EP2107580A1 - Expansion attachment module for attachment to at least two spool connections of an electromagnetic switching device, in particular a switch - Google Patents

Abstract

The module (1) has a housing (2) and a fastening device i.e. snap-action connection element, for fixing the module to an electromagnetic switching device or a switchgear unit. Two connection openings (3) are provided and two terminal blocks are associated with the two connection openings for connecting voltage supply lines. Two flexible leads are provided for electrically connecting the terminal blocks to two coil connectors of the electromagnetic switching device. The terminal blocks are embodied as screw-type terminals or as spring-loaded terminals.

Description

The present invention relates to an expansion connection module for connection to at least two coil terminals of an electromagnetic switching device, in particular a contactor.

To control an electromagnetic switching device, in particular a contactor, a voltage must be applied to the drive, for example the contactor drive. For this purpose, it is known to provide at least two fixedly attached to the housing of the electromagnetic switching device coil terminal. For example, since contactors can be combined in different ways with other switching devices, it may happen that the coil terminals are difficult to access. Sometimes these coil terminals are hidden, so that they are provided again at other locations of the contactor housing. This implies an expansion of the coil terminals within the contactor, which is complicated and costly and whereby the contactor can only be used for a specific purpose.

If the coil terminals are located adjacent to the main or auxiliary circuit terminals for the coil terminal to be accessible from the front, often at least one coil terminal is inaccessible when combined with other switchgear. In addition to these devices, where the coil terminals are located in one terminal level with the main and auxiliary conductor terminals, electromagnetic switching devices are known in which the coil terminals are located under the main conductor terminals. In such switching devices accessibility is further complicated due to the even more complex structure, especially when the main conductor is connected. At a Installation of additional switching devices, such as a circuit breaker and / or an overload relay, the coil terminals are hardly accessible in these cases. The object of the invention is to make the coil terminals of an electromagnetic switching device flexible and easy to access. In particular, the fixed coil terminals should be flexibly expandable.

This object is achieved by an expansion connection module with the features according to independent claim 1. Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

The object of the invention is achieved by an expansion connection module for connection to at least two coil terminals of an electromagnetic switching device, in particular a contactor, comprising a housing, fastening means for attaching the expansion connection module to the electromagnetic switching device or to a switching unit adjacent to the electromagnetic switching device, at least two connection openings and at least two connection pieces assigned to the at least two connection openings for connecting voltage supply lines and at least two strands for electrically connecting the connection piece of the expansion connection module to the at least two coil connections of the electromagnetic switching device.

The essence of the invention lies in the fact that the expansion connection module is a type of adapter by which the coil terminals of the electromagnetic switching device are extended or placed at other, more accessible places. The extension connection module can be easily mounted on or removed from the electromagnetic switching device by the fastening means. The fastening means are advantageously for non-positive attachment of the expansion connection module to the electromagnetic switching device or to an electromagnetic switching device adjacent further switching unit formed. The length of the strands can be designed differently and variably. The strands are easy to bend electrical conductors. The strands are very easy and quickly connected to the existing coil terminals of the electromagnetic switching device by their flexible design.

The expansion connection module can also be designed for connection to more than two coil terminals of an electromagnetic switching device. The expansion connection module has a housing in which the connection openings and the connection openings associated with the connecting pieces are arranged. The connecting pieces are designed to be received by the power supply lines. In this case, a power supply line can be passed through a respective connection opening to a connector and fixed by the respective connector fixed in the housing of the expansion connection module, so that the electromagnetic switching device can be supplied via the expansion connection module with a voltage.

The strands allow flexible mounting of the extension connection module to the electromagnetic switching device. After the expansion terminal module is fixed to the electromagnetic switching device or to a switching unit adjacent to the electromagnetic switching device, the strands are made long enough to reach the coil terminals of the electromagnetic switching device to supply the power to the electromagnetic switching device drive via the expansion terminal module enable.

The advantage of the extension connection module is that after the expansion connection module is attached to the electromagnetic switching device or to the switching unit adjacent to the electromagnetic switching device, the connection openings and the connection pieces of the extension connection module are easier to access and therefore faster Connection of the electromagnetic switching device to a power supply is enabled. In particular, hard-to-access coil terminals of an electromagnetic switching device can be made easily accessible by redirecting the connections to the expansion connection module. Another advantage of the expansion connection module is that the electromagnetic switching devices do not have to have integrated bypassing of the coil terminals, which would be complicated and expensive. The extension connection module itself is a simple and cost-effective additional part, by which an extension of the coil terminals of an electromagnetic switching device, in particular a contactor, is made possible. The customer is free to use the electromagnetic switching device with or without extension of the coil connections, ie with or without the extension connection module. The necessity of using the extension connection module often results only in the assembly of the respective switching devices to a switching device unit or to a load feeder.

Preference is given to an expansion connection module, in which the connecting pieces are designed as screw terminals or spring terminals. Both screw terminals and spring terminals have long been known in the cable connection technology. The terminals are used for the detachable connection of electrical conductors, here the power supply lines. Particular preference is given to using so-called cage clamps. The mechanical fixation of the respective power supply line by a screw or a spring is easy to carry out. In the fittings, the power supply lines are connected to an electrical conductor within the expansion port module and thus electrically connected to the strands of the expansion port module.

A frictional attachment of the expansion connection module to the electromagnetic switching device or to the adjacent to the electromagnetic switching device switching unit can be designed in various ways. Such are, for example Schraubenbefestigungen conceivable. Even cohesive connections, such as adhesive joints, are possible. However, an expansion connection module is preferred, in which the fastening means of the expansion connection module have snap connection elements. Snap-in connectors enable quick assembly and disassembly of the expansion port module to the electromagnetic switchgear or adjacent control unit. Advantageously, the expansion connection module snap-on hooks, which engage releasably in corresponding receptacles, ie undercuts, depressions, etc., of the switching device or the adjacent switching unit and thus fix the expansion connection module.

Preferably, the extension connection module can also be fastened in a form-fitting manner to the electromagnetic switching device or to the switching unit adjacent to the electromagnetic switching device. This creates a particularly good fixation of the expansion connection module.

A further advantageous embodiment of the expansion connection module provides that at least two connection openings of the expansion connection module are arranged on one side of the extension connection module. The connection openings may be provided on different sides of the expansion port module. Depending on the position of the coil terminals on the electromagnetic switching device, it may sometimes be advantageous for the connection openings to be arranged on different sides of the expansion connection module or sometimes on a single side.

Preferably, it is further provided that the housing of the expansion connection module has a cover. As a result, the fittings are easily accessible for any repairs or the like.

An extension connection module having spring clamp connections has at least one passage through which an actuating tool can be passed to actuate the spring clip. In one embodiment of the expansion port module, it is possible for two or more spring clips to be reachable through a single pass. However, an expansion connection module which has at least two feedthroughs for opening the connection pieces, in particular the at least two spring clips, by means of an actuatable tool that can be passed through is preferred. In particular, each connection opening or each connection piece is assigned its own implementation.

The connection openings can have different shapes and sizes. This is particularly conceivable if the expansion connection module has a multiplicity of connections. For example, several electromagnetic switching devices can also be connected to the one expansion connection module. In particular, if only one electromagnetic switching device is to be expanded by the extension connection module, it is advantageous if the cross section of the connection openings is the same.

The strands are led out of the interior of the expansion terminal module and can be attached to the coil terminals of the electromagnetic switching device for electrical connection by means of a simple wiring. It may be desired that the strands should be guided along a certain path. This can be realized by running the strands in special guides. The guides are preferably simple tubes or channels in which at least a portion of a strand can be performed.

The strands of the expansion connection module are preferably passed through openings in the housing, in particular in the cover of the housing.

Furthermore, an expansion connection module in which the expansion connection module is at least one fastening device is preferred for securing a further switching device and / or another accessory. The fastening device allows easy fixation of another switching device and / or another accessory. The fastening device may be formed non-positively and / or cohesively. The fastening device is advantageously designed as latching connections. In this case, the fastening device can be designed as a latching hook or as a receiving element, for example as an undercut or opening, for receiving a latching hook of an accessory. Preferably, such fastening devices are provided on different free sides of the expansion connection module. These make the expansion port module even more flexible and increase the deployment options of the expansion port module.

Through the extension connection module, which represents an accessory, an extension of the coil connections A1, A2 on a contactor can be realized with a simple accessory.

FIG 1

ein Erweiterungsanschlussmodul mit zwei als Schraubklemmen ausgebildeten Spulenanschlüssen;

FIG 2

ein Erweiterungsanschlussmodul mit zwei als Federklemmen ausgebildeten Spulenanschlüssen;

FIG 3

ein Schütz mit einem montierten Erweiterungsanschlussmodul;

FIG 4

ein Schütz mit zwei montierten Erweiterungsanschlussmodulen;

FIG 5

ein Schütz mit einem montierten Erweiterungsanschlussmodul;

FIG 6

ein Schütz mit einem Erweiterungsanschlussmodul und einem weiteren Zubehörteil.

The invention will now be explained in more detail by means of non-exclusive embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1

an expansion port module with two coil terminals formed as screw terminals;

FIG. 2

an expansion port module having two coil terminals formed as spring terminals;

FIG. 3

a contactor with a mounted extension connection module;

FIG. 4

a contactor with two mounted extension connection modules;

FIG. 5

a contactor with a mounted extension connection module;

FIG. 6

a contactor with an extension connection module and another accessory.

FIG. 1 1 shows an expansion terminal module 1 with two coil terminals 4 designed as screw terminals. The expansion terminal module 1 has a housing 2 and a cover 6 closing off the housing 2. In the cover 6, two bushings 7 are provided, can be screwed by the screws of the fittings 4. On one side of the housing 2, two connection openings 3 are provided for receiving supply voltage lines. The cover 6 has openings 9, are led out by the stranded wire 5 from the expansion connection module 1. This strand 5 are used for electrical connection of the expansion terminal module 1 with coil terminals of an electromagnetic switching device, not shown. The extension terminal module 1 facing the end of the strand 5 are guided in stranded guides 8. These strand guides 8 are not essential, but serve the directional leadership of the strand. 5

FIG. 1 shows an expansion terminal module 1 with two formed as spring terminals coil terminals 4. The structure of this expansion connection module 1 corresponds approximately to the structure of the expansion connection module 1 according to FIG. 1 , Instead of the screw terminals spring terminals are provided in the fittings 4 here. On one side of the housing 2, two connection openings 3 are provided for receiving supply voltage lines. Through the bushings 7, an actuating tool can be inserted to actuate the spring clip.

In the FIGS. 3 to 5 Various combinations of expansion port module (s) 1 and electromagnetic switching device 10 are shown.

In the FIG. 3 An expansion connection module 1 with screw terminals as connecting pieces 4 is fastened to one side of a contactor 10. The extension connection module 1 has two leads 5, which are each connected to a coil connection or a coil connection terminal 11 of the contactor 10 are. A strand 5 runs below a cover of the contactor 10 in order to reach the corresponding coil terminal 11.

In FIG. 4 Each one extension terminal module 1 are arranged on both sides of a contactor 10. Each expansion connection module 1 has a stranded wire 5, which is wired to a respective coil terminal 11 of the contactor 10. The unused opening 9 in the cover 6 of the housing 2 of each expansion connection module 1 is closed by a closure element.

FIG. 5 shows an expansion terminal module 1 with formed as a spring terminals terminals 4. The extension terminal module 1 is releasably attached to one side of the contactor 10 at this. The coil terminals 11 of the shooter are also arranged here at two different locations on the front side of the contactor 10. A strand 5 for to the first coil terminal 11, the other strand 5 extends below the cover of the contactor 10 to the second coil terminal 11th

FIG. 6 shows an extension terminal module 1 arranged on a contactor 10. On the side of the expansion terminal module 1 facing away from the contactor 10, a further accessory part 12 is detachably fastened, in particular via a latching connection. The further accessory 12 may for example also be an expansion connection module. Alternatively, another switching device can be attached to the expansion connection module 1.

The contact on the contactor can be realized by means of a contact lug.

In another preferred embodiment, the expansion connection module 1 can be fastened directly to the control cabinet or a mounting rail within the control cabinet.

Claims (12)

Extension connection module for connection to at least two coil terminals (11) of an electromagnetic switching device (10), in particular a contactor, comprising a housing (2), fastening means for attaching the expansion connection module (1) to the electromagnetic switching device (10) or to an electromagnetic switching device (10) adjacent switching unit, at least two connection openings (3) and at least two connection pieces (4) assigned to the at least two connection openings (3) for connecting voltage supply lines and at least two strands (5) for the electrical connection of the connection pieces (4) of the expansion connection module (1 ) with the at least two coil terminals (11) of the electromagnetic switching device (10). Extension connection module according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting pieces (4) are designed as screw terminals or as spring terminals. Extension connection module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fastening means of the expansion connection module (1) have snap connection elements. Extension connection module according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the extension connection module (1) can be fastened in a form-fitting manner to the electromagnetic switching device (10) or to the switching unit adjacent to the electromagnetic switching device (10). Extension connection module according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least two connection openings (3) of the extension connection module (1) are arranged on one side of the extension connection module (1). Extension connection module according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the housing (2) of the expansion connection module (1) has a cover (6). Extension connection module according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the expansion connection module (1) has at least two feedthroughs (7) for opening the connecting pieces (4), in particular of the at least two spring terminals, by an operable operating tool. Extension connection module according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cross section of the connection openings (3) is the same. Extension connection module according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one stranded wire (5) at the extension terminal module (1) end facing in a strand guide (8) is guided. Extension connection module according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the strands (5) are passed through openings (9) in the housing (2), in particular in the cover (6) of the housing (2). Extension connection module according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the expansion connection module (1) has at least one fastening device for fastening a further switching device and / or another accessory (12). Extension connection module according to claim 11, characterized in that the fastening device is designed as latching connections.

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