Contactor module and a contactor module arrangement

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11848167-B2
Application number	US-202117550153-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 14, 2021
Priority date	Dec 14, 2020
Publication date	Dec 19, 2023
Grant date	Dec 19, 2023

Abstract

A contactor module is adapted to detect a switching state of a contactor. The contactor module includes a movable element that is arranged to transmit the movement of a switching element of the contactor to the contactor module; and a deflection lever attached to the movable element. The deflection lever is arranged to indicate the switching state.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A contactor module adapted to detect a switching state of a contactor, the contactor module comprising:
a movable element that is arranged to transmit the movement of a switching element of the contactor to the contactor module; and
a first end of a deflection lever attached to the movable element,
wherein the first end of the deflection lever moves in a first direction based on a movement of the movable element, and
wherein the deflection lever is arranged to indicate the switching state by deflecting a second end of the deflection lever in a second direction based on a movement of the first end of the deflection lever, wherein the second direction is different from the first direction.

2. The contactor module according to claim 1 , wherein the movable element is arranged to optically indicate the switching state.

3. The contactor module according to claim 1 , wherein the contactor module further comprises a sensor adapted to detect the switching state indicated by the deflection lever.

4. The contactor module according to claim 3 , wherein the sensor is an optical sensor.

5. The contactor module according to claim 1 , wherein the contactor module further comprises a communication interface to a sensor module.

6. The contactor module according to claim 5 , wherein the contactor module is further adapted to detect technical and/or physical quantities through the communication interface to the sensor module.

7. The contactor module according to claim 6 , wherein the technical and/or physical quantities comprise at least one member of a group consisting of a temperature, a voltage, and a current.

8. The contactor module according to claim 1 , wherein the contactor module further comprises an electrical communication interface to the contactor.

9. The contactor module according to claim 8 , wherein the contactor module further comprises logic that is arranged to detect technical and/or physical quantities and to control the technical and/or physical quantities via the electrical communication interface to the contactor, taking into account the switching state of the contactor and the values of the technical and/or physical quantities.

10. The contactor module according to claim 8 , wherein the electrical communication interface is implemented by a spring contact.

11. The contactor module according to claim 1 , wherein the contactor module further comprises further independent electrical interfaces arranged to enable data exchange with further external devices.

12. The contactor module according to claim 1 , wherein a movable element of the contactor is positively connected to a movable element of the contactor module.

13. The contactor module according to claim 1 , wherein the contactor module further comprises a display and/or control elements.

14. The contactor module according to claim 1 , wherein the contactor module further comprises a radio interface.

15. The contactor module according to claim 1 , wherein the contactor module is arranged to exchange data simultaneously with one or more sensor modules and with further contactor modules.

16. A contactor module arrangement comprising the contactor module according to claim 1 and a sensor module, wherein the sensor module is arranged to send values of technical and/or physical quantities to the contactor module.

17. The contactor module arrangement according to claim 16 , further comprising a contactor, wherein the contactor is adapted to transmit the mechanical movement of a switching element to the contactor module and to receive control commands from the contactor module via an electrical communication interface.

18. The contactor module arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the deflection lever is configured for rotational movement.

19. The contactor module arrangement according to claim 18 , wherein the rotational movement of the deflection lever is achieved by a first end of the deflection lever coupled to the movable element and to a fixed axis of rotation in a central part of the deflection lever.

20. The contactor module arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the deflection lever is configured to indicate the switching state by deflecting a light beam from a light source away from a light sensor.

Assignees

• Abb Schweiz Ag

Inventors

• Stegmaier Peter
• Klein Markus
• Mueller Peter
• Baetz Ingo

Classifications

• H01H3/38 Primary

  using spring or other flexible shaft coupling · CPC title

• H01H3/46

  using rod or lever linkage, e.g. toggle · CPC title

• H01H50/08 Primary

  Indicators; Distinguishing marks · CPC title

• H01H49/00

  Apparatus or processes specially adapted to the manufacture of relays or parts thereof · CPC title

• H01H47/002

  Monitoring or fail-safe circuits · CPC title