Switching device and method for operating a switching device

1 . A switching device, comprising:

a first and a second fixed contact;

a contact bridge;

a first and a second movable contact arranged at the contact bridge;

at least one contact spring;

a contact bridge carrier which is movable; and

a first and a second terminal contact,

wherein the first fixed contact is fixed on the first terminal contact and the second fixed contact is fixed on the second terminal contact,

wherein the switching device is configured that a load current flows from the first terminal contact via the first fixed contact, the first movable contact, the contact bridge, the second movable contact and the second fixed contact to the second terminal contact,

wherein the contact bridge carrier is coupled to the contact bridge via the at least one contact spring,

wherein the switching device further comprises a lever arm connected to the contact bridge or the contact bridge carrier and configured to slow down a movement of the contact bridge relative to the contact bridge carrier in case of a short circuit such that a mechanical rebound brake is realized by the lever arm,

wherein the switching device further comprises a magnetic drive assembly comprising an electric coil and an armature,

wherein the armature is movable and is coupled to the contact bridge carrier, and

wherein the switching device is configured such that dynamic forces of a short circuit current cause the switching contacts to open even before a first and second movable actuator starts a mechanical opening process via a de-current signal induced by a current sensor.

2 . The switching device according to claim 1 , wherein the switching device is configured such that a current flowing in case of a short circuit through the first fixed contact, the first movable contact, the contact bridge, the second movable contact and the second fixed contact causes the movement of the contact bridge relative to the contact bridge carrier in case of a short circuit.

3 . The switching device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the lever arm is configured to be bent towards a contacting area in case of a short circuit such that a frictional force occurs between a tip of the lever arm and the contacting area.

4 . The switching device according to claim 3 ,

wherein the contacting area has at least one of:

a rough surface,

a toothed structure,

a groove,

a ribbed structure, and

a surface made of rubber.

5 . The switching device according to claim 3 , wherein the lever arm is configured to be bent towards the contacting area by the movement of the contact bridge in case of a short circuit.

6 . The switching device according to claim 3 , wherein the switching device comprises a housing,

wherein the contacting area is connected to the housing or is part of the housing, and

wherein the lever arm is attached to the contact bridge carrier.

7 . The switching device according to claim 6 , wherein the contact bridge is configured to perform a linear movement:

in case of a short circuit,

at a transition from a switched-off state to a switched-on state of the switching device, and

at a transition from the switched-on state to the switched-off state of the switching device.

8 . The switching device according to claim 7 , wherein the first and the second terminal contact are both bent in a U-form or U-shape.

9 . The switching device according to claim 3 , wherein the contacting area is connected to the contact bridge carrier, and

wherein the lever arm is attached to the contact bridge.

10 . The switching device according to claim 9 , wherein the contact bridge is configured to perform a rotational movement in case of a short circuit and to perform a linear movement

at a transition from a switched-off state to a switched-on state of the switching device, and

at a transition from a switched-on state to a switched-off state of the switching device.

11 . The switching device according to claim 9 , wherein the contact bridge is configured in a C-form or U-form and includes a first leg end, a second leg end and an intermediate section,

wherein the first movable contact is attached to the first leg end,

wherein the second movable contact is attached to the second leg end, and

wherein the intermediate section connects the first leg end to the second leg end.

12 . A method for operating a switching device, wherein the switching device comprises a first and a second terminal contact, a first fixed contact fixed on the first terminal contact, a second fixed contact fixed on the second terminal contact, a contact bridge, a first and a second movable contact arranged at the contact bridge, at least one contact spring, a contact bridge carrier which is movable and is coupled to the contact bridge via the at least one contact spring, a lever arm connected to the contact bridge or the contact bridge carrier, and a magnetic drive assembly with an electric coil and an armature, wherein the armature is movable and is coupled to the contact bridge carrier, and wherein the method comprises:

flowing of a load current from the first terminal contact via the first fixed contact, the first movable contact, the contact bridge, the second movable contact and the second fixed contact to the second terminal contact,

opening the first and second movable contacts by dynamic forces of a current of a short circuit even before a switching actuator starts a mechanical opening process via a de-current signal induced by a current sensor, and

slowing down a movement of the contact bridge relative to the contact bridge carrier in case of the short circuit by the lever arm such that a mechanical rebound brake is realized by the lever arm.

13 . A switching device, comprising:

a first and a second fixed contact;

a contact bridge;

a first and a second movable contact arranged at the contact bridge;

at least one contact spring;

a contact bridge carrier which is movable; and

a first and a second terminal contact,

wherein the first fixed contact is fixed on the first terminal contact and the second fixed contact is fixed on the second terminal contact,

wherein the switching device is configured such that a load current flows from the first terminal contact via the first fixed contact, the first movable contact, the contact bridge, the second movable contact and the second fixed contact to the second terminal contact,

wherein the contact bridge carrier is coupled to the contact bridge via the at least one contact spring,

wherein the switching device further comprises a lever arm attached to the contact bridge and configured to slow down a movement of the contact bridge relative to the contact bridge carrier in case of a short circuit such that a mechanical rebound brake is realized by the lever arm,

wherein the lever arm is configured to be bent towards a contacting area in case of a short circuit such that a frictional force occurs between a tip of the lever arm and the contacting area,

wherein the contacting area is connected to the contact bridge carrier, and

wherein the contact bridge is configured to perform a rotational movement in case of a short circuit and to perform a linear movement:

at a transition from a switched-off state to a switched-on state of the switching device, and

at a transition from a switched-on state to a switched-off state of the switching device.