CN104900457A - thermo trigger shaft and method for adjusting the distance between bimetallic element and thermo trigger shaft - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a thermal trigger shaft of a thermal trigger device for activating an electric switch of a trigger mechanism when a trigger event occurs, and to a thermal trigger device, a thermomagnetic trigger unit and a Electrical switch for interrupting the current flow of the current of an electric circuit in the event of an electrical switch, wherein the thermally actuated shaft has a contact element with a fastening area, wherein the fastening area has a cutout for arranging an adjustment element, the The adjusting element is used for steplessly adjusting the distance between the bimetallic element and the contact element, wherein the cutout has at least one protrusion extending from the wall of the cutout for fixing the adjustment element. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for adjusting the distance between a bimetallic element of a thermal triggering device and a thermal triggering shaft of the thermal triggering device for calibrating the triggering behavior of the thermal triggering device.

Description

Thermal trigger shaft and method for adjusting distance between bimetal element and thermal trigger shaft

technical field

The invention relates to a thermal trigger shaft of a thermal trigger device of an electric switch for activating a trigger mechanism when a trigger event occurs, and to a thermal trigger device of a thermomagnetic trigger unit, a thermomagnetic trigger unit of an electric switch and an electrical switch for interrupting the flow of electrical current in a circuit. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for adjusting the distance between a bimetallic element of a thermal triggering device and a thermal triggering shaft of the thermal triggering device for calibrating the triggering behavior of the thermal triggering device.

Background technique

Basically known: compact power switch (MCCB = mode circuit breaker, English Molded Case Circuit Breaker) are designed, for example, on the principle of magnetic repulsion or interruption or separation of contacts. In this case, the contacts are opened before the expected peak value of the short-circuit current is reached. By separating the contacts, the mechanical and thermal loads due to peak short-circuit currents of the system components, which would occur during a short circuit, are significantly reduced. For example, compact power switches are used in order to fulfill the dual function of protecting devices against overload and short-circuit currents and protecting lines and electrical operating components from damage due to, for example, grounding. In order to protect the device against overload currents or short-circuit currents, the compact power switch, which can also be called a thermal magnetic power switch or protective switch, has a thermal magnetic trip unit (TMTU=thermal magnetic trip unit, English: Thermal Magnetic Trip Unit). The thermomagnetic triggering unit has a thermal triggering device in order to protect the circuit or the electrical device from being damaged due to overload and a magnetic triggering device in order to protect the circuit or the electrical device from being damaged based on a short circuit.

A short circuit and especially an electrical short circuit is generally known as an accidental or intentional conductive connection between two or more energy-conducting parts of an electric circuit, especially between two nodes, by which these energy-conducting parts The potential difference between them falls to a value equal to zero or to approximately zero. Especially in the case of a compact power switch, a short circuit is an abnormal connection between two separate phases for which it is determined whether they are separate or isolated from each other. A short circuit leads to an excess current, ie an overcurrent, which can lead to damage, overheating, fire or even explosion of the circuit and/or the consumer. An overload is a less extreme condition than a short circuit and is rather a long-term overcurrent condition.

Furthermore, it is basically known that the thermal triggering device has, for example, a bimetallic element made of at least two metal strips rolled one above the other, which each have different coefficients of thermal expansion. For example, an electric current flows through a corresponding heating coil or along a narrowed current path in order to heat the bimetallic element, wherein, due to the different coefficients of thermal expansion of the metal strips, the bimetallic element under the corresponding application of thermal energy Bend or curl. Due to the bending movement of the bimetal element, for example, either the control contacts are actuated or the switch lock of the protective switch is released. The magnetic or electromagnetic triggering device is designed, for example, in such a way that in the event of a short-circuit or a short-circuit current, the current flowing through the current path element is so high that the yoke element arranged on said current path element generates a magnetic field, This in turn attracts the armature element, for example. Due to the movement of the armature element, for example, the switch lock of the protective switch is unlocked without delay. The armature element or the armature is held in place in a known manner by a spring and in particular a tension spring, so that a movement of the armature element in the direction of the yoke element against the tension or spring force of the spring can therefore only occur when a limited The magnetic field strength and thus the corresponding triggering short-circuit current strength are carried out. The compact power switches are preferably power protection switches, which can be switched on again after triggering due to an overload or short-circuit current.

In particular with regard to the different nominal currents of the circuit, it is necessary that the compact power switch connected to the circuit and in particular the thermomagnetic triggering unit of the compact power switch can be calibrated in such a way that the response to the triggering event differs from that of the circuit. The current flow of the current of the circuit can be interrupted independently of the nominal current strength. There is therefore a need for the magnetic and/or thermal triggering device of the thermomagnetic triggering unit to be calibrated in particular by the end user of the compact power switch with respect to the respective field of use of the compact power switch or also for the assembly and in particular of the individual components of the compact power switch is calibrated during assembly of the individual components of the thermomagnetic trigger unit. It is basically known to insert a screw element in the region of the thermal trigger shaft, in particular for adjusting or adjusting the thermal trigger device, by means of which screw element the distance between the thermal trigger shaft and the bimetallic element can be adjusted. For this, however, it is necessary to cut or form a thread in this region of the thermally actuated shaft, into which thread the screw element can engage. However, thread cutting or thread forming is very time-consuming and cost-intensive. Furthermore, it is not possible to prevent the screw element from being lost due to different conditions of use of the compact power switch, for example due to vibrations, and in particular to move the screw element out of the thread.

It is therefore basically known to fix or lock the screw element in the corresponding region of the thermally activated shaft by means of an adhesive. The adhesive material is first brought onto the screw element before or after calibration of the thermomagnetic trigger unit and in particular between the outer thread of the screw element and the inner thread of the section of the thermal trigger shaft on the area. However, it is considered disadvantageous when using adhesive materials that the adhesive process for fixing the screw element is not only time-consuming, for example due to the duration of hardening of the adhesive material, but also requires additional material and In particular, adhesives which on the one hand increase the production costs or production costs of the thermomagnetic trigger unit and on the other hand also reduce the effective service life of the thermomagnetic trigger unit. A process-safe attachment of the screw element to the thermally actuated shaft cannot be achieved under all environmental conditions, in particular because the adhesive material or glue varies depending on the various environmental conditions and influences. Due to very high ambient temperatures, it may therefore be possible, for example, to soften the adhesive material when too much thermal energy is input. In contrast, the substance of the adhesive can become very brittle or brittle, for example, at too cold ambient temperatures. It is therefore possible that in both cases the adhesion of the adhesive material and correspondingly at least an adequate fixation of the screw element on the thermal activation shaft can no longer be ensured.

Contents of the invention

It is therefore the object of the present invention to at least partially eliminate the above-described disadvantages of the thermal actuation shaft and in particular the thermal actuation device of the thermomagnetic actuation unit and the thermomagnetic actuation unit of the electric switch and thus the electric switch. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a thermal trigger shaft for activating a trigger mechanism in the event of a trigger event, a thermal trigger device with at least one thermal trigger shaft, a thermomagnetic trigger device with at least one thermal trigger device triggering unit, an electric switch for interrupting the current flow of the electric current of the circuit, having at least one thermomagnetic triggering unit, a kind of adjusting the contact between the bimetal element of the thermal triggering device and the thermal triggering shaft of the thermal triggering device Distance methods for calibrating the triggering behavior of thermal triggering devices, by means of which the calibration of the triggering properties of thermal triggering devices and in particular the thermal coupling of bimetallic elements and thermal triggering devices can be achieved in a simple and cost-effective manner Adjustment of the distance between the actuation shafts, and in which also the set distance between the bimetal element and the thermal actuation shaft is not changed in an undesired manner during operation of the compact power switch.

The preceding tasks are solved by means of: a thermal trigger shaft of a thermal triggering device with the features according to claim 1 for activating an electrical switch of a trigger mechanism when a trigger event occurs; with the features according to claim 7, Thermal triggering device for a thermomagnetic triggering unit of an electric switch; a thermomagnetic triggering unit for an electrical switch with the features according to claim 8; Electric switch through which current flows. Furthermore, the object at hand is solved by a method for adjusting the distance between a bimetallic element of a thermal triggering device and a thermal triggering axis of the thermal triggering device with the features according to claim 10 . Further features and details of the invention are obtained from the dependent claims, the figures and the description. There are features and details here, which are described in connection with the thermal triggering shaft, obviously also in combination with the thermal triggering device according to the invention, the thermomagnetic triggering unit according to the invention, the electric switch according to the invention and/or the combination The method according to the invention for adjusting the distance between the bimetallic element and the thermal triggering shaft is described and correspondingly reversed, so that mutual reference can always be made with respect to the disclosure content of the individual inventive aspects.

A thermal triggering shaft according to the invention of a thermal triggering device for activating an electrical switch of a triggering mechanism in the event of a triggering event has at least one contact element extending away from the shaft of the thermal triggering shaft for contacting the thermal triggering shaft. The bimetal element of the trigger device makes contact. According to the invention, the contact element has a fastening region with a recess for arranging an adjusting element for stepless adjustment between the bimetal element and the contact element. Pitch. According to the invention, the cutout has at least one projection extending away from the cutout wall, which projection serves to fix the adjusting element. The thermal triggering shaft itself is advantageously mounted so as to be pivotable or rotatable about an axis of rotation and serves to trigger a triggering mechanism in the event of a triggering event such as in particular an overload or an overload current. Advantageously, the thermal activation shaft is a component part of a thermal activation device which, in addition to the thermal activation shaft, can in particular also have a bimetallic element. When the bimetallic element deflects or bends due to the thermal energy bending said bimetallic element, contact is achieved between the bimetallic element and the thermally actuated shaft and in particular a contact element of the thermally actuated shaft, whereby the thermally actuated shaft itself rotates Its axis of rotation deflects or moves.

Thus, the triggering properties of the thermal triggering device can be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the bimetallic element and the contact element of the thermal triggering shaft. This means that when a large distance is set between the bimetallic element and the contact element of the thermally actuated shaft, the thermally actuated shaft experiences a correspondingly high overload current and thus a very strong deformation of the bimetallic element. or flexed or deflected about its axis of rotation. Thus, in the case of a small distance between the bimetal element and the contact elements of the thermally actuated shaft, the thermally actuated shaft will already rotate about it in the event of a small overload current and thus an essentially critical bending of the bimetallic element Axis deflection. Thus, the trigger mechanism is activated or unlocked when the thermal trigger shaft is deflected, so that the current flow of the current of the circuit to which the compact power switch is connected can be separated. The adjustment of the distance between the adjusting element and the bimetal element and in particular between the contact element and the bimetal element is advantageously carried out by a mechanic during the assembly of the thermomagnetic triggering unit.

Advantageously, the thermal activation shaft has a shaft extending along the axis of rotation of the thermal activation shaft, from which shaft at least one contact element and preferably two or more contact elements, such as in particular three contact elements, extend . Advantageously, a plurality of contact elements extend away from the shaft of said thermally activated shaft in the same direction. The contact element for contacting the bimetallic element advantageously has a fastening region for fixing the adjusting element in a defined position. Fastening is advantageously understood within the scope of the present invention to mean arrangement or positioning. The cutout of the fastening region itself can here represent a (material) recess or a bore, for example like a through-bore, which can advantageously be an adjusting element of an adjusting pin, an adjusting pin or an adjusting screw. extending through the borehole.

Advantageously, the longitudinal axis of the adjustment element extends substantially parallel and advantageously orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the shaft of said thermal activation shaft. The projection itself is arranged on the cutout wall in such a way that it extends in the form of a material accumulation or material curvature into the interior of the central region of the cutout or towards the Leave the central area of the blank. Thus, within the scope of the invention, the protrusion can be used, for example, to enable a non-positive connection to the adjusting element for fastening the adjusting element. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the protrusion itself can be used as an insertion means into which, for example, the adjusting element with an external thread can be inserted or cut into. It is thus possible to carry out a material stripping of the protrusion by cutting into or engaging the external thread or threaded element of the insert element, by means of which a region of the adjustment element can be inserted into the protrusion. in the material. Accordingly, it is conceivable that the protrusion can be used to enable a form-locking connection with the adjusting element for fixing the adjusting element. It is also possible to arrange more than one protrusion and in particular two or more protrusions, wherein in the case of a plurality of protrusions these are advantageously distributed uniformly or spaced apart from one another along the The recess wall is arranged.

It is also possible within the scope of the invention that the fastening region of the contact element has a lead-in through which the cutout extends. The insertion head of the fastening area can advantageously be a cylindrical element, inside which a recess is inserted, for example in the form of a through-bore, so that there is thus a tubular element, the entire remaining The length of the cavity and in particular the through-bore is lengthened or increased by the tubular element. By lengthening the cutout and thus advantageously also by enlarging or elongating the projection along the cutout wall of the cutout, higher or shorter Large arches of material. Advantageously, this optimizes the fixing and orientation of the adjusting element within the cutout.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that the cutout is formed in the form of a rib extending along the cutout wall at least in sections. A rib is thus within the scope of the invention a protrusion which is distinguished by the fact that the length of the protrusion is greater than its width and height. Such protrusions or such ribs may thus extend along the longitudinal axis of the cutout or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cutout in the circumferential direction on the cutout wall of the cutout extend. It is therefore also conceivable for such a rib-shaped projection to extend in a helical manner along the cutout wall of the cutout. Advantageously, if a plurality of such rib-shaped projections are present, these are advantageously arranged uniformly spaced apart from one another on the cutout wall of the cutout. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the material of the cutout or of the rib can be enlarged in such a way that, for example, in the insertion region for inserting the adjusting element into the cutout, the protrusion itself is also included. With a small material thickness, the material thickness increases or increases substantially continuously. It is thus possible to simplify the insertion of the adjustment element on the one hand and at the same time to optimize all the adjustment elements due to the strongly protruding projections due to the increased elevation or curvature and thus the increased application of material within the cutout. Fixing of the adjustment elements described above.

It is also conceivable within the scope of the invention that the contact element has a locking region with two clamping elements for locking the adjusting element. Locking is understood according to the invention as preventing the movement of the adjustment element in its longitudinal direction and/or in its circumferential direction, so that the movement between the adjustment element and the bimetallic element and in particular the thermal activation of the shaft is thus achieved. The set distance between the contact element and the bimetallic element is not changed undesirably due to the arrangement of the setting element on the locking region. This means that a rotational movement of the adjusting element or a pivoting or pushing of the adjusting element out of the contact element is particularly advantageously prevented by the locking region of the contact element. In an arrangement in which a thermally activated shaft is combined with a bimetallic element, the locking region is advantageously arranged between the fixing region of the contact element and the bimetallic element. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the locking region advantageously has the same material as the fastening region of the contact element, so that the contact element can be produced completely as an injection-molded part and in particular as a plastic injection-molded part. The clamping element or the clamping element is designed in such a way that, when the adjusting element is inserted, the clamping element or the clamping element is at least partially bent or deformed in order to be able to realize the adjustment of the clamping element. Between the adjustment elements placed. Due to the force acting on the clamping element via the adjusting element, the clamping element thus generates a defined counterforce, whereby the adjusting element can in turn be locked in a defined position. Furthermore, it is conceivable that there is a defined distance between the fastening region of the contact element and the locking region of the contact element, in order in particular to enable movement or bending of the clamping element.

Furthermore, it is conceivable to arrange an introduction region between the clamping elements of the locking region, the introduction region having a smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the adjustment element. Advantageously, an easy introduction of the adjustment element between the clamping elements can be achieved by means of the introduction region. In order to prevent slipping out or insufficient locking of the adjusting element, the introduction region of the locking region advantageously has a smaller diameter when the outer diameter of the adjusting element is large, wherein the outer diameter is around the longitudinal direction of the adjusting element The diameter over which the axis extends. It is also possible within the scope of the invention for the insertion region of the locking region to be arranged concentrically to the cutout of the fastening region. This advantageously achieves that the adjusting element, which is first inserted through the cutout of the fastening region, can be inserted into the introduction region of the locking region without tilting of the setting element within the cutout. Or in particular inserted in the locking region between the clamping elements of the locking region, in order to obtain a substantially parallel and advantageously orthogonal extension with respect to the shaft of the thermally actuated shaft.

Furthermore, a thermal triggering device for a thermomagnetic triggering unit of an electrical switch for interrupting the current flow of the current of a circuit in the event of a triggering event is claimed, wherein the thermal triggering device has a device according to the preceding claims 1 to 6 At least one of the thermally activated shafts and a bimetallic element. Thus, the thermal activation device advantageously has a thermal activation shaft of the above-mentioned form. Advantageously, the bimetallic element has a stop element which is arranged at one end of the bimetallic element and serves for the contacting of the contact element of the thermal triggering shaft in the event of a triggering event. . It is possible for the stop element to be of trapezoidal or prismatic configuration. The stop element can thus be designed in such a way that the material wall extending in the direction of the contact element of the thermal activation shaft is narrowed along the width of the bimetal element. Such a shape of the stop element is particularly advantageous if the thermally actuated shaft itself, for example by the end user, should be moved in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the shaft of the thermally actuated shaft in order to be able to adjust the bimetallic element and especially the bimetallic element The distance between the stop element and the thermal actuation shaft and especially the contact element of the thermal actuation shaft.

In the thermal triggering device according to the invention all advantages which have been described with respect to the thermal triggering shaft according to the preceding aspects of the invention are achieved.

Furthermore, a thermomagnetic triggering unit for an electrical switch for interrupting the current flow of a circuit in the event of a triggering event is protected, wherein the thermomagnetic triggering unit has at least one magnetic thermal triggering device and a thermal trigger according to claim 7 device. Advantageously, the thermomagnetic triggering unit therefore also has a magnetic triggering device, which advantageously has at least one armature element, in addition to the aforementioned thermal triggering device which advantageously has a thermal triggering shaft and a bimetallic element. And in particular a striking or pivoting armature with a yoke element for generating a magnetic field and a corresponding magnetic actuation shaft. In particular, the magnetic triggering device is designed in such a way that when the armature element is moved towards the yoke element due to the magnetic field, the magnetic triggering shaft is deflected about the axis of rotation in such a way that in particular either the triggering mechanism is directly activated or To unlock, either the thermal triggering shaft of the thermal triggering device is deflected or moved about the axis of rotation, whereby the triggering mechanism is in turn activated or unlocked based on the movement of the thermal triggering shaft in order to interrupt the current flow of the electrical circuit.

All the advantages which have been described with respect to the thermal trigger shaft and/or the thermal trigger device according to the preceding aspects of the invention are obtained in the thermomagnetic trigger unit according to the invention.

Furthermore, protection is claimed for an electrical switch for interrupting the current flow of a current of a current circuit in the event of a triggering event, which has a thermomagnetic triggering unit according to claim 8 . Accordingly, the electrical switch advantageously has a thermomagnetic trigger unit of the type described above. The electrical switch is advantageously a power switch and especially a compact power switch of the aforementioned type.

All the advantages which have been described with respect to the thermal actuation shaft, the thermal actuation device and/or the thermomagnetic actuation unit according to the preceding aspects of the invention are obtained in the electrical switch according to the invention.

The method according to the invention for adjusting the distance between the bimetal element of the thermal triggering device and the thermal triggering shaft of the thermal triggering device designed according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, said method for calibrating the thermal triggering Triggering properties of the device, wherein the setting element is inserted into a cutout in the fastening region of the contact element and is defined within the cutout by means of a protrusion relative to the bimetallic element. The spacing is fixed. It is therefore advantageous to use a thermal triggering shaft of a thermal triggering device according to one of the aforementioned types in order to calibrate the triggering behavior of said thermal triggering shaft in order to use this method. In the context of the present invention, a triggering characteristic is understood to mean, in particular, a triggering time within or after which the thermal triggering device is wound around in the event of a triggering event such as in particular an overload or an overload current axis of rotation is deflected. This means that, in the presence of correspondingly small nominal currents of the circuits to which electric switches and especially compact power switches are connected, it is advantageous to select the setting element to be located between the bimetal element and the contact element in the following manner The distance between them is set, ie the contact element is already in contact if the bimetal element deforms or bends slightly due to the thermal energy transferred to the bimetal element via the current conductor. Consequently, it is also conceivable that, for example, in the presence of substantially high nominal currents of the circuit, the compact power switch and in particular the thermal triggering device of the thermomagnetic triggering unit of the compact power switch is calibrated in such a way that The thermal triggering shaft is only contacted after a relatively strong bending of the bimetallic element in such a way that it is deflected about its axis of rotation, thereby activating or unlocking a triggering mechanism in order to interrupt in the event of an overload The electrical current of the circuit flows. According to the invention, it is possible to adjust the distance between the bimetallic element and the contact element of the thermally actuated shaft and, in particular, an adjustment element which can be inserted at least in sections into the contact element of the thermally actuated shaft. Yes: The setting element is inserted into a cutout of the contact element, in particular a cutout of a fastening region of the contact element. Insertion within the scope of the present invention is to be understood in particular as the insertion of an adjusting element into the cutout, as long as the adjusting element is, for example, a setting pin, or as screwing in of the adjusting element, as long as the adjusting element An example is an adjusting bolt.

If the adjusting element is introduced in the form of an adjusting pin in the cutout of the fastening region of the contact element, then a force-locking between the projection in the cutout and the adjusting element can be achieved by making full use of the The fixing of the adjusting element within the projection and in particular in the fixing region of the contact element. Furthermore, it is conceivable for the adjusting element to be an adjusting screw which is inserted into the recess and in particular in a defined region of a projection which is arranged on the inside the cutout, wherein, for example, due to the external thread of the adjusting screw, the material of the protrusion is displaced or stripped in such a way that the adjusting screw can be screwed into the cutout and in particular the cutout in the protrusions. Screwing in the adjusting screw into the protrusion thus produces a positive connection between the protrusion and the adjusting screw or the adjusting element, whereby the adjusting element is in turn fixed on the In the cutout in the fastening area of the contact element.

It is also conceivable within the scope of the invention that the adjusting element is inserted between two clamping elements of the locking region of the contact element and is fixed by means of the pressure acting on the adjusting element via the clamping elements. Locking prevents unwanted movement between the clamping elements. Accordingly, it is advantageously conceivable that the adjusting element is first introduced into the recess of the fastening region of the contact element and then moved between the two clamping elements of the locking region of the contact element. In this case it is possible to bend the clamping elements apart from one another by inserting the adjusting element between the clamping elements of the locking region of the contact element in such a way that the bending produces an effect on The counterforce on the adjusting element thus again locks the adjusting element in a defined position. Undesirable sliding or pivoting of the adjusting element out of the locking region of the contact element and/or the fixing region of the contact element is advantageously avoided by locking the adjusting element, in particular in the longitudinal direction.

In the method according to the invention all advantages which have already been described with respect to the thermally actuated shaft, the thermally actuated device, the thermomagnetic actuated unit and/or the electric switch according to the preceding aspects of the invention are obtained.

Description of drawings

An embodiment of a thermally actuating shaft according to the invention and a plurality of embodiments of a contact element with a fixing area and a locking area, as well as an embodiment of a thermally actuating device according to the invention and an embodiment of a thermomagnetic actuating unit are described later in detail with reference to the drawings. explain. Respectively schematically show:

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a thermally activated shaft according to the invention in a perspective view;

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the contact element of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 of the thermally activated shaft according to the invention in a first front view;

FIG. 3 shows in side view a sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 of the contact element of the thermally activated shaft according to the invention;

FIG. 4 shows, in a second front view, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the contact element of the thermally actuated shaft according to the invention;

Figure 5 shows in perspective view an embodiment of the thermal activation device according to the invention; and

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a thermomagnetic trigger unit according to the invention of an electric switch in a perspective view;

Elements with the same function and mode of action are each provided with the same reference numerals in FIGS. 1 to 6 .

Detailed ways

An embodiment of a thermally activated shaft 1 is shown in perspective in FIG. 1 . The thermal activation shaft 1 has a shaft 2 extending in the longitudinal direction L, which is rotatable about an axis of rotation D and from which extends a contact element 3 and, in particular, as shown in FIG. 1 Three contact elements 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3. The contact elements 3 or 3 . There is a distance A between the two regions 4 or 5 . The individual contact elements 3 . The straight direction V extends.

Each of the contact elements 3 or 3.1 to 3.3 also has, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. On that side of the region 4 which is opposite the side of the fastening region 4 on which the locking region 5 is arranged or along which the locking region 5 extends. Advantageously, said introduction head 7 extends substantially along a horizontal direction H. The insertion head 7 is advantageously designed in the form of a cylinder and has a recess, not shown here.

The locking region 5 advantageously has a first clamping element 5.1 and a second clamping element 5.2, between which an adjusting element 6 can be inserted. In order to separate the two clamping elements 5 . 1 and 5 . 2 , a gap extending substantially in the vertical direction V is introduced into the contact elements 3 or 3 . 1 to 3 . 3 and in particular the locking region 5 . Said fixing zone 4 and locking zone 5 extend advantageously in the same direction away from the shaft 2 of said thermally activated shaft 1 and advantageously in a vertical direction V.

Furthermore, the embodiment of the thermal activation shaft 1 shown in FIG. 1 has at least one transmission element 8 and in particular two or more and advantageously three transmission elements 8 , which essentially extend in the vertical direction V Opposite the contact element 3 or 3.1 to 3.3 extends away from the shaft 2 of the thermal activation shaft 1 . The transfer element 8 is advantageously useful for transferring or receiving kinetic energy from a magnetic actuation shaft (not shown here) to the thermal actuation shaft 1 .

In FIG. 2 , an embodiment of the contact element 3 of the triggering shaft 1 according to the invention (as shown in FIG. 1 ) is shown in a first front view. In particular, the illustration in FIG. 2 shows the fastening region 4 of the contact element 3 on which the lead-in 7 is arranged, through which a cutout 10 extends. Advantageously, the cutout 10 extends through the insertion head 7 and the fastening region 4 of the contact element 3 in order to enable an adjustment element as far as the locking region 5 (see FIG. 1 ) of the contact element 3 (as in FIG. as shown in 1) for the punch-through. The cutout 10 is advantageously designed in the form of a borehole and in particular a through-borehole and thus has a cutout wall 11 from which at least one protrusion 12 and advantageously a plurality of protrusions 12 emerge. The part extends toward the middle direction of the empty part. The introduction head 7 is advantageously designed in the form of a hollow cylinder. However, it is also conceivable for the insertion head 7 to have any other configuration, so that the scope of the invention is not restricted to this shape of the insertion head 7 .

The protrusion 12 shown in FIG. 2 extends essentially along the longitudinal axis L10 of the cutout 10 , wherein it is also conceivable that the protrusion 12 can extend along the cutout in a circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis L10 The wall portion 11 extends. It is also possible that the projections 12 can extend helically about the longitudinal axis L10 along the cutout wall 11 and/or can have different material thicknesses along their direction of extension. Advantageously, the protrusion 12 is in the form of a rib and in particular a material hump. Such projections 12 can be produced simply and cost-effectively by using a corresponding injection molding method during the production of the contact element 3 and especially during the thermal activation shaft 1 .

In FIG. 3 , the embodiment of the contact element 3 shown in FIG. 2 is shown in a side sectional view, wherein it becomes clear from FIG. 3 that the contact element 3 has a fastening region 4 and an at least partial The locking area 5 is spaced apart from the fixing area 4 . Both regions, which means the locking region 5 and the securing region 4 extend in the same direction and advantageously in the vertical direction V, starting from the shaft 2 of the thermally actuated shaft 1 . The insertion head 7 is arranged in the region of the fastening region 4 and in particular at one end of the fastening region 4 , wherein the cutout 10 advantageously extends completely through the insertion head 7 and the fastening region 4 and In particular the walls of the fastening area 4 . Protrusions 12 are arranged within the cutout 10 , as is also shown in FIG. 2 , and extend advantageously along a cutout wall 11 along a longitudinal axis L10 . In this case it is conceivable that the projection 12 extends completely along the longitudinal axis L10 of the cutout 10 or only partially or in regions along the longitudinal axis L10 of the cutout 10 . Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the individual projections 12 can have different lengths and/or material thicknesses from one another. Advantageously, the cutout 10 has a diameter D10 which is, for example, larger than the outer diameter of the adjusting element 6 (not shown here), wherein the diameter D12 formed by the protrusion 12 is advantageously smaller than the adjusting element 6 outside diameter (see Figure 1).

In FIG. 4 , the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 or 3 of the contact element 3 of the thermally actuated shaft 1 according to the invention is shown in a second front view, and in particular to this contact element 3 The top view on the locking area 5. The locking region 5 advantageously has two clamping elements 5 . Opposite the locking region 5 , a transmission element 8 is arranged on the shaft 2 , advantageously likewise in the vertical direction V, but in the direction of extension relative to the contact element 3 and in particular the locking of said contact element 3 . The direction opposite to the direction of extension of the region 5 extends away from the shaft 2 of the thermally activated shaft 1 . The locking region 5 advantageously has an introduction region 20 which is designed in such a way that it at least partially forms a substantially circular shape between the clamping elements 5.1 and 5.2 of the locking region 5. , which has a diameter D5 which is advantageously smaller than the outer diameter of the adjusting element 6 shown in FIG. 6 . Between the clamping elements 5.1 and 5.2 a gap S extends essentially in the vertical direction V in order to enable the clamping elements 5.1 and 5.2 to be bent away from each other in order to be able to insert between the clamping elements 5.1 and 5.2 Adjustment elements.

In FIG. 5 , an embodiment of a thermal triggering device 100 is shown in a perspective view, which has a thermal triggering shaft 1 and at least one bimetallic element 30 and advantageously three bimetallic elements 30 , in particular in the presence of a three-phase circuit. The bimetallic element 3 is arranged with one end on a conducting element 40 through which the current is conducted. The other end of the bimetallic element is used for contacting the contact element 3 of the thermal activation shaft 1 . Reference number 50 shows at least one component of a triggering mechanism which is unlocked as soon as the thermal triggering shaft 1 is swiveled or moved about its axis of rotation D. FIG. For this purpose, the thermal trigger shaft 1 has, for example, a retaining nose 9 which engages with a trigger mechanism component and which is advantageously used for the thermal trigger shaft 1 during normal operation of the electrical switch on the one hand. Locking in a defined position and on the other hand results in unlocking of the triggering mechanism in the event of a triggering event such as an overload current.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a thermomagnetic triggering unit 200 arranged on a triggering mechanism of an electrical switch in a perspective view, wherein in particular a view of the thermal triggering device 100 is shown. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 , magnetic triggering device 110 is arranged essentially on that side of thermal triggering shaft 1 that is opposite the side on which bimetallic element 30 extends. The magnetic triggering device 110 advantageously has an armature element, a yoke element and a magnetic triggering shaft.

List of reference signs

1 heat-triggered axis

2 Shaft for heat trigger shaft

3 contact elements

3.1 First contact element

3.2 Second contact element

3.3 Third contact element

4 fixed area

5 lock area

5.1 First clamping element

5.2 Second clamping element

6 Adjustment elements

7 lead-in head

8 transfer element

9 keep nose

10 blank part

11 Hole wall

12 protrusions

20 lead-in area

30 bimetal elements

40 Conductive elements

50 Components of the trigger mechanism

100 thermal triggers

110 Magnetic Trigger

200 thermal magnetic trigger unit

D axis of rotation

D5 Diameter of lead-in/lock-in area

D10 Diameter of the cutout

D12 Diameter formed by multiple protrusions

H horizontal direction

L portrait orientation

L10 Longitudinal axis of cutout

S gap

V Vertical orientation.

Claims (11)

1. A thermal trigger shaft (1) of a thermal trigger device of an electrical switch for activating a trigger mechanism when a trigger event occurs, wherein the thermal trigger shaft (1) has 1) At least one contact element (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) extending away from the shaft (2) for contacting a bimetallic element of the thermal activation device, wherein the contact element (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) have a fastening area (4) with a cutout (10) for arranging an adjustment element (6) for the adjustment element steplessly adjusting the distance between the bimetallic element and the contact element (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3), wherein the cutout (10) has a wall extending from a cutout wall (11) At least one protruding part (12) is separated, and the at least one protruding part is used for fixing the adjusting element (6). 2. Thermally actuated shaft (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening area (4) of the contact element (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) has a lead-in (7), the The cutout (10) extends through the insertion head. 3. Thermally actuated shaft (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the protrusion (12) is designed at least in sections at the recess wall ( 11) On the form of ribs extending along. 4. Thermally actuated shaft (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) has a locking region (5) which There are two clamping elements (5.1, 5.2) for locking the adjusting element (6). 5. Thermally activated shaft (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that an introduction region (20) is arranged between the two clamping elements (5.1, 5.2) of the locking region (5) , the introduction region has a smaller diameter ( D5 ) than the outer diameter of the adjustment element ( 6 ). 6. The heat-activated shaft (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the lead-in area (20) of the locking area (5) is connected to the recess ( 10) Arranged concentrically. 7. Thermal triggering device of a thermomagnetic triggering unit of an electric switch for interrupting the current flow of a current of a circuit in the event of a triggering event, wherein said thermal triggering device has a device according to the preceding claims 1 to 6 At least one of the thermally activated shafts (1) and a bimetallic element. 8. Thermomagnetic triggering unit of an electrical switch for interrupting the current flow of an electric circuit in the event of a triggering event, wherein the thermomagnetic triggering unit has at least one magnetic triggering device according to claim 7. 9. Electrical switch for interrupting the current flow of the current of the current circuit in the event of a triggering event, having a thermomagnetic triggering unit according to claim 8. 10. Method for adjusting the distance between a bimetallic element of a thermal triggering device and a thermal triggering shaft (1) of said thermal triggering device designed according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, said Method for calibrating the triggering behavior of the thermal triggering device, wherein the adjusting element (6) is inserted into the recess of the fastening area (4) of the contact element (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) In the portion (10) and within the cutout (10), it is fixed by means of the protrusion (12) at a defined distance from the bimetallic element. 11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the two clips of the adjustment element (6) in the locking area (5) of the contact element (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) between the clamping elements (5.1, 5.2) and is locked on the clamping elements (5.1, 5.2) between them to prevent undesired movement.