Electrical contactor comprising a device for extinguishing an electric arc by arc lengthening

Abstract

The invention relates to a contactor (1) comprising a contact chamber (23), a double electrical contact (3) in the contact chamber (23) which is movable between an open position and a closed position, and a device for extinguishing an electric arc by arc lengthening, the device comprising: - a stack of insulating walls (51a) spaced apart from one another so as to form a space (52a) between each adjacent insulating wall (51a), wherein a plurality of the insulating walls (51a) are made of polyamide-based thermoplastic; - at least one magnetic field emitter positioned against a face of a peripheral wall (2b, 2d) generating a constant-direction magnetic force in the contact chamber (23) in order to move an electric arc towards the first extinguishing zone (5a), wherein the arc appears as the double contact (3) moves between the closed state and the open state when a current flows in a first direction of current flow through the double contact.

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE: Electrical contactor including an arc-extinguishing device by extension TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of high voltage direct current contactors in the aeronautical field and more particularly that of high voltage direct current contactors comprising an electric arc extinguishing device allowing the electric arc to be lengthened until the electric arc is extinguished.

[0002] The present invention relates to a high-voltage DC contactor with two electrical contacts, comprising an arc-extinguishing device that allows the electric arc to be extended until it is extinguished. More particularly, the present invention relates to the arc-extinguishing device of such a contactor. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) is a voltage used with power electronics technology to reduce current and therefore losses for supplying a load at the same power compared to low voltage direct current.

[0004] High-voltage direct current (HVDC) contactors are typically double-contact, with two electrical contacts that establish, maintain, and break an electrically conductive connection for continuous currents at voltages usually ranging from 270 to 3000 volts, as seen in aerospace and automotive applications. When the contacts separate, electrical arcs occur, resulting in high thermal stresses and difficulties in extinguishing the electrical connection. These problems are even more critical at higher voltages. Furthermore, in aerospace applications, where the contactor chamber is not airtight at high altitudes, the arc length must be greater at a given voltage to achieve successful interruption; therefore, the distance between the moving and fixed contacts may be insufficient.It is therefore necessary to add arc flash extinguishing devices to extinguish them quickly.

[0005] Typically, in modern contactors, the arc-quenching device includes at least one arc-quenching chamber in which each arc is displaced by a magnetic field towards arc-quenching fin blocks of the arc-quenching device. This displacement of each arc is achieved through the Laplace electromagnetic force. Each arc-quenching block has a plurality of stacked fins spaced apart to break the arc into several arcs, each traveling in a different fin within the same arc-quenching block. Breaking the arc increases the arc voltage and thus extinguishes it. Each fin is electrically conductive and therefore needs to be insulated by being sufficiently far from the contactor contacts. The arc-quenching chamber is generally located away from a contact chamber in which the double contacts are housed.DC contactors are equipped with an electrical plate called a switching plate, arc guide, or deflector, which begins near the first contact point and extends to the first or last fin of the arc-quenching device. This distance from the arc-quenching chamber and the switching plates results in additional weight and an increase in the contactor's size.

[0006] On low-current contactors (approximately 10 amps), the maximum breaking current is typically greater than 100A. It is also known that for these low-current contactors, ceramic plates are used in the extinguishing chamber instead of conductive fins to extend the electric arc from the switching plate rather than breaking it. However, these ceramic plates significantly increase the weight.

[0007] Current solutions are therefore unsatisfactory. There is a need for an arc flash suppression device that is as lightweight and compact as possible for a small-gauge HVDC contactor without increasing the contactor's mass and size. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The invention offers a solution to the problems mentioned above, by allowing the size of the electric arc in the cutting chamber to be increased using insulating walls and magnets.

[0009] While previous solutions required a person skilled in the art to cut or extend the electric arc to direct it to an area far from the breaking chamber, necessitating the movement of the electric arc using a conductive plate also called a deflector or arc guide, the solution of the invention, on the contrary, consists of extending the electric arc in an area close to the breaking chamber. Thus, the contactor is compact.

[0010] One aspect of the invention relates to a DC contactor comprising: a housing including: at least one peripheral wall of a contact chamber of the housing, an upper wall and a lower wall opposite each other joining at least one peripheral wall covering the contact chamber of the housing, a double electrical contact in the contact chamber including, a first fixed contact, a second fixed contact and a movable electrical bridge between a closed position and an open position, characterized in that it further includes an arc-extinguishing device by arc-lengthening located in the contact chamber including: a first extinction zone located between the upper wall and the lower wall, including a stack of electrically spaced insulating walls forming a space between each adjacent insulating wall,in which several insulating walls are made of polyamide-based thermoplastic, at least one magnetic field emitter positioned against a peripheral wall generating a magnetic force of constant direction in the contact chamber to move an electric arc towards the first extinction zone, appearing upon movement of the moving bridge from the closed position to the, open position when current flows in the first direction of current flow in the double contact

[0011] Thanks to the stack of electrically insulating walls extending into the contact chamber and the magnet directing the electric arc towards these walls, the electric arc includes sections extending between each gap formed between two electrically insulating walls, thus lengthening the arc until it extinguishes. An additional effect is achieved through the material of the insulating walls, which contributes to arc cooling. Indeed, the polyamide-based thermoplastic, upon contact with an electric arc, produces outgassing of the plastic material, which cools the arc, and an increase in pressure in the breaking zone. These two phenomena are conducive to the breaking of the electric arc.

[0012] Thus, by increasing the electric arc through the insulating plates in an extinction zone opposite the double contact, the contactor according to the invention advantageously allows the electric arc to be neutralized, without having to manifestly increase the volume or mass of said contactor.

[0013] In one embodiment, the arc-extinguishing device comprises a second extinguishing zone located in the contact chamber opposite the first extinguishing zone. The double electrical contact is situated between the first and second extinguishing zones. The second extinguishing zone comprises a stack of insulating walls spaced apart between the upper and lower walls, forming a gap between each adjacent insulating wall. Several insulating walls in this second zone are made of polyamide-based thermoplastic. This allows the arc to be cut on both sides of the moving bridge.

[0014] In one embodiment, the insulating walls have a free edge opposite the double contact. The fact that each insulating wall has a free edge opposite the double electrical contact allows for a contactor without a conductive plate of the deflector type that would direct the electric arc to the extinction zone.

[0015] According to one embodiment, each insulating wall includes a free edge, of which: at least one insulating wall includes its free edge opposite the two fixed contacts, at least one insulating wall includes its free edge opposite the moving bridge in the closed position and at least one insulating wall includes its free edge opposite the moving bridge in the open position.

[0016] The fact that insulating walls include a free edge opposite the double electrical contact, some of which are opposite the two fixed contacts, allows on the one hand to have a contactor without a conductive plate of the deflector type bringing the electric arc to the extinction zone and on the other hand to have a single block of wall operating in the event of an electric arc forming between the moving bridge and either the first or the second fixed contact.

[0017] In one embodiment, the insulating walls are appendages, each extending at least one internal surface of a peripheral wall of the housing, and are made of the same material as the insulating walls. This allows the insulating walls and a peripheral wall to be made in a single unit, thus simplifying and reducing the cost of the contactor.

[0018] According to an example of this embodiment, the housing comprises: an external block including the upper wall and an internal block mounted in the external block including the lower wall, at least one peripheral wall, and the insulating walls.

[0019] This allows the insulating walls and part of the casing to be made in a single block, thus simplifying and making the contactor less expensive.

[0020] According to one embodiment, each insulating plate comprises a free edge located: opposite the entire length of an edge of the moving bridge and opposite the first and second electrical contacts; the first magnetic field emitter is located against a peripheral wall situated opposite the first electrical contact and a second The magnetic field emitter is located against a peripheral wall situated opposite the second electrical contact.

[0021] This allows for a compact arc flash extinguishing device while still allowing the arc flash to expand as it moves towards the opposite fixed contact.

[0022] By an element or edge opposite another element or edge, we mean that there is only a space between the two elements or edges. In other words, an element or edge of an element that is opposite another element or edge can be seen from the other element or edge.

[0023] In one embodiment, the height of the stack of insulating walls, measured along a first direction between one end of the stack at the level of the first insulating wall and an opposite end of the last insulating wall, corresponds, to within ±10%, to a height measured in the contact chamber along the first direction between one end of the moving electrical bridge and an opposite end of the first or second fixed contact. This optimizes the overall footprint while simultaneously maximizing the enlargement of the electric arc by the insulating plates.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the movable bridge comprises a U-shaped section, the upper wall comprising a central area including: a projecting recess in the contact chamber corresponding to the shape of the internal part of the U-shaped section of the movable bridge to guide it during its movement between the open and closed positions, a central opening inside the recess, an actuator comprising a second housing forming an actuator chamber mounted on the first housing on the upper wall side, and a control rod in the actuator chamber passing through the central opening, attached to or integral with the movable bridge for the to move from a closed position to an open position and vice versa.

[0025] This allows, on the one hand, the mobile bridge to be guided and, on the other hand, the U-shaped profile to be used to have a surface of the mobile bridge facing the extinction zone.

[0026] According to a particular feature of this embodiment, the first insulating wall of the battery has its free edge facing a surface of the moving bridge in the open position. This makes it possible to increase the distance of the electric arc while optimizing the sizing of the contactor.

[0027] In one embodiment, the insulating walls are parallel to each other. This allows for easy fabrication of the insulating walls, for example by molding with at least one peripheral wall.

[0028] According to a variant of the previous embodiment, in which the insulating walls of the first and / or second extinguishing zone are inclined relative to each other and each converge towards a movement zone of the moving bridge.

[0029] According to one embodiment, each insulating wall comprises a free edge located in a cylinder having an internal concave curvature on the side of the moving bridge and a convex curvature on the side of the peripheral wall.

[0030] According to one embodiment, each free edge of each insulating wall of one or both of the extinction zones forms at least one notch, the corresponding free edges being superimposed with the notches staggered.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the periphery of the housing comprises a single-piece piece made of polyamide-based thermoplastic, including: a first peripheral wall, a second peripheral wall, and a fourth peripheral wall opposite the second peripheral wall, each contiguous with the first peripheral wall; and the insulating walls of the first extinguishing zone having the shape of rectangular plates parallel to each other, including a free edge, each extending from an internal surface of a first peripheral wall to their free edge and on the other hand from the second peripheral wall to the fourth peripheral wall.

[0032] This shape reduces the overall size by following the shape of the movable bridge.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the case is a rectangular parallelepiped in which the number of peripheral walls is four.

[0034] According to a variant of this embodiment, the casing is cylindrical and comprises a single peripheral wall.

[0035] The previously described geometric features advantageously allow the electric arc to be enlarged compared to a contactor of the same dimensions under the same current, while minimizing the mass and volume of the contactor.

[0036] According to a particular feature of this invention, the contactor is devoid of an additional part attached to the housing serving as an arc deflector as in the prior art, which generally extend from the arc extinction zone towards the moving bridge.

[0037] In addition to the characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, the contactor according to one aspect of the invention may have one or more additional characteristics from among the following, considered individually or in all technically possible combinations: In the closed position of the moving bridge, the first and second moving contacts are in contact with the first and second fixed contacts respectively, and in the open position of the moving bridge, the first and second moving contacts are at a distance from the first and second fixed contacts respectively; Within the same arc extinction zone, the insulating walls are in the form of stacked fins, spaced apart and parallel; Each arc flash extinction zone comprises a first insulating wall opposite the moving electrical bridge in the open position and a final electrical wall opposite each fixed contact; The maximum distance between two adjacent insulating walls is between 1 mm and 4 mm. The maximum distance between the insulating wall closest to the moving bridge in the open position and the moving bridge is between 3 mm and 8 mm. The maximum distance between the insulating wall closest to the first fixed contact and the moving bridge is between 3 mm and 8 mm. The lower wall has a first and a second orifice, each traversed respectively by a first fixed stud and a second fixed stud, each comprising respectively the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact. The lower wall has insulating separation walls between the first and second fixed pads and a central orifice through which the control rod passes to guide it.

[0038] The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0039] The figures are presented for illustrative purposes only and are in no way limiting to the invention.

[0040] [Fig. 1] is a schematic cross-sectional view of part of a contactor according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0041] [Fig. 2A] is a schematic cross-sectional view along axis ll of figure 1 of the contactor according to the first embodiment.

[0042] [Fig. 2B] is a schematic view along a section ll-ll of the contactor of figure 1.

[0043] [Fig. 3A] is a cross-sectional view along the lll-lll axis of figure 2B of a part of the contactor according to the first embodiment.

[0044] [Fig. 3B] is a cross-sectional view along axis IV-IV of figure 2B of a part of the contactor according to the first embodiment.

[0045] [Fig. 4A] is a cross-sectional view along the lll-lll axis of figure 2B of a part of the contactor according to the first embodiment.

[0046] [Fig. 4B] is a cross-sectional view along axis IV-IV of figure 2B of a part of the contactor according to the first embodiment.

[0047] [Fig. 5a] schematically represents a cross-sectional view of an extinction zone of an arc-blowing device of a contactor according to a second example of the first embodiment.

[0048] [Fig. 5b] schematically represents a cross-sectional view of an extinction zone of an arc-blowing device of a contactor according to a third example of the first embodiment.

[0049] [Fig. 6] schematically represents a perspective view of an extinction zone of an arc-blowing device of a contactor according to a first example of a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] The figures are presented for illustrative purposes only and are in no way limiting to the invention.

[0051] Figures 1 to 4B show different cross-sections of different parts of a contactor 1 according to a first example of a first embodiment. The invention relates in particular to the part where a contact chamber 23 of the contactor 1 is located, as shown in each figure 1 to 4B.

[0052] The double-break contactor 1 of the invention is preferably a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) contactor. However, the principle of the invention can be adapted to any type of contactor, including all switches and circuit breakers in which electric arcs are likely to be generated.

[0053] In a conventional manner, the contactor 1 of the invention comprises a housing 2 having at least one peripheral wall 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d delimiting the contact chamber 23. In this case, the housing 2 has a shape substantially that of a rectangular parallelepiped and therefore comprises four peripheral walls, designated: a first, a second, a third, and a fourth peripheral wall 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, extending to one another along a lateral edge forming between them one of the four internal corners of the contact chamber 23 of the housing 2. In other words, the first peripheral wall 2a is opposite the third peripheral wall 2c and is contiguous by a first and second lateral edge to the second wall, respectively. peripheral 2b and the fourth peripheral wall 2d referenced in figures 2A to 4B. Figure 1 represents a cross-section of a part of the contactor 1 located in the middle of the first and third peripheral walls 2a, 2c, oriented towards an internal surface of the second peripheral wall 2d.

[0054] Of course, the shape of case 2 may have more or fewer than 4 peripheral walls, for example only one if it has a cylindrical shape.

[0055] The housing 2 further comprises an upper wall 2f and a lower wall 2e opposed to each other by joining at least the peripheral wall, in this case the four peripheral walls 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, covering the contact chamber 23 of the housing 2.

[0056] Optionally, in this example, the housing 2 includes an external block 20 comprising the upper wall 2f and four side walls 20a, 20c, of which only two are visible in Figure 1, an external lower wall 20e, and an upper actuator wall 20f. The external block 20 includes an actuator chamber 26 delimited on one side by the upper wall 2f and the upper actuator wall 20, and on the other side by the four side walls 20a, 20b, of which only two are referenced and visible in Figure 1. The actuator is not shown but may be electromagnetic, hydraulic, or pneumatic. The housing 2 in this example includes an internal block mounted within the external block comprising the lower wall 2e and the four peripheral walls 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d.In this example, the internal block, as shown in Figures 2A to 4B, is formed by two half-shells joined together at a peripheral wall, specifically in the middle of the first 2a and the third peripheral wall 2c. In this example, the external block is also formed by two half-shells, each mounted on a half-shell of the internal block, thus covering the internal block.

[0057] The contactor 1 further includes a double electrical contact 3 located in the contact chamber 23. The double electrical contact 3 comprises a first fixed contact 30a, a second fixed contact 30b, and a movable electrical bridge 31 that can be positioned between a closed and an open position. The actuator (not shown) includes a control rod 36 that moves the electrical bridge between the open and closed positions. The movable electrical bridge 31 comprises a first movable contact 31a and a second movable contact 31b opposite each other in the open position. and in contact in closed position, respectively with the first and second fixed contacts 30a, 30b. The mobile electrical bridge 31 has in this example a first plate in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and at least two walls extending each from a longitudinal edge of the first plate towards the upper wall 2f, as seen in Figure 2B representing a section of the internal block of the housing 2 according to the section ll-ll shown in Figure 1.

[0058] The double contact 3 includes a first and second pad, each passing through the lower wall 3f, as can be seen in figures 3A to 4B, each respectively comprising the first and second fixed contacts 31a, 31b. For example, the first and second pads are mounted during the assembly of the two half-shells.

[0059] Depending on how the contactor 1 is electrically connected, one of the fixed terminals, in this case the first fixed terminal 3a, is a positive pole terminal while the other (here the second fixed terminal 3b) is a negative pole terminal as seen in figure 2A representing a cross-section of the internal block of the housing 2 according to the cross-section 11 shown in figure 1. In the figures, the first fixed terminal 24a is a positive pole terminal while the second fixed terminal 24b is a negative pole terminal.

[0060] When the moving bridge 31 is in the closed position, a current / moves from the first fixed contact 30a in contact with the first moving contact 31 a to the second fixed contact 30b in contact with the second moving contact 31 b through the moving bridge 30. Of course, the electrical flow of the current / can be reversed so that the current / moves from the second fixed contact 30b to the first fixed contact 30a through the moving bridge 31.

[0061] Figures 1 to 4B show the movable bridge 31 in the open position. When the movable bridge 31 is opened, the moving contacts 31a, 31b gradually move away from the fixed contacts 30a, 30b, and a first electric arc 8a is likely to appear between the first moving contact 31a and the first fixed contact 30a, while a second electric arc 8b is likely to appear between the second moving contact 31b and the second fixed contact 30b. Figures 3A and 4A each show a cross-section of the internal block of the housing 2 along the section 1ll-1ll shown in Figure 2B, where the first electric arc 8a, which has just formed in Figure 3A and will be extinguished in Figure 4A, is shown in black. Figures 3B and 4B each represent a cross-section of the internal block of the housing 2 according to the IV-IV cross-section shown in figure 2B, of which the second electric arc 8b is shown in black, which has just formed in figure 3B and will go out in figure 4B.

[0062] In order to quickly extinguish these electric arcs 8a, 8b in a conventional manner, the contactor 1 of the invention includes an electric arc extinguishing device 5, referenced in figures 3B and 4B, designed to lengthen each electric arc 8a, 8b.

[0063] This arc blowing device 5 includes a first extinction zone 5a located between the upper wall 2f and the lower wall 2e, housed in the contact chamber 23 opposite the fixed contacts 30a, 30b and the movable electrical bridge 31.

[0064] The first extinguishing zone 5a comprises a stack of electrically insulating walls 51a spaced apart, forming a gap 52a between each adjacent insulating wall 51a. The insulating walls 51a, 51b of each zone are made of polyamide-based thermoplastic. This material contributes to arc cooling, thereby cooling the cutoff gas flow. Indeed, this specific material, upon contact with the electric arc 8a, 8b, produces outgassing of the plastic, which cools the electric arc, and an increase in pressure within the contact chamber 23. These two phenomena are conducive to the interruption of the electric arc 8a, 8b.

[0065] Each insulating wall 51a includes a free edge 510a opposite the double electrical contact 3. The insulating walls 51a are in this example, located close to the double electrical contact 3, such that the distance between each free edge 510a and the first fixed contact 30a and the second fixed contact 30b are in this example each shorter than the smallest distance measured between the first fixed contact 30a and the second fixed contact 30b.

[0066] In this embodiment, the arc-blowing device 5 includes a second extinguishing zone 5b located in the contact chamber 23 opposite the first extinguishing zone 5a. The second extinguishing zone 5b is similar to the first extinguishing zone 5a; here, it is symmetrical to the first extinguishing zone 5a with respect to a plane transverse to the moving bridge 23. The second extinguishing zone 5b therefore comprises a stack of insulating walls 51b located between the upper wall 2f and the lower wall 2e, housed within the contact chamber 23, of which each insulating wall 51 b opposite the fixed contacts 30a, 30b and the mobile electrical bridge 31.

[0067] The arc-extinguishing device 5 includes at least one magnetic field-emitting device 4a, 4b with a constant direction, generating a magnetic force. This magnetic field-emitting device 4a, 4b may, for example, include one or more magnets and / or one or more coils; in this case, it is a magnet. The magnetic force generated by the magnetic field-emitting device 4a, 4b exerts a Laplace electromagnetic force on each electric arc 8a, 8b, displacing it in the direction and towards the corresponding arc-extinguishing zone 5a, 5b. Optionally, as shown in Figure 1, the moving bridge 31 includes a U-shaped section whose first and second edges are opposite one of the insulating walls 51a, 51b, in this case, the first insulating walls 51a, 51b of the stack of the first and second extinction zones 5a, 5b, respectively.

[0068] In this case, the contactor 1 includes a first magnetic field emitter 4a located in a first housing of the casing 2 formed by the fourth peripheral wall 2d located opposite the first fixed electrical contact 30a so as to move an electric arc in the direction and towards the first arc-quenching zone 5a. In this case, the contactor 1 includes a second magnetic field emitter 4b located opposite the first magnetic field emitter 4a in a second housing of the casing 2 formed by the second peripheral wall 2b located opposite the second fixed electrical contact 30b.

[0069] Thus, in this example, each half-shell includes a housing for a magnet forming the magnetic field emitter 4a, 4b, as seen in Figures 2A and 2B. The internal block of the housing 2 further comprises a first side wall 21d and a second side wall 21b, each joining the opposite ends of two portions of the first and third peripheral walls 2a, 2c, extending respectively on the first and second sides beyond the second and fourth peripheral walls 2b, 2d. The first housing is delimited on one side by the fourth peripheral wall 2d and the first side wall 21d, and on the other side by the two portions on the first side of the first and third peripheral walls 2a, 2c. The second housing is delimited on one side by the second peripheral wall 2b and the second lateral wall 21b and on the other hand between the two portions of the second side of the first and third peripheral wall 2a, 2c.

[0070] Each arc-quenching zone 5a, 5b comprises two extinction chambers, one opposite the first fixed contact 50a and the other opposite the second fixed contact 50b. The insulating walls 51a, 51b of each arc-quenching zone 5a, 5b are parallel and, depending on the direction of the current, are designed by each magnetic field-emitting device 4a, 4b to enlarge each arc 8a, 8b by forming waves as shown in Figures 4A, 4B. These waves thus lengthen each arc 8a, 8b until it is extinguished.

[0071] In this example, the insulating walls 51a, 51b are appendages extending each from at least one internal surface of one of the peripheral walls of the housing 2. In this first embodiment, each free edge 510a of the insulating walls 51a, 51b are straight.

[0072] In this first example, the insulating walls 51 a, 51 b of the first and second extinction zone 5a, 5b each have a rectangular plate shape parallel to each other extending: along a width of an internal surface of respectively the first and third peripheral wall 2a, 2c to their free edge 510a and along a length by connecting each a second peripheral wall 2b to a fourth peripheral wall 2d opposite to each other.

[0073] In this example, the insulating walls 51a of the first arc-extinguishing zone 5a extend from the first peripheral wall 2a.

[0074] In this example, the insulating walls 51 a are each formed in two parts according to the two half-shells forming the first peripheral wall 2a.

[0075] In this example, the insulating walls 51b of the second arc extinction zone 5b extend from the third peripheral wall 2c. In this case, they are like those of the first arc extinction zone 5a, formed in two parts by the two half-shells.

[0076] According to this first example, the free edges 510a of the insulating walls 51a of the first arc-extinguishing zone 5a are in the same foreground plane and the free edges 510a of the second arc-extinguishing zone of the walls Insulating elements 51a and 51b are in the same second plane. In particular, the first plane is parallel to the second plane. Specifically, the first and second planes are parallel to the direction of movement of the mobile electrical bridge 31.

[0077] In another example, each insulating wall 51a, 51b of the first or second arc-quenching zone 5a, 5b is monolithic (in one piece) and extends from a single monolithic peripheral wall. For example, some of the insulating walls 51a, 51b extend from part of the first or third peripheral wall 2a, 2c of one of the two half-shells, and others from the other part of the first peripheral wall 2a, 2c of the other half-shell. In yet another example, some or all extend from the second peripheral wall 2b or the fourth peripheral wall 2d, preferably by coming into contact with the inner surface of the first peripheral wall 2a.

[0078] Thus in this example, the internal block is also made of polyamide-based thermoplastic.

[0079] In this embodiment, each stack comprises four insulating walls 51a, 51b such that the first insulating wall 51a, 51b of the stack is opposite the moving bridge 31 in the closed position, and the last insulating wall 51a, 51b of the stack is opposite an edge of the first and second pads 3a, 3b in the contact chamber 23. Each longitudinal edge of each insulating wall 51a, 51b is opposite an edge of the moving bridge and of the first and second pads 3a, 3b. In this example, the maximum distance between the insulating wall closest to the moving bridge in the open position and the moving bridge is 5 mm. In this case, each free edge of each insulating wall is aligned in a plane parallel to the direction of movement of the moving bridge. The maximum distance between the insulating wall closest to the first fixed contact and the moving bridge is therefore also 5 mm. The same applies to the second fixed contact.In this case, each value of the space height 52b, 52a between two insulating walls 51a, 5b is identical. Thus, the height of the stack of insulating walls 51a, 51b of each extinction zone 5a, 5b, measured along a first direction between one end of the stack at the level of the first insulating wall 51a, 51b of the stack and an opposite end of the last insulating wall 51a, 51b of the same stack, corresponds to within + or - 10% a height measured in the contact chamber 23 along the first direction between one end of the moving electrical bridge 31 and an opposite end of the first fixed contact 30a or the second fixed contact 30b.

[0080] The value of the height between the upper wall 2f and the first insulating wall 51a, 51b is in this case the same + or - 10% as the value of the height of a space 52b, 52a between two insulating walls 51a, 5b. For example here the distance between two insulating walls 51a, 51b is 2mm.

[0081] The upper wall 2f includes a central area comprising: a projecting recess 23f corresponding to the shape of the internal part of the U-shaped section of the movable bridge 31 to guide it during its movement between the open and closed position, a central opening inside the recess 23f through which the control rod 36 passes.

[0082] Thanks to the invention, the electric arc(s) on each side of the moving bridge, if one or more arcs form, will, according to Laplace's law, travel towards the first or second extinction zone without the addition of any magnetic field. Under the magnetic field of the emitter, they will be deformed by the insulating walls 51a, 51b, entering each space 52a, 52b. Each electric arc 8a, 8b is naturally directed towards the other chamber of the extinction zone 5a, 5b, as shown in Figure 2B by the arrows 81. This displacement also increases the electric arc 8a, 8b until it is extinguished. Thus, it is important that each free edge 510a, 510b of the insulating walls 51a, 51b of each extinction zone 5a, 5b be opposite the double contact 3, with the distance between the two fixed contacts 30a, 30b being sufficient.

[0083] Figure 5a shows a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of an extinction zone 5a' of an arc-suppression device of a contactor according to a second example of the first embodiment. The arc-suppression device of a contactor according to a second example of the first embodiment is identical to the contactor of the first example except that the insulating walls 51a' of the first and / or second extinction zone 5a' are inclined relative to each other and converge (represented by dashed lines) each towards a zone of movement of the moving bridge. In particular, the insulating walls 51a' of the first and / or second extinction zone 5a, 5b converge towards a line in a plane perpendicular to the direction of movement of the moving bridge and passing through the zone of movement of the moving bridge (not shown). In particular, the insulating walls 51a' of the first and / or second extinction zone 5a' converge in a zone located between the moving bridge 31's displacement zone and the other extinction zone 5b, 5a. Thus, the fin inclination follows the curvature that the arc can take. This allows for better penetration of the arc inside the fins. In this example, the free edges 510a are all in the same plane, as in the first example.

[0084] More precisely, the insulating wall 51a' closest to the upper wall 2f, called the upper insulating wall 511a, is oriented towards a plane passing through the lower wall 2e at an angle between 5° and 20°. For example, the angle between the upper insulating wall 511a and the upper wall 2f is 10° (whereas in the first example they were parallel). In other words, the upper insulating wall 511a is inclined relative to the peripheral wall 2a at an angle of 100° measured from the side of the upper wall 2f. Thus, the distance between the upper wall 2f and the upper insulating wall 511a' increases progressively from the junction with the peripheral wall 2a towards the free edge 510a'.

[0085] The insulating wall 51a' adjacent to the upper insulating wall 511a, called the upper central wall 512a, is inclined relative to the upper insulating wall 511a, for example at an angle of 5°. In other words, the upper central wall 512a is inclined relative to the peripheral wall 2a at an angle of 95° measured from the side of the upper wall 2f (i.e., 85° from the side of the lower wall).

[0086] The insulating wall 51 a' closest to the lower wall 22, called the lower insulating wall 514a, is oriented with respect to the peripheral wall 2a at an angle of 80° measured from the side of the upper wall 2f (i.e., 100° from the side of the lower wall).

[0087] The insulating wall 51 a' adjacent to the lower insulating wall 514a, called the lower central wall 513a, is oriented with respect to the peripheral wall 2a at an angle of 85° measured from the side of the upper wall 2f.

[0088] The insulating walls 51 a' are thus, as in the first example, spaced from each other at equal distances at their junctions with the peripheral wall 2a.

[0089] Figure 5b shows a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of an extinction zone 5a” of an arc-blowing device of a contactor according to a third example of the first embodiment identical to the contactor of the second example except that the free edges 510a' of the insulating walls 51a” are in a cylinder having an internal concave curvature on the side of the moving bridge and a convex curvature on the side of the peripheral wall 2a. In particular, the lower insulating wall 514a' and the free edge 510a' of the upper insulating wall 511a' are in a different plane and closer to the moving bridge than the free edges 510a' of the other insulating walls 512a', 513a'. In other words, the lower and upper insulating walls 511a', 514a' are much closer to the moving bridge than the other insulating walls 512a', 513a'. This allows for gradual cooling of the arc and a longer elongation.

[0090] According to a fourth example of an arc-blowing device for a contactor of this embodiment, not shown, identical to the third example except that the insulating walls 51a' are parallel as in the first example described. The lower and upper insulating walls 511a', 514a' are, however, closer to the moving bridge than the other insulating walls 512a', 513a'. This still allows for gradual arc cooling and a longer arc length.An arc-blowing device for a contactor according to a second embodiment is identical to one of the examples of the first embodiment except that each free edge 510c of an insulating wall of one or both zones 5c (of one of the examples described previously) is not straight but each forms at least one notch 59, whose insulating walls 51c are superimposed with the notches 59 positioned in a staggered pattern, as in the example shown in perspective in Figure 6, where only the insulating walls 51c of one of the two extinction zones 5c are shown. This allows for a greater arc length. The arc must, in fact, zigzag from one notch root to another. By "the insulating walls 51c are superimposed with the notches 59 positioned in a staggered pattern" we mean that a notch bottom of an insulating wall is covered by and / or covers a surface of the adjacent insulating wall 51c.In other words, each insulating wall 51c includes a surface covering and / or covered by a notch bottom 59.

[0091] In particular, in this example each notch is V-shaped but could be wave-shaped or U-shaped. More precisely, each notch includes a portion 511c of the free edge 510c' that is longer than another portion 512c of the free edge 510c delimiting the notch 59. In this example, each free edge 510c comprises two notches 59.

[0092] In the various examples and embodiments, the extinction zones 5a, 5b, 5a', 5a”, 5c have four insulating walls 51 a, 51 b, 51a', 51 a” 51c but may have fewer, for example 3, or more, for example between 5 and 10 insulating walls.

[0093] Unless otherwise specified, the same element appearing on different figures has a unique reference.

Claims

DEMANDS

1. DC contactor (1) comprising: - a housing (2) comprising: o at least one peripheral wall (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) of a contact chamber (23) of the housing (2), o an upper wall (2f) and a lower wall (2e) opposite each other joining at least one peripheral wall (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) covering the contact chamber (23) of the housing (2), - a double electrical contact (3) in the contact chamber (23) comprising, a first fixed contact (30a), a second fixed contact (30b) and a movable electrical bridge (31) that can be moved between a closed position and an open position, - characterized in that it further comprises an arc-extinguishing device (5) by arc-lengthening located in the contact chamber (23) comprising: o a first extinction zone (5a) located between the upper wall (2f) and the lower wall (2e), comprising a stack of electrically insulating walls (51a) spaced apart from each other to form a gap (52a) between each adjacent insulating wall (51a), in which several insulating walls (51a) are made of polyamide-based thermoplastic, in which:

1. Each insulating wall (51a, 51b) includes a free edge (510a, 510b), of which:

2. at least one insulating wall (51 a, 51 b) includes its free edge (510a, 510b) opposite the two fixed contacts, 3. at least one insulating wall (51a, 51b) includes its free edge (510a, 510b) opposite the movable bridge in the closed position and 4. at least one insulating wall (51a, 51b) includes its free edge (510a, 510b) opposite the moving bridge in the open position. o at least one magnetic field emitter (4a, 4b) positioned against a peripheral wall (2b, 2d) generating a magnetic force of constant direction in the contact chamber (23) to move an electric arc (9, 10) towards the first extinction zone (5a), appearing when the moving bridge (31) moves from the closed position to the open position during current flow in a first direction of current flow in the double contact (3).

2. Contactor (1) according to claim 1, wherein the arc extinguishing device (5) comprises a second extinguishing zone (5b) located in the contact chamber (23) opposite the first extinguishing zone (5a), the double electrical contact (3) being located between the first extinguishing zone (5a) and the second extinguishing zone (5b), the second extinguishing zone (5b) comprising a stack of insulating walls (51b) spaced apart from each other between the upper wall (2f) and the lower wall (2e), forming a space (52b) between each neighboring insulating wall (51b), and wherein several insulating walls (51b) of this second zone are made of polyamide-based thermoplastic.

3. Contactor (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each free edge (510c) of each insulating wall (51c) of one or both of the extinction zones (5c) forms at least one notch (59), the corresponding free edges (51c) being superimposed with the notches (59) staggered.

4. Contactor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insulating walls (51 a, 51 b) are appendages extending each from at least one internal surface of a peripheral wall of the housing (2), and are of the same material as at least one peripheral wall (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d). [Claims] Contactor (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein each insulating wall (51a) comprises a free edge (510a) located in a cylinder having an internal concave curvature on the side of the movable bridge and a convex curvature on the side of the peripheral wall (2a). [Claims] Contactor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - each insulating wall (51 a) includes a free edge (510a) located: o opposite the entire length of an edge of the movable bridge (31 ) and o opposite the first electrical contact (3a) and the second electrical contact (3b), - the first magnetic field emitter (4a) is located against a peripheral wall (2b) situated opposite the first electrical contact (3a) and a second magnetic field emitter (4b) is located against a peripheral wall (2d) situated opposite the second electrical contact (3a).

7. Contactor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a height of the stack of insulating walls (51a, 51b) measured along a first direction between one end of the stack at the level of the first insulating wall (51a, 51b) of the stack and an opposite end of the last insulating wall (51a, 51b) of the stack, corresponds to within ±10% a height measured in the contact chamber along the first direction between one end of the moving electrical bridge (31) and an opposite end of the first fixed contact (30a) or the second fixed contact (30b). [Claims] Contactor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: - the movable bridge (31) includes a U-shaped section, - the upper wall (2f) includes a central area comprising: o a projecting indentation (23f) in the contact chamber (23) corresponding to the shape of the internal part of the U-shaped section of the movable bridge (31) to guide it during its movement between the open and closed positions, o a central opening inside the indentation, an actuator comprising o a second housing forming an actuator chamber (26) mounted on the first housing on the side of the upper wall (2f) and o a control rod (36) in the actuator chamber (26) passing through the central opening, attached or integral with the moving bridge (31) to move it from a closed position to an open position and vice versa.

9. Contactor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insulating walls (51 a, 51 b) are parallel to each other.

10. Contactor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the insulating walls (51 a, 51 b) of the first and / or second extinction zone (5a') are inclined relative to each other and each converge towards a movement zone of the moving bridge.

11. Contactor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the periphery of the housing (2) comprises a one-piece piece made of polyamide-based thermoplastic comprising: - a first peripheral wall (2a), - a second peripheral wall (2b) and a fourth peripheral wall (2d) opposite the second peripheral wall (2b), each being contiguous to the first peripheral wall (2a), and - the insulating walls (51 a) of the first extinction zone (5a) having a rectangular cross-section plate shape parallel to each other comprising a free edge (510a), extending each one on the one hand from an internal surface of a first peripheral wall (2a) to their free edge (510a) and on the other hand from the second peripheral wall (2b) to the fourth peripheral wall (2d).

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