Insulating rods and switches

Abstract

An insulation rod (10) comprising: a spring receiver (7C); a metal insert (13) in the form of a bottomed cylinder in which the upper end is open, the metal insert accommodating the spring receiver (7C) so as to enable movement within a predetermined range along the inner peripheral surface of the metal insert (13); and an insulating portion (9) that electrically insulates the outer peripheral surface of the metal insert (13). A bottom plate portion (13B) of the metal insert (13) and a body portion (13A) of the metal insert (13) are configured as separate bodies, and a biased spring (S) is provided between a lower surface of the spring receiver (7C) and the bottom plate portion (13B) of the metal insert (13).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to an insulating rod and a switch.

Background Art

[0002] A general insulating rod forms a high-voltage switch, has the functions of insulating the main circuit, which is a high-voltage power supply part, from the grounding part, withstanding the load during the opening and closing of the switch, and applying a contact pressure in the closing direction of the switch to the contacts in the closed state of the switch to press the contacts and reduce the contact resistance (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In Patent Document 1, a flange part that receives a contact pressure spring is provided on the embedded metal of the insulating rod, and the force of the spring during opening and closing is received by this flange part.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the insulating rod disclosed in Patent Document 1, during the opening operation of the switch, the spring load is received by the flange part provided on the embedded metal, and during the closing operation, the load is received by the bottom surface part of the embedded metal. However, when opening and closing are repeated, the metal of the bottom surface part of the embedded metal peels off from the insulator covering the embedded metal, and the contact between the metal of the bottom surface part of the embedded metal and the insulator becomes unstable. Near the bottom surface part of the embedded metal, the insulator wears due to the impact during the opening and closing of the switch, and there is a risk of deterioration of electrical performance due to the generation of minute gaps.

[0006] To mitigate this risk, methods such as increasing the distance between the embedded metal and the grounding point to ensure sufficient insulation distance for use in low electric fields, or applying conductive paint, have been proposed. However, these methods have drawbacks, including increased production costs and worsening work efficiency during production.

[0007] This application discloses technology to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an insulating rod and switch that are low-cost and easy to produce. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The insulating rod disclosed herein is Spring holder and The spring support is housed along the inner circumferential surface so as to be movable within a predetermined range, and the bottomed cylindrical embedded metal has an open upper end. The embedded metal comprises an insulating part that electrically insulates the outer surface of the embedded metal, The bottom plate portion and the main body portion of the embedded metal are constructed as separate parts. A biased spring is provided between the lower surface of the spring receiver and the bottom plate portion of the embedded metal. The insulating rod disclosed herein is Spring holder and The spring support is housed along the inner circumferential surface so as to be movable within a predetermined range, and the bottomed cylindrical embedded metal has an open upper end. The embedded metal comprises an insulating part that electrically insulates the outer surface of the embedded metal, A plurality of biased disc springs are provided between the lower surface of the spring receiver and the upper surface of the insulating part that seals the lower end of the cavity inside the embedded metal. The upper surface of the insulating portion has a second counterbore that has the same shape as the disc spring when the disc spring is not biased. Furthermore, the switch disclosed in this application is It has an insulating rod. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The insulating rod and switch disclosed in this application can provide an insulating rod and switch that are low cost and easy to produce. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the main circuit section of the switch according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a switch in the closed state according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view of a switch in the moment when the main contacts of the switch are making contact and separating, according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2C is a schematic cross-sectional view of a switch in the open state according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the insulating rod according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This is a schematic side view of the embedded metal according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the insulating rod in the closed state according to Embodiment 1. Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the insulating rod in the open state according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view of the main part of an insulating rod as an example. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the insulating rod according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 8] This is a schematic side view of the embedded metal according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the insulating rod according to Embodiment 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiment 1. The insulating rod and switch according to Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to the figures. In this specification, the axial direction Z is the axial direction of the fixed current-carrying shaft and the movable current-carrying shaft, which will be described later, with the fixed contact side being the upper side and the opposite side being the lower side. This direction coincides with the opening and closing direction of the switch.

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the main circuit section of the switch 100 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the switch 100 in the closed state. Figure 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the switch 100 at the moment when the main contacts are separating or closing. Figure 2C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the switch 100 in the open state. Figures 2A to 2C show the movement of the insulating rod 10 accompanying the operation of the switch 100. For easy understanding of the internal structure of the insulating rod, the main part of the insulating rod 10 in Figures 2A to 2C is shown in a cross-sectional view.

[0013] The switch 100 has a vacuum valve 2, and a switching mechanism 5 that opens and closes a fixed contact 6 and a movable contact 7 both having conductivity and housed in the vacuum valve 2.

[0014] The vacuum valve 2 includes an insulating container 21, a fixed contact 6, a movable contact 7, a fixed current-carrying shaft 63, and a movable current-carrying shaft 73. The insulating container 21 is a cylindrical container made of an insulator, and the inside of the insulating container 21 is sealed from the outside air.

[0015] The fixed contact 6 is joined to a rod-shaped fixed current-carrying shaft 63 that penetrates from the inside to the outside of the insulating container 21. The movable contact 7 is arranged to face the fixed contact 6 and is connected to a rod-shaped movable current-carrying shaft 73 that penetrates from the inside to the outside of the insulating container 21. The fixed current-carrying shaft 63 and the movable current-carrying shaft 73 have conductivity. The movable contact 7 is separable from and contactable with the fixed contact 6.

[0016] A bellows-shaped bellows (not shown) is arranged around the movable current-carrying shaft 73, and even if the movable current-carrying shaft 73 moves in the axial direction Z, the inside of the vacuum valve 2 is sealed in a vacuum. The vacuum valve 2 configured in this way can open and close the movable contact 7 with respect to the fixed contact 6 while maintaining the inside of the vacuum valve 2 in a vacuum. The end of the fixed current-carrying shaft 63 on the side opposite to the fixed contact 6 is connected to the upper terminal 3, and the movable current-carrying shaft 73 is connected to the lower terminal 4 by a flexible conductor 8.

[0017] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the insulating rod 10. Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the embedded metal 13. The insulating rod 10 has a spring receiver 7C, a spring S, a metal insert 13, and an insulating part 9. In other words, the insulating rod 10 is the part that is driven by the opening / closing mechanism 5. The movable energizing shaft 73 of the vacuum valve 2 and the spring receiver 7C of the insulating rod 10 are connected by a connecting rod 11.

[0018] The spring receiver 7C is cylindrical, and the lower end of the connecting rod 11 (Figure 2A, bottom of the paper) is connected to its upper surface. The lower surface 7CU of the spring receiver 7C is in contact with the upper end of the spring S, and the lower end of the spring S is in contact with the bottom plate portion 13B of the embedded metal 13, which will be described in detail later. The spring S is biased and positioned between the spring receiver 7C and the bottom plate portion 13B of the embedded metal 13, and is expandable and contractible inside the embedded metal 13. The outer circumference of the lower end of the spring receiver 7C has a flange portion 7CF (first flange portion) that protrudes outward. The flange portion 7CF is housed inside the embedded metal 13 so as to be movable along the inner circumferential surface of the embedded metal 13 within a predetermined range in the axial direction Z.

[0019] The embedded metal fitting 13 is made of metal and has a cylindrical main body portion 13A and a bottom plate portion 13B that seals the opening at the lower end of the main body portion 13A. When the main body portion 13A and the bottom plate portion 13B are combined, the embedded metal fitting 13 forms a bottomed cylinder. The outer circumferential surface of the main body portion 13A is provided with an anchor portion 13C that protrudes outward in a flange-like or spiral shape. The inner upper end of the main body portion 13A also has a flange portion 13F (second flange portion) that protrudes inward. The outer circumferential surface of the embedded metal fitting 13 is covered with an insulating portion 9 that has electrical insulating properties.

[0020] The insulating portion 9 is formed by pressing the bottom plate portion 13B into the counterbore portion 13Z (first counterbore portion) provided on the inside of the lower end of the main body portion 13A using molding pressure, thereby fitting and positioning it in a way that prevents insulating material from flowing into the embedded metal 13 after the insulating portion 9 is formed. (Examples of placement methods include bolts, magnets, etc.)

[0021] The spring retainer 7C is movable axially Z along the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical main body portion 13A of the embedded metal 13. Here, the inner diameter of the flange portion 13F of the embedded metal 13 is smaller than the outer diameter of the flange portion 7CF of the spring retainer 7C. Therefore, since the flange portion 13F interferes with the flange portion 7CF, the spring retainer 7C does not completely protrude outward axially Z from the main body portion 13A of the embedded metal 13.

[0022] Next, the operation of the switch 100 will be explained. Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the insulating rod 10 in a closed circuit state. Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the insulating rod 10 in the open circuit state. To open the switch 100 from the closed state shown in Figure 2A, the insulating portion 9 is pulled down downwards in the plane of Figure 3 by a pin (not shown) passed through the drive pin hole 13H shown in Figure 3. At this time, the space K shown in Figure 5A, which existed between the flange portion 13F of the embedded metal 13 and the flange portion 7CF of the spring receiver 7C in the axial direction Z, gradually decreases, and the fixed contact 6 and the movable contact 7 come into contact with each other, reaching the state shown in Figure 2B. Subsequently, the flange portion 7CF of the spring receiver 7C and the flange portion 13F of the embedded metal 13 interfere with each other, pulling down the entire insulating rod 10, and the movable contact 7 moves away from the fixed contact 6, reaching the open state shown in Figure 2C.

[0023] At this time, the spring S takes the maximum length within the embedded metal 13 throughout the entire operation of the switch 100, but this length is shorter than the natural length of the spring S. Therefore, the insulating rod 10 is configured so that the contact pressure on the spring receiver 7C by the spring S does not disappear during the operation of the switch 100.

[0024] Furthermore, when the switch 100 is opened, the movable energizing shaft 73 is pulled downwards to open the switch 100. As a result of this reaction, a tensile load is generated on the main body 13A of the embedded metal 13, directed upward in the axial direction Z (towards the fixed contact side). This load is supported by the anchor portion 13C provided on the outer circumferential surface of the main body 13A.

[0025] Furthermore, in the reverse operation of this opening operation, the switch 100 moves from the open state shown in Figure 2C to the closed state shown in Figure 2A. That is, when the switch 100 is closed, the insulating part 9 is pushed upwards in the plane of the paper as shown in Figure 3 by a pin (not shown) passed through the drive pin hole 13H. The movable contact 7 gradually approaches the fixed contact 6 and eventually reaches the state shown in Figure 2B. As the insulating part 9 is pushed further up, the connected movable contact 7, movable energizing shaft 73, connecting rod 11, and spring receiver 7C cannot rise any further, so the spring S is gradually compressed.

[0026] Then, due to the repulsive force of the spring S, the movable contact 7 is pressed against the fixed contact 6, resulting in a closed circuit state. At this time, a space K is created in the axial direction Z between the flange portion 7CF of the spring receiver 7C and the flange portion 13F of the embedded metal 13.

[0027] When the switch 100 is in the closed state, a contact pressure is applied to the movable contact 7 by the spring S toward the fixed contact 6. At this time, a similar contact pressure is generated in the opposite direction to the spring S, and this force is received by the bottom plate portion 13B of the embedded metal 13. At this time, since the main body portion 13A and the bottom plate portion 13B are independent of each other, the bottom plate portion 13B is pressed against the insulating portion 9 with which it is in contact. As a result, both contact surfaces 91 shown in Figure 3 are stabilized, and the occurrence of a minute gap between the bottom plate portion 13B and the insulating portion 9 can be suppressed.

[0028] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of an insulating rod 10B as a comparative example. The embedded metal 13X that holds the spring receiver 7C has a cup-shaped structure, and the main body 13XA and the bottom 13XB are formed as one unit. When such an embedded metal 13X is used in a switch, when the switch opens as described above, the embedded metal 13X is pulled upward in the axial direction Z by the reaction force of the opening operation, and this force is received by the anchor portion 13XC provided on the outer circumferential surface of the main body 13XA of the embedded metal 13X.

[0029] Furthermore, during the closing operation, the pin pushes up the insulating rod 10B, driving the spring S while compressing it, so that the embedded metal 13X receives the load from the spring S at its bottom 13XB. Since the main body 13XA and the bottom 13XB of the embedded metal 13X are integrated, the load on the bottom 13XB acts as a force that stretches the main body 13XA of the embedded metal 13X in the axial direction Z. As a result, the load is contained within the embedded metal 13X, and no load is generated on the insulating part 9 that is in contact with the bottom 13XB of the embedded metal 13X to stabilize the contact surface 91 with the embedded metal 13X.

[0030] On the other hand, when the switch 100 according to Embodiment 1 is in the open state, the spring S extends due to the operation of the insulating rod 10 compared to the closed state, but as described above, it does not lose all of its contact pressure load and continues to press against the bottom plate portion 13B. Therefore, similar to the closed state, the contact surface 91 is stabilized by the load generated from the spring S, and the occurrence of a minute gap between it and the insulating portion 9 can be suppressed.

[0031] In the comparative example, the load from the spring S was contained within the embedded metal 13X, but in this embodiment 1, the strength concerns regarding its impact on the insulating part 9 are resolved if the bottom plate 13B has a seating surface that can sufficiently relieve the surface pressure relative to the load-bearing capacity of the insulating part 9. The edges of the main body 13A and the bottom plate 13B are processed in a way that does not allow burrs or sharp edges, thereby preventing stress concentration.

[0032] According to the insulating rod 10 and switch 100 of Embodiment 1, the embedded metal 13 is composed of two separate parts: a main body 13A and a bottom plate 13B. Therefore, the bottom plate 13B of the embedded metal 13 is pressed against the insulating part 9 in both the closed and open states of the switch 100. This stabilizes the contact surface 91 between the bottom plate 13B and the insulating part 9, and prevents the formation of a minute gap between them due to wear of the insulating part 9. Furthermore, it improves the electrical performance of the insulating rod.

[0033] Furthermore, conventional measures to address the occurrence of minute gaps, such as increasing the distance between the embedded metal and the grounding point to ensure insulation distance, or applying conductive paint, are no longer necessary. This improves work efficiency during manufacturing and reduces costs.

[0034] Furthermore, while the comparative example's embedded metal 13X is manufactured by cutting out the blind hole 13Xh of the embedded metal 13, in the embedded metal 13 according to this embodiment, the main body 13A can be manufactured with a through hole 13h, thus improving the workability of the embedded metal 13. In addition, the accumulation of plating solution during surface treatment is eliminated, which can improve the quality of the product. Moreover, while the comparative example's embedded metal 13X was manufactured by processing from a rod, the embedded metal 13 of this application can be manufactured from a pipe, thus reducing processing costs and enabling effective use of materials.

[0035] Embodiment 2. The following describes the insulating rod and switch according to Embodiment 2, focusing on the differences from Embodiment 1. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the insulating rod 210. Figure 8 is a schematic side view of the embedded metal 213. The embedded metal 213 has a structure that is modified from Embodiment 1 to integrate with the embedded metal and prevent the inflow of insulating material into the embedded metal due to the molding pressure during the molding of the insulating part 9. In Embodiment 2, instead of providing a counterbore in the main body part 213A, a protruding projection 213BT is formed on the upper surface of the bottom plate part 213B, and the protruding projection 213BT is fitted inside the main body part 213A so as to plug the lower end in the axial direction Z.

[0036] When the switch 100 is opened or closed, the insulating rod 210 operates in the same manner as in Embodiment 1. Therefore, the force generated on the embedded metal 213 of the insulating rod 210 due to the opening and closing of the switch 100 is the same as that described in Embodiment 1. Thus, the bottom plate portion 213B is pressed against the insulating portion 9 regardless of the open or closed state of the switch 100, similar to the bottom plate portion 13B in Embodiment 1.

[0037] The insulating rod and switch according to Embodiment 2 provide the same effects as those of Embodiment 1.

[0038] Embodiment 3. The following describes the insulating rod and switch according to Embodiment 3, focusing on the differences from Embodiment 2. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the insulating rod 310. In this third embodiment, the bottom plate portion 213B of the embedded metal 213 described in the second embodiment is eliminated, and the structure consists only of the main body portion 213A. Furthermore, the spring 3S has a structure in which disc springs 31S are stacked, and a counterbore portion 92 (second counterbore portion) is provided in the insulating portion 9 that has the same shape as the shape of the lowest disc spring 31S when it is at its natural length (unbiased state), and the lowest disc spring 31S is used as a substitute for the bottom plate portions 13B and 213B described in the first and second embodiments.

[0039] When the switch 100 is opened or closed, the insulating rod 310 operates in the same manner as in Embodiment 2. Therefore, the force generated in the metal of the insulating rod 310 due to the opening and closing of the switch 100 is the same force as described in Embodiment 2. However, by eliminating the bottom plate portion 213B, the force that the bottom plate portion 213B received in Embodiment 2 is instead received by the disc spring 31S located at the lowest stage of the spring 3S.

[0040] In Embodiment 2, the bottom plate portion 213B was pressed against the insulating portion 9 by the opening and closing of the switch 100, but in Embodiment 3, the disc spring 31S is pressed against the insulating portion 9. The disc spring 31S tries to expand in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction Z beyond its natural length, but since the diameter of the counterbore portion 92 of the insulating portion 9 that it is in contact with is the natural length of the disc spring 31, it cannot expand and the insulating portion 9 and the counterbore portion 92 are in close contact and the contact surface is stabilized.

[0041] According to the insulating rod and switch according to Embodiment 3, by adjusting the switch 100 and the insulating rod 310 so that the impact when the switch 100 is opened and closed is such that it does not cause damage or creep to the insulating part 9, it is possible to prevent a minute gap from forming between the insulating part 9 and the bottom disc spring 31S, thereby improving the electrical performance of the insulating rod 310 and the switch 100.

[0042] Although this application describes various exemplary embodiments and examples, the various features, aspects, and functions described in one or more embodiments are not limited to the application of a particular embodiment, but can be applied individually or in various combinations to the embodiments.

[0043] Accordingly, countless variations not illustrated are conceivable within the scope of the art disclosed herein. These include, for example, modifying, adding or omitting at least one component, or even extracting at least one component and combining it with components of other embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 100 Switch, 10, 10B, 210, 310 Insulating rod, 11 Connecting rod, 13, 13X, 213 Inlay, 13A, 213A, 13XA Main body, 13B, 213B Bottom plate, 13XB Bottom, 13C, 13XC Anchor part, 13F, 7CF ​​Flange part, 213BT Protrusion, 13h Through hole, 13H Drive pin through hole, 13Xh Blind hole, 13Z Counterbore, 2 Vacuum valve, 21 Insulating container, 3 Upper terminal, S, 3S Spring, 31S Disc spring, 4 Lower terminal, 5 Switching mechanism, 6 Fixed contact, 63 Fixed energizing shaft, 7 Movable contact, 73 Movable energizing shaft, 7C Spring receiver, 7CU Bottom surface, 8 Conductor, 9 Insulating part, 91 Contact surface, K Space, along the Z axis.

Claims

1. Spring holder and The spring support is housed along the inner circumferential surface so as to be movable within a predetermined range, and the bottomed cylindrical embedded metal has an open upper end. The embedded metal comprises an insulating part that electrically insulates the outer surface of the embedded metal, The bottom plate portion and the main body portion of the embedded metal are constructed as separate parts. An insulating rod having a biased spring between the lower surface of the spring receiver and the bottom plate portion of the embedded metal.

2. The spring retainer is provided with a first flange portion that protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface of its lower end, The aforementioned embedded metal has a second flange portion that protrudes inward from the inner circumferential surface of its upper end, The insulating rod according to claim 1, wherein the inner diameter of the second flange portion of the embedded metal is smaller than the outer diameter of the first flange portion of the spring retainer, and the first flange portion is housed inside the embedded metal.

3. The insulating rod according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a flange-shaped or spiral anchor portion protruding outward from the outer circumferential surface of the embedded metal.

4. The main body of the aforementioned embedded metal is cylindrical, The insulating rod according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the bottom plate portion of the embedded metal is fitted into a first counterbore portion provided at the lower end of the inner circumferential surface of the main body portion.

5. The main body of the aforementioned embedded metal is cylindrical, The bottom plate portion of the aforementioned embedded metal has a protrusion in the center that projects upward, The insulating rod according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the protrusion is fitted into the lower end of the inner circumferential surface of the main body.

6. Spring holder and The spring support is housed along the inner circumferential surface so as to be movable within a predetermined range, and the bottomed cylindrical embedded metal has an open upper end. The embedded metal comprises an insulating part that electrically insulates the outer surface of the embedded metal, A plurality of biased disc springs are provided between the lower surface of the spring receiver and the upper surface of the insulating part that seals the lower end of the cavity inside the embedded metal. The upper surface of the insulating portion is an insulating rod having a second counterbore portion that has the same shape as the disc spring when the disc spring is not biased.

7. The spring retainer is provided with a first flange portion that protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface of its lower end, The aforementioned embedded metal has a second flange portion that protrudes inward from the inner circumferential surface of its upper end, The insulating rod according to claim 6, wherein the inner diameter of the second flange portion of the embedded metal is smaller than the outer diameter of the first flange portion of the spring retainer, and the first flange portion is housed inside the embedded metal.

8. The insulating rod according to claim 6 or claim 7, further comprising a flange-shaped or spiral anchor portion protruding outward from the outer circumferential surface of the embedded metal.

9. A switch having an insulating rod according to any one of claims 1, 2, 6, or 7.

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