EP0358286B1 - Articulated conductive assembly for a contact lever - Google Patents

Articulated conductive assembly for a contact lever Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0358286B1
EP0358286B1 EP89250026A EP89250026A EP0358286B1 EP 0358286 B1 EP0358286 B1 EP 0358286B1 EP 89250026 A EP89250026 A EP 89250026A EP 89250026 A EP89250026 A EP 89250026A EP 0358286 B1 EP0358286 B1 EP 0358286B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contact
lever
connecting bar
stationary
assembly according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP89250026A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0358286A3 (en
EP0358286A2 (en
Inventor
Clifford A. Buxton
Neil A. Mccord
David A. Leone
James A. Tharp
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Siemens AG
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Siemens AG
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Publication date
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Publication of EP0358286A2 publication Critical patent/EP0358286A2/en
Publication of EP0358286A3 publication Critical patent/EP0358286A3/en
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Publication of EP0358286B1 publication Critical patent/EP0358286B1/en
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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
    • H01H1/14—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting
    • H01H1/22—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting with rigid pivoted member carrying the moving contact
    • H01H1/221—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting with rigid pivoted member carrying the moving contact and a contact pressure spring acting between the pivoted member and a supporting member
    • H01H1/226—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting with rigid pivoted member carrying the moving contact and a contact pressure spring acting between the pivoted member and a supporting member having a plurality of parallel contact bars
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/58—Electric connections to or between contacts; Terminals
    • H01H1/5833—Electric connections to or between contacts; Terminals comprising an articulating, sliding or rolling contact between movable contact and terminal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/58—Electric connections to or between contacts; Terminals
    • H01H1/5833—Electric connections to or between contacts; Terminals comprising an articulating, sliding or rolling contact between movable contact and terminal
    • H01H2001/5838—Electric connections to or between contacts; Terminals comprising an articulating, sliding or rolling contact between movable contact and terminal using electrodynamic forces for enhancing the contact pressure between the sliding surfaces
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/30—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H9/38—Auxiliary contacts on to which the arc is transferred from the main contacts
    • H01H9/383—Arcing contact pivots relative to the movable contact assembly

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a current-transmitting joint arrangement consisting of a stationary connecting rail with a pivotable contact lever, wherein a joint part of the pivotable contact lever penetrated by a pivot axis is overlapped by two sections of the stationary connecting rail.
  • a joint arrangement of this type is known, for example, from US-A-4 635 012. Further examples of current-transmitting joint arrangements can be found in the following US-A-: 4 137 437, 4 166 205, 4 219 713, 4 264 796, 4 291 209, 4 635 012 and 4 524 339.
  • US-A-4 635 012 describes the articulation arrangement of a circuit breaker, in which a connecting bar is forked by a longitudinal slot into two arms, which at their ends support arcuate receiving surfaces for a circular articulation area at the end of a pivotable contact lever.
  • US-A-4 524 339 describes a blade contact assembly for a circuit breaker with a spring wound around each circular bearing location to provide a number of electrical contact locations between each of the contact blades and the bearing.
  • Hinge assemblies of the type under consideration are applied to two relatively movable, high current carrying parts without a connection to be able to use by a flexible current band. Therefore, the main problem of the tapeless joint connections is the electrical resistance that is present in the gap between the cooperating parts of the joint arrangement. This resistance causes current-dependent heating, which can limit the usability of the joint arrangement. Proceeding from this, the invention has for its object to provide a current-transmitting joint arrangement of the type mentioned, which is characterized by low electrical contact resistance, low manufacturing costs and great reliability.
  • the sections of the fixed connecting rail bear against the articulated area of the pivotable contact lever to form at least three discrete contact areas with flat contact surfaces, one of the sections of the fixed connecting rail at least two planar contact surfaces standing at an angle to one another and the other the sections have at least one flat contact surface.
  • both parts of the fixed connecting rail are designed to be resilient in themselves, the spatial position of the pivot axis of the pivotable contact lever may not be sufficiently determined depending on the given cross section of the parts. This can be avoided in that the sections of the fixed connecting rail are designed with different cross sections, such that one section is designed to be more flexible than the other section in relation to the articulated area of the pivotable contact lever.
  • the articulated area of the pivotable contact lever can have an arcuate contour in the manner known per se.
  • the contact lever is free of a torque caused by the joint arrangement.
  • the effect of parallel current paths in the region of the fixed connecting rail can be used to increase the contact force within the joint arrangement. If this is not sufficient, a spring and a spring force can be placed between a crossbar coupled to the movable contact lever and a section of the connecting rail located on the same side of the contact lever as the crossbar, and the spring force on the section in the sense of an increase in the contact force between the Section and the contact lever transmitting pressure lever can be arranged. This ensures that the pressing force is increased when the contact lever is pivoted into its switched-on position.
  • the pressure lever can expediently be designed as an angle lever and can be arranged in the region of its angling against a stationary bearing pin under the influence of the spring.
  • one section of the connecting rail can be designed as a contact bridge and can be provided with an elongated hole extending transversely to its longitudinal direction for receiving a stationary guide pin which also serves as a bearing pin of the pressure lever.
  • the current-dependent and position-dependent increase in the pressing force can be selected in a wider range because the contact bridge is free of restoring forces due to its articulated support on the other section of the fixed connecting rail.
  • FIG. 1 shows a side view of a live articulated connection.
  • FIG. 2 shows a top view of the current-carrying joint connection according to FIG. 1.
  • Figures 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 show further embodiments of a current-carrying articulation in each case in a side view corresponding to Figure 1.
  • FIG. 1 shows the main current path of a circuit breaker, in particular a compact low-voltage circuit breaker with an insulating housing.
  • a contact lever 18 is used to open and close switching contacts 10 and 12 a pivot axis 22 is movable.
  • the contact lever 18 is connected to a stationary connecting rail 16 by means of a current-carrying joint arrangement designated as a whole by 14.
  • the joint arrangement 14 comprises a joint region 20 which surrounds the pivot axis 22 and which has a circular contour.
  • a fixed part 24 of the joint arrangement 14 interacts with the joint region 20, which is formed from a contacting end part 36 of an upper section 26 of the connecting rail 16 and a further contacting end part 34 of a lower section 28 of the fixed connecting rail 16.
  • the contacting end part 36 of the section 26 is divided into contact fingers 30, which cooperate with the joint regions 20 of a corresponding number of contact levers 18.
  • the end part 36 of the section 26 has a flat contact surface 32, while the end part 34 of the section 28 has two flat contact surfaces 38 which are at an angle to one another. This creates three discrete contact areas 40 between the articulated area 20 of the contact lever 18 and the end parts 34 and 36.
  • the lower section 28 of the connecting bar 16 is designed with a larger cross section, ie a greater thickness, than the upper section 26.
  • the resulting greater strength of the lower section 28 causes the pivot axis 22 to be maintained in the position shown when the contact lever 18 is loaded.
  • the end part 36 of the upper section 26 is offset by an offset relative to the plane of the lower section 28 in such a way that an intermediate space is created and thus the end part 36 is resiliently movable relative to the end part 34.
  • This arrangement enables an increase in the contact force between the flat contact surfaces 32 and 38 under the influence of the current flowing over the current path.
  • the increase in contact force is due to the interaction of the partial currents indicated in the current paths A and B in FIG. 1 and the magnetic fields associated therewith.
  • the sections 26 and 28 of the connecting bar 16 are of the same thickness.
  • relatively movable end parts 42 and 44 are formed, each of which rests on the articulated area 20 of the contact lever 18 with three planar contact surfaces 32 which are at an angle to one another, forming three discrete contact areas 40.
  • the sections 26 and 28 of the connecting bar 16 are bent off symmetrically, similar to the example according to FIG. 3, with end parts 46 and contacting ends 48 which can be moved relative to one another.
  • the ends 48 have two flat contact surfaces 50 which are approximately at right angles to one another and which bear against the joint region 20 with a circular contour in the manner already described.
  • the contact force between the parts of the joint arrangement 14 does not have any effect on the position of the contact lever 18, in the example according to FIG. 5 such a design is chosen that the contact force exerts a torque acting in the closing direction of the contact lever 61.
  • the joint area 62 of the contact lever 61 surrounding the pivot axis 66 is designed such that flattened sides 64 are present on both sides of the contact areas 40.
  • the radius of the joint area 62 with respect to the pivot axis 66 thus decreases on both sides of the contact areas 40. In this way, a torque acts on the contact lever 61 when it is rotated starting from the position shown in the switch-on direction and thereby moves the contact areas 40 out of the neutral position shown with respect to the pivot axis 60 become.
  • the fixed part of the hinge arrangement is adapted to the hinge area 62 of the contact lever 61 in a special way.
  • an upper end part 56 of a section 52 of the fixed connecting rail 16 is formed with a flat contact surface 60.
  • the end part 56 is movable by an offset in the contact area 40 relative to a lower end part 58 of a lower section 54 of the connecting bar 16.
  • the end part 58 has two flat contact surfaces 60 on two legs that are perpendicular to one another.
  • the voltage of the tension spring 80 suspended on a crossbar 82 connecting the contact lever 18 depends on the position of the contact lever 18 relative to the fixed switching contact 12 in such a way that the voltage is greatest when switched on, ie when the switching contacts 10 and 12 are touched . In this way, the pressure force in the contact areas 40 is greatest in the switched-on position of the contact lever 18.
  • the pressure lever 76 can also be designed to be resilient, for example as a leaf spring.
  • one part of the fixed connecting rail 16 is designed as a contact bridge 72 which forms a contact area 92 on the lower end part 74 with a crowned end. This in turn creates the parallel current paths A and B, but the forces resulting from the current can be fully effective.
  • the contact bridge 72 is secured against displacement in the longitudinal direction of the connecting rail 16 by a fixed bearing pin 86 which is received in an elongated hole 88 of the contact bridge 72.
  • the bearing pin 86 also serves as a pivot bearing for a likewise angled pressure lever 84 which, in the manner already described with reference to FIG. 6, is under the action of a tension spring 80.
  • the pressure lever 84 acts with a nose on the contact bridge 72 in the area of its flat contact surface 90 and thus close to the contact area 40.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Breakers (AREA)
  • Mechanisms For Operating Contacts (AREA)
  • Driving Mechanisms And Operating Circuits Of Arc-Extinguishing High-Tension Switches (AREA)
  • Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine stromübertragende Gelenkanordnung bestehend aus einer ortsfesten Anschlußschiene mit einem schwenkbaren Kontakthebel wobei ein von einer Schwenkachse durchsetzter Gelenkteil des schwenkbaren Kontakthebels von zwei Teilstücken der ortsfesten Anschlußschiene übergriffenen wird.The invention relates to a current-transmitting joint arrangement consisting of a stationary connecting rail with a pivotable contact lever, wherein a joint part of the pivotable contact lever penetrated by a pivot axis is overlapped by two sections of the stationary connecting rail.

Eine Gelenkanordnung dieser Art ist beispielsweise durch die US-A-4 635 012 bekannt geworden. Weitere Beispiele stromübertragender Gelenkanordnungen gehen aus folgenden US-A- hervor:
4 137 437, 4 166 205, 4 219 713, 4 264 796, 4 291 209, 4 635 012 und 4 524 339.A joint arrangement of this type is known, for example, from US-A-4 635 012. Further examples of current-transmitting joint arrangements can be found in the following US-A-:
4 137 437, 4 166 205, 4 219 713, 4 264 796, 4 291 209, 4 635 012 and 4 524 339.

In der US-A-4 635 012 ist die Gelenkanordnung eines Leistungsschalters beschrieben, bei der eine Anschlußschiene durch einen in Längsrichtung verlaufenden Schlitz in zwei Arme gegabelt ist, die an ihren Enden bogenförmige Aufnahmeflächen für einen kreisförmigen Gelenkbereich am Ende eines schwenkbaren Kontakthebels gleitend abstützen. In der US-A-4 524 339 ist eine Messerkontaktanordnung für einen Leistungsschalter mit einer Feder beschrieben, die um jede kreisförmige Lagerstelle gewunden ist, um eine Anzahl elektrischer Kontaktstellen zwischen jedem der Kontaktmesser und dem tragenden Lager zu schaffen.US-A-4 635 012 describes the articulation arrangement of a circuit breaker, in which a connecting bar is forked by a longitudinal slot into two arms, which at their ends support arcuate receiving surfaces for a circular articulation area at the end of a pivotable contact lever. US-A-4 524 339 describes a blade contact assembly for a circuit breaker with a spring wound around each circular bearing location to provide a number of electrical contact locations between each of the contact blades and the bearing.

Gelenkanordnungen der vorliegend betrachteten Art werden angewandt, um zwei relativ zueinander bewegbare, zum Führen hoher Ströme dienende Teile ohne eine Verbindung durch ein biegsames Stromband verwenden zu können. Daher besteht das Hauptproblem der strombandlosen Gelenkverbindungen in dem elektrischen Widerstand, der in dem Zwischenraum zwischen den zusammenwirkenden Teilen der Gelenkanordnung vorhanden ist. Dieser Widerstand veranlaßt eine stromabhängige Erwärmung, durch welche die Verwendbarkeit der Gelenkanordnung beschränkt sein kann. Hiervon ausgehend liegt der Erfindung die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine stromübertragende Gelenkanordnung der eingangs genannten Art zu schaffen, die sich durch niedrigen elektrischen Übergangswiderstand, niedrige Herstellungskosten und große Zuverlässigkeit auszeichnet.Hinge assemblies of the type under consideration are applied to two relatively movable, high current carrying parts without a connection to be able to use by a flexible current band. Therefore, the main problem of the tapeless joint connections is the electrical resistance that is present in the gap between the cooperating parts of the joint arrangement. This resistance causes current-dependent heating, which can limit the usability of the joint arrangement. Proceeding from this, the invention has for its object to provide a current-transmitting joint arrangement of the type mentioned, which is characterized by low electrical contact resistance, low manufacturing costs and great reliability.

Diese Aufgabe wird gemäß der Erfindung dadurch gelöst, daß die Teilstücke der ortsfesten Anschlußschiene an dem Gelenkbereich des schwenkbaren Kontakthebels unter Bildung von wenigstens drei diskreten Kontaktbereichen mit ebenen Kontaktflächen anliegen, wobei das eine der Teilstücke der ortsfesten Anschlußschiene wenigstens zwei winklig zueinanderstehende ebene Kontaktflächen und das andere der Teilstücke wenigstens eine ebene Kontaktfläche aufweist. Obwohl bei einer solchen Anordnung die gesamte Kontaktfläche zwischen den ortsfesten und beweglichen Teilen der Gelenkanordnung kleiner als bei einer bogen- oder kreisförmigen Berührung bei der eingangs erwähnten bekannten Gelenkanordnung ist, erweist es sich, daß der Übergangswiderstand niedriger und die Zuverlässigkeit größer ist. Aufgrund der einfachen Herstellbarkeit ebener Kontaktflächen ist auch der Aufwand für die Herstellung der Gelenkanordnung verringert. Durch die US-A-4 554 427 ist es an sich bekannt, bei dem mit einem Kontakthebel zusammenwirkenden nachgiebig gelagerten Festkontakt eines Leistungsschalters eine stromführende Gelenkanordnung mit einem zylindrischen Bolzen und einem diesen mit ebenen Kontaktflächen übergreifenden Gegenstück vorzusehen. Diese Anordnung erfordert allerdings starke Andruckfedern zwischen den gelenkig ineinandergreifenden Teilen. Die Teilstücke der ortsfesten Anschlußschiene können aneinanderliegend angeordnet und durch wenigstens eine Abkröpfung zwei relativ zueinander bewegbare, mit den ebenen Kontaktflächen versehene, parallele Strompfade aufweisende Endteile gebildet sein. Auf diese Weise könnes stromabhängige Kräfte zur Vergrößerung der Kontaktkraft wirksam gemacht werden, die zwischen den in gleicher Richtung vom Strom durchflossenen und durch einen Zwischenraum getrennten Teilstücken fließen.This object is achieved according to the invention in that the sections of the fixed connecting rail bear against the articulated area of the pivotable contact lever to form at least three discrete contact areas with flat contact surfaces, one of the sections of the fixed connecting rail at least two planar contact surfaces standing at an angle to one another and the other the sections have at least one flat contact surface. Although the total contact area between the fixed and movable parts of the joint arrangement is smaller in such an arrangement than in the case of an arcuate or circular contact in the known joint arrangement mentioned at the outset, it has been found that the contact resistance is lower and the reliability is greater. Due to the simple manufacture of flat contact surfaces, the effort for the production of the joint arrangement is also reduced. From US-A-4 554 427 it is known per se, in the case of the resiliently mounted fixed contact of a circuit breaker which cooperates with a contact lever, a current-carrying joint arrangement with a cylindrical bolt and one with a flat pin To provide a counterpart overlapping contact surfaces. However, this arrangement requires strong pressure springs between the articulated parts. The sections of the fixed connecting rail can be arranged adjacent to one another and formed by at least one offset two end parts which can be moved relative to one another and have parallel current paths and are provided with the flat contact surfaces. In this way, current-dependent forces can be made effective to increase the contact force, which flow between the parts through which the current flows in the same direction and are separated by a space.

Werden beide Teilstücke der ortsfesten Anschlußschiene in sich federnd ausgebildet, so kann möglicherweise in Abhängigkeit von dem jeweils gegebenen Querschnitt der Teile die räumliche Lage der Schwenkachse des schwenkbaren Kontakthebels nicht ausreichend bestimmt sein. Dies kann dadurch vermieden werden, daß die Teilstücke der feststehenden Anschlußschiene mit verschiedenem Querschnitt ausgeführt sind, derart, daß das eine Teilstück in Bezug auf den Gelenkbereich des schwenkbaren Kontakthebels nachgiebiger als das andere Teilstück ausgebildet ist.If both parts of the fixed connecting rail are designed to be resilient in themselves, the spatial position of the pivot axis of the pivotable contact lever may not be sufficiently determined depending on the given cross section of the parts. This can be avoided in that the sections of the fixed connecting rail are designed with different cross sections, such that one section is designed to be more flexible than the other section in relation to the articulated area of the pivotable contact lever.

Der Gelenkbereich des schwenkbaren Kontakthebels kann in der an sich bekannten Weise eine kreisbogenförmige Kontur aufweisen. Der Kontakthebel ist bei dieser Gestaltung frei von einem durch die Gelenkanordnung bewirkten Drehmoment. Es kann jedoch erwünscht sein, daß die Andruckkraft der Teilstücke der Anschlußschiene ein in Schließrichtung auf den Kontakthebel wirkendes Drehmoment ausübt. Dies kann dadurch erreicht werden, daß der Gelenkbereich des Kontakthebels jeweilsbeidseitig der mit den Teilstücken der ortsfesten Anschlußschiene gebildeten Kontaktstellen Bereiche mit abnehmenden Radius bezüglich der Schwenkachse aufweist.The articulated area of the pivotable contact lever can have an arcuate contour in the manner known per se. In this configuration, the contact lever is free of a torque caused by the joint arrangement. However, it may be desirable for the pressing force of the sections of the connecting rail to exert a torque acting on the contact lever in the closing direction. This can be achieved in that the articulated region of the contact lever on both sides of the contact points formed with the sections of the fixed connecting rail Has areas with decreasing radius with respect to the pivot axis.

Wie bereits erwähnt, kann zur Vergrößerung der Kontaktkraft innerhalb der Gelenkanordnung die Wirkung paralleler Strombahnen im Bereich der festen Anschlußschiene ausgenutzt werden. Sofern dies nicht ausreichend ist, kann zwischen einer mit dem bewegbaren Kontakthebel gekuppelten Traverse und einem relativ zu dem an der gleichen Seite des Kontakthebels wie die Traverse befindlichen Teilstück der Anschlußschiene eine Feder und ein die Federkraft auf das Teilstück im Sinne einer Vergrößerung der Kontaktkraft zwischen dem Teilstück und dem Kontakthebel übertragender Andruckhebel angeordnet sein. Hierdurch wird erreicht, daß die Andruckkraft beim Schwenken des Kontakthebels in seine Einschaltlage vergrößert wird.As already mentioned, the effect of parallel current paths in the region of the fixed connecting rail can be used to increase the contact force within the joint arrangement. If this is not sufficient, a spring and a spring force can be placed between a crossbar coupled to the movable contact lever and a section of the connecting rail located on the same side of the contact lever as the crossbar, and the spring force on the section in the sense of an increase in the contact force between the Section and the contact lever transmitting pressure lever can be arranged. This ensures that the pressing force is increased when the contact lever is pivoted into its switched-on position.

Der Andruckhebel kann zweckmäßig als Winkelhebel ausgebildet und im Bereich seiner Abwinklung an einem ortsfesten Lagerbolzen unter dem Einfluß der Feder anliegend angeordnet sein.The pressure lever can expediently be designed as an angle lever and can be arranged in the region of its angling against a stationary bearing pin under the influence of the spring.

Ebenfalls unter Verwendung der vorstehend erwähnten Traverse kann das eine Teilstück der Anschlußschiene als Kontaktbrücke ausgebildet und mit einem quer zu ihrer Längsrichtung verlaufend angeordneten Langloch zur Aufnahme eines ortsfesten Führungsbolzens versehen sein, der zugleich als Lagerbolzen des Andruckhebels dient. Hierbei läßt sich die stromabhängige und stellungsabhängige Vergrößerung der Andruckkraft in einem weiteren Bereich wählen, weil die Kontaktbrücke infolge ihrer gelenkigen Auflage auf dem anderen Teilstück der ortsfesten Anschlußschiene frei von Rückstellkräften ist.Also using the above-mentioned traverse, one section of the connecting rail can be designed as a contact bridge and can be provided with an elongated hole extending transversely to its longitudinal direction for receiving a stationary guide pin which also serves as a bearing pin of the pressure lever. Here, the current-dependent and position-dependent increase in the pressing force can be selected in a wider range because the contact bridge is free of restoring forces due to its articulated support on the other section of the fixed connecting rail.

Die Erfindung wird im folgenden anhand der in den Figuren dargestellten Ausführungsbeipiele näher erläutert.The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures.

Die Figur 1 zeigt eine Seitenansicht einer stromführenden Gelenkverbindung.FIG. 1 shows a side view of a live articulated connection.

In der Figur 2 ist eine Draufsicht auf die stromführende Gelenkverbindung gemäß der Figur 1 gezeigt.FIG. 2 shows a top view of the current-carrying joint connection according to FIG. 1.

Die Figuren 3, 4, 5, 6 und 7 zeigen weitere Ausführungsformen einer stromführenden Gelenkverbindung jeweils in einer der Figur 1 entsprechenden Seitenansicht.Figures 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 show further embodiments of a current-carrying articulation in each case in a side view corresponding to Figure 1.

In der Figur 1 ist der Hauptstrompfad eines Leistungsschalters, insbesondere eines kompakten Niederspannungs-Leistungsschalters mit Isolierstoffgehäuse, gezeigt. Zum Öffnen und Schließen von Schaltkontakten 10 und 12 dient ein Kontakthebel 18, der um eine Schwenkachse 22 bewegbar ist. Durch eine als Ganzes mit 14 bezeichnete stromführende Gelenkanordnung ist der Kontakthebel 18 mit einer ortsfesten Anschlußschiene 16 verbunden. Die Gelenkanordnung 14 umfaßt einen die Schwenkachse 22 umgebenden Gelenkbereich 20, der eine kreisförmige Kontur aufweist. Mit dem Gelenkbereich 20 wirkt ein feststehender Teil 24 der Gelenkanordnung 14 zusammen, der aus einem kontaktgebenden Endteil 36 eines oberen Teilstückes 26 der Anschlußschiene 16 und einem weiteren kontaktgebenden Endteil 34 eines unteren Teilstückes 28 der feststehenden Anschlußschiene 16 gebildet ist. Wie die Draufsicht gemäß der Figur 2 zeigt, ist der kontaktgebende Endteil 36 des Teilstückes 26 in Kontaktfinger 30 unterteilt, die mit den Gelenkbereichen 20 einer entsprechenden Anzahl von Kontakthebeln 18 zusammenwirken.1 shows the main current path of a circuit breaker, in particular a compact low-voltage circuit breaker with an insulating housing. A contact lever 18 is used to open and close switching contacts 10 and 12 a pivot axis 22 is movable. The contact lever 18 is connected to a stationary connecting rail 16 by means of a current-carrying joint arrangement designated as a whole by 14. The joint arrangement 14 comprises a joint region 20 which surrounds the pivot axis 22 and which has a circular contour. A fixed part 24 of the joint arrangement 14 interacts with the joint region 20, which is formed from a contacting end part 36 of an upper section 26 of the connecting rail 16 and a further contacting end part 34 of a lower section 28 of the fixed connecting rail 16. As the top view according to FIG. 2 shows, the contacting end part 36 of the section 26 is divided into contact fingers 30, which cooperate with the joint regions 20 of a corresponding number of contact levers 18.

Der Endteil 36 des Teilstückes 26 weist eine ebene Kontaktfläche 32 auf, während der Endteil 34 des Teilstückes 28 zwei winklig zueianderstehende ebene Kontaktflächen 38 besitzt. Somit entstehen drei diskrete Kontaktbereiche 40 zwischen dem Gelenkbereich 20 des Kontakthebels 18 und den Endteilen 34 und 36.The end part 36 of the section 26 has a flat contact surface 32, while the end part 34 of the section 28 has two flat contact surfaces 38 which are at an angle to one another. This creates three discrete contact areas 40 between the articulated area 20 of the contact lever 18 and the end parts 34 and 36.

In dem Ausführungsbeispiel gemäß den Figuren 1 und 2 ist das untere Teilstück 28 der Anschlußschiene 16 mit einem größeren Querschnitt, d. h. einer größeren Dicke, als das obere Teilstück 26 ausgebildet. Die hierdurch bewirkte größere Festigkeit des unteren Teilstückes 28 bewirkt die Aufrechterhaltung der Schwenkachse 22 in der dargestellten Stellung, wenn der Kontakthebel 18 belastet ist. Der Endteil 36 des oberen Teilstückes 26 ist durch eine Abkröpfung gegenüber der Ebene des unteren Teilstückes 28 derart versetzt, daß ein Zwischenraum entsteht und somit der Endteil 36 relativ zu dem Endteil 34 federnd beweglich ist. Diese Anordnung ermöglicht eine Erhöhung der Kontaktkraft zwischen den ebenen Kontaktflächen 32 und 38 unter dem Einfluß des über die Strombahn fließenden Stromes. Die Erhöhung der Kontaktkraft wird durch das Zusammenwirken der in den Strompfaden A und B in Figur 1 angedeuteten Teilströme und den hiermit verknüpften magnetischen Feldern bewirkt.In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower section 28 of the connecting bar 16 is designed with a larger cross section, ie a greater thickness, than the upper section 26. The resulting greater strength of the lower section 28 causes the pivot axis 22 to be maintained in the position shown when the contact lever 18 is loaded. The end part 36 of the upper section 26 is offset by an offset relative to the plane of the lower section 28 in such a way that an intermediate space is created and thus the end part 36 is resiliently movable relative to the end part 34. This arrangement enables an increase in the contact force between the flat contact surfaces 32 and 38 under the influence of the current flowing over the current path. The increase in contact force is due to the interaction of the partial currents indicated in the current paths A and B in FIG. 1 and the magnetic fields associated therewith.

In dem Ausführungsbeispiel gemäß der Figur 3 sind die Teilstücke 26 und 28 der Anschlußschiene 16 mit gleicher Dicke ausgeführt. Durch Abkröpfungen beider Teilstücke werden relativ zueinander bewegbare Endteile 42 und 44 gebildet, die mit jeweils drei winklig zueinanderstehenden ebenen Kontaktflächen 32 unter Bildung von je drei diskreten Kontaktbereichen 40 an dem Gelenkbereich 20 des Kontakthebels 18 anliegen.In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3, the sections 26 and 28 of the connecting bar 16 are of the same thickness. By cranking both sections, relatively movable end parts 42 and 44 are formed, each of which rests on the articulated area 20 of the contact lever 18 with three planar contact surfaces 32 which are at an angle to one another, forming three discrete contact areas 40.

In dem Beispiel gemäß der Figur 4 sind die Teilstücke 26 und 28 der Anschlußschiene 16 ähnlich wie in dem Beispiel gemäß der Figur 3 symmetrisch unter Bildung gegeneinander bewegbarer Endteile 46 und kontaktgebender Enden 48 abgekröpft. Die Enden 48 weisen zwei etwa unter einem rechten Winkel zueinanderstehende ebene Kontaktflächen 50 auf, die in der schon beschriebenen Weise an dem Gelenkbereich 20 mit kreisförmiger Kontur anliegen.In the example according to FIG. 4, the sections 26 and 28 of the connecting bar 16 are bent off symmetrically, similar to the example according to FIG. 3, with end parts 46 and contacting ends 48 which can be moved relative to one another. The ends 48 have two flat contact surfaces 50 which are approximately at right angles to one another and which bear against the joint region 20 with a circular contour in the manner already described.

Während in den vorstehend erläuterten Ausführungsbeispielen die Kontaktkraft zwischen den Teilen der Gelenkanordnung 14 keine Rückwirkung auf die Stellung des Kontakthebels 18 ausübt, ist in dem Beispiel gemäß der Figur 5 eine solche Gestaltung gewählt, daß die Kontaktkraft eine in Schließrichtung des Kontakthebels 61 wirkendes Drehmoment ausübt. Hierzu ist der die Schwenkachse 66 umgebende Gelenkbereich 62 des Kontakthebels 61 derart gestaltet, daß zu beiden Seiten der Kontaktbereiche 40 abgeflachte Seiten 64 vorhanden sind. Zu beiden Seiten der Kontaktbereiche 40 nimmt somit der Radius des Gelenkbereiches 62 bezüglich der Schwenkachse 66 ab. Auf diese Weise entsteht ein auf den Kontakthebel 61 wirkendes Drehmoment, wenn dieser ausgehend von der dargestellten Lage im Einschaltsinn verdreht wird und hierdurch die Kontaktbereiche 40 aus der gezeigten neutralen Stellung bezüglich der Schwenkachse 60 herausbewegt werden.While in the exemplary embodiments explained above the contact force between the parts of the joint arrangement 14 does not have any effect on the position of the contact lever 18, in the example according to FIG. 5 such a design is chosen that the contact force exerts a torque acting in the closing direction of the contact lever 61. For this purpose, the joint area 62 of the contact lever 61 surrounding the pivot axis 66 is designed such that flattened sides 64 are present on both sides of the contact areas 40. The radius of the joint area 62 with respect to the pivot axis 66 thus decreases on both sides of the contact areas 40. In this way, a torque acts on the contact lever 61 when it is rotated starting from the position shown in the switch-on direction and thereby moves the contact areas 40 out of the neutral position shown with respect to the pivot axis 60 become.

Der feststehende Teil der Gelenkanordnung ist an den Gelenkbereich 62 des Kontakthebels 61 in spezieller Weise angepaßt. Hierzu ist ein oberer Endteil 56 eines Teilstückes 52 der feststehenden Anschlußschiene 16 mit einer ebenen Kontaktfläche 60 gebildet. Der Endteil 56 ist durch eine Abkröpfung im Kontaktbereich 40 relativ zu einem unteren Endteil 58 eines unteren Teilstückes 54 der Anschlußschiene 16 bewegbar. Der Endteil 58 weist an zwei rechtwinklig zueinanderstehenden Schenkeln zwei ebene Kontaktflächen 60 auf.The fixed part of the hinge arrangement is adapted to the hinge area 62 of the contact lever 61 in a special way. For this purpose, an upper end part 56 of a section 52 of the fixed connecting rail 16 is formed with a flat contact surface 60. The end part 56 is movable by an offset in the contact area 40 relative to a lower end part 58 of a lower section 54 of the connecting bar 16. The end part 58 has two flat contact surfaces 60 on two legs that are perpendicular to one another.

In den Ausführungsbeispielen gemäß den Figuren 6 und 7 sind Vorkehrungen getroffen, um die in der Gelenkanordnung 40 wirkende Andruckkraft in Abhängigkeit von der Stellung des Kontakthebels 18 zu vergrößern. Diese Maßnahme wirkt sich vorteilhaft auf die Stromtragfähigkeit der Gelenkanordnung aus und verringert den Energiebedarf beim Einschalten. Hierzu ist ausgehend von einer etwa dem Beispiel gemäß den Figuren 1 und 2 entsprechenden Anordnung mit einem oberen Endteil 68 und einem unteren Endteil 70 ein Andruckhebel 76 vorgesehen, der mit einer Abwinklung an einem ortsfesten Lagerbolzen 78 anliegt. Das eine Ende des Andruckhebels 76 legt sich dabei unter dem Einfluß einer am anderen Ende des Andruckhebels 76 angreifenden Zugfeder 80 nahe dem oberen Kontaktbereich 40 an den Endteil 68 an. Die Spannung der an einer die Kontakthebel 18 verbindenden Traverse 82 eingehängten Zugfeder 80 ist von der Stellung des Kontakthebels 18 relativ zu dem festen Schaltkontakt 12 in der Weise abhängig, daß die Spannung im eingeschalteten Zustand, d. h. bei Berührung der Schaltkontakte 10 und 12 am größten ist. Auf diese Weise ist auch die Andruckkraft in den Kontaktbereichen 40 in der Einschaltstellung des Kontakthebels 18 am größten. Der Andruckhebel 76 kann auch zusätzlich federnd, d. h. z. B. als Blattfeder, ausgebildet sein.In the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 6 and 7, precautions are taken to increase the pressure force acting in the joint arrangement 40 as a function of the position of the contact lever 18. This measure has an advantageous effect on the current carrying capacity of the joint arrangement and reduces the energy requirement when switching on. For this purpose, starting from an arrangement roughly corresponding to the example according to FIGS. 1 and 2 with an upper end part 68 and a lower end part 70, a pressure lever 76 is provided which bears against a fixed bearing pin 78 with an angle. One end of the pressure lever 76 rests against the end part 68 under the influence of a tension spring 80 acting on the other end of the pressure lever 76 near the upper contact area 40. The voltage of the tension spring 80 suspended on a crossbar 82 connecting the contact lever 18 depends on the position of the contact lever 18 relative to the fixed switching contact 12 in such a way that the voltage is greatest when switched on, ie when the switching contacts 10 and 12 are touched . In this way, the pressure force in the contact areas 40 is greatest in the switched-on position of the contact lever 18. The pressure lever 76 can also be designed to be resilient, for example as a leaf spring.

Eine noch wirksamere Vergrößerung der Andruckkraft wird in dem Ausführungsbeispiel gemäß der Figur 7 dadurch erzielt, daß das eine Teilstück der ortsfesten Anschlußschiene 16 als Kontaktbrücke 72 ausgebildet ist, die mit einem balligen Ende einen Kontaktbereich 92 an dem unteren Endteil 74 bildet. Hierdurch entstehen wiederum die parallelen Strompfade A und B, wobei jedoch die vom Strom herrührenden Kräfte vollständig wirksam werden können. Gegen eine Verschiebung in Längsrichtung der Anschlußschiene 16 ist die Kontaktbrücke 72 durch einen ortsfesten Lagerbolzen 86 gesichert, der in einem Langloch 88 der Kontaktbrücke 72 aufgenommen ist. Der Lagerbolzen 86 dient zugleich als Schwenklager für einen gleichfalls winklig ausgebildeten Andruckhebel 84, der in der bereits anhand der Figur 6 beschriebenen Weise unter der Wirkung einer Zugfeder 80 steht. Der Andruckhebel 84 wirkt mit einer Nase auf die Kontaktbrücke 72 im Bereich ihrer ebenen Kontaktfläche 90 und damit nahe dem Kontaktbereich 40.An even more effective increase in the pressing force is achieved in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 7 in that one part of the fixed connecting rail 16 is designed as a contact bridge 72 which forms a contact area 92 on the lower end part 74 with a crowned end. This in turn creates the parallel current paths A and B, but the forces resulting from the current can be fully effective. The contact bridge 72 is secured against displacement in the longitudinal direction of the connecting rail 16 by a fixed bearing pin 86 which is received in an elongated hole 88 of the contact bridge 72. The bearing pin 86 also serves as a pivot bearing for a likewise angled pressure lever 84 which, in the manner already described with reference to FIG. 6, is under the action of a tension spring 80. The pressure lever 84 acts with a nose on the contact bridge 72 in the area of its flat contact surface 90 and thus close to the contact area 40.

Claims (8)

  1. An articulated conductive assembly comprising a stationary connecting bar (16) with at least one pivotable contact lever (18), a hinge part (20, 62) of the pivotable contact lever (18) which is penetrated by a pivot axis (22, 66) being enclosed by two partial elements (26 28; 52, 54; 72, 74) of the stationary connecting bar (16), characterised in that the partial elements (26, 28) of the stationary connecting bar (16) rest against the hinge part (20, 66) of the pivotable contact lever (18) to form at least three separate contact areas (40) with flat contact surfaces (32, 58, 60, 90), the first (26) of the partial elements (26, 28) of the stationary connecting bar (16) comprising at least flat two contact surfaces (38) which are angled relative to one another, and the second (26) (sic) of the partial elements (26, 28) comprising at least one flat contact surface (32).
  2. An articulated assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the partial elements (26, 28; 52, 54) of the stationary connecting bar (16) are superimposed and by means of at least one cranked section two end sections (34, 36; 42, 44; 56, 58; 68, 70) are formed, which are displaceable relative to one another, are provided with the flat contact surfaces (32, 38; 50; 60; 90) and comprise parallel current paths (A, B).
  3. An articulated assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the partial elements (26, 28) of the stationary connecting bar (16) are constructed with different cross sections, so that the first partial element (26) has a greater degree of flexibility than the other partial element (28) in relation to the hinge part (20) of the pivotable contact arm (18).
  4. An articulated assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hinge part (20) of the pivotable contact lever (18) has a circular contour.
  5. An articulated assembly according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the hinge part (62) of the pivotable contact lever (18) comprises regions with a reduced redius relative to the pivot axis (66) either side of the respective contact areas (40) formed with the partial elements (52, 54) of the stationary connecting bar (16).
  6. An articulated assembly according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that arranged between a traverse (82) coupled with the displaceable contact lever (18) and a partial element (68, 72) of the stationary connecting bar (16) located on the same side of the articulated assembly as the traverse (82) are a spring (80) and a pressing lever (76, 84) transmitting the spring force to the partial element (68, 72) with a view towards increasing the contact force between the partial elements (68, 70; 72, 74) of the stationary connecting bar (18) and the hinge part (20) of the contact lever (18).
  7. An articulated assembly according to claim 6, characterised in that the pressing lever (76) is constructed as an angle lever and is arranged in the region of its angle so as to rest against a stationary bearing pin under the influence of the spring (80).
  8. An articulated assembly according to claim 6, characterised in that one partial element (72) of the connecting bar (16) is constructed as a contact bridge (72) and is provided with a slot (88) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction for receiving a stationary guide pin (86), which simultaenously acts as a bearing pin for the pivotal mounting of the pressing lever (84).
EP89250026A 1988-09-08 1989-09-07 Articulated conductive assembly for a contact lever Expired - Lifetime EP0358286B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US07/242,233 US4926019A (en) 1988-09-08 1988-09-08 Moving copper pivot
US242233 1988-09-08

Publications (3)

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EP0358286A2 EP0358286A2 (en) 1990-03-14
EP0358286A3 EP0358286A3 (en) 1991-01-02
EP0358286B1 true EP0358286B1 (en) 1995-03-01

Family

ID=22913978

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP89250026A Expired - Lifetime EP0358286B1 (en) 1988-09-08 1989-09-07 Articulated conductive assembly for a contact lever

Country Status (6)

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US (1) US4926019A (en)
EP (1) EP0358286B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH02117024A (en)
CA (1) CA1334595C (en)
DE (1) DE58909052D1 (en)
ES (1) ES2069577T3 (en)

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DE4416104C2 (en) * 1994-04-19 2000-07-13 Siemens Ag Switch contact arrangement of an electrical circuit breaker
DE19635366A1 (en) 1996-08-21 1998-02-26 Siemens Ag Movable contact arrangement for a low-voltage circuit breaker with a pivot bearing
US6005206A (en) * 1998-05-07 1999-12-21 Eaton Corporation Electrical switching apparatus with improved contact arm carrier arrangement
FR2822588B1 (en) * 2001-03-23 2003-07-04 Schneider Electric Ind Sa DEVICE FOR PASSING AN ELECTRIC CURRENT BETWEEN ARTICULATED CONDUCTIVE ARMS
EP1732098A4 (en) * 2004-01-28 2009-05-13 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Breaker
FR2931583A1 (en) * 2008-05-22 2009-11-27 Schneider Electric Ind Sas CONTACT DEVICE FOR RESISTIVE HIGH POWER SWITCH

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA1334595C (en) 1995-02-28
JPH02117024A (en) 1990-05-01
EP0358286A3 (en) 1991-01-02
US4926019A (en) 1990-05-15
EP0358286A2 (en) 1990-03-14
ES2069577T3 (en) 1995-05-16
DE58909052D1 (en) 1995-04-06

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