ELECTRICAL CONTACT SYSTEM

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrical contact system, and in particular, to an electrical contact system having an arc extinguishing device.BACKGROUND

[0002] An electrical contact in an electric switch device and the control appliance may discharge and generate an electric arc during switching on to off or off to on. The generation of the electric arc may delay connection and disconnection of the circuit and even burn the electrical contacts, resulting in the melting and welding of the electrical contacts. In a severe case, it may cause ignition and explosion of the electric switch device. Therefore, an arc extinguishing device needs to be designed to achieve an efficient and reliable arc extinguishing effect.

[0003] In the relevant art, an electric switch device, such as a high-voltage direct current relay, usually uses a sealed inflatable magnetic field to lengthen a metal phase electric arc laterally, so that the electric arc may be cooled and deionized rapidly in an arc extinguishing medium. Such a method has a good arc extinguishing effect, but the manufacturing process thereof is complex, which results in a high cost. Another way to extinguish arc is to utilize a strong magnetic field to extinguish the electric arc in an air medium. However, because of the strong ionization of the electric arc in the air medium, this may lead to an undesired arc extinguishing effect and may easily lead to the melting and welding of the electrical contacts. And an internal space large enough may be required, resulting in that the size of the switchgear cannot be miniaturized.

[0004] According to US 2014 / 0048513 A1, it is possible to extend an arc as far as an arc extinguishing chamber without increasing an opening distance of a movable contact, and to increase an arc voltage, thus improving the breaking performance, without changing a switching mechanism or increasing a size of the external form of a circuit breaker. A circuit breaker includes a breaking portion having a fixed contact and movable contact, and an arc extinguishing chamber disposed so as to enclose the breaking portion. An insulating arm made of an insulator is provided to be capable of advancing into and withdrawing from the space between contact points of the fixed contact and movable contact. Further, the insulating arm advances to a position between the contact points when the movable contact carries out an opening operation, and withdraws from the space between the contact points when the movable contact carries out a closing operation.

[0005] JP 2005 235670 A discloses a circuit breaker, comprising a fixed contactor having a fixed contact; a movable contactor having movable contact; a driving member driving the movable contactor; an arc shielding member intervening between the movable contact and the fixed contact in conjunction with the driving member; a switch / trip mechanism driving the driving member; and the container. The container is provided with an arc exhaust path, which communicates with the inside and outside of the container and which partially engages with the tip of the arc shielding member in the state that the movable contact separates from the fixed contact. The fixed contactor at the position corresponding to the outside of the container of the arc exhaust path is provided with an arc commutation section.

[0006] KR 200 411 524 Y1 discloses a circuit breaker comprising two fixed contactors, each having a fixed contact, and a movable contactor having two movable contacts. Two shielding devices are disposed between the fixed contacts and the movable contacts. In one position, the fixed and the movable contacts contact each other and the shielding parts do not interfere. In another position, the movable contacts are electrically isolated from the static contacts and the shielding parts are rotated into the contact area.SUMMARY

[0007] The present disclosure has been made to overcome or alleviate at least one aspect of the above mentioned disadvantages.

[0008] According to one object of the present disclosure, there is provided an electrical contact system that is capable of reliably extinguishing arc.

[0009] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electrical contact system including: a static contact having a static contact point; a movable contact having a movable contact point; and a rotating member on which the movable contact is mounted, the movable contact being rotatable with the rotating member between a switch-on position and a switch-off position. When the movable contact is rotated to the switch-on position, the movable contact point is in electrical contact with the static contact point; and when the movable contact is rotated to the switch-off position, the movable contact point is separated from the static contact point. The electrical contact system further includes an arc extinguishing device geared with the rotating member and having an arc extinguishing sheet. When the movable contact is rotated to the switch-on position, the arc extinguishing sheet is rotated beyond a contact area between the movable contact point and the static contact point, thereby allowing electrical contact of the movable contact point with the static contact point. When the movable contact is rotated to the switch-off position, the arc extinguishing sheet is rotated into the contact area between the movable contact point and the static contact point such that the movable contact point is electrically isolated from the static contact point, thereby cutting off an electric arc between the movable contact point and the static contact point. The static contact includes a first static contact and a second static contact, and the movable contact is located between the first static contact and the second static contact. The first static contact has a first static contact point, the second static contact has a second static contact point, and the movable contact has a first movable contact point at a first end thereof and a second movable contact point at a second end thereof. The arc extinguishing device includes a first arc extinguishing device provided with a first arc extinguishing sheet and a second arc extinguishing device provided with a second arc extinguishing sheet. The rotating member includes a disk-shaped base and a cylindrical portion protruding from the disk-shaped base, and the movable contact is mounted on the cylindrical portion of the rotating member. A first gear and a second gear are formed on the disk-shaped base of the rotating member, a first mating gear to be meshed with the first gear is formed on the first arc extinguishing device, and a second mating gear to be meshed with the second gear is formed on the second arc extinguishing device. A first groove and a second groove are formed on the disk-shaped base of the rotating member, and the first gear and the second gear are respectively formed on edge portions of the first groove and the second groove.

[0010] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, when the movable contact is rotated to the switch-off position, the first arc extinguishing sheet is rotated into the contact area between the first movable contact point and the first static contact point, and the second arc extinguishing sheet is rotated into the contact area between the second movable contact point and the second static contact point, so that the first movable contact point and the second movable contact point are electrically isolated from the first static contact point and the second static contact point, respectively.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, when the movable contact is rotated to the switch-on position, the first arc extinguishing sheet is rotated beyond the contact area between the first movable contact point and the first static contact point, and the second arc extinguishing sheet is rotated out of the contact area between the second movable contact point and the second static contact point, thereby allowing the first movable contact point and the second movable contact point to be in electrical contact with the first static contact point and the second static contact point, respectively.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a mounting groove is formed in a cylindrical portion of the rotating member, and a main body portion of the movable contact is mounted in the mounting groove and is locked on the cylindrical portion of the rotating member by a locking cap attached to an end of the cylindrical portion of the rotating member.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the electrical contact system further includes a static first insulating wall and a static second insulating wall; and when the movable contact is rotated to the switch-off position, the first arc extinguishing sheet is partially overlapped with the first insulating wall and the second arc extinguishing sheet is partially overlapped with the second insulating wall.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first insulating wall is located on one side of the first static contact point, and the second insulating wall is located on one side of the second static contact point; and when the movable contact is rotated from the switch-on position to the switch-off position, the first arc extinguishing sheet is driven to enter the contact area between the first static contact point and the first movable contact point from the other side of the first static contact point, and the second arc extinguishing sheet is driven to enter the contact area between the second static contact point and the second movable contact point from the other side of the second static contact point.

[0015] In the foregoing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the arc extinguishing device is meshed with the gear of the rotating member. Therefore, the arc extinguishing device can be driven by the rotating member to be rotated into the contact area between the movable contact point and the static contact point, so that the arc between the movable contact point and the static contact point can be quickly cut off to achieve an efficient and reliable arc extinguishing effect. In addition, it is not necessary in the present disclosure to provide a driving device that drives the arc extinguishing device independently to rotate, and a simple structure and a low cost are achieved.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The above and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an electrical contact system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the movable contact is in a state where the movable contact is separated from a pair of static contacts; FIG 2 shows a plan view of the electrical contact system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the movable contact is in the state where the movable contact is separated from the pair of static contacts; and FIG 3 shows a plan view of the electrical contact system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the movable contact is in a state where the movable contact is in contact with the pair of static contacts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the attached drawings, wherein the like reference numerals refer to the like elements. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiment set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0018] In addition, in the following detailed description, for purpose of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it is apparent that one or more embodiments may also be implemented without these specific details. In other instances, well-known means and devices are schematically shown in the drawings to simplify the drawings.

[0019] According to a general technical concept of the present disclosure, there is provided an electrical contact system including: a static contact having a static contact point; a movable contact having a movable contact point; and a rotating member on which the movable contact is mounted, the movable contact being rotatable with the rotating member between a switch-on position and a switch-off position. When the movable contact is rotated to the switch-on position, the movable contact point is in electrical contact with the static contact point; and when the movable contact is rotated to the switch-off position, the movable contact point is separated from the static contact point. The electrical contact system further includes an arc extinguishing device that is geared with the rotating member and has an arc extinguishing sheet. When the movable contact is rotated to the switch-on position, the arc extinguishing sheet is rotated beyond a contact area between the movable contact point and the static contact point, thereby allowing the electrical contact of the movable contact point with the static contact point; and when the movable contact is rotated to the switch-off position, the arc extinguishing sheet is rotated into the contact area between the movable contact point and the static contact point such that the movable contact point is electrically isolated from the static contact point, thereby cutting off an electric arc between the movable contact point and the static contact point.

[0020] FIG 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an electrical contact system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the movable contact 400 is in a state where the movable contact 400 is separated from a pair of static contacts 310, 320. FIG 2 shows a plan view of the electrical contact system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the movable contact 400 is in the state where the movable contact 400 is separated from the pair of static contacts 310, 320. FIG 3 shows a plan view of the electrical contact system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the movable contact 400 is in a state where the movable contact 400 is in contact with the pair of static contacts 310, 320.

[0021] As shown in FIG 1, FIG 2 and FIG 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the electrical contact system mainly includes a movable contact 400, a static contact 310, 320, a rotating member 100, and an arc extinguishing device 210, 220. The movable contact 400 is provided with protruded a movable contact point 411 and 421, and the static contact 310 and 320 is provided with protruded static contact points 311 and 321. The movable contact 400 is mounted on the rotating member 100 and is rotatable with the rotating member 100 about the rotation axis Z of the rotating member 100 between the switch-on position and the switch-off position.

[0022] As shown in FIG 3, when the movable contact 400 is rotated to the switch-on position, the movable contact point 411, 421 is in electrical contact with the static contact points 311, 321.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the movable contact 400 is rotated to the switch-off position, the movable contact point 411, 421 is separated from the static contact points 311, 321.

[0024] As shown in FIG 1, FIG 2 and FIG. 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the arc extinguishing device 210, 220 has an arc extinguishing sheet 201, 202 and is meshed with the rotating member 100. Therefore, when the rotating member 100 is rotated about its rotation axis Z, the rotating member 100 may drive the arc extinguishing sheet 201, 202 of the arc extinguishing device 210, 220 to rotate around the rotation axis of the arc extinguishing device 210, 220.

[0025] As shown in FIG 3, in the illustrated embodiment, when the movable contact 400 is rotated to the switch-on position, the arc extinguishing sheet 201, 202 is rotated beyond a contact area between the movable contact point 411, 421 and the static contact point 311, 321, allowing the movable contact point 411, 421 to be in electrical contact with the static contact point 311, 321.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the illustrated embodiment, when the movable contact 400 is rotated to the switch-off position, the arc extinguishing sheet 201, 202 is rotated into the contact area between the movable contact point 411, 421 and the static contact point 311, 321 such that the movable contact point 411, 421 is electrically isolated from the static contact point 311, 321, thereby cutting off the electric arc between the movable contact point 411, 421 and the static contact point 311, 321.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the electrical contact system is provided with dual contact points. As shown in FIG 1, the static contacts 310, 320 include a first static contact 310 and a second static contact 320. The movable contact 400 is located between the first static contact 310 and the second static contact 320. The first static contact 310 has a first static contact point 311, and the second static contact 320 has a second static contact point 321. A first movable contact point 411 is provided at a first end 410 of the movable contact 400, and a second movable contact point 421 is provided at a second end 420 of the movable contact 400. The arc extinguishing devices 210, 220 include a first arc extinguishing device 210 and a second arc extinguishing device 220. The first arc extinguishing device 210 has a first arc extinguishing sheet 201, and the second arc extinguishing device 220 has a second arc extinguishing sheet 202.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the illustrated embodiment, when the movable contact 400 is rotated to the switch-off position, the first arc extinguishing sheet 201 is rotated into the contact area between the first movable contact point 411 and the first static contact point 311, and the second arc extinguishing sheet 202 is rotated into the contact area between the second movable contact point 421 and the second static contact point 321 such that the first movable contact point 411 and the second movable contact point 421 are electrically isolated from the first static contact point 311 and the second static contact point 321, respectively. By doing so, the electric arc between the first movable contact point 411 and the first static contact point 311 and the electric arc between the second movable contact point 421 and the second static contact point 321 may be rapidly cut off.

[0029] As shown in FIG 3, in the illustrated embodiment, when the movable contact 400 is rotated to the switch-on position, the first arc extinguishing sheet 201 is rotated out of the contact area between the first movable contact point 411 and the first static contact point 311, and the second arc extinguishing sheet 202 is rotated out of the contact area between the second movable contact point 421 and the second static contact point 321, thereby allowing the first movable contact point 411 and the second movable contact point 421 to be in electrical contact with the first static contact point 311 and the second static contact point 321, respectively.

[0030] As shown in FIG 1, in the illustrated embodiment, the rotating member 100 includes a disk-shaped base 101 and a cylindrical portion 102 that protrudes from the disk-shaped base 101. The movable contact 400 is mounted on the cylindrical portion 102 of the rotating member 100.

[0031] As shown in FIG 1, in the illustrated embodiment, a first gear 111 and a second gear 121 are formed on the disk-shaped base 101 of the rotating member 100. A first mating gear 211 to be meshed with the first gear 111 is formed on the first arc extinguishing device 210. A second mating gear 221 to be meshed with the second gear 121 is formed on the second arc extinguishing device 220.

[0032] As shown in FIG 1, in the illustrated embodiment, a first groove 110 and a second groove 120 are formed on the disk-shaped base 101 of the rotating element 100. The first gear 111 and the second gear 121 are respectively formed on edge portions of the first groove 110 and the second groove 120.

[0033] As shown in FIG 1, in the illustrated embodiment, a mounting groove (not shown) is formed in the cylindrical portion 102 of the rotating member 100. A main body portion of the movable contact 400 is installed in the mounting groove, and is locked on the cylindrical portion 102 of the rotating member 100 by a locking cap 500 attached to an end of the cylindrical portion 102 of the rotating member 100.

[0034] As shown in FIGs. 1, 2 and 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the electrical contact system further includes a static first insulating wall 301 and a static second insulating wall 302 which are unmovable with respect to the first static contact point 311 and the second static contact point 321, respectively.

[0035] As shown in FIGs. 1 and 2, in the illustrated embodiment, when the movable contact 400 is rotated to the switch-off position, the first arc extinguishing sheet 201 is partially overlapped with the first insulating wall 301. In this way, the electric arc between the first movable contact point 411 and the first static contact point 311 may be quickly cut off by the first arc extinguishing sheet 201 and the first insulating wall 301 which work like a scissor.

[0036] Similarly, as shown in FIGs. 1 and 2, in the illustrated embodiment, when the movable contact 400 is rotated to the switch-off position, the second arc extinguishing sheet 202 is partially overlapped with the second insulating wall 302. In this way, the arc between the second movable contact point 421 and the second static contact point 321 may be quickly cut off by the second arc extinguishing sheet 202 and the second insulating wall 302 which work like a scissor.

[0037] Although it is not shown, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first insulating wall 301 and the second insulating wall 302 may be formed on an insulator where the first static contact 310 and the second static contact 320 are mounted.

[0038] As shown in FIGs. 1, 2 and 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the first insulating wall 301 is located on one side of the first static contact point 311, and the second insulating wall 302 is located on one side of the second static contact point 321.

[0039] As shown in FIGs. 1, 2 and 3, in the illustrated embodiment, when the movable contact 400 is rotated from the switch-on position to the switch-off position, the first arc extinguishing sheet 201 is driven to enter the contact area between the first static contact point 311 and the first movable contact point 411 from the other side of the first static contact point 311 until the first arc extinguishing sheet 201 partially overlaps with the first insulating wall 301.

[0040] As shown in FIGs. 1, 2 and 3, in the illustrated embodiment, when the movable contact 400 is rotated from the switch-on position to the switch-off position, the second arc extinguishing sheet 202 is driven to enter the contact area between the second static contact point 321 and the second movable contact point 421 from the other side of the second static contact point 321 until the second arc extinguishing sheet 202 partially overlaps with the second insulating wall 302.

[0041] As shown in FIGs. 1, 2 and 3, in the illustrated embodiment, when the movable contact 400 is rotated from the switch-off position to the switch-on position, the first arc extinguishing sheet 201 is driven to leave the contact area between the first static contact point 311 and the first movable contact point 411 from the other side of the first static contact point 311 until it moves out of the contact area between the first static contact point 311 and the first movable contact point 411.

[0042] As shown in FIGs. 1, 2 and 3, in the illustrated embodiment, when the movable contact 400 is rotated from the switch-off position to the switch-on position, the second arc extinguishing sheet 202 is driven to leave the contact area between the second static contact point 321 and the second movable contact point 421 from the other side of the second static contact point 321 until it moves out of the contact area between the second static contact point 321 and the second movable contact point 421.

[0043] In the foregoing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the arc extinguishing device is meshed with the gear of the rotating member. Therefore, the arc extinguishing device may be driven by the rotating member to be rotated into the contact area between the movable contact point and the static contact point, so that the electric arc between the movable contact point and the static contact point may be quickly cut off to achieve an efficient and reliable arc extinguishing effect. In addition, it is not necessary in the present disclosure to provide a driving device that drives the arc extinguishing device independently to rotate, and a simple structure and a low cost are achieved.

[0044] In the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure, the mechanism of the overall electrical contact system is very simple, which facilitates manufacturing and assembling and is high reliable. Moreover, the size of the overall electrical contact system may be miniaturized, the overall electrical contact system requires less drive energy, has low energy consumption, and may realize reliable connection and disconnection of a circuit comprising the electrical contact system.

[0045] Those skilled in the art can understand that the above-described embodiments are all exemplary, and those skilled in the art can improve it. The structures described in the various embodiments can be freely combined without a conflict in structure or principle.

[0046] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the accompanying drawings are intended to illustrate the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure exemplarily, and cannot be construed as a limitation of the present disclosure. The scope of protection is defined by the appended claims.

[0047] It should be noted that the wording "including / comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the wording "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. In addition, any reference numerals in a claim should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An electrical contact system comprising: a static contact (310, 320) having a static contact point (311, 321); a movable contact (400) having a movable contact point (411, 421); a rotating member (100) on which the movable contact (400) is mounted, the movable contact being rotatable with the rotating member (100) between a switch-on position and a switch-off position, when the movable contact (400) is rotated to the switch-on position, the movable contact point (411, 421) being in electrical contact with the static contact point (311, 321); and when the movable contact (400) is rotated to the switch-off position, the movable contact point (411, 421) being separated from the static contact point (311, 321); and an arc extinguishing device (210, 220) having an arc extinguishing sheet (201, 202); wherein the arc extinguishing device (210, 220) is geared with the rotating member (100), wherein when the movable contact (400) is rotated to the switch-on position, the arc extinguishing sheet (201, 202) is rotated beyond a contact area between the movable contact point (411, 421) and the static contact point (311, 321), allowing electrical contact of the movable contact point (411, 421) with the static contact point (311, 321); wherein when the movable contact (400) is rotated to the switch-off position, the arc extinguishing sheet (201, 202) is rotated into the contact area between the movable contact point (411, 421) and the static contact point (311, 321) such that the movable contact point (411, 421) is electrically isolated from the static contact point (311, 321), cutting off an electric arc between the movable contact point (411, 421) and the static contact point (311, 321); wherein the static contact (310, 320) comprises a first static contact (310) and a second static contact (320), and the movable contact (400) is located between the first static contact (310) and the second static contact (320); wherein the first static contact (310) comprises a first static contact point (311), the second static contact (320) comprises a second static contact point (321), and the movable contact (400) comprises a first movable contact point (411) at a first end (410) thereof and a second movable contact point (421) at a second end (420) thereof; and wherein the arc extinguishing device (210, 220) comprises a first arc extinguishing device (210) provided with a first arc extinguishing sheet (201) and a second arc extinguishing device (220) provided with a second arc extinguishing sheet (202); and wherein the rotating member (100) comprises a disk-shaped base (101) and a cylindrical portion (102) protruding from the disk-shaped base (101), and the movable contact (400) is mounted on the cylindrical portion (102) of the rotating member (100); characterised in that a first gear (111) and a second gear (121) are formed on the disk-shaped base (101) of the rotating member (100); wherein a first mating gear (211) to be meshed with the first gear (111) is formed on the first arc extinguishing device (210); wherein a second mating gear (221) to be meshed with the second gear (121) is formed on the second arc extinguishing device (220); and wherein a first groove (110) and a second groove (120) are formed on the disk-shaped base (101) of the rotating member (100), and the first gear (111) and the second gear (121) are respectively formed on edge portions of the first groove (110) and the second groove (120).

2. The electrical contact system of claim 1, wherein when the movable contact (400) is rotated to the switch-off position, the first arc extinguishing sheet (201) is rotated into the contact area between the first movable contact point (411) and the first static contact point(311), and the second arc extinguishing sheet (202) is rotated into the contact area between the second movable contact point (421) and the second static contact point (321), so that the first movable contact point (411) and the second movable contact point (421) are electrically isolated from the first static contact point(311) and the second static contact point (321), respectively.

3. The electrical contact system of claim 1, wherein when the movable contact (400) is rotated to the switch-on position, the first arc extinguishing sheet (201) is rotated beyond the contact area between the first movable contact point (411) and the first static contact point (311), and the second arc extinguishing sheet (202) is rotated out of the contact area between the second movable contact point (421) and the second static contact point (321), allowing the first movable contact point (411) and the second movable contact point (421) to be in electrical contact with the first static contact point (311) and the second static contact point (321), respectively.

4. The electrical contact system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a mounting groove is formed in the cylindrical portion (102) of the rotating member (100), and a main body portion of the movable contact (400) is mounted in the mounting groove and is locked on the cylindrical portion (102) of the rotating member (100) by a locking cap (500) attached to an end of the cylindrical portion (102) of the rotating member (100).

5. The electrical contact system of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a static first insulating wall (301) and a static second insulating wall (302); and wherein when the movable contact (400) is rotated to the switch-off position, the first arc extinguishing sheet (201) is partially overlapped with the first insulating wall (301), and the second arc extinguishing sheet (202) is partially overlapped with the second insulating wall (302).

6. The electrical contact system of claim 5, wherein the first insulating wall (301) is located on one side of the first static contact point (311), and the second insulating wall (302) is located on one side of the second static contact point (321); and wherein when the movable contact (400) is rotated from the switch-on position to the switch-off position, the first arc extinguishing sheet (201) is driven to enter the contact area between the first static contact point (311) and the first movable contact point (411) from the other side of the first static contact point (311), and the second arc extinguishing sheet (202) is driven to enter the contact area between the second static contact point (321) and the second movable contact point (421) from the other side of the second static contact point (321).