EP1839376B1 - Pluggable surge arrester comprising one or several surge protection elements - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a pluggable surge arrester comprising one or several surge protection elements which are disposed within a structural unit with an optical fault indicator. The inventive surge arrester further comprises a thermal surge protector (5) that encompasses a mechanical actuator for triggering a remote indication contact in order to signal a fault. A linearly guided slide (1) is provided which is movable perpendicular to the plugging direction of the arrester and is equipped with an elastic tongue (2). The free end (3) of said tongue (2) can be blocked by a locking element (4). Furthermore, the thermal surge protector (5) is fitted with an actuating bolt (6) which acts upon the free end (3) of the tongue (2) when triggered in order to move the free end (3) out of the blocked position such that the slide (1) is released. The movable slide (1) has a free, web-shaped section (7) which penetrates a corresponding opening in the arrester housing. The invention also relates to a base part (16) for mechanically or electrically receiving at least one pluggable surge arrester, said base part (16) comprising a switching device (21) for the potential-free remote indication of fault states, especially a micro pushbutton (21).

Description

The invention relates to a pluggable Überspannungsableiter with one or more Überapannungsschutzetementen, which are arranged in a structural unit with an optical defect indicator, and with a thermal overcurrent protection device, this comprising a mechanical actuator for triggering a telecommunications contact for error signaling according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Furthermore, the invention comprises a base part for the mechanical and electrical recording of at least one plug-in surge arrester.

From the German utility model DE 20 2004 006 227 is a surge arrester with telecommunications contact for error signaling according to the preamble of claim 1, previously known. The triggering of the potential-free mechanism takes place in this prior art by means of thermal monitoring varistors used or the trigger unit used network spark gaps in the corresponding plug-in parts, which is forwarded via biased springs by means of slide or flexible board. In the base part of the surge protection device, this mechanical movement is transmitted by means of actuating plunger and a rotatably mounted rocker switch on a microswitch, which provides a potential-free changeover contact at its outputs.

Furthermore, from the DE 100 01 667 C1 a multi-pole surge arrester for use in low-voltage power supply systems previously known, comprising a single substantially U-shaped base with terminals in the base body for the active lines and PE or ground potential, wherein in the cover of the base guide means for releasably receiving contactable with the terminals electrically Plug-in parts are provided with Varistor- or spark gap elements.

In an embodiment of the teaching DE 100 01 667 C1 a recess for receiving a micro-button for a telecommunications display is provided in the base support of the base part. For the telecommunication display, a longitudinally extending or horizontally extending slot is further provided in the base support and arranged in the slot a continuous planar rocker switch. The rocker switch is in operative connection with the aforementioned micro-probe. The basic carrier comprises in the area of each protective element to be inserted a transversely or vertically extending opening with access to the rocker switch. In each case a rocker actuating part is inserted into the openings, the vertically projecting cam engages in an associated opening in the cover and interacts with a release pin for monitoring the function in the respective protective element. The rocker actuation parts have a rocker cam directed to further cams and a molded pin for leading receiving a helical compression spring, which is supported against the rocker switch.

With the aid of the rocker switch and the rocker actuators, the functions of the inserted protective elements can be monitored with a single micro-pushbutton, whereby assembly control is also possible.

The above-described solutions thus each require a rocker switch, wherein a microswitch is actuated via a rotary movement. Due to unavoidable tolerances and forming tolerance chains that result from the individual elements, the end point of the microswitch is problematic adjustable, so there is a risk of faulty triggering. In the required rotational movements comes next to the tolerances aggravating still the function-related bearing clearance of the rotation axis added. In addition, in the solutions of the prior art both in the base part and in the male parts spring storage as force elements required to effect the desired mechanical movements to trigger the microswitch.

The state of the art still includes overvoltage protection devices with varistors, in which the thermal monitoring function is implemented via coupled thermal fuses. The thermal fuses take on the same temperature as the varistors and interrupt the circuit when a limit is exceeded. This interruption can be reported via electrical, optical and / or acoustic functional modules to a higher-level control center.

A disadvantage of these solutions is the lack of freedom from leakage current, since a low operating current is constantly required for the display and additionally a further module, e.g. a relay is necessary to provide a floating changeover contact which then also causes power consumption.

From the foregoing, it is therefore an object of the invention to provide a further developed pluggable surge arrester and a base part for the mechanical or electrical recording of such arresters, which or which allows a safe triggering of a telecommunications contact for error signaling, this being caused by a novel design, which starts from fixed tolerance chains, so that a faulty triggering preferably used microswitch can be avoided as a telecommunications contact.

The solution of the object of the invention with respect to the plug-in surge arrester with the combination of features according to claim 1 and with respect to the base part with the feature combination according to claim 9, wherein the dependent claims include at least useful embodiments and advancements of the inventive concept.

The basic idea of the invention lies in a construction which avoids disadvantageous rocking movements and is oriented exclusively on sliding movements, perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the arrester.

With this construction, a conversion of the electrical information about the state of the element to be monitored into a mechanical movement in a particularly interference-insensitive manner is achieved. As a triggering operation, thermal quantities, e.g. when using a Lotstelle, but also current values, e.g. when using overcurrent-sensitive elements such as fuses.

The construction of the overall device is particularly robust and yet production-optimized. The linking of the individual signals in multi-pole arrangements takes place as a logical OR connection.

Starting from pluggable Überspannungsbaleitern known with one or more overvoltage protection elements, which are arranged in a structural unit with an optical defect indicator, and with a thermal overcurrent protection device, this comprising a mechanical actuator for triggering a telecommunications contact for error signaling is according to the invention a transverse to the plugging direction of the arrester movable, linearly guided slide provided which has a resilient tongue as a barrier.

The free end of the elastic tongue is blocked by a locking element. The thermal overcurrent protection device comprises an actuating bolt, which acts in the case of release on the free end of the tongue in order to move it out of the blocking position.

The movable slide has a free, web-shaped portion, which an opening in the arrester housing penetrates.

When the actuating pin acts on the free end of the tongue, the slider is released and can perform a longitudinal displacement.

Preferably, the pivoting direction of the free end of the tongue is selected to be perpendicular to the direction of movement of the slide.

Furthermore, the arrester housing has a guide groove for the slider to ensure its safe movement without jamming.

In a preferred embodiment, the thermal overcurrent protection device has a cylindrical shape with an integrated, spring-biased actuating impact bolt.

The pivoting direction of the free end of the tongue and the direction of movement of the actuating impact pin of the thermal overcurrent protection device are on one axis, i. the two directions essentially coincide.

Ausgestaltend the slider has an angled portion with a display surface for defect indication.

The display surface of the slider may include a color mark or be colored through, with a cap for covering the surge arrester on its upper side comprises a viewing window as part of the optical defect indicator.

This cap is part of the housing of the surge arrester and includes a side wall which secures the slider against lateral movement and thus provides additional guidance.

The base part for the mechanical and electrical recording of at least one plug-in surge arrester of the type according to the invention has a U-shape and is equipped with a switching device for potential-free remote signaling of fault conditions. This telecommunication device is preferably a micro-probe.

On an inner surface of a leg of the base part an opening is provided, wherein a spring-biased, move movable probe element is located in the opening. The free Tastende of the probe element occurs when inserted surge arrester with the free web-shaped portion of the slide in operative connection and it transmits the Federvorapannkraft on the slide, in the case of triggering the overcurrent protection device, the spring-biased probe element is released by the no longer blocked slide. As a result, the probe element performs a movement perpendicular to the plugging direction of the surge arrester.

The direction of movement of the probe element and that of the slider coincide with a view to the chain of effects described above.

In the base part, a push rod is arranged, which can perform a movement perpendicular to the probe element, wherein the push rod is pressed by means of a spring element in a desired position.

Furthermore, the one or more sensing elements via inclined surfaces move the push rod out of its desired position to actuate the switching device.

The push bar or an arrangement of several push rods is arranged to save space in the upper part of one of the U-shaped legs.

From the above explanation it follows that only springs in the base part for generating the spring preload of the displacement-movable feeler elements are necessary.

The slide in the pluggable surge arrester represents a blocking element that is variable with regard to the functional state or fault state of the arrester, which is then released when an error condition has occurred. Of course, here is a kinematic reversal conceivable without departing from the basic principle of the invention.

Ausgestaltend is the pluggable surge arrester or its structural unit consisting of two chambers, wherein a first, lower chamber receives an encapsulated spark gap or the like surge arrester.

The end faces of the lower chamber are formed by plug contact surfaces, which are each in electrical connection to the spark gap.

Furthermore, a second, upper chamber is formed, which receives the overcurrent protection device and the optical defect indicator.

Between the lower and upper chamber there is a partition which contains a wiring support, e.g. picks up a printed circuit board. This circuit board may be application specific e.g. contain a trigger circuit.

The partition has a groove for guiding the slider and has the molded locking element.

The lower chamber is closed by a matched to the outer contour of the spark gap bottom part.

The upper chamber has two side walls extending parallel from the partition wall, one side wall having a first stop for limiting the path of the slider and a return in the partition wall second Anschhg to limit the displacement forms.

The invention will be explained below with reference to an embodiment and with the aid of figures.

Hereby show:

Fig. 1 a partial sectional view of a pluggable surge arrester with recognizable arrangement of the slide and the overcurrent protection device;

Fig. 2 a representation similar to that after Fig. 1 but with the circuit board and overcurrent protection device removed;

Fig. 3 and 4 Detailed representations analogous to those after Fig. 1 with unlocked actuating pin ( Fig. 3 ) and in the state of the triggered overcurrent protection device (triggered actuation pin, Fig. 4 );

Fig. 5 a representation, partially broken away, with chain of action slide and probe element;

Fig. 6 a bottom view of the open base with recognizable push bar and micro button;

Fig. 7 each plan views of the pluggable surge arrester with optical defect indicator in the state "OK" and "defective";

Fig. 8 and 9 Representations similar to those after the Fig. 5 and 6 , but with the state of Femmeldekontakteinrichtung "in order";

Fig. 10 a plan view of a multi-pole arrangement of pluggable surge arresters in a base part, partially broken away, with the state "defective" of the recognizable in the image left arrester and

Fig. 11 a representation similar to that after Fig. 10 , but in the state "in order" and in this respect recognizable position of the push rod and the position of the probe element of the microswitch.

As can be seen from the figurative representations, the triggering of the floating display mechanism via an overcurrent protection device with firing pin, which is assigned to the trigger circuit in the example shown takes place.

This overcurrent protection device with firing pin protects the respective module against impermissible operating conditions, e.g. unacceptably high operating voltage and overloads, i. Impulse current loads outside maximum limits by the trigger or monitoring path is interrupted and the signaling is initiated.

The movement of the firing pin realizes the conversion of an electrical process into a mechanical size.

When triggering the overcurrent protection device with firing pin, the spring force of the integrated coil spring acts on the leg of the display element, which is locked on the insulating plate, and thus triggers the same.

By releasing the lock indicator, this element is moved by the biased spring force of the switching device in the axial direction of the switch. In this case, on the one hand, the optical display in the viewing window on the respective plug-in module itself, i. the display changes from green to red.

On the other hand, this sliding movement of the switch, the original □ Liche trigger signal of the indicator is transmitted from the plug-in module in the base part.

In the base part, this sliding movement of the switch is converted into a sliding movement perpendicular to its axis. This is achieved by a push bar whose preloaded spring has a lower than the spring force of the switch, whereby the power transmission takes place via two inclined surfaces.

By the design of the slider, e.g. the angles of the respective slope, any adjustment of the travel-force characteristic of the total □□ arrangement can be achieved.

About the execution of these inclined surfaces is also a compensation of the existing bearing clearance, i. given tolerances possible.

The sliding movement of the slider then releases the depressed microswitch, which provides the potential-free changeover contact at its outputs. The actuation of the microswitch also takes place via an inclined surface to the movement.

In the untripped condition, the force applied to the slider, i. the push rod connected spring greater than the force of the microswitch so that it is pressed. The push rod is executed in an exemplary case quasi four-pole, each individual plug-in module alone is able to perform the sliding movement described above in terms of an OR operation.

Apart from triggering the indicator in the plug-in module, the absence of a plug-in module can also be indicated with the aid of the described arrangement, because without inserted plug-in part, the microswitch and thus the four-pole slide are in the "triggered" state.

The arrangement according to the embodiment has only a small tolerance dependence due to the mechanical signal transmission via a sliding movement or more, coupled such sliding movements.

The forwarding of the signal via preferably inclined surfaces on the switch or the push rod is tilt-free. The corresponding materials can have good sliding properties. Due to the specific choice of geometry and application of certain materials, the switching characteristic is adjustable within wide limits.

The arrangement of the push rod in a U-shaped leg of the base part results in a space-saving mechanical summary in multi-pole devices or individual signaling in a single-pole design.

According to the Fig. 1 and 2 The plug-in overvoltage arrester comprises a lower chamber 23 and an upper chamber 26.

The lower chamber takes in the example an encapsulated spark gap 24. Side of the lower chamber plug contact surfaces 25 are provided, the free mating surfaces engage in a complementary plug-in part in the base.

Between lower chamber 23 and upper chamber 26 is a partition 27 is located, which receives a wiring substrate 28.

The wiring carrier 28 may include a trigger circuit and includes the thermal overcurrent protection device 5.

The thermal overcurrent protection device 5 comprises an actuating bolt 6 which, in the case of activation, moves towards the free end 3 of an elastic tongue 2.

As a result of this movement of the actuating bolt 6, the free end 3 of the tongue 2 is moved past the locking element 4, so that the slider 1 can perform a movement transversely to the direction of insertion of Überapannungsableiters.

The slider 1 has a free portion 7, which is formed protruding.

This free portion 7 protrudes from an opening 8 of the housing 9 of the surge arrester.

In the housing 9 or in the partition wall 27, a guide groove 10 is still provided for the slider 1.

About a bend 1 of the slider, a display surface 11 is formed, which has a colored coating or is colored.

This display surface 11 follows the movement of the slider 1 and leads to a color change in the viewing window 14 (see Fig. 7 ).

A side wall 13 of the cap 12 forms a lateral stop for the slider 1, so that its secure guidance is ensured. It should be noted that the representations after the Fig. 1 and 2 or 5, 8, 10 and 11 for the perceptibility of details include partially broken housing parts, so that the Stop action of the side wall 13 of the cap 12 is not shown here.

The base part 16 for receiving one or more surge arresters (see Fig. 5 or 8th ) has two legs 15, so that there is a substantially U-shape of the base part.

In an opening of a leg 15 in the direction of the inserted surge arrester there is a probe element 17, which is under bias with the aid of a spring.

The probe element 17 has a free Tastende 18, which occurs in operative connection with the free portion 7 of the slider 1.

Then, when the free end 3 of the tongue 2 emerges from the locking element 4 by triggering the thermal overcurrent protection device 5, the feeler element 17 moves via the free feeler element 18, which now no longer acts as a fixed stop slide in a direction to the left Fig. 8 or 5. The resulting kinetic energy is transmitted to the push rod 19 in the base part 16. This motion transmission is realized by means of inclined surfaces 22, wherein also inclined surfaces 22, the switching nose of the switching device 21 press or release.

In the presentation after Fig. 10 is the push rod 19, which is biased by means of a spring 20, in such a position that the switching device 21 (micro button) is released. Thus the error message "defective" can be read out and an exchange of the corresponding pluggable surge arrester can be made.

From the comparison of the representations after the Fig. 8 and 9 to the Fig. 5 and 6 It can be seen how the position of the probe element 17 moves, namely the transition from the display "OK" to the display "defective". In the same sense, the position of the push rod 19 changes.

The spring 31 for generating the bias of the probe element 17 is in the Fig. 5 recognizable.

The lower chamber 23 of the pluggable surge arrester is closed by a bottom part 29, which essentially takes the form of the encapsulated spark gap 24 or follows this surface shape.

The front side wall 30 of the upper chamber of the pluggable surge arrester forms a front (according to Fig. 5 and 8th right-sided) stop for the slide 1 and determines its position in the state surge arrester "in order".

All in all, it is possible with the presented invention to provide a telecommunications system for multi-pole, but also single-pole overvoltage protection devices, which is insensitive to production-related tolerances, so that a faulty triggering of preferably used micro-switches can be reduced to a minimum. This is achieved in that no rocking, turning or pivoting movements must be converted into sliding movements.

In the pluggable surge arrester itself no springs or other, a bias generating elements must be arranged. A slider located there serves only as a blocking stop, the blocking function is canceled when a thermal overcurrent protection device has triggered.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 slider

2 elastic tongue

3 free end of the tongue

4 locking element

5 thermal overcurrent protection device

6 actuating bolts

7 free sections of the slider

8 opening in the housing

9 housing

10 guide groove for slide in the housing

11 display area

12 cap

13 side wall of the cap

14 viewing window

15 legs of the base part

16 base part

17 probe element

18 free Tastende of the probe element

19 push rod in the base part arranged

20 Spring element for push bar

21 switching device / micro button

22 inclined surface

23 lower chamber

24 encapsulated spark gap as surge arrester

25 plug contact surface

26 upper chamber

27 partition

28 wiring carrier

29 Bottom part for completion of the lower chamber

30 side walls of the upper chamber

31 spring for probe element for generating a bias voltage

Claims (15)

1. Pluggable surge arrester comprising one or several surge protection elements which are disposed within a structural unit with a visual fault indicator, and a thermal overcurrent protector which includes a mechanical actuator for actuating a remote signaling contact in order to signal a fault
   characterized in that
   a linearly guided slide (1) is provided which is movable transversely to the plugging direction of the arrester, which is equipped with an elastic tongue (2), wherein a free end (3) of said tongue (2) can be blocked by a locking element (4), wherein further the thermal overcurrent protector (5) comprises an actuating pin (6) which acts upon the free end (3) of the tongue (2) in an activated state in order to move the free end (3) out of the blocked position to release the slide (1), and wherein further the movable slide (1) has a free, web-shaped section (7) which penetrates through a corresponding opening (8) in the arrester housing (9).
2. Surge arrester according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the bending direction of the free end (3) of the tongue (2) extends perpendicular to the direction of the movement of the slide (1).
3. Surge arrester according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that
   a guiding groove (10) for the slide is incorporated in the arrester housing (9).
4. Surge arrester according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the thermal overcurrent protector (5) is substantially cylindrical in shape and comprises an integrated spring-preloaded actuating striking pin (6).
5. Surge arrester according to claim 2 and 4,
   characterized in that
   the bending direction of the free end (3) of the tongue (2) and the direction of the movement of the actuating striking pin (6) coincide.
6. Surge arrester according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the slide (1) includes a bent portion with a display surface (11) for the fault indication.
7. Surge arrester according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the housing (9) comprises a cap (12) the one side wall (13) of which secures the slide (1) against a lateral movement.
8. Surge arrester according to claim 6 and 7,
   characterized in that
   at least the display surface (11) of the slide comprises a colored mark or is color-penetrated, wherein the cap (12) includes on its upper side a viewing window (14) as part of the visual fault indicator.
9. Base part for mechanically or electrically receiving at least one pluggable surge arrester according to one of the preceding claims, which is U-shaped and comprises a switching device for the potential-free remote indication of fault conditions, especially a microswitch (21),
   characterized in that
   on an inner surface of a leg (15) of the base part (16) a through hole is provided, wherein a spring-preloaded displaceably movable contact element (17) is located in said through hole, the free contact end (18) of which is operatively connected to the free web-shaped section (7) of the slide (1) when the surge arrester is inserted, and transfers the preloading force of the spring to the slide (1), wherein in the activated state of the overcurrent protector (5) the spring-preloaded contact element (17) is released by the no longer blocked slide so that the contact element carries out a movement perpendicular to the plugging direction of the surge arrester.
10. Base part according to claim 9,
    characterized in that
    the direction of the movement of the contact element (17) and that of the slide (1) coincide.
11. Base part according to claim 9 or 10,
    characterized in that
    a slide bar (19) is arranged in the base part, which carries out a movement perpendicular to the contact element (17), wherein the slide bar (19) is pressed by means of a spring element (20) into a desired position, wherein further the contact element(s) (17) move(s) the slide bar (19) via inclined surfaces (22) out of its desired position so as to actuate the switching device (21).
12. Base part according to claim 11,
    characterized in that
    the slide bar (19) or an assembly of several slide bars is/are arranged in the upper part of one of the U-shaped legs (15) so as to save space.
13. Base part according to one of claims 1 to 8,
    characterized in that
    the structural unit comprises two chambers, wherein a first lower chamber (23) receives an encapsulated spark gap or similar unit (24) and the front faces of the lower chamber are formed by plug-contact surfaces (25) each of which are electrically connected to the spark gap (24), wherein further a second upper chamber (26) receives the overcurrent protector (5) and the visual fault indicator, between the lower and the upper chamber (23, 26) a partition wall (27) is provided, which receives a wiring carrier (28) with an application-specific integrated trigger circuit, and the partition wall (27) comprises a groove for guiding the slide (1) and the locking element (4).
14. Base part according to claim 13,
    characterized in that
    the lower chamber (23) is closable by a bottom part (29) which is adapted to the outer contour of the spark gap (24).
15. Base part according to claim 13 or 14,
    characterized in that
    the upper chamber (26) comprises two side walls (30) extending parallel from the partition wall (27), wherein one side wall defines a first limit stop for limiting the travel of the slide (1) and a recess in the partition wall (27) defines a second limit stop to limit the sliding movement.

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