EP1104047B1 - Terminal structure for a low voltage distributor - Google Patents

Abstract

Terminal arrangements for low-voltage distributors include designs having an additional base arranged outside a main base for receiving a protective- and/or neutral conductor rail, and where the neutral- (N) protective- (PE) rails are external of the main structure, an isolating switch or isolator is required for the N-conductor and is plugged onto the main base, in order to facilitate measurement of the insulation relative to earth when testing the distributor. To avoid the additional expense and installation outlay involved in these designs, good security against unprotected contact is achieved together with easier assembly, by having an additional base (Z) designed as a pluggable base and by having the (supply) terminal positioned in a housing, made of an insulating material, of a pluggable part (S1,S2,S3) which can be plugged on the additional base (Z).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

In the invention, it is assumed that a terminal arrangement for a Low-voltage distributor with one outside a main base of the distributor arranged additional base for receiving at least one protective and / or Neutral conductor rail and with at least one with one of the two rails contactable terminal.

Low-voltage distributors based on socket systems include Ladder rails receiving socket system, on the modularized Plug-in parts, such as a switching device, surge arrester, supply block or terminal can be formed, are plugged. Such Low voltage distribution boards allow a high flexibility in the planning of a Distributor and are characterized by rapid manufacturability, easy feed and free interchangeability of the plug-in parts.

STATE OF THE ART

A terminal arrangement of the type mentioned is in the Fimenschrift "smissline-S, System with S: Innovation with System" from CMC Carl Maier + Cie AG, Schaffhausen / Switzerland, especially pages 2 and 51 described. These Terminal arrangement is for a low-voltage distributor with external Neutral (N) - and protective conductor (PE) rails provided and has a N- and the PE conductor rail carrying additional base and terminals for the N and the PE conductor rail. These terminals are screwed fixed on the associated conductor rails. In such a Distributor is a plugged on the main socket disconnector for the N-conductor needed to isolate at startup or a control of the distributor insulation of the distributor or the load hanging on the distributor to earth.

The patent US 5,745,338, which is considered to be the closest prior art, shows a mounting rail and outside of it arranged Ladder rails in a supply bus. The to be mounted on the distribution system Switchgear have connections for connection to cables or other flexible conductors, possibly using screws. Of the electrical contact of the switching device with the conductor rails via a the housing of the switching device outstanding contact blade, which by a Insulator rail with U-shaped profile in the locked state to the conductor rail is pressed and can be moved along this.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention, as indicated in the claims, the object is based, a terminal arrangement for a low-voltage distribution with a To provide socket assembly, which is characterized by great security against accidental contact and characterized by easy mountability.

In the terminal arrangement according to the invention, the additional base as a plug-in base is formed and the terminal in an insulating material on the one Additional socket pluggable plug-in part arranged. It is achieved so that the Terminal block during the manufacture of the distributor and during assembly work on the Distributor now no longer needs to be fixed or loosened by screws, but it can now in a very simple manner by plugging the containing them Plug-in part on the plug-in additional socket and thus also on the fixed in this socket provided N or PE conductor rail. at The clamp can be easily removed by removing the additional socket and thus also be removed from the associated rail. As the clamp in an insulating material is at the same time also safe protection against unintentional Touching the terminal ensured

Since the additional base is designed as a plug-in base, this can be done by the rail withdrawn plug-in part forming a defined separation distance between Connection terminal and rail are fixed on the additional base. By subsequent removal and attachment to the rail, the separation line be closed again. The terminal arrangement therefore fulfills the function a circuit breaker. A previously required for the removal of the N-conductor rail Disconnector can therefore be omitted.

Connects to a terminal for the N-busbar Terminal after removing the male part from the additional socket and After attaching the PE conductor rail, the terminal is in the Separation position at the same time grounded, which helps to increase safety when working on Distributor contributes.

A good assurance of the terminal assembly against detachment of the male part is achieved when the additional socket and the insulating housing each one Connecting element is formed, and if these two fasteners when contacting the conductor rail by attaching the male part to the Additional socket cooperate to form a snap connection.

In a space-saving and easy to be solved snap connection is one of the two connecting elements as elastically deformable hook trained and is in terms of a simple disassembly option on the free End of the hook a stop for attaching a mounting tool is provided.

By further integrally formed on the additional base and on the insulating material Connecting elements, which when contacting the conductor rail through Attach the male part to the additional socket to form another one Snap together interact, the fuse of the male part is still additionally improved. It has proved to be advantageous, one of these other fasteners as elastically deformable hook and a so interacting other of these fasteners than from the hook form tangible edge.

For manufacturing reasons, it is advantageous that the insulating material of the male part is formed of two assembled housing halves, which abutting one another in a plane that is guided transversely to one of the rails. It can then into opposing inner surfaces of the housing halves Connecting element are formed, which when mating the Casing halves cooperate to form a clamp connection. moreover can be particularly easy in the inner surfaces mounts for storage of Molded terminal. In addition, then without big Effort in each housing half recesses to carry out a Contact tulip of the terminal and a first of the two conductor rails, to Implementation of a conductor, for carrying out a means for releasable Attach the conductor to the terminal and, if necessary, to the Implementation of a second of the two conductor rails may be provided. Further is it is then easily possible, on opposite sides of each Case half each guided in the direction of the additional base elastic deform deformable hook a snap connection.

A simple mounting and maintenance of the clamp assembly according to the invention and a quick backup of the male part is guaranteed when the Additional base normalized wells has to accommodate one of Ladder rails and the insertable transversely to the conductor rail male part and a guided parallel to the conductor rail and by an elastically deformable hook of the Plug-in part under the formation of a snap connection behind tangible edge.

To allow easy mounting of the additional socket in the distributor, are on one of its outer surfaces extends two in the insertion direction of the male part Guiding elements are formed, which are arranged and formed in such a way that when connecting the additional socket to the main socket in the manner of a Dovetail cooperate with a guide of the main socket.

By a arranged between the two guide elements Snap hook, which with plugged additional socket one edge of the Main socket base, the additional socket is more reliable and still easily releasable manner fixed to the main socket.

To accommodate the terminal assembly according to the invention also on a already existing mounting rail of the low-voltage distributor allow, in addition to a remote from the wells Surface of the additional base Fastening elements for snapping the Be provided fastening rail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig.1

eine Ausführungsform einer Klemmenanordnung nach der Erfindung in perspektivischer Ansicht mit drei gleichartigen, jeweils eine Anschlussklemme enthaltenden Steckteilen S, einem Zusatzsockel Z und zwei Leiterschienen N und PE,

Fig.2

eine Aufsicht von rechts auf einen quer zu den Leiterschienen an Stellen II geführten Schnitt durch die Klemmenanordnung nach Fig.1,

Fig.3

eine Aufsicht von links auf eine einen quer zu den Leiterschienen an den Stellen II geführten Schnitt durch eine erste Ausführungsform eines der Steckteile der Klemmenanordnung nach Fig.1,

Fig.4

eine Aufsicht von links auf eine einen quer zu den Leiterschienen an den Stellen II geführten Schnitt durch eine zweite Ausführungsform eines der Steckteile der Klemmenanordnung nach Fig.1,

Fig.5

in perspektivischer Ansicht eine Teildarstellung eines den Zusatzsockel nach Fig.1 enthaltenden Sockelsystems für einen Niederspannungsverteiler,

Fig.6

eine andere perspektivischer Ansicht des Zusatzsockels des Sockelsystems nach Fig.5 und einer diesen Sockel tragenden Befestigungsschiene,

Fig.7

eine vorwiegend die Unterseite des gesamten Sockelsystems nach Fig.5 zeigende perspektivische Ansicht,

Fig.8

eine Ansicht eines Teils der Unterseite des Sockelsystems nach Fig.7, und

Fig.9

in perspektivischer Ansicht die Klemmenanordnung nach Fig.1, bei der statt dreier gleichartiger nunmehr drei unterschiedlich ausgebildete Steckteile vorgesehen sind.

Preferred embodiments of the invention and the advantages that can be achieved thereby are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings. Hereby shows:

Fig.1

an embodiment of a terminal assembly according to the invention in a perspective view with three similar, each containing a terminal plug-in parts S, an additional base Z and two conductor rails N and PE,

Fig.2

a top view from the right on a cross-section to the conductor rails at points II through the terminal arrangement of Figure 1,

Figure 3

a top view from the left on a cross-section to the conductor rails at the points II guided section through a first embodiment of one of the plug-in parts of the terminal assembly of Figure 1,

Figure 4

a top view from the left on a cross-sectional to the conductor rails at the points II guided section through a second embodiment of the plug-in parts of the terminal assembly of Figure 1,

Figure 5

1 is a perspective view of a partial view of a base system for a low-voltage distribution board containing the additional base according to FIG.

Figure 6

another perspective view of the additional base of the base system of Figure 5 and a base carrying this mounting rail,

Figure 7

5 is a perspective view showing predominantly the underside of the entire base system according to FIG.

Figure 8

a view of a portion of the underside of the base system of Figure 7, and

Figure 9

in a perspective view of the clamp assembly of Figure 1, in which instead of three similar now three differently shaped plug-in parts are provided.

WAYS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In all figures, like reference numerals designate like-acting parts. A 1 is a part of a low-voltage distributor. This distributor also has not one in the figure in addition to the terminal arrangement shown main socket for the installation of phase conductor rails and the Plugging in devices. The clamp assembly includes an additional socket Z for receiving a protective PE and a neutral conductor rail N. Analogous to not shown main socket is also the additional base Z as a socket is trained. With the reference symbol S are three identically formed Plug parts referred to, each having an insulating 1 and a therein arranged and with one of the conductor rails PE or N contactable (from Fig.1 not apparent) terminal have. The furthest to the right in FIG arranged plug-in part S is inserted into the additional base Z. The Isolierstoffgehäuse 1 of the male part S forms a detachable with the additional base Snap connection. The not apparent from Fig.1 terminal contacted then the protective conductor rail PE or the neutral conductor rail N. The in Fig.2 am Farthest left plug part is inserted into the additional base Z, without Contact one of the rails N or PE. Between the rail is PE or N then formed a defined separation distance. The male part S and the rails PE and N holding additional base Z thus form a circuit breaker whose Switch-on position by the rightmost plug-in part and its Off position represented by the farthest on the left plug-in part is. The mating process when resp. Turning off the circuit breaker, the Position of the arranged in the middle third plug-in part can be removed.

Contains the plug-in part in the closed position with the neutral conductor rail N contacted terminal, so this terminal when plugging the Plug-in part from the switch-on to the open position with the protective conductor rail PE be contacted. Consumers connected to the terminal are then grounded via the protective conductor rail PE.

From Fig.2 it can be seen how the insulating material 1 of the male part S in the Closed position with the additional base Z forms a snap connection. For this Snap connection is located at the bottom left and parallel to the Ladder rails PE and N extended edge of the predominantly cuboid formed insulating material 1, an elastically deformable hook 2 formed. To an outer surface of the additional base Z is an engageable behind by the hook 2 and formed parallel to the conductor rails PE and N aligned edge 3. At the Contact the conductor rail PE or N by attaching the plug S to the additional base Z, the hook is elastically deformed slightly until he the edge 3 engages behind to form a snap connection. The male part S is then fixed on its left side on the additional base. At the free end of the Hook 2 is a stop 4 for applying a dashed line Mounting tool, such as a screwdriver 5, provided. For disassembly is the screwdriver 5 from above against the stop 4 in the Terminal arrangement introduced. The screwdriver is now by the fitter right (big) arrow tilted. Since the hook 2 against the vertical something after is set back to the right, the pivot point of the tilting movement is at the base of the Hook 2 on the housing 1. The point of contact of the screwdriver 5 on the Stop 4 is now guided against the big arrow to the left (small arrow) and so the snap connection lifted again.

At the lower right edge of the insulating material 1 is a as elastically deformable hook 6 formed connecting element another Snap connection molded. This hook acts when inserting the male part S in the additional base with a parallel to the conductor rails PE and N. aligned and located inside edge 7 of the additional base together. When contacting the conductor rail by attaching the male part to the Additional socket is formed so another snap connection, which the right Fixed side of the male part in the additional socket.

As can be seen from Fig.1, the insulating material 1 of the male part of two assembled housing halves 10, 11 formed. The housing halves 10, 11 border each other in a plane guided transversely to the conductor rails PE and N. From Figures 2 to 4 it can be seen that in opposite to each other Inner surfaces of the housing half 10 and 11 as knobs 100 or as openings 110 formed connecting elements are formed, which at Mating the housing halves 10 and 11 to form a Clamping connection with the opposite connecting elements interact.

in the inner surfaces of the housing parts 10 and 11 are brackets 101 and 111, respectively formed for the storage of one of the figures 3 and 4 apparent Terminal 8, containing a contact tulip 80, a conductor piece 81 and a Schraubanschluss 82. The contact tulip 81 may in the manufacture of the Terminal 8 shifted on the conductor piece 81 and then approximately through Welding or soldering are fixed. It can do so in a simple way Terminals for the PE conductor rail (Fig.3) and the N-conductor rail (Fig.4) manufactured and installed in the insulating material 1.

In each housing half 10, 11 two material recess are provided (in the Figures 3 and 4 denoted by the reference numerals 112 and 113, respectively). These Material recesses are used to carry out the N or PE conductor rail and the implementation of the PE conductor rail contacting contact tulip 80th (FIG. 3) or the contact tulip 80 contacting the N-conductor rail (FIG. 4). A Further material recesses 114 (see FIGS. 1, 3 and 4) serve to carry out the process an unillustrated conductor to a consumer. There is also one Marerialausnehmung 115 provided by which a screwdriver for releasably securing the conductor to the screw 82 are performed can.

From Figures 1, 5 and 6 it can be seen that the additional base Z normalized Has depressions which transverse to the conductor rails PE and N aligned partitions 9 are limited. In the intermediate walls 9 are Openings 90 (Figures 5 and 6) are provided, which is the support of the conductor rails PE and N serve. At the beginning and at the end of the additional base Z arranged Partitions have the openings upwardly closing lugs 91. As a result, the conductor rails are secured against falling out. The walls 9 are arranged one another at a defined uniform distance. The normalized Widths having plug-in parts S can then after plugging in the Additional base Z can be fixed immovably in the direction of the conductor rails.

Figures 5, 7 and 8 show a socket system of a Low-voltage distribution board with the additional base Z. This additional socket is on snapped on a main socket H of the distributor. Can be integrated in the main socket Phase and neutral busbars as well as plugged in standardized parts, as above All switching devices, supply blocks or surge arresters are just as little as the installable in the additional base conductor rails as well as parts which can be plugged into the base and, above all, terminals. On an outer surface of the additional base are in the insertion direction of the male part extended guide elements 30 integrally formed. Two of these guide elements are mirror-symmetrical to a perpendicular to the conductor rails extended plane, which by a to an outer surface of the additional base molded snap hook 31 is guided. These with the reference E marked plane is apparent from Fig.8. The two to each other mirror-symmetrical guide elements 30 are arranged and are formed so that they plug in the additional socket to the main socket in the manner of a swallowtail with a guide of the main pedestal interact. This is best seen from the view of FIG below, from which the intermeshing of two pairs of Guide elements 30 and 32 can be seen. Two mirror-symmetrical mutually arranged pairs of guide elements 30, 32 act according to Art a swallowtail guide together. During assembly, the Guide elements 30 of the additional base Z to form the Dovetail guide from above into the guide elements 32 of the Main socket H plugged in and led down to the figures not apparent attacks of the guide elements 30 on the upper ends of the Guide elements 32 rest. The during the run down on one Outer surface of the main base H resting on the formation of bias Snap hook 31 then engages behind an edge 33 molded into the outer surface and thus fixes the additional socket on the main socket. According to the hook 2 is also in the hook 31, a stop 34 for applying a mounting tool molded (Fig.6).

On the underside of the additional base fasteners 40, 41 for Snapping a mounting rail M provided. This mounting rail is required if the additional socket is not connected to the main socket becomes. The fasteners 40 are on one side of the Attached rail and engage behind this on its back. On the other side of the mounting rail M put on the guide elements 30th molded lugs 41 (Figures 2 and 7), which the mounting rail side lead, and now fulfilling a second function snap hook 31, which the Fastening rail engages behind (Fig.6), the fixing of the additional socket to the Rail M sure.

It can be seen from FIG. 9 that the plug-in parts S can be designed differently. If a connecting terminal built into a plug-in part S _{1 has} to carry large currents, then the two-part insulating housing can be twice as wide and higher than the insulating housing of a plug-in part S ₂ designed to carry smaller currents. At the side facing away from the side 114 containing the recess 114, the insulating material housing 1 has a recess, not visible in FIG. 9. Through this recess, a side wall of the additional base is guided, which otherwise adjoins the insulating material housing at the smaller plug-in part S ₂ . On a side wall of the plug-in parts may also be provided a field 120 for attaching a label. The insulating material of the male parts are generally made of a temperature-resistant thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic. The housings can therefore be easily colored, for the neutral conductor N, for example, blue and for the protective conductor PE, for example, green and yellow. In addition to a plug-in part designed as a terminal and, for example, switch-disconnector functions, it is also possible to use plug-in parts which perform other functions. Thus, for example, a designed as an empty housing plug-in part can be used, which serves to separate two conductor rail sections of the N-conductor rail from each other. It is also possible that the plug-in part is a cover, which optionally carries a mounting rail profile (plug S ₃ according to Figure 9), on which parts with additional functions, such as surge arresters or current and voltage converter, can be snapped.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

e

level

H

main base

M

mounting rail

N

Neutral bar

PE

Neutral rail

S, S ₁ , S ₂

Steckteile

Z

additional base

1

Insulated

2

hook

3

edge

4

attack

5

screwdriver

6

hook

7

edge

8th

terminal

9

partition

10, 11

housing halves

30

guide elements

31

snap hooks

32

guide elements

33

edge

34

attack

40, 41

fasteners

80

Contact tulip

81

conductor piece

82

screw connection

90

openings

91

nose

100

Connecting elements, nubs

101

brackets

110

Connecting elements, openings

111

brackets

112-115

recesses

120

labeling field

Claims (12)

1. Terminal arrangement for a low-voltage distribution board having an additional socket (Z), arranged outside a main socket (H) of the distribution board, for the purpose of accommodating a protective (PE) and/or neutral conductor bar (N) and having at least one connection terminal (8), it being possible for contact to be made between said connection terminal (8) and one of the two bars, characterized in that the additional socket (Z) is in the form of a plug socket, and in that the connection terminal (8) is arranged in a dielectric enclosure (1) of a plug part (S, S₁, S₂) which can be plugged onto the additional socket (Z).
2. Terminal arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the plug part (S, S₁, S₂) can be plugged onto the additional socket (Z) in two defined positions such that contact is made between the connection terminal (8) in the first position and one of the two bars (N, PE), and the connection terminal (8) in the second position forms a defined isolating path with the bar (N, PE).
3. Terminal arrangement according to Claim 2, characterized in that, in the case of a connection terminal (8) for the neutral conductor bar (N), contact is made between the connection terminal (8) in the second position and the protective conductor bar (PE).
4. Terminal arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in each case a first connecting element (2, 3) is integrally formed on the additional socket (Z) and on the dielectric enclosure (1), the two said first connecting elements (2, 3) interacting when contact is made with the conductor bar (N, PE) by the plug part (S, S₁, S₂) being plugged onto the additional socket (Z) so as to form a first snap connection.
5. Terminal arrangement according to Claim 4, characterized in that a first (2) of the two first connecting elements (2, 3) is in the form of an elastically deformable hook (2).
6. Terminal arrangement according to Claim 5, characterized in that a stop (4) is provided on the free end of the hook (2), and an assembly tool (5) is placed on said stop (4).
7. Terminal arrangement according to one of Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that in each case a second connecting element (6, 7) is integrally formed on the additional socket (Z) and on the dielectric enclosure (1), the two said second connecting elements (6, 7) interacting when contact is made with the conductor bar (N, PE) by the plug part (S, S₁, S₂) being plugged onto the additional socket (Z) so as to form a second snap connection.
8. Terminal arrangement according to Claim 7, characterized in that a first of the two second connecting elements (6, 7) is in the form of an elastically deformable hook (6).
9. Terminal arrangement according to either of Claims 7 or 8, characterized in that a second (3) of the two first (2, 3) and/or a second (7) of the two second connecting elements (6, 7) are in the form of edges (3, 7) which can be engaged behind.
10. Terminal arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least two guide elements (30), which extend in the insertion direction of the plug part (S, S₁, S₂), and which are arranged and formed such that they interact with guide elements (32) of the main socket (H) in the manner of a dovetail when the additional socket (Z) is plugged onto the main socket (H), are integrally formed on one outer face of the additional socket.
11. Terminal arrangement according to Claim 10, characterized in that a snap hook (40), which engages behind an edge of the main socket (H) when the additional socket (Z) is plugged on, is arranged between the two guide elements (30) of the additional socket (Z).
12. Terminal arrangement according to Claim 10, characterized in that fixing elements (40, 41) are provided on a face which faces away from the depressions for the purpose of snapping on a fixing bar (M).

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