Compact disconnect switch
AssigneeSiemens Aktiengesellschaft
InventorsMarkus Geuder, Stefan Kautz, Matthias Marondel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A disconnect switch for the load circuit of a vehicle battery, includes a movable contact element (81) and a stationary contact element (64) that are linked with a locking mechanism. For releasing the locking mechanism a shape-memory alloy release element (4) is used that contracts when heated. For closing the locking mechanism a shape-memory alloy spring element (110) is provided that induces closure of the mechanism by expansion.
Claims16
A compact disconnect switch for the load circuit of a vehicle battery with the following features, that is with
- an input conductor (5), which can be connected to an electrode terminal (21) of the battery,
- an output conductor (6), which can be connected to the load circuit,
- a stationary contact element (64) and a movable contact element (81) for establishing a switching connection between the input conductor (5) and the output conductor (6),
- a contact carrier (8), which carries the movable contact element (81), can be switched between an opening position and a closing position and is prestressed into the opening position by spring force,
- a locking mechanism (3), which fixes the contact carrier (8) in the closing position or returns it into this position, and
- means for opening the locking mechanism,
- the means for opening the locking mechanism containing at least one release element (4) of a shape memory alloy, which contracts when heated by being subjected to a heating current, and the locking mechanism (3) having at least one spring element (110) of a shape memory alloy which acts on the contact carrier (8), brings about the closing position of the latter and expands when heated by being subjected to a heating current.
The switch as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one spring element (110) is rigidly connected on one side to the housing (1) and acts on the opposite side on a toggle lever (32, 33, 37) of the locking mechanism having a toggle-lever clamping mechanism.
The switch as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact carrier (8) is a stretched-out contact spring restrained at one end in the housing (1), which carries the movable contact element (81) approximately in the middle region of its length and, at its free or movable end (82), engages with an outer end of a first toggle joint lever (32), thereby forming a first pivot joint.
The switch as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that means for manually opening and/or closing the contact elements are additionally provided.
The switch as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the release element (4) can be activated by a short-circuit sensor and/or an acceleration sensor.
The switch as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (1) can be arranged on an electrode terminal of the vehicle battery.
The switch as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a current sensor which is coupled to an input conductor and applies current to the release element (4) when a current threshold is exceeded is provided in the housing (1).
The switch as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an electronic evaluation circuit for activating the release element (4) is arranged in the housing (1).
The disconnect switch as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shape memory alloy of the at least one release element (4) and/or at least one spring element (110) is an NiTi or a NiTiCu alloy, which may possibly also include further components.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.