EP2255409B1 - Jumper, and structural unit comprising at least two modular electric terminals and a jumper - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a switching bridge with a housing for bridging at least two juxtaposed electrical terminal blocks, wherein the terminal blocks each have at least one busbar and in the busbars in each case at least one opening is formed. In addition, the invention also relates to a structural unit comprising at least two juxtaposed electrical terminal blocks and a housing having a switching bridge, wherein the terminal blocks each have a consisting of insulating terminal housing, with at least two conductor connecting elements arranged therein and at least one busbar, and wherein in the terminal housings in each case at least one functional shaft for at least partially receiving the switching bridge and in the busbars in each case at least one opening is formed.

Electrical terminal blocks have been known for decades and are used millions of times in the wiring of electrical systems and equipment. The terminals are usually snapped onto mounting rails, which in turn are often arranged in a plurality in a control cabinet. As conductor connection elements predominantly screw terminals or tension spring terminals are used in terminal blocks. In addition, however, cutting terminals or leg spring terminals can be used.

The basic type of terminal block is the connection terminal, which has at least two conductor connection elements, which are electrically connected to one another via an electrically conductive connection rail, the busbar. In addition to this basic type, which is often referred to as a feed-through terminal, there are a variety of different types of terminal blocks, which are specially adapted to the particular application. As an example, protective conductor terminals, knife disconnect terminals and installation terminals may be mentioned here.

In particular, with terminal blocks, which are used in current transformers measuring circuits of power generation and distribution, often different switching, separation and testing tasks are to be realized. This includes the Brükken from adjacent terminal blocks by means of jumpers which are plugged into the terminal housing and with which two or more adjacent terminal blocks can be short-circuited. For example, a current transformer short circuit can be realized in a current transformer measuring circuit.

Such a jumper is for example from the DE 44 11 306 Cl known. The jumper consists of two bridge rail sections arranged parallel to one another, which each have a rail strip and a plurality of contact legs connected to the rail strip. In the known jumper, the spring forces of the contact legs when plugged into the openings in the busbars of the terminal blocks and when contacting are directed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rail, so that in a simple manner a locking between the jumper and the busbar can be achieved.

In addition, switching bridges are known from practice, which are arranged displaceably in the terminal housings of adjacent terminal blocks (catalog CLIPLINE 2007, page 104, Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG). The jumpers have at least two electrically conductive interconnected contact areas, which can be connected in the contact position in each case by a screwed into the busbar of a terminal screw with the busbar. The disadvantage here is that the Schaltbrükke can only be used in special terminal blocks, where on the one hand in the busbar a threaded hole is formed for the screw, where on the other, the busbar is designed so that even accessible from the outside screw into the busbar can be screwed, d. H. the bus bar or a portion of the bus bar must be near the top of the terminal box.

Jumper bridges according to the preamble of Ansprüchs 1 and 9 are known from DE 29 921 080 U1 known.

The present invention has for its object to provide a switching bridge described above available, which is as easy to use and flexible and easy to use in several terminal blocks. In addition, the invention has for its object to provide an assembly of at least two juxtaposed electrical terminals and a jumper available that simpler and more flexible is operable and can be adapted to different conditions of use.

This object is achieved in the switching bridge described above according to a first teaching of the invention in that in the housing at least two mutually insulated contact elements for engaging in an opening in each of the busbars are arranged and that a bridge rail is movably held in the housing, said the bridge rail has at least two contact regions and a connecting region connecting the contact regions and can be moved from a first end position, in which the contact regions do not contact the contact elements, into a second end position in which the contact elements are electrically conductively connected to one another via the bridge rail.

The operating principle of the switching bridge according to the invention differs from the previously described known jumpers in that the switching bridge according to the invention is first inserted into the juxtaposed electrical terminal blocks, wherein the mutually insulated contact elements engage in an opening in each case a busbar and thereby contact the busbars. If in this case the bridge rail is in the first end position, the contact elements of the switching bridge are not connected to one another, ie. H. The adjacently arranged electrical terminal blocks are not yet electrically bridged via the switching bridge. Bridging the terminal blocks arranged adjacent to one another by means of the switching bridge which is stretched into the terminal blocks is now effected by displacing the bridge rail from the first end position to the second end position, the contact areas electrically connected to one another via the connecting area contacting the contact elements in an electrically conductive manner in the second end position , so that the contact elements and thus also the contacted by the contact elements busbar adjacent terminal blocks are electrically connected to each other via the bridge rail.

According to a first advantageous embodiment of the invention, the contact areas of the bridge rail facing the ends of the contact elements and the contact areas of the bridge rail are arranged parallel to each other. In each case, a screw is screwed into the contact areas of the bridge rail facing the ends of the contact elements. If the bridge rail is moved from the first end position to the second end position, the contact areas of the bridge rail are pushed over the ends of the contact elements, in which case one contact area of the bridge rail can be electrically conductively connected to the facing end of a contact element by means of a screw. By tightening the screws while the electrically conductive connection between the contact areas of the bridge rail and the contact elements is made, on the other hand, the bridge rail is thereby fixed in the second end position. For this purpose, the contact regions of the bridge rail preferably each have a recess which is open on one side and at least partially surrounds the shank of a screw in the second end position of the bridge rail.

The fact that the electrical connection between the contact areas of the bridge rail and the contact elements is realized by tightening the screws, it is ensured that both the switching or closing of the bridge and the disconnection or opening of the bridge can not be done unintentionally. By using the screws thus the required in particular for current and voltage transformer circuits high security is guaranteed.

According to a variant of the switching bridge according to the invention, the contact areas of the bridge rail facing the ends of the contact elements and the contact areas of the bridge rail in the second end position of the bridge rail are each latched together. For this purpose, the ends of the contact elements are preferably designed as pin-shaped latching elements and the contact region of the bridge rail as latching recesses. When moving the bridge rail from the first end position to the second end position, this results in a locking of the pin-shaped locking elements in the recesses of the contact areas. In this variant, the use of screws is thus omitted, so that the inserted into the terminal blocks switching bridge can be operated without tools.

According to a preferred embodiment of the switching bridge according to the invention both according to the first and according to the second variant, the contact regions and the connecting region of the bridge rail are integrally formed, wherein the contact regions are bent substantially perpendicularly from the connection region. Due to the integral formation of the contact regions with the connection region, the bridge rail can be produced very simply, for example as a stamped and bent part. The fact that the contact areas are bent substantially perpendicularly from the connection region, the operation of the bridge rail is particularly easy. For this purpose, it is further provided that the connection region of the bridge rail is at least partially disposed in an insulating housing or encapsulated by an insulating housing. The insulating housing thus acts as an insulating head, on which the bridge rail when moving from the first end position can be handled in the second end position. The insulating housing ensures the required finger touch safety.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, at least one web extending in the direction of displacement of the bridge rail and at least one corresponding groove in the connecting region or in the insulating housing of the bridge rail is formed in the housing of the switching bridge. By the web and the corresponding groove is thus a guide of the bridge rail when moving from one end position to the other end position by the bridge rail slides along with the groove on the web. In order to further facilitate the displacement of the switching bridge from one end position to the other end position and to prevent jamming of the switching bridge when moving, it is also provided that in the side walls of the housing two guide grooves and on the bridge rail, in particular on the insulating side two corresponding guide ribs or guide webs are formed. When moving the bridge rail from one end position to the other end position then slide the guide ribs or the guide webs in the guide, whereby both tilting and unintentional release of the bridge rail from the housing of the switching bridge is prevented.

Input has been stated that the switching bridge according to the invention in two or more juxtaposed terminal blocks inserted and can be locked in it. The latching of the switching bridge in the terminal block can be realized solely by the fact that the contact elements are designed such that they not only electrically contact when they engage in an opening in each of the busbars, but also lock in the opening of the busbar. This can be achieved in particular in that the contact elements are designed as spring contacts, wherein each spring leg has two mutually parallel contact legs, of which at least one is resilient. On one or both contact legs then a detent may be formed, is achieved by the locking of the contact elements in the opening.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, however, the latching of the switching bridge in the terminal block or in the terminal blocks not only via the contact elements, but additionally or alternatively via at least two resilient latching elements arranged on the housing, which are inserted into a second opening in each one of the busbars can be. Thus, such a switching bridge can be plugged into adjacent electrical terminal blocks, it is thus necessary that at least two openings are formed in the busbars of the terminal blocks. When inserting the jumper in the terminal blocks engages in each case a contact elements in a first opening and a locking element in a second opening of a busbar, wherein the latching of the switching bridge is ensured primarily by the resilient locking elements, while the contact elements of the electrical contacting of Busbars serve.

The problem underlying the invention is achieved in a switching bridge described above according to a second, alternative teaching of the invention in that the housing of the switching bridge can be latched to the terminal blocks and that the housing a jumper with at least two electrically conductive interconnected via a connection region contact elements axially slidably disposed, wherein the jumper from a first position in which the contact elements do not contact the openings in the busbars is displaceable in a second position in which the contact elements engage in the openings in the busbars.

Also in the second alternative of the invention, the jumper is first locked in a first step to the terminal blocks or plugged into the terminal blocks, before bridging the adjacent terminal blocks takes place in a second step, characterized in that the axially slidably mounted on the housing jumper from a first Position in which the electrically interconnected contact elements do not contact the openings in the bus bars, is displaceable in a second position in which engages in each case a contact element in an opening of a busbar. In this variant, the bridge bridge, the drawbridge may be formed substantially corresponding to a "normal" jumper, the jumper is not plugged directly into the openings in the busbars adjacent terminal blocks, but first attached the jumper to the terminal blocks and then the jumper in their second position (contacting position) is moved.

In principle, there are various ways in which the housing of the switching bridge can be latched in the terminal blocks. For example, latching pegs and latching recesses corresponding to the terminal housing of the terminal blocks can be arranged laterally on the housing. According to a preferred embodiment of the switching bridge according to the second teaching of the invention, it is provided that the latching of the switching bridge in the terminal also takes place in that the housing of the switching bridge at least two resilient latching elements are arranged for latching in a second opening in each one of the busbars , As a result, the switching bridge according to the second teaching of the invention can initially be easily inserted with the resilient locking elements in the openings in the busbars of the terminal blocks. Again, thus, the jumper can be easily attached by vertical insertion into the terminal housing of the terminal blocks. The bridge is then realized by moving the jumper from its first position to the second position.

Preferably, at least the connection region of the jumper is arranged in an insulating housing or encapsulated by an insulating housing. The insulating housing thus again forms an insulating head, so that in principle it is possible to manually move the jumper from the first position to the second position.

The axially displaceable arrangement of the jumper on the housing of the switching bridge is realized according to an advantageous embodiment in that two guide ribs and in the insulating two corresponding guide grooves are formed on the housing. When moving the jumper from the first position to the second position, the guide grooves slide along the guide ribs of the housing, so that the jumper passes along a defined displacement path from the first position to the second position. Of course, there is also the possibility to interchange the arrangement of the guide ribs and the guide grooves, so that two guide ribs and two corresponding guide grooves are formed in the housing on the insulating.

Previously, it has already been stated that in principle there is the possibility to move the jumper by hand from the first position to the second position, d. H. press into the interior of the terminal box of the terminal blocks. According to a preferred embodiment of the switching bridge according to the invention, however, it is provided that an actuating element is rotatably mounted on the housing, one end of which is connected to the insulating housing of the jumper. By pivoting the actuating element, the jumper can then be moved from the first position to the second position. The actuation of the jumper by means of the actuating element can be further facilitated by the fact that the second end of the actuating element has a receptacle for inserting a tool, for example the tip of a screwdriver. Thus, the operation of the jumper can be done very easily even with small dimensions of the jumper by the tip of a tool inserted into the receptacle of the actuator and then the tool is pivoted, whereby the jumper is moved axially from its first position to its second position.

As with the switching bridge according to the first teaching of the invention as well as in the switching bridge according to the second teaching of the invention, the contact elements are preferably designed as spring contacts, each spring contact has two mutually parallel contact legs, of which at least one is resilient. Alternatively, it is also possible to form the contact elements as pin contacts, in which case the latching of the switching bridge in the terminal blocks is preferably carried out via the resilient latching elements arranged on the housing.

Also in the unit described above from at least two juxtaposed electrical terminal blocks and a jumper, the object underlying the invention according to a first teaching of the invention is achieved in that in the housing of the jumper at least two mutually insulated contact elements for engaging in an opening in each one the busbars of the terminal blocks are arranged and that a bridge rail is slidably held in the housing of the switching bridge, wherein the bridge rail has at least two contact areas and a connecting region connecting the contact areas and is displaceable from a first end position to a second end position. As has already been described in connection with the switching bridge according to the first teaching of the invention, the contact elements in the second end position via the bridge rail are electrically conductively connected to each other, while in the first end position of the bridge rail, the contact areas Do not contact contact elements.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the assembly according to the invention, the housing of the switching bridge is approximately L-shaped, wherein the region of the housing in which the bridge rail is slidably mounted, has an open bottom, so that a tool or a contact pin through the open bottom of the switching bridge can be inserted and plugged into the terminal housing of the terminal block, when the bridge rail is in the second end position. If the terminal housing of the terminal blocks has a plurality of function shafts and the busbar has a plurality of openings corresponding to the function shafts, it is basically possible to insert the contact elements of the switching bridge into any function shaft or any opening in the busbar. By the preferred embodiment described above, in which the area of the housing in which the bridge rail is slidably held is having an open floor, it is ensured that a functional shaft, in which the jumper is not plugged, is not covered by the housing of the jumper so far that this function shaft is no longer used for inserting a contact pin of a test plug or another jumper can.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the assembly according to the invention, the housing of the switching bridge is dimensioned so that the switching bridge is inserted into the terminal housing adjacent terminal blocks such that a connected to a conductor terminal of the terminal electrical conductor can not be removed from the conductor connection element when the bridge rail is in the first end position. The switching bridge can thus be dimensioned and arranged so that when inserted switching bridge below the housing of the switching bridge arranged actuation shaft for opening a conductor connection element is only accessible when the bridge rail is in the second end position, d. H. if the bridge has been made with an adjacent terminal block.

As with the jumper according to the invention, so the invention of the underlying object according to a second teaching of the invention is achieved in that the housing of the jumper in the terminal blocks can be latched and that on the housing of the jumper a jumper with at least two via a Connection region is electrically conductively connected to each other contact elements arranged axially displaceable, wherein the jumper from a first position in which the contact elements not contact the openings in the busbars is displaceable in a second position, in each of which a contact element engages in an opening of a busbar.

According to an advantageous embodiment of this unit, at least two function shafts and in each case at least two openings are formed in the terminal housings of the terminal blocks. Then, at least two resilient locking elements for latching in the second opening in each case one of the busbars are preferably arranged on the housing of the switching bridge, so that the switching bridge easy can be inserted into the function shafts of the terminal blocks and locked by means of the resilient locking elements in the openings in the busbar. Preferably, it is provided that the locking elements each have two opposing resilient latching hooks. This ensures that only by the insertion of the locking elements in the openings in the busbars, the switching bridge is sufficiently secure attached to the terminal blocks or in the terminal housings.

Previously, it has been stated that the assembly consists of at least two juxtaposed electrical terminals and a switching bridge. If the structural unit has two terminal blocks arranged next to one another, two contact elements insulated from one another are arranged in the housing of the switching bridge for engagement in an opening in one of the busbars of the two terminal blocks. Such a switching bridge is therefore a 2-pole switching bridge. In addition, however, the switching bridge can also be provided for bridging more than two juxtaposed terminal blocks, so that then in the housing a corresponding larger number of contact elements, for example, four or six contact elements are arranged, so that it is then a 4-pin or 6-pin jumper. In this case, the assembly then consists of a corresponding number of juxtaposed electrical terminal blocks and a correspondingly formed switching bridge, which has a number of terminal blocks corresponding number of contact elements.

Fig. 1

zwei perspektivische Darstellungen einer ersten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Schaltbrücke, mit einer Brückenschiene in der ersten Endposition und in der zweiten Endposition,

Fig. 2

eine Schaltbrücke gemäß Fig. 1, mit teilweise weggeschnittenem Isoliergehäuse,

Fig. 3

eine vergrößerte Darstellung einer Brückenschiene,

Fig. 4

die Brückenschiene gemäß Fig. 3 ohne Isoliergehäuse,

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer zweiten Ausführungsform einer Schaltbrücke,

Fig. 6

die Schaltbrücke gemäß Fig. 1, mit teilweise weggeschnittenem Isoliergehäuse,

Fig. 7

drei perspektivische Darstellungen einer dritten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Schaltbrücke,

Fig. 8

eine Baueinheit aus zwei nebeneinander angeordneten elektrischen Reihenklemmen und einer Schaltbrücke gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 9

einen Längsschnitt durch die Baueinheit gemäß Fig. 8, mit einem Schaltelement in der zweiten Endposition,

Fig. 10

einen Längsschnitt durch eine Baueinheit gemäß Fig. 8, mit einem Schaltelement in der ersten Endposition, und

Fig. 11

die in der rechten Hälfte der Baueinheit gemäß Fig. 8 angeordneten Metallteile.

In particular, there are a variety of ways to design and further develop the switching bridge according to the invention or the structural unit according to the invention. Reference is made to both the subordinate claims and to the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. In the drawing show

Fig. 1

two perspective views of a first embodiment of a switching bridge according to the invention, with a bridge rail in the first end position and in the second end position,

Fig. 2

a switching bridge according to Fig. 1 , with partially cutaway insulating housing,

Fig. 3

an enlarged view of a bridge rail,

Fig. 4

the bridge rail according to Fig. 3 without insulating housing,

Fig. 5

a perspective view of a second embodiment of a switching bridge,

Fig. 6

the switching bridge according to Fig. 1 , with partially cutaway insulating housing,

Fig. 7

three perspective views of a third embodiment of a switching bridge according to the invention,

Fig. 8

an assembly of two juxtaposed electrical terminals and a switching bridge according to Fig. 1 .

Fig. 9

a longitudinal section through the assembly according to Fig. 8 , with a switching element in the second end position,

Fig. 10

a longitudinal section through a unit according to Fig. 8 , with a switching element in the first end position, and

Fig. 11

in the right half of the assembly according to Fig. 8 arranged metal parts.

The Fig. 1 and 2 . 5 and 6 such as 7 show three different embodiments of a switching bridge according to the invention 1. The switching bridge 1 shown in the figures is used for bridging two juxtaposed electrical terminal blocks 3, 3 '( Fig. 8 ) wherein the terminal blocks 3, 3 'each have a busbar 4, 4' and in the busbars 4, 4 'in each case three openings 5, 6, 7 are formed on both sides of the central region.

In the housing 2 of the switching bridge 1 are two mutually insulated contact elements 8 for engaging in one of the openings 5, 7 in each one of the two busbars 4, 4 'of the two terminal blocks 3, 3' are arranged. In addition, a bridge rail 9 is held displaceably in the housing 2, the bridge rail 9 having two contact areas 10 and a connecting area 11 connecting the contact areas 10, in particular from FIG Fig. 4 is apparent.

Like the two representations of Fig. 1 show, the bridge rail 9 from a first end position ( Fig. 1a ) into a second end position ( Fig. 1b ) are moved. In the first end position of the bridge rail 9, the contact areas 10 are spaced from the contact elements 8, while the contact areas 10 in the second end position of the bridge rail 9 each contact element 8 electrically conductive contact, so that the two contact elements 8 via the bridge rail 9 electrically conductive with each other are connected.

Out Fig. 2 It can be seen that in the first embodiment of the switching bridge 1, the contact areas 10 of the bridge rail 9 facing ends 12 of the contact elements 8 and the contact areas 10 are arranged parallel to each other, the contact areas 10 in the second end position of the bridge rail 9 on the ends 12 of the contact elements 8 are deferred. The electrical connection between the contact elements 8 and the contact regions 10 of the bridge rail 9 is achieved in that in each case a screw 13 is screwed into the ends 12 of the two contact elements 8, so that by tightening the two screws 13, the two contact portions 10 of the bridge rail. 9 each electrically connected to one end 12 of a contact element 8. In addition, by tightening the screws 13 and the bridge rail 9 is fixed in the second end position. In particular from the 3 and 4 It can be seen that the contact regions 10 of the bridge rail 9 each have a recess 14 which is open on one side and which in the second end position of the bridge rail 9 partially surround the shaft of one of the two screws 13.

In the in the FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrated second embodiment of the switching bridge 1 according to the invention, the ends 12 of the contact elements eighth a pin-shaped latching element 15 and the contact regions 10 of the bridge rail 9 a corresponding recess 16 on. As a result, the contact elements 8 and the contact regions 10 of the bridge rail can each be locked together in the second end position of the bridge rail, as shown in FIG Fig. 6 is shown. The use of screws for realizing the electrically conductive connection between the contact elements 8 and the contact regions 10 or the bridge rail 9 is thus not required in this embodiment. When the bridge rail 9 is moved into the second end position, the pin-shaped latching elements 15 automatically slide into the latching recesses 16 of the contact regions 10.

The bridge rail 9 is preferably a simple stamped and bent part, in which the contact regions 10 and the connection region 11 are integrally connected to each other, so that the bridge rail 9 is integrally formed. In addition, the contact areas 10 are bent substantially perpendicularly from the connection area 11, so that the contact areas 10 can be easily connected when moving from the first end position to the second end position with the screws 13 and the pin-shaped latching elements 15 of the contact elements 8. The connecting portion 11 of the bridge rail 9 is arranged in an insulating housing 17, so that the bridge rail 9 can be moved by hand from one end position to the other end position.

In order to ensure a good guidance of the bridge rail 9 within the housing 2, both in the switching bridge 1 according to the Fig. 1 and 2 as well as the switching bridge 1 according to the FIGS. 5 and 6 in the housing 2 a running in the direction of the bridge rail 9 web 18 and the insulating housing 17 of the bridge rail 9, a corresponding groove 19 is formed. The bridge rail 9 thus sits with its groove 19 on the web 18 of the housing 2. In addition, a secure guidance of the bridge rail 9 when moving from one end position to the other end position is ensured by the fact that in the side walls 20 of the housing 2 two guide grooves 21 and the insulating housing 17 of the bridge rail 9 laterally two corresponding guide ribs 22 are formed in the Guide grooves 21 are guided.

In addition, the housing 2 is formed both a stop 23 for the bridge rail 9 in the first end position and a stop 24 for the bridge rail 9 in the second end position. The stop 23 is realized by two laterally formed on the web 18 ribs, while serving as a stop 24 extending transversely to the direction of the bridge rail partition. From the Fig. 1 and 5 In addition, it is still apparent that in the guide grooves 21 in the side walls 20 each have a locking lug 25 protrudes, which together with the guide ribs 22 on the insulating housing 17 of the bridge rail 9 ensures that the bridge rail 9 in the first end position in the housing 2-locked. However, the latching between the locking lug 25 in the guide groove 21 and the guide rib 22 is only so strong that accidental slippage of the bridge rail 9 is prevented from the first end position. In the case of a desired manual displacement of the bridge rail 9 from the first end position to the second end position, however, the locking can be easily overcome.

For secure mechanical attachment of the switching bridge 1 when plugged into the terminal blocks 3, 3 'are on the housing 2 of the switching bridge 1, two resilient locking elements 26 formed in a second opening 6 in the two busbars 4, 4'. In the jumper 1 according to Fig. 1 and 2 is formed at the end of the two latching elements 26 each have a latching nose, while at the switching bridge 1 according to Fig. 5 the locking elements 26 each have two opposing resilient latching hooks 27.

How out Fig. 9 it can be seen, lock when inserting the switching bridge 1 in the terminal blocks 3, 3 ', the two contact elements 8 respectively in the central opening 5 in the two busbars 4, 4', whereby the two busbars 4, 4 'are contacted by the contact elements 8. In addition, the two latching elements 26 each engage in the inner opening 6 in the two busbars 4, 4 '. The latching elements 26 serve exclusively for the mechanical latching of the switching bridge 1 or of the housing 2 in the terminal blocks 3, 3 '. In the embodiment according to Fig. 10 the switching bridge 1 is inserted into the terminal blocks 3, 3 ', that the two contact elements 8 respectively in the outer opening 7 and the latching elements 26 respectively in the central opening 5 in the two busbars 4, 4' latch.

The Fig. 7 shows a third embodiment of a switching bridge 1, in which a jumper 28 is arranged axially displaceable on the housing 2. The jumper 27 also has two contact elements 8, which can be inserted into one of the openings 5, 6, 7 in the two busbars 4, 4 'respectively. In contrast to the contact elements 8 of the switching bridge 1 according to the Fig. 1 and 2 and 5 and 6 are the contact elements 8 of the jumper 28 and the switching bridge 1 according to Fig. 7 electrically conductively connected to one another via a connection region. As from the three representations according to the Fig. 7 can be seen, the jumper 28 from a first position ( Fig. 7a ) into a second position ( Fig. 7c ) axially displaceable.

If the jumper 1 with the jumper 28 in the first position according to Fig. 7a inserted into two electrical terminal blocks 3, 3 ', so initially lock the two locking elements 26 with their opposing resilient locking hooks 27 in two openings in each one of the two busbars 4, 4'. In this first position of the jumper 28, the contact elements 8 are not yet in the first openings in the two busbars 4, 4 'plugged in, so that the busbars 4, 4' of the contact elements 8 are not yet contacted. If the jumper 28 according to the Fig. 7c displaced into the second position, as well as the contact elements 8 engage in the second openings in the two busbars 4, 4 ', so that the two busbars 4, 4' of juxtaposed electrical terminal blocks 3, 3 'are short-circuited via the jumper 28.

According to the insulating housing 17 of the bridge rail 9, the jumper 28 in its connection region an insulating housing 29, so that the jumper 28 is formed finger touch safe. To ensure good axial guidance of the jumper 28 are on the housing 2 of the switching bridge 1 side two guide ribs 30 and in the insulating housing 29 corresponding thereto two guide grooves 31 are formed. The jumper 28 could thus easily by hand from the first position ( Fig. 7a ) to the second position ( Fig. 7c ) are pressed down.

However, in order to facilitate the displacement of the jumper 28, an actuating elements 32 is rotatably mounted on the housing 2, whose one end 33 is connected to the insulating housing 29, so that by pivoting the actuating element 32, the jumper 28 is moved from the first position to the second position. For easy operation of the actuator 32 is in the other end a receptacle 34 for insertion of a tool, for example, the tip of a screwdriver is formed. The jumper 28 can thus be easily moved from the first position to the second position, so that the tip of a screwdriver inserted into the receptacle 34 in the actuator 32 and then the screwdriver is pivoted counterclockwise.

While in the two embodiments according to the Fig. 1 and 7 the contact elements 8 are formed as spring contacts are in the embodiment according to the FIGS. 5 and 6 the contact elements 8 are formed as pin contacts. The contact elements 8 designed as spring contacts have two contact legs 35 arranged parallel to one another, of which at least one is resilient.

The Fig. 8 to 10 show an assembly of two juxtaposed electrical terminal blocks 3, 3 ', which can be snapped together on a support rail, not shown here, and one in the terminal blocks 3, 3' inserted jumper 1. The terminal blocks 3, 3 'each have a made of insulating material existing terminal housing 36, 36 ', in which two conductor connection elements 37 and a busbar 4, 4' are arranged. In the illustrated embodiment, the conductor terminal members 37 are each leg spring terminals, into which rigid conductors can be directly inserted through corresponding conductor insertion openings 38 in the terminal housing 36, 36 '.

Since it is in the in the Fig. 8 to 10 terminal blocks 3, 3 'to through terminals with a disconnect option, so-called disconnect terminals, acts, the busbars 4, 4' each consist of two sections connected via a in the middle of the terminal blocks 3, 3 'pivotally mounted longitudinal slide 39 electrically connected to each other or can be separated from each other. The structure of the terminal blocks 3, 3 'is substantially identical on both sides of the longitudinal separator slide 39, in particular in the terminal housing 36, 36' on both sides of the longitudinal separator slide 39 each three function shafts 40, 41, 42 are formed, the corresponding to the three openings 5, 6, 7 in the two parts of the busbar 4, 4 'are arranged. The switching bridge 1 can be inserted either on one of the two sides of the longitudinal separator 39 in the terminal housing 36, 36 '. In addition, the switching bridge 1 with its contact elements 8 either in the opening 5 in the two busbars 4, 4 '( Fig. 9 ) or in the opening 7 (FIG. Fig. 10 ) are inserted. The locking elements 26 are then either in the openings 6 (FIG. Fig. 9 ) or in the openings 5 (FIG. Fig. 10 ) of the busbars 4, 4 'inserted. In addition, the switching bridge 1 can also be rotated by 180 ° in the terminal blocks 3, 3 'are inserted, so that the region 43 of the housing 2 of the switching bridge 1, in which the bridge rail 9 is slidably guided, over the central region of the terminal housing 36, 36 'is arranged.

Such as from the Fig. 1 can be seen, the housing 2 of the switching bridge 1 is approximately L-shaped. In this case, the region 43 of the housing 2, in which the bridge rail 9 is displaceably guided, has an open bottom. This results in that in an arrangement of the switching bridge 1 in the two terminal blocks 3, 3 'according to Fig. 9 through the open bottom of the housing 2, for example, a contact pin can be inserted through the functional shaft 42 in the third opening 7 in the two busbars 4, 4 '. Likewise, even with plugged switching bridge 1, the conductor insertion openings 38 are accessible, so that an electrical conductor can be connected even when plugged jumper 1 to the electrical terminal 3, 3 '. In contrast, the actuating opening 44 in the terminal housing 36, 36 'in one according to Fig. 10 inserted switching bridge 1 only accessible when the bridge rail 9 is not in the first end position but in the second end position. This ensures that a conductor can only be removed from a conductor connection element 37 when a connected current transformer is short-circuited by the switching bridge 1.

Out Fig. 11 is again apparent that the two contact elements 8 of the switching bridge 1 according to Fig. 1 and 2 only electrically conductively connected to each other when the bridge rail 9 is in the second end position. In this position, then the two contact elements 8 and thus also the two busbars 4, 4 'in the openings 5, the two contact elements 8 are inserted in contact, electrically connected to each other via the bridge rail 9, so that two adjacent to each other terminal blocks 3, 3 'are short-circuited by the appropriately switched switching bridge 1.

Claims (22)

1. Switching bridge having a housing (2) for bridging at least two electrical terminal strips (3, 3') which are arranged next to one another, wherein the terminal strips (3, 3') in each case have at least one busbar (4, 4'), and in each case at least one opening (5, 6, 7) is formed in the busbars (4, 4'),
   characterized in that
   at least two contact elements (8), which are insulated from one another, for engaging into an opening (5, 6, 7) in in each case one of the busbars (4, 4') are arranged in the housing (2), and
   in that a bridge rail (9) is held in a movable manner in the housing (2), wherein the bridge rail (9) has at least two contact regions (10) and a connecting region (11) which connects the contact regions (10), and wherein the bridge rail (9) can be moved from a first end position, in which the contact regions (10) do not make contact with the contact elements (8), to a second end position, in which the contact elements (8) are electrically conductively connected to one another by means of the bridge rail (9).
2. Switching bridge according to Claim 1, characterized in that the ends (12) of the contact elements (8), which ends face the contact regions (10) of the bridge rail (9), and the contact regions (10) of the bridge rail (9) are arranged parallel to one another, in that in each case one screw (13) is screwed into the ends (12) of the contact elements (8), which ends face the contact regions (10) of the bridge rail (9), and in that in each case one contact region (10) can be electrically conductively connected to the end (12) of a contact element (8) by means of a screw (13) in the second end position of the bridge rail (9).
3. Switching bridge according to Claim 2, characterized in that the contact regions (10) of the bridge rail (9) in each case have a recess (14) which is open on one side and which in each case at least partially engages around the shaft of a screw (13) in the second end position of the bridge rail (9).
4. Switching bridge according to Claim 1, characterized in that the ends (12) of the contact elements (8), which ends face the contact regions (10) of the bridge rail (9), and the contact regions (10) of the bridge rail (9) can in each case be latched to one another in the second end position of the bridge rail (9), wherein the ends (12) of the contact elements (8) preferably have an, in particular pin-like, latching element (15), and the contact regions (10) have a latching recess (16).
5. Switching bridge according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the connecting region (11) of the bridge rail (9) is at least partially arranged in an insulating housing (17) or is encapsulated by an insulating housing (17).
6. Switching bridge according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one web (18), which runs in the movement direction of the bridge rail (9), is formed in the housing (2), and at least one corresponding groove (19) is formed in the connecting region (11) or in the insulating housing (17) of the bridge rail (9), and in that the bridge rail (9) is guided on the web (18) by way of the groove (19) when the said bridge rail is moved from one end position to the other end position.
7. Switching bridge according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that two guide grooves (21) are formed in the side walls (20) of the housing (2), and two corresponding guide ribs (22) are formed on the sides of the bridge rail (9), in particular on the insulating housing (17).
8. Switching bridge according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a stop (23) for the bridge rail (9) in the first end position and/or a stop (24) for the bridge rail (9) in the second end position are/is formed in the housing (2).
9. Switching bridge having a housing (2) for bridging at least two electrical terminal strips (3, 3') which are arranged next to one another, wherein the terminal strips (3, 3') in each case have at least one busbar (4, 4'), and in each case at least one opening (5, 6, 7) is formed in the busbars (4, 4'),
   characterized in that
   the housing (2) can be latched in the terminal strips (3, 3'),
   in that a plug-in bridge (28) having at least two contact elements (8), which are electrically conductively connected to one another by means of a connecting region, is arranged on the housing (2) in an axially movable manner, and
   in that the plug-in bridge (28) can be moved from a first position, in which the contact elements (8) do not make contact with the openings (5, 6, 7) in the busbars (4, 4'), to a second position, in which the contact elements (8) in each case engage into an opening (5, 6, 7) in a busbar (4, 4').
10. Switching bridge according to Claim 9, characterized in that at least the connecting region of the plug-in bridge (28) is arranged in an insulating housing (29) or is encapsulated by an insulating housing (29).
11. Switching bridge according to Claim 10, characterized in that at least one guide rib (30) is formed on the housing (2), and at least one corresponding guide groove (31) is formed in the insulating housing (29).
12. Switching bridge according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that an operating element (32) is mounted in a rotatable manner on the housing (2), one end (33) of the said operating element being connected to the insulating housing (29), wherein the plug-in bridge (28) can be moved from the first position to the second position by pivoting the operating element (32), wherein the other end of the operating element (32) preferably has a receptacle (34) for inserting a tool.
13. Switching bridge according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the contact elements (8) are in the form of spring contacts, wherein each spring contact preferably has two contact limbs (35) which are arranged parallel to one another and of which at least one has a spring action.
14. Switching bridge according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that at least two spring-action latching elements (26) for latching in a second opening (5, 6, 7) in in each case one of the busbars (4, 4') are arranged on the housing (2).
15. Unit comprising at least two electrical terminal strips (3, 3'), which are arranged next to one another, and a switching bridge (1), which has a housing (2), according to one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the terminal strips (3, 3') in each case have a terminal housing (36, 36') which is composed of insulating material and has at least two conductor connection elements (37) arranged therein and at least one busbar (4, 4'), wherein in each case at least one function shaft (40, 41, 42) for at least partially receiving the switching bridge (1) is formed in the terminal housings (36, 36'), and in each case at least one opening (5, 6, 7) is formed in the busbars (4, 4'),
    characterized in that
    at least two contact elements (8), which are insulated from one another, for engaging into an opening (5, 6, 7) in in each case one of the busbars (4, 4') of the terminal strips (3, 3') are arranged in the housing (2) of the switching bridge (1), and
    in that a bridge rail (9) is held in a movable manner in the housing (2) of the switching bridge (1), wherein the bridge rail (9) has at least two contact regions (10) and a connecting region (11) which connects the contact regions (10), and wherein the bridge rail (9) can be moved from a first end position, in which the contact regions (10) do not make contact with the contact elements (8), to a second end position, in which the contact elements (8) are electrically conductively connected to one another by means of the bridge rail (9).
16. Unit according to Claim 15, characterized in that at least one web (18), which runs in the movement direction of the bridge rail (9), is formed in the housing (2) of the switching bridge (1), and at least one corresponding groove (19) is formed in the connecting region (11) or in the insulating housing (17) of the bridge rail (9), and in that the bridge rail (9) is guided on the web (18) by way of the groove (19) when the said bridge rail is moved from one end position to the other end position.
17. Unit according to Claim 16, characterized in that a stop (23) for the bridge rail (9) in the first end position and a stop (24) for the bridge rail (9) in the second end position are formed in the housing (2) of the switching bridge (1), wherein the stop (24) for the bridge rail (9) in the second end position is preferably in the form of a partition wall which runs transversely to the movement direction of the bridge rail (9).
18. Unit according to one of Claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the housing (2) of the switching bridge (1) is approximately L-shaped, and in that the region (43) of the housing (2) in which the bridge rail (9) is held in a movable manner in the housing (2) has an open bottom, and therefore a tool or a contact pin can be passed through the open bottom of the housing (2) of the switching bridge (1) when the bridge rail (9) is in the second end position.
19. Unit according to Claim 18, characterized in that the housing (2) of the switching bridge (1) is dimensioned such that the switching bridge (1) can be inserted into the terminal housing (36, 36') of the terminal strips (3, 3') in such a way that a conductor, which is connected to a conductor connection element (37), cannot be removed from the conductor connection element (37) when the bridge rail (9) is in the first end position.
20. Unit comprising at least two electrical terminal strips (3, 3'), which are arranged next to one another, and a switching bridge (1), which has a housing (2), according to one of Claims 9 to 14, wherein the terminal strips (3, 3') in each case have a terminal housing (36, 36') which is composed of insulating material and has at least two conductor connection elements (37) arranged therein and at least one busbar (4, 4'), wherein in each case at least one function shaft (40, 41, 42) for at least partially receiving the switching bridge (1) is formed in the terminal housings (36, 36'), and in each case at least one opening (5, 6, 7) is formed in the busbars (4, 4'),
    characterized in that
    the housing (2) of the switching bridge (1) can be latched in the terminal strips (3, 3'),
    in that a plug-in bridge (28) having at least two contact elements (8), which are electrically conductively connected to one another by means of a connecting region, is arranged on the housing (2) in an axially movable manner, and
    in that the plug-in bridge (28) can be moved from a first position, in which the contact elements (8) do not make contact with the openings (5, 6, 7) in the busbars (4, 4'), to a second position, in which the contact elements (8) in each case engage into an opening (5, 6, 7) in the busbars (4, 4').
21. Unit according to Claim 20, wherein in each case at least two function shafts (40, 41, 42) are formed in the terminal housings (36, 36'), and in each case at least two openings (5, 6, 7) are formed in the busbars (4, 4'), characterized in that at least two spring-action latching elements (26) for latching in a second opening (5, 6, 7) in in each case one of the busbars (4, 4') are arranged on the housing (2) of the switching bridge (1), wherein the latching elements (26) preferably have in each case two spring-action latching hooks (27) which are situated opposite one another.
22. Unit according to one of Claims 15 to 21, characterized in that a further function shaft (40, 41, 42) for inserting a contact pin of a test plug or a plug-in bridge is formed in the terminal housings (36, 36') of the terminal strips (3, 3').

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