Patent ID: 12198884

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The terms are merely used to explain the embodiments, but are not intended to limit. The following describes in detail the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Currently, electric vehicles, as environmental-friendly and energy-saving vehicles, are increasingly widely used, and fast charging contactors that used with the electric vehicles are also widely used. A direct current contactor has become an important power distribution control component in a direct current charging circuit of the electric vehicle. In a current direct current fast charging circuit, an electric vehicle and a direct current fast charging apparatus are used as an example. Referring toFIG.1, a PDU500and a high-voltage battery pack200connected to the PDU500are disposed in the electric vehicle. The charging apparatus of the electric vehicle has two wiring terminals: PIN1 and PIN2. PIN1 is a positive terminal, and PIN2 is a negative terminal. The terminal PIN1 is connected to the PDU500by using one direct current contactor400, the PDU500is connected to a positive electrode of the high-voltage battery pack200, and the terminal PIN2 is connected to a negative electrode of the high-voltage battery pack200by using one direct current contactor400. During use, a connection between the direct current fast charging apparatus300and the high-voltage battery pack200is controlled by controlling the two direct current contactors to be connected or disconnected. In the foregoing direct current fast charging circuit, one direct current contactor needs to be connected to each of the terminal PIN1 and the terminal PIN2. Consequently, the entire charging apparatus has a relatively large volume, occupies relatively large space, and has relatively high costs. In addition, when the two direct current contactors are separately disposed, it is also difficult to simultaneously disconnect or connect a positive line and a negative line.

To reduce the volume and the costs of the charging apparatus, in a conventional technology, two contactors may be integrated. For example, two single contactors are used to independently control the positive line and the negative line, and then the two single contactors are integrally encapsulated and integrated. The contactor includes two cavities, each cavity has one contactor, and each contactor includes one moving contact, one fixed contact, and one electromagnetic drive mechanism. One group of control lines is used to simultaneously control the two electromagnetic drive mechanisms to drive the moving contact to be connected to or disconnected from the fixed contact. However, a volume of the contactor is still relatively large and needs to be further reduced, and manufacture costs are also relatively high. Consequently, a low-cost and lightweight requirement of a new energy vehicle cannot be met.

The embodiments may provide a direct current contactor. The direct current contactor may be used for an electrical connection such as a connection between an electric vehicle and a direct current fast charging apparatus or a connection between another electric cabinet and an electrical device. In the direct current contactor, a single drive manner is used to form two arc-extinguishing chambers in one arc-extinguishing cavity to accommodate two groups of contact components, so as to implement a dual connection between the contactor and both a positive line and a negative line, so that a structure of the direct current contactor is simplified. In addition, there is no need to dispose one contactor on each of the positive line and the negative line, so that a volume of the charging apparatus is significantly reduced, and costs are reduced.

The following describes the direct current contactor by using an example in which the direct current contactor is used for the connection between the electric vehicle and the direct current fast charging apparatus.

Referring toFIG.2, the embodiments may provide a direct current contactor100, including a case10and two groups of contact components11disposed in the case10. Each group of contact component11includes two moving contacts111connected to each other and two fixed contacts112opposite to the two moving contacts111. The fixed contacts112extend outside the case10, so that the fixed contacts112are connected to a positive line or a negative line.

Referring toFIG.3, the two groups of contact components11in the case10are respectively a first group of contact component11aand a second group of contact component11b. The first group of contact component11aincludes a first moving contact111a, a second moving contact111bconnected to the first moving contact111a, and a first fixed contact112aand a second fixed contact112bthat are respectively opposite to the first moving contact111aand the second moving contact111b. The second group of contact component11bincludes a third moving contact111c, a fourth moving contact111dconnected to the third moving contact111c, and a third fixed contact112cand a fourth fixed contact112dthat are respectively opposite to the third moving contact111cand the fourth moving contact111d. The first group of contact component11aand the second group of contact component11bare parallel, the first moving contact111aand the third moving contact111care adjacent, and the second moving contact111band the fourth moving contact111dare adjacent.

Four connecting busbars may be disposed on the case10, and are respectively a first connecting busbar A1, a second connecting busbar A2, a third connecting busbar B1, and a fourth connecting busbar B2. The first connecting busbar A1 and the second connecting busbar A2 are respectively connected to the first fixed contact112aand the second fixed contact112b. The third connecting busbar B1 and the fourth connecting busbar B2 are respectively connected to the third fixed contact112cand the fourth fixed contact112d. A fifth connecting busbar C1 and a sixth connecting busbar C2 may be further disposed on the case10, to electrically connect a drive system50.

When the direct current contactor100is used in a direct current fast charging circuit, the first connecting busbar A1 may be connected to a terminal PIN1, the third connecting busbar B1 may be connected to a terminal PIN2, the second connecting busbar A2 is connected to a positive electrode of a high-voltage battery pack, and the fourth connecting busbar B2 is connected to a negative electrode of the high-voltage battery pack, that is, the first connecting busbar A1 and the second connecting busbar A2 are a positive circuit, and the third connecting busbar B1 and the fourth connecting busbar B2 are a negative circuit. When the first moving contact111ais in electrical contact with the first fixed contact112a, and the second moving contact111bis in electrical contact with the second fixed contact112b, the first connecting busbar A1 is connected to the second connecting busbar A2. After passing through the first connecting busbar A1 from the terminal PIN1, a current sequentially passes through the first fixed contact112a, the first moving contact111a, the second moving contact111b, the second fixed contact112b, and the second connecting busbar A2, and then flows into the positive electrode of the high-voltage battery pack.

When the third moving contact111cis in electrical contact with the third fixed contact112c, and the fourth moving contact111dis in electrical contact with the fourth fixed contact112d, the third connecting busbar B1 is connected to the fourth connecting busbar B2. A current flows from the positive electrode of the high-voltage battery pack into the fourth connecting busbar B2 through the negative electrode of the high-voltage battery pack, then sequentially passes through the fourth fixed contact112d, the fourth moving contact111d, the third moving contact111c, the third fixed contact112c, and the third connecting busbar B1, and then flows into the terminal PIN2, to form a circuit. The moving contacts and the fixed contacts of the first group of contact component11amay be controlled to be connected to or disconnected from each other, to control the positive line to be connected/disconnected, and the moving contacts and the fixed contacts of the second group of contact component11bmay be controlled to be connected to or disconnected from each other, to control the negative line to be connected/disconnected.

In this embodiment, connection/disconnection requirements of the positive line and the negative line can be met by using one direct current contactor100, and there is no need to mount one direct current contactor on each of the positive line and the negative of the charging apparatus. This simplifies the charging apparatus, significantly reduces a volume of the charging apparatus, and reduces costs of the charging apparatus.

In this embodiment, alternatively, the first connecting busbar A1 may be connected to the terminal PIN2, and the third connecting busbar B1 may be connected to the terminal PIN1. Break of the moving contacts111and the fixed contacts112in the contact component11when the first connecting busbar A1 is connected to the terminal PIN1 is used as forward break of the moving contacts111and the fixed contacts112in the contact component11when the first connecting busbar A1 is connected to the terminal PIN2 is used as reverse break.

Referring toFIG.3, the case10has an arc-extinguishing cavity12, and a first baffle13is disposed in the arc-extinguishing cavity12. As shown inFIG.2, the first baffle13divides the arc-extinguishing cavity12into a first arc-extinguishing chamber121and a second arc-extinguishing chamber122, and the two groups of contact components11are respectively disposed in the first arc-extinguishing chamber121and the second arc-extinguishing chamber122. An arc is generated in a process in which the moving contacts111and the fixed contacts112in the contact component11are connected to or disconnected from each other. The first baffle13plays a role of blocking the first arc-extinguishing chamber121and the second arc-extinguishing chamber122and may prevent arcs in the two arc-extinguishing chambers from being in contact with each other, reduce a risk of a short circuit, and improve break performance of the direct current contactor100.

In addition, one arc-extinguishing cavity12is divided into two arc-extinguishing chambers, to respectively dispose the two groups of contact components11. Compared with an existing manner in which two contactors are integrally encapsulated, this manner can simplify the contactor, reduce a size of the contactor, and reduce a volume of the charging apparatus.

The direct current contactor100further includes a drive system50. The drive system50is connected to the moving contacts111of the two groups of contact components11. The drive system50is configured to drive the moving contacts111to move in a direction close to or away from the fixed contacts112, so that the fixed contacts112are disconnected from or connected to the moving contacts111, to control the positive line and the negative line to be connected/disconnected.

In this embodiment, the single drive system50may be used to drive the moving contacts111of the two groups of contact components11to move, so that the positive line and the negative line are connected/disconnected. Compared with an existing manner in which two contactors are integrally encapsulated, a single drive manner can simplify the contactor, reduce a size of the contactor, and reduce a volume of the charging apparatus. In addition, the two groups of contact components11are simultaneously driven by using one drive system50, so that connection/disconnection synchronization between the two groups of contact components11can be improved, to improve connection/disconnection synchronization between the positive line and the negative line in the charging apparatus and improve reliability of the charging apparatus.

Referring toFIG.5, in this embodiment, a first magnet14and a second magnet15are respectively disposed on two sides that are outside the first arc-extinguishing chamber121and that are adjacent to the two moving contacts111. The first magnet14is adjacent to the first moving contact111a, the second magnet15is adjacent to the second moving contact111b, the first magnet14and the second magnet15attract each other to form a first magnetic field, and the first magnet14and the second magnet15are opposite to gaps between the moving contacts111and the fixed contacts112. The first magnet14and the second magnet15are configured to extinguish arcs generated between the moving contacts111and the fixed contacts112in the first group of contact component11a.

Referring toFIG.8, when the moving contacts111are connected to or disconnected from the fixed contacts112, arcs are generated at gaps at which the moving contacts111are connected to or disconnected from the fixed contacts112, and the arc is blown into the first arc-extinguishing chamber121under magnetic field force of the first magnetic field, so that the arc is prolonged and extinguished in the first arc-extinguishing chamber121.

A magnetic field direction of the first magnetic field is perpendicular to directions of currents flowing through the fixed contacts112and the moving contacts111. Referring toFIG.8, an example in which the first connecting busbar A1 is connected to the terminal PIN1 is used. In this case, a direction of a current flowing through the first fixed contact112aand the first moving contact111ais a direction pointing from the first fixed contact112ato the first moving contact111a. As shown inFIG.8, the direction of the current is outward (towards the outside of paper). A current flowing through the second fixed contact112band the second moving contact111bis inward (towards the inside of paper). An end that is of the first magnet14and that is close to the first moving contact111ais the S pole, and an end that is of the second magnet15and that is close to the second moving contact111bis the N pole. In other words, the direction of the first magnetic field is an upward direction shown inFIG.8, and points from the second magnet15to the first magnet14. According to the left-hand rule, it may be understood that an arc between the first moving contact111aand the first fixed contact112ais blown to the left (namely, a direction of a in the figure) shown inFIG.8under the magnetic field force, and an arc between the second moving contact111band the second fixed contact112bis blown to the right (namely, a direction of b in the figure) under the magnetic field force, so that the arc is blown into the first arc-extinguishing chamber and extinguished.

Referring toFIG.5, a third magnet16and a fourth magnet17are respectively disposed on two sides that are outside the second arc-extinguishing chamber122and that are adjacent to the two moving contacts111. The third magnet16is adjacent to the third moving contact111c, the fourth magnet17is adjacent to the fourth moving contact111d, the third magnet16and the fourth magnet17attract each other to form a second magnetic field, and the third magnet16and the fourth magnet17are opposite to gaps between the moving contacts111and the fixed contacts112. The third magnet16and the fourth magnet17are configured to extinguish arcs generated between the moving contacts111and the fixed contacts112in the second group of contact component11b.

Referring toFIG.8, when the third moving contact111cis connected to or disconnected from the third fixed contact112c, and the fourth moving contact111dis connected to or disconnected from the fourth fixed contact112d, arcs are generated at gaps at which the moving contacts are connected to or disconnected from the fixed contacts, and the arc is blown into the second arc-extinguishing chamber122under magnetic field force of the second magnetic field, so that the arc is prolonged and extinguished in the second arc-extinguishing chamber122.

A magnetic field direction of the second magnetic field is perpendicular to directions of currents flowing through the fixed contacts112and the moving contacts111. As shown inFIG.8, a current flowing through the third fixed contact112cand the third moving contact111cis inward, and a current flowing through the fourth fixed contact112dand the fourth moving contact111dis outward. An end that is of the third magnet16and that is close to the third moving contact111cis the N pole, and an end that is of the fourth magnet17and that is close to the fourth moving contact111dis the S pole, in other words, the direction of the second magnetic field is a downward direction shown inFIG.8, and points from the third magnet16to the fourth magnet17. According to the left-hand rule, it may be understood that an arc between the third moving contact111cand the third fixed contact112cis blown to the left (namely, a direction of c in the figure) shown inFIG.8under the magnetic field force, and an arc between the fourth moving contact111dand the fourth fixed contact112dis blown to the right (namely, a direction of d in the figure) under the magnetic field force, so that the arc is blown into the second arc-extinguishing chamber and extinguished.

The first connecting busbar A1 may be connected to the terminal PIN2. In this case, a direction of a current flowing through the first fixed contact112aand the first moving contact111ais a direction pointing from the first moving contact111ato the first fixed contact112a. As shown inFIG.9, the direction of the current is inward. A direction of a current flowing through the second fixed contact112band the second moving contact111bis outward. The direction of the first magnetic field is still upward, and points from the second magnet15to the first magnet14. According to the left-hand rule, it may be understood that an arc between the first moving contact111aand the first fixed contact112ais blown to the right (namely, a direction of a in the figure) under the magnetic field force, and an arc between the second moving contact111band the second fixed contact112bis blown to the left (namely, a direction of b in the figure), so that the arc is blown into the first-extinguishing chamber121and extinguished.

A current flowing through the third fixed contact112cand the third moving contact111cis outward, a current flowing through the fourth fixed contact112dand the fourth moving contact111dis inward, and the direction of the second magnetic field points from the third magnet16to the fourth magnet17. Referring toFIG.9, according to the left hand rule, it may be understood that an arc between the third moving contact111cand the third fixed contact112cis blown to the right (namely, a direction of c in the figure) under the magnetic field force, and an arc between the fourth moving contact111dand the fourth fixed contact112dis blown to the left (namely, a direction of d in the figure) under the magnetic field force, so that the arc is blown into the second arc-extinguishing chamber and extinguished. In other words, in the direct current contactor100in this embodiment, forward break and reverse break of two arcs can be implemented without a polarity requirement, and non-polarity arc extinguishing of the two groups of contact components can be implemented.

In this embodiment, the magnetic field direction of the first magnetic field is opposite to the magnetic field direction of the second magnetic field. Under an action of the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field, arc-blow directions between the moving contacts111and the fixed contacts112in the first arc-extinguishing chamber121may be the same as arc-blow directions between the moving contacts111and the fixed contacts112that are in the second arc-extinguishing chamber122and that are adjacent to the moving contacts111and the fixed contacts112in the first arc-extinguishing chamber121. For example, an arc-blow direction between the first moving contact111aand the first fixed contact112ais the same as an arc-blow direction between the third moving contact111cand the third fixed contact112c, and an arc-blow direction between the second moving contact111band the fixed contact112bis the same as an arc-blow direction between the fourth moving contact111dand the fourth fixed contact112d. Therefore, the two arcs generated by the first group of contact component11aand the second group of contact component11bdo not move in a direction opposite to each other during forward break and reverse break. This reduces a risk of arc collision, arc aggregation, and a short circuit, and effectively improves break performance.

Referring toFIG.8, the current flowing through the first fixed contact112aand the first moving contact111ais outward, the current flowing through the second fixed contact112band the second moving contact111bis inward, the direction of the first magnetic field is upward and points from the second magnet15to the first magnet14, the arc-blow direction between the first moving contact111aand the first fixed contact112ais leftward, and the arc-blow direction between the second moving contact111band the second fixed contact112bis rightward. The current flowing through the third fixed contact112cand the third moving contact111cis inward, the current flowing through the fourth fixed contact112dand the fourth moving contact111dis outward, the direction of the second magnetic field is opposite to the direction of the first magnetic field, the direction of the second magnetic field is downward and points from the third magnet16to the fourth magnet17, the arc-blow direction between the third moving contact111cand the third fixed contact112cis leftward, and the arc-blow direction between the fourth moving contact111dand the fourth fixed contact112dis rightward. In other words, the arc-blow direction between the first moving contact111aand the first fixed contact112ais the same as the arc-blow direction between the third moving contact111cand the third fixed contact112cthat are adjacent to the first moving contact111aand the first fixed contact112a, and the arc-blow direction between the second moving contact111band the second fixed contact112bis the same as the arc-blow direction between the fourth moving contact111dand the fourth fixed contact112dthat are adjacent to the second moving contact111band the second fixed contact112b. In this way, it is ensured that there is no collision between the two arcs during forward break, to effectively improve break performance of the contactor.

Referring toFIG.9, the current flowing through the first fixed contact112aand the first moving contact111ais inward, the current flowing through the second fixed contact112band the second moving contact111bis outward, the direction of the first magnetic field is upward and points from the second magnet15to the first magnet14, the arc-blow direction between the first moving contact111aand the first fixed contact112ais rightward, and the arc-blow direction between the second moving contact111band the second fixed contact112bis leftward. The current flowing through the third fixed contact112cand the third moving contact111cis outward, the current flowing through the fourth fixed contact112dand the fourth moving contact111dis inward, the direction of the second magnetic field is downward and points from the third magnet16to the fourth magnet17, the arc-blow direction between the third moving contact111cand the third fixed contact112cis rightward, and the arc-blow direction between the fourth moving contact111dand the fourth fixed contact112dis leftward. In other words, the arc-blow direction between the first moving contact111aand the first fixed contact112ais the same as the arc-blow direction between the third moving contact111cand the third fixed contact112cthat are adjacent to the first moving contact111aand the first fixed contact112a, and the arc-blow direction between the second moving contact111band the second fixed contact112bis the same as the arc-blow direction between the fourth moving contact111dand the fourth fixed contact112dthat are adjacent to the second moving contact111band the second fixed contact112b. In this way, it is ensured that there is no collision between the two arcs during reverse break, to effectively improve break performance of the direct current contactor100.

In this embodiment, a material used to form the case10may be a magnetic conductive material such as a ceramic and may play a role of shielding an external magnetic field. However, the first baffle13in the case10may be formed through protrusion on an inner top wall of the case10, the first baffle13and the case10may be integrally formed, and the first baffle13may prevent arcs blowing into the first arc-extinguishing chamber121and the second arc-extinguishing chamber122from being in contact with each other, to further improve break performance of the direct current contactor100.

The direct current contactor100further includes a mounting bracket18. Referring toFIG.5, the mounting bracket18includes a first bracket181and a second bracket182that are opposite to each other. The first bracket181and the second bracket182are disposed around a periphery of the case10. The first magnet14and the second magnet15are disposed on an inner side wall of the first bracket181. The third magnet16and the fourth magnet17are disposed on an inner side wall of the second bracket182. In other words, the first bracket181is located on a periphery of the first arc-extinguishing chamber121, and the second bracket182is located on a periphery of the second arc-extinguishing chamber122. The first magnet14and the second magnet15are disposed outside the first extinguishing chamber121by using the first bracket181, and the third magnet16and the fourth magnet17are disposed outside the second arc-extinguishing chamber122by using the second bracket182.

The first bracket181and the second bracket182may be U-shaped brackets. Referring toFIG.11, a side wall of the U-shaped bracket has a first clamping member183, an end of an opening of the U-shaped bracket has a second clamping member184protruding towards the inside of the opening, and at least one of the first magnet14, the second magnet15, the third magnet16, and the fourth magnet17is disposed on the U-shaped bracket by using the first clamping member183and the second clamping member184. In other words, the first magnet14, the second magnet15, the third magnet16, and the fourth magnet17are disposed on the first bracket181and the second bracket182through clamping. This can facilitate assembly, disassembly, and replacement.

The first clamping member183may be a clamping jaw, a clamping slot, or another clamping member that is disposed on an outer wall of a side of the U-shaped bracket, and the second clamping member184may also be a clamping jaw, a clamping slot, or another clamping member that is formed after the end of the opening protrudes towards the inside.

The first bracket181and the second bracket182may be magnetic conductive plates with magnetic conductive performance. The first bracket181and the second bracket182are disposed around the periphery of the case10. The first bracket181may be disposed around on the periphery of the first arc-extinguishing chamber121, and the second bracket182may be disposed on the periphery of the second arc-extinguishing chamber122, so that the first bracket181and the second bracket182are magnetic conductive plates such as metal brackets, and can play a role of shielding the external magnetic field, to improve arc-extinguishing performance of the first arc-extinguishing chamber121and the second arc-extinguishing chamber122, and improve break performance of the direct current contactor100.

In this embodiment, the first magnet14, the second magnet15, the third magnet16, and the fourth magnet17may be permanent magnets, have relatively strong magnetism, and are not easy to be demagnetized, so that the magnetic field force of the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field can be ensured, and arc-blow and arc-extinguishing effects are ensured. In addition, the magnet has a relatively long service life, to help improve reliability of the direct current contactor100.

Referring toFIG.10, the direct current contactor100further includes a housing20, and the mounting bracket18is located in the housing20. Referring toFIG.7, a side or a corner of the at least one of the first magnet14, the second magnet15, the third magnet16, and the fourth magnet17has a hole19. As shown inFIG.10, an inner side wall of the housing20has a first protrusion21corresponding to the hole19. When magnetic poles of the first magnet14, the second magnet15, the third magnet16, and the fourth magnet17are reversely or incorrectly mounted, because the hole19and the first protrusion21are disposed, the first bracket181on which the first magnet14and the second magnet15are disposed and the second bracket182on which the third magnet16and the fourth magnet17are disposed cannot be assembled in the case10. This can effectively avoid a problem that the first magnet14, the second magnet15, the third magnet16, and the fourth magnet17are reversely or incorrectly mounted and improve assembly accuracy and assembly efficiency.

Referring toFIG.10, in a possible implementation, the housing20is buckled on the case10, and the first clamping member183is adjacent to the moving contact111. In other words, the first clamping member183is located on an outer side wall of an end that is of the U-shaped bracket and that is close to the moving contact111. When the first magnet14, the second magnet15, the third magnet16, and the fourth magnet17are disposed on the U-shaped bracket by using the first clamping member183, a side that is of the magnet and that is close to the fixed contact112is not limited. Consequently, there is a slip risk. In this embodiment, an inner wall of an end that is of the housing20and that is adjacent to the fixed contact112has a second protrusion22. A side wall of the at least one of the first magnet14, the second magnet15, the third magnet16, and the fourth magnet17abuts against a side wall of the second protrusion22. In this way, a position of the magnet is further limited by using the second protrusion22. The first clamping member183, the second clamping member184, and the second protrusion22jointly limit the magnet, to prevent the magnet from falling off the U-shaped bracket and improve disposition stability of the magnet.

In this embodiment, referring toFIG.2, the direct current contactor100further includes a base plate30. The case10covers the base plate30. The case10and the base plate30surround the arc-extinguishing cavity12. The base plate30and the case10may surround a sealed arc-extinguishing cavity12. The base plate30may also be a magnetic conductive plate with magnetic conductive performance such as a ceramic, so that the external magnetic field can be shielded.

The case10and the base plate30may be connected through welding, bonding, clamping, fastening, and the like. The case10and the base plate30may be directly connected, or the case10and the base plate30may be indirectly connected. For example, in a possible implementation, referring toFIG.2, the case10and the base plate30are connected by using a connecting piece40. The case10and the base plate30may be connected through welding by using a metal connecting piece40. Compared with a manner in which the case10and the base plate30are directly connected, in a manner of implementing a connection by using the connecting piece40, a problem that the case10and the base plate30are deformed, are separated, and fall off in a high temperature may be reduced, to improve reliability of the direct current contactor100.

In this embodiment, referring toFIG.5, a side wall that is of the first baffle13and that faces the first arc-extinguishing chamber121has a third protrusion131, and one side wall of the first baffle13is used as a side wall of the first arc-extinguishing chamber121. Under an action of the first magnetic field, the arc between the first moving contact111aand the first fixed contact112aor between the second moving contact111band the second fixed contact112bis blown to the side wall. Because the third protrusion131is disposed on the side wall, a length of the side wall is increased, and a creepage distance between the first moving contact111aand the first fixed contact112a, and the second moving contact111band the second fixed contact112bis increased. This helps extinguish the arc in a timely manner, saves space required for arc extinguishing, further improves break performance of the direct current contactor100, and helps reduce a volume of the direct current contactor100.

Referring toFIG.5, a side wall that is of the first baffle13and that faces the second arc-extinguishing chamber122has a fourth protrusion132, and the other side wall of the first baffle13is used as a side wall of the second arc-extinguishing chamber122. Under an action of the second magnetic field, the arc between the third moving contact111cand the third fixed contact112cor between the fourth moving contact111dand the fourth fixed contact112dis blown to the side wall. Because the fourth protrusion132is disposed on the side wall, similarly, a length of the side wall is increased, and a creepage distance between the third moving contact111cand the third fixed contact112c, and the fourth moving contact111dand the fourth fixed contact112dis increased. This helps extinguish the arc in a timely manner, saves space required for arc extinguishing, and further improves break performance of the direct current contactor100.

There may be one third protrusion131and one fourth protrusion132, or there may be a plurality of third protrusions131and a plurality of fourth protrusions132. As shown inFIG.5, there may be two third protrusions131and two fourth protrusions132. The two third protrusions131divide the first arc-extinguishing chamber121into three layers shown inFIG.5. The first moving contact111aand the first fixed contact112a, and the second moving contact111band the second fixed contact112bare respectively located at two layers at ends. The two fourth protrusions132divide the second arc-extinguishing chamber122into three layers. The third moving contact111cand the third fixed contact112c, and the fourth moving contact111dand the fourth fixed contact112dare respectively located at two layers at ends.

Referring toFIG.5, a side wall that is of the first arc-extinguishing chamber121and that is opposite to the first baffle13may have a fifth protrusion1211. Under an action of the first magnetic field, the arc between the first moving contact111aand the first fixed contact112aor between the second moving contact111band the second fixed contact112bin the first arc-extinguishing chamber121may be blown to the side wall. Because the fifth protrusion1211is disposed on the side wall, a length of the side wall may be increased, and the creepage distance between the first moving contact111aand the first fixed contact112a, and the second moving contact111band the second fixed contact112bmay be increased. This helps extinguish the arc in a timely manner, saves space required for arc extinguishing, and further improves break performance of the direct current contactor100.

A side wall that is of the second arc-extinguishing chamber122and that is opposite to the first baffle13may have a sixth protrusion1221. Under an action of the second magnetic field, the arc between the third moving contact111cand the third fixed contact112cor between the fourth moving contact111dand the fourth fixed contact112dis blown to the side wall. Because the sixth protrusion1221exists on the side wall, similarly, a length of the side wall is increased, and the creepage distance between the third moving contact111cand the third fixed contact112c, and the fourth moving contact111dand the fourth fixed contact112dis increased. This helps extinguish the arc in a timely manner, saves space required for arc extinguishing, and further improves break performance of the direct current contactor100.

In this embodiment, the drive system50includes a drive component51and a moving component52. Referring toFIG.4, the moving component52includes a support rod521and a moving plate522connected to the support rod521. The moving plate522is located in the arc-extinguishing cavity12, and the moving contacts111of the two groups of contact components11are disposed on the moving plate522. In other words, the first moving contact111a, the second moving contact111b, the third moving contact111c, and the fourth moving contact111dare disposed on the moving plate522. The driving component51is configured to drive the moving component52to move to drive the moving contacts111to move. The driving component51may drive the support rod521in the moving component52to move up and down, and the support rod521drives the moving plate522to move, to drive the moving contacts111on the moving plate522to move in the direction close to or away from the fixed contacts112, so that the moving contacts111are connected to or disconnected from the fixed contacts112.

Referring toFIG.12, the moving plate522is a plate-like structure with an area. Compared with an existing manner in which the moving contacts are disposed on a connecting rod, in this manner, the moving plate522may provide higher strength and have higher mechanical strength. This helps improve reliability of the direct current contactor100.

The moving plate522and the support rod521may be integrally formed, or the support rod521and the moving plate522may be separately disposed. The support rod521and the moving plate522may be fastened and connected through thread-connection, welding, bonding, and the like.

In this embodiment, when the moving contacts111are disconnected from the fixed contacts112, there is a gap between the first baffle13and the moving plate522. The gap provides space for the moving plate522to move, so as to ensure that the moving plate522can move to drive the moving contacts111to move.

Because there is a gap between the first baffle13and the moving plate522, an arc generated in one of the first arc-extinguishing chamber121and the second arc-extinguishing chamber122may appear in the other chamber through the gap, and a problem such as arc aggregation and a short circuit occurs. Therefore, in this embodiment, referring toFIG.6, the moving plate522has a second baffle5221, and the second baffle5221is located on an outer side of the gap, to ensure that the second baffle5221does not affect movement of the moving plate522. The second baffle5221extends towards the first baffle13, and the second baffle5221at least partially overlaps the first baffle13. An end of the second baffle5221that faces the first baffle13partially overlaps an end that is of the first baffle13and that faces the second baffle5221, so that the second baffle5221can cover the gap. In this way, sealing between the first arc-extinguishing chamber121and the second arc-extinguishing chamber122is further improved, a probability that the arcs in the first arc-extinguishing chamber121and the second arc-extinguishing chamber122are in contact with each other is further reduced, and break performance of the direct current contactor100is improved.

A plane on which the first baffle13is located is used as a first plane. That the second baffle5221at least partially overlaps the first baffle13means that a projection of the second baffle5221on the first plane at least partially overlaps the first baffle13.

The second baffle5221may be a baffle plate, or the second baffle5221may be a mechanical part with a baffle plate. The moving plate522may have one second baffle5221or may have a plurality of second baffles5221.

Referring toFIG.12, a groove5222is disposed on the moving plate522, a side wall of the groove5222forms the second baffle5221, and the first baffle13may extend into the groove5222. When the moving plate522moves upwards to enable the moving contacts111to be connected to the fixed contacts112, the first baffle13may extend into the groove5222. The groove5222has two side walls and one bottom wall connected to the two side walls. The two side walls of the groove5222are used as two second baffles5221, and the two second baffles5221and the first baffle13jointly isolate and separate the first arc-extinguishing chamber121and the second arc-extinguishing chamber122. In addition, the groove5222may be further disposed to increase a creepage distance between the first moving contact111aand the first fixed contact112a, and the third moving contact111cand the third fixed contact112c, and a creepage distance between the second moving contact111band the second fixed contact112b, and the fourth moving contact111dand the fourth fixed contact112d. This helps extinguish the arc in a timely manner and improve break performance of the direct current contactor100.

The groove5222and the moving plate522may be integrally formed, or the groove5222may be separately formed and then disposed on the moving plate522. The groove5222and the moving plate522may be disposed through clamping, bonding, welding, thread-fastening, and the like.

In this embodiment, an arc is generated at a position at which the moving contact111is opposite to the fixed contact112, and an arc at a position at which two moving contacts111are connected has a relatively small impact. Therefore, referring toFIG.5, the second baffle5221may be disposed only at each of positions that are on the moving plate522and that are opposite to the two moving contacts111, and no second baffle5221may be disposed at a position opposite to a position at which the moving contacts111are connected. In this way, a structure of the moving component52can be simplified, and costs can also be reduced.

Referring toFIG.2, the drive system50further includes a drive chamber53, and the drive component51is located in the drive chamber53. Referring toFIG.4, one end of the support rod521is located in the drive chamber53, and the other end of the support rod521extends into the arc-extinguishing cavity12. The drive chamber53may be connected to the case10. The drive chamber53and the case10may share the base plate30, in other words, the base plate30is used as a side wall of the drive chamber53. The base plate30may have a through hole, and the other end of the support rod521may extend into the arc-extinguishing cavity12through the through hole.

In this embodiment, referring toFIG.4, the drive component51may include a fixed iron core511and a moving iron core512that are sleeved on the support rod521. The fixed iron core511is located at an end that is of the support rod521and that is close to the base plate30. The moving iron core512is located at an end that is of the support rod521and that is away from the base plate30. In addition, the moving iron core512is fastened and connected to the support rod521, and the fixed iron core511is fastened and connected to a case of the drive chamber53. There is a gap between the fixed iron core511and the moving iron core512. A reset spring513is disposed in the gap. The reset spring513is sleeved on a periphery of the support rod521, and one end of the reset spring513abuts against the moving iron core512, and the other end of the reset spring513abuts against the fixed iron core511. The drive component51may further include an electromagnetic coil514that surrounds the fixed iron core511and the moving iron core512. When the electromagnetic coil514is powered on, the fixed iron core511and the moving iron core512attract each other.

When the direct current contactor100is used, the electromagnetic coil514is powered on, the fixed iron core511and the moving iron core512attract each other, and the fixed iron core511is fastened in the drive chamber53. In this case, the moving iron core512moves towards the fixed iron core511against elastic force of the reset spring513and drives the support rod521to move. The support rod521drives the moving plate522to move, to drive the moving contacts111on the moving plate522to move in the direction close to the fixed contacts112, so as to enable the moving contacts111to be in electrical contact with the fixed contacts112, so that the moving contacts111are connected to the fixed contacts112. When the electromagnetic coil514is powered off, there is no magnetic attraction force between the fixed iron core511and the moving iron core512. Under an action of the reset spring513, the moving iron core512moves away from the fixed iron core511, to drive the support rod521and the moving plate522to move, and drive the moving contacts111to move in the direction away from the fixed contacts112, so as to enable the moving contacts111to be separated from the fixed contacts112, so that the moving contacts111are disconnected from the fixed contacts112.

Referring toFIG.7, the contact component11further includes a moving contact bridge113. The two moving contacts111are connected to each other by using the moving contact bridge113. The two moving contacts111are located on two sides of the moving contact bridge113. Referring toFIG.12, the contact component11further includes an elastic component114. The elastic component114is located between the moving contact bridge113and the moving plate522. The elastic component114may be a spring. When the moving plate522moves to drive the moving contacts111to move in the direction close to the fixed contacts112, the moving contacts111first abut against the fixed contacts112. When the moving plate522continues to move, the elastic component114located between the moving plate522and the moving contact bridge113is compressed, and the compressed elastic component114pushes the moving contacts111, so that the moving contacts111are pressed against the fixed contacts112. This ensures reliable contact between the moving contacts111and the fixed contacts112and improves stability of a connection between the moving contacts111and the fixed contacts112.

In an existing contactor, the moving contact111and the elastic component114are connected through sleeving by using a shaft hole. There is a connecting rod between the moving contact111and the moving component52, one end of the connecting rod passes through the moving contact111and is fastened to the moving contact111, and the other end of the connecting rod is fastened and connected to the moving component52. The elastic component114is sleeved on the connecting rod. In the manner in which the moving contact111and the elastic component114are connected through sleeving by using a shaft hole, a hole may need to be provided on the moving contact111. Consequently, a conductive area of the moving contact111is reduced, and a conductive capability is reduced.

Referring toFIG.12, the contact component11may further include a U-shaped fixed bracket115, the moving contact bridge113and the elastic component114are located in the fixed bracket115, the elastic component114is located between the moving contact bridge113and the moving plate522, and an opening end of the fixed bracket115is disposed on the moving plate522. In this way, the moving contact bridge113and the elastic component114are disposed on the moving plate522by using the fixed bracket115, and no shaft hole needs to be provided on the moving contact111and the moving contact bridge113. This avoids affecting a conductive area of the contact component11, ensures conductive performance of the contact component11, and helps improve a capability of the contact component11to carry a current.

To further stabilize the elastic component114, a seventh protrusion (not shown) may be provided at each of positions that are on the moving plate522and the moving contact bridge113and that correspond to the elastic component114. Two ends of the elastic component114are respectively sleeved on peripheries of the seventh protrusions. The seventh protrusion may play a role of limiting and guiding the elastic component114, so that the elastic component114is prevented from falling off between the moving contact bridge113and the moving plate522, and the elastic component114can also be prevented from being distorted and then being in capable of being compressed.

The fixed bracket115may be disposed on the moving plate522through bonding, welding, clamping, thread-connection, and the like. In this embodiment, referring toFIG.12, the moving plate522may have a boss5223protruding from a plane on which the moving plate522is located. The boss5223is configured to dispose the contact component11, and two opposite side walls of the boss5223each may have a protruding third clamping member5224. The opening end of the fixed bracket115may have a clamping slot (not shown) that can match the third clamping member5224, and the opening end of the fixed bracket115may be clamped and fastened to the moving plate522through matching between the clamping slot and the third clamping member5224, to fasten the moving contact111and the elastic component114to the moving plate522by using the fixed bracket115.

An embodiment may further provide a vehicle, including at least any one of the foregoing direct current contactors100. The vehicle may be an electric vehicle (EV), a pure electric vehicle (PEV/BEV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a range extended electric vehicle (REEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), a new energy vehicle, or the like.

The vehicle may further include a vehicle body and a power distribution unit disposed on the vehicle body, and the power distribution unit is connected to the direct current contactor100. The vehicle may further include a wheel, a motor, a drive component, and the like.

The vehicle provided in this embodiment may include the direct current contactor100, and in the direct current contactor100, a single drive manner may be used to integrate two groups of contact components into one arc-extinguishing cavity, to implement a dual connection between the contactor and both a positive line and a negative line, so that a structure of the contactor is simplified. In addition, there is no need to dispose one contactor on each of the positive line and the negative line, so that a volume and manufacture costs of a charging apparatus are significantly reduced, and miniaturization is implemented, and a load capability is improved, to help implement a low-cost and lightweight requirement of the vehicle.

In the description of the embodiments, it should be noted that, the terms “assemble”, “connected”, and “connection” should be understood in a broad sense. For example, the terms may be used for a fixed connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, an internal connection between two elements, or an interaction relationship between two elements. Persons of ordinary skill in the art may understand meanings of the terms in the embodiments.

The terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “fourth” and the like (if they exist) may be used to distinguish similar objects, and do not need to be used to describe an order or sequence.

Finally, it should be noted that the foregoing embodiments are merely intended for describing the embodiments rather than limiting them. Although the embodiments are described in detail, persons of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they may still make modifications without departing from the scope of the embodiments.