Circuit breaker

Abstract

This reduces the possibility of a decrease in creepage insulation performance due to condensation on the outer surface of the vacuum valve container. [Solution] The circuit breaker (1) comprises a sealed container (21), a switch (20) having a pair of energizing terminals (22), and a housing (30) that houses the switch, and further comprises a sound wave generator (40) inside the housing that irradiates the sealed container with sound waves.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a circuit breaker.

Background Art

[0002] A circuit breaker having a vacuum valve in a housing is known. In the housing, since the surface insulation performance deteriorates when dew forms on the outer surface of the vacuum valve container, a circuit breaker has been proposed in which a water absorption part is provided on the side surface of the vacuum valve container.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the prior art as described above, there are problems such as fouling and capacity reduction of the water absorption part during operation, so it is necessary to replace the water absorption part, which is troublesome for the maintenance of the circuit breaker. In view of the above problems, one aspect of the present disclosure aims to realize a circuit breaker that can reduce the possibility of a situation where the surface insulation performance deteriorates due to dew condensation on the outer surface of the vacuum valve container without unnecessarily increasing the labor involved in maintenance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve the above problems, a circuit breaker according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an insulating sealed container, a pair of energization terminals exposed from the sealed container, a switch for opening and closing an electric circuit between the pair of energization terminals, and a housing for housing the switch, and further includes a sound wave generator for irradiating the sealed container with sound waves inside the housing.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a circuit breaker is realized that can reduce the possibility of a situation occurring where creepage insulation performance deteriorates due to condensation on the outer surface of the vacuum valve container, without unnecessarily increasing the effort required for maintenance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a circuit breaker according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of a circuit breaker according to another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the circuit breaker 1 according to the present disclosure. The circuit breaker 1 is a device for interrupting a circuit through which high-voltage current flows. The circuit breaker 1 comprises a switch 20, a housing 30, and a sound wave generator 40.

[0009] The housing 30 constitutes the outer shell of the circuit breaker 1 and houses the switch 20 and the sound wave generator 40 inside. Although not shown in the figures, the housing 30 also houses other items that are typical of circuit breakers, such as electrical circuits. The housing 30 has an opening 31, and the inside of the housing 30 is connected to the outside of the housing 30, so the inside of the housing 30 may be in an environment open to the atmosphere. Therefore, the circuit breaker 1 does not need to be airtight or filled with insulating gas, resulting in low cost and easy maintenance. The inside of the housing 30 is not completely exposed; for example, the inside of the housing 30 may be protected from rain and wind, while still being exposed to the outside air.

[0010] The switch 20 comprises a sealed container 21, a pair of energizing terminals 22, and a sealing fitting 23. The switch 20 opens and closes the electrical circuit between the pair of energizing terminals 22. The switch 20 is a circuit breaker used in high-voltage power receiving and transforming equipment, and is also used in distribution boards and power receiving panels.

[0011] The sealed container 21 is kept under vacuum. Inside the sealed container 21 are two pairs of conductive contacts (not shown). Current is conducted when the contacts are brought into contact with each other, and interrupted when the contacts are separated. Because the inside of the sealed container 21 of the switch 20 is under vacuum, the arc that occurs between the contacts when the current is interrupted can be quickly extinguished. The switch 20 is, for example, a vacuum valve.

[0012] The sealed container 21 is a container that maintains a vacuum inside. The sealed container 21 is insulating and has a cylindrical shape. The sealed container 21 may also be cylindrical in shape. The switchgear 20 may be a gas-insulated switchgear, in which case the sealed container 21 is a container that seals the insulating gas.

[0013] The sealing clips 23 are provided at both ends of the cylindrical sealed container 21. The sealing clips 23 airtightly seal the sealed container 21. The sealing clips 23 have through holes on the central axis of the sealed container 21, through which the power supply terminals 22 are inserted.

[0014] The power supply terminals 22 are made of conductors. The ends of two pairs of power supply terminals 22 are exposed to the outside of the sealed container 21 at both ends of the sealed container 21. The other end of each power supply terminal 22 is connected to each of two pairs of contacts inside the sealed container 21. The power supply terminals 22 are configured so that one end is fixed and the other is movable in the axial direction, thereby allowing the contacts to be brought into contact with each other and separated. Preferably, the switch 20 is fixed to the housing 30 so that the axis of the sealed container 21 is oriented in the vertical direction.

[0015] The sound wave generator 40 irradiates the sealed container 21 with sound waves. By irradiating the sealed container 21 with sound waves, the sound wave generator 40 can cause condensation that forms on the surface of the sealed container 21 to fall off. Irradiation with sound waves causes the surface of the sealed container 21 to vibrate, making it easier for condensation to fall off and reducing the possibility of a decrease in creepage insulation performance.

[0016] The sound wave generator 40 is positioned inside the housing 30 and outside the sealed container 21. The sound wave generator 40 may be positioned near the sealed container 21, and the direction in which it generates sound waves may be directed toward the sealed container 21. There may be one sound wave generator 40 or multiple sound wave generators. For example, as shown in Figure 1, one speaker may be positioned facing the sealed container 21 as the sound wave generator 40. Note that if the sound wave generator 40 is positioned so that it irradiates the cylindrical sealed container 21 in the radial direction, the sound waves are more likely to vibrate the sides of the sealed container 21, making it easier for condensation to fall.

[0017] The sound wave generator 40 may irradiate the sealed container 21 with sound waves at regular time intervals. This allows condensation that may occur over time to be periodically removed.

[0018] It is preferable that the sound wave generator 40 irradiates the sealed container 21 with sound waves that cause the sealed container 21 to resonate. In other words, it is preferable that the sound wave generator 40 irradiates the sealed container 21 with sound waves at its natural frequency. When the sound wave generator 40 generates sound waves at the natural frequency of the sealed container 21, the sealed container 21 resonates and its vibration increases. Since sound waves at the natural frequency can easily cause the sealed container 21 to vibrate, it becomes easier to make condensation fall off. The natural frequency is determined appropriately by referring to the size of the sealed container 21, etc. For example, it may be determined by attaching a vibration sensor to the surface of the sealed container 21, irradiating the sealed container 21 with sound waves of different wavelengths from the sound wave generator 40, and finding the frequency at which the vibration of the surface of the sealed container 21 becomes large.

[0019] The creepage insulation performance of the switch 20 improves as the amount of foreign matter adhering to the side surface between the energizing terminals 22 increases. When the sealed container 21 is arranged with its axis oriented vertically as shown in Figure 1, condensation on the side surface can be easily removed, thereby improving the creepage insulation performance.

[0020] In this way, unlike the shut-off device in Patent Document 1, this device does not use a water absorption section to remove condensation, thus eliminating the need for maintenance to replace soiled or degraded water absorption sections.

[0021] 〔Embodiment 2〕 Another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to FIG. 2. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a cutoff device 1A according to another embodiment.

[0022] The cutoff device 1A includes a switch 20A instead of the switch 20 of the cutoff device 1 of Embodiment 1. The switch 20A includes a water-repellent portion 24 on the outer surface of the side surface of the sealed container 21. The water-repellent portion 24 has water repellency and insulation. In this way, at least a part of the side surface of the sealed container 21 is provided with water repellency. Thereby, it becomes easier for dew condensation to fall from the side surface of the switch.

[0023] Moreover, by providing the water-repellent portion 24 on the entire outer surface of the sealed container 21, it becomes even easier for dew condensation to fall.

[0024] The water-repellent portion 24 may be a film, a layer, or a surface-treated portion applied to the sealed container 21. The water-repellent portion 24 may be, for example, a surface-treated portion applying the lotus effect to the surface of the sealed container 21. Or it may be a coating film of a water-repellent material applied to the outer surface of the sealed container 21.

[0025] 〔Summary〕 Aspect 1 of the cutoff device according to the present disclosure has an insulating sealed container and a pair of energization terminals exposed from the sealed container, and includes a switch for opening and closing an electric circuit between the pair of energization terminals, and a housing for housing the switch, and further includes a sound wave generator for irradiating the sealed container with sound waves inside the housing.

[0026] Aspect 2 of the cutoff device according to the present disclosure is, in Aspect 1, the sealed container is cylindrical, and the pair of energization terminals are exposed at both ends of the cylindrical sealed container.

[0027] Embodiment 3 of the circuit breaker according to the present disclosure is, in Embodiment 1 or 2, the switch is fixed to the housing such that the axis of the cylindrical sealed container is oriented in the vertical direction.

[0028] Embodiment 4 of the shut-off device according to this disclosure is one in which, in any one of embodiments 1 to 3, water-repellent material is applied to at least a portion of the side surface of the cylindrical sealed container.

[0029] Embodiment 5 of the circuit breaker according to this disclosure is one of embodiments 1 to 4 in which the switch is a vacuum valve.

[0030] Embodiment 6 of the shielding device according to this disclosure is one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the sound wave generator irradiates the sealed container with sound waves that cause the sealed container to resonate.

[0031] Embodiment 7 of the circuit breaker according to this disclosure is one of embodiments 1 to 6 in which the inside of the housing is connected to the outside of the housing.

[0032] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of this disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0033] 1. 1A circuit breaker 20, 20A switch 21. Airtight container 22 Power supply terminals 23 Sealing hardware 24 Water-repellent part 30 cabinets 31 Aperture 40 Sound wave generators

Claims

1. A switch comprising an insulating sealed container and a pair of energizing terminals exposed from the sealed container, which opens and closes an electrical circuit between the pair of energizing terminals, The system comprises a housing for the switch, A blocking device further comprising a sound wave generator inside the housing for irradiating the sealed container with sound waves.

2. The circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein the sealed container is cylindrical, and the pair of energizing terminals are exposed at both ends of the cylindrical sealed container.

3. The circuit breaker according to claim 2, wherein the switch is fixed to the housing such that the axis of the cylindrical sealed container is oriented vertically.

4. The shut-off device according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the side surface of the cylindrical sealed container is treated with a water-repellent coating.

5. The shutoff device according to claim 1, wherein the switch is a vacuum valve.

6. The sound wave generator irradiates the sealed container with sound waves that cause the sealed container to resonate, according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The circuit breaker according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inside of the housing is connected to the outside of the housing.

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