EP0603663B1 - Thermal and magnetic tripping mechanism - Google Patents

Thermal and magnetic tripping mechanism Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0603663B1
EP0603663B1 EP93119852A EP93119852A EP0603663B1 EP 0603663 B1 EP0603663 B1 EP 0603663B1 EP 93119852 A EP93119852 A EP 93119852A EP 93119852 A EP93119852 A EP 93119852A EP 0603663 B1 EP0603663 B1 EP 0603663B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
arms
tripping device
bimetallic snap
coil
action
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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
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EP93119852A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0603663A1 (en
Inventor
Erhard Runtsch
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ABB Patent GmbH
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ABB Patent GmbH
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
    • H01H71/10—Operating or release mechanisms
    • H01H71/12—Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release
    • H01H71/40—Combined electrothermal and electromagnetic mechanisms
    • H01H71/402—Combined electrothermal and electromagnetic mechanisms in which the thermal mechanism influences the magnetic circuit of the electromagnetic mechanism

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a thermal and an electromagnetic release according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • thermal and magnetic releases are used in particular in circuit breakers, the thermal release responding to a so-called overcurrent and the electromagnetic release responding to a short-circuit current.
  • the thermal bimetal is designed as a bimetal strip which is heated either directly or indirectly by the overcurrent.
  • direct heating current flows through the bimetallic strip, whereas with indirect heating the bimetallic strip is surrounded by a heating winding which is flowed through by the current and heats up as a result; in both cases the bimetal clamped on one side bends, actuates a key switch and opens contact points in the network conductors to be protected.
  • DE-GM 18 84 376 may be mentioned as an example of such arrangements.
  • thermobimetal with a circular shape is assigned to a coil, the thermobimetal being exposed to the electromagnetic field of the coil.
  • the thermobimetal element deforms due to heating, both because of eddy currents due to changes in the electromagnetic field and due to the heat losses of the electromagnet.
  • an overcurrent release for protective switching devices has become known, in which an electromagnet is assigned a bimetallic snap disk, which is heated by the electromagnet and actuates the plunger connected to the magnet armature due to heating, so that a switching latch is released and thereby a contact point can be opened.
  • the bimetallic snap disk must have a relatively low working temperature, low working temperatures resulting in a relatively large influence by external temperature influences. These can be the change in the ambient temperature at the place of use or a change in the temperature influence due to the mutual temperature influence of the poles with flush mounting or when used as a multi-pole switch. For multi-pole switches, either snap disks with a different response temperature must be used or a different heating output must be generated by changing the coil.
  • the object of the invention is to provide an arrangement of the type mentioned, in which the working temperature is increased and the influence of the ambient temperature at the place of use is reduced.
  • the plunger is thus actuated via the magnet armature and the bimetallic snap element is designed as a bimetallic snap strip and is fixed between two arms forming the carrier body.
  • the heat transfer from the heat source that is to say the coil, thus takes place at the ends of the bimetallic snap strip, or bimetallic strip for short, via the yoke in a more expedient manner Wise attached arms that are copper-plated for better heat conduction or coated with another corrosion-resistant, good heat conductor.
  • the arms are designed as cutting edge bearings in accordance with the characterizing features of claim 3.
  • the storage designed as a cutting edge bearing, which is non-positive over both bearing points, can be adjusted according to the characterizing features of claim 4, whereby the response temperature (snap temperature) of the bimetallic strip can be adjusted in a certain temperature range according to requirements.
  • the required adjustment range can result from the use for coils with different heating capacities, which result from mutual interference in multi-pole switches, from different ambient temperatures or from other desired characteristics or nominal current ranges.
  • the setting can be made externally before installing the snap strip or later in the assembled state on the switching device, which is possible in particular when using an adjusting screw.
  • the encapsulation made of a poorly heat-conducting material can have an opening under which a tensioning element which changes the distance between the two arms and thus the snap action of the bimetallic snap strip is arranged according to the characterizing features of claim 7, the embodiment designed in this way allowing the adjustment Clamping process no longer manually takes place, but automatically and depending on the temperature change, which depends on the mutual influence or on the changed ambient temperature.
  • the temperature-dependent element that controls the distance is "open" to the surrounding air, so that the ambient air can act on this element.
  • the snap element is provided in the storage area with good heat-conducting, resilient elements, which form good thermal contact with the good heat-conducting, appropriately designed yoke.
  • the snap element itself is largely encapsulated or surrounded with poorly heat-conducting materials, for example insulating material, so that the heat supplied by the neighboring device via the heat conduction does not act directly on the bimetal strip.
  • the outward-facing side of the encapsulation can simultaneously form the outer wall of the circuit breaker.
  • a circuit breaker as shown in Figure 1, has a main current path 10, the ends of which have terminals 11 and 12, and in which there is a contact point 13, which may be assigned to arc extinguishing plates, and an electromagnetic system 14 with a coil.
  • the switching device also has a thermal release 15 which is designed as a bimetallic snap strip and is clamped between two bearings 16 and 17.
  • the electromagnet system 14 acts on the one hand via an action line 18 on the contact point 13 for opening the contact point 13 and via an action line 19 on a switching lock 20 which is released from the armature of the electromagnet system 14 and opens the contact point 13 via the action line 21.
  • the electromagnet system 14 opens in the event of short-circuit currents, whereas the thermal bimetal 15 acts on the latching point in the switching mechanism via an active line 22 when overcurrents occur.
  • the bimetallic metal 15 is designed as a bimetallic snap strip, which is clamped on both sides at the two bearing points 16 and 17 and which is snapped due to heating coming from the coil of the electromagnetic system 14 (broken line 15 ') and thus acts on the latching point via the impact anchor.
  • the electromagnetic system 14 is shown in FIG. 2.
  • a plunger 27 is connected to the armature 26, which passes through a bore 28 in the core and is moved in the direction of arrow P when a short-circuit current occurs, where it acts on the contact point 13 or the line of action 19 on the switching mechanism 20 via the line of action 18.
  • the coil is surrounded by a yoke 29 which is C-shaped and to which both the coil body 24 and the magnetic core 25 are fastened in a manner not shown.
  • Two relatively rigid, resilient arms 30 and 31 are fastened to the yoke 29, arms 32, 33, which are bent inwards and are attached to the end of the yoke 29 opposite the core, which surround the coil 23 and to which the other end of the coil body 24 is fastened is.
  • These arms 32 and 33 have bends 34 and 35 with which the arms 30 and 31 are attached to the yoke.
  • the arms 30 and 31 also have spring feet 36 and 37 which rest on the yoke regions running parallel to the central axis of the plunger 27, so that the fastening points 32/34; 33/35 and the feet 36 and 37 a sufficiently good thermal contact between the yoke 29 and the arms 30 and 31 is achieved.
  • the free ends of the arms 30 and 31 have a V-shaped bend 38 and 39, the open side of which is directed towards each other, these two V-shaped bends 38 and 39 corresponding to the bearings 16 and 17 and a cutting edge bearing for a thermobimetal 15 corresponding Form bimetallic strip 40.
  • the bimetallic strip 40 is a snap strip which, due to an increase in temperature, flows through the coil 23 or through the coil 23 Electricity is generated to the extent that it is bent out so that it snaps into the dashed position 40 '.
  • the bimetallic snap strip 40 acts on the armature 26 via an extension 41 located on the armature 26, shown only by dashed lines, and on the switching mechanism 20 via the plunger 27.
  • the stiffness of the resilient arms 30, 31 is such that the bimetallic strip 40 can be snapped in, but the bimetallic snap strip 40 practically does not rest on the arms when it is snapped over, in order to avoid changes in response characteristics.
  • the bimetallic snap strip 40 together with the arms 30, 31, is surrounded by a housing 42, which consists of a material with poor thermal conductivity.
  • a housing 42 which consists of a material with poor thermal conductivity.
  • an adjustment screw 43 is screwed in perpendicular to the arm 30, which acts on the outside of the arm 30 and, when screwed in, changes the distance between the arms 30 and 31 or the distance between the bearing elements 38 and 39; H. reduced or enlarged.
  • the response characteristic of the thermobimetal 40 can be adjusted as required.
  • FIG. 3 A further embodiment of the invention, in particular the adjustability of the distance, is shown in FIG. 3.
  • the thermal bimetal 40 is clamped between the V-shaped bearings 44 and 45 on arms 46 and 47, which arms 46 and 47 correspond to arms 30 and 31.
  • the arms 46 and 47 have extensions 48 and 49, which have one another, the ends 50 and 51 of which are bent in an L-shape, so that the free ends run parallel to one another.
  • An adjustment screw 52 can be screwed through the two free ends, with which the distance the free ends 50 and 51 and thus the distance between the bearing points 44 and 45 can be adjusted.
  • FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the invention.
  • the arms 52 and 53 which are attached in the same way as the arms 30 and 31 to the yoke 29 with good thermal conductivity, each have an extension 54 and 55, which run parallel to one another. Between the extensions 54 and 55 there is a tensioning element 56 which changes its length due to temperature changes and which is attached below an opening 57 in a housing 58 corresponding to the housing 42. Ambient air reaches the tensioning element 56 through the opening 57, as a result of which the distance between the arms 52 and 53 changes and the thermobimetal 40 can thus be compensated for.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Thermally Actuated Switches (AREA)
  • Breakers (AREA)
  • Electromagnets (AREA)
  • Reciprocating, Oscillating Or Vibrating Motors (AREA)
  • Adhesive Tapes (AREA)

Abstract

A thermal and electromagnetic tripping mechanism has a magnet core (25) and a magnet armature (26), a coil (23) and a magnet yoke (29) surrounding the coil. A supporting member (30, 31) for a bimetallic element (40) is arranged at the end face in front of the magnet yoke (29) and joined thereto. The bimetallic element heats up in the event of an overcurrent (excess current) and is moved in the process from a first stable position into a second stable position and back, thereby actuating the magnet armature (26) to release a latching mechanism. The bimetallic element (40) is fixed between two arms (30, 31) which form the supporting member. It is expedient to construct the bimetallic element as a bimetallic snap-action strip (40). The arms (30, 31; 46, 47; 52, 53), which consist of a material which is an effective thermal conductor, are mounted on the magnet yoke (29) so as to conduct heat effectively. <IMAGE>

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft einen thermischen und einen elektromagnetischen Auslöser nach dem Oberbegriff des Anspruches 1.The invention relates to a thermal and an electromagnetic release according to the preamble of claim 1.

Derartige thermische und magnetische Auslöser finden insbesondere in Leitungsschutzschaltern Verwendung, wobei der thermische Auslöser auf einen sog. Überstrom und der elektromagnetische Auslöser auf einen Kurzschlußstrom anspricht.Such thermal and magnetic releases are used in particular in circuit breakers, the thermal release responding to a so-called overcurrent and the electromagnetic release responding to a short-circuit current.

Normalerweise und bei im wesentlichen allen derzeit auf dem Markt befindlichen Leitungsschutzschaltern ist das Thermobimetall als Bimetallstreifen ausgebildet, der entweder direkt oder indirekt vom Überstrom beheizt wird. Bei der direkten Beheizung durchfließt Strom den Thermobimetallstreifen, wogegen bei indirekter Beheizung der Thermobimetallstreifen von einer Heizwicklung umgeben ist, welche vom Strom durchflossen ist und sich dadurch erwärmt; in beiden Fällen biegt sich das einseitig eingespannte Thermobimetall aus, betätigt ein Schaltschloß und öffnet so Kontaktstellen in den abzusichernden Netzleitern.Normally and with essentially all circuit breakers currently on the market, the thermal bimetal is designed as a bimetal strip which is heated either directly or indirectly by the overcurrent. With direct heating, current flows through the bimetallic strip, whereas with indirect heating the bimetallic strip is surrounded by a heating winding which is flowed through by the current and heats up as a result; in both cases the bimetal clamped on one side bends, actuates a key switch and opens contact points in the network conductors to be protected.

Die bekannten Anordnungen, die seit vielen Jahren problemlos praktiziert werden, verursachen zusätzliche Verlustleistungen und benötigen zusätzliche Schweißverbindungen im Stromkreis. Da der Thermobimetallstreifen oder die Heizwicklung vom Strom durchflossen wird, muß das Thermobimetall bzw. die Heizwicklung kurzschlußfest ausgeführt werden; er muß weiterhin auch justiert werden.The known arrangements, which have been practiced without problems for many years, cause additional power losses and require additional welded connections in the circuit. Since electricity flows through the bimetallic strip or the heating coil, the bimetallic or heating coil must be short-circuit proof; it also has to be adjusted.

Beispielhaft für derartige Anordnungen sei das DE-GM 18 84 376 genannt.DE-GM 18 84 376 may be mentioned as an example of such arrangements.

Zur Vermeidung einer zusätzlichen Verlustleistung sowie zusätzlicher Schweißverbindungen im Stromkreis und auch zur Vermeidung einer kurzschlußfesten Ausführung ist beispielsweise aus dem DE-GM 18 22 570 bekannt geworden, die von der Spule erzeugte Wärme zur Aufheizung eines Thermobimetalls zu benutzen. Allerdings ist bei dieser Ausführung Wert darauf gelegt worden, daß das Erhitzungsverhalten eines Elektromotors nachzubilden ist, um zu vermeiden, daß die zulässige Grenztemperatur des Motors überschritten wird.To avoid an additional power loss and additional welded connections in the circuit and also to avoid a short-circuit-proof design, it has become known, for example from DE-GM 18 22 570, to use the heat generated by the coil to heat a bimetallic strip. However, in this version, emphasis has been placed on the fact that the heating behavior of an electric motor has to be simulated in order to avoid that the permissible limit temperature of the motor is exceeded.

Aus der US-PS 2 170 412 ist ein Schaltgerät bekannt geworden, bei dem ein Thermobimetall mit Kreisform einer Spule zugeordnet ist, wobei das Thermobimetall dem elektromagnetischen Feld der Spule ausgesetzt ist. Bei niedrigen Überströmen, wenn das elektromagnetische Feld relativ gering ist, verformt sich das Thermobimetallelement aufgrund einer Erwärmung und zwar sowohl wegen Wirbelströmen aufgrund Veränderung des elektromagnetischen Feldes als auch aufgrund der Wärmeverluste des Elektromagneten.A switching device is known from US Pat. No. 2,170,412, in which a thermobimetal with a circular shape is assigned to a coil, the thermobimetal being exposed to the electromagnetic field of the coil. At low overcurrents, when the electromagnetic field is relatively small, the thermobimetal element deforms due to heating, both because of eddy currents due to changes in the electromagnetic field and due to the heat losses of the electromagnet.

Aus der DE-PS 36 37 275 ist ein Überstromauslöser für Schutzschaltgeräte bekannt geworden, bei der einem Elektromagnet eine Bimetallschnappscheibe zugeordnet ist, welche von dem Elektromagneten erwärmt wird und aufgrund einer Erwärmung den mit dem Magnetanker verbundenen Stößel betätigt, so daß ein Schaltschloß entklinkt und dadurch eine Kontaktstelle geöffnet werden. Die Bimetallschnappscheibe muß dabei eine relativ niedrige Arbeitstemperatur aufweisen, wobei niedrige Arbeitstemperaturen eine relativ große Beeinflussung durch äußere Temperatureinflüsse zur Folge haben. Diese können die Änderung der Umgebungstemperatur am Einsatzort sein oder eine Änderung der Temperaturbeeinflussung durch die gegenseitige Temperaturbeeinflussung der Pole bei bündiger Montage oder bei Verwendung als mehrpolige Schalter. Für mehrpolige Schalter müssen entweder Schnappscheiben mit einer anderen Ansprechtemperatur verwendet oder eine andere Heizleistung durch eine Spulenänderung erzeugt werden.From DE-PS 36 37 275 an overcurrent release for protective switching devices has become known, in which an electromagnet is assigned a bimetallic snap disk, which is heated by the electromagnet and actuates the plunger connected to the magnet armature due to heating, so that a switching latch is released and thereby a contact point can be opened. The bimetallic snap disk must have a relatively low working temperature, low working temperatures resulting in a relatively large influence by external temperature influences. These can be the change in the ambient temperature at the place of use or a change in the temperature influence due to the mutual temperature influence of the poles with flush mounting or when used as a multi-pole switch. For multi-pole switches, either snap disks with a different response temperature must be used or a different heating output must be generated by changing the coil.

Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es, eine Anordnung der eingangs genannten Art zu schaffen, bei der die Arbeitstemperatur erhöht und der Einfluß der Umgebungstemperatur am Einsatzort verringert wird.The object of the invention is to provide an arrangement of the type mentioned, in which the working temperature is increased and the influence of the ambient temperature at the place of use is reduced.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß durch die Merkmale des Anspruches 1 gelöst.This object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

Der Stößel wird somit über den Magnetanker betätigt und das Bimetall-Schnappelement ist als Bimetall-Schnappstreifen ausgebildet und zwischen zwei den Trägerkörper bildenden Armen festgelegt. Dadurch, daß die Arme federnd sind und über die Arme die mechanische Spannung im Bimetall-Schnappstreifen einstellbar ist, entsteht die Möglichkeit des Umschnappens des Bimetall-Schnappstreifens.The plunger is thus actuated via the magnet armature and the bimetallic snap element is designed as a bimetallic snap strip and is fixed between two arms forming the carrier body. The fact that the arms are resilient and the mechanical tension in the bimetallic snap strip can be adjusted via the arms creates the possibility of snapping the bimetallic snap strip.

Eine besonders vorteilhafte Ausgestaltung der Erfindung, bei der die Übertragung der Wärme von der Spule auf das Thermobimetall erheblich verbessert wird, ist den kennzeichnenden Merkmalen des Anspruches 2 zu entnehmen.A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, in which the transfer of heat from the coil to the bimetal is considerably improved, can be gathered from the characterizing features of claim 2.

Die Wärmeübertragung von der Wärmequelle, also der Spule, erfolgt somit an den Enden des Bimetallschnappstreifens, kurz Bimetallstreifens genannt, über am Joch in zweckmäßiger Weise befestigte Arme, die zur besseren Wärmeleitung verkupfert oder mit einem anderen korrossionsfesten, guten Wärmeleiter beschichtet sind.The heat transfer from the heat source, that is to say the coil, thus takes place at the ends of the bimetallic snap strip, or bimetallic strip for short, via the yoke in a more expedient manner Wise attached arms that are copper-plated for better heat conduction or coated with another corrosion-resistant, good heat conductor.

Nach einer besonders vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung der Erfindung sind die Arme als Schneidenlager ausgebildet gemäß den kennzeichnenden Merkmalen des Anspruches 3.According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the arms are designed as cutting edge bearings in accordance with the characterizing features of claim 3.

Die als Schneidenlager ausgebildete Lagerung, die über beide Lagerstellen kraftschlüssig ist, kann gemäß kennzeichnenden Merkmalen des Anspruches 4 verstellt werden, wodurch die Ansprechtemperatur (Schnapptemperatur) des Bimetallstreifens in einem bestimmten Temperaturbereich den Erfordernissen entsprechend eingestellt werden kann.The storage designed as a cutting edge bearing, which is non-positive over both bearing points, can be adjusted according to the characterizing features of claim 4, whereby the response temperature (snap temperature) of the bimetallic strip can be adjusted in a certain temperature range according to requirements.

Die besondere Ausgestaltung der Justierung kann gemäß kennzeichnenden Merkmalen der Ansprüche 4, 5 oder 6 ausgebildet sein.The special configuration of the adjustment can be designed according to the characterizing features of claims 4, 5 or 6.

Der erforderliche Verstellbereich kann sich durch den Einsatz für Spulen mit verschiedener Heizleistung, die durch gegenseitige Beeinflussung bei mehrpoligen Schaltern, durch unterschiedliche Umgebungstemperatur oder durch andere gewünschte Charakteristiken oder Nennstrombereiche ergeben. Die Einstellung kann extern vor der Montage des Schnappstreifens oder später im montierten Zustand am Schaltgerät erfolgen, was insbesondere bei Verwendung einer Justierschraube möglich ist.The required adjustment range can result from the use for coils with different heating capacities, which result from mutual interference in multi-pole switches, from different ambient temperatures or from other desired characteristics or nominal current ranges. The setting can be made externally before installing the snap strip or later in the assembled state on the switching device, which is possible in particular when using an adjusting screw.

Die Kapselung aus einem schlecht wärmeleitenden Material kann eine Öffnung aufweisen, unter der ein den Abstand der beiden Arme und damit die Schnappwirkung des Bimetallschnappstreifens veränderndes Spannelement nach den kennzeichnenden Merkmalen des Anspruches 7 angeordnet ist, wobei die derart ausgebildete Ausführung es gestattet, daß der Einstell-Spannvorgang nicht mehr manuell erfolgt, sondern automatisch und zwar abhängig von der Temperaturänderung, die von der gegenseitigen Beeinflussung oder von der veränderten Umgebungstemperatur abhängt. Das temperaturabhängige Element, das den Abstand steuert, ist gegenüber der umgebenden Luft "geöffnet", so daß die Umgebungsluft auf dieses Element einwirken kann.The encapsulation made of a poorly heat-conducting material can have an opening under which a tensioning element which changes the distance between the two arms and thus the snap action of the bimetallic snap strip is arranged according to the characterizing features of claim 7, the embodiment designed in this way allowing the adjustment Clamping process no longer manually takes place, but automatically and depending on the temperature change, which depends on the mutual influence or on the changed ambient temperature. The temperature-dependent element that controls the distance is "open" to the surrounding air, so that the ambient air can act on this element.

Das Schnappelement wird im Lagerbereich mit gut wärmeleitenden, federnden Elementen versehen, die mit dem gut wärmeleitenden, zweckmäßig ausgebildeten Joch einen guten Wärmekontakt bilden. Das Schnappelement selbst ist, wie eingangs erwähnt, weitgehend mit schlecht wärmeleitenden Materialien, beispielsweise Isolierstoff gekapselt oder umgeben, damit die über die Wärmeleitung vom Nachbargerät zugeführte Wärme nicht direkt auf den Bimetallstreifen einwirkt. Die nach außen gerichtete Seite der Kapselung kann gleichzeitig die Außenwand des Schutzschalters bilden.The snap element is provided in the storage area with good heat-conducting, resilient elements, which form good thermal contact with the good heat-conducting, appropriately designed yoke. As mentioned at the beginning, the snap element itself is largely encapsulated or surrounded with poorly heat-conducting materials, for example insulating material, so that the heat supplied by the neighboring device via the heat conduction does not act directly on the bimetal strip. The outward-facing side of the encapsulation can simultaneously form the outer wall of the circuit breaker.

Weitere vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen und Verbesserungen der Erfindung sind den weiteren Unteransprüchen zu entnehmen.Further advantageous refinements and improvements of the invention can be found in the further subclaims.

Anhand der Zeichnung, in der zwei Ausführungsbeispiele der Erfindung dargestellt sind, sollen die Erfindung sowie weitere vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen und Verbesserungen der Erfindung näher erläutert und beschrieben werden.On the basis of the drawing, in which two exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown, the invention and further advantageous refinements and improvements of the invention are to be explained and described in more detail.

Es zeigen:

Figur 1
eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Bimetallanordnung innerhalb eines elektrischen Leitungsschutzschalters,
Figur 2
eine Schnittansicht durch eine erfindungsgemäße Anordnung, mit einer ersten Ausführung für die Justierung,
Figur 3
eine weitere Ausgestaltung der Justierung des Bimetalls und
Figur 4
eine weitere Ausgestaltung einer erfindungsgemäßen Anordnung.
Show it:
Figure 1
2 shows a schematic illustration of a bimetal arrangement according to the invention within an electrical circuit breaker,
Figure 2
2 shows a sectional view through an arrangement according to the invention, with a first embodiment for the adjustment,
Figure 3
a further embodiment of the adjustment of the bimetal and
Figure 4
a further embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention.

Es wird Bezug genommen auf die Figur 1.Reference is made to FIG. 1.

Ein Leitungsschutzschalter, wie er in der Figur 1 dargestellt ist, besitzt einen Hauptstrompfad 10, dessen Enden Anschlußklemmen 11 und 12 aufweisen, und in dem sich eine Kontaktstelle 13, der ggf. Lichtbogenlöschbleche zugeordnet sein können, und ein Elektromagnetsystem 14 mit Spule. Das Schaltgerät besitzt weiterhin einen thermischen Auslöser 15, der als Bimetallschnappstreifen ausgebildet ist und zwischen zwei Lagern 16 und 17 eingespannt ist. Das Elektromagnetsystem 14 wirkt einerseits über eine Wirklinie 18 auf die Kontaktstelle 13 zur Öffnung der Kontaktstelle 13 und über eine Wirklinie 19 auf ein Schaltschloß 20, welches von dem Anker des Elektromagnetsystems 14 entklinkt wird und über die Wirklinie 21 die Kontaktstelle 13 öffnet. Das Elektromagnetsystem 14 öffnet bei Kurzschlußströmen, wogegen das Thermobimetall 15 bei Auftreten von Überströmen über eine Wirklinie 22 auf die Verklinkungsstelle im Schaltschloß einwirkt. Das Thermobimetall 15 ist als Thermobimetall-Schnappstreifen ausgebildet, der an den beiden Lagerstellen 16 und 17 beidseitig eingespannt ist und aufgrund einer von der Spule des Elektromagnetsystems 14 herkommenden Erwärmung umschnappt (strichlierte Linie 15') und somit über den Schlaganker auf die Verklinkungsstelle einwirkt.A circuit breaker, as shown in Figure 1, has a main current path 10, the ends of which have terminals 11 and 12, and in which there is a contact point 13, which may be assigned to arc extinguishing plates, and an electromagnetic system 14 with a coil. The switching device also has a thermal release 15 which is designed as a bimetallic snap strip and is clamped between two bearings 16 and 17. The electromagnet system 14 acts on the one hand via an action line 18 on the contact point 13 for opening the contact point 13 and via an action line 19 on a switching lock 20 which is released from the armature of the electromagnet system 14 and opens the contact point 13 via the action line 21. The electromagnet system 14 opens in the event of short-circuit currents, whereas the thermal bimetal 15 acts on the latching point in the switching mechanism via an active line 22 when overcurrents occur. The bimetallic metal 15 is designed as a bimetallic snap strip, which is clamped on both sides at the two bearing points 16 and 17 and which is snapped due to heating coming from the coil of the electromagnetic system 14 (broken line 15 ') and thus acts on the latching point via the impact anchor.

Das Elektromagnetsystem 14 ist in der Figur 2 dargestellt. Man erkennt die Spule 23, die um einen Spulenkörper 24 herumgewickelt ist, der einen Kern 25 und einen Anker 26 umgibt, zwischen denen ggf. eine nicht näher dargestellte Feder angeordnet ist. Mit dem Anker 26 ist ein Stößel 27 verbunden, der eine Bohrung 28 im Kern durchgreift und bei Auftreten eines Kurzschlußstromes in Pfeilrichtung P bewegt wird, wo er über die Wirklinie 18 auf die Kontaktstelle 13 bzw. die Wirklinie 19 auf das Schaltschloß 20 einwirkt. Umgeben ist die Spule von einem Joch 29, welches C-förmig ausgebildet ist und an der in nicht näher dargestellter Weise sowohl der Spulenkörper 24 und der Magnetkern 25 befestigt ist.The electromagnetic system 14 is shown in FIG. 2. One recognizes the coil 23, which is wound around a coil body 24, which surrounds a core 25 and an armature 26, between which a spring (not shown in detail) may be arranged. A plunger 27 is connected to the armature 26, which passes through a bore 28 in the core and is moved in the direction of arrow P when a short-circuit current occurs, where it acts on the contact point 13 or the line of action 19 on the switching mechanism 20 via the line of action 18. The coil is surrounded by a yoke 29 which is C-shaped and to which both the coil body 24 and the magnetic core 25 are fastened in a manner not shown.

Am Joch 29 sind zwei relativ steife, federnde Arme 30 und 31 befestigt, wobei an dem dem Kern entgegengesetzten Ende des Jochs 29 nach innen umgebogene Arme 32, 33 angebracht sind, die die Spule 23 umgeben und an denen das andere Ende des Spulenkörpers 24 befestigt ist. Diese Arme 32 und 33 besitzen Ausbiegungen 34 und 35, mit denen die Arme 30 und 31 am Joch befestigt sind. Die Arme 30 und 31 besitzen weiterhin Federfüße 36 und 37, die auf den parallel zur Mittelachse des Stößels 27 verlaufenden Jochbereiche aufliegen, so daß über die Befestigungsstellen 32/34; 33/35 und die Füße 36 und 37 ein ausreichend guter Wärmekontakt zwischen dem Joch 29 und den Armen 30 und 31 erzielt wird. Die freien Enden der Arme 30 und 31 besitzen eine V-förmige Abkantung 38 und 39, deren offene Seite gegeneinander gerichtet ist, wobei diese beiden V-förmigen Abkantungen 38 und 39 den Lagerungen 16 und 17 entsprechen und eine Schneidenlagerung für einen dem Thermobimetall 15 entsprechenden Thermobimetallstreifen 40 bilden. Dar Thermobimetallstreifen 40 ist ein Schnappstreifen, der aufgrund einer Temperaturerhöhung, die durch die Spule 23 bzw. den durch die Spule 23 hindurchfließenden Strom erzeugt wird, soweit ausgebogen wird, daß er in die strichlierte Stellung 40' umschnappt. Über einen am Anker 26 befindlichen, lediglich strichliert dargestellten Fortsatz 41 wirkt der Bimetallschnappstreifen 40 auf den Anker 26 und über den Stößel 27 auf das Schaltschloß 20.Two relatively rigid, resilient arms 30 and 31 are fastened to the yoke 29, arms 32, 33, which are bent inwards and are attached to the end of the yoke 29 opposite the core, which surround the coil 23 and to which the other end of the coil body 24 is fastened is. These arms 32 and 33 have bends 34 and 35 with which the arms 30 and 31 are attached to the yoke. The arms 30 and 31 also have spring feet 36 and 37 which rest on the yoke regions running parallel to the central axis of the plunger 27, so that the fastening points 32/34; 33/35 and the feet 36 and 37 a sufficiently good thermal contact between the yoke 29 and the arms 30 and 31 is achieved. The free ends of the arms 30 and 31 have a V-shaped bend 38 and 39, the open side of which is directed towards each other, these two V-shaped bends 38 and 39 corresponding to the bearings 16 and 17 and a cutting edge bearing for a thermobimetal 15 corresponding Form bimetallic strip 40. The bimetallic strip 40 is a snap strip which, due to an increase in temperature, flows through the coil 23 or through the coil 23 Electricity is generated to the extent that it is bent out so that it snaps into the dashed position 40 '. The bimetallic snap strip 40 acts on the armature 26 via an extension 41 located on the armature 26, shown only by dashed lines, and on the switching mechanism 20 via the plunger 27.

Die Steifigkeit der federnden Arme 30, 31 ist so bemessen, daß ein Einschnappen des Bimetallstreifens 40 möglich ist, der Bimetallschnappstreifen 40 aber die Arme beim Umschnappen praktisch nicht aufliegt, um Ansprechcharakteristikänderungen zu vermeiden.The stiffness of the resilient arms 30, 31 is such that the bimetallic strip 40 can be snapped in, but the bimetallic snap strip 40 practically does not rest on the arms when it is snapped over, in order to avoid changes in response characteristics.

Der Bimetallschnappstreifen 40 ist zusammen mit den Armen 30, 31 von einem Gehäuse 42 umgeben, welches aus einem Material mit schlechter Wärmeleitfähigkeit besteht. Im Gehäuse 42 ist senkrecht zu dem Arm 30 ausgerichtet eine Justierschraube 43 eingeschraubt, die auf die Außenseite des Armes 30 einwirkt und bei Einschrauben den Abstand zwischen den Armen 30 und 31 bzw. den Abstand zwischen den Lagerelementen 38 und 39 verändert, d. h. verkleinert oder vergrößert. Mittels der Justierschraube 43 kann die Ansprechcharakteristik des Thermobimetalls 40 nach Bedarf eingestellt werden.The bimetallic snap strip 40, together with the arms 30, 31, is surrounded by a housing 42, which consists of a material with poor thermal conductivity. In the housing 42, an adjustment screw 43 is screwed in perpendicular to the arm 30, which acts on the outside of the arm 30 and, when screwed in, changes the distance between the arms 30 and 31 or the distance between the bearing elements 38 and 39; H. reduced or enlarged. By means of the adjusting screw 43, the response characteristic of the thermobimetal 40 can be adjusted as required.

Eine weitere Ausgestaltung der Erfindung, insbesondere der Einstellbarkeit des Abstandes zeigt die Figur 3. Das Thermobimetall 40 ist zwischen den V-förmigen Lagerungen 44 und 45 an Armen 46 und 47 eingespannt, welche Arme 46 und 47 den Armen 30 und 31 entsprechen. Die Arme 46 und 47 besitzen Verlängerungen 48 und 49, die aufeinanderzu aufweisen, deren Enden 50 und 51 L-förmig abgekantet sind, so daß die freien Enden parallel zueinander verlaufen. Durch die beiden freien Enden kann eine Justierschraube 52 hindurchgeschraubt werden, mit der der Abstand der freien Enden 50 und 51 und damit der Abstand der Lagerungsstellen 44 und 45 eingestellt werden kann.A further embodiment of the invention, in particular the adjustability of the distance, is shown in FIG. 3. The thermal bimetal 40 is clamped between the V-shaped bearings 44 and 45 on arms 46 and 47, which arms 46 and 47 correspond to arms 30 and 31. The arms 46 and 47 have extensions 48 and 49, which have one another, the ends 50 and 51 of which are bent in an L-shape, so that the free ends run parallel to one another. An adjustment screw 52 can be screwed through the two free ends, with which the distance the free ends 50 and 51 and thus the distance between the bearing points 44 and 45 can be adjusted.

Die Figur 4 zeigt eine weitere Ausgestaltung der Erfindung. Die Arme 52 und 53, die in der gleichen Weise wie die Arme 30 und 31 am Joch 29 gut wärmeleitend angebracht sind, besitzen je eine Verlängerung 54 und 55, welche parallel zueinander verlaufen. Zwischen den Verlängerungen 54 und 55 ist ein seine Länge aufgrund von Temperaturänderungen änderndes Spannelement 56 vorgesehen, welches unterhalb einer Öffnung 57 in einem dem Gehäuse 42 entsprechenden Gehäuse 58 angebracht ist. Durch die Öffnung 57 gelangt Umgebungsluft an das Spannelement 56, wodurch der Abstand zwischen den Armen 52 und 53 verändert und somit das Thermobimetall 40 kompensiert werden kann.FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the invention. The arms 52 and 53, which are attached in the same way as the arms 30 and 31 to the yoke 29 with good thermal conductivity, each have an extension 54 and 55, which run parallel to one another. Between the extensions 54 and 55 there is a tensioning element 56 which changes its length due to temperature changes and which is attached below an opening 57 in a housing 58 corresponding to the housing 42. Ambient air reaches the tensioning element 56 through the opening 57, as a result of which the distance between the arms 52 and 53 changes and the thermobimetal 40 can thus be compensated for.

Claims (11)

  1. Thermal and electromagnetic tripping device, having a magnet core (25) and a magnet armature (26), having a coil (23) and a magnet yoke (29) surrounding the coil, and having a support member (30, 31), which is arranged with its end face in front of the magnet yoke (29) and is connected thereto, for a bimetallic snap-action element (40) which heats up in the event of an overcurrent and in so doing is moved out of a first stable position into a second stable position and back upon cooling subsequent thereto, the said bimetallic snap-action element operating, by the movement into the second stable position, a plunger (27), penetrating a bore in the core (25), for unlatching a latching mechanism (20), characterized in that the plunger (27) is operated via the magnet armature (26), in that the bimetallic snap-action element is designed as a bimetallic snap-action strip (40) and fixed between two arms (30, 31; 46, 47; 52, 53) forming the support member, and in that the arms (30, 31; 46, 47; 52, 53) are resilient, the mechanical stress produced in the bimetallic snap-action strip (15, 40) by the arms (30, 31; 46, 47; 52, 53) being adjustable.
  2. Tripping device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the arms (30, 31; 46, 47; 52, 53), which consist of material which is a good conductor of heat, are attached to the magnet yoke (29) in an effectively thermally conductive fashion, the bimetallic snap-action strip (40) being heated up by the coil (23) via the arms (30, 31; 46, 47; 52, 53) upon the occurrence of an overcurrent flowing through the coil (23).
  3. Tripping device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the bimetallic snap-action strip (40) is surrounded by an enclosure, forming a housing (58), made from a material, preferably an insulant, which is a poor conductor of heat.
  4. Tripping device according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the arms (30, 31; 46; 47; 52, 53) have on their free ends V-shaped bearings (38, 39; 44, 45) which are situated opposite the open end and point towards one another and which serve as knife-edge bearings for the end edges of the bimetallic snap-action strip (40).
  5. Tripping device according to one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the spacing of the ends of the arms (30, 31; 46; 47; 52, 53) is adjustable.
  6. Tripping device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the spacing can be adjusted by means of an adjusting screw (43).
  7. Tripping device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the adjusting screw (43) can be screwed into the housing (42) from outside and can thereby be pressed from outside against one of the arms (30) in order to vary the spacing of the arms (30, 31).
  8. Tripping device according to Claim 5, characterized in that a clamping screw (52) by means of which the spacing can be adjusted is provided between the arms (46, 47).
  9. Tripping device according to Claim 8, characterized in that the arms (46, 47) have an extension (48) which has regions which are bent towards one another and whose ends (50, 51) are bent in the shape of an L and parallel to one another, and in that the clamping screw (52) is screwed into the free ends (50, 51).
  10. Tripping device according to Claim 5, characterized in that an element (56) which changes its length under the influence of temperature and with which the spacing of the arms (52, 53) changes automatically is provided between the arms (52, 53).
  11. Tripping device according to Claim 10, characterized in that the housing (58) has an opening (57) via which the element (56) is connected to the ambient air, with the result that the element (56) serves as a temperature-compensation element.
EP93119852A 1992-12-16 1993-12-09 Thermal and magnetic tripping mechanism Expired - Lifetime EP0603663B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4242516 1992-12-16
DE4242516A DE4242516A1 (en) 1992-12-16 1992-12-16 Thermal and electromagnetic release

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0603663A1 EP0603663A1 (en) 1994-06-29
EP0603663B1 true EP0603663B1 (en) 1996-11-06

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93119852A Expired - Lifetime EP0603663B1 (en) 1992-12-16 1993-12-09 Thermal and magnetic tripping mechanism

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EP (1) EP0603663B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE145088T1 (en)
DE (2) DE4242516A1 (en)
ES (1) ES2096188T3 (en)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2772980B1 (en) * 1997-12-19 2000-01-21 Schneider Electric Sa MAGNETO-THERMAL TRIGGER DEVICE AND CIRCUIT BREAKER EQUIPPED WITH THIS DEVICE
DE19942694C2 (en) * 1999-09-07 2002-06-27 Eti Elektroelement Dd Triggers for electrical circuit breakers
DE102004056282A1 (en) * 2004-11-22 2006-05-24 Abb Patent Gmbh Switching device for an electronic assembly comprises a thermal and electromagnetic circuit breaker having a snap-on mounting interacting with an impact anchor
DE102004056279A1 (en) * 2004-11-22 2006-05-24 Abb Patent Gmbh Protective switch with magnetic and thermal release for e.g. motor or circuit protection, is made from alloy with combined thermal- and magnetic shape memory
DE202011110187U1 (en) 2011-11-22 2013-01-18 Ellenberger & Poensgen Gmbh Electrical switching device
WO2013075726A1 (en) 2011-11-22 2013-05-30 Ellenberger & Poensgen Gmbh Electric switching device

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE469878C (en) * 1925-03-25 1929-01-02 Aeg Trip device for automatic switch
US2170412A (en) * 1936-12-17 1939-08-22 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Circuit breaker
DE1033308B (en) * 1956-09-11 1958-07-03 Licentia Gmbh Small electrical thermal switch
DE1822570U (en) * 1956-10-27 1960-12-01 Theodor Kiepe Elektrotechnisch SELF-ACTING DISCONNECTING DEVICE EQUIPPED WITH THERMAL AND ELECTROMAGNETIC RELEASE.
DE1884376U (en) * 1963-06-12 1963-12-12 Licentia Gmbh BIMETAL ARRANGEMENT FOR SWITCHING DEVICES.
DE3637275C1 (en) * 1986-11-03 1988-05-05 Flohr Peter Overcurrent trip device for protection switching apparatuses
DE3738795A1 (en) * 1987-11-14 1989-05-24 Asea Brown Boveri SELF-SWITCH

Also Published As

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ES2096188T3 (en) 1997-03-01
DE4242516A1 (en) 1994-06-23
ATE145088T1 (en) 1996-11-15
DE59304417D1 (en) 1996-12-12
EP0603663A1 (en) 1994-06-29

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