Electrical switching device and method for switching thereof with contact separation in the event of protection

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2015170861-A1
Application number	US-201314413007-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 4, 2013
Priority date	Jul 6, 2012
Publication date	Jun 18, 2015
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present invention relates to a switching device for opening and closing a load circuit, in particular in an electric vehicle, having at least one switch contact which can be moved from an open position into a closed position and which is held at a distance from a counter-contact in the open position and is in electrically conductive abutment with the counter-contact in the closed position. The invention further relates to a method for switching a load circuit, in particular in an electric vehicle, at least one switch contact being moved from an open position into a closed position and thereby being brought into electrically conductive contact with a counter-contact. In order to provide the most compact, light, cost-effective and reliable switching and separation unit for load currents, it is provided according to the invention that, in a safety position, the at least one switch contact is held separated from the counter-contact in order to protect the load circuit.

First claim

1 - 15 . (canceled)

16 . A switching device for opening and closing a load circuit, in particular in an electric vehicle, having at least one switch contact which can be moved from an open position (A) into a closed position (B) and which is held at a distance from a counter-contact in the open position (A) and is in electrically conductive abutment with the counter-contact in the closed position (B), wherein, in a safety position (C), the at least one switch contact is held separated from the counter-contact in order to protect the load circuit from overload.

17 . The switching device according to claim 16 , wherein, in the open position (A), the at least one switch contact is retained at a distance from the counter-contact over a switching path (K) and in that the switching path (K) is increased by a safety distance (S) in the safety position (C).

18 . The switching device according to claim 17 , wherein the safety distance (S) is greater than the switching path (K).

19 . The switching device according to claim 16 , wherein a distance between the at least one switch contact and the counter-contact is greater in the safety position (C) than a distance between the at least one switch contact and the counter-contact necessary for extinguishing an electric arc in the event of a maximum possible overload current in the closed position (B).

20 . The switching device according to claim 16 , wherein it comprises a safety stop which limits movements of the at least one switch contact in the direction of the counter-contact in the safety position (C).

21 . The switching device according to claim 16 , further comprising a separation drive, whose separation force (F 31 ) in the safety position (C) acts counter to a closure force (F 20 ) for moving the at least one switch contact from the open position (A) into the closed position (B).

22 . The switching device according to claim 21 , wherein the separation force (F 31 ) is greater than the closure force (F 20 ).

23 . The switching device according to claim 21 , wherein the separation drive comprises a resilient separation element which at least partially produces the separation force (F 31 ).

24 . The switching device according to claim 16 , wherein it is retained by a retention force (F 33 ) in a normal operating state (N) in which the switching device can be moved from the open position (A) into the closed position (B).

25 . The switching device according to claim 24 , wherein, under electrical voltage in the closed position (B), at least in the event of an overload, an actuating magnetic field produced by a load current path has a weakening effect on a retaining magnetic field which acts on the retention force (F 33 ).

26 . The switching device according to claim 16 , further comprising a switching unit for switching between the open position (A) and the closed position (B) and by a safety unit for moving into the safety position (C).

27 . The switching device according to claim 26 , wherein the safety unit is retained by a magnetic clamp/spring system and/or an electromagnetic coil in a release position (X), in which the switching device can be moved from the open position (A) into the closed position (B).

28 . The switching device according to claim 16 , wherein a contact member carries the at least one switch contact and a retention stop, the contact member being blocked in the safety position (C) on the retention stop.

29 . The switching device according to claim 28 , wherein it is constructed at least partially concentrically relative to the contact member.

30 . A method for switching a load circuit, in particular in an electric vehicle, at least one switch contact being moved from an open position (A) into a closed position (B) and thereby being brought into electrically conductive contact with a counter-contact, wherein, in the event of an overload of the load circuit, the switch contact is automatically separated from the counter-contact and moved into a safety position (C).

Assignees

• Tyco Electronics Amp Gmbh

Inventors

• Ziegler Titus
• Haehnel Thomas

Classifications

• H01H50/546

  for contactors having bridging contacts · CPC title

• H01H71/32 Primary

  having permanently magnetised part · CPC title

• H01H3/54

  Mechanisms for coupling or uncoupling operating parts, driving mechanisms, or contacts · CPC title

• H01H50/16 Primary

  Magnetic circuit arrangements · CPC title

• H01H89/08

  with both devices using the same contact pair · CPC title