Patent Description:
A contactor is a switching device used for connecting or disconnecting a circuit, and is commonly used in scenarios related to power, power distribution, and power utilization. A contactor includes an electromagnetic mechanism, a contact system, a transmission mechanism, a spring, a housing, and the like, among which the electromagnetic mechanism is an important component. An electromagnetic mechanism includes a static iron core, a movable iron core, a coil framework fitted on the static iron core, and an electromagnetic coil wound on the coil framework. The operating principle thereof is as follows: when the electromagnetic coil of the contactor is energized, a strong magnetic field is created, so that the static iron core generates a magnetic force to attract the movable iron core; the movable iron core drives contacts to act, causing a normally closed contact to open or a normally open contact to close. When the electromagnetic coil is de-energized, the magnetic force disappears, and the movable iron core is released under the action of the spring, causing the normally closed contact to close or the normally open contact to open.

In an existing contactor, two opposite ends have. an electromagnetic coil interface, and power supply is transmitted to an electromagnetic coil by means of the electromagnetic coil interface, so as to control the contactor to be in an on or off state. However, the existing contactor has issues such as inconvenient wiring, repeated wiring, and complex wiring. In addition, for an existing contactor, it cannot be intuitively determined whether the electromagnetic coil is energized or whether the contact is in the on or off state. <CIT> relates to a protection switch having a main housing with a housing lower part and a housing upper part, respectively provided with a magnetic drive and main terminals. A termination module with control clamps connected to the magnetic coil of the magnetic drive is fitted to a stepped-back edge at one side of the housing upper part, the control clamps lying in front of the plane of the main clamps when viewed from the housing front and connected to the magnetic coil via connection leads and cooperating control sockets. <CIT> relates to a pluggable coil terminal for a contactor, wherein the coil terminal can be inserted into the contactor. The coil terminal has two connecting feet each having a receiving slot at one end for receiving an electrical connecting piece of the contactor. <CIT> relates to a contactor comprising a housing and an auxiliary wiring module arranged outside the housing for powering a coil within the contactor.

In accordance with the present disclosure, a pluggable connecting device as defined in claim <NUM> is described. Embodiments are inter alia disclosed in the dependent claims.

With respect to the aforementioned technical problems in the prior art, the present utility model provides a pluggable connecting device for contactors, the contactor inter alia comprising: a housing; a coil framework located in the housing and having a first connecting piece and a second connecting piece configured to be opposite each other; and an electromagnetic coil wound on the coil framework, two ends of the electromagnetic coil being electrically connected to the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece respectively, wherein the pluggable connecting device comprises an insulation connection member and a first conducting element and a second conducting element fixedly connected to the insulation connection member; the first conducting element has an insertion end and a wiring end configured to be opposite each other; the second conducting element has an insertion end and a wiring end configured to be opposite each other; the insertion end of the first conducting element and the insertion end of the second conducting element are configured to be pluggably connected to the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece of the contactor respectively.

The insertion end of the first conducting element has two opposite first engagement portions; an insertion slot is defined between the two first engagement portions; the insertion end of the second conducting element has two opposite second engagement portions; an insertion slot is defined between the two second engagement portions.

The two first engagement portions each have one protrusion, the protrusions being located away from each other, and the two second engagement portions each have one protrusion, the protrusions located away from each other.

Preferably, the housing of the contactor comprises an electrode top plate and a mounting bottom plate configured to be opposite each other; the pluggable connecting device is U-shaped; the pluggable connecting device is perpendicular to the electrode top plate, and is configured to pass through the electrode top plate so as to be inserted into the housing.

Preferably, the first conducting element comprises a step portion disposed between the insertion end and the wiring end thereof, and the second conducting element comprises a step portion disposed between the insertion end and the wiring end thereof.

Preferably, the wiring end of the first conducting element has a bent portion; the wiring end of the second conducting element has a bent portion; the bent portion of the first conducting element and the bent portion of the second conducting element extend towards each other.

Preferably, the insulation connection member is injection-molded, and comprises an operation connection portion and a first covering portion and a second covering portion fixedly connected to two ends of the operation connection portion, wherein the first covering portion covers the first conducting element, and causes the insertion end of the first conducting element to be exposed, and the second covering portion covers the second conducting element, and causes the insertion end of the second conducting element to be exposed.

Preferably, one end of the operation connection portion defines a first accommodation space having an opening, and the other end defines a second accommodation space having an opening; the bent portion of the first conducting element is located in the first accommodation space; the bent portion of the second conducting element is located in the second accommodation space.

Preferably, the operation connection portion has a recessed portion opposite the electrode top plate.

The present utility model provides a system having a pluggable connecting device as described above and a contactor, inter alia comprising: a housing, comprising an electrode top plate and a mounting bottom plate configured to be opposite each other, wherein the electrode top plate has a first expanded hole and a second expanded hole; a coil framework located in the housing and having a first connecting piece and a second connecting piece configured to be opposite each other; an electromagnetic coil wound on the coil framework, two ends of the electromagnetic coil being electrically connected to the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece respectively, wherein the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece are configured to be pluggably connected to the insertion end of the first conducting element and the insertion end of the second conducting element of the pluggable connecting devicerespectively.

Preferably, the coil framework comprises a framework body and a first fixed portion and a second fixed portion fixed on an end surface of the framework body; the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece are respectively fixed in the first fixed portion and the second fixed portion; the first connecting piece and the first fixed portion respectively have a first through-hole and a first auxiliary hole aligned with the first expanded hole; the second connecting piece and the second fixed portion respectively have a second through-hole and a second auxiliary hole aligned with the second expanded hole.

The pluggable connecting device of the present utility model can be pluggably connected to a contactor, facilitates wiring of the contactor, and facilitates power supply to the electromagnetic coil in the contactor or monitoring of an electrical signal in the electromagnetic coil.

Embodiments of the present utility model are further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

To make objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present utility model clearer and more comprehensible, the present utility model is further described in detail below through specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a schematic perspective view of a contactor according to a preferred embodiment of the present utility model. As shown in <FIG>, the contactor <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> and an auxiliary wiring module <NUM> located outside the housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> includes a side plate <NUM> and a side plate <NUM> configured to be opposite each other, as well as an electrode top plate <NUM> and a mounting bottom plate <NUM> configured to be opposite each other. The side plate <NUM>, the side plate <NUM>, the electrode top plate <NUM>, and the mounting bottom plate <NUM> define a substantially rectangular accommodation space.

The contactor <NUM> further includes: a static iron core located in the accommodation space defined by the housing <NUM>, a movable iron core fitted on a coil framework on the static iron core (described below with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>), an electromagnetic coil wound on the coil framework, a support member fixedly connected to the movable iron core, four identical movable contacts fixed on the support member, and four sets of identical static contacts corresponding to the four movable contacts.

The shapes and structures of the static iron core, the movable iron core, the electromagnetic coil, the support member, the movable contacts, and the static contacts in the contactor <NUM> of the present utility model are the same as the shapes and structures of those in the prior art, and details will not be described herein again. The basic operating principle thereof is as follows: a power source supplies power to the electromagnetic coil in the housing <NUM> by means of the auxiliary wiring module <NUM>; the static iron core generates a magnetic force to attract the movable iron core; the movable iron core simultaneously drives the support member and the four movable contacts to move towards the static iron core, so that the four movable contacts contact and are electrically connected to the four sets of static contacts in the housing <NUM>, and in this case, the contactor <NUM> is in an on state. When power supply to the electromagnetic coil is cut off or stopped, the static iron core releases the movable iron core, so that the four movable contacts are separated from the four sets of static contacts, and in this case the contactor <NUM> is in an off state.

The electrode top plate <NUM> is provided with eight electrode through-holes for electrode wires to pass through. The eight electrode through-holes are arranged into two rows, where four electrode through-holes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in the first row are close to the auxiliary wiring module <NUM> and are arranged in one row, and four electrode through-holes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in the second row are below the four electrode through-holes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in the first row, and are also arranged in one row.

The contactor <NUM> further includes a pluggable connecting device <NUM>. Part of the pluggable connecting device <NUM> passes through the electrode top plate <NUM>, and is inserted into the housing <NUM>, and the rest is located outside the housing <NUM> or disposed on the electrode top plate <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic perspective view illustrating that the pluggable connecting device <NUM> in the contactor in <FIG> has been pulled out of the housing <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the electrode top plate <NUM> is further provided with a first expanded hole <NUM> and a second expanded hole <NUM>. The first expanded hole <NUM> and the second expanded hole <NUM> are located between the first row of electrode through-holes and the second row of electrode through-holes.

The pluggable connecting device <NUM> is U-shaped. A plane in which the U-shaped pluggable connecting device <NUM> is located is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a plane in which the electrode top plate <NUM> is located. The pluggable connecting device <NUM> includes an insulation connection member <NUM> and a first conducting element <NUM> and a second conducting element <NUM> fixedly connected to the insulation connection member <NUM>. The first conducting element <NUM> and the second conducting element <NUM> are parallel with each other. The first conducting element <NUM> is configured to pass through the first expanded hole <NUM>, and then be inserted into the housing <NUM>. The second conducting element <NUM> is likewise configured to pass through the second expanded hole <NUM>, and then be inserted in the housing <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic enlarged perspective view of the pluggable connecting device in <FIG> viewed in a direction indicated by an arrow B, and <FIG> is a schematic perspective view illustrating that the insulation connection member has been removed from the pluggable connecting device in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the second conducting element <NUM> is strip-shaped, and has an insertion end <NUM> and a wiring end <NUM> opposite each other and a step portion <NUM>. The step portion <NUM> is located between the insertion end <NUM> and the wiring end <NUM>. The wiring end <NUM> has a bent portion <NUM> extending towards the first conducting element <NUM>. The first conducting element <NUM> is mirror-symmetric to the second conducting element <NUM>. The first conducting element <NUM> likewise has an insertion end <NUM>, a wiring end <NUM>, and a step portion <NUM>, and the wiring end <NUM> has a bent portion <NUM> extending towards the second conducting element <NUM>. When the insertion end <NUM> and the insertion end <NUM> respectively pass through the first expanded hole <NUM> and the second expanded hole <NUM> and are inserted into the housing <NUM>, the wiring end <NUM> and the wiring end <NUM> are respectively located at an opening of the first expanded hole <NUM> and an opening of the second expanded hole <NUM>, and the bent portion <NUM> and the bent portion <NUM> are located outside the housing <NUM>, and act as external connection terminals of the contactor <NUM>.

The insulation connection member <NUM> is made from an insulation material, and is integrally formed by means of injection molding. The insulation connection member <NUM> includes an operation connection portion <NUM> and a first covering portion <NUM> and a second covering portion <NUM> fixedly connected to two ends of the operation connection portion <NUM>. The first covering portion <NUM> and the second covering portion <NUM> respectively cover a major portion of the first conducting element <NUM> and a major portion of the second conducting element <NUM>, and only the insertion end <NUM> of the first conducting element <NUM> and the insertion end <NUM> of the second conducting element <NUM> are exposed.

One end of the operation connection portion <NUM> defines a first accommodation space <NUM> having an opening, and the other end defines a second accommodation space <NUM> having an opening. The first accommodation space <NUM> is configured to accommodate the bent portion <NUM> of the first conducting element <NUM>, and the second accommodation space <NUM> is configured to accommodate the bent portion <NUM> of the second conducting element <NUM>. One wiring terminal of the power source is placed in the first accommodation space <NUM>, and is electrically connected to the bent portion <NUM> of the first conducting element <NUM>, and the other wiring terminal is placed in the second accommodation space <NUM>, and is electrically connected to the bent portion <NUM> of the second conducting element <NUM>. A voltage and a current of the power source are transmitted to the insertion ends <NUM> and <NUM>. The operation connection portion <NUM> is provided with a recessed portion <NUM> on a side surface opposite the electrode top plate <NUM>. When the insulation connection member <NUM> is inserted into the first expanded hole <NUM> and the second expanded hole <NUM>, an operational space is provided between the recessed portion <NUM> on the operation connection portion <NUM> and the electrode top plate <NUM>, so that an operational tool can be inserted therein to pry the insulation connection member <NUM> off the housing <NUM>, or an operator can pull the insulation connection member <NUM> out by hand.

<FIG> is a schematic enlarged view of the insertion end of the second conducting element <NUM> in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the insertion end <NUM> has an engagement portion <NUM> and an engagement portion <NUM> configured to be opposite each other. The engagement portion <NUM> and the engagement portion <NUM> respectively have a protrusion <NUM> and a protrusion <NUM> located away from each other, and an insertion slot <NUM> is defined between the engagement portion <NUM> and the engagement portion <NUM>. The engagement portion <NUM> and the engagement portion <NUM> are elastically deformable and resilient to some extent. When a force directed to the protrusion <NUM> is applied to the protrusion <NUM>, and/or a force directed to the protrusion <NUM> is applied to the protrusion <NUM>, the distance between the protrusion <NUM> and the protrusion <NUM> decreases; when the external force is removed, the protrusion <NUM> and the protrusion <NUM> return to original positions thereof.

<FIG> is a schematic perspective view of the coil framework and the insulation connection member in the contactor in <FIG>. <FIG> is a sectional view of the coil framework and the insulation connection member in <FIG>, where a cut plane passes through the two insertion ends of the insulation connection member. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the coil framework <NUM> is integrally formed, and includes a framework body <NUM>, a first fixed portion <NUM>, and a second fixed portion <NUM>. The framework body <NUM> is substantially in the shape of a hollow column, and has an end surface <NUM> facing the movable iron core and the support member (not shown in <FIG> and <FIG>). The first fixed portion <NUM> and the second fixed portion <NUM> are substantially in the shape of a rod, are opposite each other, and are respectively fixed on edges of the end surface <NUM> of the framework body <NUM>. The first fixed portion <NUM> and the second fixed portion <NUM> respectively have an auxiliary hole <NUM> and an auxiliary hole <NUM>. An opening of the auxiliary hole <NUM> and an opening of the auxiliary hole <NUM> face the electrode top plate <NUM>, and are respectively aligned with the first expanded hole <NUM> and the second expanded hole <NUM> on the electrode top plate <NUM>.

The coil framework <NUM> further includes a first connecting piece <NUM> and a second connecting piece <NUM> made from a metal material and an electromagnetic coil (not shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) wound on the coil framework <NUM>. The first connecting piece <NUM> and the first fixed portion <NUM> are fixed to each other by means of an injection molding process, and two ends <NUM> and <NUM>' of the first connecting piece <NUM> extend out of two ends of the first fixed portion <NUM>. Similarly, the second connecting piece <NUM> and the second fixed portion <NUM> are fixed to each other by means of an injection molding process, and two ends <NUM> and <NUM>' of the second connecting piece <NUM> extend out of two ends of the second fixed portion <NUM>. The end <NUM> of the first connecting piece <NUM> and the end <NUM> of the second connecting piece <NUM> are configured to be electrically connected to two connection terminals in the auxiliary wiring module <NUM>. Two ends of the electromagnetic coil are electrically connected to the first connecting piece <NUM> and the second connecting piece <NUM> respectively.

The insertion end <NUM> of the first conducting element <NUM> and the insertion end <NUM> of the second conducting element <NUM> respectively pass through the first expanded hole <NUM> and the second expanded hole <NUM> of the electrode top plate <NUM> (refer to <FIG>), and are inserted into the auxiliary hole <NUM> and the auxiliary hole <NUM>, so as to be electrically connected to the first connecting piece <NUM> and the second connecting piece <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic perspective view of the first connecting piece, the second connecting piece, the first conducting element, and the second conducting element in the coil framework and the insulation connection member in <FIG>. <FIG> is a sectional view of the first connecting piece, the second connecting piece, the first conducting element, and the second conducting element in <FIG>, where a cut plane passes through the two insertion ends of the insulation connection member. As shown in <FIG>, the first connecting piece <NUM> has a through-hole <NUM> aligned with the auxiliary hole <NUM> of the first fixed portion <NUM>, and the second connecting piece <NUM> has a through-hole <NUM> aligned with the auxiliary hole <NUM> of the second fixed portion <NUM>.

During an insertion process of the insertion end <NUM> of the first conducting element <NUM>, the two protrusions on the insertion end <NUM> first contact the opening of the auxiliary hole <NUM>, and the auxiliary hole <NUM> squeezes the two protrusions on the insertion end <NUM>, so that the distance between the two protrusions decreases, and therefore the insertion end <NUM> can be further inserted into the through-hole <NUM> of the first connecting <NUM>. The insertion end <NUM> is resilient to some extent, so that the two protrusions thereon are urged against or abut an inner side wall of the through-hole <NUM> of the first connecting piece <NUM>. The insertion end <NUM> of the second conducting element <NUM> is subjected to the same deformation in an insertion process as the insertion end <NUM>, and details will not be described herein again. Finally, the first conducting element <NUM> and the second conducting element <NUM> well mechanically contact and are reliably electrically connected to the first connecting piece <NUM> and the second connecting piece <NUM> respectively.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG> again, when the mounting bottom plate <NUM> of the contactor <NUM> is fixedly mounted in a cabinet by means of a mounting method shown in <FIG>, if it is not easy for another circuit module to be electrically connected to the auxiliary wiring module <NUM> or an electrical signal in the electromagnetic coil needs to be monitored, then the pluggable connecting device <NUM> can be inserted into the housing <NUM> by means of the first expanded hole <NUM> and the second expanded hole <NUM> on the electrode top plate <NUM> until the insertion end <NUM> and the insertion end <NUM> in the pluggable connecting device <NUM> are respectively embedded in the through-hole <NUM> of the first connecting piece <NUM> and the through-hole <NUM> of the second connecting piece <NUM>. Therefore, the first conducting element <NUM>, the first connecting piece <NUM>, the electromagnetic coil, the second connecting piece <NUM>, and the second conducting element <NUM> form a conducting path, and the bent portion <NUM> of the first conducting element <NUM> and the bent portion <NUM> of the second conducting element <NUM> serve as external connection terminals of the contactor <NUM>. According to actual requirements, the two wiring terminals of the power source can be respectively connected to the bent portion <NUM> of the first conducting element <NUM> and the bent portion <NUM> of the second conducting element <NUM>, so that wiring can be easily performed above the electrode top plate <NUM> of the contactor <NUM> so as to energize or de-energize the electromagnetic coil in the contactor <NUM>. Additionally, the electrical signal in the electromagnetic coil can be acquired from the bent portion <NUM> of the first conducting element <NUM> and the bent portion <NUM> of the second conducting element <NUM>, thereby facilitating monitoring of the electrical signal in the electromagnetic coil or an on or off state of the contactor <NUM>.

When the pluggable connecting device <NUM> needs to be replaced or the pluggable connecting device <NUM> does not need to be mounted, a force in a direction leaving the electrode top plate <NUM> is applied to the operation connection portion <NUM> so as to pull out the pluggable connecting device <NUM>.

The pluggable connecting device <NUM> is integrally formed, has a firm structure, and can be easily inserted into or pulled out of the contactor <NUM> by an operator.

The insulation connection member <NUM> in the pluggable connecting device <NUM> is wrapped around or covers the first conducting element <NUM> and the second conducting element <NUM>, thereby preventing the first conducting element <NUM> and the second conducting element <NUM> from being electrically connected to other conducting components in the limited space in the contactor <NUM>.

The operation connection portion <NUM> is made from an insulation material, so as to be easily operated by an operator by hand. The recessed portion <NUM> on the operation connection portion <NUM> enables the operator to easily pull the pluggable connecting device <NUM> out of the contactor <NUM>, and no additional component is added, thereby resulting in a simple structure and low manufacturing costs.

The first conducting element <NUM> has the bent portion, and the second conducting element <NUM> has the bent portion, thereby enlarging a contact region or a contact area between the same and an external circuit module. The bent portion of the first conducting element <NUM> and the bent portion of the second conducting element <NUM> are located in the first accommodation space <NUM> and the second accommodation space <NUM> defined by the operation connection portion <NUM>, thereby avoiding electric shock hazards caused by accidentally touching the first conducting element <NUM> and the second conducting element <NUM>.

The insertion end <NUM> of the first conducting element <NUM> has the insertion slot, and the insertion end of the second conducting element <NUM> has the insertion slot, so that the insertion ends <NUM> and <NUM> are elastically deformable and resilient to some extent. Due to the resilience, the insertion ends <NUM> and <NUM> can well mechanically contact the first connecting piece <NUM> and the second connecting piece <NUM>. The protrusions on the insertion ends <NUM> and <NUM> can further improve mechanical contact and electrical connection, thereby ensuring reliable electric conductivity.

The first conducting element <NUM> has the step portion, and the second conducting element <NUM> has the step portion, so that the contact between the injection-molded insulation connection member <NUM> and the first conducting element <NUM> and the contact between the injection-molded insulation connection member <NUM> and the second conducting element <NUM> are firmer, thereby preventing falling off.

In other embodiments of the present utility model, specific dimensional parameters of the first conducting element <NUM> and the second conducting element <NUM>, and the number and positions of step portions thereof are designed according to a mounting space in the housing <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A pluggable connecting device (<NUM>) for contactors (<NUM>),
the contactor (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>);
a coil framework (<NUM>) located in the housing (<NUM>) and having a first connecting piece (<NUM>) and a second connecting piece (<NUM>) configured to be opposite each other; and
an electromagnetic coil wound on the coil framework (<NUM>), two ends of the electromagnetic coil being electrically connected to the first connecting piece (<NUM>) and the second connecting piece (<NUM>) respectively, wherein
the pluggable connecting device (<NUM>) comprises an insulation connection member (<NUM>) and a first conducting element (<NUM>) and a second conducting element (<NUM>) fixedly connected to the insulation connection member (<NUM>); the first conducting element (<NUM>) has an insertion end (<NUM>) and a wiring end (<NUM>) configured to be opposite each other; the second conducting element (<NUM>) has an insertion end (<NUM>) and a wiring end (<NUM>) configured to be opposite each other; the insertion end (<NUM>) of the first conducting element (<NUM>) and the insertion end (<NUM>) of the second conducting element (<NUM>) are configured to be pluggably connected to the first connecting piece (<NUM>) and the second connecting piece (<NUM>) of the contactor (<NUM>) respectively;
wherein the insertion end (<NUM>) of the first conducting element (<NUM>) has two opposite first engagement portions (<NUM>, <NUM>); an insertion slot (<NUM>) is defined between the two first engagement portions (<NUM>, <NUM>); the insertion end (<NUM>) of the second conducting element (<NUM>) has two opposite second engagement portions (<NUM>, <NUM>); an insertion slot (<NUM>) is defined between the two second engagement portions (<NUM>, <NUM>);
characterized in that the two first engagement portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) each have one protrusion (<NUM>, <NUM>), the protrusions being located away from each other, and the two second engagement portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) each have one protrusion (<NUM>, <NUM>), the protrusions being located away from each other.