# US 10,483,052 B2 · Method for cleaning electrical contacts of an electrical switching device and motor vehicle

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- Number: US 10,483,052 B2
- Document ID: US10483052B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/377,400
- Filed: 2016-12-13
- Published: 2017-06-29
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2015-12-24
- Assignees: Audi AG
- Applicants: Audi AG
- Inventors: Armin Pöppel; Stefan Dünsbier
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10483052B2

## CPC

- H01H 1/60: Auxiliary means structurally associated with the switch for cleaning or lubricating contact-making surfaces (cleaning by normal sliding of contacts H01H1/18, H01H1/36)
- B60R 16/03: for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems {or for (circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00)}
- H01H 1/605: {Cleaning of contact-making surfaces by relatively high voltage pulses}
- H01H 47/002: {Monitoring or fail-safe circuits}
- H01H 2047/003: {Detecting welded contacts and applying weld break pulses to coil}
- H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00)
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A method for cleaning electrical contacts of an electrical switching device includes displacing a first electrical contact element and a second electrical contact element of an electrical contact relative to each other so that the first electrical contact element and the second electrical contact element are in a closed position; and when the first and second electrical contact elements are in the closed position applying a waveform on the electrical contact so that the first contact element and the second contact element are excited to undergo a mechanical vibration relative to each other.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for cleaning electrical contacts of an electrical switching device, said method comprising:
displacing a first electrical contact element and a second electrical contact element of an electrical contact relative to each other so that the first electrical contact element and the second electrical contact element are in a closed position; and
when the first and second electrical contact elements are in the closed position, applying an electrical waveform using a control device so that the first contact element and the second contact element are excited to undergo a mechanical vibration relative to each other without leaving the closed position.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein during operation of the electrical switching device, the electrical waveform is superimposed on an electrical current.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the electrical current is an operating current.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical waveform is generated with at least one frequency, which is suited to generate mechanical vibrations at a natural frequency of the electrical contact.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical waveform is generated with a frequency, which corresponds to a multiple of the natural frequency of the electrical contact.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the natural frequency is determined by applying white noise on the electrical contact.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical switching device is configured as a contactor or as a relay.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical switching device is configured as a switching device for a motor vehicle.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical switching device is configured as a switching device for an onboard electronics of a motor vehicle.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the contact elements of the electrical contact, have a geometric shape in a contact region, which causes a point contact or a line contact of the contact elements in the closed position.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second contact elements is supported for movement in the closed position.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second contact elements is supported elastically in the closed position.

### Claim 13

A motor vehicle, comprising:
an electrical switching device, said electrical switching device including an electrical contact, said electrical contact having a first electrical contact element and a second electrical contact element, said first and second electrical contact element being displaceable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position; and
a control device configured to apply an electrical waveform on the electrical contact when the when the first and second electrical contact elements are in the closed position so that the first contact element and the second contact element are excited to undergo a mechanical vibration relative to each other without leaving the closed position.