Fuse device for high-voltage applications

Abstract

The invention relates to fuse devices for high-voltage applications, comprising a housing (10); an actuation chamber (12) and an extinguishing chamber (14), which are formed in the housing (10); a busbar (16) which extends through the housing (10) and between the actuation chamber (12) and the extinguishing chamber (14); a separating element (34) which can be displaced out of the actuation chamber (12) and against the busbar (16) by means of an actuator (32) and by means of which a busbar section (42) can be displaced into the extinguishing chamber (14) in order to sever the busbar (16) at a first predetermined breaking point (74); and a damping element (68) which is arranged on a base (62) of the housing (10) in the extinguishing chamber (14) and against which the separating element (34) rests after the fuse device is triggered. The aim of the invention is to extinguish an arc in a faster manner by squeezing the arc. This is achieved in that after the fuse device is triggered, a chamber (118) in which the detached busbar section (42) is arranged is completely delimited, by means of the separating element (34) and the damping element (68), from a busbar section (42) that adjoins the first predetermined breaking point (74) and is secured in the housing (10).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Safety device for high-voltage applications

[0003] The invention relates to a fuse device for high-voltage applications, comprising a housing, an actuation chamber and an arcing chamber formed in the housing, a busbar extending through the housing and between the actuation chamber and the arcing chamber, a separating body displaceable from the actuation chamber against the busbar by means of an actuator, through which separating body a busbar section for severing the busbar at a first predetermined breaking point can be displaced into the arcing chamber, and a damping element arranged on a base of the housing in the arcing chamber and against which the separating body rests when the fuse device is triggered.

[0004] Such safety devices are usually designed with a pyrotechnic igniter as an actuator and are used, particularly in vehicles with high-voltage applications such as hybrid vehicles or fully electric vehicles, to disconnect the power line between the battery and the consumers, in particular the vehicle's drive, in the event of an accident in a few thousandths of a second in order to avoid short circuits.

[0005] However, due to the high voltages involved, arcing occurs between the free ends of the busbar when the busbars are separated, causing a current to continue flowing for several seconds and resulting in extremely high short-circuit currents that can cause life-threatening electric shocks to vehicle occupants or emergency personnel. Since these arcs cannot be completely avoided, precautions must be taken to extinguish them as quickly as possible.

[0006] Furthermore, the actuator triggers the isolating element to move from its rest position with very high acceleration. This results in a high force acting on the floor of the arcing chamber, which can lead to failure of the enclosure structures.

[0007] For this reason, US Pat. No. 11,081,303 B2 describes a pyrotechnic safety device in which a rubber ring is arranged on the floor of the arcing chamber, through which the kinetic energy of the separating element is converted into deformation energy. After triggering, the severed busbar section lies between the separating element and the rubber ring, allowing the resulting arc to spread to both sides of the piston in the housing. Reliable, rapid extinguishing of the arc is not achieved in this way, which is why various blow-out channels are provided in the housing.

[0008] The task therefore arises of creating a safety device for high-voltage applications by which, when the safety device is triggered, the arc is stretched on the one hand to accelerate extinguishing and, on the other hand, is mechanically and reliably separated to ensure that the arc is completely extinguished as quickly as possible in order to avoid possible short-circuit currents that could lead to an electric shock.

[0009] This object is achieved by a safety device for high-voltage applications having the features of the main claim 1.

[0010] The safety device according to the invention for high-voltage applications has a housing in which an actuation chamber and an arcing chamber are formed. The housing can in particular be designed in several parts and, for example, have at least a second housing part which surrounds the arcing chamber, and a first housing part which surrounds the actuation chamber. An actuation chamber is understood to be a space in which an actuator is at least partially arranged. This can in particular be a pyrotechnic igniter, the triggering of which creates pressure which accelerates a separating body out of the actuation chamber. An arcing chamber is understood to be a space into which a busbar section is displaced, whereby the busbar is separated into at least two parts.The high voltages present create an arc, also known as plasma, between the separated busbar sections in the arcing chamber, which leads to burns. In order to keep these arcs as short as possible, this arc must be extinguished as quickly as possible. The fuse device also has a busbar that extends through the housing and between the actuation chamber and the arcing chamber. Furthermore, when the fuse device is not triggered, a separating body is arranged in the actuation chamber that can be moved against the busbar by means of the actuator. When the actuator is triggered, this separating body separates a busbar section at a predetermined breaking point to sever the busbar and moves it into the arcing chamber. In this way, it is itself at least partially moved from the actuation chamber into the arcing chamber.In addition, a damping element is arranged in the extinguishing chamber, which rests on a base of the housing in the extinguishing chamber and against which the separating body is moved after the safety device is triggered and thus rests firmly at least temporarily.

[0011] According to the invention, this engagement, after the safety device has been triggered, completely separates the space in which the severed busbar section is located from a busbar section secured in the housing and adjacent to the first predetermined breaking point. In this state, the severed busbar section is located, in particular, on the side of the isolating piston and the damping element opposite the first predetermined breaking point. As a result, the arc created between the predetermined breaking point on the stationary busbar section and the predetermined breaking point on the severed busbar section initially extends axially between the damping element and the isolating body, until the isolating body strikes the damping element.During this phase, the busbar section to be severed is rotated toward the side of the separating body facing away from the area of ​​the fixed busbar section adjacent to the first predetermined breaking point. As soon as the separating body hits the damping element, the arc is pinched off, as there is no longer any continuous free space between the two free ends of the severed busbar section and the fixed busbar section. The space into which the severed busbar section is rotated is thus completely separated from the fixed busbar section adjacent to the predetermined breaking point by the damping element and the separating body. The damping element is deformed in the process to absorb the kinetic energy of the separating body and convert it into deformation energy.This deformation also creates a strong contact force and thus a high degree of tightness between the separating body and the damping element over an extended period, reliably preventing arc flashover through the resulting gaps. This ensures reliable, complete separation and extinguishing of the arc, while simultaneously protecting the housing from excessive impact forces, allowing it to be made thinner, thus saving material and space.

[0012] Preferably, the damping element is fixed to the floor by at least one side wall defining the arcing chamber. This prevents the damping element from slipping on the floor without the need for additional components, preventing gaps from forming between the separating body and the damping element due to a suboptimal position of the damping element relative to the separating body.

[0013] In another embodiment, the damping element is made of an elastic plastic, which allows for high deformation and thus allows a large amount of kinetic energy to be converted into deformation energy. This reliably reduces the mechanical load on the confining housing. Furthermore, manufacturing inaccuracies can be tolerated, as the possible deformation ensures that the separating body rests flatly on the damping element, at least temporarily, reliably preventing the formation of gaps when the arc is pinched off.

[0014] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the damping element has deformation structures. These allow the kinetic energy to be converted into deformation energy to a particularly high degree, thus achieving a more gradual deceleration of the separating body.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the damping element with the deformation structures rests on the floor of the arcing chamber, so that the surface facing the separating body can be formed in a simple manner corresponding to the opposite separating surface of the separating body despite the introduction of these structures.

[0016] In particular, it is advantageous if the deformation structures are designed as ribs that extend from a damper body, against which the separating body is accelerated, to the ground and rest on it. Such ribs are easy to manufacture and easy to deform.

[0017] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the separating body has a first separating edge which, in the non-triggered state, has the smallest distance from the busbar section to be severed, viewed in the direction of movement of the separating body. A section of this separating edge which has the smallest distance from the first predetermined breaking point in the main extension direction of the busbar is shaped complementarily to a surface region of the damping element which is arranged opposite the section of the separating edge in the direction of movement of the separating body. This ensures that the separating body impinges flatly on the damping element with its separating edge, thus closing the gap between the separating body and the damping element across its entire width and thus also across the width of the arc and the busbar at the same time.This creates a tight contact area across the entire available width for the arc to expand, and the arc is reliably cut off.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment, a sealing lip is formed on the surface of the damping element adjacent to the complementarily shaped surface area. This sealing lip, viewed in the direction of movement of the separating body, is at the shortest distance from the separating body before the safety device is triggered. This sealing lip reinforces the sealing effect in a known manner upon impact of the separating surface. The linear contact at the moment of separation of the light beam creates a high separating force.

[0019] The sealing lip preferably extends across the entire width of the arcing chamber to the side walls bordering the arcing chamber, thereby ensuring that the separation is reliable across the entire available width of the arc.

[0020] It is particularly advantageous if the damping element has a shoulder in the radially outer region, the surface of which facing the busbar is at a greater distance from the busbar than the surface region of the damping element which is arranged opposite the section of the separating edge in the direction of movement of the separating body and against which the separating body can be displaced, wherein the at least one side wall bounding the arcing chamber rests on the shoulder for fastening the damping element. This support can be achieved in particular by slightly squeezing the shoulder, thereby creating a high level of tightness between the side wall and the damping element. Additional fastening means can be dispensed with. This form of fastening prevents movement of the damping element both in the radial direction and in the radial direction.

[0021] In a further embodiment, the shoulder in the radially outer region of the damping element extends over three sides of the damping element, and three side walls delimiting the arcing chamber rest against the shoulder. These three sides are, in particular, the three sides located closer to the first predetermined breaking point, while the busbar is rotated towards the fourth side not delimited by one of the three side walls. This ensures that the side walls are firmly supported in the entire area in which the arc is generated. The space in which the busbar section to be severed is located after tripping is completely sealed off by the side walls and their support on the shoulder of the damping element in the direction of the first predetermined breaking point. This prevents a short circuit via another path in the housing.The damping element preferably rests radially on a fourth side against a limiting web that extends from the bottom of the housing into the arcing chamber. This facilitates pre-assembly in the housing and also serves to seal the gap between the housing and the damping element on the fourth side.

[0022] The housing is preferably constructed in three parts, wherein a first housing part radially surrounds the actuation chamber, a second housing part radially surrounds the arcing chamber and forms a base of the arcing chamber on which the damping element is arranged, and a third housing part surrounds the busbar and is arranged with a flange section between the first housing part and the second housing part, wherein the three side walls delimiting the arcing chamber, which rest on the damping element, extend from the flange section towards the base of the second housing part. By fastening the housing parts to one another, the damping element is also fastened to the base of the second housing part in one step and a double-walled boundary of the arcing chamber is created by the second and third housing parts.

[0023] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the distance between a separating surface of the separating body and the busbar increases from the first separating edge toward the opposite second end in the non-tripped state. This ensures that upon tripping, the busbar section to be separated initially rotates into the arcing chamber, enabling quenching by squeezing the arc on one side of the busbar section to be separated.

[0024] In a further embodiment, the busbar has a second predetermined breaking point around which the busbar section to be severed can be rotated after the busbar has been severed at the first predetermined breaking point, wherein a pocket is formed in the space between the damping element and a side wall of the second housing part bounding the arcing chamber, in which pocket the busbar section to be severed is arranged adjacent to the separating body after being severed. This pocket thus forms the fourth side of the arcing chamber. When triggered, the busbar section to be severed is rotated into the pocket in which it is received in an upright position. A further separation occurs at the second predetermined breaking point so that the busbar section is severed on two sides and is thus loosely received in the pocket.

[0025] This creates a safety device for high-voltage applications that achieves very rapid extinguishing of the arc generated when the busbar section is separated due to the large arc expansion, and subsequent squeezing of the arc by complete spatial separation of the severed busbar section from the stationary busbar section adjacent to the predetermined breaking point. This prevents prolonged short circuits and electric shocks, and the resulting personal injuries. Nevertheless, this safety device can be built relatively small with thin walls, as the kinetic energy of the separator is absorbed by the damping element. The damping element thus fulfills the function of both a damper and a seal for a gap between the separator and the base of the housing.

[0026] An embodiment of a safety device according to the invention for high-voltage applications is illustrated in the figures and is described below using a safety device designed as a pyrotechnic interrupter device. The terms "axial" and "radial" are used below depending on the movement of the separating body of the safety device, so that an axial direction corresponds to the direction of movement of the separating body, while a radial direction forms a component perpendicular to the direction of movement.

[0027] Figure 1 shows a side view of a safety device according to the invention in a sectional view before actuation.

[0028] Figure 2 shows the side view of the safety device according to the invention from Figure 1 in a sectional view after actuation.

[0029] Figure 3 shows a side view of the safety device according to the invention according to Figure 1 in a view rotated by 90° in a sectional view before actuation.

[0030] Figure 4 shows a top view in section through an extinguishing chamber of the safety device.

[0031] The safety device according to the invention, illustrated in the figures, is designed as a pyrotechnic interrupter device and consists of a housing 10, inside which an actuation chamber 12 and an extinguishing chamber 14 are formed, which are separated from one another by a busbar 16 extending through the housing 10 and via which, for example, a vehicle battery is connected to a consumer, such as a drive motor. The housing 10 is double-walled, with an inner wall 18 at least partially radially delimiting the extinguishing chamber 14 and the actuation chamber 12, and an outer wall 20 arranged radially spaced from the inner wall 18 and outwardly delimiting the safety device.

[0032] The housing 10 is constructed in three parts, with a third housing part 26 being clamped between a first housing part 22, in which the actuation chamber 12 is formed centrally, and a second housing part 24, in which the extinguishing chamber 14 is formed, with sealing rings 28 interposed.

[0033] The actuation chamber 12 in the first housing part 22 is radially surrounded by an inner wall 30 of the first housing part 22. An actuator 32, designed as a pyrotechnic igniter, is arranged inside this actuation chamber 12 in the area remote from the extinguishing chamber 14. Furthermore, in the non-triggered state, a separating body 34, which has a piston-like shape, is displaceably arranged inside the actuation chamber 12. This separating body 34 is guided radially at least in sections through the inner wall 30 of the first housing part 22 and axially delimits the actuation chamber 12 in the direction of the actuator 32. Furthermore, the first housing part 22 has an outer wall 36, which is connected to the inner wall 30 via ribs (not shown). A pressure relief volume 38 is formed between the inner wall 30 and the outer wall 36 by the free spaces between the ribs.

[0034] The third housing part 26 has a flange section 40, with which the third housing part 26 is clamped between the first housing part 22 and the second housing part 24. This flange section 40 surrounds the busbar 16 on all sides, with the exception of a busbar section 42 to be separated, which axially directly borders the actuation chamber 12 and the arcing chamber 14 before triggering. This busbar section 42 is delimited only on its radial sides by the third housing part 26, while the two sides of the busbar section 42 facing the actuation chamber 12 and the arcing chamber 14 are exposed to the actuation chamber 12 and the arcing chamber 14. Furthermore, two or more flow openings 43 are formed in the flange section 40, which are arranged in an axial extension of the pressure reduction volume 38 of the first housing part 22.A guide section 44 extends axially from the flange section 40, which guide section engages in a receptacle 46 on the inner wall 30 of the first housing part 22 in the region of the first housing part 22 facing the third housing part 26 and radially delimits the actuation chamber 12 in this region and thus guides the separating body 34.

[0035] In addition, the third housing part 26 has a guide section 48 that extends into the second housing part 24 and has three side walls 50, 52, 54 that delimit the arcing chamber 14 on three sides. This guide section 48 is open on a fourth side 55. On this side, a side wall 56 of the arcing chamber 14 is formed by an inner wall 58 of the second housing part 24. Lamellar stop ribs 60 that project into the arcing chamber 14 are formed on this inner wall 58.

[0036] The three side walls 50, 52, 54 of this guide section 48, which extend to a bottom 62 of the second housing part 24, are precisely received within wall sections 64 of the second housing part 24, which extend from the bottom 62 toward the first housing part 22. The side walls 50, 52, 54, the wall sections 64, and the side wall 56 of the second housing part 24 are arranged radially spaced from surrounding outer walls 66 of the second housing part 24, which delimit the securing device radially outward.

[0037] A damping element 68 is arranged on the base 62, which axially delimits the arcing chamber 14 relative to the base 62 of the second housing part 24, axially below the separating body 34. Immediately laterally adjacent to the damping element 68, on the side of the arcing chamber 14 opposite the stop ribs 60, there is also arranged on the base 62 a metal mesh 70, which extends axially between the side wall 50 and the outer wall 66 surrounding the arcing chamber 14. The metal mesh 70 extends axially to just before the flange section 40 of the third housing part 26. An opening 72 is formed in the side wall 50 of the guide section 52 of the third housing part 26, via which opening a fluidic connection is established from the interior of the arcing chamber 14 to the metal mesh 70.This opening 72 is formed directly adjacent to the flange portion 40, specifically on the side wall 50, which is arranged in axial extension of a first predetermined breaking point 74 of the busbar 16.

[0038] In addition to the first predetermined breaking point 74, the busbar 16 also has a second predetermined breaking point 76 spaced apart therefrom. In the present exemplary embodiment, the two predetermined breaking points 74, 76 are formed in that the busbar section 42 to be severed is arranged between the two predetermined breaking points 74, 76, offset in an axial direction corresponding to the direction of movement X of the separating body 34, relative to the busbar sections 78 adjacent to the predetermined breaking points 74, 76, which are surrounded by the third housing part 26 and thus fixed. As a result, the busbar section 42 to be severed is only 10-60% connected to the adjacent busbar sections 78 in cross-section.

[0039] Viewed in a main extension direction Y of the busbar 16, the first predetermined breaking point 74 is located directly opposite a first separating edge 80 of the separating body 34 formed at a first end, at which end the separating body 34 has the shortest distance from the busbar section 42 to be separated. A separating surface 82 of the separating body 34 extends in cross-section in the main extension direction Y of the busbar 16, initially over a short section 83 of the separating edge 80 with a shortest distance parallel to the busbar section 42 and then has a distance from the busbar section 42 that steadily increases in the direction of the second predetermined breaking point 76 and is thus formed obliquely, so that the second end 84 remote from the separating edge 80 has the greatest distance from the busbar section 42.While the first predetermined breaking point 74, as already mentioned, is arranged directly below the separating edge 80 of the separating body 34 in the non-triggered state of the separating body 34, the second end 84, viewed in the main extension direction of the busbar 16, has a distance from the second predetermined breaking point 76 which is greater than the axial extension of the busbar section 42 to be severed. In this area between the second end 84 of the separating body 34 and the second predetermined breaking point 76, viewed in the main extension direction of the busbar 16, there is a stop 86 in the arcing chamber 14 which is formed on the flange section 40 of the third housing part 26.

[0040] After the actuator 32 has been triggered and the busbar section 42 has been severed at the first predetermined breaking point 74, the separating body 34 is subsequently driven further into the arcing chamber 14. The busbar section 42 is rotated around the second predetermined breaking point 76 into the arcing chamber 14 until the underside of the busbar section 42 strikes the stop 86. The continued movement of the separating body 34 creates a shear stress in the area of ​​the second predetermined breaking point 76, which ultimately leads to a fracture at the second predetermined breaking point 76. Since at this point in time the separating body 34 has already penetrated relatively far into the arcing chamber 14 and the movement of the busbar section 42 to be severed occurs purely in a rotational manner around the second predetermined breaking point 76, this movement continues after it has been torn off. This means that the busbar section 42 is rotated against the stop ribs 60, which absorb its kinetic energy.The busbar section 42 is rotated into a pocket 88, which is laterally delimited on the one hand by the inner wall 58 of the second housing part 24 and on the other hand by a side surface 90 of the separating body 34 directed towards the second predetermined breaking point 76. For this purpose, the distance between the adjacent

[0041] Busbar sections 78 and the base 62 in the area of ​​the pocket 88 must be selected such that it is greater than the longitudinal extent of the severed busbar section 42, in order to ensure that there is no longer any contact between the adjacent busbar sections 78 fastened in the housing 10 and the severed busbar section 42. In addition, the distance of the stop ribs 60 to the separating body 34 in the triggered state must be selected to be greater than the extent of the busbar section 42 before triggering in the direction of movement of the separating body 34.

[0042] In the area of ​​the bottom 62, the pocket 88 is also delimited by a limiting web 92 which extends in the direction of the first housing part 22 into the arcing chamber 14 and, on the one hand, delimits the severed busbar section 42 in its upright end position and, on the other hand, serves as a limit for the damping element 68.

[0043] This damping element 68 is made, in particular, of an elastic plastic and has a damper body 96, from which deformation structures 98 extend to the bottom 62 of the second housing part 24. These deformation structures 98 are designed in the form of ribs 100, with the ends of which the damping element 68 rests on the bottom 62.

[0044] The damping element 68 has a surface 102 on the damper body 96, which is directed toward the separating body 34. A surface region 104 of the surface 102 of the damper body 96, which is adjacent to the side wall 50 in which the opening 72 is formed and is arranged axially opposite a section 105 of the separating edge 80, which, in the non-triggered state, is arranged closest to the first predetermined breaking point 74, is shaped complementarily to this section 105 of the separating edge 80. In the present exemplary embodiment, this surface region 104 has an inner curvature 106 directed toward the separating body 34, while the separating body 34 has a correspondingly inwardly directed recess 108 in this region. Viewed in the direction of extension of the busbar 16, this surface area 104 is adjoined by a sealing lip 110 which extends from the side wall 52 to the side wall 54 on the surface 102 of the damping element 68.The side walls 52, 54 extend from the ends of the side wall 50 to define the three-sided boundary of the arcing chamber 14, approximately at right angles to the side wall 50, so that the sealing lip 110 runs perpendicular to the main extension direction of the busbar 16 and approximately parallel to the separating edge 80 of the separating body 34. In a radially outer region 112, the damping element 68 has a shoulder 114 on three sides, the surface 116 of which facing the busbar 16 is correspondingly at a smaller distance from the busbar 16 than the remaining surface 102 of the damping element 68, and with which the damping element 68 projects below the side walls 50, 52, 54. During assembly, the side walls 50, 52, 54 are pressed onto the surface 116 of the shoulder 114, thereby clamping the damping element 68 in its position on the bottom 62 of the second housing part 24. Displacement toward the fourth side 55 is prevented during assembly by the limiting web 92.By pressing the radially outer region 112 of the damping element 68, a seal is also created between the damping element 68 and the third housing part 26 and thus the three side walls 50, 52, 54 of the arcing chamber 14.

[0045] If an emergency now occurs, for example due to a vehicle accident, the pyrotechnic actuator 32 is triggered. The separating body 34 is pressed against the busbar 16 by the explosion and separates the busbar section 42 at the first predetermined breaking point 76 from the rest of the busbar 16. The high voltage creates an arc in the area of ​​the first predetermined breaking point 76 between the free busbar ends. This arc can expand through the opening 72 to the metal mesh 70, which is melted by the thermal energy and thus cools the arc. However, the busbar section 78 adjacent to the first predetermined breaking point 74 and the detached end of the busbar section 42 rotated into the arcing chamber 14 are initially connected by the arc, which is continually expanded as the busbar section 42 continues to rotate.As the separating body 34 continues to move, a gap between the separating body 34 and the damping element 68, through which the arc passes, becomes increasingly smaller until the separating body finally impacts the surface 102. This impact initially converts the kinetic energy into deformation energy of the ribs 100. In addition, the gap between the separating body 34 and the damping element 68 is completely sealed, as the separating body 34 initially impacts the sealing lip 110 at high speed, suddenly creating a high contact force on a very small surface, which leads to the arc being pinched or separated in this area.The subsequent movement significantly increases the contact surface between the damping element 68, since the separating body 34, with its separating edge 80, is brought into contact with the complementarily shaped surface region 104 extending from the side wall 52 to the side wall 54, so that a wide sealing surface is created which prevents a renewed flashover of the arc. This means that the damping element 68 and the separating body 34 completely and tightly delimit the free end of the region of the fixed busbar section 78 adjacent to the first predetermined breaking point 74 from a space 118 which is formed on the fourth side 55 of the arcing chamber 14 and into which the busbar section 42 is first rotated and later torn off, and in which the pocket 88 for receiving the busbar section 42 is formed.

[0046] In addition, when the busbar 16 is severed at the second predetermined breaking point 76, another arc can occur, increasing the total length of the existing arcs to such an extent that the resistance increases to such an extent that the separation voltage exceeds the source voltage. These measures lead to complete and rapid extinguishing and cooling of the arc in a short time.

[0047] In addition to extinguishing and cooling the arc, the pressure generated by the igniter explosion and by the melting of the metal mesh 70 and the resulting arc must also be reduced. To guide this gas flow into the pressure reduction volume 38 available between the inner wall section 30 and the outer wall section 36 of the actuation chamber 12, channels 120 are formed in the base 62 of the second housing part 24. These channels extend from the area below the metal mesh 70 on both sides of the second housing part 24 along the base 62, initially in a groove shape, down to below the damping element 68. From here, the channels 120 extend on both sides to the opposite outer walls 66 of the second housing part 24.From here, the channels 120 extend upwards as groove-shaped depressions on the inner wall surface of the outer walls 66 until they merge into the flow openings 43 of the third housing part 26, which in turn are fluidically connected to the pressure reduction volume 38, so that the pressure can be reliably reduced via the available volumes.

[0048] This creates a safety device that can be used in a small installation space to quickly and reliably extinguish the arc, thus avoiding prolonged short circuits and the resulting injuries, and reliably preventing emissions. Nevertheless, high isolating performance can be achieved thanks to the good damping and rapid extinguishing. This also allows the wall thicknesses to be kept relatively thin, as the pressure is reduced quickly, the arc is extinguished quickly and reliably, and the kinetic energy of the isolating body is well absorbed. It should be clear that the scope of protection is not limited to the described embodiment, but various modifications are possible. In particular, other housing divisions or shapes of the components used can be provided.If necessary, a busbar with differently designed predetermined breaking points can also be used or the damping stop can be provided by a modified component, whereby a reliable separation of the space formed on the side of the separating body opposite the free end of the fixed busbar section adjacent to the first predetermined breaking point must be provided from this first predetermined breaking point and this space must be sealed against the free end of the fixed busbar section.

Claims

P A T E N T A N S P R Ü C H E 1. A safety device for high-voltage applications comprising a housing (10), an actuation chamber (12) and an arcing chamber (14) formed in the housing (10), a busbar (16) extending through the housing (10) and between the actuation chamber (12) and the arcing chamber (14), a separating body (34) displaceable from the actuation chamber (12) against the busbar (16) by means of an actuator (32), through which a busbar section (42) for severing the busbar (16) at a first predetermined breaking point (74) is displaceable into the arcing chamber (14), and a damping element (68) arranged on a base (62) of the housing (10) in the arcing chamber (14) and against which the separating body (34) rests after the triggering of the safety device, characterized in that after the triggering of the safety device, the separating body (34) and the Damping element (68) a space (118),in which the severed busbar section (42) is arranged, is completely separated from a busbar section (42) adjoining the first predetermined breaking point (74) and fastened in the housing (10).

2. Fuse device for high-voltage applications according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping element (68) is fixed to the base (62) by at least one side wall (50, 52, 54) delimiting the arcing chamber (14).

3. Safety device for high-voltage applications according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the damping element (68) is made of an elastic plastic.

4. Safety device for high-voltage applications according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the damping element (68) has deformation structures (98).

5. Safety device for high-voltage applications according to claim 4, characterized in that the damping element (68) with the deformation structures (98) rests on the floor (62) of the arcing chamber (14).

6. Safety device for high-voltage applications according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the deformation structures (98) are designed as ribs (100) which extend from a damper body (96) to the base (62).

7. Safety device for high-voltage applications according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separating body (34) has a first separating edge (80) which, in the non-triggered state, has a smallest distance from the busbar section (42) to be separated, viewed in the direction of movement of the separating body (34), wherein a section (105) of this separating edge (80), which has the smallest distance from the first predetermined breaking point (74) in the main extension direction of the busbar (16), is complementary to a surface area (104) of the Damping element (68) is formed, which is arranged in the direction of movement of the separating body (34) opposite the section (105) of the separating edge (80).

8. Safety device for high-voltage applications according to claim 7, characterized in that a sealing lip (110) is formed on a surface (102) of the damping element (68) adjacent to the complementarily shaped surface area (104), which has the smallest distance from the separating body (34) before the safety device is triggered.

9. Fuse device for high-voltage applications according to claim 8, characterized in that the sealing lip (110) extends over the entire width of the arcing chamber (14) up to the side walls (52, 54) delimiting the arcing chamber (14).

10. Fuse device for high-voltage applications according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the damping element (68) has a shoulder (114) in the radially outer region (112), the surface (116) of which, before the triggering of the fuse device, is directed towards the busbar (16) and has a greater distance from the busbar (16) than the surface region (104) of the damping element (68), which is arranged opposite the section (105) of the separating edge (80) in the direction of movement of the separating body (34) and against which the separating body (34) is displaceable, wherein the at least one side wall (50, 52, 54) delimiting the arcing chamber (14) rests on the shoulder (114) for fastening the damping element (68).

11. Fuse device for high-voltage applications according to claim 10, characterized in that the shoulder (114) in the radially outer region (112) of the damping element (68) extends over three sides of the damping element (68) and three side walls (50, 52, 54) delimiting the arcing chamber (14) bear against the shoulder (114).

12. Fuse device for high-voltage applications according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the damping element (68) bears radially on a fourth side (55) against a limiting web (92) which extends from the bottom (62) of the housing (10) into the arcing chamber (14).

13. Fuse device for high-voltage applications according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the housing (10) is constructed in three parts, wherein a first housing part (22) radially surrounds the actuation chamber (12), a second housing part (24) radially surrounds the arcing chamber (14) and forms a bottom (62) of the arcing chamber (14) on which the damping element (68) is arranged, and a third housing part (26) surrounds the busbar (16) and is arranged with a flange section (40) between the first housing part (22) and the second housing part (24), wherein the three side walls (50, 52, 54 delimiting the arcing chamber (14), which rest on the damping element (68), extend from the flange section (40) in the direction of the bottom (62) of the second housing part (24).

14. Safety device for high-voltage applications according to one of the Claims 7 to 13, characterized in that the distance of a separating surface (82) of the separating body (34) to the busbar (16) in the non-triggered state increases from the first separating edge (80) in the direction of the opposite second end (84).

15. Fuse device for high-voltage applications according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the busbar (16) has a second predetermined breaking point (76) about which the busbar section (42) to be severed can be rotated after the busbar (16) has been severed at the first predetermined breaking point (74), wherein a pocket (88) is formed in the space (118) between the damping element (68) and a side wall (56) of the second housing part (24) delimiting the arcing chamber (14), in which pocket the busbar section (42) to be severed is arranged adjacent to the separating body (34) after the separation.

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