EP2735014B1 - Switch assembly for producing and/or separating a connection between a male and a female connector - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a switch assembly with a plug and a complementary mating connector for making and / or separating a connection of the plug with the mating connector, wherein the mating connector is arranged in particular on a circuit breaker and wherein the plug is assigned in particular a replaceable additional module for the circuit breaker.

Such switch arrangements of plugs and complementary mating plugs, in particular of circuit breakers with additional modules, are used inter alia in switching devices, switches and in particular switches with accessories, for example with adapters. The connection of a plug with a complementary mating connector, each with a plurality of plug contacts, which are connectable to electrical conductors, is usually made or disconnected by plugging or unplugging by hand.

The document DE 689 06 238 T2 discloses a switch assembly with a plug and a complementary mating connector, wherein on the plug a rotatable about an axis locking bolt is arranged, and a locking of the plug with the mating connector by the locking bolt can be produced.

The DE 10 2009 023 347 A1 relates to a manually operated circuit breaker with a rotatable about an axis hand control knob and a pluggable, replaceable add-on module, the circuit breaker having a locking means for locking the additional module, which is movable between an unlocked position and a locking position. In the modular circuit breaker, the removal of the modules in the on state by mechanical interlocks is prevented. An electronic status message about the locking or the switching state of the additional module is generated at the circuit breaker by the position of the blocking means is transmitted by a power transmission member to a microswitch in the add-on module such that the microswitch is turned on or off in response to the position of the blocking means.

The microswitch influences an electronic circuit which can transmit status information to a connected evaluation system.

A disadvantage of modularly constructed circuit breaker according to the prior art is that the plugging of the plug-in module on the circuit breaker depending on the type of connector and, for example, according to the number and design of the plug contacts to be connected requires considerable effort, which must be applied to establish the lock to be able to. The force increases during the Aufsteckvorgangs, as the plug contacts increasingly engage, thereby increasing the friction. At a force of, for example, 120 Newton in the range of a few millimeters from the fully inserted position when connecting and especially when disconnecting the connector by hand, a significant risk of injury. If, for example, a trigger module in structurally unfavorable position of a switchgear, possibly overhead through a person standing on a ladder, should be pulled off a circuit breaker, the sudden release of the connection can easily lead to a fall.

An object of the invention is to facilitate the production of a connection and / or the separation of a connection of a plug with a complementary mating connector, especially in that area in which a particularly high force required for the connection or disconnection.

The object is achieved by a connector assembly according to claim 1. In the dependent claims preferred embodiments and advantageous developments are given.

In the switch assembly according to the invention with a plug and a complementary mating connector for making and / or separating a connection of the plug with the mating connector, a locking bolt rotatable about an axis is arranged on the plug, wherein the locking bolt has a thread and on the mating connector a mating thread is arranged. The connection of the plug with the mating connector according to the invention by screwing in the Thread of the locking bolt in the mating thread produced. It is in the sense of the invention with the names plug and mating connector made no determination to that effect, which is a plug and wherein a plug receptacle. Preferably, the plug is a generally replaceable switch module, in particular a trigger module, which particularly preferably cooperates with a circuit breaker, wherein the circuit breaker forms or has the mating connector. The plug is designed in particular for receiving a plug insert with a plurality of plug contacts and the mating plug for receiving a mating plug insert with a plurality of complementary plug contacts, wherein the plug contacts are each connected to electrical conductors.

An advantage of the switching arrangement according to the invention is that the region of the greatest expenditure of force when connecting the connector can be overcome by the fact that the threaded bolt is screwed, instead of having to exert pressure on the plug. Likewise advantageously, the connection of the plug with the mating connector by unscrewing the thread of the locking bolt from the mating thread is separable, without significantly apply tensile forces.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the thread and the mating thread each have a pitch such that half a rotation of the locking bolt about the axis corresponds to a relative movement of the plug to the mating connector along the axis between a connected position and a separate position. The connected position is to be understood such that the plug is inserted to a stop in the mating connector, while the separate position is reached as soon as the range of particularly high insertion forces is overcome. This is usually the case after more than half a millimeter and less than five millimeters, in particular less than three millimeters, and more preferably less than two millimeters. Accordingly, the thread and the mating thread each have a pitch of two millimeters to five millimeters, preferably about 3.5 millimeters. Further preferably, the thread and the mating thread are self-locking, which advantageously unintentional release of Connection by a different external force, as the rotation of the locking bolt is prevented.

According to a further preferred embodiment it is provided that the locking bolt is secured in the axial direction on the plug. In the axial direction than in the direction of the axis of rotation of the locking bolt. The locking bolt is supported in particular in the axial direction against the plug, preferably in both directions. As a result, the locking bolt is advantageously rotatable relative to the plug, but mounted axially non-displaceable. A shift in the radial direction is preferably also provided as little.

Preferably, the locking bolt is guided in a guide on the plug. The guide can be designed in the form of a hole through the plug. Preferably, the locking bolt has a head portion, wherein the head portion cooperates with a counter-stop on the plug, whereby advantageously the axial fixing of the locking bolt in a first direction is feasible.

Particularly preferably, the guide is at least partially formed as a guide groove on the plug. The guide can be open on one side, which could be realized by an undercut guide. Alternatively, the guide groove may be closed at least in sections by a cover in order to fix the locking bolt radially.

According to a further preferred embodiment it is provided that at least one removable locking washer is arranged on the plug, wherein the locking bolt has at least one circumferential locking groove, wherein the locking washer engages in the locking groove. An advantage of the embodiment is that the locking bolt is axially fixed by the lock washer in both directions. Furthermore, no undercut of the guide is required. The lock washer is advantageously removable, so that the locking bolt can be removed, be it in the axial direction with a closed guide or in the radial direction with an open guide.

Particularly preferably, a plurality of removable locking washers are arranged on the plug, wherein the locking bolt has a plurality of circumferential locking grooves, wherein each of the locking washers engages in one of the locking grooves.
According to a further preferred embodiment, an actuation lock is provided for securing the locking bolt. As a result, an actuation, ie a screwing in or unscrewing the locking bolt is prevented, in particular when the switch assembly is working. Preferably, a slider forms the actuation fuse, wherein the slider prevents rotation of the locking bolt in a securing position. Like a cap, the slider obscures, for example, the head of the locking bolt so that a screwdriver can not be attached. The slider is particularly preferably adjustable by an actuator on the plug from an unlocked position to the securing position and vice versa. For example, a cover flap on the plug, which covers operating elements may advantageously be mechanically connected to the slider such that closing the flap entails an adjustment of the slider to the securing position and an opening of the flap releases the locking bolt again. The slider slides in a channel, wherein the channel is formed on a lid of the plug, and wherein the flap is also hinged to the lid pivotally. A corresponding transmission converts the pivoting movement of the flap into, for example, a linear movement of the slide.

According to a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the mating connector is arranged on a circuit breaker, wherein the plug is associated with a replaceable additional module.

The invention will be explained in more detail according to an embodiment with reference to drawings. The statements are exemplary and do not limit the general idea of the invention.

• Figur 1 eine Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Anordnung in einer perspektivischen Darstellung im nicht verbundenen Zustand;
• Figuren 2 bis 4 die Ausführungsform gemäß Figur 1 in verschiedenen Phasen eines Verbindungsvorgangs;
• Figur 5 die Ausführungsform gemäß Figur 1 im verbundenen und gesicherten Zustand;
• Figur 6 den Verriegelungsbolzen als Detail; und
• Figur 7 die Ausführungsform gemäß Figur 1 in perspektivischer Explosionsdarstellung.

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• FIG. 1 an embodiment of an inventive arrangement in a perspective view in the disconnected state;
• FIGS. 2 to 4 the embodiment according to FIG. 1 in different phases of a connection process;
• FIG. 5 the embodiment according to FIG. 1 in the connected and secured state;
• FIG. 6 the locking bolt as a detail; and
• FIG. 7 the embodiment according to FIG. 1 in a perspective exploded view.

The FIGS. 1 to 5 show a circuit arrangement according to the invention, here with a mating connector 12 to a circuit breaker 2 and a plug 11 to an additional module 1, which is placed on the circuit breaker housing. The additional module 1 may be, for example, an electronic or mechanical release module, which brings the protection switch 2 to turn off when adjustable parameters are reached. The parameters can be, for example, the temperature of a motor to be switched or the current flow through the motor connections. The circuit breaker 2 has a manual control knob 15 ( FIG. 4 ), with which the circuit breaker 2 can be switched on and off when the additional module 1 is connected to the circuit breaker 2 and secured. In FIG. 1 is the additional module 1 shown aligned on the circuit breaker 2, but the plug 11 is still completely separated from the mating connector 12. According to the invention, a locking bolt 31 rotatable about an axis 32 is arranged on the plug 11, the locking bolt having a thread 38 and a mating thread 39 being arranged on the mating connector 12. The plug 11 has in the illustrated embodiment, an actuation fuse 22, which prevents a connection and / or disconnection of plug 11 and mating connector 12 by the locking bolt 31 is covered by a slider 22. The cross-shaped receptacle for a screwdriver in the head 36 (FIG. FIG. 2 ) is not accessible. The slider 22 is preferably coupled to a flap 21, which is hinged to a cover 20 of the plug 11 pivotally. Under the flap 21, for example, adjusting elements for switching module 1 are arranged. The flap 21 is connected to the slider 22 such that the slider 22 is pushed out when closing the flap 21 from a channel 23, so that the head 36 of the locking bolt 31 is covered.

The FIGS. 2 to 4 show how the circuit breaker 2 is connected to an additional module 1. In the FIG. 2 the plug 11 is shown in the same position as in the FIG. 1 However, the flap 21 is open and thus the slider 22 of the actuation fuse withdrawn into the channel 23, so that the head 36 of the locking pin 31 is accessible.

In FIG. 3 the additional module 1 is inserted into a receptacle of the circuit breaker 2 while the plug-in process for establishing a connection between the plug 11 and the mating connector 12 is started. The insertion forces to overcome the last about two millimeters of insertion are significant. The connection of the plug 11 with the mating connector 12 is made by screwing the thread 38 of the locking bolt 31 into the mating thread 39. In the in FIG. 3 shown position, the thread 38 of the locking bolt 31 is engaged, but not yet screwed into the mating thread 39. An arrow-like mark on the head 36 is now rotated from the labeled "open" position in the labeled "close" position. After half a revolution of the locking bolt 31, the plug 11 comes into contact with the mating connector 12, which in FIG. 4 is shown. The connection of circuit breaker 2 and additional module 1 is made. To release the connection, the locking bolt 31 is unscrewed again.

In the FIG. 5 the plug 11 is again shown connected to the mating connector 12, and in addition to the actuation fuse 22. By closing the flap 21 of the slider 22 is pushed out of the channel 23 over the head 36 of the locking bolt 31. This means that the flap 21 can only be closed when the locking bolt is in its intended position is located and not sticking out of the guide 14. By closing the flap 21, the locking bolt 31 is then secured by the slider 22 against unscrewing during operation. If the circuit breaker 2 is taken with the flap 21 closed with the knob 15 in operation, the flap 21 is blocked by the knob 15, so that the flap 21 can be opened again only when the circuit breaker 2. Before disconnecting the circuit breaker 2 and plug-in module 1, the flap must be opened to retract the slider 22 again in the channel 23 and so release the locking pin 31.

In the FIG. 6 the locking pin 31 is shown enlarged. In addition to the securing grooves 34, the thread 38 is visible with a particularly large pitch. The pitch is preferably two to five millimeters, so that half a revolution of the locking bolt 31 causes an axial displacement of the plug of one to two and a half millimeters, which is sufficient to overcome the range of particularly high insertion forces.

In the FIG. 7 the plug 11 is shown with the mating connector 12 in an exploded view of the invention essential items. A guide 14 in the form of an at least partially closed groove on the surface of the plug 11 is provided for receiving the locking bolt 31. Lock washers 33 are connected to the plug 11 so that they engage in the locking grooves 34 on the locking bolt 31 when it is in the guide 14. As a result, the locking bolt 31 is fixed along its axis of rotation 32. The screwing of the thread 38 in the mating thread 39 therefore leads to no axial movement of the locking bolt 31 relative to the plug 11, but the plug 11 is by the power transmission via the lock washers 33 and the head 36 on the plug 11 and the counter-stop 37 at used the mating connector 12. Conversely, when unscrewing the plug 11 is pulled out of the mating connector 12.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

additional module

2

breaker

11

plug

12

Mating connector

14

guide

15

gag

20

cover

21

flap

22

Regulator lock / slide

23

channel

31

locking bolt

32

axis of rotation

33

lock washers

34

securing grooves

36

head

37

counterstop

38

thread

39

mating thread

Claims (14)

1. Switch assembly having a connector (11) and a complementary mating-connector (12) for producing and separating a connection of the connector (11) with the mating-connector (12),

   • wherein on the connector (11) is arranged a locking bolt (31) rotatable about an axis (32),

   • wherein the locking bolt has a thread (38),

   • wherein a counter-thread (39) is arranged on the mating-connector (12), and

   • wherein a locking of the connector (11) with the mating-connector (12) can be produced by screwing in the thread (38) of the locking bolt (31) into the counter-thread (39),

   wherein a relative movement of the connector (11) to the mating-connector (12) for connecting the connector (11) with the mating-connector (12) can be produced by screwing in the thread (38) of the locking bolt (31) into the counter-thread (39), characterised in that
   likewise a relative movement of the connector (11) to the mating-connector (12) for separating the connector (11) from the mating-connector (12) can be produced by screwing out the thread (38) of the locking bolt (31) out of the counter-thread (39).
2. Switch assembly according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the thread (38) and the counter-thread (39) each have a pitch such that a half turn of the locking bolt (31) about the axis (32) corresponds to the relative movement of the connector (11) to the mating-connector (12) along the axis (32) between a connected position and a separated position.
3. Switch assembly according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the thread (38) and the counter-thread (39) each have a pitch of two millimetres to five millimetres, preferably of approximately 3.5 millimetres.
4. Switch assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the thread (38) and the counter-thread (39) are designed self-locking.
5. Switch assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the locking bolt (31) is secured in axial direction to the connector (11).
6. Switch assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the locking bolt (31) is guided in a guide (14) on the connector (11).
7. Switch assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the locking bolt (31) has a head portion (36), wherein the head portion interacts with a counter stop (37) on the connector (11).
8. Switch assembly according to claim 6, characterised in that the guide (14) is designed at least partially as a guiding groove on the connector (11).
9. Switch assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that on the connector (11) is disposed at least one removable lock washer (33), wherein the locking bolt (31) has at least one peripheral securing groove (34), wherein the lock washer (33) engages in the securing groove (34).
10. Switch assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that on the connector (11) is disposed a plurality of removable lock washers (33), wherein the locking bolt (31) has a plurality of peripheral securing grooves (34), wherein each of the lock washers (33) engages in one of the securing grooves (34).
11. Switch assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that an actuating safety mechanism (22) is provided for securing the locking bolt (31).
12. Switch assembly according to claim 11, characterised in that a slider (22) forms the actuating safety mechanism, wherein the slider in a secured position prevents a rotation of the locking bolt (31).
13. Switch assembly according to claim 12, characterised in that the slider (22) can be adjusted by an actuator (21) on the connector (11) from an unsecured position into the secured position and vice versa.
14. Switch assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mating-connector (12) is disposed on a protector switch, wherein the connector (11) is assigned to an exchangeable additional module.

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