EP1658629B1 - Test pushbutton module - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a test pushbutton module (2) for a circuit breaker (1), particularly a residual current circuit breaker, comprising a housing (21), a resistor (26), an actuating element (24) that is associated with a first connector of the resistor (26), and a contact element (25) which can be moved by means of the actuating element (24). A second connector (28) of the resistor (26) leads out of the housing (21). Said second connector (28) is provided with a contacting part (29) that is to be detachably connected to a conductor, terminal (3), or similar.

Description

The invention relates to a Prüfastermodul for a circuit breaker, in particular for a residual current circuit breaker, comprising a housing, a resistor, a first connector of the resistor associated actuator and a movable means of the actuating element contact element, wherein a second connector of the resistor is guided out of the housing.

In residual current circuit breakers, it is customary to provide a Prüfastermodul with an actuating element, whereby an electrical contact between two terminals can be produced and a triggering of the residual current circuit breaker causing current flow is achieved via the Prüfastermodul. In this case, it is customary to assign a further resistance to the actuating element in order to ensure a limitation of the current flowing through the test probe module. A disadvantage of the known circuit breakers that the Prüfastermodul requires a high production cost of the circuit breaker.

EP 0 176 402 A discloses an electrical appliance with automatic power cutoff, the test pushbutton being constructed as a module with unspecified contacting of a resistor connected to the test button.

EP 0 295 167 A discloses a test unit for an electric differential protection apparatus with a corresponding resistance.

EP 0 325 071 A discloses a Prüfastermodul according to the preamble of Anpruchs 1, a Schutzgehalter according to the preamble of Anpruchs 11 and a method according to the preamble of claim 13, and relates to a protective device for electrical systems with a test button, which when actuated in contact with one end a resistance comes. Such a switching device is also apparent from JP 49 072661 A.

EP 0 352 680 A discloses a residual current circuit breaker with a test button, wherein a bent sheet metal part is provided, which is connected to a contact terminal and is resiliently supported on the test button. Upon actuation of the test button, one end of the sheet metal bending member is moved by the test button in the direction of resistance and brought into contact with it, whereby a current bridge is formed, and wherein conventional connection methods, such as soldering or welding can be dispensed with and a frictional contact is provided ,

EP 0352680A therefore discloses a connection according to the preamble of claim 5.

The object of the invention is to provide a Prüfastermodul of the type mentioned, which avoids the known disadvantages, has a high reliability, is easy to manufacture and allows easy production of the circuit breaker.

According to the invention this is achieved in that the second connection piece comprises a contact part for detachable connection with a conductor of a connection connection.

This results in the advantage that the test button module can be manufactured separately as an independent component and then od in a lower shell. Like. The circuit breaker can be used. The contacting of the test button module can be done when connecting an upper shell to the lower shell. Another advantage is that solder joints are not required for connecting the test button module, whereby the time required to connect the Prüfastermoduls can be kept very low. As a result, the probe button module, once inserted into the circuit breaker, is constantly, i. regardless of whether an actuator is depressed or not connected to the conductor or the terminal connection. Because this connection is releasable, e.g. ensures the interchangeability of the test button module.

In a further development of the invention can be provided that the contact part is formed adjacent to the housing. Thereby, the contact part can be supported on the housing and cooperating with the contact part in the assembled state of the circuit breaker element so that it exerts a force on the contact part in the direction of the housing, thereby reliably formed an electrically conductive contact and avoids the emergence of air gaps becomes. This can be done in particular by the provision of a spring element.

According to a further embodiment of the invention can be provided that the contact part is arranged on an end face of the housing, whereby the contact part can be particularly easily formed, in particular in a arranged in the longitudinal direction of the Prüfastermoduls resistor.

According to another embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the contact part and the actuating element are arranged on the same side of the housing, wherein the contact part is particularly well visible and controllable with open upper shell of the circuit breaker.

The invention further relates to a connection connection for a test button module of a circuit breaker, in particular a test button module mentioned above, wherein the connection connection a terminal with a the Prüfastermodul assigned Resistor in the closed state of the circuit breaker electrically conductively connects interruption, wherein a first contact surface is provided for releasable connection to the resistor.

In known circuit breakers with such a test probe module, it is common to connect the resistor by means of a flexible conductor to a terminal, the flexible conductor in particular allows the required movements of the Prüfastermoduls when connecting to the lower shell.

The object of the invention is to provide a connection of the above-mentioned type, in which the known disadvantages are avoided and which allows a simple and cost-effective production of the circuit breaker.

According to the invention this is achieved in that a second contact surface is provided for a detachable connection to the terminal.

As a result, the sequence of the process sequence during the production of the circuit breaker can be made particularly flexible. By providing a releasable connection of the connection connection with the Prüfastermodul the sequence of the procedure in the manufacture of the circuit breaker can be changed easily and the connection of the connection connection with the resistor in a later process step.

In a continuation of the invention, it can be provided that the first contact surface comprises at least two contact regions spaced apart from one another, the at least two contact regions being connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner. By forming a plurality of contact areas, the connection connection can be provided with a low material requirement for various embodiments of the circuit breaker, in which the connection terminal and the test button module are arranged differently.

In a further embodiment of the invention can be provided that a central region is provided for supporting the connection connection and the first contact surface is formed resiliently relative to the central region. Due to the resilient design, a frictional connection of the contact surface with the resistor can be ensured, whereby the reliability of the Prüfflastermoduls is improved.

In this context, it can be provided in a development of the invention that the second contact surface is resilient with respect to the central region, whereby a good electrical contact between the connection connection and the terminal can be ensured.

According to a further embodiment of the invention can be provided that the connection connection is designed as a sheet metal bent part. This represents a particularly simple and inexpensive to produce embodiment.

According to another embodiment of the invention can be provided that kinks comprehensive spring areas are provided, which in particular in a bent sheet metal part, the spring action can be easily ensured.

The invention further relates to a circuit breaker, in particular a residual current circuit breaker.

The object of the invention is to provide a circuit breaker of the type mentioned above, which is particularly simple and inexpensive to produce.

According to the invention this is achieved in that a test button module according to one of claims 1 to 4 and a connection connection according to one of claims 5 to 11 are provided.

This has the advantage that the Prüfastermodul can be made separately and used for a late process step in the circuit breaker and then the Prüfastermodul can be connected to the terminal.

In a further embodiment of the invention can be provided that a central region of the connection connection is receivable in a recess of an upper shell. As a result, the connection with the upper shell can be fixed and the connection with the test button module and the connection terminal can be made automatically when the upper shell is attached.

The invention further relates to a method for producing a circuit breaker, in particular a residual current circuit breaker, wherein a terminal and a Prüfastermodul according to one of claims 1 to 4 are arranged in a lower shell and the Prüfastermodul is connected to a resistor.

The object of the invention is further to provide a method for producing a circuit breaker of the type described above, which avoids the known disadvantages and is simple and inexpensive to carry out.

According to the invention this is achieved in that when placing an upper shell on the lower shell by means of a recorded from the upper shell terminal connection according to one of claims 5 to 10, an electrically conductive contact between the terminal and the resistor is formed.

This results in the advantage that the test probe module can be manufactured separately and arranged in a lower process step in the lower shell. Another advantage is that a separate process step is not required for the preparation of the connection between the terminal and the resistor and takes place automatically when placing the upper shell.

• Fig. 1 und 2 eine Schrägansicht auf ein erfindungsgemäßes Prüftastermodul, eine erfindungsgemäße Anschlussverbindung und eine Anschlussklemme in Betriebslage;
• Fig. 3 eine Schrägansicht auf die Anschlussverbindung nach Fig. 1 und
• Fig. 4 und 5 eine Schrägansicht einer Oberschale eines Schutzschalters mit einer Anschlussverbindung nach Fig. 1;
• Fig. 6 eine Schrägansicht einer Unterschale;
• Fig- 7 eine Draufsicht auf einen Schutzschalter; und
• Fig. 8 den Schutzschalter gemäß Fig. 7 im Schnitt entlang der Linie AA.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments are shown. Showing:

• 1 and 2 an oblique view of an inventive test button module, a connection according to the invention and a connection terminal in the operating position;
• Fig. 3 is an oblique view of the connection connection of FIG. 1 and
• 4 and 5 an oblique view of an upper shell of a circuit breaker with a connection connection according to Fig. 1;
• 6 is an oblique view of a lower shell;
• Fig. 7 is a plan view of a circuit breaker; and
• Fig. 8 shows the circuit breaker of FIG. 7 in section along the line AA.

1 and 2 an embodiment of a test button module 2 according to the invention for a circuit breaker, a connection connection 3 and a connection terminal 4 is shown. Such test button modules 2 are used in particular in residual current circuit breakers, but may also be provided in other types of circuit breakers. The terminal 4 is used for connecting conductors od. Like. To the fully assembled circuit breaker.

The test button module 2 has a housing 21, a resistor 26, an actuating element 24, which is assigned to a first connection piece of the resistor 26, and a contact element 25, which is movable by means of the actuating element 24. A second connecting piece 28 of the resistor 26 is guided out of the housing 21, which comprises a contact part 29 for detachable connection to a conductor, the connection connection 3 or the like.

In conventional manufacturing methods, the resistor 26 is connected by a flexible conductor to the terminal 4, wherein the flexible conductor with the terminal 4 and the resistor 26 is soldered. The soldering process, which is a thermal load on the components, is usually carried out in an early process step in the manufacture of the circuit breaker, wherein the resistor 26 to the flexible conductor is soldered and then manually the test button module 2 is assembled around the resistor 26.

With the contact part 29 for releasable connection, the Prüfastermodul can be made separately and then introduced into the circuit breaker, whereby the manufacturing process of the circuit breaker can be considerably simplified.

This also allows the test button module 2 to be replaced. The detachable connection is, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, preferably formed by, preferably resilient, sliding contacts. This allows a simple and fast introduction of the test button module 2 in a circuit breaker 1, as well as a simple, fast and especially non-destructive removal of the test button module 2 from the circuit breaker. 1

Acts from the connection connection 3 in the connected state, a force on the contact piece 29, it seems advantageous if the contact part 29 is formed adjacent to the housing 21, wherein the connection connection 3 and the contact part 29 can be supported in the connected state on the housing 21.

A particularly simple embodiment of the test button module according to the invention results when the contact part 29 is arranged on an end face 22 of the housing 21. In this case, the second connection piece 28 of the resistor 26 can be led out of the housing 21 substantially in a straight line, if the resistor 26 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the housing 21.

If the contact part 29 and the actuating element 24 are arranged on the same side 23 of the housing 21, then the contact point in the installed state can be viewed and checked particularly well with the upper shell of the circuit breaker removed.

By means of the connection connection 3, the test button module 2 and the terminal 4 in the closed state of the circuit breaker 1 are electrically connected without interruption, said connection is independent of the position of the actuating element 24.

In Fig. 3, the connection connection 3 of FIG. 1 is shown enlarged, in which a first contact surface 31 is provided for releasable connection to the resistor 26.

For storage of the connection connection 3, a central region 34 is provided, wherein the first contact surface 31 is resilient with respect to the central region. This can ensure that the first contact surface 31 in the connected state exerts a force on the contact piece 29, thereby ensuring a good electrical contact and the Forming an air gap between the first contact surface 31 and the contact piece 29 is prevented.

The contact surface 31 may comprise at least two spaced-apart contact regions 32, wherein the at least two contact regions 32 are electrically conductively connected to one another. By forming a plurality of contact regions 32, a connection for different distances of the terminal 4 can be ensured by the contact piece 29 with a connection connection 3, whereby an embodiment of the connection connection 3 can be used in several different types of circuit breakers.

Furthermore, the connection connection 3 may have a second contact surface 33 for a detachable connection to the connection terminal 4. By forming the second contact point for a detachable connection, in the production of a circuit breaker, the connection between the connection terminal 4 and the connection connection 3 can take place in a late method step, whereby the method sequence can be simplified.

If the second contact surface 33 is resilient with respect to the central region 34, the formation of an air gap between the connection connection 3 and the connection terminal 4 can be effectively prevented and the reliability of the electrically conductive connection between the test button module 2 and the connection terminal 4 can be improved.

The embodiment of the connection connection 3 shown in FIG. 3 can be produced in a simple manner as a bent sheet metal part. In this case, kinks comprehensive spring portions 35 may be provided, whereby the resilient design of the contact surfaces 31, 33 can be ensured with respect to the central portion 34 in a simple manner.

4 and 5, an upper shell 11 of a circuit breaker 1 is shown, which has a recess 12, in which the central region 34 of the connection connection 3 can be accommodated. FIG. 6 shows a lower shell 15 of the circuit breaker 1, which has receptacles for the test button module 2.

If the connection terminal 4 and the test push-button module 2 are arranged in the lower shell 15 and the connection 3 in the recess 12 of the upper shell 12, when the upper shell 11 is placed on the lower shell 15, an electrically conductive contact between the connection terminal 4 and the test probe module 2, in particular formed the resistor 26.

In Fig. 7 is a plan view of a circuit breaker is shown, in which the actuating element 24 and a screw of the terminal 4 can be seen. Furthermore, the sectional guide of FIG. 8 is shown in FIG.

From FIGS. 7 and 8, the position of the test button module 2, the terminal 4 and the connection connection in the assembled state of the circuit breaker can be seen. In other embodiments of the circuit breaker according to the invention also another terminal 4 of the circuit breaker may be connected to the Prüfastermodul 2 and / or be provided from the illustrated different number of terminals of the circuit breaker.

The resilient embodiment of the contact surfaces 31, 33 of the connection connection also ensures that the placement of the upper shell 11 on the lower shell 15 is not hindered by the connection connection 3.

Claims (13)

1. A test pushbutton module (2) for a circuit-breaker, especially for a residual-current circuit-breaker, comprising a housing (21), a resistor (26), an actuating element (24) associated with a first connector of the resistor (26) and a contact element (25) which can be moved by means of the actuating element (24), with a second connector (28) of the resistor (26) being guided out of the housing (21), characterized in that the second connector (28) comprises a contact element (29) for the detachable connection with a conductor of a terminal connection (3).
2. A test pushbutton module (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact part (29) is arranged to rest on the housing (21).
3. A test pushbutton module (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that the contact part (29) is arranged on a face side (22) of the housing (21).
4. A test pushbutton module (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that the contact part (29) and the actuating element (24) are arranged on the same side (23) of the housing (21).
5. A terminal connection (3) for a test pushbutton module (2) of a circuit-breaker (1), especially a test pushbutton module according to one of the claims 1 to 4, with the terminal connection (3) electrically conductively connecting a terminal (4) in an uninterruptible manner with a resistor (26) associated with the test pushbutton module (2) in the closed state of the circuit-breaker (1), with a first contact surface (31) being provided for the detachable connection with the resistor (26), characterized in that a second contact surface (33) is provided for a detachable connection with the terminal (4).
6. A terminal connection (3) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first contact surface (31) comprises at least two mutually spaced contact areas (32), with the at least two contact areas (32) are connected with each other in an electrically conductive manner.
7. A terminal connection (3) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that a central area (34) for holding the terminal connection (3) is provided and the first contact surface (31) is provided with a resilient arrangement relative to the central area (34).
8. A terminal connection (3) according to claim 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that the second contact area (33) is provided with a resilient arrangement relative to the central area (34).
9. A terminal connection (3) according to one of the claims 5 to 8, characterized in that it is arranged as a bent plate part.
10. A terminal connection (3) according to claim 9, characterized in that spring sections (35) are provided which comprise kink points.
11. A circuit-breaker (1), especially a residual-current circuit-breaker, characterized in that a test pushbutton module (2) according to one of the claims 1 to 4 and a terminal connection (3) according to one of the claims 5 to 10 are provided.
12. A circuit-breaker (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that a central section (34) of the terminal connection (3) can be received in a recess (12) of a top shell (11).
13. A method for producing a circuit-breaker (1), especially a residual-current circuit-breaker, with a terminal (4) and a test pushbutton module (2) according to one of the claims 1 to 4 are arranged in a bottom shell (15), and the test pushbutton module (2) is connected with a resistor (26), an electrically conductive connection is formed between the terminal (4) and the resistor (26) during the placement of a top shell (11) on the bottom shell (15) by means of a terminal connection (3) according to one of the claims 5 to 10 as received by the top shell (11).

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