferably along the longer cross-sectional side or "flat side," creating, for example, a U-shaped conductor section. This U-shape can be seen in a top view of the shorter cross-sectional side of the conductor. As already mentioned, the two legs of the U-shaped section are preferably arranged substantially parallel to each other and geometrically adjacent to one another. These legs can therefore form the tear-off sections, which, as mentioned, are each provided with at least one intended tear-off point.

[0036] A "predetermined tear-off point," like a predetermined separation point described in more detail later (for specific embodiments), is fundamentally designed as a "predetermined breaking point" at which the conductor is to be separated in a targeted and predictable manner. In the simplest embodiment, the conductor is weakened at such a "predetermined tear-off point" so that, at a desired tensile stress along its primary direction of travel, it first tears off or is severed at this predetermined breaking point. The tensile stress required for separation is (as mentioned) generated by the separation actuator.

[0037] For example, the conductor may be mechanically weakened at such a predetermined breaking point, particularly a predetermined tear-off point. This means that, for example, it may have a cross-sectional narrowing (thinning) at least at this point.

[0038] Preferably, the conductor has a "perforation line" perpendicular to its direction of travel at a predetermined breaking point, in particular a predetermined tear-off point. This corresponds to a mechanical weakening in the form of several almost adjacent holes along a line that extends across the entire longer cross-sectional side. Although this deliberately negatively affects the tensile strength of the conductor at this point, the outer dimensions of the conductor do not require a reduction.

[0039] Particularly preferably, a further weakening hole can be arranged in the conductor immediately before and after a perforation line. This hole is preferably located closer to one of the shorter cross-sectional sides of the conductor, so that the tearing of the perforation line begins from the opposite side.

[0040] Most preferably, the conductor has a perforation line at a desired tear-off point perpendicular to its length with at least two diamond-shaped holes or openings, both before and after the perforation line. The diamond-shaped openings are arranged asymmetrically, i.e., closer to one of the shorter cross-sectional sides of the conductor. They can promote tearing at the desired tear-off points due to uneven expansion of the material and the resulting uneven force effect. However, other shapes of holes or openings along the perforation line in the conductor are also possible.

[0041] The perforation lines and / or the additional weakening holes in the conductor mentioned above and / or other holes or openings in the conductor (described later) can, for example, preferably be punched out or incorporated in another way. They can also be cut out using a suitable laser, for example.

[0042] Likewise, the weakening of a intended tear-off point could also be achieved by manufacturing the conductor in the area of ​​the intended tear-off point from a material that is easier to tear (i.e. a material that tears more quickly and easily under tensile stress) than in other areas. This can be useful if manufacturing the conductor from multiple pieces would involve less effort and lower cost. This is particularly useful if the majority of the conductor were to be made of a cheaper, yet more tensile-resistant material. Possible cheaper and more tensile-resistant materials for the main part of the conductor could be aluminum or special metal alloys suitable for this purpose, whereas copper and silver are suitable for the tear-off sections with the intended tear-off points.

[0043] There are various options for the design of the conductor's connection contacts.

[0044] Preferably, the first and second connection contacts of the conductor are located outside the housing of the safety device, so that the safety device can be installed with the housing closed during a new installation or retrofitting in an existing system. The two connection contacts of the safety device, which protrude slightly from the housing of the safety device, can have almost any shape.

[0045] Preferably, the connecting contacts are each formed with at least one hole in their cross-section, so that they can be firmly connected or clamp-connected in an existing circuit, for example, using a screw or similar device. Particularly preferably, the two connecting contacts are formed with a hole so that, for example, a clamping shoe can be used for clamp contact. This enables new installation or retrofitting of the safety device into an existing circuit using simple and quick clamp contact. Furthermore, this type of clamping ensures that the safety device generally always remains connected in an electrical circuit and does not easily become detached during vehicle operation.

[0046] According to the invention, the arc quenching chambers are sealed. There are various options for this, too.

[0047] Preferably, one, particularly preferably each, arc quenching chamber has at least two seals, one seal at each of the two entry points of the conductor into or out of the respective arc quenching chamber.

[0048] The seals at the entry points of the arc quenching chambers are preferably designed or shaped in such a way that neither significant extinguishing material nor an arc escapes from the arc quenching chambers during operation.

[0049] For this purpose, each of the seals expediently has a through-hole for the conductor. This is designed to match the conductor cross-section so that the conductor remains movable along its primary direction of travel, but is permanently sealed as tightly as possible – with a constant cross-section along the conductor section moving through the seal. The through-hole therefore preferably has a predetermined clear dimension that is minimally smaller than an external dimension of the conductor, so that the seal fits particularly tightly against the conductor, even if the clear dimension achieved in a specific seal might, in individual cases, be minimally larger than the predetermined clear dimension due to manufacturing reasons (within the tolerances).

[0050] At least along the conductor section moving through the seal, the conductor preferably also has a uniform, smooth surface so that it slides smoothly through the through openings of the seals during the tear-off movement.

[0051] A seal preferably comprises an elastic and / or electrically insulating material. It is particularly preferably a rubber seal or a seal made of a rubber-like, elastic material. Most preferably, the seal is made of a heat-resistant material so that its shape neither changes in the event of an arc, nor is its material damaged in a way that could potentially impair the seal's sealing ability. This ensures that the arc-quenching chamber remains sealed from the environment.

[0052] Preferred materials for an elastic seal, which is assembled manually or preferably by machine, are acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, silicone rubber or fluororubber.

[0053] If a seal is to be installed in-situ, it can be injected using a so-called 2K injection molding process, as mentioned above in the manufacturing process. In this case, thermoplastic polymers are preferred, such as thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonates (PC), polyamides (PA), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyoxymethylene (POM), and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

[0054] Alternatively, a seal can be applied or inserted in-situ, as mentioned above in the manufacturing process, for example, using the so-called "form-in-place" method directly onto the conductor or housing. A polymer, such as polyurethane, is preferably used as the material.

[0055] For a tight connection to the housing, one seal, preferably each seal, forms a positive connection with an associated wall section of the housing. These wall sections are located, for example, in the area where the conductor enters the arc quenching chamber. Such wall sections, into which a seal is inserted and through which the conductor passes, are also referred to below as the "through walls" of the arc quenching chamber.

[0056] Such a positive connection between the seal and the passage wall is preferably a tongue and groove connection or (as is particularly preferred) a tongue and groove connection. In this case, two connection partners (components) are usually connected to one another in a positive fit so that there is sufficient shear strength perpendicular to this connection. In a tongue and groove connection, one of the two connection partners has a groove at the connection point and the other a tongue, so that when the two connection partners are connected, the tongue fits positively into the groove. A tongue and groove connection refers to a connection between two components in which both connection partners have a groove at the connection point, which is positively connected by means of an additional tongue in the form of a third component.

[0057] For this purpose, the wall sections or passage walls each have recesses or slots that are adapted to the external shape and dimensions of the conductor. To ensure that the seal remains in place during the tear-off movement of the conductor, the openings in the passage walls, in which the seals can be arranged, can preferably be only minimally larger than the conductor cross-section on the side facing away from the arc quenching chambers. This means that the seals are held captive in the passage wall between the inside and outside at the entry points. A passage wall is therefore preferably designed such that it has at least one single groove, preferably a double groove with a tongue located between the opening and the seal arranged therein, at the opening.Particularly preferably, the seal is designed with a cooperating single groove, into which, with a suitable arrangement, the tongue of the double groove engages, so that when the conductor's tear-off part moves in the direction of the conductor's path after tearing, the conductor slides through the seal without tearing the seal with it. This should ensure that the seals remain in place during a tear-off movement of the conductor.

[0058] As mentioned, the wall sections or passage walls can be molded directly into the housing parts (e.g. by injection molding) or can be components inserted separately into the housing.

[0059] After closing the housing, e.g. the previously mentioned assembly of the housing from a housing base body and a housing cover, the matching housing walls in conjunction with the seals create completely enclosed arc extinguishing chambers in the housing, in each of which a tear-off section of the conductor is arranged and sealed as required.

[0060] If the conductor is severed or torn off at the intended tear-off point during the tear-off movement, the severed part of the conductor (tear-off part) is preferably moved out of the arc-quenching chamber only far enough so that a predetermined-break end section of the tear-off part (with intact conductor cross-section) always remains within the arc-quenching chamber. This means that the two respective ends of the conductor severed at the predetermined tear-off points are preferably as far apart as possible in a separated position, but the two predetermined-break end sections of the tear-off part of the conductor are still located within the seal of the arc-quenching chamber, so that the through-opening remains blocked (sealed) with the remaining U-shaped tear-off part of the conductor. The movement of the tear-off part of the conductor after it has been severed by the separating actuator is also referred to below as "disengagement."

[0061] The safety device can preferably comprise a non-conductive separating element. This is designed to connect the part of the conductor that is to be torn off to the separating actuator, such that at least the tear-off part of the conductor is moved when the separating actuator is triggered. The separating element is a type of adapter, such as a pressure plate, between the separating actuator and conductor, which creates a non-conductive connection between the two components and simultaneously insulates the separating actuator from the conductor. The pressure plate can preferably be arranged centrally, parallel to the long side of the conductor cross-section, between the separating actuator and conductor. As a result, it can push away the tear-off part of the conductor through the action of the separating actuator, without the separating actuator directly touching the conductor.

[0062] Preferably, the housing contains a sufficiently large cavity to accommodate the moving breakaway part of the conductor (when the isolating actuator is triggered), the aforementioned release chamber. This cavity is referred to as the release chamber because it accommodates at least the moving or disengaging breakaway part of the conductor that runs between the two breakaway sections. It extends, for example, over an area within the housing that borders the end face of the housing further away from the connection contacts. For example, the release chamber can be delimited by outer walls of the housing and only be delimited on one of its six sides essentially by the two arc quenching chambers and the isolating actuator (or an isolating actuator chamber for accommodating the isolating actuator) that is preferably located between them.In other words, the release space preferably occupies an area within the housing that extends over the full width of the end faces as well as over a length of the long sides of the housing that is adapted to the separation distance.

[0063] The release space therefore preferably has a "clearance" between its opposing boundaries or walls in the direction of the conductor's primary travel (the "release direction," in which the movement of the conductor's breakaway section occurs), which is at most large enough to prevent the conductor's breakaway section from being completely released from the arc-quenching chambers. This "clearance" of the release space, as well as the dimension of the broad side of the conductor cross-section, results in a maximum separation distance between the respective end of the breakaway section and the corresponding end of the conductor section remaining standing during the breakaway (hereinafter referred to as the "invariant" conductor section). This separation distance should be at least large enough at the end of the breakaway movement in the release position to ensure that any potentially formed arc has a minimum length that favors arc collapse.

[0064] Particularly preferably, the housing is designed such that at least the walls of the release space or the housing, which are intended to ultimately absorb the breakaway portion of the conductor, are reinforced. These walls can have reinforcement or stiffening, for example in the form of ribs and / or a double wall thickness.

[0065] The extinguishing material is expediently designed to extinguish or collapse an arc particularly quickly, so that the electrical connection is interrupted as quickly as possible. It is preferably a material with particularly good pouring or flow properties. This not only allows it to be easily and without problems filled into the arc extinguishing chambers, but also flows particularly quickly into the free space formed during the tear-off movement by the break-off part of the conductor, which moves at least partially out of the arc extinguishing chamber. Quartz sand is preferably used as the extinguishing material. For the sake of simplicity, the quartz sand may also be referred to simply as sand below.

[0066] A resulting arc can, in particular, lead to a (possibly only partial) melting of the quartz sand, which removes maintenance energy from the arc. At the same time, an insulating glass plug of molten quartz sand can form, which can interrupt the arc.

[0067] In the event that the passive flow of the extinguishing material into the resulting free space is not fast enough, or the extinguishing material is prevented from flowing easily, the conductor can be equipped with additional devices (as described later) so that the free space between the conductor's pre-break end sections, which are separated at a predetermined tear-off point, can be actively filled with quartz sand. This active filling can increase the probability that sufficient quartz sand will be present in the resulting free space quickly enough to then act as an insulating element at the appropriate location between the separated conductor ends, for example, by fusing it into an insulating glass plug.

[0068] Even if an arc does occur, the invention ensures that it can be actively forced or directed into the sand.

[0069] In a preferred variant of the safety device, the conductor can have longitudinally extending depressions, particularly preferably grooves, in its direction of travel, at least in the region of one of the tear-off sections. The depressions result in or cause an enlargement of the surface of the conductor cross-section, so that ultimately more extinguishing material is available in the region of the intended tear-off points directly on the conductor than with a smooth conductor without depressions. The depressions can preferably be designed in the form of a meandering cross-section of the conductor (transverse to its direction of travel). Thus, any arc that may arise will inevitably pass through extinguishing material, since this surrounds or wets the surface of the conductor provided with the depressions or grooves. This will be explained in more detail later using an exemplary embodiment.

[0070] Additionally or alternatively, the safety device can preferably comprise at least one magnet arrangement to deflect an arc into the extinguishing material. This magnet arrangement, for example, at least one "blowing magnet," can be arranged such that a potentially developing arc is deflected or pushed away by the Lorentz force of a magnetic field generated by the blowing magnet. A blowing magnet used in this way is usually called this because its magnetic field "blows away" the particles in the arc, usually electrons. As a result, the arc's path is extended, and it can simultaneously be forced into the extinguishing material located to the side of the conductor's predetermined breaking end sections. The longer path of the arc also increases its surface area. Therefore, it cools down more quickly, and the air it ionizes loses its conductivity more quickly.In the event of an arc forming, the magnet arrangement ensures that the extinguishing material in the arc extinguishing chamber is melted less.

[0071] Such a blow magnet can, for example, be a conventional bar magnet, typically made of neodymium, which generates a magnetic field of at least 50-100 mT. Preferably, at least one magnet is used; more preferably, several magnets and / or a horseshoe-shaped iron yoke are used. They are arranged between the two legs of the iron yoke in the region of its open side. In the gap thus created between the two magnets, a virtually homogeneous magnetic field can be generated. However, the (as homogeneous as possible) magnetic field is particularly preferably generated by an electromagnet, since its magnetic field does not weaken over time. If desired, a separate magnet can be arranged for each of the arc quenching chambers.

[0072] In order to be able to retrofit this embodiment as easily as possible, the magnet arrangement can, for example, also be arranged on the outside of the housing so that the magnetic field acts within the housing, but the components of the magnet arrangement are protected from the processes taking place inside the housing. Arranging the magnet arrangement on the safety device on the outside of the housing simplifies both new installation during production and the replacement of a defective magnet. In addition, almost any suitable, possibly existing magnet could be put to functional use or, for example, a magnet could be reused after an installed safety device has been replaced. If a magnetic field is already present that achieves the effect of the magnet arrangement anyway, a magnet arrangement can logically be made obsolete or even eliminated.

[0073] Preferably, the safety device can also comprise an extinguishing material movement device (also simply called a "sand movement device"). This can be used to move or transport sand during the disengagement or tear-off movement into the free space created by the release of the conductor's tear-off part from the arc-quenching chambers after the tear-off. It thus also ensures that any arc that may occur is forced to travel through the sand.

[0074] In a first possible variant of the sand moving device, this can be achieved by designing the sand moving device, preferably in the style of a "shovel." The shovel is preferably attached to the breakaway part of the conductor and can be positioned—according to the principle of a "plow"—in the area of ​​the desired breakaway point such that a particularly large amount of sand is located in front of its "shovel surface." Consequently, during the breakaway movement, the sand located in front of the shovel can be actively pushed or pulled into the free space. To make production as efficient as possible, such a shovel could, for example, be made of the same material as the conductor and additionally formed on the conductor directly during production or provision of the conductor.

[0075] A second possible variant of the sand movement device can comprise a sand movement device with a simple belt. The belt is secured to the conductor in a relaxed state before and after the target break-off point within the arc quenching chamber. This means that, in its loose initial position, it is arranged in a semicircular shape at a distance from the conductor at least at the level of the target break-off point. In any case, sand is present within the semicircular belt between the belt and the conductor in the area of ​​the target break-off point.

[0076] As a result of the tearing movement, the tape is stretched between the tearing part of the conductor and the invariant conductor part when the tearing part of the conductor is disengaged. This actively propels or introduces sand into the intended tearing point. Once the conductor has been pulled apart, the tape runs essentially parallel to the conductor in a stretched state, without creating an electrical connection between the two separated, predetermined breaking end sections of the conductor. The tape can, for example, be a heat-resistant "insulating tape," which in any case has a suitable tensile strength. However, a heat-resistant, non-conductive tape could be used preferably.

[0077] For the most efficient and maximum sand introduction into the resulting free space at the intended break point, the band could also be formed in a tube-like shape around the conductor, along the conductor's path. This can be open at least on one side, but otherwise can be designed all around in the style and shape of a tube, or at least on two sides, essentially parallel to the two long sides of the arc quenching chamber. For example, a tube that is open at least on one side and can be filled with sand could be used.

[0078] Combinations of such sand moving devices are also possible.

[0079] The securing device can also preferably comprise a stepped conductor section, particularly to ensure that additional shear forces are generated. If necessary, the conductor's path can have a step only at a predetermined break point. This means that the conductor's path is designed, at least at the predetermined break point (when viewed from above), in a "heaviside" manner to deflect any arc that might arise during the break movement into the sand or at least to define its direction of extension. The predetermined break point can connect the two "steps" or "steps" of the conductor, which run or are aligned in its primary direction of extension, for example, at an angle, preferably vertically.

[0080] The two predetermined break points in the break sections ensure a quick and safe interruption of the conductor. To further increase safety, the conductor of the safety device can preferably also have a predetermined break point along its length, which is preferably located between the break sections in another break section of the conductor.

[0081] Particularly preferably, this additional intended separation point, i.e., the separation section, is located between the two essentially parallel, geometrically adjacent tear-off sections of the conductor. This separation section is therefore arranged essentially perpendicular to the tear-off sections, as it connects them electrically in series. If the separation section is aligned or runs exactly perpendicular to the two tear-off sections, a final separation of the conductor can be achieved particularly easily by simply punching the conductor through once more at the intended separation point during the tear-off movement.

[0082] The separation in the separation section preferably occurs staggered or delayed after the tearing in the tear-off sections. The conductor should preferably only be severed at the desired separation point when the tear-off section of the conductor is at least a minimum distance from the invariant conductor section, so that no further arcing occurs at the desired separation point, since the applied total voltage has already been sufficiently reduced.

[0083] The conductor can be punched through at the desired separation point, for example, using a blade, a sharp cutting edge, or a sharp wedge, and possibly a corresponding counterpart. For this purpose, the securing device preferably comprises a separating device that interacts with the separating actuator.

[0084] The separating device particularly preferably has a non-conductive, wedge-shaped element which is designed to sever the conductor at the desired separation point upon relative movement. It can, for example, be attached to an inner side of the front outer wall of the release chamber within the housing. For example, the separating device comprises at least two interacting elements which, upon relative movement of one of the two or both elements to one another, bring about a separation as part of the tear-off movement. For this purpose, the two elements are designed such that when they impact or collide with one another, they together create a preferably permanent interruption of the conductor. Both elements can have a cutting edge, or one of the two can be designed with a cutting edge and the other with a cutting surface. This means that upon impact, the conductor running between them is, so to speak, severed.

[0085] As already mentioned at the beginning, the safety device preferably comprises a separately encapsulated, pyrotechnic isolating actuator. This can also be purchased separately from the safety device as a separate, independent part. This can also advantageously be achieved by using existing, particularly standardized, pyrotechnic actuators that otherwise serve other purposes, such as triggering safety devices, belt tensioners, hood lifters, or the like.

[0086] A preferred separation actuator comprises a cylindrical sleeve containing a bolt with a piston section, a propellant charge, and an ignition device or ignition unit, which is closed by a closure piece. The sleeve is preferably a component made of steel. The bolt is made of aluminum, for example. A pyrotechnic propellant charge consists of a set of chemical substances in solid, liquid, or gaseous form, which, as an energy carrier, strives for a large volume upon activation and is thus capable of moving or deforming an object.

[0087] In principle, other isolating actuators or actuators without separate encapsulation are also possible. This means that the cylinder can, for example, also be partially implemented as part of the housing of the safety device, i.e., integrated into the housing.

[0088] The isolating actuator and the pressure plate mentioned above, which presses against the tear-off part of the conductor to be torn off in the event of a trip, can be connected or coupled to one another in a form-fitting manner. For this purpose, they preferably have corresponding coupling elements. These can, for example, be in the form of a cylindrical (core) bore on the front of the isolating actuator bolt and a corresponding pin on the back of the pressure plate. This creates a form-fitting connection between the bolt and pressure plate in the manner of a pin-blind hole connection (coupling). Alternatively, the isolating actuator bolt could also form one part with the pressure plate, i.e., the bolt and pressure plate are manufactured as a single piece.

[0089] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures using exemplary embodiments. In the various figures, identical components are provided with identical reference numerals. The figures are generally not to scale. They show: Figure 1 a perspective view (with the housing cover open) of a first embodiment of a safety device according to the invention in a starting position, Figure 2 a perspective view of an electrical conductor of the safety device according to Figure 1 , Figure 3 a perspective view of a housing base body of the safety device according to Figure 1 , Figure 4 a perspective view of a housing cover of the safety device according to Figure 1 , Figure 5 a perspective view of a pressure plate of the safety device according to Figure 1 , Figure 6a perspective view of a seal of the safety device according to Figure 1 , Figure 7 a longitudinal section of a separating actuator (in an initial position) of the safety device according to Figure 1 , Figure 8 a plan view of the isolating actuator (in a disconnected position after triggering) of the safety device according to Figure 1 , Figure 9 a perspective view of the safety device according to Figure 1 in a disconnected position of the electrical conductor with the tear-off part disengaged, Figure 10 another perspective view of the electrical conductor according to Figure 9 with the conductor's breakaway part extended with a schematic arc surrounded by an extinguishing material, Figure 11 a perspective view of the safety device according to Figure 1 with a closed housing, Figure 12 a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a safety device according to the invention in a starting position, Figure 13 a vertical cut through the electrical conductor Figure 12 along the section line AA, Figure 14 a schematic representation of a third embodiment of a safety device according to the invention in a starting position, Figure 15 a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of a safety device according to the invention in a starting position, Figure 16 a schematic representation of a fifth embodiment of a safety device according to the invention in a starting position, Figure 17 a schematic representation of a sixth embodiment of a safety device according to the invention in a starting position, Figure 18 a schematic representation of a seventh embodiment of a safety device according to the invention in a starting position, Figure 19by way of example, a schematic circuit diagram of a safety device 1 according to the invention connected in series in an electrical circuit.

[0090] Based on the Figures 1 to 11 A first preferred embodiment of the safety device 1 according to the invention will now be described, wherein the safety device 1 is designed to interrupt an electrical connection V and is provided with a first and second connection contact 101 in operation, as shown in Figure 19 shown, is connected in series in an existing electrical circuit.

[0091] As can be seen particularly from the perspective view in Figure 1As can be seen, in addition to the electrical conductor 100, the main components of this safety device 1 include a housing 11 with two arc-quenching chambers 30 sealed from the environment, which are filled with an extinguishing material 34, and an isolating actuator 60 (preferably a separately encapsulated, pyrotechnic isolating actuator). Other important areas within the housing 11, in which all other components are mounted, include two prechambers 25a, 25b, an isolating actuator chamber 23 located longitudinally between the two arc-quenching chambers 30, in which the isolating actuator 60 is arranged, and a release chamber 35 adjacent to the front.

[0092] Some essential components of the construction according to Figure 1 are in the Figures 2 , 3 , 5, 6 and 7 shown individually.

[0093] The electrical conductor 100 is in accordance with the Figure 2In the illustrated state, the conductor is formed with a flat cross-section, ie, a cross-section through the flat conductor 100 perpendicular to its direction of travel VR has a shorter and a longer cross-sectional side. The direction of travel VR is arbitrarily indicated here in a clockwise direction, but it could also be reversed.

[0094] Here, the conductor 100 is bent at several points across its longer cross-sectional side, so that it repeatedly changes its direction of travel VR. The bending occurs in such a way that the conductor 100 is essentially U-shaped in a "plane of travel" VE spanned by the repeatedly changing direction of travel VR.

[0095] The "main direction of travel" HVR of conductor 100 is defined below as the direction of travel VR of the two "legs" of the "U" in the plane of travel VE.

[0096] The essentially U-shaped conductor 100 has angled foot sections at the free ends of the U-shaped legs (also called "legs" for short), which point outward from the "U," so that, including these foot sections, a square, rectangular "Ω" is formed in the plane of travel VE. These foot sections serve as connection contacts 101, as explained later.

[0097] A conductor 100 formed in this way therefore has two geometrically adjacent longitudinal sides in the form of the two legs, a "closed" end face S connecting the two legs (which is formed by the "crossbar" 100d") and another "open" end face S` opposite the closed end face S (the "U-opening") with outwardly angled foot sections at the free ends of the U-legs.

[0098] The two parallel legs, which are primarily referred to simply as tear-off sections 104a, 104b below, are each weakened at a point near the bend to the foot sections (or connection contacts 101) in the form of a predetermined tear-off point 102, specifically a perforation line 102 here. The perforation line 102 extends perpendicular to the direction VR of the conductor 100 across its entire longer cross-sectional side between the two edges of the shorter cross-sectional side. The perforation line 102 begins and ends at the edge of the conductor 100 with an open hole, e.g., with approximately half a hole.

[0099] Immediately before and immediately after the two parallel intended tear-off points 102 in the course of the conductor 100, there are diamond-shaped openings 103 in the conductor 100, each with a tip pointing upwards, which in turn are arranged closer to one end of the perforation line 102. (They are shown here in the Figure 2 shown example closer to the upper end, but could just as well be arranged closer to the other, lower end of the perforation line 102.) Their maximum extension in this case is less than half the longer cross-sectional side of the conductor 100. The function of the desired tear-off points 102 and the diamond-shaped openings 103 is explained in more detail below.

[0100] At the closed end face S or the crossbeam 100d, the conductor 100 runs between the two parallel limbs in a straight line perpendicular to its main direction of travel HVR. For this purpose, it is bent and / or shaped at right angles to the main direction of travel HVR, correspondingly narrow, i.e., almost angular. A guide hole 106 is machined or punched into the conductor 100 centrally between the two bends and centrally relative to the longer cross-sectional side of the conductor 100.

[0101] As mentioned, the two outwardly angled foot sections of the conductor 100 serve as connecting contacts 101. They are each provided with a "hole" or a circular central opening in the flat side of the conductor 100. These holes allow them to be particularly easily integrated and secured in an electrical circuit using appropriate terminal blocks, such as crimp terminal blocks, or by screwing them in series.

[0102] The different sections of the conductor 100 can also consist of several individual parts, which in any case form a continuous or continuously connected electrical conductor 100, at least in a fully assembled state. The conductor 100 comprises two parts 100s, 100d connected by the predetermined tear-off points 102, which parts can be separated during a tear-off movement AB (see Figure 9) from each other. As will be explained later, a part 100s is mounted essentially immovably in the housing 11 (see, for example, the later explained Figure 9 ) and is therefore also referred to below as the "invariant conductor section" 100s, since it behaves statically during the tear-off movement AB. It comprises the two sections of the conductor 100, which extend between the connection contacts 101 and the desired tear-off points 102. These invariant conductor sections 100s are in the disconnected position P2, as shown in Figure 9 As shown, in the event of a triggering event, after the break, the conductor is no longer even indirectly connected via the remaining conductor part 100d connecting the two parts.

[0103] This other conductor section 100d of the conductor 100, which moves during the tear-off movement AB, is also simply referred to as the "tear-off section" 100d. This section is in turn divided into two sections: the aforementioned crossbeam 100d" of the tear-off section 100d between the two legs of the conductor 100, which runs perpendicular to the main direction of travel HVR, and the two break-side end sections 100d' of the tear-off section 100d, which correspond to the two moving "ends" torn off at the break point or tear-off point 102. These break-side end sections 100d' correspond to the torn-off, moving parts of the longitudinal legs of the conductor 100, which each adjoin the crossbeam 100d" parallel to the main direction of travel HVR of the conductor 100. The tear-off part 100d of the conductor 100 moves after the release of the separating actuator 60 within a release space 35 provided specifically for this purpose in the housing 11.

[0104] As particularly in Figure 9 As shown, the tear-off part 100d of the conductor 100 is therefore located after the tear-off movement AB at a separation distance x from the invariant conductor part 100s in a second position or in a separation position P2. The "total" separation distance is the sum of the two individual separation distances x between the conductor parts 100s, 100d separated at the respective desired tear-off points 102.

[0105] The housing 11 is described in more detail below, which is divided into a housing base body 21 according to Figure 3 and a housing cover 41 according to Figure 4 can be broken down.

[0106] The closed state of the housing 11 is shown Figure 11 As can be seen here, the housing 11 is essentially cuboid-shaped.

[0107] As in Figure 4As can be seen, the housing base body 21 is cuboid-shaped with a bottom side or base side G, with two long sides L and two end faces S, S`. The housing base body 21 is open at the top and can be closed by means of the housing cover 41, whereby a specially shaped cover inner side D (as will be explained later with reference to Figure 4 explained) points inwards into the housing base body 21.

[0108] Relative directions such as "top", "bottom", "side", "front", "base", "longitudinal", etc. refer arbitrarily to the representation in the figures.

[0109] The housing 11 comprises a circumferential outer wall 12, which is defined by the outer walls of the housing base body 21 and the housing cover 41. Further details of the circumferential outer wall 12 are explained below.

[0110] To simplify the description, the axis that runs centrally through the housing 11 parallel to the two long sides L is called the central axis MA. The housing 11 is constructed in such a way that a longitudinal section along the central axis MA parallel to the long sides L of the housing 11 would result in two symmetrical, elongated halves.

[0111] The housing base body 21, as in Figure 3 can be seen particularly well, is therefore symmetrically shaped and has, roughly speaking, several separate chambers or areas in its interior, which are at least completely closed at the base.

[0112] The (housing) areas listed above are arranged relative to one another as follows: Two prechambers 25a, 25b are arranged on one (the open) end face S' in two rectangular corner areas. Towards the other, opposite (the closed) end face S, these are each adjoined by the two elongated, cuboid-shaped arc-quenching chambers 30. These, in turn, are each arranged in the form of a cuboid-shaped strip or channel only on the inside along the circumferential outer wall 12 of the housing base body 21. Beyond the arc-quenching chambers 30, on the side facing away from the prechambers 25a, 25b, the aforementioned "release chamber" 35 extends across the entire width of the end face S of the housing base body 21. Starting from the release chamber 35, the isolating actuator chamber 23 extends to the open end face S` opposite the release chamber 35, centrally between the arc quenching chambers 30 and the pre-chambers 25a, 25b.

[0113] The separating actuator chamber 23 is designed along the base side G on the inside of the housing with an upwardly open, semicircular recess. This recess in the form of a "negative model" of the separating actuator 60 forms one half 28 of a separating actuator bearing in which the separating actuator 60, as shown in particular in Figure 1 can be seen, is stable and held in place.

[0114] Along its long sides, the isolating actuator chamber 23 is formed with appropriately shaped walls 13a, 13b, which separate it from the arc-quenching chambers 30, and further appropriately shaped inner walls 14a, 14b, which separate it from the pre-chambers 25a, 25b. "Appropriately shaped" here means that the walls are made of Figure 1- form the aforementioned semicircular recess in the form of a negative model of the separating actuator 60. Furthermore, "appropriately shaped" means that at least the upper half of the inner sides of the separating actuator chamber 23—in the form of the walls 13a, 13b and the inner walls 14a, 14b—extends upwards in a straight line and is parallel to the long sides L of the housing 11. This achieves, as explained later, that a corresponding "negative model" of the separating actuator 60, i.e., the other half 48 of the separating actuator bearing, can be fitted to the inner side D of the cover when the housing 11 is closed by means of the housing cover 41.

[0115] The isolating actuator chamber 23 is open at both its ends. This means that in the area between the two pre-chambers 25a, 25b, there is a semicircular, upwardly open opening 29 in the circumferential outer wall 12 of the housing base body 21, which, as explained later, is filled by a closure piece 65 of the isolating actuator 60. At its other end, in an area between the two elongated arc-quenching chambers 30, it is open toward the release chamber 35.

[0116] The release chamber 35 is otherwise, ie on the other sides, where the separating actuator chamber 23 is not adjacent, enclosed all around by the circumferential outer wall 12 of the housing 11. This is, as in particular also in Figure 1 and 11can be seen, in the area of ​​the release space 35 on the outside of the front side S as well as the two corresponding sections of the long sides L with outer wall ribs 36 running parallel to the base side G. These ribs serve to stabilize or reinforce the circumferential outer wall 12 and are therefore particularly on the front outer wall 12 in the direction of action of the separating actuator 60, as in Figure 19 schematically shown with a large arrow – representing the direction of action or the isolating actuator 60. The direction of action of the isolating actuator 60 also corresponds to the main direction of travel HVR of the conductor 100.

[0117] The release chamber 35 is separated by two (relatively short) passage walls 15b, 15c, each separated from the arc extinguishing chambers 30. The passage walls 15b, 15c are formed in an edge region on or near the circumferential outer wall 12 with slots 33b, 33c, each adapted in shape and size to the conductor 100, into which slots the conductor 100, as shown in Figure 1 can be seen. The passage walls 15b, 15c run along a plane perpendicular to the central axis MA, parallel to the closed end face S of the housing base body 21, and each extend between the circumferential outer wall 12 and the end-face opening between the release chamber 35 and the separating actuator chamber 23.

[0118] The base side G of the release chamber 35 is designed with slightly raised, regularly arranged guide webs 37 on the inside, each of which runs parallel to the central axis MA. They serve to guide a pressure plate 112 (which, as explained later, holds the tear-off part 100d of the conductor 100) so that the pressure plate 112 can be moved during the tear-off movement AB (see Figure 9 ) has less contact area to the base side G and thus there is less frictional resistance or sliding friction between the housing 11 and the pressure plate 112.

[0119] The two previously mentioned symmetrical prechambers 25a, 25b, which are to be mirrored along the central axis MA, each form a cuboid-shaped lower region of the housing base body 21. They are each surrounded by the base side G and four lateral walls of the housing base body 21 as well as the inner side D of the housing cover 41. As explained, they are arranged in the two corner regions of the safety device 1 opposite the release chamber 35.

[0120] The prechambers 25a, 25b each have outer wall slots 26a, 26b in the circumferential outer wall 12 of the housing base body 21, through which the above-mentioned connection contacts 101 of the conductor 100 protrude from the housing 11 in the assembled state, as will be explained later. The passage walls 15a, 15d of the prechambers 25a, 25b to the respective arc-quenching chamber 30 are each formed with slots 33a, 33d, so that the conductor 100 can pass through them in the assembled state.

[0121] With respect to the isolating actuator chamber 23, the prechambers 25a, 25b are separated by a straight outer side of the inner walls 14a, 14b. These inner walls 14a, 14b are each slightly offset outward (away from the central axis MA) from the walls 13a, 13b between the isolating actuator chamber 23 and the arc-quenching chambers 30, forming a step. This means that the distance between the two inner walls 14a, 14b of the prechambers 25a, 25b is slightly greater than the distance between the two walls 13a, 13b of the arc-quenching chambers 30.

[0122] When the housing 11 is closed, the pre-chambers 25a, 25b accommodate the conductor 100 as well as a plug 50a, 50b with a curved through-channel for the conductor 100 (explanation follows below), which is located on the inside D of the housing cover 41. Due to the slight offset of the inner walls 14a, 14b in the direction of the outer wall slots 26a, 26b, space is created for circular recesses 24 in the housing base body 21 and for corresponding circular recesses 44 in the cover element 41, which, as shown in Figure 1 shown, accommodate a circular projection 66 of the separating actuator 60.

[0123] As already explained above in the context of the other areas or chambers, the two arc extinguishing chambers 30 are formed from the walls 13a, 13b of the isolating actuator chamber 23, the passage walls 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d and two longitudinal parallel sections of the outer walls 12.

[0124] To ensure that the slots 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d in the passage walls 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d are sufficiently sealed, seals 71 are arranged in the front passage walls 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d at the entry points E1, E2, E3, E4. This will be explained in more detail below. The arc quenching chambers 30 are only closed at the top by placing and securing the housing cover 21 in a final assembly step, thus ideally completely sealing them.

[0125] The four passage walls 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, through which the conductor 100 enters or leaves the arc quenching chambers 30, each have wall sections which serve in the manner of a bung 72 for a positive connection with the respective seal 71.

[0126] The bung 72 here comprises a plurality of essentially parallel support walls 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, namely "inner" support walls 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d formed inside the arc quenching chambers 30 with a 45° bevel to the passage wall 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, "middle" support walls, which form tongues 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d for the groove 73 of the associated seal 71, and "outer" support walls, wherein the "outer" support walls are formed here by the passage walls 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d themselves, which, as mentioned above, are only provided with Matching slots 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d are provided. This means that the "outer" support walls are located very close to the conductor 100.

[0127] As in Figure 4As can be seen, the housing cover 41 is shaped overall in such a way that it forms a cover-side closure to the housing base body 21. All components mounted in the housing 11 are held or enclosed between it and the housing base body 21 when it is fitted into the housing base body 21 during assembly.

[0128] On the inner side D of the housing cover 41 facing the housing base body 21 there is, among other things, a circumferential edge 42. This is shaped precisely such that, in conjunction with the circumferential edge 22 of the housing base body 21, it results in a fit which seals the housing 11 sufficiently tightly against the surroundings of the securing device 1.

[0129] As already mentioned, the areas accommodated by the two prechambers 25a, 25b are each formed with a substantially cuboid-shaped plug 50a, 50b adapted to the prechambers 25a, 25b, with a curved through-channel for the conductor 100. This plug consists of two elements that accommodate the path of the rectangularly bent conductor 100 between them and form a rectangularly bent curve on the sides facing the conductor 100. The through-channel of the plugs 50a, 50b is each adapted to the external dimensions 107 of the conductor 100, ensuring a good fit to secure the conductor 100 in the housing 11.

[0130] At the sections where the seals 71 are in contact with the housing cover 41, elongated webs 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d are arranged on the housing cover 41, perpendicular to the path of the conductor 100, which precisely fit into a respective groove 73 of the seals 71 in the passage walls 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d of the housing base body 21 (this groove 73 is e.g. in Figure 6 (see). In the area of ​​the housing cover 41, which closes the release space 35 during assembly, a further web 46 is formed near the circumferential edge 42, running perpendicular to the two webs 45b, 45c and higher relative thereto. This web serves to guide the conductor 100 on the outside during the tear-off movement, so that the tear-off part 100d of the conductor 100 is guided or guided in a straight line in the direction of the end face S on the outside of the housing.

[0131] Between these two higher webs 46, which run longitudinally along the inner side of the cover D in the area of ​​the release space 35, there are further lower, parallel guide webs 47 arranged at regular intervals, similar to those arranged on the opposite base side of the release space 35 in the housing base body 21. They serve to guide the pressure plate 112 with the tear-off part 100d of the conductor 100 on the cover side, so that sliding friction is minimized.

[0132] In summary, the pressure plate 112 is therefore in the tear-off movement AB (see Figure 9 ) along the long sides L, the base side G and the inside of the cover D in a precise manner in the direction of the outside end face S of the release space 35.

[0133] In an area accommodated by the separating actuator chamber 23 of the housing base body 21 – essentially between the webs 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d – there is a cover-side half 48 of the aforementioned separating actuator bearing. The outer longitudinal sides of this half 48 of the separating actuator bearing fit precisely into the straight continuation of the walls 13a, 13b and inner walls 14a, 14b on the housing base body 21. This means that the halves 28, 48 of the separating actuator bearing fit snugly against one another in the assembled state, thus forming a cavity open on both ends and precisely sealed by the overlapping edges of the two components 28, 48. This cavity is designed internally in such a way that, as a "negative model" of the separating actuator 60, it offers just enough space to accommodate the separating actuator 60. He points out, among other things,a semicircular recess 44 at the level of a piston section D1 (explanation follows below) of the separating actuator 60, which, together with the semicircular recess 24 in the housing base body 21, forms a suitable circular recess for the projection 66 of the separating actuator 60. This separating actuator bearing 28, 48 ensures that the force of the separating actuator 60 is transmitted to the bolt 61 as intended when triggered. Furthermore, the two recesses 24, 44, which accommodate the projection 66 of the separating actuator 60, prevent the separating actuator 60 from accidentally shooting out of the rear of the housing 11.

[0134] The semicircular openings 29, 49 on the end face S` remote from the release chamber 35 complement each other to form a circular opening which, as in Figure 11can be seen, when the housing 11 is closed, encloses the closure piece 65 of the separating actuator 60, whereby the closure piece 65 is freely accessible from the rear (from outside the housing 11) and can be connected, for example, via electrical connections, as in Figure 19 is indicated, can be connected to a signal generator which, in the event of triggering, transmits the trigger signal AS to trigger the separating actuator 60. For example, the signal generator can be connected to a sensor in the vehicle which is coupled to an installed safety device, a belt tensioner or the like, so that when the safety device is triggered, for example, the safety device 1 is also triggered.

[0135] The arrangement of the above-mentioned interacting components can also be interchanged if necessary, so that, for example, the pre-chambers 25a, 25b are arranged in the housing cover 41 and the plug 50a, 50b with a curved through-channel is placed in the housing base body 21.

[0136] The Figure 1 shown, mounted in the housing base body 21 at the entry points E1, E2, E3, E4 of the conductor 100 into the arc extinguishing chambers 30 are in Figure 6 shown in detail.

[0137] The seals 71 are each formed with a through-opening 75. This is designed with a clear dimension 78 that is adapted to an external dimension 107 of the cross-section of the conductor 100. As a result, the conductor 100 can still be moved along its path relative to the seal 71, but is otherwise sealed or impervious in its path direction VR from the surroundings of the arc extinguishing chamber 30.

[0138] As in Figure 6 As also shown, the seals 71 adapted to the shape and size of the conductor 100 are formed along their outer edges with at least two circumferential springs 74 and a groove 73 located therebetween.

[0139] If the seal 71 is manufactured in one piece, for example, it is positioned on the conductor 100 by sliding or pulling it on, so that in the mounted position a seal 71 is located at the entry points E1, E2, E3, E4 of the arc quenching chambers 30. In this case, the above-mentioned middle springs 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d of the respective passage wall 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, as shown in Figure 1 is shown, appropriately in the manner of a tongue and groove joint 72 (if necessary a tongue and groove connection) in each case fitting precisely into the groove 73 of the respective seal 71.

[0140] If it is desired that the seal 71 consists of two or more parts, for example because it is more advantageous in terms of production or assembly, it is preferably assembled from above and below or laterally at the entry points E1, E2, E3, E4 of the arc quenching chamber 30 on the conductor 100 before the conductor 100 is inserted into the housing base body 21 from above in a process step of assembly or production, as will be explained later.

[0141] Alternatively, the conductor 100 could, for example, also be overmolded with a thermoplastic polymer in an injection molding process to form a seal 71 at the appropriate locations E1, E2, E3, E4, or a seal 71 could be injected in-situ on the housing 11 in a 2K injection molding process.

[0142] As particularly in Figure 1As can be seen, the already mentioned pressure plate 112 is arranged between the separating actuator 60 and the crossbar 100d" of the tear-off part 100d. The pressure plate 112, as shown in Figure 5 shown in detail, is essentially plate-shaped and adapted to the dimensions of the cross-section of the conductor 100. As the term "pressure plate" already implies, the pressure plate 112 serves to push away a part, in this case the tear-off part 100d of the conductor 100. So that the pressure plate 112 can transmit the pressure exerted on it by the separation actuator 60 to the tear-off part 100d of the conductor 100 as intended, the two end faces of the pressure plate 112, which are assigned to the tear-off part 100d of the conductor 100 and the separation actuator 60, respectively, comprise suitable connecting elements 113, 114, 115, 116.

[0143] For this purpose, a cylindrical pin 114 is centrally arranged on the end face of the pressure plate 112 associated with the separation actuator 60. This pin, together with a ring-shaped or collar-shaped coupling element 113 projecting a short distance around the pin 114, serves as a connecting element between the pressure plate 112 and a bolt 61 of the separation actuator 60. In the case of a one-piece component consisting of the pressure plate 112 and the bolt 61, the pin 114 and the coupling element 113 could, of course, be omitted.

[0144] On the end face of the pressure plate 112 facing the conductor 100, the latter has a type of "countersinking strip" 116, with two edges (in Figure 5A strip-shaped projection 117 remains at each end (top and bottom). In the countersunk strip 116, the conductor 100 is enclosed or guided parallel to the direction of travel VR on the base side and on the cover side at the two shorter cross-sectional sides. In the center of this countersunk strip 116 is a "nose" 115, which protrudes from the surface of the pressure plate 112 in the opposite direction of the pin 114, i.e., in the direction of the tear-off part 100d of the conductor 100. The nose 115 engages from the inside in the guide hole 106, which, as described above, is machined centrally between the two longitudinal limbs of the conductor 100 in the connecting, closed end face S, i.e., in the tear-off part 100d of the conductor 100.

[0145] The countersunk strip 116 and the nose 115 form further connecting elements, which in turn guarantee a proper transmission of the pressure to the tear-off part 100d of the conductor 100.

[0146] The pyrotechnic separation actuator 60, which has already been mentioned several times and is Figure 1 in the initial position P1 of the safety device 1 and in Figure 9 in a triggered state in the disconnected position P2 of the safety device 1, is first described below using a longitudinal section through its longitudinal extent in the initial position P1, as shown in Figure 7 shown, described in more detail.

[0147] The separating actuator 60 here has, as its "housing," an elongated, hollow, cylindrical sleeve 64 with two open end faces and a total of two different inner diameters. At one end face (hereinafter referred to as the "rear end face"), the sleeve 64 is closed with a closure piece 65. In front of it, in the direction of the other, "front" end face (hereinafter also referred to as the "muzzle area"), is an ignition device 62, and in front of it (optionally) a propellant charge 63' located in a propellant charge chamber 63. In front of this is a bolt 61, which, when the propellant charge 63' is triggered, is intended to be explosively ejected from the front, open end of the sleeve 64 with a front section (see the position of the bolt 61 in a Figure 8 shown disconnection position P2) to tear off the conductor 100 as described above (see the corresponding position of the conductor 100 in the Figures 9 and 10). Depending on the type of ignition device 62 selected, this may be sufficient to fire the bolt 61 even without an additional propellant charge 63', e.g., if it itself contains an integrated propellant charge.

[0148] For this purpose, the bolt 61 has a piston section D1 at its rear end pointing towards the propellant charge 63', the outer diameter k of which is precisely adapted to an inner diameter h of the sleeve 64, so that the effect of the propellant charge 63' is transmitted to the bolt 61 in the best possible way when the propellant charge 63' is ignited.

[0149] Continuing from the piston section D1 to the mouth of the sleeve 64, the bolt 61 has three further sections D2, D3, D4, some of which have different outer diameters e, r, e. The piston section D1 with the outer diameter k is followed by a piston-side sealing section D2 with a first outer diameter e, then a middle section D3 with a second outer diameter r that is reduced compared to the first outer diameter e, and finally a mouth-side sealing section D4, again with the first outer diameter e. The first outer diameter e of the piston-side sealing section D2 and the mouth-side sealing section D4 is adapted to a reduced inner diameter m, also called the mouth diameter, of the sleeve 64 in the mouth area.

[0150] This ensures that the mouth of the sleeve 64 in the initial position P1 (see Figure 7 ) through the mouth-side sealing section D4 and in the separation position P2 (see Figure 8 ) is sealed as tightly as possible by the piston-side sealing section D2. However, the reduced outer diameter r in the central section D3 ensures that friction between the bolt 61 and the muzzle is not significant during the firing of the bolt 61.

[0151] The narrowed orifice in relation to the outer diameter k of the piston section D1 of the bolt 61 ensures that the bolt 61, in proper condition, can never be shot completely through the orifice out of the sleeve 64. Incidentally, the outer diameter k of the bolt 61 does not drop abruptly or abruptly to the outer diameter e, but rather tapers conically to the smaller outer diameter e of the bolt 61, corresponding to the "transition" from the inner diameter h to the orifice diameter m of the sleeve 64, as shown in Figures 7 and 8 can be seen. As a result, the bolt 61 is slowed down or dampened when the release position P2 is reached.

[0152] At the front end of the bolt 61, a bore 67 or blind hole is machined centrally on the front face. The pin 114 of the separating element or pressure plate 112, described above, is adapted to this blind hole 67 in order to securely couple the pressure plate 112 to the bolt 61.

[0153] Figure 9 shows, as already mentioned, the ideal state of a triggered fuse device 1 in the disconnected position P2. Here, it is particularly clearly visible how the break-off part 100d of the conductor 100, as already mentioned above, is arranged in a release space 35 after the break-off movement AB at a separation distance x from the invariant conductor part 100s. Among other things, therefore, there is also extinguishing material 34 between the two predetermined break-side end sections 100d' and the respective "stubs" of the invariant conductor part 100s in the arc extinguishing chambers 30, which contributes to the extinguishing of an arc LB (not shown here). As can be seen even better in Figure 10which shows the conductor 100 without the surrounding housing 11, the two predetermined break-side end sections 100d' of the moving tear-off part 100d torn off at the predetermined tear-off point 102 are still located within the areas of the actual arc extinguishing chambers 30 indicated here by dashed lines, even after the tear-off movement AB, and are therefore surrounded by extinguishing material 34.

[0154] An assembly of the described individual components in the housing base body 21 to the Figure 1The structure shown can be carried out, for example, as follows: First, the pressure plate 112 with its nose 115 is inserted into the guide hole 106 of the conductor 100 on the inside. In the case of a one-piece component consisting of the pressure plate 112 and bolt 61, this assembly step is omitted, and instead the isolating actuator 60 with bolt 61 and pressure plate 112 would be inserted. The electrical conductor 100 is then provided with seals 71 at the previously described locations. The finished isolating actuator 60 is also mounted or plugged onto the rear of the pressure plate 112 on the inside between the two legs of the conductor 100. The components connected in this way are finally inserted from above (perpendicular to the plane VE) into the housing base body 21 of the housing 11 with a precise fit. The securing device 1 then has the Figure 1shown state in the initial position P1. Consequently, the two resulting arc quenching chambers 30, which were empty except for the two tear-off sections 104a, 104b of the conductor 100 itself, are completely filled with the quenching material 34 up to the height—which is oriented normal to the plane VE—of the circumferential edge 22.

[0155] The separating actuator 60 is preferably a purchased part, which can also be used in other devices, e.g., for triggering safety devices, belt tensioners, hood openers, or the like.

[0156] As in Figure 11As shown, in the fully assembled state of all components in the housing base body 21 of the safety device 1, the housing base body 21 can finally be closed with the housing cover 41. The safety device 1 is then ready to be installed or mounted, for example, in an electrically powered vehicle.

[0157] Based on the Figures 12 to 18Further preferred exemplary embodiments are now described below, wherein the safety device 1 is shown in a schematic plan view in the starting position, i.e. during normal operation or with an intact connection. All figures are only very simple schematic drawings, in which in particular the isolating actuator 60 is only shown schematically as an arrow, wherein the arrow simultaneously indicates the disengagement direction or the direction of action of the isolating actuator 60 or the direction of the tear-off movement AB and thus also the main direction of travel HVR of the conductor 100. The housing 11 with the arc quenching chambers 30, as well as the conductor 100 itself, is also only shown roughly schematically. The desired tear-off point 102 is only marked by a simple line. In reality, these exemplary embodiments (apart from the specifically described modifications in each case) could be implemented in a similar way orpartly constructed with identical components, as can be seen from the . Figures 1 to 11 embodiment described in more detail.

[0158] The Figures 12 and 13 The embodiment of the safety device 1 according to the invention shown has an electrical conductor 100 which differs from the "simple" conductor by a conductor cross-section which is modified at least in sections. Figure 12 shows a plan view of the VE plane of the conductor 100 and Figure 13 a cross section through the conductor 100 along the Figure 12 section line AA. As shown in the cross section in Figure 13 As can be seen, the modified electrical conductor 100 is formed with longitudinally extending recesses 120, at least in the area of ​​the tear-off sections 104a, 104b. For this purpose, the conductor cross-section meanders perpendicular to the main direction of travel HVR of the conductor 100.

[0159] Due to this type of surface design, which is larger relative to a "simple" conductor, the conductor 100 has a larger contact area with the extinguishing material 34 in this structured area. By filling the recesses 120 with sand 34, in particular, this ensures that the extinguishing material 34 is located "inside" the conductor 100, as opposed to a smooth cross-section without longitudinal recesses of a "simple" conductor. Thus, an arc LB potentially occurring between the predetermined break-side end sections of the tear-off part 100d' and the invariant conductor part 100s at the predetermined break-off point 102 can be extinguished even better.

[0160] The Figure 14The exemplary embodiment of the safety device 1 according to the invention shown (again in plan view) shows an electrical conductor 100 with a step 140 in the region of the tear-off sections 104a, 104b. Within the arc quenching chambers 30 before and after this step 140, both the tear-off part 100d and the invariant conductor part 100s of the conductor 100 run parallel to the longitudinal sides L of the housing 11. In the region of the step 140 at the desired tear-off point 102, the conductor 100 runs essentially perpendicular to the main direction of travel HVR. The intended tear-off point 102 is located here directly in this area in the step 140. The tear-off part 100d therefore runs linearly inwards compared to the invariant conductor part 100s, offset to the central axis MA or shifted parallel to the long sides L of the housing 11. Since the conductor 100 with step 140 is separated or displaced from each other at the intended tear-off point 102 (perpendicular to its direction of travel VR) in the main direction of travel HVR.is torn apart and then, in this construction, the two ends are at an angle to each other, an arc which potentially forms at the desired tear-off point 102 during the tear-off movement would be deflected or guided accordingly at an angle into the extinguishing material 34.

[0161] A further embodiment of the safety device 1 according to the invention, as shown in Figure 15 shown, differs with regard to the embodiment according to the Figures 1 to 11merely in the sense that it additionally has a magnet arrangement 150. This is aligned such that it creates a (as homogeneous as possible) magnetic field that is arranged perpendicular to the main direction of travel HVR of the tear-off sections 104a, 104b. The magnets of the magnet arrangement 150 are arranged, for example, on the outside of the housing 11 next to the arc quenching chambers 30. In the figure, however, the magnetic field generated by the magnet arrangement 150 is only shown roughly schematically. In reality, the magnet arrangement 150 is preferably implemented such that a magnetic field that is as homogeneous as possible is present, at least in the region of the desired tear-off point 102. A suitable magnetic field—e.g., approximately 50 to 100 mT—could, for example, be generated by one or more neodymium magnets, possibly in conjunction with a horseshoe-shaped iron yoke as described above.

[0162] The two further embodiments, as shown in the Figures 16 and 17are shown, each comprise a conductor 100 with extinguishing material moving devices 160, 170 in order to move extinguishing material 34 into a free space which is formed during the tear-off movement between the conductor ends at the desired tear-off point 102.

[0163] In Figure 16A first possible embodiment of a suitable extinguishing material movement device 160 is shown, which in the region of the intended tear-off points 102 each has elements in the manner of a plow blade 160. The plow blades 160 each extend oblongly - essentially over the region of the intended tear-off points 102 - obliquely from an end of the plow blade 160 near the conductor, which is arranged close to the predetermined breaking end of the invariant conductor part 100s of the conductor 100, and have another end, far from the conductor, which is fastened via thin webs 161 to the tear-off part 100d of the conductor 100. The plow blades 160 thus form funnel-shaped blade surfaces, i.e. they move away from the tear-off part 100d of the conductor 100 in the direction of the end far from the conductor at an angle to the direction of the main extension direction HVR.

[0164] When the conductor 100 is torn off, the plow blades 160 are moved along with the breakaway part 100d due to the connection via the webs 161, and thus, the "blade surfaces" of the plow blades 160 actively introduce extinguishing material 34 into the spaces forming between the two conductor ends. This ensures that extinguishing material 34 is present in these spaces even faster than it already deposits or accumulates there through passive falling or sliding in. To ensure that the plow blades 160 do not form a conductive "bridge" or connection between the breakaway part 100d and the invariant conductor part 100s, they are made, for example, of an electrically insulating material.

[0165] In Figure 17A further possible embodiment of an extinguishing material movement device 170 is shown, which has elements in the form of a belt 170 in the region of the desired tear-off points 102. This differs only structurally, but not functionally, from the plow blades 160. Each of the belts 170 is attached to both the invariant conductor part 100s and the tear-off part 100d of the conductor 100, so that when the tear-off part 100d moves away from the invariant conductor part 100s of the conductor 100, it is automatically tightened or tensioned by the tearing and presses extinguishing material 34 into the desired tear-off point 102.

[0166] To ensure that the band 170 can introduce sufficient extinguishing material 34 into the desired tear-off point 102 through tightening, it is arranged, for example, in a semicircle around the desired tear-off point 102. When filling the arc extinguishing chambers 30, care is taken to ensure that a particularly large amount of extinguishing material 34 is located within the band 170 (i.e., between the band 170 and the conductor 100). To prevent the band 170 from tearing itself off during the tear-off movement, it is preferably at least somewhat longer than a selected separation distance x.

[0167] The strips 170 are also made of an electrically insulating material so that they do not form a conductive connection between the tear-off part 100d and the invariant conductor part 100s.

[0168] Figure 18shows a further embodiment of the securing device 1 according to the invention, wherein a third separation of the conductor 100 can occur at an additional predetermined separation point 110. This predetermined separation point 110 is located centrally on the closed end face S of the conductor 100 connecting the two tear-off sections 104a, 104b, i.e., centrally in an area in the crossbar 100d" of the tear-off part 100d of the conductor 100. This end face S between the two legs of the conductor 100 is also referred to below as the separation section 111.

[0169] The conductor 100, or more precisely its tear-off part 100d, is severed again after being severed at the two desired tear-off points 102 in the arc quenching chambers 30 by means of a separating device 185 in the separating position P2 with a time delay.

[0170] The separating device 185 can be formed from two elements 185a, 185b that interact with each other and effect separation according to the "guillotine" principle. One element 185a is a wedge-shaped cutting edge 185a that projects from the inside of the end face S of the housing 11 into the release chamber 35. Matching this, the separating element 112, which moves the tear-off part 100d of the conductor 100 toward the end face S into the release chamber 35 to tear the conductor 100 from the separating actuator 60, has a wedge-shaped recess 185b.

[0171] When triggered, the separating element 112 then tears off the tear-off part 100d of the conductor 100 and moves it, along with the desired separation point 110, at high speed toward the cutting edge 185a of the separating device 185, so that the conductor 100 is ultimately separated in the separation position at the desired separation point 110, and the cutting edge 185a at the desired separation point 110 extends through the conductor 100 and into the wedge-shaped recess 185b of the separating element 112. If the cutting edge 185a is made of insulating material, for example, ceramic, this provides an additional, permanently insulated separation of the conductor 100. Furthermore, due to a sufficient time delay after the tearing, there is no risk of an arc occurring during this further separation.

[0172] In order to facilitate the severing of the conductor 100 at the desired separation point 110, the conductor has a weakened conductor cross-section 105, which is designed, for example, in the form of a slight cross-sectional constriction 105 and / or in the manner of a predetermined breaking point.

[0173] Finally, it should be noted once again that the devices described in detail above are merely exemplary embodiments that can be modified in a variety of ways by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the conductor's break-off sections could be located in a single arc-quenching chamber. Furthermore, the arc-quenching chambers could be designed as separately insertable chambers, each with its own outer walls. Likewise, the housing could be designed such that the two connection contacts protrude from the end face, where the closure piece of the isolating actuator is also located, so that the electrical conductor extends essentially in a U-shape through the housing. List of reference symbols

[0174] 1 Safety device 2 Battery storage system / accumulator / battery 3 Electric motor 11 Housing 12 Circumferential outer wall 13a, 13b Walls 14a, 14b Inner walls 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d Passage walls 21 Housing base body 22 Circumferential edge, base side 23 Isolating actuator chamber 24 Recess 25a, 25b Pre-chambers 26a, 26b Outer wall slots 28 Base half of the isolating actuator bearing 29 Semi-circular opening, base side 30 Arc extinguishing chamber 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d Support walls 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d Middle support walls / springs 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d Slots 34 Extinguishing material 35 Release chamber 36 Outer wall ribs 37 Guide webs, base side 41 Housing cover 42 Circumferential edge, cover side 44 Recess 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d Webs 46 High lateral guide webs 47 Guide webs, cover side 48 Half of the separating actuator bearing on the inside of the cover 49 Semi-circular opening, cover side 50a,50b Plug with curved through-channel 60 Separating actuator 61 Bolt / pin 62 Ignition device 63 Propellant chamber 63` Propellant 64 Sleeve 65 Closure piece 66 Projection 67 Bore / blind hole 71 Seal 72 Form fit / bung 73 Groove 74 Springs 75 Through-hole 78 Clear dimension of the seal 100 Electrical conductor 100s Invariant conductor part 100d Tear-off part 100d' Predetermined break-side end sections of the tear-off part 100d" Crossbar of the tear-off part 101 Connection contacts 102 Predetermined tear-off point / perforation line 103 Openings 104a, 104b Tear-off section 105 Cross-sectional constriction 106 Guide hole 107 External dimensions of the conductor 110 Predetermined separation point 111 Cutting section 112 separating element / pressure plate 113 coupling element 114 pin 115 nose 116 countersunk strip 117 strip-shaped projection 120 longitudinal recesses of the electrical conductor 140 step of the electrical conductor 150 magnet arrangement 160,170 Extinguishing material movement device 160 Plough blade 170 Belt 185 Separating device e First outer diameter of the bolt h Inner diameter of the sleeve k Outer diameter of the bolt in the piston section m Inner diameter of the sleeve / mouth diameter r Second outer diameter of the bolt x Separating distance AA Cutting line AB Tear-off movement AS Trigger signal D Inside of cover D1 Piston section D2 Piston-side sealing section D3 Middle section D4 Mouth-side sealing section E1, E2, E3, E4 Entry points G Base side HVR Main direction of travel L Longitudinal sides LB Arc MA Central axis P1 First position / Initial position P2 Second position / Separating position S Closed front end S` Open front end V Electrical connection VE Plane of travel VR Direction of travel,

Claims

1. Safety device (1) for the interruption of an electrical connection (V), with - an electrical conductor (100) with at least a first and a second terminal contact (101), wherein the conductor (100) changes its routing direction (VR) multiple times between the first and the second terminal contact (101), such that the conductor (100) has at least two tear-off portions (104a, 104b) that are to be interrupted, are arranged geometrically next to one another, and are electrically connected in series, - a housing (11), in which at least the two tear-off portions (104a, 104b) of the conductor (100) that are to be interrupted are accommodated, - a disconnection actuator (60), which is configured and arranged relative to the conductor (100) such as to disconnect the conductor (100) by tearing off, at least at the two tear-off portions (104a, 104b), when the disconnection actuator (60) is triggered, characterised in that, the two tear-off portions (104a, 104b) of the conductor (100) each extend through an arc extinguishing chamber (30) of the housing (11), which is sealed off from an environment, and in which an extinguishing material (74) is located.

2. Safety device (1) according to claim 1, wherein an arc extinguishing chamber (30) at an entry point (E1, E2, E3, E4) of the conductor (100) in each case comprises at least one seal (71), wherein the seal (71) has a through opening (75), the clear dimension (78) of which is adapted to an external dimension (107) of the conductor (100).

3. Safety device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a seal (71), preferably a rubber seal (71), preferably comprises an elastic and / or an electrically insulating material.

4. Safety device (1) according to claims 1 to 3, wherein an arc extinguishing chamber (30) has two entry points (E1, E2, E3, E4), each with a through wall (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d), which are each sealed with a seal (71), wherein the seal (71) is connected to the respective through wall (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) of the housing (11) in the manner of a tongue and groove joint (72).

5. Safety device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the safety device (1) is configured such that an arc (LB) occurring in a tear-off portion (104a, 104b) when the conductor (100) is torn off is forced to move substantially into an extinguishing material (34).

6. Safety device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conductor (100), at least in the area of one of the tear-off portions (104a, 104b), has longitudinally extending depressions (120), preferably grooves (120), in its routing direction (VR).

7. Safety device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a magnet arrangement (150) for purposes of deflecting an arc (LB) into the extinguishing material (74).

8. Safety device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an extinguishing material moving device (150, 160) for purposes of moving extinguishing material (74) into a free space that is created by a displacement of a conductor part (100d) when the conductor (100) is torn off at the tear-off portion (104a, 104b).

9. Safety device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the routing of the conductor (100) in the area of the tear-off portion (104a, 104b) has a stepped design, at least at an intended tear-off point (102), in order to deflect the arc (LB) into the extinguishing material (34).

10. Safety device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, the conductor (100) has in its routing, preferably between the tear-off portions (104a, 104b), at least one additional intended disconnection point (110) which is electrically connected in series with the tear-off portions (104a, 104b), and in that the safety device (1) preferably has a disconnection device (185) which interacts with the disconnection actuator (60) in such a way as to sever the conductor (100) at the intended disconnection point (110) with a time delay after it has been torn off in the tear-off portions (104a, 104b).

11. Safety device (1) according to claim 10, having a disconnection device (185) which has at least one non-conducting, disconnection element (112), preferably wedge-shaped in design, wherein the conductor (100) being severed by means of at least a part of the disconnection device (185) by a relative movement at the intended disconnection point (110).

12. Safety device (1) according to claim 11, wherein in the course of the tear-off movement (AB) the disconnection element (112) causes at least one tear-off part (100d) of the conductor (100) with the intended disconnection point (110) to be moved from a first position (P1) towards the disconnection device (185) until an interruption of the circuit is attained in a second position (P2).

13. A method of manufacturing of a safety device (1), comprising at least the following steps: - Provision or production of an electrical conductor (100) with at least a first and a second terminal contact (101), wherein the conductor (100) changes its routing direction (VR) multiple times between the first and the second terminal contact (101), so that the conductor (100) has at least two tear-off portions (104a, 104b) that are to be interrupted, are arranged geometrically next to one another and are electrically connected in series, - Provision or production of a housing (11) with at least two arc extinguishing chambers (30), - Insertion of the conductor (100) into the housing (11), so that at least the two tear-off portions (104a, 104b) of the conductor (100) to be interrupted are accommodated in the housing (11), wherein the two tear-off portions (104a, 104b) of the conductor (100) each extend through an arc extinguishing chamber (30), which is sealed off from an environment, - Provision or production of a disconnection actuator (60), - Arrangement of the disconnection actuator (60) relative to the conductor (100) such that the conductor (100) is disconnected by means of tearing off at least at the two tear-off portions (104a, 104b) when the disconnection actuator (60) is triggered, - Filling of the two arc extinguishing chambers (30) formed by the housing (11) with an extinguishing material (34).

14. Use of a safety device (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 13 in an electrically powered vehicle.

15. A vehicle comprising an electric motor (3) and a safety device (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 13.