DE19702233C2 - Connection device for an electrical device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a connection device for a electrical device in a modular design, in particular for an inverter control module block for high transmission Currents in which the electrical connections of the individual Module with at least one across the individual modules continuous flat ribbon and / or round wire Contact the busbar as a busbar and from the single module with outstanding connection contact pieces Using a spring element on at least one busbar is pressed to transmit high currents.

State of the art

For example, in control technology in known Way control modules lined up to form module blocks and via one also arranged at the beginning of a module block Power supply module supplied with electrical energy. The electrical energy is preferably supplied via busbars forwarded to the individual modules. They are often out individual busbar sections from module to module composed.

Due to different widths of individual modules, their Width of the electrical component assembly of the respective module was determined in previous Publications already recognized that the use of individual busbar pieces through the more complex Installation disadvantageous compared to continuous busbars is. Sometimes you can also find constructions where advantageously in one piece by means of at least one continuous busbar made an energy supply  the connections of each module with the Busbar are screwed. But also continuous Busbars, each with the individual control module are screwed for their electrical contact, then become a problem when it comes to quick Exchange of a module within a module block is possible.

A terminal block is published in DE 40 23 914 C2 in which the running across the modules Busbars by means of isolating slides with the electrical Connections of the respective module brought into contact become. The slide gate is fastened with Clamping screws made. This assembly is time-consuming because there are usually several contacts per module with slide valves with the respective busbar need to be connected. In addition there is this Connection type with slide gates the risk of poor electrical contact, as in others Areas of application, for example in switchgear Terminal blocks are used whenever the Connection point is not sufficiently firm tightened screw connection heated to inadmissible. Moreover is provided for the movement of the slide valve Elongated hole, for example as in DE 40 23 914 C2, a insufficient overlap of the contact point between Separating slide and busbar possible if the fitter only part of the isolating slide on the busbar puts. The increased contact resistance also contributes Heating of the connection.  

Despite the other advantages of the gate valve construction according to DE 40 23 914 C2, it is still too time-consuming when changing a front-mounted control module all Disconnect the slide valve fittings of the control modules busbars running across the control modules to remove a control module from the Exchange the module block for another. Part of the The time required for assembly is due to the special Care of the fitter, which he in fixing the must use individual isolating slide clamps.

From the publication DE-OS 19 30 515 is a busbar for the distribution of electrical energy Lighting devices known, in part in an insulating body with continuous busbars in the form of a round wire in the grooves of the Insulating body are provided, the other part with transverse contacts of an electrical plugged in to the direction of travel Contact the adapter and the necessary Contact force by means of a one-sided on the electrical Contact of the adapter acting resilient leg of the Insulating part is reached. In this system there is one reliable contacting only guaranteed if the electrical contacts of the adapter manufacturing and Compensate position tolerances of the components. The Compensation is done by flexible or partially sideways Movable contacts reached so that the cross to Component tolerances resulting in the longitudinal direction sufficient electrical contact with a Allows transmission of small electrical currents. In  a variant of DE-OS 19 30 515 is the resilient element trained at the same time to the busbar that due their resilient cross-section only transmit small currents can.

From DE 42 33 200 A1 an electrical device is included known at least one plug connector, which with a fixed busbar in contact is feasible. The power line is from a fixed arranged busbar via flexibly connected electrical contacts in the form of stamped and bent parts, the Contact force for the transmission of high electrical currents is supported by C-shaped spring washers. This Spring washers are in recesses of the stamped contact fork spring-mounted and already generate contactless Condition of the contact forks a force on the Contact slot of the contact fork. This contact slot will compared to the conductor rail even narrower than this for a light joining process would be necessary. To compensate the position of the busbars is the contact fork via complex flexible connectors, the Current conduction band, connected to the electrical device, but only in the direction of its thickness or in The length of the conductor rails is flexible. Disadvantageous is this flexibility of the current carrying band if when the electrical contacts are attached to the additionally generated by the C-shaped spring washer Contact pressure on the busbars to prevent the Insertion slot of the contact fork comes and this due  the flexibility of the current carrying belt on the Track edge canted.

A contact device is known from EP 0 004 507 A1 Ribbon rails known, the individual U-shaped stamped contacts on both sides with the busbar first then contact when the electronic module on the Busbar is inserted. This type of contact is only for Suitable for transmitting small currents because of the U-shaped Contact contacts with conductor tracks on a circuit board.

Since this contacting for the above Module system with high transmission currents is not sufficient, a forced contact using a C-shaped ring for misinterpreted, is hereby a connection device for electrical devices suggested the disadvantages of Assembly and disassembly effort of the construction according to the DE 40 23 914 C2 eliminated and with the basic ideas of Constructions from the publication DE-OS 19 30 515, DE 42 33 200 A1 and EP 0 004 507 A1 regarding a high one Power transmission with easy plug-in combined.

Presentation of the invention

The invention has for its object a Connection device for an electrical device, preferably for modular devices like this develop that a connection of the electrical contacts of the Device with a forced contact continuous busbars is made possible and in one Connection housing is arranged and in which the  Contacting the fitter when connecting the electrical contacts to the busbars independently is and at the same time the prerequisites for one time-saving exchange of individual modules under Consideration of safe protection against accidental contact Exchange of a module offers.

The task is accomplished in part by using a the module lockable connection housing made of insulating material solved that for connecting individual modules to busbars is provided, the connection housing in the housing base Has openings in which the electrical part Project contacts of the module so that they each on the side of the busbar in a tight placed next to each other and by means of a U-shaped spring clip in the cover part to the Busbar are pressed. Through this bilateral Arrangement of contacts and by dividing the Power transmission to these two contacts will be beneficial a smaller thickness of the contacts of the control module enables. The smaller thickness of the contacts is for one flexible compensation of the position tolerances necessary due to the connection to a circuit board of the Module and the installation of the contacts on the busbar can result. The connection contacts have a less bending stiffness compared to the busbar and can, if necessary, using maximum tolerances Give way in the transverse direction to the course of the busbar or by means of an inventive positive guidance in the form  a comprehensive spring clip on the busbar be created.

So that the connection contacts of the module despite one slightly adjusting transversely to the busbar Position in good contact with the busbar should have, the connection contacts contact bosses in the form of embossing, each approximately centered on the lateral contact surface of the busbar are arranged. Through the above contact bosses Tolerant position of the contacts for Busbar neglected and a defined one Contact point on the side surface of the busbar given. The current transfer is thus every Tolerance addition or subtraction of all involved Components between module contact and busbar on Be hump. A possibly due to tolerance Misalignment of the busbar or the connecting contacts is bridged by the contact hump. The contact hump can be done by stamping or embossing are produced inexpensively.

Due to the necessary high power transmission is a Guaranteed system with almost constant contact pressure this contact point is necessary. With the proposed This is constructed through one of the module's two contacts comprehensive spring clamp reached. It creates one consistent and regardless of the care of the Fitter-dependent contact pressure of the contact points. This is therefore also a small one from the busbar  protruding position which is advantageous for this connection thin contacts possible. It works resulting position and component tolerance in none Way negatively influencing the contact between Module contacts and busbar off.

This is achieved by the spring clip being made from a U- shaped spring steel sheet, which is in the cover part in one for rough positioning of the spring clip provided housing receptacle is arranged there with Housing receptacle locked and in the clamping effect and thus freely movable across the length of the busbar is so that the resilient legs the module contacts and overlap the busbar and make an even one Minimum pressure on the electrical contact pieces of the Exercise control module. Centered by the Compensation of the spring forces of one leg and the second leg the spring clip itself.

The intermediate and side walls of the connection housing are for Inclusion of those running across the entire module block one-piece current-conducting busbars with slots or provided with recesses, which as Mounting and positioning of the busbars advantageous impact. With a final module of a module block therefore the busbars should be shortened in such a way that End of the busbar just behind the inner cross strut of the connection housing and thus safe to touch in the Connection housing is laid in and thus a Risk of accidental contact excluded is.  

This construction is particularly advantageous for the Handling when replacing a single module if the connection device on the top of a module block is provided. Because of this advantageous Position arrangement can be released after releasing the locking of a Junction box from the individual module of the block arrangement this can be pulled down without the Contact connections between neighboring modules can be solved need and that the electrical connection for the others Modules must be interrupted. For the safety of the fitter the cover part of the connection device remains closed, so that you never touch the Live busbars are possible. The module can then use the contacts from the connection with the Busbar are pulled down and through a others are replaced in the opposite order. This is particularly cost-saving since there are only a few simple steps and a screwdriver as a loosening aid for the Junction box is required. For the safety of the fitter is the connection housing and the cover part special constructed to be safe to touch.

But even with a front assembly, opening the Sealing cover of the connection devices of all modules and the removal of the busbars quickly and without Special tool possible, so that a module including the Connection device after switching off the power supply and The busbars can be removed from the front can. For this purpose, the hinge of the  hinged lid part either on one or on the provided other narrow side of the connection housing, so that the lid part can be opened on either side can be assembled. By complying with a constructive symmetry is with the previously described and innovative U-shaped in the receptacle Spring clip in both mounting arrangements of the cover part the contacting of the module's contacts with the Busbars guaranteed.

Brief explanations of the figures

Further features, advantages and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 itself, which will be explained in more detail below.

It shows

Fig. 1 is a block module (1), consisting of three individual modules (2, 2 ', 2 ") having disposed thereon terminal housings (3) in a perspective representation,

Fig. 2 is a connector housing (3) with opened cover part (4) and bus bars used (5, 5 ', 5 "),

Fig. 3 shows a single spring clamp (6) in a perspective view;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional detail through the closed connector housing (3) with the arrangement of a spring clip (6), the module contacts (7, 7 ') and a busbar (5),

Fig. 5 is a terminal housing lower part (8),

Fig. 6 shows a connection housing cover part ( 4 ), but without snap-in spring clips ( 6 ).

In Fig. 1 in a display segment a plurality of electrical devices 2, 2 ', 2 "shown mounted side by side in modular form, which together form a module block 1. On the respective individual device modules 2, 2' and 2" are made in a mounting opening Insulation-made connection devices 3 , which consist of a connection housing 5 , a cover part 4 and electrical busbars 8 inserted therein. The terminal housing 5 are connected to the housings of the device module 2 by means of a latch 26 of FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 is mounted, wherein the locking 26 has a to the sheet metal cladding thickness of the device module 2 towards tuned distance from the terminal housing bearing surface 24, 25. The latch 26 may be by means of a screwdriver through an opening 27 being released in the upper part of the connecting device 3, so that the connection housing 5 "can be solved. The module 2" from the device module 2, 2 ', 2 in Fig. 1 shows a closed Connection device 3 in one embodiment variant, the laterally projecting busbars 8 hinting that they belong to neighboring, but not shown, device modules. In the case of a terminal module 2 , the busbars 8 end within the connection device 3 . The connection contacts 7 , 7 'shown in Fig. 1 are arranged on one side on the busbar 8 in the illustrated embodiment of the connection device 3 and can be seen from the respective device module 2 , 2 ', 2 "through the slot-shaped open housing bottom 38 , 39 in Fig. 5, led to the busbars 8 .

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a connection device 3 , the housing cover 4 can be attached to one or the other narrow side of the connection housing 5 by means of rotary hinges 28 , 29 , 34 , 35 foldable. In contrast, latching means 32 , 33 , preferably shown in the embodiment shown as a snap fastener, are provided on the housing cover 4 as well as on the connection housing 5 . This arrangement makes it difficult to loosen the lid without a screwdriver or similar tool. The mutual arrangement of the hinge and locking elements 6 is shown in Fig. 5 and Fig.. Furthermore, FIG. 2 in the terminal housing 5 inserted bus bars 8, 8 ', 8 "in flat bar form, which penetrate the side walls 22, 23 of the terminal housing 5 side. For this purpose have been in terminal housing 5 slots 40, 41 are provided, which serve for the positioning of the busbars 8 The contact contacts 7 , 7 'protruding from the bottom slots 38 , 39 of the connection housing 5 are positioned such that they lie laterally on the respective busbar 5 , 5 ' or 5 ". By closing the housing cover 4 , the connection contact 7 , 7 'is pressed onto the busbar 5 , 5 ' or 5 "with the aid of a spring clip 6. Depending on the embodiment, one-sided or bilateral contact with the busbar 8 is provided.

The contact of the contacts 7 , 7 'on the busbar 8 , 8 ' or 8 "is brought about by the spring force of the shaped spring clip legs 9 , 10. Such a spring clip 6 is shown in FIG. 3, the spring clip 6 having at least two, preferably as shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of resilient legs 9, 10 has. in a basic embodiment, for example, according to Fig. 1, only a one-piece spring legs 9, 10 is provided on both sides. in the case of a plurality of juxtaposed terminal contacts 7, 7 ', therefore, the 3 spring clip shown used in Fig., since this compensates for better tolerance differences of individual connector contacts. Furthermore, provides the multi-legged spring clamp 6 an additional recess 17, 17 ', has engaged by a spring clamp locking piece 18 and holds the spring in the housing cover 4 by means of a retaining surface 19. the the advantage that when closing the housing cover 4, a certain orientation of the spring terminal 6 to the Anschlussk contacts 7 , 7 'and the respective busbars 8 , 8 ', 8 "is produced, one part and the other when opening the housing cover 4 by means of the spring clip locking pieces 18 and the retaining surface 19, this spring clip from the contacts 7 , 7 'and / or busbar 8 is subtracted. In the two-leg basic design, lateral spring clip locking pieces 36 , 37 according to FIG. 6 are provided. The spring clip 6 is bent up on the spring clip leg end pieces 15 , 16 in order to facilitate the placement of the leg spring 6 on the contact group 7 , 7 'and 8 according to FIG. 4.

In FIG. 4, an assembled in a cover part 4 the spring clip 6 is shown in cross section through the housing cover 4, the electrical terminal contacts 7, 7 'and the bus bar 8 U-shape engages in the closed state of the housing cover 4 of the terminal device 3 and resilient by Leg 9 , 10 in an embodiment variant according to FIG. 4 presses the connecting contacts 7 , 7 'onto one contact side 11 , 11 ' of the busbar 8 . In the push-on process, the opened legs 15 , 16 have a centering effect on the position of the spring clamp 6 transversely to the running direction of the busbars 8 . Establishing a uniform point of contact between the terminal contacts 7, 7 'and the bus 8, the respective terminal contact 7, 7' directed to the lateral contact surface of the busbar 8 Material buckle, the manufacturing technology as a contact boss 12 mitgefertigt in the manufacture of the stamped terminal contact 7, 7 ' can be. This saves costs because only one connection contact version has to be produced.

Fig. 5 shows a connection housing 5 without metal parts. In the design of the connection housing 5 and the housing cover 4 , a value has been placed on a symmetry that allows the housing cover 4 to be attached either to the one narrow side or to the other narrow side of the connection housing 5 . For this purpose, hinge bolt pieces 28 , 29 and 28 ', 29 ' have been provided on the narrow sides, into which suitable hinge forks 34 , 35 can engage and engage. To fasten the housing cover 4 according to FIG. 6 on the connection housing 5 in the closed state, it is necessary to provide 5 locking bores 30 , 31 and 30 ', 31 ' on both narrow sides of the connection housing, into which locking pieces 32 , 33 of the housing cover 4 can optionally be inserted. and can be locked. Furthermore, it is for connecting devices 1 of modules important to the bus bars 5, 5 ', 5 "to be not protrude for safety reasons by the connecting devices. 1 To position the busbars 5, 5', 5", therefore, is a Anschlußgehäuse- insulating wall 23, 23 'has been provided, which, like the outer connection housing side wall, has openings 41 for receiving the busbar 5 , 5 ', 5 ".

In FIG. 6, the arrangement of the hinge forks 34, 35 and the locking pieces 32, shown 33rd As with the connection housing 5 , care has been taken with the housing cover 4 to ensure a symmetrical arrangement of the spring terminal positions. To hold the spring clips 6 in the housing cover, depending on the design of the spring clip 6 with two or more spring clip legs 9 , 10 spring clip locking pieces 19 , 36 , 37 have been provided which hold the spring clip 6 in the housing cover when the housing cover 4 is lifted off.

Reference list

1

Module block

2nd

Device module (also with

2nd

',

2nd

" designated)

3rd

Connection device

4th

Housing cover

5

Junction box

6

Spring clip (also with

6

',

6

" designated)

7

electrical connection contact (also with

7

'bez.)

8th

Busbar (also with

8th

',

8th

" designated)

9

Spring clip leg

10th

Spring clip leg

11

Busbar contact contact surface (also with

11

'bez.)

12th

Contact hump

13

Contact hump

14

Spring clip leg contact point

15

Spring clip leg end piece (also with

15

'bez.)

16

Spring clip leg end piece (also with

15

'bez.)

17th

Cutout on the spring clip (also with

17th

'bez.)

18th

Spring clip locking piece

19th

Retention area

20th

Installation bevels

21

Spring clip contact surface

22

Terminal housing insulation wall

23

Terminal housing insulation wall

24th

Terminal housing contact surface

25th

Terminal housing contact surface

26

Junction box lock (also with

26

' designated)

27

Actuation opening

28

Hinge pin piece (also with

28

'bez.)

29

Hinge pin piece (also with

29

'bez.)

30th

Snap opening (also with

30th

' designated)

31

Snap opening (also with

31

' designated)

32

Locking piece (also with

32

' designated)

33

Locking piece (also with

33

' designated)

34

Hinge fork

35

Hinge fork

36

Spring clip locking piece

37

Spring clip locking piece

38

Terminal contact feed-through slot

39

Terminal contact feed-through slot

40

Busbar feed-through opening

41

Busbar feed-through opening

Claims (15)

1.Connection device for an electrical device of modular design, in which the electrical connections of the individual device module contact with at least one busbar running transversely across the individual device modules for the transmission of high currents and in which connection pieces projecting from the individual device module are pressed against a busbar with a spring element characterized in that the connection device ( 3 ) is equipped with a U-shaped spring clip ( 6 ) which connects the electrical connection contacts ( 7 , 7 ') of the device module ( 2 ) and the busbar ( 8 , 8 ', 8 " ) with at least two resilient legs ( 9 , 10 ) overlaps in a U-shape and thus presses the connecting contacts ( 7 , 7 ') onto the busbar ( 8 , 8 ', 8 "). 2. Connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection contacts ( 7 , 7 ') of the module ( 2 , 2 ', 2 ") on at least one of the two long sides ( 11 , 11 '), preferably on both sides ( 11 , 11 ') of the busbar ( 8 , 8 ', 8 "). 3. Connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that by closing the housing cover ( 4 ) of the connection device ( 3 ) a not contactable by the installer forced contact of the connection contacts ( 7 , 7 ') with the busbar ( 8 ) by the spring clip ( 6 ) will be produced. 4. Connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring clip ( 6 ) in the cover part ( 4 ) of the connection device ( 3 ) is mounted. 5. Connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring terminal ( 6 ) has a plurality of individually movable resilient legs ( 9 , 10 ) with which the connection contacts ( 7 , 7 ') are pressed onto the busbar ( 8 ). 6. Connection device according to claim 1 and 5, characterized in that the resilient legs ( 9 , 10 ) of the spring terminal ( 6 ) for joining via the connection contacts ( 7 , 7 ') and busbar ( 8 , 8 ', 8 '') bent up Has ends ( 15 , 16 ). 7. Connection device according to claim 4, characterized in that the spring clip ( 6 ) in the cover part ( 4 ) in the transverse direction to the longitudinal extension of the busbars ( 8 , 8 ', 8 ") to compensate for the contact thickness and contact arrangement of the connection contacts ( 7 , 7 ') is freely movable. 8. Connection device according to claim 4, characterized in that the receptacles ( 18 , 36 , 37 ') for the spring clip ( 6 ) in the cover part ( 4 ) symmetrically to the contact slots ( 38 , 39 ) in the connection housing ( 3 ) and thus to the Busbars ( 8 , 8 ', 8 ") are arranged so that the cover part ( 4 ) can be attached to the connection housing ( 5 ) in one or the other opening direction. 9. Connection device according to claim 8, characterized in that the connection housing ( 5 ) for mutual attachment of the cover part ( 4 ) on its narrow sides each have rotary hinges ( 28 , 29 , 28 ', 29 ') and locking elements ( 30 , 31 , 30 ', 31 ') for fastening the cover part. 10. Connection device according to claim 8 and 9, characterized in that the connection housing ( 5 ) for attachment to the module ( 2 ) locking elements ( 26 , 26 ') for quick attachment or for quick release of the connection device ( 3 ) from the module ( 2 , 2 ', 2 "). 11. Connection device according to claim 1, 8 to 10, characterized in that the connection housing ( 5 ) in addition to the side walls ( 22 , 22 ') and the busbar feed-through openings provided therein for the busbars ( 8 , 8 ', 8 ") Slots ( 40 ) has additional support walls ( 23 , 23 ') with through openings ( 41 , 41 ') also arranged in alignment with the busbars ( 8 , 8 ', 8 "). 12. Connection device according to claim 6, characterized in that the cover part ( 4 ) in the region of the spring clip ( 6 ) formed from insulating material spring clip locking pieces ( 18 ) with a bevelled guide surface ( 20 ) for easier mounting of the spring clip ( 6 ). 13. Connection device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the connection contact ( 7 , 7 ') of the device module ( 2 , 2 ', 2 ") on the respective busbar ( 8 , 8 ', 8 ") facing contact surface ( 11th , 11 ') has a defined contact point or a defined contact line in the form of a material curvature, a so-called contact boss ( 12 , 13 ). 14. Connection device according to claim 13, characterized in that the contact boss ( 12 , 13 ) is produced by an embossing or upsetting process when punching the connection contact ( 7 , 7 '). 15. Connection device according to claim 13, characterized in that the contact boss ( 12 , 13 ) is formed by a projecting longitudinal rib or curvature of the busbar ( 8 , 8 ', 8 ").