Abstract:
A high-voltage assembly contains a switching device. The switching device contains a gear having two coupling rods that can be pivoted in a predetermined pivot plane and that displace an electric contact element during pivoting, whereby the switching position of the switching device can be varied. In a first switching position, the switching device connects a first connection to a second connection, and in a second switching position, it connects the first connection to a third connection, and in a third switching position, the three connections remain unconnected. A drive axis of a drive is arranged perpendicular to a pivot plane of the coupling rods, and the coupling rods are mounted such that at least one of them can pivot through the drive axis region in which the drive axis of the drive penetrates the pivot plane of both coupling rods when adjusting the switching position of the switching device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a high-voltage arrangement having a switching device. A high-voltage arrangement such as this is known, for example, from German laid-open specification DE 102 19 055. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is based on the object of specifying a high-voltage arrangement with a switching device, in which switching of the switching states is possible with as little switching energy as possible. 
     According to the invention, this object is achieved by a high-voltage arrangement having the features as claimed in patent claim  1 . Advantageous refinements of the high-voltage arrangement according to the invention are specified in dependent claims. 
     The invention accordingly provides that the switching device has a transmission with two coupling rods, which can be pivoted on a predetermined pivoting plane and each move an associated electrical contact element during pivoting, thus making it possible to change the switch position of the switching device, with the switching device connecting a first connection to a second connection in a first switch position, and connecting the first connection to a third connection in a second switch position, and with the three connections being left unconnected in a third switch position, in that a drive axis of a drive of the high-voltage arrangement is arranged at right angles to the pivoting plane of the coupling rods, and in that the two coupling rods are borne such that, when the switch position of the switching device is changed, at least one of them can be pivoted through the 
     drive axis area, in which the drive axis of the drive passes through the pivoting plane of the two coupling rods, or the drive axis crosses the pivoting plane of the two coupling rods. 
     One significant advantage of the high-voltage arrangement according to the invention is that the internal design of the transmission allows energy-saving switching of the switching device. This is because the kinematics according to the invention of the coupling rods have a positive influence on the movement of the contact elements. Since the coupling rods can pass the drive axis area of the drive this makes it possible, for example, to ensure that, when there is a change in the switch position of the switching device, the contact element which is being switched off is moved less than the contact element which is being switched on. By way of example, starting from the third switch position, in which both contact elements are switched off and there is thus an adequate isolating gap in each case from the counter contact element associated with them, this makes it possible to prevent the other contact element which remains switched off from also being moved synchronously when the one contact element is being switched on; this is because such a synchronous additional movement is not necessary at all from the electrical point of view, because the distance between the contact element and the counter contact element in the case of the switched-off contact element is already adequate, and need not be increased any more. The capability according to the invention of the coupling rods to pivot through means that the deflection movement of the coupling rod which is being switched off can be considerably less than the deflection movement of the coupling rod which is being switched on, as a result of which the contact element which remains switched off is moved less than the contact element which is being switched on. Since every drive movement requires drive energy because of friction, the reduced movement travel of the contact element which remains switched off saves drive energy, in comparison to other switching devices in which the contact element which is being switched on and the contact elements which remain switched off are synchronously coupled and are each moved through deflection travels of the same magnitude. 
     A further significant advantage of the high-voltage arrangement according to the invention is that, because of the capability of the coupling rods to pivot or pass through the drive axis area, both the movement path of one of the electrical contact elements and the drive of the switching device can be arranged centrally in the housing of the high-voltage arrangement. By way of example, the movement path of one of the electrical contact elements can be arranged parallel to the center axis of the housing, and the drive axis can be arranged at right angles to the center axis, to be precise nevertheless in the housing center. A central arrangement such as this makes it possible to fit the transmission and the switching device alternatively in different orientations within the housing by rotating the transmission for example through 180° without having to make any physical changes to the transmission or to the switching device. 
     In order to allow a simple and low-cost transmission design, it is considered to be advantageous for the transmission to have a first and a second transmission plate, which are kept parallel and at a distance from one another by a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod, with the two connecting rods each being arranged at right angles to the transmission plates and parallel to the drive axis, and with the first connecting rod forming a first pivoting bearing for the first coupling rod, and the second connecting rod forming a second pivoting bearing for the second coupling rod. 
     The coupling rods can be made to pass through particularly easily if the drive is indirectly or directly connected to the first transmission plate, and the intermediate space between the two transmission plates remains free in the drive axis area for the coupling rods to pivot through. 
     The first and the second connecting rods are preferably at the same distance from the drive axis, in order to ensure that the movement characteristic of the contact elements from the third switch position to the second switch position is identical to the movement characteristic of the contact elements from the third switch position to the first switch position. 
     The drive is preferably connected to the first transmission plate in order that it can rotate the latter about the drive axis; in this case, the second transmission plate is also rotated by the two connecting rods with the first transmission plate. 
     The second transmission plate is preferably connected to a drive coupling element which is arranged coaxially with respect to the drive axis, such that said drive coupling element is also rotated during rotation of the first transmission plate and of the second transmission plate. By way of example, one end of the drive coupling element is connected to the second transmission plate, and its other end is connected to a first transmission plate of another or second switching device in the high-voltage arrangement. By way of example, the second switching device may be associated with a different electrical pole in the high-voltage arrangement. In an arrangement such as this, a single drive having a central drive axis can simultaneously switch a plurality of poles in the high-voltage arrangement. 
     The high-voltage arrangement preferably has two or more poles, and has a switching device for each electrical pole, with one of the switching devices being connected to the drive, and with the other switching devices each being connected indirectly to the drive directly via upstream switching devices and upstream drive coupling elements. 
     In order to achieve a compact transmission design, it is considered to be advantageous for the two coupling rods to be arranged on the same plane between the two transmission plates. 
     One particularly preferred embodiment variant provides that the high-voltage arrangement has a housing, the drive is arranged in the housing on a center axis which runs through the housing center of the housing, the drive axis is at right angles to the center axis, and the movement path of one of the electrical contact elements lies on the center axis and parallel to it. An embodiment such as this makes it possible to fit the transmission and the switching device differently within the housing, for example rotated through 180°, without having to make any physical changes to the transmission or to the switching device. 
     The housing is preferably axially symmetrical, and the center axis preferably forms an axis of symmetry of the housing. The movement axis or the movement path of the two electrical contact elements is preferably at right angles to the drive axis of the drive. 
     It is also considered to be advantageous if the high-voltage arrangement has a housing with a first housing opening and a second housing opening, with both the first and the second housing openings being suitable for selectively fitting a viewing window or a ground contact connection to them. In this embodiment, the viewing window and the ground contact connection can thus be interchanged, thus allowing the high-voltage arrangement to be reconfigured easily. 
     In the case of an axially symmetrical housing, the first housing opening and the second housing opening are preferably opposite one another with respect to the axis of symmetry. The first housing opening and the second housing opening are preferably identical, in order to allow simple replacement of the viewing window and ground contact connection, if the transmission is intended to be fitted rotated through 180° within the housing. 
     By way of example, the ground contact connection forms the third connection of the high-voltage arrangement, and can be connected through the switching device to the first contact. 
     In addition, it is considered to be preferable if the two housing openings and a viewing window which is inserted into one of the two housing openings are of such a size and are aligned such that both the position of a first electrical contact element, which can connect the first connection and the second connection to one another, and the position of a second electrical contact element, which can connect the first connection and the third connection to one another, can be seen from the outside through the viewing window. 
     One of the two contact elements forms, for example, a ground contact element, and the other of the two contact elements forms, for example, a disconnecting contact element of the switching device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       The invention will be explained in more detail in the following text with reference to exemplary embodiments; in this case, by way of example: 
         FIG. 1  shows a cross section through a first exemplary embodiment of a high-voltage arrangement according to the invention, with the high-voltage arrangement having two housing openings for fitting a ground contact connection and a viewing window, 
         FIG. 2  shows the high-voltage arrangement as shown in  FIG. 1 , with the point where the viewing window is fitted and that where the ground contact connection is fitted in the two housing openings in the housing being interchanged, 
         FIG. 3  shows a simplified illustration of the design of the transmission of the high-voltage arrangement as shown in  FIG. 1 , with  FIG. 3  showing a view from the side, 
         FIG. 4  shows a different view of the transmission of the high-voltage arrangement as shown in  FIG. 3 , likewise in a simplified schematic illustration, 
         FIG. 5  shows a second exemplary embodiment of a high-voltage arrangement according to the invention, with the arrangement of the viewing window relative to the transmission being explained in more detail, and with the first switch position of the switching device being shown, 
         FIG. 6  shows the high-voltage arrangement as shown in  FIG. 5 , with the switching device in the second switch position, 
         FIG. 7  shows the third switch position of the switching device in the high-voltage arrangement as shown in  FIG. 5 , 
         FIG. 8  shows a simplified illustration of the design of the transmission of the high-voltage arrangement as shown in  FIG. 5 , with the third switch position of the switching device being shown, and 
         FIG. 9  shows a cascaded arrangement of switching devices, in which one of the switching devices is connected directly to a drive and the other switching devices are connected indirectly to the drive via drive coupling elements. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     For the sake of clarity, the same reference symbols are always used for identical or comparable components in the figures. 
       FIG. 1  shows a high-voltage arrangement  10  in which a switching device  20  interacts with a first connection  30 , a second connection  40  and a third connection  50 . 
     The switching device  20  has a transmission  60  which is equipped with a first connecting rod  70  and a second connecting rod  80 . The first connecting rod  70  forms a first pivoting bearing for a first coupling rod  90  of the transmission  60 . The second connecting rod  80  forms a second pivoting bearing for a second coupling rod  100 . 
     The pivotable bearing of the two coupling rods  90  and  100  allows them to be pivoted on a predetermined pivoting plane, which corresponds to the plane of the sheet in  FIG. 1 . 
     One contact element is associated with each of the two coupling rods  90  and  100 , specifically with the first contact element  110  being associated with the first coupling rod  90 , and the second contact element  120  being associated with the second coupling rod  100 . The two contact elements  110  and  120  are borne such that they can move, and can be moved along their longitudinal direction during pivoting of the associated coupling rod. For example, the first contact element  110  can thus be moved in the direction of the second connection  40  by pivoting the first coupling rod  90 , such that the first connection  30  is connected to the second connection  40 . During such a pivoting movement of the coupling rod  90 , the second coupling rod  100  is pivoted such that the second contact element  120  is pulled away from the third connection  50 , and is pulled into the housing of the transmission  60 . 
     The second contact element  120  can be connected in a corresponding manner to the third connection  50 , by being moved in the direction of the third connection  50  by means of the second coupling rod  100 . During a linear movement such as this, the first coupling rod  90  will pull the first coupling element  110  away from the second connection  40 , and will pull it into the housing of the transmission  60 . 
     The movement of the two contact elements  110  and  120 , or the pivoting movement of the two coupling rods  90  and  100 , is caused by two transmission plates  160  and  150 , only the upper transmission plate  150  of which is shown in  FIG. 1 . In the illustration shown in  FIG. 1 , the lower transmission plate  160  is covered by the upper transmission plate  150 . 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  show the arrangement of the two transmission plates  150  and  160  relative to one another in detail. The two transmission plates  150  and  160  are arranged parallel to one another, and are at a distance from one another. They are connected to one another by the two connecting rods  70  and  80 , and are held at a distance apart by them. 
     In order to pivot the two coupling rods  90  and  100 , the lower transmission plate  160  is indirectly or directly connected to a drive  200 , whose drive axis  210  is arranged at right angles to the plane of the drawing in  FIG. 1 . When the drive  200  is switched on, then the lower transmission plate  160  is rotated about the drive axis  210 , as a result of which the upper transmission plate  150 , which is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , is also rotated, since the two transmission plates  150  and  160  are connected to one another via the two connecting rods  70  and  80 , and the pivoting bearings formed thereby. Rotation of the transmission plates  150  and  160  about the drive axis  210  allows the coupling rods  90  and  100 , which are borne such that they can pivot, to pivot, thus moving the contact elements  110  and  120 —as already explained. 
     The design of the transmission  60  will now be explained in more detail with reference to the illustrations in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Both  FIGS. 3 and 4  show schematic illustrations of a side view of the transmission  60 . In this case,  FIG. 3  shows the upper transmission plate  150 , which is also illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and the lower transmission plate  160  as well. Furthermore, the figure shows the connecting rod  70  which connects the transmission plate  150  to the transmission plate  160 . The connecting rod  70  forms the pivoting bearing for the first coupling rod  90 , which can be pivoted in the space between the two transmission plates  150  and  160 . 
     In order to allow the first coupling rod  90  and, analogously to this as well, the second coupling rod  100  to pivot through the drive axis area  220  in which the drive axis  210  of the drive  200  passes through the pivoting plane E of the two coupling rods, the drive  200  is arranged such that it is indirectly or directly connected exclusively to the lower transmission plate  160  in  FIG. 3 . In other words, the drive  200  therefore does not extend into the drive axis area  220 , nor into the space area between the two transmission plates  150  and  160 . The space area between the two transmission plates  150  and  160  is therefore free of any drive. 
     The mechanical coupling between the two transmission plates  150  and  160  is provided by the two connecting rods  70  and  80  such that the upper transmission plate  150  is also correspondingly rotated when the lower transmission plate  160  is rotated about the drive axis  210 . Such rotation results in the two connecting rods  70  and  80  being pivoted about the drive axis  210 , thus resulting in a pivoting movement of the associated coupling rods  90  and  100 , as well. 
       FIG. 4  shows another view of the transmission  60 . In this illustration, both the first connecting rod  70  and the second connecting rod  80  as well as the coupling rods  90  and  100  which are connected to them are shown. As can be seen, in the illustration in  FIG. 4 , the first coupling rod  90  is pivoted into the drive axis area  220 , and therefore crosses the drive axis  210 . The second coupling rod  100  is pivoted out of the drive axis area  220 . 
     The distance between the two transmission plates  150  and  160 , which are arranged parallel, at least approximately parallel, is annotated with the reference symbol A in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 1  furthermore shows that the high-voltage arrangement  100  has a housing  300  with a center axis  310 . The center axis  310  runs through the housing center and preferably forms an axis of symmetry of the housing  300 . In other words, the housing  300  is therefore preferably axially symmetrical about the axis of symmetry  310 . 
     The housing  300  is equipped with two housing openings  320  and  330 , which are preferably identical. The third connection  50  of the high-voltage arrangement  10  is mounted on the housing opening  320  by means of an attachment element  340 . A viewing window  350  is fitted to the housing opening  330 , through which viewing window  350  it is possible to look into the housing  300  in order to check the switching state of the switching device  20 . 
     Since the two housing openings  320  and  330  are identical, it is possible to interchange the fitting of the third connection  50  and the fitting of the viewing window  350 ; contrary to the illustration shown in  FIG. 1 , the attachment element  340  and the third connection  50  can therefore also be fitted to the housing opening  330 , and the viewing window  350  can be fitted to the housing opening  320 . 
     Such fitting of the attachment element  340  and of the viewing window  350  is illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  shows that the third connection  50  is now fitted to the housing opening  330  by means of the attachment element  340 . The viewing window  350  is located in the housing opening  320 . 
     In order to ensure the interaction of the third connection  50  with the switching device  20 , said switching device  20  is fitted pivoted through 180° by fitting the housing  60  to the drive  200  pivoted through 180°. Such pivoting of the transmission  60  and of the switching device  20  through 180° is possible specifically because the drive  200  and the drive axis  210  are arranged in the housing center, that is to say on the center axis  310 . If the drive axis  210  were to be arranged off-center, then the transmission  60  could not be pivoted in the described manner. 
     Furthermore, as can be seen, the arrangement of the contact element  110  in the transmission  60  is chosen such that the first contact element  110  is moved along the center axis  310 . The movement path Δx therefore in other words lies on the center axis  310 . The corresponding arrangement of the movement path Δx and the corresponding arrangement of the first contact element  110  likewise ensure the already explained pivoting capability of the transmission  60  and the pivoting capability of the switching device  20  overall about the center axis  310 . 
     Furthermore, as can be seen from  FIG. 1 , the movement path Δx of the first contact element  110  runs at right angles to the drive axis  210 ; a corresponding situation applies to the movement path of the second contact element  120 , which is likewise aligned at right angles to the drive axis  210 . 
     The size of the two housing openings  320  and  330  is preferably chosen such that both the position of the first contact element  110  and the position of the second contact element  120  can be seen through the viewing window  350 , in order to allow the switch position of the switching device  20  to be checked visually from the outside. One preferred refinement and arrangement of the two housing openings  320  and  330  will be explained in more detail in the following text in conjunction with  FIGS. 5 to 7 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a second exemplary embodiment of a high-voltage arrangement. As can be seen, in this exemplary embodiment as well, the housing  300  has a center axis and is preferably axially symmetrical, at least essentially axially symmetrical, thus allowing fitting of the viewing window  350  both to the housing opening  330  and to the housing opening  320 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the viewing window  350  is fitted to the housing opening  330 , and the third connection  50  is fitted to the housing opening  320 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a first switch position of the switching device  20  of the high-voltage arrangement  10 . In this first switch position, the switching device  20  connects the first connection  30  to the second connection  40 , the switching device  20  moving the contact element  110  in the direction of the second connection  40 . The corresponding movement is caused by the first coupling rod  90 , which is pushed in the direction of the second connection  40  by the connecting rod  70 . 
     The corresponding rotary movement of the two transmission plates  150  and  160  also pivots the connecting rod  80 , thus resulting in a pivoting movement of the second coupling rod  100 . As can be seen from  FIG. 5 , the second coupling rod  100  is pivoted into the drive axis pivoting area  220  of the transmission  60  and in the process crosses the drive axis  210  of the drive  200 . Such pivoting of the second coupling rod  100  is possible because the space between the two transmission plates  150  and  160  is free, and the drive  200  does not extend into this area. 
     The pivoting movement of the second coupling rod  100 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , pulls the second contact element  120  away from the third connection  50 , and pulls it into the housing of the transmission  60 . The second contact element  120  therefore makes no electrical contact with the third connection  50 . The described kinematics, which are caused by the arrangement of the two connecting rods  70  and  80  on the transmission plates  150  and  160 , result in the linear movement and the movement path of the two contact elements  110  and  120  not being the same. In other words—starting from the third (neutral) switch position, as is shown in FIGS.  1  and  2 —the movement path Δx of the first contact element  110  will be considerably greater than the movement path Δ 1  of the second contact element  120 , which is pulled into the housing of the transmission  60  when the first switch position is selected, as is shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     The shortened movement path of the second contact element  120  reduces the force applied and therefore the movement energy which is required for switching the switching device  20 . In other words, the kinematics of the transmission  60  ensure that—starting from the third switch position—the contact element to be moved away or to be disconnected need be moved only as far as is necessary for disconnection of the electrical connection. The contact element which is intended to make an electrical connection is, in contrast to this, deflected completely, or moved more, however. 
       FIG. 6  shows the second switch position of the switching device  20  as shown in  FIG. 5 . As can be seen, in this second switch position, the first connection  30  is connected to the third connection  50 . Because the third connection  50  is electrically connected to the housing  300  of the high-voltage arrangement  10 , the third connection  50  forms a ground connection, thus grounding the first connection  30  in the second switch position, as shown in  FIG. 6 . The second connection  40  remains unconnected in the second switch position, and, for example, is floating. 
       FIG. 6  likewise provides a clear illustration of the method of operation of the transmission  60  and the pivoting movement of the two coupling rods  90  and  100 . As can be seen, in the second switch position, the first coupling rod  90  pivots through the drive axis area, or passes through it, and thus crosses the drive axis  210  of the drive  200 . 
     The kinematics provided by the transmission  60  also ensure that the movement path of the contact element to be switched on, in this case the second contact element  120 , is greater than the movement path of the contact element to be disconnected, in this case the first contact element  110 . The movement process within the transmission  60  therefore reduces the movement path of the contact to be disconnected, as soon as it enters the area of the housing of the transmission  60 . 
     As can also be seen well from FIG.  6 —indicated by arrows P 1  and P 2 —the size of the two housing openings  320  and  330  and their arrangement are also chosen such that both the position of the first contact element  110  and the position of the second contact element  120  can be seen through the viewing window  350 . 
       FIG. 7  shows the third switch position of the switching device  20  of the high-voltage arrangement  10  as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     In this third switch position, the three connections  30 ,  40  and  50  are unconnected. The resultant position or deflection of the two coupling rods  90  and  100  in a switch position such as this is illustrated once again schematically, in the form of a side view, in  FIG. 8 . 
     In order to simplify identification of the switch position of the switching device  20 , it is also possible to provide for the housing of the transmission  60  to have openings through which it is possible to look into the transmission, in order to determine the position of the contact elements. The arrows P 1  and P 2  in  FIGS. 5-7  indicate this possibility. 
     The method of operation of the high-voltage arrangement  10  has been explained for a single electrical pole with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 8 . By way of example, the following text will now also explain that a multi-pole high-voltage arrangement is also possible, for example by cascading the drive devices. 
       FIG. 9  shows one exemplary embodiment of a high-voltage arrangement in which three switching devices  20 ,  20 ′ and  20 ″ are provided for the three poles of a three-pole power transmission device. Each of the switching devices  20 ,  20 ′ and  20 ″ has a respective transmission  60 ,  60 ′ and  60 ″, with each transmission in each being equipped with two transmission plates  150 ,  160 ,  150 ′,  160 ′,  150 ″ and  160 ″. As can be seen in  FIG. 9 , only the lower switching device  20  in  FIG. 9  is connected directly to the drive  200  of the high-voltage arrangement  10 . The other switching devices  20 ′ and  20 ″ are connected to the drive  200  only indirectly, specifically via drive coupling elements  400  and  400 ′, which connect the transmissions  60 ,  60 ′ and  60 ″ to one another. 
     The method of operation of the high-voltage arrangement as shown in  FIG. 9  may now appear, for example, as follows: when the drive  200  is operated, then this results in the transmission plate  160  of the lower transmission  60  being rotated, which necessarily also results in rotation of the upper transmission plate  150  of the transmission  60 . Since the upper transmission plate  150  of the transmission  60  is connected to the lower transmission plate  160 ′ of the transmission  60 ′, this lower transmission plate  160 ′ will also rotate as soon as the drive  200  is active. Once again, this leads to the upper transmission plate  150 ′ of the transmission  60 ′ also pivoting and, via the second drive coupling element  400 ′, to the two transmission plates  150 ″ and  160 ″ of the second transmission  60 ″ also pivoting. 
     In summary, it can be stated that the cascading arrangement of the switching devices  20 ,  20 ′ and  20 ″ makes it possible to provide a three-pole high-voltage arrangement in which the drive  200  and the drive axis  210  can be arranged in the area of the center axis  310 , or of the axis of symmetry of the housing  300 . An arrangement of the drive axis  210  in the area of the center axis  310  makes it possible—assuming an appropriate configuration of the transmission  60 —for the transmission  60  to be fitted aligned in different ways within the housing  300  of the high-voltage arrangement. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 
     
         
           10  High-voltage arrangement 
           20  Switching device 
           20 ′ Switching device 
           20 ″ Switching device 
           30  Connection 
           40  Connection 
           50  Connection 
           60  Transmission 
           60 ′ Transmission 
           60 ″ Transmission 
           70  Connecting rod 
           80  Connecting rod 
           90  Coupling rod 
           100  Coupling rod 
           110  Contact element 
           120  Contact element 
           150  Transmission plate 
           150 ′ Transmission plate 
           150 ″ Transmission plate 
           160  Transmission plate 
           160 ′ Transmission plate 
           160 ″ Transmission plate 
           200  Drive 
           210  Drive axis 
           220  Drive axis area 
           300  Housing 
           310  Center axis/axis of symmetry 
           320  Housing opening 
           330  Housing opening 
           340  Attachment element 
           350  Viewing window 
           400  Drive coupling element 
           400 ′ Drive coupling element 
         E Pivoting plane 
         A Distance 
         Δx Movement path 
         Δ 1  Movement path 
         P 1  Arrow 
         P 2  Arrow