Electrical switching element with status indicator and mounting kit for such an element

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical switching element (1) equipped with a status indicator and a mounting kit for such an element (1). The electrical switching element (1) has a housing (3), an armature (5) moved by a coil arrangement (7), a contact arrangement (11) switchable in at least two switching states (31) by the armature (5), and a magnetic field sensor (45) for emitting a switching signal that is a function of a magnetic field and in which the different switching states (31) of the switching element (1) are represented. The armature (5), the contact arrangement (11), and the magnetic field sensor (45) are arranged in the housing (3), and the armature (5) is arranged between the contact arrangement (1) and the magnetic field sensor (45). The mounting kit according to the invention includes a magnetic field sensor (45) arranged to form the electrical switching element (1). Figure for the summary: Fig. 1

Description

Description Title of the invention: Electrical switching element with in- status indicator and mounting kit for such an element

[0001] — The present invention relates to an electrical switching element and a mounting kit for assembly for such an element.

[0002] — Electrical switching elements, such as relays or Contactors are known from previous technology. These most often present an armature moved by a coil arrangement and allow the adjustment of at least one defined switching state, preferably two defined switching states, such as, for example, the closing or opening of an electrical circuit.

[0003] — For the use of a switching element, it is advantageous to be able to re- to know or determine its switching state and any possible faults occur.

[0004] — An objective of the present invention is to obtain switching elements simpler and / or less bulky and / or more economical electric devices than solutions of the prior art.

[0005] — The invention achieves the above objective for the electrical switching element indicated at the beginning, in that it comprises a casing, an armature moved by a coil arrangement, a contact arrangement switchable by the armature in the minus two switching states, and a magnetic field sensor for emission of a switching signal that is a function of a magnetic field and in which the different switching states of the switching element are represented, in which induces it, the contact arrangement and the magnetic field sensor are arranged in the housing and the armature is arranged between the contact arrangement and the magnetic field sensor.

[0006] — For the mounting kit indicated at the beginning, the invention achieves the above objective at by means of a mounting kit comprising a housing, an armature movable by a coil arrangement, a contact arrangement switchable by the armature in the minus two switching states and a magnetic field sensor, which is arranged to emit a switching signal based on a magnetic field and re- presenting the different switching states of the switching element, in which induces it, the contact arrangement and the magnetic field sensor are arranged in the housing and in which the magnetic field sensor can be housed in the housing to form an electrical switching element according to the invention.

[0007] — The electrical switching element according to the invention and the mounting kit for a such an element according to the invention thus presents a simplified structure and a posi- The magnetic field sensor is less sensitive to interference. The magnetic field sensor can be part of a status indicator or represent such an indicator. The electrical switching element according to the invention and the mounting kit according to the invention can be further improved by advantageous arrangements. The technical characteristics of the different arrangements can be combined and / or omitted voluntarily, provided that the technical effect obtained with the omitted technical characteristic is not decisive. The armature, the contact arrangement and the magnetic field sensor can in particular be enclosed by the housing. The armature can have any armature geometry and can be, for example, a plunging or tilting armature. At least one switching state of the contact arrangement may be a stable state, in which the contact arrangement moves or is in the position it is in when the electrical switching element is not activated. Such a stable state may be achieved, for example, by magnetic attraction or by means of a return spring. At least one additional switching state may be metastable or astable and may only be attained with a corresponding activation of the electrical switching element. In another arrangement, at least two switching states may both be stable. The switching signal can be analog or digital. This switching signal can be read continuously or on a trigger signal. In the simplest case, the switching signal can represent a state of the switching element by means of an analog voltage value. Alternatively, the switching signal can also take two different voltage values ​​in a binary fashion, each voltage value representing a switching state. In particular, the two or more switching states can be uniquely assigned to a value of the switching signal. The characteristic that the different switching states of the switching element are represented in the switching signal means that the switching signal, a function of a magnetic field, can represent one of at least two switching states, or the switching signal can also represent each switching state of all the other at least two switching states. The switching signal can represent each switching state, but only one switching state at a time, and not several switching states together. The state of the switching element can be, in particular, the switching state or the operating status assumed by the contact arrangement of the switching element. mutation, as well as a fault status of the electrical switching element. The magnetic field sensor can quantitatively and / or qualitatively detect a predominant magnetic field in the electrical switching element. Alternatively, the magnetic field sensor can detect a change in the predominant magnetic field in the electrical switching element. The armature is positioned between the contact arrangement and the magnetic field sensor. This has the advantage of spatially separating the magnetic field sensor from the contact arrangement. The magnetic field sensor can thus be located outside the switching chamber containing the contact arrangement. This has the advantage that any electrical arcs occurring during the switching of the contact arrangement cannot affect the magnetic field sensor. Furthermore, this positioning also protects the magnetic field sensor from secondary effects such as temperature variations caused by electrical arcs. An additional advantage of this positioning is that measurement uncertainties that can arise from so-called blow magnets can be avoided. These magnets are used to lengthen the electric arcs produced, thus extinguishing them more quickly than without blow magnets. Measurement uncertainties due to temperature fluctuations, aging, and / or potential demagnetization of the blow magnets by high short-circuit currents are also avoided by this positioning of the magnetic field sensor. The magnetic field sensor can, in particular, be positioned or fixed on stationary parts of the electrical switching element. This avoids the need for cumbersome mounting of the magnetic field sensor on moving parts of the electrical switching element. The magnetic field sensor can be arranged concentrically around an axis of the armature. In particular, the magnetic field sensor can be arranged symmetrically on the armature axis. The armature axis can connect the armature to the contact arrangement, in which a displacement of the contact arrangement along this axis can occur. The magnetic field sensor can be a distance sensor in a further embodiment of the electrical switching element according to the invention. This allows for the non-contact detection of the armature position and / or thus the position or state of the contact arrangement. The distance sensor can therefore detect a distance between the sensor and the armature, with at least two distances representing the at least two switching states of the contact arrangement being detectable. In a further advantageous embodiment of the com- element In the case of electrical switching, the magnetic field sensor can be a Hall effect sensor. Among its advantages is that a signal can be detected even with an unchanged magnetic field, and that it does not contain magnetic materials (such as nickel or iron) and therefore does not influence the magnetic field of the electrical switching element. In one embodiment, the magnetic field sensor can be arranged within an integrated switching circuit. The integrated switching circuit can therefore include the magnetic field sensor; that is, the magnetic field sensor is part of the integrated switching circuit. The integrated switching circuit can be encapsulated and thus protected against environmental influences. The electrical switching element can then be further improved, since an integrated switching circuit has the advantage that a signal that is amplified, processed, and / or converted can be acquired on the integrated switching circuit. If, for example, a Hall effect sensor is used, then the integrated switching circuit can, for instance, amplify and / or digitize a Hall effect voltage representative of the magnetic field strength, which can be emitted by the Hall effect sensor, via corresponding additional components. In a further advantageous embodiment of the electrical switching element, the magnetic field sensor can be arranged in an armature bushing. In particular, the bushing can be a bearing-type armature bushing, which can be arranged to guide the armature. The armature bushing can preferably be made of a magnetic material, so that this enclosure of the magnetic field sensor can reduce potential influence on the armature from external magnetic fields. The magnetic material is preferably a ferromagnetic material, and the bushing can alternatively or additionally contain a ferrimagnetic material. The magnetic field sensor can thus, in particular, be placed in a socket or sleeve that is part of a ferric circuit of the armature. The magnetic field sensor can be positioned and / or oriented in a fixed and rigid manner relative to the coil arrangement. The magnetic field sensor can also be rigidly connected to the coil arrangement. The magnetic field sensor can be spaced differently from the armature in at least two of the latter's switching states. A magnetic field passes through the magnetic field sensor. The properties of this magnetic field, such as its intensity, direction, and the distance of the magnetic field lines, depend on the distance of the magnetic field sensor from the armature. These changes in the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field sensor can also occur during (unintentional) welding of the arrangement. contact by an electric arc, so that a defective state of the electrical switching element can be detected. In a further advantageous embodiment of the electrical switching element according to the invention, the magnetic field sensor may have at least two sensor contacts protruding from the housing of the switching element. This embodiment facilitates contacting the magnetic field sensor and, in particular, reading the switching signal as a function of a magnetic field. Furthermore, the sensor contacts may be molded into the housing or inserted into a housing recess to accommodate the sensor contacts in a gas- and / or water-tight manner. For this purpose, a sealing element may be provided between the through-hole of the housing and the sensor contacts. In a further advantageous embodiment, the housing may have a partition projecting into the housing in an extrusion direction. The mounting space required for the electrical switching element is not increased by the partition projecting into the housing. The extrusion direction may preferably be oriented perpendicular to a wall of the housing from which the partition extends. The extrusion direction is preferably parallel to an orientation of the armature axis and oriented perpendicular to the housing wall. The partition may be a collar that is at least partially circular or arched. In an additional embodiment, the partition can be arranged at least partially in a circumferential direction oriented around the extrusion direction. Preferably, the partition can be closed in the circumferential direction oriented around the extrusion direction. The partition can therefore have individual partition sections, which extend respectively in the direction of extrusion, or be a continuous partition. In a further advantageous embodiment, the partition can form a housing. In the case of a continuous partition, the housing can be cup-shaped and open inwards towards the housing. The housing is preferably cylindrical. A floor of the cup-shaped housing can be formed by a wall of the housing. The partition is preferably formed or connected monolithically to the housing. If the partition is made up of individual partition sections, these can also form such a cup-shaped recess. In this case, the cup-shaped recess, in the circumferential direction, may not be completely but nevertheless partially enclosed by the partition sections. Viewed in the extrusion direction, the recess can be circular, elliptical, or rectangular. Other shapes are also possible. In one embodiment, the socket can be folded down at least partially by- above the partition. The electrical switching element according to the invention can then be further improved, as this allows the socket to be centered relative to the partition. Preferably, an outer contour of the partition can be complementary to an inner contour of the socket. More preferably, the partition, the armature axis, and the socket are arranged in a mutually concentric manner. In a further advantageous embodiment, the magnetic field sensor can be housed in a sensor housing. Specifically, the magnetic field sensor can be arranged with the sensor housing inside the switching element housing. The magnetic field sensor can be fixed with the sensor housing inside the switching element housing. In one embodiment, the sensor housing can be housed within the recess formed by the partition. Thus, the recess arranged inside the housing of the switching element can be designated as the housing pocket for the magnetic field sensor. The magnetic field sensor can be housed there. In particular, the recess can be arranged to complement the sensor housing. The recess and the sensor housing can have a shape that allows the magnetic field sensor to be inserted into the recess in only one orientation. Such a Poka-Yoke principle can prevent the magnetic field sensor from being housed in an incorrect orientation within the electrical switching element. In particular, when using Hall effect sensors, sign errors related to the orientation of the switching signal as a function of a magnetic field can be avoided.Thanks to the housing arrangement inside the casing, the mounting space required for the electrical switching element is not increased, and a known electrical switching element can be easily replaced without any additional modification of the electrical switching element housing by such an electrical switching element with status indicator. It is therefore advantageous for the sensor housing to be housed within the housing itself in an additional embodiment. In particular, this housing can be achieved through complementary shapes. The mounting kit according to the invention provides an electrical switching element in one of the arrangements described above. In particular, the mounting kit can provide an electrical switching element without a status indicator or, if the magnetic field sensor is mounted, an electrical switching element with a status indicator according to the invention. Alternatively, existing electrical switching elements can be supplemented with a status indicator according to the invention, based on a magnetic field sensor. Their functionality can thus be enhanced. The present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of non-example limiting, with reference to the drawings. In accordance with the embodiments above, individual elements of the respective exemplary embodiment may be omitted or added to the respective exemplary embodiment, depending on whether that element is necessary for a particular application. In the figures, the same numerical references are used for elements that correspond to each other with respect to function and / or structure, for the sake of simplicity. Repetition of the description of identical or similar elements in different exemplary embodiments is avoided, and differences between different exemplary embodiments are explicitly indicated where applicable. Regarding the drawings: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the electrical switching element according to the invention; The [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of the assembly of the electrical switching element of the [Fig.1]; Figure 3 is a further schematic representation of the assembly of the electrical switching element of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is an external view of the electrical switching element of Figure 1. Figure 1 represents an electrical switching element according to the invention. This comprises a housing 3, an armature 5, and a coil arrangement 7 that moves the armature 5. The electrical switching element 1 illustrated in Figure 1 thus has a plunger armature 5a. The armature 5 has an axis 9, in which a displacement of the armature 5 is transmitted by this axis 9 to a contact arrangement 11. According to the embodiment of the electrical switching element | illustrated in [Fig.1], the contact arrangement 11 comprises a contact bridge 13 with two contact pads 11a, which are arranged to make contact with contact pads 11a of power terminals 15. The electrical switching element 1 has a switching chamber 17 which is spatially separated from a coil area 19 of the electrical switching element 1 by a separating element 21 and a first ferric circuit element 23a. In addition, the coil area 19 has a second ferric circuit element 23b in the form of a yoke 25, a third ferric circuit element 23c and a fourth ferric circuit element 23d in the form of the armature 5. These ferric circuit elements 23a to 23d form a ferric circuit 23. The ferric circuit 23 re- presents a closed path for a magnetic flux and can also be designated as a magnetic circuit. The third element of the 23c ferric circuit is arranged in the form of a socket 27 in the embodiment of the electrical switching element | illustrated in [Fig. 1], which is arranged concentrically around the axis 9 of the armature 5. The bushing 27 is a bearing bushing 27a of the armature 5. The axis 9 extends longitudinally along a direction of movement 29 of the armature 5. The direction of movement 29 is characterized by a double arrow. Thanks to the coil arrangement 7, the armature 5 and the axis 9 connected to it can be moved in one of two directions. In the embodiment shown, the electrical switching element 1 has two switching states 31 which correspond to the two end positions 33 of the movable system consisting of the armature 5, the axis 9 and the contact arrangement 11. The electrical switching element | is illustrated in [Fig.1] in an open position 35. The socket 27 is folded over a partition 37 of the housing 3 and is further held in position by the breech 25 and the coil arrangement 7. The partition 37 can also be referred to as a cylindrical collar 37a and is described in more detail with reference to [Fig.2] and [Fig.3]. In [Fig.2] and [Fig.3], only the housing 3 of the electrical switching element 1 according to the invention is shown in cross-section for clarity. Additional elements such as the armature 5 or the contact arrangement 11 are not shown in this figure. The partition 37 or the cylindrical collar 37a forms a housing 39 in which a sensor device 41 is housed. The housing 39 shown is cylindrical and cup-shaped and opens towards an interior 3b of the housing 3. The partition extends from a wall 3a of the housing 3 in an extrusion direction 37b towards the interior of the housing 3. The partition 37 is closed in a circumferential direction 37c, i.e., it is not interrupted. A floor 39a of the housing 39 is formed by the wall 3a of the housing. The sensor device 41 comprises a sensor housing 43, a magnetic field sensor 45, and sensor contacts 47. In unshown embodiments of the electrical switching element according to the invention, only the magnetic field sensor 45 may be housed in the housing 39. The armature 5 is arranged between the sensor device 41 and therefore also between the magnetic field sensor 45 and the contact arrangement 11. The magnetic field sensor 45 can in particular be a distance sensor 45a and, particularly preferably, a Hall effect sensor 45b. The magnetic field sensor 45 is described in more detail with reference to [Fig.2]. An annular support relief 49 and the partition 37 are visible on a floor 48 of the housing. The breechblock 25 rests on the annular support relief 49 (see [Fig.1]). The sensor device 41 is housed in the housing 39 formed by the partition 37. As described above, the sensor device 41 includes the sensor housing 43 (represented in [Fig.3]). The magnetic field sensor 45 is preferably part of an integrated switching circuit 51, so that when a Hall effect sensor 45b is used as a distance sensor 45a, an integrated switching circuit 51 is formed with a Hall effect sensor 45b, i.e., a Hall effect IC 51a. The magnetic field sensor 45 is shown schematically in an enlargement of the integrated switching circuit 51. The integrated switching circuit 51 is mechanically and electrically connected to the sensor contacts 47 by means of contact feet 57. The sensor device 41 shown in [Fig. 2] further features a permanent magnet 55 as a sensor magnet 53, by which the Hall effect IC 51a can be actuated in a linear region. In the linear region, a switching signal that is a function of a magnetic field 59 depends linearly on the applied magnetic field strength. The switching signal, a function of a magnetic field 59, is schematically represented in [Fig. 3]. The switching signal 59 shown is purely illustrative and represents a voltage u applied at time t. For illustrative purposes only, the switching signal 59 shown represents two open positions 35, two contact positions 61, and—also for illustrative and symbolic purposes—a fault state 63 in which the contact pads of the contact arrangement 11 are unintentionally welded together. In other arrangements of the electrical switching element according to the invention, the switching signal, a function of a magnetic field 59, can be emitted in another form by the sensor device 41, for example, digital, binary, or inverted. The signal form shown here is schematic and illustrative, serving only to demonstrate that at least two switching states 31 can be distinguished. In the case shown, it is possible to distinguish a third switching state 31, here the fault state 63, from the other two switching states 31, the open position 35 and the contact position 61. In [Fig. 4], the electrical switching element 1 according to the invention is shown in an assembled state 65. The sensor contacts 47 of the magnetic field sensor 45 (hidden) protrude from the housing 3, so that the switching signal 59 (not shown) as a function of a magnetic field can be measured externally. The sensor contacts 47 can be fixed and housed within the housing 3, in particular by means of a sealing gasket 69, thus forming a watertight and / or gas-tight electrical switching element 1. The contact tabs 67 are used to establish electrical contact with the power terminals 15 (see [Fig.1]). These may also have a sealing gasket. (not shown). Alternatively, the contact tabs 67 are soft in the housing 3; Digital references 1 Electrical switching element 3 Case 3a Case wall 3b Inside the case 5 Induced His Inductor Diver 7. Coil arrangement 9 Axis 11 Contact arrangement 1. Contact pad 13 Contact bridge 15 Power Terminal 17 Switching Chamber 19 Coil Region 21 Separating element 23 Railway Circuit 23a First element of a railway circuit 23b Second element of the iron circuit 23c Third element of the iron circuit 23d Fourth element of the iron circuit 25 Cylinder Head 27 Socket 27a Bearing bushing 29 Direction of travel 31 Switching State 33 End position 35 Opening position 37 Partition 37a Cylindrical collar 37b Extrusion direction 37c Circumferential direction 39 Housing 39a Floor 41 Sensor device 43 Sensor housing 45 Magnetic field sensor 45a Distance Sensor 45b Hall effect sensor 47 Sensor contact 48 Floor 49 Support relief 51 Integrated switching circuit 5la Hall effect integrated switching circuit 53 Sensor Magnet 55 Permanent Magnet 57 Contact feet 59 Switching signal as a function of a magnetic field 61 Contact position 63 Default State 65 State Assembly 67 Contact tab 69 Sealing gasket u Tension Time

Claims

Demands

1. Electrical switching element (1), comprising - a case (3); - an armature (5) displaced by a coil arrangement (7); - a contact arrangement (11) switchable by the armature (5) in the minus two switching states (31); and - a magnetic field sensor (45) for emitting a signal from commutation (59) function of a magnetic field and in which the different switching states (31) of the switching element (1) are represented, in which the induced (5), the contact arrangement (11) and the sensor of magnetic field (45) are arranged in the casing (3) and the armature (5) is arranged between the contact arrangement (11) and the field sensor magnetic (45).

2. Electrical switching element (1) according to claim 1, in of which the magnetic field sensor (45) is a distance sensor (45a).

3. Electrical switching element (1) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the magnetic field sensor (45) is an effect sensor Hall (45b).

4. Electrical switching element (1) according to any one of the re- claims 1 to 3, in which the magnetic field sensor is arranged in an integrated switching circuit (51).

5. Electrical switching element (1) according to any one of the re- claims 1 to 4, in which the magnetic field sensor (45) is arranged in a socket (27) of the armature (5).

6. Electrical switching element (1) according to claim 5, in of which the bushing (27) is a bearing bushing (27a) of the armature (5).

7. Electrical switching element (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the socket (27) is made of a magnetic material.

8. Electrical switching element (1) according to any one of the re- demands | at 7, in which the casing (3) has a partition (37) protruding from the housing (3) in an extrusion direction (37b).

9. Electrical switching element (1) according to claim 8, in in which the partition (37) is closed in a circumferential direction {37c) oriented around the extrusion direction (37b).

10. Electrical switching element (1) according to claim 8 or 9, in which the partition {37) forms a housing (39).

11. Electrical switching element (1) according to any one of the re- demands 1 to 10, in which the socket (27) according to any one claims 5 to 7 are at least partially folded over the partition (37) according to any one of claims 8 to 10.

12. Electrical switching element (1) according to any one of the re- claims 1 to 11, in which the magnetic field sensor (45) is housed in a sensor housing (43) and is arranged with the housing of sensor (43) in the housing (3) of the switching element (1).

13. Electrical switching element (1) according to claim 12, in in which the sensor housing (43) is housed in the housing (39) of the housing (3) according to claim 10.

14. Electrical switching element (1) according to any one of the re- claims 1 to 13, in which the magnetic field sensor (45) features at least two sensor contacts (47) projecting from of the housing (3) of the switching element (1).

15. Mounting kit for an electrical switching element (1), comprising a housing (3), an armature (5) movable by an arrangement of coil (7), a contact arrangement (11) switchable by the armature (5) in at least two switching states (31) and a sensor of magnetic field (45), which is arranged to emit a com- signal mutation (59) function of a magnetic field and representing the different switching states (31) of the switching element (1), in which the induced (5), the contact arrangement (11) and the sensor of magnetic field (45) are arranged in the housing (3) and in which the magnetic field sensor (45) can be housed in the casing (3) for form an electrical switching element (1) according to any claims 1] to 14.