IP Library Granted Patent US 9,698,669
Granted Patent B2
US 9,698,669 · App. 13/964,171 · Granted Jul 4, 2017

Control device for a switching device with separate start-up and holding coils

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,698,669
App. No.
13/964,171
Granted
Jul 4, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A control device for a switching device with separate start-up and holding coils includes control electronics to control the current supply to the start-up and holding coils and a direct voltage supply unit for the holding coil and the control electronics with the same reference potential for the holding coil and the control electronics.

Claims (36)

1. A control device for a switching device, the control device comprising:

a rectifier configured to generate a rectified output voltage from an alternating voltage;

a direct voltage converter configured to receive the rectified output voltage and to generate therefrom a specified direct voltage;

a direct voltage supply unit, configured to receive the specified direct voltage and to generate a first direct voltage and a second direct voltage, wherein the first direct voltage and the second direct voltage are of different magnitudes;

control electronics configured to receive the second direct voltage and to generate control signals for a first switching element and for a second switching element;

a holding coil connected to the first switching element and configured to receive the first direct voltage generated by the direct voltage supply unit; and

a start-up coil connected to the second switching element and configured to receive the rectified output voltage generated by the rectifier.

2. The control device of claim 1 , wherein the control electronics are configured to supply, during a holding process of the switching device, a control signal to the first switching element that generates a constant direct current flow in the holding coil.

3. The control device of claim 1 , wherein the control electronics are configured to supply, during a start-up process of the switching device, a control signal to the second switching element that generates a current flow in the start-up coil.

4. The control device of claim 1 , wherein the control electronics are configured to supply, during a shut off process of the switching device, a control signal to the first switching element that prevents current flow in the holding coil.

5. The control device of claim 4 , wherein the control electronics comprise a quick shut-off unit configured to supply the control signal to the first switching element that prevents current flow in the holding coil.

6. A switching device, comprising:

a contact module; and

the control device of claim 1 ,

wherein the contact module includes the holding coil and the start-up coil.

7. The control device of claim 6 , wherein the control electronics of the control device include a microprocessor or microcontroller configured by a program stored in a memory to provide, during a start-up process of the contact module, the second switching element with a pulse width modulated voltage causing a resulting current in the start-up coil, and to provide, during a holding process of the contact module, the first switching element with a voltage causing a constant direct current to flow in the holding coil.

8. A contactor, comprising:

a contact module: and

the control device of claim 1 ,

wherein the contact module includes the holding coil and the start-up coil.

9. The control device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first switching element and the second switching element is a field-effect transistor.

10. The control device of claim 1 , wherein the control electronics are configured to provide, during a start-up process of the switching device, the second switching element with a pulse width modulated voltage causing a resulting current in the start-up coil.

11. The control device of claim 10 , wherein resulting current in the start-up coil causes switching contacts of a contactor to move one of from an open position to a closed position or from a closed position to an open position.

12. The control device of claim 1 , wherein the control electronics are configured to provide, during a holding process of the switching device, the first switching element with a voltage causing a constant direct current to flow in the holding coil.

13. The control device of claim 12 , wherein the constant direct current in the holding coil causes contacts of a contactor to remain in one of an open position or a closed position.

14. The control device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first switching element and the second switching element is connected to a reference voltage source.

15. A switching device, comprising:

a contact module including a holding coil and a separate start-up coil; and

a control device comprising:

a rectifier configured to generate a rectified output voltage from an alternating voltage;

a direct voltage converter configured to receive the rectified output voltage and to generate therefrom a specified direct voltage;

a direct voltage supply unit, configured to receive the specified direct voltage and to generate a first direct voltage and a second direct voltage, wherein the first direct voltage and the second direct voltage are of different magnitudes; and

control electronics configured to receive the second direct voltage and to generate control signals for a first switching element and for a second switching element;

wherein the holding coil is connected to the first switching element and configured to receive the first direct voltage generated by the direct voltage supply unit,

wherein the start-up coil is connected to the second switching element and configured to receive the rectified output voltage generated by the rectifier, and

wherein the control electronics of the control device include a microprocessor or microcontroller configured by a program stored in a memory to provide, during a start-up process of the contact module, the second switching element with a pulse width modulated voltage causing a resulting current in the start-up coil, and to provide, during a holding process of the contact mod We, the first switching element with a voltage causing a constant direct current to flow in the holding coil.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 26, 2018
From: EATON ELECTRICAL IP GMBH & CO. KG
To: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
Reel/Frame 047635/0158 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 20, 2013
From: MEID, WOLFGANG
To: EATON ELECTRICAL IP GMBH & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 031244/0926 →