Electric switch

Abstract

The present application provides an electric switch, at least comprising an insulating housing and internal components. The internal components at least comprise a thermal overload protection unit, an electromagnetic instantaneous protection unit, a trip unit, a movable contact, a fixed contact, and an operating mechanism. On at least two parts of the insulating housing and / or the internal components, a magnetically permeable body and / or a permanent magnet capable of generating magnetic attraction are correspondingly disposed. One of the correspondingly disposed magnetically permeable body and / or permanent magnet is a movable body, and the other is a fixed body. Magnetic attraction generated between the magnetically permeable body and / or the permanent magnet drives movement of at least one part on the trip unit, thereby directly or indirectly causing the switch to trip and cut off power.

Description

An electric switch

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application 202410839587.9 entitled "An Electric Switch" filed on June 26, 2024, and Chinese patent application 202411305673.8 entitled "An Electric Switch" filed on September 19, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application belongs to the field of low-voltage electrical technology, specifically relating to an electrical switch. Background Technology

[0004] Overload and short-circuit protection of switches is mainly achieved by thermal overload protection units and electromagnetic instantaneous protection units. Generally, electromagnetic instantaneous protection units are suitable for protecting against larger overload currents or short-circuit currents. They use the principle of an electromagnet to strike the switch tripping mechanism to quickly disconnect the fault. Thermal overload protection units are suitable for protecting against smaller overload currents. They utilize the different resistance characteristics and thermal expansion coefficients of bimetallic materials. When the current is overloaded, the materials heat up, expand, and bend, and the bending force drives the switch tripping unit to trip the circuit breaker. However, the current design has two drawbacks:

[0005] The bimetallic material of the thermal overload protection unit has insufficient bending thrust. Related technologies address the insufficient thrust by increasing the thickness or width of the bimetallic material or reducing the locking force of the switch tripping mechanism to reduce the tripping force. Increasing the thickness or width of the bimetallic material to increase the thrust will reduce the bending stroke of the bimetallic material and will not be conducive to pushing the switch tripping mechanism. Reducing the tripping force of the switch will cause the switch to easily slip and fail to close, or it will have poor shock resistance and be prone to malfunction during actual operation.

[0006] The electromagnetic instantaneous protection unit's tripping speed is not fast enough. When a short circuit occurs, the electromagnet attracts the switch trip unit after overcoming the return spring. As the return spring is compressed more, the return force increases, causing a significant decrease in tripping speed and a slow switching speed. According to the Joule integral I²t=∫t₁t₀i²dt, the larger the current and the longer the time, the greater the energy, and the more severe the burn-out of the switch. With a constant current, shortening the breaking time can effectively reduce the Joule integral and improve the switch's short-circuit breaking capacity.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008] Based on the above background, in order to solve at least one of the above problems, this application provides an electrical switch that can increase the operating speed and striking force of the trip unit, thereby overcoming the above problems.

[0009] This application provides an electrical switch, which includes at least an insulating shell and internal components. The internal components include at least a thermal overload protection unit, an electromagnetic instantaneous protection unit, a trip unit, a moving contact, a stationary contact, and an operating mechanism. At least two parts of the insulating shell and / or the internal components are respectively provided with magnetic conductors and / or permanent magnets that can generate magnetic attraction. One of the corresponding magnetic conductors and / or permanent magnets is a moving body, and the other is a fixed body. The magnetic attraction between the magnetic conductors and / or permanent magnets drives at least one part of the trip unit to move, directly or indirectly causing the switch to trip and disconnect the power.

[0010] In this way, by setting permanent magnets and / or magnetic conductors on two parts of the internal components of the switch, the mutual attraction between the permanent magnets and / or magnetic conductors allows the internal part, which is a moving body, to gradually approach the internal part, which is a fixed body, under the action of the thermal overload protection unit or the electromagnetic instantaneous protection unit. When they reach a distance where they can attract each other, the magnetic attraction accelerates the process, thereby increasing speed and force, promoting the rapid unlocking operation of the trip unit, and reducing the breaking time.

[0011] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows:

[0012] By setting fixed or moving bodies on transient or permanent fixed parts and movable internal components within the switch, and using permanent magnets and / or magnetic conductors in pairs, the mutual magnetic attraction between the two increases the tripping speed and tripping force of the trip unit. On the one hand, this improves the switch's operating speed and shortens the breaking time, effectively enhancing the switch's breaking capacity. On the other hand, the magnetic attraction between the permanent magnets and magnetic conductors increases the tripping force of the trip unit, effectively solving the problem of insufficient thrust of bimetallic components. Furthermore, it does not require reducing the tripping force of the operating mechanism; instead, it can increase the locking force of the operating mechanism. This significantly improves the switch's shock resistance and stability, broadening its application scenarios. Attached Figure Description

[0013] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0014] Figure 1 is a diagram of the internal structure of the switch according to the first embodiment of this application;

[0015] Figure 2 is a diagram of the internal structure of the switch according to the second embodiment of this application;

[0016] Figure 3 is a diagram of the internal structure of the switch according to the third embodiment of this application;

[0017] Figure 4 is a diagram of the internal structure of the switch according to the fourth embodiment of this application;

[0018] Figure 5 is a diagram of the internal structure of the switch according to the fifth embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 6 is a diagram of the internal structure of the switch according to the sixth embodiment of this application;

[0020] Figure 7 is a partially enlarged view of Figure 6;

[0021] Figure 8 is a diagram of the internal structure of the switch according to the seventh embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of this application. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0023] In the description of embodiments of this disclosure, the term "comprising" and similar terms should be understood as open-ended inclusion, i.e., "including but not limited to". The term "one embodiment" or "the embodiment" should be understood as "at least one embodiment". The terms "first", "second", etc., may refer to different or the same objects. Other explicit and implicit definitions may also be included below.

[0024] First Embodiment

[0025] Please refer to Figure 1. A specific embodiment of this application provides an overload protection tripping device 200 for a switch. The overload protection tripping device 200 is disposed within the insulating housing 110 of the switch 100. The overload protection tripping device 200 includes a moving tripping rod 210, a first permanent magnet 301 or / and a first magnetic conductive element 401, a second permanent magnet 302 or / and a second magnetic conductive element 402, a thermal overload tripping device 220, a magnetic overload tripping device 230, and a latch 240. The first permanent magnet 301 or... The first magnetic conductive element 401 is disposed on the moving trip lever 210, and the second permanent magnet 302 or / and the second magnetic conductive element 402 are disposed around the first permanent magnet 301 or / and the first magnetic conductive element 401 and fixed on a fixing member inside the switch. In this embodiment, the fixing member is the inner wall of the insulating shell of the switch. The moving trip lever 210 is rotatably disposed on a fixing post inside the insulating shell, and the first permanent magnet 301 or / and the first magnetic conductive element 401 are disposed at the free end of the moving trip lever 210.

[0026] The release lever 210 causes the first permanent magnet 301 or / and the first magnetic conductor 401 to move closer to the second permanent magnet 302 or / and the second magnetic conductor 402, and the magnetic attraction between the first permanent magnet 301 or / and the first magnetic conductor 401 and the second permanent magnet 302 or / and the second magnetic conductor 402 increases accordingly.

[0027] The overload protection tripping device 200 is installed inside the insulating housing 110 of the switch 100. The second permanent magnet 302 or the second magnetic conductor 402 is fixedly installed inside the insulating housing 110. The first permanent magnet 301 and the second permanent magnet 302 are arranged with their magnetic poles facing each other and their magnetic poles having opposite polarities.

[0028] In other embodiments, the first permanent magnet 301 is disposed corresponding to the second magnetic conductive element 402, with its magnetic poles facing the second magnetic conductive element 402; or the second permanent magnet 302 is disposed corresponding to the first magnetic conductive element 401, with its magnetic poles facing the first magnetic conductive element 401.

[0029] In some embodiments, the first magnetic conductive element 401 may be configured as a magnetic conductive element integrally formed with the motion release lever 210, or made of magnetic conductive material partially embedded in the motion release lever 210.

[0030] The overload tripping device 220 includes at least a bimetallic element 221. When an overload current occurs in the switch 100, the bimetallic element 221 heats up and bends. The heat and bending of the bimetallic element 221 pushes the motion tripping lever 210, which triggers the latch 240 to cause the switch 100 to trip and open.

[0031] The magnetic overload tripping device 230 includes at least an electromagnet 231 and a triggering part 232. When an overload short-circuit current occurs in the switch 100, the electromagnet 231 moves to drive the triggering part 232 to push the tripping rod 210, thereby triggering the latch 240 to trip and open the switch.

[0032] When the switch 100 is overloaded, the bimetallic element 221 or the trigger part 232 pushes the motion release lever 210 to cause the distance between the first permanent magnet 301 and the second permanent magnet 302, or the first permanent magnet 301 and the second magnetic conductor 402, or the first magnetic conductor 401 and the second permanent magnet 302 to gradually approach until they are attracted together, increasing the force and speed at which the motion release lever 201 strikes the latch 240, and causing the switch 100 to quickly release.

[0033] In this application, permanent magnets and magnetic conductive parts need to be paired, or permanent magnets can be paired with each other and arranged with opposite polarities. The permanent magnets can be fixedly mounted on the insulating shell or the magnetic conductive parts can be fixedly mounted on the insulating shell to achieve the effect of providing attraction. The paired magnetic conductive parts or permanent magnets are mounted on the moving trip lever 210. When the moving trip lever 210 is triggered and pushed by the bimetallic element or triggering part on the overload protection trip device 200, the permanent magnets or magnetic conductive parts on the moving trip lever 210 gradually approach the magnetic conductive parts or permanent magnets on the insulating shell to generate a rapid attraction action, thereby accelerating the tripping action and increasing the tripping impact force.

[0034] Second Embodiment

[0035] Please refer to Figure 2. This application provides an overload protection tripping device for a switch according to a second embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the overload protection tripping device 200 further includes a fourth permanent magnet 304, and the latch 240 is made of a magnetically conductive material. The fourth permanent magnet 304 is fixedly mounted on the insulating shell 110, and the magnetic poles of the fourth permanent magnet 304 face the latch 240. When the moving tripping rod 210 is driven by the bimetallic element or trigger part on the overload protection tripping device 200 to push the latch 240 to trip, the latch 240 and the fourth permanent magnet 304 gradually approach each other and generate attraction, accelerating the tripping of the latch 240 and increasing the tripping speed of the switch.

[0036] In some embodiments, a third permanent magnet 303 or a third magnetic conductor 403 may also be provided on the latch 240, and a fourth permanent magnet 304 or a fourth magnetic conductor 404 may be provided on the insulating housing 110 on one side of the latch 240 to achieve the same effect. When the moving release lever 210 is triggered by the bimetallic element or trigger part on the overload protection release device 200, the moving release lever 210 impacts the latch 240, causing the permanent magnet or magnetic conductor on the latch 240 to gradually approach the magnetic conductor or permanent magnet on the insulating housing 110, resulting in a rapid attraction action, thereby accelerating the release action and increasing the release impact force.

[0037] Third Embodiment

[0038] Please refer to Figure 3. This application provides an overload protection tripping device for a switch according to a third embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the overload protection tripping device 200 of the switch further includes a reset component. The reset component is disposed inside the insulating housing 110. The reset component is used to forcibly separate the first permanent magnet and / or the first magnetic conductor and the second permanent magnet and / or the second magnetic conductor that are attracted together. The insulating housing 110 is also provided with an operating mechanism 600. The operating mechanism 600 includes at least an operating handle 610 and a multi-link mechanism 620. The operating handle 610 and the moving tripping rod 210 are partially provided with teeth (611, 211) that can mesh with each other. When the operating handle 610 is closed, it drives the moving tripping rod 210 to rotate, thereby forcibly separating the first permanent magnet and / or the first magnetic conductor and the second permanent magnet and / or the second magnetic conductor that are attracted together. When permanent magnets or permanent magnets and magnetic conductors become attracted together after a tripping action, it affects the subsequent closing operation and can easily cause the sliding contact to fail to close. A reset assembly forcibly separates the two components before attempting to close the circuit again. The reset assembly uses meshing teeth (611, 211) in parts of the operating handle 610 and the moving trip lever 210. The closing action of the operating handle 610 drives the moving trip lever 210 to forcibly separate the attracted permanent magnets or magnetic conductors, thereby improving the reliability of the closing operation.

[0039] Fourth embodiment

[0040] Please refer to Figure 4. This application provides an overload protection tripping device for a switch according to a fourth specific embodiment. The difference from the third embodiment is that the reset assembly includes at least a reset button 510. The front end of the reset button 510 has an ejector portion 511. Pressing the ejector portion 511 of the reset button 510 directly or indirectly forces open the first permanent magnet and / or the first magnetic conductor and the second permanent magnet and / or the second magnetic conductor that are attracted together. After the switch has tripped, the permanent magnets or the permanent magnet and the magnetic conductor are attracted together, which will affect the re-closing operation. By pressing the reset button 510, the ejector portion 511 on it will move and touch the tripping lever 210 and / or the latch 240, forcibly separating the attracted permanent magnets or the permanent magnet and the magnetic conductor, thereby improving the reliability of the closing operation.

[0041] Fifth Embodiment

[0042] Please refer to Figure 5. This application provides a fifth specific embodiment of an overload protection tripping device for a switch, wherein the magnetic overload tripping device 230 is a snap-fit ​​structure, but the principle is basically the same. The difference is that a movable U-shaped connecting rod 700 is added to the moving tripping rod 210. The other end of the U-shaped connecting rod 700 corresponds to the thermal overload tripping device 220, and a first magnetic conductive element 401 is inserted therethrough. A second permanent magnet 302 is fixedly disposed on the insulating shell 110 at the corresponding position on one side of the first magnetic conductive element 401. When the switch 100 is overloaded, the bimetallic element 221 or the trigger part 232 pushes the moving tripping rod 210 or / and the U-shaped connecting rod 700, causing the distance between the first magnetic conductive element 401 and the second permanent magnet 302 to gradually approach until they are attracted together, increasing the force and speed of the moving tripping rod 210 striking the latch 240 and causing the switch 100 to trip quickly.

[0043] Sixth Embodiment

[0044] Please refer to Figures 6 and 7. This application provides a sixth specific embodiment of an overload protection tripping device for a switch. Unlike the first embodiment, the switch is a multi-pole plastic case switch, the magnetic overload tripping device 230 is a snap-fit ​​structure, the thermal overload tripping device 220 and the magnetic overload tripping device 230 are integrated, the moving tripping rod 210 is provided with a first permanent magnet and / or a first magnetic conductive element, and the insulating shell 110 is provided with a second permanent magnet and / or a second magnetic conductive element. When the switch 100 is overloaded, the bimetallic element 221 or the trigger part 232 pushes the moving tripping rod 210 to cause the distance between the first permanent magnet and / or the first magnetic conductive element and the second permanent magnet and / or the second magnetic conductive element to gradually approach until they are attracted together, increasing the force and speed at which the moving tripping rod 210 releases the latch 240 and causes the switch 100 to trip quickly.

[0045] Seventh Embodiment

[0046] Please refer to Figure 8. This application provides an electrical switch according to a seventh specific embodiment. The difference from the fifth embodiment is that the moving contact 260 is provided with a fourth permanent magnet 306 and / or a fourth magnetic conductor 406. The moving contact 260 is a transient fixed component; after the electrical switch operating mechanism drives the moving contact to complete the closing, the moving contact remains stationary. The fixed component can be a permanent magnet or a magnetic conductor. A moving body is provided on a movable component corresponding to the front of the fixed component. The movable component is a multi-link mechanism 620, and the moving body is a first permanent magnet 305 and / or a fourth magnetic conductor 405. The configuration relationship between the moving body and the fixed body is as follows: For example, permanent magnets correspond to permanent magnets, and permanent magnets correspond to magnetic conductors. Their positions can be interchanged at will. It should be noted that when permanent magnets correspond to permanent magnets, their magnetic poles must be opposite to generate attraction. When permanent magnets correspond to magnetic conductors, the magnetic poles of permanent magnets must correspond to those of magnetic conductors to generate attraction. When switch 100 is overloaded, bimetallic element 221 or trigger part 232 pushes the motion release lever 210 or / and U-shaped connecting rod 700, causing the distance between the moving body and the fixed body to gradually approach until they are attracted together, increasing the force and speed of the motion release lever 210 of the release unit striking the latch 240 and causing switch 100 to quickly release.

[0047] This application may be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit and essential characteristics. The present embodiments are to be regarded as exemplary rather than limiting in all respects, and the scope of this application is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes falling within the meaning of the claims and their equivalents are thus included within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. An electrical switch, comprising at least an insulating housing and internal components; the internal components comprising at least a thermal overload protection unit, an electromagnetic instantaneous protection unit, a trip unit, a moving contact, a stationary contact, and an operating mechanism; at least two parts of the insulating housing and / or the internal components are correspondingly provided with magnetic conductors and / or permanent magnets capable of generating magnetic attraction, wherein one of the correspondingly provided magnetic conductors and / or permanent magnets is a moving body and the other is a fixed body; the magnetic attraction generated between the magnetic conductors and / or permanent magnets drives at least one part of the trip unit to move, directly or indirectly causing the switch to trip and disconnect the power.

2. An electrical switch according to claim 1, wherein, The fixing body is a temporary or permanent fixing component disposed on the inner wall of the insulating shell and / or within the insulating shell.

3. An electrical switch according to claim 1, wherein, The moving body is a movable internal component disposed within the insulating housing.

4. An electrical switch according to claim 1, wherein, The trip unit includes at least: a moving trip lever and a latch. The thermal overload protection unit and / or electromagnetic instantaneous protection unit directly or indirectly cause the moving body to gradually approach the fixed body, thereby increasing the magnetic attraction between them, increasing the force and speed at which the moving trip lever triggers the latch to trip, and causing the moving contact to quickly separate from the stationary contact.

5. An electrical switch according to claim 1, wherein, The operating mechanism includes at least: an operating handle, a contact indicator, and a multi-link mechanism. The operating handle drives the multi-link mechanism to electrically connect or disconnect the moving contact and the stationary contact. The thermal overload protection unit and / or the electromagnetic instantaneous protection unit directly or indirectly causes the moving body to gradually approach the fixed body, thereby increasing the magnetic attraction between them, increasing the force and speed at which the moving trip lever triggers the latch to trip, and breaking the balance of the multi-link mechanism, causing the moving contact and the stationary contact to quickly separate. The contact indicator is used to indicate the closed and open state of the moving contact.

6. An electrical switch according to claim 1, wherein, The thermal overload protection unit includes at least a bimetallic element. When an overload current occurs in the switch, the bimetallic element heats up and bends to push the moving trip lever, directly or indirectly causing the moving body to gradually approach the fixed body. The magnetic attraction between the moving body and the fixed body increases accordingly, increasing the force and speed at which the moving trip lever triggers the latch to trip and causes the switch to open rapidly.

7. An electrical switch according to claim 1, wherein, The electromagnetic instantaneous protection unit includes at least an electromagnet and a triggering part. When a large overload current or short circuit current occurs in the switch, the electromagnet attracts and drives the triggering part to push the moving trip lever, directly or indirectly causing the moving body to gradually approach the fixed body. The magnetic attraction between the moving body and the fixed body increases accordingly, increasing the force and speed at which the moving trip lever triggers the latch to trip and causes the switch to open rapidly.

8. An electrical switch according to claim 2, wherein, The transient fixing component is a part of the switch operating mechanism that can remain stationary when the switch is closed and can move when the switch is open. The permanent fixing component is a part that cannot move under any circumstances.

9. An electrical switch according to claim 3, wherein, The movable component is a part of the switch operating mechanism that can move in both the closed and open states.

10. An electrical switch according to claim 8, wherein, The transient fixing component is at least a moving contact and a contact indicator, and the permanent fixing component is at least an insulating shell and other parts fixedly mounted on the insulating shell.

11. An electrical switch according to claim 9, wherein, The movable internal components include at least: a motion release lever, a bimetallic element, a latch, a trigger, and a multi-link mechanism.

12. An electrical switch according to claim 1, wherein, The moving body is a first permanent magnet and / or a first magnetic conductive element and / or a movable internal element with magnetic conductivity, and the fixed body is a second permanent magnet and / or a second magnetic conductive element and / or a transient or permanent fixed element with magnetic conductivity.

13. An electrical switch according to claim 12, wherein, The first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet are arranged with opposite magnetic poles. The magnetic poles of the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet correspond to the first magnetic conductive element or the second magnetic conductive element, or a movable internal element with magnetic conductivity, or a transient or permanent fixing element with magnetic conductivity.

14. An electrical switch according to claim 13, wherein, The insulating shell is also provided with a reset component, which forcibly separates the first permanent magnet and / or the first magnetic conductive element that are attracted together from the second permanent magnet and / or the second magnetic conductive element.

15. An electrical switch according to claim 14, wherein, The reset assembly includes at least a reset button. The front end of the reset button has a push-out portion. Pressing the push-out portion of the reset button forcibly pushes apart the first permanent magnet and / or the first magnetic conductive element and the second permanent magnet and / or the second magnetic conductive element that are attracted together.

16. An electrical switch according to claim 14, wherein, The operating handle and the moving trip lever are partially provided with teeth that can mesh with each other. When the operating handle closes the circuit, it drives the moving trip lever to rotate, forcibly separating the first permanent magnet and / or the first magnetic conductor that are attracted together from the second permanent magnet and / or the second magnetic conductor.

Images