EP2070161B1 - Installation switching device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a service switching device having a housing and having a screwless terminal connection with a clamping spring for connecting connection conductors, which is fixed in position in a terminal connection space of the housing, according to the preamble of claim 1.

A generic installation switching device may be, for example, a circuit breaker, a residual current circuit breaker, a motor protection switch or the like. It comprises within its housing at least one contact point with at least one fixed and one movable contact piece, via which a current path leading from an input terminal to an output terminal can be opened and closed. The contact point is generally operated by a rear derailleur with Verklinkungsstelle. A generic service switching device may further comprise tripping devices, for example a thermal release or a magnetic quick release, which act on the contact point or the rear derailleur when a short circuit or fault current occurs in the current path, so that the contact point is opened.

For connection with external connection conductors, screw-type terminal connections are used in addition to screw terminals in generic service switching devices. Clamping elements can be plug-in terminals or spring-loaded terminals. In principle, these can greatly simplify the connection of connecting conductors, but today known installation switching devices with screwless terminal connections are still subject to considerable use restrictions.

From the EP 1 432 077 a generic service switching device with a screwless terminal connection is known in which the terminal connection space is open to the narrow side of the housing and is covered with a corresponding width in the width of the housing cover. The cover is clipped onto the narrow side of the housing on this. To the terminal connection according to EP 1 432 077 For example, rigid conductors can be inserted without tools, but the insertion of flexible conductors and the removal of conductors from the terminal connection requires the use of a tool.

From the EP 1 089 379 is a generic installation switching device with a separately molded on the housing clamping spring housing, in which the conductors without using a tool and can be performed. Due to the separately molded clamping spring housing, the structure is very complex and beyond limited to the use of spring terminals.

The EP 1 124 286 shows a generic installation switching device with plug-in terminals, which, however, are housed in a separate terminal block, the terminal block must be subsequently infected to the switching device. In this respect, the solution shown here is very complex and requires additional Ansteckteile to the service switching device, so that no standardized unit housing can be used. Continue on EP 1 675 218 A1 referring to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a generic service switching device in which the terminal connection is designed in a simple and cost-effective manner so that the tool-free insertion and removal of leads is possible.

The object is achieved by a generic service switching device with the characterizing features of claim 1. According to the invention, the terminal connection space is laterally bounded by the housing broad sides and at least open to the front front side, wherein the opening of the terminal connection space is covered by a terminal connected pivotally connected to the housing terminal cover. The terminal cover member has a pad having a number of terminal holes corresponding to the number of terminal leads to be terminated, and lead terminal formed lead conductors for each lead terminal.

According to an advantageous embodiment, spring actuating means are integrally formed on the cover part and designed so that they act on the clamping spring during opening of the cover part in an opening manner.

The terminal connection of a service switching device according to the invention comprises very few components, namely essentially only the clamping spring, a busbar with a clamping edge against which the clamping spring clamps the connecting conductor to be connected, and the cover. It is therefore very easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

• Die an dem Abdeckteil an jeder Anschlussöffnung angeformten Führungsmittel sorgen für die Führung des Anschlussleiters hin zur Anschlussklemme in dem gewünschten Einführungswinkel. Weder die Stromschiene, noch die Klemmfeder selbst brauchen weitere Führungsmittel zur Führung des Anschlussleiters vorzuweisen.
• Mehrere Anschlussleiter werden durch mehrere Anschlussöffnungen eingeführt und dabei gleichzeitig auseinander gehalten. Somit ist auch bei mehreren anzuklemmenden Leiterenden ein individuelles Einführen jedes einzelnen Leiterendes möglich, ohne dass auf Seiten der Klemmfeder oder der Stromschiene weitere Maßnahmen zum Auseinanderhalten der einzelnen Leiter erforderlich sind.
• Durch die gemäß einer weiteren vorteilhaften Ausführungsform an dem Abdeckteil angeformten Federbetätigungsmittel kann das Abdeckteil gleichzeitig zum Öffnungswerkzeug für die Klemmfeder werden. Ein separates Betätigungswerkzeug, beispielsweise ein Schraubendreher, ist nicht mehr erforderlich, um die Klemmfeder zu öffnen. Dadurch wird das Einführen und das Entnehmen von Anschlussleitern stark vereinfacht.

The cover is designed to perform several functions in a component:

• The integrally formed on the cover at each port opening guide means to guide the lead to the terminal in the desired insertion angle. Neither the busbar, nor the clamping spring itself need to show further guidance means for guiding the connecting conductor.
• Several connection conductors are inserted through several connection openings while at the same time kept apart. Thus, even with several conductor ends to be clamped, an individual insertion of each individual conductor end is possible without further measures being required on the side of the clamping spring or the busbar to keep the individual conductors apart.
• By means of the spring actuating means formed on the cover part according to a further advantageous embodiment, the cover part can simultaneously become the opening tool for the clamping spring. A separate operating tool, such as a screwdriver, is no longer required to open the clamping spring. This greatly simplifies the insertion and removal of leads.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the terminal cover is resiliently acted upon by the clamping spring counter to the insertion direction of the external connection conductor and pressed against the clamping spring. In this case, in a particularly advantageous manner, the cover by the clamping spring against serving as a stop Projection of the housing wall to be resiliently acted upon. Thus, the terminal cover is held by the resilient application of the clamping spring in a defined starting position. The starting position is the closed position of the clamping spring.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring actuating means are formed by the integrally formed on each connection opening guide means for the connection conductors. This can be realized, for example, by virtue of the fact that the guide means for the connection conductors are tube-like hollow bodies which point from the inside of the cover part to the clamping spring and thereby form an insertion channel for the connection conductors. The terminal cover can then be made particularly simple and can be produced for example as a cost-effective injection molded part.

For the pressure actuation of the terminal cover part it can be provided that the terminal cover part has an externally accessible, manually operable pressure surface.

In order to ensure access to the terminal connection in the operating state, so after the final assembly of the service switching device in a simple manner for a voltage tester, the terminal cover can have a test opening for electrical contacting of Klemmmenanschlusses.

With regard to the spatial arrangement of the connection surface relative to the front side of the housing and the guide means relative to the connection surface, a possible embodiment of the invention provides that the connection surface of the terminal cover part runs approximately parallel to the rear front side and the guide means are inclined with respect to the connection surface of the terminal cover part. The angle of inclination for the guide means is to be selected according to the fact that the connection conductors in the series installation of a service switching device according to the invention, for example in a distribution box, remain easily accessible and connecting leads are not bent too much upwards.

A further advantageous embodiment provides in this respect that the terminal surface of the terminal cover part inclined relative to the rear front side and the guide channels extend approximately perpendicular to the connection surface. The angle at which the leads are inserted relative to the spring clip, is determined in this embodiment by the inclination angle of the guide channels.

It would of course also a combination of the above two options are conceivable in which both the connection surface of the terminal cover opposite the rear front side, and the guide channels are inclined relative to the connection surface.

In order to enable, on request, for reasons of redundancy, in addition, the actuations of the spring clamp by an external tool, according to a further embodiment of the service switching device according to the invention, the terminal cover having an engagement opening for an actuating tool. Through this engagement opening can then be spent with the actuating tool, such as a screwdriver, the clamping spring in its open position.

According to an advantageous embodiment, with the free, the front facing end of a first body part of the terminal cover pivotally coupled a closure member which covers the terminal connection space on the front side in cooperation with a housing-fixed front end, wherein upon actuation of the terminal cover the closure member with the housing-side front end at least partially overlaps.

The closure part and the housing-fixed part of the front together make up the front. The closure member thus acts in addition to the fixed part of the housing as klemmenabdeckteilseitiges part of the front.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the closure part is plate-shaped. It may advantageously be made in the same injection molding process as the terminal cover.

Especially advantageous is an embodiment in which the closure part is coupled to the terminal cover part by means of a hinge, for example a film hinge. Such a film hinge can be produced very inexpensively by injection molding.

Another very advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the closure part is guided on laterally projecting guide pin in a housing-fixed, backdrop-like guide parallel to the front side slidably. The Closure is then overlapped with the housing-side part of the front and slidably guided. As a result, it can be pivoted and moved behind the housing-side part of the rear front side when the terminal cover part is actuated. Thus, a tight covering of the terminal receiving space is ensured to the front side with simultaneous movement of the terminal cover and mechanical stability of the rear front.

By attaching the hinge to the closure part, this can save space to move parallel to the front in a backdrop-like leadership.

A further very advantageous development of the invention is characterized in that the terminal cover carries a distance surface adjacent to the connection surface, which forms in the region of the narrow side of the terminal cover side closure of the terminal receiving space, wherein the closure member is pivotally coupled to the front facing the end of the spacer surface. This makes it possible to move the pad in one of the mounting side closer part of the narrow side wall of the switching device, if this is required due to a predetermined arrangement of the terminals in the interior of the switching device near the mounting side.

According to a particularly advantageous development of this embodiment, the spacer surface is designed to be stiff. Thus, a power transmission to the spring of the terminal is also possible by pressing the terminal cover over the spacer surface. This is advantageous if the pressure surface of the terminal cover is due to the location of the terminal very close to the mounting side of the switching device in the installed position of the switching device, for example, in an installation distributor, by an operator is difficult to access. The distance surface can thus be used in a region which is not covered by a connecting conductor, as a second pressure surface for actuating the spring.

In a particularly advantageous further embodiment of the invention, the spacer surface carries an engagement opening for an actuating tool. The terminal can thus be operated via the terminal cover either manually or by means of a tool.

According to a further, very advantageous embodiment of the invention, the closure part consists, at least in the region of the coupling with the first part body, of a material which has different mechanical properties than the first part body of the terminal cover part.

Again, the closure part covers the terminal connection space on the front side in cooperation with a housing-fixed front side end, wherein upon actuation of the terminal cover part, the closure part at least partially overlaps the housing-fixed front side end.

The closure part and the housing-fixed part of the front side together form the front side. The closure member thus acts in addition to the fixed part of the housing as klemmenabdeckteilseitiges part of the front.

In this case, an embodiment in which the hinge and the closure part in the region of the hinge is made of a material which has different mechanical properties than the first partial body of the terminal cover part is particularly advantageous.

By virtue of the fact that the closure part, at least in the region of the coupling with the first part body of the terminal cover part, consists of a material with different mechanical properties than the latter, the resilient properties of the closure part and its coupling to the first part body can be determined independently of those of the first part body of the terminal cover part optimized for the intended use. This is particularly advantageous if other, sometimes even opposite, mechanical requirements are placed on the first part body of the terminal cover part than on the closure part.

This can then be the case when the terminal cover at an actuation, ie a pivoting into the interior of the switching device inside, simultaneously actuates the clamping spring against its restoring spring force opening.

This can be effected, for example, by spring actuation means integrally formed on the terminal cover part in a suitable position and acting on the clamping spring when the terminal cover part pivots.

In this case, the first part body of the terminal cover member must have high rigidity so that the force for opening the clamp spring can be transmitted without deformation of the terminal cover member.

However, the closure member should be flexible, but at least flexible coupled to the first part of the body of the terminal cover so that it can slide to save space in the backdrop-like guides behind the housing-side front end when pivoting the terminal cover.

During pivoting of the terminal cover part into the interior of the device, the angle between the closure part and the first part body of the terminal cover part will inevitably change.

Because the closure part should be as parallel as possible to the housing-fixed front end. However, the angle between the first sub-body of the terminal cover and the housing-fixed front end changes during pivoting of the terminal cover. Therefore, a mobility of the closure part relative to the first part body of the terminal cover part is required at the coupling point, which can only be achieved by a flexibility of the material at this point.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spacer surface is designed stiff, and the closure part is at least in the region of the coupling with the spacer surface made of a soft material, which is softer than the spacer surface executed.

Thus, the two conflicting requirements for different body parts of the terminal cover are met. A single component, the terminal cover part, has different material properties in certain areas. Due to the stiff part of the range, a power transmission to the spring of the terminal is also possible by operating the terminal cover over the spacer surface. The closure part, the second part, can nevertheless turn easily and move parallel to the front panels and behind them.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the terminal cover part is produced with the closure part coupled thereto in a two-component injection molding process. In this process, materials with different mechanical properties, such as hard and soft plastics, can be joined together in injection molding.

With regard to an advantageous embodiment of the terminal connection, an installation switching device according to the invention has a force acting on the conductor end as a compression spring Clamping spring for clamping the conductor end to an abutment, wherein the clamping connection comprises a bus bar with a connection end and an adjoining discharge region. At the connection end, the busbar has a window-like recess with a supporting edge and a clamping edge opposite the supporting edge at the transition of the connection end into the diverting region. The clamping spring also has a support leg, with which it is supported on the support edge of the busbar. At the support leg includes a curved piece and a clamping leg, so that the conductor end between the clamping leg and the clamping edge is clamped as an abutment. The conductor end can be inserted from the side of the elbow piece into the window-like recess.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a first partial clamping leg adjoins the curved piece, which merges at a bending edge into a second partial clamping leg bent from the first partial clamping leg, so that the first and the second partial clamping legs form an obtuse angle occupy, the opening points in the insertion direction of the connecting conductor.

The obtuse angle between the first and the second partial clamping legs offers the advantage that the point of application can be placed in the vicinity of the spring actuating means in the vicinity of the bending edges. Thereby, the contact point of the spring actuating means may have a greater distance to the pivot point of the clamping leg on the elbow without the thereby achievable maximum terminal opening is smaller, and without the spring actuating means would be a connection conductor with a large cross section in the way. However, a greater distance between the contact point and the pivot point means a more favorable lever ratio and thus a lower actuation force for the user.

A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the busbar has approximately a U-shape, wherein the terminal end forms the one U-leg, and the diverting region is formed by the transverse web and the other U-leg. It can be provided at the free end of the other U-leg upstand for attaching further conductors that lead into the interior of the service switching device.

According to a further embodiment, at the free end of the other U-leg and a discharge bar may be formed. The discharge rail can be about run perpendicular to the other U-leg and the clamping edge opposite side of the terminal end may be supported on the discharge.

Another advantage of a service switching device according to the invention is that the dissipation region of the busbar can be used for electrical contacting during the calibration of the bimetallic strip. In previously known installation switching devices, the contact point for the calibration of the bimetallic strip is located at another location, outside the access area of the terminal connection, and is not accessible via the terminal connection. Since the calibration of the bimetallic strip can only take place in the fully assembled state, in the case of known service switching devices following the calibration, the separate access openings to the calibration contacts must be covered by additional cover parts.

This is not necessary in an installation switching device according to the invention. It is thus compared to the installation switchgear known in the art, both mounting parts - namely the additional cover - - saved as well as manufacturing steps in the assembly, so that there is a further advantage of the installation switching device according to the invention by the resulting simplification.

An inventive installation switching device can be fully assembled, except for the terminal cover. Now - by means of electrical contacting through the opening of the terminal terminal - the calibration of the bimetallic strip is made by the Ableitbereich the busbar is used as a calibration contact. After calibration, the terminal cover is placed, and thus completed the installation switching device. A separate cover for the calibration opening is no longer required.

Another advantage is given by the fact that due to the inventive design of the terminal connection of a service switching device according to the invention is designed so that it has only a small electrical resistance even with very narrow outer dimensions. This is achieved in that the bus bar in the discharge region between the clamping edge and the point at which another conductor is fixed, which leads into the interior of the service switching device, has a uniform width. This makes it possible to build installation switching devices according to the invention also in half standard module width.

According to DIN 43 880, a division unit a is defined for the installation width of service switching devices. According to this standard, the paving width is a whole number or half integer multiple of 17.5 mm, more precisely: a = n x (17.5 mm + 0.5 mm), n = 0.5; 1.5; 1.5; 2,0, ....

An installation switching device with a half standard module width thus has a mounting width of 9 mm.

In a further embodiment, to facilitate the clamping of two connecting conductors of the clamping legs of the clamping spring may be slotted longitudinally, so that two closely spaced, independently clampable part springs arise. Due to the fact that the two part springs lie close to each other, ie without a separating larger intermediate space or an intermediate web located approximately in the middle, a further contribution to a narrow design of the terminal connection is made, by which the terminal connection according to the invention in a service switching devices only one half standard module width can be installed.

Further advantageous embodiments and improvements of the invention and further advantages can be taken from the subclaims.

Reference to the drawings, in which 5 embodiments of the invention are illustrated, the invention and further advantageous refinements and improvements of the invention will be explained and described in detail.

Figur 1:

eine schematische Teilschnittansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Installationsschaltgerätes in einer ersten Ausführungsform,

Figur 2:

eine schematische Teilansicht des Installationsschaltgerätes gemäß Figur 1,

Figur 3a:

eine schematische Ansicht der Federkraftklemme des erfindungsgemäßen Installationsschaltgerätes nach Figur 1, im geschlossenen Zustand,

Figur 3b:

eine schematische Ansicht der Federkraftklemme des erfindungsgemäßen Installationsschaltgerätes nach Figur 1, im geöffneten Zustand,

Figur 4a:

eine schematische Teilansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Installationsschaltgerätes in einer zweiten Ausführungsform,

Figur 4b:

das Klemmenabdeckteil zur Verwendung mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Installationsschaltgerät nach Figur 4a,

Figur 5:

eine schematische Teilansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Installationsschaltgerätes in einer dritten Ausführungsform,

Figur 6:

eine schematische Ansicht einer Abwandlung der Federkraftklemme gemäß Figur 3a,

Figur 7:

eine schematische Teilschnittansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Installationsschaltgerätes mit einem Klemmenabdeckteil, an dem über ein Scharnier ein Verschlussteil gekoppelt ist, bei geschlossener Klemme, sowie

Figur 8:

eine schematische Teilansicht des Installationsschaltgerätes gemäß Figur 7, bei geöffneter Klemme in Betätigungsstellung,

Show it:

FIG. 1:

a schematic partial sectional view of a service switching device according to the invention in a first embodiment,

FIG. 2:

a schematic partial view of the service switching device according to FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3a:

a schematic view of the spring terminal of the installation switching device according to the invention FIG. 1 when closed,

FIG. 3b:

a schematic view of the spring terminal of the installation switching device according to the invention FIG. 1 , in the open state,

FIG. 4a

a schematic partial view of a service switching device according to the invention in a second embodiment,

FIG. 4b:

the terminal cover for use with the service switching device according to the invention according to FIG. 4a .

FIG. 5:

a schematic partial view of a service switching device according to the invention in a third embodiment,

FIG. 6:

a schematic view of a modification of the spring clamp according to FIG. 3a .

FIG. 7:

a schematic partial sectional view of a service switching device according to the invention with a terminal cover, to which a hinge is coupled via a hinge, with closed terminal, and

FIG. 8:

a schematic partial view of the service switching device according to FIG. 7 , with open terminal in operating position,

In the figures, identical or equivalent components or elements are to be understood in each case the same reference numerals, even if they are designed in slightly different form in various embodiments.

The FIG. 1 Thus, a partial sectional view of the terminal connection space 18 of a service switching device 1 according to the invention with the housing open. FIG. 2 shows a corresponding partial view with the housing closed. 3

The service switching device 1 has an insulating housing 3 formed from two housing parts 2 joined along a parting line 2a with a front front 4, a rear front 5, a fastening or connection side 6, a front narrow side 7, a rear narrow side 8, and 2 broad sides 9, from those in the view FIG. 2 only one is shown.

The terminal connection space 18 is laterally, ie towards the broad side, limited by the housing broad sides 9 of the insulating housing 3. Towards the front front side 4, an opening 20 of the terminal connection space 18 is formed by a recess in the rear front side of the housing part 2, through which opening in the terminal connection space 18 position-fixed terminal connection 10 for the connection of connecting conductors 14 is accessible. Due to a further recess on the rear narrow side 8 of the housing part 2, the opening 20 of the terminal connection space 18 extends beyond the abutting edges between the rear narrow side 8 and the rear front side 5, still into the rear narrow side 8. This has the advantage that increased flexibility is given for the connection direction of the connection conductor 14.

The terminal terminal 10 described below is a so-called plug-in terminal. It comprises a bus bar 102 and a clamping spring 12. The terminal connection 10 rests on a projection 110 formed in the inner side of the broad side 9 and is fixed in position in the terminal connection space 18 by means of webs 104 and pins 106, 108 in a manner known per se. The fixed in the terminal connection space 18 terminal terminal 10 is thus located in the region of the abutting edge between the rear narrow side 8 and the rear front side fifth

Specifically, the structure of the terminal terminal 10 in the FIGS. 3a and 3b shown. The busbar 102 comprises a connection end 112 and a subsequent discharge region 114. At the connection end 112, it has a window-like recess 116 with a support edge 118 and a clamping edge 120 opposite the support edge 118. The clamping edge 120 is located at the transition of the connection end 112 into the discharge region 114.

The clamping spring 12 has a support leg 212, with which it is supported on the support edge 118 of the bus bar 102. The support may be such that the support leg 212 has at its free end a raised edge, with which it partially surrounds the support edge 118 for the purpose of supporting.

At the support leg 212, a curved piece 214 and thereon a clamping leg 216 connects. The conductor end 16 of a connecting conductor 14 is inserted from the side of the elbow 214 ago in the window-like recess 116 and is clamped between the clamping leg 216 and acting as an abutment clamping edge 120. The free end of the clamping leg 216 passes through the window-like recess 116th

The clamping leg 216 of the clamping spring 12 is longitudinally slotted along a slot 2181, so that two independently clampable part springs 13a, 13b arise, with which two connection conductors can be clamped independently of each other. The slot 2181 is very narrow, it causes no spatial separation of the two part springs 13a, 13b. These are only independently bendable through the slot. However, the two part springs 13a, 13b are otherwise close to each other on their narrow longitudinal sides, so that no additional space between them is needed.

The busbar 102 has approximately a U-shaped basic shape, wherein the terminal end 112 forms the first U-leg, and the discharge region 114 is formed by a transverse web 220 and the second U-leg 222. At the free end of the second U-leg 222 a Aufkantung 224 is attached. At this Aufkantung 224 further connection conductors can be attached, with which the terminal connection 10 is connected to other modules within the switching device housing, such as the trigger assemblies. In particular, the connection conductors of this upstand can be welded or brazed, also screwing is possible.

In an alternative embodiment of a terminal connection, which in the FIG. 6 is shown, the upstand at the free end of the second U-leg 222 is extended to a discharge rail 226. The discharge rail 226 is thus positively connected to the second U-leg 222; it points approximately perpendicularly from this towards the window-like recess 116 and projects beyond it. At the free end of the discharge bar 226 is again a raised edge 228, then again welded on the connection conductors or riveted. The upstand can / but also be used directly as a terminal connection within the switching device use. Overall, the bus bar 102 according to this embodiment receives an outer contour, which is similar to the small letter "b". The terminal end 112 of the bus bar 102 is supported against the discharge bar 226. From the bus bar 102 and the discharge bar 226 so creates a closed terminal frame, which is stable in itself. This increases the mechanical stability of the terminal connection 10.

This results namely the advantage that the forces acting on the terminal connection 10 when inserting and releasing the connecting conductor forces are absorbed by this as a closed system, and thus forces on other elements of the service switching device, such as the housing can be reduced.

The busbar 102 can be produced cost-effectively and simply and in a wide variety of shapes, for example as a stamped and bent part in very large quantities.

Now back to the FIGS. 1 and 2 , The opening 20 of the terminal connection space 18 is covered by a terminal cover part 22 pivotally connected to the housing 3. The terminal cover 22 is formed approximately L-shaped, wherein the two legs are formed by angularly stacked cover plates.

The first cover plate covers the terminal connection space 18 toward the rear front side 5 and has a connection surface 24 with two connection openings 26, wherein a connection conductor 14 can be connected through each of the connection openings 26.

The second cover plate covers the terminal connection space 18 towards the rear narrow side 8 and has an externally accessible, manually operable pressure surface 230. At the free edge, the second cover plate has a semi-open, tubular cavity, with which it is rotatably mounted in a connected to the broad side 9 of the housing 3 pivot pin 232. By pressure on the pressure surface 230, the terminal cover part 22 can thus be pivoted about the free edge of the second cover plate in the direction of the clamping spring. Falling out of the cover 22 is prevented by serving as a stop projection 234 on the housing wall. In the example of FIG. 1 the projection 234 is mounted in each half of each of the two housing parts 2 at the abutting edge.

At the first cover plate of the cover member 22, aligned with the clamping spring 12, at each of the connection openings 26 tubular, an insertion channel forming hollow body 28 are attached. These serve as a guide means for the introduced terminal conductor 14, and as a spring actuating means 30. When the cover member 22 is pivoted by pressure on the pressure surface 230 about the pivot pin 232 in the direction of the clamping spring 12, the hollow body 28 press the clamping leg 216 in the clamping spring 12 of the clamping edge 120 of the bus bar 102 away, so that between the clamping edge 120 and the clamping leg 216 space for insertion of the stripped terminal conductor end 16 of the connecting conductor 14 is formed. FIG. 1 shows this state.

If the pressure surface 230 of the cover 22 is released again after insertion of the connection conductor end, then the clamping leg 216 of the clamping spring 12 presses the covering part 22 outward again due to its spring force via the hollow body 28 and at the same time clamps the end 16 of the connection conductor 14 against the clamping edge 120 the window-like recess 116.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 1 are in the pad 24 of the cover 22, two connection openings 26 present, and behind each connection opening 26 is integrally formed on the pad a tubular hollow body 28 as a guide means for the connection conductor and as a spring actuating means. Each connection opening 26 and each guide means 28 is assigned to one of the two partial clamping springs 13a, 13b, as they are formed by the slot 2181 in the clamping spring 12. So if two conductors are to be clamped, then a conductor 14 is inserted through each of the two connection opening 26 and clamped by in each case one of the partial clamping springs 13a, 13b. The separation and guidance of the connection conductors 14 takes place in the hollow bodies 28 serving as guide means for the connecting conductors 14, thus no separate guiding or separating devices are required at the terminal connection 10. In particular, it is not necessary to divide the recess 116 into two receiving spaces by means of a web. Nor is it necessary to separate the two partial clamping springs 13a, 13b by a large distance between the two. They can be with their narrow longitudinal side close together.

The terminal connection 10 can be made very narrow and simple, so that it can be installed in a service switching device half a module width.

It can be seen that a total of only three components are required: the busbar 102, the clamping spring 12 and the cover 22. This assembly is very simplified. By the spring force of the clamping spring 12, the cover member 22 is pressed in the state of rest to the outside against the projection 234, so that the cover always assumes a defined position in the idle state.

The cover thus fulfills two functions: once the functions of the leadership of the connection conductor and the second, the function of the spring actuating tool. Without external actuating tool for the clamping spring, both rigid and flexible conductor ends can be clamped with the device according to the invention and also removed again from the clamp.

Of course, in the pad 24 of the cover 22 also an additional slot could be present through which then an external tool for actuating the clamping spring 12 could be inserted therethrough.

In the pad 24 a test opening 236 is further attached. Through this test opening, the clamping spring 12 can be electrically contacted by means of a test probe.

In the in the FIG. 1 The guide means 28 are approximately perpendicular to the pad 24. The inclination angle at which the terminal conductor 14 is inserted into the terminal, that is determined by the inclination angle of the pad 24. An embodiment is also conceivable in which the connection surface 24 extends approximately parallel to the rear front side 5, and the guide means 28 are inclined with respect to the connection surface 24. Then, the inclination angle at which the leads 14 are inserted into the clamp is determined by the inclination angle of the guide means 28 opposite to the pad 24.

The cover 22 can be made very cheap as an injection molded plastic part in an injection process.

The FIGS. 4a, 4b, 5 show further variants of a service switching device according to the invention. It should be discussed only on the essential differences from those explained in the previous embodiments.

In the embodiment according to the FIGS. 4a and 4b the terminal connection space is lowered, that is arranged further away from the rear front side 5 in the direction of the attachment side 6 in the housing 3 of the service switching device 1. The resulting greater distance of the connection surface 24 from the rear front side 5 is compensated by a spacer surface 238, which is integrally formed on the cover part 22 as an additional partial surface following the connection surface 24. The spacer surface 238 carries at its free end a second control surface 240, which is aligned with inserted cover 22 in approximately the rear front side 5. The test opening 236 is here mounted in the second control surface 240. The lowering of the terminal connection space 18 brings further operating advantages when inserting the connection conductors 14. Via the second control surface 240, the terminal connection 10 can now also be actuated from the front side.

Furthermore, in the embodiment according to the FIGS. 4a and 4b the serving as a stop projection 234 attached laterally to the housing sides.

In the embodiment according to the FIG. 5 the terminal connection space is placed even deeper, so even further away from the rear front side 5 in the direction of the mounting side 6 out in the housing 3 of the service switching device 1 arranged. Here, the terminal cover part 22 has a web 242 pointing away from the connection surface perpendicularly between the two connection openings 26. The web 242 is also supported on the extended distance surface 238 of the cover 22 from. The web 242 serves to stiffen and thus to increase the mechanical strength. The cover 22 can also be made with the web 242 very cheap injection molding in an injection process.

The FIG. 7 shows a partial sectional view of the terminal connection space 18 of another installation switching device 1 according to the invention.

The service switching device 1 has an insulating housing formed from two housing parts 2 with a front side 304, a rear front side 305, a mounting side 6, a front narrow side 7, a rear narrow side 8, and two broad sides 9, of which in the view FIG. 1 only one, lying in the drawing plane, is shown.

The terminal connection space 18 is laterally, ie towards the broad side, limited by the housing broad sides 9 of the insulating housing 3.

Towards the front front side 304, an opening 20 of the terminal connection space 18 is formed through a recess in the rear front side 305 of the housing part 2, through which the terminal connection 10 fixed in position in the terminal connection space 18 is accessible for the connection of connection conductors 14. At the front narrow side 7, first a housing-side section 356 of the rear front side 305 connects. As a result, an opening 20 is formed on the rear front side 305 in the region between the end of the housing-side section 356 facing away from the front narrow sides 7 and the rear narrow side 8.

Due to a further recess on the rear narrow side 8 of the housing part 2, the opening 20 of the terminal connection space 18 extends over the abutting edges between the rear narrow side 8 and the rear front side 305 away still in the rear narrow side 8 inside. This has the advantage that increased flexibility is given for the connection direction of the connection conductor 14.

The terminal connection 10 described below substantially corresponds to the above in the Figures 1-6 already described terminal connection. It comprises a bus bar 102 and a clamping spring 312. The terminal connection 10 is fixed in position in the inside of the broad side 9 by means of webs 104 and pins 106, 108 in a manner known per se in the terminal connection space 18. The fixed in the terminal connection space 18 terminal terminal 10 is located in the region of the abutting edge between the rear narrow side 8 and the rear attachment side. 6

The busbar 102 of the terminal terminal 10 comprises a connection end 112 and a subsequent discharge region 114. At the connection end 112, it has a window-like recess 116 with a support edge 118 and a clamping edge 120 opposite the support edge 118. The clamping edge 120 is located at the transition of the connection end 112 into the discharge region 114.

The clamping spring 12 has a support leg 212, with which it is supported on the support edge 118 of the bus bar 102. The support can be made so that the Support leg 212 has at its free end a raised edge, with which it includes the support edge 118 for the purpose of supporting partially.

At the support leg 212, a curved piece 214 and thereon a clamping leg 216 connects. The conductor end of a connecting conductor (not shown here) is introduced from the side of the elbow 214 forth in the window-like recess 116 and is clamped between the clamping leg 216 and acting as an abutment clamping edge 120. The free end of the clamping leg 216 passes through the window-like recess 116th

The busbar 102 has approximately a U-shaped basic shape, wherein the terminal end 112 forms the first U-leg, and the discharge region 114 is formed by a transverse web 220 and the second U-leg 222. At the free end of the second U-leg 222 a Aufkantung 224 is attached. At this Aufkantung 224 further connection conductors can be attached, with which the terminal connection 10 is connected to other modules within the switching device housing, such as the trigger assemblies. In particular, the connection conductors of this upstand can be welded or brazed, also screwing is possible.

In the embodiment of a terminal terminal used in the FIG. 1 is shown, the upstand at the free end of the second U-leg 222 is extended to a discharge rail 226. The discharge rail 226 is thus positively connected to the second U-leg 222; it points approximately perpendicularly from this towards the window-like recess 116 and projects beyond it.

In this embodiment, a first partial clamping leg 217, which merges at a bending edge 219 in a second partial clamping limb 218 bent from the first partial clamping leg 217, initially adjoins the curved piece 214, so that the first and the second partial clamping legs 217 , 218 take an obtuse angle with each other. The opening of the obtuse angle points in the insertion direction of the connecting conductor, the bending edge 219 is located approximately in the middle of the clamping leg 216.

The opening 20 of the terminal connection space 18 is covered by a terminal cover part 22 pivotally connected to the housing part 2.

The terminal cover part 22 comprises a longitudinally extending in the direction of the rear narrow side 8, via a pivot pin 232 to the housing part 2 pivotally coupled first part body 322 and at its free end via a hinge 352 pivotally coupled closure member 354, which is approximately parallel to the rear front side 305th runs. To improve the mobility in the hinge 352 this is designed as a film hinge.

The first part body 322 includes a first cover plate 323 which covers the terminal connection space 18 in the lower part of the narrow side 8 adjacent to the attachment side 6 and which carries an approximately tubular counterpart to the hinge pin 232 with which it is pivotally coupled to the hinge pin is. The first cover plate 323 has an externally accessible, manually operable pressure surface 330.

Near the free end of the pressure surface 330, the first cover plate 323 is connected via a pointing into the housing intermediate piece 325 with a spacer surface 338, which also extends parallel to the rear narrow side 8 in the direction of the front side 305 and the terminal connection space 18 in the upper, adjacent to the rear front side 305 part of the narrow side 8 covers.

At the free end of the spacer surface 338 is the already mentioned film hinge 352 with the closure part 354 pivotally coupled thereto.

This is a plate which at least partially overlaps at its free end with the housing-side part 356 of the rear front side 305. The closure part 354 and the housing-side part 356 of the rear front side thus together form the rear front side 305.

At its free end, the closure member 354 carries laterally, in the direction of the broad sides 9 facing, projecting pins 358. In the housing near the housing-side part 356 of the rear front 305 a backdrop-like guide 360 is mounted, in such a way that the pins 358 included in the guide 360. Now, if the terminal cover 22 is pivoted by pressure on the pressure surface 330 in the direction of the device interior, the closure member 354 is slid behind the housing-side part 356 of the rear front side 305 and guided by the slide-like guide 360 parallel to this. The angle between the closure part 354 and the spacer surface 338 changes.

Thus, the closure member 354 and the spacer surface 338 form in the closed position in FIG FIG. 7 an acute angle with each other, which is open into the housing interior. In the position according to FIG. 8 When the terminal cover member 22 is pivoted into the housing interior, the closure member 354 and the spacer surface 338 form an obtuse angle with an opening into the housing interior.

Upon actuation of the terminal cover member and concomitant pivoting about the pivot pin 232, the closure member 354 and the spacer surface 338 also pivot against each other about the film hinge 352.

As a result of the attachment of the film hinge between the closure part 354 and the spacer surface 338, the closure part 354 can thus save space behind the housing-side part 356 of the rear front side 305 in order to save space.

The intermediate piece 325 has an outwardly directed connection surface 324. In the connection surface 324, at least one connection opening 26 is present. Starting from the connection opening 26, the intermediate piece 325 is penetrated by a tubular recess 28 which, starting approximately perpendicularly from the connection surface 324, penetrates the intermediate piece 325 and thus serves as guide means for a connection conductor to be connected to the terminal connection 10.

The connection conductor is guided through the connection opening 26 in the terminal cover part 22 and, after leaving the tubular recess 28, strikes the clamping leg 216 of the clamping spring 312.

If the connection conductor is a rigid conductor, then by means of the connection conductor alone the clamping leg 216 of the clamping spring 312 can be pushed far enough away from the clamping edge 120 that the connection conductor between the free end of the clamping leg 216 and the clamping edge 120 in the window-like recess 116 can be inserted and clamped.

In a flexible connection conductor, the window-like recess 116 must first be opened in another way.

This is done by pivoting the terminal cover 22nd

In the vicinity of the tubular recess 28, the terminal cover member 22 carries on the intermediate piece 325 a directed towards the clamping leg 216 toward nose 30, which serves as a spring actuating means.

The nose 30 can of course also be other protruding components or components, in particular the function of the nose 30 could also be formed by a collar which surrounds the outlet opening of the tubular recess 28.

By the restoring spring force of the clamping leg 216 of this presses the nose 30 and thus the terminal cover 22 to the outside.

By pressing on the pressure surface 330 or on the spacer surface 338, the terminal cover part 22 is pivoted inward, and the nose 30 pushes the clamping leg 216 far enough away from the clamping edge 120 that the window-like recess 116 for the insertion of the connecting conductor is released, see FIG. 8 ,

The nose 30 is formed on the terminal cover 22 and formed so that they act upon the pivoting of the cover against the clamping spring opening this close to the bending edge 219.

Due to their orientation in the way that they act upon opening the clamping spring near the bending edges opening during pivoting of the cover, less force is required in the opening operation of the terminal cover, with a consistently large opening area in the clamping window.

In a specific example, the first and second partial clamping legs 217, 218 form an angle of about 160 °. Opposite an otherwise unchanged clamping spring with straight, unbent clamping leg 216 halves the insertion force at the maximum terminal opening by inserting the angle.

Accordingly, the procedure for releasing a clamped connection conductor. Pressure on the terminal cover 22 releases in the manner described above, the deadlock between the clamping leg 216 and the connecting conductor, so that it can be pulled out of the window-like recess 116. Due to the above-described kinked design of the clamping leg 216 and the actuating force for releasing the connecting conductor is much lower.

Accordingly, the procedure for releasing a clamped connection conductor. Pressure on the terminal cover 22 releases in the manner described above, the deadlock between the clamping leg 216 and the connecting conductor, so that it can be pulled out of the window-like recess 116.

Alternatively, the opening movement of the terminal cover member 22 may also be effected by a commercially available slotted or Phillips screwdriver 364. For this purpose, it is placed on the spacer surface 338 at an acute angle into a receptacle opening 350 (slotted, cross-shaped or spherical recess) which is suitable for receiving, and the clamp is opened by a pressure movement with the screwdriver 364.

Even if in the representation according to the FIGS. 7 and 8th only one connection opening 26 and only one tubular recess 28 is shown, so of course two or more such connection openings and recesses for receiving and connecting a plurality of connection conductors in the intermediate piece 325 may be provided. All connected connection conductors can be connected with a common clamping spring via their clamping legs 216. Upon actuation of the terminal cover 22 then all connected conductors are released simultaneously and can be solved simultaneously.

The terminal cover part 22 with the first part body 322, the hinge 352 and the closure part 354 is in a further embodiment, but for the same FIGS. 7 and 8th as schematic drawings, of two material components with different mechanical properties.

These are connected together in a two-component injection molding process.

The result is a hard / soft connection. The hard component is the main ingredient. From her, the first part of body 322 is made. It serves to transmit the actuating forces to the clamping spring 312 and thereby prevent or at least minimize bending of the component.

In the region of the hinge 352 and the closure part 354, the soft component is used.

This allows easy hinge movement required to allow the above-described angle change of the angle between the closure member 354 and the first sub-body 322 to be easily adjusted upon actuation of the terminal cover member 22.

In this embodiment, the hinge 352 need not necessarily be a living hinge. Because the mobility of the hinge is ensured by the choice of a flexible material in the hinge area, not only by the thickness of the hinge.

A flexibility of the closure member 354 further contributes to the fact that, if it is displaced in the slide-like guide 360 in the direction of the front narrow side 7 parallel to the rear front side 305, could also bend slightly in itself, and thus even easier and can rest closer to the front narrow side 305.

Overall, this leads to a very tight guidance of the closure part 354 on the rear front side 305 and thus to a large space saving when pivoting the terminal cover part 322.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 Service switching device 2 Housing part, housing 3 casing 2a Parting line it 4 Front front 5 Rear front 6 mounting side 7 Front narrow side 8th Rear narrow side 9 broadside 10 Screwless terminal connection 12 clamping spring 13a, b partial spring 14 connecting conductors 16 Stripped connection conductor end 18 Terminal chamber 20 Terminal chamber opening 22 Cover part, terminal cover part 24 terminal area 26 port opening 28 Guide means, tubular recess 30 Spring actuator, nose 102 conductor rail 104 web 106 spigot 108 spigot 110 head Start 112 terminal end 114 discharge area 116 Window-like recess 118 supporting edge 120 clamping edge 212 support legs 214 elbow 216 clamping leg 217 First part clamping leg 218 Second part clamping leg 219 bending edge 220 crosspiece 222 Second U-thigh 224 backsplash 226 discharge bar 228 backsplash 230 print area 232 pivot pin 234 head Start 236 test opening 238 Distance area 240 second control surface 242 Insulating web 304 Front front 305 Rear front 312 clamping spring 322 First part body 323 First cover plate 324 terminal area 325 connecting piece 330 print area 338 Distance area 350 engagement opening 352 hinge 354 closing part 356 Housing-side part of the rear front 358 spigot 360 Sliding guide in the inner broadside 364 screwdriver 2181 slot

Claims (15)

1. Installation switching device (1), particularly a circuit breaker, fault-current circuit breaker, motor protection switch and the like, comprising a housing (3) with a front (4) and rear (5) face, a mounting side (6), front (7) and rear (8) narrow sides and wide sides (9), and with a screwless terminal connection (10) with a clamping spring (12) for the connection of connecting conductors (14), which is fixed in position in a terminal connection space (18) of the housing (3), the terminal connection space (18) being laterally limited by the wide housing sides (9) and being open at least to the front face (4), it being possible for the opening (20) of the terminal connection space (18) to be covered by a terminal cover part (22) which is connected with the housing (3), which has a terminal face (24) with a number of terminal openings (26) corresponding to the number of connecting conductors (14) to be connected and guide means (28), moulded onto each terminal opening (26), for the connecting conductors (14) characterized in that the terminal cover part is swivelably connected with the housing.
2. Installation switching device according to Claim 1, characterized in that spring actuating means (30) are moulded onto the cover part (22) and are arranged in such a manner that, when the cover part (22) is swivelled against the clamping spring (12), they load the latter in an opening manner.
3. Installation switching device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the guide means (28) for the connecting conductors (14) are tube-like hollow bodies forming a lead-in conduit which, at the same time, are used as spring actuating means (30) for the clamping spring (12).
4. Installation switching device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the terminal cover part (22) is resiliently loaded by the clamping spring (12) in opposition to the direction of insertion of the external connecting conductor (14), and can be pressed against the clamping spring (12) and in that the cover part (22) is resiliently loaded by the clamping spring (12) against a projection (234), used as stop, of the housing wall (2).
5. Installation switching device according to Claim 1, characterized in that a closing part (354) is coupled swivelably with the free end, pointing towards the front face, of a first part-body (322) of the terminal cover part (22), which covers the terminal connection space (18) at the front face (305) in collaboration with a housing-fixed front face end (356), the closing part (354) at least partially overlapping the housing-fixed front face end (356) on actuation of the terminal cover part (22).
6. Installation switching device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the closing part (354) is coupled to the terminal cover part (22) by means of a hinge (352).
7. Installation switching device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the closing part (354) is guided displaceably in a housing-fixed rocker-like guide (360) in parallel with the front face (304, 305) via laterally protruding guide pins (358).
8. Installation switching device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the terminal cover part (22) carries, following the terminal face (324), a spacing area (338) which forms the closure at the terminal cover part side of the terminal receiving space (18) in the area of the narrow side (8), wherein the closing part (354) is coupled swivelably at the end of the spacing area (338) pointing towards the front face.
9. Installation switching device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the closing part (354) consists, at least in the area of the coupling with the first part-body (322), of a material which has different mechanical properties than the first part-body (322) of the terminal cover part (22).
10. Installation switching device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the hinge (352) and the closing part (354) consist in the area of the hinge (352) of a material which has different mechanical properties than the first part-body (322) of the terminal cover part (22).
11. Installation switching device according to Claim 8, characterized in that the spacing area (338) is constructed to be rigid and that the closing part (354) is constructed to be softer than the spacing area (338) at least in the area of the coupling with the spacing area (338).
12. Installation switching device according to Claim 1, comprising a clamping spring (12) acting as compression spring on the conductor end, for clamping the conductor end (16) at an abutment, wherein

    - the terminal connection (10) comprises a conductor bar (102) with a connecting end (112) and an adjoining discharge area (114),

    - the conductor bar (102) has at the connecting end (112) a window-like opening (116) with a support edge (118), and a clamping edge (120) opposite the support edge (118), at the transition of the connecting end (112) into the discharge area (114),

    - the clamping spring (12) has a support leg (212) by means of which it is supported at the support edge (118) of the conductor bar (102), and

    - an arc piece (214) adjoins the support leg (212) and is adjoined by a clamping leg (216) so that the conductor end (16) can be clamped tight between the clamping leg (216) and the clamping edge (120) as abutment.
13. Installation switching device according to Claim 12, characterized in that the arc piece is adjoined by a first part-clamping leg which changes into a second part-clamping leg, bent away from the first part-clamping leg, at a bending edge so that the first and the second part-clamping leg assume an obtuse angle with one another, the opening of which points in the direction of insertion of the connecting conductor.
14. Installation switching device according to Claim 13, characterized in that the conductor bar (102) approximately has a U-shape, the connecting end (112) forming the one U-leg and the discharge area (114) being formed by a crossbar (220) and the other U-leg (222).
15. Installation switching device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a discharge bar (226) which extends approximately perpendicularly to the other U-leg (222) is mounted onto the free end of the other U-leg (222), and that the side of the connecting end (112) opposite the clamping edge (120) is supported at the discharge bar (226).

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