Electrode structure and vacuum interrupter

Abstract

A coil portion (3) of electrodes (2a, 2b) comprises a plurality of rod-shaped elements (7) that are divided in the circumferential direction of the coil, and rod-shaped elements (7) that are adjacent to each other in the coil circumferential direction are interlinked to form a cylindrical shape as a whole. Each rod-shaped element (7) has a shape extending in the axial direction, a protrusion (71a) is provided at a position at the center of one-side end surface (71), and a recess (72a) is provided at a position at the center of the other-side end surface (72). A protruding-direction tip portion (71b) side of the protrusion (71a) of one of the adjacent rod-shaped pieces (7) is fitted into the recess (72a) of the other rod-shaped piece (7), so that the adjacent rod-shaped elements (7) interlink. Provided between the adjacent rod-shaped pieces are a first slit-shaped gap (73) shaped so as to extend from the protrusion (71a) toward the electrode-facing direction side, and a second slit-shaped gap (74) shaped so as to extend from the protrusion (71a) toward the opposite side in the electrode-facing direction.

Description

Electrode structure, vacuum interrupter

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrode structure and a vacuum interrupter, and relates to a technique applicable to, for example, various electric power facilities.

[0002] One example of a vacuum interrupter used in various electric power facilities includes a vacuum vessel having an insulating cylindrical body, in which a pair of electrodes (a fixed electrode and a movable electrode) are disposed so as to be freely connected to and separated from each other in an axial direction of the cylindrical body (the same direction as the axis 30 of the coil portion 3 in FIGS. 2 and 3 described below; hereinafter, simply referred to as the axial direction). Hereinafter, this opposing direction will be simply referred to as the electrode opposing direction. The vacuum vessel is provided with a pair of current-carrying shafts (leads) that support the back sides of each electrode (opposite the electrode opposing direction). One of the current-carrying shafts (e.g., the movable current-carrying shaft 12b described below) is supported inside the vacuum vessel by a bellows that is expandable and contractible in the axial direction.

[0003] With a vacuum interrupter configured as described above, one of the current-carrying shafts (the movable current-carrying shaft) can be moved axially while maintaining a vacuum state inside the vacuum vessel (specifically, on the outer periphery of the bellows inside the vacuum vessel), thereby making it possible to connect and disconnect the electrodes and open and close the contacts in accordance with the movement of the current-carrying shaft.

[0004] Each electrode is generally configured to have a magnetic field generating function in order to facilitate the desired interruption performance, etc. One example of this configuration includes a cylindrical coil portion (magnetic field generating coil portion) extending in the axial direction, a contact portion provided on the electrode facing side (contact side) of the coil portion, and an adapter portion that supports the back side of the coil portion (opposite the electrode facing side) on a current-carrying shaft (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4).

[0005] When the electrodes of this configuration are brought into contact with and separated from each other to open and close the contacts, stress (e.g., axial inertial force, mechanical impact force, etc.) may be applied to the electrodes. Since the coil and contact portions have multiple slits to generate a magnetic field, the mechanical strength of the electrodes may be easily reduced. As a result, it may be difficult to maintain the desired electrode characteristics (mechanical characteristics, electrical characteristics, etc.).

[0006] In the future, as vacuum interrupters are designed to operate at higher voltages and have larger capacities, the opening and closing speed of the contacts will increase and the operating force required for opening and closing the contacts will likely increase, which could result in greater stresses as described above.

[0007] Therefore, it has been considered to make it possible to withstand the stress and to easily maintain the desired electrode characteristics by, for example, providing a cylindrical reinforcing portion concentrically on the inner periphery of the coil portion, as necessary.

[0008] In order to make it easier for the slit holes to perform the desired magnetic field generation function, various shapes are being considered, such as a shape with a narrow slit width (width in the short direction), a shape with a long slit length (length in the long direction), and a shape that extends in the axial direction while spiraling in the circumferential direction of the coil section (hereinafter simply referred to as the coil circumferential direction) (hereinafter simply referred to as the spiral shape).

[0009] JP 2003-086068 A JP 2003-086067 A JP 2003-151413 A JP 2018-181681 A

[0010] As a method for forming slit holes in the coil portion of each electrode, for example, a method is known in which a cylindrical body (coil portion) previously formed into a cylindrical shape is subjected to slit processing using a rotary blade or the like.

[0011] However, in the above-described method of forming slits in a cylindrical body, it is sometimes impossible to form slit holes of the desired shape, and the desired magnetic field generating function cannot be obtained. For example, it is difficult to form slit holes with a narrow slit width, a long slit length, a spiral shape, etc. as desired, and there is a risk that the desired magnetic field generating function cannot be obtained.

[0012] The present invention has been made in view of the above technical problems, and aims to provide a technique that can contribute to making it easier to obtain a desired magnetic field generation function.

[0013] The electrode structure and vacuum interrupter according to the present invention can contribute to solving the above problems.

[0014] First, one aspect of the electrode structure comprises a pair of electrodes arranged in a vacuum vessel having an insulating cylindrical body, facing each other in the axial direction of the cylindrical body and capable of being moved toward and away from each other, and a pair of conductive shafts supporting each of the electrodes on opposite sides of the facing direction.

[0015] Each electrode has a cylindrical coil portion extending in the axial direction, a contact portion provided at an opening on the opposing side of the coil portion, and an adapter portion provided on the opposite side of the opposing direction of the coil portion and supported by the current-carrying shaft.

[0016] The coil portion comprises a plurality of rod-shaped pieces divided in the circumferential direction of the coil portion, and adjacent rod-shaped pieces in the circumferential direction engage with each other to form a cylindrical shape as a whole.

[0017] The rod-shaped piece has a shape extending in the axial direction, and a convex portion that protrudes toward one side in the circumferential direction is provided at the center of the axial direction on one side end face of the rod-shaped piece, which is on one side in the circumferential direction, and a concave portion that is recessed toward one side in the circumferential direction is provided at the center of the axial direction on the other side end face of the rod-shaped piece, which is on the other side in the circumferential direction.

[0018] The adjacent coils engage with each other by fitting the tip end of the protruding portion of one of the adjacent coils into the recess of the other adjacent coil, and between the adjacent coils there is provided a first slit-shaped gap which extends from the protruding portion in the opposing direction and penetrates radially through the coil portion, and a second slit-shaped gap which extends from the protruding portion to the opposite side of the opposing direction and penetrates radially through the coil portion.

[0019] The rod-shaped piece may extend in the axial direction in a position inclined from the axial direction toward the circumferential direction.

[0020] The rod-shaped piece may have an arc shape that extends in the axial direction while rotating in the circumferential direction.

[0021] The rod-shaped piece may extend in a Z-winding direction relative to the axial direction.

[0022] The rod-shaped piece of one of the electrodes may extend in a Z-winding direction relative to the axial direction, and the rod-shaped piece of the other of the electrodes may extend in an S-winding direction relative to the axial direction.

[0023] The adjacent convex portions and concave portions may be brazed together via a brazing material provided in an excess space between the convex portions and the concave portions.

[0024] The projection may be provided with a claw portion projecting outward from the outer periphery of the projection at a position between the base and the tip in the projection direction.

[0025] One aspect of the vacuum interrupter is characterized by having any one of the above electrode structures.

[0026] As described above, the present invention can contribute to making it easier to obtain a desired magnetic field generating function.

[0027] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the general configuration of a vacuum interrupter 1A according to an embodiment (longitudinal cross-sectional view in the axial direction); FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the general configuration of electrodes 2 (fixed electrode 2a, movable electrode 2b) of vacuum interrupter 1A shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the general configuration of coil portion 3 shown in FIG. 2 (perspective view of coil portion 3 of electrode 2a); FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the general configuration of rod-shaped pieces 7; FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of engagement between adjacent rod-shaped pieces 7 (partial schematic view of coil portion 3); FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the general configuration of electrodes 2 (fixed electrode 2a, movable electrode 2b) of vacuum interrupter 1A shown in FIG. 1;

[0028] The electrode structure and vacuum interrupter according to the embodiment of the present invention are completely different from the configuration (hereinafter simply referred to as the conventional configuration) in which slit holes are formed by slitting a cylindrical body (coil portion) that has been previously formed into a cylindrical shape in the coil portion of a pair of electrodes provided in a vacuum container, as shown in Patent Documents 1 to 4, for example.

[0029] In other words, each electrode in this embodiment has a coil portion that is divided into multiple rod-shaped pieces in the circumferential direction of the coil portion, and adjacent rod-shaped pieces in the circumferential direction of the coil (corresponding to adjacent rod-shaped pieces 7 described below) engage with each other, thereby forming a cylindrical shape as a whole.

[0030] The rod-shaped piece has a shape extending in the axial direction, and a convex portion protruding to one side in the circumferential direction of the coil is provided at a central portion in the axial direction of one end face of the rod-shaped piece, which is on one side in the circumferential direction of the coil, and a concave portion recessed to one side in the circumferential direction of the coil is provided at a central portion in the axial direction of the other end face of the rod-shaped piece, which is on the other side in the circumferential direction of the coil.

[0031] Adjacent rod-shaped pieces engage with each other by fitting the tip end of the protrusion of the other rod-shaped piece into the recess of the other rod-shaped piece, thereby forming a first slit-like gap extending from the protrusion toward the electrode opposing direction and penetrating in the radial direction of the coil portion (hereinafter simply referred to as the coil radial direction), and a second slit-like gap extending from the protrusion toward the opposite side of the electrode opposing direction and penetrating in the coil radial direction.

[0032] The rod-shaped piece may simply have a shape extending in the axial direction, or may have a shape extending in the axial direction at an angle from the axial direction toward the coil circumferential direction, or may have a shape (arc shape) extending in the axial direction while rotating in the coil circumferential direction (extending in the Z winding direction or S winding direction).

[0033] According to this embodiment, by simply lining up multiple rod-shaped pieces in the circumferential direction of the coil and engaging adjacent rod-shaped pieces with each other, a first slit-shaped gap and a second slit-shaped gap can be formed between the adjacent pieces, which can have a magnetic field generating function.

[0034] The shapes of these first slit-shaped gaps and second slit-shaped gaps can be variously configured by appropriately designing the shape of the rod-shaped pieces, for example, a shape with a narrow slit width, a shape with a long slit length, a spiral shape, etc.

[0035] That is, it is easier to design and form the rod-shaped pieces in various ways so as to obtain the desired first and second slit-shaped gaps than to form slit holes by slitting a cylindrical body as in the conventional configuration. Therefore, this embodiment can sufficiently contribute to making it easier to obtain the desired magnetic field generation function.

[0036] As described above, this embodiment may be configured such that, in the coil portion of each electrode, a plurality of rod-shaped pieces are connected in the circumferential direction of the coil, adjacent rod-shaped pieces are engaged with each other (by fitting the protrusions into the recesses), and a first slit-shaped gap and a second slit-shaped gap are formed between the adjacent rod-shaped pieces. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately apply common technical knowledge in various fields (vacuum interrupter field, electrode field, magnetic field field, etc.) and to appropriately refer to prior art documents as necessary to modify the design, and the following example is one example of such a modification.

[0037] In the following embodiments, detailed descriptions will be omitted as appropriate, for example, by referring to the same reference numerals for similar contents.

[0038] <Example> <Main Configuration of Vacuum Interrupter> An example of the schematic configuration of a vacuum interrupter 1A according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. This vacuum interrupter 1A includes a vacuum vessel 1 having an insulating cylindrical body 10 sealed at one axial end (fixed side) by a fixed flange 1a and at the other axial end (movable side) by a movable flange 1b.

[0039] In the case of the cylindrical main body 10 shown in Figure 1, a cylindrical shield (arc shield) 11 surrounding the outer periphery of the fixed electrode 2a and the movable electrode 2b described below is supported on the inner periphery of the cylindrical main body 10.

[0040] A columnar fixed-side current-carrying shaft 12a is provided at the center of the fixed-side flange 1a so as to extend from the center to the other axial side (extending from one axial side to the other axial side in FIG. 1 ). The fixed electrode 2a is supported at the end of the fixed-side current-carrying shaft 12a on the other axial side.

[0041] A flange through hole 13 is provided in the center of the movable side flange 1b, and extends axially through the center. A columnar movable side current-carrying shaft 12b is inserted into the flange through hole 13 and extends axially.

[0042] The movable electrode 2b is supported at one axial end of the movable current-carrying shaft 12b. The one axial end of the movable current-carrying shaft 12b (the movable electrode 2b side) is supported inside the vacuum vessel 1 of the movable flange 1b via a cylindrical bellows 14 that is axially expandable and contractible and is arranged coaxially with the movable current-carrying shaft 12b.

[0043] The fixed electrode 2a and the movable electrode 2b are provided with, for example, a first slit-shaped gap 73 and a second slit-shaped gap 74 (to be described later) so as to have a magnetic field generating function.

[0044] According to the vacuum interrupter 1A configured as described above, the movable-side current-carrying shaft 12b (and the movable electrode 2b) can be moved in the axial direction while maintaining the vacuum state inside the vacuum vessel 1 (specifically, the outer periphery of the bellows 14 inside the vacuum vessel 1), and the movable electrode 2b can be moved toward or away from the fixed electrode 2a in accordance with the movement of the movable-side current-carrying shaft 12b.

[0045] The materials, shapes, etc. of each component of the vacuum interrupter 1A, as well as the processing methods, assembly methods, and mounting methods of each component, can be appropriately applied in various forms depending on the intended use of the vacuum interrupter 1A, etc.

[0046] For example, among the components of the vacuum interrupter 1A, an insulating material (e.g., alumina ceramics) may be used for the cylindrical body 10, and a metal material (e.g., stainless steel (SUS304), oxygen-free copper, titanium) may be used for the other components. However, it is preferable to select the appropriate material taking into account the possibility of expansion (thermal expansion) and residual stress occurring when assembling the components.

[0047] <Main configuration examples of the fixed electrode 2 a and the movable electrode 2 b> The fixed electrode 2 a and the movable electrode 2 b may be configured to have a magnetic field generation function for the purpose of making it easier to exhibit the desired blocking performance, and examples thereof include those shown in Figures 1 to 3.

[0048] The fixed electrode 2a and the movable electrode 2b may have the same configuration, and hereinafter, as needed, they will be collectively referred to simply as the electrode 2. Furthermore, the fixed-side current-carrying shaft 12a and the movable-side current-carrying shaft 12b will hereinafter, as needed, be collectively referred to simply as the current-carrying shaft 12.

[0049] 1 to 3 includes a cylindrical coil portion (magnetic field generating coil portion) 3 extending in the axial direction, a disk-shaped contact portion 4 provided at an open end face 31 on the electrode facing side (contact side) of the coil portion 3, and a disk-shaped adapter portion 5 that supports an open end face 32 on the back side (opposite the electrode facing direction) of the coil portion 3 on a current-carrying shaft 12. In the case of the coil portion 3 shown in Fig. 3, a reinforcing portion 6 having a cylindrical peripheral wall 60 with a smaller diameter than the coil portion 3 is fitted concentrically around the inner periphery of the coil portion 3.

[0050] The material, shape, etc. of each electrode element of the electrode 2, as well as the processing method, assembly method, and installation method of each electrode element, can be appropriately adapted in various ways depending on the intended use of the vacuum interrupter 1A. For example, the coil portion 3, the contact portion 4, and the adapter portion 5 are preferably made of a metal material with high conductivity, such as oxygen-free copper. On the other hand, the reinforcing portion 6 is preferably made of a metal material with high mechanical strength, such as stainless steel (SUS304).

[0051] Furthermore, the electrode elements may be assembled using a brazing material or the like. For example, if the coil portion 3 is made of oxygen-free copper and the reinforcing portion 6 is made of stainless steel, a brazing material with a lower melting point than the oxygen-free copper may be used. One example is an Ag-based material (such as an Ag-Cu-based material).

[0052] <Configuration example of coil section 3> The coil section 3 has a plurality of rod-shaped pieces 7 (29 pieces in Figure 3) divided in the circumferential direction of the coil of the coil section 3, and adjacent rod-shaped pieces 7 in the circumferential direction of the coil (hereinafter simply referred to as adjacent rod-shaped pieces 7) engage with each other, thereby forming a cylindrical (cylindrical) configuration as a whole.

[0053] The rod-shaped piece 7 has a shape extending in the axial direction. A convex portion 71a protruding toward one side in the axial direction is provided at the center of one end face 71 of the rod-shaped piece 7, which is on one side in the circumferential direction of the coil. Furthermore, a concave portion 72a recessed toward one side in the circumferential direction of the coil is provided at the center of the axial direction of another end face 72 of the rod-shaped piece 7, which is on the other side in the circumferential direction of the coil.

[0054] The adjacent rod-shaped pieces 7 are configured such that the opposing convex portions 71 a and concave portions 72 a engage with each other. Specifically, the protruding tip portions 71 b of the convex portions 71 a of the other adjacent rod-shaped pieces 7 are fitted into the concave portions 72 a of one of the adjacent rod-shaped pieces 7, thereby engaging with each other.

[0055] Between adjacent rod-shaped pieces 7, a first slit-like gap 73 is formed, which extends from the convex portion 71a toward the electrode opposing direction (in the figure, it is further opened toward the electrode opposing direction) and penetrates in the coil radial direction, and a second slit-like gap 74 is formed which extends from the convex portion 71a to the opposite side of the electrode opposing direction (in the figure, it is further opened toward the opposite side) and penetrates in the coil radial direction.

[0056] The rod-shaped pieces 7 do not simply extend in the axial direction, but may extend in the axial direction while tilting from the axial direction toward the coil circumferential direction (tilting along the Z-winding direction in Figures 2 and 3), as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The tilt angle (angle α in Figure 2) formed by such tilted rod-shaped pieces 7 and the axial direction can be set appropriately and is not particularly limited.

[0057] Furthermore, the rod-shaped pieces 7 having an inclined shape as described above may be formed into an arc shape (an arc shape that is convex outward in the radial direction of the coil) that extends in the axial direction while winding in the circumferential direction of the coil (extending in the Z-winding direction in Figures 2 and 3) by appropriately bending the rod-shaped pieces 7. The angle of rotation of such arc-shaped rod-shaped pieces 7 in the circumferential direction of the coil (the angle of rotation θ about the axial center 30 in Figure 3) can also be set appropriately and is not particularly limited.

[0058] Such arc-shaped rod-shaped pieces 7 may make it easier to form a cylindrical coil section 3, even if the rod-shaped pieces 7 are designed to have a large length in the circumferential direction of the coil. Furthermore, by forming the inner surface 7a of the rod-shaped pieces 7 in the radial direction of the coil and the outer surface 7b of the rod-shaped pieces 7 in the radial direction of the coil into a curved surface that is convex outward in the radial direction of the coil, it may be easier to form a cylindrical coil section 3.

[0059] As described above, by making the rod-shaped piece 7 inclined or arc-shaped, the first slit-shaped gap 73 and the second slit-shaped gap 74 can be made to have, for example, a shape with a long slit length (a shape that is longer than a shape that simply extends in the axial direction) or a spiral shape.

[0060] 2 and 3, the coil portion 3 has the effect of directing the current flowing through the coil portion 3 in the circumferential direction of the coil, thereby generating a magnetic field in the axial direction or outward in the radial direction of the coil. For example, when an arc (a flow of material carrying an electric charge) occurs in the axial direction when the electrode 2 is opened, a force acts on the axial direction of the arc (a flow of material carrying an electric charge), making the arc more likely to become longer. This increases the potential difference required to maintain the arc, hindering the growth of the arc, and as a result, makes it possible to make the arc more likely to decay.

[0061] The main current flowing through the coil portion 3 flows through each rod-shaped piece 7, and is prevented from flowing through the engaging portions (such as brazed portions) between the convex portions 71 a and concave portions 72 a of adjacent rod-shaped pieces 7. In other words, if the rod-shaped pieces 7 are made of a highly conductive metal material, for example, the main current flowing through the coil portion 3 will flow directly through the metal material. Therefore, even if the coil portion 3 is made up of multiple rod-shaped pieces 7, it is possible to sufficiently prevent the electrical resistance from increasing.

[0062] Furthermore, compared to the conventional configuration, it is easier to form the first slit-shaped gap 73 and the second slit-shaped gap 74 with a long slit length, making it easier to obtain high interruption performance (e.g., DC interruption capability) in the electrode 2.

[0063] The opening end face 31 (the end face on the electrode opposing side of each rod-shaped piece 7; hereinafter, simply referred to as the opposing side end face) and the opening end face 32 (the end face on the opposite side of the electrode opposing side of each rod-shaped piece 7; hereinafter, simply referred to as the opposite side end face) of the coil portion 3 can be appropriately assembled to the contact portion 4 and the adapter portion 5, respectively, and are not particularly limited.

[0064] For example, recesses (not shown) into which the electrode-facing side end faces of the rod-shaped pieces 7 can fit may be provided at positions where the electrode-facing side end faces of the rod-shaped pieces 7 face each other in the contact portion 4. This allows the electrode-facing side end faces of the rod-shaped pieces 7 to be fitted into the recesses of the contact portion 4 for assembly, which may result in good support and fixation.

[0065] Similarly, recesses (not shown) into which the opposite end faces of the rod-shaped pieces 7 can fit can be provided at positions where the opposite end faces of the rod-shaped pieces 7 face each other in the adapter part 5. This allows the opposite end faces of the rod-shaped pieces 7 to be fitted into the recesses of the adapter part 5 for assembly, which may result in good support and fixation.

[0066] <Configuration Example of Rod-Shaped Piece 7> When the multiple rod-shaped pieces 7 constituting the coil portion 3 are arranged in a circumferential line, adjacent rod-shaped pieces 7 can engage with each other at their protrusions 71 a and recesses 72 a, and first slit-shaped gaps 73 and second slit-shaped gaps 74 can be formed between the adjacent rod-shaped pieces 7 (so as to obtain a magnetic field generation function), and the shape, number of rod-shaped pieces 7, processing method, etc. can be appropriately set depending on, for example, the target electrode 2. For example, the rod-shaped pieces 7 may simply have a shape extending in the axial direction, or may have an inclined shape or an arc shape as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0067] The convex portion 71 a may simply have a shape that protrudes to one side in the circumferential direction of the coil, or may have a shape that protrudes in a direction that is inclined toward the electrode opposing direction (diagonally upward to the right in FIG. 2 ) like the electrode 2 a in FIG. 2 , or a shape that protrudes in a direction that is inclined to the opposite electrode opposing direction (diagonally upward to the right in FIG. 2 ) like the electrode 2 a in FIG. 2 .

[0068] The recess 72a may also be simply recessed on one side in the circumferential direction of the coil, or may be recessed in a direction inclined toward the electrode opposing direction (diagonally upward to the right in FIG. 2 ) as in the electrode 2a in FIG. 2 , or recessed in a direction inclined toward the opposite electrode opposing direction (diagonally upward to the right in FIG. 2 ) as in the electrode 2a in FIG. 2 .

[0069] The rod-shaped piece 7 can be formed by various processing methods, such as by appropriately processing a columnar metal member (punching, wire processing, cutting, polishing, etc.), by appropriately molding a metal material, or by bending, etc. as necessary.

[0070] For example, a design example in which a plurality of rod-shaped pieces 7 as shown in FIG. 4 are created and the rod-shaped pieces 7 are used to form the coil portion 3 as shown in FIG. 3 can be designed to satisfy the following formulas (1) to (4). In the formulas (1) to (4), Do is the outer diameter of the coil portion 3 in the radial direction of the coil, Di is the inner diameter of the coil portion 3 in the radial direction of the coil, N is the number of rod-shaped pieces 7 (the number divided in the circumferential direction of the coil; 29 in FIG. 3), s is the slit width of each of the first slit-shaped gap 73 and the second slit-shaped gap 74, and h is the dimension in the axial direction of the coil portion 3. θ is the rotation angle θ (rad) around the axis 30 shown in FIG. 3, t' is the dimension in the radial direction of the coil shown in FIG. 3, and L', ΔL', d', s', and D' are the dimensions shown in FIG. 4.

[0071]

[0072]

[0073]

[0074]

[0075] In these equations (1) to (4), by appropriately setting the rotation angle θ to be large, it is possible to lengthen the rod-shaped piece 7 in the circumferential direction of the coil, and accordingly, it is possible to similarly lengthen the first slit-shaped gap 73 and the second slit-shaped gap 74 in the circumferential direction.

[0076] <Example of engagement between adjacent rod-shaped pieces 7> When adjacent rod-shaped pieces 7 are to be engaged with each other by fitting the protruding tip 71b side of the convex portion 71a of the other adjacent rod-shaped piece 7 into the concave portion 72a of one of the adjacent rod-shaped pieces 7 (hereinafter simply referred to as an engaged state), the convex portion 71a and the concave portion 72a can be brazed using a brazing material 75 as described below.

[0077] 5 and 6, the axial dimension of the convex portion 71a is set smaller than the axial dimension of the concave portion 72a. That is, when the adjacent rod-shaped pieces 7 are engaged with each other, an excess space 76 is provided between the convex portion 71a and the concave portion 72a. This makes it possible to place a brazing material 75 in the excess space 76 before engaging the adjacent rod-shaped pieces 7.

[0078] An example of brazing adjacent rod-shaped pieces 7 together using the brazing material 75 placed in the excess space 76 in this manner is to carry out the brazing material placement process, assembly process, and melting process in that order as shown below.

[0079] First, in the brazing material placement step, when assembling a plurality of rod-shaped pieces 7 in a line in the circumferential direction, brazing material 75 is placed in advance in the region of the excess space 76 between adjacent rod-shaped pieces 7. Thereafter, in the assembling step, the recessed portion 72a of one of the adjacent rod-shaped pieces 7 is fitted with the protruding tip portion 71b of the protruding portion 71a of the other adjacent rod-shaped piece 7 to establish an engaged state, thereby obtaining an assembly in which a plurality of rod-shaped pieces 7 are assembled in a line in the circumferential direction (for example, an assembly having a shape similar to that of the coil portion 3 shown in FIG. 3 ; hereinafter, simply referred to as a rod-shaped piece 7 assembly).

[0080] Next, in the melting step, the brazing material 75 is heated to a molten state, for example, by placing the rod-shaped piece 7 assembly in a heating furnace. The molten brazing material 75 then penetrates widely between the protrusions 71 a and the recesses 72 a (between the engagement surfaces) by, for example, capillary action, and then cools down and solidifies. This results in the protrusions 71 a and the recesses 72 a being brazed together.

[0081] When the brazing material 75 is brought into a molten state in the melting process, the positioning orientation of the rod-shaped piece 7 assembly (for example, the positioning orientation in a heating furnace) is not particularly limited, but if the top-to-bottom direction of the rod-shaped piece 7 assembly is the same as the vertical direction shown in Figures 5 and 6 (hereinafter simply referred to as the top-to-bottom direction), the brazing material 75 in the molten state tends to flow downward as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0082] For example, in the case of the rod-shaped piece 7 shown in Figure 5, the recess 72a is recessed diagonally downward as shown in the figure, so even if the rod-shaped piece 7 assembly is in the vertical direction as shown in Figure 5 during the melting process, the molten brazing material 75 is likely to remain within the recess 72a.

[0083] On the other hand, in the case of the rod-shaped piece 7 shown in Fig. 6, a claw portion 71d is provided between the base portion 71c and the tip end 71b of the protruding portion 71a, protruding outward from the outer periphery of the protruding portion 71a (protruding upward in the vertical direction in Fig. 6). As a result, the brazing material 75 placed in the excess space 76 is located between the claw portion 71d and the bottom portion 72b of the recessed portion 72a. Even if the rod-shaped piece 7 assembly is in the vertical direction in Fig. 6 during the melting process, the molten brazing material 75 tends to remain in the recessed portion 72a.

[0084] <Configuration example of electrode 2> In the case of the electrodes 2a and 2b shown in Figure 2, each rod-shaped piece 7 extends in the same Z-winding direction relative to the axial direction, thereby forming a so-called vertical magnetic field electrode configuration, but this is not limited to this.

[0085] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the rod-shaped piece 7 of one of the electrodes 2a, 2b (electrode 2a in the case of FIG. 7) may extend in an S-winding direction relative to the axial direction, thereby enabling a so-called contiguous electrode configuration.

[0086] <Configuration Examples of Contact Portion 4, Adapter Portion 5, and Reinforcing Portion 6> The contact portion 4 may be configured to obtain a desired magnetic field generation function, similar to the coil portion 3. As a specific example, as shown in Patent Documents 1 to 4, a plurality of slit holes extending in the radial direction and penetrating the thickness direction (axial direction) of the contact portion 4 are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the contact portion 4.

[0087] The adapter part 5 may be configured in various ways as long as it can support the open end surface 34 on the back side (opposite the facing direction) of the coil part 3 on the current-carrying shaft 12. For example, in the case of the adapter part 5 shown in the figure, the center part of the adapter part 5 is configured to be supported by the current-carrying shaft 12.

[0088] The reinforcing portion 6 may be configured to reinforce the electrode 2 by, for example, surface-joining the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 60 to the inner peripheral surface of the coil portion 3 (the surface 7a side of the rod-shaped piece 7), and various forms can be applied.

[0089] This reinforcing portion 6 is not an essential component of the electrode 2, and can be omitted as appropriate, for example, if the electrode 2 has a certain level of mechanical strength, etc., and the desired electrode characteristics (mechanical characteristics, electrical characteristics, etc.) are obtained.

[0090] Although the present invention has been described in detail above only with respect to the specific examples, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention, and it is natural that such modifications fall within the scope of the claims.

[0091] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A...Vacuum interrupter 2a...Fixed electrode, 12a...Fixed-side current-carrying shaft 2b...Movable electrode, 12b...Movable-side current-carrying shaft 3...Coil portion 4...Contact portion 5...Adapter portion 6...Reinforcing portion 7...Rod-shaped piece, 71a...Convex portion, 71b...Tip portion in protruding direction, 71c...Root portion, 71d...Claw portion, 72a...Concave portion, 72b...Bottom portion, 73...First slit-shaped gap, 74...Second slit-shaped gap, 75...Brazing material, 76...Excess space

Claims

1. A vacuum vessel comprising an insulating cylindrical body, a pair of electrodes arranged so as to be able to contact and separate from each other in the axial direction of the cylindrical body, and a pair of current-carrying shafts supporting each of the electrodes on opposite sides of the opposing direction, wherein each of the electrodes has a cylindrical coil section extending in the axial direction, a contact section provided at an opening of the coil section on the opposing side, and an adapter section provided on the opposite side of the coil section in the opposing direction and supported by the current-carrying shaft, wherein the coil section comprises a plurality of rod-shaped pieces divided in the circumferential direction of the coil section, and adjacent rod-shaped pieces in the circumferential direction engage with each other to form a cylindrical shape as a whole, and the rod-shaped pieces have a shape extending in the axial direction, and a convex section protruding to one side in the circumferential direction is provided at the center of one end face of the rod-shaped piece on one side in the circumferential direction, the convex section having a shape protruding to one side in the circumferential direction, an electrode structure characterized in that a recessed portion recessed toward one side in the circumferential direction is provided at a central position in the axial direction of the other end face of the rod-shaped piece, which is on the other side in the circumferential direction; adjacent pieces engage with each other by having the tip end side of the protrusion in the protruding direction of the other adjacent piece fitted into the recessed portion of one of the adjacent pieces; and between the adjacent pieces, there are provided: a first slit-shaped gap extending from the protrusion in the opposing direction and penetrating in the radial direction of the coil portion; and a second slit-shaped gap extending from the protrusion to the opposite side in the opposing direction and penetrating in the radial direction of the coil portion.

2. The electrode structure according to claim 1, wherein said rod-shaped piece extends in said axial direction while tilting from said axial direction toward said circumferential direction.

3. The electrode structure according to claim 1, wherein said rod-shaped piece has an arc shape that extends in said axial direction while rotating in said circumferential direction.

4. The electrode structure according to claim 1, wherein said rod-shaped piece extends in a Z-winding direction relative to said axial direction.

5. An electrode structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the rod-shaped piece of one of the electrodes extends in a Z-winding direction relative to the axial direction, and the rod-shaped piece of the other of the electrodes extends in an S-winding direction relative to the axial direction.

6. An electrode structure according to claim 1, wherein the adjacent protrusions and recesses are brazed together via a brazing material placed in the excess space between the protrusions and recesses.

7. An electrode structure according to claim 6, characterized in that a claw portion projecting outward from the outer periphery of the protrusion is provided between the base of the protrusion and the tip in the protruding direction.

8. A vacuum interrupter comprising the electrode structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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