WO2013010559A1 - Auxiliary switch combining rotary and linear elements - Google Patents

Auxiliary switch combining rotary and linear elements Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013010559A1
WO2013010559A1 PCT/EP2011/003593 EP2011003593W WO2013010559A1 WO 2013010559 A1 WO2013010559 A1 WO 2013010559A1 EP 2011003593 W EP2011003593 W EP 2011003593W WO 2013010559 A1 WO2013010559 A1 WO 2013010559A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
contact device
switch
limb
contact
actuating shaft
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2011/003593
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Edgar Dullni
Manfred Sauer
Original Assignee
Abb Technology Ag
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Abb Technology Ag filed Critical Abb Technology Ag
Priority to PCT/EP2011/003593 priority Critical patent/WO2013010559A1/en
Publication of WO2013010559A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013010559A1/en

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Classifications

    • 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
    • H01H71/46—Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release having means for operating auxiliary contacts additional to the main contacts
    • H01H71/462—Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release having means for operating auxiliary contacts additional to the main contacts housed in a separate casing, juxtaposed to and having the same general contour as the main casing
    • 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
    • H01H1/20—Bridging contacts
    • H01H1/2041—Rotating bridge
    • 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
    • H01H1/36—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by sliding
    • H01H1/365—Bridging contacts

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an auxiliary switch for an electrical application combining rotary and linear elements.
  • the present invention relates to an auxiliary switch for an electrical application, and an electrical application comprising an auxiliary switch.
  • Auxiliary switches may be low voltage switches directly operated by an operating mechanism of an electrical equipment such as a circuit breaker. They are described in the IEC Standard 62271-1 under clause 5.4.4.5.
  • the auxiliary switch may be a switch with linear push-pull operation and a switch with rotary motion.
  • EP 1 715 500 B1 describes an auxiliary switch for a low voltage distributor which can be opened or closed by an actuating device adapted to contact butt contacts.
  • DE 101 18 919 A1 describes an installation switch with a thereto attachable auxiliary switch with movable butt contacts which are supported in a contact carrier which is coupled to an arm of a rotatable supported double arm lever.
  • the other arm is coupled to a movable element of the installation device.
  • the auxiliary switch comprises a control arrangement which is coupled to the contact carrier such that in an actuation of the control arrangement the contact carrier is moved without moving the double arm lever.
  • an auxiliary switch for an electrical application comprising a first contact device and a second contact device adapted for conducting current and attached to a bridge component of the auxiliary switch in parallel spaced apart from each other by a first distance in a longitudinal direction of a longitudinal side of the bridge component.
  • An actuating shaft of the auxiliary switch is adapted to rotate the bridge component from a switch-off position to a switch-on position in a switch-on direction around a shaft axis of the shaft by a switch-on rotary motion applied to the actuating shaft such that the first contact device and the second contact device are adapted to slidingly contact conducting terminals of the electrical application such that a current flow between the first contact device and the second contact device is provided.
  • the auxiliary switch combines rotary and linear elements enabling a rotary sliding contact engagement with fixed conducting terminals of the electrical application.
  • Such an auxiliary switch may be advantageous compared to a solely linear actuated switch, since it may have a longer lifespan and provides for a possibility to adapt the breaking capability of the auxiliary switch according to a required breaking capability at defined levels of auxiliary voltages. Gaps between the first contact device and a respective conducting terminal of the electrical application and between the second contact device and another respective conducting terminal of the application may be increased in dependence of the ratio of the access points of the movable first and second contact devices using the same stroke or actuation of the actuating shaft. Thus, the breaking capability may be adapted to an auxiliary voltage while keeping the actuation from the external mechanism unchanged. An optimum breaking capability might be achieved at high auxiliary voltages, since the stroke of the actuating shaft of the switch may be adapted to a gap distance between the conducting terminals and the first and second contact devices in the open position depending on the level of the auxiliary voltages.
  • a sliding effect may be provided between the first and the second contact device and each of the fixed conducting terminals, which may enable a cleaning of the first and second contact devices during a switch-on actuation of the auxiliary switch such that a self-cleaning effect of the first and second contact surfaces may be obtained.
  • Such an auxiliary switch with a first and second contact device with sliding engagement of the fixed terminals of the electrical application may provide a different carrying and different breaking area at the first and second contact devices such that the contacts do not wear out as fast and the contact resistance may not increase as fast as for a switch with linear push and pull operation of an auxiliary switch with butt contacts after electrical operations at full breaking current.
  • the first contact device is adapted to contact a first conducting terminal of the electrical application and the second contact device is adapted to contact a second conducting terminal of the electrical application such that a current flow between the first contact device and the second contact device is provided.
  • the first contact device and the second contact device may be a one part component.
  • the auxiliary switch is a low voltage switch and the electrical application is a low voltage electrical application and the auxiliary switch may be adapted to be operated by an operating mechanism of an electrical equipment such as a circuit breaker according to a further aspect.
  • the actuating shaft of the auxiliary switch is adapted to rotate the bridge component from the switch-on position to the switch-off position in a switch-off direction around the shaft axis by a switch-off rotary motion applied to the actuating shaft.
  • the first contact device and the second contact device may be normally-closed (NC)-contacts, wherein the first and second contacts are in sliding contact with respective conducting terminals of the electrical application such that a current flow between the first contact device and the second contact device is provided when a switch is switched off. If the switch is switched on, the current flow may be interrupted and a respective circuit disconnected.
  • NC normally-closed
  • the first contact device and the second contact device may be normally-opened (NO)-contacts, wherein the first and second contacts are not in contact with respective conducting terminals of the electrical application and slidingly contact the respective terminals in a switch-on position such that a current flow between the first contact device and the second contact device is provided when switching on the switch.
  • NO normally-opened
  • the auxiliary switch further comprises a connection device which is adapted to electrically attach to the first contact device and to the second contact device such that a conducting connection is provided between the first contact device and the second contact device.
  • the first contact device of the auxiliary switch comprises a first curved blade which is curved outwardly away from the second contact device.
  • the second contact device comprises a third curve blade with a third curved surface which is curved inwardly towards the first contact device.
  • the first curved blade comprises a first curved face facing the second contact device and is adapted to provide a sliding contact with a first conducting terminal of the electrical application at a first sliding contact region of the first curved face when the actuating shaft is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion.
  • the third curved blade comprises a third curved face averted to the first contact device and is adapted to provide a sliding contact with a second conducting terminal of the electrical application at a third sliding contact region of the third curved face when the actuating shaft is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion.
  • the first curved blade may be curved inward towards the second contact device and the first curved face may be averted to the second contact device.
  • the third curved blade may be curved outward away from the first contact device and the third curved face may face the first contact device.
  • the first curved blade has at least one first radius of curvature and at least one first center of curvature located in a first region at a first side extending from the first contact device in a direction averted to the second contact device.
  • the third curved blade may have at least one third radius of curvature and at least one third center of curvature located in a third region at a third side extending from the second contact device in a direction towards the first contact device.
  • the first contact device comprises a second curved blade which is curved inward towards the second contact device with an opposite curvature compared to the curvature of the first curved blade such that a first opening is provided between the first curved blade and the second curved blade, which first opening is adapted to receive the first conducting terminal when the actuating shaft is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion.
  • the second contact device comprises a fourth curved blade which is curved outward away from the first contact device with an opposite curvature compared to the curvature of the third curved blade such that a second opening is provided between the third curved blade and the fourth curved blade, which second opening is adapted to receive the second conducting terminal when the actuating shaft is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion.
  • the second curved blade comprises a second curved face facing the first curved face and is adapted to provide a sliding contact with a first conducting terminal of the electrical application at a second sliding contact region of the second curved face when the actuating shaft is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion.
  • the fourth curved blade comprises a fourth curved face facing the third curved face and is adapted to provide a sliding contact with the second conducting terminal of the electrical application at a fourth sliding contact region of the fourth curved face when the actuating shaft is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion.
  • Such an auxiliary switch with first and second curved blades and third and fourth curved blades may provide for a longer lifespan of the first and second contact devices compared to a switch with a linear push-pull operation because of the sliding engagement between the fixed conducting terminals and the first and second sliding contact regions which are different from a breaking current area at the edges of the first and second curved blades and the third and fourth curved blades facing the fixed first and second conducting terminals.
  • the first contact device and the second contact device may wear out slower compared to a switch with linear push-pull operation with butt contacts since the contact resistance in the sliding contact areas may not be increased after electrical operations at full breaking current since a self-cleaning effect of the first and second curved blades and the third and fourth curved blades at the sliding contact areas may be achieved during a switch-on rotary motion when contacting the first and second conducting terminals. Insulating debris and wear may not be pressed into the contacts and therefore may not give conducting problems especially at low currents and low voltages as is the case for a switch with linear push and pull operation and butt contacts.
  • the moving bridge component with two breaking gaps between the first contact device and the first conducting terminal and the second contact device and the second conducting terminal in series may comprise two parallel spring blades which are adapted for conducting current and which may be spread apart by the fixed contacts when engaging the fixed contacts and may provide a necessary contact force acting on the first conducting terminal and the second conducting terminal by the blades.
  • the contact force of curved blades comprising a beryllium copper alloy or any other conducting material providing the required contact spring properties may be in a region of 0.5 N to 1.0 N, in particular 0.89 N for the first and second curved blades, respectively the third and fourth curved blades.
  • the resistance of each blade may be in a region ranging from 1.0 to 2.0 ⁇ , in particular 1.6 ⁇ .
  • the bridge component may be a smart designed plastic part accommodating the first and second curved blade and the third and fourth curved blade and also may provide a transmission between the actuating shaft and the switch-on and switch-off rotary motion.
  • the switch-on rotary motion may provide a sliding effect between the first and second curved blade and the first fixed conducting terminal and the third and fourth curved blade and the second fixed conducting terminal, which may clean sliding contact regions of the first and second curved blade and of the third and fourth curved blade.
  • the current carrying area may not be disturbed by the breaking action which keeps the resistance of the sliding contacts, and the blades, respectively, low even after frequent switching.
  • NO- and NC-contacts may be used in the same auxiliary switch by using two different versions of the fixed conducting terminal parts.
  • the auxiliary switch according to the invention contains very few parts and may be simple to assemble, such that labour costs may be reduced.
  • the second curved blade has at least one second radius of curvature and at least one second center of curvature located in a second region at a second side extending from the first contact device in a direction towards the second contact device.
  • the fourth curved blade has at least one fourth radius of a curvature and at least one fourth center of curvature located in a fourth region at a fourth side extending from the second contact device in a direction averted to the first contact device.
  • the first contact device and the second contact device comprise a material selected from the group comprising a beryllium copper (CuBe) alloy and a zirconium copper (CuZr) alloy.
  • a bridge component is U- shaped and comprises a base forming the longitudinal side of the bridge component, a first limb attached to the base, and a second limb attached to the base. A first portion of the first contact device is arranged at a first limb and a second portion of the second contact device is arranged at a second limb.
  • a first portion of the first contact device is attached to the first limb and a second portion of the second contact device is attached to the second limb.
  • a first limb comprises a first recess to receive the first portion of the first contact device and a second limb comprises a second recess to receive the second portion of the second contact device.
  • the first limb has the form of a U-shaped elongated first bar with a first bar limb attached to a first bar base and a second bar limb attached to the first bar base such that the first recess is provided along the first limb traverse to the longitudinal direction and in the switch-on direction to receive the first portion of the first contact device.
  • the first bar limb and/or the second bar limb comprises a first protrusion protruding in the longitudinal direction in the first recess and providing a first gap to insert the first portion of the first contact device in the first recess.
  • the first protrusion is adapted to support the first contact device when the first portion of the first contact device is positioned in the first recess.
  • the second limb has the form of a U-shaped elongated second bar with a third bar limb attached to the second bar base and a fourth bar limb attached to the second bar base such that the second recess is provided along the second limb traverse to the longitudinal direction and in the switch-on direction to receive the second portion of the second contact device.
  • the third bar limb and/or the fourth bar limb comprises a second protrusion protruding in the longitudinal direction in the second recess and providing a second gap to insert the second portion of the second contact device in the second recess.
  • the second protrusion is adapted to support the second contact device when the second portion of the second contact device is positioned in the second recess.
  • the base comprises a third recess to receive the shaft portion of the actuating shaft such that the actuating shaft is adapted to rotate the bridge component from the switch-off position to the switch-on position in a switch-on direction transverse to the longitudinal direction by the switch-on rotary motion applied to the actuating shaft, and such that the actuating shaft is adapted to rotate the bridge component from the switch-on position to the switch-off position in a switch-off direction transverse to the longitudinal direction by a switch-off rotary motion applied to the actuating shaft.
  • a shaft portion of the actuating shaft is attached to the base by an attachment device such that the actuating shaft is adapted to rotate the bridge component in the switch-on and switch-off direction.
  • a connection device is arranged parallel to the longitudinal side of the base such that the connection device is adapted to electrically attach to the first contact device and to the second contact device such that a conducting connection is provided between the first contact device and the second contact device.
  • an electrical application comprising an auxiliary switch according to anyone of the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments and the exemplary embodiments in the following, comprising a first conducting terminal and a second conducting terminal.
  • the first contact device of the auxiliary switch is adapted to contact the first conducting terminal and a second contact device of the auxiliary switch is adapted to contact the second conducting terminal such that a current flow between the first contact device and the second contact device is provided when the auxiliary switch is actuated from a switch-off position to a switch-on position by rotating an actuating shaft of the auxiliary switch.
  • Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of an electrical application with an auxiliary switch according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 2 schematically shows a cross-sectional top view of the electrical application with the auxiliary switch according to Fig. 1 in a switch-off position of the auxiliary switch.
  • Fig. 3 schematically shows a perspective view of an auxiliary switch for an electrical application according to another embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show an electrical application 200 with an auxiliary switch 100 for the electrical application 200.
  • the auxiliary switch 100 comprises a first contact device 102 and a second contact device 122 which are adapted for conducting current and attached to a bridge component 141 in parallel and spaced apart from each other by a first distance 212 in a longitudinal direction 214 of a longitudinal side 147 of the bridge component 141.
  • An actuating shaft 180 is adapted to rotate the bridge component 141 from a switch-off position 216 to a first switch-on position 218 on the left side or a second switch-on position 220 on the right side of the electrical application 200 in a first switch-on direction 222 or a second switch-on direction 224 around a shaft axis 183 of the shaft 180 by a first switch-on rotary motion 226 or a second switch-on rotary motion 228 applied to the actuating shaft 180 such that the first contact device 102 is adapted to slidingly contact a first conducting terminal 202 on the left side or a first conducting terminal 2021 on the right side of the electrical application 200 and such that the second contact 122 is adapted to slidingly contact a second conducting terminal 204 on the left side or a second conducting terminal 2041 on the right side of the electrical compartment 200 such that a current flow between the first contact device 102 and the second contact device 122 is provided.
  • the first contact device 102 and the second contact device may be a one-part component 19
  • the electrical application 200 comprises several components 201 , 203, 205, 207, 209, the first conducting terminal 202 on the left side and the other first conducting terminal 2021 on the right side which has a chamfered side 208.
  • the second conducting terminal 204 on the left side and the other second conducting terminal 2041 on the right side are shown in Fig. 2.
  • the electrical application comprises further conducting terminals 206, 2061 with a chamfered side 210, which is arranged at a right side component 209 of the electrical application 200 at a terminal distance 274.
  • the left side and the right side of the electrical application 200 are opposite sides of a chamber of the electrical application 200 with a left side component 207 and the right side component 209, the housing having a housing width 272 and a housing height 270 to receive the auxiliary switch 100.
  • the auxiliary switch 100 may be one of a low voltage, a medium voltage and a high voltage switch and the electrical application 200 may be one of a low voltage, a medium voltage, and a high voltage electrical application 200.
  • the auxiliary switch 100 may be adapted to be operated by an operating mechanism of an electrical equipment such as a circuit breaker.
  • the first contact device 102 and the second contact device 122 may be normally closed (NC)-contacts or normally opened (NO)-contacts as described in the summary of the invention.
  • the actuating shaft 180 is adapted to rotate the bridge component 141 from the first switch-on position 218 to the switch-off position 216 in a first switch-off direction 230 around the shaft axis 183 by a first switch-off rotary motion 234 applied to the actuating shaft 180.
  • the actuating shaft 180 is further adapted to rotate the bridge component 141 from a second switch-on position 220 to the switch-off position 216 in a second switch-off direction 232 around the shaft axis 183 by a second switch-off rotary motion 236 applied to the actuating shaft 180.
  • the auxiliary switch 100 further comprises a connection device 190 which is adapted to electrically attach to the first contact device 102 and to the second contact device such that a conducting connection is provided between the first contact device 102 and the second contact device 122.
  • a connection device 109 may be a stabilizing connection device 302 which is adapted to stabilize the bridge component 141.
  • the bridge component comprises a vertical middle axis 185.
  • the bridge component 141 is U-shaped and comprises a base 147 forming the longitudinal side 147 of the bridge component 141 , a first limb 145 attached to the base 147 and a second limb 164 attached to the base 147.
  • a first portion 103 of the first contact device 102 is arranged at a first limb 145.
  • a second portion 123 of the second contact device 122 is arranged at the second limb 164 (see Fig. 2, Fig. 3).
  • the first portion of the first contact device 102 may be attached to the first limb and a second portion of the second contact device 122 may be attached to the second limb.
  • the connecting device 190 is arranged parallel to the longitudinal side 147 of the base 147 such that a connection device 190 is adapted to electrically attach to the first contact device 102 and to the second contact device 122 such that a conducting connection is provided between the first contact device 102 and the second contact device 122 (see Fig. 2).
  • the stabilizing connecting device 302 as described above may be arranged in a similar way as the connecting device 190.
  • the first limb 145 comprises a first recess 146 to receive the first portion 103 of the first contact device 102 and the second limb 164 comprises a second recess 166 to receive the second portion 123 of the second contact device 122 (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3).
  • Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional top view of the electrical application 200 comprising the auxiliary switch 100 according to Fig. 1.
  • the first contact device 102 comprises a first curved blade 104 which is curved outwardly away from the second contact device 122.
  • the second contact device 122 comprises a third curved blade 112 which is curved inwardly towards the first contact device 102.
  • the first curved blade 104 comprises a first curved face 106 facing the second contact device 22 and is adapted to provide a sliding contact with a first conducting terminal 202, 2021 of the electrical application 200 at a first sliding contact region 110 of the first curved face 106 when the actuating shaft 180 is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion 226, 228.
  • the third curved blade 112 comprises a third curved face 114 averted to the first contact device 102 and is adapted to provide a sliding contact with a second conducting terminal 204, 2041 of the electrical application 200 at a third sliding contact region 118 of the third curved face 114 when the actuating shaft 180 is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion 226, 228.
  • the switch-on rotary motion 226, 228 the first switch-on rotary motion 226 or the second switch-on rotary motion 228 may be understood.
  • the first curved blade 104 may have at least one first radius of curvature and at least one first center of curvature located in a first region 290 at a first side 291 extending from the first contact device 102 in an averted direction 292 to the second contact device 122.
  • the third curved blade 112 may have at least one third radius of curvature and at least one third center of curvature located in a third region 293 at a third side 294 extending from the second contact device 122 in a facing direction 295 towards the first contact device 102.
  • the first contact device 102 comprises a second curved blade 124 which is curved inwardly towards the second contact device 122 with an opposite curvature compared to the curvature of the first curved blade 104 such that a first opening 240, 241 is provided between the first curved blade 104 and the second curved blade 124, which first opening 240, 241 is adapted to receive the first conducting terminal 202, 2021 when the actuating shaft 180 is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion 226, 228.
  • a left-sided first opening 240 and a right-sided first opening 241 is provided to receive the first conducting terminal 202 on the left side and the first conducting terminal 2021 on the right side of the electrical application 200.
  • the second curved blade 124 comprises a second curved face 126 facing the first curved face 106 and is adapted to provide a sliding contact with a first conducting terminal 202, 2021 of the electrical application 200 at a second sliding contact region 130 of the second curved face 126 when the actuating shaft 180 is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion 226, 228.
  • the second contact device 122 comprises a fourth curved blade 142 which is curved outwardly away from the first contact device 102 with an opposite curvature compared to the curvature of the third curved blade 112 such that a second opening 242, 243 is provided between the third curved blade 112 and a fourth curved blade 142, which second opening 242, 243 is adapted to receive the second conducting terminal 204, 2041 when the actuating shaft 180 is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion 226, 228.
  • a left-sided second opening 242 and a right-sided opening 243 is provided to receive the second conducting terminal 204 on the left side and the second conducting terminal 2041 on the right side of the electrical application 200.
  • the fourth curved blade 142 comprises a fourth curved face 144 facing the third curved face 114 and is adapted to provide a sliding contact with a second conducting terminal 204, 2041 of the electrical application 200 at a fourth sliding contact region 148 of the fourth curved face 144 when the actuating shaft 180 is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion 226, 228.
  • the second curved blade 124 may have at least one second radius of curvature and at least one second center of curvature located in a second region 296 at a second side 297 extending from the first contact device 102 in a facing direction 298 towards the second contact device 122.
  • the fourth curved blade may have at least one fourth radius of curvature and at least one fourth center of curvature located in a fourth region 285 at a fourth side 286 extending from the second contact device 122 in an averted direction 287 averted to the first contact device 102.
  • Fig. 3 shows a perspective side view of the auxiliary switch 100 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.
  • the first limb 145 of the bridge component 141 of the switch 100 has the form of a U- shaped elongated first bar 148 with a first bar limb 150 attached to a first bar base 152 and a second bar limb 154 attached to the first bar base 152 such that the first recess 146 is provided along the first limb 145 traverse to the longitudinal direction 214 and in the switch-on direction 222, 224 to receive the first portion 103 of the first contact device 102.
  • the first bar limb 150 and/or the second bar limb 154 comprises a first protrusion 156 protruding in the longitudinal direction 214 in the first recess 146 and providing a first gap 158 to insert the first portion 103 of the first contact device in the first recess 146.
  • the first protrusion 156 is adapted to support the first contact device 102 when the first portion 103 of the first contact device 102 is positioned in the first recess 146.
  • the second limb 164 of the base component 102 of the auxiliary switch 100 has the form of a U-shaped elongated second bar 168 with a third bar limb 170 attached to a second bar base 172 and a fourth bar limb 174 attached to the second bar base 172 such that the second recess 166 is provided along the second limb 164 traverse to the longitudinal direction 214 and in the switch-on direction 222, 224 to receive the second portion 123 of the second contact device 122.
  • the third bar limb 170 and/or the fourth bar limb 174 comprises a second protrusion 176 protruding in the longitudinal direction 214 in the second recess 166 and providing a second gap 178 to insert the second portion 123 of the second contact device 122 in a second recess 166.
  • the second protrusion 176 is adapted to support the second contact device 122 when the second portion 123 of the second contact device 122 is positioned in the second recess 166.
  • the base 147 comprises a third recess 143 to receive a shaft portion 181 of the actuating shaft 180 such that the actuating shaft 180 is adapted to rotate the bridge component 141 from the switch-off position 216 to the switch-on position 218, 220 in a switch-on direction 222, 224 transverse to the longitudinal direction 214 by the switch- on rotary motion 226, 228 applied to the actuating shaft 180, and such that the actuating shaft 180 is adapted to rotate the bridge component 141 from the switch-on position 218, 220 to the switch-off position 216 in a switch-off direction 230, 232 transverse to the longitudinal direction 214 by a switch-off rotary motion 234, 236 applied to the actuating shaft 180.
  • Shaft portion 181 of the actuating shaft 180 may be attached to the base 147 by an attachment device 305 such that the actuating shaft 180 is adapted to rotate the bridge component 141 in a switch-on direction 222, 224 and a switch-off direction 230, 232.
  • the attachment device 305 may be inserted in a recess 304 of the base 147 and the actuating shaft 180.
  • the first contact device 102 and the second contact device 22 of the auxiliary switch described in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 may comprise a material selected from the group comprising a beryllium copper (CuBe) alloy and a zirconium copper (CuZr) alloy.
  • CuBe beryllium copper
  • CuZr zirconium copper

Abstract

The invention relates to an auxiliary switch (100) for an electrical application (200) such as a circuit breaker, with a first contact device (102) and a second contact device (122) which are adapted for a conducting current and attached to a bridge component (141) of the auxiliary switch (100) in parallel spaced apart from each other by a first distance (212) in a longitudinal direction (214) of a longitudinal side (147) of the bridge component (141). An actuating shaft (180) of the auxiliary switch (100) is adapted to rotate the bridge component (141) from a switch-off position (216) to a switch-on position (218, 220) in a switch-on direction (222, 224) around the shaft axis (183) of the shaft (180) by a switch-on rotary motion (226, 228) applied to the actuating shaft (180) such that the first contact device (102) and a second contact device (122) are adapted to slidingly contact conducting terminals (202, 204; 2021, 2041 ) of the electrical application (200) such that a current flow between the first contact device (102) and the second contact device (122) is provided.

Description

Auxiliary switch combining rotary and linear elements
Field of the invention
The invention relates to an auxiliary switch for an electrical application combining rotary and linear elements. In particular, the present invention relates to an auxiliary switch for an electrical application, and an electrical application comprising an auxiliary switch.
Technical background of the invention
Auxiliary switches may be low voltage switches directly operated by an operating mechanism of an electrical equipment such as a circuit breaker. They are described in the IEC Standard 62271-1 under clause 5.4.4.5. The auxiliary switch may be a switch with linear push-pull operation and a switch with rotary motion.
EP 1 715 500 B1 describes an auxiliary switch for a low voltage distributor which can be opened or closed by an actuating device adapted to contact butt contacts.
DE 101 18 919 A1 describes an installation switch with a thereto attachable auxiliary switch with movable butt contacts which are supported in a contact carrier which is coupled to an arm of a rotatable supported double arm lever. The other arm is coupled to a movable element of the installation device. The auxiliary switch comprises a control arrangement which is coupled to the contact carrier such that in an actuation of the control arrangement the contact carrier is moved without moving the double arm lever. Summarv of the invention
It may be seen as an object of the invention to provide an improved, adjustable and efficient auxiliary switch for an electrical application and to provide an improved lifespan of the auxiliary switch.
This object is achieved by the subject-matter of the independent claims 1 and 12. Exemplary embodiments are evident from the dependent claims and the following description.
According to an aspect of the invention, an auxiliary switch for an electrical application is provided comprising a first contact device and a second contact device adapted for conducting current and attached to a bridge component of the auxiliary switch in parallel spaced apart from each other by a first distance in a longitudinal direction of a longitudinal side of the bridge component. An actuating shaft of the auxiliary switch is adapted to rotate the bridge component from a switch-off position to a switch-on position in a switch-on direction around a shaft axis of the shaft by a switch-on rotary motion applied to the actuating shaft such that the first contact device and the second contact device are adapted to slidingly contact conducting terminals of the electrical application such that a current flow between the first contact device and the second contact device is provided.
In other words, the auxiliary switch combines rotary and linear elements enabling a rotary sliding contact engagement with fixed conducting terminals of the electrical application.
Such an auxiliary switch may be advantageous compared to a solely linear actuated switch, since it may have a longer lifespan and provides for a possibility to adapt the breaking capability of the auxiliary switch according to a required breaking capability at defined levels of auxiliary voltages. Gaps between the first contact device and a respective conducting terminal of the electrical application and between the second contact device and another respective conducting terminal of the application may be increased in dependence of the ratio of the access points of the movable first and second contact devices using the same stroke or actuation of the actuating shaft. Thus, the breaking capability may be adapted to an auxiliary voltage while keeping the actuation from the external mechanism unchanged. An optimum breaking capability might be achieved at high auxiliary voltages, since the stroke of the actuating shaft of the switch may be adapted to a gap distance between the conducting terminals and the first and second contact devices in the open position depending on the level of the auxiliary voltages.
By the rotary motion a sliding effect may be provided between the first and the second contact device and each of the fixed conducting terminals, which may enable a cleaning of the first and second contact devices during a switch-on actuation of the auxiliary switch such that a self-cleaning effect of the first and second contact surfaces may be obtained.
Such an auxiliary switch with a first and second contact device with sliding engagement of the fixed terminals of the electrical application may provide a different carrying and different breaking area at the first and second contact devices such that the contacts do not wear out as fast and the contact resistance may not increase as fast as for a switch with linear push and pull operation of an auxiliary switch with butt contacts after electrical operations at full breaking current.
According to another aspect of the invention, the first contact device is adapted to contact a first conducting terminal of the electrical application and the second contact device is adapted to contact a second conducting terminal of the electrical application such that a current flow between the first contact device and the second contact device is provided. The first contact device and the second contact device may be a one part component.
According to another aspect of the invention, the auxiliary switch is a low voltage switch and the electrical application is a low voltage electrical application and the auxiliary switch may be adapted to be operated by an operating mechanism of an electrical equipment such as a circuit breaker according to a further aspect. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the actuating shaft of the auxiliary switch is adapted to rotate the bridge component from the switch-on position to the switch-off position in a switch-off direction around the shaft axis by a switch-off rotary motion applied to the actuating shaft.
According to another aspect of the invention, the first contact device and the second contact device may be normally-closed (NC)-contacts, wherein the first and second contacts are in sliding contact with respective conducting terminals of the electrical application such that a current flow between the first contact device and the second contact device is provided when a switch is switched off. If the switch is switched on, the current flow may be interrupted and a respective circuit disconnected.
According to another aspect of the invention, the first contact device and the second contact device may be normally-opened (NO)-contacts, wherein the first and second contacts are not in contact with respective conducting terminals of the electrical application and slidingly contact the respective terminals in a switch-on position such that a current flow between the first contact device and the second contact device is provided when switching on the switch.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the auxiliary switch further comprises a connection device which is adapted to electrically attach to the first contact device and to the second contact device such that a conducting connection is provided between the first contact device and the second contact device.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the first contact device of the auxiliary switch comprises a first curved blade which is curved outwardly away from the second contact device. The second contact device comprises a third curve blade with a third curved surface which is curved inwardly towards the first contact device. The first curved blade comprises a first curved face facing the second contact device and is adapted to provide a sliding contact with a first conducting terminal of the electrical application at a first sliding contact region of the first curved face when the actuating shaft is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion. The third curved blade comprises a third curved face averted to the first contact device and is adapted to provide a sliding contact with a second conducting terminal of the electrical application at a third sliding contact region of the third curved face when the actuating shaft is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion.
According to an aspect of the invention, the first curved blade may be curved inward towards the second contact device and the first curved face may be averted to the second contact device. The third curved blade may be curved outward away from the first contact device and the third curved face may face the first contact device.
According to another aspect of the invention, the first curved blade has at least one first radius of curvature and at least one first center of curvature located in a first region at a first side extending from the first contact device in a direction averted to the second contact device. The third curved blade may have at least one third radius of curvature and at least one third center of curvature located in a third region at a third side extending from the second contact device in a direction towards the first contact device.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first contact device comprises a second curved blade which is curved inward towards the second contact device with an opposite curvature compared to the curvature of the first curved blade such that a first opening is provided between the first curved blade and the second curved blade, which first opening is adapted to receive the first conducting terminal when the actuating shaft is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion. The second contact device comprises a fourth curved blade which is curved outward away from the first contact device with an opposite curvature compared to the curvature of the third curved blade such that a second opening is provided between the third curved blade and the fourth curved blade, which second opening is adapted to receive the second conducting terminal when the actuating shaft is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion. The second curved blade comprises a second curved face facing the first curved face and is adapted to provide a sliding contact with a first conducting terminal of the electrical application at a second sliding contact region of the second curved face when the actuating shaft is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion. The fourth curved blade comprises a fourth curved face facing the third curved face and is adapted to provide a sliding contact with the second conducting terminal of the electrical application at a fourth sliding contact region of the fourth curved face when the actuating shaft is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion.
Such an auxiliary switch with first and second curved blades and third and fourth curved blades may provide for a longer lifespan of the first and second contact devices compared to a switch with a linear push-pull operation because of the sliding engagement between the fixed conducting terminals and the first and second sliding contact regions which are different from a breaking current area at the edges of the first and second curved blades and the third and fourth curved blades facing the fixed first and second conducting terminals. Thus, the first contact device and the second contact device may wear out slower compared to a switch with linear push-pull operation with butt contacts since the contact resistance in the sliding contact areas may not be increased after electrical operations at full breaking current since a self-cleaning effect of the first and second curved blades and the third and fourth curved blades at the sliding contact areas may be achieved during a switch-on rotary motion when contacting the first and second conducting terminals. Insulating debris and wear may not be pressed into the contacts and therefore may not give conducting problems especially at low currents and low voltages as is the case for a switch with linear push and pull operation and butt contacts.
The moving bridge component with two breaking gaps between the first contact device and the first conducting terminal and the second contact device and the second conducting terminal in series may comprise two parallel spring blades which are adapted for conducting current and which may be spread apart by the fixed contacts when engaging the fixed contacts and may provide a necessary contact force acting on the first conducting terminal and the second conducting terminal by the blades. The contact force of curved blades comprising a beryllium copper alloy or any other conducting material providing the required contact spring properties may be in a region of 0.5 N to 1.0 N, in particular 0.89 N for the first and second curved blades, respectively the third and fourth curved blades. The resistance of each blade may be in a region ranging from 1.0 to 2.0 ιτιΩ, in particular 1.6 ητιΩ. The bridge component may be a smart designed plastic part accommodating the first and second curved blade and the third and fourth curved blade and also may provide a transmission between the actuating shaft and the switch-on and switch-off rotary motion.
The switch-on rotary motion may provide a sliding effect between the first and second curved blade and the first fixed conducting terminal and the third and fourth curved blade and the second fixed conducting terminal, which may clean sliding contact regions of the first and second curved blade and of the third and fourth curved blade.
Since the arc during current breaking is occurring between the edge of the fixed first and second conducting terminals and the movable first and second curved blades and third and fourth curved blades, the current carrying area may not be disturbed by the breaking action which keeps the resistance of the sliding contacts, and the blades, respectively, low even after frequent switching.
NO- and NC-contacts may be used in the same auxiliary switch by using two different versions of the fixed conducting terminal parts.
The auxiliary switch according to the invention contains very few parts and may be simple to assemble, such that labour costs may be reduced.
According to another aspect of the invention, the second curved blade has at least one second radius of curvature and at least one second center of curvature located in a second region at a second side extending from the first contact device in a direction towards the second contact device. The fourth curved blade has at least one fourth radius of a curvature and at least one fourth center of curvature located in a fourth region at a fourth side extending from the second contact device in a direction averted to the first contact device.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the first contact device and the second contact device comprise a material selected from the group comprising a beryllium copper (CuBe) alloy and a zirconium copper (CuZr) alloy. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a bridge component is U- shaped and comprises a base forming the longitudinal side of the bridge component, a first limb attached to the base, and a second limb attached to the base. A first portion of the first contact device is arranged at a first limb and a second portion of the second contact device is arranged at a second limb.
According to another aspect of the invention, a first portion of the first contact device is attached to the first limb and a second portion of the second contact device is attached to the second limb.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a first limb comprises a first recess to receive the first portion of the first contact device and a second limb comprises a second recess to receive the second portion of the second contact device.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first limb has the form of a U-shaped elongated first bar with a first bar limb attached to a first bar base and a second bar limb attached to the first bar base such that the first recess is provided along the first limb traverse to the longitudinal direction and in the switch-on direction to receive the first portion of the first contact device. The first bar limb and/or the second bar limb comprises a first protrusion protruding in the longitudinal direction in the first recess and providing a first gap to insert the first portion of the first contact device in the first recess. The first protrusion is adapted to support the first contact device when the first portion of the first contact device is positioned in the first recess. The second limb has the form of a U-shaped elongated second bar with a third bar limb attached to the second bar base and a fourth bar limb attached to the second bar base such that the second recess is provided along the second limb traverse to the longitudinal direction and in the switch-on direction to receive the second portion of the second contact device. The third bar limb and/or the fourth bar limb comprises a second protrusion protruding in the longitudinal direction in the second recess and providing a second gap to insert the second portion of the second contact device in the second recess. The second protrusion is adapted to support the second contact device when the second portion of the second contact device is positioned in the second recess. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the base comprises a third recess to receive the shaft portion of the actuating shaft such that the actuating shaft is adapted to rotate the bridge component from the switch-off position to the switch-on position in a switch-on direction transverse to the longitudinal direction by the switch-on rotary motion applied to the actuating shaft, and such that the actuating shaft is adapted to rotate the bridge component from the switch-on position to the switch-off position in a switch-off direction transverse to the longitudinal direction by a switch-off rotary motion applied to the actuating shaft.
According to another aspect of the invention, a shaft portion of the actuating shaft is attached to the base by an attachment device such that the actuating shaft is adapted to rotate the bridge component in the switch-on and switch-off direction.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a connection device is arranged parallel to the longitudinal side of the base such that the connection device is adapted to electrically attach to the first contact device and to the second contact device such that a conducting connection is provided between the first contact device and the second contact device.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an electrical application is provided comprising an auxiliary switch according to anyone of the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments and the exemplary embodiments in the following, comprising a first conducting terminal and a second conducting terminal. The first contact device of the auxiliary switch is adapted to contact the first conducting terminal and a second contact device of the auxiliary switch is adapted to contact the second conducting terminal such that a current flow between the first contact device and the second contact device is provided when the auxiliary switch is actuated from a switch-off position to a switch-on position by rotating an actuating shaft of the auxiliary switch.
These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. Brief description of the drawings
Below, the most preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.
Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of an electrical application with an auxiliary switch according to an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 2 schematically shows a cross-sectional top view of the electrical application with the auxiliary switch according to Fig. 1 in a switch-off position of the auxiliary switch.
Fig. 3 schematically shows a perspective view of an auxiliary switch for an electrical application according to another embodiment of the invention.
All drawings are schematic and not to scale.
Detailed description of the drawings
Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show an electrical application 200 with an auxiliary switch 100 for the electrical application 200. The auxiliary switch 100 comprises a first contact device 102 and a second contact device 122 which are adapted for conducting current and attached to a bridge component 141 in parallel and spaced apart from each other by a first distance 212 in a longitudinal direction 214 of a longitudinal side 147 of the bridge component 141. An actuating shaft 180 is adapted to rotate the bridge component 141 from a switch-off position 216 to a first switch-on position 218 on the left side or a second switch-on position 220 on the right side of the electrical application 200 in a first switch-on direction 222 or a second switch-on direction 224 around a shaft axis 183 of the shaft 180 by a first switch-on rotary motion 226 or a second switch-on rotary motion 228 applied to the actuating shaft 180 such that the first contact device 102 is adapted to slidingly contact a first conducting terminal 202 on the left side or a first conducting terminal 2021 on the right side of the electrical application 200 and such that the second contact 122 is adapted to slidingly contact a second conducting terminal 204 on the left side or a second conducting terminal 2041 on the right side of the electrical compartment 200 such that a current flow between the first contact device 102 and the second contact device 122 is provided. The first contact device 102 and the second contact device may be a one-part component 191 as shown in Fig. 3.
The electrical application 200 comprises several components 201 , 203, 205, 207, 209, the first conducting terminal 202 on the left side and the other first conducting terminal 2021 on the right side which has a chamfered side 208. The second conducting terminal 204 on the left side and the other second conducting terminal 2041 on the right side are shown in Fig. 2. The electrical application comprises further conducting terminals 206, 2061 with a chamfered side 210, which is arranged at a right side component 209 of the electrical application 200 at a terminal distance 274. The left side and the right side of the electrical application 200 are opposite sides of a chamber of the electrical application 200 with a left side component 207 and the right side component 209, the housing having a housing width 272 and a housing height 270 to receive the auxiliary switch 100.
The auxiliary switch 100 may be one of a low voltage, a medium voltage and a high voltage switch and the electrical application 200 may be one of a low voltage, a medium voltage, and a high voltage electrical application 200. The auxiliary switch 100 may be adapted to be operated by an operating mechanism of an electrical equipment such as a circuit breaker. The first contact device 102 and the second contact device 122 may be normally closed (NC)-contacts or normally opened (NO)-contacts as described in the summary of the invention.
The actuating shaft 180 is adapted to rotate the bridge component 141 from the first switch-on position 218 to the switch-off position 216 in a first switch-off direction 230 around the shaft axis 183 by a first switch-off rotary motion 234 applied to the actuating shaft 180. The actuating shaft 180 is further adapted to rotate the bridge component 141 from a second switch-on position 220 to the switch-off position 216 in a second switch-off direction 232 around the shaft axis 183 by a second switch-off rotary motion 236 applied to the actuating shaft 180. The auxiliary switch 100 further comprises a connection device 190 which is adapted to electrically attach to the first contact device 102 and to the second contact device such that a conducting connection is provided between the first contact device 102 and the second contact device 122. If the first contact device 102 and the second contact device 122 are a one-part component 191 as shown in Fig. 3 a connection device 109 may be a stabilizing connection device 302 which is adapted to stabilize the bridge component 141. The bridge component comprises a vertical middle axis 185.
The bridge component 141 is U-shaped and comprises a base 147 forming the longitudinal side 147 of the bridge component 141 , a first limb 145 attached to the base 147 and a second limb 164 attached to the base 147. A first portion 103 of the first contact device 102 is arranged at a first limb 145. A second portion 123 of the second contact device 122 is arranged at the second limb 164 (see Fig. 2, Fig. 3). The first portion of the first contact device 102 may be attached to the first limb and a second portion of the second contact device 122 may be attached to the second limb. The connecting device 190 is arranged parallel to the longitudinal side 147 of the base 147 such that a connection device 190 is adapted to electrically attach to the first contact device 102 and to the second contact device 122 such that a conducting connection is provided between the first contact device 102 and the second contact device 122 (see Fig. 2). The stabilizing connecting device 302 as described above may be arranged in a similar way as the connecting device 190.
The first limb 145 comprises a first recess 146 to receive the first portion 103 of the first contact device 102 and the second limb 164 comprises a second recess 166 to receive the second portion 123 of the second contact device 122 (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3).
Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional top view of the electrical application 200 comprising the auxiliary switch 100 according to Fig. 1. The first contact device 102 comprises a first curved blade 104 which is curved outwardly away from the second contact device 122. The second contact device 122 comprises a third curved blade 112 which is curved inwardly towards the first contact device 102. The first curved blade 104 comprises a first curved face 106 facing the second contact device 22 and is adapted to provide a sliding contact with a first conducting terminal 202, 2021 of the electrical application 200 at a first sliding contact region 110 of the first curved face 106 when the actuating shaft 180 is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion 226, 228. The third curved blade 112 comprises a third curved face 114 averted to the first contact device 102 and is adapted to provide a sliding contact with a second conducting terminal 204, 2041 of the electrical application 200 at a third sliding contact region 118 of the third curved face 114 when the actuating shaft 180 is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion 226, 228. By the switch-on rotary motion 226, 228 the first switch-on rotary motion 226 or the second switch-on rotary motion 228 may be understood. The first curved blade 104 may have at least one first radius of curvature and at least one first center of curvature located in a first region 290 at a first side 291 extending from the first contact device 102 in an averted direction 292 to the second contact device 122. The third curved blade 112 may have at least one third radius of curvature and at least one third center of curvature located in a third region 293 at a third side 294 extending from the second contact device 122 in a facing direction 295 towards the first contact device 102.
The first contact device 102 comprises a second curved blade 124 which is curved inwardly towards the second contact device 122 with an opposite curvature compared to the curvature of the first curved blade 104 such that a first opening 240, 241 is provided between the first curved blade 104 and the second curved blade 124, which first opening 240, 241 is adapted to receive the first conducting terminal 202, 2021 when the actuating shaft 180 is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion 226, 228. A left-sided first opening 240 and a right-sided first opening 241 is provided to receive the first conducting terminal 202 on the left side and the first conducting terminal 2021 on the right side of the electrical application 200. The second curved blade 124 comprises a second curved face 126 facing the first curved face 106 and is adapted to provide a sliding contact with a first conducting terminal 202, 2021 of the electrical application 200 at a second sliding contact region 130 of the second curved face 126 when the actuating shaft 180 is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion 226, 228.
The second contact device 122 comprises a fourth curved blade 142 which is curved outwardly away from the first contact device 102 with an opposite curvature compared to the curvature of the third curved blade 112 such that a second opening 242, 243 is provided between the third curved blade 112 and a fourth curved blade 142, which second opening 242, 243 is adapted to receive the second conducting terminal 204, 2041 when the actuating shaft 180 is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion 226, 228. A left-sided second opening 242 and a right-sided opening 243 is provided to receive the second conducting terminal 204 on the left side and the second conducting terminal 2041 on the right side of the electrical application 200. The fourth curved blade 142 comprises a fourth curved face 144 facing the third curved face 114 and is adapted to provide a sliding contact with a second conducting terminal 204, 2041 of the electrical application 200 at a fourth sliding contact region 148 of the fourth curved face 144 when the actuating shaft 180 is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion 226, 228.
The second curved blade 124 may have at least one second radius of curvature and at least one second center of curvature located in a second region 296 at a second side 297 extending from the first contact device 102 in a facing direction 298 towards the second contact device 122. The fourth curved blade may have at least one fourth radius of curvature and at least one fourth center of curvature located in a fourth region 285 at a fourth side 286 extending from the second contact device 122 in an averted direction 287 averted to the first contact device 102.
Fig. 3 shows a perspective side view of the auxiliary switch 100 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The first limb 145 of the bridge component 141 of the switch 100 has the form of a U- shaped elongated first bar 148 with a first bar limb 150 attached to a first bar base 152 and a second bar limb 154 attached to the first bar base 152 such that the first recess 146 is provided along the first limb 145 traverse to the longitudinal direction 214 and in the switch-on direction 222, 224 to receive the first portion 103 of the first contact device 102. The first bar limb 150 and/or the second bar limb 154 comprises a first protrusion 156 protruding in the longitudinal direction 214 in the first recess 146 and providing a first gap 158 to insert the first portion 103 of the first contact device in the first recess 146. The first protrusion 156 is adapted to support the first contact device 102 when the first portion 103 of the first contact device 102 is positioned in the first recess 146. The second limb 164 of the base component 102 of the auxiliary switch 100 has the form of a U-shaped elongated second bar 168 with a third bar limb 170 attached to a second bar base 172 and a fourth bar limb 174 attached to the second bar base 172 such that the second recess 166 is provided along the second limb 164 traverse to the longitudinal direction 214 and in the switch-on direction 222, 224 to receive the second portion 123 of the second contact device 122. The third bar limb 170 and/or the fourth bar limb 174 comprises a second protrusion 176 protruding in the longitudinal direction 214 in the second recess 166 and providing a second gap 178 to insert the second portion 123 of the second contact device 122 in a second recess 166. The second protrusion 176 is adapted to support the second contact device 122 when the second portion 123 of the second contact device 122 is positioned in the second recess 166.
The base 147 comprises a third recess 143 to receive a shaft portion 181 of the actuating shaft 180 such that the actuating shaft 180 is adapted to rotate the bridge component 141 from the switch-off position 216 to the switch-on position 218, 220 in a switch-on direction 222, 224 transverse to the longitudinal direction 214 by the switch- on rotary motion 226, 228 applied to the actuating shaft 180, and such that the actuating shaft 180 is adapted to rotate the bridge component 141 from the switch-on position 218, 220 to the switch-off position 216 in a switch-off direction 230, 232 transverse to the longitudinal direction 214 by a switch-off rotary motion 234, 236 applied to the actuating shaft 180.
Shaft portion 181 of the actuating shaft 180 may be attached to the base 147 by an attachment device 305 such that the actuating shaft 180 is adapted to rotate the bridge component 141 in a switch-on direction 222, 224 and a switch-off direction 230, 232. The attachment device 305 may be inserted in a recess 304 of the base 147 and the actuating shaft 180.
The first contact device 102 and the second contact device 22 of the auxiliary switch described in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 may comprise a material selected from the group comprising a beryllium copper (CuBe) alloy and a zirconium copper (CuZr) alloy. While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and practicing the claimed invention, from study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference symbols in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

Claims
1. Auxiliary switch (100) for an electrical application (200), the auxiliary switch (100) comprising:
a first contact device (102);
a second contact device (122);
a bridge component (141);
an actuating shaft (180);
wherein the first contact device (102) and second contact device (122) are adapted for conducting current and attached to the bridge component (141) in parallel spaced apart from each other by a first distance (212) in a longitudinal direction (214) of a longitudinal side (147) of the bridge component (141 );
wherein the actuating shaft (180) is adapted to rotate the bridge component (141 ) from a switch-off position (216) to a switch-on position (218, 220) in a switch-on direction (222, 224) around a shaft axis (183) of the shaft (180) by a switch-on rotary motion (226, 228) applied to the actuating shaft (180) such that the first contact device (102) and the second contact device (122) are adapted to slidingly contact conducting terminals (202, 204; 2021 , 2041 ) of the electrical application (200) such that a current flow between the first contact device (102) and the second contact device (122) is provided.
2. The auxiliary switch (100) of claim 1 ,
wherein the actuating shaft (180) is adapted to rotate the bridge component (141 ) from the switch-on position (218, 220) to the switch-off position (216) in a switch-off direction (230, 232) around the shaft axis (183) by a switch-off rotary motion (234, 236) applied to the actuating shaft (180).
3. The auxiliary switch (100) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:
a connection device (190);
wherein the connection device (190) is adapted to electrically attach to the first contact device (102) and to the second contact device (122) such that a conducting connection is provided between the first contact device (102) and the second contact device (122).
The auxiliary switch (100) according to claim 3,
wherein the first contact device (102) comprises a second curved blade (124) which is curved inward towards the second contact device (122) with an opposite curvature compared to the curvature of the first curved blade (104) such that a first opening (240, 241 ) is provided between the first curved blade (104) and the second curved blade (124), which first opening (240, 241 ) is adapted to receive the first conducting terminal (202; 2021 ) when the actuating shaft (180) is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion (226, 228);
wherein the second contact device (122) comprises a fourth curved blade (142) which is curved outward away from the first contact device (102) with an opposite curvature compared to the curvature of the third curved blade (112) such that a second opening (242, 243) is provided between the third curved blade (112) and the fourth curved blade (142), which second opening (242, 243) is adapted to receive the second conducting terminal (204, 2041 ) when the actuating shaft (180) is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion (226, 228); wherein the second curved blade (124) comprises a second curved face (126) facing the first curved face (106) and is adapted to provide a sliding contact with the first conducting terminal (202; 2021 ) of the electrical application (200) at a second sliding contact region (130) of the second curved face (126) when the actuating shaft (180) is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion (226, 228); wherein the fourth curved blade (142) comprises a fourth curved face (144) facing the third curved face (114) and is adapted to provide a sliding contact with the second conducting terminal (204; 2041 ) of the electrical application (200) at a fourth sliding contact region (148) of the fourth curved face (144) when the actuating shaft (180) is actuated by the switch-on rotary motion (226, 228).
The auxiliary switch (100) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the first contact device (102) and the second contact device ( 22) comprise a material selected from the group comprising a beryllium copper (CuBe) alloy and a zirconium copper (CuZr) alloy, or each conducting elastic material.
6. The auxiliary switch (100) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the bridge component (141 ) is U-shaped and comprises:
a base (147) forming the longitudinal side (147) of the bridge component (141 );
a first limb (145) attached to the base (147);
a second limb (164) attached to the base (147);
wherein a first portion (103) of the first contact device (102) is arranged at the first limb (145);
wherein a second portion (123) of the second contact device (122) is arranged at the second limb (164).
7. The auxiliary switch (100) according to claim 6,
wherein the first limb (145) comprises a first recess (146) to receive the first portion (103) of the first contact device (102);
wherein the second limb (164) comprises a second recess (166) to receive the second portion (123) of the second contact device (122).
8. The auxiliary switch (100) according to claim 7,
wherein the first limb (145) has the form of a U-shaped elongated first bar (148) with a first bar limb (150) attached to a first bar base (152) and a second bar limb (154) attached to the first bar base (152) such that the first recess (146) is provided along the first limb (145) traverse to the longitudinal direction (214) and in the switch-on direction (222, 224) to receive the first portion (103) of the first contact device (102);
wherein the first bar limb (150) and/or the second bar limb (154) comprises a first protrusion (156) protruding in the longitudinal direction (214) in the first recess (146) and providing a first gap (158) to insert the first portion (103) of the first contact device (102) in the first recess (146);
wherein the first protrusion (156) is adapted to support the first contact device (102) when the first portion (103) of the first contact device (102) is positioned in the first recess (146);
wherein the second limb (164) has the form of a U-shaped elongated second bar (168) with a third bar limb (170) attached to a second bar base (172) and a fourth bar limb (174) attached to the second bar base (172) such that the second recess (166) is provided along the second limb (164) traverse to the longitudinal direction (214) and in the switch-on direction (222, 224) to receive the second portion (123) of the second contact device (122);
wherein the third bar limb (170) and/or the fourth bar limb (174) comprises a second protrusion (176) protruding in the longitudinal direction (214) in the second recess (166) and providing a second gap (178) to insert the second portion (123) of the second contact device (122) in the second recess (166); wherein the second protrusion (176) is adapted to support the second contact device (122) when the second portion (123) of the second contact device (122) is positioned in the second recess (166).
9. The auxiliary switch (100) according to anyone of claims 6 to 8,
wherein the base (147) comprises a third recess (143) to receive a shaft portion (181 ) of the actuating shaft (180) such that the actuating shaft (180) is adapted to rotate the bridge component (141 ) from the switch-off position (216) to the switch-on position (218, 220) in a switch-on direction (222, 224) transverse to the longitudinal direction (214) by the switch-on rotary motion (226, 228) applied to the actuating shaft (180), and such that the actuating shaft (180) is adapted to rotate the bridge component (141 ) from the switch-on position (218, 220) to the switch-off position (216) in a switch-off direction (230, 232) transverse to the longitudinal direction (214) by a switch-off rotary motion (234, 236) applied to the actuating shaft (180).
10. The auxiliary switch (100) according to anyone of claims 6 to 9,
wherein a connecting device (190) is arranged parallel to the longitudinal side (147) of the base (147) such that the connection device (190) is adapted to electrically attach to the first contact device (102) and to the second contact device (122) such that a conducting connection is provided between the first contact device (102) and the second contact device (122).
11. Electrical application (200) comprising an auxiliary switch (100) according to anyone of claims 1 to 11 , the electrical application (200) comprising: a first conducting terminal (202; 2021 ); and
a second conducting terminal (204; 2041 );
wherein a first contact device (102) of the auxiliary switch (100) is adapted to contact the first conducting terminal (202; 2021 ) and a second contact device (122) of the auxiliary switch (100) is adapted to contact the second conducting terminal (204; 2041 ) such that a current flow between the first contact device (102) and the second contact device (122) is provided when the auxiliary switch (100) is actuated from a switch-off position (216) to a switch-on position (218, 220) by rotating an actuating shaft (180) of the auxiliary switch (100).
PCT/EP2011/003593 2011-07-19 2011-07-19 Auxiliary switch combining rotary and linear elements WO2013010559A1 (en)

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4596911A (en) * 1984-03-20 1986-06-24 La Telemecanique Electrique Combined device for on-load breaking and visible isolation of an electric circuit
US4791255A (en) * 1987-12-11 1988-12-13 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Twin break transfer switch
US5319167A (en) * 1993-03-08 1994-06-07 Eaton Corporation Electrical contactor employing a rotary disc
DE10118919A1 (en) 2001-04-18 2002-10-31 Abb Patent Gmbh Auxiliary switch for mounting on wiring installation switch, has test device which displaces contact carrier without moving double arm lever
DE102007042396A1 (en) * 2007-09-05 2009-03-12 Siemens Ag Switch with at least two switching levels
EP1715500B1 (en) 2005-04-20 2009-03-18 ABB Schweiz AG Auxiliary switch for low-voltage electrical distribution board

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4596911A (en) * 1984-03-20 1986-06-24 La Telemecanique Electrique Combined device for on-load breaking and visible isolation of an electric circuit
US4791255A (en) * 1987-12-11 1988-12-13 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Twin break transfer switch
US5319167A (en) * 1993-03-08 1994-06-07 Eaton Corporation Electrical contactor employing a rotary disc
DE10118919A1 (en) 2001-04-18 2002-10-31 Abb Patent Gmbh Auxiliary switch for mounting on wiring installation switch, has test device which displaces contact carrier without moving double arm lever
EP1715500B1 (en) 2005-04-20 2009-03-18 ABB Schweiz AG Auxiliary switch for low-voltage electrical distribution board
DE102007042396A1 (en) * 2007-09-05 2009-03-12 Siemens Ag Switch with at least two switching levels

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