Switch device

Abstract

The invention relates to a switch device (100) comprising at least two fixed contacts (2, 3) and a moving contact (4) in a switching chamber (11), as well as at least two auxiliary contacts (25), two spring contacts (30) and a contact plate (31) in the switching chamber, wherein each of the spring contacts contacts one of the auxiliary contacts with a first contact region (301) and has a second contact region (302), the contact plate can be moved together with the moving contact and the contact plate contacts the second contact regions of the spring contacts in a first switch state of the switch device, and is arranged spaced apart from the second contact regions of the spring contacts in a second switch state.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Switching device

[0003] A switching device is specified.

[0004] The switching device is designed, in particular, as an electromagnetically acting, remotely operated switch operable by electrically conductive current. The switching device can be activated via a control circuit and can switch a load circuit. In particular, the switching device can be designed as a relay or as a contactor, in particular as a power contactor. Particularly preferably, the switching device can be designed as a gas-filled power contactor.

[0005] One possible application of such switching devices, in particular power contactors, is the opening and disconnecting of battery circuits, for example in motor vehicles such as electrically or partially electrically powered vehicles or in applications in the field of renewable energies.

[0006] In its function as a safety component, a contactor, for example, is normally additionally monitored. Contactor monitoring is regulated in the IEC 60947-5-1 standard. Contactor monitoring is intended to detect the most common fault in contactors, relays and switches, namely sticking or welding of the main contacts. Such a fault, also known as contactor sticking, can be caused, for example, by arcs that form between the contacts during switching under load and can cause such high temperatures on the contact surfaces that the contact surfaces are welded together. It is also advantageous if other fault conditions can be detected, for example if a contact is mechanically blocked in an open position or in an intermediate state.

[0007] Typical contactors are designed as so-called overtravel systems. This means that after the main contacts have been interconnected by the contact bridge and thus electrically closed, the movement of the closing system continues, with the pressure of the contact bridge, usually spring-loaded, increasing on the main contacts. In the case of a contactor adhesive, this overtravel is reduced, but the contact bridge remains stuck to at least one main contact. The mechanical system is thus suspended in an intermediate state and is neither open nor fully closed.

[0008] Monitoring or contactor sticking detection can be carried out, for example, by means of a voltage measurement across the contactor's main contacts. If there is a voltage between the main contacts, the contactor is open. If there is no voltage, the contactor is short-circuited and therefore closed. This method is very safe, but also expensive to use because cables carrying high voltage potential have to be laid and appropriately insulated. Monitoring is usually carried out by a higher-level system, such as an AD converter controlled by a microcontroller. It is also known, for example, to use a microswitch in the contactor's switching chamber, which is operated by a small cantilever on the switching bridge. The cantilever actuates the switch shortly before the switching bridge is pressed against the main contacts.The switch can be designed as a normally open contact (closed when pressed) or as a normally closed contact (open when pressed). The signal from the microswitch can therefore also be inverted compared to the switching state of the contactor. A disadvantage of this solution is that the microswitch has to be mounted close to the main contacts within the switching chamber. This can sometimes influence arc extinguishing or have insulation disadvantages. Furthermore, the monitoring contact formed by the cantilever and microswitch must be designed to be leading. This means that the monitoring contact changes its state before the main contact closes. This is because the microswitch must still indicate the "closed" status when the overtravel has already been used up during bonding. Intermediate states or blockages cannot therefore be detected.A further disadvantage is the service life of conventional microswitches, which, depending on the design, can be only a few 100,000 switching cycles. Furthermore, supply lines must be laid to the switch, which limits the use of completely hermetically sealed, ceramic discharge chambers.

[0009] Furthermore, an auxiliary switch is known from the publication WO 2008 / 033349 A2, for example, which is operated via a cantilever on the switching bridge, whereby, for example, two overlapping contacts can be pressed together. This solution is simple, inexpensive, and almost wear-free. However, it has the disadvantage that the overlapping contacts are installed between the main contacts, which can lead to insulation problems. Furthermore, supply lines must be laid to the auxiliary switch, which limits or prevents the use of completely hermetically sealed, ceramic discharge chambers. The switching behavior is still similar to that of the microswitch.

[0010] To avoid the disadvantages described, it is also known to attach a magnet to the lower part of the movable system and in particular outside the switching chamber, which magnet can open and close a reed switch, as described for example in the document JP 2013-008621 A. This means that detection takes place far away from the main contacts and detection can also take place through non-magnetic materials. Furthermore, this solution is easy to use in conjunction with hermetically sealed, ceramic discharge chambers. The switching behavior is analogous to the two previously described systems, but it is difficult to set the overlap range correctly because the indication is magnetic and hysteresis effects must also be taken into account. A further disadvantage is the sensitivity of the reed switch to magnetic interference fields and mechanical shocks.

[0011] As an improvement, it is known to use a Hall sensor instead of the reed switch, so that the magnetic detection is not carried out by a mechanical switch, but by a semiconductor component. As a result, magnetic interference fields no longer play a role and there is also no longer any vibration dependency. The switching behavior, however, is similar to that of the reed switch. All four monitoring switch solutions have a so-called "normally open" characteristic, i.e., the monitoring switch largely reflects the state of the main contacts. Inverting the signal, however, does not produce a "normally closed" signal, but only a "not normally open" signal. The main thing that all four principles have in common is that none of these solutions can reliably signal that the monitored contactor is safely and fully open. However, such a requirement is not included in the standard.

[0012] IEC 60947-5-1, which requires detection that only closes a monitoring contact when the contactor is in the rest position or indicates a closed monitoring contact (“normally closed”).

[0013] Furthermore, the known solutions can usually not be converted from a "normally open" characteristic to a "normally closed" characteristic and vice versa, or only with considerable design effort.

[0014] At least one object of certain embodiments is to provide a switching device.

[0015] This object is achieved by an object according to the independent patent claim. Advantageous

[0016] Embodiments and developments of the subject matter are characterized in the dependent claims and are further apparent from the following description and the drawings.

[0017] According to at least one embodiment, a

[0018] Switching device has at least one fixed contact and at least one movable contact. The at least one fixed contact and the at least one movable contact are provided and designed to switch a load circuit connectable to the switching device on and off. The switching device particularly preferably has at least two fixed contacts which, together with the movable contact, are designed and provided to switch a load circuit connectable to the switching device and in particular to the at least two fixed contacts on and off. In the following, the switching device is usually described with at least one fixed contact or with two fixed contacts. However, the number of fixed contacts can deviate from the specifically mentioned numbers in the following embodiments and with regard to the features described below.

[0019] The movable contact is movable in the switching device between a non-switching state and a switching state of the switching device in such a way that the movable contact is spaced apart from the fixed contacts in the non-switching state of the switching device and is thus galvanically isolated, and in the switching state has mechanical contact with the at least two fixed contacts and is thus galvanically connected to them. The fixed contacts are thus arranged separately from one another in the switching device and, depending on the state of the movable contact, can be electrically connected to one another by the movable contact or electrically isolated from one another. In the switching state, the movable contact therefore touches at least one contact surface of at least one fixed contact with at least one contact surface.The distance of the movable contact, in particular the said contact surface of the movable contact, from at least one fixed contact, in particular the said.

[0020] The contact area of ​​at least one fixed contact, in the non-switching and thus separated state, is also referred to here and below as the switching gap and indicates the maximum range of motion and thus the maximum achievable distance between the contacts and, in particular, their contact surfaces. In the case of, for example, two fixed contacts, the previous description applies accordingly.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, the switching device has a switching chamber in which the movable contact and the fixed contacts are arranged. The movable contact can in particular be arranged completely in the switching chamber. The fact that a fixed contact is arranged in the switching chamber can in particular mean that at least one contact region of the fixed contact, which is in mechanical contact with the movable contact in the switched-on state, is arranged inside the switching chamber. In order to connect a supply line of an electrical circuit to be switched by the switching device, a fixed contact arranged in the switching chamber can be electrically contactable from the outside, i.e. from outside the switching chamber. For this purpose, a fixed contact arranged in the switching chamber can protrude with a part from the switching chamber and have a connection option for a supply line outside the switching chamber.The switching chamber preferably has openings through which the fixed contacts protrude into the switching chamber. The fixed contacts are, for example, soldered into the openings of the switching chamber and protrude both into and out of the interior of the switching chamber.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the switching device has at least two auxiliary contacts which are arranged in the switching chamber. The fact that an auxiliary contact is arranged in the switching chamber can mean in particular that at least one contact region of the auxiliary contact is arranged within the switching chamber. In order to connect a supply line, an auxiliary contact arranged in the switching chamber can be electrically contactable from the outside, i.e. from outside the switching chamber. For this purpose, an auxiliary contact arranged in the switching chamber can protrude with a part from the switching chamber and have a connection option for a supply line outside the switching chamber. The switching chamber therefore preferably has openings through which the auxiliary contacts protrude into the switching chamber. The auxiliary contacts are, for example, soldered into the openings of the switching chamber and protrude both into the interior of the switching chamber and out of the switching chamber.The auxiliary contacts can thus be introduced into the switching chamber using a hermetically sealed and, for example, hard-soldered connection, comparable to the introduction of the fixed contacts, which can preferably be carried out in a common manufacturing step and thus in a common work process.

[0023] According to a further embodiment, the switching device has at least two spring contacts which are arranged in the switching chamber. Furthermore, the switching device has a contact plate which is arranged in the switching chamber. In particular, the spring contacts and the contact plate are arranged completely in the switching chamber. Each of the spring contacts has at least a first and a second contact area. With the first contact area, each of the spring contacts can contact one of the auxiliary contacts. In particular, each of the spring contacts can contact one of the auxiliary contacts with its first contact area during normal operation permanently and independently of the switching states of the switching device. The first contact area of ​​a spring contact can in particular bear directly and thus mechanically against an auxiliary contact.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, the contact plate is movable together with the movable contact. Particularly preferably, the contact plate and the movable contact can be moved together using the same mechanical drive, which is described further below. For example, in a first switching state of the switching device, the contact plate contacts the second contact regions of the spring contacts and in a second switching state is arranged at a distance from the second contact regions of the spring contacts. In the first switching state, the auxiliary contacts are thus short-circuited via the spring contacts and the contact plate, while in the second switching state the auxiliary contacts are electrically separated from one another. For example, by detecting the electrical resistance between the auxiliary contacts, it can be determined whether the switching device is in the first or second switching state.

[0025] The first switching state can, for example, be the non-switching switching state of the switching device described above, which can correspond to a rest state of the switching device, while the second switching state can be the switching state described above. In other words, the contact plate can contact the second contact regions of the spring contacts when the movable contact is spaced from the at least one fixed contact, while the contact plate is spaced from the second contact regions of the spring contacts when the movable contact of the switching device contacts the at least one fixed contact. In this case, the auxiliary contacts with the spring contacts and the contact plate can have a "normally closed" characteristic that is opposite to the switching state of the switching device.

[0026] Furthermore, it may also be possible for the first switching state to be the through-connecting switching state, while the second switching state is the non-through-connecting state. In this case, the functionality of the detection of a state of the switching device, which is possible via the auxiliary contacts, is reversed with a "normally open" characteristic, so that in this case the contact plate contacts the second contact regions of the spring contacts when the movable contact contacts the at least one fixed contact, while the contact plate is spaced apart from the second contact regions of the spring contacts when the movable contact of the switching device is spaced apart from the at least one fixed contact.

[0027] According to a further embodiment, the switching device has a housing in which the movable contact, the fixed contacts as well as the auxiliary contacts, the spring contacts and the contact plate are arranged. The fact that a fixed contact is arranged in the housing can mean in particular that at least one contact area of ​​the fixed contact, which is in mechanical contact with the movable contact in the switched-on state, is arranged inside the housing. In order to connect a supply line of an electrical circuit to be switched by the switching device, a fixed contact arranged in the housing can be electrically contactable from the outside, i.e. from outside the housing. For this purpose, a fixed contact arranged in the housing can protrude with a part from the housing and have a connection option for a supply line outside the housing.

[0028] In particular, this can apply to any fixed switching contact. The movable contact can, in particular, be arranged entirely within the housing. Furthermore, the auxiliary contacts can also preferably be arranged entirely within the housing. The auxiliary contacts can be contacted from the outside via supply lines within the housing, which are, for example, electrically connected to external electrical connections on the housing. Alternatively, an electrical component, such as a microcontroller, can be present in the housing and is connected to the auxiliary contacts via electrical supply lines. The microcontroller, in turn, can be contacted from the outside via suitable connections on the housing.

[0029] According to a further embodiment, the contacts are arranged in a gas atmosphere in the housing. This can mean, in particular, that the movable contact, the spring contacts and the contact plate are arranged completely in the gas atmosphere in the housing and that, furthermore, at least parts of the fixed contacts, for example the contact areas of the fixed contacts, and at least parts of the auxiliary contacts, for example contact areas of the auxiliary contacts, are arranged in the gas atmosphere in the housing. The switching device can accordingly particularly preferably be a gas-filled switching device such as a gas-filled contactor. The gas atmosphere can, in particular, promote the extinguishing of arcs that can arise during switching operations. The gas of the gas atmosphere can, for example, comprise or be a hydrogen- and / or nitrogen-containing gas, in particular under high pressure. The gas can preferably have a proportion of at least 50% H2.In addition to hydrogen, the gas may comprise an inert gas, particularly preferably N2 and / or one or more noble gases.

[0030] According to a further embodiment, the switching chamber is located within the housing. Furthermore, the gas, i.e., at least a portion of the gas atmosphere, can be located in the switching chamber.

[0031] According to a further embodiment, the movable contact and the contact plate are movable by means of a mechanical drive. The mechanical drive in particular has a magnet armature. The magnet armature can have an axle which is connected at one end to the movable contact and the contact plate in such a way that the movable contact and the contact plate are movable by means of the axle, i.e. are also moved by the axle when the axle is moved. The axle can in particular protrude into the switching chamber through an opening in the switching chamber. In particular, the switching chamber can have a switching chamber base which has an opening through which the axle protrudes. The magnet armature can be movable through a magnetic circuit in order to bring about the switching processes described above. For this purpose, the magnetic circuit can have a yoke which has an opening through which the axle of the magnet armature protrudes.When the magnetic circuit is switched on, the armature, in particular a magnetic core of the armature, can be attracted to the yoke.

[0032] According to a further embodiment, the movable contact and the contact plate are arranged on an electrically insulating contact holder. The contact holder can particularly preferably be arranged and fastened on the axis of the magnet armature and electrically insulate the movable contact and the contact plate from the axis. As a result, the movable contact and the contact plate can be mounted in an electrically insulated manner from the components of the mechanical drive, i.e., in particular, from the components of the magnet armature. For this purpose, the contact holder can comprise or be made of an electrically insulating material. The electrically insulating material can be selected from polymers and ceramic materials, for example, selected from polyoxymethylene (POM), in particular with the structure (CH2O) n, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), glass fiber filled PBT and electrically insulating metal oxides such as A12O3.

[0033] According to a further embodiment, the contact plate is fixed to the contact holder. The fixing can be effected, for example, by means of a clamp. Particularly preferably, the contact plate is partially formed from the material of the contact holder. For this purpose, the contact plate can be cast or injection-molded with the material of the contact holder, for example. Contact regions of the contact plate can protrude from the contact holder to contact the second contact regions of the spring contacts. During a switching operation, the magnet armature, the axis, the movable contact, and the contact plate preferably move in a linear movement in the form of a lifting movement or lowering movement along the axis. The axis and, for example, a magnetic core of the magnet armature preferably have a range of movement for the lifting movement in the vertical direction, which range is greater than the switching gap described above.This can be made possible, for example, by a gap between the magnetic core and the yoke, which can also be referred to as the movement gap, being larger than the switching gap when the device is switched off. The magnet armature with the movable contact can therefore be an overtravel system in which the movable contact is arranged so that it can move on the contact holder. Furthermore, a contact spring can be arranged on the contact holder, which exerts a spring force on the movable contact in the direction of the fixed contacts. When the movable contact hits the fixed contacts and the switching gap is therefore completely closed, the contact spring can compress and the magnet armature can move further until, for example, the magnetic core rests on the yoke.

[0034] For example, the movement gap can be less than or equal to 1 mm and particularly preferably about 0.5 mm larger than the switching gap. The difference between the movement gap and the switching gap can be referred to as the overtravel. By the contact spring being deflected by the overtravel, the contact pressure of the moving contact on the fixed contacts can be increased and a certain insensitivity to vibrations and mechanical shocks can be achieved. The described design of the mechanical drive and the switching chamber makes it possible to arrange the auxiliary contacts, the spring contacts and the contact plate so that they are electrically insulated from the fixed contacts, the moving contact and the mechanical drive.In particular, permanent insulation can be achieved, i.e. continuously guaranteed insulation during normal operation of the switching device and thus during the first and second switching states as well as during the transitions between them.

[0035] At least one of the contact regions of each of the spring contacts can be resilient. For example, the first contact region of each spring contact can be resilient and exert a spring force on an auxiliary contact. In other words, a first contact region can press against an auxiliary contact in the installed state and thus exert the spring force. Alternatively, or preferably additionally, the second spring regions can be resilient. Particularly preferably, the second contact regions can exert a spring force on the contact plate in the first switching state. The spring force of the second contact regions can be lower than the spring force of the contact spring. The resilient effect of the second contact regions makes it possible to achieve increased insensitivity of the mechanical contact between the contact plate and the second contact regions of the spring contacts to vibrations and mechanical shocks.For example, the spring force of the second contact areas on the contact plate, and thus the counterpressure on the magnet armature and in particular on the contact holder, can be lower than the return spring force provided by a return spring of the mechanical drive and by which the magnet armature can be moved from the conducting switching state to the non-conducting switching state. Particularly preferably, the spring force of the second contact areas on the contact plate can be less than or equal to 20% of the return spring force.

[0036] When the switching device transitions from the first to the second switching state, the contact plate can lose mechanical contact with the second contact areas of the spring contacts after traveling a distance that is less than or equal to 20% and preferably less than or equal to 10% of the switching gap. This makes it possible to ensure that the distance traveled by the magnet armature before contact between the contact plate and the spring contacts is broken is very small. As described above, for example, in the first switching state the movable contact can be separated from the stationary contacts by the switching gap, while the contact plate mechanically contacts the second contact areas of the spring contacts. The first switching state can therefore be a rest state of the switching device and therefore a non-switching state.The short path described above makes it possible to detect the absence of the rest state very reliably at the auxiliary contacts. Furthermore, as described above, the movable contact can be in mechanical contact with the at least one fixed contact in the first switching state. The first switching state can therefore be a through-connected state of the switching device. When the switching device transitions from the first to the second switching state, the contact plate can lose mechanical contact with the second contact areas of the spring contacts after traveling a distance that is greater than the overtravel.This ensures that the contact plate remains in mechanical contact with the spring contacts even if the moving contact remains in mechanical contact with at least one stationary contact, for example due to unintentional welding, even if the moving contact, and thus the switching device, should actually be in the rest state. In this case, the welding would only reduce the overtravel, and the moving contact would remain in the switched state, which could be detected by the auxiliary contacts still short-circuited by the contact plate.

[0037] The direction of movement of the movable contact, which corresponds to the main direction of extension of the axis, i.e. the direction of the lifting movement and lowering movement of the movable contact, can also be referred to here and below as the vertical direction. The fixed contacts are arranged next to one another along a longitudinal direction, with the longitudinal direction lying in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The movable contact can, for example, be plate-shaped and have a main plane of extension parallel to the horizontal plane. A transverse direction is defined perpendicular to the vertical and longitudinal directions, so that the horizontal plane is spanned by the longitudinal and transverse directions.The auxiliary contacts are preferably arranged along the transverse direction, wherein the movable contact can in particular be arranged along the transverse direction between the auxiliary contacts. According to a further embodiment, the switching chamber has a switching chamber wall. In a horizontal sectional view, i.e. in a sectional view with a sectional plane perpendicular to the vertical direction, the switching chamber wall can preferably have a rectangular cross-sectional shape or at least a cross-sectional shape approximating a rectangle. In particular, the switching chamber wall can have opposing longitudinal side wall parts and opposing transverse side wall parts which, in a horizontal sectional view, result in the rectangular shape with regard to their outer contours and / or inner contours.In other words, a longitudinal side wall part can extend substantially in the vertical and longitudinal direction, while a transverse side wall part can extend substantially in the vertical and transverse direction. Preferably, the longitudinal side wall parts, the transverse side wall parts, and a cover part with openings for the fixed contacts and openings for the auxiliary contacts can be formed integrally and form the switching chamber wall.

[0038] According to a further embodiment, the switching chamber has a switching chamber base which, together with the switching chamber wall, forms the switching chamber. The switching chamber base can have a base plate and side wall parts, wherein the side wall parts of the switching chamber base can be formed integrally with the base plate of the switching chamber base. The side wall parts of the switching chamber base can be surrounded in the assembled switching chamber by the side wall parts of the switching chamber wall, so that the side wall parts of the switching chamber base can form an insert into the switching chamber wall. At least some of the side wall parts of the switching chamber base can be spaced apart from side wall parts of the switching chamber wall.

[0039] According to a further embodiment, each of the spring contacts has a connecting region between the first and second contact region, which runs along a longitudinal side wall part of the switching chamber wall. The first and second contact region of each of the spring contacts can preferably extend from the respective longitudinal side wall part at least along a transverse direction into the interior of the switching chamber. In particular, the connecting region of each of the spring contacts can be arranged behind a side wall part of the switching chamber base, viewed in the transverse direction from the movable contact, so that for each spring contact, a side wall part of the switching chamber base is arranged between the movable contact and the connecting region of the spring contact.The connecting region of each of the spring contacts can thus preferably be arranged in the transverse direction between a side wall part of the switching chamber wall and a side wall part of the switching chamber base.

[0040] According to a further embodiment, the switching chamber base has an opening in the side wall part for each spring contact, through which the second contact region of the spring contact can protrude through the side wall part of the switching chamber base. In particular, for each spring contact, the second contact region can protrude along the transverse direction through an opening in a side wall part towards the movable contact and in particular towards the contact plate. According to a further embodiment, each of the spring contacts has at least one opening in the connection region, through which a fastening element of the respective side wall part of the switching chamber base protrudes. The fastening elements are particularly preferably formed integrally with the respective side wall part and serve to fasten the respective spring contact. For example, the fastening elements can be in the form of pins and enable rivet-like fastening.

[0041] According to a further embodiment, the switching chamber base has a slide-in region in the transverse direction between the movable contact and each of the spring contacts, in which a permanent magnet, in particular a so-called blow-out magnet, is arranged. Part of the slide-in region can preferably be formed by at least part of a side wall part of the switching chamber base. In particular, the side wall part can be the part to which the respective spring contact is fastened. In particular, each of the permanent magnets can be fastened in the slide-in region by a snap mechanism. The switching chamber base can thus particularly preferably have two slide-in regions, between which the movable contact is arranged in the transverse direction. The movable contact can preferably move in the vertical direction along the slide-in regions during the transition from the first to the second switching state and vice versa.

[0042] According to a further embodiment, the switching chamber wall has at least two webs, each of which is arranged in the longitudinal direction between the at least two fixed contacts and each of which extends from at least one longitudinal side wall part in the transverse direction into the switching chamber. The webs are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction. In particular, both webs can extend in the transverse direction over the movable contact in the interior of the switching chamber from one of the longitudinal side wall parts to the other of the longitudinal side wall parts. In this case, the at least two webs can each have a recess in which the movable contact can move during the switching operations. Furthermore, the webs can directly adjoin a cover part of the switching chamber.In particular, the webs can run along and directly adjacent to a cover part of the switching chamber wall. The webs can particularly preferably be formed integrally with the side wall parts and / or a cover part of the switching chamber wall.

[0043] By means of the at least two webs, one or more spaces can be formed in the interior of the switching chamber between the fixed contacts, which spaces are or are at least partially separated from the fixed contacts and thus electrically insulated. In the at least one insulated space thus formed and thus in the longitudinal direction between the two webs, in particular the auxiliary contacts and the spring contacts can be arranged. Particularly preferably, the auxiliary contacts can be arranged between the two webs symmetrically to the movable contact, i.e. symmetrically to a plane of symmetry which is spanned by the longitudinal and the vertical direction. Furthermore, the spring contacts can be arranged between the two webs symmetrically to the movable contact. Due to the fact that between each of the

[0044] If at least one of the webs is formed between the auxiliary contacts and the fixed contacts, and between each of the spring contacts and the fixed contacts, the auxiliary contacts and the spring contacts can be at least partially insulated from the fixed contacts. Furthermore, the insertion areas of the switching chamber base and thus also the permanent magnets can be arranged between the two webs. Furthermore, further additional components can be arranged in the insulated space formed in this way, such as, for example, a gas filler neck for filling in the previously described gas to create the gas atmosphere in the switching chamber.

[0045] According to a further embodiment, the insertion regions of the switching chamber base have wall parts which, viewed in the longitudinal direction, are arranged between the webs of the switching chamber wall and between which the permanent magnets are arranged. In particular, the wall parts of the insertion regions can be arranged inserted between the webs and form an intermediate space in which the permanent magnets are arranged. Furthermore, the contact regions of the contact plate can be arranged in this intermediate space and move within the intermediate space when changing from the first to the second switching operation and vice versa. The at least one insulated space described above can be formed by the wall parts of the switching chamber base together with the webs.

[0046] According to a further embodiment, the auxiliary contacts and / or the spring contacts and / or the contact plate comprise a material comprising copper or a copper alloy. Particularly preferably, the material can be selected from CuBe, CuSn4, CuSn6. Such a material can provide good electrical

[0047] conductivity and a low tendency to weld. Furthermore, the auxiliary contacts, for example, can be made of the same material as the fixed contacts.

[0048] Further advantages, advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the exemplary embodiments described below in conjunction with the figures.

[0049] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a switching device,

[0050] Figures 2A to 2D show schematic representations of parts of a switching device according to an embodiment,

[0051] Figures 2E and 2F show schematic representations of a contact plate and a spring contact of the switching device according to further embodiments,

[0052] Figures 2G to 21 show schematic representations of the switching chamber wall of the switching device according to a further embodiment,

[0053] Figures 2 J to 2M show schematic representations of a switching chamber base of the switching device according to a further embodiment and

[0054] Figures 3A and 3B show schematic representations of parts of a switching device according to a further embodiment.

[0055] In the exemplary embodiments and figures, identical, similar, or similarly acting elements may be provided with the same reference numerals. The illustrated elements and their relative sizes are not to be considered true to scale; rather, individual elements, such as layers, components, structural elements, and regions, may be exaggerated for clarity and / or clarity.

[0056] Figure 1 shows an example of a switching device 100, which can be used, for example, to switch strong electrical currents and / or high electrical voltages and which can be a relay or contactor, in particular a power contactor. Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional sectional view with a vertical cutting plane. The geometries shown are to be understood only as examples and not as limiting, and can also be designed in alternative ways.

[0057] The exemplary switching device 100 has two fixed contacts 2, 3 and one movable contact 4 in a housing 1. The movable contact 4 is designed as a contact plate. The fixed contacts 2, 3 together with the movable contact 4 form the switching contacts. As an alternative to the number of contacts shown, other numbers of fixed and / or movable contacts are also possible. The housing 1 primarily serves as contact protection for the components arranged inside and has a plastic or is made of it, for example PBT or glass fiber-filled PBT. The fixed contacts 2, 3 and / or the movable contact 4 can be made, for example, with or from Cu, a Cu alloy, one or more high-melting metals such as Wo, Ni and / or Gr, or a mixture of said materials, for example copper with at least one further

[0058] Metal, for example Wo, Ni and / or Cr.

[0059] Figure 1 shows the switching device 100 in a rest state, in which the movable contact 4 is spaced apart from the stationary contacts 2, 3, so that the switching contacts 2, 3, 4 are galvanically isolated from one another. The illustrated design of the switching contacts, and in particular their geometry, are purely exemplary and should not be understood as limiting. Alternatively, the switching contacts may also be designed differently.

[0060] The switching device 100 has a mechanical drive with a movable magnetic armature 5, which essentially carries out the switching movement. The magnetic armature 5 has a magnetic core 6, for example with or made of a ferromagnetic material. The magnetic armature 5 also has an axle 7, which is guided through the magnetic core 6 and is firmly connected to the magnetic core 6 at one end of the axle. At the other end of the axle, opposite the magnetic core 6, the magnetic armature 5 has the movable contact 4, which is mounted via a contact spring 40 and is also connected to the axle 7. The axle 7 can preferably be made of or from stainless steel. For electrical insulation of the movable contact 4 from the axle 7, an electrically insulating contact holder 47, which can also be referred to as a bridge insulator, can be arranged between them.

[0061] The magnetic core 6 is surrounded by a coil 8. A current flow in the coil 8, which can be switched on from the outside by a control circuit, generates a movement of the magnetic core 6 and thus of the entire magnetic armature 5 in the axial direction until the movable contact 4 contacts the fixed contacts 2, 3. In the illustration shown, the magnetic armature moves upwards. The magnetic armature 5 thus moves from a first position, which corresponds to the shown rest state and at the same time the isolating, i.e. non-switching and thus switched off switching state, to a second position, which corresponds to the active, i.e. switching and thus switched on switching state. In the active state, the contacts 2, 3, 4 are galvanically connected to one another.

[0062] To guide the axis 7 and thus the magnet armature 5 and to form a magnetic circuit with the magnetic core 6 and the coil 8, the switching device 100 furthermore has a yoke 9, which can comprise or be made of pure iron or a lightly doped iron alloy and which forms part of the magnetic circuit. The yoke 9 has an opening in which the axis 7 is guided. Furthermore, a sleeve or bushing, for example made of a plastic material, can additionally be arranged in the opening of the yoke 9 for guiding the axis 7. If the current flow in the coil 8 is interrupted, the magnet armature 5 is moved back into the first position by one or more springs 10, which can also be referred to as return springs. In the illustration shown, the magnet armature 5 thus moves downwards again. The switching device 100 is then again in the rest state in which the contacts 2, 3, 4 are open.

[0063] The direction of movement of the magnetic armature 5 and thus of the movable contact 4 is also referred to below as the vertical direction 91 . Designations such as "top" or "bottom" refer, unless otherwise stated, to the vertical direction 91 . The arrangement direction of the fixed contacts 2 , 3 , which is perpendicular to the vertical direction 91 , is referred to below as the longitudinal direction 92 . The direction perpendicular to the vertical direction 91 and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 92 is referred to below as the transverse direction 93 . The directions 91 , 92 and 93 , which also apply independently of the described switching movement, are indicated in the figures to facilitate orientation.

[0064] For example, when the contacts 2, 3, 4 are opened, at least one arc can occur, which can damage the contact surfaces of the contacts 2, 3, 4. This can result in the risk that the contacts 2, 3, 4 will "stick" to one another due to welding caused by the arc and can no longer be separated. The switching device 100 then remains in the switched-on state, even though the current in the coil 8 is switched off and the load circuit should therefore be disconnected. In order to prevent the formation of such arcs or at least to assist in the extinguishing of arcs that do occur, the contacts 2, 3, 4 are arranged in a gas atmosphere, so that the switching device 100 is designed as a gas-filled relay or gas-filled contactor.For this purpose, the contacts 2, 3, 4 are arranged within a switching chamber 11, formed by a switching chamber wall 12 and a switching chamber base 13, in a gas-tight region 14 formed by a hermetically sealed part, wherein the switching chamber 11 can be part of the gas-tight region 14. The gas-tight region 14 is essentially formed by parts of the switching chamber 11, the yoke 9 and additional walls. The gas-tight region 14 completely surrounds the magnet armature 5 and the contacts 2, 3, 4, except for parts of the fixed contacts 2, 3 which are intended for external connection. The gas-tight region 14 and thus also the interior 15 of the switching chamber 11 are filled with a gas.The gas which can be filled into the gas-tight region 14 through a gas filling nozzle during the manufacture of the switching device 100 can particularly preferably be hydrogen-containing, for example with 20% or more H2 in an inert gas or even with 100% H2, since hydrogen-containing gas can promote the extinguishing of arcs.

[0065] The switching chamber base 13 is arranged above a flange 16, in which the yoke 9 is arranged and which forms part of the magnetic circuit. The flange 16 can be made of iron or steel.

[0066] Permanent magnets 17, so-called blowout magnets, may also be provided outside the switching chamber 11. These magnets are designed and configured to deflect the arcs. In particular, the blowout magnets lengthen the arc path and can thus improve arc extinguishing.

[0067] The switching chamber wall 12 and the switching chamber floor 13 can, for example, be made with or from a metal oxide such as Al2O2. Furthermore, plastics with sufficiently high temperature resistance are also suitable, for example, PEEK, PE, and / or glass fiber-filled PBT. Alternatively or additionally, the switching chamber 11 can also be at least partially made of POM, in particular with the structure (CH2O). n , . Such a plastic can be characterized by a comparatively low carbon content and a very low tendency to graphite formation . By having the same proportions of carbon and oxygen, especially in the case of (CH2O) n Heat-induced and, in particular, arc-induced decomposition can produce predominantly gaseous CO and H2. The additional hydrogen can enhance arc quenching.

[0068] In conjunction with the following figures, exemplary embodiments of the switching device 100 and of components thereof are described, which allow detection of the switching states. The switching device 100 according to the following description can be designed like the switching device 100 described in conjunction with Figure 1, except for the features described below. To facilitate recognizability of the orientations and sectional planes, the directions 91, 92, 93 are also indicated in the following figures.

[0069] Figures 2A and 2B show sections of the switching device 100 on the basis of a three-dimensional sectional view and a two-dimensional sectional view, in which sections the gas-tight region 14 and the region of the switching chamber 11 are essentially shown. The sectional planes of the views in Figures 2A and 2B are each perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 92. Figure 20 shows a view corresponding to the view in Figure 2A, wherein in Figure 20 the switching device 100 is in a different switching state. Figure 2D shows a three-dimensional external view of the gas-tight region 14. Figures 2E and 2F show the contact plate 31 and a spring contact 30. Figures 2G to 2M show various views of the switching chamber wall 12 and the switching chamber base 13. The following description refers equally to Figures 2A to 2M.In comparison to the switching device of Figure 1, the switching device 100 according to Figures 2A to 2M has two.

[0070] Auxiliary contacts 25, which are located in openings 125 of the

[0071] Switching chamber wall 12 are arranged and which, like the fixed contacts 2, 3, protrude into the interior 15 of the switching chamber 11.

[0072] In the illustrated embodiment, a further opening 126 is formed between the auxiliary contacts 25, which are arranged along the transverse direction 93. A gas filling nozzle 26 is arranged in the opening. The gas filling nozzle 26 can be used to fill the gas of the gas atmosphere into the gas-tight area and can be sealed after filling, for example, by squeezing.

[0073] The auxiliary contacts 25 and the gas filler neck 26 are preferably soldered into the openings 125, 126 of the switching chamber 11, so that the auxiliary contacts 25 and the gas filler neck 26 are introduced into the switching chamber 11 with a hermetically sealed and, for example, brazed connection, comparable to the introduction of the fixed contacts 2, 3. The assembly of the contacts 2, 3 and the auxiliary contacts 25, as well as the gas filler neck 26, can preferably be completed in a single operation.

[0074] The auxiliary contacts 25 are preferably arranged entirely within the housing. The auxiliary contacts 25 can be contacted from the outside via supply lines (not shown) within the housing, which are electrically connected, for example, to external electrical connections on the housing. Alternatively, the auxiliary contacts 25 can protrude from the housing like the fixed contacts 2, 3 and be contacted from outside the housing.

[0075] Furthermore, the switching device 100 has two spring contacts 30 and a contact plate 31, which are arranged in the switching chamber 11. In particular, the spring contacts 30 and the contact plate 31 are arranged completely in the interior 15 of the switching chamber 11. Each of the spring contacts 30 extends from one of the auxiliary contacts 25 to the contact plate 31 and has, as shown for example in Figure 2F, a first contact area 301 and a second contact area 302, which are connected to one another via a connecting area 303. With the first contact area 301, each of the spring contacts 30 contacts one of the auxiliary contacts 25. In particular, each of the spring contacts 30 can contact one of the auxiliary contacts 25 with its first contact area 301 during normal operation permanently and independently of the switching states of the switching device 100.As can be seen, the first contact areas 301 of the spring contacts 30 are directly and thus mechanically connected to the auxiliary contacts 25.

[0076] The contact plate 31 is movable together with the movable contact 4. For this purpose, the contact plate 31 and the movable contact 4 are connected together to the mechanical drive described above in connection with Figure 1. In a non-switching switching state of the switching device 100, i.e. the rest state shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the contact plate 31 is spaced apart from the second contact regions 302 of the spring contacts 30. In a switching switching state in which the fixed contacts 2, 3 are in contact with the movable contact 4 and which is shown in Figure 2C, the contact plate 31 is in mechanical contact with the second contact regions 302. For this purpose, the contact plate 31 has contact regions 312, as shown, for example, in Figure 2E.The switching state of the switching device 100 according to Figure 2C is a first switching state of the switching device 100, while the non-switching switching state of the switching device 100 according to Figures 2A and 2B is a second switching state. In the second switching state, there is therefore a switching gap between the movable contact 4 and the stationary contacts 2, 3. In the first switching state, the second contact regions 302 of the spring contacts 30 are in mechanical and thus galvanic contact with the contact regions 312 of the contact plate 31, so that the spring contacts 30 and thus also the auxiliary contacts 25 are electrically conductively connected to one another by the contact plate 31. As a result, the first and second switching states can be differentiated, for example by measuring the resistance at the auxiliary contacts 25.

[0077] The movable contact 4 and the contact plate 31 are arranged on an electrically insulating contact holder 47. The contact holder 47 has an opening into which the shaft 7 is inserted, and is fastened to the shaft 7 of the magnet armature 5 and thus to the mechanical drive of the switching device 100. The contact holder 47 can be formed in one or more pieces.

[0078] The movable contact 4 and the contact plate 31 are electrically insulated from the axis 7 by the contact holder 47. As a result, the movable contact 4 and the contact plate 31 are mounted in an electrically insulated manner from the components of the mechanical drive, in particular from the components of the magnet armature 5. For this purpose, the contact holder comprises or is made of an electrically insulating material, which is selected, for example, from polymers and ceramic materials such as polyoxymethylene (POM), in particular with the structure (CH2O) n, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), glass fiber-filled PBT and electrically insulating metal oxides such as AI2O3.

[0079] The contact plate 31 is fixed to the contact holder 47. The fixing can be achieved, for example, by means of a clamp or, as shown, particularly preferably by forming. For this purpose, the contact plate 31 is partially formed from the material of the contact holder 47, for example, cast or overmolded. To contact the second contact regions 302 of the spring contacts 30, the contact regions 312 of the contact plate 31 protrude from the contact holder 47 in the transverse direction 93.

[0080] As shown in Figure 2E, the contact plate 31 is, for example, disk-shaped and has a central opening 313 through which the axis 7 protrudes in the assembled state. Furthermore, the contact plate 31 can have anchoring holes 314, as shown, through which the material of the contact holder 47 can penetrate, whereby the contact plate 31 can be fixed to the contact holder 47 and, for example, secured against rotation.

[0081] The contact holder 47 further comprises a lower stop 471 and an upper stop 472. The contact plate 31 is arranged in the lower stop 471, which is in the second

[0082] Switching state can rest on the switching chamber base 13.

[0083] In the second switching state, the movable contact 4 rests against the upper stop 472. The contact spring 40 described in Figure 1 is arranged between the movable contact 4 and the lower stop 471, pressing the movable contact 4 against the upper stop 472 and thus in the direction of the fixed contacts 2, 3.

[0084] The magnet armature 5 with the movable contact 4 is an overtravel system in which the movable contact 4 is arranged displaceably on the contact holder 47. When the movable contact 4 comes into contact with the fixed contacts 2, 3 and thus when the switching gap is completely closed in the first switching state, the contact spring 40 can compress and the magnet armature 5 can move further until, for example, the magnetic core 6 rests against the yoke 9. For example, the magnet armature can move upwards in the vertical direction 91 by a distance of less than or equal to 1 mm and particularly preferably of approximately 0.5 mm further than the movable contact 4. By compressing the contact spring 40 due to the overtravel, the contact pressure of the movable contact 4 on the fixed contacts 2, 3 can be increased and a certain insensitivity to vibrations and mechanical shocks can be achieved.

[0085] The switching chamber wall 12 has, as can be seen particularly in Figures 2G to 21, in a horizontal sectional view a rectangular cross-sectional shape or at least a cross-sectional shape approximating a rectangle, which can have, for example, rounded corners as shown. The switching chamber wall 12 has opposing transverse side wall parts 121 and opposing longitudinal side wall parts 122, which result in the at least approximately rectangular shape. The transverse side wall parts 121, the longitudinal side wall parts 122 and a cover part 119 with openings 120 for the fixed contacts 2, 3 and with the openings 125, 126 for the auxiliary contacts 25 and the gas filler neck 26 are formed in one piece, as indicated in the exemplary embodiment shown, and form the switching chamber wall 12. Particularly preferably, the switching chamber wall 12 is formed from an aforementioned ceramic material.

[0086] As previously described, each of the spring contacts 30 has a connecting region 303 between the first and second contact regions 301, 302, which, as can be seen in Figures 2A to 2C, runs along a longitudinal side wall part 122. The first and second contact regions 301, 302 of each of the spring contacts 30 can preferably extend from the respective longitudinal side wall part 122 at least along the transverse direction 93 into the interior 15 of the switching chamber 11.

[0087] The spring contacts 30 and / or the contact plate 31 preferably comprise a material comprising copper or a copper alloy. The material can particularly preferably be selected from CuBe, CuSn4, or CuSn6. Such a material can have good electrical conductivity and a low tendency to weld. The auxiliary contacts 25 can be formed from a material described above for the fixed contacts 2, 3 or from a material described for the spring contacts 30 and / or contact plate 31.

[0088] The spring contacts 30 are preferably strip-shaped, in particular as metal strips, as shown. At least one of the contact regions 301, 302 of each of the spring contacts 30 can be resilient. For example, the first contact region 301 of each spring contact 30 can be resilient and exert a spring force on an auxiliary contact 25. Thus, the first contact region 301 can press against an auxiliary contact 25 in the assembled state and thus exert the spring force.

[0089] Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, the second spring regions 302 are preferably designed to be resilient. Particularly preferably, the second contact regions 302 exert a spring force on the contact plate 31 and in particular on the contact regions 312 thereof in the first switching state. The resilient effect of the second contact regions 302 makes it possible to achieve increased insensitivity of the mechanical contact between the contact plate 31 and the second contact regions 302 of the spring contacts 30 to vibrations and mechanical shocks. Particularly preferably, the spring force of the second contact regions 302 on the contact plate 31 and thus the counterpressure on the magnet armature and in particular the contact holder 47 can be lower than the return spring force of the return spring 10 of the mechanical drive, which moves the magnet armature from the switching state to the non-switching state.Particularly preferably, the spring force of the second contact regions 302 on the contact plate 31 can be less than or equal to 20% of the return spring force. When the switching device 100 transitions from the first to the second switching state, the contact plate 31 can lose mechanical contact with the second contact regions 302 of the spring contacts 30 after traveling a distance that is greater than the overtravel. In other words, the second contact regions 302 remain in mechanical contact with the contact regions 312 of the contact plate 31 as long as the overtravel is not eliminated. Only after the overtravel is eliminated and the magnet armature 5 and in particular the contact holder 47 with the contact plate 31 attached thereto have moved downwards far enough that the movable contact 4 has been moved away from the stationary contacts 2, 3 by the magnet armature 5, do the second contact regions 302 lose mechanical contact with the contact plate 31.This ensures that the contact plate 31 remains in mechanical contact with the spring contacts 30 even if the movable contact 4 is in mechanical contact with at least one stationary contact 2, 3, for example, due to unintentional welding. In this case, only the overtravel would be reduced, and the movable contact 4 would remain in the switched state, which could be detected by the auxiliary contacts still short-circuited by the contact plate, even if the mechanical drive of the switching device 100 is already switched off.

[0090] The switching device 100 of the embodiment shown in Figures 2A to 2M thus enables reliable detection of the "safely closed" state and combines this with a simple mechanism for detecting and outputting the signal from a hermetically sealed switching chamber.

[0091] As can be seen in particular in Figures 2H and 21, the switching chamber wall 12 further comprises at least two webs 123, each of which is arranged in the longitudinal direction 92 between the at least two fixed contacts 2, 3 and each of which extends from at least one longitudinal side wall part 122 in the transverse direction 93 into the switching chamber 11. The webs 123 are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction 92. In particular, the webs 123 extend in the transverse direction 93 beyond the movable contact 4 in the interior 15 of the switching chamber 11 from one of the longitudinal side wall parts 122 to the other of the longitudinal side wall parts 122. Furthermore, the webs 123 each have a recess 124 in which the movable contact 4 can move during the switching operations. As shown, the webs 123 can preferably connect directly to the cover part 119 of the switching chamber wall 12.In particular, the webs 123 can run along and directly adjacent to the cover part 119 of the switching chamber 11. The webs 123 are particularly preferably formed integrally with the side wall parts 122 and the cover part 119 of the switching chamber wall 12.

[0092] The webs 123 form an area in the interior 15 between the fixed contacts 2, 3, which is at least partially separated from the fixed contacts 2, 3 and thus electrically insulated. The auxiliary contacts 25, the spring contacts 30, and the gas filling nozzle 26 are arranged in the thus formed insulated space 127.

[0093] Particularly preferably, the auxiliary contacts 25 are arranged between the two webs 123 symmetrically to the movable contact 4. Accordingly, the spring contacts 30 are also arranged between the two webs 123 symmetrically to the movable contact 4. Because at least one of the webs 123 is formed between each of the auxiliary contacts 25 and the stationary contacts 2, 3, as well as between each of the spring contacts 30 and the stationary contacts 2, 3, the auxiliary contacts 25 and the spring contacts 30 are at least partially insulated from the stationary contacts 2, 3.

[0094] As shown, for example, in Figures 2K to 2M, the switching chamber base 13, which is particularly preferably made of POM or another plastic mentioned above, has a base plate 130 with an opening 131 for the passage of the axis 7. At least partially circumferentially around the edge of the base plate 130, the switching chamber base 13 has side wall parts 132, 133, which are pushed into the switching chamber wall 12 along the side wall parts 121, 122 of the switching chamber wall 12 when the switching chamber 11 is assembled. The side wall parts 132, 133 of the switching chamber base are preferably formed in one piece with the base plate 130 of the switching chamber base 13. The side wall parts 132, 133 of the switching chamber base 13 can be surrounded in the assembled switching chamber 11 by the side wall parts 121, 122 of the switching chamber wall 12, so that the side wall parts 12, 133 of the switching chamber base 13 can form an insert into the switching chamber wall 12.At least some of the side wall portions 132, 133 of the switching chamber floor can be spaced apart from the side wall portions of the switching chamber wall. The base plate 130 can serve, at least in some areas around the opening 131, as a counter-stop for the lower stop 471 of the contact holder 47. For mechanical stabilization, the base plate 130 can, for example, have intersecting webs, as shown.

[0095] The spring contacts 30 are arranged on side wall parts 132 of the switching chamber base 13, which lie opposite one another in the transverse direction 93 and which are arranged at a distance from the longitudinal side wall parts 122 of the switching chamber wall 12. The connecting region 303 of each of the spring contacts 30 is arranged behind a side wall part 132 in the transverse direction 93 from the movable contact 4, so that for each spring contact 30, a side wall part 132 of the switching chamber base 13 is arranged between the movable contact 4 and the connecting region 303. The connecting region 303 of each of the spring contacts 30 is thus arranged in the transverse direction 93 between a side wall part 122 of the switching chamber wall 12 and a side wall part 132 of the switching chamber base 13.

[0096] Furthermore, the switching chamber base 13 has an opening 134 for each spring contact 30 in the respective side wall part 132, through which opening the second contact region 302 of the spring contact 30 projects through the side wall 132 of the switching chamber base. As a result, the second contact region 302 of each spring contact 30 can project along the transverse direction 93 toward the movable contact 4. As can be seen, for example, in Figure 2M, a further opening 134 can be provided in each of the side wall parts 132, which is arranged at a different height. In particular, the further openings 134 are provided in the region of the base plate 130. As a result, when using other spring contacts with longer connection areas, the second contact area can be guided at a different height to the movable contact 4 and thus also to the contact plate 31, as described further below in connection with Figures 3A and 3B.

[0097] Furthermore, each of the spring contacts 30 has at least one opening 304 in the connection region 303, through which a fastening element 135 of the respective side wall part 132 of the switching chamber base 13 projects. The fastening elements are particularly preferably formed integrally with the respective side wall part and serve to fasten the respective spring contact. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the spring contacts 30 each have two openings 304 and are fastened to the side wall parts 132 with two fastening elements 135. For example, the fastening elements 135 can be designed in the form of pins, as shown, and enable rivet-like fastening.

[0098] Furthermore, the switching chamber base 13 has wall parts 136 on both sides of the opening 131, which, viewed in the longitudinal direction 92, are arranged next to one another between the webs 123 of the switching chamber wall 12 and which, together with the side wall parts 132 on which the spring contacts 30 are located, form insertion regions 139. Permanent magnets 17, in particular blowout magnets, are arranged in the insertion regions 139. In particular, each of the permanent magnets 17 can rest on a support surface 138 which is formed on the wall parts 136 and can be fastened in the insertion region 139 by a snap mechanism 137, for example formed by barbs. The switching chamber base 13 can thus particularly preferably have two insertion regions 139, between which, viewed in the transverse direction 93, the movable contact 4 is arranged.The movable contact 4 can preferably move in the vertical direction 91 along the insertion regions 139 during the transition from the first to the second switching state and vice versa. Further wall parts 136' of the insertion regions 139 can connect the wall parts 136 to one another and be arranged between the permanent magnets 17 and the movable contact 4. Openings are provided below the further wall parts 136' between the wall parts 136, into which the contact regions 312 of the contact plate 31 can move.

[0099] Above the contact bridge 4, as shown, for example, in Figure 2J, a clamping element 32 can be placed so as to rest against the further wall parts 136' of the withdrawable sections 139, which can be made of the same material as the switching chamber base 13. The clamping element 32, which can be kept away from the cover part 119 by spacers 321, which can be knob-shaped, can, for example, shield the gas filler neck 26 from the contacts 2, 3, 4, so that no arcs can occur in the area of ​​the gas filler neck 26.

[0100] According to a further exemplary embodiment, sections of the switching device 100 are shown in Figures 3A and 3B, corresponding to the views in Figures 2A and 2M, in which the spring contacts 30 are longer, so that the second contact regions 302 of the spring contacts 30 are passed through the previously described lower openings 134 in the side wall parts 132. As a result, in the first switching state, in which the contact plate 31 makes mechanical contact with the spring contacts 30, the switching device 100 is in the non-switching switching state, i.e. in the idle state, as can be seen in Figure 3A. In the second switching state, in which the contact plate 31 is spaced from the spring contacts 30, the switching device 100 is in the switching switching state.Thus, in the embodiment shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the idle state of the switching device 100 can be detected by the auxiliary contacts 25 being short-circuited by the spring contacts 30 and the contact plate 31. Thus, the embodiment shown in Figures 3A and 3B has a reversed switching state detection characteristic compared to the embodiment of Figures 2A to 2M, which can be achieved solely by using different spring contacts 30. Thus, the switching device 100 can be easily configured to meet customer requirements without any other structural changes.

[0101] Switching state detection characteristics can be provided.

[0102] The second contact regions 302 of the spring contacts 30 are preferably designed such that, when the switching device 100 transitions from the first to the second switching state, the contact plate 31 loses mechanical contact with the second contact regions 302 of the spring contacts 30 after traveling a distance that is less than or equal to 20% of the switching gap. This makes it possible to achieve a very small distance that the magnet armature 5 must travel on its way from the first to the second switching state before the contact between the contact plate 31 and the spring contacts 30 is lost.The second contact areas 302 of the spring contacts 30 are particularly preferably designed and, for example, slightly bent upwards, so that when they come into contact with the contact areas 312 of the contact plate 31 when the magnet armature 5 and thus also the contact plate 31 are moved down to the lower stop of the magnet armature 5, they are pressed down by approximately 0.5 mm and, accordingly, when the magnet armature 5 and thus also the contact plate 31 are moved up the corresponding distance, they lose contact with the contact plate 31.

[0103] In the event that the movable contact 4 remains in the switched-on state due to sticking or a mechanical defect, even though the mechanical drive has been switched off and the switching device 100 should return to the first switching state, the contact plate 31 remains spaced apart from the second contact regions 302 of the spring contacts 30, so that the first switching state is not read at the auxiliary contacts 25. This is also possible taking into account the overtravel, since the magnet armature 5 with the contact plate 31 falls a certain distance downwards in the direction of the switching chamber base 13 compared to the movable contact 4, but the distance between the contact plate 31 and the second contact regions 302 of the spring contacts 30 is still large enough to clearly not produce an electrically conductive connection between the auxiliary contacts 25.Mechanical influences caused by shocks depend on the properties of the mechanical drive and the movable contact 4. This means that the electrical contact between the auxiliary contacts 25 would correctly indicate incomplete opening even after the movable contact 4 has been lifted off the stationary contacts 2, 3 due to acceleration. The switching device 100 of the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 3A and 3B thus enables reliable detection of the "safely open" state and combines this with a simple mechanism for detecting and conveying the signal from a hermetically sealed switching chamber.

[0104] The design based on the IEC 60947-5-1 standard also enables the detection of the "switching device cannot close" condition, i.e. the condition in which the movable system is blocked in the open position. Even if the upper part of the switching device is destroyed, detection can still be carried out to determine whether the switching device has been put into the non-switching state.

[0105] An advantage of the switching device 100 described here is its very cost-effective production, since no wiring or integrated circuits are necessary. Furthermore, no magnetic interference with the detection is possible. Furthermore, in both embodiments, the switching state is detected sufficiently far away from the main contacts—that is, sufficiently far away from the fixed contacts and the moving contact—so that no problems arise with regard to insulation or the risk of destruction due to switching arcs.

[0106] The features and exemplary embodiments described in conjunction with the figures can be combined with one another according to further exemplary embodiments, even if not all combinations are explicitly described. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiments described in conjunction with the figures can alternatively or additionally comprise further features according to the description in the general part.

[0107] The invention is not limited to the embodiments by the description thereof. Rather, the invention encompasses any new feature and any combination of features, which in particular includes any combination of features in the patent claims, even if this feature or combination itself is not explicitly mentioned in the

[0108] patent claims or embodiments are specified.

[0109] Reference symbol list

[0110] I Housing

[0111] 2 , 3 fixed contact

[0112] 4 movable contact

[0113] 5 magnet armatures

[0114] 6 magnetic core

[0115] 7 Axis

[0116] 8 coil

[0117] 9 yoke

[0118] 10 springs

[0119] II Switching chamber

[0120] 12 Switching chamber wall

[0121] 13 Switching chamber base

[0122] 14 gas-tight area

[0123] 15 Interior

[0124] 16 flange

[0125] 17 Permanent magnet

[0126] 18 wall

[0127] 25 Help contact

[0128] 26 Gas filling nozzle

[0129] 30 spring contact

[0130] 31 Contact plate

[0131] 32 clamp element

[0132] 40 contact spring

[0133] 47 contact holders

[0134] 91 vertical direction

[0135] 92 longitudinal direction

[0136] 93 transverse direction

[0137] 100 switching device

[0138] 119 Cover part

[0139] 120 opening

[0140] 121 transverse side wall part longitudinal side wall part

[0141] web

[0142] recess

[0143] Openings for help contact

[0144] Opening for gas filling nozzle

[0145] Space

[0146] base plate

[0147] Opening

[0148] Side wall part

[0149] Side wall part

[0150] Opening

[0151] Fastening element, 136 ' wall part

[0152] On a long surface

[0153] Snap mechanism

[0154] Insertion area, 302 contact area

[0155] Connection area

[0156] Opening

[0157] Contact area

[0158] Opening

[0159] Anchoring release

[0160] spacer, 472 stop

Claims

Patent claims 1. Switching device (100) comprising - a movable contact (4) in a switching chamber (11) and - at least two auxiliary contacts (25), two spring contacts (30) and one contact plate (31) in the switching chamber, wherein - the switching chamber (11) has side wall parts (132, 133), - each of the spring contacts has a first contact area (301) and a second contact area (302), wherein the first contact area and the second contact area are connected via a connecting area (303), - a side wall part (132) is arranged between the connecting region of each of the spring contacts and the movable contact, - the contact plate is movable together with the movable contact.

2. Switching device according to the preceding claim, wherein the switching chamber has a switching chamber floor (13) with a floor plate (130) and the side wall parts.

3. Switching device according to the preceding claim, wherein - the switching chamber (11) has a switching chamber wall (12) with opposing transverse side wall parts (121) and with opposing longitudinal side wall parts (122) and - the connecting region of each of the spring contacts extends between a longitudinal side wall part and the side wall part of the switching chamber base.

4. Switching device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the switching chamber floor has an insertion area (139) between each of the spring contacts and the movable contact, in which a permanent magnet (17) is arranged.

5. Switching device according to the preceding claim, wherein each of the insertion areas has a snap mechanism (138) with which the respective permanent magnet is fastened.

6. Switching device according to claim 3 and one of claims 4 and 5, wherein - the switching device has at least two fixed contacts (2, 3), - the switching chamber has at least two webs (123) which are arranged along the longitudinal direction between the at least two fixed contacts and each of which extends from at least one longitudinal side wall part in the transverse direction into the switching chamber and - the insertion areas are arranged between the webs.

7. Switching device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the spring contacts has at least one opening (304) in the connection region through which a fastening element (135) of the respective side wall part of the switching chamber base protrudes.

8. Switching device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the side wall parts between the connecting region of one of the spring contacts and the movable contact has an opening (134) through which the respective second contact area projects.

9. Switching device according to the preceding claim, wherein the respective second contact region projects through the respective opening in the direction of the contact plate.

10. Switching device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the switching device has at least two fixed contacts (2, 3) arranged next to one another along a longitudinal direction (92), and the auxiliary contacts are arranged next to one another along a transverse direction (93).

11. Switching device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the switching device has a mechanical drive for Movement of the movable contact and the contact plate, which has a magnet armature (5) with an axis (7) on which the movable contact and the contact plate are arranged and - the auxiliary contacts, the spring contacts and the contact plate are arranged electrically insulated from the fixed contacts, the moving contact and the mechanical drive.

12. Switching device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable contact and the contact plate are arranged on an electrically insulating contact holder (47).

13. Switching device according to claim 12, wherein the contact plate is fixed to the contact holder and the movable contact is arranged slidably on the contact holder. 14 . Switching device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second contact areas in the first Switching state exerts a spring force on the contact plate.

15. Switching device according to the preceding claim, wherein a contact spring (40) is arranged on the contact holder, which exerts a spring force on the movable contact in the direction of the fixed contacts, and wherein the spring force of the second contact regions is less than the spring force of the contact spring. 16 . Switching device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the contact plate in a first switching state of the Switching device contacts the second contact areas of the spring contacts and is arranged in a second switching state at a distance from the second contact areas of the spring contacts and - the movable contact in the first or second switching state is separated from the fixed contacts by a switching gap and the contact plate loses mechanical contact with the second contact areas of the spring contacts after traveling a distance which is less than or equal to 20% of the switching gap when the switching device changes from the first to the second switching state.

17. Switching device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the first contact areas (301) of the Spring contacts apply a spring force to one of the exerts auxiliary contacts.

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