Switching device with arc limitation

Abstract

The invention relates to a switching device with at least one contact point comprising a first contact and a second contact, wherein at least one of the contacts is movable and both contacts can be brought into contact with one another, and wherein a quenching chamber is allocated to the at least one contact point, said quenching chamber being designed to quench a switching arc that is created when the contacts are opened, and with a partition wall that divides the quenching chamber into a first quenching region and a second quenching region, and with an arc blowing apparatus that is designed to blow the switching arc created between the contacts away from the contacts in a first direction or a second direction opposite the first direction, depending on the polarity of the contacts. According to the invention, the switching device has a first deflection element and a second deflection element, the first deflection element being designed such that the switching arc is deflected into the first quenching region when blown away in the first direction, the second deflection element being designed such that the switching arc is deflected into the second quenching region when blown away in the second direction.

Description

[0001] Switchgear with arc limitation

[0002] The present invention relates to a switching device according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0003] A generic switching device comprises at least one contact point with a first contact and a second contact, wherein at least one of the contacts is movable and the two contacts can be brought into contact with each other, and wherein the at least one contact point is assigned an arcing chamber which is designed to extinguish a switching arc which arises when the contacts open, and a partition which divides the arcing chamber into a first extinguishing area and a second extinguishing area, as well as an arc blowing device which is designed to blow the switching arc arising between the contacts away from the contacts in a first direction or in a second direction opposite to the first direction, depending on the polarity of the contacts.

[0004] Generic switching devices are used in many areas. Switching electrical loads places high demands on the switching device. For example, when a current-carrying contact opens, an arc is created, which becomes more energetic and difficult to extinguish the higher the load to be switched. If an arc is only extinguished inadequately or not at all, the switching device can be severely damaged or even destroyed.

[0005] To extinguish arcs, it is known to deflect the arc using a magnetic field, thereby elongating it so that the arc either extinguishes itself or can be extinguished by a suitable device. Consequently, more complex arc extinguishing measures are required for switching high loads than for lower loads, resulting in an ever-increasing installation space requirement as the switching load increases.

[0006] A switching device according to the preamble of independent claim 1 is known from DE102020104258A1. This document describes a switching device with at least two communicating arc quenching zones. The arc quenching zones are spatially separated from one another by a partition wall, which has overflow openings that connect the two arc quenching zones in such a way that plasma generated by the arc can flow from one arc quenching zone into the other, unused arc quenching zone. The object of the present invention is to provide a switching device that is capable of isolating higher electrical loads while maintaining a consistently compact design.

[0007] The object is achieved by the features of independent claim 1. Accordingly, the object is achieved according to the invention if the switching device has a first deflection element and a second deflection element, wherein the first deflection element is designed such that the switching arc is deflected into the first extinguishing region when blown away in the first direction, and wherein the second deflection element is designed such that the switching arc is deflected into the second extinguishing region when blown away in the second direction.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the partition wall runs substantially parallel to the first and second movement directions of the switching arc blown away from the contact point by the arc blowing device.

[0010] The partition wall is preferably designed as a flat partition wall that spans a plane. However, it is also conceivable for the partition wall to have unevenness, such as a bend, an edge, or the like, in which case, too, a main direction of extension of the partition wall and thus a plane can be defined. The partition wall can advantageously be designed as a single piece, but it is also conceivable for the partition wall to be designed as multiple pieces.

[0011] The fact that the partition wall runs substantially parallel to the first and second directions of movement of the arc blowing device means in the present case that the angle between the directions of movement and the partition wall is not more than 15°, preferably not more than 10° and more preferably not more than 5°.

[0012] Preferably, the two directions of movement run not only parallel to the partition wall or to the plane spanned by the partition wall, but almost within the plane spanned by the partition wall.

[0013] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the extinguishing chamber has a first side wall and a second side wall opposite the first side wall, as well as a first end wall connecting the first and second side walls and a second end wall connecting the first and second side walls and opposite the first end wall, as well as a first ceiling closing off the side walls and end walls, and a second ceiling which is opposite the first ceiling and likewise closes off the side walls and end walls, and the dividing wall is aligned substantially orthogonally to the first and second side walls and to the first and second ceilings and is aligned substantially parallel to the end walls. Preferably, the dividing wall divides the extinguishing chamber into two substantially equal-sized extinguishing areas.

[0014] In this case, a substantially orthogonal alignment means that the angle of the partition wall to the two side walls and to the two ceilings deviates from a right angle by no more than 15°, preferably no more than 10°, and more preferably no more than 5°. The same applies to the parallel alignment of the partition wall to the two end walls. Preferably, the parallelism deviation is no more than 15°, more preferably no more than 10°, and most preferably no more than 5°.

[0015] In the context of the present invention, substantially equal extinguishing areas means that the size of an extinguishing area is not more than 75%, preferably not more than 70% and more preferably not more than 65% of the size of the extinguishing chamber.

[0016] According to the invention, the switching device has at least one contact point. The switching device according to the invention is particularly advantageous when designed as a bidirectional switch with double contact interruption and consequently with two contact points. Accordingly, each contact point is then assigned an arcing chamber, which in turn is divided into two arcing zones by a partition wall. A switching device designed in this way then comprises two partition walls as well as two first deflection elements and two second deflection elements. The arcing chambers can be separated from one another in various ways. It is conceivable for each of the two arcing chambers to be arranged in its own housing; alternatively, the separation can also be achieved by a component provided specifically for this purpose.

[0017] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the partition wall has at least one overflow opening which is suitable for allowing the plasma generated by the switching arc to flow from one of the two extinguishing regions into the other extinguishing region, wherein the partition wall preferably has at least 5 overflow openings and more preferably has at least 20 overflow openings, wherein the area of ​​the overflow openings based on the total area of ​​the partition wall is at least 10%, preferably at least 20% and more preferably at least 30%. The advantage of having the largest possible area of ​​overflow openings is that the plasma generated by the arc can flow from the extinguishing region in which the arc is extinguished into the other unused extinguishing region, thereby creating more favorable conditions for extinguishing the arc.However, if the area of ​​overflow openings is too large, the partition wall can no longer effectively separate the two extinguishing areas and there is a risk that the arc will spread throughout the entire extinguishing chamber and not just in the intended extinguishing area.

[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the partition wall forms a recurring pattern through the overflow openings, which is distributed over at least 50%, preferably over at least 60% and more preferably over at least 70% of the partition wall area.

[0019] Advantageously, the recurring pattern is a grid pattern and is distributed over as large an area of ​​the partition as possible. However, it is also conceivable that the grid pattern is provided in the areas of the partition where particularly large amounts of plasma are generated due to the spread of the arc.

[0020] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the first and the second deflection element are arranged at an angle to the partition wall, wherein the angle is at least 5°, preferably at least 10° and more preferably at least 35° and not more than 45°, wherein the orientation of the deflection element is preferably achieved by a rotation of the deflection elements relative to the partition wall about a first axis which lies within the partition wall and runs parallel to the first ceiling.

[0021] However, it is also conceivable that the deflection elements are additionally aligned at an angle around one or both other axes that are orthogonal to the first axis.

[0022] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the two deflection elements are angled in opposite directions from the partition wall and the two deflection elements are designed as one piece with the partition wall.

[0023] It is advantageous if the angles at which the two deflection elements are angled away from the partition are equal in magnitude. However, it is also conceivable that the angles have different magnitudes, depending on the position and orientation of the partition within the arcing chamber.

[0024] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, both the first and the second deflection element have at least one overflow opening, preferably at least two overflow openings and more preferably at least three overflow openings, which are suitable for allowing the plasma generated by the switching arc to flow from one extinguishing area into the other extinguishing area, wherein the area of ​​the overflow openings based on the total area of ​​the deflection element is at least 5%, preferably at least 10% and more preferably at least 20%.

[0025] To allow as much plasma as possible to flow into the extinguishing zone not involved in arc extinguishing, it is advantageous to achieve the largest possible total area of ​​the overflow openings. However, the overflow openings themselves and the total area of ​​the overflow openings cannot be made arbitrarily large, as the actual function of the deflection elements—namely, deflecting the arc into the respective extinguishing zone—should not be compromised.

[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the switching device has a first and a second blocking element, wherein the first blocking element delimits the first extinguishing region in such a way that a switching arc which, due to the design of the switching device and the arrangement of the arc blowing device, spreads in a circle in the first or second direction around the second contact, is deflected into the first extinguishing region when blown away in the first direction, is prevented from spreading beyond 350°, preferably beyond 300° and more preferably beyond 270°, and wherein the second blocking element delimits the second extinguishing region in such a way that a switching arc which, due to the design of the switching device and the arrangement of the arc blowing device, is deflected into the second extinguishing region when blown away in the second direction, is prevented from spreading beyond 350°, preferably beyond 300° and more preferably beyond 270°.

[0027] The design of the extinguishing zone, combined with the arrangement of the respective blocking element, ensures that the switching arc is deflected as far as possible for rapid extinguishing, while remaining within the extinguishing zone without coming into contact with other components of the extinguishing device. This also prevents the arc from potentially reigniting when approaching a contact point.

[0028] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the second blocking element is formed by the first deflection element and the first blocking element is formed by the second deflection element. However, an embodiment is also conceivable in which the deflection elements and blocking elements are formed by different components. According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the switching device comprises a first and a second limiting element, wherein the first limiting element forms an extension of the first blocking element that is aligned orthogonally to the first blocking element and projects into the first extinguishing region, thereby shielding a side surface of the switching bridge from the first extinguishing region in such a way that the base point of a switching arc,which, when blown away in the first direction, together with the switching arc, performs a movement within the first extinguishing region and a plane running substantially parallel to the partition wall around the second contact, is prevented from spreading by more than 300°, preferably more than 270° and more preferably more than 180°, and wherein the second limiting element forms an extension of the second blocking element that is aligned orthogonally to the second blocking element and projects into the second extinguishing region and thereby shields a side surface of the switching bridge from the second extinguishing region in such a way that the base point of a switching arc, which, when blown away in the second direction, together with the switching arc, performs a movement within the second extinguishing region and a plane running substantially parallel to the partition wall around the second contact, is prevented from spreading by more than 300°,preferably more than 270° and more preferably more than 180°.

[0029] Within a plane running substantially parallel to the partition wall means in the present case that the idealised arc described by the movement of the arc root point does not deviate from said plane by more than 15°, preferably not more than 10° and more preferably not more than 5°.

[0030] In addition to limiting the arc propagation, there is another requirement for the partition and the deflection, blocking, or limiting elements, which are preferably formed integrally with the partition. Contact with the arc is intended to remove heat from the arc through thermal conduction and in the form of evaporation energy. According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the partition is therefore made of a suitable plastic or a suitable ceramic.

[0031] An embodiment of the present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0032] They show:

[0033] Fig. 1: a perspective view of a switching device according to the invention without a housing, Fig. 2: a structure and an arrangement of the arcing chambers of the switching device according to the invention

[0034] switching device,

[0035] Fig. 3: a view from above through a section through the housing of the switching device according to the invention,

[0036] Fig. 4: a front view through a section through the housing of the switching device according to the invention,

[0037] Fig. 5: a side view of the arrangement of the partition walls in the arcing chambers of the switching device according to the invention,

[0038] Fig. 6: a perspective view of an embodiment of the partition wall of the switching device according to the invention.

[0039] In the following embodiments, identical parts are designated by identical reference numerals. If a figure contains reference numerals that are not further explained in the corresponding figure description, reference is made to the preceding or subsequent figure descriptions.

[0040] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a switching device 1 according to the invention. To better illustrate the features of the invention, the front and side housings, as well as the demarcation of the two arcing chambers, have been omitted from this figure. However, these can be seen, for example, in Figs. 2 and 3.

[0041] The switching device 1 comprises two contact points 2, each with a first contact 3 designed as a fixed contact and a second contact 4. The contacts 3, 4 are designed as so-called contact pills, wherein the fixed contacts 3 are part of a contact area 3a.

[0042] Based on the fixed contact 3 at the rear in the illustration, it is clearly visible how the fixed contact 3 is designed as a large contact area 3a and how contact with the movable contact 4 is established by means of a contact pill 3. For the fixed contact 3 at the front in the illustration, only the contact pill is shown for reasons of clarity. The second contacts 4 are arranged on a contact bridge 27. The drive of the contact bridge 27 is not shown for the sake of clarity. The drive of the contact bridge 27 is designed to bring the two movable contacts 4 into a closed position, i.e. into contact, with the two fixed contacts 3 or to move them from the closed position into an open position. Each of the two contact points 2 is assigned an arcing chamber 5. A more detailed illustration of the arrangement of the arcing chambers 5 in relation to the contact points 2 and their separation from one another by the housing 26 can be seen in Fig. 2.

[0043] With reference again to Fig. 1 in conjunction with Fig. 3, the division of the arcing chambers 5 into a first arcing zone 7 and a second arcing zone 8 by the partition walls 6 can be seen. In the embodiment of the switching device 1 according to the invention shown, the first deflection element 12 and the second deflection element 13 are each designed as one piece with the partition wall 6. It can also be clearly seen that the deflection elements 12, 13 are arranged at a specific angle 21 (see also Fig. 5) to the partition wall 6. In the advantageous embodiment shown, the angle 21 lies in a range of 35°-45°. In any case, the angle should be at least 5°, preferably at least 10°, and particularly preferably, according to the embodiment shown, at least 35° and no more than 45°. The plane of the deflection elements is inclined about an axis that runs orthogonal to the side walls 14, 15 and within the plane of the partition wall 6.

[0044] It is also conceivable that the deflection elements 12, 13, in addition to the rotation shown, undergo a rotation about a vertical axis which lies within the plane of the partition wall and runs parallel to the side walls 14, 15.

[0045] The arrangement of the deflection elements 12, 13 relative to the partition wall 6 ensures that a switching arc arising between the contacts 3, 4, which, depending on the polarity of the contacts 3, 4, is blown away from the contacts 3, 4 by the arc-blowing device 9 in the first direction 10 or in the second direction 11 opposite the first direction 10, is deflected into the intended extinguishing area 7, 8. Preferably, the deflection elements 12, 13 are arranged at an angle 21 of equal magnitude in the opposite direction to the partition wall 6. However, it is also conceivable that the respective angles 21 are unequal in magnitude. However, the alignment of the deflection elements 12, 13 in the opposite direction is necessary in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1.

[0046] In the embodiment of the present invention shown in Fig. 1, the first deflection element 12 is arranged such that an arc blown away from the contact point 2 in the first direction 10 by the arc-blowing device 9 is deflected into the first extinguishing region 7. Similarly, the second deflection element 13 is arranged such that an arc blown away from the contact point 2 in the second direction 11 by the arc-blowing device 9 is deflected into the second extinguishing region 8. In particular, it is clearly evident from Fig. 3 that the partition wall 6 runs substantially parallel to the first 10 and second movement directions 11 of the arc. Referring also to Fig. 4, the arc is created at the contact point 2 between the first contact 3 and the second contact 4.Due to the orientation of the contact bridge 27 and the magnetic field generated by the arc blowing device 9, the resulting arc is blown away from the contact point 2 in the first direction 10 or in the second direction 11, depending on the polarity of the fixed contacts 3. The base point of the arc moves around the contact bridge 27 within the plane of the illustration, starting from the second contact point 4. The upper base point of the arc, which arises at the first contact 3, moves along the contact area 3a. Fig. 3 shows that as a result of the propagation in a direction 10, 11, the arc strikes the inclined plane of a deflection element 12, 13 and is deflected into the respective extinguishing area 7, 8 as it continues to propagate.As already described, the first deflection element 12 is arranged such that an arc which is blown away in the first direction 10 is deflected into the first extinguishing region 7 and can expand further there and is thereby extinguished.

[0047] For effective arc extinguishing, it is advantageous if the partition 6 has an overflow opening 20 so that the plasma generated by the arc can flow from the extinguishing area 7, 8, in which the arc is extinguished, into the unused extinguishing area 7, 8. In the illustrated embodiment of the partition 6, a plurality of overflow openings 20 are provided. A particularly good effect is achieved if the partition has at least 5 overflow openings 20 and preferably at least 10 overflow openings 20 and the total area of ​​the overflow openings 20 relative to the total area of ​​the partition 6 is at least 10% and preferably at least 30%. The deflection elements 12, 13 also have overflow openings 20, in which the area of ​​the overflow openings 20 relative to the total area of ​​the deflection element 12, 13 is at least 10%.Ideally, the overflow openings 20 are distributed approximately evenly over the entire surface of the partition wall 6 and the deflection elements 12, 13.

[0048] The arrangement of the overflow openings 20 of the partition wall 6 is implemented in a type of grid pattern that is distributed over the largest possible area of ​​the partition wall 6. However, it is also conceivable that the overflow openings 20 are preferably arranged where the arc expands most favorably.

[0049] In Fig. 3 it can also be clearly seen that the arc which the arc describes by the expansion lies essentially in the plane of the partition wall 6 and, after being deflected into one of the two extinguishing areas 7, 8, remains aligned essentially parallel to the partition wall 6.

[0050] Fig. 2 illustrates the basic structure of the arcing chambers 5 of the switching device 1 according to the invention. The arcing chambers 5 have a first side wall 14 and a second side wall 15 opposite the first side wall 14, as well as a first end wall 16 connecting the first side wall 14 and the second side wall 15, and a second end wall 17 connecting the first side wall 14 and the second side wall 15 and opposite the first end wall 16. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the side walls 14, 15 and the end walls 16, 17 are formed by the housing. Both arcing chambers 5 are separated from one another by an extension of the housing 26, which is aligned orthogonal to the side walls 14, 15 and parallel to the end walls 16, 17. Furthermore, the extinguishing chambers 5 have a first ceiling 18, which forms the floor of the extinguishing chambers 5 and closes off the side walls 14, 15 and the end walls 16, 17.The second cover 19, which closes off the arcing chambers 5 from above, is not shown in this figure. It is also clearly visible that the arc blowing device 9 is arranged within the arcing chambers 5 and that the arcing chambers 5 are of equal size.

[0051] Although the side walls 14, 15, the end walls 16, 17 and the ceilings 18, 19 can in principle be formed by the housing of the switching device 1, it is also conceivable that they are formed by other components, such as covers or other functional elements.

[0052] Fig. 3 shows the arrangement of the partition walls 6 within the arcing chambers 5. The partition walls 6 are aligned parallel to the end walls 16, 17 and orthogonal to the side walls 14, 15. It is advantageous if the partition walls 6 are also arranged below the contact points 2, as in the present embodiment. With appropriate dimensioning of the relevant components, a partition wall 7 can divide an arcing chamber 5 into two equally sized arcing areas 7, 8. However, it is also conceivable for the arcing areas 7, 8 to have different sizes.

[0053] Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the partition wall 6 of a switching device 1 according to the invention. The partition wall 6 is designed in one piece with the deflection elements 12, 13 and further comprises a first limiting element 24 and a second limiting element 25, wherein the limiting elements 24, 25 are each formed as an extension of a deflection element 12, 13 and protrude orthogonally therefrom. The mechanism of arc quenching in a switching device 1 according to the invention will now be described below with reference to Fig. 1.

[0054] If contact is interrupted at both contact points 2 by a downward movement of the contact bridge 27, an arc is created at both contact points 2 between the contacts 3, 4. For the sake of simplicity, reference is made below to the front contact point 2 in the figure and to the case where the arc is blown away to the right of the contact point 2.

[0055] With the appropriate polarity, an arc that arises at the front contact point 2 between the fixed contact 3 and the movable contact 4 is blown away to the right of the contact point 2 by the arc blowing device 9. Due to the arrangement of the contacts 3, 4 on the contact bridge 27 and the contact area 3a as well as the orientation of the magnetic field by the arc blowing device 9, the base point of the arc that arises at contact 4 is caused to move clockwise in the plane of the partition wall around the contact bridge 27. The base point of the arc that arises at the fixed contact 3, in contrast, moves to the right in the image along the contact area 3a of the front fixed contact 3, which is not shown here but is designed analogously to the contact area 3a of the rear fixed contact 3 shown here.Due to the increasing distance between the two base points and the arc's arc-shaped deflection, the arc is increasingly elongated. When the arc hits the inclined plane of the right front deflection element 20, it is deflected into the extinguishing area 7, shown at the front in the image.

[0056] The arc now spreads within the extinguishing area 7 essentially parallel to the partition wall 6 until the first blocking element 22, which delimits the first extinguishing area 7 at this point, prevents the arc from spreading further and reaching the front contact area 3a to the left of the contact bridge 27 and igniting again.

[0057] In the embodiment shown, the first blocking element 22 is formed by the second deflecting element 13. Similarly, a second blocking element 23, which prevents an arc deflected into the second extinguishing region 8 of the front contact point 2 from further extending beyond the second extinguishing region 8, is formed by the first deflecting element 12.

[0058] The base of the arc, which travels around the contact bridge 27, must also be prevented from reaching the contact 4 again. For this purpose, the first limiting element 24 is provided, which projects into the first extinguishing zone 7 and shields the left-hand side surface of the contact bridge 27 from the first extinguishing zone 7 in such a way that the base of the arc is prevented from spreading further by more than 300°, and preferably by more than 270°, around the contact bridge 27. A second limiting element 25 with the same function is provided for the second extinguishing zone 8. The limiting elements 24, 25 are designed as a single piece with the partition wall 6 and the deflecting elements 12, 13.

[0059] The described arrangement ensures that the arc can be deflected as far as possible within the extinguishing zone 7, 8 and thus effectively extinguished without coming into contact with components that could be damaged by the arc. A particularly advantageous effect is that the spatial extent of the extinguishing zone 7, 8 extends primarily in the direction of arc propagation, allowing optimal use of the installation space of the switching device 1 according to the invention.

[0060] A further advantage is shown by the specific arrangement of the contacts 3, 4 in conjunction with the respective contact areas 3a of the fixed contacts 3 above the partition wall 6 and substantially within the plane of the partition wall 6 and centrally between the two angled deflection elements 12, 13, wherein the deflection elements 12, 13 simultaneously form the blocking elements 22, 23.

[0061] List of reference symbols:

[0062] 1 switching device

[0063] 2 Contact point

[0064] 3 first contact

[0065] 3a Contact area

[0066] 4 second contact

[0067] 5 Extinguishing chamber

[0068] 6 Partition wall

[0069] 7 first extinguishing area

[0070] 8 second extinguishing area 9 arc blowing device

[0071] 10 first direction

[0072] 11 second direction

[0073] 12 first deflection element 13 second deflection element

[0074] 14 first side wall

[0075] 15 second side wall

[0076] 16 first front wall

[0077] 17 second end wall 18 first ceiling

[0078] 19 second ceiling

[0079] 20 Overflow opening

[0080] 21 angles

[0081] 22 first blocking element 23 second blocking element

[0082] 24 first boundary element

[0083] 25 second boundary element

[0084] 26 housings

[0085] 27 Contact bridge

Claims

Claims 1. Switching device (1) with at least one contact point (2) comprising a first contact (3) and a second contact (4), wherein at least one of the contacts (3, 4) is movable and the two contacts (3, 4) can be brought into contact with one another, and wherein the at least one contact point (2) is assigned an arcing chamber (5) which is designed to extinguish a switching arc arising when the contacts (3, 4) open, and with a partition wall (6) which divides the arcing chamber (5) into a first extinguishing region (7) and a second extinguishing region (8), and with an arc blowing device (9) which is designed to blow the switching arc arising between the contacts (3, 4) away from the contacts (3, 4) in a first direction (10) or in a second direction (11) opposite to the first direction (10), depending on the polarity of the contacts (3, 4), characterized in thatthat the switching device (1) has a first deflection element (12) and a second deflection element (13), wherein the first deflection element (12) is designed such that the switching arc is deflected into the first extinguishing region (7) when blown away in the first direction (10), and wherein the second deflection element (13) is designed such that the switching arc is deflected into the second extinguishing region (8) when blown away in the second direction (11).

2. Switching device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the partition wall (6) runs substantially parallel to the first (10) and second direction of movement (11) of the switching arc blown away from the contact point (2) by the arc blowing device (9).

3. Switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the arcing chamber (5) has a first side wall (14) and a second side wall (15) opposite the first side wall (14), as well as a first end wall (16) connecting the first (14) and second side wall (15) and a second end wall (17) connecting the first (14) and second side wall (15) and opposite the first end wall (16), as well as a first cover (18) closing the side walls (14, 15) and end walls (16, 17), as well as a second cover (19) which is opposite the first cover (18) and also closes the side walls (14, 15) and end walls (16, 17), and in that the partition wall (6) is aligned substantially orthogonally to the first (14) and second side wall (15) and to the first (18) and second cover (19) and to the end walls (16, 17) is essentially aligned parallel.

4. Switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the partition (6) has at least one overflow opening (20) which is suitable for to allow the plasma generated by the switching arc to flow from one of the two extinguishing regions (7, 8) into the other extinguishing region (7, 8), wherein the partition wall (6) preferably has at least 5 overflow openings (20) and more preferably has at least 20 overflow openings (20), wherein the area of ​​the overflow openings (20) based on the total area of ​​the partition wall (6) is at least 10%, preferably at least 20% and more preferably at least 30%.

5. Switching device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the partition wall (6) forms a recurring pattern through the overflow openings (20) which is distributed over at least 50%, preferably over at least 60% and more preferably over at least 70% of the partition wall surface.

6. Switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first and the second deflection element (12, 13) are arranged at an angle (21) to the partition wall (6), wherein the angle (21) is at least 5°, preferably at least 10° and more preferably at least 35° and not more than 45°, wherein the alignment of the deflection elements (12, 13) is preferably achieved by a rotation of the deflection elements (12, 13) relative to the partition wall (6) about an axis which lies within the partition wall (6) and runs parallel to the first ceiling (18).

7. Switching device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the two deflection elements (12, 13) are angled in opposite directions from the partition wall (6) and that the two deflection elements (12, 13) are designed as one piece with the partition wall (6).

8. Switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that both the first (12) and the second deflection element (13) have at least one overflow opening (20), preferably at least two overflow openings (20) and more preferably at least three overflow openings (20) which are suitable for allowing the plasma generated by the switching arc to flow from one extinguishing region (7, 8) into the other extinguishing region (7, 8), wherein the area of ​​the overflow openings (20) based on the total area of ​​the deflection element (12, 13) is at least 5%, preferably at least 10% and more preferably at least 20%.

9. Switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the switching device (1) has a first blocking element (22) and a second blocking element (23), wherein the first blocking element (22) delimits the first extinguishing area (7) in such a way that a Switching arc which, due to the design of the switching device (1) and the arrangement of the arc blowing device (9), spreads in a circle in the first (10) or the second direction (11) around the second contact (4), is deflected into the first extinguishing region (7) when blown away in the first direction (10), is prevented from spreading beyond 350°, preferably beyond 300° and more preferably beyond 270°, and wherein the second blocking element (23) delimits the second extinguishing region (8) in such a way that a switching arc which, when blown away in the second direction (11), is deflected into the second extinguishing region (8) is prevented from spreading beyond 350°, preferably beyond 300° and more preferably beyond 270°.

10. Switching device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the second blocking element (23) is formed by the first deflecting element (12) and that the first blocking element (22) is formed by the second deflecting element (13).

11. Switching device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the switching device (1) comprises a first limiting element (24) and a second limiting element (25), wherein the first limiting element (24) forms an extension of the first blocking element (22) aligned orthogonally to the first blocking element (22) and projects into the first extinguishing region (7) and thereby shields a side surface of the switching bridge (27) from the first extinguishing region (7) in such a way that the base point of a switching arc, which, when blown away in the first direction (10), together with the switching arc, performs a movement within the first extinguishing region (7) and a plane running substantially parallel to the partition wall (6) around the second contact (4), at a spread of more than 300°,preferably more than 270° and more preferably more than 180°, and wherein the second limiting element (25) forms an extension of the second blocking element (23) that is oriented orthogonally to the second blocking element (23) and projects into the second extinguishing region (8) and thereby shields a side surface of the switching bridge (27) from the second extinguishing region (8) in such a way that the base point of a switching arc, which, when blown away in the second direction (11), moves together with the switching arc within the second extinguishing region (8) and in a plane running substantially parallel to the partition wall (6) around the second contact (4), is prevented from spreading by more than 300°, preferably more than 270° and more preferably more than 180°.

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