Patent Application
20230178925
The invention relates to a plug-in contact device for preventing or extinguishing an arc when separating (or disconnecting) or closing (or connecting) a direct current connection.
In contrast to an alternating current application (AC application), an arc has to be increasingly expected when separating (or disconnecting) or closing (or connecting) a direct current connection (DC connection). Especially in the case of plug-in connectors, this represents a challenge. On the one hand, the arc leads to damages to the plug-in connector, to housing parts as well as to the contacts. On the other hand, the arc also carries a risk for the operator.
There are different concepts for extinguishing the arc using mechanical aids, such as, for example, sacrificial zones, or by means of a so-called blow magnet (due to the Lorentz force acting on the plasma of the arc) or due to a speed of the contact separation.
A further alternative is electronic spark extinguishing (or spark quenching). The arc is thereby suppressed with the help of electronic components. The principle can be compared to an electronic switch. As in the case of a mechanical switch, the circuit is interrupted. Due to the fact, however, that no physical contact is opened or separated, this does not cause an arc. The circuit is interrupted by means of electronic components. Semiconductor component parts, such as insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs), or also varistors thereby shift the switching power to the electronic subassemblies, and the contacts are thus protected. Such technologies are described, for example, in the publications EP 2 742 565 B1, US 2018/0006447 A1, DE000010253749A1, and DE10 2007 043 512 A1.
The current during normal operation thereby flows either permanently via the electronics, which continuously generates power loss, or the current flow is briefly conducted via the electronics and is switched off during the switching process, which is significantly better in terms of energy. An additional auxiliary contact is required in this case, which lies parallel to one of the load contacts and which provides for the current flow via the electronics. These variations, as described, for example, in the publications EP 2 742 565 B1 and US 2018/0006447 A1, can be integrated both into a plug-in connector housing and can be accommodated in a connector strip or in a control cabinet. The just-described central placement of the electronics in a connector strip or in a control cabinet thereby has the advantage that any number of plug-in connectors can be operated by means of one module. As described, for example, in the document EP 2 742 565 B1, corresponding diodes have to then be installed in the leads to each of the auxiliary contacts, so that a short circuit does not result between the various strands of several plug-in connectors, and only the current of the currently switching strand (or of the plug-in connector to be separated or to be connected, respectively) flows via the electronics.
Even though several plug-in connectors can be supplied in parallel by means of a single electronic module by means of the diodes described in the document EP 2 742 565 B1, this only works for unidirectional networks. It is a special feature of DC networks that energy flows can be bidirectional, such as, for example, in the case of accumulators (secondary cells), which can be source as well as consumer of the direct current. Electric machines can likewise operate as consumers of the direct current but can also feed back energy as a generator when braking. In the case of a bidirectional application, for example the change between an electric machine operated as a motor and as a generator, the described diode circuit does not work. A more complex switching of each individual auxiliary contact would need to be realized here with significant additional effort.
In an embodiment, the present invention provides a plug-in contact device for preventing or extinguishing an arc when separating or closing a direct current connection, comprising: at least one plug-in connector each comprising a main contact, HA, and an auxiliary contact, HI, the HA comprising a first contact half, HA1, and a second contact half, HA2, which are configured to be releasably plugged together, wherein the HA is configured to: electrically conductively connect the HA1 and the HA2 in a plugged-together state of the respective plug-in connector, galvanically separate the HA1 and the HA2 in a released state of the respective plug-in connector, electrically conductively connect the HA1 and the HA2 in a first intermediate state of the respective plug-in connector between the plugged-together state and the released state, and galvanically separate the HA1 and the HA2 in a second intermediate state of the respective plug-in connector between the first intermediate state and the released state, wherein the auxiliary contact, HI, comprises a first contact half, HI1, and a second contact half, HI2, which are configured to be releasably plugged together, wherein the HI is configured to: galvanically separate the HI1 and the HI2 in the plugged-together state of the respective plug-in connector, galvanically separate the HI1 and the HI2 in the released state of the respective plug-in connector, electrically conductively connect the HI1 and the HI2 in the first intermediate state of the respective plug-in connector, and electrically conductively connect the HI1 and the HI2 in the second intermediate state of the respective plug-in connector, wherein the HA2 and the HI2 are electrically conductively connected, and wherein the plug-in contact device further comprises an electronic switching unit, a first terminal of which is electrically conductively connected to the HA1 and a second terminal of which is electrically conductively connected to the HI1, the electronic switching unit being configured to: in response to a transition from the plugged-together state into the first intermediate state, electrically conductively connect the first terminal and the second terminal or decrease an impedance between the first terminal and the second terminal, and in response to a transition from the first intermediate state into the second intermediate state and/or from the second intermediate state into the released state, electrically separate the first terminal and the second terminal or increase an impedance between the first terminal and the second terminal.
The present invention will be described in even greater detail below based on the exemplary figures. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. Other features and advantages of various embodiments of the present invention will become apparent by reading the following detailed description with reference to the attached drawings which illustrate the following:
In an embodiment, the present invention provides a plug-in contact device for preventing or extinguishing an arc when separating or closing a direct current connection, which can be operated in a unidirectional as well as in a bidirectional network.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below by partial reference to the figures.
According to one aspect, a plug-in contact device for preventing or extinguishing an arc when separating or closing a direct current connection is provided. The plug-in contact device comprises at least one plug-in connector, each comprising a main contact (HA) and an auxiliary contact (HI). The HA comprises a first contact half (HA1) and a second contact half (HA2), which can be releasably plugged together. The HA is configured to electrically conductively connect the HA1 and the HA2 in a plugged-together state (T0) of the respective plug-in connector. The HA is further configured to galvanically separate the HA1 and the HA2 in a released state (T3) of the respective plug-in connector. The HA is further configured to electrically conductively connect the HA1 and the HA2 in a first intermediate state (T1) of the respective plug-in connector between the plugged-together state (T0) and the released state (T3), and to galvanically separate the HA1 and the HA2 in a second intermediate state (T2) of the respective plug-in connector between the first intermediate state (T1) and the released state (T3). The auxiliary contact (HI) comprises a first contact half (HI1) and a second contact half (HI2), which can be releasably plugged together. In the plugged-together state (T0) of the respective plug-in connector, the HI is configured to galvanically separate the HI1 and the HI2. In the released state (T3) of the respective plug-in connector, the HI is further configured to galvanically separate the HI1 and the HI2. In the first intermediate state (T1) of the respective plug-in connector, the HI is furthermore configured to electrically conductively connect the HI1 and the HI2, and, in the second intermediate state (T2) of the respective plug-in connector, to electrically conductively connect the HI1 and the HI2. The HA2 and the HI2 are (preferably in each of the 4 states) electrically conductively connected. The plug-in contact device further comprises an electronic switching unit, the first terminal of which is electrically conductively connected to the HA1 and the second terminal of which is electrically conductively connected to the HI1 (preferably in each of the 4 states). The electronic switching unit is configured, in response to a transition from the plugged-together state (T0) into the first intermediate state (T1), to electrically conductively connect the first terminal and the second terminal or to decrease an impedance between the first terminal and the second terminal and, in response to a transition from the first intermediate state (T1) into the second intermediate state (T2) and/or from the second intermediate state (T2) into the released state (T3), to electrically separate the first terminal and the second terminal or to increase an impedance between the first terminal and the second terminal.
In one exemplary embodiment of the plug-in contact device, the HA, in the plugged-together state, can electrically conductively connect the HA1 and the HA2, while in the plugged-together state, the HI can galvanically separate the HI1 and the HI2. In the released state, the HA1 and the HA2 as well as the HI1 and the HI2 can in each case be galvanically separated. In the first intermediate state between T0 and T3, the HA1 and the HA2 as well as the HI1 and the HI2 can in each case be electrically conductively connected. In the second intermediate state between T1 and T3, the HA1 and the HA2 can be galvanically separated, while the HA2 and the HI2 can be electrically conductively connected.
Exemplary embodiments can provide for a plug-in contact device, which forgoes diodes on auxiliary contacts. In order to be able to forego the diode, it is provided that, in the plugged-together state, the contact halves (HI1 and HI2) of the auxiliary contact (HI) are galvanically separated, for example by means of a partially insulated pin contact as HI1 or HI2.
For example, the HI is designed so that, in the plugged-together state (for example a completely plugged state) no conductive connection exists between HI1 and HI2 (for example pin contact and socket contact). The circuit is closed via the electronic switching unit (in short: electronics) only when separating the direct current connection (i.e. a transition in the direction of the released state), preferably during the transition into the first intermediate state. This preferably takes place before the arc is created or would be created, respectively, without HI on the leading main contact (HA, also: load contact), for example during the transition into the second intermediate state. The arc then triggers the electronic switching unit (in short: electronics), for example due to a voltage drop between the first and second terminal, whereupon the current is conducted via the auxiliary contact (HI) and the electronics. The electronics then directly interrupts the circuit (for example after a period of time, which is shorter than a typical period of time of the transition from the second intermediate state to the released state) and thus provides for a load-free separating of the electrical connection (and/or load-free opening of the HI) without arc. An exemplary mode of operation of the electronics is described in the publication EP 2 742 565 B 1.
In the case of a plug-in contact device comprising several plug-in connectors, which are also referred to as strands, exemplary embodiments of the plug-in contact device can accomplish the separation of the individual strands from one another by means of the electrical (preferably physical or galvanic) separation of the respective auxiliary contacts (HI) of the plug-in contact device in the plugged-together state.
A state of galvanic separation can also be referred to as open state here. A state of electrically conductive connection can also be referred to as closed state.
In addition to the main contact (HA) and the auxiliary contact (HI), which can also be referred to as control contact, the at least one plug-in connector can comprise a opposite pole contact (GE), which can also be referred to as second main contact, and/or a ground contact (PE, “physical earth”). The GE and/or the PE can each comprise a first contact half and a second contact half.
The main contact (HA) can be connected or connectable to the positive pole of a direct current source. The opposite pole contact (GE) can be connected or connectable to the negative pole of a direct current source. In the plugged-together state (T0), in the first intermediate state (T1), and in the second intermediate state (T2), the GE and/or the PE can be electrically conductively connected and can be galvanically separated in the released state (T3).
The electronic switching unit can comprise at least one semiconductor switch. The electronic switching unit can be connected in series with the HI of the at least one plug-in connector. The HI can optionally be connected parallel to the HA by means of the electronic switching unit. The electronic switching unit can also be referred to as extinguishing electronics.
The electronic switching unit can further be configured, in response to a transition from the released state (T3) into the second intermediate state (T2) and/or from the second intermediate state (T2) into the first intermediate state (T1), to electrically conductively connect the first terminal and the second terminal or to decrease an impedance between the first terminal and the second terminal, and, in response to a transition from the first intermediate state (T1) into the plugged-together state (T0), to electrically separate the first terminal and the second terminal or to increase an impedance between the first terminal and the second terminal.
The electronic switching unit can be configured to electrically conductively connect the first terminal and the second terminal for a bidirectional current flow or for both current directions. A bidirectional current flow can be ensured by means of a rectifier.
The at least one plug-in connector can each comprise a first plug-in connector half and a second plug-in connector half. The first plug-in connector half can comprise the HA1 and the HI1. The first plug-in connector half can further comprise a first contact half GE1 of the GE and optionally a first contact half PE1 of the PE. The second plug-in connector half can comprise the HA2 and the HI2. The second plug-in connector half can further comprise a second contact half GE2 of the GE and optionally a second contact half PE2 of the PE. The first plug-in connector half can also be referred to as socket. The second plug-in connector half can also be referred to as power plug.
In the plugged-together state, the first plug-in connector half and the second plug-in connector half of the respective plug-in connector can be mechanically connected. In the released state, the first plug-in connector half and the second plug-in connector half of the respective plug-in connector can be spatially separated.
Each plug-in connector half can comprise a housing.
One pole of a direct current source of the direct current connection, preferably a positive pole of the direct current source, can be electrically conductively connected or connectable to the HA1 of the main contact and/or the first terminal of the electronic switching unit, wherein one pole of an electrical consumer, preferably a positive pole of the consumer, is electrically conductively connected or connectable to the HA2 of the main contact and/or of the HI2 of the auxiliary contact. Alternatively or additionally, one pole of a direct current source of the direct current connection, preferably a positive pole of the direct current source, can be electrically conductively connected or connectable to the HA2 of the main contact and/or the HI2 of the auxiliary contact, wherein one pole of an electrical consumer, preferably a positive pole of the consumer, can be electrically conductively connected or connectable to the HA1 of the main contact and/or the first terminal of the electronic switching unit.
For example, the direct current source can comprise a rechargeable electrical energy storage (preferably secondary cells), and the electrical consumer can comprise an electric machine (e-machine). The e-machine can be operated as a generator (preferably temporarily), wherein the current direction of the direct current (preferably for a recuperation) reverses through the plug-in contact device.
The HA1 can comprise a pin contact and the HA2 a socket contact. Alternatively, the HA2 can comprise a pin contact and the HA1 a socket contact. Alternatively or additionally, the HI1 can comprise a pin contact and the HI2 a socket contact. In a further alternative or additionally to the HA, the HI2 can comprise a pin contact and the HI1 a socket contact. The first contact half (GE1) of the opposite pole contact (GE) can comprise a pin contact and the second contact half (GE2) of the GE a socket contact. Alternatively, the GE2 can comprise a pin contact and the GE1 a socket contact. The first contact half (PE1) of the ground contact (PE or “physical earth”) can comprise a pin contact and the second contact half (PE2) of the PE a socket contact. Alternatively, the PE2 can comprise a pin contact and the PE1 a socket contact.
An outer profile of the pin contact and/or an inner profile of the socket contact of the HA and/or an outer profile of the pin contact and/or an inner profile of the socket contact of the HI of the respective plug-in connector can have a round, oval, or polygonal cross-section. Alternatively or additionally, the HA and the HI of the respective plug-in connector can be hermaphroditic.
The HA and the HI can each have a longitudinal axis. The HA1 and the HA2 as well as the HI1 and the HI2 can each be capable of being plugged together and released along their longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis of the HA and the longitudinal axis of the HI can be parallel to one another. Alternatively or additionally, the HA1 and the HA2 and/or the HI1 and the HI2 can each be capable of being plugged together and released along a transverse axis, which is transverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
An extent of the (load-side) HI2 or (direct current source-side) HI1 of the HI with respect to a contact point of the (direct current-side) HI1 or (load-side) HI2, respectively, which is assigned to the (load-side) HI2 or (direct current-side) HI1 of the respective HI, may be longer than an extent of the (load-side) HA2 or (direct current-side) HA1 of the HA with respect to a contact point of the (direct current-side) HA1 or (load-side) HA2, respectively, which is assigned to the (load-side) HA2 or (direct current-side) HA1 of the respective HA. The respective extent along the longitudinal axis in the direction of the plugging together can be determined in the plugged-together state. A load-side contact half can be determined by means of the electrically conductive connection of HA2 and HI2. A direct current-side contact half can be determined by means of the series connection of HI1 to the electronic switching unit and the electrically conductive connection thereof to the HAL For example, the load-side HA2 and HI2 can each comprise pin contacts. Starting at the contact point of the respective socket contact HA1 or HI1, respectively (for example as zero point), the extent of the pin contacts can comprise a length of the respective pin contact in the (direct current-side) plug-in direction in the plugged-together state. The pin contact of the HA can be shorter than the pin contact of the HI.
The HI2 or the HI1 of the HI of the at least one plug-in connector plug-in connector can comprise a separating section. In the plugged-together state, the separating section can comprise a separating section. In the plugged-together state (T0) of the respective plug-in connector, the separating section can effect a galvanic separation from the contact point of the HI1 or the HI2, which is assigned to the HI2 or the HI1 of the HI.
An extent of the separating section of the HI2 or of the HI1 can comprise an insulation, which is circumferential along a partial extent of the HI2 or HI1, respectively. The partial extent of the HI2 or HI1, respectively, can be shorter than the extent of the HA2 or of the HA1 of the HA with respect to a contact point of the HA1 or HA2, respectively, which is assigned to the HA2 or the HA1 of the respective HA. The respective extent along the longitudinal axis can be determined in the direction of the plugging together in the plugged-together state. For example, the HI2 can comprise a pin contact comprising a circumferential insulation as separating section. The separating section can comprise an outer partial length (viewed from the plugged-together direction) of the pin contact.
The HA1 or the HA2 of the HA can have only one contact point along the longitudinal axis. Alternatively or additionally, the HI1 or the HI2 of the HI can have only one contact point along the longitudinal axis.
The electronic switching unit can comprise at least one semiconductor switch, which, when an electrical voltage is applied between the first terminal and the second terminal, is configured to decrease the impedance between the first terminal and the second terminal or to electrically conductively connect the first terminal and the second terminal.
The electronic switching unit can be configured for the bidirectional current flow between the first terminal and the second terminal. For the bidirectional current flow, the electronic switching unit can preferably comprise a rectifier bridge. The electronic switching unit can comprise a rectifier bridge, which is linked to the at least one semiconductor switch. For example, a rectifier bridge is linked to one or several semiconductor switches, which optionally electrically conductively connect and separate the first terminal and the second terminal, or which optionally increase and decrease the impedance between the first terminal and the second terminal, respectively. Two opposite terminals of the rectifier bridge can comprise the first terminal and the second terminal of the electronic switching unit. Two further opposite terminals of the rectifier bridge can be connected or connectable to one another via a semiconductor switch and/or an RC member and/or a capacitor and/or a varistor and/or a thermistor.
The electronic switching unit can further comprise two semiconductor switches, which are connected to one another in series in mutually opposite direction and to which a diode is in each case connected in parallel in the reverse direction. The diode, which is in each case connected in parallel, can act as bypass in the reverse direction of the semiconductor switch. The electronic switching unit can optionally further comprise a trigger circuit, which is configured to effect a closing of a semiconductor switch when the electrical voltage is applied between the first terminal and the second terminal. The trigger circuit can further optionally comprise the rectifier bridge.
Alternatively or additionally, the electronic switching unit can comprise a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) and/or an insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) and/or an RC member comprising a capacitor and a changeable resistor, for example a varistor and/or a thermistor.
The plug-in contact device can comprise at least two plug-in connectors, each comprising an HA and an HI and an electronic switching unit. The first terminal of the electronic switching unit can be electrically conductively connected to the HA1 of each HA. The second terminal of the electronic switching unit can be electrically conductively connected to the HI1 of each HI. The respective first plug-in connector halves of the at least two plug-in connectors can be connected to the same direct current source and/or can be connected in parallel.
The at least one plug-in connector can further comprise an opposite pole contact (GE) comprising a first contact half (GE1) and a second contact half (GE2), for an opposite pole of the direct current connection with respect to the HA, preferably wherein, in the plugged-together state (T0) of the respective plug-in connector, in the first intermediate state (T1) of the respective plug-in connector and in the second intermediate state (T2) of the respective plug-in connector, the GE is configured to electrically conductively connect the GE1 and the GE2. The contact halves GE1 or GE2 can be longer than the contact halves HA1 or HA2 of the HA. The contact half GE1 or GE2 of the GE can in particular have the same length as a contact half HI1 or HI2 of the HI.
The electronic switching unit 120 in
In a third exemplary embodiment (without figure), the plug-in connector, which is generally identified with reference numeral 110, is configured hermaphroditically. In a first variation of a hermaphroditic plug-in connector 110, the HA1 112-1 comprises a socket contact as shown in
In an optional (non-illustrated) third intermediate state, the contacts HA 112, HI 114, and GE 116 are galvanically separated, while the ground contact PE 118 is still electrically conductively connected. In the (non-illustrated) state T3, all contacts HA 112, HI 114, GE 116, and PE 118 are galvanically separated. In the released state T3, the two contact halves 110-1 and 110-2 of the plug-in connector 110 can be spatially separated.
If a first one of the plug-in connectors 110 is separated, the corresponding HI 114 is transferred into the conductive first and second intermediate states T1 and T2 and a connection to the electronic switching unit 120 is established, as described with reference to
The exemplary embodiments of
Further components, in particular diodes, in or on the first contact half HI1 114-1 can be prevented by means of the plug-in contact device 100, in particular by means of the separating section 117 of the auxiliary contact HI 114.
The multiple plug-in connector system (shown, for example, in the exemplary embodiment of
In the exemplary embodiment shown in
In the exemplary embodiment shown in 6B, the electronic switching unit 120 comprises a polarity reversal protection, which comprises two semiconductor switches, which are connected to one another in series in the opposite direction, and in each case a diode, which is connected in parallel in the reverse direction (on the left in
To extend the lead to the electronic switching unit (for example switching unit 120) is perhaps possible for someone with a technical background and, on its own, does not represent a technical novelty. However, in the prior art, for example in the patent specification EP 2 742 565 B1, every plug-in connector (for example consisting of direct current-side socket unit 4 and load-side plug unit 5) has to be equipped with a diode 7, either in the plug-in connector or at least somewhere in the auxiliary line (which is configured as control line). In the plug-in contact device 100 according to the invention, these diodes are replaced by a safe galvanic separation in the auxiliary contacts (for example the HI 114). For this purpose, the auxiliary contact (for example HI 114) has an (insulating) separating section 117, which, in the plugged-together state, separates the metallic contact partners of pin contact and socket contact from one another. The design in the form of round pin and round socket is thereby only exemplary. An insulator of this type can also be used in the case of hermaphroditic contacts or in the case of flat contacts. Due to the fact that in the plugged-together state, the auxiliary contacts (for example HI 114) of all plug-in connectors (for example plug-in connectors 110) are in the rest position on the respective (insulated) separating section 117 of the auxiliary contacts, a short-circuit between different plug-in connectors can thus also not result. A conductive connection to the electronic switching unit (for example the switching unit 120) is established only during the separating process of a plug-in connector.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. It will be understood that changes and modifications may be made by those of ordinary skill within the scope of the following claims. In particular, the present invention covers further embodiments with any combination of features from different embodiments described above and below. Additionally, statements made herein characterizing the invention refer to an embodiment of the invention and not necessarily all embodiments.
The terms used in the claims should be construed to have the broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the foregoing description. For example, the use of the article “a” or “the” in introducing an element should not be interpreted as being exclusive of a plurality of elements. Likewise, the recitation of “or” should be interpreted as being inclusive, such that the recitation of “A or B” is not exclusive of “A and B,” unless it is clear from the context or the foregoing description that only one of A and B is intended. Further, the recitation of “at least one of A, B and C” should be interpreted as one or more of a group of elements consisting of A, B and C, and should not be interpreted as requiring at least one of each of the listed elements A, B and C, regardless of whether A, B and C are related as categories or otherwise. Moreover, the recitation of “A, B and/or C” or “at least one of A, B or C” should be interpreted as including any singular entity from the listed elements, e.g., A, any subset from the listed elements, e.g., A and B, or the entire list of elements A, B and C.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2019 135 128.6 | Dec 2019 | DE | national |
This application is a U.S. National Phase application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2020/086513, filed on Dec. 16, 2020, and claims benefit to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2019 135 128.6, filed on Dec. 19, 2019. The International Application was published in German on Jun. 24, 2021 as WO/2021/122811 under PCT Article 21(2).
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2020/086513 | 12/16/2020 | WO |
