BR112014002862B1 - modular electric switch - Google Patents

Abstract

invention patent summary: "modular electric switch". the present invention relates to an electric switch (400) which includes a plurality of electric switch modules (100, 200), at least one drive assembly (300) and coupling means (402) for coupling a plurality of electrical switch modules (100, 200). the coupling means (402) couple the plurality of electric switch modules (100, 200) in such a way that the operation of the plurality of electric switch modules (100, 200) is substantially synchronized.

Description

Descriptive Report of the Invention Patent for MODULAR ELECTRIC SWITCH.

[001] The present invention relates to an electric switch used to open and close an electrically conductive path between an electrical supply and an electrical charge. In particular, the present invention relates to an electrical switch based on a modular design.

[002] In conventional electric switches, a set of moving contacts is displaced in relation to a set of stationary contacts to establish or disconnect an electrically conductive path between stationary contacts on the supply side and on the load side. The stationary contacts on the supply side and on the load side are connected to an electrical supply and an electrical charge, respectively. A drive assembly is provided to cause the moving contacts to move from a normal position to a driven position.

[003] When a moving contact disengages from a corresponding pair of stationary contacts, the electrically conductive path between the electrical supply and the electrical charge is disconnected. This position is known as an open position. On the other hand, when the mobile contact comes into contact with the corresponding pair of stationary contacts, the electrically conductive path between the electrical supply and the electrical charge is established. This position is known as the closed position.

[004] In this way, electric switches can be classified as electric switches of the normally open and normally closed type. In the case of normally open electric switches, the drive assembly moves the moving contacts from an open position to a closed position. When a driving force is removed, various means of deflection return the contacts

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2/26 furniture back to an open position and thus disconnect the electrically conductive path. The operation is reversed in the case of a normally closed electric switch.

[005] In conventional electric switches, as described above, the size of the electric switch is based on a nominal electrical specification of the electric switch, that is, the magnitude of an operating current and / or an operating voltage at which the electric switch is expected to be subjected during its operation. As the operating current and / or operating voltage increases, the size of the electric switch must also be increased accordingly.

[006] Various constituent elements included in an electric switch, such as stationary and mobile contacts, a support set, a drive set, a housing structure and so on, have to be proportionally enlarged according to the increase in size of the electric switch. Thus, a large electrical switch will require large magnets, a large plastic housing with sufficient mechanical strength to support various constituent elements, and so on.

[007] In the state of the art, specialized large-sized molding tools and machines are used to manufacture the large housing structure required for a large electrical switch. This negatively affects the cost of manufacturing large electrical switches.

[008] In addition, several special tools used for the manufacture and assembly of metal parts used in smaller electrical switches cannot be used for the manufacture and assembly of corresponding metal parts necessary for large electrical switches since the cost for expansion it is prohibitive. Thus, according to the state of the art, electric switches

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3/26 large are usually made to measure and assembled by hand. This leads to inconsistencies and less precision in the various mechanical and electrical properties of the large electric switch, which in turn leads to less than satisfactory performance during operation and, in extreme cases, failure of the electric switch during operation.

[009] In view of the above, there is a need to provide an electric switch design that is suitable for the manufacture of electric switches with high electrical specifications without custom design and the manufacture of various constituent elements.

[0010] Therefore, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an electric switch design that is suitable for the manufacture of electric switches with high electrical specifications without customized design and manufacture of several constituent elements.

[0011] The purpose of the present invention is achieved by an electric switch with the characteristics of the present invention. Other embodiments of the present invention are addressed in the embodiments.

[0012] In accordance with the aforementioned objective, the present invention provides an electric switch that includes a plurality of electric switch modules, at least one drive assembly and coupling means for coupling the plurality of electric switch modules. Each electrical switch module includes a set of contacts and a support set. The contact set includes at least one pair of stationary contacts for connection to an electrical supply and an electrical charge and at least one movable contact to establish an electrical path between at least one pair of stationary contacts. The at least one moving contact can be displaced with respect to at least a pair of corresponding stationary contacts. The support set is coupled to at least one

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4/26 mobile contact and configured to move the at least one mobile contact to a first position and a second position in relation to at least a pair of stationary contacts. The at least one moving contact in the first and second positions, respectively, opens and closes an electrically conductive path between the corresponding pair of stationary contacts. The at least one drive assembly selectively provides a drive force to effect a displacement of the support assembly in at least one of the plurality of electric switch modules in a first direction, resulting in the displacement of at least one moving contact. The coupling means couple the plurality of electric switch modules in such a way that the displacement of each support set in each of the plurality of electric switch modules is substantially synchronized, that is, each support set of the plurality of switch modules electric moves in the same direction, with minimum relative displacement compared to any other support set in the plurality of electric switch modules, such that the at least one mobile contact in the plurality of electric switch modules is displaced to the first and second positions within such a narrow time window that no adverse electrical phenomenon occurs.

[0013] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, each electric switch module is associated with an individual drive set. The individual drive set is selected from at least one drive set. Thus, each electric switch module includes a drive assembly to move the support assembly in the first direction. This technical feature ensures that each electric switch module generates the driving force for the displacement of the respective support set. In this modality, the coupling means only serve to synchronize the displacement of the support sets in the

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5/26 plurality of electric switch modules.

[0014] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, each electric switch module includes a housing structure to house the contact assembly. As each electric switch module is provided with an individual housing structure, according to this technical resource, this technical resource makes it obvious the need to manufacture a large housing structure to house all the constituent elements of the electric switch in a single housing and, therefore, this technical resource advantageously makes obvious the need to design a specialized molding structure according to the total size of the electric switch.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the at least one drive assembly includes a drive coil configured to create a magnetic field, which provides a driving force to effect the displacement of the support assembly in at least one of the plurality of electric switch modules in the first direction. This technical feature facilitates the use of a low voltage circuit to control an operation of the electric switch. This low voltage circuit is electrically isolated from a main circuit, which is opened or closed by the electric switch.

[0016] In accordance with yet another modality of the present invention, the electric switch also includes a control module configured to regulate at least one drive set, by regulating the current of the coil, through the drive coil. The control module is relatively a low voltage circuit that is electrically isolated from a main circuit, which is electrically opened or closed by the electric switch. Thus, this technical feature advantageously facilitates the control of an electric switch operation using a relatively low voltage circuit. In addition, the

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6/26 using a single control module to regulate at least one drive assembly facilitates synchronizing the displacement of the support assemblies on the electric switch modules.

[0017] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the electric switch further includes bypass means for effecting a displacement of the support assembly in at least one of the plurality of electric switch modules in a second direction. This technical feature facilitates the restoration of the moving contacts to a normal position, that is, an open position on a normally open electric switch and a closed position on a normally closed electric switch subsequent to the removal of the actuation force provided by the actuation set.

[0018] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the coupling means couple the support assemblies in the plurality of electric switch modules. This technical feature ensures that the displacement of the support sets in the plurality of electric switch modules is substantially synchronized, that is, each support set in the plurality of electric switch modules moves in the same direction, with minimum relative displacement with respect to any another support set of the plurality of electric switch modules, such that the at least one movable contact, in the plurality of electric switch modules is moved to the first and second positions within such a narrow time window that no adverse electrical phenomenon occurs.

[0019] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, each electrical switch module includes a pair of stationary contacts. This technical feature ensures that single-phase electrical switch modules can be integrated to mount a multiphase electrical switch.

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7/26 [0020] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, each electric switch module includes three pairs of stationary contacts. This technical feature ensures that three-phase electrical switch modules can be integrated to mount an electrical switch with a desired nominal electrical specification, which is greater than the nominal electrical specifications of an individual electrical switch module.

[0021] Each pair of stationary contacts includes a stationary contact on the supply side and a stationary contact on the load side. According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the electric switch also includes at least one pair of end plates. Each pair of end plates includes a first and a second end plate. The first end plate is coupled to a plurality of stationary contacts on the supply side and the second end plate is coupled to a plurality of corresponding stationary contacts on the load side. According to this technical feature, the end plates are directly connected to multiple stationary contacts. According to this technical resource, an intermediate connection structure between the stationary contact and the terminal, which is used in the state of the art and which introduces additional electrical resistance in the electrically conductive path between the supply and the load, becomes unnecessary. Thus, this technical feature prevents deterioration of the electrical properties of the electric switch.

[0022] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of stationary contacts on the supply side and the plurality of corresponding stationary contacts on the load side are selected from at least two electrical switch modules positioned adjacent to each other. This technical feature ensures that the stationary contacts on the supply side and the plurality of

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8/26 corresponding stationary contacts on the load side are combined more optimally to lead to a desired number of terminals for connection to the supply and load respectively. [0023] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the electric switch includes a base plate. The plurality of electric switch modules are mounted on the base plate. This technical feature ensures that the plurality of electric switch modules, each electric switch module with its individual housing structure, can be mechanically integrated to form the electric switch.

[0024] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the electric switch includes a top cover to mechanically protect the plurality of electric switch modules. This technical feature ensures that several elements that make up the electrical switch external to the individual housing structures can be mechanically protected from the external environment.

[0025] The electric switch, according to the present invention, is advantageously based on a modular design in such a way that a desired nominal electrical specification of the electric switch is obtained through a suitable combination of multiple electric switch modules. Individual electric switch modules can be mass-produced and an appropriate number of electric switch modules can be combined to obtain a desired nominal electrical specification of the electric switch. As the individual electric switch modules can be manufactured using precision tools and machines, the accuracy and reliability of these electric switch modules, and, consequently, the resulting electric switch, is significantly higher compared to custom-made electric switches. Thus, the present invention

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9/26 provides a significant reduction in costs for the manufacture of electrical switches with high nominal electrical specifications. Thus, the present invention provides an advantageous paradigm shift from custom design to modular design, resulting in significant improvement in technical and economic feasibility.

[0026] Furthermore, the present invention facilitates the provision of the drive set corresponding to only a selected set of electric switch modules included in the electric switch according to the drive force necessary to move the support sets in each of the plurality of electrical switch modules. Due to the supply of the drive set in the selected set of electric switch modules, the total cost of the electric switch is further reduced.

[0027] In addition, several constituent elements, such as connection bar, base plate and top cover, necessary for assembly, necessary for the electric switch according to the present invention, can be manufactured in different sizes, based on desired operating electrical parameters. Alternatively, these constituent elements can also be assembled from smaller units based on a modular design.

[0028] The present invention is further described hereinafter with reference to illustrated modalities shown in the attached drawings, in which:

[0029] figures 1A -1D illustrate a set of elements constituting a three-phase electric switch module according to an embodiment of the present invention, [0030] figures 2A -2D illustrate a set of elements constituting an electric switch module single-phase according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, [0031] figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a set

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10/26 of drive according to an embodiment of the present invention, [0032] Figures 4A - 4B illustrate a perspective view and a side view of an electric switch according to an embodiment of the present invention, [0033] figure 5 illustrates a front cross-sectional view of an electric switch according to one embodiment of the present invention, [0034] figure 6 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an electric switch according to an embodiment of the present invention, and [0035] Figure 7 shows an upper cross-sectional view of an electric switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Various modalities are described with reference to the drawings, in which similar reference numbers are used to refer to similar elements everywhere. In the following description, for the sake of explanation, numerous specific details are presented in order to provide a complete understanding of one or more modalities. It can be clear that such modalities can be practiced without these specific details.

[0037] Figures 1A to 1D illustrate a set of elements constituting a three-phase electric switch module 100 in accordance with the present invention. In particular, Figure 1A illustrates an enlarged view of the three-phase electric switch module 100. The three-phase electric switch module 100 includes a housing structure 102, a contact assembly 104, a support assembly 106, and a median cover 108. Housing structure 102 includes two end walls 110, two side walls 112 and three pairs of slots 114. Contact set 104 includes three pairs of stationary contacts 116 and three corresponding moving contacts 118. The

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11/26 figures 1B, 1C and 1D illustrate a perspective view, a side view and an enlarged view, respectively, of the support set 106. The support set 106 includes three supports 120. Each support 120 includes a mounting socket 122 and a coupling socket 124. The middle cover 108 includes three slots 126.

[0038] The housing structure 102 encloses the contact set

104 and a part of the support assembly 106. The middle cover 108 is mounted on the upper part of the housing structure 102 to provide physical and electrical insulation of the space enclosed by the housing structure 102.

[0039] The housing structure 102 includes two end walls 110. Each end wall 110 also includes three pairs of slits 114. One or more end plates (not shown in the figure) extend inwards through the slits 114 to connect to two or more stationary contacts 116. The two side walls 112 serve to physically divide the electric switch module 100 from a contiguous electric switch module 100, during the assembly of several electric switch modules 100 according to the present invention, as will be explained together with Figures 4A and 4B.

[0040] As mentioned earlier, contact set 104 includes three pairs of stationary contacts 116 and three corresponding moving contacts 118.

[0041] Each pair of stationary contacts 116 includes a stationary contact on the supply side and a stationary contact on the load side. The supply side stationary contact and the load side stationary contact are arranged on each side of the support assembly 106. The supply side stationary contact and the load side stationary contact are connected to the input and output terminal plates. output which are, in turn, connected to an electrical supply and an electrical charge, respectively, as will be explained

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12/26 together with Figures 4A and 4B ,.

[0042] Each mobile contact 118 is displaceable in relation to the corresponding pair of stationary contacts 116 such that, when mobile contact 118 is in contact with the pair of stationary contacts 116, an electrically conductive path is established between the power supply and the electric charge; and when the mobile contact 118 is not in contact with the pair of stationary contacts 116, an electrically conductive path is disconnected between the electrical supply and the electrical charge.

[0043] Bracket set 106 includes three brackets 120. Each bracket 120 includes mounting socket 122 and coupling socket 124. Brackets 120 extend vertically when mounted on electrical switch module 100. Each bracket 120 includes socket assembly 122 for receiving and supporting the movable contact 118. The bracket 120 further includes the coupling socket 124 for engaging a connection bar (not shown) in such a way that the bracket assembly 106 can be coupled to a drive assembly, as will be explained later. The part of each support 120 between the mounting socket 122 and the coupling socket 124 extends out of the housing structure 102 through the slot 126 in the middle cover 108.

[0044] The middle cover 108 is mounted on each electric switch module 100 to physically isolate the contact assembly 104 enclosed within the housing structure 102 from the remaining parts of the electric switch 100. The middle cover 108 includes one or more slots 126 that they allow at least a part of the support assembly 106 to extend beyond the housing structure 102. The part of the support assembly 106 that extends beyond the housing structure 102 is used to couple the electrical switch module 100 to the assembly drive (not shown).

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13/26 [0045] The support set 106 is configured to move the moving contacts 118 to a first position and a second position, relative to the corresponding pair of stationary contacts 116. The first position can be a position where the moving contact 118 is not in contact with the corresponding pair of stationary contacts 116 and therefore the electrically conductive path between the pair of stationary contacts 116 is disconnected (open position). Likewise, the second position can be a position where the mobile contact 118 is in contact with the corresponding pair of stationary contacts 116 and, therefore, the electrically conductive path between the pair of stationary contacts 116 is established (closed position).

[0046] As shown, the moving contacts 118, mounted on the mounting sockets 122 of the support assembly 106, are in alignment with the pair of stationary contacts 116. After applying a driving force, the support assembly 106 undergoes a downward movement and drives the mobile contacts 118 in contact with the respective pairs of stationary contacts 116, thus establishing an electrically conductive path between the two stationary contacts, in each pair of stationary contacts 116. When the actuation force is removed, the means of deviation, which will be explained together with Figures 4A and 4B, will lead to the upward movement of the support set 106 to disconnect the electrically conductive path between the two stationary contacts, in each pair of stationary contacts 116.

[0047] During the movement of the support set 106, the cracks

126 in the middle cover 108 make it easy to maintain the alignment of the support set 106 and, consequently, of the moving contacts 118 with the stationary contacts 116. Figures 2A to 2D illustrate a set of elements that make up an electric switch module

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14/26 single-phase 200 in accordance with the present invention. In particular, FIG. 2A illustrates an enlarged view of the single-phase electric switch module 200. The single-phase electric switch module 200 includes a housing structure 202, a contact assembly 204, a support assembly 206 and a middle cover 208. The housing structure 202 includes two end walls 210, two side walls 212 and a pair of slots 214. Contact set 204 includes a pair of stationary contacts 216 and a corresponding movable contact 218. Figures 2B, 2C, and 2D illustrate a perspective view, a side view and an enlarged view, respectively, of the support set 206. The support set 206 includes a support 220. Each support 220 includes a mounting socket 222 and a coupling socket 224. The middle cover 208 includes a slot 226 .

[0048] Various elements used in the three-phase electric switch module 100, as explained in conjunction with FIG. 1, are adapted for the single-phase electric switch module 200 to support a single pair of stationary contacts and a single mobile contact, as will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art. A detailed explanation is not being provided for the sake of brevity.

[0049] The present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the three-phase electric switch module 100. However, several embodiments of the present invention, as described hereinafter are equally applicable to single-phase electric switch modules 200.

[0050] Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a drive assembly 300 according to the present invention.

[0051] The drive set 300 includes a fixed subset and a mobile subset. The fixed subset includes a base plate 302, a yoke 304 and a coil 306. The mobile subset includes a support

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15/26

308, an anchor 310 and hinge 316. Support 308 includes hinge arms 312 and coupling arms 314.

[0052] Base plate 302 provides a platform for mounting yoke 304. Yoke 304, in turn, provides support for coil 306. Likewise, support 308 provides support for prop 310. Articulated arms 312 are connected to the hinge 316. The coupling arms 314 provide means for engaging the support assembly 106. As mentioned earlier, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the link bar is used to engage the coupling arms 314 with the assembly of support 106 through coupling socket 224. The fixed subassemblies and furniture are arranged in such a way that yoke 304 and strut 310 are mounted in a complementary manner as generally known in the art.

[0053] In various embodiments of the present invention, any suitable yoke design can be employed. In the exemplary embodiment shown in figure 3, yoke 304 is constructed in the form of a three-legged structure using laminated sheets of ferromagnetic material, according to known techniques. In the middle leg of yoke 304, coil 306 is mounted. In this way, yoke 304 provides mechanical support for coil 306 and also serves to intensify a magnetic field established by coil 306.

[0054] Coil 306 includes a drive coil configured to create a magnetic field to provide a driving force for the support assembly 210. The magnetic field is created by applying a current from the coil. Thus, a magnetic flux is established in yoke 304. The strut 310 serves to complete a magnetic circuit providing a return path to the magnetic flux in yoke 304.

[0055] In the absence of a coil current, the movable subassembly, in particular the prop 310 is separated due to the deviation means,

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16/26 which will be explained together with Fig. 4A and 4B, of the fixed subset, in particular the yoke 304. This position of the movable subset is referred to as an open position. As the coil current is applied, due to the formation of a magnetic field through yoke 304, strut 310 is magnetically pulled towards yoke 304 and consequently, the movable subset, in particular strut 310 moves towards the subset fixed, in particular yoke 304, in such a way that the strut 310 comes into contact with yoke 304. This position of the movable subassembly is referred to as a closed position.

[0056] As the support set 210 is coupled to the mobile subset via coupling arms 314 and the connecting bar, the movement of the mobile subset causes a corresponding displacement of the support set 210 from an open position to a closed position.

[0057] It should be noted that the base plate 302 is an optional element. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the various constituent elements of the drive assembly 300, with the exception of the base plate 302, can be mounted directly on the median cover 108, in a similar manner.

[0058] Figures 4A and 4B illustrate a perspective view and a side view of an electric switch 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Electric switch 400 includes two electric switch modules 100a and 100b, two drive sets 300a and 300b, a link bar 402, deflection springs 404, a base plate 406 and an upper cover 408. Electric switch 400 also includes input terminal plates 410, output terminal plates 412, two partition plates 414 and control modules 416a and 416b, individually referred to as control module 416.

[0059] The electric switch 400 provides a means to open and close an electrically conductive path between an electrical supply and

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17/26 an electrical charge (not shown in the figure).

[0060] As explained in conjunction with FIG 1, the three-phase electric switch module 100 includes a housing structure 102, a contact assembly 104, a support assembly 106, and a middle cover 108. The structure of housing 102 encloses contact assembly 104 and a portion of support assembly 106. The middle cover 108 is mounted on the upper part of housing structure 102 to provide physical and electrical insulation from various constituent elements enclosed by housing structure 102.

[0061] The drive set 300 is mounted on the middle cover 108 and coupled to the electric switch module 100. The drive set 300 provides a driving force to move the support set 106 to open and close the electrically conductive path through the electric switch 400.

[0062] As shown in FIG 4A, the drive assemblies

300a and 300b are coupled by means of a connection bar 402 to the electrical switch modules 100a and 100b, respectively. In an exemplary embodiment, the connection bar 402 passes through the electrical switch modules 100a and 100b in such a way that the connection bar 402 serves not only to couple the drive assemblies 300a and 300b to the electrical switch modules 100a and 100b respectively , but also to couple the electric switch modules 100 in such a way that the displacement of each support set 106 in the electric switch modules 100a and 100b is substantially synchronized. Thus, the connecting rod 402 provides the coupling means for coupling the electric switch modules 100. In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG 4A, the connecting rod 402 couples the support assemblies 106 to the electric switch modules 100. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to couple other elements, such as a moving part

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18/26 of the drive set 300 with the same technical effect. In addition, in various alternative modalities any suitable mechanical structure, such as rectangular plates, bars with any shape of appropriate cross-section other than a circular cross-section (as shown in FIG 4A), and so on can be used for coupling the electric switch modules 100. [0063] In the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in

Figures 4A and 4B, each electric switch module 100 is coupled to a corresponding drive set 300. However, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, only a selected set of electric switch modules 100 is provided with corresponding drive sets 300 . Since the support sets 106 in the rest of the electric switch modules 100 are coupled to the support sets 106 in the selected set of electric switch modules 100, the necessary movement of the support sets 106 is achieved in all the included electric switch modules 100 on electric switch 400.

[0064] It should be noted that the drive set 300 has been explained as a separate set, external to the electric switch module 100 just for the sake of clarity. In various embodiments of the present invention, as described herein, the drive assembly 300, when present, can be provided to form an integral part of the corresponding electrical switch module 100 in addition to the contact assembly 104 and the support assembly 106.

[0065] The deflection springs 404 provide the deflection means for restoring the movable subset of the drive assembly 300 and, therefore, the support assembly 106 and the movable contacts 118 to a normal position. In case the electric switch 400 is normally open, the normal position is an open position. Likewise, in case the electric switch 400 is normally closed, the normal position

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19/26 is a closed position. According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG 4A, deflection springs 404 engage coupling arms 314 of drive assembly 300. In various alternative embodiments of the present invention, deflection springs 404 can be coupled with other mobile components of the electric switch 400, such as the support set 106.

[0066] The base plate 406 provides a support for the assembly of the electrical switch modules 100 in a contiguous manner so that the electrical switch modules 100 are joined to form the electrical switch 400. According to an embodiment of the present invention , the housing structure 102 includes horizontal and vertical flanges (or walls), with openings formed therein. Horizontal flanges are used to secure electrical switch modules 100 to base plate 406 and vertical flanges are used to attach electrical switch modules 100a and 100b. The base plate 406 can be manufactured based on a monolithic design or a modular design. In the latter embodiment, each individual base plate corresponds to the size of a single electrical switch module 100, and several of these base plates are mechanically joined using, for example, nut and screws or other similar means, to generate a base plate of suitable dimensions 406.

[0067] The upper cover 408 extends over the upper portion of the electrical switch 400 and provides a mechanical shield to several constituent elements that are joined to form the electrical switch 400. The upper cover 408 can be manufactured based on a monolithic design or a modular design, similar to the base plate 406, as explained above.

[0068] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, three input terminal plates 410 are connected to the stationary contacts on the supply side and three output terminal plates 412

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20/26 are connected to the load side stationary contacts. Each of the end plates 410 and 412 is connected to two stationary contacts. Thus, each of the three groups of two contiguous stationary contacts on the supply side of the electrical switch modules 100 is coupled to an input terminal plate 410. Likewise, each of the three groups of two contiguous stationary contacts on the load side of the electrical switch modules 100 is coupled to an output terminal board 412.

[0069] During the installation of electrical switch 400, electrical cables are attached to the input terminal plates 410 and output terminal plates 412 to establish an electrical connection for the electrical supply and electrical charge respectively.

[0070] The partition plates 414 are mounted between the input end plates 410 and also between the output end plates 412 to provide electrical insulation on them. Control module 416 is configured to regulate drive assemblies 300. Control module 416 is relatively a low voltage circuit that is electrically isolated from the main circuit, which is electrically opened or closed by electrical switch 400. In an exemplary mode , the control module 416 runs as a printed circuit board (PCB). Control module 416 simultaneously triggers drive assemblies 300 and thereby helps to synchronize the movement of support assemblies 106 on electrical switch modules 100.

[0071] During operation of electric switch 400, control module 416 regulates the coil current in drive set 300. To activate electric switch 300, control module 416 activates a coil current in the coil drive coil 306.

[0072] It is imperative to mention that the printed circuit board

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21/26 (PCB) was mentioned for example only. In various alternative embodiments of the present invention, the control module 416 can be made using any suitable component, as will be readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0073] In addition, it should be noted that in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, multiple control modules 416 can be included. For example, each drive assembly 300 can be associated with a corresponding control module 416. In the case of multiple control modules 416, their operation is synchronized.

[0074] Due to the coil current, a driving force is established. Subsequent to the application of the driving force, the movable subassembly of the drive assembly 300 and, therefore, the support assembly 106 undergoes a downward movement, which can be referred to as a first direction. As a result, the moving contacts 118 come into contact with the respective pairs of stationary contacts 116, thus establishing an electrically conductive path between the two stationary contacts in each pair of stationary contacts 116. Subsequently, in order to disable the electric switch 400 , the control module 416 deactivates the coil current in the coil drive coil 306. The deflection springs 404 will cause upward movement of the moving subset of the drive set 300 and, therefore, of the support set 106. This translation movement towards above can be referred to as the displacement in a second direction. As a result, the electrically conductive path between the two stationary contacts on each pair of stationary contacts 116 is disconnected. Thus, the first and second directions, as used herein, are opposite each other, along a straight or curvilinear path.

[0075] During the movement of the support set 106, the cracks

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22/26

126 in the middle cover 108 make it easy to maintain the alignment of the support set 106, and consequently, of the moving contacts 118 with the stationary contacts 116.

[0076] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 4A and

4B, two electric switch modules 100 have been assembled to form electric switch 400. It should be noted that the actual number of electric switch modules 100 assembled to form electric switch 400 is dependent on the individual nominal electrical specifications of the electric switch module 100 and the desired nominal electrical specification of the electrical switch 400. For example, if each electrical switch module 100 has a nominal electrical specification of 1,000 Amperes and the desired nominal electrical specification of the electrical switch 400 is 4000 Amperes, four electrical switch modules 100 can be assembled to form electric switch 400.

[0077] In addition, it should be noted that the number of pairs of stationary contacts, a corresponding number of mobile contacts, included in the electrical switch module 100 can be varied as desired. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 4A and 4B, electrical switch modules 100, each with three pairs of stationary contacts, have been used. It will be appreciated that when two or more of these three-phase electric switch modules 100 are combined to form an electric switch 400, the individual phases of the three-phase electric switch module 100 do not correspond to the three phases of the power supply since the individual phases are properly matched to result in the electrical switch 400 of the desired nominal electrical specification. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, electric switch modules 200, each with a single pair of stationary contacts, are used.

[0078] As is well known in the state of the art, switches

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23/26 electric are classified as normally open and normally closed switches. It should be noted that electric switch 400, as described herein, is a normally open electric switch. However, several embodiments of the present invention are equally applicable to the normally closed electric switch with appropriate modification in the relative positions of the stationary and mobile contacts, as will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0079] Figure 5 shows a front cross-sectional view of electric switch 400 in accordance with the present invention. The cross-sectional view is along the line 1-1 'shown in FIG 4A. [0080] As can be seen in the front cross-sectional view, the electric switch 400 comprises two electric switch modules 100a and 100b, two drive sets 300a and 300b and a connection bar 402.

[0081] Several constituent elements have already been explained in detail together with the previous figures.

[0082] Figure 6 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of electric switch 400 in accordance with the present invention. The cross-sectional view is along the line 2-2 'shown in FIG 4A. [0083] The lateral cross-sectional view shows the arrangement of the contact set 104, in particular the pair of stationary contacts 116 and the movable contact 118 and the set of supports 106 included in the electric switch module 100.

[0084] Figure 7 shows an upper cross-sectional view of the electric switch 100 in accordance with the present invention. The cross-sectional view is along the line 3-3 'shown in FIG 4A. [0085] As shown, the electrical switch module 100a includes stationary contacts on the supply side 116a and stationary contacts on the load side 116a '. Likewise, the electric switch module 100b includes stationary contacts on the supply side

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116b and load side stationary contacts 116b '. Figure 7 also shows input end plates 410a, 410b, and 410c and output end plates 412a, 412b and 412c.

[0086] As can be seen, the input terminal plate 410a is connected to two stationary contacts on the supply side 116a, the input terminal plate 410b is connected to two stationary contacts on the supply side 116a and 116b, and the end plate input 410c is connected to two stationary contacts on the supply side 116b. The output end plates 412a, 412b, and 412c are connected to the load side stationary contacts 116a 'and 116b' in a similar manner.

[0087] As noted earlier, the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 is exemplary in nature and any desired number of electric switch modules 102 can be combined in a similar way depending on the individual rated electrical specification of the electric switch modules 100 or 200 and the desired rated electrical specification of the electric switch 400.

[0088] The electric switch according to the present invention is advantageously based on a modular design in such a way that a desired nominal electrical specification of the electric switch is obtained through a suitable combination of multiple electric switch modules. The individual electric switch modules can be mass-produced and an appropriate number of electric switch modules can be combined to obtain a desired nominal electrical specification of the electric switch. Thus, the present invention greatly facilitates the manufacture of electrical switches with significantly improved electrical characteristics and operating precision and reliability. The present invention also facilitates the reduction in the cost of manufacturing electrical switches with high electrical specifications.

[0089] Although the present invention has been described in detail

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25/26 with reference to certain modalities, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to those modalities. In view of the present disclosure, many modifications and variations would appear for those with skill in the technique without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is, therefore, indicated by the following embodiments rather than by the previous description. All changes, modifications and variations covered by the meaning and scope of equivalence of the embodiments must be considered within their scope.

List of References

100 Electric Switch Module

102 Accommodation Structure

104 Contact Set

106 Support Set

108 Median coverage

110 End Walls

112 Side Walls

114 Pair of Slots

116 Stationary Contacts

118 Mobile Contacts

120 Support

122 Mounting socket

124 Coupling Socket

126 Slots

200 Electric Switch Module

202 Accommodation Structure

204 Contact Set

206 Support Set

208 Median coverage

210 End Walls

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Side Walls

Pair of Slots

Stationary contacts

Mobile Contacts

Support

Mounting socket

Coupling Socket

Slit

Drive Set

Base Plate

Yoke

Coil

shoulder strap

Anchor

Articulated arms

Coupling arms

Articulation

Electric Switch

Electric Switch Module

Drive Set

Connection Bar

Deflection Springs

Base Plate

Top Coverage

Input Terminal Board

Output Terminal Board

Partition Plate

Control Module

Claims (14)

1. Electric switch (400), the electric switch (400) comprising a plurality of electric switch modules (100, 200), each electric switch module (100, 200) comprising - a contact set (104, 204), the contact set (104, 204) comprising at least one pair of stationary contacts (116, 216) and at least one mobile contact (118, 218), the at least one contact mobile (118, 218) being displaceable with respect to at least a pair of corresponding stationary contacts (116, 216), and - a support set (106, 206), the support set (106, 206) coupled to at least one mobile contact (118, 218) and configured to move the at least one mobile contact (118, 218) to a first position and a second position, relative to at least a pair of stationary contacts (116, 216), to disconnect and establish an electrically conductive path between the pair of stationary contacts (116, 216), respectively, the electric switch (400) further comprising at least one drive assembly (300), the at least one drive assembly (300) selectively providing a drive force to effect a displacement of the support assembly (106, 206) in at least one of the plurality of drive modules electric switch (100, 200) in a first direction, resulting in the displacement of the mobile contact (118, 218); characterized by coupling means (402) for coupling the plurality of electric switch modules (100, 200) and the at least one drive assembly (300) in such a way that the displacement of each support assembly (106, 206) , in each of the plurality of electric switch modules (100, 200) is substantially synchronized. 2. Electric switch (400) according to claim Petition 870190068558, of 7/19/2019, p. 30/36 2/4 1, characterized by the fact that each electric switch module (100, 200) is associated with an individual drive set (300), the individual drive set (300) being selected from at least one drive set (300 ). Electric switch (400) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each electric switch module (100, 200) further comprises a housing structure (102, 202) to house the contact set (104 , 204). Electric switch (400) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one drive assembly (300) comprises: a mobile subset coupled to the support assembly (106, 206) via the coupling means (402); and a stationary subset provided with a drive coil (306) configured to create a magnetic field that causes movement of the movable subset, thereby displacing the support assembly (106, 206) in at least one of the plurality of switch modules electric (100, 200) in the first direction. Electric switch (400) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that it also comprises a control module (416) configured to regulate the drive assembly (300). Electric switch (400) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it further comprises deflection means (404) to effect a displacement of the support assembly (106, 206) in at least one of the plurality of electric switch modules (100, 200) in a second direction. Electric switch (400) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the means of Petition 870190068558, of 7/19/2019, p. 31/36 3/4 coupling (402) couple the support sets (106, 206) in the plurality of electric switch modules (100, 200). Electric switch (400) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the coupling means (402) comprise a connection bar (402). Electric switch (400) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each contact set (104, 204) of each electric switch module (100, 200) comprises a pair of stationary contacts ( 116, 216). Electric switch (400) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each contact set (104, 204) of each electric switch module (100, 200) comprises three pairs of stationary contacts ( 116, 216). Electric switch (400) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that each pair of stationary contacts (116, 216) comprises a stationary contact on the supply side (116, 216) and a stationary contact on the load side (116, 216), and the electric switch (400) further comprising at least one pair of end plates, each pair of end plates comprising a first end plate (410) coupled to a plurality of stationary contacts of the supply side (116, 216) and a second end plate (412) coupled to a corresponding plurality of stationary contacts on the load side (116, 216). 12. Electric switch (400) according to claim 11, characterized by the fact that the plurality of stationary contacts on the supply side (116, 216) and the corresponding plurality of stationary contacts on the load side (116, 216) are selected from at least two electric switch modules positioned adjacent (100, 200). 13. Electric switch (400) according to any one Petition 870190068558, of 7/19/2019, p. 32/36 4/4 of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it also comprises a base plate (406) for mounting the plurality of electric switch modules (100, 200). Electric switch (400) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it also comprises an upper cover (408) to provide a mechanical shield.